Night's Blaze: Part 1

by Donna Grant

  Then it occurred to her that she was seeing a part of Dreagan she shouldn’t, a part that could help Dennis on his quest.

  Chapter Ten

  Rhys halted when he caught a glimpse of black hair. He knew without having to see her face that it was Lily. It never occurred to him that Lily shouldn’t be on the other side of the hedge. All that mattered was that he be near her.

  Her head turned toward him, the wind pushing her hair out of her face. That’s when he saw the bruise on her left cheek. When had that happened? There was nothing on her cheek when he left her last night. He took a step to go after her when he was hauled back.

  Rhys jerked his head around and glared into Warrick’s cobalt eyes. “Let go,” he demanded.

  Warrick lifted a blond brow. “She’s leaving with Denae, or did you forget that?”

  “I didna.” Actually, he’d forgotten everything, including the fact he couldn’t shift again, once he saw Lily. “Did you see her face?”

  Warrick sighed and dropped his hand. “Were you no’ listening at all when Jane told us Lily’s explanation just a few minutes ago?”

  In truth, Rhys hadn’t paid a bit of attention to anything anyone said. His thoughts alternated between wanting to find Ulrik and confront him or kill him—or both—and Lily.

  The things he wanted to do to her body made him ache, made him burn with need. And that burn was quickly turning into a blaze. He craved her touch, pined for her smile.

  Hungered for her kiss.

  “That’s a no then,” Warrick said with a twist of his lips. “Why even bother coming to the meetings if you are no’ going to pay attention?”

  “Because Con drags me to them.” Rhys turned his gaze back to Lily, watching her long skirt drag the ground as she follow Denae to the garage that held most of their cars. “How did she get the bruise?”

  “She told them she tripped on her skirt and fell, hitting her face on the sidewalk outside her flat.”

  Rhys wasn’t so sure he believed the explanation. He hadn’t been staring at her cheek when he was with her last night, but he was sure he would’ve noticed if she were hurt. Besides, if what Cassie told him was true, then it was a man who had done that to her. Was it the same one Rhys saw leaving her flat? Was that what was wrong with her?

  Anger ripped through Rhys. He’d been so intent on his desire he hadn’t put two and two together. “That is a substantial bruise.”

  “Some humans bruise easily.”

  Rhys grunted as Denae drove off in the white Mercedes G-class SUV. “Surely those two are no’ driving to Edinburgh.” If so, he was going to follow.

  Kellan walked up on Rhys’s other side. “They’re taking a helicopter I rented for my woman.”

  “Helicopter?” Warrick gave a long whistle. “I’m surprised you are no’ trying to talk Con into buying one.”

  Kellan shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest. “No need. I bought one myself. It’ll be here in a few weeks. Until then, I’d rather keep Denae off the roads if I can.”

  Rhys knew it was because Ulrik’s men had sabotaged Iona’s father’s vehicle, killing him. “Our enemies could get to a chopper as well,” Rhys pointed out.

  “No’ when they doona know which service she’s taking,” Kellan replied with a grin.

  Warrick grunted. “You do know that since Denae is mated to you that she’s immortal.”

  “That’s no’ the point,” Kellan stated in a flat voice. “I doona like to even think of her being injured.”

  Rhys knew exactly how Kellan felt. But what nagged at him was the thought of not seeing Lily. “How long does Denae plan to be gone?”

  Kellan dropped his arms and turned on his heel. “I’ve no idea.”

  Rhys watched him walk to the garage and get into a Range Rover before driving off. “He’s following them.”

  “As would I if my mate left on such a trip after all that’s been going on, immortal or not.”

  Rhys fisted his hands. At least Kellan could protect Denae properly. He was all but useless. Thanks to Ulrik.

  Except for his magic. He still had his dragon magic, and that in itself was lethal.

  He turned his head to Warrick. “Fancy a drive?”

  “No’ especially. You doona want to follow them as well, do you?” Warrick asked with a roll of his eyes.

  “I’m headed to Perth.”

  Warrick’s face compressed in concern. “Shite. Con will have your head.”

  “Let him take it,” Rhys said as he started toward the garage. “I’d welcome it right now.”

  That wasn’t completely true. He wasn’t ready to let go of Lily. And that was the kicker. Rhys feared he would never be ready to let go.

  “Is she your mate?” Warrick asked as they reached the garage.

  Rhys was surprised Warrick followed. Warrick preferred to be on his own. Then again, each one of them wanted Ulrik to end his war. Rhys grabbed his keys off the hook. He didn’t utter a word until he was behind the wheel of his red Jaguar F-type. He left the top up and started the engine.

  “Maybe,” he finally answered. Was being in love the same as knowing she was his mate? Rhys had a feeling it was.

  Warrick got into the car and buckled his seat belt. He gave a shake of his head. “You’re certainly acting like she is. Why no’ just take her?”

