by Donna Grant
It would be easier for the Dark to capture him if all of them knew who he was, but it reaffirmed his suspicions about Farrell. The jackass was trying to capture him on his own. Kiril was going to make him pay for thinking it was that easy to take a Dragon King.
The sun was dipping low in the sky when Kiril walked into a store with several Dark Fae about. He made his way to the cashier and asked, “Do you know the address of the Blackwood residence?”
The female Dark quickly shook her head and disappeared through a door to the back. Kiril turned and started to walk out when a Dark stepped in front of him.
Her black and silver hair was trimmed close to her head, and she wore a nose ring. Heavy makeup covered her face, especially her eyes. She tapped the toe of her combat boots on the floor in time with the smacking of her gum. “Why do you want the Blackwoods?”
Ah. Finally someone willing to talk. Kiril knew it would happen eventually. “It’s business.”
“You know they’re a family you don’t want to mess with, right?” she asked in her thick Irish accent.
Kiril smiled. “I appreciate the warning. Will you give me the address?”
She chomped on her gum for a few seconds before she too smiled. “If you’re senseless enough to go there knowing what awaits you, who am I to stop you?”
Kiril walked out of the shop with a destination—and a purpose.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Shara woke from her position in the high-backed chair and turned her head. To lock gazes with Balladyn.
His red eyes blazed with a craving a blind woman could see. She swallowed, unsure what to say. It had been hours since he had left her to attend to his business. When he held out his hand, it never entered her mind to refuse him. In the time she had been with Balladyn she’d learned that no one refused him anything.
“You remained.”
She glanced at their joined hands. “You asked me to.” What else was she to do? Leave after he’d told her to stay? Return to her family? As if.
“You didn’t leave my chamber.”
Shara tilted her head as his words sank in. “You had someone guarding me?”
He was no better than her family keeping watch over every move she made. The fury that erupted within her was fierce and overwhelming.
Balladyn simply raised a black brow. “The guard was there to ensure that no one bothered you as well as to see to anything you needed.”
Shara looked away. Her chest heaved from the anger swirling within her. She wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t sure she could. Would she be trading one prison for another with Balladyn?
“There are … things … in my fortress that could harm you should you encounter them,” he said into the silence.
She smiled tightly, still refusing to look at him. The fact he wouldn’t release her hand was all that kept her next to him. “Right. Just as my family locked me away for my own good.”
Balladyn tightened his fingers on her hand and pulled her closer until their bodies touched. Then he placed his other hand against her chin and turned her face back toward him. He looked intently into her eyes. “You’ll know if I ever imprison you, Shara.”
“Because you’ll tell me?”
“Because you’ll be in chains.”
Shara held back a shudder. Barely. “Do you hold many prisoners?”
“A few. Most are Dark who have gone against Taraeth or need … persuasion of some kind.”
She couldn’t believe she was even considering asking him about Rhi, but she hadn’t been able to forget Kiril’s words. He had called the Light a friend. She didn’t think any Fae—Light or Dark—were friends with the Dragon Kings. At least that’s what she had been taught.
“What else do you have here?” she asked.
He smiled and loosened his hold on her hand. “An enemy of mine. A Light Fae.”
Her shock wasn’t faked. She had thought Kiril might be wrong in who he thought had taken Rhi. But he hadn’t been. She grabbed his arm with her free hand, her eyes widening. “Are you serious? You actually have a Light?”
“Why is that so surprising?”
“I’ve never seen a Light Fae.” It wasn’t a lie. “Are they as silly as we’re taught?”
Balladyn studied her carefully. “I was Light.”
“I know.”
“I was one of their fiercest warriors, Shara. Do I look silly?”
Of all the words she could have chosen, she had to use that one. Just great. “You’re Dark now. I assumed you became who you are once you came to us.”
“I didn’t come to this side. I was taken wounded off the battlefield,” he said softly, severely.
No wonder he considered Rhi an enemy. Had she been with him when he was injured and left him to be taken by the Dark? Shara didn’t want to feel sympathy for Balladyn, but she did. She cupped his face before she could think twice about it. “I’m sorry you were taken from your home.”
He covered her hand so that he held each of her hands in his. “A Dark who feels compassion?”
Shara looked away, suddenly fearful of the empathy she had shown him. It wasn’t what a Dark would do, should do. She pulled away from him and took several steps back. The fact that he had released her couldn’t be a good sign. She fisted her hands to stop them from shaking. Associating with someone like Balladyn could either mean good things or very, very bad things.
One little comment could seal her doom.
His arms dropped to his sides. “Stubbornness, willfulness, and compassion. The first two are traits pushed for in the males, but certainly not females. Nay,” he continued in a calm, smooth voice. “Females need to be compliant, subservient, and respectful.”
She held his gaze while trying to figure out what he was going to do with her. He was so composed and unruffled that it set her on edge.
“You, a daughter of a high-ranking family, killed human females that were in service to your family. Why?”
