The Keepers: Ethan

Realising she was gawking like an idiot, Jenna shook her head to get her brain moving again.

The sudden squawk of a second crow startled her. The bird circled above before nose-diving to the ground. It landed silently and tucked away its wings.

The setting sun had tinted the sky and mountains in pink, the river a glow of beauty. The town nestled amongst vineyards and greenery in the distance. A peaceful, close-knit town where everyone was up in everyone’s business and things like home-baked pie, honesty, and solid friendships still existed.

She hadn’t grown up in Rapid Falls like Ethan and his family. She’d met his sister, Sarah, at the academy and frequently travelled home with her during the holidays.

Two women from different backgrounds. Sarah had three older brothers and came from a prestigious family who owned a wine estate. They’d lost their parents in a fire when they were younger. Jenna had once had a family until the night their city had been raided, their homes attacked. Her parents had sent her away, urged her to seek shelter at the academy until they could come for her.

She was still waiting.

But through her darkest moments, she’d never given up hope that her parents were still alive. That they’d still come for her.

She’d never told anyone, not even Sarah. Her death had left a void inside Jenna that could never be filled. She’d never found friendship like that again – had never bothered searching for it.

Not that she’d met many friends in the last two years. Hazel and her people had used bullying and violence as a means of gaining – and maintaining – friendships. She’d soon mastered the art of feigning whatever was needed in order to stay under their radar.

A means of survival few people would understand.

Several excited squawks from the tree above brought her attention back to the present. Five more crows had arrived.

The arrival of a dozen more sent a ripple of unease down Jenna’s spine.

The sky in the distance had darkened, the pretty pink dissolved by a black cloud of doom that moved toward them at a rapid rate. It looked like a thunderstorm rolling in, destroying all traces of the beauty she’d previously admired.

“Ethan?” He’d seen it too and stood with his back to her, staring off into the distance. “Please tell me that storm’s yours?”

“It’s not. And I don’t think it’s a storm.”

The crows above her took flight, circling, their high-pitched shrieks soon joined by numerous others. Uneasy, she gaped at the blackness creeping in.

A plague of crows. Thousands and thousands of squawking birds, sucking everything joyful out of their surroundings.

Shit.

Wings flapping, nose-diving, shrieking with excitement, the birds engulfed them.

Jenna crouched low, swatting them away as they circled from all directions. Pecking, scratching, screeching. Her desperate attempts to swat them away were wasted on the sheer number of birds.

“ETHAN!”

He’d already jumped to her side of the river, waving his arms to fend off the invasive attack. “Jenna!”

She couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe, engulfed within the stench of wild madness. Her foot caught on a tree root and she cried out as she collided with the rocks. Pain arrowed through her, along with the vile taste of panic.

A hand closed over hers, a lifeline through the chaos.

“Jenna!” Ethan squeezed her hand. “Close your eyes!”

She felt the flutter of wind, gasping in relief when several crows relinquished their grip.

Ethan crawled closer. He covered her body with his, tucking her head against his chest. “Close your eyes. NOW!”

She did and pushed her face into his shirt.

Heat fired beneath her cheek as energy swirled through him, erupting in a vigorous whirlwind around them. The crows flapped furiously for control, squawking in protest.

Ethan held her, shielding her body with his.

The whirlwind turned into a small tornado, sweeping the birds across the river, gathering water and other forest debris.

Everything fell quiet.

Blissful stillness tinged with choppy breathing as they struggled to catch their breaths. In the distance, the tornado faded, the sky still marked with a few lurking crows lucky enough to have avoided the turmoil.

Blowing out air, she shifted her gaze to Ethan’s. He was scratched and bloodied. A quiet fury burned in his eyes.

He ran his fingers through her tangled hair. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.” She leaned back on her knees and exhaled. “They came out of nowhere!”

“That was the biggest damn infestation of crows I’ve ever seen.”

She shook her head. “That wasn’t an infestation, Ethan. It was an attack.”

A heavy silence filling the space between them.

“It’s Hazel,” he said, the words coming out in a low growl. He leaned back on his haunches, a harsh frown narrowing his eyes, and met her gaze. “Dammit, she’s back, isn’t she?”

“She never left. She’s simply been quiet.”

