The Tempted
Page 8
Words, hurried and unfamiliar, fell from Ilinca’s lips. The language was Romany, and by the way Ilinca’s dark eyes narrowed with contempt, it was a curse she put on Ronan.
Daman waited for Ronan to grab his sword and the battle to begin. When nothing happened, Daman looked harder and realized Ronan being held against his will. His pale green eyes were wide with confusion.
Daman opened his mouth to shout to the others, but Stefan drew his sword the same time Morcant rushed Ilinca. The old gypsy shifted her gaze to Morcant, and he halted awkwardly, her words freezing him in place.
Once Morcant was taken care of, her gaze returned to Ronan and continued speaking in the strange language.
“Stefan!” Daman shouted.
But it was too late. Stefan’s fury had been let loose, and the monster was free. Stefan released a battle cry and leapt over the fire toward Ilinca. Stefan hadn’t gotten two steps before the old gypsy pinned him with a look that jerked him to a halt instantly.
Then the old woman’s gaze turned to Daman. He sighed and thought of his friends. There was one rule between the four of them – they lived or died together. Daman stepped over the boundary, a cold tremor rushed down his spine at Ilinca’s triumphant smile.
He was immediately surrounded by men. Undeterred, Daman left his sword in the scabbard and used his dirk and his hands to slice, stab, punch, and kick anyone stupid enough to get close.
Five men fell – two dead. He put another three on the ground before he found his limbs immobile. No matter how hard he tried to move his body, he couldn’t.
The men parted, and Ilinca walked to him. Daman looked around, but Ronan, Morcant, and Stefan were gone – vanished as if they never were.
He glared down at the old woman. How he wanted to tell her how he was going to kill every last gypsy he came across as punishment for what she did to his friends, but the words wouldn’t come. Ilinca controlled every bit of him.
“Why didn’t you enter the camp?” Ilinca asked him.
His eyes narrowed as he realized she had allowed him the ability to speak. She wanted answers, but he wasn’t going to give them to her. His lip curved in a sneer.
“So, you don’t want to answer. You don’t like to ask for help, do you? Your friends have been cursed, but you already know that.” Ilinca drew in a breath and looked him over closely. “Why did you have to come into camp? You were wise enough to keep out earlier.”
Daman saw her hands shaking. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. She was upset at Ana’s death, but he was desperate to find his friends. Even if it meant talking to her. “Where are the others?”
“Some place they can’t hurt anyone or themselves.”
“Ronan didna kill Ana.”
Ilinca lifted her chin. “He might not have stuck the blade in her, but he’s still responsible. Just as Morcant is responsible for bedding an innocent and ruining the chance to align our people.”
Daman tried to move his arms, but she still held him in place. “And Stefan?”
“You know the answer to that better than anyone else here. His rage.”
“What are you going to do with me?”
The old woman stepped closer and the gypsies closed in around him. “I had a vision a week ago of this very night, though I didn’t see my granddaughter’s death. I knew each of you four have something important to do.”
“Do? I’m no’ important.”
“I can only repeat what I know.” Her shoulders drooped. “My magic will ensure each of you reach your destination. What you do there is up to you. You can be freed. Or you can spend eternity in your prison.”
Daman got that bad feeling again as Ilinca placed her hand on his forehead. He wanted to jerk away, but she still held him frozen. His eyes grew heavy, and the more he fought to keep them open, the more tired he became.
“Don’t fight it, Daman,” Ilinca’s voice whispered in his head.
It was his nature to fight. He fought against it, but it was too much. The world went black like the snap of someone’s fingers.
Ilinca sighed as she dropped her hands and took a step back from Daman. Then she nodded and the men carried him to her wagon and brought him inside. Grief rose up in her like a tidal wave. She would tend to Daman later. Right now she needed to bury her granddaughter was buried.
Once that was done she had a destination to reach.
“Grandmother?”
Ilinca held out her arms for Ana’s younger sister. When Amalia wrapped her arms around her, Ilinca held her tight. “It’s almost over, my sweet.”
“You didn’t say Ana would die.”
“I didn’t know.” Ilinca didn’t stop the tears from falling. “Ana impetuous and kind, but she wasn’t strong like you are.”
Amalia looked up at her. “Where did you send those men?”
“Far away.”
“And the fourth? Why didn’t you send him?”
Ilinca glanced at her wagon. “Because he’s the key to all of it.”
Thank you for reading The Tempted. I hope you enjoyed it! If you liked this book – or any of my other releases – please consider rating the book at the online retailer of your choice. Your ratings and reviews help other readers find new favorites, and of course there is no better or more appreciated support for an author than word of mouth recommendations from happy readers. Thanks again for your interest in my books!
Donna Grant
www.DonnaGrant.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and four cats in Colorado.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgements
PROLOGUE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Excerpt for THE SEDUCED
Thank You
Newsletter
Donna Grant Novels
About the Author