“Yeah, swell,” Charlie replied flatly, plucking a flower out of the vase in front of him and picking pieces off the bottom of the stem. Throwing them absently onto the table, he watched, counting each time he saw someone exhibiting the odd glow.
“What are you doing?” Gous demanded angrily, unhappy that he had failed to get a rise out of the boy.
“I’m watching.”
“Watching. Watching for what?”
“Not for anything. I’m watchin’ the people,” Charlie glanced at him, then threw a bit of stem in his direction. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Not at the moment. Why do these creatures fascinate you so?” When Charlie didn’t reply, Gous changed his tone, choosing a friendly banter, “Come, now. You can tell me. We’re old friends, you and I.”
“We’re not friends, Gous,” Charlie sneered. “Not even close.” Deciding to test what the Dark Angel knew, he smiled lopsidedly. “Do you notice anything odd about some of them?” he asked as he pointed to number eight, a young woman with long dark hair. “Her maybe?”
“Odd?”
“I don’t know, odd. Like, not like the others.”
“No, I don’t suppose that I do,” Gous quipped, growing bored with their exchange. “You are in a strange mood. Is something wrong with you?”
“I don’t know,” Charlie confessed with a sigh. “I felt fine, an’ then all at once…”
Frowning, Gous grunted, “Very well, then. Maybe next time you’ll have something more interesting to interfere with.”
“Yeah, bye,” Charlie taunted, not bothering to look as the Dark Angel dropped his hood into place and vacated his seat. Nine. Ten. He sat for the better part of an hour continuing his count. When he hit thirty, he stopped, and considered the Dark Angel’s words; maybe there is something wrong with me.
The Great Beyond
“This is our room,” Charlie informed his father as they toured Purgatory together. Watching the older man poke around, he sighed heavily.
“What’s the matter, son?”
“Nothing, really. I’m jus’ tired, I think.” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck as he explained, “Karma’s put Clarisse on house arrest since our meeting on the train. She hasn’t been anywhere in three days, an’ her cabin fever is wearin’ on both of us.”
“An’ when do I get to meet Karma?”
“Meet… Karma? I was under the impression you guys already knew each other,” he stammered uncertainly. “She seemed t’ know you.”
“Knowing of someone and knowing them face t’ face are two different things. I know of Karma; I’ve never met her. An’ what I know is likely t’ be only a glimmer of the truth,” John observed while looking out of the window. “Which bunk’s mine?”
“Uh, this one,” Charlie indicated the one he had been sleeping in since his arrival. “I’m here, in the one above you.”
Turning around, John observed, “Well, it’ll be nice t’ be close t’ you again.”
“Yeah,” Charlie agreed with a wide grin, having missed his father more than he cared to say. “T’ be honest, I feel better about bein’ here now than I have since I got here.”
“Oh? An’ why’s that?” John asked while unpacking a few belongings and storing them away.
“I dunno,” Charlie shrugged. “All o’ this was hard for me. When we found out Clarisse was pregnant, I jus’ wanted to run away with her. But where would we go, you know? Where can you hide that Karma an’ Keeper can’t find you?” He laughed anxiously, confessing, “It was her idea t’ get you t’ come here. I hope it wasn’ a mistake, helping.”
“No, son, it wasn’t a mistake,” John faced him squarely. “Truth be known, I was ready the very next day. I made my rounds, checking on my clients one last time. Turned in my Seeker, an’ hung around in Miami, waiting for you guys t’ come an’ collect me.”
“Wow, I didn’ know that. You should’ve contacted me, an’ I woulda been there sooner.”
“No need,” John grinned. “I spent the time reflecting, an’ I think we’ve both made the right choice.”
“You don’ trust Keeper?”
“Keeper’s got his secrets,” John assured with a furrowed brow, indicating the door. Following his son out, he continued, “Suffice it t’ say I’ve known a time or two that he wasn’ completely honest.”
“He’s a liar,” Charlie interjected. “the Keeper of Lies.”
“He’s got a lot on his shoulders,” John corrected as they entered the kitchen. “Well, you must be Karma,” he drawled, offering the red-head his hand. “I’m John.”
“Hello, John,” Karma smiled sweetly, shaking the appendage. “We meet at last. I take it the two of you are discussing Keeper?”
“Yes, ma’am. What’s your thoughts on the subject?”
“Oh, you will understand my perception of him soon enough,” she laughed in earnest. “Was he upset to see you go?”
“I didn’ really talk to him. I turned in my Seeker t’ Destiny an’ explained that bein’ with my family meant a lot to me, if she’d see fit to excuse me from duty.”
“I take it she agreed,” Karma smiled broadly.
“Indeed; said she understood perfectly, an’ wished me well.”
“Wow, that’s hard t’ believe!” Charlie chimed in.
“Don’t be rude,” Karma corrected. “Go and find Clarisse. She wasn’t feeling well earlier; see how she is and let her know that her father-in-law is here.”
“Her father-in-law,” Charlie echoed with a happy twist in his gut. “Ok, we’ll be back.” Leaving the pair standing next to the row of cacti, Charlie transported to the hallway. Leaning on the door frame, he called into the room she shared with Alice and Annalise, “Baby, are you in there?”
