by Victoria Zak
“I promise.” He kissed the top of her head. “Ye have nothing to worry about. We’ll find Leana and bring her home. Ye have my word.”
She wanted to believe him. However, she’d spent ten long years with the queen and seen the evil the fae was capable of. She wouldn’t rest until her sisters were home and safe, and the queen was dead. She looked up at Rafe.
“I have no doubt ye’ll protect me. And knowing yer wolf is back and stronger than ever, gives me hope.”
Rafe gripped her waist, pulling her close. He claimed her lips, kissing her with a passion that made Adaira grow weak in the knees.
The sound of someone clearing their throat broke the kiss. Adaira looked behind her as Teg stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “Brother, for a moment there I thought I was a dead wolf.”
Adaira and Rafe bellowed with laughter as Rafe put his arm around Teg.
“I’ve seen and heard some crazy things,” Teg said. “However, this tops them all.” Teg laughed as the three of them made their way back to the castle.
EPILOGUE
A DAY HAD PASSED since the gathering, and Adaira wasted no time getting right to work. Determined to succeed, she’d chosen her trusted advisors wisely to help her rule Clan Keith and East Dornoch. Seated at a table in the great room, Adaira looked out into the hall. Both wolf and man sat at opposite sides of the table. This was the first time since the battle they had met—tension was thick in the air.
Tegwyn and William sat to her right, holding back their snarls. To Adaira’s left, three humans, one of them Chattan, who had served under her father and Cormag. He was a seasoned warrior with a sharp mind. She knew if she could gain his loyalty, the others would follow. It was a challenge, for old clan wounds had never completely healed.
She looked further down the table to three empty chairs. It had been over a week since she’d requested Masie’s presence. She needed Clan Gunn in this fight against the fae. Since Masie was married to Laird Gunn’s brother, it seemed likely that their clans would unite, but with years of feuding, there was still bad blood between them. She prayed Masie could change that.
Adaira whispered to Rafe, “She should have been here by now. I can no’
stall much longer.”
Rafe placed his hand on hers. “She’ll be here.”
Adaira nodded. It amazed her how he always knew the right words to say.
He gave her the peace and strength she needed, for what she was about to do would either unite the clan or destroy their chances of defeating the queen.
“’Tis time.” Adaira glanced at Rafe.
“Ye must be wondering why I called a meeting. In the past, honor has
been forgotten. Our word has been tarnished by a man who hungered for power instead of fighting for his people. I want all of ye to know I will no’
lead in such a way.”
Adaira looked around the room. One warrior was completely ignoring her and sharpening his dirk. Another chuckled at her every word. These men weren’t taking her seriously. It infuriated her and the wolves.
Adaira spoke again. “I have a plan.”
“Aye, plan our next meal,” one of the men called.
Rafe stood and leaned across the table, glaring at him. “Heed my words.”
He slammed his staff on the table. “Ye interrupt the laird one more time, I’ll shove my staff so far up yer arse ye’ll be spitting splinters for weeks.”
The man fell silent.
Adaira continued. “There’s an evil out there unlike anything ye have ever seen. I know, because I’ve lived with it for ten years. She’s more powerful than any king. I need yer swords, yer shields, and yer unwavering will to battle for our lands and people.”
“What is this threat?” Chattan asked.
At that time, the doors to the hall swung open. “She’s evil. An Unseelie fae who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.” Masie, Kerr, and Bhaltair entered the hall. “Sorry we’re late, Adaira,” Masie said with a wide grin.
“Masie!” Adaira cried out and ran to her. She hugged her sister tight. “Ye came.”
“Do ye think I’d let ye kill the queen without me?”
Adaira welcomed Kerr and Bhaltair. “I’m so happy ye decided to join us.”
Bhaltair bowed and kissed Adaira’s hand. “We meet again.”
Adaira smiled. Hope filled her heart. Finally, she might have a chance of killing the queen and regaining their freedom once and for all.
