by Rae Rivers
“Ethan –”
“She almost succeeded! If the temperature drop didn’t kill you, the fall would’ve.”
“It didn’t. I’m fine. We’re fine.”
“I used my magic on you!” He jabbed a finger toward the window. “I almost killed you!”
“It wasn’t you, Ethan. You were under her spell.” She took his hands and drew them up between them. They were so warm, a contrast to when she’d first found him. “But you broke through. You came back. Hazel didn’t win. You did, Ethan.”
His gorgeous blue eyes were glossy with emotion. He captured her face with shaky fingers. “I saw Sarah. But then it was you.”
She gasped. “The dreams you’ve had of Sarah. Maybe this is why. When I fell off the roller coaster, it jarred something inside you and now again, enough to reach you.”
He closed his eyes and cradled her head against his chest. “I’m so damn sorry.”
“You beat her, Ethan,” she said, grinning up at him. “You beat her spell. You’re so bad-ass.”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t reply.
Jenna drew back, lacing their fingers. “Even in her death, Sarah saved us.” Her face came to mind, sparking a fresh wave of longing.
He nodded slowly and swallowed. He cleared his throat. “How long since Hazel left?”
“The fire was still smouldering when I woke up.”
“Jen.” His eyes flashed with newfound worry. “You gave her the bracelet. She has control of the portal again. Your parents –”
“I did what I had to do, Ethan.” She lowered her gaze, biting back hot disappointment. “She would’ve killed you if I hadn’t. Your brothers can’t lose another sibling. Losing you would destroy them – and me.”
It was true. Somehow, despite her walls and precautions, she’d fallen for him. Hard. She’d been numb for so many years, kept her distance from others, but he’d broken through when no one else could.
“Handing over that bracelet was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made, but I had to.” She drew her lower lip into her teeth.
“What about your parents?”
“Hazel said they’re dead.”
“Do you believe her?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore.” A part of her refused to accept Hazel’s version. She couldn’t let go of her parents yet.
They stared at each other in silence, words unnecessary, so many emotions between them. He pressed his lips to hers, a slow, gentle kiss that held the promises of everything she’d always lacked. Friendship, passion, safety.
She lifted her head, reaching for the courage required to voice the next sentence. “We should go home, Ethan. Kate and Sienna need us and I think Megan’s found a way to break the spell on the Brogan Grimoire.”
“How the hell could she do that?”
Jenna shrugged, but couldn’t reply, refusing to embrace the realm of possibilities that came with that thought. She reached for his arm and turned to the door.
But he grimaced and covered his shoulder with one hand.
“Oh crap, the werewolf bite!” she gasped, hurriedly shifting the torn material aside to expose the wound. How could she have forgotten? She winced at the ugly stench of rotting flesh. His magic had begun to heal his other wounds, but not this one. Never this one.
“The paralysis spell must’ve numbed the side effects of the bite,” he said through gritted teeth. “But now that it’s worn off, it hurts so damn bad.”
“Guess it’s my turn to show off now.”
He grinned and she held out her hand above the wound. An instant energy surged between them. Warm and healing, it worked its way through her, healing everything it touched. The stench lessened and the colour changed as his flesh knitted together.
She stilled, looking up at him, suddenly clear on why Hazel had left them alive. Her heart plummeted at the sick thought and she expelled a shaky breath. “Hazel’s spell … she was so sure you’d kill me and that the bite would kill you. That’s why she left us both alive. She never expected us to make it out of here.”
They shared a long, dark look, the magnitude of what they’d overcome weighing between them. But they had. Against the odds. Against Hazel’s devious plan and crazy magic.
“Fortunately, Hazel underestimated two things. My bond with my sister and … this.” He jerked her toward him and pressed his lips to hers, smiling when she gasped at the rush of heat ignited by the movement. He withdrew and slung an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
BENNETT ESTATE
RAPID FALLS
Home.
