The Keepers: Archer. Rae Rivers

don’t say that.”

      “Magic destroys, Gran. My parents, Sarah, the way I harmed my Keepers.” Sienna pulled back, the familiar urge to run making her feel agitated. “I should leave before Archer comes looking for me.”

      Rose placed a gentle kiss on Sienna’s cheek and pulled back to look at her. “You don’t understand why I transferred my powers to you, Sienna, but one day you will. You have your own destiny to fulfil, just as I did. But it’s your journey to discover.” She pulled away, offering a weak smile that was oddly comforting. “Your Keepers are waiting.”

      Sienna glanced outside at the fading afternoon sunlight and nodded. “Yes, I should go.” She hugged Rose one more time before making her way to the door. She hesitated in the doorway and turned to look at her grandmother. “What would it take to break The Circle’s curse on a Keeper and his witch?”

      Rose met her gaze, her own eyes flashing with a brief glimpse of sorrow. “It’s complicated.”

      “But it can be done?”

      “Yes.”

      Hope fired, despite the warning voice that niggled. “How?”

      “With a counteracting spell and a blood sacrifice. A death.”

      And just like that, all Sienna’s hopes went up in flames. There was no way she’d ever offer a blood sacrifice if it meant death. Sienna bit back a response and simply nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      By the time Sienna made her way through the forest toward the Manor House, the sun had begun setting at a rapid pace. The fading light didn’t worry her; the darkness was well suited to her mood.

      Archer. Sarah. Her parents. Rose.

      Not a day went by that she didn’t think of her parents or Sarah Bennett, her fourth Keeper. And every day, the pain that came with the memory surrounding their deaths still twisted her soul. She’d simply discovered how to muffle the pain and move on.

      Her parents, solid and kind, full of wisdom and love. They’d made her feel safe, treasured, and she’d blossomed under their care. Her father had been the town sheriff of Rapid Falls, her mother a Beckham witch. An odd couple but together, they’d fought for order and harmony in their town.

      Sadly, it was their quest for peace that had eventually destroyed them.

      Sarah too, with her kind eyes, contagious laugh, and endless chatter. She’d been like a sister to Sienna and living in such close proximity with three strong males had called for some female companionship to balance the odds. They’d shared so much love and laughter and losing Sarah was like losing a treasured part of herself.

      Sienna swiped at her tears, cursing them. She’d be damned if she’d put Rose or another one of her Keepers in danger protecting her. They were all she had left.

      But Archer was right.

      She did need the Bennett brothers and the protection they offered. She’d missed them and a small part of her was thrilled they’d found her. The thought unsettled her and she frowned, rubbing her arms with her hands to ward off the chill.

      The snapping of a nearby twig had her whirling around.

      “Hello?”

      Silence greeted her and she swallowed, trying to ignore the sudden uneasiness that had taken hold of her. Her instincts prickled, and she cast a quick glance toward the Manor House. She was close but even at a fast run she would never reach it in time.

      In time for what?

      Before being mauled by the likes of Harper? A wolf? Before she could contemplate which option would be the lesser evil, two dark shadows stepped out from the shadows of the night.

      Senses in prime form, Sienna heard the soft whoosh of the dart gun before the dart reached her. She dropped to the ground, out of its lethal aim, and grunted with satisfaction when the dart disappeared in the darkness. With the skills of a trained warrior, she sprang to her feet, her eyes pinned on the men.

      “Rose Thorn?” she asked, glancing at the offensive gun. A rumble of powers stirred inside as her body went into defensive mode. In response, the trees began to rustle around them.

      “Worked last time.”

      Sienna’s stomach rolled as she recognized the voice. “Harper. Back so soon?”

      Harper stepped forward, wearing a leather jacket and a wicked smile, and reloaded. “I would’ve thought you’d be expecting me.”

      “On the Bennett property? You must have a death wish.”

      His brief laugh sounded more like mockery than amusement. “What better plan than to steal their witch from right under their nose?”

      “Ah. There’s only one problem though.”

      “And that would be?”

      “You’re fresh out of Rose Thorn,” she replied, raising unsteady arms in his direction. A strong gust of wind rose up around them but vanished before she could channel it.

      Harper gave her a satisfied smile. “Is that all you have, witchy? Even without the Rose Thorn, your powers are still sketchy.”

      With shaking hands, Sienna tried again. The air shifted again, creating a slight whirlwind of forest debris. She raised her arms and sent the whirlwind their way but it whooshed past them, missing them completely.

      Harper laughed and edged closer, raising the gun in her direction.

      Sienna dragged in air, as the stupid tears welled in her eyes. This is what her fears had reduced her to?

      His accomplice broke away to circle her, the motion sparking her defences all over again.

      She moved backward as they closed in on her and panic welled up inside her. Giving in to the survival mode that overrode everything else, Sienna flung out her arms with a soft cry. A strong gust of wind slammed against Harper, catching him off guard, and sent the gun smashing against a nearby tree, destroying the batch of dreaded herb. Harper’s accomplice produced a second gun with lightning speed, but he quickly retreated a few steps when the gun exploded and landed at his feet.

      Feeling empowered from the magic she still shunned, Sienna started chanting in a fierce tone that had both men stop and take notice. The chanting became louder, quicker, and more forceful, a fierce combination of fury and self-preservation brewing a deadly cocktail within, overriding her fear of the magic.

      “Cut the crap, witch,” Harper ordered and slowly backed away.

      The fear in his voice enthralled her, rather than stopped her, and Sienna flung out her arms with more purpose. A spark ignited into a ring of fire and chased off with neat precision, immediately forming a perfect circle around the two men.

      They’d kept her prisoner. She was about to return the favour.

      Instinctively, both men charged forward in hope of scaling the small wall of fire, but Sienna had already anticipated their move. With a quick raise of the arms, the wall of flames heightened.

      “Don’t even try,” she warned. “I’ve spelled the circle.” When they backed down with loud curses, she gave them a wicked grin. “Not so brave now, are you?”

      Even as she said it, she felt the briefest crack in her armour. Her powers were as strong as ever, but her body still lagged from the tail end effects of the Rose Thorn and despite the sudden unwelcome satisfaction at using magic again, the fear of losing control still lingered.

      The bright flames flickered and Sienna had to concentrate on maintaining the intensity of heat. The circle of fire raged on, a deep glow of red in a circle of darkness.

      She wouldn’t be able to hold them for much longer. With a grimace, she sank to her knees but held her head high.

      There was no way she’d allow Harper see just how badly the Rose Thorn, or her demons, had tormented