The Revolt (The Reapers: Book Two) by Katharine Sadler Page A

party,
instead of worrying about keeping me safe and saving the world from
reapers.
    I probably should have woken him and helped
him to his own bed, but I couldn’t stand the thought of disrupting
his peace.

CHAPTER NINE
     
     
    Jed and I were just coming up from an
obscenely early training session, and I was headed straight for the
kitchen and breakfast, when there was a knock at the door.
    I started toward the door, thinking of
Angelica, but Jed stopped me with a raised hand, and answered it
himself.
    I followed him, but froze when I saw Caleb on
our doorstep.
    “You aren’t welcome here,” Jed said.
    Caleb scowled, and I wondered how I had ever
found him good-looking. I mean, he was absolutely flawless in the
looks department. The planes in his face were sharp enough to cut
paper and his eyes were a brilliant green that would make most
girls swoon. Knowing who he really was, though, I just saw
ugly.
    “Nice to see you, too, brother,” he said. He
looked at me and gave me his most dazzling smile. A smile that
would have melted me four months ago. “You’re looking well,
Kelsey.”
    Jed pushed me behind him and stepped to the
doorway, his body filling it. “You should leave. Now.”
    “I thought you might at least pretend to be
happy to see me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m really here for
Kelsey.”
    “And I’m here to protect her.”
    “From me? I would never hurt her, Jed. I love
her, I’ve told you that.” I couldn’t see Caleb’s face, but his
words sounded sincere. I shivered.
    “Now’s not the time. Varius is compromised
and reapers are trying to take over Briarton. Kelsey’s not
interested in you anymore.”
    “If that’s the case she can tell me herself,”
Caleb said, his tone going hard. “You’ve never wanted me to have
anything worth having, Jed. You’ve always hated me.”
    Jed flinched and the muscles in his back
tightened. “You should go.”
    “Look, I’ll leave if that’s what you want,
but I think you should hear what I have to say. Especially, since
I’m the only thing standing between the two of you and a pack of
reapers who would love to reap you.”
    “Why should we believe anything you say?” I
asked over Jed’s shoulder.
    Caleb sighed. “Look. Shit. Please just let me
in and hear me out. You both know Jed could end me without breaking
a sweat. I’m trying to help you.”
    Jed shook his head. “We have a pretty good
idea what you’re mixed up in, and we don’t want any part of
it.”
    “Fine. I’ll talk to you out here where any
passing reaper can hear everything I say.” He paused as though he
expected Jed to change his mind, but continued when he didn’t. “As
you’ve probably figured out, I made a deal with the reapers. Part
of that deal is that the two of you are untouchable as long as you
don’t interfere with any of our plans. Some of my associates have
told me your buddy Tucker has been asking about our girl Rose, and
they think that alone is enough of an excuse to go after you.” He
waved a hand as though he were calming Jed, but Jed seemed
perfectly at ease. “I’ve convinced them to leave you alone by
promising them you would stay out of it. I’m here to tell you to
stay out of it.”
    “Let’s assume you’re telling us the truth,”
Jed said. “What makes you think they’ll pass on the opportunity to
destroy me and Kelsey?”
    “Because I’ve promised them you’ll work for them, not against them. You’re my brother and Kelsey’s
my girlfriend…”
    “Like hell I am,” I said.
    Jed tensed next to me when anger flashed in
Caleb’s eyes.
    Somehow, Caleb managed a smile. “You may not
see it now, Kelsey, but I love you and we’re meant to be
together.”
    I wanted to run screaming from him as fast as
I could, but I couldn’t help feeling that that he might enjoy the
chase. A predatory anger seeped through his charm.
    “You’re a fool, Caleb, if you trust anything
the reapers promise,” Jed said. “What are you really doing