The Soulkeepers

Chapter 33: The Dishonest Mistake

"Malini, I want to show you something," Jacob said.

He placed his hand on the small of her back. It was August 15th. After a month of waiting, he'd packed the phoenix box, a small bag of provisions, and as much money as he could get his hands on into a backpack. There was only one thing left to do and that was to convince Malini to come, too. The promise he'd made to her that night in his room was only part of the reason. He knew, in his heart, she wanted to go. She hated it here.

"What's going on?" she asked. She was sitting on her front porch, enjoying the last hours of the morning before the August heat became oppressive.

"Look, I can't tell you; I have to show you. But it's important."

"What is it?"

"Just trust me, okay? It's a surprise."

"Of course." Malini leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Good, come on." He took her hand and led her to his truck.

They drove in silence. Malini was abnormally quiet, as if she could sense the tension in the air. Jacob was nervous about what he'd have to do. When he was within a mile of Dr. Silva's, he parked Big Blue on the side of the road. Instead of going up the front yard toward the house, he walked Malini directly into the maple orchard.

"What are we doing at Dr. Silva's?"

"This is where it is, what I have to show you."

"Does she know I'm here?"

"No. But it's okay."

In fact, he knew what he was about to do was far from okay with Dr. Silva. At this very moment, she was inside the house. She would be furious when she found out, but by that time he would be long gone.

Once Jacob was deep inside the orchard, he relaxed a little. With Malini by his side, he hiked down the sloping hill to the wrought-iron gate. The key was in the lock as always and he gave it a quick turn before opening the gate for Malini. It wasn't long before she noticed the magic of the garden.

"Oh, it's hot back here," she said. She was wearing shorts and T-shirts but the weather was notably more humid as they walked through the gate. "It's so weird. This is unbelievable."

"Unbelievable, yes, but this is not what I have to show you." Jacob flashed an unfamiliar sideways grin. The power was intoxicating. He was about to take her someplace she'd never been. In all of his life, he'd never been the taker. He was always the taken. It was a nice change of pace. He intended to be an excellent guide.

Reaching for her hand, he led her down the path. When they passed the corpse plants, he motioned for her to cover her nose. He helped her gingerly over each of the rocks in the blood dragon patch and through the meadow.

Although she said very little, Malini's eyes were filled with wonder at her surroundings. She followed closely behind him, squeezing his hand in hers. Jacob was filled with her need for him. It surprised him how much he enjoyed it. Her utter dependence made him feel strong, protective. It filled a hole he'd never known he had.

Jacob was so distracted with impressing her that he ignored the feeling that someone was watching him from behind the trees. The whisper of his name on the wind in the meadow was likewise not acknowledged. And when a ripple danced across the sand of the dune, he shrugged it off. This was the magic of the garden. It was trying to scare him off, just like the first time.

He led her through the maze and emerged near the gnarled tree that he knew as Oswald.

"Jacob, this place is amazing but I'm getting a funny feeling. Should we be back here?"