“Why are we fighting?” Nick asks. “We’re in this together.”
“You know what? We’re not really. See, the worst that will happen to you—you lose your job. The worst that can happen to me is I lose my life. It’s not exactly an even playing field.”
Nick releases her hand. “I know you’re stressed and scared, but you need to quit attacking me. I love you. I’m here for you. I know what’s at stake and I am fully aware you have a shitty deal. But if you think for one second it’s not as hard for me to handle, you’re wrong. Frankly, you die, that’s it. You’ll be at peace. I’ll be left here to mourn you and actually feel the loss. Along with your friends and your parents. I have just as much to lose. Screw the job. I don’t care about that. I care about you.”
Why is she acting like this? She doesn’t mean to. She didn’t even mean those words she said. This isn’t Keely. Yes, she’s stressed. Yes, she’s scared. But she knows Nick is here for her. She knows he’s trying to make her feel better. “Oh my God, Nick. I started to freak and I let his emotions take over mine. He’s worried and he’s pissed. He’s blaming anyone he can. I didn’t mean any of that. I’m sorry.”
Nick’s eyes darken. “Asmoday?”
Keely nods. “I’m sorry,” she says again. “Thank you for being here for me. I love you too.” She takes his hand back. Nick brings her fingers to his mouth and brushes a kiss across them. His movements are stiff, mechanical. Keely knows he’s angry, but he isn’t going to say anything. At least not right now with higher hurdles to leap at the moment.
The double doors open and the nine members of the Hierarchy enter as the room falls into a hushed silence. Keely looks down at herself. Wishes she had the foresight to bring a change of clothes with her last night and hopes jean shorts and a tee shirt say something to the Hierarchy about her trustworthiness.
Keely can see the lump of Nick’s Adam’s apple jump as he swallows nervously. His hand tightens on hers. She leans over and kisses his cheek. “Together,” she whispers. He looks at her from the corner of his eye and gives a half smile.
“Princess Keely, will you please come forward?”
She and Nick stand together hand in hand. They move through the maze as a united front. The doors open again and Keely glances back as she takes her seat in front of the long table. Bryon and Lila squeeze in the overly filled room followed by her dad. She doesn’t see her mom. Somehow, she isn’t too surprised by this.
“Princess,” the man Keely thinks is in charge says loudly as he bows his head. “How are you today?”
“Scared.”
He smiles gently at her. “I can assure you, you have no need to be. Let me ease your mind right now. No harm shall come to you by our hands.”
Keely stares back at the man waiting for him to continue. From her peripheral, she notices Nick’s whole body relax like a deflating balloon.
“However,” he goes on.
Isn’t there always a however?
“You may be a wonderful asset to the Hierarchy or you could be a great threat. We don’t know you, Princess. We’re not convinced of your commitment. We are unsure of your abilities. The only thing we are certain of is your bravery. You willingly told us of your part in the prophecy. A prophecy we cannot read. That also spoke of your honesty. There are some of us that believe a higher calling sent you to us. While there are some who believe the opposite. I personally believe your character speaks for itself. I also trust in the opinions of our Guardians.” He looks at Nick. Holds his gaze.
The pretty woman stands. “Princess Keely, we are decided that you are in fact Doyenne. It would be irresponsible of us to not offer you our aid, but in return, we must ask something of you. We ask that you take the Doyenne Oath.”
Keely nods. She doesn’t have a clue what the Doyenne Oath is, but assumes it must be similar to the Oath Nick took. “Uh, sure. Of course.”
The pretty woman smiles patiently. “There are other…conditions. Because you are so powerful, and potentially dangerous, we will need to keep eyes on you closely. You will be given twenty-four hour security. From here on out, your privacy is a luxury of the past.”
Keely takes a deep breath. This sucks, but it’s better than the alternative. And if she’s stuck with Nick all day, every day, well, that just doesn’t seem so bad.
