Marked in Shadow's Keep

by LJ Andrews

  I hugged her quickly. “I will. Mom, I’m sorry I made you worry.”

  “Yes, well, we’ll forget about it now. But you still owe me a date with Cary Grant and a sleepover.”

  She pulled back, finally smiling. She patted Finn’s shoulder, offering a final thank you before stepping out of the apartment.

  I collapsed into the loveseat, with a long drawn out breath. “What am I going to do about my family? They’re bound to notice I’m missing if I just take off all the time.”

  Finn sauntered over and sat beside me. I marveled at how clean and fresh he still appeared. I had taken two showers and looked like a mess. His hair was perfectly set, and his skin still had the perfect tint which seemed to glow.

  “I don’t understand why you need to explain where you are going? Figuring out what is happening with the imps is more important, isn’t it?”

  “It’s called being considerate, Finn. I don’t live at my mom’s house anymore, but my family still wants to know I’m safe.”

  “I don’t understand the way your family works, Laney.” I couldn’t help but like hearing him say my name. “My parents subscribe to Ama and if I told them what was happening, they would do nothing to stand between me and what I’m trying to do. Do you want me to explain everything to your mother?”

  I shook my head and rubbed the tension building in my brow. I didn’t relish the thought of lying, but there was no way I could explain this to Mom and Tyler. Especially if they hadn’t seen it for themselves.

  “No, I don’t want to bring them into this. I’m not sure they would believe me anyway. I’ll think of something. We should probably get back to Clement now,” I said, pulling my hair back with an elastic I’d placed on my wrist.

  Finn tossed the movie case back onto the shelf and nodded. “Yes, he should have some answers for us on why the imps attacked.”

  I gathered my bag and slung it over my shoulder. My stomach dropped in a tumultuous wave when Finn wrapped his warm hand around my wrist. His eyes flickered in brilliant, deep sapphire blue and swirls of dark ebony as he watched me intently. Finn had a hypnotic way about him, and he was completely unaware of his power. A lump formed in my throat as I considered the unjust attraction I was developing, when I knew in my heart he would never feel the same. It wasn’t in his sights, as he had aptly pointed out.

  “I want to assure you I will do all I can to protect your family from this situation. I commend you for defending them, it is something I would do for those in Tala. You are showing me how those on this realm are very similar to us in many ways.”

  I smiled, ignoring the thumping of my heart as it quickened when he gently released my wrist. “I’m glad I could be of service.”

  Finn opened the door for me, his eyes drifting to the side. “I have to admit, the way your mother was so angry because she was worried about you made me a little envious, which is strange because I’ve never been envious of this realm,” he added quickly. “But it did cause me to want someone to worry like that for me. My parents care for me, very much. But when I told them I was granted access to cross realms, they both seemed relieved. Almost as if it were my chance to prove I could be powerful like the other Talans. They weren’t concerned whether I would be safe or not.”

  I frowned and moved slightly closer. “I’m sure they weren’t worried simply because they believe you can do this.”

  He scoffed as we shuffled down the hallway. “That is a nice thought, but the words my father said make it more probable I am right. I was just trying to compliment you that it seems as if you have a nice family.”

  “I do. And I’m sure you do too, Finn. We just come from different worlds.”

  As the elevator door opened, his eyes sharpened when he met mine. “We do indeed. But, at the same moment, sometimes I feel we’re the same.”

  My breathing slowed as he studied me further. I tried to respond, but no words would form in my mouth. Finn turned away, but I thought for a moment I saw him lean in as if he wanted to say something more before deciding against it completely.

  *

  Clement was clinging to a heavy book when we came back to his apartment. It looked like a semi-truck had plowed through the living area. The coffee table was broken in two, papers were coated in splattered blood, and the window was shattered, with shards of glass strewn along the tattered carpet.

  I covered my mouth as the rotting smell of flesh burned my throat. I closed the door to Clement’s bedroom. Glancing at Justin’s scaly feet still sticking out from the doorway, I could see his black skin had turned a sickly gray color. The smell was overwhelming, but once the door was closed it eased slightly since the window was filling the apartment with fresh air.

