Keeper Part 2: Hidden Bloodlines, #2

By Tiffany Evans

As a Drea, Taylee Pierce, is a walking energy bong—or that’s how the gift stealing Rygons see her. Her ability to control minds in their hands could mean the destruction of the Kember and Drea race. Laced with speed, strength, and a physical ability, each Kember holds the key to not only defeat the Rygons, but to protect one Drea until death.

But what happens when one who’s born to protect, hunts instead?

During a heated battle with a rogue Kember, Taylee’s forced to run and let her own Kember—the man who raised her—face him alone. With the announcement of her protector’s death, Taylee’s anger and obsession regarding the mysterious murderer take over. She’s hell-bent on bringing her guardian justice, even if it means walking into the enemy’s trap.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Epic Publishing
• Release date: Nov 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497737266

Book preview

Chapter 1

I glared at the freaky mark growing on my hip. What does it mean?

It says, Aiden sat back in his chair, a white lily represents purity and sweetness.

I scoffed. Is there a flower that means pain in the ass and sarcasm? Maybe the Kember gave me the wrong one.

Well you are...pure in the sense of the word and sweet in your own way. He quickly continued keeping his eyes far from my body. "I don’t think that has to do with why it’s growing on your skin."

I felt a flush spread across my cheeks. ‘Pure’ as in my virginity status? Good hell, he really knew everything. Was that somewhere in my file too? I scratched at the mark, irritated. Guess I should be grateful it’s hot, huh?

Aiden’s eyes traveled to the marking, but he didn’t answer. In fact, he didn’t say anything. He just stared, triggering the crazy tension that surrounded us so often lately. I swallowed hard, watching the conflicted emotions play across his perfect face. Did he want to touch it? Did he want to cut it out? I hated not knowing.

He cleared his throat and looked at me Has it bothered you at all?

Back to business. I thought back to last night—skipping the part where he pinned me against the tree—and all the strange, dream-like feelings I felt when I took control of the Rygon’s mind. The anger. I didn’t know what had gotten into me. It burned while I had control of the Rygon’s mind.

When you were upset. It wasn’t a question.

I nodded.

He stood and began pacing across the room.

I hopped on top of the desk, sitting next to his laptop, and watched.

Just like it burned in the motel?

Yeah. Even though the anger was much stronger. When I invaded the Rygon’s mind, I wasn’t only mad, I wanted revenge. I hated him and wanted to kill him. I couldn’t control it. In the motel, I was afraid and frustrated on top of being angry. Sure, I wanted to hit Aiden, but it was a rare day when I didn’t want to hit someone.

Pausing, he turned back toward me and scratched the stubble growing on his chin. For the next few days, I need you to control your anger. Okay?

It’s not something I can—What choice did I have? Who knew why it was growing or what would happen if it hit its max growth—if it had a max. I-I’ll try.

He strode back to the desk, and I moved my knees to the side so he could sit.

Good.  I just need some time to sort this out.

What’re you doing now? I leaned down and bent my head to look at his laptop screen.

I need to finish filling out report sheets.

’Cause of last night?

Yeah. He glanced at my knee, mere inches from his typing hand.

Did my sitting on the desk bother him? 

Every time there’s an attack or any other major thing goes on, Kembers have to send reports to the Authority. They evaluate it and see if a course of action needs to be taken.

I sighed. In other words, they’re nosey bastards who don’t want anything happening without them knowing.

Something like that.

I straightened and brushed my foot along one of the drawer handles. So you think they’ll let us handle this?

Positive. There’s no reason they’d interfere, unless I ask.

I swallowed hard. Did you find out anything about those Rygons?

Not really. He pursed his lips while he typed. I searched four of their bodies, but there wasn’t anything on them that showed who they worked for or what they were doing.

You think that Sable Gage guy sent them? Maybe he’s responsible for the attacks on the Drea homes?

It’s possible. I hope to know more when we hear back from Herman. Until then, my guess is as good as yours.

