The Keepers: Archer (10 page)

The darkness on the drive home was a blessing Sienna was grateful for. It offered her a cloak to hide the fear and emotions sparked by her brief confrontation with Warrick Brogan. The thing he’d done with the stones had frightened her more than his threats had. It proved that his powers were returning – maybe not all of them, but enough to send a flare of warning.

And knowing that, she had to take his threats seriously.

With a soft sigh, she looked at each of the Bennett brothers, destined to protect her. And somehow, she was as bound by duty and love to protect them.

She would tell them what had happened – after she’d seen what Warrick had delivered to her.

A bright light from behind them lit up the car with a sudden velocity that had Sienna’s attention jolting back to the present.

“We have company,” Archer said, keeping his hands firmly on the steering wheel, his level gaze flickering between the road ahead and his rear-view mirror.

“What the hell?” Sienna held up a hand to shield her eyes from the glare of the imposing headlights, Warrick’s warning fresh in her mind.

The car revved, hovering dangerously close to the back of the Land Cruiser.

“It’s probably some kids, Archer,” Declan said, glancing behind him.

“Sienna, has this got anything to do with what happened at Lora’s?” Archer asked softly.

She heard the prickle in his voice. “I don’t know.”

“Not the answer I was hoping for. Get down.”

Before Sienna could react, the grey SUV overtook them with a speed and recklessness that sent her heart rate soaring.

Music blared from the car, even through the darkness and sealed windows, and the car took off ahead of them, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Sienna sank back in her seat with a relieved sigh. “Jeepers, Archer. Not everything’s a threat. Just some local teens out for some R & R.”

Declan ran his hands through his hair and stretched. “We should follow suit. We could sure use some decent hometown rest and relaxation.”

“There’s no rest for the wicked, Declan.”

He flashed her a grin. “The wicked don’t need the rest, just the relaxation.”

And if any of them knew how to do that, it was Declan.

Archer cleared his throat. “Are you going to tell us what really happened in that damn store?”

“Back off, Archer,” Sienna replied, instinctively knowing that if she did, they’d turn the car around and high tail it straight back to town in search of the warlock. Warrick would be back in hiding by now, and all it would do is stir up a lot of anger and resentment. The car rounded a bend and in a flash of panic, they spotted the grey SUV stopped in the middle of the road.

“Archer!” Sienna shouted as their car swerved to avoid the inevitable impact.

The two cars collided with a sickening crash of metal against metal, a thud of heavy bulk against even heavier bulk. Their car ricocheted off the SUV, spun around twice in a whirl of screeching tires and shattered glass, and plummeted down the embankment into the river.

Sienna screamed as water gushed into the car with frightening speed, pulling them further into the depths of the river. It was icy cold and took her breath away. Hands shaking, she fumbled with her seatbelt and bolted to the front seat.

“Declan!” she cried, grabbing his shoulders and pushing him back against his seat. He was out cold, blood streaming from a wound on his forehead. She slapped his cheeks and shook him, aware of the water rapidly closing in around them. “Declan! Wake up.” She reeled back and looked around, gasping when she couldn’t find Archer. “Archer!”

She struggled with Declan’s seatbelt and gave a triumphant cry when it came loose. They were running out of time. The water had reached chest level, threatening to swallow them whole.

The car shifted, pushed by the force of the flowing water, and Sienna felt her world shrink as the water engulfed them.

Silence fell, in complete contrast to the craziness of the crash.

And the only thing going through her mind was that there was no way in hell she could leave Declan.

A combination of horror and determination sent a fresh bolt of renewed energy through her and drawing on a strength that surprised her, she slid her arms under Declan’s and hoisted him toward her. It was dark, the water murky, and confusion reigned, but she managed to exit through the shattered windscreen and bring them both to the surface.

The roaring of the water muffled her loud gasp of air, and she wrapped her arms around Declan’s shoulders and clung to him with all her strength. Swept away with the tide, and struggling against the current, she fought to keep them both above the water, kicking and splashing toward the edge of the river.

She screamed as a pair of strong arms encircled her waist.

“It’s okay, it’s me!” Archer shouted, drawing her close.

Archer!

“Hold on to me,” Archer said, reaching around her to grab his brother. With a powerful leap, he hoisted them out of the water and onto the safety of the riverbank. “Are you hurt?” he asked, grabbing her and checking her over.

“No.” Breathing hard and gasping for air, Sienna scrambled to Declan’s side. Her heart soared when he started coughing and struggled onto one elbow.

“Sienna?” he said, looking around, trying to catch his breath.

“Declan!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. “Oh, my God, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. What the hell happened?”

“We were in an accident.”

