Burned (Keeper of the Flame) Read online

  “We’re running out of time. If I wait until tomorrow, that’s one less day we have to plan what we’re going to do.”

  There’s a struggle on his face. He knows it’s true. He knows we need a plan, but I can see where he’s coming from. This isn’t exactly normal stuff we’re dealing with here. So far a lot of it has been a gamble, and Ryan strikes me as the kind of person who likes to stick to the simple solution.

  The safe solution.

  “Sit,” Cheyenne says. “Drink something. I’ll run and get food and then we can decide.”

  When I frown, Ryan urges me to the couch. “Come on. Just an hour break.”

  Once I’m seated, Cheyenne leaves. I blow out a long breath and close my eyes, leaning my head back on the cushion. “At least I have a couch,” I mumble.

  I hear Ryan’s soft laugh beside me. His hand touches my shoulder, rubbing at the knots in the muscles. “We don’t have to go anywhere today.”

  I open one eye at him briefly. “You aren’t going to change my mind.”

  I go back to relaxing but when I feel his breath on my ear, both eyes whip open this time.

  “Ry‒”

  He stops me with a kiss, hard and deep. My hands find his shoulders, curving them around his muscles and sliding up to his neck. Ryan grips my waist and hauls me onto his lap.

  “You’re trying to distract me,” I say, lips brushing his.

  “You want me to distract you. You want this.”

  “I do. I do want this, but‒”

  I yank in a breath when his hands work their way under my shirt. His fingertips sweep against my ribs, trace them to my back, and I shiver. His hand is like a waterfall down my spine.

  “I need you naked to really distract you,” he whispers, lips pressing at my neck, my jaw, my earlobe. “Can you do this?”

  The fire is simmering in my veins, skimming so close to the surface, I have to release a slow breath. “I’m trying.”

  But my heart is racing and suddenly I’m not so sure.

  Ryan cups my face in his hands. “What is it?” I start to shake my head, but he holds me still. “Willow, tell me what happened.”

  I curl my fingers into the cotton of his T-shirt, trying to focus my thoughts. “It…the fire…it didn’t start until college. Before that, I had a boyfriend. We were half in love. We could be intimate and it wasn’t a problem. But when I went to college, we split up and…” I clear my throat, eyes flashing to his. “I met this other guy at a party. He was nice at first‒but later that night, he wanted to take things further. I told him I wasn’t ready, and he‒he wouldn’t stop.”

  “Willow.” Ryan takes my hands, fingers strong around mine. Steadying.

  I swallow and look away. “Anyway, he was on top of me and‒and I couldn’t get him off. His hands were everywhere, under my shirt and pulling off my pants, and I panicked. I fought at first, and then I froze because I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “And then the fire came?”

  “Yes. His arms caught fire. He‒I‒I didn’t know what to do. I called the police and he wouldn’t stop screaming until the fire went out. They had to take him away in an ambulance. I‒” I choke on emotion, tucking my chin to my chest.

  “Willow.” Ryan’s thumbs brush my cheeks and his lips find mine. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “It was,” I said, voice hoarse. “I couldn’t stop it. He‒he was in so much pain.”

  “Self-defense,” Ryan murmured. “You never would have hurt him if he hadn’t attacked you.”

  “But‒”

  “Willow, please listen to me. It’s not your fault.”

  He pulls me against his chest, hand warm on my back. I’m still straddling his lap, and I sink into his embrace. His brushes my hair off my neck and murmurs a few more words I can’t make out.

  Finally, he says, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have…made you do this‒”

  “No.” I straighten. “Ryan, you didn’t make me do anything. I want this. I want‒” I shove my hands in my hair. “God, I want to be with you. I want you so badly. I just‒I’m afraid I’m going to hurt you.”

  “You won’t. I trust you.”

  “I don’t.” I shake my head. “I don’t trust me.”

  “You’re learning to control it,” he says, gaze locked on mine. “You can do it.”

  And I can’t ignore the passion smoldering in his eyes, or the ache I feel because he’s so close but so far away.