Not once had she ever thought she would have to defend her actions outside of her family. Yet here she was. Was it a simple question, or was she on trial? “Does it matter?”
“It does to me,” Balladyn answered and crossed his arms across his chest.
Shara had once tried to explain herself to her family, but they hadn’t wanted to listen. Balladyn would be the same, she was sure of it. No matter what, she had to give him an answer.
“I was with them on the streets of Cork. I ate with them, drank with them, and kidnapped them for my family. I knew the vivacious women that they were before they were reduced to crying masses begging me to help.”
“Begging?” Balladyn asked with a frown.
Shara laughed as she recalled how two of her female cousins had each held one of her arms to keep her immobile. “Didn’t Farrell share that part? They made me watch. Farrell thought it would affirm what it was our family did.”
“And you had never seen a Dark male take a human female before?”
“No. I knew it occurred. I just didn’t realize what it would do to the females.”
“So you killed them.”
“Yes. Farrell wanted to kill me right then and there, but my uncle brought me before my father.”
“Obviously your father disagreed with Farrell.”
Shara loosened her fingers. If she were going to die, then she would do it with courage. “Is that why you kept me with you? You wanted to know everything? To see if I would screw up and prove that I wasn’t a true Dark?”
A full minute passed in silence before Balladyn dropped his arms and turned on his heel to walk to the door. “Follow me.”
Her legs were shaky and her feet heavy, but she fell into step behind Balladyn. His strides were long, making her quicken her pace to remain with him. He took her downstairs below the great hall to the dungeon. Balladyn didn’t stop until he stood in front of a solid metal door. Shara looked from the door to him.
“Go inside,” Balladyn said in a hard voice.
So this is what was to
become of her. He had said she would know when he imprisoned her. From one prison to another. She clenched her teeth when he made her open the door. Only a certified ass would make a prisoner open their own cell door.
The heavy door swung open silently. Shara peered inside the dark prison to see someone chained at the far wall. The prisoner’s head hung to their chest as they were half-lying, half-sitting up.
“Meet Rhi,” Balladyn said from behind her.
Shara was aghast at the sight of the Light Fae. She jerked her gaze to Balladyn. “Why did you bring me here?”
“To show you what I’ll do to anyone who dares to say you’re inferior.”
Shara blinked, thoroughly confused. “You aren’t … disappointed in me?”
“Quite the opposite. Most Dark go blindly quenching their needs and desires. They think of no one and nothing but themselves. You have a strong mind and a strong will to do what is right for your people.”
Why then did she want to rush back to Cork so she could tell Kiril she knew where Rhi was being kept? That had nothing to do with the good of the Dark, and everything to do with … Kiril.
“You think instead of just acting on what is expected of you.”
Shara looked back at Rhi. The Light Fae was covered in filth, her black hair hanging limply around her. At first glance, Rhi looked dead. She didn’t have to ask to know that Balladyn had spent the night torturing Rhi. Was that what was needed to turn a Light to the Dark side? Is that what had happened to him?
“Do you remember being Light?” she whispered.
“It’s like it happened to another person, but I do retain some memories.”
“How do you turn a Light to Dark?” She really didn’t want to know, but she had to have the information. For herself and for Kiril.
“Torture is always a good start. It takes decades, and sometimes centuries for a Light to turn.”
Shara closed her eyes. Balladyn said it with such matter-of-factness that she didn’t doubt him. “And no Light can withstand this torture?”
“It’s not just the torture. We get in their heads and learn what they care about the most. Then we use it against them.”
“Who does Rhi care about the most?”
“Her Dragon King lover.”
Shara’s eyes snapped open. So it was true. She looked at Balladyn. “Why are you the one with Rhi? Why doesn’t Taraeth have her?”
“Because I want my revenge,” Balladyn said through clenched teeth.
She took a step back and ran into the door. She knew she should leave well enough alone, and yet she asked, “For what?”
“She was my friend, the only family I had. She left me on that battlefield to be found by Taraeth.”
“Do the Dragon Kings know you have her?”
“I doubt they’ll care. Her lover left her,” Balladyn said with a triumphant grin. “They don’t care about her no matter what she might hope for.”
Shara looked at Rhi again. If only Balladyn knew the truth he wouldn’t be so cavalier. Shara had seen the look in Kiril’s shamrock green eyes. He would find Rhi. What she wouldn’t do to have someone feel that way about her.
Balladyn suddenly took her hand, turning her attention back to him. “I want you as mine, Shara. I want you to rule this fortress beside me.”
He was offering exactly what she had hoped for, and yet she was finding it difficult to say yes. Thankfully, he didn’t give her a chance to answer.
“It starts tonight,” he said and pulled her out of the cell to close the door. He had his hand on her back as he guided her out of the dungeons.
“What starts tonight?”
“Us seen together.”
Together? Hadn’t they already been seen by everyone in his compound? And then it hit her. “Seen where?”
