Page 102 of The Mating Quest

A man knelt at a wound of freshly overturned earth. Ilana motioned to Chase, who followedher.

Then she recognized the man as they came closer. Jaeden, the DarkFae.

Chase growled low. Ilana put a calming hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I know thisguy.”

Jaeden straightened, dusted off his hands. He was tall, clad in a black tunic, black leggings and black boots. He had long, ice-blond hair, hard, brown eyes set beneath dark, arched brows. Handsome for a Fae, but with a layer ofcynicism.

Today he looked grief-stricken. Ilana gestured to the newly turned soil. “One ofyours?”

Jaeden nodded. “She was only twenty-five. Myniece.”

“What killed her?” Chase asked, crouching down and hovering his hand above the fresh grave. “The air feelstainted.”

“Me.”

They stared at him. Jaden’s cynical look returned. “Cassandra was a sweet girl, until darkness fully ensnared her. She embraced evil and threatened my family. Cassandra told us in exchange for power, she dedicated her soul to the DarkLord.”

Chase swore softly. Ilana’s chestconstricted.

“How much damage did she inflict?” Chaseasked.

“Enough. He possessed her long enough to use an ancient spell to resurrect a Dark Fae named Cormac who had been dead for at least two centuries.” Jaeden frowned. “Why that Fae, I do notknow.”

“I do,” Ilana muttered, her hand on her dagger’shilt.

“It matters not. He is evil, and that is enough knowledge for me. The Dark Lord used her to convert my people to swear allegiance to him. Cassandra found a few followers and then she returned to kill her family as a blood sacrifice so the Dark Lord could gain form and walk on earth once more. They lacked the strength to do what was necessary. I did not.” Jaeden removed the silver sword was sheathed at the golden belt ringing his tunic. “I cut off her head to save her family. It is the only way to ensure that she is not turned into azombie.”

The only way to kill a zombie aswell.

Jaeden pointed to her back. “The Dark Lord is now in the underworld, but I suspect he will not remain there for long, not if this Cormac manages to gain enough power to give him form once more. Your sword has much power. It sings to me of tremendous magick. Are you hunting for Cormac? Best you use that blade to decapitatehim.”

Ilana removed Starsong and twirled it. “That Iam.”

Jaeden nodded. “I would join you in the hunt for him, but I must return to my family now and convince them to go on the hunt for those of our people who embraced evil before they destroy everything weknow.”

Chase held out the scrap of Ilana’s shirt. “Do you know where he is? This is his scent, laced withdeath.”

The Dark Fae didn’t take the scrap, but gave Ilana a long, hard look. “Ah, so it’s you who brought this misery upon us. Are you hunting him to destroy Cormac or join your formerlover?”

Chase stiffened, but Ilana put a hand on his arm. “Destroy. We may have had sex, but he was no reallover.”

Jaden nodded and glanced at the grave again. “Good luck to you, then. I hear a call from afar. Someone needsme.”

They watched Jaeden walk away and then vanish. Chase blew out a breath. “Damn this is bad, Ilana. I had no idea how far the darkness had spread. Cormac has followers now, and my people are unprotected. I’m sorry, but I have to return to them. If this evil spreads to Wolf Haven, we need everyone to defend ourland.”

Firefox rested a hand on her shoulder. “We as well. I am sorry, Mage, but we must return with Chase. It is not safe out here and we have vulnerable females with young toprotect.”

“I understand.” Her chest felt hollow. “I appreciate the aid you rendered thus far. Good luck to youall.”

As Chase flew off on Sage, followed by Firefox, she looked around the vast, desolate wasteland. Alone oncemore.

She had to find Cormac and vanquish him. Before he destroyed any more lives in this fierce, magicalland.

Chapter 28

Never in hislife had he visited Las Vegas. Or a brothel. Yet he stood before one now, ready toenter.

Ethan dragged in a deep breath. Tristan had teleported him here, after Dakota insisted on remaining at the Mitchell Ranch to aid her brother, should he needit.