In the morning Elizabeth sat on her bed, flipping through the old book Ada had given her. The soft glow of her bedside lamp made the pages look even older, the words standing out in faded ink. She turned another page, reading carefully, when something made her stop.
"You must find true love."
Her eyebrows pulled together. True love? What did that have to do with being a Keeper? She had expected more warnings about the river, maybe more history about Helen—but love?
A knock on the door made her jump.
"Lizzy, can I come in?"
It was Boma.
Elizabeth sighed, closing the book. "Yeah, come in."
Boma stepped inside and sat beside her on the bed. She glanced at the book before looking at Elizabeth. "You've been reading that thing all night."
Elizabeth nodded. "Because it keeps telling me things that don't make sense." She hesitated before flipping the book open again. "Like this."
Boma leaned in and read aloud, "You must find true love." She blinked and looked at Elizabeth. "What?"
Elizabeth sighed. "Apparently, I can't become the Keeper unless I find love—true love."
Boma's eyes widened. "Wait… you mean, before you can protect the river, you have to fall in love first?"
Elizabeth nodded. "That's what it says."
Boma frowned. "That doesn't make any sense. Did Ada say anything about this?"
Before Elizabeth could answer, a voice spoke from the doorway.
"I can explain."
They both turned to see Ada standing there, her face serious.
Elizabeth sat up straighter. "Then explain."
Ada walked into the room and closed the door. "Love isn't just a feeling, Elizabeth. It's a connection. The river is strong, and without love to keep you grounded, you won't be able to resist its pull."
Elizabeth's stomach tightened. "What do you mean by 'its pull'?"
Ada's face darkened. "The river doesn't just need a Keeper to guard it. It also tries to take them. That's why Helen had your father, his love kept her safe. Without him, she would have been lost to the river."
Elizabeth shivered. "So, if I don't"
Ada nodded. "You won't survive."
The room went silent.
Boma shook her head. "That's crazy. You're saying my sister has to fall in love or else… what? The river will take her?"
Ada's jaw tightened. "It's happened before."
Elizabeth's heart pounded. "To who?"
Ada looked at the floor. "To the ones who tried to become Keepers without love."
Elizabeth swallowed. Love had never been her focus. She had spent her life trying to protect her family, to stay strong. Now, love was a requirement?
"This isn't fair," she whispered.
Ada met her eyes. "I know. But the river doesn't care about fairness."
Elizabeth rubbed her forehead. How was she supposed to find love? Did she even believe in it?
Ada gave her a small smile. "Love has a way of finding you when you least expect it. And sometimes, it's been right in front of you all along."
Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. What did that mean?
Boma squeezed her hand. "We'll figure this out together."
Elizabeth nodded slowly. She had a choice to make.
Would she search for the love that would make her strong, or would she face the river's call alone?