The Twelfth Keeper

by Belle Malory

  Another gun was placed in Plaffle’s hands. The old-fashioned kind. A wicked smile spread over his face as the safety clicked off. “No laser to aid you in this one, Phoenix.”

  “Maybe you should think about who you’re planning to shoot,” Phoenix warned darkly. “And how you would explain it to the rest of the world.”

  “The two of you have become a threat to my space station.”

  Kennedy pushed out from behind Phoenix. “We’re not a threat to Olympus, Plaffle. We’re a threat to the trillions of globals you intend to make by going to an unapproved planet.”

  Her heart beat frantically against her chest. She wasn’t sure who in the crowd was privileged with that information, but if she was going to go down, she didn’t want it to happen without foiling Commissioner Evil’s secret mission. At least it might make it a little worth it.

  Some of the soldiers shuffled around. The gun in Plaffle’s hands once again swerved towards Kennedy’s head. “Don’t be stupid,” Phoenix whispered, trying to block its path.

  More uniformed soldiers marched through the crowd, yelling, “Stand down now!” Each of their braces lit up, giving way to some new form of command. A pathway was cleared, and General Vickard made his way through it.

  Plaffle’s gun veered away from Phoenix and Kennedy.

  At that moment Kennedy realized Vickard truly wasn’t involved with Plaffle’s mission. This whole time, he had never known what was going on under his own roof, within his own military. “Commissioner, please put your gun away.”

  Plaffle scowled at the general’s request. Vickard was technically his subordinate, and if he was dishing out orders, it meant Plaffle was done for.

  Kennedy held her breath, watching the scene unfold before her with unblinking eyes.

  “These two are the perps that set off the Red Alert,” Plaffle told Vickard. “They are a threat to Olympus.”

  Vickard took a few daring steps closer. “The only threat here is you. And I think we would all agree it’s time for an impeachment.” He nodded to the soldiers around him. They went after Plaffle, reaching for his gun arm first.

  A round of deafening shots were fired. Kennedy lowered to the floor, covering her ears. Only after the innocuous silence came, did she realize Phoenix’s body cradled hers. Protecting hers.

  His unsteady breath was next to her ear. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Dazedly, she nodded. “You?”

  “Yeah.”

  They both slowly stood, glancing around.

  “Plaffle’s shots hit the ceiling,” said a nearby soldier.

  Kennedy looked up, noticing a small crater above them. She relaxed seeing that no one had been hurt.

  Well, all except for Plaffle. He had been knocked unconscious, laying a few feet away, handcuffed and stripped of his weapon.

  General Vickard gave out various orders and read from a list of officer names. It was a list of Plaffle’s supporters, which meant they must have found the safe. None of the guilty officers tried to run or fight. One by one, they were all arrested and taken into custody.

  In the distance, Kennedy saw Professor Mason’s pointy beard. A small, grateful smile found its way to her lips seeing him there. It was no coincidence that Vickard showed up when he did. Mason must have worked hard and fast to get them out of this.

  Phoenix’s hand found hers. He gently squeezed it, smiling at her. “That scumbag is getting what he deserves.”

  There was a sense of accomplishment within those words, and she felt relieved for Phoenix’s sake. This was his world. And this world had no room for corruption.

  ~ ~

  General Vickard personally thanked both Phoenix and Kennedy for outing Plaffle. On some level, Kennedy sensed that the general knew they snuck into his office. “I don’t care how you found it,” he told them. “But I’m glad you did.

  Professor Mason patted Kennedy on the back, knocking her forwards. “Good work on the tank, eh kiddo?” He couldn’t have looked more impressed.

  “Uh, thanks.”

  General Vickard nodded in agreement. “Yes, that was something, wasn’t it? Always knew you had it in you. Just needed the right encouragement.”

  His words brought back memories of Dr. Sigly’s attempt to drown her, and Kennedy’s blood instantly chilled. “Your idea of encouragement, General, is the opposite of mine.”

