The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 34 The Assignment

As she had spoken further, I identified the female Keeper to be Kamala, because that was just my luck obviously. From what Kyle had told me, Evangeline was at least respectable, as much as you can use that word in association with an order filled with killers and cutthroats. Kamala, on the other hand, had a dark reputation that proceeded her. She was feared even amongst the Keepers for her short temper and skill with daggers. Let's just say she was the sort of person that if I had to choose between her and an angry rattlesnake, the snake sounded cuddly in comparison.

We strode side by side through Los Eres in stoic silence. The advantage of being "mute" was not having to worry about saying something idiotic. The disadvantage was being unable to ask any more about this mysterious meeting we were summoned to.

I felt I had barely survived my first unexpected gathering of terrifying assassins, I wasn't exactly looking forward to round two.

"I do love a brisk walk, very clearing for the mind."
Kamala commented out of the blue.

I made a noncommittal noise. Kamala increased her pace and I lengthened my steps to match hers. Was this some kind of walking marathon?

"It's truly a shame you can't speak, have you ever spoken with the elders about having some sort of a device made that would allow you to write out your words?"

You mean like a piece of paper and a pencil?

It was a very good thing I had no obligation to reply verbally. Instead, I just shook my head and shrugged.

"So how long have you been a part of the Order?"

I hesitated, wondering what Kyle might have already said. We should have gone over my story more thoroughly. Well, that or not had me commit a federal offense by impersonating a Keeper in the first place. I finally chose to hold up eight fingers.

"Ah, a fair length of time."

I had a difficult time gauging her response. Was she suspicious? Merely politely responding?

"I've been involved fifteen years myself."
She told me after a long stretch of silence.

We were near to the palace ground now and I was oddly wishing we could walk faster. I wanted this conversation, however one-sided, to be over.

"So, do you and Kyle know each other well?"

I wiggled my hand in the universal sign for so-so.

"He's a hard fellow to get to know. Shane and Grayson aren't exactly forthcoming with information on who he was before becoming a Keeper and he doesn't really have friends that I've seen. I was surprised at the familiar way he introduced you."

I didn't like where this conversation was headed. We slipped in through the hidden entrance and tracked across the palace gardens briskly.

"Are you two in a close relationship?"

I cocked my head to the side, not really understanding her question.

"Are you intimate?"
She rephrased.

I blanched, nearly stopping in my tracks. Once I regained my senses, I shook my head emphatically and Kamala chuckled at my reaction.

"Well that's a relief, I was feeling rather bad for you if you were involved with him."

The comment was rather harsh, I didn't think that Kyle was unlovable, or didn't deserve a relationship in his life. He was difficult to be sure, I'd never want to fill the position of girlfriend, we'd probably try to kill each other. But that didn't mean there wasn't someone out there he would match well with, someone like Tanya, his lost love.