Revelations

By Michelle Birbeck

No one knows where the Keepers came from. Not even Lizzy Walters, who has the ability to see both the past and the future. In fact, there is only one thing Lizzy can’t see, and that is the dead. Yet her dreams for more than a hundred years have involved impossible futures with impossible consequences.
But all thoughts of the dead are soon swept aside when a mysterious plague takes hold of the Weres. Their shifts are killing them, turning the flowing of forms into a death sentence of broken bones and torn bodies.
There is only one person alive capable of saving the Weres, but Georgianna Rose, Crone to all witches, hasn’t been seen in centuries.
Lizzy must race against death to find a witch who doesn’t want to be found, and in the process uncovers truths about the world she may wish had stayed buried.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Birbeck
• Release date: Sep 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310482748

Michelle Birbeck

Michelle is 29 and has been reading and writing her whole life. Her earliest memory of books was when she was five and decided to try and teach her fish how to read by putting her Beatrix Potter books in the fish tank with them.Since then her love of books has grown, and now she is writing her own and looking forward to seeing them on her shelves, though they won’t be going anywhere near the fish tank.When she’s not writing, she’s out and about on her motorbike or sitting with her head in a book.

Book preview

Lizzy! Martin called down the stairs. Dinner!

Most of my days were spent in the basement, staring at the records, going through the additions that needed to be made. So little had changed in the basement since it had been built. It looked older, felt older, a bit like me.

Shelves still lined the walls, floor to ceiling, but they had been paler once, shinier. The pale, polished wood had been clean and bright when I first installed them. Now, as I glanced around the basement, putting my book back in its place, the wood was dark and old. Six hundred years of scuffing books, ingrained dirt, and repeated use had left the shelves dark and dingy. But they worked, and I was loath to replace them whilst they were still so solid.

Maybe I could sand them down one day. Change them back to their original pale pine.

Lizzy, hun, you coming up for dinner? Martin’s gentle voice drifted towards me from the foot of the stairs. I turned and saw him leaning against the banister, arms crossed, concern drawing his brows down.

I could not imagine my life without that man. Tall, with lean muscle wrapping around him in every direction, all encased in that fur smooth, lightly tanned skin, topped with a playful streak a mile long. There was not a day that passed that I didn’t look at him, think about him, and think ‘I love him.’ Every day I told him. No matter where in the world I was. When I woke in the mornings, I spent a few minutes watching him sleep, measuring the deep, even breaths, listening to his surging heart.

I’ll be up in a second, I told him, looking deep into his mesmerizing eyes.

Deep brown, with flecks of a darker brown, they were as alive to me after all these years as they were the day I first saw him at the colony. More so, in fact. Since I matured, I could see a depth to them that my almost human eyes had never seen. Flecks of colour seemed to move in the light, and a hint around the edges showed that there was something not quite human about them.

When I had sat in his arms that day, in the little cottage that still stood, I had looked into his eyes the whole time, never wanting to leave. I had fond memories of that house, but more of the house I was in, my home. The cottage now belonged to Callie and James. They were happy living there, mingling with the colony despite barely being part of it. Both were happier now that the war was over.

We were all happier now the war was over.

And tonight Callie had news. I had been sitting on my hands about it for weeks, before she had even known herself. So many secrets and so few of them happy.

A little piece of everyone’s future was embedded in my memory. Some of which meant nothing, and some of which changed everything.

Callie’s announcement was a blessing. The first in more than a century. As far as I was concerned, it was a sign that things were returning to normal again.

Finally!

I slammed straight into Jasmine when I rounded the top of the stairs. She leaped back, covering her heart with her hand as it started to race a mile a minute. She was shaking.

Sorry, kid, I muttered. You okay?

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then she nodded. Yeah, you just scared me.

I didn’t think you scared so easy, I told her, my voice light and teasing.

Jasmine had grown jumpy since the war. It had taken her longer than anyone else to settle down after it ended. Loud noises scared her, as did shocks like the one I gave her. About the only thing that did nothing to make her heart race in a bad way was shifting and running. Then she was an image of her former self, laughing and playing with her sister and father.

My beautiful daughters, my little enigmas, had been affected too deeply by what had happened. The loss of their Aunt had been only the start. Being targeted because of what they were—something they had no choice over—hurt them. They were old enough, but naïve enough that there were some things that they didn’t understand. To them we were all the same, and they never quite understood the war. They understood why Aunt Sere had done it, but they never got why it lasted as long as it did.

I had hoped that they would keep that naiveté for the rest of their lives.

Where Jasmine had grown jumpy, Sophia had become restless, barely able to settle in to watch a movie, let alone sleep through the night. It had gotten worse for both of them with each passing night that the war had continued. And thirty years after its end, they were still not themselves again.

