Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

  “First,” Warrick said. “We need to get you to your flat.”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Rhi stood at the edge of the lake against a tree, but it wasn’t the water she was looking at. It was the cottage. Phelan was tending to a plant near the porch and had yet to notice her. Aisley was sitting in the sun reading a romance novel.

  Rhi hated to disturb them, but she knew any more Dragon Kings in Edinburgh would mean an all-out war. As a Fae, she shouldn’t care if the mortals knew there were Fae and dragons on the realm or not.

  But as an ex-lover to a Dragon King, it became ingrained in her to keep their secret.

  Even when she didn’t want to.

  Rhi pushed away from the tree and started walking toward the couple. She only got a few steps when Phelan’s head turned her way.

  There was a flash of gold as his skin shifted as he released the primeval god within him until he recognized her. He sat on his haunches with a smile. “Rhi!”

  Aisley lowered her book and got to her feet as she waved.

  “Hey, stud,” Rhi said as she reached Phelan.

  He stood and enveloped her in a hug. “I doona like that look on your face,” he whispered.

  Rhi pulled back and met his blue gray gaze for a moment before Aisley reached them. Rhi gave the Druid a quick hug.

  Aisley looked between her husband and Rhi. “What’s going on?”

  “A few things,” Rhi said.

  Phelan threw down the hand shovel so that it landed blade first in the dirt. “Does this call for liquor?”

  Rhi’s shoulders dropped. “Probably.”

  Aisley was the first to step up onto the porch. “I’ll get the glasses,” she said as she entered the house.

  Phelan stopped Rhi when she tried to follow. “Are you all right?”

  She knew he was asking because he cared. How Rhi wished she could lie without feeling extreme pain. “I’m working on it.”

  “Is it Balladyn?” he asked with an angry twist of his lips. “I really hate that son of a bitch.”

  “He wants me.”

  “Of course he does. You’re a powerful Light Fae.”

  Rhi licked her lips. “No, stud. He wants me.”

  “I know that too,” he said softly. “Do you care for him?”

  “I did. At one time, he was all that I had. He was my best friend.”

  “But are there deeper feelings?”

  Rhi shrugged, having asked herself that same question. “I’m not sure.”

  “And your King lover?”

  She looked away. Every time he was brought up, it was a fresh wave of pain all over again.

  “Will you tell me who he is? I’d like to punch him. Repeatedly.”

  Rhi laughed, even as her eyes filled with tears. “I think I’d like that.”

  “You won’t tell me his name, will you?”

  She shook her head and blinked the moisture away. “No.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s my way of trying to pretend that I’m over him, that I don’t still love him with everything that I am. That I don’t need him every moment of every day no matter what realm I’m in.”

  “Have I met him?”

  Rhi might not be able to lie, but she could refuse to answer a question.

  “If you ever change your mind and want me to deck him a couple of times across the jaw, just whisper his name in my ear,” Phelan said as he put an arm around her.

  Rhi let him lead her onto the porch. When she looked up, Aisley was at the door, a sympathetic smile on her face.

  She didn’t even care that Aisley had overheard the conversation. Aisley and Phelan shared everything. There were no secrets in their marriage. They’d learned the hard way how secrets could destroy. It had cost Aisley her life. Good thing she had been a Phoenix, or Phelan wouldn’t have her now.

  Once inside the cottage, Rhi took the overstuffed chair in a dark blue and deep purple plaid. She accepted the glass of whisky from Aisley. Rhi didn’t even ask if it was Dreagan, because she knew it was.

  “So,” Aisley said as she sat beside Phelan on the sofa and tucked her legs beside her. “What brings you to see us?”

  “There’s a Druid in a bit of a bind.”

  Phelan frowned. “Where?”

  “Edinburgh,” Rhi answered. She took a sip of the whisky and answered the next question she knew they would ask. “She’s from the Isle of Skye.”

  Aisley and Phelan exchanged a look. “Skye,” Aisley repeated, concern pinching her lips.

