The Keepers: Archer (21 page)

Sienna paused as she reached the clearing in the forest that housed the old church tomb. Old rocky steps led the way to a cement platform, once a popular place for rituals and ceremonies. Now it was abandoned and falling apart. Lining the back of the platform was a huge rock formation, overgrown with a thick creeper; the ancient church tomb buried within the thick stonewalls. A heavy wooden door marked the only entrance into the tunnel that led to the tomb, also overgrown and hidden with greenery.

The tomb held an ocean of memories, sadness, and regret.

Refusing to recall the tragic events of that night again, Sienna climbed the steps and shoved aside the green branches to reveal the door to the tunnel. She shoved her weight against the heavy wood, and pushed it open, the sound scraping across the sandy floor. Unable to suppress a shudder that had nothing to do with the crisp morning air, she stood back to stare at the blackness that beckoned throughout the tunnel.

Entering the tunnel with her three Keepers had somehow been much easier than going inside alone.

She glanced at the small opening, edged with old cobwebs, and looked down the long, low passage. The tunnel descended into the ground with several rocky steps marking the way. Ancient brown stones made up the side of the walls. At the end of the tunnel was the tomb that Warrick sought.

Sienna narrowed her eyes, staring beyond the darkness at a soft flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. A light? Had they left a lantern burning when they’d moved Mason?

She turned around, scanning the forest. A red glow had seeped through the tall trees, hinting at the sunrise beckoning over the hills. A pretty sight that brought her comfort in knowing that daylight was on its way. Trouncing through a dark forest alone was creepy, despite the powers she possessed.

In her case, knowing she was there to meet with a warlock had her on high alert. Her Keepers would be furious with her, but there was no way she could trade Archer’s life for Mason’s.

He was her best friend, her Keeper, and she loved him. Losing him would be like ripping out her soul.

She turned back to the tunnel and sent a trail of fire along the gloomy passage to light the lanterns hanging from the rock ceiling. Once lit, the gloom of the tunnel eased somewhat, but it was still eerie enough to rip another shudder through her. With a grimace, she pushed through the tunnel, thankful for the light from the fire lanterns hanging above her head.

As Sienna neared the opening outside the tomb, the faint smell of blood shook her senses. Her head shot up, her heart began pounding, the eeriness of the tunnel forgotten. She began walking faster, the smell of the blood growing stronger with every step, and everything inside her rebelled at the idea of what she would find.

Archer.

She broke through the tunnel with a gasp and stared in horror at her Keeper strung mid air in the centre of the room like a damn sacrifice about to be offered. His eyes were closed, his head hung forward, and everything about the way he hung, unmoving, terrified her.

“Archer!” Sienna rushed to him, reaching up to him. They’d taken his shoes and shirt, bound him with rope and chains. He was sticky and wet, his jeans and naked chest covered in blood. The arrow was still in his chest, his flesh ripped in vicious slashes across his body. His hair was wet, his body covered in a thin layer of perspiration from the stuffy tomb, and his skin gleamed in the flickering torch light. “Oh, my God, Archer!”

His head lifted, his eyes opened. “Sienna? What the hell are you doing here?”

She heard the anger that edged his words and ignored them. Her hands fumbled along the chains, tugging on them.

“Over there.” Archer nodded to the wall where the chains were fastened.

Sienna whirled around and glared at the lock that kept the chains in place. Her energy along with adrenaline, and it didn’t take long for the lock to pop open under the intense onslaught of heat. Archer slumped forward and although she tried to catch him, they both tumbled to the ground.

Anger, worry, and hatred stirred inside and she bit back from the spew of emotions that threatened to explode from her.

“Archer, we need to get you out of here.”

“The arrow,” he grunted, sitting up and reaching for the wooden spike in his chest. With a coarse groan, clipped with an angry curse, he tugged the arrow from his chest. The chains rattled with the motion, and he quickly loosened them with a tug to each wrist.

Sienna produced two painkillers and a bottle of water from the small bag slung across her shoulder. “Here, take this. It’ll help for the pain.”

“You came prepared. How did you know I’d be here?”

“I didn’t, but I knew I’d find you.”

