The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 16 The Inquisition

I was plagued by thoughts of my past the remainder of the day and slept fitfully that night, dreaming of Mica some but mostly of David. What would it be like to talk to him? Would he be willing to help me, though I held no affection for him anymore but a mere memory?

I had told myself in the note that he was trustworthy, but was that truly still the case? People do change after all.

To make matters worse, I was summoned to the council chambers just after practice the next evening, along with Jasper, Vienna, and Kairos.

"What do you think this is about?"
Vienna whispered nervously as we waited outside the mammoth oak doors.

"Grayson's death. What else?"
Kairos responded back.

One of the doors swung soundlessly open and a Keeper I had not yet met appeared.

"Keeper Nyx, you'll be first."

Kairos pursed her lips but quietly obeyed. She disappeared into the room beyond and the door was once again shut. I paced up and down the corridor, anxiety eating away at me.

"What if she says something?"
I worried.

"Kairos may not like Kyle, but's she not going to be the one to give him up to the council."
Vienna assured me.

I had no such confidence in the Shadow Wielder. After an interminably long wait, Kairos reappeared and Vienna was taken in.

"What's happening? What did they ask? What did you say?"
My questions all came out in a jumble.

"Calm down Astrid, you've got yourself in a tizzy for nothing."
Kairos chided me.

I did try to calm myself, only because I didn't want to look the fool when it was my turn to speak with the council.

"They simply asked about my interactions with the Keepers throughout my time in Los Eres, Kyle, and Grayson in particular. I said nothing that will endanger your precious mentor, don't worry."

I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, whatever I think of Kyle, it's not my story to tell."

My respect for the other girl went up significantly. Kairos plopped down next to Jasper, leaning back against the stone wall with a sigh. I wandered over to the window that looked out over the stables and spotted Amber working a dark bay horse on a lunge line. Another Keeper was hand walking Ironclad, allowing him to nibble at the few blades of grass that had not yet withered. I distracted myself watching the elegant movement of the horse Amber was lunging until Vienna returned from the lion's den.

"Keeper Newton, they'll speak with you next."

Jasper rose from his seat and strode purposefully forward without a glance backward.

"So? How'd it go?"
I questioned Vienna quietly as the door closed behind Jasper.

"They asked me all about Grayson and Kyle as well, but I've spent so little time with either of them, I honestly couldn't answer much. They're all very nice I must say, the council. It wasn't so frightening as I had first feared."

I breathed a sigh of relief, this was going better than expected. It was I who would have to be careful, seeing as I did know a great deal about Kyle and the Grayson situation and wasn't exactly the best liar. I would never give Kyle up, but if they suspected I wasn't sharing the truth, that couldn't mean anything good for me or him.

Amber had finished lunging the horse and for lack of something to do I began to count the stones making up the walls. I had just reached 378 when Jasper re-emerged.