by Kelly Hall
“This is so clear.” I held it up and you could see through it. No cloudy orange color, no bits of grit and stink, just clear and cold. I bet it would be smooth going down too. “Have you?”
“Nope. But we’ll have to, you know, with the condition and all. The Water is the only way to stay strong. The good thing is, with Ray gone and this in your system, you should be safe to have your visions when you want them.”
“He wanted us to... you know...” I couldn’t say it.
“Restore our kind,” Owen said, blushing. “He’s dead set on this soul mate thing, Lily. I know how you feel. But I also know how I feel.”
I didn’t have anything to say. Ray’s only reason for wanting Owen and me to procreate was to carry on and strengthen the bloodline so his precious Water cure would still be safe for years to come. He wanted to save the Light Keepers as much as he wanted to control them.
Owen sat quiet for a minute, and then Holly appeared peeking around the door. “Sorry, you two. Cate sent me in to make sure you were still dressed.” She rolled her eyes. Surely she exaggerated, but Mom did think we had a thing going on.
Owen stood. “I guess I better get home. I’ll see if Granny can arrange for us to get together for a little hit of that. I’m anxious to see what it’s like.”
I shrugged. “It’s probably a lot like when Ray made us share the Light.”
“No, I mean, I want to know exactly what my gift is.”
I frowned at him, still lost.
“You know, you have visions, Alyssa was a mind-reader, Ray, a shifter. Me, well who knows what I’ll get? I just hope it’s awesome.” He’d left out that Birdie was a dreamscapist, and her sister Hyacinth had the gift of revival. With Birdie bringing the proof of sharing gifts, it opened up lots of possibilities.
“Well, we’ve got something to look forward to,” I said as my heart warmed. Suddenly, the future didn’t seem so bleak without Talon.
“Let’s hope Owen’s gift is to keep that big head of his from exploding.” Holly laughed.
“Hey, I’m not all bad. Angels blessed me. What can you say for yourself?” He stuck his chin in the air and left, leaving Holly and me to giggle. Then it hit me. Angels? We’re really blessed by Angels.
***
Granny had taken all morning to cook a traditional Christmas turkey and all its fixings. We had cornbread dressing, candied yams, green bean casserole that Holly had made, and lots of other things that crowded my plate. After we’d eaten and were making room for dessert, Granny passed gifts around.
Owen sat next to me on the floor and gave me a large package that looked like it had been wrapped professionally. The paper was red and green striped, with a big green bow.
“I thought he already gave you a gift,” Mom said.
Owen overheard and turned to explain. “Oh, it was nothing. I put an apology inside for getting her grounded.” I let out a breath, glad that Owen had mastered lying. We couldn’t tell Mom the truth on that one.
Mom shrugged, but Tom flashed Owen a disapproving glace. Talon checked out some new gadget that Hunter showed off.
Owen nudged me. “Go ahead, open it.”
I started to open it carefully but after seeing the smile on Owen’s face I ripped into it. The box I’d uncovered was from the dress shop in the mall.
“Owen, what did you do?” I held my hand to my heart. I knew it had to be the dress. I opened the box to find it buried there in tissue paper. “Owen! It costs too much.”
“Hey, I’m a man of my word.” He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “I told you that if I was rich I’d buy it for you. Don’t worry, Granny gave Hunter and me a little advance on our inheritance. I think she felt guilty about that whole lying thing.” He winked. “Wait till you see what Holly’s getting.”
About that time, Holly shrieked.
“What is it?” Cate held her tummy and stared wide-eyed at Holly in a panic.
“Are you serious?” Holly asked Hunter. “Really?” She dove into his arms and then showed her new ring around, blushing at the compliments.
I watched Holly and Hunter with a tinge of jealousy. They were so in love. I wondered if I’d ever have a moment like that with someone I cared so much about. I looked at Talon who smiled at them too and for a moment he glanced my way. And when our eyes met I wondered if he thought that could have been us, or him and the other girl.
***
We finished up our gifts, had our dessert, and then helped Granny clean up before going home to rest. Talon was leaving again like he had on Thanksgiving. Only then, he had to leave and now he wanted to. I hadn’t wanted him to go then either, but he’d at least given the promise that he’d be coming home. I remembered the other promise he’d given; that we’d be together again someday. Now it would never happen. He’d go on to live with his mom and continue his relationship with “MLY.” I’d stay here and what? Find myself? Learn more about my gift? Maybe I’d stay single or would I warm up to Owen? Would I suddenly open my eyes to him one day and truly fall in love the way Ray warned me I would? It all just seemed so impossible. The only guy I thought I ever wanted threw another bag over his shoulder, which he carried down the hall to the front door. He cleared his room aside from a few posters and his bedding.
I noticed he left the computer set up. He’d told me once that he had one at his mother’s house, so I guess he didn’t need it. I couldn’t stand the thought of it sitting there. No way would I ever use it.
