Free Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce Page A

smiled. “Nay, lass. Let me go.”
    He was dying. She felt his life spinning away, But she could heal him—she would heal him. In panic, she poured all the white light she could muster on him, trying to hold her terror at bay.
    “Ailios!” Royce's grasp tightened his gaze on hers. “Let me die.”
    Allie looked at him in horror. “Don't talk. You don't mean it. I won't let you die! I love you!”
    “Please,” Royce said softly. And his grasp loosened.
    And she felt his life soaring away from him. She saw a white-gold light lifting from him. “No!” Frantic, she poured white power over him, through him, but everything was happening too fast now,
    Royce looked up at Aidan. Let me go. T'is time.
    And strong hands seized Allie from behind.
    But she had heard Royce, and she screamed, furious at Aidan terrified, struggling, but Aidan wouldn't release her. Panicking, she flung white light at Royce, but Aidan was interfering with her powers—and Royce was leaving   rapidly now.
    Aidan, take her away, protect her.
    “No!”
    Royce smiled at her—and the white-gold light swirled upward, into the ceiling—his gray eyes becoming sightless.
    Allie screamed. “Nooo!” And she fought to go to him, the white-gold light hovering above them, but Aidan pulled her away.
     
    ALLIE WEPT AND WEPT.
    The paramedics had Royce's body on the stretcher, covered with a cloth, and were wheeling him from the room. Two local police cars were parked inside the courtyard, the officers in the hall with Aidan and Mrs. Farlane. The housekeeper, who was crying, clearly knew about her employer's secrets. The dead demons, of course, were gone. Their bodies had started disintegrating immediately, and unless there was a crime scene investigation, no traces of them would be found. But from the murmur of voices, and the snippets of conversation she'd heard, Allie knew the police knew the truth. One officer was already talking about the Highland gangs run amok these past few years, a favorite cover-up for these kinds of battles. The other had already called Scotland Yard. The British government probably had their version of CDA, too.
    How could he be gone?
    Allie doubled over from the sheer pain of her grief. Too late, she understood Tabby's reading. Then she heard footsteps.
    She looked up. Aidan stood there, his face ravaged, a single tear tracking down his cheek. She didn't hesitate. She jumped up and ran at him, fists balled. He caught her arm as she swung, she lifted her knee, wanting to emasculate him, but he twisted and easily avoided that assault, then caught her in a viselike embrace.
    She fought him, wanting to rip his handsome face apart. She wanted blood. He had prevented her from healing Royce—she could have saved him. “I hate you!” she screamed. “Let me go! I will never forgive you—you bastard!”
    He released her and she pounded his chest, hurting her fists because he was a wall of muscle. He caught her wrists. “Lass, cease. I love him, too.” His voice broke.
    Allie collapsed against the solid wall of his body, weeping again. This could not be happening. Royce was a great man, a great hero, a Master. He deserved to live! Aidan held her loosely now and she needed the comfort he could offer, when there was no real comfort to be had.
    Let me go.
    Why had he wanted to die?
    How old are you?
    It doesna matter, Ailios.
    So much grief and pain, such a beautiful man…
    I have waited a long time for this night.
    Allie trembled, but stopped crying. He had waited five hundred and seventy-seven years for her.
    Aidan released her and walked away.
    Allie wiped her eyes, her heart slamming, turning to gaze after him. He was pouring two huge glasses of whiskey. He drained most of his, then started toward her with the other tall glass. “You're a Master, too.”
    He faltered before offering her the glass.
    Allie shook her head. “You can travel through time; don't even try to deny it. You said you followed Royce here from 1430.”
    His