Wild Keepers

by Dee Bridgnorth

  “Sienna,” he said, picking up her hand and kissing it. “You have to go back to your room before he discovers you gone. But first we have to talk about what happened in that room.”

  She stiffened slightly, and all the tranquillity that he had seen in her face scattered like clouds in the sky. But she nodded. She was determined to see this through.

  “A room,” she said slowly. “People in a room. Women. They are all scared.” She frowned. “And there was something else. You said that I was repeating something, over and over?”

  He nodded. “You were saying It is red. It is steel.”

  Her face darkened. “I must be flashing on something else, but it’s not clear.” She paused, staring at him. “Something that is red and made of steel.”

  He nodded. “I thought that as well. What could it be?”

  She sighed. “Hopefully it will come to me,” she said slowly. Then she grinned. “I do believe it’s the first time that I’ve ever wished for a vision to come. Your words of support must be sinking in.”

  “You are starting to believe in yourself,” he said. “You are coming to your power. Sienna, the next time that you are the eagle and it feels like it is going to overtake you, I want you to surrender to it. Just let it take you wherever it wants to. You need to transform.”

  She bit her lip but nodded. “I’ll try. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try. The fear is so intense when it happens that I automatically fight it.”

  He nodded. “I understand the fear,” he said. “I’ve been through it, remember? The first time it happened to me I had no idea. I thought I was insane, too. But it overcame me, and I don’t think I could have stopped it. You are obviously very strong to be able to stop it happening with your mind.”

  She sighed. He could see her still struggling with it. Hopefully it would all start to sink in, and she would see the necessity of surrendering to what she truly was. But, for now, they still had to work out what they were going to do next.

  “I think you are seeing where he keeps the women,” he said. “Do you see Lola with them?”

  She frowned slightly. “I don’t remember her there. All I remember is a huddle of people. And a circular window with bars on it.”

  Zach drew in a breath quickly. “Like on a ship?”

  Her eyes widened. “Yes! Like the porthole in a ship! I must be seeing the room where they are being held on the ship taking them overseas. But where is it?”

  “Could it have anything to do with the word?” He stared at her. “Someone who was being held in that room was desperate enough to scratch it into the wall. It might even have been Lola. What are they trying to tell us? I think it’s a clue, like someone wanted to lead us in the right direction.”

  “Manta,” said Sienna, frowning. She shook her head. “I don’t understand. Isn’t it a type of sea creature?”

  He nodded slowly. “It is. A manta ray lives in the ocean. It is also called a devil fish.”

  He stopped suddenly and turned to her. His eyes were gleaming. “The sea,” he whispered. “A ship taking women over the seas. The name of a sea creature.” He took a deep breath. “Sienna, is it possible it could be the name of the ship?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sienna crept down the silent hallway, straining her ears for any sound that someone was approaching and would see her. But all was silent. She breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was having to explain why she was out of her room and wandering the boat in the middle of the night.

  Her face felt flushed. She was still glowing with the aftermath of everything that had happened between her and Zach. Their lovemaking had been more beautiful than anything she could ever have imagined. Almost like she was coming home to a place she had never even realised she belonged.

  But it wasn’t only the powerful physical connection between them. It had been way more than that. It was as if Zach had shined a spotlight on what she truly was. And in that strong beam of light she had finally seen it, too. As if she had let out a breath that she had no idea she had been holding and fallen into the net of knowledge of who she was.

  It was peace, she thought. A place of infinite peace. She had never dreamed that she would ever find it, but he had given it to her.

  She held her breath as she approached the door of her room, putting her hand on it and turning it slowly. It clicked softly beneath her hand. She let out the breath and pushed it open, walking into the dark room.

  She hadn’t wanted to leave him. She had wanted to stay wrapped up in his arms forever and let the gentle sound of the sea lap around them. But he had been anxious that she would be discovered missing, and she knew he was right. They had only just found a clue to where Lola might be, and they needed to keep playing their parts until they could get back to Covenester and investigate it.

  She sat down on a chair, taking off her shoes. A delicious tiredness suddenly washed over her, so intense that she could barely keep her eyes open. It had been quite a night. The discovery of that room, and the word scratched into the wall, as well as proof that Lola had been there. Her sudden violent vision. She grinned. And the rest…

  She could put up with anything that Fitzpatrick dished out now, she thought determinedly. Finally, there was a glimmer of light on the horizon. Zach was by her side, and he had her back. He wouldn’t leave her. He was going to help her find Lola, and then…well, the future was completely open, wasn’t it? At long last she might have a chance to determine her own life.

  She was just about to take off her jeans when the light on the bedside table suddenly clicked on. Her head swung around, and she could feel her heart beating violently. She had to strangle a scream that rose in her throat.

  Jack Fitzpatrick was sitting on the bed, staring at her with narrowed eyes. A cigar was burning in an ashtray on the bedside table. She had been so caught up in her reverie that she hadn’t even smelled it.

  “Well, well,” he said slowly. “I was wondering when you would finally return.”

  She felt all the blood drain from her head, and with it her power of speech. A million thoughts raced through her mind. How long had he been waiting for her? How had he known that she wasn’t in here? And more importantly—what was he going to do?