  “Would you like us to start cleaning up?” I asked, when Clement didn’t even turn around.

  His eyes were wide, and his hair was messy from the battle. “You’re back,” he exclaimed in a raspy voice. “What took you so long?”

  Finn opened his mouth preparing to explain, but Clement quickly erased the question with a wave of his hand. “Never mind, sit down.” He waved the black bound book in front of his face as Finn and I cautiously lowered on to the futon.

  “What have you found?” Finn asked.

  Clement’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I know how to stop the imps.”

  Chapter 15

  Clement slammed the book closed and leaned forward on his elbows. “You must return to Tala and enter the Wander.”

  He said the words to both of us, but Finn was the one who reacted. “That’s impossible, Clement,” he argued, bursting to his feet. “We can’t just waltz into the Wander; we’ll be lost—possibly forever.”

  “It is the only way,” Clement huffed. “And you won’t be lost, not with her.”

  I jumped slightly when Clement pointed to me. “Me? How could I help?” I blubbered, feeling a wave of fear wash over me as I imagined venturing into the one place which frightened Finn.

  “You are the answer to it all!” he exclaimed. “I’ve been reading through anything that would come close to a human marked by Ama. There are only theories of what the consequences might be, but I know you are strong enough to control the Wander enough and seal the imps inside.”

  “I…I don’t have any power. I’ve never had a power,” I argued.

  Finn sat next to me, close enough to cause my heart to hammer. I tried to fight the effect he had on me, but as he leaned closer, his eyes were soft and filled with concern. I couldn’t deny the force pulling me toward him.

  “I think what Clement is saying,” he began in a soft voice, “is you have a power inside of you that maybe you don’t even know is there.”

  “I’m right about this Laney,” Clement chimed in. “It makes sense. Why else would the imps want you for their own? Because you are the only person who can destroy them. Only you are strong enough to control the dark energy of the Wander. The elders have the power to open its doors, but to step inside would be suicide. For you, with the powerful energy inside, you could bend the darkness to do your bidding.”

  “But you don’t know for certain,” I concluded.

  Clement’s lips puckered and he took his glasses off his nose. “No. This—you—have never happened. But you won’t be alone. There is another who agrees with me, Jacque the elder.”

  Finn’s eyes widened. “You spoke with Jacque? How?”

  Clement glared from the corner of his eye. “Because you know I was once an elder, and that bond is not easily broken, even after what I did.”

  Finn was silent, but turned to me with his mouth wide. I had a sense this was big deal, to involve this particular elder.

  “You never said you were an elder,” I whimpered, feeling a heap of guilt for all Clement had given up for saving me as a child.

  He sighed, smiling kindly. “Only an elder could have done what I did. I was removed, but not forgotten. Jacque left me a way to contact him if I ever needed to bring anything to his attention. I’d say this qua
lifies. And he believes she will be able to accomplish this too.”

  Finn looked at me, his lips turned down as he considered what Clement was saying. “But how can she make it through the Wander, Clement? She is still mortal.” He paused, his jaw clenching as if he were weighing his words. “The pull of the Wander will be too strong.”

  “You don’t know that Finn, no one does,” Clement argued.

  Finn scowled and faced me. “Laney, you know the Wander is where we take the creatures who fight against Ama, Tala and the human realm. It is impenetrable and has the ability to trap even the strongest dark energy, but once opened it has the potential to annihilate all power. Even light energy.”

  I shot to my feet shaking my head. “Oh, no. No way. I won’t go in there.”

  “It is the best shot we have, Laney,” Clement pleaded with me. “Go, speak with Jacque, perhaps he can shed his wisdom. And Finn will be there, so will others, to protect you.”

  I grabbed the sides of my head, feeling as if I might burst from the burden placed upon my back. “How can you be certain Finn will be okay? I can tell the Wander frightens you,” I said to him over my shoulder. “I can’t do it if there’s a chance he will be trapped there too.”

