Wild Keepers

by Dee Bridgnorth

  And there might just be a chance that she could be part of that future, as well. Could he dare hope?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Maya took a deep breath as she walked into the theatre. Her heart was thudding so hard she thought that it could probably be heard across the street. She had been resolved that she must continue with rehearsals and fulfil her commitment to the production. In fact, she had been insistent, even when Evan had advised that it was too dangerous. Now, in the cold light of day, her fears were threatening to overwhelm her again.

  What would Leonie, and the other girls, say to her? How would they act? Evan had told her that she had to convince them that she wasn’t suspicious, but what if they were aggressive towards her? What if they tried to attack, or even kill her?

  She tried to steady her nerves as she approached the rehearsal room. A part of her mind still couldn’t believe what Evan had told her—that the girls that she lived with were not only evil and trying to do her harm, but that they weren’t even human. They were demons, bent on destruction. How was it possible?

  And then, there was the mind-blowing revelation that Evan wasn’t fully human, either. He was a wolf shapeshifter, who lived with a pack of other shapeshifters, battling these demons in the city. That he had been born that way. And even worse, that Leonie was responsible for some kind of curse upon him. She had killed his great-great-grandfather, back in the early twentieth century, and Evan was destined to die at the same age.

  The mere thought that Evan was living with a ticking time bomb made her pause and lean against the wall, her eyes filling with tears. He couldn’t die. She wouldn’t let it happen. He had been trying to protect her this whole time, and she had been manipulated by these evil creatures. But it was more than that, of course.

  She was in love with him.

  The knowledge filled her heart, flowering to life so suddenly and sweetly that she almost staggered. She realised that it had always been there. She had been fighting it so hard that she had convinced herself that it wasn’t true. And Leonie’s game of discrediting him had worked, and she had been willing to believe the worst of him, because it had been easier that way. Easier to run away from the truth.

  If he was her enemy, then he couldn’t be her love, could he?

  But she knew in her deepest heart that Evan wasn’t her enemy, and never had been. She had gotten everything wrong. Even when she had spurned him, and he had thought that she hated him, he had come to her. Trying to protect her. If she hadn’t run into him on her street, what would have happened to her? Leonie would have found her, and now…she would either be one of those creatures, or she would be dead.

  He had saved her life. And now, she must save his, by confronting these creatures so that he could defeat them, once and for all.

  Her eyes scanned the large rehearsal room. People were already in there, milling around. She could see Freddie and Vera conversing in one corner, and some dancers were already at the barre, warming up. And then, she saw her.

  Leonie. Striding around the room as if she owned it, looking as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

  Suddenly, she looked up and saw Maya. Their eyes locked, and then Leonie’s face broke out into a wide smile. Maya took another deep breath and forced a smile onto her own face. It was time to put on the act of her life.

  Leonie waved then walked slowly over to her.

  “What happened to you last night?” she called, stopping to stand in front of Maya. “We were worried.”

  Maya laughed. “Sorry,” she said in an even voice. “I don’t know what came over me! I just started to feel a bit claustrophobic and had to get out of the house.”

  Leonie stilled. Her eyes raked over Maya’s face. “Well, it was a dramatic exit! We went out to search for you, but we couldn’t find you anywhere.” She paused. “Where did you go?”

  “Just to my parents,” Maya replied slowly. “I was lucky that there was a cab passing by, and I grabbed it. That’s probably why you couldn’t find me.” She took a deep breath. “I feel so silly.”

  Leonie’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t feel silly,” she said. “I’m just relieved that you are safe and well. I was starting to get really worried when you didn’t come home last night. How about we have a girl’s dinner tonight, and you can tell us all about it? I can cook your favourite fettucine.”

  Maya’s smile broadened. “That is so sweet! You remember my favourite meal. But I won’t be able to make it. I promised my parents that I would be at their place in time for dinner with them tonight.” She hesitated, then plunged in. “They have persuaded me that it would probably be better if I stayed with them until the production is over. I need to focus and not socialise so much. So, I won’t be coming back to the house.”

  Leonie’s eyes narrowed, slightly. “Maya, that seems a bit over the top. The house is your home, and we all miss you and want you there. Haven’t you always said that you feel uncomfortable with your parents? It might even hinder your performance.”

  Maya gazed at Leonie. “I know my parents and I have had our differences. But they have only ever had my best interests at heart. I’ve thought about it and realise they are right. Staying with them will mean I will be able to focus better, and it’s all about the performance, isn’t it? We all want to blitz this production and show the world that the CBC is back on track.”

  Leonie nodded slightly, digesting the information. “Well, if that is what you want. But I think it isn’t necessary, myself. You have been rehearsing so hard, and it won’t affect your performance where you are staying. We will miss you, Maya.”

  Maya smiled slightly. “And I will miss all of you guys as well! But it isn’t forever. Just until the production is over.”

  Leonie smiled, too. “Yes, of course.” She swung her head around, searching the room. “I’m so glad to see that Evan your former bodyguard isn’t around to mess with your head. Have you run into him at all? I was a bit worried that he might try to make another play for you, and you don’t want him affecting your performance, either.”

