The Chronicles of Kerrigan Box Set Books # 1 - 6: Paranormal Fantasy Young Adult/New Adult Romance

by W. J. May

  “Carter.”

  “Stop Carter?” Can I sound any more like a parrot?

  Kraigan shook his head, his frustration with her lack of understanding evident. “No! I meant, there’s a way to stop his tatù from digging inside your head, into your past.”

  Rae blinked in surprise. There is? How does he know?

  “Did you also know he can dig into your past by touching you and you won’t know it?”

  “What?” Rae’s heart set off at a galloping rhythm. “That’s impossible.” Oh crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! All the seemingly random times Carter had touched her shoulder or arm came flooding back. If true, this news was truly catastrophic. “That just can’t be true.”

  “Why? Because you think he’ll share everything with you? He’s just like the rest of them. They’re only after one thing, and trust me, it’s not you.” He grunted. “They want to be the hero who finally defeats Simon Kerrigan’s legacy, for good. How do you think he found me?”

  The revelation was mind-blowing. The first time Carter had touched her, she saw everything he saw. She knew what he had discovered. Could he have touched her again and figured out her secret relationship with Devon? Nah, he’d have forced us apart, told the dean or even the Privy Council, right? Or maybe he had his own reasons and methods for accomplishing his goals. “How do you stop it? Stop him?”

  Kraigan grinned slyly. “Got some skeletons in the closet you don’t want to share, Kerrigan?”

  Rae played with a slightly lose string on the hem of her coat. Lie. Better safe than sorry. “Not really,” she said shrugging. “Just figure some memories are my business, not Carter’s, the schools, or the Privy Councils.”

  “Kudos. I totally get it.”

  “Has Carter used his tatù on you?”

  “A couple of times. First time was when he met me at the orphanage. When we were alone he showed me what he could do.”

  “So how do you know he can do it without you knowing?”

  “Cause another time he talked to me about stuff he shouldn’t know about. Like a silly time I got in trouble from the sisters. When he had touched me the first time, that had not been one of the memories he went through, and I’d never told anyone about the incident. I put two and two together after that.” He shrugged. “I felt invaded, you know? So, I figured a way to block certain things he didn’t need to know.” He tilted his head to the side. “Haven’t you ever tried his tatù?”

  “Of cour – wait, no…” She thought about it. “Last year I figured Carter had it in for me. I didn’t check him off as the good guy till the end of the year. The way he acted made me never want to try his tatù. He played the bad guy to protect me and I…I guess I forgot I even had his tatù.”

  Kraigan stopped walking and held his arm out. “Try it on me. Look for something easy. He stared off into the distance. “See if you can see what I had for breakfast.”

  Rae hesitated. “I’m not sure I can even bring the tatù power out.” Should she tell him that she went off their hums and inner feelings to find what she needed? Some came easy without thinking, but others she had to search through and try to remember how they worked. “I don’t know how to use it.” I could pick up his tatù though and add it to the collection.

  “Whatever.” He dropped his arm. “You just need to know how to block him. This is what I did: think of a memory you don’t want him to know. Go through the memory and then use something imaginary like a filing cabinet or a room with a door. Something to store it in safely. You own the memory and if you can build a wall around it, you can stop him – or anyone – from seeing it.”

  Wow. That’s something really big to share. “You’re sure?”

  “Positive.” He grinned. “One day you’ll thank me for it.”

  “Bugger.” He might not be too bad.

  He reached inside his pocket and pulled out his cell. “Shit. I gotta go.” He started texting, not bothering to look at her as he began walking away. “I’ll see you around tomorrow.”

  And good-bye to you too. Rae watched his retreating back. Happy freakin’ birthday, Rae. She thought about Carter’s tatù. She definitely needed to figure out how much he knew and learn how to block him. And other tatùs with similar abilities. She wrapped her coat tighter around her and quickened her pace back to her dorm room, deep in thought as she brought up memories and carefully hid them in a safe that needed a four-digit PIN. She would use eleven-thirteen -- her real birthdate.

