by Donna Grant
“So we did.”
The seconds of silence stretched as they stared at each other. Ulrik could kill Mikkel right there. There were two reasons he let his uncle continue breathing. One, because eventually Con would learn about Mikkel, and it would keep him guessing as to who was attacking, him or Mikkel.
Two, he was going to crush Mikkel and slowly take away everything he craved—his money, his power, and his connections. It had already begun, though Mikkel didn’t know it yet.
Nor would he until the very end.
“Shall we eat?” Sinny asked as she leaned up and touched Mikkel’s arm.
His attention swiveled to the Dark using glamour. “Of course.”
Ulrik had found another weakness of Mikkel’s—Sinny. Not only did he not know he was being spied upon by one of Taraeth’s assets, but he was well and truly smitten.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
The alarm on Lexi’s phone woke her. She reached over and turned it off before she let out a sigh and flopped back on the bed.
She was leaving Scotland. Her last few hours would be all she had left of such a terrifying time. But not all of it had been terrible. There was Thorn.
And his kiss that set her soul ablaze.
That kiss was burned into her memory. It was a kiss she’d thought only existed in fantasies. The kind of kiss that changed her entire world and made her crave him as if he were the only thing that could keep her alive.
All night she had lain in bed hoping Thorn would return to the flat. The more time that passed and he didn’t, the more the ache in her chest grew.
It was ridiculous, right? She’d just met Thorn. She knew next to nothing about him.
That part wasn’t entirely true. She’d learned a great deal from Darius, but some of it she knew by Thorn’s actions alone.
Christina used to say that everyone had someone out there for them, and if Lexi wasn’t careful, she wouldn’t be paying attention well enough to see him.
“Well, I saw him, Christina,” she whispered.
Lexi threw off the covers and rose. She spotted Darius standing by the windows overlooking the front of the building as he had done all night.
“Morning,” she said.
He raised a hand, but didn’t utter a sound. Lexi shook her head and went to take a shower. It didn’t take her long to get ready and make sure all of her things were packed.
She zipped her suitcase and stood. Darius was watching her with a peculiar expression on his face when she exited the bathroom. “What?” she asked.
“I expected you to put up a fight about leaving.”
Lexi grabbed the handle of her suitcase and rolled it behind her to the door. “I thought about it, but the truth is, I don’t have the money to stay. I feel okay about leaving because Thorn gave me his word he would kill the Dark. I left the sketch I drew on the nightstand.”
“You accept his word so easily?”
“I do. Why does that surprise you?”
Darius blew out a breath. “You surprise me, Lexi Crawford. That doesna happen often.”
He took her suitcase and carried it down the stairs and set it on the sidewalk. Then he waved over a taxi. While Darius put the suitcase in the trunk, Lexi looked around for Thorn.
“To the airport, please,” she told the driver after she got in the car.
Lexi was reaching over to close the door when Darius grabbed it. She had no choice but to move over when he climbed in beside her.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Darius held out her purse. “You almost forgot this.”
She had put it in her luggage, completely forgetting she was going to need her passport as well as her money. Her mind was so focused on Thorn that she was surprised she managed to get her jeans on the right way.
“Thanks,” she said and took it. “But you still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”
“What does it look like?” he asked as he gazed out the window.
Lexi rolled her eyes. “Are you afraid I won’t get on the plane?”
“I promised I would see you safely to the airport. That’s what I’m doing.”
Thorn. Thorn had made Darius promise to accompany her. Even when he wasn’t with her, he was looking out for her. No one had done that except for her father and her mother—when she wasn’t drunk.
They rode in silence to the airport. Every mile away from the city center meant she was farther and farther from Thorn.
By the time the cab stopped at the airport, it was all Lexi could do to keep a smile in place. Darius was a gentleman and got her luggage.
She tried to take it from him, but he gave her a look and paid for the taxi. There was a mixture of shock and surprise as she watched the cab drive off.
Lexi had to run to catch up with Darius when he walked off. “You didn’t have to do any of this,” she told him.
“We keep our promises.”
We meaning the Dragon Kings. If she ever had any doubt, she didn’t now. “Thank you.”
He stood beside her in line as she got her boarding pass and checked her luggage. They walked slowly to the security line where she knew he couldn’t go.
“It was nice meeting you, Darius.”
He smiled as he put his hand on her back and ushered her to the left where there was a small niche with chairs. There, a man with long honey brown hair and pale brown eyes stood.
“Guy,” Darius said.
“Darius,” he answered in return. Then Guy’s gaze moved to her. “So this is Lexi. Nice to meet you.”
It didn’t take a brainiac to realize Guy was another Dragon King. That’s not what concerned her. It was his presence.
“I’d like to say the same if I knew why you were here,” she replied.
Guy’s smile widened. “I came to meet you, of course.”
“Because I’m the idiot who led the Dark right to Thorn and Darius?”
Guy’s eyes narrowed a fraction as he sent a quick glance to Darius. “Is that right?”
