Smoke and Fire: Part 3 Read online

  “I need to find the rest of the message.”

  Balladyn paused while shelving a book. He slid it into place and laid the remaining books in his hands on a shelf as he turned to her. “Why? Why is this so important to you?”

  “I wish I could explain, but I don’t understand it myself. It’s something I have to do.”

  He strode to her, pulling her to her feet. “Don’t. It doesn’t matter what the rest of the message says. It’s enough of the warning at the beginning. Don’t meddle with these Reapers, Rhi.”

  “So you admit they’re here.”

  He sighed and dropped his arms. “I never said they weren’t.”

  “Have you seen one?”

  Balladyn looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. That was a cue that he knew something.

  Rhi moved into his line of sight and forced him to meet her gaze. “You know something. Spill.”

  “Rhi,” he began.

  She held up a hand and said, “Eh. Don’t even try. Just tell me what you know.”

  “Dammit,” Balladyn muttered and ran a hand over his jaw. He stared at Rhi for a long stretch of silence. Then he said, “There’s been mention of a Fae seen in Edinburgh with white hair.”

  “Fae?” she asked. “Are you sure?”

  “He has red-rimmed eyes.”

  “Ah. That’s definitely a Fae. I’ve never heard of a Dark having such coloring.”

  Balladyn crossed his arms over his chest. “Neither have we. It’s bothering Taraeth as well, though he’s trying to hide it. I believe the white-haired Fae could be a Reaper.”

  “Maybe we should try and find him.”

  “No!” Balladyn shouted.

  Rhi jumped, because at the same time she felt her watcher come up behind her. “Okay,” she said, drawing out the word, waiting for both men to calm down.

  It took Balladyn longer than her watcher.

  “Rhi, I gave you this information because I thought it would stop whatever you were thinking of doing. Don’t use it to do something reckless.”

  She smiled at that. “Come with me, then.”

  Balladyn’s arms dropped to his sides as he blew out a breath. “I wish I could.”

  “You can. Leave all this behind.”

  “I can’t. I’m going to rule the Dark.”

  Rhi smiled tightly. It hurt that he chose the Dark over her.

  “I can do much for the Dark,” Balladyn explained.

  Rhi touched his face. “They’re Dark. They’re evil. What is there to do?”

  “I’m Dark.”

  “You don’t have to be.”

  He gave her a confused look. “This is who I am, Rhi. I thought you understood that.”

  She certainly did now. “Yeah.”

  “Stay,” he urged her when she turned around.

  Rhi turned and blew him a kiss. “I’ll see you soon, lover.”

  She veiled herself and exited his room, hurrying to the Fae doorway that would take her out of the compound. Rhi didn’t breathe easily until she’d stepped through. As soon as she saw she was in Cork, she teleported out—to Edinburgh.

  Read all four parts of this sensational e-series—and look for the full volume of

  Smoke and Fire in April 2016 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

  Don’t miss

  The Reapers

  A New Series in the Dark Kings world!

  Dark Alpha’s Claim, available 11/17/15

  Dark Alpha’s Embrace, available 2/16/16

  Dark Alpha’s Demand, available 5/17/16

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed Dark Warrior and Dark Sword series novels feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

  Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.DonnaGrant.com, follow her on twitter @donna_grant, or like her Facebook page at facebook.com/AuthorDonna Grant. Or sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedications

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  “Smoke and Fire Part 3” Copyright © 2016 by Donna Grant.

  All rights reserved. For information, addrress St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fiftth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  Cover design © Volodymyr Tverddohlib/Shutterstock

  Author photo © Kimmy Rocha

  Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].

  eISBN 978-1-4668-8382-6

  First eBook Edition: March 2016