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  Walking into the kitchen, Kieran found Ava sitting at the table with Emma in her lap, feeding her bits of bread sopped in milk and honey. Carrick was puttering at the stove, putting heaps of eggs and bacon on his plate. Kieran walked up to Carrick and took the plate from his hand, nabbing an extra piece of bacon from the pan.

  “Hey! That was mine.”

  “And now it’s mine.” Kieran brought his plate to the table and sat down next to Ava. He reached over and stroked his hand across Emma’s head, then turned to his breakfast. Carrick grabbed another plate and piled it with food. Sitting down across from Kieran, he didn’t start eating but watched Ava feeding Emma.

  Kieran smiled. The look on Carrick’s face was priceless. Who would have thought this once gruff, surly warrior would be such a slave to love? His heart was lost to Ava and Emma. Kieran didn’t know if that made Carrick a lucky man or a lucky fool. Regardless, he was happy for his brother.

  Kieran waved his hand in front of Carrick’s face to get his attention. Carrick’s stare at Ava and Emma didn’t change, although he moved his head from side to side to see around Kieran’s waving hand.

  “So, when do I leave to find The Scepter and thrash the thieves that took it?”

  Carrick, still gazing at Ava and Emma, replied, “What makes you think we are going to send you to get it?”

  “Because if you don’t I’m going to die of boredom.”

  Ava snickered. “I heard you had a date with Kayla Marsden last night. I seriously doubt you could be that bored.”

  So, her name was Kayla. He’d have to remember that.

  “I am more than just a gorgeous man that can lure any willing female to my bed, my dear sister-in-law.” Kieran tried to make his tone sound recriminating but it was hard. He merely had no qualms with his morals and more than enjoyed his lifestyle.

  “Don’t get your panties twisted Mr. God’s-Gift-To-Women. We fully intend to have you spearhead the recovery…” Ava trailed off.

  “But?”

  “But, we want you to work with someone to help get it,” Carrick replied for Ava.

  Kieran looked over at Carrick, who was now meeting his gaze in return. “I don’t need help.”

  “Do,” Carrick replied.

  “Don’t.”

  “Do.”

  “Don’t!”

  “But we want you to take it anyway,” Ava cut in.

  “Why?” Kieran asked.

  “Because it’s being held in another AltVeritas under heavy protection. You are going to need someone with special skills to help you get it.”

  “Special skills? Why don’t you first tell me where it is and then let me be the judge of what I can or cannot do for you?” Kieran certainly didn’t want to work with a partner, but he definitely needed more information first before he could make that statement confidently.

  Ava got up and handed Emma over to Keiran to hold. He looked down at the rest of his uneaten breakfast with desire, but then decided holding Emma was better. Ava walked over to the stove and poured herself a cup of tea that had been brewing. She turned to Kieran, leaning one hip against the counter.

  “I scried the minute we found The Scepter missing. Its magical trail is still clear to me. As its creator, we have a symbiotic relationship, but that will diminish the longer The Scepter remains gone from Vyronas. I’ve been able to determine that it is resting in an AltVeritas known as Balvraine.”

  “Balvraine? I’ve never heard of it.”

  “I have but I don’t know much about it. I had to consult with our Conclave to learn more.”

  The Conclave was a group of advisors that had descended from a magical line known as the Scrinia. For hundreds of years, each family’s Conclave advised the ruling monarch on the histories and uses of magic within the Royal family’s line.

  The Clairmont Conclave was comprised of fairly new members, as it had been found out that their predecessors had been keeping the secrets of blood magic away from Ava. Years of war could have been avoided had they been truthful with their knowledge of it, but whether it was from fear or from a self-serving purpose, they refused to disclose it.

  After Ava had discovered the Scrinia knew of blood magic but had not revealed it to her, she had them arrested before the war had ended. Once Ralina was defeated, she culled out those that had knowingly withheld the information and banished them from Vyronas. The current Conclave had been re-built from a pool of trusted loyalists.

