Conflicted: Keegan's Chronicles

by Julia Crane

  “Hey Nanny, I can’t wait till you see the present I got you.”

  Her grandmother walked over and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

  “Ok, dig in everyone.” Her father tossed a present to Keegan.

  She got the usual: tons of clothes and gift cards. Her father got her a cool tripod she could use in the woods. It would attach to almost anything.

  One section under the Christmas tree was dedicated to their household, and there was one box left. There were still piles of presents for the rest of the extended family.

  “Whose is this?” Keegan asked as she picked up the present and shook it. The room was oddly quiet. She looked at the card.

  It said To Keegan, From Rourk.

  Keegan sat down on the floor and crossed her legs, staring at the box in front of her. She felt bad she didn’t get him anything.

  Slowly, she opened the box and started squealing at the three lenses. “I’ve wanted a new lens forever.”

  “That was really sweet of him,” her mother said from across the room.

  “I know, I feel bad I didn’t get him anything,” Keegan answered as she attached one of the new lenses to her camera.

  “Well, maybe you can send him some photos you took. I know when I was in training, I loved getting mail.” Her father smiled at the memory.

  “That’s a great idea. Let me get a picture of all of you near the tree.”

  A couple of hours later Donald showed up for dinner. He had become a regular at their house. He gave her mother a new teapot, which she loved, and gave her father a book for his library. Thaddeus got a gift card with Xbox points.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Donald told Keegan’s grandmother. He was obviously embarrassed.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m old and have everything I want. Just come over here and give me a hug.”

  After hugging Mary, he pulled a small box out of his coat. “I got this for you Keegan. I wish I could have gotten you more. However, there is only so much snow shoveling to be done in Tennessee to make extra money,” he said, making everybody laugh.

  Keegan smiled and slowly unwrapped the present. It was a pair of silver dolphin earrings with a small blue stones for eyes. “I love them! Thank you.” She put them in right away with a big grin.

  “I know how you love dolphins. I’m glad you liked them. I wasn’t quite sure what to get you.”

  “Can you take a picture of me with them on?” Keegan handed Donald her camera.

  “Nice, I see you got a new lens for Christmas.” He snapped a picture.

  “Yes, I actually got three.”

  “I know you will have fun with that. Santa was good to you this year.”

  Keegan looked down, biting her lip. “Rourk sent them.”

  “Oh.” Everyone was quiet.

  Warrick squealed out to break the awkwardness.

  “That was nice of him,” Donald said as he handed the camera back to Keegan.

  She could tell he was uncomfortable.

  “Keegan why don’t you take Donald into the den while we finish cooking in here?” Her mother practically pushed them out of the kitchen.

  Keegan put her arm around his waist as they walked into the den. “You don’t have anything to worry about with Rourk.”

  “Are you sure Keegan? He is your chosen after all.”

  “My bond to him has not returned, and I don’t think there is any possibility it will. He is a stranger to me. It’s you I care about.”

  Donald paused just inside the door of the living room, turning to face her. His eyes searched her face as he brushed her hair back with one hand. He took a deep breath. “I love you, Keegan. I know I haven’t said it before, but it’s true. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I’m terrified I am going to lose you to him.”

  Keegan didn’t know what to say. She wrapped her arms around herself, staring wide-eyed at him. Why weren’t the words rolling off her tongue as easy as they did his? “I really love the earrings you got me.”

  “Smooth change of the subject.” Donald quirked an eyebrow at her, pulling on her elbows until she put her hands in his. “I understand if you can’t say the words yet. I hope in time you will be able to look me in the eyes and tell me you love me.”

  “I do care about you. I have been so happy during our time together. I love the way you make me feel.” They sat together on the couch in front of the tree. Keegan liked the way the colorful lights blinked on and off on his hair.

  “I guess I will have to settle with that for now.” Donald pressed a light kiss to her temple before saying quietly, “I applied for a couple of colleges in Alaska.”

