Dark Alpha's Embrace

by Donna Grant

“I think they’re all on the list. We’ll take all of them. What we don’t need, you’ll return.”

  The Light cut him a flat look. “Are you trying to vex me?”

  “Is it working? I’m not returning for another go at this,” the Dark said with a harsh look.

  River heard enough. She stepped into the light. “You’ll not be taking anything.”

  The Light Fae looked at her with confusion while the Dark’s red gaze honed in on her. She glowered at each of them. Neither said a word as they continued to stare at her.

  “I didn’t stutter,” River said. “Turn around and leave now.”

  It was the Dark who said, “We can. But we’ll be back.”

  “And I’ll be waiting for you.”

  The Light frowned at her after he glanced at the Dark Fae. “You’re supposed to be at home.”

  “Doesn’t look like I am.”

  The Light held up his hands. “We need these books. It’s important.”

  “And it’s important to me that they remain right where they are,” she told him.

  When the Light Fae went to use his magic on the code to open the glass box, she swung her arm up, the blade in hand.

  The Dark was suddenly there, his hand on her wrist. River twisted out of his grip and pointed the knife at his neck. “These are my books.”

  “I thought they belonged to the library,” the Dark said calmly, as if they hadn’t briefly clashed.

  River wasn’t going to split hairs. Let the library think the books belonged to them, but in fact each and every one of them were hers.

  “Leave,” she ordered.

  The Dark moved closer, the point of her weapon nicking his skin so that a bead of blood formed. “Do you know what you are?”

  “I have a Fae blade in my hand. Of course I know what I am.”

  “Where did you get the dagger?” the Light asked.

  River didn’t budge even as more blood welled from the prick on the Dark’s neck. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “Talin,” the Dark cautioned when the Light began to move toward her.

  “Yes, Talin,” River said. “I think you’d better stay right where you are.”

  Talin dropped his arms and heaved a sigh. “Kyran, do something.”

  River’s gaze was locked with Kyran. She’d seen many Fae over the years, but there was something fascinating and absorbing about this Dark that made her heart race – from something other than fear. If only she could lay her finger on what it was.

  She knew what the Dark Fae did to humans, how they had sex with them, giving the humans ultimate pleasure. And all the while the Dark drained them of their souls. It was a horrendous way to die.

  But Kyran seemed different. She didn’t get a vibe of evil from him despite his hair and eyes. All Dark had red eyes and silver in their black hair. Despite what he was, she couldn’t deny his attraction. Perhaps it was the way he held her gaze, looking at her as if he couldn’t get enough.

  Her stomach quivered, and she moved a half step closer, even as her mind warned her to keep her distance. But she couldn’t. She had to get nearer.

  He didn’t look away. With a simple look, he invited her to get closer. It was a temptation she wasn’t sure she could refuse.

  He was enigmatically gorgeous, despite being Dark. Kyran’s eyes were a deep red, outlined with black. His face was harshly beautiful with hallowed cheeks and cheekbones no man should have. She had the irresistible urge to run her hands along his jaw and chin before pressing her mouth against his lips.

  At the thought, she nearly moaned. It had been so long since she felt any sort of attraction, and her body reacted rapidly.

  And wantonly.

  Lustful thoughts ran through her mind about all she wanted to do to the Dark – and what she wanted him to do to her.

  Unable to help herself, River’s gaze lowered to his wide chest. The black shirt stretched over defined muscles that begged to be caressed. That impressive chest tapered to a narrow waist and hips where his jeans rode low.

  It was the visible outline of his arousal that made her breath catch in her throat.

  His large hand wrapped around her wrist again, this time more gently. Her gaze snapped to his face and she jerked as something electric passed between them.

  It was so unexpected that for a second, she couldn’t react. She saw his eyes widen for just a fraction of a moment, telling her he experienced it as well.

