The Guardian's Keeper (The Guardian Trilogy, Book 1)

by Raven, T. R.

  Anya began to fling open her drawers, rooting through her clothing. “Where is my….here.” She pulled out a beautiful flowing blue skirt covered in small metallic medallions at the bottoms of each ruffle. “This should fit you.” She dug around some more and pulled out a white blouse and a black bustier that tied up the back. “We get you wash water, you put these on.” Anya stuck her head out the door of the caravan and trilled out another high pitched call.

  A moment later Claire heard a male voice outside the door. Anya beckoned to Claire. “You go with Garridan, he take you to stream.” She handed Claire a pair of metal pails.

  Claire stepped down the caravan steps. Garridan stood waiting for her. “I will take you to the stream to get some water,” he told her as he took both pails from her.

  “Thanks.” Claire fell into step beside him as he led her out of the Camp circle and into the forest. “Are you Anya’s brother?” she asked, making conversation.

  “No,” Garridan answered. “We’re cousins.” The sounds of the Camp faded behind them as they walked deeper into the forest. “You and the vampir are…together?” Garridan asked boldly.

  Claire felt unease bloom in her stomach. She didn’t like Garridan’s tone. “Yes, he’s my boyfriend, as well as my Guardian.”

  Garridan did not reply.

  “So how come Anya didn’t take me to get water?” Claire inquired in an attempt to lighten the mood and break the tension between them.

  Garridan stopped and wiped his brow. “There are bandits in these forests, it is not safe for a lady to go out alone,” he frowned at Claire.

  “So I’ve seen,” Claire muttered under her breath. “But Anya was out alone before, when she found Nikoli and I,” she challenged Garridan.

  Garridan shrugged and began down the path again. “That is Anya, she can take care of herself but she cannot be responsible for another woman without a proper escort.”

  Claire snorted to herself. Apparently the Gypsies were decades or more behind with the whole Women’s Lib idea. Oh well, she only had to play along for a day or two until the Fang was destroyed and she and Nikoli could go home again.

  “We are almost there.” Garridan pointed to a break up ahead in the path where a small clean stream crossed it. He held the pails out to Claire, clearly expecting her to fetch the water herself. Claire took the pails without comment and dipped into the fresh stream to retrieve her water.

  As she leaned over and filled the pails her unease grew. Glancing up she saw Garridan watching her intently, almost leering at her. She hurried to finish filling her pails but it took a bit of time as the stream was not deep enough to dip them in to fill them. She had to hold the pail so it caught the water flowing downstream and wait for it to fill up.

  “Why do you waste your time with the vampir?” Garridan sneered. “You will grow old, you will die, and still he will live on.”

  Claire was so flustered she dropped her pail and lost most of the water she had collected so she had to start again. “I love him, and he loves me,” she replied in a steely tone.

  Garridan flicked his hand dismissively. “That is not love. How can you love a dead thing? He cannot give you a proper home, you cannot give him sons. It is unnatural.”

  Claire bit the inside of her cheek to contain the rage boiling up inside of her as Garridan continued on.

  “You need a real man, a man who will take care of you and provide for you. A man who will give you children to care for.” Garridan openly appraised Claire’s figure with his eyes.

  Claire rose with her pails of water and glared at Garridan. “Let me guess…a man like you?”

  He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I am unmarried still. I find the women of my Camp to be too boring, too plain. You however would make a fine wife. I would be a good husband- I am the best hunter in the Camp. You would never go without.” He grinned at her proudly.

  “That’s not going to happen,” Claire hissed at him as she started down the path with her full pails of water. As she walked she could feel Garridan’s gaze upon her.

  “You will see, my crazy American, you will see.”

  Chapter 21

  Back at the Camp Claire headed straight for Anya’s caravan. She put her pails down and went inside to find Anya. She wasn’t in but had left out some towels for Claire to use to clean up.

  Garridan knocked at the caravan door. He and Claire had walked back to Camp in complete silence. He gave Claire the creeps and she was glad to be rid of him when they got back to Camp.

  “Goodbye Garridan,” Claire called loudly through the thick door. She hoped he would take the hint, she had nothing to say to him and planned to stay as far away from him as she could during their stay.