  Rhi watched the play of emotions cross Aisley’s face. She hadn’t been sure how Aisley would react knowing that Darcy came from the same isle as she did.

  “What kind of trouble is she in?” Phelan asked, his fingers curling around Aisley’s hand.

  Rhi pressed her lips together. “The absolute worst kind. The Dark Fae are after her.”

  “What?” Aisley cried.

  “Her name is Darcy Allen, and she left Skye seven years ago,” Rhi explained. “She’s smart and is quite potent in the magic department.”

  Phelan’s frown was growing by the moment. “That wouldna bring the Dark to her door.”

  “Nope. That would be Ulrik.” Rhi tossed back the rest of the whisky as the two digested her information. She set the glass on the table next to her and crossed one leg over the other. “Ulrik has been visiting Druids for centuries looking for one who might be able to unbind his magic.”

  Aisley let out a breath. “How did we not know this?”

  “Does it matter?” Phelan asked. He sat forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Go on, Rhi.”

  She eyed them both before she continued. “Every Druid Ulrik visited who attempted to touch dragon magic died. Everyone, that is, except Darcy.”

  “Shite,” Phelan murmured.

  “Exactly,” Rhi said. “She wasn’t just able to touch the dragon magic binding Ulrik’s, but she was able to undo enough of it that Ulrik had some of his magic returned.”

  “She’s the only one?” Aisley asked, a frown marring her forehead.

  Rhi nodded. “Yes. We’re not sure who sent the Dark after her, but they don’t intend to let up anytime soon.”

  “Who’s watching over her now? Just you?” Phelan asked.

  Rhi glanced away, wondering if she should’ve done more to help Darcy. Rhi had been too intent on her own misery to think of anyone else, even after Ulrik asked her to watch over Darcy. That wouldn’t have happened before her torture with Balladyn.

  “Rhi?” Aisley called.

  She mentally shook herself and focused on the couple. “Two Dragon Kings are there. Warrick and Thorn.”

  “I doona know Thorn.” Phelan scrubbed a hand down his face, his blue gray eyes boring into Rhi’s. “I barely know Warrick.”

  “The Kings are the Kings,” Rhi said with a shrug. “What do you want me to tell you? Thorn recently woke. He likes to walk close to danger, which is what makes him so good in battle situations.”

  Aisley put both feet on the floor and clasped her hands together in her lap. “And Darcy? How is she doing?”

  “She’s still alive. The Dark broke through her magic protecting her shop easily enough. If Warrick and Thorn hadn’t added their dragon magic, I’m not sure she’d still be there.”

  Phelan rose and made a round of the living room, as he thought things over. “How many Dark are there?”

  “A lot. Thorn said he stopped counting at forty-eight.”

  “Forty-eight?” Phelan asked as he halted and shot her a look. “The last time I saw that many, we were in Ireland.”

  Rhi swiped her hand through her hair. “I know. That doesn’t even count the many Thorn and Warrick killed. Warrick is with Darcy while Thorn remains hidden. The Dark think there’s only one King in the city.”

  “Then Con should send more,” Aisley replied angrily.

  “He can no’, sweetheart,” Phelan said. “The more Kings there, the more the Dark bring this war out in
to the open. Then all the work the Dragon Kings did to stay hidden will be for naught.”

  “And Ulrik gets what he wants,” Aisley said with a nod.

  Rhi had the uneasy feeling that something was about to change in the world. She wasn’t sure about Ulrik. One moment he seemed to be one thing, and then in the next, he was the epitome of malicious.

  He hadn’t just cursed Rhys, but he’d had Lily killed. Then brought her back. Now he might be responsible for sending the Dark to Darcy, only to ask Rhi to watch over the Druid and ensure that she remain alive.

  Whoever it was that wanted to expose the Kings might very well get their wish soon. There was no way the Dragon Kings would allow the Dark to so flagrantly flaunt themselves in Scotland without some kind of battle.

  The Dark had to know that.

  Because if the Kings didn’t retaliate, then the Dark would know they could do whatever they wanted and go wherever they wished.