Come on, kid, let’s go wind your aunt Callie up a little, I said with a wink.

There was a twinkle of excitement in her eyes as she asked, Why are we winding her up?

You’ll see.

No fair! she cried. You can’t say that and then not tell me what we’re doing! Her protests continued as she followed me into the dining room, but I ignored them, smiling brightly. Tonight was going to be fun.

Doing what? Martin asked. He appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, carrying a plate piled high with mashed potato that was still steaming.

Not a thing, I told him, giving him my best and sweetest smile. Nothing at all. Need a hand?

Nah, he answered, shaking his head. I got it. And I don’t believe you.

He was smirking as he went for more food.

I know you don’t, love. What time’s... never mind. I started to ask what time Callie was arriving, but the doorbell rang.

I was at the door before the ring had died down, pulling it open and smiling almost manically. Callie was stood in front of James. He had his arms wrapped loosely around her waist, hands sitting on her stomach. I bit my lip, forcing myself not to blurt out the congratulations that had been on my lips for weeks.

Good god, woman, spit it out! Callie laughed as she spoke, her whole face lighting up. I’ve been waiting for it for long enough.

Congratulations! I squealed, pulling her against me. When did you find out? How far along are you? Have you thought about names? Do you want to know what you’re having? The questions came out in a tumble of words that almost blended together with speed.

Slow down! she cried. We found out yesterday, but you know that. You know exactly how far along I am, and no, we haven’t thought about names, but you knew that, too!

So do you want to know what you’re having?

No! they both cried at the same time.

We would like it to be a surprise, Callie said. So you are banned from buying baby things. She pulled away to wag her finger in my face, trying to prove her point.

I’m sorry, I told her. It’s just that this is the first time in over a century. I’m excited.

Don’t apologise, Callie said, hugging me again, just let me announce it before you go all super aunt on me and start telling everyone what the perfect gifts will be.

The first Keeper to be born since the war. Not only a monumental occasion, but an exciting one, too. I was tired of adding deaths to the list. Martin and I had long ago decided that two hellcats were enough. But Callie had wanted a child for a while, and I was so happy that she finally got her wish.

Martin winked at me when we entered the dining room. He had two roast chickens balanced on one arm as he tried to make room.

~***~

Some thirty minutes later, James and I cleared the table, as the three cats sat there complaining that they’d eaten so much they couldn’t possibly move. So stacking the dishwasher was out of the question for them.

Who wants dessert? A question I already knew the answer to.

Four voices rose in a chorus of differently pitches yeses. James and I looked at each other and laughed. They were too full to move, and yet they had enough room to wolf down the entire dessert that had been pulled out of the freezer. Two family sized cheesecakes. One strawberry, and one mixed fruits. The strawberry one was for me, because I didn’t like the taste of blackberries. Not after they’d been frozen.

Half way through to the dining room, I dropped one of the plates.

It slipped right out of my hands, as the world in front of me melted away to show me something that wasn’t here, and hadn’t even happened yet.

Martin was stood next to me, but the people in front of him I had never seen before. A short, stout man that looked like he was about to kill someone. A taller man with broad shoulders and dark hair, wrapped in furs from a different time. A woman, dark skinned and half dressed. And a final man, standing tall but looking old. None of them were happy. None of them smiled.

Elders. The thought hit me suddenly as I looked closely at the men and women.

They were the elders of the colonies. All of them. One from each.

I’ve got it! someone called.

Got what?

The world bled back to normal, leaving me standing back in my dining room, staring as the cheesecake tumbled towards the floor, and stopped. It hovered in the air without the aid of hands to stop it. Mumbled words reached my ears, and I looked up to see James reaching for the plate, concentrating on stopping it from splattering all over the hardwood floors.

Thanks, I muttered. I have no idea what happened there.

That was about as true as saying the sky was a lovely green this time of year. It was one of those visions that took me away to a different place, stopped everything in front of me and showed me a new world and a new time.

Most of the time these things were pushed back to the back of my mind, so that I could continue with my life without becoming a wreck. I would look over it again later, call that part of me forward and go over what I had seen. It could have been nothing. Hopefully.

So, Callie began, giving me a worried look, I have an announcement.

James took her hand. We have an announcement.

I’m pregnant! Callie announced, smiling brightly and resting her hand on her stomach. Six weeks.

A round of gasps and excited mutters went around the table. The sounds rose up and up until the room was full of them, bursting with such happy news I smiled brightly, offering my congratulations again, and noticing a wistful look on Martin’s face as he offered his, his hand resting lightly over Callie’s. Maybe he would bring up the subject of children again. Or maybe he was just happy that there would be more children in the colony. The youngest of the clan were facing their first full moons in only a few days. Only one of them would be going through the shift, and that would be the first new shift for forty years.

