No, that wasn’t quite the truth. She’d returned to him. Only she’d come back damaged. He could no longer promise her she’d never turn into a monster like her father. He could only promise her hope that with his support she’d survive. He waited for regret to consume him or at least doubt. Neither emotion surged within him. All he experienced was the all-consuming lust that threatened to own him as completely as the Hunt could.
Right or wrong, he’d made his choice, exactly as he’d told Harley.
He was hers until the end of time.
“Once she completes the bond, it’ll be easier to ensure she remains honorable. I will fight for her. I won’t lose her, Rhys. She is my choice. Together, we will endure and thrive.”
“And if she doesn’t complete her half of the binding?”
Well…then he’d discover the true meaning of hell.
Chapter Nine
Harley rolled her eyes at the antics of the drunk and horny guys prowling around the bar. A few of Ian’s childhood friends knew her from when she’d been younger, but most had never met or even seen a picture of his elusive sister. She almost wished he would’ve passed one around before the party and told them she was off-limits. He hadn’t, because he wanted her to find a little happiness, even if it was in the form of a fuck buddy she could hook up with whenever she came around.
Ian meant well. He just never accepted the facts of her life. Having a regular go-to only put that unfortunate guy in harm’s way. She could get away with random encounters as long as she kept her liaisons to daylight hours with preselected guys and ran as soon as the orgasm faded. Most didn’t mind. Some fell in instant lust, however. Those encounters hurt the most. She didn’t enjoy breaking anyone’s heart.
She knew well what longing for the unattainable could do to a person, only she’d finally met her fantasy. Calan offered her forever too. She simply had to accept him.
A focused stare centered on her drew her attention back to the party. She surveyed the room. The stripper gyrating over her brother’s lap had most of the guys’ attention except for the one walking toward her. Trevor, Ian’s business partner and the only other person who knew about her, leaned a hip against the table in front of her.
The heated perusal from his dark brown eyes held all the lust a good one-night stand could offer. It did nothing for her. Actually, none of the advances she’d had to rebuff all night had any effect. She wasn’t indifferent to sex. She loved it, but Calan had succeeded in killing her interest in any other man.
“Ian’s making a mistake.”
She met Trevor’s eyes, the topic not one she’d expected. “It’s not my place to say anything.”
He glanced over his shoulder, shook his head, then faced her. “I saw Cynthia with another man last night.”
She almost laughed at the ridiculousness of what he implied. Instead, she raised a brow. “And?”
Trevor took another step. He towered over her. Not as muscular as Calan or even Ian, Trevor had a swimmer’s build—tall, sleek and powerful. She craned her head to see his face. Anger tightened his features.
“The so-called ‘virginal girl’ who’s stopped Ian from doing more than kiss her had her hands all over this guy while his were under her skirt.”
She stifled a gasp. “Did you tell Ian?”
Trevor propped his hand next to her head and leaned close enough to kiss her. He didn’t. He held her in an intense, enraged gaze. “Yeah, I fucking told him. He told me to stop lying, that I was jealous.”
“Are you?”
He flashed a lopsided smile that chilled his eyes instead of warming them. “I can get any woman I want.” He pressed the palm of his other hand on the opposite side of her face. “Including you, Harley. Why would I be jealous of a seemingly sweet-natured, kindergarten teacher?”
He had a point, at least about not having a reason to be jealous. As for his claim to be able to seduce her? He didn’t have a chance in hell, not anymore.
“Has she ever done anything like this before?”
“No, that’s the thing. Cynthia is a good girl.” He pushed away, a frown on his face. “Or at least I never thought she’d cheat on him. I just…”
“What?”
“She was calling this guy Ian’s name.” He rubbed his stubble-covered chin. “I thought maybe he was a redcap, but he didn’t feel like one.”
Trevor and Ian had experienced their share of encounters with the fairies’ creatures. Harley hated that they insisted on hunting the monsters, but her words of caution had fallen on deaf ears. She’d given up and supplied them each with an obsidian blade to match hers. Luckily, they never had to fight any. Whenever they attempted to engage one, the redcap or sluagh ran. The question that had always bothered her was—why? She’d never come up with a reason but was grateful for it. Losing either Ian or Trevor would push her over the edge.
“Are you sure he wasn’t a redcap? Maybe he was using glamour to mask his nature.”
Annoyance tightened his features. “I’ve been on the receiving end of fairy magic enough times to recognize it. This guy wasn’t using any.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Describe him. What did he look like?”
“He was a big guy, muscular like Ian.” He cracked his jaw. “He did have a baseball cap, but I’m telling you, he wasn’t a redcap. I’d swear by it. They always make me dizzy, even when they’re not using glamour.”
She’d heard Ian say the same thing—the blade they carried acted as a mini warning system. She couldn’t verify their claim. Her internal system always kicked in first. Any forewarning the knife gave would’ve been overshadowed by the burn she experienced.
“You had your dagger?” she asked to make sure.
