The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 14 The Unexpected Detour

Kyle and I rode in silence as the limo cruised along the city blocks. I felt dissatisfied by the trip, it had brought up more questions than it had really answered. We had only been in the car about ten minutes when the limo took a sudden turn onto a side street and Kyle stiffened, his eyes scanning the area.

"What's wrong?"
I asked, lowering my voice.

"This isn't the way we came."

I shrugged.

"So? He's probably avoiding traffic or something. Taking a shortcut."

As soon as the words were out of my mouth though, I paused, recalling the last shortcut I had been taken on. That had taken me on a tour of the Plaza, through an ill-used tunnel and had ended with receiving a strange cryptic message. I had nearly forgotten about the incident in light of later events.

You are the key.

I had been told. Cassian had later repeated the same phrase to me before he had been dragged off by the guards. That was as peculiar as The Ghost and his note.

"Why don't you just ask the driver what the detour is all about?"
I questioned.

"Because if there really is something going on, I don't want to alert him to my knowledge of it."

I shifted in my seat to better see out the tinted windows. We weren't exactly going through a scary part of town, just a residential neighborhood. 

"I somehow doubt we would be kidnapped, I mean you're a Keeper, who would be dumb enough to try to screw with you?"

Kyle's lack of response wasn't comforting. We took another turn and headed east up to a wide lane, small shops lining either side of the road. Now it was my turn to get edgy.

"Um, are we going the opposite direction of the Magna Complex now?"

Kyle slowly nodded. We took another turn that led up a long gradual hill. The houses grew larger and fancier the higher up the hill we climbed. Kyle abruptly leaned forward and pulled up the floor rugs. Underneath was a tiny silver handle which he tugged on, revealing a secret compartment with various odd items stuffed inside.

"I'm not even going to ask."
I muttered.

Kyle rummaged around for a moment and then pulled out a Keeper uniform identical to his own.

"Put this on."

I stared at him incredulously.

"You're kidding right?"

"I don't kid."
He replied, shoving the black clothing in my lap.

"Why the heck should I dress up as a Keeper? Isn't that like a criminal offense?"

"Just shut up and put the clothes on."

I scowled at him but obeyed anyway.

"I can't say this is how I imagined dressing as a Keeper for the first time."
I grumbled.

"Look, wherever we are being taken, we will be a lot safer as two Keepers than a Keeper and his competitor ward."

I had to admit that his thought process was sound.

"But the driver will know that Astrid Coften was in the back, not some random Keeper."

"Let me handle that."

I tried not to let my mind contemplate what Kyle "handling" the driver could mean. We turned down another street and headed towards the downtown of Los Eres. I tied the black belt around my waist and was grateful I had happened to pick out inconspicuous black boots to wear. I held up the cruel iron mask and took a breath. I knew it was only just a costume at the time but the weight of the moment hung heavy on me.