by Rae Rivers
Declan followed her gaze to the beehive situated above and swallowed a grin.
Oh, yeah.
Megan took a leap, landing silently nearby, her hands behind her back. She straightened, dark eyes circled with make-up, pinned on Kate. She appeared less ruffled than the men and cracked a smile when her arms came forward to reveal a whip.
In swift succession, Rick and Max were beside her, closely followed by Harper.
“We meet again,” Harper said with a smug grin edging his lips. His shaved head was concealed beneath a black cap, his tattoo visible at the back of his neck. He lacked height, but his bulky frame made up for it. His nose still carried a hint of a bruise and Declan glanced at Kate.
“I hope he has you to thank for that?”
The corner of her lip twisted in confirmation and he gave a grunt of approval.
“It appears you got away lightly, Harper,” Declan said. “Again. I should have killed you when I had the chance.”
“Cut the reminiscing crap and give us the girl, Bennett.”
“Pick on someone your own size.”
“You’re one. We’re five.”
“Underestimating Kate? Bad move.” Declan nodded in the direction of the unconscious warrior at the foot of the tree. “And do your math, Harper.”
Harper’s nostrils flared. “So we’re four. You’re still outnumbered. And you’ve seen what we’re capable of.”
“Warriors on witchy steroids?” Declan snorted. “Your magic doesn’t scare me.”
It only made him wary. He’d never been one for running but with Kate as their target, Harper would pull out all the stops.
He needed to get Kate home, out of Harper’s reach, and decode what the hell they wanted from her.
They’d follow, but between him and his brothers, getting to Kate would be near impossible.
They’d already lost three women. Losing another was not an option.
Harper’s mouth turned downward and he nodded at his men. “Get the girl.”
Kate stepped forward, hurling a rock at the beehive with such force that Declan heard the whoosh of air as it passed him. The rock collided with the branch, disrupting the quiet hive.
It swung violently, exploding into a buzz of fury. Hundreds of bees spilled from the hive and surrounded Harper and his men.
Their outraged roars tore through the silence as Declan grabbed Kate’s hand and bolted to the river.
“Why didn’t you just use your joo joo on them?” he asked as they ran.
“It’s not that easy. Too many of them,” she replied, her face clouded with fury.
It didn’t take long before they neared the waterfall, but Harper’s men had recovered quickly and set chase with renewed anger.
He could hear their snatched breathing, muttered curses and Harper’s barking orders.
Tugging Kate closer, he headed toward the water, skidding to a halt at the top of the waterfall. Water roared around them in a powerful current that swept off the ledge and crashed into the pool below.
Declan eyed the cluster of rocks a few feet below that formed a ledge. It was slippery and probably suicide, but would offer temporary shelter.
Not stopping to weigh other options, knowing they were out of time, he grabbed Kate around the waist. “Do not scream,” he ordered and leapt.
Their landing was smoother than he’d anticipated, adrenaline wiping away the blow of the fall. He glanced up as they scrambled for cover against the back rock, and felt the kick of triumph when he realised Harper hadn’t caught up yet.
And with any luck, they’d assume Declan had opted for the safer hike down the mountain in the opposite direction. He hoped his plan worked, hating to admit their lack of alternatives.
Shouts could be heard above them as Harper and his warriors arrived at the top of the waterfall. The roar of the water muffled their words but they sounded furious. Moments later, they took off for the hiking trail.
Declan sagged against the rock and exhaled noisily. Thank God.
“Are they gone?’
He nodded, breathless, and slid an arm around her shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
She shook her head, her shoulders heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
A few minutes passed in silence, the need for words unnecessary as they waited for their attackers to move on.
Kate glanced at the edge of the rock and raised a brow. “How are we going to get off here?”
He hadn’t thought that far ahead, but she didn’t have to know that.
Walking to the edge, he scanned the climb down. Too damn steep. Too risky. And climbing up would mean they’d have to take the same path as the warriors.
Plan B.
Kate wouldn’t like it. Hell, he didn’t like it, but it was their only option.
Declan dropped his rucksack and shrugged off his jacket. “Take off your jeans and jacket,” he told her, pulling off his shoes.
She gaped at him. “It’s bad enough we’re being chased and now you want me naked?”
“Trust me.”
“Fine,” she replied and began to unbutton her jeans, “but I’m not wearing any underwear so I’m keeping my shirt.”
“Honey, as much as I love what’s under that shirt, it’s the last thing on my mind right now.”
The cold air sent a wave of goose bumps across her body and she grimaced as she handed him the clothing.
He stripped to his boxers and T-shirt, shoved everything into the bag and tossed it over the ledge, aiming it toward dry ground.
“What –?” she asked as he reached for her hand.
“We’ll need dry clothing.”
“Declan, no!” Kate shouted, her words a breathless gasp as she traced his intentions. “The water’s freezing, we’ll –”
Ignoring her protests, he grabbed her hand and leapt.
The icy temperature snagged his breath as the water swallowed them, an endless tidal wave sweeping them down.