  “Don’t look so stricken, Sienna,” he said, standing up and approaching her. “You are as pale as a ghost. Tell me, where have you been?”

  She took a deep breath, trying to gather her scattered wits. “I couldn’t sleep,” she stammered. “I was just walking the deck, staring at the sea.”

  “Really?” He frowned. “That’s funny. As soon as I discovered you weren’t in here I asked the guard on duty if he had seen you at all. He said that he hadn’t.”

  She opened her mouth, and a strangled laugh came out. “I didn’t see him either. Maybe we missed each other.”

  He smiled. “You are lying. You know I don’t like it when you lie.”

  He walked up to her, standing so close she had to tilt her head back slightly. She stared at him, forcing herself to make eye contact. Hatred for him spread through her veins so intensely it was like fire consuming her body. Her fingers started twitching. She wished with all her heart she could scratch his eyes out and watch him bleed.

  “You were with him.” His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “Don’t pretend otherwise.”

  “Who?” she gasped, forcing herself to still look at him.

  “Your lover.” He smiled slowly. “My guard. The man who claims that his name is Brad Miller. But I know that it is no such thing.”

  Sienna paled further, and her mind started racing. Dear God, he knew that Zach wasn’t really who he said he was. What else did he know about him? And then it crashed into her mind: Julia. Zach had told her that Julia knew that he was a shapeshifter. She must have told Fitzpatrick everything. His real name, and who he was.

  Fitzpatrick had known all along. And let them think that he didn’t. He had been watching them to see what they would do. He had been playing with them
like pawns on a chessboard; watching them to see if they would slip up. That was why he had promoted Zach to personal minder. So that he could bring him along and watch them together.

  Fitzpatrick watched her face, and then laughed. “You are so transparent, Sienna,” he said. “Every thought that you have is there to see in your face. You really shouldn’t play poker. You would lose instantly.” He paused. “You slept with him, didn’t you? That’s why you crept in here like a contented cat, ready to curl up for the night.”

  She raised her chin, staring him in the face. Then slowly and deliberately she spat into it, watching with satisfaction as the spittle ran slowly down his cheek.

  The slap was so sudden it knocked her sideways, sending her stumbling across the floor. He grabbed her, hurling her across the room. She hit the bed violently, sliding down it in a crumpled heap.

  Sienna got up slowly. Everything was starting to blur. A wall of red was building around her. She felt herself rise, as if preparing for flight. She could do it. She was itching to do it. She could swoop down on him and claw him until he was a bloody mess at her feet.

  But then, fear gripped her. As soon as it did, she crumpled back to the floor, heaving.

  He walked over to her, staring down at her contemptuously. “You are useless to me now,” he spat. “Your powers are gone. You are nothing but an average woman who has run away from everything that life has thrown at you. Tell me, was it worth it? Giving away your powers for a roll in the sheets with him?”

  She stared up at him, her eyes glittering. It seemed he really had believed her when she told him that he must never touch her in that way or her ability to see the future would go. It had been a self-protective lie to keep him at arm’s length. And any other man in his house who thought that he might do that to her because she was a prisoner and had come from a brothel. Any man who thought that maybe they had the right to take her without her consent.

  She smiled slowly. Let him believe it. If he thought that her powers were gone, he wouldn’t want her around anymore.

  “It’s true,” she said, glaring at him. “I chose to do it. I chose to lose my powers with him. Not you.” Her glare intensified. “Never you.”

  He took a deep breath, trying to control himself. But she could see that her dart had hit its mark. His precious male ego had been pierced. The great Jack Fitzpatrick, who had women falling at his feet. She felt a surge of brutal satisfaction.

  “You are a fool,” he hissed, staring down at her. “You had it good with me. All the clothes money could buy. Luxury beyond your imagination. And now you’ve thrown it all away.”

  She raised her chin. “I would gladly sacrifice my whole life for one afternoon with him rather than a lifetime spent in a cage with you.”

  He smiled. “Well, if that is how you feel,” he said. “I won’t stand in your way. Go to your lover now. You have my blessing.”

  She stared at him. What was he doing? There was no way on earth he was speaking the truth. Hell would freeze over before he would let that happen.

  “Go on,” he said, in a gentle voice. “Far be it for me to separate love when it happens. You have served me well, Sienna. You should enjoy the rest of your life. Really.”

  She kept staring at him. “You’re lying, and I’m not playing games with you anymore. Where is Lola?”

  “Ah, Lola.” He grinned. “Lola is in a safe place, ready to start her new life.” He frowned slightly. “You are really very fond of her, aren’t you?”

  She gulped, nodding her head slowly. “She’s my friend. And I heard what happened to her that night. Where are you holding her?” Her eyes narrowed. “And all the other girls that you play god with?”

  His smile widened. “So. You did hear what we were arguing about.” A pause. “That was what spurred you to jump into the sea to escape. I thought so.”

  “You are a bastard,” she hissed. “The evillest piece of trash that walks the earth.”

