When Darkness Ends by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online

wrong.
    He was a bastard.

Chapter Three
    Fallon gasped when Siljar disappeared as swiftly as she’d appeared.
    One second she was patting Cyn’s arm and the next . . . poof.
    No smoke. No mirrors. No abracadabra.
    Just there and then gone.
    Damn.
    What was wrong with her?
    She should have insisted that the powerful demon return her to her homeland. Even with Sariel’s interference she could have kept watch on the Commission. It wasn’t as if she’d ever let her father or fiancé interfere in her fascination with scrying before.
    It was easy to tell herself that it was the shock of waking up in a strange cave with a dangerous vampire, swiftly followed by the appearance of an Oracle demanding her help in spying on the Commission, that had rattled her brain. How could any poor female think clearly under such circumstances?
    But a part of her knew that she’d allowed herself to be steamrolled by the tiny Oracle quite simply because she didn’t want to go home.
    She’d spent centuries trapped in the glorious palace her father had created. She’d been petted and pampered and . . .
    Trapped.
    And worse, she’d known deep in her heart that she would never escape.
    Not so long as her father considered the pure-blooded Chatri above the lesser fey.
    So was it really surprising that she would be reluctant to give up this unexpected miracle even if it meant enduring the company of an obnoxious vampire?
    It wasn’t like she had to actually work next to him.
    He was a clan chief. His lair should be large enough for them never to cross paths, right?
    As if to prove her point, Cyn was abruptly heading toward the far end of the cave, his face grim although he held the scroll with obvious care.
    Far more care than he was willing to give her. Jackass. With a swift step, Fallon had moved to place herself directly in his path.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    He came to a grudging halt, his gaze narrowed. “To have a shower.”
    â€œWhat about me?”
    He shrugged. “Aren’t you supposed to be spying on the Oracles or something?”
    Her fists clenched. She’d never hit anyone before, but now seemed a good time to start.
    â€œNow look here, you big lug—”
    â€œYou have an obsessive fascination with my size.” He ran a slow, deliberate gaze down her tense body before leaning forward to whisper directly in her ear, “In case you’re interested, I’m large everywhere.”
    The brush of his lips against her skin sent darts of white-hot excitement sizzling through her.
    How was that possible?
    She’d lived with the most beautiful men in the world. Her own fiancé, Magnus, was breathtaking. But never, ever had one of them made her so acutely aware of being a woman. As if Cyn had some magical ability to arouse her darkest, most intimate desires.
    Jerking back, she sent him a glare. “Well, your head is certainly bloated.”
    His gaze lingered on her mouth. “If you’re trying to charm me, it’s not working.”
    She wouldn’t lick her lips. She wouldn’t.
    Her tongue peeked out, swiping her lower lip with a provocative movement. Instantly Cyn’s eyes darkened with a scorching heat.
    Fallon stiffened. What was wrong with her?
    â€œI’m not trying to charm you,” she stubbornly denied.
    â€œFine.”
    Abruptly he’d stepped around her, clearly intending to leave her abandoned in the caves.
    â€œWait.”
    He sent an impatient glance over his shoulder. “Now what?”
    â€œWe’re obviously stuck with one another for now,” she said, pointing out the obvious.
    â€œDo you have a point?”
    Heathen. Barbarian. Hulking, gorgeous, pain in the ass.
    She counted to ten.
    â€œYou could at least try to be civil.”
    He folded his arms over his chest. “And what does ‘civil’ entail?”
    â€œI obviously can’t stay in these caves.” She waved a