Bound (Keeper of the Flame Book 2)

by Lila Kane

But then I wasn’t stuck in a well. Or freezing.

  “Please help me, Logan,” I whisper, as though he can somehow still hear me.

  I drop my chin to my knees, wishing I could sleep to pass the time. But I’m too cold. I’m too afraid I’ll miss something‒like a voice, like someone coming to find me.

  A half hour passes and when I hear it, it sounds like it’s coming from a dream. The faint echo of voices. Some of them female and some male. All calling my name.

  I try to stand, but my knees immediately buckle beneath me. Forcing myself to get to my feet again, I brace my hand on the stone wall and hold myself up.

  “Help,” my voice croaks out. I clear my throat and try again. “Help. Over here.”

  But I doubt they can hear me. And they probably expect to find me in the cave. Does anyone even know there’s a well over here?

  “Help!” It’s louder this time, and Logan’s got to be one of the people out there. He has super hearing, he has to know I’m here. Or Cheyenne‒she’s supposed to be able to sense supernatural beings, right? If Cheyenne’s even here.

  Gazing up at the planks of wood still half covering the opening, I narrow my gaze. I need something to get their attention.

  Curling my hands into fists and gritting my teeth, I focus on one plank of wood. I picture myself punching it, hurling it into the air. It flies from the top of the well, shooting into the sky before falling somewhere beyond the hole and what I can see.

  “There!”

  It’s Ryan. And his shout is so welcome, I sink to my knees again, splashing in the water. My jeans are already soaked through, half my shirt damp at the bottom. I don’t care, they’re here to help me.

  Moments later, a few faces peer over the edge of the well, looking down.

  “Help,” I whisper.

  “Oh my God,” Cheyenne says. “She’s down there.”

  Logan’s here, too, and Myra. Ryan’s looking incredulous, like he can’t believe I’m here when we were on the couch together late last night. I don’t care, he can be mad at me later. I’m just relieved they all worked together to find me.

  “I have rope in my car,” Logan says, disappearing.

  Myra leans in. “Willow, are you hurt?”

  “I…” I swallow, looking around as though I’ll find the answer in the murky depths of this abandoned well. “I fell in.”

  “You fell?” Cheyenne asks, brow furrowing.

  My teeth chatter and I shake my head. “Yes. No. I mean, Selena pushed me in.”

  Ryan frowns and I rub my hands over my face. “I know it sounds crazy. Please, just get me out. Please‒”

  “It’s okay, Willow,” Ryan soothes. “Logan’s coming with the rope. You’ll be out of there soon.”

  I fold my arms over my chest, shaking hard. I still can’t feel Selena. Maybe she’s out of power, too. Attempted homicide will do that to a person.

  It feels like years before Logan returns with the rope. Ryan’s face disappears above, and I hear the low murmur of voices before Logan peers in.

  “I’m going to toss this in, Willow,” he says. “Grab on‒step on the knot at the end.”

  He drops the rope inside the well and lowers it far enough I can reach. I have to force my hands open because my fingers are like ice and unwilling to cooperate. I cling to the rope as hard as I can, stepping on the knot at the bottom.

  “I don’t think‒I can’t climb it,” I say, voice weak.

  “It’s okay,” Logan says. “Hold on. We’ll pull you up.”

  He disappears again, but I can feel the strain of the rope as he and Ryan start pulling and lifting me from the bottom of the well. My sore arm hits the side stones, making me wince, but I hold in a whimper. I’m getting out.

  Once I near the surface, Cheyenne appears again. “Almost,” she says.

  “Watch out.” Ryan nudges her aside.

  He reaches for me. I try to unlatch my fingers from the rope, but they don’t want to cooperate. I’m afraid I’m going to fall back in.

  “Willow, please,” he says, “I’ve got you.”

  I curl my arms around his neck. It’s warm and his arms are strong and safe around me as he hauls me out the rest of the way.

  Logan drops the rope and comes to my side immediately, touching my arm. “Willow‒what the hell? You’re freezing.”

