Dark Alpha's Demand: A Reaper Novel (Reapers) (4 page)

For two days, Talin walked the castle, listening to the inane talk of those at court. The longer he went without seeing Neve, the harder it was for him to keep a smile in place.

He missed her terribly. He wanted to search her out, but for his own sanity, he kept away.

Just as Death had expected, talk of Usaeil and the Dragon King was overshadowed by the idea of a Reaper at court. Then it shifted away from the Reapers, briefly, when anger began to build as the males became irate with the idea of Usaeil choosing a Dragon King over one of them.

The reasons and excuses as to why Usaeil should take one of the Light as her husband were varied, but all focused on one thing—children.

The Light may have sided with the Dragon Kings against the Dark eons ago, but that didn’t mean they wanted any involvement with them.

The exception to the rule seemed to be Rhi. The outrageous, wild, and sometimes reckless Light Fae was beloved by the majority of Light.

Talin was shocked by this. He thought it might have something to do with her affair with the Dragon King and the way it had so abruptly ended. Not to mention the love everyone knew she still carried for her King.

Then he heard a story about how Rhi had been so brokenhearted, she’d walked into the Dark side of the Fae realm where few come back. There was a small group who claimed that it was Usaeil who saved her. However, the masses said they knew it was her King.

No one knew why the affair ended, or why the King continued to keep his distance from Rhi—though there was also speculation that Usaeil had a hand in ending the relationship. One thing was for certain, everyone trusted Rhi.

Talin wondered if Daire knew all of this since he was trailing after Rhi. He couldn’t wait to ask Daire and compare notes.

The anger throughout the court might have begun with the thought of Usaeil with a Dragon King, but it didn’t take long for things to turn back to the Reapers. And that’s when everything got interesting.

All Talin had to do was sit back as one after another, the Fae began to claim others were the Reaper. Fights broke out. After one was broken up, another started. Magic was thrown until everyone quickly subdued both attackers.

After the fights came the explanations of why those accused weren’t Reapers. Talin learned countless things about the families at court, and he suspected there were many secrets spilled, as well.

By the third day, the accusations and fights continued. He kept out of the way, never condemning or taking sides. He merely observed.

During a fight, he saw some new rumor making the rounds as people began to talk. It didn’t take long for it to reach him.

“Did you hear?” the person next to him asked. “They say Neve Everwood has been hurt. It’s why she hasn’t been at court.”

“Hurt how?” Talin demanded.

The woman shrugged. “I don’t know.”

His orders to stay away from Neve be damned. He had to know what was going on. Talin stalked out of the ballroom, searching for anyone from her family.

It was Atris who found him.

“Talin,” Atris called.

He turned his head to find Neve’s brother running down the corridor to his right. “What’s going on with Neve?”

“Thank the Light I found you,” Atris said when he reached him. “You need to come with me.”

Talin didn’t budge. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

Atris halted, his brow furrowing. “Didn’t Neve tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

Atris’s shoulders sagged. “Someone has been stalking her.”

Dammit. He knew he should’ve pressed her further the other day. Talin’s need to get to her right then was overwhelming. “Is she all right?”

“She was poisoned. I found her.”

Poisoned? The room spun around Talin at the thought. “Where is she?”

Atris moved to stand in front of him. “First, you have to calm down. My parents don’t know yet.”

“They should.”

“They will soon. I need you with Neve first. You’re the only one I trust right now.”

Talin nodded. “Where is she?”

“At her flat. Listen, Talin, someone has been going through her things and moving items around in the house.”

Talin’s first thought was Bran. If he were at court, it would make sense that he would’ve seen Neve with Talin and gone after Neve as he had with Jordyn and attempted with River.

“What else?”

Atris hesitated for a second. “There were black roses left on her bed.”

In the world of the Fae, black meant Dark. None of the Reapers knew how Bran passed on the powers given to him by Death—or how he managed to retain them.

When Talin saw Bran, he hadn’t been Dark. Then again, Bran could’ve used glamour to hide that fact.

“I’ll go to Neve. You find your parents,” Talin said.

Atris nodded and turned on his heel before hurrying away. Talin made his way outside the castle and teleported to Neve’s flat.

His stomach was in knots. His chest was so heavy it felt as if every Dark pummeled him with magic. Talin was veiled as he walked around her building, looking for signs of Bran or anyone else.

There was nothing, which only frustrated him more. Talin unveiled himself in an alley and hurried up to her flat. He felt the magic around her door before he reached it.

As a Reaper, there wasn’t much magic that could keep him out. He sensed Atris’s magic added to Neve’s. That meant someone had passed through Neve’s strong magic.

A Dragon King could do that, but they had no reason to target Neve. That left Bran or one of his many Dark underlings. Talin didn’t know how long he had before Atris showed up with Neve’s parents.

