Center of the Universe (Twelfth Keeper)

by Malory, Belle

  “I feel it.” The lines in his face softened. “Even where you are, I feel it.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Oh wow. As soon as she said it, she knew it was true. She may not want to love Phoenix, she may not even acknowledge it, but in her heart she knew it was the truth.

  Phoenix leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers. She tasted the salt of his tears, surprised to know he was crying. He never cried. It was unsettling.

  “This is the last time I’ll visit, Kennedy.”

  “What does that mean?” Hot tears filled her eyes and her nose and throat began to burn. “Why won’t you tell me where you are?”

  “Because I don’t know,” he whispered against her lips. “I wish to God I did, but I don’t. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, to see you one last time and to kiss you one last time. I wanted to make sure you knew how much I love you. It’s the forever kind of love, Kennedy. Even worlds apart, you’re burned into my soul for all of eternity.”

  She couldn’t breathe. The finality in his words choked her, making her gasp for air. If this was real, if this really was a future Phoenix, then Fate was a sick, twisted designer of their lives.

  The water was higher now, circling around her chest. It lifted her from the ground, but Phoenix grabbed onto her. She reached around his neck, holding onto him for dear life, terrified the water would rip them apart.

  “Listen to me, my love.” The muscles in his arms tensed. “You’re going to have to save Earth without me.”

  She stared at him like he was nuts. “What are you talking about? No. Absolutely not. I’m not saving anything without you. You were meant to protect this planet, Phoenix. Tell me what to do to bring you back. If you love me as much as you say, then find a way home, dammit!”

  Sorrow filled his eyes. “You don’t think I’ve tried? It’s been over a year. This planet is primitive, Kennedy. There is no way home.” He let out a short, bitter laugh. “I’ve already gone half mad thinking of you, and now dreaming of you. It kills me. You have no idea how much it kills me. That’s why this has to be the last time.”

  The water propelled them closer and closer to the ceiling. It had reached their necks. These were the last few moments they would have together, and the last Phoenix believed he would ever have with her.

  She tried pleading with him. “Phoenix, please. Don’t give up on me. I don’t know where I am in your time, but I’ll never give up on you. Wherever I am, I’m looking for you.”

  He cupped her face, pulling her close until they were cheek to cheek. Water was up to their chins now. “I was afraid you would say that. Don’t waste your time.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Earth needs you. Mankind needs every keeper who is still alive. Let me live out my life knowing you and Earth are safe. Say you won’t look. Promise me.”

  “I don’t want to do that—”

  “Promise me, Kennedy!” His voice came out strangled. Kennedy winced from how tightly he gripped her sides, his fingers digging into her waist. “I’m sorry,” he said, noticing what he was doing. He loosened his grip. “Please…just give me peace.”

  She turned her face up, sucking in the last few breaths of air she would get before the water drowned them. “I…promise.”

  Water flooded over their heads. In the depths, they stared at each other. Kennedy nodded, letting him know she would give him what he asked. His peace.

  She reached out, drawing his head towards hers. If this was going to be his last memory of her, she wanted to make it a good one. She touched her lips to his, the lack of oxygen the least of her worries. He gripped her tighter, pulling her against him. A fierceness worked its way into his mouth as he savored her lips and tongue. He kissed her with everything he had left.

  Water began to choke the back of her throat, but she didn’t care. She kept kissing Phoenix, kept roaming her hands over his face and neck, refusing to waste one single second of this dream.

  Twenty-Five

  Kennedy woke up clutching the sheets, tears streaming down her face, and gasping for breath. Fear coiled inside her chest for a few seconds before her eyes recognized the shapes and colors of her surroundings. She was in Eva’s guest bedroom. Safe. Alive. Not drowning inside the Rec Center on Olympus.

  But oh buddy, that dream.

  She sat up, wiping her eyes. All of the emotions she had felt were still there, close to the surface. It had seemed so real.

  Who knows, maybe it was…she needed some air. Quick.

