Dark Rival Read Online Free PDF Page A

desire fist in her gut. His silver gaze widened as if he was startled by her somehow, too.
    Then his face hardened. “Lady Ailios,” he stated, using an old Gaelic version of her name, speaking with a heavy brogue. “Dinna fear, MacNeil has sent me. T'is time.”
    His words washed through her with such warmth she realized he was attempting to enchant her. But she didn't mind. She smiled at him. “Okay.”
    His gaze narrowed with suspicion.
    “I am not afraid of you,” Allie whispered
    And she felt the dark coming. She froze—and he half-turned, stiffening. She knew he was sensing them, too.
    A cloud turned the moon bloodred.
    The warrior said firmly, in a tone of command, “Ailios. Go into the house with yer man.” And as he spoke, she saw his aura erupt in a blast of more intense red and gold light. It was savage determination explosive and hot; it was the battle readiness of a warrior.
    But Allie wasn't going anywhere. “Are you kidding?” Allie cried. Real concern for Brian began. He’d get hurt if he stayed to fight. She whirled. “Hey.” She smiled and pressed close. “I know this guy from high school. Yes, he’s weird, but he's harmless.” She could barely believe such a lie. “I know we have to finish our conversation. Let me get his number and I’ll meet you in my room. Bring a bottle of Dom” she added with another smile.
    Brian's eyes widened “I don't like leaving you with him, Allie. But we do need to talk.”
    Allie wanted him to rush off and she almost hopped up and down. “He's on his way to a costume party at the Grussmans’ in Bridge Hampton.”
    He stared suspiciously at her.
    “Go to her room an’ take her with ye. Go now,” Mr. To-Die-For said.
    And a terrible chill fell.
    “Allie, let's go.” Brian took her arm, clearly enchanted.
    Allie tried to pull free but failed, for she was too small to succeed. “I am not going,” she told the golden warrior their gazes locked. “I will fight, too. I'll help!”
    His eves widened incredulously. “Ye think to fight?”
    And black clouds filled the space between them.
    The chill became arctic.
    The warrior seized her, pulling her behind his huge body as if he meant to be her human shield. The demons formed, all blond and perfect. They were the highest level of diabolical power. Allie took a stiletto from her garter as one demon was flung backward by the Scot's energy blast, Allie was jubilant—he had the kind of power the demons had! She tried to step past him as Brian was thrown to his back by a demon. But more energy was being hurled at them and she was flung back herself, landing hard on the grass. For one moment, pain exploded in her back, and she was stunned. Then she rallied and looked up and saw the golden warrior, sword in hand, behead two demons almost simultaneously. Only one demon remained—somehow, while she'd been flung backward, he'd vanquished the third.
    Allie got up. He was like a frigging superhero, and just what the world needed. She wanted to jump and cheer but she saw Brian, lying facedown in the grass.
    The single remaining demon was almost as tall and muscular as the warrior, but he wore long, dark robes—like a friar or a monk. Allie was certain he’d come from a past era, too. He murmured, “Ruari Dubh, ciamar a tha thu?” He grinned. Black Royce, how are you?
    Allie crept closer, grasping the knife, understanding every word of the Gaelic the demon spoke, although she had only ever translated the prayers bequeathed her by Elizabeth. Brian wasn't dead, but he was hurt, bleeding internally, and his life was compromised. Rage engulfed her. She was not going to let him die, too.
    The demon looked at her. “Hallo, a Ailios. Latha math dhulbh.”
    “Fuck you,” Allie cried, and she lunged past the warrior, intending to stab the demon in the eye if she could. It would not be the first time she had blinded a demon, at least partially.
    But the golden warrior seized her arm, pulling her back into his embrace