He passed through the magic shields and spells to open the door. As soon as he entered the flat, he smelled the distinct aroma of poison infused with Dark magic. He paused long enough to put his own spell in place to keep anyone out that wasn’t a friend to Neve or himself.

Talin rushed into the bedroom where Neve lay upon the bed, unmoving. His heart stopped until he saw her chest move.

Humans believed the Fae were immortal. That wasn’t true at all. A Fae could be killed using a blade forged in the fires of Erwar—or by magic.

He slowly made his way to the bed. Talin sat and gathered one of Neve’s hands in his own. Her eyes fluttered open. It took her a moment to focus on him.

“Talin,” she murmured.

“It’s me. I’m going to watch over you until Atris returns with your parents.”

She swallowed, a shadow of pain crossing her face.

He rubbed his thumb in circles on the back of her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was bothering you?”

“I thought it was my imagination at first.” She had difficulty swallowing again.

Talin looked around and saw the glass of wine knocked over, the red liquid staining the carpet. The poison must’ve been in the wine. If he took it to Cael, they might be able to figure out what kind of poison—and magic—was used.

“And the flowers?” he urged.

She shrugged and looked away. “Perhaps a prank.”

“I wish you would’ve told me. I could’ve protected you.”

Neve’s gaze returned to him. “On one of the few occasions you’re here?”

He bowed his head. “Point taken. But had I known, measures could’ve been taken.”

“I took them,” she said angrily. Then she paused as she put a hand to her throat. “Whoever this is, got through the layers of magic I used.”

“Do you know who it is?”

She shook her head. “Atris and I looked into it a few days ago, but we found nothing.”

“You need to be somewhere more secure. I’m fairly certain your parents will feel the same when they arrive.” Talin glanced over his shoulder. Where was Atris?

“I can still feel the poison within me.”

That shocked him. He’d just assumed Atris was able to remove it all. Talin put his hand over her throat and mumbled a spell that would pull the poison from her.

Except it didn’t work. Not properly, at least. Talin felt some of the poison fade away, but not enough to heal her as she needed.

“You need to fight the poison and magic,” he told her.

She gave him a wry look. “I have been.”

“For how long?”

“Hours. Days,” she said with a shrug.

Talin didn’t like feeling helpless, and he was getting to that very quickly. “I think we should leave.”

“I’m not strong enough to teleport,” she said and closed her eyes. “I tried multiple times.”

If he took her with him, Neve would know one of his secrets. But if he didn’t get her out, there was a chance her attacker could return.

Though Talin wanted a look at him.

What he didn’t want was Neve caught in the middle of a battle, because that was exactly what would happen.

“
Eoghan.
Kyran,
” he called mentally.

He knew his friends would come immediately. Talin ran a hand over Neve’s forehead, using magic to make her sleep. He then stood and gathered the wine glass and the little bit of wine that was left within.

Talin walked into the kitchen as the door opened and Eoghan and Kyran entered the flat. He glanced into the bedroom to make sure Neve still slept as he greeted his fellow Reapers.

“What’s going on?” Kyran asked.

Talin held up the wine glass. “Neve’s been poisoned. There’s magic added to it.”

Eoghan frowned and jerked his chin toward the bedroom.

“She’s fighting the effects. Her brother found her. I thought Atris removed the poison, but I don’t think he could. I tried, but I was only able to eradicate a tiny bit.”

Kyran’s forehead furrowed deeply. “Do you know who did this?”

“No. It’s someone who has been harassing her, though. Atris told me her drawers have been gone through, things moved around the flat, and black flowers placed on her bed.”

“Now this.” Kyran crossed his arms over his chest.

Eoghan raised a brow and pointedly looked at Talin.

Talin sighed as he nodded. “I know it could be because of me. I’ve not seen Bran or any of his companions. A Dark, even one using glamour, would stick out at court.”

“Could this be because of her family?” Kyran asked.

Talin lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s what she believes.”

“But you don’t.”

“No.”

Kyran grunted loudly. “I don’t either. It’s no coincidence Neve was targeted after mention of a Reaper at court made the rounds.”

“We still need to check out her family. I want to rule out every possibility.”

Eoghan walked past them and began to look around the flat. Talin didn’t stop him. After all, no one knew Bran better than Eoghan and Cael.

“We need to get her out of here,” Kyran said.

Talin ran a hand down his face. “I know. I’m waiting for Atris to return with their parents. The two of you will need to hide when they arrive.”

“Of course. When do you expect him?”

“I’ve been expecting him. He found me first to watch over Neve while he found his parents. Atris said he didn’t trust anyone.”

“Eoghan and I’ll stay with Neve. Perhaps you should go look for Atris.”

Talin looked to the bedroom. “I left Neve alone once and she was nearly taken from me. I’ll not leave her again.”

