The Keepers

by Rae Rivers

  “Jenna’s room is in the other direction,” Declan called after them, his voice laced with amusement.

  “She won’t need it.”

  ****

  Ethan revelled in the feel of the naked woman nestled in his arms. They lay in bed, a mixture of tangled limbs and sheets.

  She was sleepy, peaceful, a contagious combination that had him relaxing beside her. He pressed a kiss into her hair, trailing his fingers up and down her arm, allowing the stillness to take its beat.

  He laced their fingers and drew her hand to his mouth. He kissed her wrist, looking at the tattoo she loathed.

  “The tattoo on my side has grown again,” she said softly.

  He lifted his head to peer down at her. “You never said anything.”

  She smiled, her eyes glistening with that playful gleam he loved. “You had me rather occupied.”

  “Want to get occupied again?”

  “I don’t think I can move.”

  Chuckling, he kissed her head. “We should rest. My brothers will be banging down my door in a few hours.”

  “Even though they know I’m in here?”

  “Afraid so.”

  “Don’t you have a guy code or a signal that lets them know you’re … busy? You know, like a tie on the door handle or a –”

  He laughed. “We hung a red cap outside the door at the academy.”

  “Time for you to haul it out then.”

  “I can’t. It stayed behind. Got passed down to the new recruits.”

  “So what do you use here?”

  “Nothing. I’ve never needed one here.” Her delicate brows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t bring women home.”

  “Like ever?”

  “Never.”

  “Why not?”

  “I live with five other supernatural beings that use their magic freely at home. Explain that over morning coffee.”

  Her expression held a combination of surprise and amusement. “So how come I got to be your first bed buddy?”

  The satisfaction in her voice pleased him. He wasn’t sure why, but it did. “Because you’re different and I’d say you’re a little more than a bed buddy, don’t you think?”

  A lot more. But he left it at that.

  Her expression faltered, just a little, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she propped herself up on her elbows and peered up at him. “Think your brothers are mad with me?”

  “They’ll get over it.”

  “I never lied to them, you know. Every question I ever answered or piece of information I offered was as close to the truth as possible.”

  It was true. She’d said she’d lost her parents several years ago and taken shelter at the academy. An only child. A Keeper. All the truth – with a whole lot of blank spaces in between. But she’d had her reasons and even though he loathed the secrets, he couldn’t hold them against her. Provided there were no more lies or omissions. With him at least.

  He said as much to her and she frowned. “Does that mean I have to tell them that I had the bracelet?”

  “No,” he said, shaking his head, knowing instinctively she wouldn’t want that. “I know and that’s all that matters. Seriously, Jen, no more secrets between us.”

  She nodded, but was silent for a while before releasing a soft sigh. “We should get out of bed and come up with a way to find Hazel.”

  “Soon,” he said, tugging her back down. For now, all he wanted was her, in his bed, without the memories of Ameera and the threat of Hazel between them. If only for a few hours. He shook his head and touched a finger to her lips. “Later. She doesn’t belong here, in bed with us. We’ll figure out what to do later, when we’re rested and dressed. And not horny.”

  “Speak for yourself, stud muffin.” She laughed, the sound easing her mood. Her fingers trailed across his abdomen, causing his muscles to tighten. She brushed the scar along his side, a small frown tightening her brows. “Will you tell me about your scar?”

  He stilled, not particularly in the mood to dredge up old memories, but figured if he insisted on honesty he owed her the same. He rested his head on the pillow, staring up at the ceiling, dread curling up inside him as he remembered the night they’d lost Sarah. “After we bound Mason to the tomb, Warrick attacked Declan. Sarah got in the way. She died in Sienna’s arms. In her grief and rage, Sienna tapped into her powers, ours too. She set the tomb alight. Without our magic, we were weak and struggled to get out of the burning tomb. My shirt caught alight, but Declan was quick to smother the flames.” He didn’t say anything more, didn’t have to. Jenna would know the reason his scar had never healed.

