“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.”