  “About that,” he said, sighing. “I want to apologize for Dr. Sigly’s actions. I told her to be forceful, but the extent to which she took that forcefulness was extreme and badly chosen. You can rest assured it won’t happen again.”

  Kennedy opened her mouth, then closed it again. She would’ve liked to go off on him, had a whole speech prepared, but his apology wasn’t the half-baked excuse she imagined. It actually sounded pretty decent.

  “What will it take to get the two of you to return to your positions?”

  Phoenix was suddenly there at her side. He looked down at her, and by the way he was looking at her, she knew the answer to that question was being left in her hands.

  There was only one answer to give.

  She turned back to the general. “I will agree to return to training, but with conditions,” she added. He needed to understand the importance of what she was about to say. “I am not your personal weapon. I am the keeper of your planet, and you will give me that respect.”

  Both the general and Professor Mason looked taken aback. They were used to the timid coward they picked up on Amelia Island. Kennedy wasn’t that girl anymore. She wasn’t sure what she was becoming, but she could feel the transformation happening, even now.

  Phoenix was proud, and it radiated from him. Even so, Kennedy knew she wasn’t making this decision for him. It was for her. And for the first time, it was what she wanted.

  “Duly noted,” General Vickard said. “Anything else?”

  “No—yes. I want to speak to my family. Everyday if I want to, without issue. Maybe you could install one of those telephone thingies inside my apartment.”

  He nodded. “Consider it done.”

  Excitement filled Kennedy’s chest at the thought of speaking to her family. She had no other demands, no other requests, as long as she could have that.

  “What about you, Nix?” Mason asked, staring at Phoenix. “Will I see you on Monday morning?”

  “Someone’s gotta run this place right,” he said. “Obviously the two of you are letting things slip through the cracks.” He was completely serious, and meant every word, but there was still something funny about the way he said it.

  Professor Mason rolled his eyes and General Vickard chuckled. “You’re an arrogant bastard, Nix.”

  Phoenix shrugged. “It’s not the first time you’ve told me that, Professor.”

  “One day it’s going to get you in trouble.”

  Phoenix rested an arm around Professor Mason’s shoulders. “Probably. Which is why you need to teach me as much as you can before that day comes.”

  Forty-Four

  Everything had gone back to normal.

  For the most part.

  Phoenix eyed Kennedy’s apartment door, wondering if he should have ever come. He hadn’t seen nor spoken to her since the day Plaffle tried to kill them. They had simply gone their separate ways. She didn’t need him anymore. So there was no point in sticking around, guarding her apartment for hours on end. No more threats to worry about.

  Besides, they would see each other tomorrow morning on Level 3. It wasn’t a big deal, going the weekend without speaking. At least that’s what he thought on Saturday morning.

  Come Sunday morning, he began wishing he had a way to get a hold of her. Check up on her or something. Their braces had to be reordered, and they wouldn’t get new ones until next week, so he couldn’t dial her easily. And it sucked.

  Now it was late Sunday evening, and Phoenix stood outside her door. Looking like a damned fool too, since he hadn’t rang the bell or knocked yet.

  It was just…he wanted to see her.
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  He had to. Screw going the weekend without speaking. He rang the bell, and waited.

  Matilda answered it.

  “Where is she?”

  The android whizzed out of the way, motioning for him to come inside. “By the window.”

  Kennedy sat by the large window that looked out on a view of Earth. Phoenix did a double take, because strangely, she was wearing a satin turquoise gown with about a hundred layers of bright fuchsia tulle sticking out from underneath, surrounding her on the floor. Her hair was piled into a bun atop her head, and her makeup was done as if she were going to prom. Phoenix would’ve thought she looked beautiful, if not for her sad eyes.

  He kneeled beside her. “Hot date?”

  She gave him a small, half-hearted smile. “I wish.”

  “You’re all dolled up. Why?”

  She shrugged. “Guess I wanted to feel like a girl. For a little bit, anyway.”

  “You don’t feel like a girl normally?” It was meant to be a joke, but she didn’t laugh.