  “You did?” Why did she feel so strange about this revelation?

  “I just can’t stand the thought of being so far apart from you. I really don’t care where I go to school. I’ve never had a favorite college that I wanted to attend to. They have plenty of good engineer programs in Alaska.”

  “I hope you applied to other schools as well so you have a choice?”

  “Yes, I applied to several. A couple in Tennessee, Florida, and California.”

  Keegan felt slightly relieved to hear this. She had already received her early acceptance to the college of her choice in Alaska. Her mother was going to take her to check it out soon.

  “I think our conversation is much too serious to have on Christmas day. You haven’t even opened your present from me.”

  Keegan ran up to her room and came down with a box.

  She watched as he tore open the present and a smile spread across his face. “Keegan, this is too much. I can’t accept this.”

  “Shhh, how else are you going to beat Lauren unless you are able to practice?”

  “Thank you.” He leaned over and kissed her deeply as if it were their last kiss.

  She had gotten him the Kinect for his Xbox along with the Dance Dance Revolution game. Keegan loved giving presents almost as much as she enjoyed receiving them.

  “Guys, come on out. It’s almost time to eat.”

  “Well, be right there, Mom.”

  They walked into the kitchen and saw the rest of the family had arrived while they were chatting in the living room. Keegan’s aunts Katrina and Brigid stood at the counter with her mother while all of her cousins milled around, stealing food.

  “Hey guys, come get your presents!” Keegan said excitedly, leading the rush to the tree. She started tossing presents at them, laughing as they all tore into them.

  Donald put his arm around Keegan. “You seriously have the best family.”

  “Yea, they aren’t so bad.” She looked down to find Mackenna wrapped around her leg. Keegan laughed, pinching the little girl’s cheek. “Go get your presents, Mack attack.”

  Mackenna ran off giggling.

  The house smelled wonderful. Her grandmother always came over and cooked the holiday meals, so they had a huge turkey, ham, and a roast. Keegan always ate more food than she could handle and ended up uncomfortable for the rest of the night, but it was delicious, anyway.

  Chapter 20

  Keegan heard a knock at the door. She closed her eyes to see who it was even though she was expecting Anna and Lauren. It was them, and they looked like they were freezing. She ran down the stairs to let them in.

  “Mom, can you make us some hot chocolate?” Keegan yelled into the kitchen.

  “Of course.” Her mom peeked around the corner. “Hi girls, it’s nice to see you.”

  “Hello, Keegan’s mom,” they said in unison, stomping snow off their boots on the rug outside the door. Frigid air drifted through the door around them, so Keegan quickly ushered them inside.

  “Just throw your bags on the floor,” Emerald told the girls, disappearing back to the kitchen, presumably to make hot chocolate.

  “It’s been so long since we’ve had a sleep over.” Keegan hugged them both and then brushed the snow off Anna’s shoulder as they pulled off their snow boots. />
  “I can’t wait for the party tonight,” Lauren gushed, nearly tripping as she finally yanked her second boot off a little too roughly.

  Anna rolled her eyes. “Yay, we get to go to a party at one of your lame cheerleader friends’ houses.”

  “It’s not just any house. It’s more like a mansion. You will have fun, I promise.”

  “Don’t forget Xavier is going to be there,” Keegan teased her.

  “I’ve given up on him. You would know that if you bothered to call me.” Anna shot her a bored look.

  “Sorry, I know I’ve been spending more time with Donald and less with you guys.” Keegan pouted.

  Anna rolled her eyes, hanging her scarf and jacket up in the hall closet. “I haven’t even been able to tell you about Magdalena, the light witch that has been helping me with my powers.”

  “How has that been going?”

  Suddenly, Lauren’s hat flew off her head and hit Keegan in the face. “Well, I can do that now.” Anna laughed.

  “Good one.” Keegan threw the hat back at her.

  “We have so much catching up to do. Let’s promise to spend more time together. Before we know it we will all be heading off to different colleges,” Lauren said.

