The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 39 Tales of Trials

"Where's Kairos?"

She was the one I expected to drop in unannounced, after all that was how we had met l, that day before the Magna Games when she had waltzed right into Vienna's apartment like she owned the place.

"Still enjoying the festivities most likely, she didn't notice when I slipped away a couple of hours ago."

I unclasped my cloak and tossed it and the wolf pelt into the corner, no longer needing the warmth or the symbolism.

"You're nervous."
Leah surmised.

"It's been four years since I last saw you and goodness knows we aren't the people we were."
I said by way of explanation.

A humorless smile flitted across her full lips.

"No, that we are not."

We both fell quiet for some time, the crackling of the flames devouring the dry wood filling the silence. Finally, I worked up the courage to ask the first question.

"Will you tell me your story, Leah? It doesn't need to leave this room if you don't want for it to."

She glanced up at me, her amber eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

"That's why I'm here, that's what I've been preparing to do and yet when it comes down it, the words stick in my throat."

She sniffed and ran a hand through her hair. I recognized in her the same fear that plagued my own soul. What had she been through in these years that had broken her like me? Truthfully I was apprehensive about the answer.

"Years of silence are a hard habit to break I guess. I've never dared to tell anyone. Then again, I've never really had anyone to tell."

"Whatever it is you have to say, I won't hold it against you. My own life is a train wreck of the highest order, I can hardly cast judgment on yours."
I encouraged.

Leah played with something on her wrist and I shifted closer to her, curiosity getting the better of me.

"You still have that?"
I gasped.

On her left wrist was a thin bracelet, braided with strands of red string and a tiny silver cloverleaf charm dangling from it.

"You gave it to me the day of my Culling if you recall."
Leah murmured.

"For good luck."
I said, remembering the day all too well.

"I should have thrown it out, it nearly gave me away on more than one occasion, but it was the only thing I had left of my family and I couldn't bear to let it go."

I dropped my head down.

"We aren't even really family as it turns out."
I sighed.

"Don't be ridiculous."
Leah chided me.

"You'll always be family to me, whether or not we share blood."

I managed a smile at that, catching a brief glimpse of the Leah I had once known. She sat up a little straighter, seeming to make her mind up.

"When you're chosen as Sentinel, they inject you with a fast-acting drug at your Culling that knocks you unconscious. I awoke in the belly of a plane with nine others, headed for the Citadel. We were terrified, none of us knew what was happening, where we were, or what we had done wrong. The Keeper left to guard us only laughed at our questions, saying it wouldn't matter before long."