Page 22 of Denied

“They were planning to use her when you came after them. It’s why they let me go.” She gestured at the portal. “So I’d bring you here.”

Her brother inspected their surroundings. “Yet I see no Fae lying in wait for me.”

“She’s dead. Plan ruined.” She gestured toward the portal. “Go back to Tennessee, Dirk. There’s nothing left for you here.”

He advanced on her. “I have you.”

“No.” Tara knew better than to run, so she pulled out the blade she’d taken from Jannon. “You don’t, and you never will again.”

Dirk grabbed her wrist before she could plunge the dagger into his chest, and pried the hilt from her fingers.

“I think not, little sister.” He bent his head closer to her, breathing in. “You smell like that Fae buffoon.”

“That’s because I fucked him.” She let her expression go dreamy. “You never told me how good they are in bed.”

Dirk gripped her by the throat and shook her. “You dare let another man touch you,” he roared.

All she needed to do was push him a little harder. “He did more than touch. His hands were so warm on my skin. So much better than your cold, clammy touch. And when he put his cock inside me, it felt so good. He made me come over and over–”

Her brother flung her to the ground, driving his boot into her belly. Tara didn’t resist that kick or the others that slammed into her breasts and back and face. She felt like she was back in the Fae portal again, only she wasn’t going to make it out. Dirk was going to beat her to death this time, and that would be her penance for all the horrible, hateful things she’d done.

Tara retreated into a very small corner of her mind, where she kept the image of Jannon’s handsome face, the spicy heat of his scent, and the wonderful rumble of his laughter. Finally she could answer him, even if he would never hear it.

I love you, too.

As Tara’s mouth filled with blood, and her vision grayed, her brother dragged her up on her feet and shoved her into another man’s arms.

“Hello, little cousin,” Beck Blackstone said. “You’ve been naughty again, haven’t you? Warms my heart to know you’re keeping true to your blood.”

“Keep her chained in my tent,” Dirk told him. “Once we have the spellsinger, I will deal with her.”

Tara forced her swollen eyelids open. When she saw what was slithering through the expanding shadow portal, she dragged in an agonized breath to scream.

“Never fear, Cousin,” Beck said as he clamped his hand over her mouth. “We did not bring these beauties here to feast on you.” He eyed Dirk. “Then again, you may serve as the last course.”

CHAPTER 13

K AYLA WALKED INTO the barn to find Ryan had done all her chores, and was saddling Titan and Grania.

“Hey, are you trying to steal my job?”

Although she had been looking for him to tell him the good news about Christine, something was up.

“I wanted to free you for the evening,” he said. He adjusted one stirrup before swinging up to mount the big white stallion. He reached down to scoop her up and settle her on the cream-colored mare. “Unless you do not care to ride with me,” he said, an impish grin stealing over his face.

Whatever he was up to, he was at ease. Kayla relaxed. Her good news could wait. She smoothed Grania’s bronze mane under the lay of the reins.

“Is there a secret, underground, crystal city on our route?”

Ryan laughed. “Not unless we ride back to Ashdale.”

I am willing, Titan thought to her.

So am I, Grania chimed in. I have been idle so long there are cobwebs on my hooves.

“That’s a bit ambitious, even for Fae horses.” Kayla rubbed the mare’s neck. “So where are we going?”

“I must post a notice of sorts,” Ryan said as he came alongside her to guide their mounts out of the barn. “Whenever we enter a new territory I make our presence known to any local clans or passing Fae.”