Free A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight Series #1) by Rae Lori Page B

knives and clubs held high.” Rich ran his hand over his long hair and sighed. “Look, I’ll go question Jace and get to the bottom of this. Got it?”
    “And what do we do?” Vex growled. “Stay here and cool our heels? I don’t think so!”
    “Hey! I am still the reigning regent within the House of Lycans. I will handle this. Just stay here and try to cool down for now.”
    Gael reached in his pocket for his cell phone. “I’ll see if I can find anything from the members in the club,” he said smoothly. “See if you can find out if the girl belonged to any of the houses. That way we’ll narrow down our search for her.”
    “Good idea,” Rich nodded. “I’ll call you if I find anything.” He rushed over to his Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle and climbed on, starting the bike’s engine. He hoped this was all just a misunderstanding that Jace could easily confirm. As the days went on, Rich knew that nothing was ever that simple.
    “And don’t say anything to any of the patriarchs until I return.” Rich yelled over the motor. “Got it?” He turned the bike around with a loud screech and took off into the night.
    * * * *
    Jace rushed over to Ariya. He quickly lifted her dress to cover her body.
    “You have to leave. I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
    “What? Why?”
    “I don’t know who or what you are, and I don’t care to know.” He shook his head, mumbling to himself. “I don’t need this right now. What was I thinking bringing you here?”
    Ariya relaxed her back muscles allowing the wings to settle. “I’m an Aziza. Not many mortals know of us, but the ones that do call us fairies. I come from the Dahomey Fairy realm. Up until now I had the job of assisting hunters on their quests.”
    “Well, that’s wonderful. Look, say for argument’s sake you are one of the elusive Fey creatures. You are nothing at all what was described to me in those legends and, simply enough, you don’t exist.” He pushed the little voice in his head that said that was all a lie. She was exactly what was described to him in the legends. He did however try to convince himself that she didn’t exist and the sooner she was out of sight, she would be out of his mind. “I don’t know what Fairyland you think you fell out of but you need to get out of here. I can’t help you.”
    “A little strange coming from a man who was feeding on blood not too long ago. I’m finding it hard to believe that you exist yourself.”
    Jace opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, as if trying to keep up with his mind rapidly searching for the words. Shaking his head with a huff, he point toward the door. “That’s all well and good then. You can take your leave and we’ll pretend we never saw each other so we can continue living our blissfully ignorant lives.”
    Ariya shook her head, waving her thick, curly tresses from side to side. “No. I don’t have anywhere to go. Plus, those rabid shifting Werewolf things are out there and—” She took a deep breath. “I came here so a dangerous creature won’t find me.”
    “I’m sorry.” Jace walked to the door and grabbed the doorknob. He looked upon her coldly as if his emotions were now tucked behind a carefully raised wall. The same emotions he showed so freely before were now replaced by harsh indifference. “You should go.”
    Ariya quickly stepped into the dress, threw her arms into the sleeves and yanked them over her shoulders. Her heart stung from his words, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of showing it as she put on a blank expression. She didn’t care anymore that he could read her thoughts. If she couldn’t stay, so be it. She was probably better on her own anyway.
    “I can’t believe I came this far. I trusted you only to be thrown out to do it all over again.”
    Jace remained silent, his expression stern.
    Ariya mustered up all the strength she had to say her final words to him. “You have a good life, Jace Archane. I hope you gain yourself a