  Devon didn’t come back in a week as he had promised. Work for the Privy Council kept him away longer than expected. Rae went from plain lonely to desolate. The days crawled by at a snail’s pace. She hung out with her friends, smiled and commented when necessary, but her thoughts were constantly on Devon’s safety and worry about whether or not his absence had something to do with his father, the dean. To her relief, he e-mailed ten days later and apologized for not contacting her sooner. He was coming home soon, but there were issues that needed taking care of first.

  Her fake birthday came and went. Seventeen didn’t seem as big as a deal after receiving her tatù the previous year. Trying to keep busy, Rae asked Molly to go Christmas shopping.

  “Reece and I are getting pretty serious.” Molly chatted as they strolled through the downtown festively-lit streets, past shops decorated for Christmas. “I think he’s the one.”

  Rae stopped and reached for Molly’s arm. “How do you know?”

  “Know what?” Molly raised her eyebrows, and went back to sipping her hot chocolate.

  “Know he’s the one.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She shrugged.” I just can’t imagine being with anyone else. I know I’m young but he makes me feel like his moon rises and sets because of me.”

  Rae laughed, half-heartedly and corrected her. “You mean his sun. His sun rises and sets.” Her heart ached at her friend’s words. She thought of Devon, and believed her sun rose and set because of him.

  Molly giggled. “I know I can be a bit of a chatterbox, but he doesn’t mind. He’s the first guy I’ve ever been around who hasn’t told me to be quiet.”

  “That is something.” Rae pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

  “I made the moon-thing up. I should write it down so I can remember to say it to Reece tomorrow night over dinner.” She tossed her empty cup into a trash can. “I can’t believe you and I are flying out on Sunday to spend Christmas in New York. I can’t wait for the Boxing Day sales.”

  Rae held the door open as they headed into George Henry Lees, deciding to leave the moon versus sun thing alone. However, American holidays and sales, now that needed correcting, or Molly would be disappointed. “There’ll be sales, but as I told you before, there’s no Boxing Day in America.” Rae hit the button for the elevator. When they stepped in, she pressed the floor for sporting goods.

  Molly grimaced. “Tell me again why you want to buy something for Devon and Julian? Dev’s just your tutor, and he’s hardly been around this term to help you.”

  “I just thought it’d be nice,” Rae said. “Julian’s a good friend as well. They both are.” She fidgeted with the button to close the lift door faster.

  “It’s nothing more?” Molly dropped her head to meet Rae’s downcast eyes. “You and Devon seem pretty close after last year. You couldn’t miss the connection between you and him at the dance. Plus, you tend to talk about him.” Molly puckered her face. “Devon says this—and Devon says that—” She grinned.

  Rae blinked and thought furiously. Should I tell her? She really wanted to. But if Molly gets in trouble for knowing, or worse, kicked out—what if she got mad at me for liking him? Or not telling her sooner? But don’t I need to tell her eventually? She’s my best friend! But—would telling her be more selfish than not telling her? “He helped me through a lot last year. Especially when I knew nothing about our tatùs. Or anything about my father. I mean, I knew him as my dad but had no idea about all these awful plans and bad stuff. Devon explained things which no one wanted to t
alk about. It helped, especially when people treated me like an evil outsider and I had no real understanding of why. “ She shrugged. She meant everything she said. Part of her hoped Molly would read further into and ask. If she does, I’ll tell her. I won’t have a choice. “He’s been a good friend.”

  Molly harrumphed. “Mark my words, that boy like-likes you. He’s got the hots for you.” Molly stared and frowned at the floor numbers above the door. “This lift is ancient. It’ll be New Year’s Eve by the time we get to sporting goods. We should’ve taken the stairs.” She began tapping one of her expensive dress shoes against the floor, the sound reverberating against the lift’s walls.

  Guess that’s the end of that discussion. Rae sighed, not sure if she was glad or frustrated. Molly had opened the door with her comment about Devon having feelings for her, but at the same time, Rae felt totally incapable of simply coming out and telling Molly, and Molly seemed to be happy to let the subject drop for now. Another time then. “I thought you said you hated physical activity?” She laughed at Molly’s cross expression.

