The Keepers

by Rae Rivers

  When they skidded to a stop nearby, Jenna’s arrows were depleted. She ducked as a bird dove for her, squawking loudly, and swung around, hitting it with her bow.

  Catherine took her arm, her face a mixture of love and worry. “Listen to me,” she panted. “We all have a purpose. I’ve found mine. You’re finding yours. It’s our duty, our destiny.”

  “I can’t leave you here, Mom.”

  “You have to close that portal.”

  “If we do, I might never see you again!”

  “I’ll find a way back to you, Jen. I promise.” Catherine tightened her grip, ducking them both to dodge another bird. “If not in this lifetime then the next, but I’ll find you.” She cupped Jenna’s face in her hands. “I love you more than anything else in this world. I fight for you and others like you. Pure and precious and meant for so much more than this. Your duty is in the mortal world. Not here.”

  “No –”

  “If Hazel’s trapped here, my people will need me more than ever. I built this army, I have to protect them.”

  Jenna glanced over her shoulder at the faceless men and women delivering one arrow after the next in the distance. Her mother’s friends, strangers who’d rallied together to protect them – and the balance of nature.

  A purpose. Their purpose.

  Even here in Ameera.

  And Catherine was their leader, a warrior woman in her own right. A Keeper, a Salubrious. Her mother.

  Jenna’s sob rang out as she realised the depth of the woman in front of her. Her eyes held so much sorrow and pain, like they had all those years ago, and beneath it all was a strength that Jenna recognised.

  Because she’d seen it in herself all too often.

  “Jenna, we have to go!” Ethan said, backing up against her as Hazel’s army raced toward them, dodging arrows and birds. But sensing the battle shifting against them had made them fearless and they fought their way forward.

  Catherine turned to Ethan. “I’ll make sure your brother gets the burial he deserves.”

  “And I’ll take care of your daughter.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  “There’s a woman who helped us. Her name is Susan –”

  “We’ll protect her.” They shared a brief look, an ocean of understanding between them. She gave Jenna a final hug and pulled away. “I love you. Be safe.”

  Jenna swallowed another cry as Ethan took her hand. “My mother, Archer …” she choked as he pulled her into the protective curve of his arm. “We can’t leave them here.”

  “I know.” His voice was gruff with a sorrow that matched hers. “I know we can’t leave them, Jen.”

  But they both knew they would. Anything else meant they’d never see home again and Hazel and her people would be unleashed on the mortal world. They were destined to protect two powerful witches. Together, they protected the innocent people in the mortal world. And of course, the balance between good and evil.

  They were warriors. Broken, bruised.

  But not defeated.

  Jenna watched her mother hurry away without looking back, her bow and arrow raised as she joined her people. Drawing on every ounce of strength she possessed, Jenna laced her fingers with Ethan’s and turned toward the portal.

  As they stepped into the blue light, the tears came.

  And this time, she let them.

  CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

  THREE DAYS LATER

  BENNETT ESTATE

  Jenna needed air.

  A respite from the sadness that had crept into every corner of the house. The kind that hurt and crippled beyond repair.

  They’d closed the portal, trapping Hazel and her people. But the victory had come with a mammoth loss. A brother, a lover, a friend.

  Archer.

  She’d lost her parents. And Megan, a woman caught up in Hazel’s madness. But in the end, the goodness Jenna’s parents had seen in her had prevailed and she’d risked her life to make things right.

  So much grief and loss and Jenna wondered if they’d ever be whole again. The tears had ceased, leaving behind bewildered shells of the people she’d grown to love, lost in a sea of emotion and grief. She shared their pain and loathed the constant ache in her heart that had become a permanent companion.

  But at least Jenna knew her mother was alive and where she wanted to be. It gave her hope. Closure. But the reality of Archer’s death had plunged them into the deepest, darkest hole of despair. Absolute destruction.

  An agony no one should ever have to endure.

  Would time really mend this? They’d recovered – and only just – from Sarah’s death. Could they survive another?

