Dark Alpha's Demand: A Reaper Novel (Reapers) Read Free Page A

could be anyone. Da has a fair amount of enemies.”
    “Everyone at court does,” she reminded him.
    “I still don’t know why they’d target you. Why not me?”
    Neve shrugged, wishing Talin were with her. He always made everything better.
    “Could it be about a suitor?”
    She cut her brother a dark look. “You know I’ve not led anyone on. The ones who were interested, I’m friends with.”
    “After turning them down,” Atris pointed out. “All except Talin.”
    Shock reverberated through Neve. Until she recalled how well liked Talin was. “No. It can’t be about Talin.”
    “Perhaps a woman who wanted him, wants you to pay?”
    Now that she could see. “Let’s see what we can find.”
    “I think we should tell Mum and Da.”
    Neve held him in place, forcing him to look at her. “No. I’ll not involve them until there’s a need.”
    “All right.” Atris blew out a frustrated breath. “But I want it on record that I argued for telling them.”
    She smiled up at her brother. “Consider it done.”
    “Good. Now let’s go find this bitch.”
    * * *
    Talin arrived on the small isle of Inchmickery that the Reapers had claimed as their own. It was close enough to the east coast of Scotland that they could see Edinburgh.
    He strode through the main corridors of the concrete building. Though the Reapers hadn’t touched the outside of the buildings once used for battle, the insides were another matter entirely. Magic transformed the cold look of the concrete to one of charm and warmth.
    Talin found Eoghan first. Eoghan and the Reaper’s leader, Cael, were the only two left of the first group of Reapers. Eoghan stood in one of the corridors alone.
    He was always alone. Eoghan chose not to speak. Talin wasn’t sure what had happened in Eoghan’s past to make it so he didn’t talk, but Eoghan communicated in other ways.
    Eoghan raised a brow when he saw Talin.
    “Everything good here?” Talin asked.
    Eoghan gave a slow nod.
    “Cael return yet?”
    Eoghan blew out a loud breath.
    “Damn.” Talin ran a hand through his hair.
    There was the sound of soft footsteps before Kyran appeared. “What’s going on?”
    “A lot.” Talin met Kyran’s red eyes and quickly filled the two of them in on what he’d learned at court.
    “Shit,” Kyran murmured. He then glanced over his shoulder into the library where his woman, River, sat amid a pile of books.
    Eoghan crossed his arms over his chest, his lips twisted. It was Eoghan’s version of “shit.”
    “Do you think it was Rhi?” Kyran asked.
    Talin shook his head. “If Rhi knows Usaeil is seeing a Dragon King, she’ll do a lot more than simply put up a copy of the picture.”
    Eoghan snorted as he nodded.
    “Perhaps it’s time we talk to the Dragon Kings,” Kyran suggested.
    Talin was beginning to think it might be. “That’s ultimately Cael’s decision, but I’m in agreement. I’ve got to return to court.”
    “You mean Neve.”
    Talin paused and slowly turned his head to Kyran. He knew Kyran was worried about his growing feelings for Neve, as if Kyran had any right since he’d recently fallen in love. At least both Kyran and Baylon were allowed to have their women with them.
    He would never have that option. River and Jordyn were both half—Fae. It was their human half that had prevented them from being killed the moment they discovered who the Reapers were.
    That wouldn’t be the same for Neve. If any Fae learned who a Reaper was, they were to be killed immediately. It didn’t matter how Talin felt about Neve because he could never have her.
    Eoghan touched his shoulder. Talin swung his head to Eoghan, who gave him a reassuring nod. Thinking it better to not respond to Kyran, Talin teleported back to Ireland.
    “He’s in love with her,” Kyran stated when Talin was gone.
    Eoghan slowly released a breath and faced Kyran. Then he shrugged before pointing to River in the library.
    Kyran’s jaw clenched. “That’s