The Secret of Strange Waters (The Light Keeper Series Book 2) (16 page)

ON MY
WAY OUT
of the bathroom, I heard a faint whimpering coming from Talon’s room. I darted in and found him curled up at the foot of his bed, twitching and crying, as if something was torturing him. “Talon!” I put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a shake. He gasped as if coming out from under water, and opened his eyes. He was disoriented, so I gave him a second to catch his breath.

“Talon, you were dreaming! It was a dream!” I could see sweat beading on his forehead and his hair was soaking wet. “It’s going to be okay.” I reached for him again, but he pulled away.

“No, Lily! It’s
never
going to be okay! I’m a murderer! Death follows me. Why does this keep happening to me?” He shook his head. Huge tears pooled at the corners of his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.

“You are not a murderer! It was an accident. An accident, Talon! It was his own fault if anyone is to blame. You’re not a murderer!”

“Tell that to Kevin! Tell that to Henry Oliver! I killed them both,” he snapped.

My heart missed a minute of beats as I tried to register what he said. I always knew Talon had caused a wreck that killed a man: a man who was a repeat drunk driving offender. But this was the first time he’d ever spoken his name. A name I’d never forget after the first time I’d heard it, when my mother told me who had killed my father. Henry Oliver.

“Who? Talon, did you say Henry Oliver?” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Yeah, he’s the man from the wreck. The one I killed.” He took a deep breath to calm down, wiping his face. “Everyone acted like I did some great service to the community, but I still feel like shit! I got away with murder because he didn’t have anyone to fight for him!”

“Talon, he was a
bad
man—” I started to tell him all about the accident that killed my dad. How it wasn’t Henry Oliver’s first offense, how Mom fought to have him convicted, only for him to end up with two years of probation instead. But Talon cut me off.

“You can’t know that, Lily!” He started crying again, shaking his head and wiping tears.

“Yes, I can, because he killed my dad!” I looked him straight in the eyes as I said it, and waited for the words to sink in. “You killed the man who killed my dad.” I was crying now, too. Not for the same reason, but because some twisted part of me was glad Talon had done it. He was somehow my hero, my avenger, and I loved him more for it.

He looked at me with uncertainty. “Are you sure? You weren’t even born.” I nodded. I was certain. It was a name I’d never forget. She told me that he died, but she never said how. She never talked much about my dad, or that whole situation, so the few times she did I soaked in every word.

“What were the chances that we’d end up together?” I stared at the wall, trying to let it all register, trying to find the answer, but Talon found it before me.

“They knew, all along. Cate and Dad, they knew!” He looked angry. “Lily, they met the first time at the lawyer’s office. I never put it all together until now. That’s how they met and started dating! This is all because I
killed
someone.” His voice fell.

“Talon, I’m glad! I mean, I’m sorry you feel so bad about it, but I’m glad we’re all together! It’s a good thing coming out of the bad. It’s going to be fine!” My argument was weak, but I was desperate. I could see a weakness in Talon. It was all too much, and he was about to break. It was terrifying. Nothing would ever be the same again. And then he spoke, solidifying my fears.

“You don’t get it. I’ll never be able to fix this feeling, like I’m some monster. This guilt, it smothers me, it always has. I was just getting over it because of us, and now I did it again. Kevin was a dick, but he didn’t deserve to die. I only wanted to kick his ass for hurting you.” He shook his head and covered his face.

“I’m sorry.” I put my hand on his back.

“I’m sorry too, but I can’t stay here. I—I gotta leave. I’m going to my mom’s.” He got out of bed and pulled his duffle bag out of his closet and started to fill it. “I’m leaving right now.”

“Talon, no, don’t go, please! Stay here with me, we’ll work through it!” My pleading didn’t slow him down—he stuffed his bag full. With each item going in, I saw us fading, growing further apart. “I know we can if we stick together.”
I have to stop him!
I stuttered over my words, trying to sound convincing. He had to stay; he had to stay with me!

“Don’t you get it? You’re just another reminder of what I am!” He was shaking and crying, but determined. “I doubt I can ever be with you.” He let out a breath, wiping his tears. “I don’t think I ever deserved you, anyway.” He pushed past me and walked down the hall towards the door, dialing his cell phone as he left.