  Ryan shrugs out of his jacket and wraps it around me. I wince as I slide my arms through the sleeves. My elbow throbs and I feel a large bruise forming on the back of my arm. My legs are threatening to give out.

  “What else hurts?” Logan asks, searching my face.

  I blink, trying to clear my vision. It’s so bright up here and my eyes are tired from lack of sleep. “I hit my head.”

  He reaches for it automatically, like he’s some kind of doctor instead of a vampire. “Where?”

  “It’s fine. I’m j-just‒”

  Before I can protest, Logan scoops me into his arms. “We need to get you somewhere warm.”

  “Our house is closest,” Myra says, following as Logan starts back to the hotel.

  “I sh-should go home.”

  Ryan steps up beside us. “She’s right, I can take her home.”

  Logan barely spares him a glance. “My house is closer. Either that or a doctor.”

  “But Logan,” I protest. I wrap my hand around his arm.

  He shakes his head. “Your hands are like ice. Your lips are blue, Willow. No, we’re getting you somewhere warm‒and fast.”

  He walks swiftly, past the opening to the cave.

  “Wait, Logan‒wait. Th-the cave.”

  “What about it?” he asks, not slowing down. There’s worry in his eyes, at the corners of his mouth.

  “The Book of Shadows‒that’s why I was out here. Stop, Logan.”

  “No.”

  I glance over to Ryan. “I need to stop Selena.”

  “I hate to say this but Logan’s right. You need to get somewhere warm.”

  Myra nods. “Listen to them, Willow. We’ll come back some other time.”

  Logan frowns like that’s not going to happen either, but he doesn’t say anything. I clasp Ryan’s jacket closer to my body, too tired to talk anymore. My head drops to Logan’s shoulder and the ends of my hair get his shirt wet.

  “We’re almost there,” he whispers close to my ear.

  For once, I allow myself to be comforted by him. Selena is far away from me right now and she can’t make me try to hurt him. When we reach the parking lot, I find Logan’s car and Ryan’s truck parked next to mine. Logan goes straight for his car and Myra opens the door.

  “I can take her,” Ryan says, reaching for me.

  “No,” Logan all but growls.

  Ryan steps up to him, but Cheyenne jumps in his way. “Okay boys, there’s a bigger picture here. Let’s save the fighting for another time.”

  Even Myra steps closer. She looks to Ryan, obviously sympathizing with his feelings. “Come on. Follow us.”

  Ryan grumbles something but meets my eyes. “We’ll be right behind you.”

  I nod. I’m glad he and Cheyenne are coming, but surprised because that’s probably the last place they want to be. I’m also surprised because they aren’t the only ones I want there.

  I also want my mother.

  Chapter 15

  “Please‒not your room,” I tell Logan.

  He gives me an amused look as he carries me up the stairs. “Why’s that? You don’t like my room?”

  “It’s‒it’s your room. It’s intimate.” And it’s embarrassing because Myra’s following right behind us. “Just put me down here. Myra can give me some clothes in her room.”

  “Her room is downstairs.” Logan smiles. “Take a shower, warm up. Please. It’ll make me feel better.”

  Suddenly, I remember the conversation with my mom. Her words about someone from Shadow Hill murdering my dad come back to me in a painful rush.

  Once we’re in Logan’s room, he sets me down and I ease away from him.<
br />
  “I’ll grab some towels,” Myra says, walking to the bathroom.

  Logan frowns when he sees my face. “What’s wrong?”

  I clasp my ice-cold hands together, lifting my chin. “Did you kill my father?”

  His lips part, jaw shifting as he studies my face. “Kill your father?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why the hell would you ask me that? I know I didn’t exactly make the best first impression, but murder? Seriously?”

  Myra walks back into the room, but freezes when she sees us.

  “Can you give us a minute, Myra?” Logan keeps his gaze locked on mine.

  She lifts her eyebrows at me. “Sure.”

  Once she leaves the room, Logan steps toward me, stopping a few feet away. “I didn’t kill your father.”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  “I sent you that note, yes, but that’s it.”

  I nod again. “Okay.”

  “That’s it?” He runs a hand through his hair before propping his hands on his hips and staring at the floor. “You accuse me of a murder and then it’s ‘okay’?”