  That would bring about another war.

  “Are you all right, Rhi? You look a little green,” Aisley asked.

  Rhi blinked and looked from Aisley to Phelan. “I thought I knew who the bad guys were. What if I don’t?”

  “We’ve all known the enemies are the Dark, the small group of MI5, and Ulrik.” Phelan folded his arms across his chest. “There’s no doubt another group or person out there aligned with one or more of those groups, but they’re small players if we doona know of them yet.”

  Phelan was right. It all made sense. It all fit neatly together. Why then couldn’t Rhi dislodge the sick feeling that there was something they were missing?

  “Let’s get Darcy free of the Dark before we turn ourselves into knots over the bigger picture,” Aisley said.

  Rhi winked at Aisley. “Smart thinking, flame girl.”

  “With that many Dark, we’re going to need more Druids,” Phelan said. “And Warriors.”

  Rhi held up her hand to stop him. “Wait. Right now, the Dark aren’t focusing on the Warriors. You bring that many there, and you’re asking for trouble.”

  “What did you expect when you came to us for help?”

  She really hated when Phelan was right. “Fine, but keep the gods tamped down as best as you can. I’m seriously going to kick your ass if the Dark figure out you’re half-Fae. You don’t want to know what they’ll do to you, Phelan.”

  “Message received loud and clear.” He shot her a grin. “Now get out of here and keep an eye on Darcy. We’ll be there soon.”

  Rhi told him the address and started to teleport away when Aisley pulled her close for another hug.

  “Be safe,” the Druid whispered.

  “Always.”

  “We see the Light within you.”

  Rhi pulled back, shaken by Aisley’s words. “Are you sure? Or is it just that you think you see it?”

  “It’s there,” Phelan said. “Just as bright as before.”

  Rhi wasn’t so certain anymore. She teleported away before she gave herself a closer look.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-NINE

  The more Warrick thought of taking Darcy out of the shop, the more he wondered if it was a terrible idea.

  “Stop worrying,” Darcy said as she nudged his arm with her shoulder. “It’ll be fine.”

  He raised his brows as he looked away from the broken door to her. “Fine? It’s going to be anything but.”

  “I’m trying to make myself believe it’ll be all right,” she told him. “Can’t you just pretend with me?”

  Warrick shook his head. “Nay. You’ve encountered a few Dark, but you’ve no’ seen what they can do in a group.”

  “It’s not that far to my flat. We can make it. I refuse to spend the rest of my days in this shop. I’ve had to cancel all of my clients for the next week because I didn’t want them walking so near the Dark.”

  “Maybe we should wait another day.” Warrick had never doubted his power, but he hadn’t been in such a predicament before either.

  Darcy turned to face him and scrutinized him. “Everything you’ve done has helped me so far. There’s no reason to believe this protection bubble thing you can do won’t as well. You’ve used it before, right?”

  “Of course.” As if he would try something new while her life was in jeopardy.

  “Then it’ll be fine.”

  Unless the Dark surrounded him like they did the day before. Warrick wasn’t certain his power could remain up and surround Darcy if he was knocked flat again. He’d managed once before long, long ago, but he had been in dragon form then.

  “I’d rather do this at night,” he murmured.

  Darcy glanced out the window to the two Dark Fae who remained on the opposite side of the street. “I just wish my magic could do more damage. If I can touch dragon magic, why can’t I do more against the Dark?”

  “A verra good question.” He’d been wondering the same thing. Her magic should be strong enough to do more damage to the Dark. There was something wrong, but Warrick couldn’t put his finger on it.

  Darcy blew out a breath. “If I stand around any longer, I may chicken out completely.”

  “That might be the wisest decision.”

  “It’s because we’re in the city, isn’t it?”

  He turned his head to her. “What is?”

  “The fact you’re not completely kicking some Dark Fae ass.”

  Warrick found himself fighting a smile, despite the gravity of the situation. “Aye. If we were in the country away from all the people, Thorn and I would’ve shifted to fight them.”

