“Why doesn’t the Stone of Fire attack you then?” Andrew asked.
“Not all Stones are the same, and the Stone of Fire is cooperative. It allows us to use some of its powers without being its Quester. I’m not sure why, but I think it likes us.” She absentmindedly stroked the ruby in her pocket.
“Wait, if I had become the Quester of Fire, or whatever, then would the Stone of Power attack me?” Christine asked.
“Probably.” Raptor smirked. “It may be a good thing it rejected you, or I would have to go find someone else.”
“What kind of powers did you get?” Andrew asked, imagining himself in a red cape for a moment before abandoning the idea as ridiculous.
“Godlin is the Keeper of earth. I mean “earth” as in dirt and rocks, not the planet.”
Godlin grunted and shot Raptor a dirty look. With narrowed eyes, he grumbled, “It’s more complicated than that.”
Raptor grinned at him and then said, “He can do things like sense vibrations in the ground. It’s how he knew what was going on around us.”
“Oh, can he make an earthquake?” Christine asked, clasping her hands together.
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you make the ground swallow up the white worm?” Andrew asked, thinking it a quick solution to their problem.
“An earthquake of that magnitude wouldn’t be an isolated event, and it would cause permanent damage to this world. We’re not in the habit of causing great harm just to get what we want,” Godlin replied.
Andrew smiled to himself, glad his initial impression of the Keepers being good people still stood true. He did not think he could join a group that used their powers carelessly. “What else can we test?” He squirmed in his seat, eager to possibly find out who he was supposed to be and what powers could be lying dormant in his blood.
Shrugging her shoulders, Raptor said, “Nothing. Even if you could control plants or had some gift with medicine, this isn’t the place to find out. We’ll just have to wait for your powers to manifest on their own.”
“Before you acted like I should have discovered them already. Do most Keepers know before they are recruited?” Andrew felt embarrassed, wondering if he was the only one who could not feel his powers.
Raptor tapped her chin thoughtfully. “The last time new Keepers joined, we all had already sensed our powers, even if we didn’t know why we had them. It was a bit of a disaster when some of us went out and tested them. Maybe Earth is trying something different so you don’t end up trending on the Internet.”
Godlin chuckled to himself. “Raptor’s the Keeper of animals. When I first met her, she had turned herself into a …what was it again?”
A squeak came from Raptor as she turned bright red. “We swore never to speak of that!”
Godlin ignored her, the memory of the incident lighting his eyes. “It was a gorilla. She started walking through downtown Denver and …” He trailed off, shooting Raptor a smug smile as he threw his shoulders back and beat his chest.
Raptor held the bridge of her nose, her eyes closed and her face so flushed that her ears had turned bright red. Andrew could imagine a gorilla walking through the center of a major city causing a commotion, but he could not imagine what must have happened next to make Raptor so embarrassed about it.
Andrew bounced, sitting up straighter. “What did she do?”
“Nope! No!” Throwing her hands out, Raptor said, “We’re stopping this conversation right here.”
Andrew grinned, enjoying the banter between the two.
Christine spoke up. “I’m still confused on this dimension thing. Are we on another planet, or not?”
“Not exactly. We call the Earth, the sun, the Milky Way, and everything you know “the universe.” We call other, smaller universes, like this one, dimensions. These dimensions cross over the universe, and we’re able to move between them.”
“I thought things couldn’t exist in the same place at the same time,” Andrew said, remembering his science classes.
“They can’t. Think of the universe as a flat sheet of paper. Other dimensions are also flat sheets of paper and together they make a giant book. You can move back and forth along your piece of paper, but you can’t move up or down to other pages. However, if you add in some bookworms, then they eat paths through the pages. You can then move between the pages by following the trails they leave.”
“But our universe isn’t flat, right?” Andrew asked.
Raptor held her hands up horizontally. “It’s flat, but it’s not like a piece of paper. It extends in all directions and is huge—so huge that we can’t even see across the entire thing. But we’re trying to describe the shape of something we live inside of. It would be as if we lived inside of Earth and were trying to figure out its shape without being able to reach the surface.”
“Even living on the surface, people used to think Earth was a perfect sphere, until they could fly above it and measure it. You really would need to leave the universe to see its shape,” Godlin added.
In his mind, Andrew imagined the universe like a flat piece of paper but three-dimensional as well. Maybe it was like a book and other dimensions were books too. A giant library came to mind with lots of tiny worms eating through the various books.
It was a lot to absorb and made his brain feel fuzzy.
“How does a doorway made of fire give you access to another dimension?” Christine asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she fixed her gaze on Raptor.
“We think it’s something about those two fires and the properties of this dimension. We know the portal always opens in the same spot on this side, but we can open it from anywhere in our universe.”
“Can you use it to get to other dimensions?” An eager smile slowly spread across Christine’s lips.
Andrew’s jaw fell open, shocked by her reaction. Normally Christine was not interested in the interworkings of the universe. She had to copy his notes all the time in chemistry and drooled from boredom during the experiments. She did better at physical activities, like softball and track.
Raptor reached up and scratched her earlobe. “Not that we’ve discovered, but there’s lots of other dimensions—some we know nothing about—and just as many ways to get to them.”
