The Concealed (The Lakewood Series Book 1)

by Sarah Kleck

  Jared stroked my cheek. “Was the culprit ever caught?”

  “No,” I said, wiping the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. “The police thought he may have been drunk and left the scene.”

  Jared nodded. “And your sister?” he whispered.

  I needed a moment to collect myself and suppress more tears. “She was on duty that night and had been called to a high-rise because of a minor disturbance.” I breathed in deeply. “When she took down the personal information of the guy who’d caused the ruckus, he . . . he . . . he shot her in the head and ran off.” A flood of images suddenly came to me: Christopher, who rang our doorbell in the late evening, took his hat off and broke down in tears before he was able to tell me what had happened. Me, in the funeral parlor where I had to select a coffin for her. The funeral. Christopher, how he dropped to his knees before her grave and whimpered. A stranger who pulled me away so I wouldn’t have to see it. The notary who told me how much my sister had loved me . . .

  I buried my face in my hands. Jared stood up, pulled his chair to my side of the table with a scraping sound, sat down beside me, and put his arms around me. It was several minutes before my tears stopped.

  “His name is Frank Tempton,” I said. “He’s doing life in Walton Prison in Liverpool.”

  “Frank Tempton?” Jared repeated skeptically.

  “Why does Karen think Morgana has anything to do with it? Is that supposed to mean Tempton is innocent?”

  “Karen only told me Morgana was behind it. This Tempton is probably just one of her minions and killed Zara on her orders.”

  “But why?”

  “So there’s nobody to get in her way. That’s also the reason she killed my family and Colin’s.”

  “But . . . but my parents and my sister had no magical abilities whatsoever.” Desperation caused my voice to tremble. “Just like I don’t.”

  “Well, Colin doesn’t have any, either, at least not in the narrow sense.” A smile spread across his face. “Which doesn’t mean he should be underestimated.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  Jared chuckled a little. “Colin’s a warrior—it’s in his blood. Just as there’s something in your blood.” He turned so he could look into my eyes. “Think of what unusual effect plain, ordinary water has on you. Even after many generations, Nimue’s magic is still deeply rooted in you. Even though it’s not as apparent in you as in me, you are a magical and very mighty being.”

  “Oh, Jared, believe me, I’m anything but mighty, and I’m not at all magical.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked with a tender smile that made his dark-blue eyes shine like stars in a clear night sky. “You enchanted me the very first moment I saw you.” Jared tilted his head to the side and kissed me. He gently placed one hand on my waist and stroked my cheek with the other. A sigh escaped me as my arms closed around his neck and my hands tousled his thick, disheveled hair. In the golden light of the Indian restaurant it seemed like liquid caramel, and the way it contrasted with his indigo-blue eyes made Jared appear more angel than man. Another sigh escaped me. Never before had I seen a more beautiful face.

  “So Colin is a warrior?” I asked, smiling.

  An amused look appeared on Jared’s face. “Yes,” he said, his smile broadening. “That’s why he’s the Order’s chief defender.”

  “Chief defender?” I said, frowning. “Is that a kind of function?”

  Jared nodded. “That’s the title of the office he holds within the Circle. Defense and protection are the top priorities of Legatum Merlini, and Colin’s the born fighter. Who better to train the members of the Circle in defense?” Jared shrugged.

  I frowned. “Does that mean every member of the Circle is trained to be a fighting machine?”

  Jared laughed. “No, but some basic skills are a requirement.”

  I remembered the day in the pool shower when Madison had snuck up on me, as silent as a cat. And disappeared just as silently. I never stood a chance. I never even saw that it was her.

  Jared seemed to sense the change in my mood. All of a sudden he looked concerned.

  “What are you thinking of?” he asked.

  “Madison and her basic skills,” I said angrily.

  Jared breathed in deeply. “Madison is very ambitious in everything she does. She practices till she drops and has mastered far more than the basics.”

  “Oh man, her mother must be really proud of her,” I said, still bitter.

  He snorted. “Yes, she is,” he said and averted his eyes. “Colin is castigating himself because he taught Madison the skills she used against you. He trained her, after all.” He looked at his hands.

  We sat there silently for a little while, but then Jared looked up, beaming at me. “Hey, did you find out all by yourself who I am?” he asked with apparent admiration. I didn’t mind the sudden change in topic.

  “No, not all by myself.”

  “Who helped?”

  I hesitated. “Please don’t be upset, but you said secrecy is top priority for the Order, and I don’t want to alert Karen to this person’s existence,” I said, looking at him apologetically.

  “Yes, of course,” he said, understanding, though a little hurt.

  After lunch, Jared accompanied me to Behavioral Psychology and left me with a tender kiss outside the lecture hall, causing mouths to gape among the women around us. I made an effort to ignore those looks while I searched for an empty seat inside and rummaged through my bag for my notebook and pen. I felt a little uncomfortable without Sally, who normally sat with me, especially since I felt several sets of eyes on me.

  The lecture seemed to drag on for hours. Only when Professor Fisher let us go and I made my way to the next seminar did I feel some anticipation, though it was tempered with a feeling of unease. After all, this seminar would be my first encounter with Professor Martin since we’d met in the woods.