  That sobered the moment.

  Emerald came in with a tray full of hot chocolate and warm cookies. “Come and sit down in the den in front of the fireplace, girls.”

  They didn’t have to be asked twice. They knelt around the coffee table, helping themselves to the goodies. “This is the best hot chocolate ever,” Anna groaned, closing her eyes in ecstasy.

  “It’s Godiva from the can.” Emerald shrugged and smiled.

  Thaddeus came barreling down the stairs. “I have to talk to Anna about something.”

  The girls all looked at each other in surprise. Thaddeus rarely bothered with any of them.

  “Um, Ok.” Anna stood up and followed Thad to the back of the house.

  “Keegan told me you were a witch.”

  “More like a witch in training. Why what’s up? You’re like all powerful? What do you want with me?” She placed her hand on her hip and stared at him.

  “Once again, I am going to break the rules for Keegan. Don’t ask me why. She’s such a pain. I do like Rourk though and I want him to be happy.”

  Anna was getting excited. “I like where this is going. What do you need from me? I have been trying to find a way to get their bond back, but I am having no luck at all.”

  “Well, I had a vision and the answer came to me. It’s so simple, it’s almost laughable.”

  “What is it?” Anna’s eyes were wide with excitement.

  “It’s the ring. The ring is the key to all of this. You know how elves get engaged as soon as the youngest turns eighteen? The ring is what cements the bond.”

  “Oh my goddess, are you serious, Thaddeus?” Anna couldn’t control her excitement.

  “Where do I come into all of this?” she wanted to know.

  “Well, I need you to implant dreams into Rourk’s head that make him want to give Keegan the ring. It’s the natural thing for him to do, but with the bond broken he might need a nudge in the right direction.”

  Anna’s face fell. “I have no idea how to implant dreams.”

  “That’s okay, I have access to a Book of Shadows. We can figure it out.”

  “You have a Book of Shadows? Thaddeus, can I kiss you?” She grabbed him by the shoulders and jumped up and down, her brown and purple hair bouncing.

  “Gross, no.” He gave her a horrified look.

  “Okay, but what if Keegan doesn’t want to take the ring?”

  “That’s also where I need your help. I could ask an elfin witch, but they know it’s breaking the rules. You never follow the rules so I figured you would be the perfect witch. Not to mention I saw you holding the ring in my vision.”

  “That’s so cool that I was in your vision,” Anna gasped, grabbing his arm. “What was I wearing?”

  Thaddeus shook her off, rolling his eyes. “Now you’re being stupid. Just pay attention. We don’t have much time before they wonder what we are up to. You are going to need to spell the ring. Some sort of enchantment spell so it will be impossible for Keegan not to want to try on the ring. Once the ring is on her finger, BAM. The bond is back, and sealed.”

  “Is it really that simple? I have spent months trying to figure this out.”

  “Magic is often simple.” Thaddeus grinned at her. “Of course you have to keep this to yourself or it will not work. This has to come as a total surprise to both Keegan and Rourk.”

  “It’s going to be hard, but I will keep the secret. I feel like screaming it from the top of a mountain.”

  “It has to happen on Keegan’s birthday,” Thaddeus mused, leaning against the wall. “So hopefully the stars align and we can get Rourk back here in time.”

  “Well, we have a few months so I’m sure it can be worked out. Maybe you can contact his father. The dreams may be enough to pull him back.”

  Thaddeus nodded. “His father is a last resort. Rourk did tell Keegan he would be back for her on her eighteenth birthday. He is a man of his word. So I’m sure he will be, as long as his training does not interfere.”

  “When are we going to get to see the Book of Shadows?”

  Anna’s swift changes of subject were wearying. Thaddeus sighed. “I cannot remove it from the vault so I will have to take you there. It is forbidden for any non elves to enter. We will have to cloak you.”

