The Last Keeper (5 page)

“Because this is no life for him. This is no life for anyone human. And I’m scared.” My reply was but a whisper at the end.
 

“What in heaven’s name for?”

I hung my head as I answered her. “He’ll run away.”

“Serenity Cardea! Don’t be so foolish. Ray has a good heart, and he will be as accepting of who you are, as of what you have to do to keep him safe. I know that look in his eyes, Sere. He may not know what he feels just yet, but he does feel something. Nothing is going to be able to change that.” It was rare that Helen became this confrontational, but when she did, she was serious. “As for this being no life for a human, what is it you think we are?”

“Keepers.”
 

“Un-matured Keepers. Essentially human. We’re vulnerable. We don’t have the kind of senses or immortality that you do. And I do quite well for myself in this world, thank you very much!” Her indignant tone was on the verge of dissolving into laughter.
 

She did more than “quite well” for herself. I’d lost count of the times she’d patched me up and ordered me about over the years. Jayne would end up the same, with a tough streak a mile long, three miles high, and the world wide.
 

“Don’t fight this and tell him.”

She was right, of course. It was the same advice I’d given William when he came to me about Alison. He’d been so frightened about telling her. Scared she would run off or think him insane. For hours he’d paced around our sitting room, all the while pouring out his deepest fears. It used to be such a beautiful time when we found our partners, but after our numbers started to dwindle, it became a fear. Finding our partner meant our lives were over. As the only two left, it was hard to know our days were numbered.

If Ray were the one for me, how could I possibly tell him that our lives were linked so absolutely? How could I tell him that he would be hunted because of our connection?
 

I
would
tell him, but not yet. I’d wait for William’s reply, and cling to that last shred of hope that I was wrong. Not for my own sake, but for Ray’s. Knowing his life would become a deadly game of cat and mouse would be hard enough to understand. Accepting the existence of mythical creatures like the professor was enough to scare anyone off.
 

And though no one had ever run before, there was always a first time.

I sat by the window almost every day after that first week, eagerly awaiting Sam’s return. It had also seen me by Ray’s side more often. I wasn’t putting up much resistance where he was concerned. There was still a small part of me that was attempting to fight the connection and praying I didn’t have to force him into the world of myths and legends. However, the more time I spent with him, the more I realised Helen had been absolutely correct; I did know the answer William would send.
 

   
The dinner we’d shared together, two nights after our walk in the garden, had resulted in some interesting conversation, and an amusing introduction to Jayne.
 

“Hi, Uncle Ray.” She’d practically attacked him when they first met, throwing herself at him and wrapping her tiny arms as high around his waist as possible.

“Erm, hello,” he answered, awkwardly patting her head.

“I’m Jayne.”

I’d stood back, watching the whole exchange with an amused smile on my face. She hadn’t even let me say my own greetings. Instead, she’d taken a firm hold of his hand and almost dragged him into the dining room, chattering all the way. It was all Ray could do to keep up with her. After those first few seconds of unexpected contact, he was completely comfortable with her, quite content with letting her talk his ear off until dinner was served.

“Jayne, it’s time for bed,” Helen said, not long after dinner was finished.

“Good night, Uncle Ray. Good night, Aunt Sere,” she sang, giving us each a peck on the cheek.

“Good night, Jayne,” we both answered, though Ray had a slightly confused look on his face.
 

“Thank you,” I mouthed to Helen as she went to tuck in her daughter.
 

Turning my attention to Ray, I apologised for the exuberant nature of Jayne. “I’m sorry about that. She tends to get overly excited when she meets new people.”

“She is absolutely adorable. I thought she was your sister?”
 

Ah, there was a question I didn’t want to answer. Jayne had told him many things about the short life she remembered with me. Everything from the secret passages I had shown her in our old house to the frequent “trips” I took. Fortunately, a quick look had silenced her. She hadn’t mentioned anything about our relationship. Mainly because she was not yet old enough to understand the complexities. She knew I was her aunt and Helen was her mother. Outside of that, she didn’t comprehend the need to differentiate between who I was and who I was supposed to be.
 

“In a way. She’s Helen’s daughter, and I’ve known her since she was born. They’re family.” There was no need to add that I had also known Helen since her birth.

“You’re very lucky.”

“Yes. I don’t know what would have happened without them.” That was a lie. I knew exactly where I’d be if William hadn’t suggested taking Lona’s daughters in all those years ago. Only one of my sister’s children took me up on my offer, and I’d never looked back. “Tell me about your family.”

“You met my mother at the auction. Her name is Liza, and she is the most wonderful woman. It’s a good thing she likes having me around the house. I can barely cook anything beyond burnt toast, so I’m fortunate she enjoys cooking for me. In all honesty, she’s been there for me more than I could’ve hoped. I can’t imagine someone more kind and loving.” The picture he painted of his mother was done with absolute reverence. It was clear he loved her very much. “Of course, it’s been just the two of us since my father died.”

