Secrets of the Grail: Keepers of the Grail, #0

By Tamar Sloan

When Sierra sneaks out, determined to escape her over-protective family, she stumbles across a young man covered in blood. His last words are a plea. Find the Grail Keepers. Warn them. 

 

Ryder is the young cop who was last seen with the murdered victim. Sierra doesn't trust him, no matter how drawn she is to him. Except it turns out they're both looking for the same thing—the Holy Grail. 

 

They're quickly drawn into a dangerous hunt involving cryptic clues, a mysterious stone, and a Grail that hasn't been seen for centuries. One that leads to more questions than answers. Can Sierra trust her impulsive emotions? Should she believe Ryder's words or the truth she sees in his eyes? And ultimately, should she follow her heart?

 

Especially when every decision will decide the fate of countless lives. 

 

Fans of Richelle Mead and Jennifer Armentrout will devour Secrets of the Grail. Scroll up and one-click to lose yourself in the unforgettable prequel to the Keepers of the Grail series today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamar Sloan
• Release date: Aug 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201884123

Book preview

1

Sierra

Pounding music and the yeasty smell of beer hit Sierra the moment she opens the door. A deep bass beat throbs through her bones as she throws her hands in the air and allows a celebratory whoop to puncture the haze in the room. She made it! She’s free!

Someone passes her one of the obligatory red cups that are at all frat parties but she shakes her head. She doesn’t need alcohol to get a buzz and lose her inhibitions. She’s always felt emotions like a hurricane. Or a Mack truck. Or a supernova.

When her father walked out five years ago, she cried for three days straight. It was as if she needed each and every one of those tears to wash away the sting the memories held. Her father slurring and screaming, her father throwing anything he could get his hands on, her father apologizing, his head in his hands. Those torrential tears were the only way to vent the relief that he was finally gone.

When she was accepted into Mercy City College to study anthropology, Sierra attempted a cartwheel right in their living room. She’d ended up with a twisted ankle because she’d totally forgotten how uncoordinated she is, but that delirious body slam had captured exactly how she was feeling.

And earlier tonight, as she’d sat in her room with nothing to do, boredom had crept in like a suffocating weight. Sierra had started to wonder if it could kill a person. She’d even pressed her fingers to her wrist, checking her pulse. It had definitely seemed to be slowing down.

Stepping away from the proffered beer, Sierra grins. She’s usually done whatever it is people are tempted to do, long before they’ve decided it’s probably a bad idea.

Sierra! You came!

She grins to find her best friend waving his hand above the crowd. Yup! she shouts over the music as she makes her way to him. I escaped the oppressive yolk of over-protectiveness!

Her mother’s frowning face flashes through Sierra’s mind. The answer’s no, she’d said in that emphatic way of hers. You’re not going, Sierra. Period.

Sierra’s sister, Shell, had nodded as she’d stood beside their mom. Being out at night is dangerous.

But Sierra’s not going to be ruled by two paranoid hermits. Her father’s gone and he’s not coming back. She refuses to live under that shadow.

David grins as he engulfs her in a hug, his blond curls tickling her nose like they always have. He smells of aftershave, books, and unconditional love. Did you hurt yourself?

Sierra giggles as she pulls back. I think I only bruised a rib. Not bad!

David shakes his head, fondness softening his features, then pushes his glasses up as the motion has them slipping down. I should’ve studied medicine.

Sierra nudges him with her shoulder. The history of medicine, more like it.

David’s love of anything and everything to do with times gone past is practically a part of his marrow.

He glances over her shoulder and arches an eyebrow. Nim came?

Sierra spins around, seeing her friend awkwardly squeezing through dancing bodies as she makes her way toward them. Short and dark haired, Nim’s wearing her usual camo-print pants, army boots, and a white tank top that’s even shorter than Sierra’s. Someone steps backward and Nim tries to duck out of the way, but still cops a shoulder. The guy turns around to apologize but then sees who it is. He frowns and turns away.