  “Yes. I shouldn’t have asked you that.” But I needed to hear it from him‒to hear him tell me for sure he hadn’t hurt my dad.

  “And that’s all?”

  I cross my arms, still cold in my wet clothes, almost wishing I hadn’t said anything at all. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want your apology. I want‒” He closes the distance between us and takes my hands in his, warming them. “I want you to believe me.”

  “I do.”

  He shakes his head. “It doesn’t sound like it.”

  I swallow sudden emotion. “I know. I’m sorry. Really, Logan. I shouldn’t have asked you that‒I just…”

  “What?” He lifts my chin with his fingertips. “Tell me.”

  My eyes fill with tears. It’s too much right now, especially when I just got out of a well because my dead ancestor pushed me in.

  “I’m sorry, Willow,” Logan says, wrapping his arms around me. “You need to rest. We can talk about this later.”

  I nod against his chest, then pull back. “I’m getting you wet.”

  He smiles at me. And in that moment, I believe him completely. I believe that he didn’t kill my father or have anything to do with it. I trust him.

  “I don’t care,” he says.

  His eyes connect with mine, searching for something. Asking.

  “I want this,” I whisper. “I want…something between us. But I’m scared.”

  “You’re not going to hurt me, Willow.”

  His eyes dip to my lips and it undoes me. I press my cool hands against his cheeks, emotion making my throat tight. “Thank you for coming to find me.” I press my mouth softly against the corner of his.

  His breath catches and he holds still as if he thinks I’ll take it back. Or walk away and leave him here, clearly wanting me.

  But I want him, too, and Selena’s temporary disappearance from my mind is making it hard for me to stop myself.

  “I didn’t know what was going on,” he says, voice rough. “Just that you were in trouble.” His eyes stray from mine. “If anything had happened to you…”

  I kiss him again, to chase away the worry I see on his face. To apologize for thinking he killed my father. To show him I understand why he did what he did when I got to Shadow Hill.

  My mouth is feather light against his, just a brush and then a nip on his bottom lip. He makes a low noise of desire deep in his throat.

  “Willow, I want you.”

  I press my lips to his again before nodding. “I know. But I’m freezing. I need to get in the shower.”

  “That isn’t a problem for me.”

  I shiver and pull away. “Sorry, this time I think I need to be alone.”

  Disappointment flickers but he only nods. “I understand.”

  I start pulling off my shoes. “Besides that, you have a werewolf, a vampire, and a shapeshifter downstairs in your house. I figured you’d be a little more concerned.”

  “Not when I’m up here with you.”

  He stoops to grab my other foot and loosens the knot on my shoe. I brace my hand on his shoulder, feeling the strength in his muscles. My heartbeat quickens when he glances up with a lazy smile.

  “Need help with anything else?”

  “I…” My throat dries. “I don’t know when Selena is going to come back. I might have to leave soon.”

  He stands again and takes my hand. “I want you to stay here until I can make sure you’re okay. In fact…” He looks away and shrugs. “We’ll talk about it. Get your shower and meet us downstairs. If we’re all still alive, it’ll be a miracle.”

  My face drains of color and his eyes widen.

  “It was a joke.” He brushes his thumb on my cheek. “I shouldn’t have said it.”

  I pull away with a forced smile. “It’s not your fault.”

  “God, you look so tired. Are you sure you don’t want to lie down instead? Just for a few hours?”

  “No. I want to get warm. And then I want to be around people.”

  “Okay. I’ll be downstairs.” He starts to the door, then pauses. “Did you do that with your hand?”

  “What?”

  He gestures. “The cut on your hand is gone‒the one you had the other night. Did you heal it?”

  “Oh.” I’d almost forgotten about it‒I hadn’t even told my mother. And now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I realize it’s important. “Yes. I guess. I’ll tell you about it later.”

  He nods and leaves the room.

  I realize in the shower I already know two ways to help Myra feel better. One involves Selena. And the other involves fire. However, I’m not sure if either will work.