“Kate!” he shouted under the water as he lost his grip on her. Using all his strength, he fought to the surface, cursing when he couldn’t find her. As the current swept them along, he scanned the river, horror gripping his insides.
Relief soared when she burst through the surface of the water with a gasp and he was beside her in a flash, drawing her toward the edge.
They heaved themselves onto the riverbank, panting. Declan reached for her, tugging her up. “Are you okay?” he grunted, unable to keep his hands off her as he checked for injuries.
She nodded, drenched, breathless.
“You jumped?” she screeched, looking at the height they’d attempted. She punched his arm, her small fist packing a powerful blow. “You’re crazy!”
Insane. And it irked him to admit how risky that manoeuvre had been.
“We survived, didn’t we?” he snapped, searching the horizon above them. Still no sign of Harper or his men. He went to retrieve the rucksack but was quick to return. She was shivering, her wet hair clinging to her face. Reaching for her hand, he headed to a cluster of large trees.
“We can’t stop here,” she protested as he dropped the bag and pulled her closer.
“They think we’ve taken a different direction. We have some time.”
“We can’t know that for sure.”
“Trust me, they’re gone. For now at least. Jumping off a mountain that high into freezing cold water is suicide and they know that.”
“Clearly they don’t know you.”
“Very few people do, honey.”
“What are you doing?” she asked as he began to unbutton her shirt.
“Stripping you.”
“I’m surprised,” she replied through chattering teeth.
“Surprised?” He tossed her shirt to the ground in a sloppy thud.
“That you’re skipping the foreplay and getting straight to it.”
His hands stilled. Using his thumb to tilt her chin upward, he flashed his wildest grin. “You of all people sho
uld know my take on foreplay,” he murmured, “but I’m happy to offer a reminder.”
Her skin erupted into fresh goose bumps. “In your dreams, warrior boy,” she said, her shaky retort delivered through chattering teeth.
He was tempted to counter her challenge, but her shivers had increased, as had his. Shoving aside the banter, he reached for the rucksack and yanked out their clothes.
The dry clothing did little to relieve the shivers and he pulled her into his arms, aware of the danger that came with the cold.
“Declan, no!”
“Relax, Kate,” he countered, sliding an arm around her.
“Now’s not the time for your charms.”
Despite the chill that ripped through his own body, he chuckled. “Oh, honey, you haven’t seen anything yet.” With his free hand, he tipped her chin to his. “For now, I’m simply warming you up.”
Her mouth opened but words evaded her. Still grinning, he wrapped both arms around her, tucking her head beneath his chin. She didn’t pull away and snuggled into his chest, welcoming his embrace. Having her so close – the brief surrender in his arms as shivers wracked her frame – piqued his protective instincts.
He stroked a hand across her streaky, damp hair. Closing his eyes, he reached for the magic he kept buried within.
The heat swirled in his gut, coursing through his body, the rise in temperature instantly welcome.
Her soft gasp against his chest hinted that she felt it too and she leaned into him for warmth, clinging to him like a lifeline.
Perhaps he was.
He breathed her in, indulging in her unique scent, and ignored the way his body reacted in response, his instinct to protect her overruling everything else.
When the heat he’d channelled began to lessen the shivers, he fought the urge to hold on to her and drew back.
“No,” she whispered, pressing further into him. “Just a minute more.”
Her voice was hoarse, the vulnerability that lined her words catching him off guard.
Somewhere inside, a warning fired, and he felt a tug at the wall he kept between himself and others. Having her lean on him for strength felt good, not something she’d do easily.
So instead of pulling away, he tightened his hold on her.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
By the time they reached the rock falls beside the railway line, the sun had begun its nightly descent in earnest, casting an orange streak across the white-coated mountains.
Kate took the bottle of water Declan offered and searched the horizon, zeroing in on the railway line.
“We’re stopping?”
He eyed the large rock fall above them. “We need a place to camp for the night.”
Kate couldn’t shake the unease. “We should keep going, Declan. It won’t be long before Harper wises up about us taking a nosedive off the cliff.”
“There’s enough distance between us for now. We can’t risk these mountains in the dark and neither will they.”
“We’re faster but they’re unpredictable. They have those crazy animal abilities.” She frowned, recalling their behaviour. “What’s with that? Are they even human?”
“Yes, but Harper’s used some sort of spell. The Brogan brothers have a liking for animals. Dogs and cats – and I’m not talking the fluffy domestic type.” He reached for the water, his fingers brushing hers, his Keeper ring catching the fading sunlight. “Clearly, it’s a trait that Harper shares. But instead of charming animals, they’ve enhanced themselves.”
“They’re creepy.”
“I wouldn’t –” His words trailed away as he cocked his head, tuning his senses into the distance.
Kate’s stomach lurched. “Do you hear them?”
“We really need to work on that hearing thing of yours,” he said, scanning the railway tracks that stretched for miles on either side of them. Taking two strides, he dropped to the ground beside the track and placed his ear against it.
“Declan?”