Sierra takes a step forward, anger instantly blazing, only for David to grip her hand. He’s not worth the effort.

She frowns, considering whether that’s true. I don’t like bullies.

Her father was a bully, and Sierra’s overwhelming fear always froze her to the spot whenever he browbeat her mother. The only regret she has since he left is that she didn’t stand up to him.

Bullies are asses, David agrees. But so far, that guy was just being rude.

Nim reaches them, flicking her dark bob out of her face. Hey. Tell me again why people our age do this? She sidesteps as a guy runs past with no shirt on, a squealing girl right behind him brandishing a stick of bright red lipstick. Is it supposed to be fun?

Sierra and David glance at each other, chuckling. She rolls her eyes. Then why did you come?

When she mentioned the party to Nim, she didn’t actually expect her to show up, but she didn’t want her to miss out. Nim’s more of a nerd than David is—which Sierra didn’t think was possible—spending endless hours with stacks of books for company.

Nim grins, a flush creeping up her cheeks. I wanted you to meet someone.

A lithe young woman slips out of the crowd and takes Nim’s hand. She’s dressed in a clinging black dress, but that’s not what grabs Sierra’s attention. The girl has the longest hair she’s ever seen, the straight tresses reaching past her waist. One half is black. The other is white.

This is Sierra and David, the ones I told you about, Nim says.

Hey, she smiles. I’m Blaise. And I’m a witch.

A witch? Now there’s an introduction! Blaise watches her carefully and Sierra knows her response is being noted. Like this is a test.

Sierra angles her head. But you couldn’t decide if you’re rooting for ying or yang? she asks, pointing to Blaise’s dichromatic hair.

Blaise’s smile grows. You can’t have one without the other.

Nim slides in closer to Blaise. Kind of like the two of us, she says huskily.

Sierra watches as Blaise practically turns into a puddle of what could only be described as adoration. They turn to each other, gazes locking and not letting go. Sierra looks away even though they don’t seem to require any privacy.

David nudges her. Please tell me I’m not like that with Mikki.

She rolls her eyes as she flicks her hair, ignoring the twinge at the mention of Mikki’s name. Do you know how many times I have to brush my teeth because a little bit of vomit comes up after being around you two?

David pokes his tongue out at her before turning back to Nim and Blaise and clearing his throat. So, where did you two meet?

They tuck in together like two puzzle pieces, their lips tipping up simultaneously. At a library, says Nim.

The college library? David asks. I would’ve seen you around.

He lives there, adds Sierra. He only goes home because there are no showers.

Books are friends, okay? He mock frowns at her.

She looks at him thoughtfully. You’ve taken books into the shower, haven’t you?

David purses his lips. It only works if you put them in a plastic bag.

The four of them burst into laughter, the sound making a few heads turn their way. Nim ducks a little and Sierra feels a blast of protectiveness. Nim shouldn’t feel like she has to hide.

Blaise narrows her eyes. Who do you want me to turn into a son of a motherless goat?

Nim wrinkles her nose up at Blaise. I don’t think you have that much mugwort, she jokes. She turns to Sierra and David. Look, we’re, ah, going to get the flock out of here. We were going to meet up with Blaise’s friend, Bess, but she’s a no show.

Sierra nods, knowing that’s not the main reason Nim is leaving, but appreciating that she wanted to introduce her girlfriend.

It was lovely to meet you, Blaise says warmly. I can tell we’re going to be fast friends.

Looking forward to it, Sierra says with a genuine smile. It’s wonderful to see Nim so happy.

She and David watch as the two leave, their hands clasped as they wind through the crowd. Sierra looks around at the gyrating bodies, wondering what now. She could dance, but someone is likely to get hurt. She doesn’t want to drink—she’ll fall over even more often, her mom will probably smell it on her, and beer tastes like rhinoceros wee. Oh, and it’s illegal at eighteen years of age.

