What the Heart Keeps

Chapter 1-2

Dylan shifted his feet in the sand and glanced at his watch for the seventh time in the last twenty minutes. The anonymous person who’d been texting him was late. Ten minutes, to be exact. He would give the stranger five more minutes before he chalked this up to a loss.

He was a fool to believe it would amount to anything. In the last year and half, he’d learned one hard, but important lesson. He could only depend on himself.

As he lifted his gaze to his mother’s house, he drew in a breath and quickly released it. At least he hadn’t seen or heard from Simone since he walked across the street to the beach. Part of him worried she would change her mind and follow him. Her migraine must have gotten the best of her.

The waves lapping at the shore drew his attention back to the ocean. In the distance, a few dark clouds lingered. They were the only ones in the sky, which left him questioning if a storm was approaching or if his mood was affecting the weather.

Simone had explained to him that his Electrokinesis allowed him to manipulate electrical energy. Creating a lightning storm was easy for him, and thanks to his connection to her, a Cryokinetic, their combined energy could create rain, hail, and snow. If he caused a storm to come, he’d wake Simone for sure.

Rubbing the salt from his face, he raised his hand to check his watch again when something moved in his peripheral vision. He shifted his eyes in the same direction as dark energy zinged through him. The icy sensation it left in its wake had him clenching every muscle and taking a defensive stance. Yet the moment he found the person who’d approached, recognition burned through him. He wanted to lower his guard, but his gut warned him to proceed cautiously.

“Mr. McConnell, what are you doing here?” Dylan asked.

“Relax, young Seeker. I’m here at your request.” Bo answered.

“My request?” Dylan pointed to himself before Bo nodded. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, sir.”

Bo inched closer. “You told me where you wanted to meet, so I came to you, just as I promised.”

Like a tidal wave hitting land, confusion flooded Dylan. “So you’re the one who’s been texting me?”

Bo c****d his head to the side and scoffed. “Were you expecting someone different?”

"I didn’t know who to expect, but you weren’t at the top of my list. What interest do you have in this?”

A deep crease formed in Bo’s forehead when he frowned. “I’ve already told you, my dear Seeker, that we share a common goal. We both want Heaven and Layne dead.”

Dylan’s ears rang as his heart kicked up a notch. “Why would you want them dead?”

“Do you honestly not know? I thought you were smarter than that, Dylan.”

Bo’s words angered him. He took a step closer and formed fists. “You know nothing about me.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong, Dylan. I know so much about you, about the girl you once loved, and about the Keeper that stole her from you.”

A gust of wind blew over the beach as the sun above them disappeared behind what Dylan assumed was a cloud. He didn’t look up to see. Instead, he glared at his elder as reality set in. “Are you a member of The Fallen?”

A sinister smile covered Bo’s face. “You’re connecting the dots. Yes, Dylan, I am part of The Fallen. In fact, your father and I are close, at least we used to be until he disappeared. Do you know where he is?”

Nodding, Dylan swallowed the lump in his throat. “He’s in Brightsville, but I wouldn’t count on him rejoining you. When I left, it seemed he had reconsidered where his loyalties lie.”

Dylan watched as Bo processed his answer. The grin his elder wore faded and in its place, pursed lips formed. “I see,” Bo replied. “This is disappointing news, but it’s not the end of the world. I would gladly accept you as his replacement.”

“I’m not following the dark path.” Dylan spoke the words only seconds before thunder rolled in the distance. Bo turned long enough to observe the sky, then he met Dylan’s gaze again.

“I sense darkness in you, young one, and with my help, you can use it to your advantage. Accept your father’s role as my right-hand man, and you can have anything you want, including custody of your daughter.”

Dylan swiped strands of hair from his face as the wind died down. The longer he listened to Bo speak, the more his gut warned him to walk away. Yet if Bo could do what he claimed, it meant he’d get Adalyn back.

“How can you guarantee I’ll get my daughter?”

“I’m the leader of The Fallen, Dylan. I get whatever I want. Soon, it will be the death of your beloved soulmate. I already have things in place to make that happen.”

A mixture of anger and fear flooded Dylan’s body. He blinked his eyes, disbelieving what he saw as much as what he’d heard. He was standing in front of the man who helped his father bring misery to his life. Bo was a ruthless asshole who had people murdered without it tracing back to him. He was evil at its purest.

And somehow, that realization gave Dylan hope. It would take someone with Bo’s power and reputation to help Dylan get custody of his daughter. Still, some of Bo’s story made little sense.

“Heaven is your daughter’s closest friend. She grew up in the same neighborhood where you once lived. She was even at Chelsea’s wedding. If you wanted her dead, why haven’t you done it before now?”

“I needed Fate to play her cards, and now that she has, I’m ready to fulfill my destiny. Are you, young Seeker?”

“Am I what?” Dylan asked.

“Are you ready to fulfill your destiny and become the destroyer you were meant to be?”