“Do you miss him?” I asked, gently laying my hand on his arm.

“I don’t remember him. He died in the first year of the last war. He’d been in the army before the war, and from what my mother has told me, it was what he loved to do. All I have is the book he left for me before he went away to war,” he said, smiling. His eyes had a faraway look about them, as if he were trying to find even the briefest memories of his father. “Do you remember your parents?”

I took a deep breath, fully prepared to lie, to relay the same falsities everyone was told: my mother died in childbirth and my father soon after. But I didn’t. I should have, but something stopped me.
 

“Yes. They were wonderful people. I do miss them, but they led a good life, and I know they’re happy. Helen has been in my life for so long now that she is my family.”

If he was aware of the lie that had already been told countless times in the city, he didn’t say anything. For that I was grateful. The reasons behind my falsehoods were simple: people asked fewer questions when they thought you never knew your parents.
 

“I’m sure they would be very proud of you.” His response surprised me. There was plenty for them to be proud of, but nothing Ray knew about. “You have made such a difference in the time you have been here.”

It all became clear then. He was referring to the donations I’d made to aid the evacuated children. It was a meagre amount in the grand scheme of my life, but enough to ensure that Jayne and Helen were where I could protect them and that Sam was overlooked when it came to the war.
 

“I was brought up to help those I can.” How true that was. “It’s something I do wherever I am.” It felt good to tell Ray the truth. Seeing the sparkle in his eyes when I revealed even the smallest piece of information was exhilarating.

It was one of the numerous things we discussed that night at dinner, and many an occasion afterwards. Our conversations gave me the distinct feeling he knew something was off.

“Tell me more about the places you’ve lived,” Ray said eagerly.
 

Jayne had been talking to him again, telling stories of the places I’d seen. But I couldn’t tell him that yet. How could I explain the wonderful and amazing cities I’d lived in, when most of them were nothing more than rubble now? Rome, one of those many places, still stood, but it was desolate compared to its original glory. How could I describe America at a time when its existence was unknown and India back when the humans thought the world was flat? He must have noticed the change in my expression as I contemplated what to say.

“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to upset you.” His voice was a whisper, his eyes downcast.

“It’s not your fault, Ray. Mine is a long and complicated story, the places I’ve lived and the things I’ve seen . . . I want to tell you, and I will, just not yet.” I forced myself to meet his gaze.

“I understand.”

I had to look away. He shouldn’t understand so much while knowing so little. “Let’s get you home. It’s getting late, and I don’t want to be responsible for your mother fretting over you,” I said, rising from my chair.

“Come for dinner,” he suggested as we reached the door.
 

I was all prepared to decline his offer when I heard the approaching hooves of my horse. Glancing down the street, I spotted Sam. He rode up quickly and came to a stop right outside the gate, a smile on his face. He knew what was in the letter he was surely carrying. His expression said so.
 

Without thinking, I sprinted forward, helping him from the saddle. He’d clearly been riding hard all day in an attempt to get home before nightfall. It was only when Sam was safely leaning on me that I realised my mistake.
 

Ray had seen everything.

He looked shocked as Helen moved past him, racing to her brother’s side. It wasn’t right for me to have done what I had. Women weren’t supposed to be able to help grown men from their horses. I was mentally berating myself as Helen led Sam into the house. The letter could wait.
 

My mind was working overtime, trying to come up with some lie to explain the strength he’d clearly seen, as well as my ability to recognise the hoof-falls of my horse from a distance.
 

Ray’s mouth remained agape for a moment longer before he carefully navigated the stairs and asked, “Dinner on Friday?”

“Friday,” I agreed, after realising he hadn’t actually asked the question I’d been expecting.
 

It was a couple of days away, so that would give me time to think about the mistake I’d made and what I would tell him about it. It also gave me time to read the message from William. After reading that, everything would be clearer.

I swore there was a spring in his step again. Listening harder, I heard the faint tune of whistling. It was a light, happy song, perfectly suited to him. Though I was concerned about him walking home alone, I kept that firmly to myself. He would no doubt refuse any kind of escort, especially one from me. He struck me as stubborn—and curious. I continued to watch him until he turned the corner after a brief glance back in my direction.

“Helen, would you take Tara around to her stable?
 

She’d been standing behind me for a couple of minutes, quietly observing. As she wandered off to take care of the horse, she was muttering under her breath. “No point in sending the poor thing halfway around the world. Should’ve just listened to me in the first place.”
 

Turning back to the house, it was my turn to smile. There really had been no need to send Sam to France for an answer I was now certain of. Whatever shred of hope I’d clung to was gone. It was impossible to deny the feelings that were stirring within me.
 

I found Sam in the kitchen sniffing at the leftovers.
 

“Any problems?” I asked as I took over preparing something for him. “Go on, sit down.”

“None at all. Just took longer than I thought. Six days there, six days back. William insisted I stay for a day before he wrote his reply, but you expected as much,” he answered, adding a thank you for the food.