“We also need the Demon Grimoire as a token of your allegiance. From this moment, you are not to read from it unless otherwise asked and permitted by our Hierarchy.”
O.k. She didn’t realize she would need to make a list. And she kind of needed the Grimoire to find a way out of this mess with Asmoday. But, again, this isn’t asking too much. She’ll have to get the permission to do the research. It’s more of an inconvenience than anything.
“You will need to begin training immediately. You are very behind so you’ll need to take classes here during the day and train in the evening. You will also work with a tutor on weekends and any spare time you can find throughout the week. You have a lot to learn and not a lot of time to learn it.”
So she’ll be busy. Extremely busy. This is fine. She wanted to go to school here anyway. This is what she wanted. This is what she wants. Yeah, it’s fine. It’s fine.
“We will be relieving Guardian Wallace of his leadership duties effective today.”
Keely stands up in shock. They can’t do this to her. Not after all the demands they just placed on her. They can’t take Nick.
“Princess, please take your seat. I am not yet finished.”
Nick tugs on Keely’s hand. Tears sting her eyes as she looks at him helplessly. “Sit down, please,” he whispers softly. His hand guides her back into her chair and she wills her eyes to dry.
“Guardian Wallace will stay on as your Guardian because of the relationship you share. However, he is no longer in command. This isn’t our typical protocol. We aren’t in the habit of putting someone so young in charge of an assignment. You will be given a new member of your security contingent to take lead and replace Watcher White.”
Nick’s hand tightens on Keely’s for a moment. He’s happy with this judgment and Keely realizes she is too. He may not have a say on how things will be handled, but he still has a job and he’ll still be with her.
“There is one more thing, Princess. From what you have explained to us, it appears that though the girl in the prophecy has changed from time to time, the one thing that remains the same is the Demon King.” She gazes at Keely for confirmation.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“So what guarantee do we have that the prophecy will not change again and be fulfilled by someone else?”
Keely glances at Nick. He shifts uncomfortably. “I guess you don’t. Especially if I’m not allowed to read the Grimoire to check.”
The pretty woman stares flatly at Keely for several seconds. The man in charge leans over and whispers in the woman’s ear. She nods, never taking her eyes from Keely.
“Is there anything you have not shared with us that is pertinent to your case?”
Keely feels herself shrink back. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Princess, we are all given gifts when we come of age. Accolades. They are often similar from Guardian to Guardian, Watcher to Watcher. But White Warriors, our accolades are typically unique. Or at least uncommon. My most valued accolade, and the reason I sit on this Hierarchy, is a very special one. When I ask you a direct question, I am able to identify whether you are telling me the truth…or not. Sometimes, people don’t even realize they’re lying. But I always do. I will ask you one more time. Is there anything you have not shared with us that we would find pertinent?”
Keely’s face grows warm. Her head dizzy. She tells herself it’s not betrayal. She was going to have to tell them anyway if she was going to get their help. “I am betrothed and bonded to my brother, Prince Asmoday.”
Gasps spill through the air like a wave in the ocean. Whispers tweak her ears as she tries to concentrate on the woman before her.
The
man that reminds Keely of a principal wears an expression of repulsion and disgust. She knew she didn’t like him.
“How are you bonded to Prince Asmoday?” the pretty woman asks.
“I feel his emotions and he feels mine. But he’s not bad. He’s not like our father. He gave me the Grimoire. He warned me about the prophecy. He’s helped me.”
“You trust him?”
Keely looks at her feet so she can’t see Nick. “Yes. I trust him.”
“Will this bond affect your loyalty to your brethren?”
“I don’t think so. It hasn’t yet. I don’t want it to. I actually want out of it.” As soon as the words leave her mouth, Keely knows it was the wrong thing to say. Half of what she said, to the woman who can tell if she’s lying, wasn’t fully honest.