  “Laney, why are you concerning yourself with my wellbeing when there is so much at stake?” Finn asked.

  I whirled around, my eyes blazing. “Because that is what people do when they’re worried about others they care about.”

  Finn seemed taken back at my outburst, and for a moment I thought I saw a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. I couldn’t worry about him knowing I cared. There was a chance he was going lose himself in the Wander over something I caused. Brazenly, I clasped his hand and stared at him furiously. “I don’t want you to be trapped there either, Finn. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself, since I caused this in the first place.”

  His forehead furrowed as he studied my face. His expression gave way to his inner confusion, as if Finn were feeling emotions he couldn’t put into words. If he was experiencing half the spectrum of feelings I was, there were bound to be sentiments I was certain he truly hadn’t experienced living in Tala.

  Slowly, Finn pulled his eyes from mine and spoke just above a whisper to Clement. “Is there truly a way to open the Wander safely?”

  “Go and speak with Jacque,” Clement repeated. “He will help you.”

  “I don’t know, Clement,” Finn continued. “Maybe this is something we should allow the elders to handle.”

  “Really, Finn? The word of an exiled Talan and one who can’t embrace his complete energy wouldn’t make it far with the council. But with Jacque’s help, perhaps they will listen. And consider how half the council feels about Laney,” Clement pressed with a hint of anger. “Despite her lack of importance until now, you know half the elders want to wipe her energy completely.”

  “This wasn’t her fault, any of it! She didn’t ask to be marked, and she certainly didn’t ask to be the target of the imps!” Finn shouted defensively.

  I had opened my mouth to defend myself, but sat back in surprise when he’d jumped at the chance.

  Clement held up his hands as if surrendering. “It doesn’t matter what the truth is Finn. The council will be looking for someone to blame if Ama is attacked at her core, and she will be their first pick. But, if you were the ones responsible for healing the damage, and destroying the problem—imagine how you would be rewarded.”

  Finn’s jaw locked, and he huffed in frustration. I looked down, realizing I was still clutching his hand, but he didn’t seem to mind, especially when he squeezed mine tighter.

  Clement’s light eyes softened and he smiled kindly in my direction. “Laney, you can do this. Together you will make it out safely. You will be responsible for saving many lives, including your family.”

  I felt a sharp pang in my chest as I thought of Mom and Tyler. They had no idea what was happening, but if what Clement said was true it was only a matter of time before the imps spread their darkness even further into our realm. I swallowed my fear and searched my heart for any shred of bravery. I was not someone who ran toward danger, but as I pondered Clement’s words I knew I couldn’t turn from this. Something inside swelled with a burning desire, convincing me this was what I was meant to do. Maybe Finn was right, perhaps this Ama was reaching out to me, because I couldn’t run away from this, not even if I tried.

  I cleared my throat bringing both men’s attention to me. “I am willing to try,” I relented, slowly lifting my eyes to Finn.

  His face was blank, but finally he agreed with a short, chipped response.

  Clement clapped his hands together. “All right. I will send word to Jacque. Take this night, Laney, to rest and prepare. Tomorrow you will go to Tala.”

  Chapter 16

  Finn pulled up in front of my mom’s house. The autumn days were shorter, and the twilight sky caused the house to seem even more comforting than usual. Tyler’s light was on upstairs, and I could see my mom through the window sitting in her favorite oversized chair reading. I fought back the brimming tears as I wondered if I would ever see them again. I would miss Tyler’s annoying whine whenever I ruffled his hair and mom’s tender hugs; she always made me feel as if I were the most important person. Right now, all I wanted was to pound the keys on the piano sitting next to her chair. Mom loved to listen to me play. She would sit in her chair, sipping herbal tea, and close her eyes as she drifted away in thought.

  As if sensing my hesitation, Finn touched my shoulder gently. “Is everything all right?”

  I wiped my eyes and offered a forced, watery smile. “I’m fine. I just really don’t want anything to happen to them.”

