Dark Alpha's Embrace

by Donna Grant

  “Why?”

  “To have something else to hunt in a few years.”

  Bran clapped his hands together. “Brilliant! The Lightslayers wait until the half-Fae are a certain age, most likely with a child or two of their own to carry on the line.”

  “Precisely. The Lightslayers get to have fun through generations, and the Nighttails are rid of a problem.”

  “Except they aren’t.” Bran blew out a breath. “The librarian knows what she is and hid it because she knows she’s going to be hunted soon. But would that be enough to send her to the Reapers? It could be. Cael always did like to play the hero.”

  “This explains how the librarian could hide her Fae blood from me.”

  “It doesn’t explain the books and her connection,” Bran stated.

  There was a knock at the door before it opened and two Dark filled the doorway. “We found them,” one of the Dark said.

  This made all the troubles vanish as if they didn’t exist. Bran had another chance to kill Cael and the Reapers before he took on Death.

  “Where?” Bran demanded.

  The second Dark smiled and said, “They’re at some cliffs outside of Edinburgh.”

  “Let’s go get them,” Searlas said.

  Bran looked out the window to the night and the storm that raged. “They’ll be expecting something right now.”

  “The storm will keep our approach quiet,” one of the soldiers said.

  Bran made one mistake already because he’d been too confident. If he would’ve only taken a moment and thought things over, he could’ve ended it all the first time. He wouldn’t make the same misstep again.

  “Get the men ready,” Bran told the two Dark. When they were gone, he turned to Searlas. “This is exactly when I would attack, and Cael knows that. We’re going to attack when they least expect it. In a way they won’t be anticipating.”

  “When and how?”

  Bran laughed. “Get ready, Searlas. The Reapers are about to come to an end.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  River was more than a little anxious when Cael gathered all of them together. She sat nervously next to Jordyn, who reminded River of that particular student in class who made the others groan at her excitement and happiness.

  It was all River could do to keep the small amount of breakfast from coming up. She felt out of place among the Reapers, and her new secret weighed heavily upon her.

  “Cael wouldn’t have called us unless he has some information,” Jordyn leaned over to whisper.

  River caught Baylon’s grin. She cut her eyes to Jordyn. “You do know that whispering is pointless in a roomful of Fae, right?”

  Jordyn’s smile was infectious. “I keep forgetting those small things.”

  Small things. River’s hand immediately lay protectively over her stomach. A life was growing inside her. Hers and Kyran’s. Would it be a boy? Or a girl? Who would the bairn look like?

  River didn’t have the first clue what to do with a baby. She’d never held one before. Panic began to set in as she thought about raising an infant and everything she didn’t know about them.

  Kyran walked into the room, drawing her gaze. Instantly, she felt calmer. She would tell him of the bairn, because if she didn’t, Death would. But River had no illusions. There wasn’t a place for her with the Reapers.

  The only thing River could do, Jordyn was already doing. All River would be was someone who got in the way, and someone for them to worry about.

  She refused to be that person.

  Kyran smiled at her, though his red eyes still held a hint of sadness. He hadn’t told her what was wrong earlier. They’d remained locked in their embrace for a long time before he gave her a kiss on the forehead and walked away.

  She wanted to know what was wrong so she might help, but she couldn’t if he wouldn’t talk to her. He’d come to her for comfort, though. For a man who was used to dealing with everything himself, that was a huge step.

  And for a woman who wasn’t used to sharing anything with anyone, she found it all too easy to fall into being needed and wanted.

  Kyran frowned at her, a question in his eyes.

  Her own eyes stung with unshed tears. He knew something troubled her from across the room. Her heart missed a beat, because she knew then that she wasn’t just carrying Kyran’s child, she was also in love with him.

  He pushed away from the wall, intending to go to her. River gave a discreet shake of her head, but his frown remained in place. With no other choice, she forced a smile.

  Kyran’s shoulders lifted and fell back into place as he took a deep breath then released it. One black brow lifted, telling her he wasn’t fooled.

