Becoming a Legend by B. Kristin McMichael

keeper meant he could never have one of his own. It also meant he would have to leave his family and always be beside her. Andrew actually looked forward to that part.
    Whispers began around Arianna when Andrew didn’t answer her question. Arianna could faintly hear people as they all questioned the same thing. Why would Andrew choose to be a keeper?
    ‘ Why not? The dog did, and he’s second in line to his father,’ Andrew argued. Everyone continued to stare silently at the two of them as they talked mentally.
    ‘ Turner doesn’t have a place in Tricity. He has nothing to throw away. You have a place here. If something were to happen to Gabriel and me, you’d have to take care of everyone.’ Arianna looked over to her uncle to gauge his response. Gabriel was still staring at Lucan. There was more than just tonight between the two men.
    ‘ If something happened to both of you, I’d commit suicide before I’d let my uncle have power over these people. Think about it. This way I can have free access to you—Devin couldn’t say we can’t see each other. And I can be free of my uncle.’ It wasn’t beneath Andrew to beg. He needed to stay be her side.
    ‘ What do you mean, ‘free?’ ’ Arianna looked across Devin to Andrew. Andrew didn’t reply . ‘Everyone is wondering the same thing as me. Why would you choose to be a keeper?’
    Andrew ran his hands back through his hair in frustration and then looked around the room at the blank faces that were still trying to understand what had just happened. One minute there was a challenge to the power of the Grace family by the Lucan family, and the next, the Lucan family was offering to be the keeper for the Grace family. No one was saying a word. It was completely silent in the tent.
    ‘ You hear talking?’ Andrew asked, realizing her last statement. Yes, he saw it on their faces too, but no one was actually speaking.
    ‘ Yes, quietly,’ Arianna was still staring at Andrew, but now looked away. Malachi was still standing next to her. Arianna heard his voice softly though his mouth wasn’t moving.
    ‘Serves… bastard right… always… down on us… lost his… power… good… finally standing… him.’ Several words were missing, but Arianna heard some of the man’s thoughts. Andrew was right to question her. Arianna heard the thoughts of people who were not talking to her.
    Gabriel seemed to be locked in his own conversation and didn’t notice the conversation between Arianna and Andrew. Devin did notice, and ushered her back to her seat. Devin no longer considered Andrew a threat for some reason.
    “ We will discuss this later,” Devin said quietly to them both. “But right now, I think it’s best that we get back to the house before this all explodes. Our team has fortified the east wing of Gabriel’s house.” Devin directed Arianna, Andrew, Thomas, Turner and Molina out of the tent.
    “ What do you mean?” Arianna asked as Devin pointed down the way to where she had just been standing. Gabriel was radiating strength. People around him were finally coming to their senses and moving away. Across the table, Lucan was also in full form, flexing his own power.
    Devin pushed Arianna to get her walking , as she was enthralled by the scene at the table. Gabriel was glorious, with his long, white hair flipping behind him, and power oozing out of him. Lucan didn’t stand a chance. Lucan’s display of power was actually less than half of Gabriel’s. Arianna didn’t want to walk away, she wanted to see what would happen next. Devin pushed a bit more forcefully, but Arianna couldn’t take her eyes away from the scene. Andrew helped Devin by grabbing her hand. His baku skin sent tingles down her arm, momentarily distracting her from her uncle. Andrew got her feet moving, and everyone closed in around her so that she couldn’t see the battle of wills taking place. Her guard was all close behind as they walked away from the tent. Devin stopped at the