Sleeper (Rise of the Fianna Book 1)

by Amy Brock McNew

  Freaking awesome. He was aware she had more power than him. Things were going better than she’d hoped.

  She dropped the bag of heads at his feet. “I have something for you.”

  He eyed the bag, then slowly raised his gaze back to her face. A grin broke out, as creepy as ever in his lean, drawn face. “So you have.” He picked it up and motioned her inside. “Come. It appears we have much to discuss.”

  Makenna eased inside, keeping her back to the wall as Rhys had told her. She kept her father in her sights, her face impassive.

  Kylian shut the door and rounded his desk. He set the bag in the center of his desk and gestured to a chair she’d sat in twice before. “Please, have a seat, my dear.”

  So the ass hat was trying to butter her up. She barely kept the grin from her face. She’d have their magic broken and be back with her mate and pack sooner than she’d imagined.

  “So let’s see what you’ve brought.” He dumped the contents of the bag out. The heads rolled and he caught the one that looked like Amanda before it slid off the desk. She held back a cringe. “Very nice.” He picked up the head glamoured to look like Rhys and spoke to it. “The boy who would be king. Beheaded by a woman.” His eyes slid to Makenna. Then he raised his nose and took a big whiff. He growled. “I smell him on you.” He dropped the head. “Explain. And while you’re at it, why don’t you tell me why you’re just now returning with my prize.”

  Makenna slipped on her acting duds to give the performance of her life. “It’s quite the story.” She leaned forward, smirking. “Apparently, the ones who took me in when I was young cast a spell to contain my powers. To contain the Morrigan.”

  She let the words soak in as he fell back in his seat.

  The evil in the room pounded on her chest, demanding admittance. She brushed it off, pulling on the power within to resist its seductive lure.

  “I had wondered why locating you was so difficult.” He appeared thoughtful. “Go on.”

  “The night you sent Three, me, to take their heads, was my twenty-fifth birthday. That and the full moon were the conclusion of the spell. It began to unravel just as I encountered the target.” It felt weird referring to Rhys that way. “Once he saw who I was, he stood down.”

  “So then you decided it would be a good idea to taint yourself with his stench by rolling around with him.”

  She bit down hard on her lip to keep from beating the sneer off his face. She didn’t appreciate hearing her mating reduced to a vulgarity.

  Instead, Makenna gave a wicked smile. “It was more complicated than that. The others rushed to his aid and restrained me. There was no way I could take on four of them.” She eyed him carefully. “Your other assassins are dead, by the way.”

  He waved it off like the cold bastard he was. “I assumed.”

  “Their mage found the trigger you planted. They disabled it.” Makenna leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “The spell broke then, and my wolf and the goddess surfaced.” She took his half smile as encouragement and went on, making sure to look smug. “I shifted and escaped by forcing their submission. Except for Rhys. But he wasn’t keen on harming his mate.”

  “Did he tell you or did you feel the bonding urge?”

  “Both.” She sat back. “He followed me. I intended to get rid of him, but he wanted to discuss how we were mates, how I was queen. It intrigued me. Since I knew I could overpower him, I went with him.” She worked her neck. “That’s when he informed me that once we bonded, I would share in his power and mine would increase.”

  Kylian grinned. Evil shimmered in his eyes. “Ah. You decided to take advantage of that.”

  “Yes.” She shrugged, fighting with all she had to remain detached. “So I mated him. It took a couple days for the bond to click into place. In that time, I was able to get close to him and my misguided siblings,” she motioned at the heads on the desk. “Once it formed and I had what I needed from him, I completed my mission.”

  The smile on Kylian’s face was pure darkness. It sent coldness blasting into her soul. “Amazing. So new to your power, yet so strong and devious. Truly worthy of your station.”

  “Like father, like daughter. Right, daddy dear?”

  His grin grew wider. “Precisely. Thankfully, it appears you inherited the Callahan constitution and not that of your mother’s weakling blood. How did you discover your heritage?”