“Look, you don’t have to worry,” she said to them. “I’m not going to tell anyone the things I’ve seen. The Dark are blatantly roaming the streets and the police thought I was nuts. Can you image what would happen if I mentioned dragons? I prefer to remain out of mental institutions, thank you very much.”
Darius dropped his hand from her back. “Remember, no’ all humans are without magic.”
Right. “The Druids. Too bad I didn’t get to meet them.”
“They were at the flat after you were hit with Dark magic. They healed you.”
Lexi raised her gaze to the ceiling in frustration. “Of course.” She lowered her face and Guy’s hands went on either side of her head.
His gaze was penetrating, seeking, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t look away. His voice was steady and soft, lulling her to trust him even though she couldn’t understand a word he was saying.
Then his words became clear. “Listen to me carefully, Lexi. As soon as I release you, you’re going to turn around and go through security and never look back. Close your eyes.”
She did as he commanded and felt his hands fall away.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
Thorn saw Guy and Darius exit the airport. So it was done. Lexi was on her way home with no memories of the Dark, him, or their kiss.
It was for the best. He knew it even as inside he yelled for her.
Thorn remained where he was until Darius and Guy joined him. Darius gave him a single nod. That’s all he needed to be assured that everything had gone to plan.
“She seemed nice,” Guy said.
Thorn turned his back to the airport. If he remained, he might go to her. “She is.”
“You do know that when I erase memories that I see them, aye?”
Of course Thorn knew that. He turned his head to Guy. “And your point?”
“She experienced a lot in a short time. She saw you and Darius in true form and didna run away. Th
en there was the kiss.”
Thorn halted and whirled around to face Guy. “Never mention that again. I let her go for her safety.”
Guy’s expression said he thought Thorn a fool. “Was that wise?”
“Aye.” Thorn didn’t wait around for more questions. He had Dark to kill. He strode off, leaving the two of them behind.
Guy looked at Darius who was staring at the airport. “You didna agree with Thorn’s request.”
“In a way I did,” Darius said. He swiveled his head to Guy. “The chemistry between them might have begun slow, but it heated fast. I think Thorn is scared that history might repeat itself.”
“Is it that, or did he fear that she might verra well be his?”
Darius shrugged and said, “I guess we’ll never know now, will we?”
“It’s a shame. I think Lexi would fit in nicely at Dreagan.”
“It’s no’ our decision. It’s Thorn’s, and he’s let her go.”
Guy held up his hands at Darius’s harsh tone. “I’ll no’ say more. Good hunting.”
“Same to you,” Darius replied and walked away.
Guy turned to the terminal. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Thorn had made a grave mistake. Guy didn’t just see memories. If a feeling was strong enough, he felt it. And he certainly felt Lexi’s hurt that Thorn hadn’t said good-bye.
That emotion was almost as strong as the one that hungered for Thorn.
“Farewell, Lexi,” Guy said.
* * *
Rhi saw Balladyn step from the Fae doorway. She had known he would come. The smile he bestowed was warm with hope shining in his eyes.
“You called,” he said with a smile.
Rhi licked her lips and fidgeted under the heat of the harsh sun. “I did. I knew if anyone could answer my question, it would be you.”
“Now you have my curiosity piqued. What is it you wish to know?” he asked as he came to stand before her. His hand lifted and a finger grazed her arm.
“The Reapers.”
Balladyn laughed, one side of his mouth quirking up in a grin. “A tale told to scare children.”
“It also scares adults.”
Balladyn waved away her words. “Yes, because they heard them as children.”
“You studied our Fae history as much as my brother. Rolmir knew facts. I need to know facts.”
Balladyn’s smile dropped. A frown formed as he looked at her. “You’re serious.”
“Of course I am.” Then she sighed and cut him a look. “You think I used that as a ruse to get you here?”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” he stated in a flat tone.
Rhi met his red eyes. “I wouldn’t do that.”
He turned away from her and ran his hands through his black and silver hair that fell midway down his back. “All legends are based on myth.”
“And myths are based on truth. I need the truth of the Reapers.”
Balladyn looked at her for long moments. “The legend we were told said that if we didn’t behave the Reapers would come for us in our sleep and steal us away.”
“Then there was the part about doing Dark magic,” she added.
“We know that part isn’t true.”
“Do we? Dark Fae come up missing all the time.”
Balladyn made a face. “They were careless and got killed.”
“That’s the legend. Where do we go next?”
Balladyn stared at the sand. “I know I read something about the Reapers once, but I can’t bring it to mind.”
“Will you look?” she asked.
His gaze lifted to her. “Why do you want this information?”
“There is talk everywhere I go of the Reapers suddenly. I just … I have a feeling it’s important.”
“Then I’ll see what I can find.”
Rhi was beginning to smile when he added, “For a price.”
She should’ve known. “What’s the price?”
His hand cupped her face as his lips descended on hers. He kissed her hard, passionately, and pulled back before she could end it.
“That’s half up front,” Balladyn said with a wink before he vanished.
