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  Ettie pushed herself hard, running full-out all the way to the mountain, and she didn’t pause to rest before starting the climb up the winding, twisting trail up to the top.

  When she reached the summit, she stopped and bent over, her hands on her knees as she gulped in air while the frigid wind cooled her heated flesh. But there was a smile on her face. Her body always felt great after exertion. Jamie joked that it was a substitute for sex—and it was.

  Her training had also been done because Ettie wanted to be ready for whatever her father believed would come for either them or their children. Ettie straightened and put her hands on her hips as she looked around.

  For so long, she’d believed every word her father told her. It was only now that she began to doubt him. How she hated that he wasn’t around for her to question and debate things with. His conviction in the Fae had been so strong that it lasted five years after his death.

  Five years that she had been taking care of her sisters and the land. Five years where she dedicated everything to training for a supposed event that may or may not occur.

  How many of her ancestors had done the same thing? How many others watched the years pass them by as they held to their beliefs with such certainty that they died for it?

  More importantly, did she want to be a casualty to this . . . whatever it was?

  “What do I do?” she asked the air. She threw out her arms and lifted her face to the sky. “What do I do?!”

  Her arms fell to her sides as she lowered her head. How could she have been so certain of things for so long, and now doubt everything?

  “What do you do about what?”

  The sound of the male voice startled her, causing her to jerk around. She found him with one leg braced on the summit as he paused on the trail, a black brow quirked.

  Ettie opened her mouth, but there were no words as she took in the sight of him. He was . . . beautiful in a rugged, untamed way that made her heart race and her stomach quiver.

  It became impossible to breathe as she drank in the cut of his jaw and square chin. She tried not to stare at his mouth and thick bottom lip, but all she could think about was what it would be like to kiss him. Then she looked into his eyes.

  They were molten silver, dark and enigmatic like mercury. And those gorgeous eyes framed with long, black lashes watched her with the concentration of a hawk.

  Layers of thick ebony hair fell nearly to his shoulders with the top half of it pulled away from his face. He wore only a denim shirt with a cream tee beneath it and faded jeans and black boots. She didn’t know how he was up there without a coat.

  His lips slowly pulled into a smile, and she realized she’d been ogling him. Ettie glanced away, but her gaze returned immediately. She laughed nervously, still unable to find words.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said as he took the last step to the top. “I assumed since you shouted your question, you might want an answer.”

  His Irish brogue was deep, throaty, and absolutely sexy. It was slightly different than anything she’d heard before, and she wanted more.

  “Do you have an answer to my question?” she asked.

  He looked around and shrugged. “Well, that depends on exactly what you’re talking about.”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “I believe I do.”

  She smiled, wondering if he was her father’s answer to her question. Either way, she was about to find out.

  Chapter Seven

  Never had so much depended on his next words. Daire hadn’t known when the right time to approach Ettie would be, and he hadn’t intended to do it when he followed her on her run. But then she’d shouted her question—and it seemed the right thing to do.

  Her sisters were so willing to get Ettie far from Bran that they trusted Daire. He wasn’t going to let them down, nor would he allow Ettie to fall into whatever trap Bran had waiting for her.

  “You’re on my land,” she said, with the edges of her mouth still curved into a grin.

  Daire wrinkled his nose. “My apologies.”

  “There are some hikers who come this way, but since you don’t have a backpack, I’m guessing you’re not one of them.”

  He gave a shake of his head. “I saw you running up the mountain. It’s an impressive feat to do with such speed. I wanted to meet you. I’m Daire.”

  “Ettie,” she replied. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her. “You’re not cold?”

  “No. Shall we go down?”

  She stared at him a long minute before she said, “I like the privacy up here. Besides, I’m curious about you.”

  “And here I thought you only wanted me to stay to answer your question.”

  “Right,” she said with a laugh.

  The sound hit him right in the chest, taking his breath for a moment. He wanted to tuck her blond hair behind her ear, but he remained where he was.

  She tilted her head, her deep blue eyes pinning him. “This isn’t like me at all.”

  “Sometimes, it’s good to break out of our molds and do something different.”

  “Yeah.” Her head turned to the side as she looked out over the land. “I’ve lived in this one place my entire life. I used to play up here. I’d pretend I was a queen, and all of this before me was my kingdom.”

  He eyed the landscape. “It’s certainly picture-perfect for just such an imagination.”

  She swallowed and wrapped her arms around herself. “If you’re going to give me an answer to my question, you need details.”

  “That would be helpful.”

  Throwing him a quick grin, she said, “My father had special interests that were passed down through the family. He, in turn, gave them to my sisters and me. He spent his entire life chasing after answers, never to find any.”

  “Is that what you’re doing? Chasing answers?”

  “Actually, no.” She looked at him. “I accepted everything my father told me as gospel. I did what he wanted, even after his untimely death. But now . . . now, I’ve begun questioning whether he was off his rocker and if any of it is real.”

