For Keeps (The Presenting Saga Book 3)

Chapter 1

Away

The tower was always deserted. I used to wonder why no one ever came up here except to call for me, but I didn’t care anymore. Lately, it was just nice to have the place to myself. This was the only spot in all of Council Hall where no one was asking me questions, or testing my powers. It was the only place other than my room that is. At least they let me sleep in peace, although I wouldn’t exactly describe my dreams as peaceful. Maybe that’s why I liked the tower better than my room. Despite the fact that it was under the mountain’s summit, it was full of beautiful flowers, cool breezes, and the sound of waterfalls splashing into the lagoon. There were a few things that made me feel better than that sound, but since all of them were far away, the waterfalls were I ran when the dreams came.

Last night was no different from the rest. The forest emerged from nowhere, and white figures slinked out from behind the trees. Their voices drifted through the air like waves of a cold fog, but there was no telling how many bodies there were because they faded against the snow behind them. There were no faces. No matter where I turned, or how hard I searched, all I saw was white. Running, yelling, blasting; nothing helped. Even the surge that eventually came didn’t scare them away, but it did bring something. The dark spot sent a stronger chill through me than any snow or ghostly figures ever could. I ran to it and dug desperately. Although my hands turned red, and the voices started to shriek, I kept going. There was something under the snow, something important, and time was running out. Trying to ignore the panic that was threatening to turn into madness, I dug, and dug, and then I stopped. My fingers felt what they’d been searching for. With even more desperation, I brushed the snow away, and after the last sweep it appeared; Will’s dead face between my blood soaked hands. As always, it was my own screams that woke me.

That shiver betrays you.

The voice came ahead of strong and purposeful footsteps, but neither one was unexpected. Her tell tale perfume had wafted in before she even spoke.

I still can’t get rid of that dream Eupolia, I said.

So I heard. She stopped no more than two feet away and looked straight into my eyes. What did I tell you to do?

Face my fear and fight, I replied, but I don’t even know that I’m dreaming and … and he’s dead! How do I fight that?

Now her arms crossed, and Eupolia’s head cocked as she took a step closer.

Is Bennett really dead? she asked.

No, I mumbled.

"That’s right. So tell yourself that. Tell HIM that in your dream. Pull him up, and shake him awake. Your dream is coming from your own mind. It will obey you if you push hard enough."

"I don’t know how to do that."

"You’d fight if you were awake."

"Yeah, I would."

"You’re a strong girl Kaylee, but you have to work on taking the fortitude you have here, Eupolia put her hand on my stomach, and then moved it to my head, and building it here. Your mind is the home of strength and wisdom. Make them work together, and you will be truly mighty."

Who could argue a two thousand year old Spartan, and one of the most powerful Councilors in the Immortal world? The short answer was; no one. Actually, for me, it took almost a full month before I had the nerve to say anything to her, other than the few words it took to answer her questions. That seemed like such a long time ago. Eupolia wasn’t exactly the nurturing type, but there was something in the confident way she always spoke to people. It was as if she didn’t even consider that they could fail, and so she left them no room for self doubt either. Her faith had helped me through some of my toughest days, and now I felt almost as close to her as my own family. I just wished that the strength she’d helped me build would reach my dreams.

"I’ll keep trying," I promised her.

"You’ll succeed," she promised back.

Yes, I knew I would. Conquering my dreams would happen just like everything else Eupolia told me I would do.

"Thank you for coming to talk to me, I said. I feel better now."

"Oh, I didn’t come here for that, she replied, as she turned and walked away. I came to tell you that you have a visitor in the west salon."

A visitor! My heart leaped as I jumped off the stone edge of the lagoon where I’d been sitting. Oh please, oh please, oh please! Eupolia’s chuckle followed me as I passed her in the doorway at a full run. Ghah! Why weren’t we allowed to port in the Hall? The place was so big it took forever to get anywhere. I had a visitor! Oh please, oh please, oh please …The words revolved through my head all the way down the spiral staircase, through the marble hall of the Councilor’s quarters, down two flights of the crystal stairs, and across the arbor foyer. By the time I’d reached the west salon, I was running so fast that I almost ran right into one of the rod iron tables in the room.

"Hello," I called out breathlessly.

A squeak of footsteps came from behind the large lion statue, and soon the visitor came into view. My heart fell.

"Oh, hi," I said.

He leaned against the window frame with a lazy grin. The sunlight played with the highlights of his ginger hair, almost making it look golden. It would have been a sight any other girl might easily appreciate. Unfortunately, all I could see was who he wasn’t.

"Now what kind of greeting is that Love, especially after I’ve come all this way?"