He gave her an incredulous look, then patted his boot. “Of course. I always carry it, except when I’m fucking or in the shower. Even then, it’s within arm’s reach.”
She nodded, pleased with his response, even if she didn’t need the intimate details. “What else was he wearing?”
His lips compressed. “He wasn’t a red—”
She stood on her tiptoes and fisted his shirt. “Just answer me. What else was he wearing?”
“Jeans, motorcycle boots and a T-shirt with a screaming skull on it.”
No, please no. That was Raul’s signature outfit. She tightened her grip on Trevor’s shirt and tugged him closer. “Describe his hat.”
“I didn’t miss a redcap, Harley.”
She shook him. “His hat. Please, just tell me what it looked like.”
A guarded expression passed over his face. “It was black with red slashes on it.”
She released him and covered her mouth. “Oh God. Oh God.”
“Talk to me. What’s wrong? Did I fuck up?”
She ran across the room without answering, weaving between the guys and the few exotic dancers dressed in various costumes. She grabbed Ian’s hand. “I need to talk to you. Now.”
Ian glanced at her. The hungry look he’d held for the brown-haired stripper faded as concern widened his eyes. He lifted the woman from his lap and stood. “What happened?”
Harley led him across the room. The heavy weight of the other men’s gazes followed them. At the far corner, she covered his hand with her trembling one. “Have you talked to Cynthia today?”
“No, why?”
“You need to call her. Right now. Make sure she’s okay.”
Although that’d be a miracle. If it had been Raul who’d been with her, they’d be having her funeral instead of a wedding.
“She’s fine, Harley. I talked to her sister, Allie, less than an hour ago. Cynthia was giggling in the background as she opened presents.”
“You’re sure?”
Ian brushed a lock of hair from her face. “I’m sure. Why are you worried?”
“I talked to Trevor, and—�
��
“Don’t listen to him.” He shot Trevor an irritated look. “He’s lying.”
“But the guy wore the same baseball cap Raul does. Same clothes too.”
“If there even was a guy.” Ian shifted on his feet. “Look, Trevor has been trying to get me to change my mind about marrying Cynthia. He thinks I’m making a mistake. He swore he overheard her talking to some of her friends about me, saying crazy shit like she’s only marrying me for my money. That she never loved me and”—he lowered his voice—“she really thinks I’m gay.”
She stepped back. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. It’s all a bunch of lies. Cynthia loves me. She told me so.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Lots of times.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Trevor caught her gaze. He gave a small shake of his head and turned away. She faced Ian. “I don’t know. What if—”
“No, Sis. Listen to me. Raul wouldn’t know about the wedding. We’ve kept it quiet, and the cell phones we’ve used can’t be traced. I won’t take any chances with your life or Cynthia’s.”
Everything he said was one hundred percent accurate. Ian knew how to protect his loved ones, and she’d been running for a decade. It usually took months for Raul to catch up to her. The chances he had found her so quickly or guessed at her destination when she’d never returned home before were slim to none. So why was her gut churning?
He bent closer. “I’ll call her and talk to her. Okay?”
She nodded.
Ian squeezed her hand. “We’ve been living in the shadow of darkness for years. I told you I won’t live in a bubble. We can’t stop the evil in this world. All we can do is hope we don’t unintentionally invite it into our homes.”
She’d heard his speech too many times and still didn’t believe a word of it. “I’m not going to the wedding. I’m leaving tonight.” Right after I unlock Calan from his prison.
“What?” He glared at her. “You promised. I need you there.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You’re hiding something from me. What is it?”
She peered around his shoulders. Nobody hovered close by. Assured they had a modicum of privacy, she faced him. “My ghost man is real. He’s not a fairy but a rider of the Wild Hunt who’s been imprisoned for centuries.”
“What?” He tensed. “Tell me everything.”
She rushed through the rest of the facts she’d learned, then waited for what he’d say.
“You believe him.”
A statement, not a question.
“He healed me.” She laid a hand over her heart. “He left a piece of himself inside me and calmed the burn I’ve always felt.”
“How is it possible?” The hope in his voice stirred the same in her.
“I don’t know.” She took his hands and held on tightly, the emotions swirling inside causing a lump to form in her throat. “But, it’s real. The burn, the edginess, the temptation are gone. I feel almost pure.”
Ian wrapped her in his arms and laid his head over hers the way he had since they were little. “I’m happy for you.”
The tears choking his voice weren’t a sign of the strong leader he projected to the world, but he’d never hidden his true feelings from her. He had always been the only one on her side or at least the only one who’d ever showed her affection and attention.
Love rushed up. She buried her face in his shirt. “If he’ll let me, I’m going to help him hunt down Dar. When the bastard is dead, I’ll find a way to save my brothers and sisters.”
“Do you think there are many other kids like you?”
“Still alive?” She shook her head. “I doubt it, but I’m sure there are other women out there carrying Dar’s kids. Their babies are ticking time bombs.” She leaned back and let him see her determination. “I’m going to save them.”