  Anya cracked the door open and stuck her head in. “It is not Garridan, it is me,” she said. “I have put your water over the fire to heat, it will be ready soon. Why you sound so mad at Garridan?”

  Claire sat down on the bed with a sigh and Anya sat beside her. “He said some nasty things about Nikoli and told me I shouldn’t be with him,” she explained. “He thinks I should be with a ‘real man’ like him.”

  Anya nodded seriously. “Yes, Garridan wants to take you for his bride. He already asked Yokov if he could buy some sheep from him to give to you as an engagement present.”

  Claire was horrified. “We just got back!” she stammered, wondering how Garridan had the time to go looking for sheep to buy already.

  “Oh no,” Anya explained, “he did before you went to get water. He saw you first time with Renka he decided you will be his wife.” Anya shrugged. “I told him leave you alone, you are with Nikoli. He not listen, he never listen to me.”

  Claire held her head in her hands. “Maybe he’ll forget about it,” she said wistfully.

  Anya shook her head. “No, he wants you for his bride, he will not forget.” She fiddled with Claire’s unruly curls. “Water should be ready now, you wash up and we fix this mess.”

  An hour later Claire stood in front of Anya’s little mirror looking at her reflection in wonder. Anya had transformed her from casual American girl to sultry Gypsy peasant. The white blouse Anya had lent her rode low on her shoulders to show off her creamy soft skin. The black bustier over the blouse whittled down her waistline and pushed her chest up enticingly. The blue skirt cascaded down from her hips and the little medallions jingled when she moved. Anya had arranged her hair so it was pulled off her face but her wild dark curls cascaded down her back and a few tendrils drifted down her neck. The look was completed with some heavy kohl eyeliner and piles of bangle bracelets to match her large hoop earrings. The scratches on her chest and neck still stood out red against her alabaster skin but a little loose powder Anya had borrowed from a friend toned them down. Claire felt like she blended in with the Camp residents when she stepped out of the caravan.

  “Whoa.” A low whistle came from her left as Nikoli approached. He grabbed her around the waist as he broke into an appreciative grin. “I must say I like this look on you.” He nuzzled her neck.

  “You don’t look too shabby yourself,” Claire commented as she pushed Nikoli away to admire his outfit. He was clad in skin tight calfskin pants and a poet’s shirt with wide sleeves covered by a matching calfskin vest. The shirt laced up the front with a leather thread but Nikoli had left it open.

  Angry sounds reached Claire’s ears as Renka hobbled over to them. She waved her cane about frantically as she shrieked in her native tongue.

  “Looks like someone doesn’t appreciate our little moment we’re having here,” Nikoli whispered to Claire as he stepped away from her.

  Renka stopped in front of him as she shrieked on some more, jabbing her cane into the air for emphasis. Nikoli gave her an apologetic smile and responded to her in her own language. Whatever he said seemed to mollify her. She slammed her cane back onto the ground with a grunt and called for Anya.

  Anya came out of her caravan and spoke with Renka for a moment before filling Claire in on what was
going on. “I must go do the circle for Renka,” she explained as she waved towards the darkening skies. “The magic will not be enough tonight with you here.” She saw Claire’s puzzled look. “Nikoli will tell you, I must go now.” Anya took Renka’s elbow to escort her back to her own caravan.

  Claire turned to Nikoli. “What is this circle thing I keep hearing about?” she asked.

  Nikoli stepped towards her but then stepped back again as he glanced at Renka shuffling away. Claire grinned- her big bad vampire Guardian was afraid of a little old woman.

  “Normally Renka just casts spells around the Camp to keep vampires out,” he explained. “She lifted those spells, just for today, as she knew we were coming. With you, and the Fang, here in Camp tonight she wanted to do more than the usual spells to protect her people. She has seeped special flowers and herbs together for days now. They have added the blood of a Gypsy to the mix, and Anya is going now to dribble that mixture around the perimeter of the Camp. Dusk will be here soon, then night. The whole Camp is in great danger while we’re here so Renka wanted to beef up security.”

