Darkest Flame

“It’s something we all want to know. Denae was set up by her partner and they fought. She killed him, but he managed to wound her.”

 

 

“And you brought her to the manor.” Rhi rubbed her temple. “MI5 doesn’t have magic, Kell. How does any of this fit?”

 

“We doona know, but we want to make sure they doona succeed in whatever they’re planning.”

 

“And they’ll come for Denae.”

 

“Aye.”

 

“What is the plan?”

 

Kellan stopped and glanced at a door down the hall. “She’s requested a new identity so MI5 can no’ track her. She also knows what we are.”

 

Rhi’s eyes grew large as she halted. “Con let you show her?”

 

“Con is the one who showed her.”

 

She hooked her thumbs in her belt loops. “He’s going to use Guy to wipe her memories, isn’t he?”

 

“He is.”

 

“Then why show her?”

 

Kellan rubbed his jaw. “All I got from him is that he thought she might be hiding something else and by seeing who we are it might frighten her enough to tell us.”

 

“That man,” Rhi said with a roll of her eyes.

 

“Even if MI5 ever finds her, she willna be able to tell them anything after Guy wipes her memories. It’s for the best.”

 

“Kell, you’ve been asleep for a long time, but do you really believe MI5 would find their operative after endless searching and believe that she doesn’t remember anything?”

 

“There is no other option.”

 

“There might be,” she said. There was an abandoned house several miles away. Rhi could keep an eye on it, and as long as Denae stayed there she might live.

 

“You want to take responsibility?”

 

The surprise in his voice caused her to glower. “Are you saying I can’t?”

 

“I’m saying you might get called to your realm. Who would watch Denae then?”

 

Rhi had to admit he was correct. “True.”

 

“Why would you offer?” His voice was soft, too much understanding in the words to make her comfortable.

 

“Temporary insanity. I don’t know. Forget I said anything. Let’s just get her out of Dreagan.”

 

Kellan walked her to the bedroom door, and when he opened it, Rhi found a beautiful woman with dark hair and a body that would make any man stand up and take notice.

 

“Denae,” Kellan said. “This is Rhi. She’s a friend.”

 

Rhi’s smile widened when she noticed how the mortal’s eyes softened when she looked at Kellan.

 

But it was Kellan’s determination not to look at Denae that made Rhi bite her tongue to keep from laughing.

 

Men!

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER TWELVE

 

 

Denae could only stare in stunned silence at the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her black hair had a blue cast to it, but it was her silver eyes that seemed to swirl that held her.

 

“Hello,” Rhi said as she walked into the room with a welcoming smile.

 

Denae blinked and glanced at Kellan to see if he was as awestruck as she was, but he simply leaned against the door frame looking as bored as ever. “Hi,” she finally said.

 

“Are you ready to blow this joint?” Rhi asked.

 

Denae was so taken aback by her speech that she chuckled. “Who are you?”

 

“Well, since you know about the Dragon Kings, I think it’s safe to tell you. I’m Fae.”

 

She had some retort on the tip of her tongue, but something held Denae back. It could be the fact that she’d seen Con heal her, and then there was the big red dragon she’d witnessed.

 

But seriously. Could the day get any more surreal?

 

“A Fae?”

 

Rhi nodded and flipped her long hair over her shoulder. “We’ve got a long way to go, cookie. I think we best get a move on before your friends at MI5 show up.”

 

“We?” Kellan said as he pushed away from the door.

 

Rhi rolled her eyes and faced him. “Not you too, Kell.”

 

His nostrils flared as he stared at her. “Nay, no’ me, but I’d much rather you be at the dock scouting things out ahead of time.”

 

“Hmm. You do have a point.” Rhi looked at Denae and winked. “See you soon.”

 

And just like that, she was gone. Denae stared at the spot Rhi had just been for several seconds before she lifted her gaze to Kellan.

 

“A Fae?”

 

“Aye,” he said with a resigned sigh. “There’s a history between the Kings and the Fae, and it isna a good one.”

 

Denae finished tying the running shoes Cassie had brought up earlier. “And yet she’s here, so it must not have been too bad.”

 

“It was bad. There was a war.”

 

“I’m noticing a recurring theme with you Dragon Kings.” It had been said half in jest, but it fell flat.

 

Kellan’s celadon eyes went hard. “They wanted to take over this realm. We were assigned to be protectors of the humans. Would you have preferred we gave this realm up to the Fae so you could all be slaves to their desires?”

 

Denae licked her lips. She knew nothing of the Fae, but according to Kellan they were dangerous. So dangerous he let one near her? “Then why is Rhi here if none of you like the Fae?”