Free Dark Alpha's Demand: A Reaper Novel (Reapers) by Donna Grant Page A

believe everything you see or hear. Trust your heart.” Talin closed the distance between them and cupped her face as he kissed her slowly, sensuously. When he pulled back, he whispered, “Be careful.”
    Neve didn’t ask how he knew she planned to go to court alone. Instead of responding, she teleported to the castle.

Chapter Ten
    Talin veiled himself and followed Neve to the Light court. She looked spectacular in a gown of white that dipped into a V at the neckline. The dress was Grecian in style and flowed down her body, showcasing her glorious curves.
    Thin, gold straps held the gown on her shoulders. The only other embellishment was the wide, gold belt of tiny beads that encircled her waist.
    Her mane of black hair was left unadorned to fall straight down her back. With her head held high and her back rigid, Neve Everwood strode through the castle doors.
    Despite the threat of Reapers, the majority of Light hadn’t left the castle. When they caught sight of her, their talking ceased as they stared wide—eyed at Neve’s arrival.
    He smiled as he watched her. Talin didn’t know of another woman who would have faced this alone. Just his Neve.
    His.
    That brought him up short. Until he realized he’d thought of her as his from the moment their gazes had first locked. She knew he kept secrets, and though she wanted to know what they were, she didn’t pressure him.
    It was that same fortitude, that same resolve that had her walking through the castle alone.
    As Talin followed behind her, he heard some Light whisper that she wasn’t afraid. That wasn’t true. Talin could see the apprehension in the way she held her head and how her walk wasn’t as carefree as normal.
    Other Light wondered why the Reapers hadn’t taken her. One such Fae asked that question loud enough for Neve to hear. Talin thought Neve might respond, but she simply looked at the female in question as she walked past.
    With the white skirts of her gown billowing around her, Neve continued to explore corridor after corridor. She didn’t stop to talk, not even if someone called her name. She had a single—minded purpose—to locate the place where her family had been kidnapped.
    Not that it would do any good, but Talin understood her need for some kind of connection to her loved ones. He wondered if they would even be able to know where that place was.
    Then they turned down another hall. It was long, narrower than most with a fifty—foot section of nothing but windows overlooking the sea. He heard his name whispered in his head. It was a warning from Kyran that they were close.
    Neve’s steps faltered, then slowed before halting altogether. Talin walked around her and felt anger sizzle along his skin.
    On the opposite wall from the windows, written in blood, was the mark of the Reapers. A triskelion inside a circle inside a triangle pointed downward. If there had been any doubt Bran was responsible for the Everwoods kidnapping, there wasn’t any longer.
    Neve stared at the symbol for a long time, as if committing it to memory. Then she turned in a full circle, looking around her.
    Talin got close enough to touch her. He could sense her pain, the anger that was close to consuming her. There were no words he could give to comfort her because to do so would mean her death.
    But how he wanted to draw her into his arms, to hold her as he gave her his vow to kill Bran and return her parents. Her brother. He might not be able to say the words aloud, but they were shouted. In his heart.
    Neve inhaled deeply and slowly released the breath. Then she walked to the Reaper sign and put her hand next to it. “Who are you?” she demanded of Bran. “What do you want with my family?”
    A chuckle behind them had Neve spinning around. Talin watched as the veil dropped and a Dark appeared, leaning against one of the windows with his arms crossed.
    Neve gasped and took a step back. “No Dark is allowed in this place.”
    “Your queen isn’t here to stop