The Keepers: Declan. Rae Rivers

you my powers willingly.”

      He didn’t reply, his eyes fluttered and he slumped forward, silent, before going still.

      Serves him right.

      Kate searched for the keys he’d pocketed to unlock the door. She couldn’t resist grinning when she found them along with a small pocket knife and the silver chain that held Declan’s skeleton key. Her hopes soared as she fastened the necklace around her neck, tucking the key inside her shirt where it nestled like a comforting reminder of freedom. Her fingers shook as she unlocked the shackles and secured Harper to the bed.

      Sweet justice.

      She bolted for the door, relieved to find a dimly-lit passage that led to a wooden staircase, and headed straight toward it.

      Her head snapped up at the sound of voices above her. All her senses were on overload. Everything was louder and clearer. Her mind spinning, she tuned into the voices behind the door. The television was on in the background, muffling their words, but she recognised them all. Despite the aroma of fried food, she could even smell them. Musky men, oozing aggression. Ugh.

      Wincing, she nudged open another door, fear curling her insides. The passage was clear and she edged closer. Her heart screamed in her chest.

      Keeping her back to the wall, she peered around the corner, her breath catching when she found the living room empty.

      Her spirits soared at a massive glass sliding door that led outside, but sunk when she took in the endless mountains surrounding them.

      God, where had they taken her?

      Two black Hummers were parked in the driveway that turned into a long dirt track down the mountain.

      Kate closed her fingers around the skeleton key and hoped like hell it would jimmy a locked car too.

      A door slammed in the room next door, followed by footsteps and Max’s voice, spurring her on.