Read an Excerpt

Passion Ignites

Part 4

St. Martin's Press

Thorn removed his clothes and stood on top of the warehouse surveying all his enhanced eyesight could see – and it wasn't a pretty picture.

The once beautiful ancient city had taken a battering from the Dark. After the building Lexi had been in was destroyed, the Dark moved to other areas of the city and began to ravage it.

The rain was coming faster, hitting his skin like pellets. Wind whipped around him, as if urging him to shift and take to the sky. He glanced about for humans. How many times had they taken precautions so that the mortals wouldn't see them?

How many times had they not been able to shift because the humans were too close?

Now, not one of the mortals was paying attention. Con was already flying over the city. Thorn could see a hint of gold scales through the clouds.

Thorn could finally focus on the task at hand like he had before he saw Lexi the first time. It was a relief that she was completely out of danger at Dreagan. Finally, she was well and truly safe.

He jumped and shifted at the same time. His wings unfurled and caught the wind. It took him straight up to the clouds.

"Ready?" Con asked.

Thorn circled the warehouse to make sure no one had seen him. "Been ready."

The two of them stayed in the clouds until they found a group of Dark. He and Con came at them from opposite sides. Thorn went first, blasting them with magic and pushing the Dark right toward Con.

Thorn dipped his wing to turn and flew off when Con came in and released dragon fire on the Fae. When they were done, no Dark was left alive.

With their victory, they moved on to the next section. It proved more difficult since there were numerous humans mixed in with the Dark.

Thorn tucked his wings and dove straight down from the clouds. Since he was unable to spread his wings fully between the buildings, he managed to spread them enough to halt his descent and even him out. He grabbed a Dark in each hand, crushing them.

Con dove down behind him, catching three Dark in his mouth and using his teeth to tear them to shreds before tossing them away.

Again and again they found their prey and unleashed hell.

Their attacks were enough to get the Dark to begin fleeing, but then there were the combined attacks of Rhi, Guy and Darius, as well as Fallon, Larena, Phelan, and Aisley.

Thorn flew back up to the clouds, content with their attack and the outcome. Con spotted another group that they were headed toward when Kellan's voice shouted in their heads.

"Dark attack at Dreagan!"

Thorn roared and dipped his wing as he quickly turned and headed toward Dreagan. How had the Dark gotten in? There were precautions in place.

Then he remembered – the distillery.

Thorn roared again in fury – and fear. He flew swiftly, his heart sick that Lexi might be hurt. Or worse — captured.

It was as if the Dark knew where she was going to be every time he thought she was safe.

* * *

Rhi remained on the same street as Phelan and Aisley. She stayed closer to the Druid, because the Dark would like nothing better than to get their hands on her.

Though she kept an eye on Phelan as well. If the Dark ever discovered he was a Fae prince ... she didn't even want to think about what would become of him.

She swung her sword around her, bending backward to get the two attacking behind her. Rhi straightened and kicked out her leg, her heel sinking into the Dark's throat.

Rhi.

She looked around for Con. There was urgency in his voice that she hadn't heard before. She glanced up when she felt a gust of wind go over her.

Then he was standing in the middle of the street naked. A Dark ran up to him. Con grabbed him around the throat and squeezed. The Dark clawed at Con, but it did no good. The King of Kings had a hold of him, slowly squeezing the life from the Fae with black eyes full of fury.

Con's head swung to her. "Dark are attacking Dreagan. Thorn has gone. All of this," he said as he tossed aside the dead Dark and motioned to the city, "was set up to divert our attention from Dreagan."

Dreagan. Under attack. By Dark. It couldn't be possible. But all she had to do was look into Con's eyes and see the lethal rage rolling off him to know it wasn't a joke.

She teleported out before she thought to ask Con why he assumed she would help. But she didn't go to Dreagan. Instead, Rhi found Fallon and appeared next to the Warrior as he stood using his claws to tear through the Dark.

"I need you to get Malcolm to Dreagan immediately."

Fallon's black Warrior eyes looked at her. His black claws dripped with blood, and his gold torc looked stark against the black skin of his god. "What?"

"The Dark are attacking Dreagan. This was a setup."

She didn't say any more as she teleported to Dreagan.

* * *

Kellan dove toward the shop, rolling and shifting into human form. He landed on one knee with his hands upon the ground. His head lifted when he saw Taraeth and Balladyn in the shop talking to a woman.

He listened to their conversation as he made his way into the building. The fact Taraeth hadn't posted anyone near the doors told Kellan that the king of the Dark didn't care if the Dragon Kings came in or not.

Then Kellan heard the humans. No wonder the Dark weren't worried. No Dragon King could go in there with humans watching.

He saw Arian and motioned for him to go around front. Then Kellan snuck into the shop. Broken glass sliced into his feet, but he paid it no attention.

"Taraeth and Balladyn are here," Kellan told the other Kings. Everyone needed to be prepared.