He threw back the pills, chasing it with a large gulp of water while Sienna quickly shoved several wads of gauze against his wound. He pushed her away. “I’m fine, Sienna.”

“You’re not, Archer. But the meds will numb the pain and the treated gauze will stop the bleeding. The rest of your wounds can wait for later.”

He struggled to his feet, cursing from the challenge. “We have to get you out of here. Where are my brothers?”

Sienna grabbed his hand and headed for the door, but he yanked her back toward him.

“Sienna, where are my brothers?”

Her stomach lurched at the icy notch to his tone. She lifted her gaze to his, not willing to give room to any doubts for her decision. She would have chosen Archer over Mason any day. The rest of the crap that came with freeing Mason she would have dealt with later.

“Where the hell is Declan and Ethan?”

“They’re at home!” she blurted, irritated with the anger in his tone.

Archer’s eyes rounded and he flinched. “They’d never leave you alone. Why …?” His jaw worked, and he tugged her toward him, taking her by the shoulders. “You ran without telling them, didn’t you? They don’t know you’re here, do they?”

“I had to do this, Archer, and they would never let me come if they knew what I had planned.”

“Damn right!” he roared. His eyes narrowed as understanding dawned. “Where is Warrick?”

Sienna stepped back, keeping her gaze level to his. She refused to back down, to trash her decision, but the fire that burned in his eyes revealed an anger she’d never seen before.

“You made a deal with Warrick to free Mason, didn’t you?” he demanded.

“I had no choice.”

“Really, Sienna? Free Mason?” His words came out in a low growl, his expression twisted with disapproval. “That goes against everything we believe in.”

“Archer, it’s you.”

“It’s the balance of nature first, dammit!”

“No!” she shouted back at him, yanking free from his grip. “I will do everything to maintain the damn balance expected of me, and I’ll suck up the crap that comes with the life bestowed upon me, but there’s no way that I’m trading you for anything, Archer. Anything. Don’t you get it? I can handle Mason if he’s set free. I can handle both Brogan brothers. But I can’t handle losing you!”

Her words whipped away his reply and he stared at her with a harsh frown. Slowly, he blew out air and stepped closer, his hands cupping her face.

“God, Sienna. Do you always have to succumb to the urge for these Kamikaze missions?”

“The only mission I’m on here is to free you, Archer.”

“And Mason?”

“I’ll deal with him later.”

Archer kissed her head and pulled back. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I may not have the powers I once had but I’m still your Keeper, and there’s no way in hell that Warrick is going to hurt you.”

Despite the tension between them, she smiled and followed him out through the tunnel.

“What was the deal with Warrick?” Archer asked.

“That we meet at the tomb alone and make the swap.”

“You really think he’ll come alone?”

“I did.”

Archer tilted his head over his shoulders to flash her a final glance before pushing against the heavy door that sealed the tunnel. He held it open for her, helped her through the opening.

The blast of fresh air had them both drawing in deep breaths, the cool morning air a welcome change to the stifling tunnel. The forest was still dark but more sharp rays of sunlight infiltrated the umbrella of tall trees ahead.

And littering the ground around the tomb were hoards of fierce warriors that surrounded Warrick. He stood at the bottom of the stone steps, amongst his warriors, his expression relaxed. He was all confidence, and the sight made Sienna’s gut twinge.

He was up to something. The warriors, the amusement she saw in his eyes, his level expression, all hinted at a hidden agenda.

Sienna stepped forward, settling a menacing gaze on the warlock. “What’s with the minions?”

“I needed company.”

“Too afraid to confront me alone?”

“You’re not alone.” Warrick’s gaze fell to Archer, a small smile tugging free at the corner of his lips. “I see you found your prize.”

“He’s been hurt. Not part of our deal.”

“He wouldn’t co-operate so my men had to use a little force to subdue him.”

His confidence unsettled her, and she quietly scanned the group of warriors. Although they appeared at ease, they had attack mode splashed across their fierce expressions and guard-like stances.

One word from their leader and they would attack.

“This wasn’t part of our deal, Warrick. We agreed to come alone.”

Warrick nodded to the trees beside her. “I’m not the only one that broke our deal, Sienna.”