  “And what did the Conclave reveal?” Kieran inquired. Emma was cradled in his arms and had fallen asleep. He rocked her gently back and forth.

  “Balvraine is a very small AltVeritas. You are well traveled in The First Dimension. They say it is about the size of Rhode Island. There’s only one ruling family, the Moldevines. They’re the ones that have The Scepter.”

  “Were you able to determine why they want it?”

  Ava shook her head and then took a sip of tea. “I have no clue. But regardless of their reasons, every day it is gone from Vyronas, we are risking danger. Every day they have it, they could cause major damage with it. It needs to be recovered.”

  Kieran nodded his head in agreement. “So why is it you think I need a partner?”

  “Well….” Ava began, but Carrick interrupted.

  “Because it’s very heavily guarded and strength alone isn’t going to do it. It’s going to take someone with exceptional magical skill to get in. And let’s face it, bro, you tend to neglect your magical training.”

  Kieran had to concede that point. It’s not that Kieran was without magical ability. Descended from the warrior caste, his magic was quite potent. But he tended to favor might over magic. Kieran had assumed he’d be able to storm his way through to recover The Scepter. It appeared it would take a little more finesse.

  “I think I know the answer, but let me ask. If it takes someone with exceptional magical skill, why doesn’t Ava just breeze in and take it back.”

  “You do know the answer,” Carrick smoothly replied. “Because I’m not letting her out of my sight and we also have a daughter that needs us here. Our adventurous days are over.”

  “And,” Ava added, “this could be just the thing to bring you from the back from the brink of boredom. You can go ahead and fall at my feet in worship at any time that I’m giving you this opportunity”

  Kieran snickered. As if. But he wouldn’t argue.

  “I’m your man. So, tell me… who do you want to partner me up with?” Kieran was looking down at Emma as he asked the question. He missed the quick look that Ava and Carrick gave each other before answering.

  “Annika Foss.”

  Kieran’s head snapped up. “What? No way.”

  “Don’t discount her Kieran,” Ava chided. “She’s had her issues but when it boils down to it, she has one of the strongest magical glamours that exists. You’re going to need stealth to get into the palace in Balvraine and disguise is the way to go.”

  Kieran thought about Annika Foss. He had not seen her since they were kids and he had heard that she now spent most of her time in The First Dimension. He didn’t know her well but she was known as the black sheep of the Royal House of Foss. They were located in Myridian, a neighboring country and strong ally to Kestevayne. Rumor had it that she had a falling out with her father and had left Vyronas for good. Which was quite the scandal as she was the only heir to the royal line. Rumor also had it that it would now go to her stepbrother.

  “I’ll take your word that she’s the best when it comes to glamours, but why do you think she’ll even help us out?”

  “We don’t know for sure but I’m sure you can find some way to convince her,” Ava replied.

  “Let me get this straight. You want me to go track her down and convince her to help me? I would be wasting valuable time.”

  “We have a bit of a grace period. Because my blood was used to create it, the Scepter will not give its allegiance over easily to its new owner, particularly since it was stolen. I’m sure they are working
hard to garner its magic, but we have time.”

  Carrick added, “But we still want you to move quickly. We want you to leave for New York to find Annika now.”

  “She’s in New York?”

  “New York City to be exact. I have some contacts that can get a message to her for a meeting,” Ava supplied.

  Kieran leaned down and kissed Emma’s head. He stood up and handed her over to Carrick. “I’ll go pack now.”

  Ava set her cup down and walked up to Kieran. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck Kieran. I have all the confidence in the world in you.”

  Kieran gave her a quick squeeze, clapped Carrick on the back and headed back to his apartment to pack.

  CHAPTER 3

  Kieran hated New York City. It was loud, bright and it smelled. There were too many people and the sky was blocked by the tall buildings. He rarely came here, unless it was to buy clothes. Again, no apologies for his desire to always look fashionable.