  The room suddenly felt small, as if there wasn’t enough air for all of them. She wanted to lower her weapon and toss it aside so she had both hands to rub over his body.

  In all the Fae she’d run into, none of them made her feel like this. It was as if she was just now waking, as if she had been waiting for him.

  But if she gave in now, everything she worked for would be for nothing. She couldn’t allow that to happen. Somehow, she pushed aside the desire flooding her body and recalled why she had a blade to his throat.

  “Leave,” she said.

  Kyran didn’t back away. “Give me your name.”

  “River.”

  “You’re afraid of me, River.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’m not.”

  “I feel your pulse. It races. If not in fear, they why?” he asked with a knowing look.

  If a simple touch from him could cause such a reaction, she could only imagine what might happen if he kissed her. The thought of a kiss from Kyran made her knees week.

  Talin moved to the right so he could see her clearly. “River, we need the books to battle someone.”

  “I’ve spent half my life gathering these books. You’re not taking them.” To prove her point, she pressed the dagger against Kyran’s throat, reminding them all she had a weapon.

  A drop of blood rolled down his neck and disappeared into his shirt.

  “If you have a Fae blade, then you saw the destruction on Halloween,” Kyran said.

  River gave a nod. “I did.”

  “It’s only the beginning.”

  That she knew as well. It’d been foretold by one of her ancestors. “If you want these books, you’re going to have to kill me. That’s the only way they’re leaving this room.”

  She was ready to defend what was hers at all cost. Then everything suddenly changed as four Dark appeared around them.

  “Shite,” Talin said as a sword appeared in his hand.

  River ducked as one of the Dark took a swing at her. Kyran shoved her behind him as he battled two of the Dark. Out of the corner of her eye, River saw one of the Dark eyeing her with a grin.

  She smiled and motioned him to her as she tossed away her glasses. Let him think she’d be an easy kill. Let him think he could overpower her.

  Let him think she was a mere mortal.

  River slashed and spun, her blade cutting across his chest. The Dark snarled and reached for her. She wasn’t quick enough though. His meaty paw yanked her back against him, but she didn’t panic.

  She threw back her head, slamming it into his nose. He growled in anger and tightened his grip on her neck. His other hand grasped her right hand and squeezed.

  Her fingers grew numb, but River wasn’t going to lose her grip. She tossed her knife from her right to her left hand and stabbed him in the belly, yanking the blade upward.

  Almost immediately Kyran and Talin were there, plunging their blades into him.

  River pulled her weapon out and watched the Dark fall and then disintegrate into ash before floating away as the others had. She checked each of the books to make sure none was damaged. Only then did she breathe easily.

  “I think we need to talk,” Kyran said as he came to stand beside her.

  River faced him. “And I think you need to leave.”

  Chapter Three

  Kyran wasn’t going anywhere. There was a half-Fae before him who not only managed to get her hands on a Fae weapon, but knew how to use it. She also knew a lot about the Fae.

  He heard Talin moving behind him, but Kyran was too
engrossed with the librarian. River. The name evoked fluidity, refinement, and strength.

  When he’d first seen her standing there with her dark hair pulled back in a bun so severe it looked painful, her black glasses, and the frumpy clothes, he nearly laughed.

  Then Kyran saw her fight. She moved as if she’d been born to the weapon. With her glasses gone, he saw how pale her blue eyes were. They were a beacon in her face, drawing everyone’s gaze to their odd color.

  The battle had shaken her tight bun so that long dark brown hair hung straight and glossy down the middle of her back. Kyran wanted to sink his fingers into the length and grab hold of it, to keep her steady as he kissed her.

  She watched him with one thin chocolate brow arched. With her hair down, she didn’t look so stern. She had impossibly high cheekbones and lips so full they made him long to have them on his skin.

  Kyran lowered his gaze from her beautiful face and unusual eyes. The battle had done its damage to her clothes as well. The top two buttons of her shirt had come undone, giving him a glimpse of the swells of her breasts.