  Cael strode into the cavern, stern and focused. He stood in front of them, looking at each of them before he began. “Thanks to River, we have all thirty books translated. Eoghan, Baylon, Jordyn, and I have been poring over them searching for anything to do with the Netherworld.”

  “And finding quite a lot,” Jordyn added.

  Cael gave her a nod. “That we have. Death found Seamus after Bran attacked Jordyn. I also got a chance to question him.” Cael held up his hand for silence when Talin started to speak. “It was Kyran and Fintan going back to the Dark that gave us the name of the family responsible for the Fae within River’s family. They’re the Nighttails.”

  River glanced around and noted that the tension ratcheted within the room. It was also apparent that everyone knew something she didn’t.

  “River,” Cael said to get her attention. “We now know that Nat Nighttail is the one who got your ancestor with child. They aren’t the ones who have been hunting your family. Those are the Lightslayers.”

  She felt every eye on her, as if everyone was watching her reaction. “Why another family?”

  “The Nighttails didn’t want to bloody their hands with the death of family,” Kyran explained.

  She supposed that made sense. That didn’t dispel the knot of apprehension growing in the pit of her stomach. “So it’s two families that have to be convinced to stop hunting mine.”

  River swallowed, her hand clutching her stomach. She’d sworn not to bring a child into the world to be hunted by the Dark. It was the one thing she’d wanted to do.

  For a brief time, River actually believed the Reapers would be able to carry through with the promise to stop the Dark. How foolish of her to believe they could do it. This was the Dark she was talking about.

  Kyran’s red eyes caught and held her gaze. “I gave you a promise, River. I intend to keep it. No matter how long it takes, no matter what I have to do, the Nighttails and Lightslayers will cease.”

  “We all will,” Cael said. “We owe you, River. This is the least we can do for you.”

  River lowered her gaze and out of the corner of her eye saw the way Jordyn was staring. River made her hand relax from gripping her stomach. No one could know about the child yet. River wasn’t ready to share it with anyone, and when she did, it would be Kyran first.

  When she looked up, Kyran was still staring at her. She gave him a nod, to let him know she believed his words. And she did. She knew he would keep his word—if Bran didn’t get to Kyran first.

  Talin sat forward on the couch. “You know I’ll help with River’s issue, but I’d like to get back to Seamus and Bran.”

  “It seems that Seamus knew Bran needed help because Bran sent him a message,” Cael said.

  You could’ve heard a pin drop the cavern grew so quiet. River shivered with a feeling that Maureen used to say was akin to someone walking over your grave.

  River never liked it before, but now she detested the feeling.

  “What the hell?” Fintan asked.

  Cael shook his head. “Neither Death, Seamus, nor I know how Bran did it. There’s no way Bran could’ve known what Death would do to him.”

  “Perhaps he did it as a precaution,” Baylon said.

  Eoghan let out a loud snort.

  “I agree,” Cael said as he
glanced at Eoghan. “Bran might’ve known Death would step in when he and the others attacked me, Eoghan, and Theo, but why would he send a note like that on the off chance Death might send him to the Netherworld instead of killing him?”

  Kyran said, “It’s the only theory we have.”

  “Point made.” Cael then said, “Seamus is a puzzle-solver. When he got Bran’s note, he immediately set out trying to find the entrance into the Netherworld. He searched for thousands of years and found nothing. Every Fae doorway was checked, but nothing led to the Netherworld. Just as he was about to give up, he heard of a doorway seen in a remote part of Ireland in the ruins of a castle. He visited and found what he was looking for.”

  “That easily?” Talin said in shock.

  River looked over at Eoghan to see him glaring at the floor, a vein throbbing in his temple.

  “Apparently so,” Cael answered. “It took Seamus a few tries before he was brave enough to venture through the doorway. He said it felt wrong. When he did, he found himself in the Netherworld where Bran was waiting.”