  She swallowed the livid urge to defend the mother she’d never known. “Rhys told me. He was very forthcoming with information once I’d bedded him.” She laughed.

  He folded his hands across his chest. “I have to wonder. With power such as yours, why did you not assume your rightful place as Alpha of his pack? Why did you return here?” Suspicion clouded his eyes.

  She needed to nip that in the ass right away. She was too close to her goal to fuck it up now. The darkness around her felt like oil on her skin and she fought to keep herself from being pulled under.

  “Oh, I did.” She grinned and rose from her seat. “I took what he was too weak to keep.” Makenna bit back her disgust and flicked the head that looked like Rhys. “I returned to pledge the pack’s allegiance to you.”

  He stared at her for so long she wondered if he was buying it. Their entire plan hinged on her being convincing. Rhys had said Kylian was unpredictable. There was no telling which way he’d fall.

  Finally, he laughed. A loud, malicious belly laugh. He rounded the desk. “Then, my dear, welcome home. So many years I searched for you after your traitorous mother hid you from me.” He rested a hand on her cheek, and it took all she had not to shiver. “But now you’re here and in possession of the power you should’ve always had. You’ve claimed your birthright and rejoined your family. As it should be.”

  He pulled her into a hug. Makenna stiffened. Then she sank into the embrace without conscious thought. It was too tempting for the scared little orphan inside of her.

  A father’s embrace. Something she’d never had.

  A million thoughts ran through her mind. The pull on her was nearly overwhelming. Between the magic in the room and the arms of the man who had helped give her life, she faltered. His simple hug promised all the things she’d been without, never understood, but desperately wanted. All the things that had been stolen from her before she knew what they were.

  It would be so easy to stand by her sister and father and rule the kingdom. Power was tempting. The lure was seductive. Having a position of authority. Having all the things she’d been deprived of her entire life. Being someone. Someone who mattered. Someone people obeyed, feared, revered.

  By his side, she could unleash all she was without reservation. There would be no limits.

  Someday, she could have control of all he commanded. Anything she desired would be hers for the taking.

  Light tugged at her soul. Her bond with Rhys. He was concerned. She’d been focused on her task and hadn’t sent him a signal that she was fine.

  His love, everything they shared, cleared her mind.

  She had everything she could want with a man who loved her more than his own life. It was more than enough to break the tenuous claim of the darkness.

  Makenna moved her hand to her waist and quietly slid her knife from its sheath, positioning it behind Kylian’s neck. She swallowed hard. It didn’t matter that Kylian was the symbol of everything wrong in their world. He was her father. What she was about to do would stay with her.

  It would change her.

  Then the lone picture she had of her beautiful mother flashed before her eyes. She would do this for her. She would have justice. She would save her people.

  She shoved all emotion to hell and became who she truly was. A vicious killer who would protect her people at any cost.

  She held Kylian tight and buried the blade in his spine.

  He stiffened and looked at her with wide eyes. She hung on as he staggered back. They crashed into the desk. The heads scattered, sticking to papers and dragging them with th
em to the floor. She followed him to the ground trying to gain the leverage to twist and end it.

  He fought the inevitable. Strong fingers reached for the blade while his other hand attempted to throw her off. She held on, wrestling for control.

  Just as she straddled his back and shoved his face into the carpet, the door at the back of the office slammed open.

  Makenna’s wolf growled at being interrupted. Brianna stood before her. Black hair blew around her face. A face that registered shock before it hardened. The evil within rose to the surface. The woman’s eyes went wolf, and she roared.

  Then she slung her hand. Makenna was thrown against the wall by an invisible force she hadn’t expected and didn’t know how to fight. Her spine crashed into the paneling, and she slid down.

  She was halfway to her feet, about to throw the glowing, livid red light in her hands, when a hand fisted violently in her hair and jerked her upright.

  Cold steel pressed against her throat. Razor sharp pain sliced into her skin. A warm trickle slid down her chest. She closed her eyes and sent out a desperate plea through the bond for Rhys to move now.