It was a time of celebration.

Chapter Two

The morning dawned warm and bright, but that might have had something to do with the lean, warm body that was wrapped around me. His breath was a warm rush over my skin as he breathed deep and evenly; his hair ticked the back of my neck where he’d ducked down during the night to wrap himself around me. Having him there sent tingles down my spine, making me shiver. I loved waking up to find him wrapped around me. There was nothing better first thing in the morning than feeling the long lines of his body pressed up against mine, holding me tight.

The only sounds were the breathing and heartbeat that belonged to Martin; the rest of the house was silent. Which meant that the girls were still out running somewhere. They could be half way to New Mexico by now if they put their minds to it. Good thing, too. Sometimes I needed my peace and quiet. I loved my daughters, very much, but I loved my own company as well, and my time alone with my husband.

Good morning, a sleepy voice whispered, sending another rush of tingling heat down my spine.

I didn’t know you were awake, I answered, turning in his arms. I didn’t wake you, did I?

He captured my lips with his, cutting off my apology. Not at all. He rolled me over on to my back, pinning me against the bed.

We’re still alone, he whispered, trailing his lips down over my neck and shoulder. No one but us.

Then we had better made the most of it, I answered, arching against him.

I hadn’t had him all to myself in far too long. It wasn’t often that we had the run of the house with the freedom to do as we pleased, and make as much noise as we wanted. With no one to hear us and no one to complain that we needed to take that out of the house, we could run around naked, if we so chose.

Personally I preferred the idea of spending the day in bed.

And what did you have in mind? Martin asked, wiggling his eyebrows as he towered above me.

Well, I whispered, drawing out the word so that it almost trailed along his skin, making his body react in all the right places, I was thinking we could wash the dishes…

Clearly he wasn’t listening to what I said. "I would love to. Then he paused. Wait, what? You want to do the washing up?"

I couldn’t help it. I laughed, a joyous.

A low growl emanated from him, sexy and scary rolled into one, giving me a glimpse of the animal he was. It sent shivers through my body, making me reach for him, taking him in my hand. He jerked towards me, jumping in my hand, eyes shifting from playful revenge at my joke, to wanting to consume every part of me.

Now he was awake. Now his body was reacting fully to what we both wanted. Just a small flex of my hand had him melting into me, a moan leaving his lips that turned into a purr that brushed my skin like cool fur after a midnight run. Only the Cats could purr so beautifully, making it sound like music, making it feel like the softest of massages when their lips pressed against skin.

Sensing my readiness for him, his purr deepened and grew. Soon it was all I could hear, and all I could feel as his traced my flesh with his lips, exciting me, pulling sweet sounds of satisfaction from my lips.

Suddenly his weight was above me, pressing me into the mattress, using his knees to spread my legs for him, accommodating him between my thighs, just where I wanted him. When he entered me it was like every time before and every time still to come. Consuming, animalistic in its power, and perfect.

Our bodies were hot and eager, our movements fast and hard. There was no time to waste and no telling how long our quiet time would last. With a final heave Martin surged into me, taking me with him into the engulfing waters of our joined ecstasy.

We were both panting when Martin rolled onto his side, taking me with him. A light sheen of sweat had blossomed over his skin, matching my own. His heart pounded heart under my fingertips, beating so hard I thought it would break free.

What has that smile on your face? he asked, smiling down at me in that lopsided way that he did.

What do you think?

I have no idea. That smile right there, he said, a fingertip tracing my lips, is your thoughtful smile.

He knew every single smile I had. I’m wondering when you’ll be going out for a run in the middle of the night, I told him, my fingers trailing down his arm. I kinda like you coming home and snuggling up to me in order to warm up.

Mmm, as do I.

With a sigh and a shiver, as he ran his hands down my back, I moved to get out of the bed. The girls would be home in the not too distant future, and getting caught up in our alone time again would end badly for all of us. Old as our girls were, they had caught us in the act often enough.

Where do you think you’re going? Martin demanded, long arms locking around my waist. I never said I was finished with you.

You better be finished with me, I retorted, hand flat on his chest as I tried to wiggle free. We get going again and one or both of our girls are going to come racing through that door.

Ah, he sighed, letting me go. I don’t want to go through that again.

Exactly. And they’ll appreciate some breakfast. As will you.

Growling loudly, his stomach chose that moment to voice its agreement. I let out a laugh, springing free from the bed when he looked down at his stomach in amazement. Even after half a millennium together he was still amazed when I could so accurately predict what was coming. If he only knew the half of it.

