The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) (15 page)

We ran into the darkness, past our drive to Bragg Road to see what we could see. I hated to involve Mom about taking a car, but I might convince Granny, if necessary. We would only go about a mile or so. As we started out into the miles of road, there was a light approaching ahead. We could see it was a four-wheeler, and the closer it got we knew it had to be one of our guys. We waved him down, and as he passed us, I saw it wasn’t one of our guys at all. It was Kevin Hilliard.

I grabbed my phone and pressed the button for Talon. As soon as he picked up on his end, Kevin turned around. We started to walk faster, away from him, our walk speeding into a jog that eventually became a run. I had to watch my speed so Holly could keep up, and she did pretty well, considering.

“This call better be coming from the comfort of—” Talon didn’t have time to finish his sentence.

“Talon, we’re on the road close to the house. Come quick!” I hung up and crammed the phone in my pocket.

“Let’s run!” Holly urged, taking my bottle for a swig. I realized we were further from my house than I thought. Suddenly the cruddy water wasn’t so bad in comparison to Kevin Hilliard. Sure, we could outrun him, but he’d catch us eventually, and this time he was alone—I could take him again like I had before. But Holly urged on: “Let’s hide, Lily!” She was scared out of her mind and hesitant to take the Waters. She clutched the bottle, hoping she wouldn’t have to use it. I concentrated for the Light to stay away as we ran off into the thick brush on the side of the road and squatted. Kevin stopped and looked around for us, then took out his cell phone.

“I think I found the witch,” we heard him say, and then he got quiet. “She’s not alone. Holly Conner’s with her. They ran out into the trees. I will.” He turned his attention back to me. “Come on out, Lily! You wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to your boy Owen. French is gonna hurt him
real
bad if I don’t bring you out to see him.” He squatted down for a second, as if to get a better look into the brush. He stood and tucked his phone down into his pocket. His pockmarked face was grim, and he stood tense and fidgety, growing impatient and getting angrier every second we stayed hidden. Then his posture changed and straightened, smirking in the same snarky way he had the night he attacked me. “Now, you‘re not still mad at me, are you, Little Flower?” He spoke loud and clear, his southern drawl thick, but not local.
Mad? No I’m furious,
I thought. Right as I was about to reveal myself, I heard Talon’s bike approaching, with Hunter on his tail. He skidded to a stop and dropped his bike.

Kevin darted to his four-wheeler, grabbed a bat off the back, and smiled. “I’m ready for you, Thomas. Bring it on!” He spit at Talon’s feet and took a batting stance.

Talon stepped away toward the tree line, to a large branch that had fallen. It was big and club-like, but before he could pick it up, Kevin swung his bat at him. Talon caught it and snapped it in half, then threw it at Kevin’s feet. His chest heaved as he postured over him.

Kevin ran for his four-wheeler. He jumped on and punched it towards Talon as he picked up the branch and swung around. The branch caught Kevin right in the face, and he flew from his bike, landing flat on his back in the dirt. The ATV kept going a second, till it steered itself off the road and hit a tree. It all happened to so fast, I could barely process what was happening. But then as quickly as it all happened, everything stopped.

We all froze. Seconds stretched into what seemed like minutes, until Hunter ran over to check him out, and we stepped out of the woods. “He’s dead, Talon,” Hunter said, his voice weak. I gasped and ran to Talon, but he pushed me away.

“What are you doing? You should be at home!” The anger in his tone was frightening. He looked over to Hunter, who still leaned over Kevin’s lifeless body. Holly burst into tears. The next few seconds seemed like hours as we all took in the severity of the situation, realizing the consequences of what had happened. I looked at Kevin lying on the ground, hoping he would move. He was really fine, wasn’t he? He couldn’t be dead, could he? I was shocked at who spoke first, and what he said.

“We’ve got to do something,” Hunter said calmly. “We’ll make it look like an accident. He’s been drinking. I can smell it on him.”

“It
was
an accident!” Talon’s voice cracked as he choked back tears. “Well sort of—I didn’t mean to
kill
anyone!” He turned and looked at me accusingly. “I hope you’re happy!” I was so stunned I couldn’t speak. His message was loud and clear. If I had only stayed home, this wouldn’t have happened.

We stood there silent as Hunter picked up Kevin’s body and placed him at the edge of the woods, closer to his crashed four-wheeler. As he picked up the branch to place it by the body, I finally spoke.

“They have Owen. That’s why I left the house. I had to find him.” I choked back tears. Talon looked up at me, still angered.

“How do you know?” Shaken, Hunter took Holly into his arms, and she buried her tiny face in his chest.

