Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Rourk tensed as Keegan thought his name but quickly pushed it away; he had other things to deal with at the moment. This dark elf had been properly trained and had evaded him so far. He sensed her movement and knew she was to the right of him, but he continued to look straight ahead, knowing if he looked to the right she would be gone. He tried his best to seem completely baffled, as if he couldn’t figure out where she might be.

The dark elf moved forward, thinking he’d lost sight of her.

Rourk pounced. She might have been well trained, but he was gifted, and she didn’t stand a chance. For good measure, he shielded his mind as he threw her against the wall.

She looked annoyed—probably because she couldn’t use her gift on him.

“What do you want with the girl?” Rourk asked.

The dark elf glared back at him. “I want nothing from her. I just happened to notice another elf and wanted to read her mind.”

He pushed his forearm deep into her throat, “What were you doing at the fair?” he growled as the dark elf struggled under his grasp.

She flinched at the strength in his hold, then looked into his grey eyes. “I was just having fun. I was bored, and I like messing with humans.”

Rourk searched her face and decided she was telling the truth. Relaxing his grip, he stared into her eyes. “Make no mistake. If you go near the girl again, I will kill you.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever. I have no interest in the girl.”

Rourk sensed she was trying to look calm but could tell she was visibly shaken.

The girl eyed him. “She is lucky.”

“What?” Rourk asked, startled.

“Lucky to have someone who cares so much for her.” Looking down at her black leather Converse, the girl scuffed her foot against the concrete.

“Just get out of here,” Rourk sighed.

He watched the dark elf walk down the alley. She turned once to look at him and then hurried on. As he watched the girl disappear around the corner, he hoped his chosen had made it home safely.

He closed his eyes to check on her and saw she was home. A rush of relief filled his body. The constant worrying could stop for the night. He headed home.

***

Keegan was lying in bed asleep when someone knocked on the door. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes, and called, “Come in.”

Her mom stuck her head in and smiled. “Hey.”

Keegan grinned back, smoothing her hands back through her hair. “Hey, Mom.”

Emerald walked in, pulling the door shut behind her, and sat on the edge of the bed. She pushed a strand of hair from Keegan’s face, her blue eyes searching. “What are you thinking about?”

Keegan glanced up at her mother sheepishly. “Rourk.”

A smile crossed her mom’s face as she obviously recalled the days when she used to dream about her own chosen partner. “You’ll meet him soon enough.”

Sighing, Keegan said, “It seems to be taking forever. Why do I have to wait until I’m eighteen?”

“You know why. For now, just focus on enjoying your high school years. Have fun with your friends. Be a teenager.”