  Ava had indeed known a contact for Annika. Word had been passed back and forth to set up a meeting and Annika was supposed to meet him at a nightclub called Itch in downtown Manhattan. Why in the world someone would name a club Itch was beyond him. He supposed people went there to do some scratching.

  And here he now sat, at Itch, waiting for Annika to arrive.

  He decided to dress in understated elegance. He was wearing flat waisted, black dress pants and a lightweight charcoal gray sweater that molded to his frame. Black Ferragamos and a platinum watch were his only other accessories.

  Sitting at the bar, nursing a beer, he watched the people bumping and grinding on the dance floor under swirling electric lights. He’d been waiting for Annika for half an hour and had already been propositioned a half dozen times by women asking him to dance. He politely declined all of them but made mental note of a gorgeous blonde he wanted to hook up with later. He bought her a drink so she would know he was interested. She sat a few tables away and kept batting her eyelashes at him.

  Kieran glanced at his watch. He would give Annika another five minutes then he was heading out. Hopefully with the blonde on his arm.

  Taking another sip of beer, Kieran watched in the mirror behind the bar as a huge man approached him from the rear. The guy was monstrously packed with muscle and was easily Kieran’s height, although he couldn’t be sure since he was sitting on a barstool. His skin was black as ebony and his head was bald. He sported a ring pierced through his upper lip and as he got closer, Kieran noticed his eyes were light green. Interesting but weird. Kieran tensed slightly, not knowing the man’s intent. His eyes were bland and revealed no clue as to what he might want.

  He came to stand beside Kieran, who turned his head casually to face him. The man reached his hand out and said, “I’m Marcus.”

  Kieran accepted the handshake. “Nice to meet you, Marcus. I hope you’re not gay. I don’t swing that way. But I have all the respect in the world if you do.”

  Marcus gave an amused smile, flashing straight white teeth. His grip was firm and Kieran had no doubt this guy could crush his bones if he wanted to.

  “I’m here on behalf of Annika. She sends her apologies but she can’t make it tonight.”

  Kieran cursed under his breath. “Did she say when she might be able to meet with me?” His words were said through clenched teeth. Inconsiderate brat.

  Marcus nodded. “She said she’ll meet you at your hotel bright and early tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s it? Just ‘bright and early’?”

  Marcus shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “Women!”

  Kieran sighed. “Thanks, Marcus. Can I buy you a drink?”

  “No thanks, dude. I’m on duty. Have a good one.”

  Kieran watched Marcus walk across the dance floor then he was lost in the sea of dancers. Kieran glanced at his watch again. Time to go find the blonde and see if they could make an early getaway. Tipping his beer back, he finished it in a few swallows. As he set it down, he glanced again in the mirror behind the bar and noticed a stunning red-head walking up behind him. The blonde could wait.

  Kieran watched as the woman approached. Her hair was a burnished red and hung in loose waves past her shoulders. She had bangs cut straight and severe across her forehead, which lead him to look at her eyes. Crystal green and popping in the electric light display from the dance floor.

  She was sinfully dressed in a tight, black mini-dress that showcased miles of leg. Kieran noticed she wasn’t walking toward him but rather to the empty stool to his right. As she sat down, Kieran dragged his gaze from the mirror and turned his head to look at her. He flashed a mega wattage smile at her and she returned it. Yes, the blonde was forgotten.

  “Can I buy you a drink?” Kieran asked. He watched as she crossed her long legs, appraising him with those glowing green eyes.

  “I would love it. I’ll have a dirty martini.”

  Kieran signaled to the bartender and ordered up the martini and another beer for himself.

  “I’m Kieran,” he said, holding his hand out to her.

  She placed her hand in his to shake it, but he brought her hand up for a light kiss across her knuckles.

  “I’m Ashley,” she stammered, clearly caught off guard by the kiss. Her cheeks flushed and Kieran thought it was adorable.

  “Well Ashley, tonight is my lucky night. I seem to be talking to the loveliest lady in here.”

  Ashley blushed again but seemed to find some of her wit. “I seriously doubt that, but if you want to tell me that again anytime soon, I’ll be more than happy to listen.”