An hour later, Talin had changed his mind. He, Eoghan, and Kyran had searched the entire flat. There were obvious instances where things had been shoved around in drawers instead of neatly placed as others were, but there was no hint of who poisoned Neve.

“It’s been over an hour,” Kyran said.

Talin clenched his teeth together. He knew exactly how long it had been. With every minute that passed where Atris hadn’t returned with his and Neve’s parents, Talin knew something had happened.

“When I leave, you must take Neve somewhere,” Talin told Kyran as he turned to face him.

The look on Kyran’s face said he wasn’t thrilled with that request. When he opened his mouth to respond, it was Eoghan who walked to them and gave Talin a nod.

“Thank you,” Talin told Eoghan.

He knew why Kyran faltered. Neve was a Fae, and Kyran was worried that Talin was in love with her. The problem was that Talin had begun to wonder himself if he had such feelings for Neve.

“Should you return to court alone?” Kyran asked.

Talin knew it was a risk he had to take. “I’ve no choice. I’ve always been alone.”

“I don’t think that’s wise this time.”

Talin shifted his gaze to Eoghan and shot him a questioning look. Eoghan looked to Kyran and nodded.

“All right,” Talin said. “Kyran will come with me. Where are you taking Neve?”

Eoghan shrugged and strode into the bedroom. He gathered Neve in his arms before returning to the living area. Eoghan pointedly looked at the wine glass.

Talin placed it on its side on Neve’s chest, the liquid still pooled within. Then Eoghan was gone. Talin didn’t like not knowing where he was taking Neve, but he trusted Eoghan to keep her safe.

“Ready?” Kyran asked.

He looked into his friend’s red eyes. “You’re going to need glamour to hide your hair and eyes.”

With a snap of his fingers, the silver in Kyran’s hair was gone, and his red eyes were replaced with silver. He smiled at Talin. “Satisfied?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

They arrived outside of the castle with the snow falling heavily. Talin looked at everyone around them. The Light were grouped in small numbers and talking quietly amongst themselves.

“The Dark court is loud,” Kyran leaned over and whispered.

“So is the Light normally.”

Talin made his way to the doors and entered the castle. There was an unusual and odd hush over the entire castle that prickled his skin with warning.

“Talin,” Kyran said.

He nodded as they proceeded further. “I know.”

They both walked cautiously through the main corridor. There were few Fae about. The ones they did see were gathered together, whispering.

Neither Reaper said a word. Talin couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow this involved Neve or her family.

Their boots didn’t make a sound as they strode into the main chamber. Of all the times Talin had been at court, he’d never heard the ballroom quiet. It was disconcerting.

He motioned for Kyran to follow him as he moved to the fringes. Talin didn’t trust anyone at court, so he wasn’t going to just walk up to anyone.

But it was easy to overhear things.

Just as Talin expected, it didn’t take long for him to discover what was going on. He came to a group of females huddled tightly together.

“The Reapers are real,” one said.

He and Kyran halted immediately. Kyran backed behind a pillar so he couldn’t be seen while Talin leaned against the wall.

“Does anyone know who it is?”

“No.”

“You’d think Usaeil would return after this.”

“Where is she anyway?”

“You mean with who?”

“Reapers. I just can’t believe it.”

“The Everwoods were taken so violently. Why do the Reapers want them?”

“Can’t be for good.”

“Perhaps we should leave court?”

“You can’t be serious? Where else would we get firsthand knowledge like this?”

“I don’t want any part of the Reapers.”

“Honey, if the legends are true, the Reapers will find you wherever you are.”

“Does anyone know if Neve was taken, as well?”

“Surely she was.”

“I haven’t seen her for a few days.”

“What if the Reapers took her first?”

“By all that’s magical, that must be what happened!”

Talin didn’t need to hear more. He pivoted and walked out of the ballroom. Neve’s brother and parents had been taken. He knew the Reapers hadn’t been part of it, but someone sure wanted the rest of the Light to think otherwise.

Bran.

“We don’t know where they were taken,” Kyran said as he caught up with Talin.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. And you know it.”

Talin halted and faced Kyran. He lowered his voice and said, “It’s somewhere in this damn castle. How else would everyone know?”

“We’ll learn a lot if we find the place.”

He knew Kyran was right, but Talin needed to get back to Neve. She had no idea about her family, and he wasn’t sure how much longer she could fight the affects of the poison.

As soon as Talin was outside, he thought of Neve and teleported away. Imagine his shock when he found himself in the middle of a forest with snow falling so thick he could only see a few feet in front of him.

“Where the hell are we?” Kyran asked from beside him.

Talin should’ve known Kyran would follow. He shrugged and walked through the piling snow. After a hundred yards or so, he stopped short when he saw the cottage.

It looked as if it had been plucked right out of the days of the Celts. It was large and round, with smoke coming out of the chimney.

