Dark Alpha's Embrace

by Donna Grant

A large hand covered her fisted one. Kyran was still veiled, but he was letting her know he was there. A small squeeze of his hand told her it was time to finish the battle.

  She stood straighter as she glared at Bran. It was time to mess with him a bit before he was killed. After all he’d done to the Reapers, he deserved no less.

  “Tell me what the three things are,” Bran demanded.

  River gave him a flat look. “Do I appear that dim-witted? I not only read each of those thirty languages, I know which parts I erroneously told the Reapers. You can kill me and attempt to steal the translations, which I might add isn’t going to happen. But even if by some stroke of luck you manage it, you’ll never know which three parts are wrong. They could be the very things you need.”

  “You tell me this as if you’re proposing to help me. I’ve already made that offer.”

  “It does appear that way, doesn’t it?” she said with a small nod. “I just wanted to get your hopes up for minute. I’m not going to help you in any way.”

  Bran’s lips peeled back in a sneer as he bellowed and released three blasts of magic in quick succession. River pivoted away in time to see Kyran unveil himself and block each of the bubbles of magic.

  The Dark outside the lodge began to yell and pour into the house. River readied her sword and faced those coming at her.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Kyran wanted to remain focused on Bran, but with the sheer number of Dark descending upon them, he couldn’t. He’d done his best to alert the others to what was going on, but he had no idea if his call reached them.

  If Bran had locked River to this location, then shielded it so no one else could get in, it was a damn good thing Kyran hadn’t left to get the others. He might not have gotten back in to help River.

  He stood back-to-back with his woman as they fought the onslaught of Dark. He heard her wince and looked over to find her limping from a wound of magic on her leg.

  Just like the scourge that he was, Bran moved away to watch the battle instead of engaging Kyran as they’d begun.

  “Coward!” Kyran yelled at Bran.

  Bran merely chuckled. “Who’ll be alive when this is all over? It won’t be you.”

  “Want to bet on that?” asked Cael as he suddenly appeared next to Bran.

  Bran’s face contorted with fury as he launched himself at Cael. Kyran wanted to watch the two of them go at it, but he turned his attention to River.

  They stood side by side and fought as Fintan and Eoghan made their way to them. Kyran caught a glimpse of Baylon and Jordyn, as well as Talin.

  There was a violent bellow that drew everyone’s attention. Kyran saw that Bran’s gaze was riveted on Jordyn. When she noticed, she gave him a wink and a smile.

  That’s all it took to get the fighting started again. Kyran could see that River had more than one wound. He wasn’t sure of her healing abilities yet, and the thought of her in any kind of pain left him breathless.

  Then there was the child growing inside her.

  “Kyran,” Fintan said.

  Kyran wrapped his arms around River and spun her away as Fintan took out a Dark and Eoghan killed two more who were intent on killing River.

  “Get her out of here,” Fintan said angrily.

  River pushed out of his arms and looked into Kyran’s face. “I can help. You need me.”

  Before he could answer, she lunged and sunk her sword into a Dark coming up behind Kyran. He shot her a quick smile as they went back to fighting.

  This time it was the Reapers who’d gotten an upper hand with the Dark. Bran hadn’t brought as many because he thought he planned well enough to only need a few, and it was going to cost him heavily.

  When Kyran next looked up, there were only six Dark left alive while Cael and Bran continued to battle it out. River stood beside Kyran, breathing heavily as the others took care of the remaining Dark.

  “Cael will win, right?” River asked.

  Kyran snorted. “Of course.”

  In a matter of moments, Cael had Bran on the floor, pounding his face with punches. He was getting ready to end it with a surge of power to Bran’s face when Kyran heard River’s intake of breath.

  He looked over in time to see a Dark rush through the door toward Cael. Kyran could only watch in amazement as River threw her dagger, embedding it deep in the Dark’s spine. With a gargled sound, he crumbled to ash.

