The Keepers: Declan (13 page)

Declan awoke the moment he felt the shift of tempo in the train’s movements. He stared at the ceiling, his senses instantly alert, and listened.

Murmured voices tinged with alarm, and a crackling sound that meant trouble.

Fire?

He bolted upright, pulling on his clothes as he glanced at the sleeping woman in the bed. She looked peaceful, beautiful, and he loathed waking her.

“Kate,” he whispered, touching her shoulder. Her eyes flew open and she frowned at him. “Wake up. The train’s slowing down.”

“Are we in town already?”

He saw her confusion, laced with hope, and shook his head. “No, it’s too soon. Get dressed. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Pocketing his phone, he slipped outside, closing the door behind him.

The sound of screeching metal tore through the train as the brakes were applied with greater force, followed by shrieks of surprise that could be heard through the thin cabin doors.

Declan took two strides to the closest window, frowning at the orange glaze that tinted the darkness in the distance. He pushed open the window and peered outside, the cool morning air crisp against his skin.

A huge fire blazed furiously on the tracks ahead, burning with a gusto that had stopped the train. A dark orange veil covered the way forward like a dome of doom. The smell of fuel and smoke permeated the air.

His gut clenched, the rush of adrenaline snapping everything to attention. The train finally came to a stop, the sudden absence of motion feeling odd. There was a rustle of movement in the nearest coach, a sign that a few guests had stirred. They began spilling into the cramped passage, still dressed in nightwear, sleepy and confused.

It wasn’t long before a ripple of alarm trickled through the train once news of the fire broke out.

The lights flickered on and a calm voice echoed throughout the train on the loudspeaker, reassuring everyone that everything was under control.

Yeah, right.

Declan was already retrieving his phone from his pocket and heading back to Kate, renewed worry chewing at his gut.

A forest fire on the tracks in the middle of winter?

This stank of a damn ambush.

****

Kate fastened her hair into a ponytail, her heart thudding against her ribcage. The train had stopped, the sudden lack of movement an eerie contrast to the soothing rocking motions she’d grown accustomed to for the last few hours.

She walked to the window, ignoring her reflection in the glass, and peered outside. It was still dark, although a flicker of light in the horizon hinted at a fast approaching sunrise.

The window grew misty from her warmth and she ran her sleeve across the glass, only to reel back when a man stepped onto the tracks outside, turning to face her.

Rick.

Fear arrowed through her, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. A thick layer of stubble covered his cheeks. His hair was concealed beneath a beanie, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. He looked so casual, almost normal.

But there was nothing normal about the steely glare pinned on her, or the way his lips curled into a devious smile.

They’d found her.

Icy fingers wrapped around her heart. She stepped backward but he remained still, not shifting his gaze. His lips began to move, whispering unfamiliar words through pinched lips.

A gentle hiss had her whirling around and she gasped when smoke began to pour through the vents and electrical sockets. One look at Rick told her all she needed to know.

This wasn’t a train defect.

The smoke grew thicker, the acrid smell burning her nostrils. Kate bolted for the door, unlocked it with shaky fingers, and threw it open.

And stared straight into the skinny chest of a man.

Her gaze lifted to his and she baulked when she recognised him. A hint of satisfaction flickered in his narrow eyes.

“Surprised?” John drawled.

She shut the door and locked it, surprised when he didn’t try stopping her.

Her eyes watered and her throat burned, the smoke clogging her senses. Shrugging off her jacket, she held it against her mouth.

A rumble of energy tore through her and she closed her eyes, her protective instincts spiking. Her breathing shallow, she focused on channelling the magical threat away from her.

The smoke began to reside, pushing away from her as though she’d flicked a switch. She glared at Rick, challenging him with a confidence she didn’t quite feel. He began chanting with more vigour, determined to overpower her with his magic.

A battle of wills; but hers was stronger.

He grimaced and clenched his jaw, looking almost pained. His gaze faltered and he stepped back with a curse, breaking his spell.

And then he was gone.

A crash of movement at the door had her whirling around. Through the haze of smoke that was beginning to thin, she saw Declan.

With a low growl that sounded more beast than man, Declan attacked John with a force that left her breathless.