Ethan closed the front door and pocketed his key. The house was mostly in darkness, sparsely lit by a few scattered lamps. He turned around, revelling in the solace of home, and pulled Jenna into his arms. Tucking her head beneath his chin, he kissed her forehead. “It’s so damn good to be back.”
“It feels like a lifetime ago since we left.”
They were both filthy, their clothes torn, their bodies smeared in dry blood. At least their injuries had healed.
The resistance they’d encountered along the way to the portal hadn’t stood a chance against their fury and determination to leave Ameera. Finding the portal had been tricky. They’d panicked at first, thinking Hazel had closed it, but thanks to Jenna’s wrist tattoo, they’d discovered it had been moved. There’d been no sign of her on either side.
He grinned when footsteps approached at the top of the stairs and pulled away from Jenna.
Declan bolted down the steps, tugging a t-shirt over his head. He slammed into Ethan, grabbing him into a fierce hug. His heart raced, his relief and emotion evident in his tight grip and silence. A novelty for his brother. But Ethan felt it too and he wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck.
Declan withdrew and caught Ethan’s head in his hands. “You ass, you had me worried.”
“I missed you too, brother. Sienna okay?”
“She’s fine. She’s sleeping.” Declan slung an arm around Jenna’s shoulders. “Dammit, Blondie. I never thought I’d be so damn happy to see you.”
“Thanks. I think.” She smiled and returned the hug. “Where’s Kate?”
“She’s on her way.”
“She’s awake? She’s okay?”
“We heard the car and yes, she’s fine. We’re all fine.”
Jenna grinned and bolted up the stairs in search of her witch.
“Has anyone checked on Mason recently?” Ethan asked, his stomach twisting at the question.
Declan’s brows dipped. “Yes, Archer’s checked on him several times. He’s still a mummified beauty.”
“No signs of anyone trying to free him?”
“Nope.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Why?”
Ethan frowned and put an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “I need a drink, brother, and then you can help me figure this shit out.”
Declan shoved him away, frowning at his appearance. “You need a shower. What the hell happened to you?”
“It’s more like what the hell didn’t happen. Pour me a drink and I’ll tell you all about it. The quick version.” His brother was right. He did need a shower. And Jenna.
He wanted her alone, in the safety of his home, his room. His bed.
Damn, he could hardly wait.
They walked into the pool room. The lights turned on automatically when they entered. The pool water glistened in the reflection of the dim glow. Wide glass doors overlooked a lush green garden, most of it in darkness. The bar and lounge were on the other side of the room, the wall decorated in natural stone. A favourite gathering spot in the house.
While Declan poured drinks, Ethan took a quick shower in the en-suite bathroom. It was brief and hot and he took satisfaction in watching the water, coloured red, disappear down the drain. Grabbing a white towel, he tucked it around his hips, and joined his brother.
Declan eyed his appearance, holding out a glass i
n one hand, a clean t-shirt in the other. Ethan pulled on the t-shirt and took the whiskey, downing it in one go. Not his drink of choice, but Declan loved his whiskey and assumed everyone else did too.
He took a beer from the fridge, frowning when he saw Declan glowering at him. “What’s with the aneurysm glare?”
“I’m torn between kicking your ass for leaving or shutting the hell up and listening to what you have to say.”
Ethan snorted. “Trust me, brother, I’ve had enough ass-kicking to last me a lifetime.”
“That bad?”
“It was crap. All of it. Everything about the city, the people, the way they live.”
“Did you find the witch bitch and her minions?”
“Yeah. We kicked their asses.” He frowned and took a large sip of beer. “But then they kicked ours and spelled me to kill Jenna after they left.”
Declan froze, his glass mid-air to his lips. “Sounds like you had an eventful trip.”
“I haven’t even started.” He explained what had happened, leaving out the details of Jenna’s connection with Ameera. That was her story to tell. By the time he was done, he was on his second beer. As for Declan, Ethan never counted his brother’s impressive whiskey consumption.