His heavy British accent gave me a jolt of pain. Sometimes Will’s words would have that same inflection, if he was excited and speaking very fast. It had been too long since I’d heard that sound.

"I’m sorry Charlie. I tried to smile. It’s just that I haven’t surged for almost two months. I was hoping that Thobias had let … one of the family come."

With a smirk Charlie pushed himself off the window frame and came toward me.

"I wish he did, he replied. Being considered the person that would cause you the least emotional reaction isn’t exactly flattering. If word of this gets out, it’ll take decades to rebuild my reputation."

"Don’t worry, I replied, the ladies won’t hear it from me."

"Swear!" He leaned in with a twinkle in his eye.

"Yes, I swear." I replied, now smiling easily.

The smirk stayed plastered on Charlie’s face as he let out of breath of mock relief, and wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. Then he stuck both hands into the pockets of the same leather jacket he usually wore, and walked back toward the window.

"It always amazes me that this place underneath a mountain, he said. What is it that Cece calls magic again?"

"Imm trick," I replied.

"Yeah, he said as he scanned the Alps outside. This is some trick."

He wasn’t kidding. Over the last seven months, even I sometimes forgot where we were. From the outside this mountain probably looked no different from any other in Switzerland. On the inside though, there were windows, balconies, and places where the sky looked so clear no one could imagine they were seeing it through tons of snow and stone. Council Hall was the most incredible magical structure in the world, and the most powerful Immortals that ever lived had built it. Every once in a while the awesomeness of the Hall hit me, but not today. There were more important things on my mind.

"Has anyone found him yet?" I asked.

"He’s not lost Kaylee," Charlie replied.

"But no one knows where he is," I muttered.

Charlie turned and came back to me. His eyes softened as he took my hands in his.

"Listen Love, I don’t want you to worry about our Will, he said. He probably just left to spare everyone watching him pine over you."

"Do you really think so?"

"Ph-huh! What is it with girls and that broody, sensitive type? Charlie teased. Yes, I really think so, and I think that, wherever good old Willy is, there’s a growing pile of Kaylee paintings sitting right beside him. Really Love, all that romantic stuff can get boring after a while. What you need is a fellow like me who knows how to have fun."

He finished with an overly smooth brush of his hair, and a stretch of his arms that made the muscles across his chest flex. The mischief in his smile was getting very familiar. If CeCe and AJ weren’t so much in love, I’d say that my sister and Charlie would have made a good couple.

"Well, if I ever get tired of romance, I’ll give you a call," I replied.

"Now you’re talking with the good sense the Councilors gave you."

With those words Charlie swept an arm around my back, and guided me toward one of the tables. He paused to pull out my chair before he plunked down in the one across from it. Then, with a flourish, he pulled something out of the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Have a seat Miss Gregory, he said. I’d rather take you for a spin around town, but since that would probably make Thobias turn me into a patch of grass under a sick cow, today’s festivities will be a lesson on how to cheat at poker."

I sat down laughing.

"Ok, but I don’t cheat, and I already know how to play poker."

The deck of cards he’d pulled out of his pocket was being expertly shuffled, and laid out on the table.

"Maybe, Charlie answered. Still, I think you’ll find my game quite captivating."

I didn’t know about captivating, but what Charlie was doing sure got my attention. Instead of dealing the cards out between us, he was laying them out on the table, face up, side by side, in a big square. It was the strangest way of playing poker I’d ever seen. I looked up to ask him what he was doing, but something about the concentration on Charlie’s face made me stop. His hands pulled away as the square was finished. Almost instantly, the ink on the cards started to move.

My eyes shot back up to Charlie who stared back at me intently.

"To understand this particular game, you have to start with reading the cards very carefully," he said.

What was he doing? I looked back down at the cards. They had all turned white, and black ink was slowly settling into lines across the square. Then I saw them; words!

Dear Kaylee,

I know I’m not supposed to do this, and if Maggie knew she’d probably lecture me to death; but, every rule is meant to bend a little, and since I’m so good at bending … ta da!. Besides, I miss my sister, and I’m guessing that you miss us too; so if anyone has a problem with me sending you a note, that’s just too bad for them!

Charlie tells us that you’re doing well and looking great. Good girl. You just keep getting better and better, and hopefully you’ll get to come home soon. I know that Thobias told you that we’ve moved back to the main house in Swanage. I hope you don’t mind. It’s really beautiful here, and Richard had a pond built on the property especially for you. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Well, if he shows it to you as a surprise, act surprised ok? Anyway, I wanted you to have something to look forward to. The other great thing is that my horses are here. I can’t wait until we can ride together. My best mare, Torch, is waiting for you. You’re going to love her. She’s as red as fire but as sweet as a bunny, and she’s fast. I know you’ll like that.