  I grimaced at the idea of how Karen Mayflower had taken Jared in as a nine-year-old. Even though she had a son, I saw nothing motherly about her. I remembered Aiden comforting his tearful mother. When I thought about it, her posture almost seemed to reject him as he desperately tried to hug her. Aiden surely couldn’t have an easy life with her as his mother.

  I watched apprehensively as Professor Martin entered the room under the usual longing looks of the female students. I figured he’d show nothing and offer an Oscar-worthy performance, like he did on the day I recognized the symbol on his seal ring. But to my surprise and the annoyance of the other female students, he gave me a well-meaning look and even bestowed one of his ravishing smiles on me. I was delighted with this and returned it, though hesitantly, since I feared my classmates might lynch me for all the attention I was receiving these days. Therefore, I thought it best to avoid eye contact with Professor Martin for the time being. When this last lecture was finally over, I went outside where Jared, my boyfriend, was waiting for me with his breathtaking smile. I went over to him and pressed my lips to his, which caused me to smile even while kissing him. As expected, all the girls nearby either looked at me with wide eyes or glared in anger, but I tried to ignore it. He’s mine! Get over it!

  “May I walk you home?” Jared asked.

  “Don’t you feel like doing something?” I didn’t even try to hide my disappointment.

  “The next Council meeting is in an hour, and I have to be there.”

  “Oh,” I said.

  Jared looked at me apologetically. “I hope you know that I’d rather be doing something completely different tonight.”

  “Really? Like what?”

  Jared stopped, held my hip, pulled me to him, and let his hands wander over my back to my behind.

  “I’m sure I could think of something,” he whispered into my ear and kissed me intensely. My blood almost began to boil as I buried my fingers in his dense hair.
r />   “Damned Council meeting,” I said quietly when he pulled away. Jared laughed.

  CHAPTER 15

  I closed my room door and leaned against it, sighing. Suddenly, my phone rang. Had Jared forgotten something? I frantically dug it out of my bag and looked at the screen. Sally!

  “Hi, Sally, how are you? I was just going to call you. Colin said you’re feeling much better than before and you’d be back tomorrow.”

  “Hi, Evelyn,” she said when I finally let her have a word. “Yes, I’ll be back tomorrow. Will we see each other?”

  “Of course. Now tell me, how are you?”

  “As good as new,” Sally said cheerfully and giggled. “Talking about new . . . Is there something new with you?”

  I had to grin. “Maybe.”

  “Pfft, don’t make me pull teeth. Colin told me, anyway.”

  “Then why are you asking?” I teased, knowing she was about to burst with curiosity.

  “Evelyn!”

  “Oh all right,” I said, still grinning. “Jared and I are . . . Well, we’re . . . together.”

  “That’s wonderful—the four of us have to go out together!”

  “We’re only getting to know each other, Sally,” I said, trying to slow her down a bit.

  A few hours later, after I’d showered thoroughly, I crawled under my covers, turned off the lights and peacefully slept with the wholesome feeling of anticipating the coming day. I could hardly wait to see Jared again.

  In the morning, I opened my eyes, sat up enthusiastically, leapt to my feet, and headed for the bathroom. I went over to check my phone while brushing my teeth and noticed two messages. The first was from just after eleven the evening before, when I had long been asleep:

  Sleep well and sweet dreams . . .

  The second was from just a few minutes ago:

  Good morning. I’m waiting outside the door for you.

  He’s here? I brushed my teeth quickly, took jeans and a sweater from the closet without caring if they matched, and brushed my hair. I was ready for the day in record time, and since rushing and anticipation made it look like I’d applied blush, I was moderately satisfied with the result. I charged down the stairs and threw open the door. Jared stood on the stairs outside and smiled at me.

  “Good morning,” I said with a broad grin when he saw me.

  “Good morning,” Jared said, put his arm around my waist, and kissed me with his warm, soft lips. I had to keep it together not to throw myself at him.

  “Are you ready?” he asked, brushing my cheek.

  I nodded, still enthralled by his greeting, and reached for his extended hand.

  Our fingers entwined, and we started for the College, where I’d have to attend my morning lectures alone, sadly. I already missed him just thinking about it.

  “Did you hear Social Psych is cancelled this afternoon?” Sally asked me during lunch when I sat with her, Colin, and Jared. She looked splendid, and if I hadn’t seen her lying pale as a ghost in her bed a few days ago, I wouldn’t have believed she’d been seriously ill. But she was back to her old self again.

  “Professor Monrose has the flu,” Sally said, beaming. By contrast, I felt a wave of empathy. Poor Professor Monrose was so thin and frail, I was seriously worried she might not survive the flu.

  “We’ve got the afternoon off,” Sally said and threw her arms in the air.

  “I’ve still got Emotions,” I said.

  “Well, almost a free afternoon,” she said.

  “I’m off at the same time,” Jared said, smiling at me. “We could do something if you want.”

  Now I couldn’t help smiling. The prospect of spending the afternoon with Jared put me in the best mood.