  Kyran slid his gaze to Cael to find him looking at River with surprise. Unfortunately, Kyran’s shout of warning to Cael was too late as Bran used Cael’s momentary lapse of attention to his advantage.

  There was a loud boom as smoke billowed everywhere and the house vibrated to the very foundation. As one, the Reapers quickly approached Cael, clearing the smoke with magic.

  They found Cael unconscious and Bran leaning over him with a dagger, getting ready to plunge it in Cael’s heart. Eoghan growled and lunged for Bran. But by the time Eoghan reached him, Bran had teleported away.

  “He can’t be gone,” River said as she looked around. “Tell me Bran didn’t get away.”

  Talin kicked at a chair that was knocked on its side. “He’s clever.”

  “And a coward,” Kyran added.

  Fintan grunted. “Most definitely that.”

  Cael sat up, shaking his head to clear it. He propped one foot on the floor and draped an arm over his knee. “Bastard got away again, didn’t he?”

  “Aye,” Jordyn mumbled. “We were so close.”

  “And he was close last time,” Baylon said.

  Kyran wrapped an arm around River. “Had my message not reached you, he would’ve killed both of us.”

  “What message?” Talin asked.

  Kyran frowned. “If you didn’t get my call, how did you know?”

  “When you and River didn’t follow us, we knew something was wrong,” Baylon said.

  Fintan crossed his arms over his chest. “We arrived back here to find Dark and a spell blocking us from entering.”

  “So how did you get in?” River asked.

  Cael smiled as he climbed to his feet. “We’re Reapers. Bran may be able to cast some impressive spells, but you get all of us together, and we can usually break through any type of magic.”

  “We heard him talking for a bit,” Talin said. “River, you’ve got a healthy dose of courage.”

  Eoghan walked to River and stopped when he stood before her. He took her hand in his and gave her a nod before he walked out of the lodge.

  River looked to Kyran who said, “That’s his way of letting you know he thanks you for what you did, and also appreciates your courage.”

  “Wow,” she said and smiled.

  Cael looked around as if searching for Bran. “We need to get out of here.”

  “And go where?” Jordyn asked.

  Fintan dropped his arms. “Anywhere but here.”

  “We’ll meet up soon,” Cael said.

  Kyran didn’t have to be told twice. He slid his hand into River’s and teleported away.

  Cael waited until everyone was gone before he walked out of the hunting lodge to find Eoghan standing in the moonlight next to a stone wall that surrounded the property.

  “Was it luck or skill that got us out of this tonight?” Cael asked him.

  Eoghan glanced at him, but didn’t answer.

  “Aye. A little of both. Had there been more Dark Fae, we wouldn’t have won.”

  “Who says we did?”

  Cael looked at Eoghan when he spoke. “Everyone is alive. Bran didn’t get to any of us.”

  This time Eoghan remained as silent as he usually was.

  Cael blew out a harsh breath and raked his hand through his hair. “I nearly had him. I took my concentration off him for just a second. That’s all he needed to get away. How many more chances will I have to do that again?”

  Eoghan shook his head slowly.

  “I didn’t think so either. So I lost my chance. Now he knows Jordyn is alive, that we have the books, and tha
t River can translate them. Just once I’d like to keep a secret from him.”

  Eoghan leaned forward and rested his hands on the stones. He looked out over the rolling landscape covered in shadows chased away only by the meager light of the moon.

  “I think Kyran is in love with River.”

  Eoghan looked at him over his shoulder and smiled as he nodded.

  “She saved my life.”

  Eoghan issued a small grunt.

  “Kyran and Talin were right. She has great skill with a weapon.”

  Without a sound, Eoghan turned back to the scenery.

  Cael clapped him on the back. “We need to find a new place for everyone. Somewhere Bran won’t think of. Somewhere we can remain for as long as needed.”

  Eoghan straightened and put his hand on Cael. In a blink they were standing on an island. Cael looked around at the large concrete structures surrounding him. Upon inspection, the isle couldn’t be more than about one hundred meters by two hundred meters.