  I slide my hands under his shirt, feeling his abdomen tighten. “Help me,” I whisper. “Help me do this.”

  His breath hitches and he nods. “Slow, Willow. You can do this.”

  I reach for the button on his pants and hear a car in the drive. My hands freeze. I look up. “Cheyenne’s here.”

  His head drops back and he groans. “I’m dying. I swear.”

  I laugh and try to get up. He grabs my hips and holds me down. “Tonight,” he says. “Tonight, I’m going to be here. And we’re going to do this.”

  My stomach flips with nerves and excitement. “Tonight.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “How do you even know about this secret panel?” Cheyenne asks.

  She and Ryan follow me into the Shadow Hill Hotel as the sun sinks toward the horizon.

  “I…” I glance at Ryan. “I accidentally found it while I was walking around with Logan. I was planning on doing research, but I leaned against the wall and the panel opened.”

  A muscle jumps in Ryan’s jaw, but he doesn’t say anything. We walk through the lobby, which isn’t as crowded as it was over the weekend, and I lead them down the same familiar hallway we explored a few days ago.

  “I think Selena was trying to show it to me.” I glance at Cheyenne. “Maybe to try to help me find my Book of Shadows.”

  We pass a couple in the hallway and I smile, trying to pretend like we’re going to our room. When we reach the same part of the wall where the panel is, I glance around before pressing my hands against the surface. “It’s here somewhere.”

  Ryan pushes against the wall, too. “Are you sure?”

  I nod. When nothing moves or changes, I stand still.

  “What are you doing?” Cheyenne asks.

  “Feeling for a draft. That’s why I stopped here the first time.”

  Ryan and Cheyenne wait. I close my eyes. A cool draft blows against my cheeks, fluttering my hair. I open my eyes and walk straight forward. My hands find the wall again. I press against it, then lean against it, and give it a kick for good measure when it still won’t open.

  “Selena,” I whisper, leaning my forehead against the wall. “I need to get in.”

  I hear a click and the panel shifts. I stumble and Ryan grabs my arm.

  “Looks like all you had to do was ask,” Cheyenne says with a grin. “I’ll be the lookout. Hurry.”

  Ryan pushes the panel farther to the side and pulls out the small flashlight he brought. He shines it in the darkness. I can make out stones on the walls and flooring that looks like it belongs in a cave.

  I start to step inside, but Ryan takes my arm again. “Let me.”

  He moves to go in, but it’s like he’s walking into a wall. “What the hell?” He lifts his hands and presses them against an invisible surface.

  “Maybe there’s a spell on it,” Cheyenne says. “To keep people out.”

  “Except me,” I say. “Or except witches.”

  I take the flashlight from Ryan. “It’s fine, I’ll just look around.”

  He frowns, but there’s nothing he can do. I step inside the cavern, then turn and peek my head back out. “Can you just…kind of hold this panel here?”

  “Why?”

  I smile. “Last time I came in here, it shut behind me and I sort of…”

  “Sort of what?”

  “Got stuck.”

  Cheyenne makes a face and Ryan’s frown deepens. “I swear,” he says, “you’re a magnet for danger. Hurry up.”

  I duck back in and use the flashlight to search t
he stones. The cold seeps into my bones again and I shiver. “Come on, Selena,” I whisper.

  “Someone’s coming,” Cheyenne calls.

  “Close the panel,” I tell Ryan.

  “Hell no‒”

  “Just for a minute.” I nod at him. “It’s fine, we don’t want anyone suspecting anything.”

  His eyes are conflicted as he closes the panel. All the light except for the small beam from my flashlight is cut off. I hear whispering and whip around, shining my flashlight against more stones. But when I shift, I see a gaping hole of blackness.

  I hadn’t taken the time to look around the first time, but now I can see that it’s not just a small cavern carved out to hold a few people. There’s another passageway or some kind of tunnel that leads away from where I’m standing.

  Shining the flashlight in that direction, I try to see if I can find the end. It looks like it keeps going.

  More whispering sounds close to my ear and I bite my lip. “I hope that’s you, Selena. Where’s the book?”