"Bring her," Taraeth told Balladyn.

After he ordered one of the Dark to kill everyone, Taraeth stopped and turned around.

"And bring the traitor, Shara."

Kellan waited until the Dark with Shara was even with the door to the hallway where he hid before he rushed them. Shara was taken down with them, but she sent a blast of magic toward Taraeth as she did. Kellan snapped the Dark's neck who had a hold of Shara and jumped up.

Arian crashed through the front glass doors and went after the Dark standing there. Kellan motioned for Cassie and Jane to get the humans out, but the mortals wouldn't leave. The girls began to drag them out of the shop one by one.

Kellan took the blasts of magic aimed for Cassie and Jane. His leg gave out, sending him down to one knee. Kellan got back up with a grimace and braced himself for the Dark who came at him.

Then they were in hand-to-hand combat. It wouldn't have been a fair fight had Kellan been at full strength, but the Dark magic was taking a toll.

There was a loud roar that Kellan recognized as Thorn. The next instant, Thorn stalked into the shop naked and furious and grabbed the first Dark he saw, ripping his heart out without so much as a glance.

Thorn was looking around the shop as if searching for someone.

Kellan elbowed the Dark he was fighting in the throat and snapped his neck. The rest of the Dark vanished from the store in the next second.

Thorn stood in the middle of the shop shaking his head. "Nay. Lexi was safe here."

Arian's chest heaved, anger contorting his face. His champagne-colored eyes blazed with unadulterated fury. "I tried to reach them, but they teleported out before I could."

There was murder in Thorn's dark eyes. "They attacked the cities to take us away from Dreagan."

"Aye," Kellan said. "But why just the distillery? I thought they'd go after the weapon again."

"More Dark coming your way!" Dmitri shouted.

Kellan, Thorn, and Arian ran out of the shop and shifted into dragons. Kellan remained near Shara while Thorn and Arian flew to the skies and took their assault from above.

Rhi stood in the middle of the parking lot with her sword raised, ready as Dark ran at her. A moment later and Fallon deposited Malcolm in the middle of the fray before teleporting away again.

"No' fair to start the action without me," Malcolm said. His skin turned maroon as he released his god and raised a hand to the sky as lightning forked from his fingers, sending bolts in every direction.

The sound covered the roars of the dragons, and the display would keep any humans from venturing out into the storm.

Kellan turned and beheaded a Dark with his wing who had been going after Malcolm. The rain continued to come in a downpour.

Thorn roared and dove right at the group of oncoming Dark. He flattened dozens of them before others began to hurl magic at him.

He was trying to fly back up to the sky when a huge bubble of magic hit him, instantly shifting him back into his human form.

Kellan took out the Dark responsible. Another flood of Dark Fae came at them, swarming the parking lot like ants.

"Kellan!" Rhi shouted from his left.

She was pointing to the ground where Thorn lay unmoving after hitting the ground hard. After what had happened with Rhys where dragon magic was mixed with Dark that nearly killed him, Kellan refused to take any chances. He stood over Thorn so no Dark could get to him.

Rhi was doing major damage to the Dark with her sword and quick movements while Shara used her Fae magic. Roars from Arian sounded around them as he continued to swoop down from the sky raining dragon fire on them. There were sudden shouts and war cries as more Warriors arrived.

"Another attack at the north border!" Roman said.

* * *

Lexi was meditating on Thorn. He was the only thing keeping her from begging someone to ease the desire building just as Taraeth had promised she would.

Someone said her name. She ignored it. She couldn't lose concentration. A hand connected with her face sharply, sending pain radiating through her.

"Are you sure?" asked a male voice.

Lexi moaned at the need clawing at her. She would not give in. She would not give in.

"I'm sure," Taraeth said.

Balladyn said, "She could've been speaking the truth. If she was a mate, she would've known to wait for the Kings to rescue her."

Lexi lifted her head and opened her eyes. She was in an office or library. It was obviously a place of someone with money based on the furnishings and the opulence of the room itself along with all the books.

"Why bring her to me?"

Lexi focused on the man who spoke. He had black hair kept long and gold eyes. And he was strikingly handsome.

"A present," Taraeth said. He motioned to Lexi. "I already have her prepared for you. She'll remain in that state for several days no matter how many times you take her."

Lexi lifted her chin and looked back at the men staring at her. She glowered at them. "Cowards. You're all cowards."

Thorn jerked awake and jumped to his feet. He blinked, recognizing he was deep in the mountain behind the manor. His head swiveled to the left where he heard a noise and spotted Kellan.

"What a clusterfuck of a night," Kellan murmured from his spot on a rock.

"Where is Lexi?"

Kellan rose from the seat wearing nothing but jeans. "How do you feel? We didna find any injuries, but I wanted to make sure you were no' hit with dragon magic."

Thorn shook his head. "I'm fine. Where is Lexi?"

