Keeper Under Fire (Graveyard Guardians Book 3)

by Jennifer Malone Wright

  Ethan helped her as she limped toward the others. The only Reaper left standing was the one that Aiden held tightly in his grasp, arms twisted behind his back at such an angle that it would only take one small movement to break his arm.

  Jack glanced around the room, surveying the damage and then his eyes met Aiden’s. “Let’s get back up to the main floor.” He turned to James, whose calf had blood covering the entire lower half. “We need to get him to a hospital too.”

  “I’m fine.” James grunted and then, after a couple of deep breaths continued. “There isn’t a bullet in there, it went right through. It can wait until we are on our way home.”

  They began to walk as they spoke. Dan and Greg helping James while Aiden dragged the Reaper along as he spewed colorful insults at them.

  “You good to walk?” Ethan asked her.

  “Yeah. I should be fine. Thanks.” She followed behind the others as they picked their way out of the rubble. They had to find a path all the way on the other side of the room from where the wine racks had fallen and eventually they ended up at the stairs where they carefully made their way up.

  Relief flooded through her when they arrived safely on the main floor. It almost felt as if it all hadn’t happened and there weren’t a bunch of dead bodies fermenting in wine downstairs. But, her brother was shot and that loud-mouthed Reaper was still spouting off, so the illusion didn’t last long.

  Once they were in the kitchen Aiden found a chair and Jack handed him a length of rope that he must have picked up along the way. Shoving the Reaper into the chair, Jack held him down while Aiden secured the rope around his arms and legs. Then, he glanced up at the rest of them, meeting Liv’s curious gaze. “This might get ugly, I won’t blame you guys if you don’t want to stay.”

  Greg and Dan dumped James into a chair nearby. “What are you going to do to him?” James asked.

  “We need to find out where Alma is and he won’t talk,” Aiden explained.

  Liv raised her eyebrows. “You’re sure he actually knows?”

  The Reaper bucked under his restraints. “Oh, I know where they took that old bitch, but I’m sure as hell not telling you.”

  Aiden turned and punched the guy square in the nose. A loud popping, combined with a disgusting crunch echoed throughout the room. Blood sprayed out, dotting the clean white tile with red.

  “You’re going to have to kill me because I will never give you anything,” he laughed.

  Aiden bent down before him and looked his former ally straight in the eye. “Oh, we aren’t going to kill you … yet. You are going to endure much worse than that. As a matter of fact, I assure you, there will be moments that you will wish that you were dead.”

  “You don’t scare me, you fucking traitor.”

  “No, I know you aren’t scared of me right now. But, you will be.” Aiden calmly rose, stepping away from the Reaper and strode into the kitchen area. He stopped near the island where two knife blocks sat in the center. Very delicately, he removed the biggest one, examined the blade and then put it back, glancing over at the Reaper as he did. “Too big, those are only good for chopping off fingers or toes. I don’t think we will need that right away.”

  The Reaper narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything as Aiden chose the smallest in the block. “Ah, now this,” He said, turning the knife so that the light glinted off of the metal. “This is exactly what we need.” He stepped away from the island still holding the cutlery. “Can someone find me some toothpicks. I will also need a bucket of water and some towels.”

  Liv watched closely. The man whom she had spent the night with had straight up turned into a stone-cold killer again. His eyes, which had begun showing some warmth, held absolutely no emotion whatsoever now. She knew she should leave, walk away, so she didn’t have to watch, but some sick part of her knew that she had to stay and see what he did to this man.

  “I’m out of here,” Dan announced. “I’m okay with a lot of stuff, but I don’t know that my stomach can handle this.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Ethan told him. “I’m not gonna be sick, but I’d rather not watch.”

  Jack stood behind the Reaper with his arms crossed. “Anyone else?”

  Everyone shook their heads and Jack nodded to Aiden. “Let’s proceed.”

  “Here’s your toothpicks.” Greg slipped a small box into Aiden’s hand. “Let’s wait on the water torture to see what happens, okay?”

