Deadly Darkness

by Victoria Zak

  He’d rather die than fall on his arse one more time. He didn’t need a crutch.

  He needed his wolf.

  “I see ye’re still pouting like a child.”

  Rafe closed his eyes, irritated by his brother who was sitting at his bedside. “Who let ye in? Did Adaira send ye?”

  “Nay, I don’t need an invitation,” Teg said. “’Tis time somebody came in here and kicked yer arse.”

  Rafe laughed. “And here I thought ye were here to entertain me.”

  “This is no joke,” Teg huffed. “Stop feeling sorry for yerself and get out of bed.”

  Rafe glared at his brother. “I wouldn’t be in this predicament if ye and

  Adaira hadn’t taken it upon yerselves to interfere with my fate.”

  Teg stood. “Ye were dying. We did what any normal person with a heart would do.”

  “Yer heart has left me a cripple. What good is a warrior without his leg or wolf? Answer me, Teg. Then I might consider getting out of bed.”

  “Do ye think it was easy for me to make the decision? Ye’re still our Alpha, the pack needs ye. Adaira needs ye. Besides, ye still have yer other leg.”

  Rafe didn’t respond. Though he was furious, the sound of Adaira’s name still made his heart jump. How was he going to help her fight the queen when he wasn’t whole? Furthermore, the pack wouldn’t stand behind a weak leader. Nay, it was time to step aside.

  “I know what ye’re thinking, Brother,” Teg said. “Ye’re wrong. Where’s yer will to fight? Where’s the man who never breaks a promise? Ye promised Adaira ye’d help her fight the fae queen and find her sister.”

  Rafe sat up. “Do ye know how it feels to lose yer wolf?”

  Teg shook his head.

  “’Tis like there’s a hole in my heart, an empty pit that I cannot fill. Not even Adaira’s love can fill it.” He placed his hand over his chest, “I mourn for something I cannot have. I know I’ve made promises and it tears me up knowing I cannot fulfill them.”

  “Have ye tried to call forth yer wolf?”

  “Need ye even ask?”

  “Mayhap, ye need more time to heal.”

  “Teg, I don’t have time. The pack needs a strong leader.” Rafe reached over to the table next to the bed and picked up a brooch. He palmed the silver wolf head. “Howl at the moon often, my brother.” He handed over the alpha’s brooch. “Stay true to our oath.”

  Teg refused it. “No.”

  “Ye must. Adaira needs our pack to defeat the queen. Ye’ll need to be there for her.”

  “Coward.” Teg threw the brooch on the bed next to Rafe. “Once a wolf, always a wolf.”

  “Teg…”

  “Nay, I will not watch my brother surrender.” Teg pulled the furs off Rafe. “I’ll be outside preparing to defeat ye with my sword. Ye will fight again, wolf or not. Ye are the Mad Dog.” Teg turned and quit the

  bedchamber.

  Somewhere between the words coward and Mad Dog, something lit a fire inside Rafe. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  With determination, Rafe swung his legs across the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. He took the brooch and pinned it to his tunic. Aye, he was a wolf and it was time he started acting like one again. He reached for the walking stick, then stood on shaky legs. Being abed this long had weakened his body. His muscles strained to keep his big frame upright. There was no way he’d allow Teg to best him, though. The Mad Dog had been stirred to life once more.

  Rafe made it to the courtyard without falling on his arse. Mayhap the staff wasn’t so bad after all.

  “Ye’re here,” Teg said as he walked toward him with sword in hand.

  “I had no choice. I could not allow my wee brother to best me,” Rafe teased.

  “That’s the spirit.”

  Teg tossed Rafe the sword. Rafe caught it. They shared a brief smile, then quickly stood in battle stance. Teg charged first, lifting his sword above his head, then bringing it down like a hammer.

  Rafe didn’t have time to think, only react. He easily blocked his brother’s blow.

  “I knew ye still had it in ye,” Teg said through gritted teeth.

  Rafe shoved him off, staggering a bit. “I might have been kicked in the ballocks, but now I’m ready to fight.” One handed, Rafe swung his claymore in front of him. He lunged forward, barely missing Teg’s gut. “Aye, this feels good.”