Before he had chance to recover, I was clad in my dressing gown and down the stairs. I was in the middle of cooking breakfast when the girls came in, shaking their hair and complaining about the rain.

It hadn’t rained at all over night.

Flipping the bacon and catching another round of toast form the toaster, I asked, Just where did the two of you get to?

Far enough, Sophia sang. She grabbed the remote off the side. Take a look.

She turned the TV onto one to the news stations. At nine in the morning about all there was on the TV was news; the local stories from around the country, followed by the headlines that were making their weekly appearance. It was either news or kids’ programmes.

You didn’t! How had I missed this? Oh, yeah, that was right. I was distracted in the arms of my husband and the pleasures that his body brought.

The headline that was scrawling its way across the bottom of the screen was accompanied by a blurry image. The latest sighting of big cats. There was no way to tell exactly what the animals were, moving far too fast for the inadequate camera, but I knew. One of them ran into another, pushing it to one side, and then a third one joined in, rolling on the ground as it underestimated the larger of the animals.

The Dorset Downs, the presenter said over the footage. He made it sound like it was the most spectacular place in the world, and it had been marred by the appearance of the creatures.

Girls, I chastised them. But I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

They looked so happy. Even the grainy picture and appalling sound couldn’t disguise their playful antics and the fact that they were having fun. I couldn’t be mad at them, not when the world already knew that they existed. Not much point reigning in their fun.

Blame Tom, Jasmine told me, sticking her tongue out. He was the one who bet he could outrun us.

Oh, and just how much did you earn from that?

She stuck her tongue back in her mouth, and dug into the small pocket on her dress. Pulling out a small clump of crinkled money, she peeled some off, and handed it over.

I seem to have forgotten what I was talking about, I said, smiling brightly.

Are my girls taking money off my people again? Martin asked, his booming voice making Jasmine jump.

She turned around, breath catching for a second before it clicked that it was only her father. Then she offered him some money, her smile back on her face before he had chance to see that he had startled her.

If you get out of the house for the night more often, I don’t want your money, he told her, smiling over her head at me.

Dad! they both whined.

Hey, you’re both old enough to know what happens in life. If you don’t like the fact that your mother and I still enjoy each other’s company, then there’s a house across the street with your name on it, he told them, crossing his arms over his chest.

Go on, I told them, breakfast will be done in a sec. Take your argument to the table. I’ve only the eggs to do now.

Sophia reached around me, trying to pinch a piece of bacon from the pan. Looks good.

Paws off!

They’re hands at the moment, Mum.

Paws, hands. Same difference.

She grabbed the piece anyway, handing half of it to Jasmine, and racing off before I had the chance to smack the back of her hand. They never could wait for their breakfasts. After finishing the eggs, and breaking Martin’s yolk, I carried his plate over first, making the girls wait. They sulked for a moment; just long enough for me to grab their plates.

We discussed their run over breakfast, making short work of the half pig I’d fried up. The girls cleared the plates, a punishment of sorts handed down from Martin. They were supposed to have taken Tom on a short run, and all the way to the bottom of the country was not a short run. By anyone’s measuring stick.

Go easy on them, I whispered in his ear whilst they washed. They need a little fun.

That’s why I only gave them washing up duties. His reply was just a breath on my ear. Turning his attention back to the girls, he said, You know, in my day we’d have had to have an elders meeting to deal with the two of you.

They paused, mid wash and dry, looking back at their father. They timed it perfectly as they said, In my day. It was a perfect imitation of Martin, one that left them both laughing.

That did make you sound old, I told him, laughing with the girls.

The phone rang, interrupting our time. I left to answer it, leaving them to their traded insults about age and how well they looked. I chuckled to myself, shaking my head as I went. It was on the third ring that I picked it up, almost laughing down the phone at the latest insult.

Hello?

Lizzy, I need a hand. Leo. And she didn’t sound happy.

What do you need? I asked, grabbing the nearest pad and pen, and then thinking twice. If Leo needed my help, then chances were it wasn’t something that needed a written record.

Evidence was a word that we had all become accustomed to of late.

I went out last night, and I think I might have been seen, she said in a rush. Her voice was only a whisper down the line, but I understood every word as though she had screamed them at me.

Where and when?

She told me everything; every last detail of the woman that she had killed. I agreed with her on why she had taken the woman’s life, but internally I was cursing her for getting spotted.

The last thing anyone wanted was for the government to attempt to put another vampire on trial.

That didn’t mean that they wouldn’t come after Leo if they thought that they had good cause to. If they had the evidence, there wouldn’t be a thing