Until now.

CHAPTER THREE

THURSDAY EVENING

BENNETT ESTATE

A matter of time.

Jenna had known that. But the few months unmarred by Hazel’s darkness had been blissful, despite the constant anxiety that churned inside.

But it was over.

Ignoring the surge of panic at the thought, Jenna walked into the Bennett cellar, not bothering with the light, and retrieved another bottle of wine from the shelf.

The temperature was cool, maintained for optimal storage of wine. Dark shelves lined the walls, stacked with bottles of wine; some home-brewed using their own grapes, some from other wine estates. It smelt of grapes and cork, a delicious aroma that brought comfort.

The sound of her friends’ laughter drifted through from the living room, high-pitched and excited. A given, considering the amount of wine they’d consumed. She desperately needed another glass to ease the tension knocking at her insides. Ever since the incident with the crows earlier, a permanent sense of doom had hijacked her mood, her body wired with an adrenaline high she’d found impossible to shake.

She headed back to the doorway, gasping as a familiar tingle of pain spread across her hip.

Oh, no.

She fumbled for the light switch and lifted her t-shirt. Even though she knew what awaited her, her heart still plummeted at the fresh mark etched on her flesh.

Beside two others that had appeared a few days ago. Faint images, similar to a birthmark but darker. Like a tattoo. She’d always had a mark on her hip – the mark of her lineage, one she kept hidden from everyone. But lately, the damn thing kept sprouting. They held no meaning, but a few magical tattoos appearing on her body out of nowhere spelled trouble.

“Jenna, where’s the wine?” Sienna called from the living room, startling her.

She lowered her t-shirt, drew in a deep breath, and went into the kitchen. The house was mostly in darkness, dimly lit by a few lamps that offered warmth to the old house. It had been renovated over the years, carefully furnished with a style that smacked of wealth. Thanks to generations of family money and a thriving wine estate, the brothers lived a life of luxury Jenna had never known.

The opposite of the poverty she’d endured whilst growing up.

She hadn’t yet told them where she came from. Ameera. The secret realm that harboured supernatural beings, most of which had a hunger for violence and chaos. A place where danger lurked at every corner. A city of neglect and violence. Destruction and despair.

The brothers knew of Ameera’s existence, but for them their knowledge of it was derived from stories and folklore.

For Jenna, Ameera was home.

Or at least, it used to be. A long, long time ago.

Shaking her head to ward off the sadness that always came when she thought of her family, Jenna walked into the kitchen. The room still smelt of their dinner, a chicken dish Sienna had prepared to perfection.

Flames burning in the fireplace against the living room wall masked the spacious room in a flicker of orange. It was almost too warm for it as the harsh winter cold had finally relented, but needed for the black cauldron boiling steadily in the centre of the hearth.

Sienna and Kate sat on the floor in front of the pot, surrounded by cushions from the leather couches, empty wine glasses in hand. Bottles of herbs littered the coffee table, their ingredients for tonight’s potion.

With her long red hair, pale skin and green eyes, Sienna appeared gentle and feminine, but beneath her beauty was a power that could be lethal if not controlled. Where most elemental witches could channel one element of magic, Sienna could channel four. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Next to her, Kate sat relaxed and happy despite the fact that, like Sienna, she was one of the most hunted witches on earth. Her long dark hair had been stuffed into a messy knot above her head; her bare feet revealing toes painted in bright blue nail polish.

This was the hybrid witch Jenna had sworn to defend. It was her calling, her destiny, something ingrained within her that couldn’t be explained. Only the Bennett brothers got it and for that their bond had been instant – despite the challenges she faced with Declan.

The two women broke out in a cheer when Jenna sauntered toward them, opening the wine.

“Have I ever told you how much I love living with wine farmers?” Sienna asked, her voice tinged with laughter as Jenna refilled her glass.

Kate grinned, holding up hers, and hiccupped. “Yip, it certainly has its advantages.”

“Farmers?” Jenna echoed, pleased her voice held no trace of her previous unease. She laughed and tipped the bottle in their direction. “Suddenly I’m having flashes of red-checked shirts and pitchforks. I think wine makers are the words best suited to your guys.”