"It's been a hell of a night." Kellan ran a hand down his face. "Con and Darius are still in Edinburgh trying to contain the city. They've pushed the Dark back and should be here soon. As should the others around the U.K."

Thorn fisted his hands at his sides. "Where. Is. Lexi?"

Kellan glanced away, and it was all the confirmation Thorn needed to know why his gut was tied in knots. A breath rushed from him in a puff.

"Dreagan was supposed to be safe. She was supposed to be safe," Thorn said more to himself than Kellan.

Kellan walked to him and put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I didna know she was here. None of us did."

"Tell me everything." A mixture of ire and anxiety settled like a stone in his stomach.

Kellan dropped his hand. "I wasna there. A few of the mates were. Get dressed. They're waiting to talk to you."

Thorn didn't move for long seconds after Kellan walked away. Then he stormed out of the cavern to the stash of jeans. He jammed his legs in them and fastened them as he strode barefoot and shirtless down the corridor that led to the manor.

As he reached the door from the mountain into the manor, Thorn could hear voices coming from within. He opened the door and stepped inside the manor.

He followed the voices to the front room. As soon as they saw him, the conversation stopped. Thorn was hanging on by a thread. If Lexi was dead, he knew he wouldn't be able to handle it. Why is it everyone he gave his protection to died viciously?

He had known to stay away from Lexi, to let Darius protect her. And yet he had stepped in. For what? To get close to her and have her ripped from his arms?

Shara rose from a chair by the fireplace. Her face was smudged with dirt and her shirt and pants had burn holes in them from the blasts of magic. Her silver gaze met his. "She's strong, Thorn."

Those words hit him in the chest like a wrecking ball. He briefly closed his eyes and took in a steadying breath. "What happened?"

"We didn't know who she was," Cassie said fretfully.

Jane was holding her hand palm up in her lap so that the lacerations on it didn't touch anything. "It all happened so fast."

Kellan leaned a hand against the mantel. "Just tell him."

"We knew Dark were on the border," Shara said. "We were trying to get the last tour out so we could close up and get to the manor. The rain kept the tourists in the shop long after we should've closed."

Cassie rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "I saw the Dark coming. I shouted a warning of danger, but all it did was stop everyone in their tracks. They wouldn't move. They were like deer staring into headlights."

Jane nodded her head, looking down at her lap.

"They busted in. Cassie tried to get out without them seeing her to alert someone, but they came in the back as well. We huddled with the tourists in the hopes that they wouldn't recognize us," Shara explained. "They began to kill humans when a Dark walked in with Lexi."

Cassie licked her lips. "The Dark recognized her. He said he had killed her friend."

Thorn clenched his teeth. The bastard Lexi had been looking for accidentally found her. What were the odds?

"They wanted to know which one of you she was mated to." Shara's smile was sad. "She made up a story about following you and Darius and overhearing you talk of the Dark."

Thorn closed his eyes as he dropped his chin to his chest. "She had to deal with them alone."

"She held her own," Cassie said. "It was impressive. I don't think I could have."

Kellan blew out a breath. "When did Taraeth get here?"

"While the Dark questioned her," Shara said.

Thorn lifted his head and looked at the Fae. "Did he know she lied?"

"He suspected. She was convincing though." Shara tossed back a drink of whisky and took a deep breath. "She tried to tell them that she ran from the city after seeing all the Dark and cut across country."

Kellan's lips twisted. "Let me guess, Taraeth didna believe it was a coincidence she ended up on Dreagan."

Shara slowly shook her head. "More than anything, it was the fact she didn't throw herself at him." Shara's silver eyes slid to Thorn. "He ... he forced desire on her."

Thorn let out a growl. He turned and swiped everything off the table near him, but it did nothing to ease the turmoil within him.

"He didn't have his way with her," Shara hurried to say. "He had Balladyn bring her."

Kellan said, "That's when I came in and stopped them from taking Shara."

Taking one mate was bad enough, but if the Dark had gotten their hands on two of them?

Thorn frowned as he glanced from Shara to Cassie to Jane. "Did he no' realize Cassie and Jane were immune to the Dark as well?"

Kellan shrugged and they looked to the women for an answer.

"They didn't pay us much attention," Shara said.

Cassie nodded in agreement. "They were focused on Lexi."

Thorn turned his head to Kellan. "They could've walked out of here with four mates. Why did they no' search the group of humans for the mates?"

"A verra good question," Kellan stated. "It doesna make sense."

"Nothing about any of this has. They've been walking the streets of the cities for days. They kill at will, with everything building up to this night. Then they attack here, but doona try to take one of us or more mates."

Shara crossed her arms over her stomach. "Lexi was a surprise for them. They didn't come for her."

---

Excerpted from Passion Ignites by Donna Grant. Copyright © 2015 Donna Grant. Excerpted by permission of St. Martin's Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---