  Afterward, I also take off Selena’s necklace. It seems as though that might be one way she’s staying linked to me. After all, it was her necklace when she was alive.

  But I still feel naked without it as I walk downstairs and into the living room. Someone has built a fire and Ryan is pacing, alone, in front of it. He doesn’t notice me until I’m halfway across the room.

  The fire’s warm enough to reach me, heating my cheeks. I move even closer and Ryan follows.

  “How’re you feeling?”

  “Tired.”

  “I can take you home. I have to get back to work in a while anyway. I can take you there and see if Cheyenne will check back in on you after she’s done with work.”

  I hold my hands out to the fire, mesmerized by the high flames. Even though the shower was as hot as I could stand it, I’m still chilled inside. “It’s okay. I need to talk to Myra.”

  Ryan turns to me, looking lost. “Why did you leave the house? I woke up and you weren’t there‒I had no idea what was going on.”

  “I found something in my Book of Shadows‒a way to stop Selena from getting into my head. She keeps telling me to do horrible things. Especially Logan.”

  His jaw hardens, like he wouldn’t mind being rid of Logan for good.

  “And when I thought about taking away her power, she wanted me to hurt you, too. I had to leave.”

  Ryan’s expression softens and he pulls me into his arms. “You could have woken me up and told me what was going on.”

  “You don’t understand,” I whisper, my voice muffled against his shirt.

  He strokes one hand down my damp hair. “I do understand. I understand that you’re so worried about keeping everyone else safe, you’re not taking care of yourself. How did you get in the well?”

  “Selena tricked me.” I close my eyes for a long moment, relaxing against his chest and tucking my arms close for warmth. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  The sound of footsteps makes me open my eyes again. The rest of the group is coming into the room. The corners of Logan’s lips turn down when he sees me in Ryan’s arms, but he doesn’t say anything.

  I move to sit on the couch closest to the fire. Myra drapes a blanket across my lap
and I cast her a smile. I pull it all the way to my shoulders and rest against the arm of the couch.

  “I really need to get to work,” Cheyenne says. She gives me a pointed look. “But I want to know what the hell you were doing stuck at the bottom of well.”

  I sigh. “Selena lured me out there. I was going to try to find her Book of Shadows.”

  “In the middle of the night?”

  “You don’t know what she’s been doing. She’s trying to make me hurt people, Cheyenne. She keeps talking to me, saying horrible things. I don’t want to hear it anymore.” I swallow hard and try to blink away the tears pooling at the corners of my eyes.

  “This is too much,” Myra says decisively. “Willow needs to rest, not deal with this‒and Selena‒right now.”

  I give her a grateful smile, surprised that she’s the one who seems to understand.

  “I’ll take you back to work,” Ryan tells Cheyenne. He returns his gaze to me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

  I open my mouth, but Logan’s already shaking his head. “You hit your head. You could have a concussion. Someone needs to stay with you‒” He bites off his next words as everyone stares at him. “Sorry, Willow. Do what you need to do.”

  The surge of protectiveness I saw in his eyes warms me more than the blanket. But then he turns and walks out of the room.

  “Vampires,” Cheyenne says with a roll of her eyes. “So temperamental. No offense, Myra.”

  Cheyenne comes over to squeeze my shoulder. Ryan does the same, his hand lingering a bit longer.

  “I’ll stay for a while to rest,” I say.

  “Call if you need anything. I’ll check on you later.”

  “Not on my phone, though. It broke in the water.”

  A muscle works in his jaw. I’m not sure whether he’s thinking he’ll have to call Myra or Logan’s phone to get hold of me or he’s thinking about the water at the bottom of the well. But clearly, it doesn’t sit well with him.

  “I’ll check in,” he says again.

  Myra walks to the door to show them out and I cushion my head on the arm of the couch. It’s still throbbing in the back and my arm aches all the way down to my wrist, but I’m too warm and comfortable to care.

  I close my eyes and think about Selena and fire, and wonder if I could heal myself again. If the fire doesn’t hurt me, maybe I could fix my arm or my head somehow. But what about Myra? Can I heal her the same way? Or would my fire hurt her too badly?