  “They will be protected. It is we who will be facing danger.”

  I scoffed, knowing Finn was trying to make me feel better, but how could I explain the thought of not returning to them was what I feared most?

  “I’ll be back soon,” he said as I stepped out of the car.

  “I shouldn’t be too long,” I replied.

  The frigid air nipped at my exposed skin, and I rushed across the lawn, desperate to get out of the cold. I walked in, breathing in the smell of homemade rolls. Mom loved baking bread, and her rolls were so delicate the bread practically fell apart in my mouth.

  “Laney?” Mom called from the living room. “Is that you?”

  I peeked around the corner, trying to smile although inside I was a raging storm of fear and emotion. “Hi, I just wanted to stop by.”

  Mom smiled, closing her book. “I’m glad you did. I’ve been thinking about you all day.” She patted the cushion on the matching sofa next to her. I quickly curled up, folding my legs beneath me, as Mom studied my face. “I feel like there’s something you aren’t telling me, Lane. Are you sure nothing happened with Justin I need to know about? If he hurt you in any way, I don’t think we should stay quiet about it.”

  “Mom, he didn’t do anything like that, I promise. He was just being a jerk, and I asked Finn to take me home,” I said, feeling guilt rise in my chest as I lied.

  She pursed her lips, but relaxed against the chair cushion. “He seemed like such a nice guy,” she sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you liked him, but at least you caught a glimpse of his true colors before you actually fell in love or something.”

  I dug my fingers along the trim of the sofa, silently agreeing. “I got a glimpse of his true colors, that’s for sure,” I said, remembering the disgusting creature cornering me in Clement’s bathroom.

  “Well, at least your friend was there. He’s kind of the epitome of tall, dark and handsome, isn’t he?” she gushed.

  It brought a smile to my face. “Finn is a decent guy. And yes, he’s handsome, though I don’t think he smiles quite enough.”

  Mom laughed. I loved her laugh. “Now that you mention it, he was quite serious.”

  Mom and I talked for a while. I loved escaping for a moment, laughing and gossiping at nothing of importance. Even Tyler crept downstairs
and sat with us for several minutes before slinking away when his cell phone buzzed with a picture of a blonde girl who looked too young to be calling boys.

  “Tyler,” Mom called after him. “Gentlemen don’t keep fifteen-year-old girls talking past nine. Just something to think about.”

  I laughed when my brother’s embarrassed tone huffed ‘mom’ down the stairs.

  “I don’t know who I’m going to embarrass when that boy turns eighteen,” she said. “I guess I’ll just have to look forward to grandchildren.”

  “Well don’t expect any in your Christmas stocking,” I teased.

  We settled into a calm silence. It had been nearly an hour, and I knew Finn would be coming back to get me. I told myself lying was for their benefit. I would never be able to explain the truth, and what if Finn and I failed? The more Mom and Tyler knew, the more dangerous it might be for them. The imps knew where they lived; they could retaliate against me by going after my family.

  I shifted in the cushion, swiveling my body toward my mom. “So, Dale is sending two tellers to a management conference in Boston since he can’t make it, and he asked if I would be one. I think it could help me get promoted to loan officer or something. I just wanted to let you know I’m going out of town for a few days.”

  Mom’s brow furrowed. “Really? That’s never happened before, do you want to stay with the bank long enough to promote up to a more stressful position?”

  I fumbled with my fingers, nodding. “I enjoy working there, but I don’t want to be a teller forever. I think it will be good to go see some new options, and I wouldn’t mind getting away for a few days.”

  Mom twisted her hair around one finger, staring at the gleaming piano thoughtfully. “Well, I can’t really tell you not to go, if you think it’s a good idea. You’ll be with other people the whole time, right? I don’t like the thought of you being alone in Boston.”

  I slowly nodded. “Yes, other tellers and the upper management will be at the conference. I don’t plan on wandering much. It’s just for a few days,” I assured her, hoping that part was true.