Surely she didn’t just impulsively sneak out to something she’s not even going to enjoy…

It’s not as much fun as I thought it would be, David comments beside her.

That’s because they don’t have a reference section, Sierra teases.

He leans over. Don’t look now, but that guy is checking you out, he says, surreptitiously rolling his eyes to his left. I’ve seen him around. I think his name’s Jake.

Sierra’s gaze instantly shoots to where he’s indicating, making David groan. Subtle, Sierra. Subtle.

But the nice-looking guy smiles at her from across the room, seemingly happy to have been noticed. He holds up a soda in a salute, his eyes sparkling with invitation.

Except, Sierra doesn’t feel any reciprocating spark. She looks away, disappointed, but not sure why. He seems…nice.

The rest of your friends are couples, David points out, knowing she’s being non-committal. Why not give him a chance?

David’s been seeing Mikki for several months. And now Nim has Blaise.

Except, out of all the emotions that Sierra has experienced, that sort of love isn’t one of them. She shrugs. She’s probably better off focusing on her studies, anyway. There’s no…turning my world upside down, you know what I mean?

You’re certainly an all or nothing girl, David says with a sigh.

I don’t think the world’s ready to see me in love.

David chuckles. True. Actually, I think I might feel a little sorry for the guy.

Sierra grins. He won’t stand a chance.

There’s a thud as the front door opens too fast and slams against the wall. Most people don’t bother turning around, too busy losing themselves to a drunken haze, but it jolts Sierra. Have Nim and Blaise found enough mugwort and decided to storm the place?

A man in a suit along with two uniformed police officers barge in, eyes scanning the room. The crowd instantly disperses, one or two girls screaming, quite a few cups thrown to the side, irrespective of how much beer was in them. Several people make a break for the back door.

The man in the suit seems to find who he’s looking for, because he jolts forward and grabs one of them. Sierra realizes it’s the guy who was checking her out. The one David had called Jake. He struggles the moment he’s grasped. Let go of me! I haven’t done anything wrong!

The suit-cop grabs Jake’s arm and twists it behind his back. We both know that’s not true, he growls. A few people move in but suit-cop glares at them, his two cop buddies stepping up behind him. You don’t give me any trouble, and I won’t give you any. Why don’t you all return to your party?

The people instantly back off, eyes averted. Suit-cop jerks on Jake, making him wince. Roughly, he pushes him out the door.

Sierra catches a glance of Jake’s face a second before he’s gone. Terror is stamped across it. Help, someone! he cries. They’re going to hurt me!

Sierra’s moving before she realizes she is. She strides after the cops, her hands clenched.

Sierra— David calls but she ignores him.

She doesn’t like bullies.

Shoving the door open, she sees suit-cop trying to push Jake into a patrol car. Under what grounds are you making this arrest? she demands.

One of the other cops steps in front of her. This is police business, ma’am, he says in a deep, calm voice.

Sierra cranes her neck back, noting this cop is tall. Her gaze slips past a strong jaw, full lips that are pressed tightly together, past deep mahogany hair that brushes his ears, and reaches his eyes.

They both stop. Whoa, he’s hot! Dark hair. Deep blue eyes. Sculpted features that are divine and devastating all at once.

But it’s more than that.

Sierra’s gut clenches. Her world tilts. She’s not sure if she’s breathing or not. The desire to know this guy is overwhelming.

She frowns, not understanding the feeling. It’s as alien as it is exciting. And yet unwanted right at this moment.

Get her out of here, Ryder, growls suit-cop as the other cop jumps in to help him get their victim into the patrol car.

Ma’am, please go back inside. There’s nothing to see here.

Don't call me that. I’m pretty sure we’re the same age. Ryder has got to be a rookie. Probably fresh out of police college.

Jake arches his back as a hand pushes down his head. Suit-cop slams his knee into Jake’s thigh and he crumples. With a cruel shove, suit-cop shoves him into the patrol car and shuts the door.