Holly found me on my knees in the hallway, sobbing loudly. It was over. “Lily, what‘s going on?”

“He’s going to his mom’s for good. He’s leaving me.” I could barely get the words out. Each sentence was a faint breath.

“Oh, Lily, I’m sorry.” She helped me up and put me to bed. Then she called Hunter and woke him up to explain.

Come morning, the guys wasted no time coming over and Holly let them in. Luckily, Mom was sleeping in again. I would find out later that Tom woke her up in the early morning after getting a phone call from Talon. His mom helped him concoct some sort of excuse, but not even she knew the truth.

Owen sat on the bed beside me and put his arm around my shoulders. “It’s okay Lily, he needs time. You know he still—he still loves you.” He brushed my hair out of my face and rubbed my back.

“Lily, I got some info from the local news. The website said they determined it was an accident. They aren’t even doing an investigation, so Talon’s gonna be okay.” That was a relief. “They said some kid found him. He’d been riding ahead of the hay ride on horseback and used his cell phone to call 911.” I was thankful that French and his gang hadn’t found him. They may have had time to piece things together.

“Can you try to call Talon and tell him that?” I asked.

“His phone is off right now,” Holly reminded.

“So, what do we do now?” I felt lost, but I was glad I wasn’t alone.

Hunter spoke up. “Holly and I are going to see her parents.” Holly gave me an apologetic look.

“That’s great.” I almost smiled. Then I turned to Owen with hopeful eyes.

“I’m all yours,” he said as he shrugged. “We can do whatever you want.”

“Anything?” I replied, my eyes warning to be cautious of what I might ask.

“You name it,” he said.

“Take me to the beach? I—I want to go home.” I needed to, at least for a little while.

* * *

Owen and I made it to the closest beach by noon. It was pretty empty, compared to how it usually was, and things were a long way from being repaired. It would take years to get it back to how it was, but the determined ones would rebuild it better than ever.

Owen and I didn’t talk too much. He sat on the beach and watched me comb quietly for shells. Sadly, I found more debris than anything.

“So this was your home?” He looked around, scooping a handful of sand and letting it drop.

“Well, close enough.” My shoulders slumped. “I lived on the beach my whole life until moving to Bragg. Everything seemed so normal then.” I sighed. “I’m not taking the Waters anymore. I’m gonna avoid the Light and the visions, too.”

“Can you do that? Avoid the visions?” he asked.

“I gotta try. That’s why I wanted to come back here. When I go back home, I want to try and start all over.” I sat next to him in the sand.

“Lily, you should embrace the visions, embrace your powers. It’s part of you. Ignoring it won’t change what you are.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “The visions haven’t done any good at all. It isn’t like I can change what happens.”

He sat up and dusted his hands off. “Have you tried?”

“I don’t even know what I am doing. I don’t know what I am, really. A Light Keeper, yeah, but what the heck is that? You know about that dream I had. Someone is coming—I think it’s Rex. And that creepy old woman, I have no idea for sure, but she could be Birdie. But that’s just it—I don’t know anything for sure, other than this totally sucks, and now a kid is dead and Talon is gone, and nothing will ever be the same again.”

“You’re perfect, beautiful, and amazing, Lily. That is what you are. The Light—it’s you.”

“Yes, it’s me—my fault! This whole mess with Kevin, French, everything that’s happened, and it’s all because of the Light—it’s a curse. It’s best to let things happen naturally, to experience life as it comes, however it comes, so I am done with it. I’d rather go back to being afraid of the dark.”

“And what if French comes after us again?” Owen asked. “Who will save my ass?”

I raked my hands through the sand. “You better drink up.” I shrugged.

“You are so confusing. Don’t drink the Waters, drink the Waters. I swear you make me crazy.” He took a deep breath and sighed. I was staring off across the water into the distance, into the fuzzy horizon of my thoughts, completely ignoring him as he rambled on. He finally waved his hand in front of my face. “Earth to Lily!”

“Do you think Kevin’s in heaven?” I asked, taking him off-guard.