Unable to contain it any longer, Andrew yawned, causing Christine to yawn also.
Raptor smirked to herself. “You two really do need some sleep.” She glanced to Godlin. “The worm’s still there?”
He grunted and nodded his head.
“We’ll wake you up as soon as we can leave,” Raptor said.
Andrew lowered himself down to the soft sand. It clung to his body, but formed to his shape, providing a pleasant place to rest. He could feel his eyes getting heavy, unable to resist the temptation of sleep. “What about you two?” he mumbled.
“Godlin and I have a few things to discuss, but you needn’t worry about us.”
Christine moved near Andrew and lay down beside him. Reaching out, she set her hand on his, giving it a squeeze. Andrew smiled and curled his fingers around hers.
“Won’t bother me,” Christine said. “I always sleep with a TV on in the background.”
Andrew closed his eyes. The silence of the world around him was eerie but inviting to his tired mind, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Four
Raptor scrolled through photos and messages on Andrew’s phone. About twenty minutes had passed since Andrew and Christine had fallen asleep. She believed Andrew was a Keeper—the feelings from Earth confirmed that—but she wanted to know what he was the Keeper of. It frustrated her that Andrew knew so little.
But she and Godlin had another mission to handle too—the shifts.
Raptor knew she would have to tell Andrew about it eventually, but she did not want Christine involved. Returning her home to a normal life would be for the best. It may have been a mistake telling Christine as much as she had, but they needed her help to get the Stone of Power. Revealing t
he truth of the universe was a small price to pay to save it.
A heavy weight settled on Raptor’s chest as she thought over how she would tell Andrew he could never go home again. It had been a painful lesson for some of the younger Keepers. Mouse had taken it the hardest. He was the youngest of the Keepers and abandoning his parents to a life without him had been difficult. As their only child, Mouse left knowing he meant the world to them.
Andrew seemed levelheaded and practical. He could handle it. The thought boosted her confidence.
“Find anything useful?” Godlin asked, leaning over to look at the screen.
Mashing a button on the side of the phone, she turned off the screen. “Nothing. I don’t get it. Earth sends us a new Keeper, but he hasn’t figured out his powers yet, let alone started using them.”
Godlin reached out, setting a hand on her shoulder. “I keep telling you, have confidence. You’re Earth’s herald for a reason. The planet trusts you to figure it out.”
“I know, I know. But sometimes I wish you had gotten the job instead.” She stared down at her hands, her heart filled with uncertainty.
“No, thank you,” Godlin said in a firm tone with a slight smile. “All yours. I don’t want the planet in my head.”
Raptor chuckled softly, knowing that Godlin enjoyed his privacy far too much for the relationship to work out with Earth. He was a fine leader. After all, she had picked him as her second in command. Whenever she left, he took over running things, keeping everyone on track.
Raptor tossed the phone to Godlin. “When we get back, get those things destroyed.”
He inclined his head, tucking the phone into his pocket.
* * * * * *
Andrew awoke to the sound of voices. It felt like a dream—his date with Christine turning into a whirlwind adventure filled with monsters. He cracked an eye open, hoping to find himself in his bedroom. Sitting on the ground, facing away from him, were the Keepers. Raptor handed Godlin his cell phone and said something to him that Andrew missed.
It was real—all of it. He felt his breath catch in his throat as his body went numb. The realization of everything crashed down on him: hidden powers, a language he did not have a name for, and aliens living in a dimension known as Tenebris.
Andrew noted how much taller and wider Godlin was than Raptor, even though a trench coat covered his body. She wore a close-fitting, black T-shirt, showing off her athletic build.
Of the two, Godlin seemed more serious, though when he teased Raptor, a humorous side of him peeked through that Andrew would not have expected. Raptor was different, quicker to react to things, but also more personable and straightforward with her answers. It was easier for him to read her, and he had instantly felt more connected to her.
He chanced a glimpse at Christine; she slept soundly, lying on her back and snoring softly. It was adorable the way her nose wrinkled with each snore.
The Keepers started to talk again in their own language.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” Raptor said. “The only way to know the language is for Earth to teach you.”
Andrew had suspected the planet was intelligent, given it could influence his emotions, but he had not expected it to be able to teach someone a new language. A lightness filled him, enjoying the feeling of being connected to the other Keepers, even if he did not know them well.
“You worry too much.”
Raptor held up a hand in resignation. “You’re right, of course. It’s just going to bother me for a while.”
Smiling, Godlin said, “I understand.” He threw a glance around and then turned back to her. “What did Walker say about the shifts?”
Curious, Andrew perked his ears up and tried to remain as still as he could.
“It’s bad, but Walker thinks we can manage if we get the Stone of Power. She could substitute herself for it, but I won’t allow that. I’d rather trigger this trap than put her in danger.”
“Good,” Godlin said in a serious tone.
Raptor smiled at him but said nothing more. She peered into the darkness. “It’s still there, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Turning her attention to the sky, Raptor said, “The moons are out.”
