Keeper

by Kim Chance

  My lip began to quiver as I listened, and tears of my own began rolling down my cheeks.

  She kissed my palm and then reached down and picked up a book, the Grimoire. “Now you’ll both be safe,” she said, her voice clear and full of resolve.

  She began to murmur words soft enough that I couldn’t make them out. But the Grimoire responded. The book began to glow, and then it began to smoke as if it were on fire.

  I cried out as I watched the book become consumed with glowing green flames. As the pages burned, their essences seemed to gather into a cloud of vapor that swirled like a tornado on the ceiling.

  When the entire book had been consumed and eradicated, I watched my mother say one final word and wave her hand over my head. The swirling cloud of vapor plummeted downward and poured into the sleeping child’s mind. I did not even stir.

  When the room was dark again, my mother kissed me once more and then walked out of the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

  “Are you sure you have to leave?” A younger Gareth rounded the corner, his face mournful.

  “You know I have no other choice.” Her voice was ragged. “I won’t let anything happen to her, Gareth. I won’t!” My mother’s tears were flowing freely now. “You have to keep her safe. He can never find out about her.”

  Gareth nodded solemnly. “I promise.” He reached out his hand and my mother shook it, a golden glow emanating from their touch.

  The image faded away, leaving me alone again with Josephine.

  “Promises forged through magic can only be broken by death. Your mother sealed the truth of what she’d done in the vow Gareth made to keep you safe,” Josephine said. “He had no way of knowing the secret he was carrying, and neither did anyone else. Not until . . .”

  “Not until I killed him,” I finished. The words sliced through me, but I forced the pain away. “But I still don’t understand,” I said. “What did my mother do to me? What secret? She destroyed the Grimoire.”

  “No,” Josephine said softly. “You mother did not destroy the Grimoire. She transfigured it. The book no longer exists in physical form. What your mother did has never been done before, but she thought it was the best way to keep you both from the clutches of the Master.”

  “If the book no longer exists in physical form, then where does it exist?”

  Josephine gave a tiny, encouraging smile. “In you, Lainey.”

  “In me?” I swallowed hard, feeling my body sway as adrenaline and panic swam through my veins.

  “Yes. Lainey, there is no Grimoire anymore. You are the Grimoire.”

  I blanched. For several moments I couldn’t speak. “What does that mean?”

  “It means that everything that was in the Grimoire—all of the information, the spells, the power—it’s all a part of you now. You are the last remaining Keeper, and it is your job, your destiny to keep it all safe.”

  “But I don’t even know how to use my powers.” I felt very small, like a child who’s just been given an impossible responsibility. “How can I be responsible for something of this magnitude when I have no idea how to use it?”

  Josephine reached out and caressed my cheek. “You’ll learn in time. Go with Zia to the Hetaeria base camp. There are people there who can help you, train you. The Master is coming for you, Lainey. You must be ready.”

  I swayed on my feet but managed to stay upright. I was shaking all over. “I don’t know if I can do this.” My words were barely louder than a whisper.

  “You must.”

  I sucked in a breath as I remembered Gareth’s words. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it. Those choices are what will determine your destiny.

  I realized then that, despite my pain, I wasn’t one of the living dead, and in that moment, I knew I didn’t want to be.

  “I know,” I finally said. “I know.” The words filled me with renewed strength, and though I was still raw and aching, my fear and anger dissipated.

  I thought of my mother, of Josephine, of all the Keepers that came before me—their strength, their courage was mine now, flowing through my veins. I was a DuCarmont witch, and I was choosing to be strong.

  “I am the Keeper of the Grimoire,” I said, my voice clear and strong. “Now and forever.”

  Josephine smiled proudly and nodded.

  “Won’t I see you again?” I asked hopefully.

  Josephine’s smile was a little sad. “One day, I hope.” She looked over her shoulder, as if someone had called her name. “I’m afraid I must go now. My power isn’t strong enough to sustain me much longer. But there’s one last thing I must show you.” She pointed to the gauzy barrier. “Look.”