  Aiden actually managed to look a little sad. “But, that’s my favorite part.”

  Her brother clapped Aiden on the back and smiled. “Save the best for last, buddy.”

  Though Liv chose to stay in the room while they tortured this man, she moved near the door, just in case she decided she wanted to escape while it was happening.

  “Last chance, Asshole.” Aiden kicked the guys foot. “Where is Alma?”

  When the guy didn’t answer, Aiden took the small knife and slowly circled the Reaper. “Silver.” Aiden nodded appreciatively. “Alma does know how to choose the finest cutlery, doesn’t she?”

  The Reaper didn’t answer, his sassy mouth had finally gone silent as he realized that they did, indeed, mean to torture him.

  “Jack. Would you mind untying one of his hands?” Jack did as Aiden asked while Aiden set the knife down and held the now free hand down on the table beside them. Once Jack was done retying the restraints, he took over holding down the hand.

  Aiden then picked up the knife and without any warning, slammed it down into the spot between the thumb and pointer finger. A scream erupted from within the Reaper, causing all those who witnessed the act to jump a little. The blade had gone through the flesh so easily and with so much force that it stuck into the wooden table top beneath. Aiden did not remove the knife, nor did he act like he was going to any time soon.

  “I ask you again, where did they take Alma?”

  “Fuck … off,” the Reaper groaned through clenched teeth.

  “Okay.” Aiden shook the little box of toothpicks. “Fun times we’re going to have up in here.” He set the box on the table beside the guys hand, where he knew that his every move could be seen. Delicately, he plucked a single tooth pick out of the box.

  He rolled the toothpick back and forth between his thumb and forefinger for a moment and stared at the Reapers hand for a moment as if deciding which finger he wanted to do first. Liv held her breath. She knew she should look away, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She heard a sharp intake of breath from Greg and knew he was feeling the same way.

  Then, Aiden bent, choosing the guys forefinger and slid the toothpick into the flesh underneath the fingernail. Another shout and a ton of obscenities expelled from the Reaper as he bucked and tossed his head in useless movement.

  “Okay! Fine … they are taking her to Florida.”

  Liv released the breath that had built up inside her lungs. Thank god. She didn’t know how much more she could watch.

  “Which way?” Aiden demanded, not moving to remove the toothpick or the knife.

  “The … they went over the mountain, through that shitty little town you’ve been staying in.”

  Liv, Greg and Dan’s heads all snapped to look at each other at the same time and she knew their thoughts matched hers. Hopefully, they hadn’t planned a stop at the Estmond house.

  “What are they driving?”

  “White … white Lexus.”

  “Perfect.” Aiden breathed in deep, as if relieved. Then, he turned to face Liv. “Why don’t you guys take James to the truck and we’ll meet you there.”

  Liv nodded and went to help Greg with James. They had James wrap an arm around each of their shoulders and he used them as sort of a crutch as they hobbled him out the front door. Not two seconds had passed after the door shut behind them when the sound of a single gunshot echoed through the air.

  Aiden desperately wanted to clean up the blood and other mess in the kitchen, but they didn’t have time for that. They had to get on
the road if they were going to rescue Alma. Too much time had already passed, because he was sure the Reapers had left with her before they even arrived at the compound.

  The only thing they took time to do was dump the body down the stairs into the basement so that he was with the others. He figured the Empress would simply call in a crew to clean it up. She wouldn’t bother with the authorities because that would put her at risk as well.

  At least they wouldn’t be up all night digging holes for dead Reapers. That was a plus.

  “You ready?” Jack asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

  Aiden nodded, he was more than ready. They headed for the door and Jack speed dialed Lucy. He assured her that they were all okay, let her know about James being shot, and filled her in on what the Reaper had said about them traveling through Summer Hollow.

  By the time he finished he was climbing into the driver’s seat of the truck. “Everyone put your seat belts on and hope to god we don’t get pulled over.”

