Free Dark Alpha's Embrace by Donna Grant Page B

of all species to want her. It was one of the reasons Erith kept to her own realm where no one dared to venture.
    All across the universe, Death was feared. And she used it to her advantage.
    “I need to see him.” The bastard needed to be gutted several times over for releasing Bran back into the world.
    Death closed the distance between them and laid her palm on his chest. “Calm your anger.”
    Cael stared down at her in shock. The only other time she touched him was when he became a Reaper. Erith always kept her distance from anyone and anything. Yet she was touching him now.
    He could feel the warmth of her hand through his shirt, sinking into his skin. Though he couldn’t discern any magic being used, his anger began to fade.
    She was so close he could see the dark purple encircling her irises. He could smell the scent of the flowers she loved so much clinging to her, as if they needed her almost as much as …
    Cael didn’t finish the thought. He couldn’t.
    Erith lowered her gaze to the ground before she dropped her arm. She then stepped around him. The door of the tower opened as she approached.
    He turned, watching her. He drank in every moment with her, because it might be a millennia before he saw her again. Seeing her, talking to her always affected him deeply. She had no idea how acutely he coveted every morsel of time with her.
    Nor would she.
    Cael’s gaze followed the flow of her hair down her back, itching to touch a lock. He kept his hands to himself and observed how the train of her gown floated upon the air, inches from the ground.
    Cael took a deep breath and slowly released it. Erith then paused as she began to ascend the stairs. She looked over her shoulder at him and gave a nod.
    He strode inside the tower, taking the stairs three at a time to catch her. Halfway up, the sound of the tower door closing reached him.
    “Don’t say a word,” Erith ordered Cael when she reached the fourth landing.
    Cael flashed her a smile. “I always behave myself.”
    Her gaze cut him a baleful look before she touched the door with her palm. It swung open without a sound. Erith’s chin lifted as she proceeded into the chamber.
    Cael peered inside, not at all sure what he might find. He’d seen Death’s mercy. He’d witnessed her anger. And he’d beheld her vengeance. The one thing he wasn’t ever sure of was Death’s mood.
    He walked into the chamber to see it looked like a guest room one would find at a mortal’s home. Cael remained by the door as Erith moved to the window where Seamus sat with his back to Cael, staring out over the beautiful sea of flowers below.
    There was more silver in the Dark’s hair than black, which told Cael how much evil Seamus had done in his lifetime. Seamus wasn’t tied to the chair or otherwise bound. He held a mug of tea in one hand, sipping at his leisure.
    Just what was Death about?
    “I’ve learned more about you, Seamus.” Erith stood beside the window, her gaze directed outside as well.
    Cael raised a brow. Death already knew all there was about Seamus. It was her ability anytime someone came on her radar. With a mere word, she could have Seamus cowering upon the floor, begging for his life.
    Erith must have a good reason for taking this approach. And Cael was curious to discover what it was.
    Seamus shrugged. “Find anything interesting?”
    “Actually, I did. As I told you before, I already know how you’ve made a name for yourself in the Dark world as a Fae who can procure anything. That takes a fair amount of skill.”
    Though Cael hated to admit it, he was impressed. If Seamus managed such a feat, then he was someone who could help the Reapers. No wonder Erith was going to such extremes.
    Which meant, the Dark had no idea he was speaking to Death. Because Erith was taking such precautions, she intended to let Seamus live—if he could serve them in some capacity.
    Erith leaned a shoulder next to the window. A brush of wind blew back strands of her