Hunted (Dark Protectors) by Rebecca Zanetti Page B

body with his. “I wanted you. Still do. Always will. If I’d known I’d mark you, I’d have given you time to live first. Time to choose your own path before I yanked you onto mine.” Hard and unyielding, his lips molded her mouth to his. His head rose just a fraction. “But make no mistake, I’d have hunted you down when I thought you were ready. You were born to wear my mark.”
    Heat pricked her skin. “Conn. You need to join the modern times.” The secret thrill fluttering in her belly from his possessive tone needed to go away.
    “This is about as modern as I get.” He smiled, and her flutter sped up. “So, now tell me what Peter was talking about. How are you gaining power by being an enforcer?”
    She’d been waiting for him to ask the question. “I can’t tell you.” The vow she’d made required more than just action. A promise of discretion and confidentiality she had no intention of breaking. “I’m sorry.”
    The desire to share her world with him caught her unaware. While she was resigned to joining the Nine at some point, for now, she truly enjoyed her job. It’d be nice to share the details with the soldier. But she offered nothing more.
    “Interesting. I will discover the truth, you know.”
    She opened her mouth to argue just as the pilot buzzed through the intercom. “We begin our descent in five minutes, Prince Kayrs.”
    “Well. I guess we’ll table this discussion. For now.” Conn sighed, rolling from the bed. “Get dressed, Moira. We need to fetch your cousin before going home.”
    Sliding to her feet, Moira reached for her bra. Something in his tone provided warning. “Home is Ireland, right?”
    He yanked up his jeans. “No. Home is now the west coast of the States. Period.”
    Great. Let the next battle begin.

Chapter 10
     
    S ometimes being the heir apparent to the Kurjan throne became so boring he wanted to cut his own head off. Kalin lounged in Franco’s office, his gaze on the depths of the sea outside the wide expanse of windows. How far underground were they, anyway? A silvery fish swam by every few moments, capturing hidden light to find the way. Quiet and mysterious, the fish kept returning, as if seeking dinner. Silly creature—unaware of the predator watching him.
    The Kurjan leader slammed down the phone. “Damn it.” Franco swept a broad hand across his desk, knocking papers to dot the ancient hand-knotted Persian rug. “The witch got away. Again.” Throwing his reddish hair over his shoulder, he gulped air, his eyes a wild purple, his skin whiter than death. “One of the Kayrs men showed up ... my source couldn’t tell which one.” He paced over to lean against the window.
    “My guess is Connlan. Considering the witch is his mate.” Kalin stretched out long legs. He was only fifteen, but he understood the call of a woman. A different one called to him every other week or so. Of course, they all died.
    “More than likely.” The Kurjan ruler sat in his desk chair, regaining control. “Well. I promised my brother a witch to experiment on, and I want that one. Taking a Kayrs mate would cement our place. Even now allies are fleeing from the Realm.”
    Kalin scratched his head. “That witch is a fighter. She’s the Seventh.” He appreciated spirit in a woman. Made it more exciting to break her. “The demons must want her even more than we do.”
    “Yes. But she’ll sense them coming. They can’t block their brain waves from witches like we can. We should be able to get to her.”
    “No.” Why fixate on that witch? There are many to choose from. Kalin brushed invisible lint off his jeans. “She’s with Kayrs now. That means underground and impossible to reach.”
    “Not if she’s an enforcer.” Franco flipped open a file on his desk. “I wanted her for several reasons, but you’re correct, any witch will do—male or female. It’s time for more animal testing on the virus.” Yellow teeth flashed in a parody of a grin. “In addition,