  Because it was caused by a witch. His witch. And to this day, he carried the permanent reminder of that night. Archer had one too, on his arm, and Ethan had often caught Sienna looking at it.

  “I’ve never shown Sienna,” he added, “so please don’t tell her. She carries enough guilt over what happened.” They all did. In different ways. A tragedy that had changed them forever. They’d lost their parents and Rose, grieved for them all, but somehow losing their sister had cut the deepest.

  “You can’t blame yourself, Ethan.”

  “I don’t blame myself that it happened,” he replied quietly. “I blame myself that it happened to her. Mason had spelled three cats, like the ones Hazel had in Ameera. Archer and Sarah were about to leave to check on them, but I stopped her and told her I’d go instead.”

  “So you blame yourself because you switched places with her?”

  “If I hadn’t she would’ve still been alive.”

  “Not necessarily, Ethan. You must know that.”

  “I guess the logical side of me does. The side that grieves her …” He left it there, already having said too much. Which surprised him as he’d never told anyone before.

  Her fingers toyed with the leather necklace around his neck, closing over the pendant. “Is that why you wear her necklace?”

  Her perceptiveness surprised him. “How do you know it belonged to her?”

  “I gave it to her.” She shook her head, looking at the pendant in her hand. “I miss her so much.”

  “Me too.”

  “And I wish I could change the last thing I said to her.”

  “Your argument?”

  “We’d hardly spoken before she died as I’d already joined Hazel’s people. I couldn’t risk blowing my cover. But I wanted her to know. Unfortunately, she saw me with Megan before I could tell her.”

  “That’s why you were fighting?”

  She nodded. “She was so furious that she uprooted that tree. I left and she died thinking I betrayed you all.”

  Her eyes held a storm of emotion. So much sadness, loss, regrets. Guilt.

  “Sarah loved you,” he said softly, stroking her chin with his thumb. “You and Sienna were her best friends.”

  “She was my only friend.”

  “Not anymore.”

  She tilted her head, considering his words, and then she smiled. With a slight nod, she placed her cheek on his chest.

  They fell silent and he held her, stroking her arm. Her breathing deepened, her body warm and heavy against his. He pulled the sheet up to cover her, purposefully brushing his fingers along her skin. So soft and feminine. His.

  The thought made him smile and he kissed her head, breathing her in. Settling back into the cushions, he debated whether he should attempt sleep or go search for his brothers. The sun would be up soon. Another day. Another fight. The same damn war.

  It wasn’t long after that sleep won.

  CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

  She felt invincible.

  A silly notion. Jenna knew that. But from the balcony of Ethan’s bedroom, with the stillness of the mountains in front of her and the naked body of the man who’d rocked her world asleep in the bed behind her, it was impossible to feel anything less.

  Her skin tingled and she felt lighter than she had in a long time, a few hours in Ethan’s bed easing her tension and permanent sense of dread
. For now, at least.

  She knew reality would come crashing back as sure as the sunrise. It was inevitable, but for now, she simply wanted to revel in that brief moment of peace before memories, responsibilities, and fears crept in.

  She tightened the belt of her satin robe, turned her face toward the sky, and breathed in.

  Blissful silence.

  It was hard to reconcile the peace and beauty with the violence they’d experienced in Ameera.

  A movement in the bedroom made her smile. Grateful for the distraction, she looked over her shoulder as Ethan appeared in the doorway.

  Ruffled hair, bright blue eyes and early morning stubble. He’d tugged the sheet around his waist. Her gaze lingered on the ripple of rock-hard abs she’d explored many times over.

  The man was breathtaking.

  And now that he’d made her his, sex with anyone else would pale in comparison. The freedom, the ability to let go, the lack of inhibitions. Total mind-blowing, toe-curling … holy cow.

  He slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “Hi.”

