Page 62 of The Spirit Key
“Goddamn, you’re being an ass.”
“No, he’s being the lock. It’s his job to protect you. You being here must mean that the former ones have died. I’m sorry to hear that. I heard they were good people.” He held up his tea and took another drink. “I promise there’s nothing wrong with the tea. I can make coffee or even give you a glass of water if you want.” He turned his attention to Tim. “If you prefer, you can come in and make it.”
“Tim, please. Don’t be a dick.”
Tim deflated and gave George a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Can I have my tea now?”
“Yes.” Tim slid the cup back toward me, then took his too.
It was delicious. Normally I wasn’t a tea drinker, but this was sweet like berries and had a subtle taste of vanilla.
“What can I help you with?”
“My mother was the former key. She died, and I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.” Tim nodded in my direction. “He’s got no clue either.”
George fluttered his hands. “But how can that be? The key should have started his training as soon as the two of you met.”
My cheeks heated. I felt as though I’d let everyone down. “Yeah, about that…. When I was eight, I died. They brought me back to life, and from then on, things got weird. We found a book that Tim’s mother wrote. She said we had to find our own way.”
George’s eyes narrowed. “You aren’t one of the people?”
“If you mean Romani, no. Born and raised in Milwaukee. My lineage can be traced as far back as the mid-1800s Wisconsin, and before that, my family were located in Massachusetts. To the best of my knowledge, there isn’t any Romani blood in me.”
George ran his hand over his gray hair. “This is…. It’s… unprecedented. There’s never been a key who wasn’t one of the people. In all the stories, lock and key abilities are inherited from their family.”
“So I’ve heard. The former lock? Her husband died and she had no kids.”
“That would explain why no one trained you. We are very close-knit, and having someone not of the family? They probably feared you.”
Tim clamped a hand onto my wrist. “Because an eight-year-old is so fucking scary. If that’s how they are, then fuck them all.”
“Areyoufamily?”
Tim’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I’mhisfamily. See, I loved my mother with all my heart. She was an amazing woman who thought of both of us as sons, but she still let herself be told what to do. She and yourfamilyleft a child to think he was going crazy. They forced him to turn to drugs and run away when things got too bad for him to handle.” He stroked a hand over my back. “I forgive my mom for what she did, because in her own way, she tried to be there for Scott. The rest of you can all go to hell.” He stood, tugging me along behind him.
“Tim, I—”
“This place sucks.” His voice was pitched low. “No, these people suck.”
George got up and followed us back to the front of the store. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was surprised, that’s all. I harbor no ill will toward people not of our family.”
I tried to draw back but forgot how strong Tim was as his iron grip didn’t budge an inch. “Tim, please. Let’s just—”
He whirled around, and I could see hurt and anger in his eyes. “They abandoned you—us—and you want to give them another chance? Why?”
I did my best to let him see my pain. The twenty-plus years of torment I’d dealt with, and the fact that we were so close to finally having some answers. “Because I need to know who I am and what I can do so I don’t hurt someone or get hurt myself. I want a life with you, something where both of us can be together. I would sooner not hurt you, but if I don’t get trained, that’s what’s going to happen.”
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? For caring about me? That’s one thing you’ll never have to apologize for.” I moved closer and placed my head on his chest. “We don’t have to stay if you don’t want.”
Tim stroked my hair with his big hand. “No, you’re right. We need to know. I don’t want to do this, but it’s your decision.” He took a step back and glared at George. “Can you help him?”
A slow smile spread over George’s face. “I think I can, but it will require the two of you, working in tandem. If either of you harbors any doubt, it will all be for naught.”
Tim looked down at me. “Are you sure about this?”