  “Gypsy blood? For what?”

  “You know how Gypsy blood changed Stavros when he drank it?”

  Claire nodded and Nikoli continued.

  “The same magic that turned him into a supreme killing machine has an odd effect on vampires outside of the body. We can’t cross it.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Whatever magic in Gypsy blood turns vampires into monsters also creates some sort of barrier against them. Spill a line of Gypsy blood in the sand and a vampire can’t cross no matter how he tries. Renka made this potion mixed with Gypsy blood to encircle the Camp tonight to be sure no vampires breech the Camp. Well, except me, I suppose.” He shrugged.

  “So that means you’re stuck in Camp tonight? No vampires in, no vampires out, right?”

  “Yup. You’re stuck with me.”

  Just then Garridan came up to them. “The feast will begin soon.” He addressed Claire and refused to acknowledge Nikoli’s presence. He held out his hand. “Won’t you join me?”

  Nikoli stiffened and moved next to Claire.

  “We’ll catch up. We’re waiting for Anya to return,” Claire replied curtly as she ignored his outstretched hand.

  Garridan stomped off with sour look on his face. Nikoli’s posture relaxed.

  “New admirer?” he asked wryly.

  “Don’t even get me started on that one,” Claire grimaced.

  “I heard something about sheep being purchased to help sway you?” Nikoli teased.

  Claire groaned. “It’ll take a lot more than a few sheep to change my mind about that one. I can’t wait to get away from him! When do we find out how to destroy the Fang, anyways?”

  “Renka will call for us when she’s ready to speak with us later tonight,” Nikoli explained. “She’ll tell us everything then.” Horns sounded throughout the Camp. “Sounds like the feast is about to begin. Are we really waiting for Anya?”

  “Nope, I just didn’t want to go with Garridan.”

  “Well then, My Keeper, won’t you join me?” Nikoli held out his hand to her as Garridan had done. This time Claire took it.

  Chapter 22

  The feast was held in the center of the Camp. A huge pyre had been lit. It seemed everyone in Camp had turned out to celebrate the guests’ arrival. Tables laden with cooking pots of all sizes were lined up on one side of the fire. Nikoli led Claire by the hand to the tables and handed her a plate and bowl.

  “Eat up,” he instructed. “We’ve got a long day or two ahead of us, you’ll need your strength.” He took a plate and bowl for himself as well. They moved on down the table picking and choosing bits of this and that. Claire’s stomach rumbled. She couldn’t identify half of what was in the pots but everything smelled so good.

  “Not sucking blood tonight, dead one?” Garridan asked. He stood at the end of the line of tables as they made their way to the end of the food line. His folded his arms across his chest as he looked at Nikoli with unconcealed hatred.

  “I actually eat real food,” Nikoli replied coolly, holding his plate up for Garridan to see. “Your blood is safe from me. Can’t wait to bunk with you tonight, roomie,” he added sarcastically.

  “Come on, Nikoli.” Claire shot Garridan a piercing look. “Let’s go eat over there.” She led Nikoli to the other side of the circle.

  “That guy is such a jerk,” she commented as they settled onto a log to sit. “How are you going to stay with him tonight? What if he, I don’t know, tries to stake you in your sleep,” she asked worriedly.

  “He wouldn’t dare- Renka wants me here and I’m under her protection. He can’t harm me without risking getting exiled from the Camp. He can’t hurt me physically so he insults me instead. No matter. He’s just jealous he can’t have you.” He smiled tenderly at Claire. Claire felt a familiar fire light inside her. It went out just as quickly as it had started when she remembered they had to sleep separately that night.

  Anya walked up and stood in front of them. “I did the circle, it is done. The sun will set soon but we are safe. Renka wants to see you both when you are done eating. I will go eat now.” She headed for the food tables.

  “We’d better eat quickly then, we don’t want to keep Renka waiting,” Nikoli pointed out.

  “I can’t figure her out,” Claire said between bites of rabbit stew. “She doesn’t seem to like you but she allows you to be here.”