“And when they start to set, that worm is going to get up and those Whisperers will come out of their woods.” Godlin swiveled around to face the trees, eyeing each gray trunk with suspicion.
Andrew gulped. Raptor and Godlin snapped their heads toward him. Squeezing his eyes shut, he pretended to be asleep.
Cracking an eye, Andrew saw they had turned away again. He shifted his body, looking up at the sky. It took a few moments, but his eyes adjusted, and he could see a pale white disk, similar to a full moon, but larger in comparison. He squinted and several smaller disks became visible on either side of it. They were like a string of pale pearls hanging low in the sky.
Andrew turned to the Keepers again. He wanted to know more, but Christine’s words about him never trusting strangers echoed in his mind. Maybe she was right to be cautious. He knew nothing about them, and his life had been in a constant state of danger since meeting them.
Raptor ran a hand through her hair, sweeping it out of her face. “Just in case, we’re looking for the other nine Stones as well.”
“Did she say we needed all of the Quester Stones?”
Drawing a finger through the sand at her side, Raptor frowned. “She thinks we can do it with fewer, but each one makes it easier on her. It’s just two dimensions fighting, but the others are tangled up with them. The Stone of Power would allow her to drain the energy they are squabbling over. It’s risky, but if she can do it, then all the dimensions should return to their rightful places.”
“Then why does she need the other nine Stones? What’s her plan for them?”
“I think she’ll use them in connection with the Stone of Power and manually take some of the extra energy out of them, so they go back to normal faster. The longer those dimensions remain tangled up on top of Earth, the more likely something will go catastrophically wrong.”
“It’s a good idea.” Godlin tapped the flat of the dagger on his thigh. He seemed to be mulling something over. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence the bomb needs the Stone of Power. Whoever planted it wants us to do their dirty work.”
“But who would be looking for the Stone, and how do we stop them?”
“We have to play the game,” Godlin said, rubbing his lower jaw. “It’s a trap, but the only way to discover who set it is to trigger it.”
“I hate plans like this, you know that, right?”
Smiling at her, he said, “I know.”
Andrew closed his eyes, processing what they said as questions whirled through his mind. What would happen if they could not fix the tangle? Why had he never heard of Keepers or of other dimensions? How could he help them?
He wondered what being a Keeper was like. Andrew imagined what his parents would think. Would they be proud of him? What if his dad did not let him become a Keeper, then what? What about Christine? Would he have to leave her behind? Was there any chance she could become a Keeper too? At the end of his wonderings, the only thing he knew for sure was he could not believe that, out of everyone he knew, Earth had chosen him.
Andrew started to sit up and ask the Keepers about it, but he hesitated when he noticed Raptor’s expression. Her shoulders drooped as she rolled the ruby between her fingers.
“You miss him,” Godlin observed.
Andrew recalled the dead Keeper of fire’s name: Bringer.
Raptor closed a hand around the Stone and dropped it into her lap. She gave him a glare. “Don’t give me that. You two were friends long before I showed up.”
Leaning in closer, Godlin said, “Yes, but he opened up to you.”
Raptor sneered, turning away from him. “I miss him. We all do. Bringer was of great value to the Keepers and a good friend.” The way she said “friend” and her slumped posture made Andrew wonder if they had been mo
re.
“What happened wasn’t your fault.” Godlin’s hand twitched as if he wanted to reach out but thought better of it.
Flicking a dismissive hand at him, Raptor looked away into the darkness.
Godlin frowned, but did not say anything else.
“What ha—” Andrew caught himself too late.
Raptor leapt to her feet, and Godlin scowled in Andrew’s direction.
Rubbing the back of his neck as he sat up, Andrew tried to apologize, but it came out as more of a garbled sound than a word.
Raptor glared at him. “What did you hear?”
“Er … something about shifts and then everything after that,” he said in a soft voice, trying not to wake up Christine beside him.
With a heavy sigh, Raptor eased back down to the ground. “Fine, ask.”
“What happened to Bringer?” he asked, though he regretted the question when Raptor shot him another dirty look.
“Another Keeper named Venom killed him,” Godlin answered.
Andrew winced at the obvious notes of betrayal in Godlin’s voice. “What happened to Venom?”
“He was punished and locked up,” Raptor said in a low tone. Her eyes fell to her lap.
Godlin’s eyes narrowed as his eyebrows pulled down in concentration. “Venom’s intended target had been Raptor, instead Bringer got caught in the trap.”
Andrew’s jaw dropped, unable to believe anyone would try to kill her. “Why would he want to harm you?”
Godlin’s eyes slid over to Raptor. There was a long moment of silence between them.
Raptor spoke in a stiff monotone. “I’m going to go see what’s keeping that beast from moving.” Stepping out of the bubble, she vanished into the darkness.
“Will she be all right?” Andrew asked, worried his question had hurt her and that she was now wandering around by herself with the Whisperers still at large.
Gripping the hilt of his dagger, Godlin lowered his head. “She will be, but you might as well hear what happened. All of this began about five or six years ago when several new Keepers joined. The originals were only Bringer, Aerion, Venom, and myself. The four of us are about two hundred years old.”
Stone of Power (Keepers of Earth Book 1) Page 5