Dark Alpha's Demand: A Reaper Novel (Reapers) (8 page)

Death stood before a window in her tower, looking out over the many shades of flowers surrounding the area but she didn’t see them. Her thoughts were on Talin’s mission.

There was a sound behind her. She waited for Seamus to speak. Though he was still her prisoner, she allowed him to wander a few places throughout the tower.

“You look troubled,” Seamus said as he walked to stand beside her.

“Cael is going after Bran with his men.”

“There’s something else.”

She sighed and turned her head to look at him. “I like my privacy. Perhaps it was a mistake to allow you to roam.”

Seamus threw up his hands and took a step back. “I thought you might want to talk. My mistake.”

When he turned and began to leave, Erith discovered she didn’t want to be alone. How odd, since she’d always been alone. And liked it that way. “I should be with them.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” Seamus said as he faced her. “I still agree with Cael, you should remain here.”

“I don’t hide.”

“No one said you were.”

Erith held out her arms. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. I don’t fear Bran.”

Seamus lifted a brow, silently questioning her outburst.

Fine. Maybe she did fear him. A little. But she was Death! She’d never feared anything before.

“We need to know how Bran is getting his power and passing it on to his army,” Seamus said into the silence.

Erith wearily shook her head. “I’ve tried.”

“While doing a million other things. Let me,” Seamus urged. “It’s what I do, Erith. I solve puzzles.”

He’d solved how to free Bran from the Netherworld. If anyone could figure this out, it was Seamus. It was too bad he couldn’t determine why her magic seemed to be fading.

“Yes. My library is yours to search,” she told him.

But Seamus didn’t leave. “I shouldn’t have been able to find the doorway leading to the Netherworld.”

“That’s right.” Her magic had hidden it for millions of years.

“If the doorway became visible that means—”

“Something is happening to my magic,” she interrupted him, her tone terse. He was putting it together anyway. The Puzzle Solver.

Erith sighed and turned her head away. Her magic had never failed her. Never. Why now? Why, when she needed it the most?

The only thing she could be thankful for was that Bran had been the only one to escape the Netherworld. She’d since moved the doorway from Ireland to her own realm, but that didn’t alleviate her worry.

“If I may be so bold,” Seamus said. “How long have you noticed?”

“I didn’t. Not until we discovered that Bran escaped, and I learned how you helped him.” That had been a vicious blow. If she’d known the particulars, she never would’ve allowed Cael to be in the room as she questioned Seamus.

As it was, Cael also knew something was off with her magic. It’s why he didn’t want her involved with catching Bran. It didn’t feel right to have anyone—especially Cael—trying to shield her.

Erith had never needed anyone.

It stung that she did now. Seamus was right, she couldn’t focus all her energy on finding out how Bran was growing his magic because she had other duties.

“There might be a connection,” Seamus said, tapping his chin with his forefinger.

Erith watched him with his brow furrowed and his face deep in thought. His silver—laced black hair became unruly as he raked his hands through it again and again. A habit when he was deep in thought. She could practically see him turning everything over in his mind.

“Yes. A connection,” he murmured to himself, his wide—set eyes looking about the room but seeing what was in his mind instead of what was actually there.

Without another word, he walked from the chamber. She watched him before turning back to the window and the sun sinking into the horizon.

The sky was a vivid pink and orange. It was a stunning sight she enjoyed immensely. Each sunrise and sunset was different. She never knew what colors would appear until it happened.

It was one of the few surprises that she actually enjoyed.

When the sun sank below the skyline, she turned away from the window and thought about Talin. And how he’d fallen in love with a Fae.

She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t killed Neve yet. Maybe it was because Neve’s family had been taken by Bran. Perhaps it was because Neve had pieced Talin’s identity together on her own without Talin letting anything slip.

It might even be because Neve knew what she’d risked by alerting Talin and the others to her knowledge of them being Reapers.

Erith also knew that Talin was furious with the entire situation. It wasn’t like she took pleasure in killing those who learned of the Reapers.