  “What do you think of a small excursion?” he proposed.

  “What were you thinking?”

  “That’s a surprise,” he said with a wink. He probably didn’t want to go into detail in Sally’s presence.

  After we got through Psychology of Emotions—holding hands under the desk most of the time—Jared and I stepped into the fresh air outside.

  “Can we go by my dorm real quick? I don’t want to carry this thing around the whole time,” I said, pointing to the strap on my shoulder.

  “Sure,” Jared said, taking my bag off to carry it for me. “That’ll give me a chance to look at your room,” he said suggestively. I hoped there wasn’t any dirty laundry scattered on the floor.

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?” I asked as we walked to my dorm.

  “I’d like to show you something,” he said, smiling.

  I wrinkled my forehead. “So, you’re not going to tell me?”

  Jared shook his head, continuing to torture me.

  When we finally stood at my door, I turned the key in the lock and stuck my head in quickly to scan the room before letting Jared in. Fortunately, it was reasonably tidy. Although my bed was made up rather poorly because of the morning rush.

  “Here we are,” I said, spreading my arms. “This is where I live.”

  “Pretty,” Jared said, looking around. “And . . . this is your bed,” he said a moment later, stretching out the comment so much I couldn’t miss the point. My hands turned moist, and my heart started beating twice as fast. Whether from excitement, joy, or anxiety I couldn’t tell. Most likely, it was a mixture of all three.

  He took another step toward my bed and examined the framed pictures on my nightstand.

  “Your parents?” he asked gently, pointing at the first.

  “Uh huh,” I said, the excitement suddenly gone.

  “And that’s your sister?” Jared smiled when he picked up the picture of Zara and me to look at it more closely.

  “Yes,” I answered proudly. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” I missed her so much at that moment it caused me physical pain.

  “Yes, she is,” Jared said. “But not nearly as beautiful as her little sis,” he said with a warm smile while gently brushing my hair out of my face. When I felt my ears turning hot, I averted my eyes. Jared smiled at my reaction and turned to the picture again. Suddenly he froze. The smile disappeared from his face. His eyes widened.

  “Is that the amulet Madison stole from you?” he asked, obviously upset. “That she tore from your neck at the pool?”

  I was startled by the sudden change in his mood. “Yes,” I said. Jared seemed to be in real turmoil. Still holding the picture frame in his hands, he lay on my bed and stared at me.

  “What’s the matter?” I asked, sitting down beside him. While I was looking for an answer in his face, I took Jared’s hand and stroked it to calm him. All of a sudden, he looked in my eyes.

  “You don’t know what that is, do you?”

  I frowned.

  “That isn’t just some pretty necklace,” he said, taking my hand.

  “What do you mean?”

  Jared hesitated. “That’s a magical jewel,” he said, holding my hand even more firmly. “According to legend, Merlin made it for Nimue. It’s said that he cast a strong protective spell on it.”

  “A protective spell?” Suddenly, I heard my mother’s words in my head. It will protect you! Never take it off. So that hadn’t just been some line? Had she known the amulet’s true meaning?

  “Do you understand, Evelyn? As long as you wore it, the amulet protected you.”

  “Protected me? From what?”

  “I have no idea how the spell works,” Jared said, visibly frustrated, his expression pensive. “We thought it had been lost long ago, but it had been in your family’s possession all this time . . .” He shook his head.

  “But it hadn’t been in my family’s possession,” I said.

  Jared raised his head, looking puzzled.

  “My mother bought it at a flea market in London when she was pregnant with me. I’ve wor
n it every day since I was six—until Madison stole it from me.” It would have been impossible to miss the anger in my voice. We looked at the picture for a moment. Then I suddenly had a thought. “Do you think it has something to do with her disappearance? Madison’s, I mean.”

  He thought for a moment. “I don’t know. But, thinking about it . . . the day she attacked you in the pool was the day she went missing.”

  “What does she want with my amulet?”

  “No idea.” Jared sighed. “She definitely knows what it is—every member of the Circle knows that. And she also knows it’s very powerful.” He bit his lower lip. “I don’t want to know what damage it can do if it gets into the wrong hands,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Where could she have gone?” I was asking myself more than him.

  “I’d love to know,” Jared said, carefully removing the picture from its frame and slipping it into his pocket.

  “We have to talk to Karen about this,” he said, got up from my bed, and held his hand out to me. I reluctantly let him pull me up.

  I sighed. “If it has to be. But you’re aware I’m not her favorite person, aren’t you?”

  “She’s only concerned for my safety,” Jared said to appease me, but he also smiled apologetically, which confirmed my suspicion.

  Yes—she couldn’t stand me!

  A few minutes later, we were back at the College to knock on Professor Mayflower’s office door.

  “Come in,” she said from inside. Jared entered with me in tow. She sat at her desk correcting a stack of assignments.

  “Jared,” she greeted him, beaming with delight, and then favored me with a forced smile. “What’s up?”

  “Evelyn and I have to tell you something. You remember that Madison attacked Evelyn in the pool and ripped a necklace from her, right?”

  Karen nodded with an earnest expression.