Shadow Keepers (Unedited)

Seven: Strangers, Dangers and Kisses

Chapter Seven: Strangers, Dangers and Kisses

          I woke up around 9. I got up and went through my daily routine. I went down stairs and found Angel and Matt sitting at the table, Penny hard at work in the kitchen, and Amber lying at the foot of the stairs. Matt looked up from the paper he was reading as I reached the landing as quietly as I could. Damn, how did he know? Matt’s expression went from questioning to concerned in two tenths of a second.

“Katie, are you alright? You look like hell.” Matt said to me using our family gift of mind reading and speaking.

 “Yeah, just a-“I wasn’t about to tell him about the dream.”-Long run last night. I found a good picnic spot.” I say changing the subject.

“That’s nice” he said out loud not really convinced.” What were you two talking about so privately?” Angel asks without looking up from her paper. Our family is used to conversations ending and starting abruptly, and one sided conversations too.

“Nothing, Matt just wanted to know why I looked like hell this morning.” I say nonchalantly, as I walk in and grab a good cup of strong coffee. I drink it black because I needed a bit of a boost this morning. Penny eyed me curiously and then handed me my breakfast of eggs, toast, and grapes.

“What? I had a long run last night.” They were also used to my long runs and sudden disappearances.

 “Peter called last night.” Penny said and I nearly choke on my toast. Matt hits me in the back until I can breathe again.

“Come again?” I manage to squeak out between coughs. Angel finally hands me some OJ and I down it and finally stop coughing. Penny and Angel are giggling and Matt is shaking his head

 “You run in to battle and kill without a second thought, but one boy can send you into a coughing fit?” He chuckles

“Damn, maybe we should ask him to come over more often maybe he can finally get her house trained.” Everyone burst out laughing, and I take my knife and throw it at Matt who effectively dodges it and keeps laughing.

I eventually ask, “What did he want?” Penny who managed to calm down enough to talk said

“He wanted us all to come over tonight to his house for a barbeque with his family. He said James and Hayden would be there, but not Jade or her crew.”

“Well then I’m sold.” I say and everyone laughs again.

“Ok so seriously can we go?”

“We already told him we would.” Angel says casually.

“Oh. Ok” See what you miss when you leave? I scolded myself.

“Well then girlies. We should get ready, it starts at 12.” Matt says.

“We are going to bring something; I just don’t know what to, yet.” Penny says.

“How about Peppermint Crisp? I ask.

“YES!” Everyone yells at the same time.

I chuckle “Alright then, the votes are in.” I go in to the kitchen to get the ingredients for the South African Dessert our Grandma makes so well.

Soon after I put the dessert in the ‘fridge, I dash up stairs jump in the shower and then change in to my shorts and a reddish purple t-shirt, and my navy Converse. I put sweats in my messenger bag for later when it gets chilly. I brushed my teeth, feed Midnight and Amentha, grabbed my leather jacket, ran down the stairs, and out to the garage where Matt, Angel and Penny are waiting with the Peppermint Crisp in the Land Rover. I throw my bag at Matt and call over my shoulder