“I wish we could handle these things privately, but we do not. I’m very sorry, but you know I must ask. Why do you want to preserve the bond with your brother, Princess?”
Keely’s feet blur before her eyes. Sweat runs down the back of her neck causing her hair to stick to her. She can’t bear to look at Nick. “Because I love him.”
She looks up at the woman and by the sympathetic smile Keely knows she understands her true meaning.
“Our Hierarchy is only one of several. We have sister schools across the world. After several conferences, we have determined precautions must be taken against the Demon King to ensure the prophecy can never be fulfilled. A plan of action has not yet been arranged, but I understood it to mean war against the Demons. If Prince Asmoday stands with your father he will be terminated regardless of your bond.”
“He’ll stand with me,” Keely says confidently.
“I know you mean what you say, but you must understand this doesn’t assure me. I will need to speak with the Prince directly.”
Keely nods her head.
“One last thing, Princess. Are you prepared to go to war against your father?”
A small smile parts Keely’s lips. “Yes, I believe I am.”
The woman smiles back. “I look forward to working with you, Princess.”
***
Nick doesn’t speak to Keely the entire way back to her house. It isn’t until he turns off the ignition that he acknowledges her. “You lied to me,” he says, his tone level. Lacks any emotion.
“I didn’t. Not at the time. I didn’t realize until I said it today.”
“How can you want to stay bonded? You know what your father said. You’ll be like one person.”
“My father isn’t the most honest guy, Nick.”
He looks her in the eye. “I guess it runs in the family.”
She’s pretty sure she should have a big reaction here. She should be offended, or angry, or hurt. But she isn’t. She’s as numb as Nick’s voice. It’s been a very long time since she’s felt the nothingness of numb.
“Would you like to call me names too? Would it make you feel better? I know I deserve it. Go ahead. Have at it.”
Nick looks shocked. He stares at her like he doesn’t recognize her. “I don’t know who I’d be talking to, so what’s the point? You like this bond so much, but you don’t even realize how it’s changing you. I don’t know when it’s you or it’s him. It’s like dealing with someone who suffers from multiple personality disorder.” He turns to her. “Can I speak to Keely now?”
She glares at him. “You really don’t want to right now.”
Nick pulls out his phone and sends a text. “You can go in then. Bryon will be here soon. I’m suddenly not in the mood to baby sit you.”
“I don’t need a baby sitter.”
“Actually, you do. Remember? Part of your agreement.”
“Fine.” Keely swings the door open and slides out.
“Give me a call when Keely’s back,” Nick calls coolly.
Keely slams the door hard. She takes two angry steps before the dam of tears bursts. Nick’s wrong. It’s not multiple personalities. She’s always her. It’s her emotions that are messed up. She turns back and ducks her head into the car. “I’m stupid. I know it and I’m sorry. If you hate me I understand, but I love you. Even when I act like I don’t.” She turns back to the house and rushes to the door.
Nick is on her heels. He catches her as she reaches for the knob. Pulls her in for a hug. “You have got me so messed up. You piss me off and make me want to kiss you at the same time. What the hell are you doing to me? I can’t take it. I want you. I don’t want him.” He pulls her chin up so he can reach her lips. Keely loses herself in the kiss. Her body longing for the distraction more than she could have guessed.
Nick reaches behind her and opens the door. They nearly fall into the house. Without breaking apart, Nick shuts the door behind them. Grabs her waist and turns her back is against the door. He slides his hands into the thick waves of her hair and presses his lips to hers harder. Before she can even think of stopping him, he moves his hands to her hips and leans into her, pressing his body firmly against hers. His fingers dig into her skin pleasantly and she lets out a surprised breath.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she suspects he is doing his best to seduce her. It is totally working. She grabs handfuls of his hair and tries to keep up with his lips. As if of its own free will, her leg glides up his making their bodies mesh together. She locks her leg behind him and before she knows it, he pulls her other leg up sandwiching her between the door and his hips.