His eyes widened, and he tried to push himself up but settled back when she touched his chest. “No, you’re bleeding.” She ripped his shirt and used the material to swipe at the blood on his forehead.

He pushed her hand away. “It’ll heal quickly. Are you hurt?”

She captured his hand in hers and kissed his knuckles. “No.”

Declan’s head bolted up. “Where’s my brother?”

“He’s fine.” She heard his sharp intake of breath and tightened her grip around his hand. “We’re all fine, Declan.”

Archer dropped to his knees beside them, dripping water and oozing anger. “They’re gone.”

“The SUV?”

“Trashed and abandoned but the driver’s gone. Someone must’ve called in the accident. I hear sirens.”

She couldn’t hear them, but she often never heard the things they did – not at that distance. She sank to the ground, giving way to the trembling, and gulped air.

Archer put a hand on her shoulder. “Sienna, are you okay?”

No.

“Yes,” she whispered in a breathy gasp of air as guilt ripped through her.

She was to blame for this. She’d defied Warrick and ignored his warning. This was all her fault.

Sienna grimaced as she swallowed the painkillers for the pounding headache she’d had since the accident.

Warrick’s sudden return to Rapid Falls had frightened her, his actions proving that he was bold, reckless, and out for revenge. She should have taken his threats more seriously and she was mad at herself for ignoring them.

Sienna flexed her hand that still smarted from the mild burn caused from the pebbles. What was with that? Had he spelled them? Used Rose Thorn?

She dragged in a deep breath and faced the row of kitchen windows, all wooden arches, all designed for maximum sunlight and optimal views of the garden outside. The kitchen was immaculate and shiny, the advantage of living with men who loved to cook.

Her Keepers. The very idea that Warrick had threatened them sent fear spiralling through her. The thought of something happening to one of them terrified her. She couldn’t lose another Keeper, another friend – and it had nothing to do with the fact that she’d already lost one Keeper, which had weakened the strength of her power, weakened her. Losing another Keeper would weaken her even more. No, the anxiety that Warrick’s return had provoked had nothing to do with that. They were her family, everything she’d ever known, and she loved them. Sarah’s death had gutted her, leaving a wake of sadness and emptiness that hadn’t healed. Because of their magical connection, protecting Sienna meant their individual elemental powers would still exist, but the three brothers were hell bent on protecting her and it had nothing to with their powers. No, their fierce protection and loyalty came from a sense of duty, of love.

Sienna straightened when she caught sight of Archer’s reflection behind her as he walked into the kitchen. He wore jeans and an expression she couldn’t decipher. He paused in the doorway to watch her in silence, muscular arms folded across his naked chest. All that muscle gleamed at her, lean and smooth, and she was thankful she had her back to him.

The man was pure masculine beauty.

And played havoc with her senses with his shirt on. Without the shirt, her insides did a little jiggle.

Not what she needed right now.

“Sienna.”

The way he said her name sent a spiral of electric energy through her, his words a soft rumble of sexiness in the silence of the room. She turned around and mustered a smile.

Her gaze fell on his bold tattoo, and she stared at it, unable to look away. Carefully crafted in black ink across his left shoulder was the creative image of a pentagram surrounded with a beautifully crafted circle design. The mark of a Keeper.

“I thought you’d gone to bed,” he said, sauntering into the room, arms dropping to his sides.

She shifted her gaze from his tattoo to the scarred flesh along his right arm, and quickly swallowed the familiar tug of regret before looking away. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Not surprising.” He disappeared into the small wine cellar adjacent to the kitchen and returned a moment later with a vintage bottle of red wine from their collection. He retrieved two wine glasses and eyed her hand as he opened the wine. “How’s the hand?”

“Healing.” She coughed again and cleared her throat, very aware of the half-naked man. His hair was wet from the shower and he smelt of soap and man, a scent that quickly awakened her senses. “Where are your brothers?”

“Ethan’s on his way back from the restaurant. Knowing Declan, he’s probably holed up in the study planning a revenge tactic.” He handed her a glass of wine and looked at her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “The wound on Declan’s head has healed?”

“Yes.” His voice was low, raspy, and tinted with an emotion he usually concealed. Dark green eyes met hers. “Thank you for pulling my brother out of the car. Once you both went under, I couldn’t find the car in the dark.”

Her throat closed with emotion, and she quickly swallowed. “You would’ve both done the same for me. Did the sheriff track the owner of the other car yet?”

“Pam’s working on it.” He took a large sip of wine and set the glass on the counter. “Sienna, you know who’s responsible for this.”

It wasn’t a question and Sienna blinked but held her ground. “Archer, please don’t start this.”

Not now.