***
I lay on my bed staring out the window until Sydney came to pick him up. She walked up to the door, and soon they had packed the car with his things. Talon followed with the other two bags and then made his way back to the door. Had he said his goodbyes to everyone? Because he hadn’t come for mine. I heard Owen’s voice in my head. He’s not coming back; he’d once told me.
Before logic could prevail, I jumped off the bed and ran to the door in time to see Talon getting in the car. “Wait!” I screamed. Talon looked up and when he saw me heading out for him, he looked to his mother and gestured. He motioned for her to hurry then, crossed his arms over his stomach as she backed out. “Wait!” I screamed again, running out of the drive. “Please!” I stopped and watched him go.
I turned around to see that Mom was red-faced, with fat tears running down both cheeks. Tom shook his head and gave me a pitiful look. Holly and Hunter did the same. As Holly came to me, Tom urged Mom into the house and Hunter followed, leaving us alone.
“Are you okay?” She stroked my hair.
“Yes, just give me a minute.” She nodded and started to leave, and then she hesitated.
“Go, I’ll be fine. I just wanted to tell him goodbye is all.” But that was a lie. I wanted to beg him to stay and to tell him I still had faith in us. But as he drove away, I realized all hope was gone. He’d really meant the things he’d said. I sat on the porch and tried to collect myself.
“You okay?” Owen asked. I looked up, not sure where he’d come from.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I tried to calm my voice and looked away while I finished wiping my eyes.
“Lily, you don’t have to pretend with me.” He put his arm around me and held me close to his chest. And we stayed that way till the sun had set and ended the day. And when it rose again, life would never be the same.
EPILOGUE
Owen and I sat in the shack, nervously staring at the bottle that sat on the floor between us. Tom had let me off of my grounding the day after Christmas and I had finally, after two days of moping, decided to make the best of the rest of my life, starting with helping Owen find his gift.
“We should have at least asked Hunter to come along,” I scolded. “What if something bad happens?”
“What? Like you falling madly in love with me?” He laughed.
“What if this is poisoned or something? Have you even thought of that? Ray did disappear into the well.” I stared at the little blue bottle.
“Then I’ll take it first. If I cro
ak, you’ll know not to take any.” He snatched the bottle and opened it.
“Wait!” I said, reaching for his arm. “Before we do this, I just have to let you know something.” He searched my eyes, so I looked to the floor. “I’m not ready for any type of relationship. I want to be on my own for a while.”
Owen looked hurt. “You really are scared this is going to make you fall for me? Is it really that bad?”
“No, it’s just... I know you think that we’ll end up together by some soul mate bond, and I have to admit all of that stuff could be true. I mean, I do have feelings for you, but they aren’t what yours are towards me. Not now, anyway. I just want some time.”
Owen took my hand with his free one. “Let’s just do this. We’ll take on everything else as it comes, okay?”
“Okay, but we do this at the same time. I don’t want you going anywhere without me.” I had decided to be alone for now, but I’d also realized that I couldn’t live without Owen.
“There’s only one bottle.” He smiled, lifting it up and giving me a nod before tipping it to his lips. I quickly, without waiting to see the effects, took it from him and threw it back for a sip.
Owen’s eyes got wide, rolled back in his head, and then he started shaking and gargling while holding his throat, “Owen!” I screamed. I grabbed my own throat wondering why I didn’t—and then he laughed.
“Gotcha!”
“You jerk!” I pushed him in the chest knocking him backwards, but he’d grabbed hold of me, taking me with him. We landed with him on bottom, holding me around the waist. I pulled myself off and sat back, putting some distance between what I thought might end with a kiss.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. You should have seen your face.” He laughed again.
Jerk! I thought. If you only knew how I felt seeing you dead!
“How did you feel?” he asked, looking into my eyes.
“About what?”
“What you just said, about seeing me dead.” He brushed himself off and sat up.
“I didn’t say that—aloud.” I put my hand to my chest. “Owen, you heard my thoughts!”
Owen was quiet until it sunk in.
Holy shit. His eyes widened.
“Owen,” I scolded. I hated him cursing. But then it hit me. He hadn’t said that aloud!
You can hear me too, he sent. I nodded. I hadn’t fallen madly in love, but somehow I had linked to Owen.
The End
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From the author
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading The Secret of Strange Waters and for your continued support in the Light Keeper series. I hope you are looking forward to book three, The Truth about Broken Trees, as much as I’m looking forward to sharing it with you! If you’re ready to learn a lot more about Light Keepers, find out what happens to Lily and Talon, and understand why Owen’s affections run so deep, stick around. There’s so much more to come!
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Thanks again, and happy reading!
About the author
Kelly Hall was born and raised in Southeast Texas, and lives in a small town just a stone’s throw from the ghost road where her Light Keeper series is based. When she’s not busy writing, or spending time with her husband and two sons, this self-proclaimed creative junkie dabbles in many different forms of art, including cake decorating and mixed media. Learn more about Kelly;
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