“Are ye proposing for us to ally with the Gunns and kill an evil fairy? Are ye daft?” Chattan asked.
The Keith advisors laughed.
Adaira stood next to Chattan. “Humans are no’ the only living creatures.
There are things out there made up of pure evil. Things ye’ll never understand. If we allow the queen to go unchecked, she’ll only grow more powerful.” Adaira walked back to the head of the table. “Ten years ago, the queen tricked me sisters and me. She stole our freedom. She ripped us away from our family. She opened the veil unleashing her princes and wrath upon
our land. She’s the reason Beathen is dead. Cormag would not listen and accused me of cursing our clan. I didnae want the role of clan chieftain, but I will no’ stand by and allow the queen to take this land from us.”
Chattan’s expression softened. “We always wondered what happened to ye girls. And yer poor mum…God rest her soul.”
Adaira paused. It saddened her to have missed so much precious time with her mother. Adaira pushed those thoughts behind her. “This is an opportunity to unite Clan Keith, Clan Gunn, and the Honor Guard. I’ll need every one of ye.”
The room fell eerily silent. Adaira searched the men’s faces, waiting for them to respond. Their cold, hardened expressions were impossible to read.
With Rafe’s help, she knew she had the Honor Guard by her side. But what about the others? Would they trust her?
Bhaltair stood. “Our families have feuded for hundreds of years. ‘Tis time we unite. My lady, ye have our swords.”
Rafe stood and turned to Adaira. “My lady, ye have our power and loyalty.” He winked at her.
Chattan also stood. “Ye’re Doughall’s daughter.” He knelt on one knee.
“Ye have our trust. We’ll send the beast back to hell.”
“Rise, my lord. Ye shall no’ bow to anyone.” Tears welled in her eyes.
She couldn’t believe it. She now had her army and they were ready to fight.
“Men, I can no’ thank ye enough. I will no’ let ye down.” Adaira nodded, dismissing the men.
Masie ran up to Adaira and hugged her. “I can no’ believe it. Me sister, Laird of Clan Keith.”
“Och, Masie, I thought ye were mad at me for leaving ye at Ravens Landing. I was scared ye wouldn’t come back.”
“No matter what, ye are me sister. I’ll always be loyal to ye.” Masie looked around the room. “Where’s Leana?”
“Masie, I dinnae know where she is.”
“What do ye mean? I thought ye left Ravens Landing together.”
“We did. But we got separated.”
“Nay, Sister, she wanted to leave us.”
Adaira’s brows creased in confusion. “But why would she want to leave us?”
“’Tis the same reason ye left me at Ravens Landing,” Masie said.
Realization washed over Adaira. She knew exactly why Leana had left.
“She thinks she’s protecting us.”
“Aye.”
“Masie, I’m afraid. She can no’ take on the queen by herself.”
“I know. But she feels responsible for the mess we’re in. We need to find her.”
“I will go and search for yer sister,” Tegwyn said. “I know where to start.”
“And I will go as well,” Bhaltair offered. “I promised Masie I’d find Leana. I owe her for saving my life.”
Adaira looked at Masie, then to Rafe. “Teg is the best tracker in our pack.
He should go,” Rafe said. “I can s
pare fifty men, for we need the rest here to prepare for the queen.”
“Nay.” Bhaltair walked over to Adaira. “Too many men will scare her.
Just the two of us. That’s it.”
“I don’t need any help,” Teg said.
“I think Bhaltair is right,” Adaira said. “Teg, ye’ll go with him and find my sister. Kerr and Rafe, I’ll need ye here to prepare our men for battle.”
“Aye,” Kerr agreed.
“Now that everything is settled,” William said, “A celebration for the new chieftain awaits us. “Let the ale flow and the women be bonny.”
Adaira laughed as the great hall emptied.
Rafe took her in his arms. “My queen, ye were born to lead.”
“Does it bother ye?” Adaira touched the neckline of his tunic.
“Not at all. I already have everything I want right here in my arms.”
“I love ye, Wolf.”
“And I, ye.”