John was quick to retaliate, but Declan was bigger and angrier. He plunged forward like an unstoppable force, delivering brutal punches that sent John reeling against the wall where he crumpled on impact. He muttered something but fell quiet as blood gushed from his mouth. He sputtered, spraying blood everywhere and his eyes rolled back before closing.

Kate’s shoulders heaved from lack of air, and she lifted her gaze to meet Declan’s.

Oh, God.

****

“Are you okay?” Declan took two strides toward John, relief clamming around his throat the moment he saw Kate in the middle of the room.

She gaped at him, her body trembling, but a fire burned in her eyes that he recognised. And judging by her kick-ass pose, she hadn’t been about to back down.

The room reeked of smoke and was littered with splintered wood from the broken door.

Declan snatched John’s hand, the double tattoo on his wrist adding to his rage, and tugged at the black material clasped within the warrior’s fist.

He cursed, gaping at the black mask Kate had worn the night of the party.

“How did they know I was in here?” Her voice was shaky but tinged with anger. She coughed and swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand.

“He’s a tracker.” Declan tapped the markings on the man’s wrist and showed her the mask. “He’s been tracking you since the party. That’s why they’ve always been one step behind you. Are you hurt?”

“Harper went as far as to stop a train,” she said. “A public train full of tourists.”

“They’re getting desperate.”

“They stopped the damn train, Declan!”

“Harper knows that once we get to my brothers, they’ll have less chance of reaching you.”

“If they were willing to take you all on and now they’re after me, what chance do I stand? How do I fight them? My magic’s not strong enough.”

Tossing the mask, he went to her. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Kate.” She nodded, her eyes filled with panic, and he tipped her chin so that her gaze was level with his. “I promise.”

“They’re not going to stop, are they?”

“Not until they have what they want.”

“How did they get here before us?”

Good question.

A scream echoed in the distance and Declan charged for the door. He cursed at the sight of Harper and his warriors bulldozing their way through the surprised crowd in the passage.

People were shoved aside, despite their protests, insignificant to Harper.

Their gazes met, challenge dripping from them both. A muscular man stepped out of his room and into the path of the warlock but Harper’s pace barely faltered as he forced his way through the barricade with swinging blows, his wall of burly warriors directly behind him.

A woman screamed and everyone scattered, clearing a path.

Declan looked at Kate, everything inside him clenching in revulsion at the idea of her being at their mercy.

“They’re coming, aren’t they?” she asked, her voice merely a whisper.

He nodded. “And they’re nothing like the Brogan brothers. These people mean nothing to them and they won’t think twice about either hurting them or exposing us all.”

“We need to get Harper off this train, Declan. These people are innocent. They can’t be hurt because of me.”

Declan gave a brief nod. Grabbing his rucksack, he stormed to the window. He pushed it open, did a quick scan of the area outside, and tossed his bag out. Turning, he held out his hand to her. “Let’s go.”

She went to him and slid a leg over the railing. Hesitating, she glanced up at him. “You’re coming, right?”

A small smile lifted the corner of his lips and he nudged her. “You have my backpack. Of course I’m coming.”

They were both panting by the time they reached the river, the smell of smoke thick in the air.

Harper’s men had set chase and could be heard in the trees surrounding them.

Eerie laughter, mocking taunts. Like a pride of lions cornering their prey, they circled Kate and Declan.

A flash of movement beside Kate startled her as she turned to see Megan leap beside her on all fours, her body fluid and agile.

Twisted laughter and excited shouts mingled with rustling treetops and the rush of water flowing beside them.

Surrounded, Declan reached for Kate and wrapped his arm around her in a protective shield. Holding her close, he circled, glaring at Harper and his warriors as they closed in.

Harper had called in reinforcements.

Big, bad-assed, and dangerous. Different ages, different backgrounds and no doubt, each with different abilities, but all sporting fierce expressions and brandishing weapons.

Ice trickled down Kate’s spine as a dozen men and women surrounded them. Some walked beside Harper whilst others hung back in the tree tops, whistling and hooting with excitement.

Their glee made her sick to the stomach.