  She leaned into him, her back against his chest, revelling in the masculine strength that enveloped her. Smiling, she turned her face inward, her cheek brushing his stubble.

  His caresses, the scent of him, felt familiar – a sensation that warmed her in places deep inside.

  “Did you get some sleep?” he murmured against her ear. She nodded. “Any dreams?”

  “No.”

  He caught her earlobe between his teeth, grinning when she breathed in sharply. His hand slid between the folds of her robe to cup a breast. This time it was her turn to smile when he inhaled deeply.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” he murmured, turning her to face him.

  A stir of wanting ignited inside her. “So don’t.”

  He grinned and his mouth found hers. Electricity fired and he deepened their kiss. More pressure. More heat. So much hunger.

  His breathing grew heavier and he captured her hip with one hand. A rough jerk had her pressed against him, the evidence of his arousal triggering a rush of excitement. With a low growl, he gave her a hard kiss on the mouth before pulling away. She was about to protest, but he took her hand and led her inside.

  She followed him toward the bathroom, pausing to gape at the mess. The sheets were tangled to within an inch of their lives, furniture had been rearranged, pillows and clothes littered the floor. An overturned lamp, a skewed headboard. Even the damn bed had shifted!

  Hell, she’d known they’d let go, revelled in a sense of freedom and safety that came with being back home, but …

  “You’re blushing,” he whispered in her ear, the breathy words sending a fresh shiver through her.

  “We did that?”

  “Ashamed?”

  “No. But …” She gawked at the bed, uneven and out of place. “Oh, shit, we broke the bed?”

  “It was an old bed.”

  “Old or used?”

  “I told you, other than Sienna, you’re the only woman who’s ever been up here.” His words stroked something inside her and she smiled. “Don’t worry about the mess. I’ll sort it out.”

  “We destroyed the room!”

  A wicked grin broke free. “Want to destroy the bathroom?”

  “Ethan!” But she didn’t protest when he took her hand and headed for the door across the room. Still grinning, he turned on the shower.

  He rummaged through the drawer, extracting a pair of earplugs and a foil packet. She glanced at the earplugs and lifted her eyebrows.

  “Do you trust me?” he asked softly, kissing her earlobe.

  “Of course.”

  “Then close your eyes.”

  “Why?”

  He brushed away the hair covering her ears, his touch sending a shiver of wanting through her. “Just close your eyes, Jen.”

  But she didn’t. “We really should get downstairs.”

  He sighed, his eyes flashing with brief irritation at the reminder. “The moment we do, we’ll be swept away with all the hell about to break loose, and before that happens I want you to know something.” She opened her mouth to question him, but he kissed her, cutting her off. “Close your eyes. And keep them closed. I dare you.”

  Curious, overwhelmed by him, she closed her eyes. But when he placed an earplug in her ear, they flew open again.

  He pressed his lips against her eyebrows, his kisses light and soothing. “Trust me. Close your eyes,” he whispered.

  So she did.

  He plugged her other ear and a cocoon of darkness and silence enveloped her. In a world where heightened hearing was the norm for her, the absolute silence was disconcerting. Her nerve endings fired, the urge to regain control of her surroundings stronger than her desire for the man in front her.

  But his hands captured her face and his lips found hers in a gentle, reassuring kiss that eased the rush of panic. He loosened her robe and the material slithered down her body, the soft material stroking her flesh in a sensual caress. His hands moved to her hips, his body against hers. He’d lost the sheet and was naked and aroused.

  He guided her under the water. She gasped and drew back, but he was there, coaxing her forward, his arms around her, his body anchoring hers.

  She stilled, the sound of her breathing echoing in her ears. Her heart pounded, her body tingled. Wrapped in darkness and silence, every touch receptor and nerve ending sharpened in a way that had her shivering.

  Every touch. Every kiss. The feel of his body against hers. The water raining down on her. She felt it.

  Everywhere.