Getting no reply, he closed his eyes and searched, knowing she couldn’t be too far away, since she had been confined to the compound. Locating her, he made another attempt, materializing on the back side of the house, beneath the row of windows that belonged to the lounge.
Watching her, he noted that she was presumably pulling weeds from the flowerbed that ran the length of the wall. “Hey, angel,” he greeted her in a quiet tone.
“Hey, baby,” she replied weakly, continuing to dig.
“Karma said you wasn’ feelin’ well,” he coaxed, kneeling beside her. “I’ve never seen this side of the house from the outside,” he stated absently as he turned and sat in the moist earth. “I’m surprised these grow here.”
“They’re in the shade,” Clarisse sniffed, hinting that she’d been crying. “It stays cooler here, and a little moister.” Holding up a handful of the dark earth, she continued. “This mulch was put here for them as well; it’s not natural. Someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to add this patch of green to the desert.”
“Ah,” he grinned, placing his hand over hers and trapping the dirt between them. “So, how are you feeling?”
“I’m scared, Charlie,” she blurted, looking up and causing her golden curtain to fall away, revealing her swollen red orbs.
“I know,” he agreed. “But my dad is here. He gave his Seeker back to Destiny an’ left with her blessing.”
“Oh,” Clarisse gasped. “She let him come here without a fight?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “He wanted to be with his family an’ she said she understood.”
“Oh, Charlie; that’s wonderful news,” her features brightened. “Maybe that’s a sign; the first sign we’ve had that we’re doing the right thing!”
“Maybe,” he grinned back. “Is that why you were feeling bad? Worry?”
“I’m sure that it was part of it. Being stuck here with nowhere to go has been hard. I can’t imagine doing this until the baby comes.”
“Don’t worry; it won’ be that long, an’ once he gets here you won’ have time t’ think about runnin’ around with Phil.”
Blinking at him, her smile lessened. “I’m scared of what will happen when Karma destroys the division between t
he living and magical planes. I don’t see how the Angels will do anything as they have in the past -”
“Hey,” Charlie cut her off, holding up his hand. “Don’ worry about any of that. It’ll all work out. Even if we have t’ run off to some other world, out in the great beyond, an’ forget all about this place!” he teased.
Her eyes wide, she gasped, “You mean like Karma and Keeper did when they came here?”
His brow drew into a deep furrow. Pursing his lips, he considered that idea for a moment, then confessed, “That kinda sounds like it, don’ it. Forget that I said that, baby. I was tryin’ t’ make you feel better. I don’ want you to worry about anything but having our baby an’ takin’ care of yourself.”
“Don’t’ worry, love,” she breathed, reaching for his hand to help her stand, “that’s why I’m out here, digging in the flowers; I’m going to do my best to do exactly that!”
Strong Enough
“Charlie,” a deep, gravelly voice whispered.
“Yeah?” Charlie spun around. Finding no one, he continued to walk.
“Charlie,” the man repeated, a little more loudly.
Stopping, he licked his lips in irritation, rolling his eyes around before turning in a full circle. Shrugging in exasperation, he called, “I can’t see you!”
“Charlie!” The voice boomed loudly and Charlie sat straight up in bed, wide awake. Reaching up, his fingertips tapped the roof above him.
The room bathed in pale moonlight through the wall of glass, nothing moved and no sounds could be heard. Lying back against his pillow, he wiped at the sweat that covered his forehead and drenched his hair. Staring at the ceiling above him, he could hear his father snort in the bunk below.
Chewing his cheek, he waited for his heart to slow down. Rubbing his hand across his chest, he blew air out noisily through puffed cheeks; “Keeper.”
Abandoning his bed, Charlie transported himself to his island, switching out his sleepwear for jeans and white long-sleeved tee. His feet bare, the sand felt cool against the bottoms of them, and the cold water kissed his toes. A large round moon hung over the sea, sinking lower as he stood staring at it. Closing his eyes, he searched, but couldn’t locate the greatest of the Angels.
“Come on,” he spat through gritted teeth. “Where the hell are you?”
“Charlie,” the older being stated calmly.
His eyes popping open, Charlie spun towards the sound, his toes forcing the granules between them as he moved. “We need to talk!” he demanded loudly, stomping a few steps closer to the man in his long, brown, flowing robe.
“By all means,” Keeper raised an arm, indicating the sand and surf next to them.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Charlie demanded, not bothering to play it cool. “I’m sick of the games, Keeper!”
“And rightly so,” the old man breathed. “How is your bride, son?”
Charlie let his affectionate use of the word ‘son’ pass. Instead, he focused on his wife. “She’s fine, thanks! Is that why you called me here? T’ talk about Clarisse?”
An amused frown flittered across Keeper’s features before he turned his back and began to amble up the beach. His legs pumping to catch up in a few quick steps, Charlie pushed, “Is that why you’re here? Is something gonna happen t’ her?”
“You have great faith in me,” Keeper replied.