  Daire knew this was about the Fae. He could tell her all of it right then, but he wasn’t so sure that would be the wise choice. If Ettie doubted things, then she needed to come back to it slowly, or he might lose her altogether.

  “Something made you begin questioning what your father told you,” he said.

  She twisted her lips ruefully. “It’s something my sister said. I don’t even remember what it was, but it struck a chord and caused me to reevaluate everything.”

  “Sometimes, doing that can allow you to see things more clearly.”

  After a loud snort, she said, “I’ve been in training since I was four years old.”

  “Training?”

  “To fight. I can use just about any weapon you put in front of me, but my specialty is hand-to-hand combat.”

  He shifted his stance, more intrigued by the minute. “What were you training for?”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know. My father just kept telling me I needed to be ready.”

  “And he never told you why?”

  She shook her head as the breeze briefly lifted the strands of her hair. “Never. I don’t think he knew. He’d been told that same narrative, and I believe it’s been passed down through generations.”

  “Which is why your question came to be.”

  She blew out a breath. “Exactly.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  Her deep blue eyes swung to him. “I thought you were going to give me an answer?”

  “Maybe the answer comes with the question.” His heart skipped a beat when she smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. By the stars, she was beautiful. “What do you want to do?”

  “I want to be normal.”

  Daire didn’t have the heart to tell her that as a Halfling, her life would be anything but.

  “I want . . .” she paused, a frown forming on her brow. “I don’t
know what I want.” She laughed and shook her head as she lowered herself onto a boulder. “My father set a course before me, and I’ve always been on it.”

  He straddled a rock and lowered himself down to sit. “I gather your sisters don’t have these questions?”

  “Oh, no. Both want to leave as soon as they can.”

  “So, you feel as if your father’s legacy rests solely on you.”

  Fathomless blue eyes stared at him. “Yes. Who are you?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “Try me,” she demanded.

  Daire looked down at his hands. He was gambling once again. He’d always been a bit of a rogue, his rebellious streak creating all sorts of havoc. Once he became a Reaper, he’d learned to control it for the most part.

  He’d dipped his toe into things again with the O’Byrne sisters, but being so near Ettie, he was fast losing the will to govern that particular trait.

  “Daire,” she urged.

  The sound of his name on her lips did strange things to his body. Desire grew as need roared within him—loudly and fiercely. He fisted his hands so he wouldn’t reach over and haul her atop his lap so he could ravage her lips.

  He finally met her gaze. A dozen words came to mind, but only two passed his lips. “I’m Fae.”

  She didn’t laugh or gasp in outrage. She simply stared at him for a long, silent minute. Then she rose, and without a word, started down the mountain path.

  Daire slowly stood, his gaze never leaving her. Perhaps this was the time to be the more cautious Reaper he’d become over the centuries instead of his old self, the one who left everything to chance. He didn’t know what had come over him, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it.

  He walked to the edge and looked down the slope to continue watching Ettie make her way down the path. Suddenly, she stopped and whirled around. Then she marched back up the mountain until she was a few feet from him.

  Her deep blue eyes blazed with fury. “Is this some joke? Something Carrie put you up to?”

  “No.”

  “Sure,” she said with a huff and spun back around.

  Before she got two steps from him, Daire teleported in front of her, causing her to stumble backward at their near collision so that she fell back, catching herself on one hand before her butt could land on the ground.

  The anger evaporated, as her eyes grew large with amazement—and, sadly, a bit of fear.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he told her and took a couple of steps away to give her space. “But I am Fae.”

  She pushed herself into a standing position and dusted her hand off on her leg. “What do you want?”

  “I want to keep you safe.”

  “No.” She held his gaze, her chin rising. “You waited until now to show yourself, and that’s because you want something.”

  “Do you have any idea how many Halflings there are? We can’t keep up with all of them.”

  She raised a brow. “But you knew about my sisters and me.”

  “Only because we searched for you.”

  “Because you want something,” she stated flatly.

  Daire took a deep breath and released it, reluctance causing him to hesitate. He saw her shiver as she stood her ground. “Let’s get you inside.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Don’t be stubborn. I see you trembling. The temperatures would have to be much worse before I’m affected, but you’ll only hurt yourself by remaining out here.”

  She blew out a harsh breath and walked around him as she mumbled, “You’re insufferable.”

  At least she was talking to him.

  Daire followed her down into the valley. By the time they reached the cottage, Jamie was outside with a steaming mug in her hand. She handed it to Ettie as she walked into the house.

  “Well?” Jamie whispered to him.

  He shrugged. “It didn’t go as I’d hoped.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Nothing ever does with my sister. Come in.”

  Following Jamie inside the cottage, he found a plate shoved at him from Carrie. The sweet smell was too delicious to even ask what it was. He took a bite and savored the way the morsel melted in his mouth, exploding with flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  “This is amazing,” he said after swallowing.

  Carrie beamed. “Are you hungry? I could make you whatever you want.”