“So Hazel’s back in our world?” Declan asked.
“Yes, and she’s left the portal open. She –” He paused, turning toward the door at the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. Sienna skidded into the room, wide-eyed and breathless. She sported messy hair and pyjamas. With a whoop of joy, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. He laughed and kissed her head. He had to swallow a few times to get rid of the damn tightness in his throat. Apparently, he’d been more worried about her than he’d been willing to admit to himself. “I’m fine, Sienna.”
She swatted his back. “Don’t do that again! You had us worried sick.”
He kissed her again, breathing in her scent, one that reminded him of everything he fought for. His entire body was hard-wired to protect this woman, his magic linked to hers. An indescribable bond. And he adored her.
“Archer’s going to be so relieved you’re back,” she said.
Declan grunted. “Yeah, ‘cause he’s been a dick since you left.”
Sienna shot him a frown and took a seat at the bar. “He’s been worried, Declan.”
“I’ve been worried too, but I’ve kept myself in check. Archer, on the hand, brought out the big guns.”
Sienna sighed but didn’t deny it. She looked up at Ethan. “Did you find the spell?”
“It’s a key. A scorpion bracelet that activates the spell, but Hazel got away with it.” He left out the details, deciding his brother could do without the elevated blood pressure.
“A key? At least we know what to look for.” Sienna stood and walked around the bar, turning on the kettle. “We have to stop her. Since the portal’s been opened, so many cities and towns have been harmed by earthquakes and storms.”
“It’s a result of the open portal. Ameera’s the same. The portal makes both worlds unstable.”
“There’ve been animal attacks, insect infestations, Keepers disappearing –”
“It’s all part of Hazel’s diabolical plan.” Ethan explained what they’d discovered, not surprised when Declan poured another drink. This time, with more agitation and haste. “The open portal, her attack on the witches and their Keepers, and her army of beefed-up supernatural freaks … she has it all worked out.”
“She still doesn’t know where the location of the massacre is,” Sienna said.
Ah, crap. He shifted, wondering how the hell he should break it to them.
“Oh, no,” she gasped, her eyes widening. Apparently, his witch knew him well. “She found it? How –?”
Declan choked on his whiskey and bolted off his chair. “How on earth did you let that happen?”
“That’s a dick thing to say and you know it, brother.”
“She’s found the fucking magic, Ethan!”
“We don’t know that for sure. But yelling at me won’t help shit. Instead, let’s figure out a way to find her.”
“Right, like that should be easy.”
“Stop yelling at me, dammit!”
Kate’s appearance in the doorway curbed Declan’s reply. She shot Declan a fierce frown before looking at Ethan. Relief crossed her expression and she hurried toward him, hugging him. “I’m so glad you’re home. Your brother’s been driving me insane.”
Curbing his agitation, he smiled and kissed her cheek, glancing over her head at Declan. “I told you before … it’s his trademark. Like his messy hair and whiskey addiction.”
Declan flipped him the middle finger.
Kate grinned. “I had no idea he was capable of such colourful language.”
Ethan’s lips twitched and he pulled away, ignoring his brother’s scowl.
“How did Hazel find the location?” Sienna asked.
“She has her Grimoire. Supposedly.”
She gasped. “That’s impossible.”
“Have you checked on the Grimoires recently?”
“Not since we locked them away a day or two ago. There’s no way she could access it.”
“Can you check?” Although something told him it would be fruitless. Somehow, Hazel had found a way to summon her Grimoire – and open it. He had no idea how, but he knew that she had. She’d practically drooled when Megan had showed up with the book.
“Even if Hazel has her book, how on earth could she break my mother’s spell?” Sienna asked. “And why would she only take her Grimoire and not mine too?”
Ethan shrugged. “I don’t know, Sienna, but …”
A bristle of awareness crept down his spine and his heart sped up in response. Turning, he looked at the door, not surprised when Jenna appeared a moment later.