  Rhys jerked his head to Warrick. “You mean like I’ve done countless other women? Lily isna like them. She’s a forever kind.” He paused and took a deep breath, letting himself calm. “And I’m no’ acting like she’s my mate.”

  “Aye, my friend, you are. Make her yours.”

  “I’d disappoint her, and that would kill me more surely than what Ulrik has done to me.”

  Rhys put the car in reverse and backed out of the garage. Once cleared, he shifted into first and drove away from Dreagan.

  “Several Kings have already been to see Ulrik,” Warrick said after a long stretch of miles in silence.

  Rhys gripped the wheel with both hands. “Perhaps. Then again, none of them had been hit with dragon and Dark Fae magic combined.”

  “He’ll never admit to doing it.”

  “I think he will. I think he’s waiting for me to confront him.”

  Warrick frowned. “Why do you say that?”

  “Ulrik tried to recruit Tristan. It wasna long after that when I was struck with that evil mix of magic. The only one stupid enough to mix dragon magic with a Dark Fae is Ulrik. He targeted me for a purpose. He knows I’ll go to him and demand to know his reasoning.”

  “I’m no’ sure it’s a good idea. I’m no’ saying I wouldna be thinking the same, but why get that close to Ulrik? He’s proven he can no’ be trusted.”

  Rhys threw him a dark look. “Con can no’ be trusted either, and yet we all put our faith in him.” Rhys could feel Warrick’s gaze on him, studying and watching. “Spit it out, Warrick.”

  “Are you going to side with Ulrik?”

  Now that was a question that hadn’t entered his mind until Warrick posed it. It would get Rhys inside Ulrik’s group and could end up helping the Kings. Then again, Ulrik wasn’t that stupid.

  “Never.”

  Warrick rested his elbow on the door and rubbed his hand over the stubble on his chin. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  Rhys glanced at him the same instant Con’s voice sounded in his head, a connection every Dragon King had.

  “Rhys?”

  Rhys ignored the King of Kings’ call, realizing Warrick had heard him as well. Pressing his foot to the accelerator, Rhys drove faster toward Perth.

  “You’re no’ going to answer Con?” Warrick asked.

  Rhys shrugged. “Why? All he’ll do is tell us to return.”

  “Rhys!” Con’s voice reverberated in his head.

  Blowing out a breath, Rhys opened the link and answered, “You’re no’ going to get me to turn around. I have to see the bastard.”

  “Fine.”

  Rhys blinked, unsu
re if he’d heard Con correctly. Since when did Con want them communicating with Ulrik? “What’s the trick?”

  “We think he knows where Henry is.”

  “That son of a bitch,” Rhys said and swerved to pull the car off the road.

  Warrick shifted in his seat. “I was hoping we’d have heard from Henry by now.”

  Con’s sigh was audible. “A human in the company of traitorous MI5 agents, Dark Fae, and Ulrik? How was he ever going to come out of it alive?”

  Warrick shook his head. “He was trying to help.”

  “He’s a fucking human!” Rhys said. “He should’ve stayed out of it!”

  Warrick’s cobalt eyes grew icy with rage as he stared at Rhys. “He’s a friend to us. How many others are willing to help?”

  Rhys knew Warrick was right, but that didn’t mean he had to like Henry putting his life on the line for them.

  “It’s because of Lily,” Warrick said so the conversation was between the two of them.

  Rhys looked out the windshield and felt the familiar pang in his chest whenever he thought of Lily. He’d never been more conscious of the fragility of a human’s life than with Lily. It was no wonder the Kings who were mated wanted to have the ceremony done quickly.

  Until the human was officially mated, she could die. Once she was bound to a King, she would never age, nor would she die unless her King was killed.

  Con said, “Go to Ulrik, Rhys. See what you can find out about Henry. Do whatever it takes to get the information out of him.”

  “I doona plan to leave Perth until I have my answers.”

  “Good,” Con said and disconnected their link.

  Warrick chuckled as Rhys pulled back onto the road. “I guess we’ll be staying in Perth for a while. You know as well as I that Ulrik isna going to give up that information easily.”

  “I hope he doesna,” Rhys said coldly. He was itching for a fight, and who better to take his rage out on than the one responsible for his predicament?

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Rhys shook his head. “I doona want Ulrik to know you’re with me.”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Warrick asked angrily.

  Rhys grinned. “Perhaps.”

  Read all four parts of this sensational e-series—and look for the full volume of Night’s Blaze in April 2015 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

  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 husband, two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

  Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.DonnaGrant.com, follow her on twitter@donna_grant, or like her Facebook page at facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant.

  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.

  “Night’s Blaze Part 1” Copyright © 2015 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 photos © by Shutterstock

  Author photo © Kim Rocha

  eISBN: 978-1-4668-6630-0

  First eBook Edition: March 2015

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