  Maya rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry about that. I’m keeping my distance from Evan. But you are right. I haven’t seen him around, and if I do, I’ll just ignore him.” She laughed. “That guy isn’t going to fool me again, believe me.”

  Leonie nodded. “Pleased to hear it, Maya. You have been so strong, it would be a shame to ruin it all now. That guy is bad news.”

  Maya laughed. “I know! And anyway, the last thing that I need or want is a guy hanging around hassling me on the lead up to opening night. I will keep my distance, don’t worry.”

  Leonie’s eyes fixated on Maya’s right hand. “What’s that around your wrist? I haven’t seen you wearing it before.”

  Maya glanced down at her hand, in an absent-minded way. “Oh, this is just an old bracelet of my mom’s. She gave it to me last night, and I put in on and forgot about it.”

  Freddie started clapping to get their attention, and Maya walked off, smiling at Leonie as she passed by.

  Her heart was hammering, and she could feel sweat breaking out on her forehead. Had she convinced Leonie that everything was okay?

  Her eyes strayed around the room, briefly. Evan had told her that he would be watching this important first meeting with Leonie and the other girls, to see that it went well, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. For a moment, she felt doubt. Was he really here, looking out for her? She could feel Leonie’s presence just behind her. Her skin crawled. It was as if she could feel the other woman’s eyes boring into the back of her skull.

  She took another deep breath, trying to concentrate on what Freddie was saying. She needed to trust Evan; it was that simple. If he said that he would be watching, he would be. He hadn’t let her down before, and he wasn’t about to do it now.

  And she needed to forget all about it, at least for now. She had made the hard decision to stay put for this production, and she must follow through.

  ***

  Evan peered down throu
gh his binoculars at the rehearsal room from the top of the stairs. His heart was in his mouth. He could see Maya talking to Leonie, and then she walked away as soon as Freddie the director called for attention. He watched Leonie standing just behind Maya. The demon’s face was set in a grim line. Whatever Maya had said to her, she wasn’t pleased.

  He peered around the room. He could see that the other women she lived with had clustered behind her, too, as if they were all standing guard. His mouth tightened. This was not going to be easy. They were on alert and would be watching her like hawks. If she slipped up in her act, and let her fear show, they would know.

  It had been risky getting her to wear the pager around her wrist. He had seen Leonie question her about it, and the demon might already be suspicious. He had tried to disguise it in a cheap bracelet he had picked up from the hotel gift shop that morning, but it looked a little out of place. Maya didn’t usually wear any jewellery while she was working. But he could think of no other way to keep it on her at all times. He had shown her three times this morning where to press it to alert him if she felt in danger.

  He lowered the binoculars, slightly. They were setting to work. Everything should be fine, at least for a little while. He didn’t think that the demons would try anything in this large group, and if Maya had been convincing, they might even be hopeful that she was still on their side. Or could at least be persuaded back.

  He took a deep breath. He needed to get to the costume room and remove that ill-wish while he had an opportunity. It shouldn’t take too long, and it was a priority. If he could disable it, it would be one important part in reducing the demon’s power over this theatre. He walked quickly away, down the stairs, towards the room. He didn’t have much time. Every fibre in his being resisted being away from Maya while she was surrounded by them.

  The room was the same. As soon as he opened the door and stepped in, the bleak atmosphere overwhelmed him. It was still in here, he just knew it.

  He paused for a moment, staring around. This was not the same room where Horace had died in that terrible fire; it had been rebuilt. And yet, he knew that the dark power that had trapped his great-great-grandfather on the night that he had died was the same. It seemed to pulsate through the dust and the mould.

  He took a deep breath, and walked to the spot where he had found the ill-wish. He crouched down and drew back the costumes obscuring it.

  There was nothing there.

  His heart stilled. He knew that this didn’t bode well. Leonie, or one of the other girls, wouldn’t have removed it and taken it away. That would make little sense. No, they had removed it, but they had placed it somewhere else in the room. Somewhere so that it could evade detection and keep weaving its power.

  They must be suspicious, he thought, with a sinking heart. There was simply no other explanation. He stood up, slowly, glancing around the room. It was enormous, and he simply didn’t have time to search every inch of it right now. He had to get back to Maya, and make sure that she was protected. And people would start to question his whereabouts if he was missing too long.

  He thought quickly. He would come back tonight, once he had made sure that Maya was back at the hotel, safe and sound. He would scour every inch of this room until he found it.

  And after he had done that, he would break into that house, and find the other one. The one Maya had told him Leonie had used last night during the ritual.

  And if he surprised any of the demons, and had to battle them, then so be it. It would at least bring this to a close, once and for all.

  ***

  Maya walked to the metro train station, close to the theatre. It had been a long, gruelling day’s rehearsal, and she was tired. So very tired. The strain of trying to act normally with Leonie and the others had been a lot harder than she had anticipated, draining her of energy.

  At least they seemed to be convinced that she was okay. She had eaten a sandwich with them in the dressing room at lunchtime once she had ascertained that other people would be there, doing the same. She was very mindful of Evan’s instructions not to be alone with them.