Even though Aiden’s features were thoughtful, they were still tough. Looking at him, even when he seemed relaxed—well as relaxed as he could be—you had to be crazy to mess with him. He had this whole aura that screamed edgy and dangerous. I liked that. I wouldn’t put him past killing everyone evil in his path. He fit the part. He could easily take down four Rygons—four? I thought you said there were five Rygons?

His fist clenched and the veins in his arm pulsed. There were. One took off before I could get to him.

My confusion melted and a small, involuntary grin spread across my lips. Killing four of them is still pretty badass.

Like he did every time he talked about himself, he hesitated. I don’t like killing. There’s something unsettling about taking a life. No matter how twisted and evil the thing may be. That feeling stays with you.

There was remorse. That’s why you wouldn’t let me kill him.

I didn’t let you kill him for a lot of reasons.

I looked down, feeling shamed. I-I don’t know what got into me.

I know. I’ll get it figured out. You just focus on controlling your anger.

Cap on the anger. Got it. I slid off the desk and stood in the middle of his room for a moment, unsure what to do now.

*****

The next two days were miserable. Thoughts and memories of Delmari ate at me. I had nightmares about stabbing white lilies. Some of them even had yellow eyes. Eating, sleeping, thinking...I couldn’t do any of them in peace. So, I locked myself in my room and listened to music on my phone, only coming out to use the bathroom.

In my zombie state, Aiden came in my room several times. I couldn’t remember what he said though. Maybe something about food or school. I cried one more time, then once I got it all out of my system, I dragged my body to the kitchen and poured a bowl of cereal.

Your phone is ringing, Aiden said.

Without looking at it, I slid my hand across the table and hit the ignore button on the side. I continued to push the Lucky Charms around in the bowl. My eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, but my brain still raced ninety miles an hour.

The empty chair across from me screeched as it moved and the table jarred when Aiden sat down. Sleep any better last night?

I nodded, even though I knew I probably kept him awake, too. He told me after the Portland incident he heard every breath that left my lungs. Now he checked on me whenever he detected strain. No doubt, he heard me toss and turn, occasionally shedding a tear or mumbling a curse word in frustration. Yeah, long night didn’t even begin to cover it. I’d say spending the night in hell would be a better fit.

He sighed.

I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and began sorting the floating marshmallows into colors.

I canceled your tutoring session today...and tomorrow.

Twelve green, eight yellow and five rainbows. I started stabbing them with my spoon.

I’ve been thinking. He hesitated. Since, technically, you’re half Kember... maybe I can help you channel your anger by learning how to defend yourself.

It took a moment, but his words processed in my mind:  half Kember, defend myself. I released the spoon, and it slowly slid down the side of the bowl, into the milk. Like, to fight?

Yes. I could teach you a few things...if you want.

Now he had my full attention. I looked at him and I sat a little straighter in my chair. Be serious.

He watched me carefully, maybe a little expectantly. I am serious.

You could get into trouble. I didn’t know why I was arguing. Maybe because it sounded too good to be true.

I’m not leaving you to fend for yourself. Basic knowledge of self-defense is beneficial, but if you don’t want to—

No, I want to! I jumped from my chair. Let’s go.

He shrugged, but his eyes brightened a little. All right.

I started for the basement and didn’t turn around until I reached the steps. Aiden stopped midstride and snapped his gaze in the direction of the front door. He froze.

I turned my head but saw nothing. What’s—?

Shhh. He stared for a few minutes, his face masked in concentration. Someone’s coming.

My heart accelerated. Instinctively, I took a step toward Aiden. What? Who?

Someone in a truck. A diesel.

Why are we just standing here? I yelled, throwing myself toward the door.

Aiden grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "There’s only one person, and they’re listening to Breaking Benjamin."

You’re right. I laughed in mock astonishment. They listen to good music. There’s no way they’re coming to kill me.

A small smile pulled the corner of his lip. It’s Lucian.

"Lucy? Who’s L—?"