  Sienna placed the mug onto the kitchen counter with a sigh and ran her hands through her hair. Her eyes were swollen, her face pale. She stood, her movements unsteady, and waved Ethan away.

  “You haven’t slept for days, Sienna,” Ethan said. “You should rest.”

  “That’s the last thing I need.” Her words were lined with a venom they seldom heard from her.

  “Sienna –”

  Several lights bulbs suddenly exploded.

  “I don’t need rest!” she cried, clenching her fists against her chest. Pain and rage twisted her features. Gone was the tearful, grieving woman who had said so little in the wake of Archer’s death. She swiped her arm across the counter, smashing the mugs onto the floor. “I don’t want tea or any damn thing I’ve been offered since Archer died! I want him. Not rest. ARCHER!”

  And then she screamed. A long, distraught wail that echoed through the house, sending chills down Jenna’s spine. Tears poured down her face and she crouched, clutching her stomach, crying Archer’s name over and over.

  A single name that resembled her entire existence. Gone in a blink of an eye, ripping her apart in ways that could never be healed.

  The walls rattled, a soft, insistent sound that hinted of trouble.

  “Sienna,” Ethan warned, coming closer. His anguished expression tore at Jenna. “Stop. Ssh, it’ll be okay.”

  “It won’t be okay, Ethan. He’s gone and I’ll never get to tell him how sorry I am for the way things ended between us.”

  “Sienna –”

  “He was consumed by so much rage that it frightened me. He frightened me.” The words came out in choked horror, sparking a fresh flood of tears. “And I loathe myself for admitting it because he’d be devastated to know!”

  “Because he loved you, Sienna. So much that he died to protect you. We were all under tremendous stress, maybe more so for him because he’s the oldest and took it upon himself decades ago to be the damn patriarch of this family.” His voice cracked and he paused, clearing his throat. “But he loved you to the end.”

  Shaking violently, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  Ethan put his arms around her. “No one will ever replace him, but I’m here, Sienna. Declan’s here. We’ll get through this. I promise.”

  She sank against him and they went to their knees, clinging to each other, tears flowing without shame. Ethan held onto her as she cried, a fierce frown creasing his brows, his eyes closed. Declan knelt beside them, wrapping his arms around them both, and buried his face in Sienna’s hair.

  And whilst Jenna watched their sorrow, there was only one thought that kept playing in her mind.

  She hadn’t saved Archer.

  ****

  Jenna closed the door to the attic and leaned against it, forcing a few deep, calming breaths into her lungs.

  “You okay?” Kate asked from the desk at the far end of the room. She swiped away a curl that had escaped from the messy knot on top of her head.

  “Watching them grieve for Archer is gonna kill me.”

  Kate grimaced. “I know. That’s why I’ve spent the day up here.”

  Jenna raised her arms, holding up a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Is it too early for this?”

  “Never.”

  The reply sparked a smile. Jenna pushed herself forward and went to her
, glancing at the desk. Notebooks, colourful pens, an iPad, and a Grimoire covered the table. Pouring the wine, Jenna took a seat opposite her. “Did you get a chance to read my notes?”

  “Where’s Declan?”

  “With Sienna, why?”

  “He sees us with this and he’ll pop a vein.” Kate nodded at the notebooks before sipping her wine.

  “So don’t tell him.”

  “You’re questioning his brother, Jenna –”

  “He doesn’t have to know.” Jenna held up the book, scribbled with dozens of notes she’d made in the wake of Archer’s death.

  Because something didn’t add up.

  Jenna raised a brow at Kate. “So you gonna help me figure this out?”

  “Yes. Maybe.” But Kate still looked doubtful.

  “Come on, Kate, something’s wrong. Look at my notes, dammit.” She jabbed a finger at the book. “How the hell did Hazel know all our movements? How did they gain access to our house? How did they steal the Grimoire? The guys think she somehow broke through Sienna’s spell, but that’s bullshit. She’s a damn Beckham witch.”

