by Rae Rivers
“You don’t have a choice,” Declan replied in a low voice. “I need to protect you from Harper and I can’t do that if you’re not here.”
“I’m not your responsibility.”
“Call it a duty then.”
“I’m your duty? Duty? Seriously?” She bolted to her feet but he was there in an instant, reaching for her. “Get out of my way, Declan.” She tried to push past him but his fingers snatched her wrists, yanking her back to him. His expression was fierce, anger flaring in his dark blue eyes.
“You’re the key that can unleash a load of evil crap in this world, Kate. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you out of my sight until we know that’s no longer an option. There’s too much at stake. Too many innocent people –”
“So that’s all that this is about? Protecting everyone?”
“Of course.”
She gaped at him. “Following me from New Orleans and everything that happened,” she said, lowering her voice, “that was simply you staking your claim on me before Harper did?”
“I have a duty to protect the balance. I knew if Harper wanted you, it had to have something to do with upsetting the balance.”
Her laugh was brief and held no amusement. “And here I thought that beneath the hard-assed image, you cared. How wrong I was.”
“Kate –” he said, reaching for her but she yanked her arm out of his reach.
“You’re an ass, Declan!” She shoved him hard and headed for the door.
A rush of air flooded her ears and she gasped when he was suddenly in front of her, blocking the door. Damn, she hated it when he moved so fast.
“Did you ever stop to think why your mother sent you to Rapid Falls?” he challenged.
“Lora. The daggers.”
“You don’t even know how they’re meant to protect you, do you, Kate?”
“Not yet.”
“Your mother sent you here and it wasn’t only for the daggers.” He reached for the Grimoire he’d placed on the drawers beside the door, flipped open the book and turned it around. Holding it up, he jabbed a finger at the page. It was the image of the half unicorn, half man, and above it were three daggers that shielded the hybrid.
Kate met his gaze and raised a brow.
“Look at the symbols on each dagger.”
A pentagram.
Slamming the book shut, he tossed it onto the floor, and began to unbutton his shirt. With a roll of broad shoulders, he shrugged it off, exposing a muscular chest and tight ripples of abs that sparked recognition all over again.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Lora figured out why your mother sent you here.” He turned around, flashing his back to her.
She gasped, staring at him. Across his shoulder blades was the carefully crafted tattoo of a pentagram. The exact replica of the rough sketch on each dagger.
Turning around, Declan’s level gaze met hers. A muscle worked in his jaw and an intense heat flooded his eyes. “Your mother wanted you to come here, Kate. She wanted you to find Lora and knew that your connections here would strengthen you. But it’s not the daggers that will protect you. It’s the Keepers who live here.”
****
Surprise clouded her features. Her expression fell and she closed her eyes, covering her face with her hands.
Despite his anger, something shifted inside when he saw her expression and he ached to rectify it.
And soften the blow of his words. All of them. His duty? Dammit.
“Your mother knew we’d be the ones to protect you,” he murmured, closing the gap between them.
“She only mentioned the daggers.”
He pointed to the book on the floor. “This is all new to us, but she figured out that the daggers are linked to a hybrid and that we have them.”
He reached for her hands, drawing them away from her face. His gut clenched when he saw her tears. “Kate … ”
She pulled away, her expression twisted with pain and sadness. Regret. Guilt.
And Declan knew all about those four destructive emotions. Since his sister’s death, they’d been his constant companions.
“You weren’t responsible for your mother’s death, Kate. Harper and his men were.”
Her expression tightened, and she inhaled deeply before locking her gaze with his. “I’ll never be free of any of this, will I?” Her shoulders sagged and she blew out air to ground herself. “My mother led me here, wanted me to find you. For her, it was to protect me. For you, it’s to protect the balance of nature.” She raised her head, giving him a look so cold that he felt the prickle of her glare. “Because it’s always about protecting the balance, isn’t it?”
He couldn’t deny it. Refused to. “Kate –”
“Don’t,” she interrupted, looking away. “I get it, Declan. You made it clear that I’m nothing more than a duty to you. I’m fine with that because right now, I have to be.”
“Why do you refuse to embrace this world as your own?”
“I drain magic and my blood can be used to break spells. It feels like I was born to weaken it.”
Reaching out, he brushed away a stray curl. “You’re seeing it wrong, Kate. Have you ever considered that perhaps you were born to strengthen it?”
Her beautiful brown eyes flickered with something he couldn’t decipher. Hope?
She sighed, the soft sound hinting at surrender, and nodded. “We should get some sleep, Declan. It’s late and you have a harvest coming up.”
“That’s the last thing on my mind right now.” Even though he knew it was impossible to ignore. Their entire year was geared toward preparing the vineyards for the annual harvest, a process that kept him and his brothers – and the town – thriving. “But you’re right,” he said, pulling away. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”
And figure out how to keep Harper away from Kate.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Two days later
Beckham Estate
Kate filled the kettle with water and turned on the heat, every sound she made amplified in the darkness. Relying on the dim glow from the patio lights, she left the kitchen lights off, seeking the darkness to cloak her thoughts. Memories of her mother had whipped away any chance of sleep tonight, despite her exhaustion after an intense training session with Lora.
