Warrick stood in the rain watching the front of Darcy’s shop. He too had seen the Dark walk off with two females. Thorn killed one while Warrick took the other. As for the two remaining Dark and the girl, he wasn’t going to stand by and watch them suck her soul away out on the street.
Warrick stalked from the shadows to the Dark. He tapped the one kissing the girl’s neck on the shoulder. The Dark looked over and frowned. He nudged the second Dark who was on his knees trying to yank the girl’s wet pants down.
“Get away from her,” Warrick demanded.
The two male Darks laughed as they stood facing him.
Warrick was eager to end more Dark. “You’ve broken the pact signed by Taraeth and Con several times over. You will be removed from this realm.”
“Good luck,” the Dark on the right said with a sneer.
The one on the left chuckled. “You know nothing, Dragon.”
Warrick slammed his elbow into the Dark’s face to his right. He wrapped his hand around the throat of the one to his left and squeezed. He shoved the Dark back against the corner of the building where Thorn was waiting in the alley.
Thorn grabbed him from behind and dragged him into the darkness.
Warrick saw the hilt of a dagger in the Dark’s waistband. He grabbed it and plunged it into his throat. The Dark’s eyes widened in fear a moment before the life faded out of them. With no other choice, Warrick half-carried, half-dragged the Dark into the alley where Thorn was standing over the other Dark Fae.
“No’ that I’m no’ enjoying ridding the realm of Dark,” Thorn said. “But I’d much rather do it in our true forms.”
Warrick dumped the Dark next to Thorn’s and nodded. “I agree. That willna happen until we get out of the city.”
“Which we can no’ attempt with Darcy.”
Warrick ran a hand down his face. His body had quickly healed from the Dark magic he’d endured, but he was weary. And the fear wouldn’t shake loose. For every Dark they killed, three more seemed to take their place. Who but Taraeth or Balladyn would have that kind of pull?
They stopped talking when Thorn helped the young girl to her feet and gave her a nudge to the alley entrance. “The robber has been dealt with. Go find your friend.”
The female looked around confused and stumbled out into the street. Warrick waited until he saw her and her friend walk back the way they had come.
“What about the first mortal?” Warrick asked.
Thorn came to stand beside him. “She got away quick enough when she saw the Dark lob a ball of magic at me.”
“Damn.”
“She willna say anything. She was undressed when I interrupted them.”
Warrick cut his eyes to Thorn. “Let’s hope no’.”
“What are you going to do about Darcy?”
Warrick turned back to the Dark. “What about her?”
“She needs you.”
“She told me to leave,” Warrick argued.
Thorn grunted loudly. “For someone who’s studied mortals as long as you have, you know nothing about women.”
“And you do?” For some reason, Thorn’s comment really annoyed Warrick.
“She was angry, but she didna really want you to leave.”
“You didna see her face or hear her voice. She most certainly wanted me to leave.”
Thorn glanced down at the dead Fae. “We’ve got two immediate issues to deal with.”
“And they are?”
“Getting rid of these ugly buggers.”
Warrick blinked the water out of his eyes from the rain. “And the other?”
“One of us needs to be back in there with Darcy.”
Warrick thought of their kisses, of the heat and desire and need that being near her caused. His cock hardened just thinking of pulling her into his arms for another kiss.
“I take that look to mean you’ll be headed back into the shop,” Thorn said with a knowing grin.
Warrick shoved him in the shoulder.
“That’s a definite aye,” Thorn said with a laugh. “I’ll do my best to keep the Dark away and give the two of you some … alone time.”
Warrick swallowed hard.
Alone. With Darcy.
Already his hands itched to feel her soft skin. Whether she wanted him with her or not, he was going to be by her side until this fiasco was over.
He started to walk to the back entrance when Thorn called his name. Warrick turned back to him. “What?”
Thorn gave him a dry look and pointed to the Dark.
Warrick was so caught up in thoughts of Darcy he’d forgotten about the dead Fae.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Ulrik was used to wearing a fa?ade. He had a different one for every aspect of his life. There were times that he forgot who he really was buried under so many different identities.
But that didn’t make being summoned any easier to swallow.
Ulrik stepped into the dimly lit restaurant on the outskirts of Glasgow and stopped so that he could slowly survey the inside.
“Hello, sir,” said a high-pitched feminine voice.
Ulrik lowered his gaze to look at the young blonde. She smiled brightly, her gaze raking over him not so subtly. He lifted his eyes back to the occupants of the restaurant. “I’m meeting someone.”