Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

  Intrigued, Darcy asked, “What happened?”

  “Have you heard of Rhys?”

  Darcy shook her head. “Is he a King?”

  “Aye, and a close friend. Rhys is King of the Yellows. The Yellows were always known as the risk-takers, the hotheads, or daredevils. If there was danger, the Yellows were there.”

  “So Rhys has those characteristics, I presume,” Darcy said with a grin.

  “Which could be why we became fast friends. You’re stepping into a war, Darcy, and you need to know specifics. The Dark are after a weapon to use against the Kings. It’ll kill them.”

  “The Darks were beaten in the war with the Dragon Kings. Don’t they know they’ll lose again?”

  “Not if they find the weapon. Ulrik is giving them information about Dreagan to get them onto the land and find the weapon. One of the tactics was taking a King and a human. Kellan didn’t tell them anything, even when the Dark tortured Denae in front of him. I helped them get away, but it didn’t stop the Dark from kidnapping another human to get to a King. Then a King went to Ireland to spy on the Dark.”

  An ominous feeling came over Darcy. “I gather it didn’t go well?”

  “The Dark sent one of their females to capture Kiril, but Shara fell in love with him. Still, both were captured by Balladyn. Rhys and Con went to Ireland to find Kiril, and during the breakout, Rhys was wounded.”

  “Warrick said only another King could kill a King.”

  “Exactly. Everyone expected Rhys’s wound to mend, but it didn’t. Every time he shifted, the pain was immense. Essentially, the wound was tearing him in two. I was able to stop most of it.”

  “You can touch dragon magic as well?”

  Rhi shook her head sadly. “I was able to help because Fae magic was used. Ulrik mixed Dark magic with his and used it against Rhys.”

  Darcy didn’t want to hear any more. “Stop. Please.”

  “Remember when I said you stepped into a war? These are the specifics. I was able to give Rhys the opportunity to shift once more. When the mortal he was in love with got into danger, he shifted into human form. For her. But not even his love could help him deal with the fact that he couldn’t return to his true form.”

  “Ulrik wouldn’t do that,” Darcy argued. “Ulrik can barely deal with it himself. The pain and frustration consume him. He wouldn’t put that on another.”

  “He would. He did.”

  CHAPTER

  FIFTEEN

  Darcy shook her head. She had experienced Ulrik’s memories. She knew firsthand how he was tormented by what his fellow Kings did to him.

  “It couldn’t have been Ulrik,” Darcy argued. “He labored for thousands of years to come to terms with the fact that he couldn’t shift. It’s torn him apart in ways no one could begin to fathom.”

  “He’s the only Dragon King unaccounted for,” Rhi said. “Con might be a world-class ass, but he protects the Kings. He found out where every King was during that battle, which left only Ulrik.”

  Darcy rubbed her hands over her face. “So everyone blames me since I was able to release enough of Ulrik’s magic so that he could allegedly do this.”

  “You’ll have to accept the fact that Ulrik is out for blood. He’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.”

  “Killing Con?”

  “That’s part of it. He wants all of his magic and to be able to shift again. He wants to talk to his Silvers. Don’t get me wrong. I know how amiable Ulrik can be when he wants. But he has an end purpose, and nothing will get in his way.”

  Darcy didn’t want to talk about Ulrik anymore. She was having a hard time combining what Rhi was telling her with Ulrik’s memories she hadn’t just seen, but experienced herself. “You were telling me about a way to stop the Dark from entering.”

  Rhi regarded her with a knowing look, and then continued on with her story. “Ulrik sent two human men onto Dreagan and used Rhys’s woman to do it. They shot Rhys in the head with a bullet laced with dragon magic. It wasn’t enough to kill him, but it incapacitated him long enough for them to search the place they thought the weapon was.”

  “Tell me they didn’t find it,” Darcy urged.

  “They didn’t. Rhys called to me to help Lily. When I tried to enter the cottage, I couldn’t. The symbols we used against other Fae were carved into the doorway.”

  “How did the Kings discover the symbols?”

