The Keepers: Archer. Rae Rivers

were useless. Interlinked in a way few people could ever understand, they shared the same destiny and a mutual purpose of maintaining the balance of nature.

      His gaze lifted to meet hers and the raw emotion she saw in his dark green eyes rattled her. “This necklace depicts everything we stand for. Everything we are. How could you use it to keep us apart?”

      “I left that life behind. I can’t go back, Archer.”

      “Sienna” he said softly, forcefully. “You’re a Beckham witch. That’s not something you can hide from.”

      “I’m not that person anymore, Archer. I have a life here, one that doesn’t involve magic, evil warlocks, or powers so potent that I can’t control them. Or death,” she added, her voice quietening as memories of their last encounter resurfaced. Memories she’d run from. “I can’t be a part of all that anymore.”

      She saw the moment it all fell into place for him. His expression softened, and they stared at each other in silence.

      “My sister’s death wasn’t your fault,” he said softly, releasing the pendant.

      Sienna took a step back, not wanting the discussion that would follow such a statement.

      “You can’t hide from who you are.”

      “It worked for the last two years.”

      “Only because the balance in the paranormal world has been in our favour. That’s changed and you’re in danger.”

      Ah, so he’d found her because his duty as her Keeper had him wanting to protect her. And what about the man finding a woman he’d almost made his?

      “You have to come home, Sienna. We’ll help you, protect you.”

      Something cold and determined washed over her, and she lifted her chin defiantly. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let another one of my Keepers die protecting me.”

      “Sarah’s death was not your fault.”

      Unable to stop herself, her gaze fell to his scarred hand. “But I hurt you. I hurt you all, and there’s no guarantee that I won’t do it again. I refuse to put you or your brothers at risk again.”

      “And you’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you go off alone on this stupid Kamikaze mission. The fact that they’ve targeted you and tracked you down means they need a Beckham witch. They also know that you haven’t mastered your powers yet so they will come for you, repeatedly, until they have you.”

      He was right. Few people ever messed with Rose because of the power she could wield. It was one of the reasons that she needed less protection than Sienna. But since passing on her powers, Rose was an ordinary witch like all others. Still in high regard because of her Beckham status, but her powers had lessened. Archer was right. To them Sienna, her full powers still untouched, was the inexperienced witch needed to unleash their own evil. They would be wary of her, perhaps a bit fearful because of her Beckham name, but it wouldn’t stop them.

      Of course, that would all change once she learned how to channel all her powers simultaneously.

      Never.

      She stepped back, the familiar fear slamming home at the thought of ever using her full powers again.

      Archer narrowed his eyes, and he reached for her. “You know I’m right. You have no choice, Sienna, I’m taking you home.”

      She raised an eyebrow, refusing to be forced back to a life that frightened her. “You said it yourself, Archer. I’m a powerful witch. You might want to keep that in mind when you threaten to caveman me home.”

      “Now who’s threatening?”

      Her smile was slow, cheeky, and challenged him in a way that only he would understand. He straightened, readying himself for whatever she was about to throw at him.

      “Sienna, don’t you dare,” he warned softly.

      Apparently, he knew her well.

      Although she loathed using her powers, she also knew that they were the only way she’d get away from Archer. Shoving aside the fear, Sienna drew on them and took a step back. Archer cursed when a wall of fire sprang to life in front of him, cutting him off. His reaction was lightning fast but she was faster and a moment later, a circle of fire surrounded him, a striking glow in the darkness.

      Fire. Her central power.

      “Sienna, stop this Hocus Pocus crap.” There was no mistaking the fury in his voice.

      She raised the flames, quietly chanting a spell to seal the circle. She knew that if he chose to use his powers, she’d have a fair fight on her hands. Her magic topped his, but he was stronger, angrier, and hard-wired to protect her. That alone was a power on its own. The rage that burned in his eyes spelt trouble and when his gaze shifted to the lake behind her, she knew she had to leave. Quickly.

      He lurched forward but stumbled back when the heat of the flames hit him. “Sienna!”

      “Stop resisting and the flames will die.”

      As there was no chance in hell he’d accept his prison of fire, she knew the flames would hold and keep him from following her.

      “Don’t ever look for me again, Archer.”

      His jaw flexed, and he clenched each fist. Slowly, he pinned her with a heated glare. “I will find you, Sienna. Don’t fool yourself.”

      With a shaky smile, she backtracked away from him. “You’re the fool for thinking you could broomstick me back home.”

      She turned away, needing to flee before he saw the crack in her powers as her body wasn’t yet strong enough to maintain them.

      And the fear of losing control always lingered.

      “Sienna.” The change in his tone had her glancing back at him over her shoulder. His eyes narrowed and his mouth curled into a small smile. “Game on.”

      ****

      It was only later, when Sienna felt the syringe slam into her neck in the darkness of her apartment, that she wished she’d allowed Archer to take off her necklace.

      This time, she really was on her own.

       CHAPTER THREE

      BENNETT ESTATE, RAPID FALLS, CANADA

      When the cold arm wrapped around his neck with a vicious grip, Archer wasn’t surprised.

      Thanks to his heightened senses, alive with warning, he’d heard and smelt the intruder the moment he’d entered his house. Driven by instinct and armed with exceptional reflexes, Archer whirled around and rammed his fingers around his attacker’s neck in a deathly grip. He charged forward, slamming the intruder against the wooden wall of the living room, not caring when the wood splintered beneath the impact, his arm shoved against his neck. The action sparked a series of choking gasps of air.

      “Your name.” When silence met his question, Archer added more pressure.

      “Hunter,” the intruder gasped between clenched teeth. “My name is Hunter. Now get off me.”

      Like hell. “What do you want?” Archer demanded, adding another quick slam against the wall.

      “I have a message for you.”

      “And you had to deliver it personally.”

      Hunter straightened his body in a brief act of bravery. “It’s about your witch.”

      The mention of Sienna’s name fuelled Archer’s rage more than the attack itself. Go figure. “Leave Sienna out of this.”

      “We know where she is.”

      With lightening