Free The Keepers: Archer by Rae Rivers Page A

sparked the vicious nightmares.
    Someone had once told her that time healed all wounds. Bull. Wide-awake and restless, Sienna pulled on a cardigan to ward off the cool night air, and silently made her way toward the kitchen. She doubted tea would do much to calm the fierceness that lurked inside, but it would give her something to do.
    The spacious kitchen was in darkness and she left it that way, needing the blackness to smother her thoughts.
    Sienna filled the kettle with water and turned it on. While waiting for it to boil, she strolled outside to the undercover patio that led onto the pool area. It was still dark but the garden lights illuminated the patio and the pool with a soft glow that comforted her. The patio consisted of a fireplace, several comfortable couches, a table with several chairs, and a breathtaking view of the estate’s back garden. It was homely, immaculate, and a popular gathering spot for the Bennett brothers. The bright blue light inside the pool added a cool inviting feel to the water.
    Of all the brothers, Archer had always been the lover of water. Not surprising considering his connection with it.
    She envied the natural connection her Keepers had to their elemental powers. When channelling their powers, they exerted such confidence and control, something totally foreign to her. Archer could do things with water and manipulate the droplets in a way that never failed to amaze her, Declan could wield fire with impressive ease, and Ethan handled the wind as though it were child’s play.
    You’re a Beckham witch, Sienna, so start acting like one.
    Archer’s words came to mind, stirring the emotions she’d avoided until now. Although he hadn’t elaborated, she’d known what he’d meant. She’d spent years watching her mother and grandmother in witch mode and she’d learned from an early age that Beckham witches were fighters. They were strong and they fought for what they believed in. They were kind, loving, respected, often feared, and lived their lives to maintain order. They weren’t afraid of their powers and embraced it as a gifts, using their magic to make the world a better, safer place.
    An instant flush broke out through Sienna as shame trickled through her. She closed her eyes and allowed the truth to sink in.
    She’d spent the last two years being everything a Beckham witch wasn’t.
    Sienna opened her eyes and stared at the water for a long while before moving silently toward it. Maybe, just maybe, if she acted like a powerful, confident Beckham witch, she might actually start to feel like one. She was reaching but there had to be something better than the anguish and fear that had been her permanent sorrow buddies for the last few years.
    A small whirlwind of energy began to quiver inside her, a gentle fluttering that symbolized hope. The awakening of her powers?
    There was only one way to find out.
    With careful ease, her heart pounding against her ribcage, Sienna quietly raised her arms toward the pool and gave way to the trance that usually took over when channelling her powers.
    The water swirled inside the pool, slowly and softly at first. Once she’d gathered momentum, she raised her arms slightly. A low wall of water followed suit, hovering quietly above the pool before collapsing with a loud splash. Two attempts later, Sienna was ready to scream with annoyance.
    I can do this, dammit!
    Drawing in a deep breath, she pushed aside the frustration and tried again, this time, giving more of herself to the magic. The water swirled slowly at first but soon caught momentum and moments later, it was swirling faster and harder. With a gentle movement of her arms, the water rose up to form another wall that remained hovering in midair.
    The ability to make the water do as she pleased was incredible, and a brief jolt of euphoria landed in her gut. When Harper had attacked her in the forest, she’d used two powers to subdue him. Air and fire. It had taken a few tries and she’d