Archer removed the glass from her hand and placed it on the counter beside his, his brows furrowing into a tight frown. “Someone sent us spiralling into that damn river tonight. I just can’t figure out if they wanted us harmed or warned.”

“It was an accident.”

“I know you don’t believe that.”

The way he towered over her signalled the start of an argument she’d rather avoid, but he surprised her by stepping closer and reaching for her hands.

“Something scared you tonight. At Lora’s. And then the accident happened.” Strong fingers threaded with hers, and he tugged her closer. “You’re afraid.”

He knew.

Of course, he’d know. Even without trying, he’d always been able to know exactly what was going on with her. She looked away, not wanting him to see the truth, but knowing that he would. “Archer, don’t.”

“What frightened you tonight?”

“I don’t want to discuss this now.”

He released her hands and cupped her face, tilting her head so she could see how serious he was. “What are you afraid of?”

“Of losing another Keeper,” she whispered, “of losing you.”

“You’re not going to lose me, Sienna.”

“With Warrick out for retribution, who knows what’ll happen? All I know is that tonight left a ball of fear in my gut that I can’t seem to shake. The thought of losing you like we lost Sarah terrifies me.”

“Where’s all this coming from?”

“It’s always been there. The accident simply made me want to voice it.” And the meeting with Warrick, but she didn’t tell him that.

“Sienna.”

She licked her lips, her pulse racing a steady, thick beat inside her chest. Parts of her tingled at the idea of what might happen if she let go and gave in to the irresistible pull between them.

The Circle’s curse be damned.

“You said you didn’t want this,” he reminded her, his gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips. “What’s changed?”

“I was afraid of the curse on a relationship between a Keeper and his witch. When we got close two years ago and Sarah died, I put it down to punishment from The Circle for breaking their rule. Tonight, I realized that bad things happen no matter what we do.” Sienna reached out and slid her hands on either side of his neck. “I could’ve lost you tonight, Archer.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No, but I could’ve. That thought alone made me realize that I want to fight for us, for this.” She looked at his lips, overwhelmed by the urge to kiss him.

His jaw flexed and he studied her in silence, his thumb stroking her cheek. “Are you sure?” he asked, dipping his head toward hers.

Her mind screamed no, but her body had already started responding to him – a thought that made her entire body burn with anticipation.

Unable to find the words, she leaned forward and kissed him.

****

Archer hesitated, caught off guard by her kiss, wanting her to be sure. But her exciting womanly scent and the luxurious softness of her warm body against his sent messages to parts of him that wiped out all rational thought. She tangled her fingers in his hair, and he felt the answering surge inside himself.

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer and kissed her. Slowly at first, relishing the feel of her against him, but the kiss quickly became more urgent, heated, as years of longing and need came together in an explosive hunger for each other. With a low, deep growl in the back of his throat, he kissed her so possessively until they were both breathless. Heat fired between his thighs, and his body stirred fiercely in response to hers.

It always had.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered between heated kisses.

He felt her longing, sensed her need, and shuddered at the idea of the raw, exhausting sex they both sought.

But no. He would savour her – all of her.

He pulled back, drawing in a deep appreciative breath at the sight of her full lips and flushed cheeks. She was breathing rapidly, her eyes pinned on him.

He plunged his fingers in her hair and tipped her head back so he could lay claim to the delicious skin he found there. She groaned when he nuzzled the nape of her neck, and trembled when he left a trail of kisses along her jaw.

His hand slid under her shirt, his fingers grazing her spine. He smiled when he heard her sharp intake of breath, and caught her mouth with his in a kiss so sweet, so heated, that the rhythm of it sent electric surges through them both.

With growing excitement, their bodies collided in raw hunger – years of wanting and waiting drawing them together with an intensity that left them both gasping for air.

He gripped her arms and walked her backward until they reached the couch behind her. In a fluid movement, she sank back against the cushions, pulling him on top of her. She captured his mouth with hers, giving him all.

Her hands were all over him, her skin deliciously soft against his, and he growled against her lips.

He felt the surge of power inside him, something he could usually control, and plundered her mouth with his. Grabbing her wrists, he pushed them above her head and held them there. With his knee, his nudged her legs apart, wanting her in complete surrender and at his mercy.

The things he could give her, do to her, make her feel. The very idea of it sent a renewed burst of hunger through him and he ravished her until she was writhing beneath him, her head thrown back, whispering his name. Her voice was raspy, her eyes clouded with an emotion, a desire, he’d never seen before. And the very essence of her drove him wild.

His breathing was rapid, his body trembling, “Upstairs,” he murmured between hungry kisses, pulling her to her feet. “Now.”