  I followed her gaze and saw the outline of three figures standing beyond the shadows. One was tall with broad shoulders; the other two had their hands linked. One was small and petite, yet strong, and the other was solid and of a medium height. The tall one raised an arm in greeting, and I felt the tiniest beat of life in my chest.

  And I knew.

  “Mom and Dad . . . Gareth . . .” I smiled, though I tasted salt from my tears. “They’re okay?” I asked Josephine. “They’re happy?”

  “Yes, dear one. They are together and happy. And so proud of you.”

  Her words jump-started my heart, and for the first time in days, I felt it beating with life. I was bruised and weary, but I was whole again.

  I wrapped my arms around Josephine, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you,” I said. “For everything.” I pulled away. “Will you do something for me? Will you tell them I love them, that I won’t let them down. Can you do that?”

  Josephine’s eyes were full of tears and she nodded. “Of course.” She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Be brave, Lainey,” she whispered. “As you always are.”

  She gave my hand one last squeeze and then stepped across the river and through the Veil. I watched her go, and when the swirling vortex of color came for me, I was ready.

  With one last look at the shadows, I closed my eyes and waited for the darkness.

  It was the sound of birds chirping in the trees that let me know I was back at the campsite. When I opened my eyes, Maggie was sitting up in her cot, yawning and stretching. “Morning,” she chirped.

  I sat up slowly. The sun was just beginning to peek through the trees. It was a new day. A fresh start. I smiled to myself.

  “Hey, Styles? What’s that on your arm?” Maggie was staring at me with wide eyes.

  I looked down to see a small emerald tattoo on my wrist. It was green and the exact shape of Josephine’s emerald amulet. You are the Grimoire.

  I ran a finger over the tattoo and smiled. “Magic always leaves a mark,” I said simply. Thank you, Josephine.

  I stood up from my cot, ignoring the bewildered look on Maggie’s face, and walked over to where Zia and the Skippers were packing up the camping gear.

  “How long till we reach base camp?”

  The Skippers looked up in surprise, but Zia didn’t even glance away from the map she was folding. “Couple of days. We’re going to take a few back roads just to make sure no one is following us.” She tucked the map into her back pocket and gave me an indifferent glance. “We need to leave in ten minutes. Are you ready?”

  I took a deep breath. My future was uncertain, and there was no telling what new trials and tribulations awaited me, but there was one thing I knew for certain.

  I looked Zia in the eye and smiled.

  “I’m ready.”

  Acknowledgments

  I used to think writing a book was the hardest thing I’d ever done. Yet, as I sit here trying to articulate just how thankful I am for all the people who have helped me and encouraged me on this journey, I realize I was very wrong. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. So please bear with me as I try to express my thanks�
�although, to be honest, there just aren’t words adequate enough to express my gratitude.

  First and foremost, thank you to my heavenly father from whom all blessings flow. It is by his grace and his grace alone that I am standing here today.

  To my incredible beta readers: Megan Addison, Cheryl Baker, Marlena Bell, Francesca Bartolomey, Brayden Fraser, Bethany Gallahair, Jessica Henderson, Adrienne Johnson, Claerie Kavanaugh, Mindy Kloka, Shannon Lane, Stephanie Mitchell, Kate Pilarsh, Rebekah Rose, Bobbie Stanley, Haley Street, Jamie Young, and Killian Zimmerman. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read my little book. Your enthusiasm meant so much to me, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your kind and constructive criticism. Thank you for treating Lainey, Maggie, and Ty with such care! You guys are the best!

  To Summer Spence: Thank you for telling me that I was starting my book off in the wrong place! Your advice led to a complete rewrite and a new beginning that I love! I owe you a lifetime supply of Grey’s Anatomy hot doctor gifs!