Sienna laughed. “I can so not see Declan in a red-checked shirt waving a pitchfork.”

“Don’t forget the gum boots and tractor!” Kate added, erupting into a fit of giggles that gave way to another hiccup.

Jenna laughed at the image they’d created. The brothers owned the estate that supplied the grapes for their infamous Ice Wine, a delectable dessert wine their town was renowned for. But in truth, it was their estate manager, Tara, and loyal staff who ran the winery.

They were at the restaurant for the evening, a newly renovated project of Ethan’s that would be opening its doors the following day. The three women had opted for a girls’ night in. Needing to eat, they’d made dinner. Needing to forget they were facing an inevitable war, they’d brought out the wine. The rest had gone downhill from there.

But it’d been a fun night.

The lights flickered on a buzz of electricity as a loud hiccup escaped Kate. Eyes widening, she slammed her hand across her mouth.

Sienna discarded her glass and settled in front of the cauldron. Smiling, she raised a brow, her hand poised over the bubbling liquid. “Ready?”

“Are you sure about this, Sienna?” Jenna frowned as Sienna scooped the liquid into a bottle the size of Tinker Bell. “Tell me again why we’re doing this?”

“Because we’re teaching Kate how to make potions. Being a witch without potion knowledge is like a Keeper without speed. Not cool.”

Kate hiccupped. “And because it’ll cure my hiccups.”

Jenna couldn’t resist the grimace. “You seriously trust this stuff?”

“Drink up. It’s my grandmother’s recipe.” Sienna handed the potion to Kate, slapping away Jenna’s interfering hand. “Stop it, you’re going to spill!”

“If this harms one hair on Kate’s head, Declan –”

“I’m not afraid of Declan.” Sienna laughed, giving a dismissive wave of the hand. “He’s my Keeper. He’d never harm me.”

“Kate’s his woman.”

“Ooh, trump card. Clever.”

Another hiccup.

Jenna sent her a narrowed glance. “Didn’t you and Sarah once explode your grandmother’s kitchen or something?”

“A minor miscalculation.”

“Miscalculation? You blew up Rose’s kitchen! Give me that!” Jenna reached for the bottle, but Kate shifted out of her reach and tossed the liquid down her throat.

Jenna’s jaw dropped and they stared at each other in silence.

“You’re both looking at me as though I’m about to combust into a bearded lizard or something,” Kate whispered and then she laughed. A loud and hysterical laughter that escalated as though the potion had unleashed a giggling teenager.

Sienna grinned.

“They’re gone!” Kate said, sobering, and held out a hand for silence. No hiccups. Beaming, she gave Sienna a high five and they both burst out laughing.

They sounded so free, joyous: everything Jenna and the Bennett brothers fought so hard to preserve. It was contagious and by then, Jenna couldn’t hold back her smile.

CHAPTER FOUR

Another sleepless night. Another nightmare.

Jenna sighed and opened the freezer, brightening when she saw the new tub of ice cream. Since Sienna had discovered Jenna’s weakness for mint ice cream she kept the freezer stocked with a steady supply.

Jenna grabbed a spoon, opened the tub, and hopped onto the counter. At the rate she was devouring her midnight stash, she was sure to gain a few extra pounds.

Hopefully, her morning training session with the guys would help to offset the damage.

She was on her fourth spoonful when she heard movement on the stairs. She tilted her head, spoon dangling above the ice cream, and waited, refusing to acknowledge the way her heartbeat had upped its rhythm.

Because it had nothing to do with the fact that those stairs led to Ethan’s room. Right?

He paused on the last step when he saw her. She hadn’t bothered with the lights, relying on the yellow glow from the patio light outside. Besides, she’d know her way around the kitchen blindfolded. Hell, she’d done this pyjama drill enough times.

His hair was ruffled, like he’d run his hands through it a dozen times. He wore a t-shirt that hugged the muscles in his chest and arms and cotton pants, the ones with a flimsy drawstring that hung low on the waist. Firm, athletic, tanned.

She swallowed, tasting mint.

He didn’t seem surprised to find her there but raised an eye at her midnight snack.

“Want some?” she asked, putting the spoon into her mouth.

