The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 21 The Assassination Plot

Despite the late hour and my exhaustion, I found myself instantly awake. I opened the door wider and ushered him in.

"What's wrong?"
I demanded, not liking his tone or tense body language.

"I shouldn't be here and I shouldn't be asking this of you, I'm way overstepping my boundaries as your mentor."
He shifted a bag under his arm and stared out the invisible steel wall.

"I think we crossed that line a while ago, tell me what's going on."

"Grayson has called for an emergency meeting of the Keepers in one of our hidden locations in Los Eres, in one hour."

I crossed my arms and eyed Kyle.

"Considering recent events I suspect he may be planning on putting me down with the assistance of his allies."

"How many allies can he have that would be perfectly alright with murdering one of their own in cold blood? The Sentinels I get, but Keepers? Seems like a different ball game."
I questioned, wondering if Kyle was just paranoid.

Granted, I couldn't really blame him.

"Keeper Evangeline is a stickler for the rules and our code, I know I can count on her to stand by my side if Grayson tries anything. Unfortunately, Shane and Kamala are less trustworthy."

"Who are they loyal to? Grayson?"

"Shane and Grayson are practically like brothers. Kamala is in love with Shane which means she'll follow his lead."

"So what is that Grayson has against you?"

Kyle exhaled and sank down onto a kitchen stool.

"Grayson, Shane, and I were in the same Tournaments."

I leaned back against the refrigerator and eyed Kyle critically.

"I take it you weren't willing allies?"

"I killed a member of their team to secure my spot in the final four. They've never forgiven me for it."

Somehow that news didn't entirely surprise me.

"So you're concerned about ending up cornered and outnumbered by two Keepers who have a long-standing grudge against you and one who probably takes on her lover's battles unquestioningly."

Kyle put his face in hands.

"I don't have the right to ask you this."

"You want me to go along as backup."
I said, pressing my lips into a firm line.

He nodded slowly.

"I don't have friends and I don't trust anyone. Consequently, not many people trust me either. There's no one I can call upon to help me, especially not in a pinch like this."

"Shocker."
I muttered.

I chewed my lower lip.

"So if you don't trust anyone, what makes you trust me?"

"If I die tonight,"
He started.

"I'm screwed in the Magna Games."
I finished, running a hand through my hair.

It seemed his promise to get me through to the final four was only valid if he were still alive.
I supposed that gave me a pretty good reason to want to save his butt. There were just a few problems with his plan.