Conflicted: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane Read Free Book Online Page B

the spot...even the ground.
Calvron and Donald were able to help me. When I think positive
thoughts the coldness goes away. So after Donald told me some
stories that made me happy, the ice melted, but I was really
scared."
    Her mother started at Keegan without saying
anything for several seconds. "Interesting,” she finally murmured.
“I guess it could be worse. You will just have to learn to keep
your anger in check, Keegan. Believe me, I have been dealing with
learning to control my temper most of my life. It is not an easy
thing to do.” The corners of her mouth turned down and her brow
furrowed. She sighed and reached over to brush Keegan’s hair behind
one ear. “It is, of course, possible. Your father can work with you
on breathing exercises. It also helps that you know how to keep it
at bay through your thoughts and emotions. Obviously trying to
avoid situations that increase your anger is the easiest thing to
do. Prevention is the best medicine, as they say. I just hope other
side effects don’t pop up.” She put her arm around Keegan and gave
her a squeeze.
    "Mom, I think I like Donald." Keegan spit
out before she gave it too much thought. She really wanted her
mother’s thoughts on it.
    "What do you mean you think you like him?”
Emerald asked. She pulled away to catch her daughter’s eyes. “As in
more than a friend?"
    "Yes. He makes me happy and I feel special
when he is around." Her cheeks
    flushed as she looked down to where her
hands were clasped in her lap.
    "Keegan, you have met your chosen. You
cannot be interested in others."
    "Mother, I can't even remember Rourk. He is
like a stranger to me," Keegan said. She rubbed her arms in an
attempt to warm herself up.
    Emerald reached over her daughter and pulled
a throw blanket from the back of the couch and handed it to Keegan.
“You really should give Rourk a chance, Keegan. But, if you are
interested in Donald then perhaps you should see where it goes. I
do suggest that you take it slow. I don't have to remind you that
elves are supposed to partner with elves. You have been dating humans for
years so I guess dating a shape shifter is not the end of the
world." Emerald gave her a wry smile.
    Keegan reached over and hugged her mother.
"Thank you for understanding."
    With the blanked still draped tight around
her shoulders, Keegan headed up the stairs to her room. She was sad
at the thought of moving on from Rourk. How many hours had she sat
around daydreaming about meeting her chosen and the perfect life
they would have together? He was incredibly cute too.
    Her phone vibrated and she looked down to
see it was a text from Donald.
    Night beautiful.
    Smiling she replied back. Night and you’re not so bad
yourself.
    A goofy grin spread across her face while
she changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. She was excited
to see Donald at school tomorrow.
    ***
    When she rolled out of bed the next morning
and looked at the clock, Keegan noticed she had better hurry up
unless she wanted to be late again. At least she had her Jeep now
so she could speed if needed. Of course, she couldn't find her
sweater. She misplaced at least one piece of her school uniform
every day.
    "Mom, where is my sweater?" Keegan yelled
out her bedroom door, tearing through the pile of clothes in her
desk chair.
    "Did you look in your closet?" her mother
called back, her voice thin and reedy from down the hall.
    "Ugh, of course I did!"
    Her mom’s footsteps sounded down the hall
and she walked in, moved a couple of things around, and pulled the
sweater off the back of the chair.
    "I looked there."
    Emerald raised an eyebrow and replied,
"Obviously."
    Keegan rushed out of the house a few minutes
later. She still had enough time to make it to school before the
bell rang. She wanted to get there a little early to see
Donald.
    She pulled into the lot of school after
breaking several speed limits to get there and went inside. As she
was walking down the hall, one of the teachers yelled