Free Dark Desire by Shannan Albright

would know why and if her brother was
involved. The tensions between Atlanteans and Mers were at the boiling point, ready to spill out at any
moment. The death of Ja’mel’s sister would be the
tipping point, a no brainer there.
      Zeke would never put Atlantis in jeopardy if
he could help it, but his gut told him what he wanted and what would be were
totally two different things.
    Whatever way he
looked at it, it was certain they were heading into a full on war.
    ****
    The back of
Lori’s neck tingled with a warning of danger. She didn’t have a clue how she
could know, but it was there in the tingling awareness crawling over her flesh,
the rapid beat of her heart and the tightening of her gut. She was being
stalked, and the air thickened as expectation hummed around her, setting off a
twinge of foreboding. The urge to run overwhelmed her, but she shoved it down
and kept her strides smooth and even.
    Whoever followed
her would not find her easy prey.
    Slowly she
reached into her handbag she carried over her shoulder, her fingers tightening
on the Mace she kept there. No, not easy at all.
    Pulling it out
she held it in a tight grip as she crossed the street and headed toward the
beacon of shining lights of the mini mart. She just needed to go past one dark
alley and she would be home free.
    He struck so
fast that by the time she reacted it was too late. A muscled arm wrapped around
her throat, tugging her up against a hard body, dragging her into the shadowy
alley. The pressure against her throat tightened making it impossible for her
to breathe let alone scream.
    She fought with
everything she had. Lifting her arm she sprayed her mace into her assailant’s
face, knowing she didn’t have long before the lack of oxygen would make her
pass out. Already she felt dizzy as dark spots dimmed her vision.
    She heard him
curse, the weight abruptly gone from her throat, allowing her to take in a
shuddering gasp of air. It was the only reprieve she got as she found herself
spun around and slammed into the bricks of the alley wall. Pain blossomed down
her spine at the impact, and his fingers pressed ruthlessly into her hand
holding the Mace, until it dropped with a clang to the ground from her numb
hand.
    His face pressed
close to her. His breath fanned over her cheek, and she shuddered. Not with
fear but with awareness. She tilted her head up to see him better and found the
most handsome face she’d ever seen. Even the silver piercings he sported on one
eyebrow and ear added to his appeal. An exotic tribal tattoo adorned the side
of his neck, traveling down beneath his black t-shirt. She felt an odd
compulsion to pull his shirt off and study the intricate lines, which looked
like some sort of hieroglyphics. His spiked, pale blond hair only added to the
allure of him. Only a pair of shades marred the perfection of his strong,
masculine features.
    “I don’t have
much money but it’s yours if you just let me go,” she rasped out, her voice
hoarse from the choke-hold he’d had on her throat.
    “I don’t want
anything from you, bitch, except revenge.” His soft tone held more menace than
if he shouted the words.
    “What … why? Do
I know you?” she sputtered.
    He released one
shoulder to rip the shades from his face and glare at her. She gasped in shock
as the strange otherworldly eyes bored into hers. The entire surface of his
eyes was a glittering green shot with gold, the pupil a slit much like a snake
… or dragon .
    “What are you?”
she managed to get out, shocked by the sight.
    “Don’t play me, Laris . It won’t stop the inevitable,” he growled out.
    Confusion and
fear clamored through her as she stared at the strange, angry man. Was he a
man? “My name is Lori,” she argued, amazed to find her voice calm and steady,
so far removed from the terror filling her, making her heart beat erratically.
Worse, her words seemed to enrage him further.
    “Well, Lori, is it? I know … intimately . Your real name is