  “Not always. Not around here.”

  Phoenix settled against the window beside her, and tugged on her skirt, sliding her closer to him. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Why do you look so gloomy?”

  When she didn’t immediately answer, Phoenix asked the question he was afraid to hear the answer to. “Do you regret staying?”

  Full lips covered in pink gloss parted, a low sigh escaping them. “I’m content with my decision,” she said. “Honestly, I am. I just miss certain things.”

  “Like what?”

  Her eyes met his, looking like the sparkling surface of the blue-green ocean. There was something unsure within them, as if she were debating whether or not to speak. “Tell me,” he said.

  Her fingers idly prodded at the fabric of her gown. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “Try.”

  Her gaze drifted back towards the window, looking far away. “When I was in that tank, there was a moment when I realized that you wouldn’t be there to save me. That no one would come.”

  Phoenix swallowed, feeling the weight of her words. “I’m sorry. I would’ve done anything—”

  “Don’t do that again. Don’t feel guilty. It wasn’t your fault.” He could see she didn’t blame him at all. “The reason I’m telling you this because it was at that moment when I realized I needed to save myself. Had to, or else I was going to die.”

  “And you did,” he added. “Brilliantly.”

  She twisted the bottom of her necklace, nodding. “I’m always going to be this thing. This powerful version of my former self. And oddly enough, as much as I admire who I’ve become—who I’m becoming—it’s not what I imagined.”

  Softly, he said, “I don’t think any of us imagined this.” Definitely an understatement, but absolutely true.

  “That’s not what I mean.” Another sigh came out, this one more miserable than the last. It was killing him, seeing her like this. “I never wanted to be the heroine. Don’t get me wrong; it feels great and all. Being brave. Saving the day. Taking care of myself. But…” She looked around, searching for the right way to describe how she was feeling.

  Phoenix reached for her fidgeting hands and stilled them within his.

  He felt her grip relax, and she said, “I still like the idea of the fairytale prince on the white horse showing up to rescue his princess. I like that idea just as much as I like the idea of going to dances, getting married, having babies, and wearing lots of frilly dresses.” She picked the bottom of skirt up to emphasize her point. “Anyway, I’m starting to realize that I can’t be that anymore. And part of me is okay with it. But another more fragile part still wants to be the princess.”

  Phoenix understood exactly what she meant. She still craved the fantasy while reality was busy sinking in its sharp teeth.

  He wanted to give her the fairytale. Wished he could. Somehow. Someway.

  He stood up, an idea coming to him. Maybe it was possible. Looking around the apartment, Phoenix debated how he was going to do this.

  A ceiling fan hung overhead. He climbed atop the sofa and reached for it.

  “What are you doing?” Kennedy asked curiously.

  Phoenix pulled on a fan blade, struggling until he pried it from its sheath. He lifted it in the air victoriously. “I, fair lady, have come to rescue you from the demonic dragon keeping you prisoner in its lair.”

  “You…what?”

  Phoenix’s eyes sought out Matilda. When he found her behind him, he gently nudged the android with the tip of his fan blade, prompting her to begin her part.

  Matilda made a coughing noise that sounded strangely human. “Oh, right. The demonic dragon. Just a second.” She rolled to the middle of the room, then proceeded to let out a ferocious growl.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Phoenix saw Kennedy flinch. He didn’t blame her; the growl sounded rather authentic, as far as dragon growls went anyway.

  To make the scene look even more real, Phoenix handed Matilda a match, which he helped her with, creating a spiraling wave of fire soaring through the air.

  He turned to view Kennedy’s reaction.

  She didn’t miss a beat, holding a hand to her forehead, about to faint. “Oh, good sir, you must be my knight in shining armor. Thank heavens you’ve come to save me from this foul creature.”

  An unmistakable snort came from Matilda’s direction. “Foul creature, indeed,” she mumbled.

  Phoenix poked her with the fan blade again.

  “Oh right. Rooooaaaar!”