“What is this place?” Kyran asked.

Talin felt the magic around it—Reaper magic. “I think it’s Eoghan’s. It must be where he goes off to sometimes.”

“I’ll be damned. Scotland? Why not Ireland?”

Talin walked to the door, Kyran a step behind him. When he reached the door, he thought Eoghan might be there to welcome them. But as he opened it, he discovered why he wasn’t.

Eoghan was sitting on a stump he used as a stool near the bed where Neve lay. He held his hands over her with his eyes closed. There was magic coming from him, but it wasn’t going into Neve. Instead, Eoghan was using his magic to pull the poison into himself.

After a few minutes, Eoghan tried to rise, but fell to his knee and dry heaved as the poison entered his body.

Talin rushed to him, grabbing Eoghan by the shoulders. Kyran helped Eoghan back onto the stool. Eoghan’s face was pale, and thick beads of sweat dotted his brow and ran down his face.

“What are you doing?” Talin demanded.

Eoghan had trouble holding up his head. He nodded toward Neve and then pointed at himself.

“This could kill you,” Kyran stated.

At this, Eoghan merely smiled sardonically. His eyes slid shut a second before he fell to the side.

Talin and Kyran were there to grab him, but then an extra pair of hands appeared. Talin looked up to find Fintan.

The Dark cut his white eyes to Talin. “Cael will be here shortly.”

“That’s good,” Kyran said through clenched teeth. “He’s damn heavy.”

Talin used his magic to call up another bed, and the three moved Eoghan to it. Only then did Talin turn back to Neve. She was so pale.

“How did Cael know where we were?” Kyran asked Fintan.

Fintan snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Cael is almost as all—seeing as Death.”

“Eoghan must’ve told him,” Talin said.

Fintan shoved him in the back. “I had Kyran going. You should’ve kept quiet.”

Kyran rolled his eyes. “I didn’t believe you.”

“Uh, huh. Whatever you say.”

Talin rubbed the back of his neck. “Where’s the wine glass?”

“Cael,” Fintan said.

That gave him a measure of peace. If anyone could discover what had been used, it was Cael. Not that it would do Neve any good in her present condition.

A shadow filled the doorway. They turned to find Cael, who walked inside to stand next to Neve. Talin had a dozen questions, but he held himself quiet until Cael looked at him.

“Eoghan has been pulling the poison from her since he brought her here,” Cael explained. “She was nearly dead, Talin.”

Talin’s knees almost gave out. “He saved her.”

“For now.” Cael released a breath. “The poison is a common one among humans called hemlock. It’s the added magic that’s causing the problem.”

“Because it’s dark magic,” Talin guessed.

Cael nodded. “Death is seeing if the specific spell can be determined. It was a good call getting the wine and the glass.”

Talin wasn’t sure it would be enough. He looked at Eoghan. “Will he be all right?”

“Yes. His body needs rest is all.”

At least there was that. Talin sank onto the tree stump. “Neve’s parents and brother were taken at the castle.”

“Taken?” Fintan repeated, surprise lacing his voice.

Kyran said, “I didn’t want Talin going alone. I heard the same thing he did. Everyone at the castle believes it was a Reaper who took the Everwoods.”

“The more I hear, the more I think Neve’s poisoning has to do with you, Talin,” Cael said.

Talin clasped his hands together and rested his forearms on his knees. “I’ve already come to that conclusion. I searched that castle. I looked at everyone. I never found Bran or anyone who I believed worked with him.”

“That just means they’re good at hiding,” Kyran said.

Fintan nodded his head of solid white hair. “Most likely, they were following you so they knew exactly when to stay out of the way.”

“I should’ve known.” Talin squeezed his hands into fists as the fury wound around him.

Kyran laid a hand upon his shoulders. “This isn’t your fault.”

“He’s right,” Cael said. “If it’s Bran or one of his men, he would know exactly what you’d do. What any Reaper would do.”

“Then we need to start thinking like Bran,” Fintan said.

Cael’s brows drew together. “I wouldn’t recommend that. It means you’d travel down the same dark path as he has. And you’d no longer be Reapers.”

“Then how do we fight him?” Talin demanded.

There was a long stretch of silence before Kyran said, “At court.”

Talin turned his head to look at his friend. “Have you lost your mind? We don’t want anyone to know we’re Reapers.”

“I never said we’d tell them.”

Fintan chuckled and dropped his hands to his sides. “I actually like this plan. Does this involve telling Neve who we are?”

“No,” Talin said the same time as Cael.

It was Cael who spoke then. “Neve will need to know about her family. She’ll do what any of us would in her place.”

Talin nodded as he looked at Neve. “She’ll want to return to where they were taken.”

“That’s where we’ll be waiting,” Cael said. “Veiled.”