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

me,” came the smug reply.
    Talin hated to admit it, but the Dark was right. Usaeil set the rules, and without her in residence, there was no one to uphold them besides the Queen’s Guard. But they weren’t there either.
    He recognized the Dark from their battles with Bran. The Dark was always near the former Reaper. Capturing him would be a boon for sure.
    “Then I’ll stop you,” Neve replied.
    The Dark raised a brow. “Do you really believe you can? Alone?”
    “Yes.”
    Talin wanted to cheer her courage, even though it put her in danger.
    Neve took a step toward him. “I want the name of the Dark who kidnapped my family.”
    “Searlas is my name,” he stated.
    “Why do you want my family?”
    He shrugged and crossed one ankle over the other. His short black hair was liberally laced with silver while his red eyes watched her with interest. “I’m not the one you should be asking that question.”
    “So you’re not the one in charge.” Neve briefly looked upward and sighed loudly. “Why should I bother with you then?”
    “Because I’ll be the one giving you information on your family.”
    “What are you waiting for?”
    “Say please.”
    Talin fisted his hands in an effort to keep himself still. They had to know where Bran was. As much as he wanted to go after Searlas now, it wouldn’t be wise.
    So he had to stand there and listen to the Dark taunt his woman. It was one of the hardest things Talin had ever done. The urge, the
need
to protect her warred with his orders from Cael.
    Several seconds passed before Neve looked Searlas in the eye and said, “Please.”
    “That’s better.” The Dark laughed and dropped his arms as he pushed away from the windows. “All three are alive for now.”
    “What happens next? I need to know what to do to get my family released.”
    Searlas smiled slowly. “Why are you here alone?”
    “Because this is my family.”
    “You don’t happen to have anyone walking around veiled?”
    Neve’s brow furrowed as she shrugged. “No. You’d know anyway since no Fae can remain veiled that long.”
    Searlas just chuckled in response.
    That only angered Neve. “I’m here because this is my battle. I don’t need anyone to help. You took my family, and I want them back. What do you want in exchange?”
    “We’ll get to that eventually.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” she snapped.
    Searlas looked behind Neve, right to where Talin stood. There was no way the Dark could know he was there, but Talin didn’t like it regardless.
    “Perhaps you should return with someone to help you . . . negotiate,” Searlas said.
    Neve took another step toward him. “No.”
    “That isn’t a request,” Searlas said before he vanished.
    Neve whirled around and slammed her hand against the wall. She put her forehead against the stone and closed her eyes.
    Talin looked behind him. Since Reapers could remain veiled indefinitely—and used the ability often—Death made sure they could see each other, even when invisible to others.
    Cael and Eoghan were stationed directly behind him. Coming down the opposite direction were Fintan and Kyran. Cael motioned for Talin to follow him as the other Reapers set up a perimeter around Neve.
    Talin trailed Cael into a room where he promptly closed the door and ensured that no one would be able to come in or hear them. While Cael did that, Talin made sure there were no unwanted visitors within the room.
    Cael dropped the veil and waited for Talin to do the same. Only then did he say, “They’re going to ask for you.”
    “I know.” Talin rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Bran is going to force the issue where I either have to tell Neve who I am—or she guesses.”
    “Either way means her death.”
    Talin didn’t want to think about that. “Is there another way?”
    “We have to let this play out.”
    “I doubt we’ll have a chance to get Bran. He’ll stay away. We could take Searlas.”
    Cael’s grin was wide. “I was thinking