  “But you can’t because humans might see you here.” She lowered her gaze and sighed forlornly. “The longer we wait, the more Dark will come. I’ve seen eight more already this morning.”

  “They were farther down the street,” he lied. He didn’t want her to know that he and Thorn had also noticed the new additions.

  Darcy smiled as she lifted her gaze to him. “Nice try, but you’re a terrible liar.”

  Warrick took her hand and pulled her to the back so the Dark could no longer see them. “I want to have at least two routes planned out. The most direct route is the one you use all the time. The Dark are there and waiting for us.”

  “So we need a different one,” she said with a nod of understanding. She reached her desk and picked up a pad of paper and a pencil from the floor.

  Warrick vividly recalled taking her on the desk. His cock twitched, hungry for her again. He fisted his hands to keep from yanking her against him for a kiss and let her draw a map of the area.

  “We have many options,” Darcy said as she drew. “Some are easier than others.”

  Warrick knew Edinburgh well. He was already devising routes while she marked the streets and talked about intersections, various hills, and numbers of people.

  “Here,” Warrick said, pointing to a street two over from where they were now.

  Darcy followed the line of the street with her eyes. “It could work. It’s a side street, so there won’t be as many people on it as the main roads. However, it’s one of the longest routes. What about this one?”

  He looked to where she pointed and trailed her finger across the map to her flat. “It’s short, but there are many intersections. I doona want to be stopping for a light, nor do we dart out in front of traffic and bring attention to ourselves.”

  “You’re right,” she said with a twist of her lips. “Other than flying, what choice do we have?”

  Warrick suddenly smiled. “I can no’ believe I didna think of it sooner.”

  “What?” she asked.

  “We can no’ take to the skies. But we can go underground.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened in excitement. “Of course! The city was built atop another. There’s an entire city beneath us, not to mention the sewers and other tunnels.”

  “I’ll still no’ be able to shift, but it’ll keep the humans from seeing us.”

  “Looks like we found our way,” she said with a smile.

  “I need t
o check in with Thorn and let him know what we’ve planned. We also need to find the quickest way beneath the city.”

  She shooed him away with her hand as she picked up her laptop and set it back on her desk as she sat. Darcy began typing something into the search engine, her attention thoroughly absorbed.

  Warrick turned away and moved back far enough so that he could still see Darcy. Then he opened the telepathic link. “Thorn?”

  “Aye,” he answered. “Are we ready?”

  “No’ yet. We’ve found another way to get to her flat.”

  “If it involves anything other than the damn street, I’m all for it.”

  Warrick smiled at his comment. “Good, because we’re going underground.”

  “Where are we going in at?”

  “Darcy is looking that up now,” he said as he glanced at Darcy.

  Thorn let out a string of curses. “You might want to hurry up. Another ten Dark just arrived.”

  “I wanted to wait until dusk, but it doesna look like that’ll be possible.”

  “Nay.”

  “I found something,” Darcy said.

  Warrick walked to her. “Hang on, Thorn. Darcy might have found something.”

  “You’re doing that mental talking thing again with Thorn, aren’t you?” Darcy asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “Aye. Show me what you’ve found.”

  She pointed to the screen and the map of the underground that filled it. “There are three choices. One is a manhole cover just out front of the shop. Since the Dark are there, that’s probably not the wisest choice.”

  “And the others?”

  “There’s an alley two streets over with a door that leads to the hidden city. It’s narrow and the streets are major tourist destinations. Which leaves this one,” she said, pointing to another manhole cover on the street behind her.

  Warrick gave her a smile. “We’ve found our way in. We’ll need to go soon. There are too many Dark here for them to sit back and no’ attack.”

  “Got it.”

  “Thorn, our way in is in the street behind the shop. Can you get the manhole cover off before we get there?”

  “Aye. How are you going to get Darcy there?”

  Warrick glanced at her and then at the back of her shop. The conservatory with the top of all glass made it easy for him to get a look at the building behind hers. “We’re going up. I’m going to take her on top of the building behind hers.”