"Lucian. Aiden corrected. He moved toward the door and I followed close behind. He’s a good friend. We were roommates at the academy."

Special. Why’s he here now?

No idea.

We stepped onto the porch and, like Aiden predicted, a big, red truck emerged from the trees. The engine roared. Brown slush kicked up behind the tires as it raced up the driveway. The Dodge slid to a stop, and out stepped the guy I took to be Lucian.

He slapped his baseball cap on backward, covering his short black hair, and motioned around. I thought they were shittin’ me when they said how far out your place was. I hit the boonies two hours ago.

Aiden never even tried to fight back his dazzling smile.

How unfair. I worked my butt off just to get half of it.

I like it quiet. He proceeded down the stairs and they gave each other that weird one-armed-guy-hug. After exchanging how’ve you been Aiden motioned back to me. This is—

Taylee Pierce. Lucian took off a pair of red-rimmed Oakleys. A small, stunned smile formed over his lips as his dark eyes moved up and down my figure. You exceed your reputation. He extended his hand. Lucian Giles.

Which reputation? Neither of them were good. On top of everyone thinking I was an impulsive pain in the ass, people now thought I was crazy. Something about the way Lucian looked at me made me think he wasn’t talking about those rumors, though. He’d heard something a little risqué—something that was presumably a lie.

His build resembled a typical Kember—ripped—but he wasn’t quite as tall as Aiden. Maybe only six foot one. He had a nice smile; one he probably used to its fullest when capturing girls. If he hadn’t been standing in Aiden’s shadow, it might have worked. Despite the snow, he wore a red, cut-off sleeve shirt and loose-fitted Levis.

Aiden cleared his throat, obviously trying to get Lucian’s attention. What’re you doing clear out here?

Lucian jerked his gaze from me. What do you mean? The Authority sent me.

For what?

They assigned me to be Taylee’s backup Kember. Guess they felt the need for two of us to be here.

Aiden didn’t blink for, like, thirty seconds. His mouth opened a fraction, furthering his puzzled and offended expression. He quickly covered it, probably not wanting anyone to see his calm facade shaken. From what Delmari had told me, being given a backup was one of the biggest offenses you could dish out to a primary Kember. A clear sign they were doing their job poorly.

Only Aiden wasn’t doing his job poorly.

"What do you mean, they felt the need for two of us? The danger in Aiden’s tone was barely enough for even me to pick up on. Taylee and I are doing fine."

Didn’t you get the e-mail? Lucian eyed Aiden carefully, obviously catching it. They said it explained... He held his hands up in surrender, shaking his head. Look, man, I jump wherever they point. From what I understand, it’s a precaution. Nothing personal.

I just checked my e-mail. There wasn’t anything. Aiden took a few deep breaths and gazed off into the forest, like he was fighting back more than a few words on the matter.

Okay. Well, we don’t need you, Coolio, so run along. I shooed him, trying my best to smile sweetly, but I was pretty sure it came out a smirk.

I can’t leave until the Authority instructs me to. He laughed.

It’s okay. Aiden’s stoicism returned. We’ll deal with it.

Lucian nodded and grabbed a suitcase from his truck bed. It’ll be great—like old times. Kick some ass, drink some beer and... He looked at me, brows raised. How’re your poker skills?

Legendary. I rolled my eyes but actually kind of liked his plan. Everything had been hellish and I wanted some fun.

Aiden tried his best to smile, but I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he thought through every possible thing he’d done over the last few months. The small glow I felt went out. An unsettling feeling stirred in my body seeing him upset.

I don’t want you to be offended, Aiden directed his comment at Lucian, but if they’re assigning me a backup, I want to know why.

Lucian nodded. Join the club. I got a ‘There’s no time to discuss. Do what you’re told.

Without another word, Aiden grabbed his keys from his pocket. The door’s unlocked. We’ll be back in a bit. With a brisk nod, he motioned me to get in the Titan.

I’m not coming? Lucian sounded shocked.

"No.