“It’s true,” Holly began, looking up into his eyes, “Bobbie came to the house looking for him, so we came out here to find him, and then Kevin said French had him. He was supposed to bring Lily to him or he’d hurt him.” The words rushed out of her with fury, and after the last one left her lips, she broke down.

“They gotta be at the shack! It’s the only place we haven’t been yet. Let’s go!” Hunter threw the broken bat deep into the woods and ran to his four-wheeler, dragging Holly beside him. I ran to Talon’s bike and he followed, picked it up, and jumped on. “Get on,” he snapped. His eyes wouldn’t even meet mine.

“I’m sorry.” I gripped his waist tight and began to cry harder, tears soaking my cheeks. Sorry wasn’t ever gonna be enough.

WE RACED
OUT TO THE SHACK
, and sure enough, we could see them waiting as we approached. Talon stopped short of the clearing, still out of their view, and pushed at me to get off. Hunter did the same to Holly, making her follow me.

“Keep your ass in the woods, Lily,” he barked. Instead, we pushed along the shadowed tree line barely hidden, so we could get a clear view of Talon and Hunter pulling into the clearing to meet French, Dodie, and Coy. Sitting on the tailgate, watching with widened eyes, was Meagan. I realized that Owen was on the ground and once French turned, I noticed he was armed.

A black gun glinted in the headlights. That was why French was not afraid of me. He came prepared to have the upper hand. Talon and Hunter drove right into a trap, and I wasn’t sure that the strength and speed could get them out of this one. The Waters made us fast, but not “faster than a speeding bullet” fast.

“Where’s Kevin,” French demanded.

“We never saw him,” Hunter lied. He kept his tone casual.

“Where’s the witch?” French continued.

“Not sure who you mean,” Talon shrugged, trying to keep his cool. “However, Meagan’s right there. Maybe you meant her?” Meagan’s jaw dropped.

“You know who we want. I suggest you call her. Get her here now!” French pointed the gun at Owen. “And don’t try anything stupid.”

Talon shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t have a phone.”

“I’ll call her,” Meagan offered. Her wicked smile showed way too many teeth that glowed in the night. As soon as she opened her phone, I remembered that my phone was cut on. And sure enough, my ring tone—which Hunter changed to an evil laugh—sang out, giving me away. Talon rolled his eyes as everyone turned to look in my direction, not yet seeing me.

I told Holly to stay put. Then I stepped out of the darkness to the annoying sound of my phone, which stopped the moment Meagan saw me and hung up.

“Damn it,” Talon mumbled as he sent daggers my way.

French laughed. “Well, I figured the witch couldn’t be far. Why don’t you do that glow thing you do? Let everyone see you again. The others will be coming up the road soon, and I want them see you for what you are.” French walked closer to Owen, with the gun still pointing at him. “Do it!” he screamed. They’d all been drinking, and the faint smell of alcohol was wafting through the air off his breath.

I removed my hood and held out my hand, silently calling the Light to manifest itself there. It appeared, glowing brightly and more intense at the core. My skin lit softly and my hair came to life, flowing around me. I could see them all, frozen in fear and wonder. Meagan moved closer to Dodie.

“What are you, witch?” French yelled.

What a question. What was I? I really hadn’t figured myself out, yet. Winking at Owen, I answered, “Me? I’m the Light Keeper.” I sent the Light up out of my hand in a blazing spiral above us. As it went up, all eyes followed except for Owen’s, who had understood my cue.

He used the distraction to jump on French and wrestle him for the gun. I sent the Light back down to hold off Coy and Dodie, twisting around them until Talon and Hunter could respond. I noticed Meagan crawling into Dodie’s truck to hide. Then we heard it.

The gun fired.

The second I heard the shot, the Light disappeared and the shock set in. Both Owen and French were on the ground, and for the longest minute of my life, I waited until one of them moved. Owen got up and French lay there, bleeding profusely from his arm.

“Owen,” I cried, running to pull him to safety. Selfishly, all I cared about was that
he
was safe. I looked him over for blood, but the only red I saw turned out to be French’s blood on him. Relief rushed through me, along with panic and fear.

Dodie and Coy crowded around French, who was unconscious. “It went through his arm into his chest!” Dodie cried.

“He’s still breathing.” Coy looked at us. “Do something! Call for help!”

Meagan ran from the truck to watch. And just like that, we were no longer divided. We were just a bunch of helpless kids, scrambling for our next move. I glanced around at the panicked faces and tried to focus, then turned to French, and squatted at his side.