  “Thank you, Sienna,” he said calmly. “I do try. But then I have been well schooled in it. My masters require me to be brutal.” His smile was empty. “They have been running my family forever, you see. It is how we became so powerful and wealthy. And how I know all about you.”

  She stared at him, mystified. What was he talking about?

  “Poor Sienna,” he said mockingly. “An orphan who never knew her parents. And you have my masters to thank for that. They killed them, many years ago. It came out when I was doing a background check on you, before I brought you to my home.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, stammering. “My parents died in a car crash.” Why was he doing this? What could he gain by lying about her parents?

  And who on earth were his masters? She stared at him. Had he gone completely insane?

  “Car crashes can be arranged,” he said smoothly. “It’s very easy. I’ve done it a few times myself.” He took a deep breath. “But I am being indulgent, telling you this. I guess that since it is going to be the last time we speak I am feeling a little sentimental.”

  Sienna felt herself grow cold all over. She had no idea what he was playing at now. His talk of masters and her parents had thrown her utterly. Was he just trying to distract her from her question?

  “Lola,” she said, again. “You haven’t told me where she is.”

  “And nor do I intend to,” he said slowly. “But you will soon find out yourself. Come along.”

  She stared at him, not moving.

  He sighed, as if she were a troublesome child who refused to put her jacket on. “The boat is waiting, Sienna,” he said. “I have had it ready for over half an hour. And I am afraid that there isn’t any time to waste. You won’t be able to give your lover a goodbye kiss I fear.”

  He walked to the door, opening it. Two guards came into the room and picked her up as if she was a doll. She twisted in their arms, desperately trying to free herself.

  “Farewell, Sienna,” he said.

  They dragged her out to a small boat waiting on the side, roughly throwing her in. A man was sitting there with oars, ready to paddle. The other two men got in beside her, holding her firmly.

  She watched the boat receding as they paddled away. Zach, she thought desperately. Where are you?

  ***

  The breakfast buffet was almost ready. Zach watched a waiter place a final tray of food on the table, which was already groaning under the weight of so much food. His stomach growled just looking at it. Scrambled eggs, rashers of bacon, a pile of waffles, sautéed mushrooms…it all looked a damn sight better than the bitter black coffee he had thrown down his throat first thing this morning.

  The guests were already hovering near it, ready to grab a plate and start serving themselves. He could see the great Veronique Pascal, who had poured herself into a tight red dress. Jack Fitzpatrick was right behind her, talking to her softly. Her face beamed as she stared up at him.

  More people were joining the line. Zach craned his neck, straining to see. No, Sienna wasn’t in the line yet. Perhaps she had slept in. He frowned slightly, then couldn’t help grinning to himself. She deserved a sleep after all the adventure that they had the night before.

  As soon as he had woken up this morning he had thought of her. Dreamed of her. He still couldn’t believe that they had made love. It had been everything and more than he had ever thought possible. As if they were made for each other.

  He was so glad now that he had made that damn call to Crystal, ending their relationship once and for all. It had been tough, but so worth it. Now, he could pursue whatever was happening between him and Sienna with a clear conscience.

  And then there was the discovery that she was a shapeshifter, just like him. A shapeshifter who had refused to let herself transform. How was it possible? He could almost picture her giving into it; her beautiful body twisting so that her arms suddenly became wings. How could she have ever believed that it was something she needed to suppress?

  But then, she had never
found anyone else like her. Anyone who could explain to her what she truly was, and the magnificence of it. She had spent her whole life trying to fight her powers, believing they weakened her. When it was the complete opposite.

  Zach eyed Fitzpatrick scornfully. He loathed the man, more than anyone he had ever met in his life. And he had met some very evil characters over the years. But Jack Fitzpatrick made them all look like a bunch of boy scouts. The man was rotten to his core. The fact that he presented himself to the world as if he were such a great man made it a hundred times worse. Zach hated a hypocrite more than anything. At least most of the scumbags he had dealt with had the gumption to admit what they were.

  He had imprisoned Sienna, for his own selfish wants. And imprisoned other women, too, selling them to the highest bidder overseas. And yet he was feted and adored by everyone.

  Not long now, he told himself. Not long until Jack Fitzpatrick’s just deserts were coming. And he couldn’t wait to be the one dishing it out.

  ***

  Zach walked along the deck, watching the guests lounging by the pool. It was mid-morning. The breakfast dishes had been cleared away over an hour ago, and yet there was still no sign of Sienna.

  He watched Fitzpatrick lying on a deck chair, a hat covering his face. By his side Veronique Pascal lounged on her back, sunbaking. She reached over occasionally and rested her hand on Fitzpatrick’s back, stroking it gently. But the man never acknowledged the caresses.

  When the clock hit eleven, he got up suddenly, pulling a t-shirt over his bare torso. He leaned down and whispered something to the movie star, then walked around to Jerry Edmonds, the governor, who was sitting with his feet in the pool. The two men walked into the boat, followed by a few others.

  A political pow wow, thought Zach. He would probably be holed up in a room somewhere for a few hours. Enough time for him to go and check on Sienna. He was starting to get a little worried that she had fallen ill. Maybe she had another vision, and the recovery was slow?