  Fintan’s face was lined with agitation. “Wait. You’re telling me that he just happened to find the very door that would lead him to the Netherworld, and despite it feeling wrong, he walked through it? And then, Bran was waiting. There’s something wrong here, Cael.”

  “Aye,” Cael admitted.

  Everyone was so wrapped up in the story and talking among themselves that none of them noticed how Cael was careful not to say anything about Erith. River knew Fae made the doorways, and she suspected it was Death who created the one Seamus found.

  When Cael met her gaze, he didn’t hide the burden he carried quickly enough. Cael knew the truth and was protecting Death. It was sweet, especially since Erith didn’t need anyone to protect her. She was the ultimate badass.

  “Look,” Cael said to quiet the room. “Seamus didn’t know how Bran knew where to go. All Bran told him was that he’d begun looking for the doorway as soon as he was put in the Netherworld. Then he waited for Seamus to find him.”

  Baylon gave a nod. “All right. Let’s assume Seamus is telling the truth.”

  “He was. Death made sure of it.”

  “How was there even a doorway visible to the Netherworld? Wouldn’t Death have located any and concealed them?”

  River winced, because it didn’t matter how much Cael wanted to protect Erith, the truth was about to come out.

  Eoghan slapped his hand against the wall. He and Cael stared silently at each other for a long time before Cael nodded. Eoghan relaxed slightly.

  “Though nothing was confirmed, I believe Death created that doorway,” Cael stated.

  Kyran said, “It would’ve been concealed.”

  “I know. Something has happened.” Cael blew out a breath. “Whatever occurred to show Seamus that doorway allowed Bran to find the one in the Netherworld. It could also be what has given him extra power as well as the ability to share that power with his army of Dark Fae.”

  Fintan stood. “We need to find it then, because if it weakens Death’s magic, it makes it easier for Bran to kill her.”

  River’s stomach fell to her feet. Death couldn’t die. “Has any of your magic diminished at all?”

  The Reapers looked at each other, shaking their heads. It was Kyran who said, “Not that we’ve noticed.”

  “Then you might be Death’s only hope.”

  Cael’s eyes went hard, anger practically glowing from him. “Bran won’t get near her.”

  Eoghan shook his head, his arms crossed over his chest as he agreed with Cael.

  “We won’t let anything happen to her,” Kyran said.

  Cael pointed to Talin and Baylon. “We need to find a new place as a few Dark have been spotted near here. We’ve been here too long already.”

  Instantly, the two disappeared. Cael walked past River and Jordyn and crossed the hallway to the library. River turned in her seat and watched Cael gather some of the thirty books she’d translated into his arms before he teleported out.

  “What’s he doing?” River asked.

  Kyran came to stand beside her. “He’s taking them to the one place Bran will never go—Death’s realm.”

  Which meant River couldn’t touch or read them again. It wouldn’t have been a big deal if she wasn’t pregnant, but she wanted to pass on the tradition of her family to her child.

  “It’s going to be all right,” Kyran said. He put his finger beneath her chin and turned her face to him. “You do believe me, don’t you?”

  How could she not with his devastating looks and amazing Irish accent? “Yes.”

  “I won’t let you down, River.”

  “I know you won’t. We’ll worry about my problem after Bran is dealt with. You and the others need to concentrate on him.”

  Kyran glanced away, his lips flattening. “That may be a moot point. Bran wants the books, which means he’ll know everything about them.”

  “Meaning, he’ll know about me,” River said, realization dawning. “Do you think he knows I’m half-Fae?”

  “I can guarantee it. Bran will want allies. If he discovers your family’s past, then he’ll try to use it to his advantage.”

  River closed her eyes. “This can’t be happening.”

  “It is,” Kyran said and drew her up to her feet and into his arms. “But we’ll deal with all of it. One thing at a time. Cael is getting the books out of Bran’s reach. He might get the translations, but we’ll still have the books themselves.”