  Muted pink and yellow rays of sunlight streamed in through the window, streaking the wooden floor. It must be early. Too early for most people to be up, but then again, she was still on Olympian time.

  She threw the covers back, shivering when her feet touched the chilled floor. She had to push the window several times before it lifted. The first wintry wind that came through felt amazing, giving her back the ability to breathe.

  A few snowflakes drifted inside, melting as soon as they touched the floor. Kennedy rested her head against the frame.

  She wondered if there was a chance the dream could be real. Did she actually meet a future version of Phoenix inside her subconscious?

  It felt real. Ironically, it had woken her up in more ways than one.

  She couldn’t avoid Phoenix any longer. She didn’t want to either. After she helped Nika with Ryder, she would figure out a way to forgive him. She had to.

  Because she had fallen in love with him.

  Kennedy took another deep breath, needing one after acknowledging something that huge. Holy freaking cow, that was some dream.

  Another thought occurred to her. If she loved Phoenix, it must mean she also trusted him. Deep down, she knew he meant it when he said kissing Fang meant nothing. She also knew he would never do anything to compromise what they had again.

  That realization made her feel stupid. Really, really stupid. Whatever it took, she would make this right. Because if the Phoenix from her dream was real, it meant they didn’t have forever.

  She rubbed her arms, dreading the idea of it. No matter how much it terrified her, she had to consider that he might not always be around. They were keepers. The title alone took away the chance for a simple, worry-free life. They were born to protect. To defend. Even now, humankind faced annihilation, which meant when the time came, they would be on the frontlines. It didn’t exactly make for long life expectancies.

  However long Phoenix would be here, whether it was one day or fifty years, she would cherish every moment of it.

  The room was getting too cold. She shut the window and eyed the bed, wondering if she should go back to sleep. No. That wasn’t going to happen no matter how hard she tried. Focusing on the task at hand was the best thing she could do right now.

  There was a bathroom at the end of the hall with clean towels in the cabinet under the sink. She quickly showered, trying to be quiet so she wouldn’t wake anyone. Once she was dressed and her hair was towel-dried, she headed downstairs.

  Oz was down there, already up and dressed and wearing headphones. He sat at the dining room table, watching the news on a holographic screen. When he saw her, he switched it off. “Morning,” he said by way of greeting.

  “Good morning. I didn’t think anyone else would be awake this early.”

  He shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep much.”

  “Me neither.”

  Kennedy wondered if Oz was anxious about what was planned for today. It wasn’t unreasonable for him to have second and third, and maybe even fourth, thoughts. Regardless of what his father had done, he was still Oz’s father. Anyone would question their decision to betray their own flesh and blood.

  Kennedy looked over at the small kitchen. “I was thinking about making everyone some breakfast. You hungry?”

  “Sure,” he replied, standing up. “I’ll help.”

  Kennedy found a waffle maker in one of the cupboards. She hugged it to her chest before setting it out on the counter. Waffles reminded her of l
azy Sunday mornings at home, happier times before she lived on Olympus. Matilda made them for her all the time, claiming that her mood levels improved as soon as she smelled the syrup. With some luck, maybe it would do the same for Nika.

  Oz scrambled up some eggs while she prepared the waffles. They were cleaning up the mess just as they heard the wooden stairs creak.

  Nika’s blonde hair was braided tight to her head, and she was dressed in black from head to toe. She wore a mask of determination, leaving no doubt that she wasn’t backing down. She still had every intention of carrying out the plans they made last night.

  “Mmm, that smells good,” Eva said as she rounded the corner into the kitchen.

  Kennedy set a stack of plates on the table. “I hope you don’t mind. We were up early and figured we’d make everyone breakfast.”

  “Not at all,” Eva said, taking a seat at the table. “It’s nice to have someone cooking for me. My husband did all the cooking up until he died. I miss it.”

  Kennedy frowned. She hadn’t realized Eva lived here by herself. “I’m sorry,” she said. “How long ago did he die?”

