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Back. Again. Nearly six years since that first moment of being seen. Six more years of haunting this coast. The ocean heaved with choppy swells, breakers surged ahead of them into the bay, and the low sky promised rain. The best weather for their visit to the small cove ahead. The Keeper was even more apprehensive than usual. But what could he do?
Before him, Tobias swam swiftly, driven by a hunger altogether different from the usual Nemaro hunger for borrowed life. Once more, they had returned to look upon Elise and her child. To be looked upon. It was impossible that she should see them. And yet she did. And so, somehow, Elise did as well. They were always Hidden from Elise when the child was absent. They were seen when the child was present. After cold isolation and horrifying revelation, this delight was irresistible. Dangerous.
He increased his pace. “Tobias, wait.”
His friend half-turned, eyebrows rising in surprise. “What is it?”
“This is wrong. It’s a mistake.”
“Mistake?” Tobias frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Elise. Her child Skye. I’ve warned you before. Coming here could draw Jarrod here, too. You don’t want to risk that.”
“I’ve dealt with that. Jarrod thinks he runs the clan, but he knows better than to cross me.”
“You may be right. But still...this is dangerous for Elise and her child. You should – we should leave them be.”
Tobias stopped, like a rock in the tides. “Leave them be? You would really deny me this – this glimpse? This is nothing. I get nothing of the one I love, but a glimpse. Hunter, I have let her be. I freed her, didn’t I?” He spun away, moving faster than ever through the rough water towards Ciarlan Cove.
The Keeper didn’t follow. Freed Elise: had Tobias, really? He kept her tethered to the ocean, keeping her within reach. Was that free?
Moving effortlessly through the surging current, the Keeper stared up at the weathered cliff face. For a moment, the bitter past swallowed the present. Screams echoed through his head. Long-silent voices roared incantations, rock shattered, and mortar fell. Everything fell. Everything.
Blinking rapidly and breathing hard, he dragged his thoughts free and swam out into the wide bay.
The wild glare in Tobias’ eyes alarmed him. Being selfless was not the Nemaro way. Once more, the limited terms of the sacrifice made by Tobias challenged the Keeper. It seemed...half-hearted, despite the unquestionable pain.
A nameless fear stirred within him. How could this end any way but badly? He sank through deep water, passing through a school of silver fish that scattered only at his touch. His thoughts churned. He’d been wrong so far about this. Perhaps he would continue to be wrong? But the foreboding growing in his gut told him that once again, he would have to make choices to protect everyone.