  “I do.” Molly crossed her arms over her chest. “Which is why, for once, I’m not going to be much help with your shopping.” She rolled her eyes, and then a sly grin snuck onto her face. “Well, there is one physical activity I do like. If that was considered a sport I’d—”

  “Please, don’t go there, Molls.” Rae closed her eyes, trying to erase the nasty pictures forming in her head.

  Molly leaned close, not speaking until Rae opened her eyes again. “If I was you, and you were me, I’d be asking you hundreds of questions. You’re not even remotely curious about what it’s like?” She stared intently at Rae’s face. “You know. It’s a lot better if you’re prepared. I don’t mean prepared in the protection sense. I mean prepared in knowing what to expect—and what to do.” Molly tilted her head and gave her a knowing wink. “Shoot, you might as well try some stuff with ol’ Devon. I’m sure he’d be willing to tutor you in that department, too. You know what they say, practice makes perfect.”

  Rae held her hands up in mock surrender. “Enough!” Her face felt as red as Santa’s suit. “I’m not ready.” She had been taught to wait–preferably till she was married—for someone special, who she loved, felt safe with, trusted, and meant the world to. Aunt Linda said she would know, without having to question it, when she was ready. While she had her doubts about that, the embarrassment the subject caused her made it not worth the struggle with her self-conscious to continue. She mouthed a silent thank you when the ancient elevator door finally slid open. It took physical effort not to use a tatù to push the door open faster. Stepping onto the sporting goods’ floor, she knew where she wanted to go. Without checking to see if Molly followed, she headed for the fishing and hunting section.

  They walked down an aisle that displayed torches. Without Molly’s usual chatter, Rae stopped and glanced back. Did I hurt her feelings? Molly followed a bit further back, in her own little world, checking to make sure no one was in the aisle with them, and then using her tatù, flicked assorted lights on and off. She giggled when she flashed a large light directly in Rae’s eyes.

  Rae squinted and held an open hand close to her face, trying to block the brightness.

  “Sorry. I’ll be good.” Molly gave a mock salute.

  Rae struggled to keep a straight face. “You know I can get you back, right?”

  “You an’ pay backs! Okay, okay I’ll stop.” Molly dropped her head against the five lights Rae had levitated and turned on right above her. She rubbed her stomach. “Can we hurry up and pick something out so we can grab a chili pasty? I’m starving.”

  Rae bit back a retort. Just as a stranger appeared in their aisle, she grabbed the flashlights and set them on the nearest self, and then quickly walked to the glass counter in the next row. She dropped to her haunches to look through the case.

  Molly stepped beside her and glanced into the case. “You’re going to buy him a compass? You know he’s got a pretty good sense of direction from his tatù, right?”

  “I know. I’m not buying him one. I thought I might get him a cool army knife.” She shrugged. “Maybe that one there, the Swiss Army one.” She pointed to a special edition one, complete with a little leather case that could attach to a key chain.

  “Get it and let’s eat.”

  “You think it’ll make a good gift? Or should I buy him a jersey instead?” Lying in bed last night, the key chain knife had seemed like a good idea. She had even considered putting DR initials on the blade. He could tell people it meant doctor instead of Devon and Rae. Of course that’s only if he’s not avoiding me on purpose. Bless Molly, she stepped in and yanked Rae out of what could have become a deep pit of despair if she had kept thinking along that track.

  “Get it. You can get Julian a shirt. Isn’t he a big Liverpool Football fan? Last time I was in his car, he had some Ferry Cross the Mersey song playing and went into some spiel about the city of Liverpool. I saw loads of racks by the checkout.”

  Rae smiled. Devon liked LFC, not Julian. He supported Everton, which would make the LFC jersey the perfect gift for Julian. Time for payback. Maybe she would buy him the poster of Bill Shankly she had seen earlier. She made her purchases and they headed to Sayers for a pasty and sausage roll.

  When Rae got back to her dorm room, she checked her phone. She had left it in her dorm to charge. One call—Devon. She listened to the message several times, taking comfort in his voice.