Sienna tilted her head slowly and gasped at the sight of Ethan and Declan standing at the far edge of the rocky platform. The relief that flooded her, despite her inner objection, quickly gave way to worry. They weren’t bound, weren’t harmed. They simply stood facing Warrick and his warriors, ready for a defensive attack if needed. Two men against an entire army, and yet they hadn’t backed down or walked away.

A bolt of pride landed in her gut, and she shifted her gaze to meet Declan’s.

She saw the flash of guarded anger in the depth of his clouded blue eyes. His lips were drawn together in a tight line of disapproval, his eyebrows narrowed in a harsh frown.

No doubt, he was spitting mad and would dish out a good ass chewing once they got home.

If they got home.

Sienna dragged in a deep breath of air, glanced at Ethan, and nodded. She turned back to Warrick and his army of warriors. Two forces on the opposite sides of nature, two enemy sides. No wonder the tension was so ripe.

“You hurt either of my Keepers and you’ll never see Mason again, Warrick,” she said.

“We had a deal, witchy. You’ve found Archer – alive, I might add – and now I want my brother." Warrick stepped forward, leaving his warriors behind. “Everyone stays here. We go inside alone. Once you’ve broken the spell, you’re all free to go.”

Sienna’s eyes narrowed. It was all bullshit. The stench was all over him, but what choice did she have? She glanced at each of her three Keepers, her beautiful warriors. Despite the glaring looks they gave her, she nodded at Warrick. “Fine. We’ll go inside alone. I’ll undo the spell on Mason and then I’m leaving with my Keepers. Once Mason’s free, you leave town, Warrick. You leave town and never, ever, come back to Rapid Falls. Ever.”

“Agreed. You have my word.”

She rolled her eyes. “Chipmunk, Warrick. Don’t insult me.”

“Show some respect, Sienna. After all, I’m the one getting what I want at the end of this little soap opera.”

“Evil doesn’t deserve respect. Now let’s get this over with.”

“My pleasure.” Warrick didn’t bother hiding his smile, and glanced back at his head warrior. A look of understanding passed between them and with a final nod, Warrick climbed the rest of the stairs.

Sienna immediately recognized the warrior. Harper. The man from the park. His gaze met hers, his eyes shifting with undisguised amusement that gave her the urge to send him into the nearby river.

Archer stepped in front of Warrick, blocking the entrance to the tunnel. His green eyes had darkened, his expression fierce and mixed with fury and hatred. Despite the blood, his injuries, her Keeper looked menacing.

Sienna put a hand on Archer’s arm, willing him to back down. For a long while, he simply glared at Warrick, and then finally, his gaze faltered to hers. Without words, an ocean of understanding and emotion crossed between them, and he nodded.

Adrenaline coursed through her body, thick and plentiful, making her heart pound and tuning her senses into overdrive. The tunnel was still creepy, the air just as stale, yet none of it worried her this time. All that lay heavy on her heart like a dead weight brick of concern, were the three Keepers at the mercy of Warrick’s warriors outside.

Sure, they were more powerful than their enemies were, but they were outnumbered by the dozens. A fact that Warrick was counting on should a fight break out.

They pushed through the end of the tunnel and into the clearance of the stuffy room. Sienna eyed the chains where she’d found Archer and glared at Warrick.

“Easy, Sienna.” Warrick had the grace to mask his grin. He came to stop in front of the tomb. “The last time we were in this room together it was under such different circumstances, don’t you think?”

“The last time we were here, you killed my Keeper.”

“And you bound my powers, imprisoned my brother, and set me alight. I’d say we’re even.”

Sienna scowled at him, trying to get a grip on the flash of anger that soared through her. “I set the room alight. Tough luck for you if you weren’t smart enough to haul ass outside. And nothing I did to you that night excuses anything you’ve done since then.”

“Ah, Sienna. We can dredge up the past all you like but it still won’t change the outcome of tonight.” He waved a hand at the entrance to the tomb. “My brother, if you don’t mind.”

“You need to move the rock covering the doorway.”

Keeping her emotions contained and without a word, Sienna left him to it and cast a circle. She pulled her Grimoire out of her bag and placed it carefully on the floor in the centre of the circle. Following the book were the four stones that she placed strategically around the book.