“Uh, I don’t know. He wasn’t a nice guy. If he had any good in him, he sure didn’t show it to us, especially you, Lily. Don’t dwell on it. What’s done is done, and nothing can change it—nothing and no one.” He ran his fingers through the sand, drawing letters and wiping them away. He wasn’t that cold-hearted, but it was his way of coping with the tragedy that would change us all from that night forward.

“Do you think Talon will come back?” I shifted to lean back into his arms.

“Of course he will,” he whispered by my ear. “He’d be crazy not to.” I didn’t respond; instead I closed my eyes to the breeze on my face.

We stayed like that for a while longer, and finally I whispered, “I want to go home.”

“That’s why I brought you here.” His smile spread slowly. “I was hoping you’d realize that for better or worse, you
were
home, all along.”

* * *

We were back by nightfall, and I decided to turn in early. I took my shower, put on my nightclothes, and then walked into Talon’s room and turned back his covers. I could smell his cologne in his pillow as I laid face-down on it. Something hard was hidden underneath it.

I ran my hand under the pillow and found the two-way radio. It was cut on. “Hello?” I said. Realizing it had a full charge, I knew who put it there and why.

“Lily,” Owen said. “Hey, what are you doin’?”

“Trying to go to sleep.” I had to smile even though I was exhausted. We had almost this exact discussion back in the summer when Talon was away at his mom’s. It was the first time I’d been alone since seeing the Light, and before Owen and I found out we were cousins. “How’d you know I’d be in here?”

“I know you, and Holly told me you said she could have your bed. She planted the radio for me. She and Hunter are watching a movie with Granny. Are you sure you don’t want to come on over and we can join them?” He sounded hopeful. It was only 8:30.

“Why don’t you call Bobbie?” I paused to yawn. “I’m exhausted.”

“Nah, she’s probably already gone out for the night. Besides, I needed to make sure you’re okay.” He sounded way too serious.

“Owen, you don’t have to babysit me. I am not scared anymore. It’s not like the last time he went away.”

“I know, but I still care about you, you know. We’ve been through a traumatic experience. Now, put the radio under the pillow and go to sleep. I’m right here if you need me.”

“Thanks.” I might as well do what he said; he’d give me nothing but grief it I didn’t. I put the radio under the pillow and fell fast asleep. The only dreams I had were about my home at the beach and the summer sand squishing between my toes.

THE NEXT
WEEK AT SCHOOL
was boring. I drove in everyday with my cousins, and French and his gang kept their distance from me. Hunter said French showed him the skin that healed perfectly while they were in the gym. I guess he figured the only way to avoid more trouble was to keep his distance.

Everyone was upset about Kevin’s accident. Even people who barely knew him grieved. He didn’t have too many friends and lived with his uncle. Naturally, rumors started to circulate about what caused his accident. Many believed that the Light must have scared him and caused him to steer off the road. A few people asked us the usual questions about the road, since we lived out there. We denied anything more than possible car lights in the distance. And of course, we all seemed surprised and just as shocked as the rest.

When Talon’s friends asked where he was, I simply told them that he was at his mother’s. It was the truth and they didn’t need to know more. The days went by with no contact from him. I needed him more than ever and I wished he’d call.

My wish came true when, on Thursday night, the phone rang. Not my personal phone, but the home line. Mom answered: “Hi, honey.” She was so happy to hear from him. He only spoke to his dad once about leaving, and twice about his tux and the wedding. Mom was sure it was because we had a fight, so she didn’t ask me too many questions. Now she asked Talon a million.

I bounced nervously on my heels as I waited, and she continued. “What time are you coming tomorrow? Did you get your tux? How’d the fitting go? Great!” I stared at her and held out my hand with hopeful eyes. “Oh hey, hold on a minute.” Mom handed me the phone. I took it and ran to my room.

“Talon,” I said with a lump in my throat. “I miss you.” I got the words out as fast as I could, in case he hung up.

“Hi, Lily.” I could hear his voice fall. I only wished I could see the look on his face to know exactly what he was thinking. “I’ll be home tomorrow. I—I miss you too. How is everyone?”

“Fine, we all miss you. It‘s not the same without you here.” I fought the urge to beg him.
Please come home!