She hoped the certainty she pushed into the vow gave it power. She didn’t want any other child to suffer the way she had or die at the hands of Dar’s monstrosities. Or Calan’s, for that matter.
Ian nodded as if it were a done deal. “I’ll help you.”
She pressed her palm to his cheek. “You know I can’t allow you to do that. The commitment you’re making to Cynthia overrides the one you feel for me. I’m no longer your problem.”
“You were never a problem.”
She gave him a small smile, both glad and saddened he hadn’t argued with her. “I’m getting out of here. I’ve had my fill of half-naked women for the night.”
He watched her intently for a long moment. “You’re going to release him?”
She nodded.
“You’re taking off then too?”
“Hopefully with Calan, but if not, I’m going to hunt for my siblings myself.”
“Not alone. If your ghost man doesn’t go with you, you shouldn’t do this. It’s too dangerous.”
“I have to. No one else will save them. They don’t matter to anyone else but me.”
“They do matter. I’ll ask Trevor if he’ll go with you.”
Like hell. She wouldn’t risk another innocent’s life.
“Sure, okay.” She forced a smile, hoping he’d believe her.
He narrowed his eyes as if he didn’t buy her lame acting skills, but gave her hand another small squeeze anyway. “You’ll call, right?”
She patted her back pocket and the cell phone there. “You know I will. Every day, just like I promised.”
“Good.” He nodded. “That’s good.”
They held each other’s gazes for another long moment. Good-byes, promises and love passed between them. Finally, she turned away and left her only family member behind, or at least the only one she knew wouldn’t turn into a hungry beast someday.
She evaded another one of Ian’s friends who stepped in her path and slipped outside. She scanned the parking lot, a habit she’d developed. At nearly midnight, the lot was deserted.
After one more visual sweep, she strode toward where she’d left her car, one of the spare SUVs from Ian’s company. The hulking black vehicle was the biggest she’d ever driven. Inside the metal shell, she had a sensation of power, though she doubted it’d win any races.
A few feet from the decked-out beast, an awareness she’d felt too many times over the years skipped over her skin. Normally, the taint she carried would flare in response. Tonight, it remained dormant and calm under Calan’s silky barrier. She breathed a sigh. Her happiness over the knowledge that Calan really had healed her faded with the first sight of the man she wanted to gut for what he’d done to her family.
Raul walked around the edge of the building with the same nonchalant amble as the last time she’d seen him.
How did he find me so quickly?
She pulled her dagger from the sheath she’d shoved inside her boot. His gaze flicked to it, but he continued to approach, eyeing it without even a tiny bit of apprehension.
Shit, shit, shit. She knew his change in patterns indicated more than his unraveling mind. It looked as if she’d find out the reason. She tightened her grip and waited.
He stopped several feet away and matched her widened stance. His empty hands hanging loosely at his sides didn’t fool her. His nails could grow into curved talons as sharp as a razor blade. Unlike the sluaghs, who were more animal than human without the glamour their redcap leader bestowed upon them, men like Raul retained their human appearance. For the most part, at least. The whites of their eyes turned red and pointy teeth filled their mouths when they allowed their nonhuman side out.
Raul swept desire-ridden eyes over her. He let his gaze linger on her breasts the same way most men did, then tore his attention from them and focused on her face.
“Happy belated birthday, Harley.”
The raspy tinge to his words reminded her of a smoker. The last time
he’d spoken to her, she’d been equally disgusted and intrigued by his voice. It had appealed to the darker half of her persona. With Calan’s touch holding it at bay, she felt only revulsion.
“How did you—”
“Know you just turned twenty-seven?” He gave her a lopsided smile. “Because you’ve matured. I feel the change in you.”
“And now you no longer want to kill me?”
Quicker breaths expanded his chest. “No, I don’t want to kill you.”
She focused on the cock straining his pants. Fear rose. She stamped it down. “What do you want, then?”
A smile spread over his handsome face that didn’t need an ounce of glamour to create. It seemed almost wrong that his physical body didn’t match the monster he was.
“You’re going to claim me, and together we’re going to bring my plan to life.”
Her heartrate kicked up a notch. She locked her knees so she didn’t turn tail and run. Calan might need the information in his hunt for Dar. She’d give Calan anything she could to help him.
“I don’t understand.”
Raul took a step closer. She tightened her grip on the blade.
“Once you bind us, it’ll fix this”—he touched his head—“and join us for all time.”
“Bind us?” She trembled, hating the sign of weakness but unable to stop it. What he described sounded too similar to what Calan had done for her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“That’s okay, Harley. Love is a powerful force. Underrated too. Wielded by those who know how to harness its potential, it can accomplish impossible feats, including claiming a soul.” He dragged his gaze from her lips to her eyes. “I would know. Your mother bound my soul to hers enough times that I’ll have no problems showing you how it’s done. You do carry her genes.”
A chill ran down her spine. The odd exchange Raul and her mother had engaged in before he killed her rushed back. “You knew her?”
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