  “And Hazel’s a dark caster, Jen. She –”

  “Couldn’t break the veiling spell on the Brogan Grimoire in Ameera!” Jenna cried. “And why? Because it’s spelled by a Beckham witch. I saw her, Kate. She couldn’t do it.”

  “But she did.”

  “And who was the last person with the Grimoire before it went missing?”

  They stared at each other in silence, Archer’s name ringing between them, along with an intense denial neither of them could shake.

  Because Archer would never betray them, right?

  Jenna stood so abruptly that her chair toppled over. She gulped her wine, waving the glass at the table. “Will you stop crashing my detective work and help me, dammit? Please.”

  Kate squinted at her. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  “Hell, no.”

  Kate sighed and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. “If Ethan and Declan find out that we doubt Archer’s loyalties, they’ll be livid.”

  “We’re not questioning his loyalties, Kate. We’re questioning his actions. He was off the last few days. We all sensed something was up, but put it down to the stress of everything happening.”

  “They’ll still be livid.”

  “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Hazel spelled him. That’s the point, Kate. We don’t know. But something’s way off and you know it.”

  “I’m not denying that or saying I won’t help you. All I’m saying is what we’re doing, this …” she waved at hand at the desk, “… is delicate. We have to be careful they don’t know what we’re up to until we know.”

  Jenna inhaled deeply and blew out air slowly, puffing her cheeks. “Fair enough.”

  Kate pointed a finger at Jenna’s hair and clothes. Rumpled and mismatched. “You need to sort that out, Jen. You look like crap.” Jenna opened her mouth to protest, but Kate shook her head. “And when last did you get some sleep?”

  She hadn’t.

  Instead, she’d spent hours holed up in the attic, trying to makes sense of everything. Kate had bust her last night when she’d found her rambling quietly to herself in the darkened room.

  But Kate was right. She did look like crap and she was beyond the point of exhaustion because sleep had evaded her for days, worse than ever. Since returning from Ameera, nightmares tainted the little bit of sleep she’d attempted. Dreams that had nothing to do with burning witches or her family. Not even Hazel. No, they were wrought with images of Archer and his death.

  Not surprising, considering he’d died in her arms. And she’d failed to save him.

  What the hell was with that? She was a Salubrious. She healed. She saved people, dammit. She was a goddamn supernatural doctor.

  Which had meant nothing for her friend.

  “Jenna, you’re doing that thing again,” Kate blurted, rising. When Jenna raised a brow, Kate walked around the desk and took her arm. “Silently stewing in that way that makes you look like you’re suffering a migraine or something.”

  “Nothing makes sense, Kate, and it kills me that I can’t figure it out.”

  “I said I’ll help you. I’ll have another look. Go take a shower, grab another bottle of wine, and we’ll go over the notes together.”

  Jenna hesitated and then smiled when Kate gave an exaggerated grimace at her clothing. “Fine, I’ll go. Fifteen minutes and I’ll be back.”

  “Fine. But don’t forget the wine when you’re done. Red – and steal a bottle of the good stuff.”

  Jenna’s brows hitched. They both knew how the brothers treasured their prized bottles.

  “If I’m going to help you plot your crazy theory about Archer and risk the wrath of his brothers, it’s the least you can do.”

  “Will you have another look at my notes while I’m gone?”

  “Yes, now go.”

  Sighing, Jenna went to the door, but turned, a small smile breaking free. “You’re my girl, Kate.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know.” She waved her away, but her eyes flashed with amusement. “Go. You’re a mess and I need a refill.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

  Her hair damp from her shower, Jenna headed for the attic via the pool room.

  Because she’d promised Kate a bottle of wine. And she swore she’d seen a box of the Bennett reserve wine on the bottom shelf at the bar. She hoped so, otherwise she’d have to risk the cellar beside the kitchen – and face Ethan and his family.

  She’d rather drink coffee.