None would ever know how it took a piece of her soul each time she had to do it. But rules were rules. If only Neve were half—Fae and knew nothing of the Fae like Jordyn and River, then things would be different.

But Neve was from a large family with ties to the Light court and society. One small slip and everything could be ruined for the Reapers.

It wasn’t a chance Erith was willing to take. Above all else, the Reapers’ identities must be protected and kept secret.

* * *

Daire watched as Balladyn kissed Rhi. He wanted to gag. The Dark shouldn’t be anywhere near Rhi, but it wasn’t as if he’d say anything.

His mission to watch and follow Rhi while remaining veiled—and silent—had shown him a lot about the infamous Light Fae. Rhi had a thing for driving her Lamborghini around Austin, Texas.

She shopped endlessly for anything, but mostly shoes. It was like she couldn’t get enough. And the more unusual or beautiful, the more she had to have them.

Rhi loved to surprise the Dragon Kings—especially Con. She went out of her way to rile the King of Kings. And did it effortlessly. With style.

She had an obsession with nail polish, but not just any polish. It had to be OPI. Her collection rivaled that of her shoes and contained every color. When OPI came out with a new set of colors, Rhi was the first in line to get them.

And she didn’t just look at the polish. She used them. Rhi had her nails done constantly. A favorite nail tech named Jesse was the only one who ever touched her nails and painted the special designs.

What he learned most, however, was that she loved her people. Rhi looked out for the Light continuously. They had no idea how many times she’d put her life on the line for them.

Then there were the Dragon Kings. There were a few of the Kings she considered friends. She’d helped save their arses more times than he could count, and she had no intention of stopping.

Rhi was loyal beyond measure, exceedingly focused, and decidedly motivated. Right now, all of that was geared toward reminding the queen, Usaeil, that their people were more important than some movie.

At least, he wished she were focused on that instead of wrapping her arms around Balladyn’s neck.

Rhi was a gem of the Light, and Balladyn—regardless of the hero he’d been while he was a Light—was going to be king of the Darks one day.

Despite Balladyn capturing Rhi and attempting to turn her Dark, she’d forgiven him and taken him as a lover.

On one hand, Daire could understand. Rhi had been alone for so very long. She had no idea why the affair with her Dragon King ended or why her love went unanswered. She needed someone, and Balladyn had been relentless as he pursued her.

On the other hand, if Rhi still loved her Dragon King, she shouldn’t be with anyone. Much less the Dark who’d tortured her and tried to turn her.

Sometimes it was difficult for Daire to remain silent as he watched Rhi make decisions he could see were impacting her future. Yet they were her decisions to make.

“What is it?” Balladyn asked her.

Rhi pulled out of his arms and looked at the tropical isle she’d claimed as her own. “Did you find out any more on the Reapers?”

“Isn’t what we learned enough?” he asked, his face scrunched.

Rhi shrugged and kicked at the sand. “Are the Dark still talking about them?”

Balladyn’s lips compressed briefly. “More so now than ever. Stop looking, Rhi. You keep looking, and you’re bound to gain their attention.”

It’s what she wanted. Daire knew that, but Balladyn didn’t. She kept things from Balladyn, like her desire to talk to a Reaper—and the magazine that showed Usaeil with a blonde man.

Daire knew it all. Mostly because he followed her, but Rhi knew he was there. She spoke to him, not that he could answer. She let him see her sadness, her pain, and her heartache as no one else had witnessed.

It’s why Daire knew Balladyn wasn’t for her. Many times, he’d been tempted to answer when she spoke. There had even been one occasion recently where he’d almost told her he was a Reaper.

But he knew the rules.

Though none of the Reapers knew Death’s interest in Rhi, the fact was there was one. If he told Rhi who he was, she would have to die.

Daire agreed with Death—Rhi was important to the future of all the races on Earth—human, Fae, and Dragon King.

To what capacity, though?

Balladyn sighed loudly. “I must return. Taraeth is calling for me.”

After a quick kiss, he teleported away. Daire remained next to the palm tree, waiting to see what Rhi would do next. She spent a lot of time at the isle. When she wasn’t there she also liked to know what was going on with the Dragon Kings and their fight with one of their own—Ulrik.