BOOK 3 WICKED DARKNESS - SNEAK PEEK
CHAPTER 1
Evil lingered in the air. And for someone like Leana, who had fallen from grace so long ago, it felt perfect. Masked by her black cloak, she slipped inside the familiar tavern she’d been visiting for over a month, chose her usual seat in the back of the room, and wondered where a certain woman had gotten to. Leana’s latest target, a lass that never deviated from her daily routine.
“Wine?” A voice asked a nearby patron.
Leana closed her eyes and breathed in the intoxicating fragrance of heather and bog myrtle. The killer inside her resurfaced, dominating her every thought. Her gums ached as she recalled how easily her fangs could rip into flesh. Especially the soft skin on a delicate neck. Ye must be patient, Leana, her darker side warned . She found it difficult to resist her natural cravings, that constant temptation to revert back to her lower self, the creature that preyed upon the weak.
Leana wasn’t ashamed of who or what she was—she wore it proud like a crown upon her head. She gripped the edge of the table, her sharp black nails splintering the wood. She hadn’t spent the last month studying Davina’s every move just to surrender to her hunger and ruin everything she’d planned so carefully. If she’d intended for the lass to be a simple meal, she would have killed her the first day. Nay, this time Leana had a purpose.
She’d watched Davina and knew her every move as if it were her own.
With her eyes closed, Leana heard the wine splashing into the tankard at the
next table, even smelled her hair. Her flirtatious laughter made Leana smile.
Aye, the lass was perfect.
Leana opened her eyes to find Davina standing next to her. The lass didn’t look well. Her eyes were swollen and red and her skin much paler than the day before.
“Mistress.” Davina coughed into a cloth. The stench of blood awakened the Baobhan sith’s hunger inside Leana.
“Please, sit,” Leana motioned to the chair across the table. “Ye need rest.”
“I can no’.” The lass looked around the tavern. “I must get back to work.”
Leana pulled back her hood and stared into the lass’s eyes. “Ye want to sit with me, Davina.” With a single look, Leana could influence the mind of a human, bend Davina to her will.
Confusion creased Davina’s face. “How do ye know my name?”
“There’s no one here but ye and I.”
Davina sat down.
Luck was on Leana’s side. The stronger willed the victim, the harder it was to manipulate their mind. But Davina was different—she was ill. Her mind was weak. “Ye are no’ well, lass.”
“How do ye know?”
“I can smell heather and bog myrtle on yer breath. Everyone knows that’s a remedy for fever. I know what ails ye.”
“How? Can ye see the demon?”
Demon? That was ridiculous. It was clear the lass was suffering from a weak heart.
“The priest said I should ask God for forgiveness for my sins. God is punishing me, but for what, I dinnae know.”
Leana held the lass’s hand. “There’s no’ demon in ye. Ye have a failing heart.”
Leana sat back, watching Davina. Compassion broke through her savagery, planting the tiniest seed of sympathy for the lass. She could heal Davina. “Keep yer promise to yer sisters. Dinnae take an innocent life,” her conscious warned.
But Davina had something Leana wanted—her life.
The unfortunate lass matched Leana in every way with her long red hair, slender body, and pale skin. She had no family, so no one would notice if she disappeared and Leana took over her body.
Faking her own death was the only way for Leana to trick the fae queen
into believing she had died. The queen wanted her, for it was Leana who had called upon the fae for help. She’d made the blood oath that had changed her sisters’ lives.
With Leana gone, her sisters, Adaira and Masie, would stop searching for her and live productive lives. It was the only way to protect them. In the past Leana had always tried to do the right thing, but always ended up hurting someone she loved. Not this time.
Leana exhaled. This wasn’t the time for her conscious to take a righteous stance.
“Lass.” Leana leaned forward. “I can take yer pain away. All ye have to do is ask.” If Davina wanted to end her suffering, it wouldn’t feel like Leana had taken an innocent life. The fae queen had taught her so well.