  “Rae, it’s me, Dev. I’m in Land’s End right now. Julian and I are heading back tomorrow or the day after. I’ll get to see you before you fly out. Sorry for not calling sooner. We’ve been…busy. Look forward to seeing you. I—Uh—You can’t reach me on my cell. It’s best not to call. Um—See ya. Bye for now.”

  Land’s End? She glanced at the UK map above her desk and tapped a finger against her lip. A couple of weeks ago he was up in Scotland. She brought her finger to the map, tracing the two places he had called from. One looked to be the most southwestern point, and the other the most northern point. Hadn’t Carter said something about the four corners of the Britain? Oh yeah—It all came back to her in a rush, her father’s HOC plan, the brainwashing, the Machiavellian plot to steal all four pieces of the video and reassemble it. However, she wasn’t sure she could accept even that explanation. Dean Wardell’s demand still made her heart shrink with fear. What if this is all about staying away from me? He doesn’t want me to try calling. What if his father told him I’m off limits? It didn’t bear thinking about. Feeling overwhelmed by her isolation from Devon and the possibility that her relationship with him might be over, she had to forcefully shut off her emotions. It didn’t matter; she would see Devon before she flew home to New York. Hopefully, he’ll tell me everything’s fine.

  A few days later Rae hurried up the stairs to her room, trying to avoid Molly. She had just finished one of their final exams and, after two days of shopping with her best friend, she needed a break.

  She slowed her pace when she got closer to her dorm room. She paused when she saw the door slightly ajar. She could have sworn she had locked it before leaving for her exam. X-ray tatù—really need one. I should ask Carter about that, because it would really come in handy right about now. Quiet as she could manage, she gently pushed the door open with the palm of her hand and peered into the room.

  Exhaling a long breath, she relaxed when she realized that nothing appeared messed up or displaced inside. She hadn’t been robbed or spied on; she had probably just forgotten to lock the door.

  Shoving it open further, she stepped in and tossed her book bag on the bed. Hoping Molly wasn’t on her way up, Rae turned to shut the door with her foot and lock it. The shadow of someone half hidden behind the door showed on the floor. She swallowed, immediately sensing the hum of a tatù, but having no idea who was in her room. On guard, she thought back to the training she had been doing. They’re dead. Whoever they are.

  Ready to drag the intruder from beh
ind the door and throw them across the room, she sucked a sharp breath in when Devon stepped out from behind it. Finger held to his lips, eyes twinkling with mischief, he had never been a more welcome sight.

  “Don’t panic. It’s only me.” One step and he stood in front of her, wrapping his arms around her tightly and closing the door with his foot. “I sneaked in, wanting to surprise you.”

  Rae hugged him back, relief and excitement coursing through her veins. Then she pulled back from his hug and punched him hard on the shoulder. “You scared the crap out me!”

  He laughed. “Sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to.”

  “I could’ve killed you!” She stepped around him to bolt the lock. “How’d you get in?”

  Devon dropped down on the bed and grinned. “You don’t need a tatù to jimmy a lock, you know.”

  She settled beside him, too excited to have him back to care. “I missed you.” She rested her hands on his chest and bent over to kiss him. He tasted and smelled awesome.

  “Me, too,” he mumbled between kisses. He pulled his head back and grinned.

  Not sated from tasting his lips, Rae made a mental note to savor them later on. At the moment, she was ecstatic to have him back at Guilder. She leaned back on an elbow and rested her head in her hand, unable to take her eyes off Devon. “How was work?”

  “Interesting, challenging—and crazy.” He rolled his eyes. “What about you? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?” He slipped his hand underneath her free hand.

  Your father knows about us and threatened to keep us apart. I made a new friend and he told me in not so many words that Carter probably knows about our relationship. I almost told my best friend about us and still feel guilty that I didn’t. “Not really, just exams, shopping with Molly and being bored out of my mind.” She stared at the fennec fox tattoo on the inside of his forearm, tracing it lightly with her finger.

  Devon brought her chin up with a gentle hand. “What’s up? You’re avoiding something. I can tell.” He didn’t release her chin until she made eye contact with him.