We’re all fine, and things are pretty quiet. It didn’t take long to unpack and put everything in its place, but it feels like we won’t really be settled until you’re here. Everybody says so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to rush you. We all miss you, but you should take all the time that you need to get well. When you do get home, we want you home for good.

I wish I could have sent you some of your things, or something fun like a rocket powered scooter to terrorize those old halls with. Unfortunately, this was all that Charlie and I figured we could get past Thobias. I hope it’s enough for now. Hang in there, and don’t worry. Time is going to fly, and you’ll be with us before you know it!

Sending you a gazillion hugs and kisses,

CeCe

xoxoxoxoxoxox

As soon as I finished reading, the ink started to move again. I grabbed at the cards to try and stop it, but it was too late. All that was left were a bunch of Queens, Jacks and numbers. Still, this was the only word I’d had from my family in such a long time, and seeing CeCe’s handwriting made me want to fly circles around the room. Instead I jumped up, and the hug I threw around Charlie almost knocked him off his chair.

"Oh thank you Charlie, I whispered. Thank you so much."

"Your sister’s persuasion tactics are slightly unfair, he replied. She was wearing a very short skirt when she asked me to risk my neck."

I laughed just picturing what that exchange must have been like.

"Well, you did it, I said, and I think you’re the best."

"Yeah, sure, thanks, he smirked. Just warn me if you see Thobias looking for any sick cows, alright?"

Chapter 2

Control

"Ryder, behind you!"

My verse reached him just before the attacker struck. A few splinters may have grazed his shirt as he ported to the side, but a tree got the worst of the blast that was meant for my brother. His attacker wasn’t so lucky. My strike connected with the side of his ribcage, knocking him down hard on his left arm. Since it would be a while before he could use it again, I turned to face his two friends behind me. Their outstretched arms were a bad sign. If they combined powers, they’d be too strong to overtake. Gritting my teeth, I jumped into the air.

"No you don’t," I shouted at their unfamiliar faces.

They took the bait. As their free hands rose to strike, a quick port landed me steps behind their backs. With a blast as measured as it was forceful, I sent them rolling down the rocky terrain to the south. Their cries of anguish faded the further they fell, but they were completely drowned out by a scream that spun me around. Through the darkness Anice’s terrified face appeared as three shadows closed in around her. Struggling to keep the anger boiling in my gut under control, I drew back a clenched fist. ‘Pick on this you dirt bags’ I thought, and struck out releasing my power against two boulders that sat between me and my targets. The huge stones sped towards their mark with a loud rumble. The cowards disappeared.

"Down Kaylee!"

Dropping instantly at Richard’s verse, my cheek pressed against the ground as the whistle of a dozen whip-like blasts passed inches over my head. Then there was a thud of footfalls beside me, and the sizzle of magical blasts filled the air. Richard was trading blows with two men, and three more were approaching from the bottom of the hill. Oh no. If they made it to the top, there’d be too many for my father to handle. I moved to get up, but got pushed back.

"No Kaylee, stay down," Richard yelled.

The blasts got faster, and the three approaching figures got closer. My heart quickened as big one’s face came into view. He was always here, and he was always the most brutal of them all. I moved to get up again, and Richard pushed me back down. Ghah! He wouldn’t let me help! Even now that I had my powers and he was outnumbered, my father was risking his life to protect mine.

As I wrestled between joining the exchange, and listening to a man who was wiser than me, something else caught my attention. About a hundred feet away, Maggie was battling two attackers, while two more were sneaking up behind her with their arms outstretched. Even in Council Hall I hadn’t seen many Imms who were faster and more accurate fighters than my brother’s wife, but if all four of those strangers combined powers, she’d have no hope. I had to move.

In a flash, I was behind Maggie’s approaching strangers, and blasting with all my power. Since they clearly preferred to be on the delivery end of an ambush, they ported away like the cowards they were. Now for the other two …

Pain! The blast felt like a baseball bat striking hard against my back. Even though bracing had blocked most of the hit, the rough drop to the ground knocked the wind out of me. I clawed the dirt in a panic, gasping for air and flinching from the sharp ache in my chest.

"My, how easily fragile little girls fall," a voice sneered.

Without turning, I knew who it was. Panic turned to anger, and yet it wasn’t the heat of rage that started pumping through my blood, but the cool of calculation. All I wanted to do was turn and blast away the smirk that I knew would be on his face, but I couldn’t. Instead, with closed eyes I braced, and slowly tried to pull the air back into my lungs.