  “About six months ago, and thank you.” She gestured to Nika, patting her arm. “That’s why it’s nice to have this one around again. Living in this house can be lonely sometimes.”

  Nika smiled at Eva and took a seat beside her. They were all each other had. Kennedy could see that now. On paper, Eva wasn’t Nika’s aunt anymore, but that’s what she was, and maybe more. She was a mother figure and a father figure for Nika all in one. It was nice to know they had each other.

  The four of them ate together while chitchatting about the weather and other trivial subjects. Apparently the heavier stuff was being saved for later. When they were done, Eva shooed them all out of the kitchen. They tried to help her clean up, but she wouldn’t let them.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Kennedy headed to the wall where her jacket was hooked and pried the tiger necklace from the inside pocket. “Lexie wanted me to return this. She said it was important to you.”

  Oz stilled when he saw the necklace. “Let me get a look at that,” he said, peering over her shoulder. “A tiger, huh? Why is it important?”

  Kennedy shrugged. How was she supposed to know the answer to that? Nika was standing right there; he should ask her. “Lexie said it comforts her or something.” She held out the necklace.

  Nika and Oz exchanged a long look Kennedy didn’t understand. A few awkward moments passed, and then Nika cleared her throat. “I think it’s pretty. That’s the only reason I like it so much.”

  One corner of Oz’s mouth pulled into a smile. “You’ve held onto it for a long time, Nikki. The person who gave it to you must’ve been special.”

  Nika snatched the chain from Kennedy, rolling her eyes. “Please. I can’t even remember how I got it.” She stuffed the necklace in her pocket, looking up at both of them expectantly. “Don’t you think we should get going? We do have plans today, remember?”

  Oz’s smile faded into a frown. He looked down at the time on his brace, then traveled to the far side of the living room, away from Eva’s earshot, signaling them to follow.

  “Are you sure you’re still up for this?” Nika asked, scrutinizing his expression. “It’s better if you tell us now, rather than changing your mind at the last second.”

  “You guys think I’m worried because he’s my dad?” Oz asked them.

  Nika cast her eyes away. That was all the answer he was getting from her.

  “I did wonder about it,” Kennedy admitted.

  No point in beating around the bush. Being honest and getting this out of the way was best. They couldn’t afford for something to go wrong while they were in the middle of breaking into Maxwell Ryder’s home.

  “Biologically, he’s my father. But he’s not my family. My mother and sister are my family.” Oz continued speaking to her, but looked at Nika, who was still staring at the floor. “Nikki is more family to me than he will ever be. She deserves this. I want to do this.”

  Kennedy believed him, but something was bothering him, and she didn’t know what it was. “So you’ll be okay today?” she asked skeptically. “You’re not worried at all?”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” He swallowed, his eyes troubled. “He’s a slimy bastard. The things he’s done…are unspeakable. He’s going to find out someone broke into his house. He won’t do anything to me, but what if he finds out Nika’s involved?”

  Nika clenched her jaw. “I wish he would,” she said. “If he came anywhere near me, I would obliterate him.”

  By the look on Oz’s face, hearing that didn’t help ease his mind. Kennedy imagined it sounded overconfident to him, but she didn’t doubt Nika could obliterate him. Probably send a tornado or something to rip him apart.

  Oz shoved his hands into his pockets, letting out a long sigh. “That’s the thing, Nikki. He doesn’t operate like that. He’ll send someone else to do his dirty work. I think it would be best if I go in alone. Besides, I need someone to stand guard and watch the street.”

  It surprised her to see Nika considering what he was saying. She figured this would be something Nika would want to do firsthand.

  “Okay, fine.” Nika nodded towards Kennedy. “She can go in, and I’ll be the lookout.”

  Kennedy opened her mouth to speak, but Oz cut her off.

  “You don’t think he’ll recognize her and put two and two together? He’s not an idiot, Nikki.”