  Across the dark waters he could see the lights of the mainland. “Edinburgh,” he said when he recognized the silhouette of some buildings.

  Eoghan walked down a path deeper into the buildings. But Cael had already seen all he needed. This was a perfect location, near to the city but away from the humans. It also afforded them a way to protect it so no Dark could easily stumble upon them.

  Cael followed the trail Eoghan had taken and found him within one of the buildings. “This is perfect. I’ll begin calling the others here. Start setting up the magic to keep the Dark out.”

  Eoghan gave a nod and walked away. Cael watched his friend. He missed the man Eoghan used to be. But circumstances changed people, and it had left a permanent scar upon Eoghan that was never going to heal.

  The other Reapers might find love, but Cael knew he and Eoghan would remain alone. Eoghan because no one would replace what had been lost.

  And him because he couldn’t have the one he wanted.

  Cael turned and stopped in his tracks when he found Erith standing in the doorway. He couldn’t see her face because of the shadows, but he knew every curve.

  “He got away,” Cael told her.

  Erith nodded and took two steps that put her in the moonlight that poured through a window. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. I had him, Erith. I was about to kill him.”

  “And what happened?” she asked.

  Cael shook his head as he shrugged. “A Dark came out of nowhere, coming right for me. I had my hands on Bran. I saw the others about to react, but River was quicker. She threw her dagger and killed the Dark.”

  “Bran used your break of focus to get away.”

  “He did.” Cael wasn’t going to tell her how close Bran came to killing him. It wasn’t sitting well with him, and he didn’t want anyone to discuss it.

  Erith looked around. “I like this place.”

  “Eoghan found it.”

  “It’s been one of his spots he comes to in order to be alone.”

  Cael’s gaze jerked to her. “I didn’t know.”

  “Eoghan wouldn’t want you to know. Keep it safe for him.”

  He bowed his head in a silent promise.

  She then drew in a long breath and released it. “None of the Reapers or River died tonight.”

  “I claim it as a win, but it feels like a loss.”

  “What do you think of River?”

  Since when did she want his thoughts on the Reapers’ lovers? Cael shifted uncomfortably. “She’s more than capable as a warrior. She was an asset tonight.”

  “She saved your life.”

  “I know. She was the only one who could read those books, and she helped us when we asked.”

  Erith lifted her brows. “I know her qualities, Cael. I want to know what you think of her personally.”

  “I’ve not been around her much.” He swallowed and thought about the times he’d watched Kyran and River. “I believe Kyran is in love with her, and I think she is falling for him, if she hasn’t already. She’s … calmed him. And he’s shown her her purpose.”

  “They’re a good match.”

  “They are. Why are you telling me this?”

  Erith’s head tilted slightly to the side. “Because in a few days or weeks they’re going to announce some grand news. River is pregnant.”

  Cael was so shocked he could only stare at Erith. He heard her laughter as if from far away. When he finally blinked, he found himself alone.

  Things were definitely changing.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  For two glorious days River had been in Kyran’s arms. They had talked about a great many things except for love and the baby.

  River walked along the beach of their new home. It was a small island off the east coast of Scotland. She could see Edinburgh from where she stood.

  If the concrete buildings were any indication, they were on the island of Inchmickery. It was used as a gun emplacement during both World Wars.

  The noise of different gulls rivaled that of the waves. So far River had seen nesting pairs of common eider and Sandwich terns.

  “What do you think?” Kyran asked as he appeared beside her and fell in step.

  She lifted her face to the breeze and smiled. “I like it.”

  He put his hand on her to halt her. River turned and looked at him. Kyran swallowed and dropped his hand, as if he didn’t know what to do with it.

  “Whatever it is, just tell me. Remember, we promised honesty.”