  “He won’t be staying that long,” Ettie replied when she walked out of her room. “Obviously, you two have already met Daire. I also gather that you know what he is.”

  Daire’s gaze swung to her. Ettie had changed into dark jeans and a pastel blue sweater that made him take notice of her eyes even more. She ran her hands through her short locks.

  “Yes,” her sisters answered in unison.

  There would be no pleasantries with Ettie. It was probably for the best. The sooner the O’Byrne sisters knew about the entire threat, the sooner they could make up their minds. Though he wasn’t entirely sure they would side with the Reapers. Yet, what other choice did he have?

  He couldn’t continue to allow Bran to get closer to Ettie. The Halfling needed to know just who was wooing her. And why.

  Daire set down the plate and licked his lips. “You were partly right up on the mountain. I did seek your family out, but not to bring harm. I’m trying to steer you from it.”

  “Bran,” Jamie said.

  He gave a nod to the middle O’Bryne sister. “Bran isn’t who he claims to be.”

  “He’s not claimed to be anything,” Ettie replied acerbically.

  Carrie made a sound at the back of her throat. “That’s a lie. He claims to be human.”

  “Well, he didn’t actually say that,” Ettie said. She sat in one of the two chairs and motioned Daire to the sofa.

  He walked into the living area and took the far corner of the couch while Jamie sank into the other chair and Carrie curled up in the other corner of the sofa.

  “By not telling you he was Fae, Bran lied,” Daire pointed out.

  Ettie crossed one long leg over the other. “I’ll give you that. Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

  “The beginning.” Daire leaned forward so that his forearms rested on his knees. He clasped his hands together and lowered his gaze to the ground. “You three have lived life knowing you had Fae blood in your veins. There are thousands more who don’t know their heritage. I’m not sure if it’s better to know or not.”

  Jamie crossed her arms over her middle. “Things would’ve been much simpler for me had I not known.”

  “Ditto,” Carrie said.

  Daire slid his gaze to Ettie, who didn’t reply. She sat silently, waiting for him to continue. He briefly pressed his lips together. “What I’m about to tell you isn’t to be taken lightly. In fact, if a Fae heard this, they would have to be killed immediately.”

  “We’ll be spared? Why? Because we’re part human?” Carrie asked.

  He glanced at her and lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Something like that. The fact is, you weren’t raised with the Fae, but the real reason is that unless you know what’s going on, you can’t make an informed decision. I believe that’s why Death has given us leave to impart this information to Halflings.”

  “Death?” Ettie asked in a soft voice.

  Jamie quickly said, “Yes. A person. Go on,” she urged Daire.

  He looked at each of them, meeting Ettie’s gaze last. “I work for Death. I told your sisters that Death is judge and jury. My brethren and I are the executioners. Death keeps the balance within the Fae. We don’t meddle in mortal affairs.”

  “What about Halflings, as you call us?” Carrie asked.

  Daire shook his head. “You live in the mortal world.”

  “Until a Fae comes to meddle,” Ettie stated. “Right?”

  He slowly straightened and sat back. “Yes.”

  Chapter Eight

  One word turned her ire to trepidation. One simple utterance that spoke volu
mes.

  Ettie didn’t want to hear whatever it was Daire had to say because she knew her world was about to be turned on its ear. And she wasn’t ready.

  Then again, was anyone ever?

  She took slow breaths to calm her racing heart. Mercurial eyes fastened on her. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t look away from Daire. She wanted to hate him for showing up now, for being nice, and because she was wildly attracted to him. A kind of allure she had never experienced before.

  Yet she couldn’t bring herself to feel such animosity.

  Her father had looked for Fae his entire life. If only he had lived, he could’ve met two.

  “I’m a Reaper,” Daire announced. “Each of us is chosen by Death. And at one time, Bran was one of us, as well. That ended when he broke the rules.”

  Carrie released her hair from its ponytail and rubbed her scalp. “What kind of rules?”

  “The biggest I already told you. No Fae can know of us. If they learn who the Reapers are, they have to be killed,” he said.

  Jamie asked, “Why? What does it matter?”

  Each time her sisters posed a question, Daire looked at them, but his gaze always returned to Ettie. It was almost as if his story was just for her.

  “It matters,” Daire said. “The Fae grow up with tales of Reapers. The Light use the stories as a way to prevent their children from turning Dark. The Dark tell them to scare their kids into acting how they want.”

  When he paused, Ettie folded her hands in her lap. “And?”

  “None of the Fae know the Reapers are real. We’re a myth to them, legends,” he explained. “Each of us died. That’s how Death found us, chose us. So to keep our identities a secret—as well as what we do—we leave everything and everyone we knew and loved behind.”

  “Damn,” Jamie murmured.

  Daire shrugged. “For some of us, it isn’t a problem. We only have each other. There are no relationships for any of us. But there are times, like now, where we’re sent to either investigate or find someone. We have to blend in, but we always keep our true identities a secret from the Fae. Bran didn’t do that. He fell in love with a Light Fae and told her who and what he was.”