Chapter 46

• Bastian walked out of the library, the journal in his hand. This keeper, he glanced at the cover, Callie, she had witnessed someone being taken and it was only a handful of decades past. He stopped when he spotted Nova on the sofa, curled around a pillow, and sleeping. She’d been sitting out here a while now, writing in her journal. He’d almost told her that would no longer be necessary when she’d decided to do it after their last chat about the things he’d read. There would be no next keeper for that soul.
• Moving silently, he set the book he carried on the table and pulled the blanket from the back of the sofa. Covering her with great care, he sneered when his hands stung because he was too close. I’m just making sure she’s warm, you stupid rock. He picked up the journal that sat open beside her and then bent down and retrieved the pen off the floor.
• Sitting on the table was a half-eaten sandwich and an empty glass. What time was it? He patted his pocket for his phone, but it wasn’t there. He looked at her journal in his hand. It was thicker than the rest, the pages well used. Flipping to the start he stood there and read the words she’d written. He could see the ink splots where she’d paused many times.