“I’ll be home before the wedding. I have some things to take care of here before I can leave,” he said. His voice was soft, gentle, and a little indifferent. I was tempted to ask him what kind of things, but knew I better not. My biggest fear was that he was staying at his mom’s for good, and I wasn’t prepared to hear that yet.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I stopped there because my voice was cracking. I wanted to say that I loved him, but wasn’t sure I should. I didn’t know if he wanted to hear it and I wasn’t sure if he would say it back. To have those words followed with silence would hurt even more.

That night lasted forever. I couldn’t sleep, knowing that the next day, everything was going to change one way or another.

* * *

The house looked exactly like my vision. The pale, blue-grey interior was accented softly with the peach and white flowers, and everything was perfect. Granny made a beautiful tiered cake with white icing and fresh flowers on top. She made our “family recipe” chocolate cake for Tom, and even helped Mom with the rest of the food. Holly and I helped Mom and her friend, Janet, make all the flower arrangements, while Owen and Hunter helped Tom with the tables and chairs. Finally, everything came together, but Talon had not yet arrived.

“He’s not coming,” I said, looking off the balcony to the parking lot next door.

“He’ll be here, he’s the best man. Besides, he’d never stand his dad up on his wedding day,” Holly assured as she zipped my dress.

“No, I guess you’re right. He’s making me crazy though. I’m likely to attack him when he comes through the door.” I sighed.

“I’ll hold you back.” She stifled a giggle as someone knocked. “That’s Hunter. He’s ready for me to help him with his tie.” She was frazzled, going non-stop since the day before. She opened the door, and it was Owen.

“Hunter’s next door struggling with that tie. You better go help him before he chokes himself to death.” He and Holly were finally getting along, in light of the recent events. I wondered how long it would last. Maybe they were finally figuring out how to share Hunter. Holly ran out and left me standing there, in the doorway to the balcony.

Owen walked in and looked me up and down. “Wow! You look like an angel.”

“That’s not the first time you’ve told me that, you know.” I gave my best effort to smile.

“Oh, yeah, well that was different. I
really
thought I was dead. Seeing you today though, I know I’m very much alive.” He walked to the balcony to stand next to me, all spruced up in his suit.

“Looking for someone?” He gazed down to the lot below.

“Yeah, I guess he is gonna sneak in the back door at the last minute to avoid me.” I frowned.

“He’ll be here.” Owen pulled me into his arms and held me, carefully, as not to mess up my dress or hair. Then he pulled back. “I better get back down with Granny.” He smiled and hugged me once more. I looked around his shoulder, still in the embrace, to see Talon getting out of Tom’s truck. He threw a glance in my direction and quickly looked away to get his tux out of the cab.

“He’s here!” I pulled away and watched him as he walked up and met Hunter on the steps. I turned to run to him, but Holly met me at the door.

“Oh no you don’t, he’s late enough as it is! Your mom is having a fit already. There’s only twenty minutes till you have to walk down the aisle before her.” She waved me back into the room and I gave her a dirty look.

“He’s coming up to dress. I want to see him at the door.” I pushed her aside and ran to the hall at the top of the stairs.

He was smiling as he approached, talking with Hunter. His deep brown eyes looked much older than before. Maybe he was tired from the drive. When his eyes met mine, his expression changed. As he looked behind me to Owen, his face changed again. And neither time was for the better.

Holly grabbed Owen and Hunter and led them downstairs. “We better get out and let Talon get ready.” She rushed them away, leaving us alone.

I looked at him without knowing what to say. A million emotions flooded through me, from sadness to adoration, but I couldn’t act on any of them.

“I’m really late, Lily,” he said, giving me the brush-off as I followed him into the room.

“I just wanted—” I couldn’t speak. The tears choked me. I wanted so desperately to tell him how much I missed him; to beg him to stay home, to be with me and never leave.

“No, don’t cry off your make-up. I promise we‘ll talk after.” He was gentle despite his frustration. “Why don’t you go across the hall and check on Cate. I’ll change here.” He squeezed my hand. I leaned in for a kiss, and he gave me a tiny peck on the cheek. I looked into his eyes. They were deeper and more mysterious than ever, like they belonged to someone else. I turned and scurried away to the room across the hall to my mom.