  She nodded, leaning her head back so she could look at him. “That’s all well and good, but he’ll still have the information.”

  “Not after Jordyn changes out the translations with various audiobooks. We’re not about to let him get anything so easily. The next thing is getting somewhere safe. Cael is right, we’ve been here too long.”

  One thing at a time. As long as River focused on that, then her anxiety was kept to a minimum. It would be so easy to get overwhelmed with everything and make a mistake.

  That’s most likely exactly what Bran was hoping for. But he wouldn’t be getting it.

  River smiled up at Kyran. “I’m so glad I met you.”

  In answer, Kyran lowered his head and kissed her slowly, passionately … seductively.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Erith stood hidden behind a wall of rose bushes as she watched Cael bring the books to her realm. She should be there, directing him where to place them, but she couldn’t be near him anymore.

  She spent entirely too much time with him already. Any more could be detrimental to her well-being. Then there was the fact something was going on with her magic. She didn’t want Cael to know until she discovered the root of the problem and fixed it.

  The sun shown on Cael’s long black hair, seemingly being sucked into the midnight locks. Once she’d dared to run her fingers through the thick strands as he lay dead.

  Waiting for him to die an agonizingly slow death had nearly done her in. After three hours she hadn’t been able to listen to his garbled breathing another moment. Cael was the only Reaper whose natural death she intervened with. It took only one touch from her for his last breath to leave his body.

  Erith had revived him instantly. She hadn’t been able to see him without life inside him. That’s when she’d known he was her weakness—one she should’ve removed immediately.

  But she hadn’t been able to. Cael was born to be a Reaper. Just as he’d been born to lead. He listened and observed, taking everything in before he made a decision. He wasn’t quick in his actions like Baylon. Nor was he reckless as Talin was.

  But Cael didn’t shut off his feelings as Fintan did, or withdraw into himself as Eoghan had. Unlike Kyran who focused on one thing at a time, Cael could juggle numerous issues with ease. The only one who came close to replicating Cael was Daire, though Daire second-guessed himself at times.

  To Erith, Cael was perfection in body, mind, and spirit. In all her never-ending eons of life, he was
the only one who made her wish she could have someone. But it wasn’t meant to be. Ever.

  Her gaze followed Cael as he walked from the tower. He stopped, his head swiveling slowly as he searched for her. She gripped the rose branches, the thorns cutting into her palm, to keep herself still.

  “Erith,” Cael called. “I know you’re here.”

  There was no way he could. Or was that part of her magic also failing?

  “I don’t think you should leave Seamus alone. I don’t care if he’s agreed to help us or not. Trust needs to be earned from him,” Cael said.

  She smiled. Of course Cael would think along those lines. He would know that she spelled the tower so that Seamus couldn’t venture into some places, but Cael was the type of male who needed to state his concerns.

  He blew out a breath and lowered his chin to his chest. After a moment, he raked a hand through his coal black hair. His face was set, worry bracketing his sensuous mouth. “I know something is going on with your magic. You made the doorway in Ireland to the Netherworld. I know you. You would’ve hidden it. The fact it became visible means there’s a problem.”

  Erith felt blood run down between her fingers before it dropped to the ground.

  “I’m going to help whether you wish it or not. This … hiccup … in your magic could be all Bran needs to attack you. And win. I won’t let that happen.”

  She released the branch and turned her back to Cael. His words affected her too deeply. If she didn’t get away now, she might answer him.

  Erith stilled. Someone was behind her, close enough she could feel the heat from his body. She knew his scent of cedar and rain. Her eyes closed as she imagined allowing herself to lean back against his hard chest, to have his arms come around her and hold her tight.

  “You can’t run from me,” Cael said.

  Her gaze snapped open. Run? She wasn’t running—not yet anyway. Erith turned to face him, shocked to discover how close he was. She had to tilt her head up to look into his face. “I’m dealing with this.”

  A small frown formed briefly. “Is it so hard to admit you might need help?”