“I dinnae understand,” Davina said. “The priest said I would die. How can ye heal me?”
“Lass, I never said I would heal ye. All I said was I can take the pain away. No more coughing up blood, no more weakness, no more pain.” Leana looked around the tavern. “Ye would no’ have to work here anymore. Dinnae ye grow tired of men putting their hands all over ye?”
“Aye.” Davina coughed.
“Dinnae ye want to leave all this loneliness behind?”
“Aye.”
“I can give ye what ye seek.”
“Death?”
“All ye have to do is ask.”
Davina lowered her head. “I’m in so much pain.”
“I know, lass.” Leana squeezed her hand. Sorrow welled in Davina’s eyes causing Leana’s cold heart to crack with sympathy.
“I’ve wasted my life. I was too scared to live outside these four walls.”
Davina looked around the Tavern. “My dreams of marrying a loving man never came true. I should have conquered life and taken what I wanted.
Instead, I stayed here with the bottom of the barrel eejits.” Davina sobbed into her hands.
Leana caught a tear from Davina’s cheek. The loneliness, regret, and agony that plagued the lass filled Leana with immeasurable hunger. If she wasn’t careful, her inner beast would be unleashed. “Ask me,” Leana commanded.
Davina slowly looked up from the floor. She stared into Leana’s eyes,
completely bewitched.
“Good, lass,” Leana whispered. “Ye want to ask me something, aye?”
Davina nodded. “Take me to the void. Kill me.”
Leana’s lips curled into a wicked grin. The plan was working beautifully.
Manipulating Davina’s mind was too easy. “Ye will obey every word I say.”
Davina nodded.
“Ye can no’ breathe.”
The lass clutched her chest and gasped for air.
“Ye need fresh air. Go outside and wait for me.”
“Aye.” Davina quickly stood.
“Dinnae talk to anyone. Go unseen,” Leana said.
The lass made her way out of the tavern.
Relieved, Leana exhaled. No matter how many times she’d controlled a human’s mind, it still made her nervous. The mind was powerful and unpredictable. If one thing went wrong, an unexpected scream or a bold accusation against her, Leana could be accused of witchery and burned at the stake. Nay, she wasn’t going to become kindling for a bonfire.
Leana pulled her hood over her head and walked outside. Her new life awaited.
Leana licked her lips as everything turned red. Her fangs extended, and animal-like power consumed her. Shite, the beast was there. Like lightening, she stalked through the glen—ready to attack, ready to kill, ready to change her own life.
She found her prey standing beside the shallow grave she’d dug earlier.
“How long have ye been planning me death?” Davina asked.
The lass’s mind was under Leana’s control, so why was she asking questions? Had she missed something about Davina? “Who are ye?”
“Ye should know. Ye’ve been stalking me.”
What was happening? Had Leana been tricked? Was the queen behind this? Perhaps she should go before something happened…
“Dinnae leave,” Davina said. “I want to die. And it’s my choice. But why me? Why am I chosen?”
Leana didn’t know what to say, nor was she obligated to explain herself.
“The real question here is why I can no’ compel yer mind.” Leana studied
Davina. “What are ye?”
“What do ye mean? I’m an orphan. ‘Tis all I know.”
“But ye know who—” Leana paused. Mayhap the lass didn’t know that a blood drinker was standing in front of her.
“Know what?”
“The truth is, I want yer life and I can no’ have it if ye’re still alive.”
“Why would ye want to be me? I’m nothing.”
“Davina, yer life matters to me.”
“Why? Who are ye running from?”
Maiden, Mother, Crone. “It does no’ matter why I chose ye or who I’m running from.” Because ye’ll be dead. “Ye’ll no longer suffer. This life was no’ yers to keep. Face death and cross into the void knowing yer new life begins in another time and place.”
Davina braved looking at Leana.
The first time Leana had seen Davina, her eyes were filled with sorrow.
Perhaps that’s what had attracted her to Davina, for Leana knew endless suffering, too. Something altogether different shined in the lass’s eyes now.