Keeper of Reign Read online

  *************************

  Before them, hidden in a swirl of gray smoke, a white face materialized. Eyes of blue fire and twisted lips contorted into a smile. The being floated stirring the fallen leaves just an arm’s length away from their hiding spot. The smoke drifted to where Saul had stood seconds ago and then wove its way in and out of the leaves and twigs in front of the briar rose where Saul and Miranda hid, as if teasing them to come out. Whispers swished through the foliage all around them.

  Sweat dripped from Saul’s temple but he didn’t wipe at it. He stood still, his grip on Miranda firm as they watched Whisperer.

  “Beta?” Whisperer whispered.

  Can he smell Elfies, too? Saul never asked Whisperer before.

  14 - GEHZUROLLE’S AGENTS

  RALSTON HURRIED TOWARD Jules as they trudged the familiar pebbled path to the Laceworks’ home. Despite the stars above, the grassy terrain below was pitch. A soft wind rippled the long grasses that towered over the tall Jules in some parts. Even with the lanterns the night seemed to rule. Their lantern glowed faintly between the swaying blades.

  Ralston said, “How’d Gehzurolle even know we’re Keepers? We were always so careful not to tell anyone.”

  Jules looked over his shoulders. “Gehzurolle’s not supposed to be omniscient, but his spies lurk everywhere.”

  “You mean the Scorpents?”

  Jules lowered his voice. “Not just. Could be Handoverans, or Elfies who’ve been bought with a price. Then there’re three others. One looks like a red flame and his name is Rage. It‘s hard to notice him, especially during a fire, although some have seen him and lived!”

  “So, he’s in charge of fire?”

  “Rage lives up to his name. He’s in charge of anger. That’s what Grandpa said.”

  “Who else?”

  “Another resembles smoke: name is Whisperer. He whispers things in the air to influence people or the weather or such. He gives them suggestions. And the third is Sekt: he’s rumored to roam in fogs and mists, but he hides well and not much is known of him. Gehzurolle’ll do anything to make trouble for us. He can even manipulate birds for his end.”

  “Birds?” Ralston made a face.

  “Not all kinds. Prey birds. That’s why I think Gehzurolle’s involved. Our raven attack seemed too coincidental, especially with this.” He swept his arm about. “Did you hear anything last night?”

  “Besides your snoring?”

  “I saw a bright flash across the sky last night,” Jules said. “At first I thought it was lightning, but then in the distance a glare brightened the night and the ground trembled.”

  “A bomb in the forest? Maybe the war’s coming closer?”

  Bitha came up from behind and said, “I hope Dad’s okay.”

  “Maybe the glare came from an explosion.” Jules hastened his steps, eyes skimming the thick branches above.

  The trail brought them to the edge of a clearing leading to another moss-covered house under two twisted roots of a redwood, the home of Cori Lacework, his wife of eighteen years, Jessie, and their son, sixteen-year- old Holden.

  “What do we tell Mrs. L?” Ralston said.

  Jules shrugged. “Saul should be there and might have told her. We shouldn’t scare her.”

  “What if,” Ralston asked, “the burglars attacked the Laceworks, too?”

  So many questions! Jules scanned the boughs above. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

  15 - LACEWORKS’S HOME

  WHEN THEY NEARED the Lacework home, Fiesty tugged at his leash as if unwilling to get any closer. Bitha nudge Jules. “Fiesty’s acting weird again.”

  Tst Tst, struggling behind with the dragonfly, cast a worried glance at Jules.

  “Let him go,” Jules said.

  Tst Tst released the blue ribbon, and Fiesty whizzed higher and higher up to the boughs. The children looked at each other, shrugged, and hurried toward the Lacework door.