  Her father’s face appeared. Red dusted his cheekbones. Black eyes narrowed with deadly intent. The hand in her hair tightened until she felt the warmth of blood on her scalp. Brianna stalked across the room, glaring at Makenna with blazing eyes. Her expression mirrored Kylian’s. Her wolf as dark and demented as his.

  The wolves of her father and sister both bayed for her death.

  Kylian lowered his face. “I should’ve known you were no better than your whore of a mother. Spreading your legs for the first man who showed you any attention. Throwing away everything for a worthless man who would never hold the power I do.”

  Makenna sucked in a stilted breath. What the ever holy fuck was he talking about? Her mother had an affair? That was why she died?

  There wasn’t time to get into it. She had to try and keep him talking so Rhys could get there.

  “She was smart.” Makenna glanced at her sister. “You should’ve left with Talon and Amanda.”

  Brianna laughed. She waved a hand over the heads on the floor. Their true faces were revealed. “Clever.” She moved close. “They were weak. Amanda’s not worthy of the power in her veins. Just like you. No matter. I’ll have her power right after I take yours.”

  “It’s not yours to take, you fucking bitch.” Sister or not, Makenna had nothing but hatred for the vile piece of shit standing in front of her.

  Brianna growled, then slapped Makenna hard, driving her throat across the blade. Makenna bit back a cry as the edge dug deeper and blood poured down her chest.

  She mentally cried out for Rhys. He was closer now. But he was hurting. Battling hard to get to her. There were more enemies than they’d counted on.

  “We’ll see.” Brianna kicked one of the heads. “We have to get better help.”

  Makenna fought not to sink into the river of despair lapping at her feet. Judging by the looks on Kylian and Brianna’s faces and the dark cloud now swirling in the room, Rhys would never make it in time.

  Kylian’s cold smile sent Makenna’s stomach into a free fall. His head perked up as he caught a scent. His grin got bigger. “Your pathetic excuse of a mate is in trouble. My army is many.” He sniffed again. “Ah yes, victory is near.”

  “Not for you.” Makenna gave her best sneer. She was determined they wouldn’t see her waver.

  He laughed. A sound that chilled her soul.

  “Oh, my dear daughter. I will indeed claim victory.” He leaned in, smirking as if he’d already won. “But don’t worry. I’ll keep your mate alive long enough to see you burn.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  War Pigs

  “Move!”

  Rhys had fought to remain calm as time dragged on with no sign from Makenna. He gave the war cry the moment her scream rattled his brains.

  The pack surged forward. Within seconds, they stood before the massive gates.

  Bowen, Labeaux, and the group of mages formed a line in front of the structure with arms outstretched. Magic swirled. The bright colors clashed with the dark evil of the wards, sending sparks shooting high in the air. Rhys ducked, as did his warriors. The fiery spray landed around them, singing clothes and skin. The smell of burnt ozone choked out all other scents.

  The mages were already sweating as they pulled power from within. The wards bent and twisted to repel the power attempting to disable the shield. An audible groan, then an ear-piercing shriek tore through the day.

  Kylian’s mages were good. His shield resisted.

  But Bowen had been prepared.

  He grinned, looking like he was having the time of his life. He and the others intensified their chant, changing the frequency of the wards. The barrier of magical light fluctuated. It bent and bowed as it resisted the force slicing into it.

  Seconds later it fell with another wailing screech.

  One obstacle down, one to go.

  Next they focused their attention on the gate. An explosion shook the ground as metal flew in every direction. Smoke and the acrid odor of burning steel, melted by magic, filled the air. A gaping hole was all that remained of the impenetrable looking gate.

  So much for Kylian being invincible.

  The group of twelve mages parted like a river.

  Rhys and his warriors rushed forward with a fierce, ear-blasting battle yell. Blades raised, magic at the ready, they stormed the line of soldiers waiting for them.

  Reaching Makenna and dealing out as much death as possible were the only thoughts on Rhys’ mind.

