by Donna Grant
Those words effectively ended that talk.
“Maybe we’re looking at this wrong,” Asher said.
Everyone looked to him, but it was Con who asked, “How so?”
“Rachel said something to me that I’ve no’ been able to stop thinking about. She said that sooner or later, we’ll have to make our presence known to the world again. We’re going into battle with one hand tied behind our back as long as we try to keep hidden from the mortals.”
Con put his hands in his pant’s pockets. “She has a valid point, one I’ve considered often. The problem lies with the humans. We’ll be battling them again, as well. They’ll want to study us, run tests, and all manner of wretched things, and in order to do that, they’ll want to capture one of us.”
“Which means we’ll have to keep away from them,” Dmitri said as he realized what Con was getting at.
Con looked around the cavern. “I know well how much easier this would be if we didna have to keep what we are a secret, but the alternative isna any better.”
“The Dark will bring the humans into your war,” Rhi said.
Con turned his head to her. “We’ll do what we’ve always done. Our vow to the mortals hasna changed.”
Maybe it should.
Dmitri frowned as the words ran through his head. They weren’t his. Well, they were, but he didn’t mean them. Did he? He rubbed his temple as another headache began to pound.
The humans are nothing but trouble.
He clenched his teeth, hoping the words would stop. As the pain abated, he began to relax. It was only when he raised his head that he realized everyone was watching him.
Rhys and Kiril looked as dazed as he felt. But it was Con rubbing his temple that caught his attention.
Dmitri glanced around, but none of the other Kings was having the same reaction. It was just those who had been in the grotto with Faith and the bones.
“What’s going on?” Kiril asked tightly.
Rhi jumped off the boulder and made her way to the three of them. “What is it?”
“An overwhelming urge to kill every human,” Rhys said.
Dmitri closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing because as soon as Rhys spoke the words, the anger surged again.
“Listen to me,” Rhi said. “Listen to my voice.”
Dmitri shook his head because it felt like a thick fog was enveloping him.
“Dmitri,” Rhi said as she faced him. “You have to focus on one thing. Something that gives you strength.”
Faith.
He saw her face in his mind. She was smiling at him, her sherry eyes filled with desire.
Human. Mortal!
“Nay!” he bellowed and clawed at his head.
Through his lids, he saw something bright flare, and then felt a zap of magic. When he next opened his eyes, Rhi was there.
She smiled and gave him a pat on the arm. “You worried me there for a sec, sweet cheeks.”
Dmitri frowned. “What just happened?”
“Me,” Rhi said with a wink.
“Rhys!”
“That’s Lily,” Rhys said, his head jerking toward the tunnel.
Dmitri followed Rhys and Kiril out of the cavern since it was Lily who was supposed to be watching Faith. Worry settled in his gut when he saw Lily throw herself into Rhys’s arms, her black eyes wild with panic.
Rhys held her face in his hands. “Calm down, sweetheart. What happened?”
“She touched it and fell. She just fell, and now she won’t wake up,” Lily said.
Rhys nodded, keeping his voice soft. “Who?”
Lily turned her gaze to Kiril. “Shara.”
Without a word, Kiril took off running.
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 the author of 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 Dark Warrior and Dark Sword series novels feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.
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Darkest Flame (Volume 1)
Fire Rising (Volume 2)
Burning Desire (Volume 3)
Hot Blooded (Volume 4)
Night’s Blaze (Volume 5)
Soul Scorched (Volume 6)
Passion Ignites (Volume 7)
Smoldering Hunger (Volume 8)
Smoke and Fire (Volume 9)
The Dark Warriors Series
Midnight’s Master (Volume 1)
Midnight’s Lover (Volume 2)
Midnight’s Seduction (Volume 3)
Midnight’s Warrior (Volume 4)
Midnight’s Kiss (Volume 5)
Midnight’s Captive (Volume 6)
Midnight’s Temptation (Volume 7)
Midnight’s Promise (Volume 8)
Midnight’s Surrender (Volume 8.5)
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
About the Author
Copyright Page
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
“Firestorm Part 3” Copyright © 2017 by Donna Grant.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover Photographs: Man © Fotorince/Shutterstock.com; Flames © Zffoto/iStock
Author photo © Kim Rocha
eISBN 978-1-250-14306-8 (ebook)
First eBook Edition: February 2017
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