  Her cell phone started calling. She picked it up, pressing answer, but kept walking.

  “Rachel is following you,” Evan said on the phone. “Keep walking at your normal pace, but once you have entered the station, go into the restrooms there. I know another exit out of them. She’ll linger at the front, and I’ll get you into a cab and back to the hotel before she even realises.”

  “Okay,” said Maya, in a low voice. She resisted the urge to turn around, and see where the woman was. She didn’t want Rachel to know she was aware of her.

  “Talk to you soon,” he said, hanging up.

  Maya put her phone back into her bag, and kept walking, joining the throng of commuters entering the station. She wove among them, trying to lose herself in the crowd. She could see the restrooms to the left, and she made a quick beeline for them, closing the door firmly behind her.

  Her phone buzzed again. “What now?” she said, walking into the room. “Where is this exit?”

  “Keep going down the side corridor, past the cubicles,” Evan said. “It’s the cleaner’s entry and exit.”

  “Okay,” she said, going down a narrow passage way. She could see a door at the very end. “Where are you?”

  “I’ll be waiting for you on the other side,” he said.

  She opened the door, and stepped out into another room. A trolley full of cleaning equipment was near the wall, but otherwise, it was deserted. Where was he?

  She jumped as a hand descended on her shoulder, her heart careering wildly. She turned around, expecting Rachel’s face to be staring at her.

  But it was Evan, just as he promised.

  Maya threw her arms around him. Surprised, he stepped back, almost falling over.

  He gazed down at her. “That’s quite a hello,” he whispered, his eyes narrowing.

  She stepped up, so that she was balancing on the tips of her toes, and kissed him.

  They were lost for a moment, drowning in each other’s lips. Then he stepped back, breaking the contact. “Maya, we have to get out of here.”

  She nodded. She didn’t know what had suddenly come over her. Maybe it was the relief of seeing his face, when she had been expecting Rachel’s.

  Or maybe, just maybe, it was because she loved him. With all her heart and soul.

  Could she tell him? Could she reach up, again, and whisper the words into his ear? How would he react? Would he pull away and stare down at her awkwardly? Or would his eyes suddenly light up, and he would tell her that he had been waiting for her to say it…and he felt the same way, too?

  But he yanked her towards a door, and the moment was lost. It was probably just as well, she thought, as they climbed into a waiting cab, disappearing into the late afternoon traffic.

  She gazed at him. He was still holding her hand in the back seat. Her skin tingled at his touch.

  He was looking out the window, but he turned his head and gazed down at her.

  “Maya,” he whispered. “I hated that I had to pull away from you.” He paused. “Everything is so crazy at the moment, and I feel like all I can focus on is protecting you, and defeating these demons.”

  She nodded. A huge lump seemed to have formed in her throat. “It’s alright, Evan. I understand, and truly, I feel the same way. What happened back there…well, I was just so happy to see you. I didn’t think.”

  He picked up her hand and kissed it gently. “I’m happy that you did. But we must stay alert. I’m fairly certain that we lost Rachel, but any of the others could be around and watching us as well.”

  She nodded, again, and turned her head, staring out the cab window.

  This was insane. Should she just take his advice and get out of the city while he dealt with them? He had told her he was used to doing this; he said that he worked on defeating these demons all the time. And her insistence on staying here, and fulfilling her obligations, was complicating mat
ters. Evan had to devote most of his time to protecting her; time he could be spending on getting rid of them, once and for all. Guilt weighed heavily upon her.

  Was any production worth this stress? But she knew that her reputation as a dancer would be shattered if she fled town now. She had an understudy, of course, so the show would go on, but that wasn’t the point. Everyone would label her as unstable and flighty. No one would ever hire her again, and that would be the end of the dancing career she had devoted her whole life to.

  No. She had to stay, come what may. She almost wished she had a choice not to.

  ***

  Evan crept into the darkened room, keeping his torch low so that it didn’t alert Jack, who was on security detail for the theatre tonight.

  He had gotten Maya safely to the hotel for the evening, checking the area thoroughly before they exited the cab. It seemed like their ruse had worked. The Vilgath demons didn’t know where they were, and he intended it to stay that way. But before he had left her, he had told her to call him straight away if she was concerned in the slightest.

  She had gazed up at him with those velvet brown eyes that so unstitched him and nodded solemnly. “Of course I will.” She had hesitated, biting her lip. “How long will you be?”

  He had gazed down at her. “As little time as possible. But the costume room is large, Maya.” He hesitated. “They’ve moved the ill-wish, but I know in my bones it is still there. You can feel it when you walk into that room.”

  “If they have moved it,” Maya had said, slowly, “then it means that they are suspicious, doesn’t it?”

  He had nodded. “Yes, I think so. Leonie might have done it just as a routine thing—perhaps she moves it around the room to avoid detection regularly. But on the other hand, it could be because she is wary.” He gazed down at her. “Then I am going to have to go to your house and try to find the other one.”

  She had stared out the window, thinking. “Evan, could it be the same one? The photo you showed me of the one in the costume room was identical to what I saw at the house. Could she just have taken it for the ritual?”