He turned his head to face her, his lips curling into a grin.
“What?”
“The train,” he replied, rising.
“It’s coming?”
“They’re late but in true tourism style, they’re reliable.” Shoving the water bottle back into his bag, Declan adjusted the straps on his shoulders and began to climb the rocks.
Straightening at the top of the first rock, he glanced into the distance before offering a hand.
Ignoring it, she scaled the rock with ease, her spirits lifting when she straightened beside him.
“Wow,” she whispered, staring at the breathtaking wilderness that stretched out for miles. An endless horizon of mountains and thick forest, snatches of greenery peeking out between blankets of white snow. With the sun fading fast in the distance, everything was tinged with splashes of orange and pink. “It’s beautiful.”
“Almost peaceful.”
She smiled. “No wonder there’s a tourism train along this route.”
“Lucky for us, they’re still doing their winter tours.”
Kate pointed into the distance, her heart soaring when she spotted the flash of blue coming around a mountain bend.
A long, sleek line of carriages running along the tracks, hinting at a level of comfort she’d been denied for days.
“So, warrior boy, any bright ideas to stop the train?”
“None I intend to use.” Declan walked to the edge of the rocks, looking down at the tracks below. He shot her his wildest grin, mischievous and daring. Her jaw dropped.
“We’re going to jump?”
“We’re Keepers. Piece of cake.”
She gaped at him, ignoring the way her stomach flipped. And it had more to do with his grin than the idea of jumping onto a moving train. Damn, how the hell could she find him sexy at a time like this? “Are you crazy?”
Amusement danced in bright blue eyes. “How else did you think we’d board the train?”
****
Their jump was made in perfect unison, their landing a little less skilled.
The impact sent them both rolling across the roof and Kate scrambled for a hold as she bounced toward the edge of the train. She grabbed the railing with one hand, her body bouncing like a limp rag doll against the carriage.
The wind whipped around her, the unbearable chill snatching her breath away.
“Kate!” Declan shouted, appearing above her.
He reached for her, pulling her up, twisting so that she landed beneath him. He shifted his full weight off her, shielding her from the icy wind.
Gasping, she buried her face in his neck, trying to catch her breath.
“You’re okay,” he murmured against her head. “I’ve got you.” He pulled back to peer at her, his expression a mixture of relief and worry, and swiped at the hair covering her face.
Kate punched his shoulder. “Dammit, Declan! Stop making me jump off things!”
His lips twitched and he pulled back, bringing her with him. Keeping her hand in his, he edged toward the end of the carriage. The wind that whipped around them, combined with the jerky movements of the train, had them stumbling across the roof.
They burst, gasping, into the carriage below in a whirl of howling wind that cut out the moment Declan slammed the door.
And staring at them in shocked silence was an entire lounge full of tourists.
Kate cringed and fought the urge to turn around and bolt the way she’d come, but Declan tugged at her hand, pulling her into a tight embrace.
And kissed her.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Despite their audience, Declan felt the electric pull between them. The kiss was meant to be a distraction – as though they were two daredevil lovers seeking thrills on the small platform outside.
But he should have known that kissing Kate would be anything but simple.
Her lips were soft, immediately giving in to the pressure of his despite her surprise, and her silent surrender turned his adrenaline into arousal.
The silence broke around them, their kiss disarming the stunned surprise. Their audience returned to their chatter and appreciation of the passing scenery. A few of the more observant tourists eyed their messy appearance but soon left them alone. Cameras flashed, newspapers shuffled, and the pianist continued playing.
Declan tipped his head back, unable to resist a grin.
“What was that for?” she whispered, glancing over his shoulder before meeting his gaze.
“We needed a distraction.”
“You have to stop kissing me!”
“And ruin all the fun?”
Despite her delightful scowl, there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. Her face was flushed, her heartbeat still erratic, and he had to resist the urge to kiss her again.
Offering distraction as an excuse again wouldn’t fly. Not this time.
“What now?” she whispered, looking around.
The tourists continued as though nothing had happened, some engaging in cheerful conversation, others pressing their noses against the window to catch the last few minutes of light.
Pre-dinner drinks flowed with ease, mostly wine and beer but tea for the more reserved. A waiter appeared, carrying a tray with four glasses and a bottle of wine.
Declan recognised the bottle instantly, felt a flash of pride, and watched with satisfaction as the waiter poured the first tasting. There were nods of approval and the waiter continued to fill their glasses.
Ice wine.
His wine. Rapid Falls was renowned for its production and the Bennett Estate provided the grapes. It was a tricky process mastered over time by generations of Bennetts and involved a lot of hard work – from the brothers, their staff, and the entire town when it came to harvesting.
His sister’s favourite time of the year.
He frowned, reeling in the thought before it took flight, and turned to Kate. “I’m going to find us a shower. And dinner.”
Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms across her chest. “A shower and dinner, huh?”
“And a bed.”
“You’re going to crash the party?”
“In stealth mode, but something like that.”
“And you really think no one will notice we’re stowaways?”
