Hidden Darkness (Hidden Saga Book 4) Read Free

antagonistic clans. I had yet to receive word on when our exchange diplomatic guest would arrive.
                  “Oh—yeah. Should be this week,” Nox said. “Sorry for the delay. Apparently there was some disagreement within the Dark Council on whom to send, but they’ve finally worked it out.”
                  “Someone trustworthy?”
                  “Audun assures me of that.”
                  “And can you trust him ?” Ryann had told me about Audun. She’d met him briefly at a gathering of the Dark Court in Los Angeles. She said he’d been rather close to Davis, was actually his second in command. Now he was head of the Dark Council. Although he’d sworn fealty to Nox, Ryann said the man had given her the creeps. 
                  “I know—he’s a crafty old jackal and Davis’s bosom buddy,” Nox said. “But he assured me of his loyalty in the Elven way, so I know he wasn’t lying. Listen, I’d love to have chosen the ambassador myself, but it’s the Council’s job—we’re not a dictatorship you know. Too bad, I would have made a great dictator, don’t you think?” he joked.
                  “Well… who is he? What’s he like?” My tone was impatient. This was important information and not really a joking matter in my opinion. I’d be letting this ambassador into my kingdom, allowing him to interact with my people, my mother… with Ryann.
                  Nox chuckled. “You need to get above ground more, my friend, and get away from all those dusty old Light Elves. Your emissary is a she . Her name is Ava.”

Chapter Three
Ava
     
     
     
     
     
    How exactly was I supposed to “be a watch?”
                  We were on the set of a men’s wrist watch shoot, and I was trying to follow the photographer’s instructions. Really, I was. But some of these guys were just a little too far out there. Be the watch —are you kidding me?
                  The funny thing was, the watch was barely showing in any of the shots Guillermo had taken so far. It was wrapped around the wrist of Culley Rune, and when he was on a set, the only thing anyone— men, women, and photographic equipment included—wanted to focus on was his face.
                  Yes, he was that good-looking. He was also well aware of it.
                  “Come on, Ava,” he whispered close to my ear, his light Australian accent a knowing tease. “You’re acting like I smell bad or something—when I know for a fact I don’t.” Culley arched one perfect eyebrow at me, daring me to contradict him. Daring me to resist him.
                  I inched a bit closer to his six-foot-three frame, and no, he did not smell bad. He smelled pretty amazing, actually. It was his ego that repulsed me. Maybe I should have been more understanding. When people worshipped you and treated you as if you were some sort of god, you probably couldn’t help but believe it after a while.
                  Culley Rune was the hottest male model working in the fashion industry. He charged exorbitant fees to walk the runway during Fashion Week, and his check for today’s shoot would no doubt quadruple mine.
                  I was basically there as his prop anyway. He was supposed to project all his adoration and desire for this ten thousand dollar timepiece on me. And I was apparently supposed to embody a gaudy hunk of metal.
                  “You are the watch, Ava. You’re gorgeous, desirable. Everybody wants you,” the photographer encouraged, moving around us and clicking steadily.
                  “I know this body does,” Culley purred. His hot breath fanned my neck, making goosebumps rise on my flesh. Real pretty. 
                  “Shut up,” I muttered, trying to hold onto my fierce-and-desirable expression. “You’re not