  With every strike, Rafe grew more and more confident. Something powerful, unlike anything he’d felt before, surged through him, racing through his veins like fire. He was quicker and stronger. He had all his wolf senses, yet he was human.

  Rafe watched his brother as he circled Rafe like prey. Rafe tossed his sword to the ground, then gripped his staff in both hands. He grinned wickedly at Teg before he spun around on one leg with lightning speed. The staff connected with the back of Teg’s legs, sweeping them from underneath him. He hit the ground hard.

  “God’s bones,” Teg exclaimed. “Where did ye learn how to do that?”

  Rafe was as surprised as Teg. “I don’t know. I didn’t think about what I

  was doing. I simply reacted.”

  “Ye didn’t lose balance once,” Teg said with satisfaction. “Are ye sure yer wolf is gone?”

  “I cannot feel him,” Rafe said, confused about his newfound strength.

  “There’s something else inside me. ‘Tis different, stronger.”

  They both looked at each other, stunned.

  “Where’s Adaira?” Rafe asked.

  “I saw her on the other side of the bailey with a group of children.”

  Without delay, Rafe hobbled his way to the bailey as fast as he could.

  He found Adaira playing with three wee girls. They were dancing around in a circle, singing. Her beauty was breathtaking and her smile shined like a ray of sunlight. He listened to their song.

  “Have ye seen the wolf with big, sharp teeth? Oh, where could he be?”

  they sang.

  The girls called out, “Could he be in the kitchen eating our food?”

  Adaira smiled. “Now that he’s full, oh, where could he be?”

  “He’s sleeping in me bed,” one of the girls answered.

  Rafe chuckled. If they wanted to find the wolf, they didn’t have to look very far. Rafe approached the girls. As soon as Adaira saw him, she stopped and then started to sing again.

  “Have ye seen the wolf with the big, sharp teeth?” They circled around, and Adaira smiled. “Oh, where could he be?”

  Rafe lunged and growled. “Here I am.”

  The girls screamed. Two of them ran behind Adaira, hugging her. The third girl studied Rafe, unafraid. Her hair was long and black, her dark eyes shimmered as she smiled. She reminded him of Adaira when she was a child.

  “’Tis only Master Rafe,” the girl said as she ran up and hugged him, almost knocking him over.

  “Aye, I chased the wolf away,” he laughed.

  “Girls, go to the kitchen and fetch ye some food,” Adaira said.

  The youngest, with blonde hair and blue eyes, looked up at Adaira and smiled. “Thank ye, me lady.”

  Adaira wiped a smudge of dirt from her cheek. She bent down. “Any time ye’re hungry, come find me. Ye’ll never go without.”

  The wee lass nodded, then took off with her sisters to the kitchen.

  Seeing Adaira with children unleashed the primal beast within Rafe. He wanted to plant his seed deep inside her and watch as her stomach swelled

  with his child. Rafe took her in his arms. She let out a squeal of surprise. He cupped the back of her neck, pulling her into a kiss. “Christ, I’ve missed ye,”

  he whispered against her lips.

  “Rafe,” she said breathlessly, “I’m happy to see ye out of bed.”

  “I’ve been an arse. I’m sorry.”

  “Ye’re forgiven.” Adaira laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. “I can no’ live without ye, Wolf. I’m no’ sorry for what I did. I’d d
o it again it meant saving yer life.”

  “I know.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Have ye felt yer wolf?”

  Silence fell between them as they held each other. He felt her hold her breath as she waited for him to answer. He should tell her about the new strength he’d felt. But since he didn’t completely understand it, he decided to wait. Mayhap, it was his wolf clawing its way back to him, or it had everything to do with Adaira’s blood.

  “Ye are good to those girls.” He intentionally changed the subject.

  “’Tis a shame. Their parents died of fever and their grandmother can barely keep them clothed and fed.”

  “Is there anyone else in the family that can look after them?”

  “Their uncle, but he’s a drunk.”

  “Have the girls come live in the castle. Ye’d make an excellent mentor.”

  “Rafe, I’m a blood drinker. Once the girls find out, they’ll fear me.”

  “Ye cannot let them starve.”

  Adaira stepped out of his embrace. “Ye want them to come live with us, dinnae ye?”