  Nikoli chuckled. “She doesn’t like me based on principle- I’m a vampire, after all. But she knows you and I are the best shot anyone has to be done with the Fang, and Stavros, once and for all so she tolerates me. I think she sees me as a ‘necessary evil’ for the time being.”

  It was Claire’s turn to chuckle. “You’re my favorite ‘necessary evil’.” She kissed him chastely on the cheek and then got up off the log. “Come on, if you’re done now, we’ll go speak with Renka.”

  They walked through the almost empty Camp hand in hand. Almost everyone seemed to be at the feast. The few people they did pass averted their eyes or gasped out loud.

  “Seems no one here’s a fan of us being together,” Claire said quietly.

  “Claire, you forget where they’re coming from. They’ve spent their lives avoiding and protecting themselves from vampires out here in the forest. I’m their nightmare personified, strolling around the Camp hand in hand with a human woman. They don’t know what to make of it.”

  “They’d feel differently if they knew you,” Claire said sadly as she squeezed Nikoli’s hand.

  “I know you’re probably right, but it is what it is,” Nikoli said with equal sadness as they arrived at Renka’s caravan. “We’re here. Please try not to say too much Claire- let me do the talking.”

  Claire huffed as they climbed the small caravan steps. Since when did Nikoli expect her to keep her mouth shut? At least she didn’t have to pretend to be persuaded this time like she did back at Fogak.

  Renka threw open the door and ushered them into her caravan. Colorful scarves hung from every available inch of wall space. Like Anya’s caravan the space was tidy. Renka handed them each a cup of tea, leaves and all, and patted a small love seat for them to sit on. She gingerly lowered herself onto a satin lined rocking chair. She said something quickly to Nikoli. He smiled at Renka in return.

  “She says you make a stunning Gypsy, which I agree with wholly,” he explained to Claire. “She also says a beauty like you could do better than a beast like me-she’s probably right but I do not agree with that part at all.” Nikoli’s eyes glinted mischievously.

  “Enough now. Drink your tea and we will speak of what’s to come to destroy the Fang,” Renka commanded in English in her gravelly voice. She waited until Claire and Nikoli both took a sip of her strong tea before she began. “To destroy the Fang there are a few things I need for the spell. The first thing I need is the petals from the Zeita flower. This flower grows in the grove where Circe dest
royed the first Fang.” She paused to clear her throat as she studied Claire and Nikoli with keen eyes.

  “Tomorrow you will go to the grove and retrieve this for me. The journey will take you far from here, you will be out overnight. Anya and Garridan will join you.”

  Claire almost choked on her tea. “Garridan? No thanks.” Nikoli elbowed her, and Claire remembered too late his warning to stay quiet.

  Renka waved a bony finger about. “He is the best hunter in our Camp, and you are lucky to have him. No one knows the forest as Anya does and she is quick with the bow. These are our best two woodsmen, they will go with you too. It puts my people in danger to partake in this but it is time Stavros is gone for good.”

  “How will we know the flower?” Nikoli asked.

  “You cannot miss it- it is the only flower that grows there. The name itself means ‘Goddess’ in your language as it was she that planted it there when she buried the remnants of the first Fang. It is the only place in the world where this flower grows.”

  “What else do you need? You said that was the first thing,” Claire prodded. Nikoli gave her a sharp look.

  Renka shook her head dismissively. “It is of no matter to you right now. When you return from your journey I will have the other ingredients to complete the spell.” Reaching out with one gnarled hand she tipped Claire’s cup up, encouraging her to finish the tea. “You leave after dawn, we will lend you another mount. You go now Nikoli, Claire and I have things to discuss.”

  Nikoli hesitated briefly.

  “It’s fine, I’ll catch up with you back at the feast,” Claire reassured him quietly. He rose and gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head. Renka clucked her disapproval.

  Once Nikoli was out the door Renka rose slowly and hobbled around as she muttered to herself in her people’s language. She examined her vast collection of scarves as she picked one up only to drop it and mutter some more. Eventually she came to rest on one of stunning blue and black hues accented with green. She settled back down in her seat with it and pulled out an ancient looking oak cutting board. She laid the scarf out on the board in her lap and motioned for Claire to give her the cup she had used for her tea.