  Kennedy mounted the kitchen counter, and called for him to save her. “I’m in here. In the dragon’s cave.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I defeat this monstrous beast. En garde!” Phoenix chased after the whizzing android who rolled about the room growling. Finally, the blade pierced between Matilda’s arm and chest, and she faked a gurgling death.

  Kennedy bubbled with laughter, and Phoenix reveled in the sound of it. He rushed over to her, holding out his arms.

  Wrapping her hands around his neck, she gracefully fell to his hold. “This is the part where I carry you off into the sunset,” he said, fumbling with the wallpaper control to her window while trying to hold her at the same time.

  She gave him a knowing wink and grinned.

  Eventually he activated a beautiful scene of a soft blue sky with lush green meadows on the horizon, and an orange-red sun setting behind them. Phoenix carried Kennedy towards the window, slowly spinning her around.

  She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment, believing it for a while.

  In that moment, Phoenix knew Calaya was right. But not in the way he first thought. He sighed, feeling the weight of a thousand pounds lift from his shoulders.

  What he always thought he wanted, believed he wanted, was his independence. His right to choose. But this, whatever this life was, it wasn’t choosing. Because if he were being honest with himself, he would choose Kennedy. Right now, like this, there were no words to describe how beautiful she was.

  Losing his choice wasn’t what was happening. It never was. Because he chose her, damn it. And it felt so good to finally admit it to himself—that he wanted to choose her. His independence, if that was what he sought, was wrapped up somewhere inside Kennedy’s core. The sweet taste of freedom could only ever come to him if he allowed himself to do what his whole heart, body, and mind craved. He chose her, damn it. He chose her.

  ~ ~

  Kennedy felt herself relax into Phoenix’s arms in a way that she’d never been able to do with anyone. Closing her eyes, she let him slowly spin her in the air, holding her arms out as if she were floating.

  Just for a moment, she let herself pretend they actually were in a fairy world. She breathed in deeply, as if she could smell the earth beneath their feet, the bright green grass gently swaying in the wind. Somewhere nearby was a small brook filled with colorful fish and topped with heart-shaped lily pads. If she listened hard enough, she could hear it babbling.

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nbsp; It was real. If she believed it enough, it could be real.

  And that was good enough for now.

  Forty-Five

  Training the next day changed drastically. Both Phoenix and Kennedy were welcomed into the fold with open arms. That feeling of completion was present again. It was so tangible, Kennedy could breathe it into her lungs.

  I belong here.

  She may not be one hundred percent happy about it, but she was exactly where she needed to be.

  Before their morning run, Alanna greeted her with a hug. “I was so afraid you were gone forever.”

  “Nope, I’m here for good.”

  “They told us what happened. And it’s all over the news.” Alanna scrunched her lips, letting Kennedy know just what she thought about it. “The Commissioner is goin’ away for a long time. I hope he rots in prison.”

  Leaning over, Kennedy stretched out her calves. “I hope so too.”

  Lexie approached them, joining in on their conversation. “I think we all owe you an apology,” she said.

  Kennedy felt her brows draw together.

  “Yes, I agree with dat,” Alanna said. “We’re really, really sorry.”

  “For what?” she asked. “You guys didn’t do anything.”

  “Exactly,” Lexie said. “Save for Phoenix and Nika, none of us did anything while Dr. Sigly, you know. And we feel terrible. It’s not who we are, not to protect our own.”

  Kennedy smiled. Their apology was heartfelt, and it meant more to her than they would ever know. “Thanks guys, and no worries. I understand.”

  Swaggering up from behind them, Fang appeared, her skin damp with sweat. She scanned Kennedy from head to toe derisively while taking a long swig from her water bottle.

  Oh well. Guess it was too much to hope that everyone would welcome her with open arms.

  “Look who finally decided to return.” Fang capped the bottle and crossed her arms over her chest. “Did you come to turn any more keepers against their planet?”

  “Fang, stop it,” Lexie said, rolling her eyes. “You know as well as everyone they tried to drown her.”