Rae Rivers - The Keepers - Declan

Irritation tightened her brow, hardening her expression. “I’m not as strong as you.”

“Very few Keepers are, honey.” He grinned. “But it’s not often a woman has the strength of Hercules and magical joo joo combined. What’s with that anyway? Are you a hybrid?”

“Barely.” She looked at him, realising he was waiting for an explanation. “My father was my mother’s Keeper. When he died, she used a spell to bind the Keeper side of me.”

“Didn’t look bound the night you attacked me in my living room.”

“The spell broke when she died. My witch side – the Null in me – is more powerful.”

That explained why he hadn’t sensed that she was a Keeper when they’d first met.

And two dead parents. They had something in common. He’d lost his parents in a fire caused by Warrick Brogan. He wondered about hers but bit back from asking.

“Does Harper know this? Is that what he wants with you?”

“No one knows.”

He reached for her wrist. “Harper knows you’re a Null and he’s figured he has a use for you. Do you have any idea what that means?”

She yanked her hand away. “Of course I do. I’ve spent my entire life hiding from men like him.”

“Then what made you waltz into his club?”

“I had my reasons.” She ducked her head, her long, lowered lashes signalling a closed book. It shouldn’t have surprised him. After all, she still considered him the enemy.

And maybe he was.

Declan studied her, aware of the slight crack in her voice. He shouldn’t feel sorry for her, shouldn’t have the urge to help her, but she looked so miserable, so lost, an unmistakable sadness in her brown eyes.

Oh, hell.

She blew out air and looked at him. “Okay, so you tracked me down. I’m assuming you’re here about my magic?”

“Partly.”

“My mother was right. No matter which way I turn, there’ll always be someone waiting for me.”

“You’re so sure I’m here to harm you?”

She pointed at the door he’d destroyed. “You broke down my door. I have a mean landlord.”

He almost smiled at her words. “I’d say after the crap you’ve pulled on me, we’re even.”

“So what now, Declan?”

He had no idea.

His aim had been to find her, to talk to her. Now that he had and he knew that she was marked by Harper, he had no idea what to do with her. And being at a loss with a woman was not something he was familiar with. Ever.

But if Harper wanted her, then Declan wanted her more.

“You need help –” he began.

“I don’t want your help.”

“– and I need answers.”

“And you thought you’d simply waltz up my driveway and I’d spill?”

“You came into my home uninvited. I figured I could do the same.” He pinned her with a level gaze. “You’ve been nothing but a pain in the ass since you left me in my hotel bed, Kate Carrigan, but clearly, you’re new at this. We stirred up a hornet’s nest at the club so now we’re both marked.” She might be stronger than the average woman but there was something raw and unsure about her. “I need an explanation, Kate. And you can start with the daggers.”

Everything inside Kate cautioned her against trusting this man. He was a Bennett, and stood for everything she’d been taught to fear.

He wasn’t evil, but he still frightened her. Whether that was the Keeper in him or the man, she wasn’t sure, but something told her that Declan was all trouble. He had a noble, untamed look to him that hinted at a bad boy image. Dark eyebrows and sinfully long eyelashes. Jet-black, dishevelled hair that almost touched his shoulders. His expressive blue eyes stared at her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. The man was breathtaking.

Despite her best efforts, he’d found her and wanted answers. And now that he knew why Harper wanted her, there was no way in hell he’d let her go. She couldn’t blame him. After all, he had his own family; his own people to protect.

But who was protecting her?

Since her mother’s death, so much had changed. What was once a quiet life was now overrun with fear, confusion, and the supernatural. Images of Harper and his followers came to mind and she felt herself cringe. After what she’d witnessed, she had a lot to learn and the danger was far worse than she’d ever imagined.

It terrified her.

Her mother’s hastily scribbled letter had sparked so many questions but it had led her to the daggers. To the Bennett brothers. So maybe she’d lead with that.

But something tugged inside, feeding her fear. She hadn’t trusted many people in her life growing up and after her mother’s death, she was even less inclined. She glanced outside, took in the bright morning sun; a new day and a new chase. A trickle of apprehension ran down her spine, along with a fresh urge to run.

“Fine,” she said with a brief nod and went into the kitchen. “If I’m going to share dagger details with you, I’m going to do it with coffee. Want some?”

When in doubt, add caffeine. Or alcohol, but as the sun’s rays were still fresh across the lake, she figured that coffee would be the better option.

“Sure, thanks.”

Kate opened the cupboard to remove two mugs and turned to the counter, keeping her back to him. Reaching into the drawer, she removed a spoon and some powdered herbs before assembling the drink.

“So how come I never noticed you following me?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder. Declan was peering through the blinds, looking at the lake. Satisfied that he was preoccupied, she tipped a portion of herbs into his mug and stirred.

Naughty but necessary.

“Stealth mode is one of my talents.”

Judging from the thick wall of muscles, his height and broad shoulders, she wondered how that was even possible. “Sure it is.”

His eyes narrowed briefly at the sarcasm in her tone but he left it at that. “How do you know about the daggers?”

Kate walked around the kitchen counter and handed him the coffee, ignoring the pang of guilt. His nod of thanks was brief, followed by a half smile as he took a sip. “After my mother died, I found a letter in her Grimoire urging me to find them.”

“Your mother knew about them?”

“According to her, they’d protect me.”

“From Harper?”

“From everyone.”

He nodded, not bothering to challenge her comment.

“Is that why you sought him out?”

When she didn’t reply, he discarded his mug. Closing the gap between them, he turned her to face him. Her instincts yelled at her to step back, out of the reach of the man who could rewire her senses, but she fought the urge and met his gaze.

“Why are you holding back from me, Kate?” he asked, his gentleness in stark contrast to his previous ferocity in fighting off their attackers. “I won’t harm you.”

“But you won’t let me go either, will you?”

“You know I can’t.” His words were barely more than a whisper, tugging at her defences. “But you’ll be safer with me than with Harper.”

She stared at him in silence, caught by the urge to trust him but knowing she shouldn’t. Her mother had ingrained it in her as a child. Trust no one. Depend on no one. Especially if they were from the supernatural world.

He dipped his head, his brows drawn together in a frown. “You really think you can take on Harper alone?”

“Declan, this is my mess. My problem. We’re not exactly on great terms and I don’t need a White Knight to sweep in and fix this.”

“Honey, you have the wrong brother. There’s nothing White Knight about me. But Harper supports the Brogans, and if he’s after a Null, it means he’ll use you to destroy us.”