  Kieran chuckled. He loved a woman with humor. It would be a good night. The bartender brought their drinks and Kieran watched as Ashley took a dainty sip. Her lips were pouty and smooth. What those things could do to him he could only imagine.

  “Thank you for the drink.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “So, Kieran, what do you do?”

  “I work for the government. Acquisitions.” True enough.

  “Sounds interesting. So what do you acquire?”

  “Whatever the government tells me,” he returned evasively. Then he leaned in toward her and said in a low, warning voice, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

  Ashley laughed. She had a full throated laugh that was sexy as hell. “Yeah, I’ve never heard that line before.”

  “Well, please don’t tell me I’ve bombed out with you over that one lame line. I swear I have better material.”

  Ashley took another sip from her drink and appraised him over her glass. “I tell you what… how about we dance and I’ll see if your moves on the floor are any better than at the bar.”

  She set her glass down and grabbed his hand, leading him to the dance floor. Kieran couldn’t help but admire the way her black dress molded to her ass. Looking down her legs, he noticed she was wearing black stiletto heels with huge buckled leather straps wrapped around her ankles. Damn that was sexy.

  Turning to Kieran once they made it through the throng of dancers, Ashley wrapped her arms around Kieran’s neck and molded her body to his. Those kick-ass stilettos brought her head to the top of his shoulders. Luckily, there was a slow techno beat playing that allowed Kieran and Ashley to need to do nothing more than seductively sway back and forth. Kieran brought his arms around Ashley, one hand resting on the middle of her back and the other on her lower back. His thumbs brushed back and forth.

  “So, what do you do for a living, Ashley?”

  “I’m a prostitute.”

  Kieran actually released Ashley in shock and took a small step back, but then saw that her face was covered with a big grin. He grabbed back hold of her and brought her in close.

  “Little liar,” he whispered playfully against her ear.

  Chuckling now, Ashley turned her face up to his. “No, seriously, I’m about as far from a prostitute as you can get. I’m a librarian.”

  “Really?” Kieran was clearly surprised.<
br />
  “Shocking, right? But yes, I am a high school librarian, and proud of it.”

  Kieran leaned down, putting his lips against her ear again and murmured, “Well, you’re a very sexy librarian. Throw a pair of horned rimmed glasses on right now and I would be completely at your mercy.”

  Kieran felt Ashley shudder against him and pulled her a little tighter. Looking down at her, he found her returning his stare. His gaze skimmed down to her mouth. It was parted and moist. He couldn’t resist. He leaned in for a soft kiss and found her mouth accommodating. Pressing in further, he slid his tongue into her mouth and felt a moan vibrate in her throat. He leisurely explored her mouth while caressing her back with his hands. He felt her hands reach up and fist in his hair. Damn, but she was responsive which was causing him to be responsive. It wouldn’t be long before he was sporting a raging hard-on.

  As much as he was enjoying the dance, it was time to blow this joint. He needed to broach this right with her. First Dimension women had more hang-ups when it came to casual sex. She was sexy as hell but hey, she was a librarian. A very confusing combination indeed. Before Kieran could think of what to say, he felt Ashley pull back from their kiss and lean her mouth up to his ear.

  “Let’s blow this joint and go back to your place.”

  Woman. Of. My. Dreams. Kieran couldn’t believe how quickly they seemed to arrive at the same conclusion. And she used the same exact words he was thinking. There was definitely a connection there.

  Kieran gave Ashley a huge smile and pressed a small kiss to her lips. Releasing her, he grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor, through the crowd. He noted the blonde he had bought the drink for shooting daggers at Ashley with her eyes. Oh well.

  Exiting the nightclub, Kieran was able to quickly hail a cab. He opened the door for Ashley and climbed into the backseat beside her. He told the cabbie he was staying at the Mandarin Oriental and settled back for the ride. He turned to look at Ashley and picked up her hand. Casually stroking the back of it with this thumb, he found he wanted to know more about her.