The events of the past few days kept playing in her mind. It was hard to think that not too long ago, she’d broken into the Bennett estate in search of the daggers that would protect her. How naive she’d been.
And how much she’d discovered since then.
She’d spent the last two days with Lora, learning how to channel and target her power. It was a mammoth challenge but Lora’s patience and guidance had helped.
God, she had a grandmother. A grandmother!
Kate smiled and headed to the chest of drawers against the wall. Photographs of the Bennetts and the Beckhams filled every available space. They looked happy, despite their responsibilities. She wondered how it was possible to find an even keel. They seemed to take pleasure from the smaller things in life.
Family and friends – and moments untouched by the darker forces.
She picked up a photo of the three brothers and ran her fingers across their smiling faces. She’d hurt them, and couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t do it again.
That scared her more than anything else.
Despite her resolve not to let them in, she had, and loathed the idea that she was their weakness.
Or their strength.
Declan’s words stirred a fluttering of newfound hope. She’d hardly seen him lately as she’d been so focused on mastering her magic. He’d left her to it but she’d sensed his presence lurking nearby. Watching over her.
The thought warmed her but before she could process why, a movement in the hallway hinted that she wasn’t alone.
Sienna hovered in the doorway. Apparently, the witch was having a sleepless night of her own. Light flooded the room, chasing away the safety of the d
arkness.
“You’re not the only one to hurt them with magic, you know,” Sienna said, glancing at the photograph in Kate’s hand.
“I’m not?”
She shook her head. “My grandmother, Rose, was a very rare, powerful witch. A few years ago, she transferred her powers to me. She refused to explain why and kept insisting I had to trust her. I was a fire witch and I loved the simplicity of my magic. Rose’s powers gave me access to all the elements. I was furious. The strength that came with that was terrifying.”
“What happened?”
“The night Warrick stabbed Sarah, I was so devastated, so angry, that I gave in to the magic. I trashed the tomb, set it alight, and went completely nuts.” She lowered her gaze, but not before Kate caught a glimpse of the sadness that still lingered from the memory. “When I’d depleted my energy supply, I tapped into my Keepers. Our magical connection is meant to help and save each other. Instead, I used it because I was furious and lost control. I almost killed them. Archer still carries the scar on his arm.”
“Does the guilt get easier?”
“Warrick’s death helped but every time I see Archer’s scar, I’m reminded. I’ve simply learnt to move on.”
“I didn’t realise I was capable of so much power.” As terrifying as it had been, Kate couldn’t deny the euphoria that had come with it.
“How could you when you weren’t aware of your ancestral connection to this town?”
Kate still found it hard to believe that she had roots here. No wonder she’d felt the magical stir every time she came to Rapid Falls. Ancestral magic. Hers.
The thought warmed her, teasing everything her mother had ever taught her, sparking a fresh bout of frustration. Her mother’s fears had been passed on and Kate had trusted her.
Love had ruled her mother’s choices, but it didn’t make the deception easier to accept.
“I never knew your mother, Kate,” Sienna said softly, almost as though she’d read her mind, “but I do know what it’s like to fear our magic and the constant battle against the darker forces.”
“She lied to me.”
“She was protecting you.”
“By keeping me away from Lora? From here?” Kate snapped her mouth shut, hating the bitter sting to her tone, and met Sienna’s gaze. Beautiful green eyes, full of honesty and kindness. “I don’t understand why she went to all that effort to alienate us and then send me here now for help.”
“Keeping you away might’ve seemed like the only way to protect you, at first. But when word leaked of your existence, she probably knew she couldn’t do it alone.”
“I wish she could’ve come with me.”
Sienna smiled. “Three generations of witches from the same lineage? I’d have to warn Declan against messing with you.”
Kate laughed, the sound breaking the solemn mood. Her smile faded and she looked at Sienna. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Sienna opened her mouth, hesitating with her words. Eventually, she nodded. “Our magical abilities are so opposite. I get that what happened was an accident. In our world, our powers are our survival and I need to trust that you’re never going to take them away from us.”
“Lora said she can help me.” And she was. With every passing moment, Kate grew stronger and more determined.
She wanted her life back.
“And if there’s anyone who knows what it takes to master new powers, it’s me. I’ll help any way I can.”
“Thank you,” Kate exhaled, breaking away when the kettle began to whistle. Turning off the heat, she assembled the tea, feeling lighter than she had in a long time.
Sienna moved silently beside her, holding the milk. She looked at Kate, nibbling her bottom lip. “Kate, this thing with you and Declan … ”
Surprise had Kate lifting a brow.
“I know it’s none of my business and if you make each other happy, I’m all for it … ” She smiled, the motion softening the hesitation. “What I’m trying to say is that you should know what you’re getting yourself into. Loving one of these guys, a Keeper, isn’t always easy.”
Loving?
Kate’s stomach twisted as though someone had sucker-punched her.