  She circled the pool slowly, recalling what had happened the last time she’d used it.

  Frustration burned a hole in her stomach.

  Something was off, way off, and it frustrated the hell out of her that she couldn’t figure out what. But there was something more. A trickle of suspicion she’d been unable to shed.

  And it had to do with Archer.

  She’d searched the locks on all the windows and doors in the pool room, but nothing had been tampered with.

  But someone had attacked her. Here, in the pool, and the only person in the room at the time was Archer.

  The Brogan Grimoire, the broken spell. None of it made any damn sense.

  He frightened me.

  Sienna’s words kept replaying in her mind – words that would have Archer turning in his grave if he’d heard them. Sienna had been his entire existence. He’d never betray her or his brothers.

  God, why the hell was she questioning him?

  Groaning, she walked to the bar, but paused when Archer’s jacket on the couch caught her eye.

  Unable to stop herself, her heart torn between doubts and longing, she went to it. Her fingers stroked the leather, her mind flashing with memories of the last time she’d seen him wearing it. The night the hellhounds and shifters had attacked Rapid Falls.

  She picked it up, biting back tears, and drew the jacket to her nose. She sniffed, allowing the scent of her friend to wash over her.

  Despite her worries and doubts, he was a good man and she missed him.

  “Jenna?”

  She gasped and pivoted around, horrified to see Ethan standing in the doorway. He had ruffled hair and thick stubble across his jaw. She lowered the jacket, her cheeks reddening.

  He glanced at the jacket and edged forward. “What are you doing?”

  “Just thinking of your brother.” She turned away, terrified he’d read more into that statement. Because there was so much more and he couldn’t know that yet.

  He took the jacket from her and tossed it over the couch. It slid to the floor. His arms curled around her and he buried his face into her neck, breathing her in.

  “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  “Ssh, I just want to hold you for a minute.”

  She remained quiet, revelling in the feel of him. Turning, she kissed his mouth. The longer fuzz on his cheeks felt softer. The scent of him filled her nostrils, familiar and beautiful and eve
rything hers. “I’m so sorry, Ethan.”

  His head lifted and he raised a brow, stroking her hair.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t save him.”

  He shook his head and pulled her into his arms, kissing her head. “You did everything you could.” He gave her another kiss before breaking away. “I have to call Pam. She’s left a dozen messages on my phone and it sounds urgent.”

  Jenna nodded and watched him walk away to call the sheriff, wishing she had the power to heal emotional pain too. She loathed seeing them all so devastated and lost.

  Turning, she picked up the jacket and stilled when she saw the rolled-up ball of material on the floor beneath it. It must’ve fallen out of the pocket. She reached for it, unravelling it.

  Her heart sped up as she recognised the ripped t-shirt, recoiling at the telltale signs of dried blood. It belonged to Kate and she’d worn it the night they were attacked by hellhounds. She was sure of it.

  Why on earth would Archer have it?

  Cursing softly, she bolted for the door, forgetting all about the wine.

  ****

  Jenna found Kate pacing the attic floor, clutching an iPad in her hands. But it was her worried expression that caught Jenna.

  “What’s wrong?” Jenna asked, glancing at the iPad.

  “Has Ethan or Declan spoken to Pam yet?”

  “He’s calling her now, why?”

  “I saw something on the news.” She lowered her gaze and looked at the iPad. “We won the battle, Jen. Hazel’s in Ameera, the portal’s closed …” She activated the screen and held it out. “But we’ve been exposed.”

  Jenna frowned and leaned in for a closer look. The screen contained a news report, along with a video, images that she instantly recognised from the battle at Sienna’s house. “How did they get this?”

  “Someone filmed us fighting. It’s a quick clip, but enough to have made the news and cause a lot of panic and confusion.”

  That explained Pam’s frantic messages left on Ethan’s phone. Shit.

  “One of Hazel’s people?” Kate shrugged and Jenna exhaled loudly. “This could ruin us.”