“No!” Charlie shot back, grabbing his arm to stop him. “I don’ have faith in you at all! I’m scared t’ death by what’s goin’ on around us, an’ I’m powerless t’ stop it!”
“You will be strong enough when the time is right,” Keeper stated calmly, not looking at him directly.
Swallowing hard, Charlie’s hair rustled in the breeze. Feeling calmer, he persisted, “Tell me what t’ do. What’s gonna happen when Karma breaks the planes?”
“You speak as if she will do it alone.”
“She can’t do it alone. We have t’ help her, an’ we almost have enough.”
“But not yet.”
“No, not yet. We need two more people; maybe only one,” Charlie said with a shiver.
“Things are as they should be, Charlie,” Keeper informed him, turning to face him. His eyes glowing like soft brown honey, his features appeared placid beneath his hood.
“Ok,” Charlie nodded. “Then I guess you’re not here to strike me down. Does Karma know that she’s playing into your hands? I mean, if all this is exactly what you had planned.”
“Karma is too full of anger and bitterness to see beyond her own hurt. She will destroy many, if not all, of both our worlds if we are not careful.”
“Oh, Keeper,” the younger man whispered. “You’re trusting me for something. Some job I have to do, aren’t you? That’s what this is all about. Your plan… your grand scheme.” Maybe Gous was right; maybe he had been chosen.
His lips pressed together, Keeper said nothing else, and Charlie watched as he slowly disappeared. Alone on the beach, he turned his palms to the sky for a moment, lost as to what to do next.
Realizing there was nothing he could do, at least for the moment, he transported back to his warm bed in Purgatory.
Staring at the white ceiling above him once more, he breathed loudly, then whispered faintly, “Strong enough. I’ll be strong enough when the time comes. You keep promising me that, old man, but what do we do if you’re wrong?”
Keeper of Oblivion
A Summer Spirit Novella
Volume 9
Samantha Jacobey
Lavish Publishing, LLC ~ Midland
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
KEEPER OF OBLIVION. Copyright 2017 ©
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Lavish Publishing, LLC.
First Edition
Summer Spirit Novella Series, book 9
Ebook Edition
All Rights Reserved
Published in the United States by Lavish Publishing, LLC, Midland, Texas
www.LavishPublishing.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Of the Darkness
Wrong with the World
Rapture
Revelations
Shattered Existence
The Great Divide
Nothing to See Here
Without Malice
Shine of a Diamond
Epilogue
About the Author
Prologue
“Breathe, Clarisse,” Myra commanded.
“I can’t!” the girl grunted, squatting a bit more and grinding her teeth.
Charlie watched the scene before him, his mouth hanging open in shocked awe. They had converted the dining room into a birthing chamber, and a sheet hung over the glass wall to dim the bright light of day. “You can do it, baby,” he whispered.
“AaaaAAAAAYA,” she screamed, the sweat beading on her forehead.
“That’s it,” the older woman encouraged, grasping Clarisse’s mane and pulling it out of the way and into a scrunchie. The long strands glistened, hanging down her naked back, with her curved belly bare along her front.
Charlie had watched a few videos of babies being born. Somehow, seeing it happen live before him made him feel quite differently. “Let me help her,” he begged.
“No!” Myra practically shouted. “She must do this on her own.”
&n
bsp; “Indeed,” Karma agreed, placing a bowl of cool water on the table. Removing a small rag from it, she squeezed out the excess and used it to sooth the girl’s cheeks and temples. “There, there, sweet angel; you’re doing fine.”
“Was it like this?” Clarisse panted. “When you had the twins?”
“Very much like this,” Karma agreed, smiling at her. “We are not as different from humans as one might think. We come into the world the same way; through the birthing pain of our mothers.” Seeing the girl’s face grow tense and her fingers go white, Karma placed her hands over them, squeezing them into the back of the chair.
“That’s it, Clarisse. Breathe through the pain,” she commanded sternly. “Nature will bring your child to us. Open yourself and allow the infant out.”
“I’m trying!” Clarisse squealed, disgusted by the gush of watery blood that ran down her bare legs. “I want to lie down!” she panted. “Please, I need to rest.”
“You’ll rest after,” Karma bit firmly. “It won’t be long now.”
“I can see the head,” Myra informed her from her position behind the girl. “One, maybe two more pushes, love. You’re almost there.”
“AaaaAAAAAYA,” Clarisse bellowed, then cried loudly, “Oh, sweet Destiny! It hurts!” Squeezing the wood in her palms as if she could crush it, she began to weep uncontrollably as the small body dropped from her. “Don’t let him fall!” she cried.
“I’ve got it,” Myra soothed, catching the infant expertly. “I’ve delivered dozens of babies in my time, when I lived among the humans.” She wrapped the child in a white cloth and placed it between her legs to hand it to the new mother. “It’s a girl,” she informed her as Clarisse released her grip on the furniture and pulled her daughter to her chest. “We have to wait for the afterbirth,” she informed her. “The placenta should come in another contraction or two, when it’s ready. You’ll know when it’s time.”
The Keeper Set - Summer Spirit Novellas 7 - 9 Page 11
