Keeper of the Lost Secrets

CHAPTER THIRTY: I Am Keefe's Bestie

A note for past Fitz: Don't take advice from Keefe.

Punishment had taken place in the form of scooping questionable substances, as Grady put it, on his sanctuary. Sophie wasn't aware that I was even here. Busy studying for Alchemy, Grady had said.

I donned my least favourite outfit, which was also a human one. Grady had looked at me funny when I appeared in it but said nothing. Edaline had come out and, after a few minutes of conversation, dragged her husband inside the house. Something about losing a teapot, she said.

I held a scoop in my hand and sucked in my breath, trying not to take in the scent. I understood why my father had wanted me to do this job. It was going to make me pass out. Lesson learnt, daddy-o.

I was knee deep (yes, literally), in the poop when a light flashed suddenly, just in my periphery. I looked around, eyes darting everywhere. What was it? I didn't know. The light had appeared too far away. And while elves didn't need corrective lenses, I would've paid for glasses right there just to see what it was.

I continued scooping. I decided that, if anyone dangerous was lurking these parts, Verdi poop was enough to scare them away. Just in case, I wielded a scoop. It was unlikely though. I reminded myself that elves were far too moral to engage in such petty crime. As entertaining as it was, it was for humans alone.

"Boo!" I voice said, right next to my ear. I didn't think. My reflexes kicked it, grabbing the scoop and flying it in the direction of the mystery person. They gasped and ducked, a figure just beyond my eyesight. I turned around and saw a very stunned Keefe.

"Hello to you too?" He laughed. "What was that Fitz? You're a real sasquatch. You have the poop to prove it."

I scoffed, bringing down my weapon and loading my sarcasm like a gun. "Ha, ha. You're hilarious. If nobility doesn't work out for you, find a career as a comedian in Atlantis, won't you?"

"Only if you'd be my partner in crime." He smirked.

"What crime would you possibly commit?" I snorted. "I mean, if making a fool of yourself was one, you'd be in exile already."

"Pranking the school is one thing. But pranking nobility in the streets of stuffy Atlantis? They'd name a new law after me!"

"Definitely normal dreams and aspirations to have, Keefe."

He rolled his eyes and flashed me a winning smile. "So, this is daddy's punishment, huh? Ah well, sounds like something Cassie would've thought of himself! Bravo! Three cheers for neglectful dads!" He cheered so loudly I feared Grady would come and call Cassius down.

"What are you doing here?" I shushed him, eyes darting around us. He smirked.

"I heard from a little birdie that you'd be here, serving your time." Keefe said, flicking his half cape. "Of topic, but love the outfit, babe."

I attired a pair of wrinkly pink shorts that were up to my midthigh, which splashes of the runnier poop all over it. My legs were bare and gangly and had drying poop stuck to it. A hot shower was first on my list of things to do when I got home. My top was old and torn and in big blue lettering, read: TALK NERDY TO ME. Keefe kept looking down at it and cracking up, though he not so swiftly covered it with a cough.

"Okay, Mr. Freshly-ironed-jerkin-and-suit-pants." And it was true. He was wearing a hot ironed jerkin and pants that came straight from Atlantis. What I loved most about his fashion sense, however, was how he adorned himself in jewellery. Rings on every finger, some with snakes and some with suns. All different colours. He wore three things on his neck. A chain and two necklaces and they hung at different levels. And his multiple earrings.

"You're a menace." He huffed, hiding a smile.

"Says the one breaking and entering."

"It's called visiting a friend, ahem, Fitz." Keefe said, mimicking the action of pushing glasses up his nose. "Perspective."

"Perspective, eh?" Said someone behind us. I only just noticed a shadow, and when Keefe and I turned around, a vein bulging from his face. "Guess what mine is."

Grady. He had probably heard Keefe and come to check out what was happening. I stared wide eyed, fluid gathering in my eyes, and Keefe just smiled and waved.

"I'm Keefe Sencen." Keefe said, and if I could speak, I would've asked him if he had a death wish.

"I don't believe we've met." Grady said, humouring Keefe. The blond in question shrugged.

"Well, it's about time." Keefe said, grinning more. I still couldn't move, but Grady looked like he might commit a violent crime.

"What are you doing in my house?" The air had turned frigid, like his voice, like his eyes. "Answer me, boy."

"I came to visit my friend." Keefe said, lying through his teeth. "And help him clean the poop sir."

Grady considered this. Ultimately, he shook his head. "I don't believe you got my permission to."

Keefe shrugged. "We've never met, remember?"

That made Grady see red. "What's your name?"

"Ben Dover."

I nearly slapped my forehead. I regretted teaching Keefe human jokes more than ever now. Grady wrinkled his forehead. "Don't disrupt my house again."

Keefe saluted and turned to me. "I'll see later, bestie." He leaped away.

Grady turned to me and examined me. I had stood there, frozen in shock the entire time. "Don't invite friends over without asking me first, alright?"

"Understood," I forced out, my lip quivering. He nodded. I only saw it now. His tired eyes. The dark bags under them. It hit me only now. They weren't used to having visitors over. Not anymore. A wave of sympathy flooded inside me, accompanied by one of regret, even if I hadn't invited Keefe over directly.

"Thanks, Fitz." He sighed. "Do what you can in the next fifteen minutes. Your father was pretty clear about when he wanted you home."