  Rafe shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t say no if ye asked me.”

  Adaira smiled. “Can the girls live here in the castle with us?”

  “Thought ye’d never ask.” Rafe smiled and kissed her. “I’m forever under yer spell. Ye are the queen of my heart.”

  Adaira cupped his face and stared deep into his eyes. “And ye’ll forever be me wolf.”

  20

  ADAIRA SAT at the head table in the great hall overlooking her clan. The ceremony was over and she was now laird. They were her family and trusted her to defend their home, which quite frankly made her nervous. She wasn’t blind, nor deaf to clan chatter. While some clansmen welcomed the new change of leadership, others weren’t quick to accept the new laird.

  Convincing the warriors who were loyal to Cormag to fight her battles would indeed be a trying task. Without her sisters by her side, she wasn’t sure if she was up for the challenge.

  As she looked onward, Clan Keith was in full celebration. The tables were filled with tasty food and wine. Music played softly in the background.

  Mayhap her concern was misplaced.

  Taking in a calming breath, she looked at Rafe. His smile instantly melted away her fears. None of this would have happened without her wolf. With him by her side, there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish.

  Rafe took her hands in his. “What’s wrong.”

  “Nothing.”

  Rafe raised a brow. “I don’t believe ye.”

  Adaira sighed. “I haven’t heard back from Masie. I can no’ shake the feeling that she has deserted me. I didnae blame her. I left her.”

  Rafe kissed her hands. “Have faith. Masie will be here.”

  “I pray it true. We need Clan Gunn’s alliance if we are to defeat the queen.”

  “They will come.”

  Adaira smiled. “Ye give me faith.”

  Rafe leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  A servant who Adaira didn’t recognize filled her cup with wine. She reached for the tankard, but Rafe stopped her.

  “Don’t drink it.”

  “What?”

  Rafe studied the vessel. “She didn’t offer me any wine.”

  Adaira froze as she caught a sweet whiff of poison in the air.

  Rafe grabbed the tankard and sniffed the wine. “Poison.”

  “Poison?” Adaira gasped.

  “Someone wants ye dead.” Rafe quickly stood and began to go after the lass.

  Adaira grabbed his arm. “Wait. I’m going with ye.”

  “No. ‘Tis safer if ye stay here.”

  “Rafe—”

  “Stop arguing with me. She’s getting away.” Rafe strode out of the hall, following the lass’s scent.

  Adaira slowly sat down. How could she be so stupid? With the fae queen wanting her dead, she should have taken in-depth measures to secure her safety. Adaira chuckled in disbelief. Mayhap this was the queen’s twisted way to send her a message. “Maiden, Mother, Crone.” Fear struck her to the marrow with thoughts of Queen Galanthus. What if the queen had found her?

  What if this was all a trick? What if this was the queen’s way of luring Rafe away to capture him?

  Adaira bolted from her chair; she had to find Rafe. As she left her chair, her knee slammed into something hard, knocking it over. “Och!” she reached down and rubbed her knee, then noticed Rafe’s staff. Why didn’t he have his staff? He couldn’t walk without it.

  Adaira grabbed the walking stick and strode after him, shouldering her way through the great hall. She was close to the door when Teg stopped her.

  “My laird, something is wrong, aye? Where’s Rafe?”

  “Aye, something is verra wrong. Someone tried to poison me and yer brother ran after her. He left this behind.” Adaira showed him the staff.

  “Shite,” Teg exclaimed. “I’m going with ye.”

  “Fine, we must move fast.”

  As soon as they were outside, Teg shifted into his wolf and immediately tracked Rafe. Teg was on the hunt, running fast through the village. Adaira had no problem keeping up with him, in fact she wished he would move

  faster. If the queen had laid one icy finger on Rafe, she’d kill her. Adaira sucked in a breath. She wouldn’t breathe easily again until they found her wolf.

  They came to an abrupt stop before they reached the forest. A silver and black wolf slinked from the tree line. Adaira locked eyes on the beast and gasped. “Rafe!” Thank the gods, he was safe.

  With Godspeed, she took off toward the wolf. As she got closer she noticed something wasn’t right. Not only was Rafe’s wolf back, he was twice the size and twice as menacing. “Oh god,” she exclaimed. Was this the Mad Dog?