  “I remember.” He looked over her shoulder for a moment before he met her gaze. “There’s something I should’ve told you as soon as I found out, but I was embarrassed and furious. Then the longer I held off, the harder it became to say.”

  “It’s best to just say it.” Her stomach turned into a ball of twisting worry and anxiety. Was he going to tell her it was over?

  Kyran’s shoulders lifted as he took a deep breath. “The Lightslayers were the ones who hunted your family.”

  “I know.” She folded her arms across her chest. It must be really bad for him to take so long to tell her.

  “I’m so sorry, River, but the Lightslayers are my family.”

  She waited for more, and when there was nothing, she realized he’d been worried about telling her it was his family. River put her hands on either side of his face and made him look at her.

  “I’ll say this as much as it needs to be heard. Those people might be your blood, but they’re not your family. They turned their backs on you and betrayed you. Family doesn’t do that. The Reapers are your family.”

  “And you?” he asked softly. “Are you my family?”

  She glanced at his mouth that had done wonderfully wicked things to her body. She felt his hands on her, hands that had caressed her to the point of exhaustion, then held her tenderly.

  “Yes, Kyran, I’m your family.” She brought his head down and kissed his lips.

  “I wanted to give you time to take everything in,” Kyran said. “I didn’t bring up the bairn because of it.”

  She grinned as he smoothed the hair back that had blown across her face from the breeze. “What you said at the lodge. Did you mean it?”

  “With every ounce of my being.”

  “And you’re sure?”

  His red eyes crinkled at the corners. “You and my feelings for you are the one thing I am sure of, River.”

  “I love you, Kyran. I love you deeper than I thought possible. You hold my heart in your hands.”

  “And you hold mine, my love,” he whispered right before he kissed her.

  River melted against him, winding her arms around his neck and basking in the love that surrounded them.

  Someone cleared their throat next to them. They looked to the side to find Cael.

  “I do hate to interrupt, but since this mission includes the both of you, I thought you might want to be involved,” Cael said.

  Kyran’s body grew still. “Now?”

  “Now,” Cae
l confirmed.

  River dropped her arms and stepped back from Kyran. “Would someone like to fill me in?”

  Suddenly Erith appeared next to Cael. “We’re going to pay the Lightslayers a visit,” Death said. She looked at River. “A promise is owed.”

  River was still digesting the thought of meeting Kyran’s family when she found herself not only wearing black pants and a red shirt that showed nearly all of her breasts, but she was no longer on the beach.

  “You’re on the Fae realm,” Kyran whispered as they began walking.

  She looked at him to see his eyes, but a different face. River turned her head to find Cael and Erith had also changed their looks. It made her curious to see what she looked like, then she thought better of it.

  “Whatever happens,” Erith told her. “Stay quiet.”

  They began walking down a driveway toward an imposing house in the distance. No one said a word as they approached the massive gates.

  Death stood before the black iron and waited. Kyran positioned River to stand behind and to the side of Erith while he and Cael flanked them.

  They didn’t have to wait long for the gates to open. Erith strode forward as if she’d been there before. The closer River got to the house, the more she wanted to turn and run away.

  She didn’t want to see the people who had hurt Kyran. His hand brushed hers, as if he knew what she was thinking. She inwardly berated herself. Here she was worried about how she was going to act when it was his family, his house. His feelings.

  By the time they reached the front door, two tall Dark Fae stood blocking their entrance.

  “Move,” Death said. When they didn’t budge, she lifted a brow. “They opened the gates for us, so what does that tell you?”

  The two Dark looked at each other, and then stepped to the side. Death walked forward, opening the door as she did. River suppressed a shiver as she stepped inside the house of evil.

  Kyran frowned as he watched Death walk through his house as though she knew it as well as he. Her strides were long and purposeful as she made her way to his father’s study at the back of the house.

  They passed the parlor where his mother was taking tea with his aunts. His mother rushed to the doorway and started to talk, but Erith simply lifted her hand, halting his mother’s ability to speak.