  There are muffled voices outside the panel. Who are Cheyenne and Ryan talking to? Each other? The person walking by?

  I hear something sliding against the stones and whip my flashlight in that direction. It’s only a few feet from the door. One of the stones falls from the wall, hitting the rock below and echoing sharply in the cavern.

  I bite back a scream but clutch my necklace like it’ll protect me. When nothing else happens, I inch forward and shine my flashlight where the stone was. There’s a small hole. Taking a breath, I reach inside. I gasp when my fingers touch something.

  When I feel it again, my stomach flutters with excitement. It’s some kind of cloth. I get a better grip, fingers closing around something solid inside, and pull. After a few yanks, the item comes loose in my hand.

  Holding the flashlight between my cheek and shoulder, I light the material. It’s old and musty, but it comes undone easily, and inside is a book.

  My Book of Shadows.

  “Thank you, Selena.”

  I hear more voices and start toward the panel again, but there’s whispering behind me once more.

  This way.

  I grit my teeth. “I can’t. I have to get out of here.”

  This way.

  Shit. I want to follow Selena’s voice if she’s telling me there’s something else I need to see. But I can’t just leave Cheyenne and Ryan.

  I press on the panel and say, “Ryan?”

  The voices stop, I hear silence for several seconds, and then Ryan’s voice. “Willow.” His hands fumble on the outside of the panel. “Open it. Can you open it?”

  I push on the panel, the familiar flicker of panic taking over. “Come on,” I grunt.

  “Willow!” Ryan’s voice is urgent now, and Cheyenne’s joins in.

  “Push, Willow! Push on it.”

  I do, and then pound my fists, but the panel won’t budge.

  This way.

  “No,” I say. “I’m going out here!”

  The panel pops open and I stumble into Cheyenne and Ryan. He catches my arms, peering into my face. “Are you okay?”

  He doesn’t wait for an answer, just brushes his hands down my arms, searching everywhere for wounds.

  “I’m fine,” I say. “Really.”

  “Shit,” Ryan whispers, dragging me into his arms. He presses his forehead against mine. “I couldn’t get to you.”

  “I told you it got stuck last time, too. I think…” I shake my head, voice muffled against his shoulder. The book is wedged between us and I ease back. “I found it.”

  Cheyenne takes the book, mouth open. “Your vision was right.”

  I nod. “And I think there’s something else. There’s a tunnel farther back. I think Selena was trying to get me to go there.”

  “Not happening,” Ryan says, grabbing my hand. “One disaster at a time.”

  Cheyenne rolls her eyes at me.

  “But, shouldn’t we just take a look?” I ask.

  In response, Ryan shoves the panel closed, making it blend back into the wall. “No, we’re not taking a look, we’re leaving.”

  I start to say something, but he shakes his head. He grabs my hand again, giving it a tug. “Come on, Willow. You haven’t had the easiest afternoon. Let’s start with the book and we can go exploring later.”

  I sigh, but when Cheyenne says, “Maybe that’s a good idea,” I give in and follow him to the lobby of the hotel again.

  We step into the night air. The sun has gone behind the horizon and the sky is dim. I start down the front stairs. Cheyenne grabs my arm. “Wait.”

  She lifts her chin, almost like she’s sniffing the air, then her eyes narrow in the direction of the parking lot. It’s too dim for me to see anything but her jaw clenches.

  “Logan’s here.”

  Chapter 21

  Ryan’s eyes search the darkness as well, but he shakes his head. Cheyenne’s eyesight must be heightened now, too.

  “Where?” he asks.

  Cheyenne frowns. “Standing by your truck.”

  “What the hell is he doing here?” Ryan runs his hand through his hair. “Now what?”

  “We have to get home,” I say. “Let’s just go.”

  Ryan steps into my path, shooting Cheyenne a look. “She’s crazy. I’m telling you. Willow, seriously? You’re going to walk right up to him and what? Ask him to move?”

  “If he’s blocking our way.”

  Ryan curses again and takes my arms.