Like hell there’s nothing to see here.

Sierra steps around Ryder, happy to let anger suffuse her. It’s far more preferable to the confusing commotion she’s currently feeling.

Hey! You can’t treat him like that! All he had in his hand was a soda, for crap’s sake!

Suit-cop turns to face her. He stalks forward, flashing his badge. Detective Kane, Mercy City Police, he snaps. What you’re seeing is a wanted criminal being arrested for smuggling charges.

Sierra steps forward, her hands clenched. You don’t have to treat him like that.

Inside the patrol car, Jake starts to thrash. He presses himself against the window as he desperately tries to escape. The third cop walks around the other side of the car and opens the door. Two strikes and Jake’s out cold.

Sierra gasps. He could be innocent! That’s police brutality!

Detective Kane strides past her. That’s justice, he mutters.

He gets into the driver’s seat, indicating with his chin for his comrade to do the same. Sierra’s conscious of Ryder walking past her and getting into the back with the guy. He glances at her and she struggles to reconcile the draw she feels when their gazes meet and the violence he’s a part of.

She watches the patrol car drive away, muted anger thrumming through her veins.

Are you okay? David asks behind her.

Sierra spins around, having forgotten he was there with all the commotion. Jake being arrested. Ryder. The all-consuming fury that demanded a champion.

I…ah…wasn’t okay with that.

David pushes up his glasses. I noticed. You just took on a detective and his two offsiders. He tilts his head. Did you like that poor sap more than you let on?

No. He didn’t affect her. Not like Ryder did…

Sierra shakes her head. They didn’t need to be like that.

That’s true. I’m just not sure your reaction was proportional, David says gently.

Since when have my responses been proportional? Sierra asks at a half-hearted attempt at humor.

True, David says with a smile that doesn’t hide the concern in his eyes. Shall we go back inside?

Except the thought of going back into the party that wasn’t nearly as much of a buzz as she hoped doesn’t appeal. Sierra’s starting to think she should've stayed home. If she gets caught, none of this was worth it.

No matter how hot Ryder was.

She shakes her head. I’m gonna go home. Hopefully the image of the guy’s terrified face will fade fast.

David nods and gives her a hug. Call me when you get there.

Sierra holds him for long seconds, grateful for his understanding and support. David has always been her foundation. She pulls back. I’ll get a ride.

I’ll wait— David’s phone rings and he frowns as he looks at the screen. It’s Mikki.

Probably checking up on him. Especially if she knows Sierra was coming to the party. You take it, she encourages. Maybe tell her I’m leaving.

She adds the last part with a smile and nose wrinkle to show she’s joking, but David’s frown stays in place. Mikki has tried to hide her dislike of Sierra, or maybe Sierra’s close relationship with David, but Sierra’s noticed. It’s there in the frowns. The checking up when David is with her. In the absence of invites to hang out with them. Although Sierra doesn’t intend on ending their friendship, she doesn’t want to make this any harder for David than it has to be.

David hesitates, then takes the call with an apologetic look. Sierra shoos him away, making a show of getting her own cell phone out so she can call a ride. With a quick wave, David disappears inside.

The moment he’s gone, Sierra tucks her phone back in her pocket. She’s glad Mikki rang, because she feels like walking. There’s too much…everything going inside her right now.

She heads down the street, frowning. She should definitely have stayed home. Her mom’s not happy with her after the phone call from the college last week. She needs to be lying low.

Deciding to take a short cut, Sierra turns down a smaller street. Although it’s dark and there’s a park on the way, it’ll cut a good twenty minutes off her walk home. The way she’s feeling now, she’ll pulverize anyone who tries to mug her.

She skirts the grassy area, keeping to the pools of white shed by the streetlights. She’s not impulsive or stupid enough to cut across the park. If she doesn’t get home alive, her mom will kill her.

Sierra’s almost at the end of the block when a sound