Denial bolted through her, dodging the nagging voice of truth.
No. Freaking. Way.
Sienna tilted her head, studying her, almost as though she realised she’d just planted the seed of truth. Her smile softened, sympathy narrowing her eyes. “They’re warriors. They love as fiercely as they fight. They’re born to protect the innocent, to protect me, and it’s not always pretty. Their methods, their fights, are sometimes brutal.”
“I’m no threat to your connection with Declan. He’s made it clear why he brought me here – and that you’ll always be his first priority.”
“He marked you.”
Kate frowned. “What does that even mean?”
“When the brothers took over the duty of protecting me, they marked me. It’s like an aura warning every supernatural predator that they’re watching over me. It’s a Keeper thing.”
He’d marked her? What the hell?
Ah, a Bennett. I’d recognise his scent anywhere; I just never expected it on you. Harper’s words slammed to memory. She hadn’t understood his meaning then.
Sienna reached for the kettle and poured water into each mug. “It made it possible to track your location to the mountains. But the thing is,” she said, pausing as she handed over the tea, “a Keeper can only mark two kinds of people in his lifetime. The witch he protects, and the woman he’s chosen as his.”
Kate drew on steely determination to keep Sienna’s words at bay. A million questions came to mind, but none formed – the revelation ringing in her ears.
“Kate, I’m sorry,” Sienna said, touching her on the arm. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Archer’s arrival ended the conversation. His neatly cropped brown hair was messier than usual, his expression sleepy as he sought out Sienna. “Hmm, when you’re up making tea this early, I know trouble’s heading our way.”
Sienna sighed, smiling as he kissed her cheek. “Want some?”
He shook his head. “Come back to bed, my love.”
Kate held out the mug. Sienna offered a warm smile, took the tea and headed for the door. Archer paused in the doorway and glanced back at Kate.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice a mild rumble of words in the silent room.
Kate nodded, realising for the first time that maybe, just maybe, she was.
“I guess you’ll be staying for a while?”
“Lora’s helping me with my magic.”
He seemed relieved but didn’t comment.
“I can move in with her if it’s a problem –”
“No. You belong here. You’ve been drawn into our world despite your determination to stay out of it,” he said evenly, meeting her gaze. “It’s your destiny, your birthright. That makes you one of us, a part of this family, so this is your home too.”
She stared at him, her throat constricted. Refusing to let him see how his words had touched her, she simply nodded.
“My brother’s moods are shaky at the best of times but when it comes to people he cares about, he’s impossible.”
“I can handle Declan.”
“Of course. That’s the other reason why you should stay.” He winked at her and disappeared.
Carrying the mug of tea, Kate turned off the light and headed for the stairs. Her foot touched the top step when a loud groan ripped through the darkness. She jumped, spilling the tea over her hand and flinching.
The shout of Sarah’s name drew her attention away from the tea.
Declan.
Placing the mug on a nearby table, Kate opened the door, not bothering to knock. His curtains were open, the room dimly lit by garden lights and moonlight. The room was sparsely furnished, the huge bed against the far wall.
She paused in the doorway, hesitant. This was his space, private.
&n
bsp; The sheet was wrapped around his waist in a tangled mess, a thin sheen of moisture across his body. He thrashed around in the bed, moaning, gripped by the same nightmare that had haunted him for years.
Her heart ached for him and she wished she could ease his sorrow, his guilt. Despite the flare of warning that urged caution, she went to him.
“Declan,” she murmured, hesitating. She hadn’t forgotten his reaction the last time she’d woken him from a nightmare. She repeated his name, louder this time.
He growled, grabbed hold of the sheet and twisted, his face contorted with rage.
“Declan!” she snapped, placing a hand on his arm.
His reaction was immediate. With a snarl, he launched himself upright, grabbed hold of her and flipped her over.
“Declan, it’s me!” she cried, bracing herself for his fury. She drew on the strength she’d begun to master. She brought up her knee, wedged it between them, and pushed.
The action broke his grip, but only briefly, and he lunged for her, shouting Warrick’s name.
“Declan!” she screamed as he gripped her throat. The sound snapped his head upward, breaking his hold as though she’d slapped him.
He blinked, staring down at her, reality setting in. With a strangled growl, he launched himself off the bed, landing on his hands and knees in the centre of the room. His entire body trembled.
A scream of objection caught in her throat. She scrambled off the bed and lowered to her knees behind him.
“Declan,” she said, placing her hands on his back, his skin clammy against her touch.
“Get out of here, Kate,” he grumbled through gasps of air.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He turned his head to glower at her, his eyes tortured. “This is a pity party for one. Go.”
The discussion with Sienna came to mind, and for the first time, she saw right through him.
By marking her, he’d vowed to everyone that he’d protect her.
That she was his.
She waited for the panic, the denial, and the urge to bolt.
But nothing happened.
All she felt was the wild longing to hold him, to be with him. To be his.
“This is exactly where I want to be.” The truth of her words rang loudly and she realised that she’d meant every one of them.