"Oh! Did I hurt the Princess? He oozed sarcastically. Don’t worry Your Highness; you didn’t get the full force of my powers. I spent the best part on someone else you love."

Keep talking creep. I just need a few more seconds.

"Now who could I have hurt? he continued. Who is it that we haven’t seen yet?"

Slowly, I pulled in a full breath of air. My eyes opened to see nothing but the dirt where my fingers had clawed two deep wedges. Opening my hands, I listened. His voice was close; no more than three feet behind where I lied. Ok Princess, let’s see how you like this. In a snap my hands turned, and I released a blast directly over my shoulders. The sound of the hard thud against the ground was my signal that no one was standing over me anymore. I sprung up and turned just in time to see the shock on his face. Then the lights came on, and the applause started.

"Bravo!’ Eupolia came toward me with wide open arms. Striking behind your back, and from a face down position; it was brilliant!

She swept me up in a hug while I shook my head and blinked against the light. Whenever these drills ended, it was just like waking up from a deep dream. It took a minute to adjust, but I’d learned from the first time to look around quickly when the lights came on. If I was fast enough, I could still see the faces of my family before they transformed back into those of the Councilor’s. There was usually time for just one last glimpse before they turned, but there was one face that was never in the group.

"Thanks, I said absently to Eupolia, and then turned to my last attacker. And who are you today?"

The scowl was gone from his face, but it did nothing to soften his features. It was a relief when they started to jitter and change along with the rest of his body, but the person who came out from under the disguise made my jaw drop.

"Maartin!"

The Councilor with a boyish face jumped up with a smile.

"That really was very good, he beamed. I never saw it coming."

His massive arms swelled as he crossed them over his large chest. All I could do was look up at him wide eyed. I’d hit Maartin. MAARTIN! The Imm Peacekeeper had just been knocked on his backside by one of my blasts.

"I … I’m so sorry," I said.

"Don’t be, he chuckled as he pointed to the ground behind him, you hit the attacker, and it was self defense."

"But … but I … you … I didn’t know!" I stammered.

"Well, that was the point wasn’t it? He reassured me. If these drills didn’t create their own reality, they wouldn’t be very effective."

Effective ha! The first few were so terrifying, it didn’t take more than a few minutes before my powers surged. It didn’t help knowing that they were drills either, because the fighting itself was real enough. People always got hurt, and sometimes one of them was me. Thobias’ hint that my actual family members might be brought in for them only raised the stakes higher. It hadn’t happened though. After each drill I watched the faces change, and my family had never been here. Then again, neither had Maartin; until today.

"How are the arms? asked Eupolia. Any tingling?"

Why did she always bother to ask? There was no way that her sharp Natural senses ever missed any change in my powers, even if I was in some remote corner of the Hall.

"No tingling, I answered. It’s been two months now."

"And how long since the dreams stopped?" She said.

How did she know that?

"Um, a week and a half," I answered.

The timing on that was easy to figure out, because the last dream came on the night of Charlie’s visit. That day stood out in the endless routine of my Hall life. I’d gone to bed with a smile on my face, and CeCe’s cards on the nightstand. When the dream came my heart was still too light to be submerged. Without a single glance at the white figures, I ran right to where I knew Will lied, and pulled him out of the snow. As his face came through the powdery flakes, I shook him gently and whispered. ‘Wake up Will. You’re not dead.’ Then, just as his eyes fluttered open, the dream ended. I’d been trying to restart it from that point every night since.

"This is good news," Maartin said.

With a wave of his hand, he gestured toward the door. He, Eupolia and I made our way toward it as the room behind us continued to change. The bare ground grew back its grass, and blossoms reemerged on the trees. Light was coming in through the ceiling windows again, while a stone path wound its way past the boulders, which had returned to their proper places. A large slate rock moved slowly at the west side of the room, and the birds quickly flew back in. The deer and the rabbits followed.

The Fauna Garden was on a lowest level of Council Hall. It was one of the many rooms that I had my drills in; but, next to the tower, I liked coming down here the most. When it wasn’t set for battle, the garden was beautiful and the animals would actually come to eat out of your hand. That wasn’t the best thing about it though. To get here from my quarters, I had to take the elevator all the way from the top of the mountain to the bottom. The elevator itself was like an oversized gold birdcage, but my favorite part was seeing all the levels of the Hall as we went by. Maybe that was why Thobias seemed to favor the Fauna Garden too. We’d had most of our discussions here.