  James and Dan both took the front with Jack this time, so he squeezed into the back with Liv on his lap again. He didn’t have to worry about getting turned on this time, that was for sure. He may put on a good act about liking torture, but it wasn’t something he had ever in his life enjoyed. He actually felt a little bit sick to his stomach.

  Liv sat down on his thighs and he slid his arms around her waist. She turned to the side a tad bit and hooked her arm over his shoulders. A feeling he hadn’t expected suddenly washed over him. It was comforting. Having her there, his arms around her and just feeling her close to him … it made him feel better.

  Jack hit the gas and the truck lurched forward with a screeching of the tires. Liv leaned over, so close that her lips almost grazed his ear, and asked, “Are you okay?”

  He nodded, but didn’t speak. He couldn’t concentrate on that right now. He wouldn’t feel better until they had rescued Alma from those insane Reapers.

  Jack hit the highway and accelerated even more. Traveling far over the speed limit, the two-lane road was not made for passing, but he still went around each vehicle they came upon. He held his arm securely around Liv’s waist to keep her from sliding around every time the truck swerved to pass.

  Their only hope in catching them would be if they stopped somewhere for gas or bathroom breaks. He was banking on that idea, otherwise they were pretty much screwed. If they missed them and the Reapers ended up taking Alma to the Empress’s home in Florida, it would be nearly impossible to rescue her without someone dying.

  “James. How’s the leg?” Jack asked without taking his eyes off the road.

  “It fucking hurts. How do you think it’s doing?”

  Jack ignored the rhetorical question. “We don’t have time to take you to the hospital right now, are you going to make it?”

  “I’ll be fine as long as I don’t get an infection.”

  “There are some big ass bandages in the glovebox if you want to use those.” Jack waved a hand indicating the compartment in front of Dan.

  Dan leaned forward and rifled through the messy pile of papers and random items until he found the square bandages and some medical tape. “Nice.” He held them up. “Let me see your leg, bro.”

  James lifted his leg with both hands and propped it up on top of his brother’s lap. Dan opened his trench coat and withdrew his flask. He twisted the top off and took a long pull and then, before anyone realized what he intended to do, he poured it into the open wound.

  “Holy fucking shit!” James slammed his back into the seat. “That fucking burns!”

  Jack side eyed them. “Try not to get that on the seats please.”

  Dan tipped the bottle again, letting the liquid spill out. James hissed, but didn’t cry out this time. Once Dan finished the old school disinfecting, he handed the flask to James, who eagerly lifted it to his lips and took a long drink. “Fucking hell, this sucks.” He continued to nurse the flask while Dan applied the bandage.

  Aiden was glad they had those bandages. He didn’t know how long it would be before they could get James to a doctor. They also needed to come up with a story to tell the authorities at the hospital. Then again, maybe they didn’t even need to go to the doctor. Hannah had medical training, so she could look at it first and let them know how serious the injury was.

  They drove and drove, eventually entering Summer Hollow, they slowed to the speed limit as they rolled through town. Aiden knew Jack’s foot was hovering over the gas pedal, ready to accelerate again.

  “Should we drop James at the house?” Liv asked, concern coating her voice.

  Jack shook his head. “I’d like to, but I really don’t want to waste any time. We’re already so far behind them.”

  “I’m fine, seriously.” James assured her.

  All heads turned toward the farmhouse as they passed. It looked the same as it had when they’d left that morning.

  Greg let out a long breath. “Looks all right on the home front.”

  Jack nodded. “Someone would have called us if there was a problem.” He said this just as they were passing the city limits sign and his foot slammed down on the pedal. Momentum pushed them all backward as the truck surged forward.

  They drove for another twenty minutes and Aiden was starting to worry about what they were going to do when they got to the highway split. They would have to guess which route the Reapers had taken.

  “Holy shit! There’s a white Lexus!” Ethan leaned forward between the seats and pointed. “

  Aiden followed the direction that Ethan was pointing and sure enough, a white Lexus was traveling along two cars in front of them.

