Smoldering Hunger Read Free

their best to appear as human as possible to MI5, who had descended upon their business and home.
    “ And you? ” Darius asked. “ How are you?”
    There was a long pause before Con said, “ We’re fine. ”
    “ I didna ask about Dreagan. I know the bloody whisky is going to be fine. I asked how you were, you stubborn bugger. ”
    “ How the fuck do you think I am? ”
    Darius smiled when he heard the anger in Con’s voice. Constantine was known for being as cold as ice in any situation. Few had seen him angry and lived to speak of it. “ I almost feel sorry for the Dark for what we’re going to do to them. ”
    “ They need to be wiped from this realm. ”
    “ All Fae need to go. Even Rhi. They’ve caused nothing but problems. ” Darius expected Con to agree regarding the Light Fae who had helped them in many situations, but the silence stretched on.
    “ Rhi has too many friends among the Kings. ”
    “ And you want Usaeil as an ally. ”
    “ The Light Fae queen has nothing to do with this, ” Con said tightly.
    His tone made Darius frown. Was that a tinge of irritation in Con’s tone? Over the Fae queen? Interesting. There were rumors among the Kings that Con was disappearing a lot of late. Many suspected he and Usaeil were now lovers.
    That wasn’t going to end well in any scenario.
    Darius changed the subject. “ How is the tracking going on the Dark? ”
    “ No’ as well as before. Henry is making it his mission to track the Fae. ”
    Henry. The only human who wasn’t a mate of the Kings. He’d been allowed to know their secret and enter their private domain. Henry was no mere human, however. He was one of the best spies Britain had to offer.
    “ Are the nasty buggers back in Ireland like they’re supposed to be? ”
    “ Most. There’s still some stragglers. Too many for my comfort. ”
    “ If they’re in Edinburgh, I’ll find them. ”
    Con’s sigh was loud enough to make it through the mental link. “ We have to find Ulrik, Darius, and make him answer for this video. I’ll no’ have any of you take to your caves to hide from the mortals again. We survived it once. I’ll no’ ask it a second time. ”
    “ We understand what’s at stake. Ulrik knows we’re looking for him. We’ve been searching for weeks. Perhaps it’s time we ask Broc. ”
    “ Nay, ” Con said with finality. “ The Warriors and Druids already brought attention to themselves during the battle with the Dark in Edinburgh. This is our fight. We can find Ulrik ourselves. ”
    “ He’ll no’ stray far from Scotland, I’ll wager. ”
    “ Just be on the lookout. And remember, Darius, he can no’ be trusted. ”
    Con severed the link before the last syllable was uttered. Darius looked over the lights of the city and thought of Con’s words.
    Ever since Darius woke and ventured from his cave a few months earlier, he’d known his time would be spent in battle. Con visited every King who slept and updated them on the world. Darius was well aware of Ulrik’s growing threats before he walked from his mountain.
    Now he, like the other Kings, was hunting one of their own. Ulrik was a menace to all the Dragon Kings. Ulrik might’ve brought Lily back from the dead for Rhys, but soon after he attempted to kill Darcy.
    Ulrik’s actions were chaotic and seemingly indiscriminate. Every time they thought they knew what he would do, Ulrik changed his motives. He surprised them with his decisions at every turn.
    It was a brilliant tactic to keep them guessing and on edge, not knowing what he would do next. No doubt it was driving Con mad with fury.
    Darius grudgingly acknowledged Ulrik’s cleverness. Then again, it was no surprise. Ulrik was one of the strongest of the Dragon Kings. He could’ve been King of Kings, and probably would’ve been had Con not wanted the position.
    The two of them had been close brothers. They were inseparable. Until Con took over as King of Kings. Ulrik never challenged him, even though it