The Keepers: Archer

Archer’s anger soared, and he bolted through the window, landing on the grass with the ease of a cat jumping from a four-storey window. “I dare you to say that again.”

Hunter stumbled to his feet with a string of curses that would make his mother blush. Not that men like him had mothers. No, they were the spawn of … evil.

A rustle of bushes drew Archer’s attention to the shrubbery beside him. A Golden Retriever circled their visitor with a soft growl.

“Ah, you’ve pissed off Levi.” Archer suppressed a grin at Hunter’s expression. The retriever’s growl deepened. “And Levi hates trespassers even more than we do.”

“Call off your dog.” Hunter quickly stepped back. “I’ll deliver your damn message, but you should know that Warrick won’t let this go.”

The dog’s low growl turned into a series of quick, loud snarls that sent Hunter soaring off and away.

Archer couldn’t blame him. In defensive mode, Levi did look rather frightening – nothing like the gorgeous, fury, friendly, and protective dog she was.

On edge with restless energy from the surprise attack, Archer blew out air and flexed his shoulders. His gaze travelled to the broken glass on the lawn, and he frowned. Broken doors and windows at the Bennett Estate was nothing new, but still sent a bolt of fury and resentment through him. Attacks from Warrick Brogan and others like him had been part of their life since they’d taken over the Keeper role from their parents before their deaths several years ago. But every time a dark force entered the estate uninvited, it stirred something vicious inside.

Situated in a small mystical town renowned for the production of ice wine, the mansion had been home to the Bennett family for decades, carefully restored by each generation. It was an impressive house, luxurious, and large enough to house several families. Thousands of trees, shrubs, and flowers filled their grounds. It was nestled in the centre of massive spans of land, surrounded by thick forests and a glistening river on the one side, and endless rows of grape vineyards on the other. The estate itself was very old, and steeped in magical energy. Storage buildings and underground tunnels filtered through the estate and the forest surrounding it. They’d all been abandoned or destroyed when the Bennett family had moved in.

Currently, the mansion was home to two of the three Bennett brothers. Still no sign of Declan.

Levi returned moments later, chasing an Aston Martin down the driveway.

Ethan.

When the car pulled to a stop in front of the house, the youngest Bennett brother emerged with a sheepish grin. “Seriously? Did you use Levi to frighten our visitors again?”

Archer smiled. “No. Levi offered. And it worked, didn’t it? One look at the crazy dog and he bolted.”

Ethan dropped to his knees and patted the cheerful dog. “Nobody messes with Levi, do they girl?”

Archer took in his brother’s ragged appearance and cocked a brow. Yesterday’s jeans and a rumpled blue T-shirt, messy sandy brown hair, and unshaven. A far cry from his immaculate appearance the night before. “Late night?”

Ethan nodded, his grin widening.

“Looks like you didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Nope.”

Figures. With his carefree grin and endless charm, Ethan was never without a woman at his side. The youngest Bennett brother loved parties, alcohol, and women – and they loved him right back. The man had stamina that even put Hercules to shame.

Ethan’s silly grin disappeared as he glanced at the broken window. “So who was our visitor?”

Archer frowned, thinking about his intruder and every threat he stood for. “Remind me to arrange for some damn security,” he said, although he knew that ordinary security could do very little to keep the likes of Warrick and his gang away. Supernatural powers trumped conventional security measures any day.

“What did he want?”

“Warrick Brogan sent us a message.”

The mention of the warlock’s name was enough to jar the expected reaction from his brother. Any trace of amusement vanished and thick silence hung between them.

“Gargamel’s back?” Ethan frowned. “What does he want?”

“The Beckham Grimoire.”

“Oh, hell. They’re starting that again?”

“They never stopped. They were simply biding time until Warrick’s numbers were up. According to Fly Boy that I sent through our window, Warrick’s numbers are up. That’s not all,” Archer said in a soft tone that had Ethan look at him. “They want Sienna.”

“They won’t find her.”

“Apparently they know where she is.”

Ethan gave a brief snort. “We’re her Keepers. If we don’t know where Sienna is, then how the hell would they?”

Archer shrugged his shoulders, not bothering to hide his concern. His brother knew how he felt about Sienna, how her disappearance tormented him.

And two days ago, Archer had found her – only to have her blindside him and vanish again. He swore that if he ever saw her again, he’d wring her pretty little neck himself.

Keeper’s promise be damned.

“Still no sensing her?” Ethan asked, rolling up his sleeves.

None. Zero. Zilch. “No. She still wears her necklace. Until she removes it, I can’t track her or reach her.”

The necklace blocked him from her in a way that drove him crazy. He’d always had a connection to her unlike his brothers, until she’d cast a spell on her necklace, severing their connection eternally.

“Rose could do another locator spell?”

“Sienna’s already covered that angle, but I’ll chat to Rose again.”

“Any readings from Fly Boy?”

“Only that he works for Warrick.” Archer spun around to face his brother as a thought struck him. “If they know where she is, then I should be able to sense her through him.” He’d been too surprised to discover Warrick’s name that it hadn’t occurred to him at the time of the attack.

Ethan looked doubtful and glanced at the mess on the ground. “Not unless Fly Boy left a gift behind. Without something of his, you won’t make the connection.” He knelt, reached for a piece of broken glass, and studied it in silence. Straightening, he turned to look at Archer with a wide smile, and held out his hand to reveal the blood stained glass. “Blood should work?”

“You bet your ass it’ll work.”

Several minutes later, Archer’s fingers closed over the bloody glass with such force that his knuckles turned white. “Oh, God.”

Ethan’s gaze shot up to meet Archer’s, and he frowned when he saw his brother’s expression. “What’s wrong?”

“They have her.” Archer swallowed, trying to get a grip on the emotions triggered by the thought. “Those bastards have Sienna.”

CHAPTER FOUR (#u45d1bd4b-e875-5cdf-abc0-bfa0b0653968)

Damn. Her attackers had given her Rose Thorn.

A useless herb for most, but to witches, the tiny plant had the ability to weaken and strip her of her powers.