  He carved a ruthless path. Blood sprayed. Blasting through the line of soldiers four deep, he swung his sword with one hand and shot deadly fire with the other. Enemies flew. They landed in flaming piles with holes in their torsos, missing limbs and heads.

  Blasts hit him from all directions. He used his magic to put out the fires that erupted on his skin and clothes even as he dodged and flinched. Pain tore into him as blades of light slashed his flesh. Skin melted like butter, turning black. He forced magic to his wounds to start healing. He had to stay on his feet. Keep fighting.

  Rhys gasped and dropped to his knees as sharpened, barbed light burrowed into his skin. Agony ripped into his guts as the magic twisted and shredded his insides like a power drill.

  Fuck. Brianna had spiked their magic.

  He scanned the writhing, bloody throng for Bowen. Meeting his eyes through the mass of bodies, Bowen nodded. Hopefully he could modify their own power while working on breaking Kylian’s thrall over his soldiers.

  Rhys sucked in a breath and staggered as he surged back to his feet. Terror from Makenna shot through his system. He barely stayed upright as it ripped into him, chased by his own fear. Rage followed on its heels.

  No one harmed his mate and lived.

  He let the fury charge him. Rhys let out a roar and met an opposing blade in the air with his own. He slid close, going nose to nose with his foe. Rhys fed on the fear in the male’s eyes.

  The blood of Rhys’ enemies covered him. He felt his wolf glowing in his eyes. The power of the Alpha radiated from his tense, bulging muscles. The wolf pushed at his skin. He wanted out.

  He wanted his mouth full of blood.

  But he didn’t have time to play with his food. Rhys twisted his blade low and left, forcing his opponent’s steel to the ground. He quickly swung upward and severed the male’s head.

  He glanced around the battlefield. His warriors were gaining ground and laying waste to Kylian’s soldiers as they emerged from the buildings.

  Amanda fought just outside the door of one of the barracks, chopping through heads like a chef through scallions as they poured out two at a time. Her laugh rang across the battlefield, turning heads.

  Dripping with blood, a sadistic smile on her face that said she was having way too much fun, she flung red fire with one hand. She spun in circles, raven hair swirling, taking heads and setting the enemy ablaze with glee s
hining on her crimson streaked face.

  Never had her lineage been more obvious. The sweet, peace-making mediator concealed a blood-thirsty savage. She was visible proof that each sister in the triad had power none of them could imagine, and were warriors of a higher caliber than had ever been seen before.

  Trystan paused a few feet away from her, watching the brutal beauty with rabid desire. His face hardened then, and he let out a blood-curdling yell as he took a running leap and full body tackled three soldiers baring down on Amanda’s back.

  The group of monstrous warriors impacted the dirt, leaving a crater in their wake. Trystan rose first, sending heads flying as the others rose. They never even had a chance to get back on their feet.

  Amanda ran to his side. Trystan caressed a hand down the side of her face, through the gore of battle that coated her porcelain skin. They shared a look that tore at Rhys’ heart before taking position back to back.

  Rhys swung his gaze the other direction, closer to the main building. Two soldiers had ganged up on Talon and were gaining ground. Talon took a brutal strike to the abdomen that doubled him over. Somehow he stayed on his feet and kept swinging.

  Shit. Rhys couldn’t throw his magic. They were too close to Talon. He leaped over the enemy, slashing and removing body parts as he flew. He landed next to his brother in arms.

  The enemy soldiers moved back a step at the shock of his sudden appearance. A second later they dove in. Talon and Rhys reacted in tandem. Blades clashed with a mighty rattle. Moments later, two heads lay at Rhys and Talon’s feet.

  Talon bumped Rhys’ shoulder while holding his guts in. “Thanks. Now go get her.” He leapt away and engaged another, seeming to ignore the wound that would’ve been mortal for a human.

  Rhys followed his bond with Makenna to the main building. The ground ran red behind him and flaming bodies lay in his wake. The enemy’s numbers were dwindling. But Makenna was still in danger.