Fire Rising (Dark Kings) by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

past life as Duncan Kerr, an immortal Warrior with a god locked inside him.
    Then there was Ian. Duncan’s identical twin brother.
    So far, Ian hadn’t come to Dreagan or attempted to contact him, but Tristan knew it was only a matter of time until he did. Then what?
    “That’s a deep frown you’re wearing,” Banan said.
    Tristan relaxed his features and shrugged. “There’s a lot to think about.”
    “Why do I have the feeling you are no’ referring to Sammi and her troubles, but instead to a certain Warrior named Ian?”
    “Is it that obvious?”
    Banan shook his head as he glanced at the screen on the dash where a red light was flashing, showing them where Sammi was, thanks to their putting a tracking device on her car obtained from Banan’s friend and contact in MI5, Henry North. “I know Phelan has been pushing you. Doona be angry with him. He’s doing it for Ian. And for you.”
    “He doesna know me.”
    “He may no’ have known you as Duncan, but he knows you as Tristan. The Warriors have as tight a bond as we do. They look out for their own. Ian nearly didna remain in control of his god he was so devastated by your—I mean Duncan’s—death.”
    Tristan shifted in his seat and plucked at the seat belt he hated wearing. “Did you know who I was when I first came to Dreagan? Did you know I was once a Warrior?”
    “Nay. No’ at first.”
    “When did you realize it?”
    Banan’s lips flatted. “The first time we fought alongside the Warriors. I think Con knew before that, but he kept it to himself.”
    “Has anyone wondered that there might be a verra good reason I doona remember that other life?”
    “It has occurred to us.”
    “But everyone still thinks I should meet with Ian.” Tristan had expected the rest of the Kings to stand beside whatever decision he made about the matter. Instead, they, like Phelan, thought he should meet Ian.
    Banan slowed the car to go around a sharp turn before he pressed the accelerator and the engine roared as it sped down the road. “Because you have what we do no’. Family. All of our family either died in the war with the humans or they were sent away.”
    “You have Jane,” Tristan reminded him.
    A crooked smile appeared on Banan’s face at the mention of his mate. “Aye. I do. Sammi is a part of that new family.”
    The rest—but it wasn’t the same—was left unspoken.
    Tristan didn’t mind that the Kings were his only family. He didn’t mind that he had no memories before two years earlier when he fell from the sky. Perhaps that was something to be worried about.
    “If you really doona want to see Ian, then we’ll stand behind you,” Banan said.
    Tristan looked at the King of the Blues. “What would you do?”
    “That’s no’ easy to say. I remember my family so I would do all I could to find them if given the opportunity. I think you’re right though. I think the memories of when you were Duncan are gone because you couldna be a Dragon King and want to be with your twin.”
    Tristan thought again of the pale blue skin and claws he had seen in his mind. Though he hadn’t asked, somehow he knew that when he had been a Warrior, his skin had changed to the pale blue.
    “She’s stopping,” Banan said suddenly, pulling Tristan from his thoughts.
    Tristan stared at the screen and the red dot, which was no longer moving. “It could be traffic. She is twenty minutes ahead of us.”
    “Aye, and that is the village. She stopped there. I know it.”
    “Why would she chance it?”
    Banan chuckled. “Because Sammi loves to eat. She was starved for so long, but her body now has food in it again. She’ll be hard-pressed to skip a meal so soon.”
    “I’d hate to think anyone was watching Dreagan without us knowing, but I’m almost hoping the bastards try to take her soon. I’d like to meet them.”
    Banan’s eyes gleamed with excitement and vengeance. “Me too.”
    Tristan smiled, recognizing the same need to defend, to protect. Except