“Oh Lily! You look beautiful!” She took my arms and held them out to fuss over my dress. She noticed I was upset. “Smile, it’s a big day for all of us!” I put on my best smile for Mom and helped her with her jewelry until Holly came to the door.

“You’re on in five,” she warned me.

Mom handed me my bouquet. “He loves you, Lily. Everything will be fine. He’ll come around.” I only wished I could believe her.

I took a final look in the mirror before heading to the top of the stairs to wait for my music. Once it started, I walked down slowly, and as I rounded the staircase and saw Talon standing there, smiling at me, I smiled too.

This was the moment of my vision. Only I didn’t feel the happiness I had then; for some reason I had a sense that this was the end instead of the beginning. I kept my smile on and took my place up front.

I glanced at Owen, who seemed awestruck with me. Holly’s eyes were welled up with tears and Hunter was staring at the ceiling. Granny sat smiling, looking at the staircase to see if she could get a peek at Mom.

When the wedding march started, everyone stood and waited for Mom to descend. Her wedding gown was long and gorgeous, but it didn’t hide the baby bump as much as we hoped. She was beautiful, glowing like I’d never seen, naturally, without some freakish gift.

The service went by fast, and everyone clapped as Tom kissed his bride. Talon and I exchanged hugs with them, and then with each other. He kissed my cheek like he’d done before. But this time I understood: he was kissing me as a brother would a sister.

After the cake, Mom threw her bouquet and Holly caught it. I might have, but Granny held my hands behind my back as we shared a laugh. Looking at Talon’s face, it was probably for the best.

He talked to his family and friends while I hung out with Mom’s salon friends, Granny, and the boys. Later, I helped Holly serve cake.

Mom and Tom headed upstairs to get ready to leave on their honeymoon. They were going to a cabin on the lake only an hour away.

Granny had given Hunter and Owen permission to come stay over with Talon, Holly, and me. We had a movie marathon planned and were camping out in the living room.

The happy couple finally came down and said their goodbyes. “You take care of her, Talon,” Mom made him promise. “Call if you need us. We’re not going to be far.” She kissed my cheek.

“We’ll be fine, Mom,” I assured her. Then I hugged Tom. “You take care of them both,” I said, patting Mom’s tummy.

“Oh Tom!” Mom grabbed his arm. “We have to give them their gifts!” She reached into her bag and pulled out two small boxes. “Open them at the same time,” she said, smiling.

I opened my black velvet box and found a beautiful pair of diamond earrings. With them was tucked a tiny blue card that read: It’s a Boy!

“It’s a boy!” We both said aloud, trying to act surprised. I looked over to see that Talon had a card of his own, and a brand new watch.

Tom announced the news to the crowd, and everyone cheered. Then as the crowd hushed, he looked at Mom. “Tell them the rest,” he nudged.
The rest?

“He has a name! We’ve decided on Riley Jordan Thomas to celebrate our new family.” She smiled at Granny as her eyes lit with joy. Talon and I looked at each other and smiled. It was good to see our parents so happy.

Everyone threw birdseed at them as they made their way out to the limo—a gift from Talon’s mom, of all people. Everyone but me and Talon, who stayed in back and watched them go.

Some of our friends were nice enough to stay and help us clean up. When we were almost done, I saw Talon pull Hunter aside. After Hunter shook his head and pointed to Owen, Talon went to ask him something. Then Owen came up to me and asked, “Are you ready to go now?” He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Those shoes have to be killing you.”

“I thought I was riding with Talon?” I looked around for him, and found him heading upstairs. I ran after him.

“Talon—Talon, wait. I thought I was going home with you?” I pulled at his shoulder, and he turned to answer.

“No, you go ahead with Granny and Owen. I have lots to do for Dad still before I can leave.” My eyes pleaded with him. I was speechless. “Lily, go. I’ll be home in a little while, I promise.” Then he turned to continue upstairs.

As Owen and I walked outside, I noticed Talon’s mom pulling up in her black sports car.
What is she doing here?
I asked myself, not having the heart to answer. She was probably here to take Talon’s things back with her. Perhaps he was leaving when Mom and Tom came back. But was he leaving for good? I hoped I was wrong.