With a soft growl from his throat, Nick turns them around and leans her back against the steps. He lies over her, propping himself on his elbows. Looks at her admiringly. “I love you so much,” he says just above a whisper. He licks his lips and touches them to her throat.
“Don’t stop on my account,” Kimberly says from the top of the staircase.
Keely looks up at her mom, upside down from her angle on the steps. “Uh, hi Mom.”
Thirty-One:
Lila slumps in Bryon’s car, staring out the window.
“Nick text me. He needs me to go stay with Keely for the night. Do you want to go home or come with?”
“Just take me home. I feel too guilty every time I look at her.”
“Have you gone to see Dustin?” Bryon looks out the rear window as he backs out of the parking space.
“I went yesterday.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” she says.
He turns on the radio. Sings along with the song. Lila smiles, her focus still on the window as the trees fly past.
“I want to be a cowboy.”
“You what?” She laughs and turns to look at him.
He runs his hand across the dash board. “This could be my steel horse. And look at me? I could rock a cowboy hat.”
“This song’s not about an actual cowboy. It’s about touring with the band.”
“It’s open to interpretation.”
Lila looks back out the window. Rests her chin in her hand. “Most things are.”
“If you think about it, we’re a lot like cowboys. We go around rounding up the bad guys and herding them back where they belong. I should get me a cowboy hat to wear on missions.” He raises his eyebrows and sings along with the song again, reaching for the high note and failing miserably.
“You’re such an idiot,” Lila laughs. She shakes her head. “It’s a good thing you’re a Watcher because you seriously cannot sing.”
“What are you talking about? I’m a kick ass singer. You just need your ears cleaned woman.”
“I think you’ve been inserting the Q-tips too far,” Lila says with a smirk.
“I push them in until my brain tickles.”
“You’re a clown, Bry.”
“That hurts. My ego is seriously wounded.”
Lila looks back out the window as if she’ll find all the right answers there. “Who do you think will replace Dustin?”
He shrugs. Looks at her from the corner of his eye. “I don’t know.”
“I hate him so much.”
 
; “It’s all right if you don’t, Lila.”
She flinches. “I do.”
“You’ve been together a long time. What he did, he did for you. It’s understandable if you’re confused. I am and I’m not in love with him.”
“I’m not confused. I’m not in love with him anymore, and what he did, he did because he is a coward. Not because he loved me. He just used me as an excuse. I hate him.”
Bryon turns the ring in his brow. “I guess it’s open to interpretation as well.”
“Like I said, most things are.”
“I kind of hate him too. I just keep imagining it in my head. How he held Keely. How she must have felt. But she’s not mad at him.”
“Keely doesn’t come from our world. She doesn’t get it.”
“I know. But if he did this to her and she can forgive him…it kind of makes me feel like I should too.”
“Why would you waste your time after what he did? And when he betrayed Keely, he betrayed all of us. Don’t get that mixed up. We were all responsible for her and he didn’t care. Dustin did what Dustin wanted, the hell with everyone else.”
“Yeah, I know that,” Bryon says. “And I’m pissed. I seriously wanted to murder him with my bare hands for a while, but after I calmed down, I realized I don’t really want him to die.”
“I don’t either.” Lila sighs loudly. “Then I think about how we would all be feeling if Keely had died because of him. How hurt Nick would be. How hurt you would be. How badly we would have failed.”
“But you’re the one hurting right now.”
Lila shrugs. “We all are. That’s his fault too. I wish I could take back the past couple years.”
“I’m really sorry, Lila.”
“I know you are Bryon. That’s what makes you such a good guy.”
“Well, that’s the general consensus among women.” He smiles at her.
“I hope you can start working on your confidence soon. It makes me sad to see you so down on yourself.”
“Mmm. True story. I don’t tell myself how incredibly handsome, smart, and funny I am nearly enough.”
“You are smart, but I don’t know about the incredibly handsome part.”