The Last Keeper Read Free Page A

dress. The colour took some of the attention from the bright shine of my eyes. It allowed me to observe the room without being overly noticed, because most people were too busy staring at my body to notice to my shifting gaze.  

    Sam drove us to the hall where the event was taking place. With a reluctant final sigh, I followed Helen out of the car. We were expected and Mr. Wilson, the organiser, was eager to greet us.  
    “Miss Cardea, so glad you could come.”  
    “I could hardly miss such a worthy event, could I?” His slight floundering amused me. He always had a problem with the air of authority I carried.
    “Of course,” he said, ignoring my sarcastic tone. “Let me introduce you to some of our contributors tonight.”
    “Go, have some fun,” I whispered to Helen. “Find someone you like.”
    “You know Steven was the only one for me,” she said, her voice low enough for only me to hear.  
    “That doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun.” I smiled, knowing she would never do anything of the sort.  
    Mr. Wilson held his arm out for me. “Shall we?”
    We walked through the crowd, and I was introduced to what felt like half of the people there. Many of them were faculty members, though the university was currently closed. Most of them were too old to be sent to war, Mr. Wilson included. Sharp minds and wandering eyes were the main feature of them all.  
    “Ah! There he is. Miss Cardea, I’d like you to meet the best ancient languages professor that I have had the privilege of working with. Professor Issac Baruti.”
    I stopped dead in my tracks and beat back the vicious hiss that tried to force its way out of my mouth. I hadn’t known he was in the city. I was well aware of who the professor was, and what he was. But it wasn’t the Egyptian professor I was worried about. It was his wife, Poppy Baruti.  
    The name “Poppy” had been given to her because of her preference for draining the last bit of life from men on the battlefield. She was one of the few who’d left the Seats of Power. Willingly. Though I firmly believed that people could change, I had my doubts about someone who was so ruthless in the taking of life. Surely anyone who had built their reputation by spilling blood and littering bodies across the centuries didn’t have it in them to give up such power. Yet, when she found Issac Baruti, she stopped. At least, that was the claim.  
    “Professor Baruti, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I lied, offering him my hand.
    “Thank you, Miss Cardea. It is an honour to meet the fine young woman who has helped us so much.” He seemed genuine as he took my hand in his slightly cooler one, showing no signs that he knew what I was. His pleasant smile reached his eyes.  
    Just as I was starting to feel uncomfortable at having a vampire so close, even one whose reputation was apparently free from death, we were interrupted. A stunning brunette with piercing brown eyes glided towards us. His wife. I’d recognise her anywhere, though we had never met.  
    “Issac, my dear, look whom I found wandering about.”  
    “Have you met Mr. Synclair?” Professor Baruti asked before turning to his wife.
    Behind her stood two figures. Both were blond, though I couldn’t see much of the man. The woman was lovely with her hair pinned up in an old-fashioned style. It suited her perfectly. Her steel grey eyes made her appear older than she was, giving her an air of wisdom.  
    “I don’t believe I have.” The same anxiety that had been plaguing me rose again. Perhaps the great Poppy being in the city was what had caused it.
    “Then you must allow me to introduce you. This is Mr. Ray Synclair and Mrs. Synclair.”  
    Fantastic, another wife to avoid if her husband decides to stare.
    “You must be Miss Cardea. My son has not stopped talking about the wonderful woman who helped to set up this event. Ray, dear, you must finally meet Miss Cardea.”  
    Son? Well, I hadn’t seen that one