  To Dea Poirier: Thank you so much for helping me polish this book until it shone! Your excitement, encouragement, and feedback truly meant the world to me, and I cannot thank you enough for choosing me! You deserve every single gel pen and piece of Godzilla memorabilia in the world!

  To Stephanie Fowler: Thank you so much for my beautiful author photos! I absolutely adore them and working with you is always so easy and so much fun. Thank you for your art and your friendship! You’re the best!

  To Naomi Hughes: You were one of the first people to ever read Keeper, and bless your heart for that! Thank you for reading those early versions and seeing the potential buried underneath all the junk. Your encouragement and feedback not only helped mold Keeper into what it is today but gave me so much more confidence as a writer. Thank you so much, Naomi! I couldn’t have done it without you!

  To Kate Angelella: I will forever be grateful to you for pushing me outside of my comfort zone. Without your help and advice, Keeper would likely still be written in third person and still be a hot mess. Thank you for your guidance, overwhelming kindness, support, and encouragement. I think the world of you, Kate!

  To my amazing critique partners, J. M. Miller and Christine Danek: You read the earliest and crappiest drafts of this story and still encouraged me to keep going. I can never thank you enough for that! You not only helped me shape this story but you also helped shape me as a writer. Thank you for believing in me and this book!

  Megan LaCroix: Without you, Lainey wouldn’t be who she is today. Thank you for helping make her as strong as I always envisioned her to be. I am so grateful to have connected with you, and aside from being an excellent critique partner, you’re an amazing friend. Thank you for everything!

  Ashley Zarzaur: I can honestly say that this book would not exist if not for you. You have always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You helped me through the rough patches, talked me down from the ledge, and saved me from “the creepy car scene.” Thank you for your never-failing support, friendship, and encouragement.

  To Mari Kesselring, Megan Naidl, and the team at Flux: Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of me and my book! This experience has been a dream come true and I am SO grateful to all of you for taking a chance on me and Keeper. You helped make my dream come true!

  To my editor, Reece Hanzon: Thank you for being an advocate and supporter of this book from the beginning. I cannot begin to tell you how truly grateful I am for your kindness and encouragement throughout this process. Working with you has been such a wonderful experience, and I am so thankful Keeper landed in your hands. Thank you for helping me turn my dream into a reality.

  To my amazing agent, Caitlen Rubino-Bradway: You changed my life the day you offered me representation, and I will never stop being grateful to you for taking a chance on me. Thank you so much for being so encouraging and supportive and for working so hard to make sure Keeper found a home. I couldn’t ask for a better agent, and I hope you know how wonderful I think you are! Also, thank you to Lauren Galit, whose behind-the-scenes efforts have not gone unnoticed. And I haven’t forgotten that I owe you both pie!

  To Mom, Dad, and Amiee: I couldn’t ask for a better family! Thank you for always encouraging me to go for my dreams and for always believing in me. Your love and support are everything to me, and I hope I make you proud!

  To my beautiful children, Shiloh, Harlee, and Rhys: Thank you so much for sharing mommy with the writing world. I love you more than life itself, and I want this book to always be a reminder that dreams can and do come true! Always reach for the stars, my darlings!

  To Jim: My love, you are everything. I thank God every day that you chose me and continue to choose me every single day. You are my life’s greatest blessing, and I will never be able to put into words how much I love you or how grateful I am to have you by my side. Thank you for never letting me quit and for always believing that I could do this. Thank you for taking on more than your fair share of kid duty so that I could write and for always being willing to talk through plot holes, writer’s block, and self-doubt with me. Thank you for being you and for being absolutely everything to me. The Big C always! I love you!

  About the Author

  Kim Chance is a high school English teacher and Alabama native who currently resides in Michigan with her husband and three children. Kim is also a YouTuber who has a passion for helping other writers. She posts weekly writing videos on her channel, www.youtube.com/kimchance1. When Kim is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and two crazy dogs, binge-watching shows on Netflix, fangirling over books, and making death-by-cheese casseroles.

  For more information, please visit www.kimchance.com.