We got into the elevator, and it started to rise. As usual I was on high alert. The first floor we passed was the main level of the Hall. It was the busy center of all activity, as Imms came from all over the world to conduct whatever business they had with the Council. There was a huge foyer with a large round marble platform in the middle. The platform was the main convoy in the mountain, and it was constantly blinking with arrivals and departures. I always prayed that someone from home would happen to show up just as I was going by. It hadn’t happened yet, but that never stopped me from looking. The rest of the main level broke off into hallways that led to rooms of all sizes. They ranged from small offices for private meetings, to great ballrooms for big events, and then there were the hallways that led to the quarters of the Council Guard.

The next two levels were just as interesting. These held offices for people that worked for the Council; people like my father. Each time I passed by, I wondered if Richard was behind one of those closed doors. I even hoped that a door might open and I’d see his calm, kind face coming through it. That had never happened either. Maybe one day it would.

The next level was a different story. To be honest, the Sayers quarters always gave me the creeps. The floor was as beautiful as any other in the mountain. There were marble floors, columns and statues, and the crystal staircases started here. Still, all those decorations didn’t make up for what this place meant. Sayers were the only mortals that lived in the Hall. Though Thobias said that the future is always changeable, just the idea that there were people who could predict it gave me a feeling of helplessness. I didn’t like thinking that things could happen that I couldn’t do anything about. It was actually the Sayers, and not the Council, that saw when someone was about to present. I guess that made them pretty important, but their floor was still one I preferred to avoid.

The next few levels were gardens, salons, and living quarters for the Councilors themselves. I was lucky enough to have my room on the same level as Thobias, Eupolia and Maartin. This floor was almost at the top of the mountain. Only the Tower Garden was higher. It was here that the elevator stopped, and the door swung open.

At the end of the hallway Thobias was sitting by a potted tree, and sifting it’s dirt through his hands. A smile flickered across my face. Every time I caught him doing that, it reminded me of Anice. They had a similar kind of curious concentration in their eyes when they were looking at something closely. A quick clap brushed all the dirt from Thobias’ hands, as he stood up to meet us.

"Very good, just in time, he said. How was your drill?"

"Fine, I answered, still no surges."

"Tired?" he asked.

"No," I said honestly.

"Alright, tell me this then Kaylee Gregory, Thobias said smiling. How would you like to go to a wedding?"

Chapter 3

Thrill and Trepidation

We were standing on top of a low stone tower. The trees around it blocked some of the view, but many rows of seats on two sides of a white aisle were still visible. My family was in one of those rows, and Will; he just had to be there too. No matter where he’d gone, there was no way he’d miss Colette and Philippe’s wedding.

My heart had been beating wildly ever since Thobias said where we were going. It was practically a miracle that it hadn’t pounded a hole right through my chest. Not even the mad dash to get ready, or some of the sad good-byes, had slowed it down. Now that we were in France, and the people I loved were so close, I was sure my three companions could hear it.

"I know you can’t wait to get down there, Thobias said gently, but remember what we agreed. Your arrival would cause a big commotion, and that would be unfair to the happy couple."

"No, I know, and it’s alright, I answered. I don’t want to spoil Colette’s big moment. Besides, I’ll be able to go down soon, right?"

"As soon as the ceremony’s over, and the guests have moved to their tables, he replied. I’ll ask Gregory House to stay behind."

"I can hardly believe I’m here," I said with a sigh.

"It was time, said Maartin. You’re well now, and ready to go home. We only hope that your stay with us has given you more than just your health."

"It has. I smiled at him. I’ll never forget anything I learned at Council Hall, and I’m going to miss all of you."

"There’s no need for that, Eupolia spoke up. If you miss us then come back. You can do as you like."

"You taught me that. I said gratefully. You taught me I can do anything."

"Just remember where your strength lies, she replied. You’re very powerful for such a young Imm, and you have a lot to be proud of. I’m looking forward to watching your journey."

Without another word Eupolia and Maartin disappeared. The rumble from the crowd below signaled that they’d ported down to the altar, and suddenly, I felt a quick stab of loss. Though there was nothing I wanted more than to go home; the reality that I wouldn’t be seeing my Councilors every day, was just sinking in. I hadn’t realized until now how comforting their presence had been. A girl with broken powers had ported into the Hall seven months ago, and what the Councilors were sending out was an Immortal who was whole.

"Thank you Thobias, I gave him one last hug. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me."

"You should thank yourself Kaylee, he replied. Your choice to come to us, and your hard work since you came, is what brought you here today. Choices are important things. I hope you will always consider yours carefully."

Thobias and I looked into each other’s eyes. After all our hours of conversation, I didn’t doubt that he knew exactly what I was thinking. Despite trying so hard to avoid the Hall in the first place, in the end I didn’t regret my choice to go