Bound to Darkness (Midnight Breed 13)

“Nova,” he said, testing out the name his sister had been using since she fled this place to begin her new life in London years ago.

Carys had explained what she knew of Nova’s journey from Dublin to London, and the circumstances that had brought her into Mathias Rowan’s orbit.

It seemed both Rune and his sister had wanted to deny where they had come from—to hide from the monster who’d terrorized their past. They had both learned the hard way that some monsters couldn’t be outrun. They had to be confronted and destroyed in order to truly break free of their hold.

“Are you nervous about seeing her?” Carys asked, softly caressing his bare chest.

Rune nodded. “I’m not sure how she’ll react to seeing me after all this time. I’m different now. I’m not the brother she remembers.”

Carys smiled. “I think you’ll find Nova to be something of a surprise too. A good one, though. Just as you’ll be a welcome surprise to her.”

yes softened on him now. She let go of Riordan’s empty shirt and it fluttered away, forgotten.

“Daddy!” she cried, and rushed into his waiting arms.

Chase shut the door on the sun and lifted his face shield as he held her close. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he murmured into her hair. “Your mother and I have been out of our minds these past several hours. When we heard you’d been taken, we thought . . .”

He let the worry go without finishing the sentence. She was safe. She was back in her family’s arms. Soon, she would be back home with Tavia and Aric and him.

But his little girl was gone, he realized as he held Carys now.

She’d been gone for a while, but he’d been too stubborn to see it.

He saw her clearly now. He saw a strong, courageous, impressive woman.

She was magnificent. Formidable.

And her father had never been more awed by her, nor more proud.

CHAPTER 40

“Holy shit,” someone murmured from behind Carys and her father.

She realized only then that they weren’t alone. Aric, Nathan and his team from Boston, even Lucan and Dante, stood just inside the room.

On a curse, her brother broke away from the group and moved in to hug her too. Carys wrapped her arms around him and her father, so grateful to be reunited with them.

The danger was over. Riordan was no more.

Relief and joy flooded her, but she couldn’t rest yet. Her heart still had somewhere else it needed to be.

She raised her head, peering past the thick knot of warriors to the top of the tower stairs.

And there he was.

“Rune.” Tears choked her when she saw him.

He was alive.

And he was looking at her with so much love, it stole her breath away.

She flew to him on a strangled cry. They kissed desperately, hugging each other close and murmuring private, tender words. She didn’t care that they had an audience. She didn’t care about anything except the fact that Rune was there with her, telling her that he loved her. Kissing her as if he never wanted to let her go.

But the scent of his blood was a potent reminder that he wasn’t out of danger yet. She drew away from him and glanced at the warriors.

“Rune needs help for his injuries. I gave him my blood a while ago, but it’s not enough.”

She saw her father’s chin lift in understanding. There was no disapproval in his eyes at the acknowledgment that Rune was bound to her now. Only concern as his gaze took in the extent of Rune’s wounds.