A mild grin curled his lips and he crossed the room, stopping to grab a spoon out of the drawer. He scooted onto the counter beside her and reached for the ice cream. “Another dream?”

“Yeah. You?”

His brows creased but he didn’t ask her to elaborate. He probably knew she wouldn’t tell him anyway. He shook his head. “Work.”

“Figured so. Your hair’s a mess.”

“What’s my hair got to do with work?”

“You wear it neater than I do.” Grinning, she motioned to his hair with the spoon. “That spells all kinds of tossing and turning.”

His lips twitched in one of those half smiles she loved.

She refilled her spoon, trying to ignore the flutter inside triggered whenever she was alone with him – a sensation that had magnified since their tussle in the forest earlier. “You worried about the opening?”

“We’re as ready as can be,” he replied, in the quiet voice that always seemed to stir her senses. His frown grew deeper. “The town is still infested with crows. Nothing like what we experienced, but bad enough. They’re everywhere.”

“Shitty timing with the opening of the restaurant and the festival this weekend. The entire town will be there.”

And Hazel’s timing was no coincidence. Their enemies loved public events as it meant tons of witnesses, most of them unaware of the supernatural happenings right under their noses, so magic was on a tight rein.

Whilst Keepers and witches protected the secret of their magic, their enemies flaunted it in their determination to achieve their goals of power, exposure and control.

But Ethan couldn’t delay the opening of the restaurant any longer.

Jenna lowered her spoon and sighed. “There will be so many people there. The idea of taking Sienna and Kate out after what happened today –”

“We can’t keep them locked up.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“I know.”

Of course he did. He’d been protecting Sienna far longer than she’d been protecting Kate. But there was so much more at stake now.

She scrunched her nose. “As much as I love being a Keeper, it sometimes sucks big monkey balls, you know?”

His rumble of laughter reverberated across the room. “That about sums it up.” He laughed again and she smiled. Sobering, his gaze met hers. “We won’t let anything happen to them,” he said softly, his tone taking on a more serious edge. “To be honest, I wish Hazel would hurry the hell up and appear.”

His words didn’t surprise her. She knew how much he hated waiting for an attack. They all did, but for Ethan it was different. He’d grown tired of constantly being in defence mode, always primed in case their enemies showed up. Despite knowing that Archer would never agree to an attack, Ethan had tried everything to find Hazel. He’d grown impatient, frustrated, a side of him she hadn’t seen very often.

“A part of me is relieved she’s showing presence again,” Jenna said. “Her silence has been unnerving.”

“Damn right.”

The dark witch caster had been far too quiet ever since Jenna had rescued Kate from her in a New Orleans cemetery a few months ago. She’d almost lost Kate that night – an offering in one of Hazel’s sacrificial rituals. Hazel had intended using Kate’s blood to free her nephew, Mason Brogan, imprisoned and desiccating in an abandoned storage room on the Bennett estate. Once they’d harvested Kate’s blood, they would’ve killed her and scavenged her magic – a victory that would turn the war in Hazel’s favour.

But Jenna and Kate had escaped.

Ethan dumped his spoon into the tub, not surprising her. Talking about Hazel was always an appetite-killer. “Despite my search, my questions, no one will reveal where Hazel’s hiding. Even witches that side with us.”

“They’re afraid, Ethan. Hazel is all power and fear. Few people would dare cross her.”

“You did.”

“That’s different. I had Kate to protect.” She didn’t elaborate, didn’t have to. He’d put himself in danger countless times defending Sienna. Their witches, their lives, came first above all else. Even their own.

“Are you afraid?”

“When it comes to Hazel, it’d be stupid not to be. All the more reason you shouldn’t be gallivanting the streets looking for her.”

“Gallivanting is not quite the term I’d use.”

“It’s still reckless.”

“The waiting is killing me.”

“Your brothers find out you’ve been searching for her behind their backs, they’ll be furious.”

“They’ll get over it.”

“Not if you die.”

His expression hardened and he tossed his spoon into the sink, his blue eyes flashing with a sadness that needed no words. Sarah. Losing their sister had nearly destroyed them. “I’ve been discreet, Jenna.”

“Underestimating Hazel and her reach is foolish. I figured it out. It won’t be long before your brothers do too.”

“Stay out of it. I’ll tell them when the time’s right.”

