Rae Rivers - The Keepers - Ethan

‘Vampires and werewolves are so 2000. As in: over. Thanks to … Rae Rivers, we’re now totally hooked on witches’

No. 5 on Grazia South Africa’s ‘Ten Hot Things to Do List’

‘The twists and turns, the action, the suspense! This book was amazing!!’

The Girl Bookaholic

‘The Keepers: Archer is a fast paced and action packed story with a strong element of forbidden romance that kept me glued to my Kindle as I read!’

One More Page

‘The story twists and weaves … I was spellbound’

Comet Babe’s Books

‘Enticing, powerful and believable’

Avalon Reviews

‘A mystical, magical tale filled with romance and action that is thoroughly addictive.’

BestChickLit.com

Book 3 in The Keepers Trilogy

A division of HarperCollins Publishers

www.harpercollins.co.uk

As always, to my incredible husband and children who are my biggest fans and most beautiful cheerleaders. I love you all so much.

Also, to my Dad who was always so proud and enthusiastic about my writing. Fly high and free. Love and miss you always.

Harper Impulse an imprint of

HarperCollins Publishers

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by Harper Impulse 2016

Copyright © Rae Rivers 2016

Cover images © Shutterstock.com

Cover layout design © HarperCollins Publishers 2016

Cover design by Alex Allden

Rae Rivers asserts the moral right to

be identified as the author of this work

A catalogue record for this book

is available from the British Library

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International

and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.

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No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted,

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Ebook Edition © April 2016 ISBN: 9780007536047

Version 2016-03-23

The Keepers: Sienna (free prequel)

The Keepers: Archer

The Keepers: Declan

The Keepers: Ethan

Table of Contents

Praise for Rae Rivers

Title Page

Dedication

Copyright

The Keepers Trilogy

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

CHAPTER FORTY THREE

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

CHAPTER FIFTY

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

Acknowledgements

Also by Rae Rivers

About the Author

About HarperImpulse

About the Publisher

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

BENNETT ESTATE, RAPID FALLS, CANADA

He felt her heartbeat beneath his fingers.

A slow, steady rhythm that quickened the moment he touched her. Tightening his grip on her hip, Ethan circled her, his senses tuned in to his surroundings – the crunch of forest debris beneath his boots, the trickle of water from the river behind him, her quiet breathing.

The setting sun had masked Jenna’s skin in a golden glow, the single braid of blond hair darker than usual. She stood poised with quiet confidence, her legs parted. She held the bow and arrow with practiced skill, the ease at which she handled the weapon never failing to impress him. Dressed in a tank top, army pants and boots, she looked prepared for combat.

He kept his gaze on the warrior woman, not surprised when her expression remained even, her back straight, as though the closeness between them had made no impact.

But her heartbeat gave her away.

“Ready?” he murmured, stifling a smirk.

“Of course.”

He tapped her elbow. “Straighten your arm.”

“You’re giving me archery tips?” Her brows raised, a mild grin playing on her lips. “ Me ?”

He nudged her arm for good measure and smiled. “If you need more time –”

“I’m ready, Ethan. Stop trying to distract me.”

He held out a hand toward the river, coloured with a touch of pink. “Don’t blink, it’ll be fast.”

“I’m faster.”

“Cocky, are we?”

“Confident.” On a gentle hiss of air, she drew back the arrow, ready for flight. “Stop stalling.”

Grinning, he mentally ditched the larger rock he’d had in mind and opted for a smaller one. Nothing like upping the challenge at the last minute.

He rotated his hand, the movement sparking a small whirlwind on the riverbed. A rush of energy swirled through him, bringing the familiar comfort he always felt when connecting to nature.

Air. His elemental power.

“On the count of three,” he murmured and began the countdown. In lightning speed, he directed the wind away from them. It hoisted the rock into the air with a force that launched it across the sky.

She released the arrow, followed by a triumphant cry when it connected with the target.

Smiling, she lowered the weapon and wiggled her butt and shoulders in a victory dance that extracted a laugh from him.

“You haven’t won yet, Pocahontas,” he reminded her.

Light blue eyes sparkled with mischief. Her bright smile emphasised high cheekbones and perfect teeth. She handed him an arrow. “Your turn. I showed you mine. Now you show me yours.”

He flashed his wildest grin. “That sounds kinky. Even for me.”

She laughed again. “In your dreams, stud muffin.”

“ Stud muffin ?” He shot her a look of disgust and snatched the bow from her, reaching for a confidence he didn’t quite feel. He wasn’t a bad aim when it came to archery, but Jenna’s talent for the sport outranked his.

“You remember what this final challenge means, right?” she called over her shoulder as she combed the riverbed for a rock.