  Rhi smiled wryly. “It wasn’t the Kings who carved them into the door. It was the two humans Ulrik sent.”

  Which meant Ulrik had found out about the symbols. Darcy began to feel sick to her stomach.

  “I’m not comfortable with any being but a Light Fae knowing those spells,” Rhi continued. “Yet, I may not have another choice but to show them to you.”

  “Why would you do that?” Darcy asked, confused. “Wouldn’t that keep you out as well?”

  Rhi nodded her head of long midnight hair. “Your magic is strong, Darcy, but not nearly powerful enough to keep out a Dark. Only Fae or dragon magic can do that.”

  “Then why hasn’t Warrick used his magic?”

  “He has. As has Thorn.”

  Darcy tossed aside the pillow as she scooted to the edge of the sofa. “Then that should be enough.”

  “Should be, yes.” Rhi nibbled her bottom lip with her teeth. “The thing is, I made a promise to keep you from the Dark. I owed a debt, and it’s been called in. I can’t fail.”

  “So you would use something that I could possibly recreate against you in the future?”

  Rhi’s silver eyes crinkled. “It appears so.”

  “Who would you do that for?”

  “Ulrik.”

  If Darcy had been surprised before, she was floored now. She got to her feet and glared at Rhi. “Ulrik? The same Ulrik you’ve been trying to tell me is responsible for those horrible things?”

  “The very one,” the Light Fae said as she lifted a leg and half-sat on the back of the couch.

  Darcy made a face while throwing her hands out in confusion. “Care to explain?”

  Rhi sighed dramatically. “I was in a bit of a predicament recently.”

  “When Balladyn captured you?”

  “Well,” Rhi said in a haughty tone. “I see the Kings did fill you in on some of the less important things.”

  “I wouldn’t call a Dark abducting you unimportant.”

  “Did Warrick tell you why Balladyn took me?”

  Darcy gave a slight nod.

  “Perfect,” Rhi said, but her smile was too tight. “So you know he took me and why. Did they tell you what he did to me?”

  Darcy fought the urge to take a step back. “Not really.”

  “Balladyn wanted me to turn Dark. Do you know what it takes to turn a Light Dark? You immerse them in a place where there’s no sunlight, only darkness. You put the Chains of Mordare on them, which sends paralyzing pain running through their arm every time they attempt to do magic. And then you torture them. Endlessly.”

  Darcy backed up with every word until she came against the window, unable to go any farther. Until that moment, she’d had no idea of the pain Rhi kept so carefully hidden. She reminded Darcy so much of Ulrik that it was uncanny.

  “Balladyn had me beat. I could feel the darkness taking over,” Rhi continued. “Then he made me angry.”

  Darcy watched as Rhi lifted her arms out to her sides. They were glowing, as was her entire body.

  “This I got from my mother. It’s a very rare power for any Fae to have. I’ve kept it secret for a long time. You see, I can renew a dead realm. Or I can destroy one.”

  Darcy’s respect for Rhi grew. “You destroyed the place Balladyn held you, didn’t you?”

  “Damn straight,” Rhi said, the glowing gone in an instant. She had the confident look back in place, a mask she didn’t intend to remove again. “Except I knocked myself out in the process. Ulrik carried me out.”

  “Ulrik? Was he part of Balladyn taking you?”

&nb
sp; Rhi shook her head. “Ulrik sees opportunities and takes them. He likes having people in his debt.”

  “That can’t be the only reason he helped you.”

  Rhi shrugged and stood. “We’re both in a situation with Ulrik that puts us in a predicament.”

  “Is Ulrik your friend?”

  “Friend?” Rhi barked with laughter. “Oh, chica. Ulrik doesn’t have any friends. He trusts only himself, and he always has a backup plan.”

  “He warned me that I was in danger.”

  Rhi walked to her and tugged on a curl. “He still has need of you.”

  “That’s what he said as well.”

  “Then don’t look into any more than that. If he didn’t still need you, he wouldn’t have warned you.”

  Darcy snorted derisively. “If he didn’t still need me, my life wouldn’t be in danger.”