“Your disapproval is like a cloud,” Rhi said as she turned to face Daire.

She couldn’t see him. She wasn’t even supposed to know he was there, but from the very first, she’d sensed him.

He crossed his arms over his chest. Damn right, he disapproved.

“I deserve some happiness,” she stated.

Everyone did. But most especially her. Rhi had hurt for so very long.

She faced the ocean. The wind blew the long, black strands of her hair about her. “I’ve seen Balladyn’s eyes turn silver.”

Now that truly shocked Daire. He moved to stand beside her, coming as close as he dared.

She bent and picked up a seashell. “He loves me, and I think there might be a chance to change him back to Light.”

The chance was slim, but Daire couldn’t argue that there was a possibility. It had been done before. Most recently with a female Dark who’d fallen in love with a Dragon King. But Shara had wanted to become Light.

Balladyn wanted to be king of the Darks. He couldn’t do that as a Light.

“He’s what the Light needs,” Rhi murmured, turning the seashell in her fingers.

Now that, he’d argue with. What the Light needed was their queen to remember her role, but that was unlikely to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, what the Light needed was Rhi.

Daire felt a disturbance he’d never felt before, like a shockwave went around the world. He waited to hear one of the Reaper’s voices, but there was only silence.

Unease shifted through him. His gaze jerked to Rhi.

A frown suddenly creased her forehead. She lifted her beautiful face to the sun. “Something has happened at court.”

In a blink, she was gone. Daire had no trouble following her. He appeared beside her in the hallowed halls of Usaeil’s castle.

It had been so long since he’d stepped foot in the castle, that he had the sudden urge to leave. But Rhi—and whatever had drawn her—held him there.

The quiet sent a chill of foreboding down his spine. There wasn’t a Fae in sight. It was as if everyone had vanished. Or fled.

As a Reaper, he wasn’t surprised to register that something had happened with the Fae. It wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last. But Rhi? He was curious as to how she’d found out that something was wrong.

Always more questions where the Light Fae was concerned. And he suspected he’d never learn the answers to any of them.

Daire was surprised when Rhi veiled herself as if she too sensed the lingering danger. Where were the Reapers? Daire held off calling to them until he learned what was going on.

He glanced over at Rhi. His Reaper magic allowed him to continue to see her, even veiled, but the same didn’t apply to her.

Her ability to remain veiled far longer than other Fae was something that confounded him. It was another reason he suspected Death was curious about the Fae.

Rhi took a deep breath and lifted her chin. The warrior rising to the surface in a rush. Her silver eyes stared straight ahead as if attempting to see through walls.

She cast a glance in his direction and gave a nod. Daire flexed his fingers as she called to her sword. It appeared in her hand as she took the first step.

They walked through the hallways and tall corridors, each on edge, waiting to find the source of what drew them.

They turned a corner, and Daire saw the other Reapers. That’s when he knew—this was about Bran.

The moment Talin and Neve arrived at the manor with Searlas, he was prepared for anything. Beside him, Neve held her head high, ready to face whatever came.

She was strong, but was she resilient enough for whatever Bran had in store for them? Because Talin could only imagine what the ex—Reaper planned.

There was laughter behind them. Talin whirled around to find Bran standing next to an enormous granite hearth with intricately carved details of cherubs and flowers.

Bran’s silver eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked at them. “I knew you’d come,” he told Talin.

The urge to move closer to Neve was great, but Talin held himself in check. The more he showed his feelings for her, the worse Bran would do to her and her family. “You requested someone to help negotiate.”

“Enough,” Bran stated harshly. Gone was all trace of mirth as he now glared. “We both know you came with the beautiful Neve because you’ve been wooing her.”

“So I have.” There was no need for Talin to deny it. Bran already knew. But just how much did Bran really
know
? That’s what Talin would have to determine while talking to a psychopath who sought everyone’s destruction.

Bran’s gaze moved to Neve. He took two steps toward her, appreciation filling his expression. “I’ve watched you for some time now. You’re amazing.”