  So she gave herself over to him – not something she’d ever thought she’d do, but with him, this, it felt right. A moment of pure bliss. Trust. Overwhelming peace.

  Her mind shut down, along with her need for control, and she allowed herself to be guided by him, accepting everything he offered.

  He took her to heights she’d never experienced before, her body a quivering mess of wild sensations that had her moaning in his arms, begging for release. But he was on his own schedule, one that revolved around her pleasure, and he wasn’t ready for it to be over yet.

  When he lay her down on the tiles, water cascading over them, and spread her legs, she cried out. Her back arched in anticipation, but she kept her eyes closed, relishing in the intensity of the experience.

  She gasped when his mouth closed over the sensitive nub between her legs, the action taking her by surprise. Renewed desire burst through her and she spread her arms, her body, giving him the access he sought.

  He nibbled, kissed, touched, and licked until she could barely catch her breath through the shivers that rippled through her. When he finally, finally pushed her over the edge with another stroke of his tongue, she cried out and arched her back again, her fingers spread against the floor.

  Her body soared, enveloped in darkness and stillness and pleasure. Receptive to him and only him. Incredible, breathtaking sensations that had her writhing on the floor, trembling beneath him.

  And when he covered her body with his, she clung to his shoulders, needing to feel him there.

  He claimed her body with a hard thrust, extracting another low moan from her. She widened her legs to accommodate him, the movement drawing him in deeper. His growl vibrated through her, his heart slammed against hers. It excited her, knowing his arousal matched hers.

  If that was even possible.

  He reached up, untangling her arms from around his neck. Lacing their fingers, he placed their hands above her head, the movement firm and possessive. His mouth crushed hers and he rocked his hips, filling her in a way that transcended more than something physical.

  She met him thrust for thrust in a rhythmic dance. When she positioned her legs around his waist, he released another animal-like growl that vibrated to the very core of her. With a final, deep thrust, they came together in an explosion of sensations that had them rocking, gasping, clinging to each other.

  When it was over, she ke
pt her eyes closed, savouring the breathy remains of their climax. The feel of his body against hers, slick and breathless and aroused. The rush of satisfaction. That moment of pure joy.

  When she finally opened them, he pressed his lips to hers in a powerful, gentle kiss before lifting his head to look at her. But it wasn’t pleasure she saw. He was frowning and his eyes reflected a struggle that surprised her.

  She tugged the earplugs out of her ears and lifted a hand to his cheek. “Ethan?”

  He blew out air, his expression pensive, worried, and she knew it was reality returning with a bite. “You’re right. We should get downstairs.” He adjusted his weight onto his elbows and dipped his forehead to hers. “But before we do and get wrapped up in this damn war all over again, I want you to know something.”

  “No.” His words, the intensity in his eyes, suddenly frightened her and she shook her head. “Ethan, don’t. Not now.”

  “There might not be a later, Jen. If Hazel’s headed for that magic, things are about to turn a shade of ugly we’ve never seen before. But we’ll stop her. We’ll win. We always do.”

  He said the words with such sincerity and conviction that she ached to believe him. “We have no idea where that magic is, Ethan. How –?”

  “We’ll find a way to get the bracelet back and when we do, I want you to know something.” He swallowed, his heart beating a steady, slow rhythm against hers. “You’ve become a part of me I wish I didn’t need. But I do. So damn fiercely that the thought of losing you scares me. And I know you feel it too.”

  “Ethan –”

  “I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to protect what we have.” The raw emotion behind his words stilled her. Inhaling deeply, the movement shaky, he lowered his head, touching his forehead to hers. “You’re not alone anymore. Remember that when the time comes to close the portal.”

  His words resonated through her, so powerful and meaningful. Unable to voice a reply, all she could do was nod. Because he was right. She felt it too. Everything. So much that it terrified her.

  And that changed everything.

  CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

  The sound of Archer and Sienna’s clipped voices in the living room had Ethan slowing his stride on the stairs.