  “So true,” Rhi said with a wink. “Now, tell me where you got that red sweater I see in your armoire. I have to have it.”

  * * *

  It was well past midnight when Warrick watched Rhi throw a blanket over Darcy, who had fallen asleep on the sofa. Rhi gave him a wave, and then in the next instant, she was standing beside him on the roof.

  “Don’t give me that sour look,” Rhi admonished him. “Darcy was too wound up to sleep. I had to tire her out, and even then, it took a bit of magic to get her to sleep.”

  Warrick had to admit, he was glad Darcy was resting. The dark circles under her eyes indicated she was more stressed than she let on. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Rhi winked. “Seen any uglies tonight?”

  Warrick smiled despite himself. That’s what Rhi always did. She had such a saucy attitude that if she wasn’t irritating you, she was making you laugh. “Nay. I’m surprised after two attacks in two nights.”

  “That is interesting. Where’s Mr. Thorny?”

  Warrick choked on a laugh. “He’s keeping watch on the back side. We make a round every twenty minutes.”

  “She’s a smart one, Warrick.”

  He didn’t even pretend that he didn’t know who Rhi referred to. “Aye, Darcy is.”

  “She’s quick and her magic is astounding. She didn’t even know she used it against me.”

  Warrick jerked his head to Rhi. “What? When?”

  “When I was talking to her,” Rhi said as she glanced at her nails. “She felt threatened, which is what I wanted. The use of her magic was instinctive. That’s very good, by the way.”

  He knew it was. He didn’t need a Fae to tell him that.

  “Oh, and I’m sorry for intruding on that kiss you were about to give her earlier.”

  “It’s for the best.” Warrick had been telling himself that for hours. Then he would look at Darcy and crave to taste her lips all over again.

  “You really should practice your lies, handsome,” Rhi said, shooting him an unapologetic look.

  Warrick rubbed his temple. Rhi always had a way of getting beneath his skin with the simplest of words. The fact that he desired Darcy was all it took to exasperate him. “Rhi, please.”

  “I know, I know. You like to be alone. I’ll leave as soon as I’m finished.”

  He stared at the Light Fae, waiting for her to continue.

  She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. “I guess that means you want me to talk now. Fine. I’ve ensured no Dark can get into her flat.”

  Warrick frowned. “How?”

  “I’m only telling you so you’ll rest easier as long as she’s in her home. I’d rather Con not know.”

  That’s when he recalled the symbols from the cottage Rhys had destroyed. What Rhi didn’t know was that there wasn’t a full symbol found. All there was left were three bits of board with a portion of the symbols on them.

  “There’s the lightbulb,” she said with a smile. “I knew you’d figure it out.”

  “You willingly gave Darcy that information?”

  Rhi scrunched up her face in distaste. “I briefly thought about it, then put them up while she slept. I also hid them, so you’ll never be able to find them.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Any time, sweets.”

  “But why?” Warrick shook his head and tried again. “You’ve always been there to help us, Rhi, but you’ve just stopped yourself from getting to her in the flat.”

  She let the smile drop from her face as she glanced at the window. “I can remove those symbols anytime since I put them up. If I tell you I just wanted to help, will you leave it at that?”

  “Maybe. I get the feeling, though, that there’s much more to your actions than liking Darcy’s quips.”

  Rhi leaned over the side of the building. “Life gets so tedious at times. At least I know that I’ll die one day.”

  Now Warrick was really worried. “Rhi?”

  She laughed and straightened to face him. “You worry too much, War. Take my advice and kiss Darcy the next time you’ve got the chance. You never know when it’ll be yanked out of your grasp.”

  He didn’t know what to say. Warrick never had the right words in such a situation. He grew uncomfortable, unsure if he should offer her a shoulder or say something to take her mind off the one-sided love she carried.

  “It’s all right,” she said with a soft smile. “I’ll be fine. I got advice recently to just cut it out of my life.”

  “Who would tell you that?” Though he guessed it was her queen, Usaeil.

  Rhi met his gaze. “The same person who asked me to keep Darcy safe—Ulrik.”

