Dark Rival. Brenda Joyce

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СКАЧАТЬ her heart leapt and she turned around to face the aura that had caught her attention. A strange man stood in the great room. He emanated the same warrior power as Royce: holy strength vibrated from him in red and gold waves of light. Testosterone charged his aura, too. But he also radiated a white, healing light, even if faintly. Most importantly, the blue and purple in his aura told her that his Karma was huge—but far from mastered. In fact, he would pay a high price for it.

      Allie knew she was meeting another Master, and excitement began. He stared at her, as well, smiling. She came forward curiously. Taller than Royce, he had fair skin, dark hair and he was Hollywood-leading-man handsome. He was wearing a slick black leather jacket with distressed jeans and he was young—maybe her own age.

      He grinned more widely at her, revealing two dimples, while his gaze slid over the ivory corset top she wore with a print circle skirt. “Hallo.”

      Her interest peaked. He appeared modern, but she had a sudden sense that he was not from the present, in spite of his clothes. “Hi. You’re a Master, too.”

      His eyes widened. “Royce has talked very freely in yer bed.”

      “I can see your aura and it reeks of a few pretty specific traits. I’m Allie.” She came forward and held out her hand.

      He took it and, instead of shaking it, lifted it to his lips. “I’m the lord of Awe, the earl of Lismore. But ye may address me as Aidan.” A grin followed his rather arrogant tone.

      Allie wasn’t all that surprised by the gallant, Old World kiss. Definitely for Tabby, she thought. “How old are you?”

      He dropped her hand, amused. “I’m old enough for ye, lass.”

      “I’m with Royce.”

      “T’is evident. I’m pleased for him. But I willna mind much if ye decide Royce is too old for ye.” His smile flashed. “I’m only thirty an’ two years of age.”

      This man was wearing modern clothes, but he was not a modern man. “What year did you come from?”

      He stared, his smile fading. “That’s an odd question.” Then, “I followed Royce from 1430.”

      Before she could decipher that bit of startling information, Royce strode into the great room. And it was her Royce, the modern, insatiable, supersexed lover she had spent the past twenty-four hours with. Even though they’d spent the night and day together, her heart raced madly as he approached.

      But Royce was grim and unsmiling. “What are ye doing here, Aidan?” he asked.

      The dark Highlander came forward, unperturbed by the cool greeting. “Have ye lost yer mind? Ye canna recall that I followed ye to help ye if ye needed me?”

      Royce looked him up and down, disapproval on his face. “That was six centuries ago. I see that you’ve broken the rules again.”

      “Ye ken I hate rules. They cage my poor soul.”

      “Ye followed me five centuries ago when I was a younger man—but ye dinna help me fight Moffat in South Hampton. My memory hardly fails me.” Royce was sharp and cold.

      “Ye dinna need my help. Ye battled Moffat alone easily enough. I decided to go to Rome.” He shrugged. “I thought to come to Carrick and see what ye decided to do with the Healer.” He grinned. “Finally ye come to yer senses, eh, Royce?”

      Royce seemed annoyed.

      Allie said, “What does that mean?”

      Aidan looked at her. “It only took him hundreds o’ years to find some pleasure outside o’ bed with a woman.”

      Royce’s stern expression did not ease. He turned away, walking over to the sideboard as Allie deciphered the conversation. In South Hampton, Royce had appeared from 1430 to help her fight the demons. Aidan had followed him from that time, but had not helped them in the battle. Instead he had gone to Rome. Then he had stopped by Carrick to check on her, which did not make sense. But Royce was clearly not amused. “Ye need to go back to yer time as the Code requires—without the jacket an’ jeans.”

      “I spent hours shopping in Rome!” Aidan exclaimed. “But I see ye have barely changed—ye remain far too grim. I’ll go.” Aidan turned to her. “At least ye make him smile. T’is a vast improvement.”

      Allie wondered at that and said, “FYI, there’s better shopping in Milan.”

      “Dinna encourage him,” Royce told her. “The Code is clear. He travels for his own pleasure…t’is strictly forbidden.”

      “But he looks so cute in black leather,” Allie said, smiling at Aidan.

      He winked at her. Then he turned to Royce. “Ye have done well, Royce.” Aidan’s smile was male and knowing. “I never thought I’d see the day when ye’d take a mistress.”

      “Keep yer eyes in yer head,” Royce warned softly.

      “A man must look, if he lives an’ breathes.”

      “You’ll never change,” Royce retorted, and then he clasped Aidan’s shoulder hard, with great affection. He turned to Allie, who was highly interested in the somewhat avuncular exchange. “He’s the rogue of all rogues, Ailios…dinna fall for his pretty smile an’ prettier words.”

      “Don’t worry,” Allie said. “I’ve already fallen—for the first time in my life.”

      Royce started, and he wasn’t smiling.

      Allie was surprised she’d said such a thing so openly, but she meant it. She never led guys on, but this was different. She was falling in love, even if it wasn’t a part of her game plan. And she was certain he reciprocated her feelings, and not because every guy she’d ever dated became serious with her sooner or later. She thought she could feel Royce’s emotions.

      Then he touched her hair. “I like ye, too.”

      Allie was briefly dismayed, but his eyes were so warm that the confusion vanished. Lots of men could not say the L word.

      Aidan cleared his throat. “Mayhap a glass of wine before I leave? To celebrate matters o’ the bed—an’ the heart?” He was amused.

      Allie didn’t quite get it, but Royce seemed a bit annoyed again. However, he started to turn back to the massive sideboard where a wine rack was placed in one of the glass cabinets. He faltered.

      Aidan’s shoulders stiffened.

      Darkness descended at lightning speed—and so did an arctic cold.

      Aidan rushed to the wall display of swords, lifting one from its sheath. He took one look at the dull blade and flung it aside. As he lifted another, Royce opened a chest and withdrew a semiautomatic. “Aidan.” He tossed an unsheathed sword at him.

      And Aidan caught it easily by the hilt. Allie ran to Royce as the demons formed in their midst.

      “Stay back,” he said.

      She was about to argue when the blow came, taking her by surprise, before she could even try to СКАЧАТЬ