Dodie was pacing and ranting. “We’re going to be in so much trouble! I told French not to take the gun! Oh man! We’re done! I‘m on probation! I’m gonna get locked up!”

“Get a hold of yourself,” Talon snapped.

“We’ll help you. But you have to promise not to tell anyone what you saw,” Owen threatened. Dodie nodded, and Coy agreed, too.

“Owen, I don’t know…” I shook my head, knowing what he had in mind. We could only
try
to help him. There was no guarantee that we could heal this kind of damage with the Water alone. Then there were the side effects and exposure. What if they
did
tell? I shuddered to think.

“How can you help? Anything!” Coy screamed, ripping out his shoelace, attempting to make a tourniquet for French’s arm.

“French was right. Lily’s a witch!” Owen glanced to Hunter and Talon, who agreed right away. “She can do her magic and heal him. Here.” He took my bottle. “Let’s give him a little water, give him some space, and then Lily can
try
to save him.” He tilted the Water to French’s lips and forced it in him. He instinctively drank, and when he began to cough on the grit, Owen pulled it away. “Here Lily, now you come say your spells.” He grabbed my sweaty hand and pulled me toward him. The show was on.

I stretched out my hand over French’s still body. Lucky for him, the blood wasn’t flowing as fast as before. Once the Light was in my hand again, I felt the strange, electric vibe of the glow from my skin, and my hair came to life. I waved the Light back and forth across the length of his body, as if performing some sort of ritual, and then I motioned for Owen to give him some more Water.

“There may be some side effects from the magic. I gave him strength with his healing, so he may be very strong for a few days. The magic will wear off in time.” I looked at Talon, who nodded as if I’d done well.

I had to give them some explanation. I wasn’t happy with Owen putting me in this situation, naming me a witch and putting someone’s life in my hands, but we knew we had to help. We couldn’t take the chance of having the police involved, especially with Kevin’s lifeless body down the road and a gun here with us. It was really good thinking on Owen’s part. As long as they thought it was me performing some sort of magic, they’d never suspect the real reason for the Light, or try to come looking for the source of the Water. I was protecting us all.

“We’ve got to get that bullet out,” Owen said, crouching at his side. I knelt down and looked. “It could heal around it. That won’t be good. Luckily, it doesn’t look all that deep.”

“You mean we have to dig it out?” Dodie’s eyes widened. Coy was beside him, turning pale from the blood.

“No wait, look,” I said. The healing had begun and the bullet was slowly surfacing. As soon as it pushed all the way out, Coy grabbed it and gripped it tight in his fist, the blood on it squeezing around two of his fingers. They were amazed. French gasped and started to jerk around nervously after gaining enough strength to comprehend what was happening. My glowing next to him must have freaked him out. He started to rise up, but I pushed him down. “You’re going to be okay,” I spoke softly.

“You’re killing me!” His voice was cracking with fear and tears started to form in his eyes.

“No,” Coy promised. “She’s
healing
you!” He held up the bullet into his view.

“Lay still, Cuz.” Dodie wiped his cousin’s forehead and continued to watch in amazement as the skin on his arm slowly finished closing.

I sent the Light away, returning to normal. “We really need to get out of here,” I suggested to Talon. “
All
of us.” The crowd up the road had most likely hit their midway mark by now. Once they got started again, it would only be a short time till they found Kevin’s body.

Owen turned to Coy and Dodie. “He should be all right now. You need to take him home and let him rest. Don‘t let anyone see you leave—take the other exit,” Owen suggested. “Meagan has my number, so she can call my cell if you need anything.
Don’t
go to the hospital, and remember, tell no one!”

French stood up and took a deep breath. “I feel good, pumped,” he said, raising up on the balls of his feet and bouncing. “I feel like I could run home!” He smiled at his cousins, then turned to me. “Thanks,” he shrugged. “I’m sorry I brought the gun, it was stupid.” He glanced at Owen, as if to apologize.

“Stay off our road,” Owen warned. “Next time, I let you die.”

“And keep your mouth shut. You don’t want to see what else she can do,” Hunter warned, cracking his knuckles. He wished he could have a crack at him one on one. Hunter would surely come out on top, which was why French always needed his back-up.

“No problem.” He shrugged once more, stumbled to his Jeep, and slammed the door a little too hard behind him.

“Let’s hope that’s the last time we have to deal with them,” Holly finally spoke.

“I somehow have a feeling it’s not,” Owen said as we watched them drive away, turning the opposite way of Kevin and the hay ride.