  “That’s what I’ll agree to. Not because I don’t trust you, even though I’m not all that sure I do, but because you shouldn’t go in alone. Period.”

  The two of them stared at each other stubbornly, each of them at an impasse.

  “I can wear a ski mask or something,” Kennedy offered, not really sure why she was going along with this plan. You’d think breaking and entering was becoming her new favorite hobby with as many times as she’d done it lately.

  Oz shook his head. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with. He’ll have every detective in the city combing his house looking for evidence. A strand of hair. Pieces of your DNA. He won’t stop until he finds something.”

  Kennedy glanced at Nika. “He’s got a point.”

  Nika groaned. Loudly. She turned away from them, looking out the window behind her. “Okay fine,” she said after a long moment, then turned back around. “We’ll stand guard while Oz goes in. But we still have a problem. Ryder will know someone was there. Why wouldn’t he add me to his list of suspects?”

  “He could make it obvious it’s him,” she suggested, looking Oz’s way. “You said he wouldn’t do anything to you, right?”

  Oz stopped and stared at her, blinking several times.

  “Actually, that’s a good idea,” Nika said, nodding. “Make it look like you’re the bitter son, Oz. Drink from his milk carton, leave your prints everywhere. Heck, blow kisses to the security camera. He’ll think you’re only trying to piss him off.”

  Oz chuckled, some of the tension leaving his brow. “I suppose that could work. He’d never think I’d actually turn him in for anything I found.”

  Nika narrowed her eyes on him. “Why didn’t you ever turn him in?”

  That was a loaded question, and Oz knew it.

  “I didn’t have hard evidence. I pieced it together on my own, based on the design I found for the communicator your father built. I didn’t copy the file, and I should’ve, but…” Oz rubbed the back of his head, sighing. “Honestly, it was because of my mom. She was still married to him, still worshipped the ground he walked on. I hated him for what he did, but I didn’t want to tear my family apart. In the end, it didn’t matter. She figured out what a dirtbag he is and divorced him a few years later. I should have turned him in, Nikki, and I’m sorry for that. I really am.”

  She nodded, accepting his answer, but Kennedy noticed that her whole body had gone stiff. “Okay.”

  “Can you forgive me?”

  “I…I don’t know.” She looked
like she was struggling with what to say. “Today could help though.”

  Oz nodded, looking like someone twisted a knife into his gut. As strange as it seemed, he truly did care about Nika. Ten years later, and he still cared about her deeply. Earning Nika’s forgiveness wouldn’t be easy; she was one of the most closed off people Kennedy knew, but at least he was trying.

  The three of them drove to Ryder’s house in silence. Their plans were set, and all they could do now was hope they went off without a hitch. Once they arrived, Kennedy stared out of the car’s window in awe. She remembered thinking Penelope Little’s house was extravagant, but that house had nothing on this one. This looked like something out of a Russian fairytale, all triangular gables and oval windows packed alongside a high curved staircase that led up to the front door. It was so massive, she couldn’t even see all of it from where they were parked.

  A place like that required a large staff. Kennedy wondered how Oz was planning to get by unnoticed. “Does anyone work there?” she asked.

  Oz nodded. “Yeah, but no one is in the east wing where his office is. He has an entirely different security system for that section.”

  Wow. Guess his dad really was paranoid, which made her wonder what they would dig up on him.

  A few moments passed while they all stared at the house. It was the big, ugly monster they had to defeat. Kennedy wished there was something she could do, but unless there was heaps of water around, her talents weren’t going to come in handy. It was ironic to think their hopes rested on one average human, while two keepers with extraordinary abilities could only stand by and wait. Strange how the world worked sometimes.

  Oz slapped his gloved hands against his thighs, distracting her and Nika. “Guess it’s show time.”

  Nika looked like she was about to say something, but Oz left the car before anything came out of her mouth.

  “You okay?” Kennedy asked.

  Nika adjusted her sunglasses, watching Oz head to a side gate. “I’m fine. You watch the south end of the street, and I’ll watch the north.”