“These animal freaks are really starting to piss me off,” Declan muttered through clenched teeth.

“Declan, there’s so many of them.”

“They won’t stop, Kate,” he murmured in her ear, his voice breathless but tinged with fury. “But they won’t win.”

His heart pounded furiously against her, joining the explosive thudding of hers. “They only want me, Declan. It’s not you they’re after.”

“Like hell.”

Holding out his free arm, he began rotating his wrist in a small movement that sparked a ball of flames. His connection to the element was immediate, and she felt the flow of heat wash over him.

Thin wires of orange inferno flew up from the flames, spinning around them in circular movements that grew larger and larger, forcing the warriors to back away.

In perfect unison, lashes of fire sprayed through the air, sending the warriors scattering for cover.

All but one.

Harper stepped forward, holding out his hands, whispering a chant that altered the course of the flames. It sky-rocketed, twisted mid-air, and arrowed straight back to Declan.

Kate shrieked, fear triggering a flow of energy before the fire hit them.

Almost as though she’d slipped under an invisible dome, the lash of fire ricocheted off them, hissing above their heads as it connected with a nearby tree, dislodging a blanket of snow.

“How did you do that?” Declan asked, his tone edged with disbelief.

She lowered her guard, along with the dome of protection. “I have no idea.”

Harper stepped forward, flames blazing around him, and clapped his hands. “Impressive show, Bennett.”

“You’re a fool, Avery. That train was filled with innocents. You’re going to start a war.”

A small grin broke free and Harper nodded. “Then it means my plan is working.”

“And what is that exactly?” Declan taunted, keeping his grip on Kate. “Exposure? Control? We all know what happened the last time our kind attempted to come out.”

He shrugged. “The massacre took place a long time ago, Bennett. People have evolved since then.”

“Their fears remain the same. Exposure would put us all at risk. At some point, you and your minions need to get your heads out your asses and move on.”

A roar of objection rippled through the warriors but Harper held up a hand to reel them in. “It’s about time it all came to a head, don’t you think? The Brogan brothers had the right idea, but one’s entombed and the other’s dead.” His expression hardened, bitterness wiping away the smug smile. “And I believe we have you and Archer to thank for Warrick’s death.”

“A given considering he attacked our witch.”

“And we all know how protective you are of your witch.”

Everything about Declan’s icy glare and the way he stood, immovable, unafraid, spoke volumes about the way he felt about his witch. “
All
witches, Harper. Best you remember that.”

Harper snickered and glanced at Kate. “Last time I checked, the girl wasn’t one of yours.” He motioned to his warriors. “You’re outnumbered, Bennett. Give her to us and we might consider letting you go.”

“The girl has a name and I’m betting she’s quite happy right where she is.”

You bet your ass.

“What do you want with me, Harper?” Kate called out, pleased that her voice sounded calm, even fearless. The exact opposite of the mess inside. “You could’ve had my powers but you chose not to. It doesn’t take Einstein to figure out I’ll never willingly side with you.”

Harper’s smile was slow, his lips pinching into a thin line. “You say that with such conviction,” he mocked, cracking a wide smile, “almost as if you think you have a choice.”

There was a rumble of thunder in the sky above them, followed by flashes of lightning, a bolt of reality that ripped through the forest, altering the tension. A warrior called from the distance, issuing a warning Kate couldn’t decipher, but the signal sent a ripple of renewed energy through the crowd.

“You Bennetts are really messing with my time schedule.” Harper glared at them, all trace of amusement gone. He shifted his gaze to Declan, clenching his fists, and tilted his head to his warriors. “Forget about the girl. I’ll handle her. Take down the Keeper. And this time, do it properly!”

Smoke began to swirl around them and Declan tightened his grip on Kate. He raised a hand toward the flames, readying a ball of fire that swivelled mid-air.

A ball of flames flew through the air in the direction of two of Harper’s men but they scattered into nearby trees, dodging the attack.

Thunder roared above them, reverberating through Kate. Her heart slammed against her rib cage, fear whirled in her gut, but she stood her ground, drawing comfort from Declan’s presence.

The smoke grew thicker, muffling their vision, and Declan and Kate circled, back to back.

