The Keepers: Declan. Rae Rivers

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      Sienna’s shocked gasp nipped at his words. “As in Harper has her or killed her?”

      “She’s still alive.”

      “Where is she?”

      Declan rolled his eyes. “If I knew, she’d be here, not off with the damn warlock.”

      “You lost her?” they asked in perfect unison and he almost flinched at their incredulous tones.

      Almost.

      But flinching would reveal his disgust.

      “How could you let that happen?” Ethan asked, irritation lining his words.

      “The wildcat drugged me this morning.” Declan took another sip of whiskey which did nothing to ease the growing frustration. “Long story.”

      “She sounds feisty.”

      “Feisty’s going to get her killed.”

      “You know what this means, right?”

      “Trust me, brother. I’ve had all day to process what this means.”

      And it only fuelled his anger every time he did.

      “Why did they take her? They could’ve killed her right there, absorbed her powers, and got on with it. Why go to the trouble of taking her?”

      Exactly.

      But Harper hadn’t killed her, which meant he needed her for something else. What that was worried him more than he cared to admit.

      “Maybe they’re hoping she’ll side with them,” Sienna suggested. “She’d be more powerful than Harper could ever be as the magic originated with her.”

      “She’d never side with them.”

      “You say that like you know her.”

      Every damn inch of her.

      “We’ve met before.”

      “You have? Why haven’t you said anything until now?”

      “Because it wasn’t relevant.”

      “She broke in here, stole two of our daggers, stabbed your brother –”

      “I’m very well aware of her crimes, Sienna.”

      “– and you failed to think it was relevant?”

      “Unless it was more than a simple meeting,” Ethan added, watching Declan. Apparently, the warrior knew his brother too well.

      “Can we focus on what’s important here?” Declan snapped, slamming the glass on the table. “Harper has her and he’ll use her powers any way he can. Once he has access to them, we can kiss our sweet-assed victories goodbye.”

      The truth behind his words hung in the air like an unwelcome ache.

      Sienna nibbled her bottom lip, her eyes filled with renewed concern. “If Harper insists she sides with them, her options will be limited. If she doesn’t do it willingly, he’ll kill her.”

      Declan swallowed, hating to hear the words spoken aloud. He nodded, reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket knife and a map.

      “What about the hybrid in her?” Ethan asked.

      “No one knows about that. Besides, her mother used a spell that kept that side of her dormant. Her witch side is stronger. Any Keeper ability she has is nowhere near ours.”

      “If Harper’s discovered she’s a hybrid, would it help him?”

      “Not much,” Sienna replied. “The powers they scavenge are always diluted in the process. If her Keeper side is weak, there’d be little to gain.”

      Declan spread the map across the bar and glanced at Sienna. “Up for a location spell?”

      Green eyes flashed with curiosity. “She’s magical. A location spell won’t work for her unless I have her blood.”

      Declan reached for the knife and slashed his palm, ignoring the pierce of pain.

      “Declan?” Sienna’s voice tore through the silence, laced with confusion.

      He held his hand above the map and pumped his fist.

      “Declan!” Sienna snapped, snatching the towel off Ethan’s shoulder as he went to lock the front door. “What are you doing?”

      Blood dripped onto the map, red and angry, a reminder of the war they’d face if Harper scavenged Kate’s magic.

      Like hell.

      He took the towel from Sienna and wrapped his hand. “The location spell, Sienna.”

      “This won’t work. I need her blood.”

      “Use mine.”

      “I can’t search for her without her blood!”

      “I’m not asking you to search for hers.”

      Sienna’s eyes narrowed before widening as understanding dawned. “You marked her, didn’t you?”

      Damn right.

       CHAPTER TEN

      Kate had never been afraid of the dark.

      Until now.

      Although she’d been unconscious most of the time, she suspected Harper had taken her underground. It was too dark, cold, and quiet to be anywhere else. The walls were damp, the air smelt musty, and Kate wasn’t sure what she wished for more – fresh air or sunlight on her face.

      Both would signal freedom which now seemed like an impossible feat. Not with the shackles around her wrists and ankles. Her skin was raw, the flesh red from the binds.

      She had long since given up trying to free herself. They’d used shackles that were impossible to destroy, despite her strength. Since they’d taken her, she’d hoped her powers would set her free.

      But no.

      Her captives knew how to curb them.

      Bastards.

      The sound of approaching footsteps sent Kate’s heartbeat racing. She drew in a quiet breath, bracing herself for the onslaught of evil coming her way.

      The key turned in the lock, the sound loud in the quiet room. The wooden door pushed open, scraping along the sandy floor. A beam of light flooded the room, a brief respite from the darkness.

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