  “Too late,” Cheyenne says, “he’s coming over here.”

  “Inside,” Ryan says, turning me around. “Go back inside.”

  “No, Ryan‒”

  In an instant, Logan is there, voice low and dangerous. “Get your hands off her.”

  Ryan whips to face him, and they both stand there, bodies vibrating with tension. “You’re not coming near her again.”

  “It’s up to her, not you,” Logan says. Then he flashes a grin and steps back. “Hi, Willow.”

  I stay partially behind Ryan, but ask, “What are you doing here?”

  “What are you doing here?”

  His eyes are glued to mine like we’re the only two people on the earth.

  “You said you’d give me two days,” I say.

  He nods. “And I wasn’t lying. I’m just here to see what you’re up to.”

  “It’s none of your business,” Cheyenne snaps.

  Logan spares her a glance. “Quite the entourage you have here. Descendents from the original families. This could get dangerous.”

  I grip Ryan’s arm, trying to keep him still. He’s a wall of muscle and doesn’t even budge. “Nothing is going to get dangerous,” I say firmly. “We’re leaving now.”

  “What do you have there?” Logan asks.

  I clutch the Book of Shadows to my chest, hard enough my knuckles turn white. “It’s mine.”

  He holds up his hands. “Hey, I’m not trying to take it from you. I just want to make sure we’re on the right track. Looks like we might be.”

  “That’s enough,” Ryan says. “We’re going. Now.”

  Cheyenne starts down the stairs. Ryan takes my hand, keeping himself between me and Logan as he follows her.

  “Willow,” Logan calls behind us.

  Ryan tenses, his grip tightening on my hand.

  I glance back and catch the white of Logan’s smile.

  “See you soon,” he says.

  Ryan wraps his arm around my shoulders to keep me moving. “In the truck,” he says as we approach the vehicle. I look over. “Please.”

  I nod, hopping in the passenger seat after Cheyenne gets in the back. He looks so tense, so worried, all I can do is keep silent as Ryan drives us back to my new house.

  ~ ~ ~

  Standing at the counter in front of the sink, I fill a glass with water and drink it while I stare through the window into the darkness. I jump when I see Ryan’s reflection behind me, but he wraps his arms around me before I can turn.r />
  “Are you okay?” he asks, lips close to my ear.

  I shiver. “Yes.”

  “Don’t let him get to you.”

  “I’m not. I just…wish he’d leave me alone. Let me figure this out. I’m glad you were there, though.”

  “Me too,” he murmurs.

  Cheyenne is already gone and the house feels so lonely.

  “I’m glad you’re here now,” I tell him.

  He brushes my hair to the side and trails kisses down my neck and along my shoulder. “If you want me to go, I will.”

  I shake my head, breathing out as he continues kissing my shoulder. His lips are softer than I remember, warm on my skin. “I don’t want you to go.”

  One of his hands slides under my shirt, pressing against my stomach.

  “If you’re tired…” His voice lowers. “I can crash on the couch.”

  I try to turn around, but he holds me tight against him. His hand slides to my breast, cupping it. My throat dries. The flames stay low inside as he keeps it slow and simple. “I am tired,” I whisper, smiling when I feel him exhale behind me. “But all I want to do right now is lose myself in you. And try not to set you on fire.”

  His arm contracts, holding me close. “I’m so glad you said that.”

  He spins me around. His lips meet mine, warm and firm. Angling his head, he deepens the kiss, making my legs feel wobbly. His other arm supports me around my waist, hand dipping to grab my butt.

  I pull his shirt over his head. Then I press kisses to his chest, feeling his muscles jump in response.

  “Willow,” he says, voice hoarse.

  “It’s okay,” I whisper. I feel strong, like the flames aren’t in control of me. “I can do this.”

  This seems to encourage him. He rips my shirt over my head, letting it fall to the floor, and traps me against the counter. His lips race across my cheek and down my jaw. His hands fist in my hair as he presses against me.

  I can feel him, stiff and warm, through his jeans, and I start to throb with heat and need. And the flames rise a little higher.