Harper glanced up at a large branch hanging above them and glared at it with a determination that sent a trickle of warning down Kate’s spine. With a loud crack, the branch tore loose and hurtled toward them.

With a speed that left her dizzy, Declan grabbed her and shoved her away from the crushing weight. The warriors pounced, colliding with Declan. He grunted and whirled around in a blur. The veins in his neck and face bulged, his eyes were wide, and he attacked with vicious force.

Through the haze, Kate saw Megan approach, cracking two whips against her side.

She jerked her wrists, the strands of leather snapping forward in a lethal hiss. With an icy glare pinned on Declan, she aimed her weapon at him, the leather wrapping around his arm. A second flick of the wrist, and the whip secured his other arm.

He roared, tried to break free, but the punch from John was brutal.

Kate whirled around just in time to see Harper approaching Declan, still struggling against the strains of the whip.

As the warriors closed in, he searched for Kate, shouting her name.

Harper raised an arm, mumbling words below his breath. An abandoned branch, sharpened on one end from the sudden break, began to rattle on the ground.

Everything crashed into place. She looked at Declan, terror churning through her as she realised what Harper was about to do.

He glared at the wooden spear and waved an arm at Declan. Rumbling with energy, the spear charged through the air, headed for Declan’s exposed chest.

Kate was already running, all her reflexes rushing forward in a whirl of panicked energy. She leapt in front of Declan; drawing on the protective power within, reaching for the dome of safety she’d used moments ago.

She cried out as the spear slammed into her body. Pain tore through her and she sank to the ground, clutching the spear.

“KATE!” Declan’s roar ripped through the air and he struggled against the binds that kept him captive.

Air evaded her, and she gaped at Harper, reeling with the horror that her powers had failed her.

God, she was such an amateur.

“NO!” Harper bellowed, charging forward but an arrow of fire shot toward him, cutting him off.

Declan went wild.

With a deafening roar, his face distorted by rage and horror, he tugged at the whip with a force that broke Megan’s hold. Swinging around in a whirl of fury, he dislodged the two warriors.

The ground began to rumble, unsettling snow and forest debris.

A roar of air rushed past them as flames sparked with renewed life, chasing a single line of fire along the sand and forming a circle of protection around Kate and Declan.

The water from the river shifted course, breached its banks, and trickled along the ground where the warriors stood. Harper’s men charged forward, halting in their tracks as the water rose up and began to harden into spiky icicles.

A perfect barrier of spears that separated the warriors from Kate and Declan.

Gaping, the men scanned the forest, realising there was new magic at work.

A ball of compacted snow flew through the air and collided with a warrior with a force that buckled him. An army of snowballs rained down, the lethal weapons sending everyone lunging for cover.

Stunned, the warriors backed away, despite Harper’s orders to retrieve Kate.

Declan rushed forward, dropped to his knees beside her. “Kate!” He clamped the spear buried in her side, his hands trembling. “Dammit, Kate, what the hell did you do?”

The flames drew brighter around them, hissing with unbearable heat, and Kate’s gaze shifted to Declan. “What’s happening? What are you doing?”

“It’s not me.”

Still cursing her, he searched their surroundings. Kate felt his relief as he drew her fiercely against him, his gaze fixed to a spot across the river. Hope soared when she saw three people standing beside the water, staring at them with fierce expressions.

Two men and a woman with fire red hair.

“Is that –?”

“My brothers and my witch,” he finished, ripping the spear out of her.

She gasped and clutched at his shirt, dizziness engulfing her. Through the fog that threatened to claim her, she saw Harper and his men retreating.

“How did they get here so soon?”

“I sent Archer a text earlier. Must have gone through when we picked up signal because when I called them from the train, they were already on their way.”

“Lucky us.”

Her words came out as a murmur and he grabbed her chin in his hand. “You’re bleeding, Kate. There’s nothing lucky about that.”

“We’re alive, aren’t we?”

His face clouded with something dark and he tugged her against him so tightly that she struggled to breath. “When your wound’s healed, I’m going to kill you myself.”

“Don’t be so ungrateful. I just saved your life,” she grunted but her words were drowned by her own groan.

“Exactly.”