Something about his expression told her it wouldn’t be any time soon.

“I won’t say anything.” She placed the tub on the counter, along with her spoon. “Provided you take me with you next time you go looking for them.”

His smirk triggered the dimple in his cheek. “You’re resorting to bribery?”

“I won today’s challenge, so you have no choice. Besides, it’ll be safer if there are two of us.”

“Safer? If anything, you coming with me makes you a liability. Anyone wanting to get into Hazel’s good books will rat you out in a heartbeat.”

His words stung, mostly because they held a truth to them that left Jenna with a permanent sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. For Hazel, no betrayal ever went unpunished. Jenna had witnessed that too many times. Freeing Kate and destroying the blood that would set Hazel’s nephew free had sealed Jenna’s fate. She knew there’d be consequences.

“Guess I’ll have to watch my back, then.” She gave him a small smile and hopped off the counter to rinse the spoons. They could’ve waited until morning, but she needed something to do.

She was grateful when he didn’t press, but a quick glance in his direction told her what she already knew. He had his quiet, thoughtful, smouldering gaze pinned on her. Almost as though he saw right through her.

Damn, she adored all three brothers, found them all attractive, but something about Ethan’s all-knowing, quiet stares seemed to touch her in places the other two brothers couldn’t.

He moved so quickly, a soft rush of air filling the silence, and when she turned around, he was there. A rock-solid wall of muscles and simmering heat. A sizzle of awareness raced down her spine, his closeness snatching her breath away.

“Don’t do that,” he murmured. When she tried to avert her gaze, his fingers tipped her chin upward. “Don’t pretend like it doesn’t matter.”

Her throat tightened, the reply trapped between the worry and emotion. Clearing her throat, she shrugged. “I did what I had to do, Ethan.”

“And you’re marked because of that.”

“I had to protect Kate.”

“Doesn’t make it an easy burden to carry.”

His features were illuminated in a soft shade of yellow from the light outside. His dark blue gaze held her captive. An all-knowing look that threatened her facade. Air evaded her, along with a reply, and she stepped back but flinched when her arm brushed her hip. Damn, her flesh still ached from the new mark.

“Rough day?” he asked, his tone softening with the familiar playfulness she loved. A small smile played on his lips. No doubt a ploy to return them to neutral territory.

She smiled, grateful for the reprieve. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“It wasn’t all bad.”

Her stomach flipped at the reminder of their intimacy in the forest. Her cheeks heated and the image of a sorority girl with a crush came to mind. She bit back a groan. Could she be more pathetic?

“It’s late.” She cleaned up and wiped her hands on a cloth. “I should go to bed. I’ll need my beauty sleep for combat practice with you and your brothers in the morning.”

Their sunrise training sessions in the forest had become a daily ritual. It kept them in shape and improved their skills.

And helped to work off the ice cream.

“Jenna.” His fingers toyed with hers. “About what happened earlier at the river, with us … I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

“Me too.” Relieved to clear the air, she withdrew her hand, flicked his shirt, and smiled. “But I still won our bet, so that makes me your travel buddy. And you’re still buying me beers. Shirtless.”

“You won’t let that go, will you?”

“Not on your life.”

CHAPTER FIVE

FRIDAY MORNING

BENNETT ESTATE

The tranquillity of the forest did little to ease Jenna’s worry. Her body tingled in anticipation, her senses primed as she made her way through the trees.

A thin fog blanketed the ground and the air felt crisp and cool. The sun would be up soon, along with the trio of Bennett brothers, ready for their daily training session.

She could hardly wait. Her entire body felt coiled, ready to unravel at any moment. A kick-ass fight was just the kind of outlet that would help.

Until then, Jenna would revel in the quiet, walking, searching. Like she’d done countless times when she’d thought no one else was watching.

But Ethan was onto her.

She clamped the worry that flared at that thought and shone her flashlight at the path ahead. It highlighted the remains of an old well, unused and dilapidated, but served as a beacon that would help her find the entrance to the underground storage rooms, where Hazel’s nephew was kept. Sienna and her grandmother had spelled Mason years ago, the night Sarah had died. A horrible fate for a horrible man but a fitting punishment for someone so evil.