Dark Alpha's Demand: A Reaper Novel (Reapers) by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

wry look. “I have been.”
    “For how long?”
    “Hours. Days,” she said with a shrug.
    Talin didn’t like feeling helpless, and he was getting to that very quickly. “I think we should leave.”
    “I’m not strong enough to teleport,” she said and closed her eyes. “I tried multiple times.”
    If he took her with him, Neve would know one of his secrets. But if he didn’t get her out, there was a chance her attacker could return.
    Though Talin wanted a look at him.
    What he didn’t want was Neve caught in the middle of a battle, because that was exactly what would happen.
    “
Eoghan.
Kyran,
” he called mentally.
    He knew his friends would come immediately. Talin ran a hand over Neve’s forehead, using magic to make her sleep. He then stood and gathered the wine glass and the little bit of wine that was left within.
    Talin walked into the kitchen as the door opened and Eoghan and Kyran entered the flat. He glanced into the bedroom to make sure Neve still slept as he greeted his fellow Reapers.
    “What’s going on?” Kyran asked.
    Talin held up the wine glass. “Neve’s been poisoned. There’s magic added to it.”
    Eoghan frowned and jerked his chin toward the bedroom.
    “She’s fighting the effects. Her brother found her. I thought Atris removed the poison, but I don’t think he could. I tried, but I was only able to eradicate a tiny bit.”
    Kyran’s forehead furrowed deeply. “Do you know who did this?”
    “No. It’s someone who has been harassing her, though. Atris told me her drawers have been gone through, things moved around the flat, and black flowers placed on her bed.”
    “Now this.” Kyran crossed his arms over his chest.
    Eoghan raised a brow and pointedly looked at Talin.
    Talin sighed as he nodded. “I know it could be because of me. I’ve not seen Bran or any of his companions. A Dark, even one using glamour, would stick out at court.”
    “Could this be because of her family?” Kyran asked.
    Talin lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s what she believes.”
    “But you don’t.”
    “No.”
    Kyran grunted loudly. “I don’t either. It’s no coincidence Neve was targeted after mention of a Reaper at court made the rounds.”
    “We still need to check out her family. I want to rule out every possibility.”
    Eoghan walked past them and began to look around the flat. Talin didn’t stop him. After all, no one knew Bran better than Eoghan and Cael.
    “We need to get her out of here,” Kyran said.
    Talin ran a hand down his face. “I know. I’m waiting for Atris to return with their parents. The two of you will need to hide when they arrive.”
    “Of course. When do you expect him?”
    “I’ve been expecting him. He found me first to watch over Neve while he found his parents. Atris said he didn’t trust anyone.”
    “Eoghan and I’ll stay with Neve. Perhaps you should go look for Atris.”
    Talin looked to the bedroom. “I left Neve alone once and she was nearly taken from me. I’ll not leave her again.”

Chapter Seven
    An hour later, Talin had changed his mind. He, Eoghan, and Kyran had searched the entire flat. There were obvious instances where things had been shoved around in drawers instead of neatly placed as others were, but there was no hint of who poisoned Neve.
    “It’s been over an hour,” Kyran said.
    Talin clenched his teeth together. He knew exactly how long it had been. With every minute that passed where Atris hadn’t returned with his and Neve’s parents, Talin knew something had happened.
    “When I leave, you must take Neve somewhere,” Talin told Kyran as he turned to face him.
    The look on Kyran’s face said he wasn’t thrilled with that request. When he opened his mouth to respond, it was Eoghan who walked to them and gave Talin a nod.
    “Thank you,” Talin told Eoghan.
    He knew why Kyran faltered. Neve was a Fae, and Kyran was worried that Talin was in love with her. The problem was that Talin had begun to wonder himself