“I thought it was time I visited an Doras.”
“Farrell will be there,” she said as she reached the top step and walked down the long corridor to enter the great hall.
Balladyn chuckled and wrapped his arm around her. “Exactly. I think it’s time he and I had words. He needs to know it won’t be him who captures the Dragon King in Cork. It’ll be me.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Kiril had no trouble finding the exclusive residential community on the outskirts of Cork’s city center. He drove through the neighborhood until he found the address.
The white house was three stories and had sweeping views of the countryside with the River Lee edging the back gardens. It was grand and imposing. Exactly the type of house a Dark would occupy.
He parked the car in the drive and stared at the house for a moment. Kiril half expected Farrell to come rushing out demanding that he leave. The quiet belied the evil that resided within the house.
Kiril walked to the front door as the last light of the day faded. He didn’t have to wait long after his knock. A female Dark in a black dress and white apron opened the door. The image she presented was so stereotypical that Kiril had to fight not to laugh.
“Yes?” she asked haughtily.
“I’m here to see Mr. Blackwood.”
“He’s not in,” she said and tried to close the door.
Kiril stuck his foot in to stop the door from slamming in his face. “He’s going to want to hear what I have to say. Get him. Now.”
She glared at him with red eyes before she looked down at his foot. “I’m not letting you in. Move your foot so I can close the door while I find him.”
He removed his foot. A heartbeat later the door shut. Kiril stared at the black door. If he had to, he would break it down to get their attention.
As the minutes stretched on, he was getting ready to do just that when the door opened again. A male with short silver hair combed back stood in the doorway regarding him with narrowed red eyes. He wore a thin black sweater with the sleeves pushed up over his elbows and khaki pants.
By the absence of black in his hair, Kiril guessed the Dark to be several thousand years old. Just a drop in the bucket of the years Kiril had walked the Earth.
“How did you find me?” Blackwood demanded.
Kiril lifted his shoulders with indifference. “Does it really matter?”
“It does. They’ll be taken care of,” Shara’s father said coldly. “Just as you will be.”
Kiril narrowed his gaze on the man. He held the youth and beauty of a Fae, but evil left marks that couldn’t be hidden like the silver hair and the fading radiance of a Fae. “I doona take kindly to threats.”
“It’s not a threat.”
“You want to do this here?” Kiril asked and swept his arm to indicate the quiet neighborhood. “Amid all the proper humans? I’ll be happy to.”
The Dark crossed his arms over his chest, his nostrils flaring. “What do you want?”
“Shara.”
“So she did get to you,” he stated with a triumphant grin.
“I want to see her.”
“She’s not here.”
Kiril bristled at the icy tone. As much as he wanted to see Shara, it wasn’t why he had really come. Nor did he believe Blackwood would send Shara out if she were home.
“Is that all?” Blackwood asked with a snort. “You came here begging for my daughter like a lovesick fool?”
Kiril merely smiled. “Nay. I came for something else entirely. I just wanted to see if Shara was about.”
“And what might that be, Dragon King?”
“The games Farrell are playing are getting old. If he wants to attempt to capture me, tell him to get on with it.”
Blackwood dropped his arms and stepped out of the house. “You have some nerve coming to my home and threatening me.”
Kiril laughed and shook his head. “Ah, the thought process of a Dark never gets old. And just so we’re clear, that isna a threat.”
He turned on his heel and walked to his car. Kiril wished the arse would try to take him then, but nothing happened. He got into his car and drove away with Blackwood still standing in the doorway.
And he refused to leave Ireland without some idea of where Rhi was. No matter what Con said.
Kiril wouldn’t be captured. He had no woman they could use against him, because though he hungered for Shara, she was one of theirs. They wouldn’t harm her.
He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It was why his plan was going to work so perfectly. The words exchanged with Blackwood would put things into motion. Farrell was greedy and wanted the recognition for being the one to catch a Dragon King.
As for Shara … her actions would prove her innocence or guilt with her family.
Kiril drove into Cork and parked. He closed the roof before he walked into the steakhouse. He sat at the bar and ordered a pinot noir as he waited for his table. His glass was barely half empty when he was seated at a secluded booth in a corner.
He lifted the menu to look at it when someone slid into the seat opposite him. Kiril lowered the menu to see none other than Farrell.
“You want a war, Dragon King?” Farrell leaned over the table and spoke through tight lips. “I’ll give you one.”
“The Dark already began the war, imbecile. Had you no’ been playing at leading, you might know that.”
Farrell’s left eye began to twitch at the corner. “Playing? You think I’ve been playing?”
“Some are born to lead. Others to follow. I’ve known what you’ve been about since the first time I met you.”
“Liar.”
Kiril leaned back and rested one arm on the backside of the bench. “Your skills at deception are in need of work.”
“You don’t know everything,” Farrell said with a smirk.
Kiril wondered if he had ever been so young and stupid. “You mean Shara? I saw through her glamour immediately.”