The Keepers: Ethan

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 (#ulink_0c2abcac-ba67-5ce8-aedf-49e3a7770a41)

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.

Jenna wasn’t here for the warlock, but at some point Hazel would come for him. Not that she’d easily reach him as Sienna had sealed the tunnels with a spell, but still. Hazel was close. She could feel it and if that were true, they would’ve used their favourite mode of transport into Rapid Falls – a portal.

Portals were instant doorways to anywhere in the world. They allowed Hazel and her followers to move between cities with ease. Quick entrances, quick escapes. And a whole lot of damage caused in between.

That was the mild part.

The most dangerous portal was the one that led to Ameera. A door that remained firmly sealed because opening it meant anything could emerge and enter the mortal world. Their world. The portal was the only thing that separated the two realms.

Because of the risks involved, The Circle had bound the spell to open portals a long time ago, but it had been stolen by a dark witch caster, an evil lineage of witches with a love of black magic.

Hazel’s lineage.

Over time, on the rare occasions they’d opened the portal to Ameera, it had been brief and they’d ensured no one escaped.

But Jenna had.

The last time the portal had been opened had been the last night Jenna had seen her parents. The night her mother had sent her through the portal, along with a young orphaned witch her parents had taken under their wing, hurtling them into another world that was far prettier and more peaceful.

But just as frightening.

Jenna had been here ever since and after that night the door to Ameera had remained shut. Jenna had long since given up hope of ever returning until she’d been sent for Kate – and met Hazel. Even though she’d known the risks, she’d hoped that Hazel would attempt opening the portal to Ameera.

If only briefly, enough time for Jenna to return to find her parents.

Jenna’s chest tightened, like it always did when she thought of them. She hated the weight of despair that had reared its head. She’d mastered the art of keeping it all buried. But lately, memories of her parents had begun to consume her.

A rustle of leaves in the distance startled her. Turning off the flashlight, she quietly scanned the forest.

Her senses flickered and she held her breath, searching, listening. And then she heard it again. A shuffle of movement. Quiet breathing. A heartbeat.

She wasn’t alone.

She stepped behind a tree. A large shadow appeared in front of her, the movement so sudden and fast that leaves scattered. She dropped the flashlight and ducked. Moving with lightning speed, she lunged.

It was like slamming into a brick wall but he grunted and went down. Jenna scrambled on top of him, using her body weight to pin him down. She threw the first punch, but her fist connected with a palm.

“Dammit, Jen, what the hell was that for?” Ethan growled, his words stunning her into stillness.

Jenna gaped at him, her heart lurching with relief. She punched him on the shoulder, but it lacked the force the previous one had. “Why did you sneak up on me like that? I could’ve killed you!”

He snorted. “Like I’d ever let that happen.”

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” He lifted his head, glanced at the door behind her. It was overgrown and bushy, but he’d know what was behind it.

Damn.

Her mind scrambled for a reply but none came. What the hell could she say anyway? If he ever discovered she’d been searching for a portal – preferably one to Ameera, of all places … yeah, he wouldn’t like that. At all.

Besides, she wasn’t ready to tell him she was the daughter of Keeper parents exiled to a prison world on another realm. Ha, she almost laughed at how absurd that sounded. Not the kind of thing one could easily divulge.

But still, she was busted and she needed an answer.

“You followed me!” she accused, hating the slight hitch to her tone. But dammit, he’d frightened her! Messed with her plans. And he was onto her. She wasn’t sure which of the three she loathed more.

“You wouldn’t tell me where you’ve been going at night.”

“Ethan!”

“Why are you here, Jenna?”

She sat back, not caring that her waist ground against his. She tilted her head and looked at the door, grasping for an explanation. Anything that would ease his suspicion. “I came to check on Mason.”

Silence.