  And bright pink lace.

  He ached for

  He looked at her plain blue plaid skirt and navy shirt. They were clothes an elderly human would wear. Not a woman like River.

  But how he ached. For her.

  To have her, to hold her.

  To make love to her.

  Kyran wanted - no, he yearned – to have her near again so he could inhale her fresh scent and femininity. They way she stood up to him turned him on as nothing else could.

  Her pale blue eyes glittered with anger as she held the dagger to his neck. Never had he seen anything so stunning – or wanted anything more.

  River.

  If they were alone, he’d already have her in his arms, kissing her, touching her. He wanted to feel her melt against him, to feel her give into the attraction that had both of them in its grip.

  Her lips parted as their gazes held. Kyran barely held himself back from reaching for her.

  “We need to tell Cael about this,” Talin said as he came up beside Kyran.

  “Then go tell him.”

  River cocked her head to the side. “Both of you go tell him. I want you gone. Now.”

  “Not going to happen,” Kyran said.

  She raised her dagger in front of her. “If I have to make you, I’ll do it.”

  “How do you know of us?” Kyran asked.

  She glanced away. “The how doesn’t matter. I do.”

  Talin made a sound. “Actually, it does matter.”

  “Why?” She shot him a look, her pale blue eyes pinning him. “Your kind comes here, sleeps with a mortal, and leaves without a second thought. You don’t care how you left the mortal or the consequences of such a union. All you care about is your pleasure.”

  Talin shifted feet uncomfortably. “Those are a lot of generalities.”

  “Tell me it isn’t true,” River demanded. “Tell me the Light don’t do that.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Now tell me about the Light who return and see if they have any offspring? Or better yet, tell me about the females who keep the babies in the Fae world.”

  Kyran was amazed at how much River knew of their world. She was roasting Talin. And he wasn’t keen on her turning that ire on him.

  Talin shrugged helplessly. “The half-Fae offspring don’t always have magic. They could never survive in our world.”

  “Then why mix with us?” she asked, her voice rising.

  Though Kyran loved the sound of her Scottish brogue, he wanted her calm. Until she was in his arms. Then he wanted all that fiery passion unleashed. The mere thought made his balls tighten.

  He took a step toward her, and just as he wanted, her attention swung to him. “Is it my turn now?”

  “Leave. And never return.”

  “That’s not going to happen. We need these books.”

  She smiled tightly. “Then I’ll have to kill you, because these books aren’t leaving this room.”

  Talin blew out a breath. “She knows of us, Kyran. Why not just tell her?”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Kyran asked, looking at him sideways.

  “Perhaps.”

  River motioned to the door with her blade. “I don’t want to know anything. I just want you gone.”

  Kyran let just enough magic leave his hand to knock the dagger from hers. In the next instant, he had her up against the wall, their bodies pressed together.

  For a heartbeat, he couldn’t move. It felt so good to have her against him, to feel the heat of her. Then he made the mistake of looking down.

  She watched him with wide eyes, her lips parted and the pulse at her throat beating double. Kyran meant to frighten her enough to help them, but all he’d managed to do was fill his body with lust.

  “We’re trying to be nice,” he murmured.

  Her mouth was so close to his. And her eyes. By the stars but they were even more amazing up close. He saw lines of silver in their depths as well as a thick ring of silver around the iris.

  Their first look at her brought to mind anything but a Fae. Now that she was exposed, it was so blatantly clear he couldn’t believe her disguise worked.

  Thick black lashes fell as she blinked and composed herself. “I’ve gone to great lengths to keep the Fae out of my life. They’re just books.”

  “We need them,” he attempted to explain.

  Kyran didn’t want to steal them, not now, not after talking with River, but she was leaving them no choice.

  She turned her head to the side, refusing to look at him. Kyran frowned. Her words disturbed him, especially when he put them together with her earlier declaration that she’d worked most of her life to gather these books.

