Free Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane Page B

about Keegan’s secret, but she decided against it.
Ultimately it was Keegan’s secret to keep.
    ***
    Keegan had a date tonight. A first date with
a new boy in school. She had been surprised when Tom asked her out.
He seemed quite shy. Looking through her closet, she tried to find
an outfit that didn’t make it look like she had tried too hard. She
settled on a pair of skinny jeans and turquoise V-neck tee shirt.
They were only going bowling after all.
    Hearing the doorbell, she grabbed her sweater
and walked down the stairs.
    “I’ll see you guys later,” Keegan yelled
across the room.
    Her father yelled back, “Remember the number
one rule of dating.”
    Keegan rolled her eyes, “I’m not going to
walk out if he places his back to the door, dad. Not everyone
believes they need to be on high alert at all times.”
    Richard appeared from the living and walking
towards his daughter, he said, “If he’s not able or willing to
protect you, he is not worth your time.” He kissed her on the head.
“Have fun,” he said, “and don’t stay out too late.”
    He stared at the door after it closed. It was
hard to believe that she was so grown up. In his mind, he still
pictured her as a little girl with pig tails begging for a ride on
his shoulders. The memories brought a smile to his face.
    ***
    Rourk no longer had to wait for Keegan to
think his name. She was his responsibility now. He watched as a
truck pulled up and a tall guy with dark hair got out and went to
the door. Keegan came out looking happy and was beautiful, as
usual. The guy opened the door for her, and she grabbed his
shoulder to pull herself up. Rourk felt a pang of jealousy.
    Once they pulled out, he followed them at a
distance. Where were
they going, and who was this guy?
    Eventually they pulled into the bowling
alley. Rourk groaned. You have to be kidding me . He decided not to go in
and watched her from the outside, using his mind.
    As he watched her bowl, he laughed to himself
and thought she is a
terrible bowler . She barely hit any pins. She seemed to be
enjoying herself though, perhaps a little too much, and he saw her
touch her date’s arm a couple of times. The kid got a strike and
she hugged him. Rourk clenched his jaw. Noticing this, he made
himself relax.
    A couple of hours later, the kid drove Keegan
straight back to her house. Rourk watched him walk her to the door. Don’t do it .
The kid stood there awkwardly and then turned and waved goodbye as
he went back to his truck.
    Rourk needed to pull himself together. He
wasn’t sure if he would have been able to control himself had she
kissed him. He wondered briefly if the assignment was too much for
him. Richard wouldn’t have asked him to do it if it wasn’t
important. He needed to think of her as an assignment and nothing
more. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
    ***
    Thaddeus was beyond frustrated. He had been
working with his mother for weeks trying to shield his gift it
seemed impossible. They finally resigned that either he wasn’t old
enough or his sight was too strong to block. He had been getting
flashes of visions more often. The battle was rapidly approaching,
and he wasn’t sure they were going to be ready. Sometimes he
wondered what it would be like to have a normal mind without
constant visions.
    Thaddeus pushed his thoughts aside. He needed
to focus on Keegan; she had gotten stronger and faster. The
training had made a tremendous difference in her skills. He knew
better than to let his mind wander during a fight.
    Thaddeus pressed forward with his attack,
forcing Keegan backwards. He immediately lunged forward again, and
Keegan swiftly blocked his sword. In a quick burst, she pushed him
back several steps. With little effort, Thaddeus paired her strikes
and then went after her.
    They’d been sparring for over an hour. He
decided to end it now. He drove forward lifted his sword for the
final blow. Just as his sword was about to make contact she was
gone.