When it chimed for a third time, Darcy followed the sound down to her hands and knees and looked beneath the sofa. That’s when she found the mobile. She grabbed it and saw the screen flashing a text. It was gone too fast for her to read. Darcy unlocked the screen and stared in stunned silence at the text.
I’VE FOUND A WAY TO KEEP YOU AWAY FROM THE DARK. U.
As if there were any confusion to what the U stood for. Ulrik. How did he get the number to the phone? More importantly, how did the phone get here?
She hurriedly typed a response.
WHY?
Darcy knew she shouldn’t be talking to him, but if he could get her away from the Dark, then she could leave Dreagan behind—and Warrick.
That way she might save her heart.
I’M TRYING TO HELP. UNLESS YOU WANT TO STAY.
As if. He must know how she was being treated. Everyone guessed it except for her. Warrick hadn’t treated her badly, and neither had Thorn for the most part. How stupid of her to think others would be just as understanding.
I KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE.
Darcy wasn’t sure why she wrote that text. Perhaps because she wanted Ulrik to stop lying to her, even if it was by omission. Part of the blame lay with her since she hadn’t dug deeper into his past. She’d been so amazed by his story and the glimpses she had seen, that she hadn’t stopped to think about what he might do with his magic.
She knew he wanted revenge. She knew he wanted to kill Con, and for the few things she saw in his memories, she was sympathetic with his need.
But the rest? All those killings? That she hadn’t ever considered on any level. She’d assumed Ulrik was just after Con, and that’s where she went wrong.
I WOULD’VE TOLD YOU HAD YOU BUT ASKED.
She snorted as she read Ulrik’s reply aloud. “Right,” she said to herself.
THEN ANSWER ME THIS. DID YOU SEND THE DARK AFTER ME?
She tapped her fingernails on the phone, waiting for his reply.
NAY.
Darcy expected just such an answer. She wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. He needed her, but how far would he go to ensure that he got what he wanted?
CON WON’T STOP UNTIL HE HAS EVERYONE CONVINCED YOU’RE HELPING ME. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE THERE FOR THAT?
“Hell no,” she whispered as she stared at the screen.
If anyone knew what Con would do, it was Ulrik. Darcy had seen for herself how furious Con was, and how quick to judgment he was. However minute the proof was they found, it would be enough to convict her in his eyes.
HE’LL KILL YOU, DARCY. YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO UNBIND MY MAGIC. IF YOU’RE GONE, THEN SO IS ANY THREAT I HAVE.
Darcy swallowed hard. Ulrik’s words were easy to believe, because she saw Con’s hatred toward her. Whether they promised to protect humans or not, the Kings would protect themselves first and foremost.
Where did that leave her? Would Warrick stand against Con and the other Kings? That was assuming he believed her. Most likely it would be her standing by herself. Even on the off chance that Warrick did side with her, it would mean his possible death as well.
Neither scenario was one she wanted to be involved with. It had been too easy to think Dreagan would be the place she could be safe and free. She should’ve seen it coming, but she had been too filled with fear of the Dark Fae that she hadn’t thought it through.
The only place for her now was Skye.
DARCY?
She looked at the rug and the roaring fire. If only time could’ve stopped for her and Warrick. If only she were still in his arms.
Her gaze lowered to the phone as she began to type.
HOW DO I GET OFF DREAGAN WITHOUT BEING SEEN?
CHAPTER
FORTY
Warrick was about ready to explode. Con wouldn’t leave him alone, and now Thorn’s voice sounded in his head as well. All Warrick wanted was some time with Darcy. He wanted to calm her down and let her feel safe again.
Only then would he even consider allowing Con to see her. The others, well they could just wait. Darcy had been through too much to be faced with such anger from the others.
Everyone just needed to take a step back and consider the other side. He couldn’t say that to Darcy without her thinking he was doing Con’s bidding. It never occurred to her that Warrick was trying to help.
He was walking in the Dragonwood trying to sort out the conversation he and Darcy had had when an arm reached out and grasped him.
Warrick jerked out of the hold and spun, ready to shift when he spotted the culprit. He frowned, confused. “Thorn? What the hell?”
“I said your name three times, and I’ve been trying to contact you through the mental link,” he replied tersely.
Warrick relaxed his stance. “I didna want to talk to anyone.”
“You’re going to change your mind after I tell you what Con has planned.”
“More interrogating?” he asked wearily, using Darcy’s word.
Thorn’s lips flattened as he glanced away. “He wants to kill her.”
“What?” Warrick exploded. A mixture of rage and fear enveloped him.
Thorn hastily looked around and held up his hands. “Quiet, War,” he said in a strained voice.