“I’d thank you for such a compliment, if you hadn’t kidnapped my family,” she replied coolly.

Bran’s smile grew. “Ah, I do love that pluck. I’d caution you, however, because it could get your family killed.”

She held his gaze for a long minute. “What do you want from me?”

“It’s simple, really,” Bran said. He turned and clasped his hands behind his back as he stared at the fire, his head bent forward. “You have a choice to make.”

“What choice?”

“We’ll get to that in a moment.”

Talin had a sick feeling in his gut. Whatever Bran planned was far from good. The air was heavy with Dark magic, and he had no idea where the rest of Bran’s army was.

He could take out Searlas, but that would be too . . . easy. In the times Talin had battled Bran, he’d discovered that Bran liked to come at the Reapers with a move they weren’t expecting.

Talin had to make a quick decision. Go for Searlas, leaving Neve to defend against Bran. Or wait.

As difficult as it was, Talin waited. He clenched his hands at his sides, the need to go after Bran overwhelming as it mixed with his fury.

Bran’s head turned, his gaze locking with Talin’s. A small smile lifted one side of Bran’s lips as if he knew exactly the struggle within Talin.

“I want to see my family,” Neve said into the silence.

Talin glanced at her, silently urging her to remain quiet. But it was her family at stake. How could he expect her to stand there, waiting for the maniac to make a move?

Ignoring Talin, Neve said, “I’ve done what you asked of me.”

“Not all.” Bran’s gaze returned to the fire as if he were bored with them.

Talin looked behind him. The capacious room was filled with furniture from the human world, the opulence dripping from every piece staggering. In the far corner, dozens of steps away, was Searlas, wordlessly watching the entire scene.

As Talin turned back to Bran, he let his gaze wander the room, but he saw no sign of any Reapers, veiled or not. The situation was going from bad to worse.

They’d all assumed Kyran would be able to follow them to wherever Searlas had taken them, but what if he hadn’t. Talin would have to assume he’d fight Bran alone.

He wasn’t afraid to face Bran, but it wasn’t just Bran. It was Searlas and an entire Dark army as well. Talin was good, but not nearly good enough to defeat all of them and keep Neve safe.

His other option was to attempt to leave with Neve. She’d never forgive him for abandoning her family, but at least she’d be safe.

For how long, though? Bran would continue coming after her. Talin wanted to bellow his frustration.

“How much do you love your family, Neve?” Bran asked.

She briefly met Talin’s gaze. “Deeply.”

“I was so hoping you’d say that.”

* * *

Rhi looked around the corridor that stood as empty as every other room in Usaeil’s castle. Yet she knew she wasn’t alone.

It wasn’t just her watcher either. There were others there. Veiled. Watching.

Waiting.

The fact that they could see her when she was veiled—same as her watcher—was like a kick in the pants. Had she been right all along in thinking her watcher was a Reaper? Were those surrounding her also Reapers?

Rhi wanted to demand an answer, but she held back the words before they passed her lips. If her watcher had told her nothing, what made her think these others would?

She looked to where her watcher stood on her right. For all these many weeks he’d followed her, veiled. Not once had he spoken or shown himself.

He had touched her—briefly.

Though she didn’t know her watcher, she felt safe with him. Perhaps she was going mad. And perhaps she didn’t care anymore.

She lowered her sword and looked first one way down the hall and then the other. When no other Fae appeared, she dropped her veil and glanced out the windows as thick raindrops began to hit the glass.

Then she turned and saw the symbol painted with blood on the wall. For several seconds, she couldn’t move as she imagined all sorts of things that had happened at the castle.

“I don’t know who you are,” she said aloud to those watching her. “I don’t care. But if you had anything to do with what happened to my people, I will hunt you down and kill you myself.”

She faced her watcher. Then, deliberately, she turned to where she sensed each of the other three. Seconds stretched to minutes. Rhi wasn’t the most patient of individuals, and she was about to make a demand when a deep, rich voice filled the space.

“It wasn’t us.”