I jumped on the bike with Talon as Owen rode his four-wheeler over to us. “I thought for sure Kevin was gonna bring you to us. When he called and said he found you, my heart sank! Guess he chickened out, huh?” He grabbed his chest and smiled, still breathing heavily from the close call.

Talon put his head down. “Kevin’s dead,” he said. Owen looked around to see our reactions.

“What? Oh man, really?” He frowned. “How do you know?”

“I killed him,” Talon answered bluntly, his voice steeped with regret and pain, and then he drove away. I looked back at Owen, who sat there, shocked. Then he caught up with us as we sped home.

We didn’t see the trail riders anywhere. They must not have even found Kevin yet. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that he was dead, and I knew feeling that way was seriously messed up. It could have easily been one of us. If Talon had not grabbed that branch to protect himself, he could have been hurt or killed. As I relived the last few seconds of Kevin’s life, I felt a cold chill on the back of my neck.

Talon came to a stop, and I hopped off the bike. I stood there with Owen, Hunter, and Holly, waiting on a reaction. I could tell by his pained expression that his emotions were tearing him up inside. We were all shaken.

I reached out to grab his shoulders and hug him, but instead he grabbed mine and held me back. “You should’ve stayed at home!” Tears flowed from his eyes as anger and anguish rushed from him like a tidal wave. “You should’ve done what I said!” He screamed in my face and shook me hard, not realizing his own strength.

“Stop it!” Owen pulled me away and tucked me protectively behind him. “You’re dosed, you’ll hurt her!” In a normal world he would have, or could have, but this was Bragg, and I was dosed too.

“It’s your fault, too! If you’d cared more about defending our circle instead of being with your girlfriend, they wouldn’t have taken you!” Talon spit.

“That’s easy for you. Your girlfriend
is
part of the circle! And I have nobody!” Owen was still holding me behind him, out of Talon‘s reach.

“Really? You have nobody, huh? You have no clue!” He cut his gaze to me and walked towards home. I started to follow, but Owen grabbed my wrist and held tight.

“Give him time to cool off, Lily,” Hunter said. “Someone just died. He’s got to be freaking out. I know I am.”

“How did it happen?” Owen asked Hunter.

“He got Kevin in the face with a tree limb while protecting himself and the rest of us. It was an accident—self-defense. Kevin ran into that branch trying to run Talon over.”

“Oh man! Do you think the police will buy that? He could get put away for a long time!” Owen’s eyes widened. He wouldn’t want that any more than I.

“I made it look like an accident. I think they’ll buy it. He was drunk.” Hunter stared at his feet. “They’ll think he ran into a tree. We have to protect ourselves. We were
never
there.”

“What about French? Will he suspect one of us?” Holly asked. “He got a call from Kevin that he was with us.”

“Yeah, but we say he rode away to go find French,
if
anyone even asks.” I looked around, not sure what they were thinking. Not sure what they were all thinking about Talon, I felt like I had to protect him, defend him.

“He was going to hurt me. He tried to hurt Talon. He had attacked me before; he was a horrible person!” I regretted the words the minute I said them. It wouldn’t make things better. He was still young, like us, and no life should ever be cut so short. It was the reason we saved French. We’d have saved Kevin, too, if we had had that choice—we weren’t the bad guys. If we got the police involved, Talon could be in serious trouble.
This wasn’t his fault; he doesn’t deserve that.
I was trying to convince myself, but wrong is wrong. These were decisions we’d have to live with for a very long time.

I walked towards the house, and Owen came after me. “Let me walk you in.” He took my hand, but I pulled away.

“Give me some time alone. I won’t go to Talon, not tonight. I know he needs time. I’ll be fine, really.” I gave him a hug, and as I pulled him into my arms and felt his warmth, I understood I had almost lost him. All that really mattered was that he was okay; that we were all okay. Weren’t we?

I swore at that moment that I would no longer take the Waters. It was too dangerous, and we didn’t know our own strength; too many accidents could happen. I was also going to try and avoid the Light, and definitely the visions. I wasn’t sure it was even possible, but I was gonna try my hardest. I’ve never wished so hard in my life to be normal.

* * *

I tried to sleep. Holly tossed and turned for hours and finally, around four-thirty, gave out. I couldn’t help thinking about everything that had happened, especially with Kevin. Talon would never forgive himself.

I wondered if anyone would find out. Hopefully Hunter covered his tracks well enough. But then, what if Hunter got in trouble? I remembered the way Hunter jumped into action, taking care of the scene and protecting Talon, committing his own crime in the process. What if I was exposed, and the world found out about me? I felt sick thinking of the possibilities; my stomach was twisted in knots.