  “We need to go,” Talin said.

  Kyran glanced at him over his shoulder. “Don’t touch a single book.”

  River’s head snapped back to him. “What?” she asked in confusion.

  “I get the feeling there’s something important you aren’t telling us.” Kyran released her and took a few steps back. “The fact is, River, you’re going to have Fae here.”

  Talin nodded. “And not just us.”

  “The other Dark,” she said.

  Kyran bent and retrieved her weapon. He held it by the blade and handed it back to her. “Aye, the other Dark. They were hunting half-Fae.”

  River’s forehead crinkled as she pieced it together. “And killing us.”

  “Viciously,” Kyran said. “Your concealment was good enough to even mask you from us, but the others know of you now. You’re not safe.”

  “Great,” she mumbled sarcastically.

  Talin walked from one case to the next. “We could use magic to keep the Dark out.”

  “That might work,” Kyran said. Then he looked at River. “If she remains in this room.”

  “And this is why I dress like this,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Almost two decades I’ve hidden. In one night both of you ruined that.”

  Kyran held up his hands. “We had no idea.”

  “No, all you cared about was getting what you wanted,” she rebuked him.

  Kyran exchanged a look with Talin before he said, “You’re right. We wanted them to help us stop the Dark from killing any more half-Fae.”

  “Sure you did,” River said as she went to examine one of the cases to make sure it wasn’t damaged.

  “Why don’t you believe us?” Talin asked.

  “You’re Irish.”

  Now that intrigued Kyran. “We’re Fae.”

  “Who have Irish accents,” she said as she went to the next case.

  Talin raised both brows high in his forehead and turned away with his hands up, leaving Kyran to sort through River’s statements.

  “It’s how all Fae speak.”

  River didn’t respond.

  He watched her walk from case to case, growing more fascinated as the minutes passed. “My accent is why you won’t talk
to me or help us?”

  “My reasons are my own.” She straightened from looking at one of the keypads. “If you’re going to take the books, make it look like a robbery. I don’t want to be accused.”

  Talin produced a bubble of magic. “That’s reasonable.”

  Kyran walked to him and shoved down his hand. Then he turned back to River. “We’ll leave. But be warned, River, more of those Dark will be here looking for their companions and whatever else it is they want, which I suspect is the books. They’ll eventually find out who you are.”

  “That’s my problem.”

  “You know what the Dark do,” Talin said. “Let us help you.”

  “Will you leave the books?”

  Kyran shook his head. “We can’t. I told you why we need them.”

  “And I need them to.”

  “Why?” Talin asked.

  Kyran could see how upset she was, and he hated it. “You know you won’t win against us no matter how hard you fight. We’re fighting against evil.”

  She drew in a long breath and released it. Then she retrieved her broken glasses and put them in a pocket of her skirt. With the dagger tucked along her arm, she turned on her heel and walked from the room.

  The door sealed behind her with a soft click. Kyran stared at it for a long minute.

  “I know that look. What are you thinking?” Talin asked.

  Kyran crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m thinking River White has something to hide, and she wants to make sure it stays that way.”

  “Aye. I get that same feeling. She knew too much about the Fae.”

  “But not about us.”

  Talin twisted his lips. “That’s a good thing. More of Bran’s men will come. They’ll see the books and take them simply because we were here.”

  “I know.” Kyran wanted to leave them behind. There was something about the way River spoke of the books that struck a chord deep within him. “We can’t allow Bran to get ahold of them.”

  Talin briefly looked at the door. “She fought so hard to protect them. It feels wrong to take the books.”

  It did at that. “We’re trying to keep her safe. If the books are gone, then Bran has no reason to focus on River.”

  “You hope,” Talin mumbled.

  Kyran dropped his arms to his side and walked to the case nearest him. The glass protecting the books was thick, blocking out the elements. “We take the books, but for anyone who comes to check, make it appear as if they’re still here.”