  “I can’t pass these other cars yet,” Jack fumed. “Do not let that car out of your sight.”

  Dan adjusted in his seat, trying to get a better view. “It could be a different white Lexus, though.”

  “It could be, but it’s the best we got right now,” Aiden told them. “We’re going after it.”

  Once they hit the double lane going up a hill, Jack punched the gas pedal again and they roared past the two cars that had been in between them and the white car.

  Liv shifted on Aiden’s lap, turning toward the window. Aiden helped her switched the arm that was around her waist. When they rolled up along side the car he heard Liv’s breath catch. “It is them.”

  She could probably see their auras. As for him, he practically pressed his face to the glass, peering through the dark tint. In the back of the Lexus, he saw two men sitting in the back seat and wedged in between them was the unmistakable form of Alma.

  The Reaper who was driving happened to glance over right at that moment. He swerved a bit when he realized that he was looking directly at a truck full of Keepers and a couple of Reapers. Quickly recovering from the shock, he returned his gaze to the road and began to speed up.

  “Shit, he’s gonna make us chase him,” Jack mumbled.

  Aiden was seething. There was nothing they could do right now that wouldn’t put Alma or themselves at risk. He couldn’t shoot at them because they might wreck the car. Same went for ramming the car off the road.

  The lanes merged back into two and Jack slid in behind the Lexus. Apparently, the Reapers who were holding Alma captive did not have the same worries about risk as he had. One of the Reapers heads appeared in from the window of the back. He pushed himself out until nearly half his body was out.

  “He has a gun,” Dan informed them calmly.

  Aiden rolled his eyes. “No shit, really.”

  Jack narrowed his eyes and glared through the windshield as he slowed down. “I swear to god, if he shoots my truck…” The Reaper fired, the shot sounding more like a car backfire and suddenly the truck swerved as Jack tried to miss it, but the bullet hit the passenger side mirror. Jack cringed and everyone else ducked down. “That mother fucker, someone shoot him back.”

  Dan, albeit reluctantly, slipped his gun from his holster and began rolling down his window. Before he could hang himself out the window an
d return fire, the Lexus took a sharp turn without slowing down at all. The rear of the car slid across the pavement as it tried to keep up with the front of the vehicle.

  Jack slammed on his breaks, slowing enough to make the turn. They bounced and moved as one inside the cab, bending their bodies to one side as momentum pushed them over. As soon as the truck was safely on the side road, he hit the gas again.

  “Try and get around them to block them,” Aiden instructed. More shots were fired, but none of them made contact. “I guess we can be thankful that guy is a crappy shot.”

  “I can’t get around,” Jack responded.

  “Fuck!” Aiden wanted to punch something, and he would have if Liv hadn’t been sitting on his lap.

  A huge grin spread across Jack’s face. “We’re in luck!” He pointed ahead and Aiden saw what he was talking about. There, in the distance, he could see a bright yellow sign that read ‘Dead end.”

  “Block them in.” Aiden ordered. “Once they can’t go any further turn the truck sideways in the road.”

  This better work, Aiden thought. It was pretty much their only chance. “Everyone get ready to fight as soon as the truck stops. James, you stay in the truck and keep your head down.”

  “Great, I’m the liability.”

  “It could happen to anyone,” Greg assured his brother. “You’re not a liability.”

  Aiden didn’t take his eyes off the Lexus. The driver apparently saw that the road was ending and a thick wooded area was all that was beyond them. The car braked hard and the driver must have tried to flip into a U-turn because the car skidded around turning sideways and kept sliding. It didn’t make it into the turn.

  Aiden watched, horrified, as the car tilted onto its side and teetered there for a moment before tipping completely over.

  “Shit!” he cursed as Jack blocked the road with the truck. “Let me out. Everyone out!”

  The rest of the group bolted into action with their own commentary about the accident. He pushed open the door and Liv jumped down from his lap, pulling one of her guns as she did. He landed beside her and together, they ran toward the rolled Lexus.