  Not knowing if her wolf was Rafe or the Mad Dog she abruptly halted, creating distance between them. Suddenly, Teg leapt in front of her with his fur raised, growling low and deep at his brother as to warn him to stay away.

  Rafe snarled and snapped back.

  A chill swept over her; different form the frigid forest weather. A dark coldness froze her where she stood as the wolves’ guttural growls shook her to the core. Their lips were raised, foam flung from Rafe’s mouth as he snapped his teeth at Teg. Never would Adaira have thought she’d be stuck in the middle of a standoff between two powerful wolves.

  The tension between the brothers was about to break. If she didn’t do something to end this, one of the wolves blood would be on her hands—and by look of Rafe’s blade-sharp teeth, it would be his. Swallowing past the fear, she took a step out from behind Teg. Deep in her heart she knew Rafe would never hurt her so she began to walk closer to him. Teg snarled, disapproving.

  She turned around and glared. “Teg, this is yer brother. Stop it.”

  Teg howled as if he was calling the pack. He wasn’t backing down.

  “Please, Teg. Let me handle this,” Adaira begged. “I know Rafe. He will no’ hurt us.” She turned back around and continued to approach her wolf.

  As she came closer, the wolf became more fascinating. It wasn’t the size of the massive beast that caused her blood to chill. Nay, there was something different laying behind his sliver depths—a darkness she knew all too well.

  “What have I done?”

  Rafe flattened his ears as she stood in front of him. “Why didn’t ye tell me that me blood has changed ye?” She tossed the staff next to him.

  Rafe whimpered as he looked away from her.

  “Rafe, dinnae hide behind the beast. Shift, we need to talk.” Adaira placed her hands on her hips. Damn him for keeping a secret.

  The wolf shook its head. Apparently Rafe didn’t want to talk.

  “How long have ye known?” Spellbound by the beast’s beauty, her anger softened as she ran her hand down the side of his neck, admiring the softness of his fur. Rafe’s wolf had always been masculine, but this creature standing in front of her was exuding vigor. She cupped his face, bringing his e
yes to hers. “Ye are an amazing beast.”

  Rafe nudged her cheek with his nose. She closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her face. “I’m so sorry, Wolf.” She held her head in her hands and fell to her knees. Not in her wildest dreams had she thought her blood would do this to him. Aye, she knew when she saved Rafe that her blood might kill his wolf. However, she didn’t realize it would have the opposite effect.

  His strong hands held hers and pulled her to her feet. She opened her eyes, and Rafe was now in human form. “I wanted to tell ye, but I wasn’t sure what was happening to my wolf.”

  “Rafe, I had no idea me blood would do this to ye.”

  “Adaira Keith, there’s nothing to be sorry for. Ye have given me strength beyond compare. ‘Tis like a surge of power is pulsing through me. My senses are keener. My wolf can see in vibrant color and I can feel the earth pulling me toward something. Something even more powerful.”

  “It’s a curse.” Adaira looked away.

  “What do ye mean, a curse?”

  Adaira took a deep breath. She had to warn him even if the ramifications of her actions would mean losing him. “What ye’re feeling is blood lust. Ye must be careful.”

  “I can handle it. I don’t understand yer reaction to this, Adaira. Take comfort that I can now protect ye and the clan better than before.”

  “Nay, I dinnae take comfort in knowing what I’ve created.” Adaira stepped out of his embrace. “Everyone has a dark side. The curse intensifies the darkness. I have turned that darkness into evil.”

  “My heart’s queen, ye’re wrong.” He pulled her close. “Ye have given me a gift, and I fully intend to use it with great care. I would have never been able to track a fae without these new strengths.”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “That lass who tried to poison ye was fae. I tracked her to a fairy mound where she disappeared.”

  Shocked, Adaira looked up at him. “Ye found the fairy mound?”

  “Aye. ‘Tis far south from here.”

  “Ye found the queen.” Adaira’s heart plummeted to her stomach. She had been right. The Unseelie fae queen knew Adaira’s weakness was Rafe, and she would use him to get to her. “Ye must never go inside. Please promise me. The queen will take ye away from me.”