He’d felt her presence. One that was as comforting as it was arousing. She’d always done that to him, but now, after everything they’d been through together, those feelings had magnified to a whole new level.
She’d showered, her wet hair tied in a knot at the top of her head. She wore a t-shirt and yoga pants, both items hugging luscious curves he’d spent hours exploring. She looked so beautiful, feminine, and so different to the warrior who’d saved his butt in Ameera.
The thought made him smile and he motioned to her with the wave of a hand. “You want a drink?”
“Or tea,” Sienna added, rolling her eyes. “Not everyone wants a drink at this time of the morning.”
Jenna smiled, one that didn’t reach her eyes, and walked into the room. “I’ll have a drink, please. Something strong.”
The way she said it, and the way she hovered at a distance, had Ethan’s brows knitting together as he poured the whiskey. Holding out the glass, he went to her, deliberately towering over her, using his body to shield her from his family. She lifted her gaze to his, took the glass, and released a shaky breath.
Leaning closer, he put his mouth to her ear. “You took on Ameera. You’re bad ass. You can do this.” Her lashes fluttered and her lips twitched. “Declan will be a walk in the park compared to what you’ve faced.”
“Easy for you to say. You share the same blood. That automatically gives you a safe pass.”
He chuckled, running a hand down her arm. He couldn’t help himself, needing to touch her. Hell, he wanted to ignore his family – doing a great job of pretending not to listen – and take her upstairs. Now. But he knew that wouldn’t happen. Not with the fire that burned in her eyes.
She was on a mission to tell them the truth, one that was necessary.
“It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear, drawing back to offer a reassuring smile.
Swallowing the whiskey in one gulp, she stiffened, stepped around him and walked to the counter to pour another drink. They all watched in silence, sensing she wanted to say something.
When she’d swallowed half the liquid in the glass, she placed it on the counter and folded her arms. “I have something to
tell you.”
CHAPTER FORTY SIX
Ethan didn’t say much during the conversation that followed.
But he was there, beside her, ready to reel in Declan on more than one occasion. Archer had joined them at some point but he’d kept his distance and hadn’t said much. He’d worn a permanent scowl, apparently still pissed at them. Probably more so when he heard what she had to say.
Their reactions were … colourful. But Jenna couldn’t blame them.
So she answered all their questions honestly, with as much patience as anyone in the firing line, exhausted from lack of sleep, food and too many adrenaline rushes, could muster. But couldn’t bring herself to tell them about the bracelet. The fact that she’d had it and been so close to ending this, only to fail, had burned a hole of shame inside her.
An hour and a gazillion questions later, they were still there. But at least their surprise and agitation had eased. She wished she could say the same for their questions. When her stomach growled and a yawn slipped out before she could stifle it, Ethan quietly stood. He disappeared, returning a few minutes later with a bottle of water and some sandwiches. Her heart leapt at the sight and her stomach growled again. Not surprising considering she hadn’t eaten much in the last few days.
“It’s late.” He reached for her hand, tugging her up. “We’ll pick this up in the morning.”
“Ethan, we’re not done here,” Declan grumbled, reaching for a sandwich.
Ethan moved the plate out of his reach and led Jenna to the door. “Damn right we are. For now at least.”
Relief rolled through her, easing the knots between her shoulders, a testament to how tense she’d been. She followed him quietly, stifling the urge to grin. Or kiss him. But someone was about to get very, very lucky.
She wasn’t much for playing a damsel in distress – and hadn’t been in distress – but exhaustion and hunger had taken their toll. Right now, he was her knight in gorgeous, shiny, much-needed armour – and she was totally fine with that. Oh yes.
“Where the hell are you going?” Declan asked, raising a brow.
“To bed,” Ethan replied without looking back. “It’s been a rough couple of days, with little sleep. We’ll see you in a few hours.”