She turned to her right where she detected the owner of the voice stood next to the window. “You expect me to believe that when you won’t show yourselves? I was born in the morning, but not this morning, sugar.”

Was that a snort of laughter she heard behind her? Rhi didn’t turn to find out. She waited for her watcher to say something, anything. But he remained silent, as usual.

“The Light are safe,” the voice said. “They ran.”

Well, that was good news. “And Usaeil? Was she here?”

Silence.

As if she expected a different answer. Rhi rolled her eyes. She drew in a deep breath and glanced at the symbol in blood. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

It was her turn to snort—loudly. And loaded with sarcasm. “I’m going to find answers. I’m going to get the truth. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I won’t stop looking.”

“A family was kidnapped,” the voice replied, choosing to ignore her threats.

Rhi didn’t like being ignored. Obviously this individual had no idea who she was.

Worse, maybe he did. And didn’t care.

Now that was a new feeling for her. Her reputation gave her enough respect, admiration, and even fear that others didn’t bother her.

This group could give a rat’s ass.

She grimaced when an image of Con flashed in her mind. Ugh. She did
not
want to be thinking of that jackass right now.

“What family?” Rhi asked.

“The Everwoods.”

“Well, hell,” she mumbled. She liked the Everwoods. “All four?”

“All but Neve.”

Rhi turned her back to the windows and leaned against the glass. Why would they leave Neve? Unless she hadn’t been around when the rest were taken. She needed to find Neve immediately.

Just as Rhi was about to leave, she drew up short and turned to glare at the spot where the disembodied voice had been coming from. “Neve already knows, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Yes,” she mimicked in a mocking voice. “You might’ve told me.”

“I wanted to see how quickly you’d figure it out.”

“I’m really not liking you,” Rhi said with a shake of her head. “Where is Neve?”

“Why?”

She threw up her hands in exasperation. “So I can sing her a song. Why do you think?”

This time, she was sure she heard a bark of laughter that was quickly covered up.

She couldn’t stop her own smile as she raised a brow at the voice. “How are you liking my quick wit, sweetcheeks?”

“I’m not,” he said tightly.

“It takes a certain kind to get me,” she said with a shrug.

There was a loud sigh. “If I tell you where Neve is, what will you do?”

“Help her if she needs it.” Rhi pushed away from the window, her mind racing. “You know who kidnapped the family?”

“I do.”

“Why aren’t you going after them?”

“We were about to.”

It had been a while since she’d been in a good battle. “Can I join you? I’m wicked good with a blade,” she said, swinging her sword around her in a dancing arc.

The silence was deafening. Though she couldn’t see them, Rhi could imagine they were debating whether to include her or not. She lowered her sword, waiting.

“Not this time.”

And then they were gone. All but her watcher.

Rhi couldn’t believe they’d left her behind. But she wasn’t going to give up that easily. If Usaeil wasn’t there to protect the Light, then Rhi would do it.

She strode to the symbol. If the man she’d just spoken with hadn’t made the mark, then the one who took the Everwoods had.

And that meant Rhi could find them.

Her fingertips tingled with magic as she raised her hand. Her watcher rushed to her side as if to halt her, but he stopped just short of touching her. Again.

Just once, she wanted him to put his hand against her, to feel her. He never allowed himself to get that close, and it was really beginning to frustrate her.

Rhi put her hand in the blood and pushed her magic into it. She’d never had to use her magic like this before, but she knew it could be done.

Gossamer visions of Fae passed around—and through—her, moving quickly as if on rewind. She saw Neve, but couldn’t clearly make out the man beside her. Or those around her. There was an awesome amount of magic being used to prevent her from seeing faces.

Rhi used more magic in an attempt to get a better view, but her focus changed when a Dark arrived. She gasped at the intrusion, but the Dark teleported Neve and the man with her.

The black trail of the Dark’s magic was faint. Rhi turned to see it floating through the air, leaving a winding path and telling her exactly where she needed to go.

She dropped her hands and looked at her watcher. “Don’t you dare try to stop me,” she said before following the black trail.