Darkest Flame

“How long did you watch me in the cave?”

 

 

He jerked his head at her, surprise evident in his gaze. “I saw you come out of the water.”

 

“In other words, you saw it all.”

 

“Aye.”

 

“Are there no humans you like?”

 

He shrugged, but didn’t deny it. “There have been few mortals I encountered that were worthy of living.”

 

“It might have been better if you let me die in your cave. You could’ve remained, and I wouldn’t be in this spot.”

 

“You’re no’ angry with me?”

 

Oddly enough, she wasn’t. “You had to make a decision based on protecting yourself and the other dragons. Why would I be mad? It’s what I did every day for the past seven years.”

 

“You’re certainly different, Denae Lacroix.”

 

She smiled then. “My father used to say the same thing.”

 

“Do you want us to get word to your family?”

 

Denae glanced at her feet. “That won’t be necessary. My immediate family is dead. It’s just my extended family, and I haven’t communicated with them for years. Is there a restroom around?” she asked before he could speak again.

 

Kellan pointed to a doorway behind her. “Through there and into the next building.”

 

Denae hurried away, hating how memories of her family would hit her when she least expected it. She hadn’t meant to bring up her father, but Kellan saying her father’s favorite words brought a tide of memories she couldn’t hold back.

 

She followed Kellan’s instructions and walked into the next building. The building was full of fishing nets and crates and other things she had no clue about.

 

After spotting a door up ahead, she walked around a set of crates stacked high and stopped in her tracks when she found four men with assault rifles trained on her. As chilling as that was, it was nothing compared to the four men flanking them.

 

They had long, black hair streaked silver and red eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

 

Kellan stared at the door Denae had disappeared through and paced several lengths of the office before he stopped and stared at the door again.

 

He blew out a breath. How long did a female need in the restroom? She had been gone several minutes already.

 

“Kellan,” he heard behind him.

 

He whirled around to find Rhi, her eyes wide and distress tightening her face. He was immediately on guard. “What is it?”

 

“The Dark are here. And they have Denae.”

 

He was shocked at the fury that rose so swiftly within him. For a human. Yet, he was the one supposed to keep her safe. He had failed, and he didn’t like that feeling one bit.

 

“Where is she?” he demanded.

 

Rhi’s boot heels sounded loud in the building as she hurried to the back windows. “There.”

 

Kellan followed her and let out a sigh of relief when he spotted Denae standing on a pier alone. Then confusion set in. “They didna take her?”

 

Rhi looked away from the windows. “The Dark Ones aren’t alone, Kell. They joined forces with MI5.”

 

Now he was truly flabbergasted. “The Fae and the humans? That can no’ be.”

 

“It’s not all of MI5, just a few. I was keeping an eye on things when I saw Denae walk into the other building. I followed, keeping veiled, and watched her encounter the small group of Dark and the spies. She’s bait again, Kell.”

 

“For me.” Of course. Why hadn’t he realized that sooner? That’s the only reason Denae was still in this realm and alive. The real question was whether Denae was in on the Dark Ones taking him, or if she was a victim.

 

“The Dark Ones want a Dragon King. MI5 wants Denae.”

 

“Kellan!” Denae called halfheartedly. “Can you come out?”

 

Kellan looked back at Denae and noticed how her eyes went anywhere but at the building he was in. She was alone, but the Dark Fae and the spies would be hiding close enough to swoop in the moment she tried to run or he appeared.

 

In dragon form, he could fly down and get her, but it would be a big chance. For though few Kings liked to admit it, the Dark Fae’s magic could prevent them from remaining in dragon form, which is when they were their strongest.

 

The Dark couldn’t just prevent it. There were instances when their magic could hinder a King to make him almost as feeble as a human. It was why the Kings rarely fought alone against the Dark.

 

But Kellan had given his word to Denae. He couldn’t remember the last time he had saved a human’s life, but that didn’t seem to matter as he stared at her standing so stoically.

 

“No,” Rhi said in shock. “You aren’t seriously considering going down there. You can’t. I heard the Dark. They want you.”

 

Kellan took in the entire scene, determining where his enemies would hide. “I’m going.”

 

“You don’t care that they’ve targeted you specifically?”

 

He shrugged and picked out the hiding places the mortals would use. “Of course I care. They want something, and I want to know what it is. I willna learn that standing here.”