Free Carnival of Darkness (FaeTAL Series Book 1) by Becca Moree Page B

or if I will. Either way, I will see what is making his chest sting. Although, I already know. I can sense it down to my fucking bones.
    “Ah, fuck me sideways, man. Alright, alright, I’m doing it.”
    His large hands shake as he unbuttons his shirt. It doesn’t take long for me to see the bold Celtic symbol for strength sitting prominently on his chest. A soft glow radiates from the tattoo that marks him as a one of my men. As a member of the FaeTAL warriors.
    “Oh mother of all that’s fucking holy. What in the ever loving hell is that?”
    “That, son, is the mark of a Fae warrior. You, my brother, are one of us. Although, I’m not sure how. You say that your mother is human? What of your father?
    “Uh, never met the man. He died before I was born. It’s always just been me and my momma. She didn’t like to talk about him much. Said he died during some war or something I think.”
    “A halfling?”
    “No fucking way!”
    “There are halflings now? How the hell is that possible?”
    The men all speak up at once and the sounds quickly overpower one another to create a mass of words that just sounds like noise.
    “Enough!” I bellow and the silence is almost instantaneous. “Clearly, Mac is a halfling. He is one of us, and because of that, we will welcome him into the fold, no fucking questions asked. Is that understood? Jax, that means lower your goddamn weapon, now!”
    “Thanks for that. Uh, what do I call you? Fuck, you’re not human? None of you?”
    “Nope, sorry. We’re Fae. At least we aren’t fucking vampires or shifters. Those guys are annoying as fuck.”
    “Thank you for adding that little tidbit, Brad. Now, we need to come up with a plan to take out the Fallen Fae taking up residence at the carnival without bringing too much attention to ourselves. Mac, give your man a call and see what information you can gain. I believe that I will go in tomorrow and take a look around at this place and see what I can find. If all goes smoothly and there are only the three or four you reported, I will take them out myself.” At Larkin’s hard look I cut him off before he even gets a word out. “Are you questioning my ability to handle myself, Larkin? I am the King of the Fae and the Leader of the warriors. Do you wish to test my skills yourself? I am absolutely open to a bit of training before I move in on the carnival. I’ve spent too much time behind a damn desk this week; I need the fun of a good fight.”
    “No, sire. I know ye can handle yourself in battle.” His deep Irish brogue hasn’t faded even the slightest over the years. “I just worry for ye, when ye go out alone, tis not just you who would suffer should ye fall.”
    “I appreciate your concern, but it is unfounded.”
    Mac’s face hardens in concern while the phone in his hand continues to ring.
    “Ah, Fuck. He’s not answering.”

    Brett
    “ A woman was brought into the starter trailer today. They drug her unconscious body so ruthlessly through the trailer. She was caught trying to escape. They took her to a back room.  I could hear her cries of pain. It sounded awful. I’m not sure what all they did to that poor girl back there, but they were covered in blood when they left the room. I’m scared for her, she needs a doctor, cowboy. I wish there was something I could do, but I can’t even protect myself.” She sounds so damn defeated. My heart aches for the innocence that was ripped from her by fucking Fred and the C.O.D.
    Why in the hell didn’t I go to her? I was drawn to that damn trailer all fucking day but refused to let myself go there. I knew what would happen. I knew the odds were that Fred would hurt her pretty damn badly today. But usually he holds off on the other shit. Part of me understands why he didn’t. My Red is a very beautiful woman and pretty damn irresistible. Fuck, I hate that she went through this. I hate that I didn’t save her from this.
    As my hands run slowly over her body, careful of her