The Keepers: Declan. Rae Rivers

to see his intruder’s reaction when she failed to crack it.

      His jaw unhinged when she rocked back on her heels, the first dagger in her hands.

       Foolproof, my ass.

      Without making a sound, Declan discarded his glass of whiskey along with his surprise.

      It was time for a game of cat and mouse.

       CHAPTER TWO

      Kate’s heart pounded with excitement, adrenaline coursing through her, and she grinned at the first two daggers in her hand. Ancient, blunt, discoloured, a pentagram etched on each handle. Had it not been for her late mother’s letter urging Kate to find them, she would never have believed they were anything special.

      Hope flared for the first time in months and she hugged the daggers to her chest before carefully placing them in her rucksack.

      Her days of running were over.

      “Looking for something?”

      Kate’s body shook right to the core as she heard the words muttered in the darkness behind her. Dropping the rucksack, she spun around with a force that almost dislocated her shoulder, and gaped at Declan Bennett highlighted in the strip of moonlight. Although she’d always found darkness comforting, she’d known that it could someday hold an element of surprise.

      This particular surprise was standing a few feet from her wearing a grim expression. He was tall with broad shoulders and a voice that hinted of arrogance and control, a voice that rocked her world completely.

      Again.

       Oh, my God.

      “What are you doing here?” she cried as icicles washed over her.

      “I could ask you the same question.”

      “I thought you were out,” she replied, lowering her voice and stepping back into the shadows. If he recognised her, trouble wouldn’t begin to describe it.

      “Clearly.” Irritation lined his voice and she forced herself not to flinch. “Who the hell are you?”

      He moved forward and she edged away from the fireplace, tugging her hoodie forward to cover her face. Damn, she wasn’t prepared for Declan. Not now, not like this, and the last thing she needed was for him to recognise her. The woman who had sought him out three months ago, disarmed him with feminine wiles, and stolen from him.

      He’d be furious.

      Filled with restless energy and the urge to run, she glanced at the living room door, calculating her fastest exit route.

      His smouldering gaze followed hers before pinning her with a look that almost made her squirm. “You think you can run?”

      “Would you stop me?”

      “Absolutely,” he shot back as the corner of his lips curled in a predatory smile that sent her heart rate soaring.

      She’d been busted red-handed and he was smiling at her? It caught her off-guard. “You find this amusing?”

      “Do you know who I am? Who we are?”

      “I know enough.”

      “So you know we have zero tolerance for thieves?”

      “Doesn’t everyone?”

      “I’m not everyone. That should concern you,” he said, his words edged with a warning that made her stomach lurch.

      She glanced at the door again, her heart pounding.

      He tilted his head to follow her gaze again. “You really think you can outrun me?”

      Raw adrenaline pumped through her, her body primed to flee. Her heart slammed against her rib cage and she drew in a sharp breath. Think, think, think.

      “You have two options, Catwoman.” Declan turned his eyes back to her. Although it was dark, she knew their colour. She’d never been able to shrug off the memory of those expressive blue eyes that sparked with intensity and mischief.

      “And I’m busting at the seams to hear them.”

      “Option one is where you surrender and explain why you’re here.”

      “Not appealing. And two?”

      Declan waved a hand at the door. “Or you can run.”

      Kate narrowed her eyes. Not quite what she’d been expecting to hear. Although his tone was easy, he dripped with challenge.

      But she couldn’t leave without the daggers.

      “And you’ll be after me in a flash,” she said.

      “Take it or leave it.”

      Apparently, his love of mischief still thrived, the trait that had drawn her to him before – along with the fact that she’d marked him from the start. They’d met in a New Orleans bar, where they’d shared flirty comments and copious shots of whiskey. Then, she’d had the upper hand. She’d had a plan – which might have taken a detour thanks to the alcohol and his charm – but she’d retrieved what she’d needed and run. This was entirely different.

      “We both know you won’t let me leave, so why the facade?” she asked.

      “Call it curiosity. I’m impressed. And tonight I’m in need of a distraction.” A slow smile softened his features. “Besides, I like a good chase like the rest of them.”

      “So what is this then, cat and mouse?”

      “Call it what you like. It could be fun.”

      “Sure, if you’re the cat.”

      “Lucky for me that I’m no mouse.”

      Kate’s mind grasped at options. She needed those daggers and the protection they offered. God knows she needed protection right now. Not from the Bennett brother. He was strong, powerful, a Keeper at his best – but he wouldn’t hurt her. After all, he existed to protect his witch and to maintain the balance of nature. Unlike whoever was after her.

      She swallowed her desperation and gave him a level stare.

      “I’ll make you a deal,” she offered. “A bet.”

      Declan folded his arms across his chest. “You’re not really in a position to, but you’ve got my attention.”

      This was a game for him! She shoved out her chin, determined to match his challenge. “I bet you that I’ll beat you to the daggers.”

      “I doubt that, but please continue.”

      “If I do, I get to keep the daggers and leave.”

      “If you don’t, I get to keep you?”

      She heard the teasing laughter in his voice and her nerves soared. “Since I intend to win, that part is irrelevant.”

      “Is that so?”

      “Guaranteed.”

      He closed the distance between them, the movement making her shrink even further into the shadows, and held out his hand. “I bet that you won’t and in that case, I get to decide your fate.”

      Confidence oozed from his words, triggering a flare of panic. Although she had similar abilities, she wasn’t as strong as a true Keeper. The only way she’d be able to defeat Declan was if he used his elemental power – fire.

      Not something the Keeper would do lightly.

      Her ability to immobilize magic was the only magical power she’d been taught to embrace. Everything else had been forbidden.

      Kate quelled her hesitation and held