* * *
Lexi was glad of the security screening of the passengers, but it was a nightmare to get through. She was on the way to her gate when she saw the bar.
She climbed onto a padded stool and looked over the various bottles lining the glass shelves. It would be nice to have a drink before she boarded the plane and took the eight-hour flight—in coach—back home.
Since she didn’t have her friends with her, she was likely to end up sitting next to a screaming kid. She was never lucky enough to sit next to a handsome, single guy.
“What can I get you?” asked the bartender with a friendly smile.
Lexi shrugged as she looked at him. “I’m in Scotland, so let’s go with whisky.”
“A fine choice.” He motioned to the bottles of Scottish whisky, which proved to be more abundant than any other type of liquor. “Which would you like?”
She look askance at the number of bottles to choose from. “Give me the best you have.”
“The best?” he asked, brows raised.
“The best.”
A few seconds later she had a glass before her. He set the bottle to the side. “You’re going to enjoy this brand. It is the finest Scotch whisky in the world. It’s expensive though.”
“I’m only here once.” She handed him her credit card, and raised the glass to inhale the flavor.
Normally she couldn’t stand the smell of whisky, but this had a nice aroma that made her think of mountains, heather, and lochs.
She took a small sip. To her surprise, it went down smooth with only a slight burn. Lexi had three more tastes by the time the bartender returned with her credit card.
“I’ll leave the bottle for you to look at. There’s a lot of history at the distillery that you can read about on the label.”
Lexi thanked him as he walked off to tend to another customer. She wished now she had tried whisky when she first arrived in Scotland. She had balked about going to a distillery, but that had obviously been a mistake.
She put her wallet back in her purse and felt something hard in the lining. Lexi opened her purse wide and felt along the sides. It took her a minute to find the slit in the lining.
Shock reverberated through her when she saw the knife. It had a smooth handle made of what looked like black glass. The blade was silver and about as long as her hand.
Lexi had a vague memory of buying a knife in Edinburgh, but this wasn’t it. Where had this come from, and what was it doing in her purse? Not to mention, she didn’t know how she had gotten through security with it.
Her stomach was in knots as she took another drink of the whisky. She felt … odd, as if she should remember something important.
She pushed that away and focused on what to do with the knife. It was pretty, but she wasn’t going to bring it on the plane. With her bad luck they would end up finding it and charging her with something before sending her to jail. No, the knife had to stay in Scotland.
Yet, when she thought about putting it in the garbage or leaving it behind, it felt wrong.
Lexi tucked the knife back into the lining of her purse. She took another swallow, her gaze landing on the bottle.
“Dreagan,” she said the name.
Then she saw the logo of double dragons.
The room spun and dots clouded her vision as she struggled to catch her breath. All of the memories returned with a roar, filling her mind with the Dark Fae, Christina’s death, Thorn, Darius, and the fact they were dragons.
Lexi also recalled Guy. He had taken her memories. Thorn hadn’t just left her, he wanted her out of Scotland without a single recollection of him.
Fury consumed her. How dare he take away what she’d learned of the Dark? To send her back to Charleston and not know what to do if a Dark showed up?
Lexi’s vision cleared as anger settle
d like a stone in her stomach. She shoved aside the remaining whisky and stood. She stalked from the airport and got into the first taxi she found.
Thorn owed her answers, and she was going to make damn sure he gave them.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Thorn had a Dark Fae slumped over each of his shoulders as he carted them to the warehouse for destruction. The closer it got to Halloween, the more Dark there were. He had a bad feeling about the holiday the humans enjoyed to celebrate.
The day passed quickly as it always did when in battle. It was the only way Thorn could get through it all after seeing Lexi at the airport.
“It looks like you did a good thing inviting the Warriors and Druids to help with the way things are going today,” Darius said from beside him. “We’re going to need them.”
Thorn slowed as he approached the warehouse to make sure no one was near. “I didna invite the Druids. The Warriors can hold their own against the Dark. The Druids can no’.”
“I’ll let you tell Laura and Dani that. Those women didna bat an eye as they fought today.”
Lexi hadn’t either, Thorn thought, his mind turning to her as it so often had since she left. He used his magic and opened the warehouse door as they approached. As he walked inside he said, “I welcome their help, but for everyone’s sake, I hope the Dark doona try and take them. I know the War…”
His voice trailed off as a lamp clicked on and Lexi slid off the table where she had been sitting. Thorn couldn’t decide if he was furious that she was still in Scotland, or elated that she was here.
“How dare you,” she stated, her Southern accent thickening.
The minute she began walking to him, Thorn dropped the dead bodies. He blinked, confused. How was she here? More importantly, why did she remember him?
Anger pulsed around her as she strode to him. She halted before him and reared back her hand. Her palm connected with his cheek, sounding as if a shot had been fired as his head snapped to the side. It was so unexpected. Thorn hadn’t imagined she would hit him.
He rubbed his left cheek and gave her a stern frown. She responded by raising a brow and giving him a look that could’ve scorched him where he stood.
