Dark Alpha's Embrace (2 page)

Talin ended up wooing the daughter of an influential advisor to the queen, Usaeil. Kyran had warned Talin to remember that while at court, everything was a lie, but it seems his friend forgot his advice.

Now with Baylon and Jordyn’s romance condoned by Death, Talin had hope. Which was the worst thing for any of them. Hope was viciously and ruthlessly snatched from them when they were betrayed. Death gave them a purpose.

But even Kyran could admit to being a tad jealous of Baylon for having the one thing all of them thought would never happen—love.

Kyran pivoted and walked to the far wall. He was about to use his magic when he saw a door half hidden by a large bookshelf. He walked around the bookshelf and spotted the opening that was just large enough for the door.

He let out a whistle to Talin while staring at the keypad that unlocked the door.

“This is it,” Talin said as he ran up and saw it.

Kyran put his hand over the keypad and loosed a pulse of magic.

Chapter Two

River White stood looking at the dozen books she spent the last fourteen years accumulating. While everyone else celebrated a new year with parties, alcohol, and kisses, she was with the only thing that mattered—her books.

Each one was special, though she hid her reasons from the board of directors who approved her requests and sanctioned the use of funds to purchase them.

As Ancient Acquisitions Manager, she took tremendous pride in her work and everything it involved. She put on the white gloves in the humidity-controlled room. The lights—specialized bulbs—were dimmed and turned away from each of the books so as not to deteriorate them any more than they already were.

Each of the dozen books was in a glass case for protection from dust and pollutants. The library had spent a considerable sum between the precautions to keep the books in good condition and the room itself that was triple-coded to prevent anyone from stealing them.

The public assumed all the money given to the library was used in its renovation. However, part of the reason for the renovation was for the ancient books to have a place to be stored.

Luckily, Edinburgh had wealthy patrons who loved to give money during charity events. A large sum of those monies went to buying the books she now stood with.

There were more, however. The next one she was after was being sold on the black market, but River didn’t have enough money for it. Nor did she think the Board would give her access to more so soon after her last purchase.

But it was imperative the books stay out of the hands of certain individuals who could use the knowledge within the pages to harm others.

River walked to the tome in front of her. The leather binding was worn around the edges, and the gold clasp locking it was worn smooth by use.

She punched in her fifteen-digit code to unlock the case. As the glass panel slid open, River carefully grasped the book and lifted it.

The last time she’d touched it was more than a year ago when she placed it inside its case. She didn’t know what prompted her to go to this book tonight, but she didn’t question it.

River walked slowly with the book to the podium and gently set it down. She took a deep breath and slowly released it. Unable to help herself, she ran her gloved finger down the spine of the book. The gold letters were faded now. Only portions of each were visible.

The words were written in an obscure language that she told her boss she was searching for ways to transcribe. But River already knew what it said.

“
The Hidden,
” she whispered, her finger running over the gold letters on the front of the book. Just as with the spine, there wasn’t much left of the title.

She flipped the gold clasp and opened the book. The creak of leather was loud in the silence. With the barest of touches, she turned each page, skimming them.

River already knew what the book said because she’d sat in front of her great-aunt’s hearth and read it when she was only five. She hadn’t understood what it meant then, not really.

If only she’d had the same knowledge then that she had now. So much would be different. She wouldn’t be facing a world of monsters on her own.

“I’m not strong enough,
” she’d told Aunt Maureen.

But Maureen had simply held River’s face in her gnarled hands and smiled down at her with the same blue eyes River saw in the mirror. “
Oh, aye, my girl. You’re more than strong enough
.”

If only Aunt Maureen could see her now. Everything she did was because of the heritage she learned on her visits to Ireland.

Her final trip came at the age of thirteen when she found her aunt dead.

River closed her eyes, shutting out those agonizing memories. But she couldn’t think about her aunt without thinking of that day. Maureen changed her life, but it was Maureen’s death that set River on a course that would define her life.

She read a few more pages of the book before she gently closed and latched it. Taking it from its case was hazardous, but she’d wanted to touch something that once belonged to her aunt.

With the book in hand, she was turning to replace it when she heard voices. Male voices. River quickly returned the book to the case. She yanked off the gloves and hid in the shadows.

“I told you,” said a man in a thick Irish accent. He was smiling as he held out his arms and turned in a circle. His hair was long and black, and his silver eyes darted from one book to the next.

She recognized him immediately. He’d come into the library the day before, asking for one of the ancient books. River should’ve known the Fae would return.

It was the man behind him that made her stomach fall to her feet though. His shoulder-length black hair was laced with silver. Eyes the color of blood surveyed the room slowly, as if he knew she was there.

“See if they have the ones we need,” he stated.

River didn’t wonder how they got into the library and her vault, because she knew what they were—Fae. But how peculiar for a Light and a Dark to be working together. They were usually at odds with one another.

Ever since the Dark openly descended upon Edinburgh in October, River made sure to have her blade with her at all times. She bent and pulled the long, curved knife from the hidden scabbard attached to her leg beneath her skirt.

The Dark walked to the book she’d just been reading. “Some of the titles are gone.”

“I know. The ones I can read are on the list.”

“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.