  “This is the most excitement I’ve had in my life,” Anna squealed, bouncing up and down again as she clapped. Thaddeus tried to shush her, but it didn’t work. “I’m going to a secret vault, I’ll be cloaked, and I get to read a Book of Shadows. Are you sure I can’t kiss you?”

  As she stepped towards him, he bounded quickly away. “Don’t even think about it. Get back in the living room and tell them I needed your help on a computer program. They will buy that since you are a computer geek.”

  “I’m not a computer geek,” she argued, but there wasn’t a lot of strength behind it.

  Thaddeus ignored her. “We’ll get together next week and start working on the plan. Wait, what’s your cell number? I’ve been waiting almost a month for you to come by.”

  “I feel so diabolical,” she giggled, sending him a quick text so he would have her number. She gave a wicked laugh, patting him on the head before she headed back to the living room.

  She walked casually into the room, hoping her face didn’t give away the glee she felt inside.

  “What the heck did Thad want you for?” Keegan asked, slurping her hot chocolate.

  “He needed some computer help, and he knows I have mad skills. Of course I took care of the problem.” Anna gave a low bow and Lauren clapped.

  “Well, we have more important things to talk about. What did you bring to wear for the party?” Lauren raised an eyebrow.

  “I brought a short, one-shoulder black dress and sparkly heels. Don’t even bother to ask, Keegan. I’m not wearing flats.” Anna stuck her tongue out at her friend.

  “Oh, I can’t wait to see it on you. What about your hair?”

  “Whatever our stylist, Lauren, wants to do with it.”

  Lauren looked over at Keegan “What about you? It feels odd that we didn’t go shopping together.”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  A few hours later, they were getting ready for the party. Lauren came out of the bathroom wearing a strapless beautiful purple and black short dress. The bottom flared out with a tulle skirt.

  “You are so hot it makes me sick.” Keegan grinned to take the sting out of the statement.

  “Ok, now go put on your dress. I’m dying to see what you picked out.” Lauren pushed her towards the closet.

  A few moments later Keegan waked out and did a spin. “What do you think?”

  “Keegan! Where did you find that dress?”

  “Modcloth.com. They have all kinds of cute vintage
looking dresses.”

  “I love that color on you. It’s almost the same color as your eyes.”

  Keegan stared at herself in the mirror, taking in the strapless sweetheart neckline, and she pulled up the rows of gathered silk. She smiled as she touched the bow that completed the dress. “It is pretty cute!”

  “You are going to give poor Donald a heart attack.”

  “Your turn, Anna. Hurry up, we don’t have much time.”

  Anna came out a few moments later, throwing her hands up in the air as she said “Ta da!”

  “Wow, all I see is legs and sparkles. Speaking of giving people a heart attack. If Xavier doesn’t notice you tonight, he must be blind.” Lauren reached out and ran her hands over Anna’s sparkles.

  “You haven’t said much about Josh lately.” Keegan looked at her curiously

  “We’re fine. I’m just thinking that I need to break up with him before I head off to college. He wants to stay in Tennessee, and I don’t see that for myself.”

  “Well, that’s too bad. At least you guys have had a couple of good years together,” Anna remarked.

  “Katrina should be here soon to pick us up. I asked her to drive in case we have a couple of drinks.”

  “Good thinking. I miss Kat. We haven’t seen her in a while.”

  They ran downstairs when they heard Katrina yell “Hello, is anyone home?”

  “You are such a dork, Katrina, that’s why we love you,” Keegan greeted her aunt.

  Kat looked young and hip in her tight blue jeans and fitted red sweater. She let out a long whistle. “You guys look HOT!”

  The girls giggled while bundling up before they made the cold journey to the car.

  Lauren wasn’t kidding when she said the party was at a mansion. There was an indoor pool and guys were already jumping in it. Keegan noticed Donald over by the pool table. He looked up at the same time, a wide grin spreading across his face as he handed his pool stick to another guy and walked away from the game.

  “You are gorgeous,” he murmured, one arm curling around her to drag her body against his. “I can’t believe you even give me the time of day.”