  CHAPTER

  SIXTEEN

  Dreagan

  Con looked at the files on his desk without seeing them. His mind was on other things. Or should he say, on someone else.

  “What could possibly drag you away from the pile of paperwork?”

  Con shifted his gaze to his door to find Kellan standing there. He noticed how Kellan’s celadon eyes watched him carefully. “What could possibly be on my mind?” he replied acerbically.

  “Hmm.” Kellan shut the door and sat in one of the two chairs set in front of Con’s desk. “You’ve been gone a lot, and you have an odd look on your face. Why do I think that doesna add up to you putting together an attack on the Dark?”

  Con tossed down his pen. “We’ve all come up with dozens of different ideas on how to confront Ulrik and attack the Dark. All of it involves the mortals seeing us. If we wish to remain secret, that isna a possibility.”

  “Deflecting my initial question. No’ a good sign.”

  “I’m no’ deflecting.”

  Kellan raised a caramel-colored brow. “So that’s how this is going to go?”

  Con merely returned his stare. There was no way he would tell Kellan who he was thinking about or why. That was private. Nor would he divulge where he had been going when he left Dreagan.

  “You’re right,” Kellan said. “We can no’ risk the humans seeing us. The Dark doona care. If we attack, they’ll draw the humans in.”

  “Exactly. I want nothing more than to take the fight to them, but it would be detrimental to us.”

  Kellan rubbed his chin as he contemplated something. “What if we drew them here?”

  “They’re idiots, but no’ so much as to willingly come to Dreagan.”

  Kellan smiled. “Ah, but they’re willing to do anything to find the weapon.”

  “I doona like the idea of them on our land in any capacity.”

  “No’ even Rhi?”

  Con chose to ignore his comment. “There’s a chance the Dark could get away and find the weapon.”

  Kellan twisted his lips. “No’ only was it hidden well, but they wouldna know it was a weapon if they saw it. Just to be safe, one of us could guard it in case the Dark actually grow a brain.”

  “Like Balladyn?” Con said the name with distaste. “To think that at one time I considered him an ally.”

  “Balladyn is someone we need to keep an eye on. He’s dangerous.”

  “Verra dangerous. Taraeth I do
ona worry about, but Balladyn is another matter entirely. He used to come to Dreagan regularly.”

  Kellan stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed one ankle over the other. “Aye, but he didna see anything of importance.”

  “Because I doona trust any Fae.”

  Kellan snorted loudly, shooting Con a scathing look. “That’s no’ true. And we both know it.”

  For him to argue the point would bring up things Con would rather keep to himself. So he ignored Kellan. Con rose from his chair and walked to the sideboard to pour two glasses of whisky. He turned and handed one to Kellan. “If we brought the Dark here, we would have to take down the spells we put in place to keep them out.”

  “It would be risky for sure. Now, if we had the complete symbols found on the cottage door frame that would keep the Fae out, we could put those with the weapon so we could all fight the Dark.”

  “Rhi willna give those to us, and I willna ask for them. Our magic will have to be enough to keep the Dark away from the weapon. It’s the mortals I’m more concerned with. Ulrik is using them more and more.”

  Kellan swallowed his drink of Scotch. “And at odd times too. I can no’ figure out what he’s thinking.”

  “That’s easy. He wants revenge.”

  “Which is pointless until he has all of his magic.”

  Con tossed back the whisky and gently set the glass down on his desk. “We have his Druid now. She willna be helping him.”

  Kellan straightened in his chair. “You’re no’ seriously considering holding her as a prisoner, are you?”

  “What she doesna know willna hurt her.”

  “You’re messing with fire, Con. She touched our magic and lived. That should tell you right there she’s special and no’ someone to disregard easily. Besides, do you really think Ulrik will let us have her?”

  Con opened his mouth to respond when the door was flung open and Denae walked in.

  “Surely I didn’t hear y’all right,” Denae said in her thick Texas accent as she let her anger show. “Darcy is a person. She has rights. She’s not an object to be fought over.”

  “Denae,” Kellan began.