Authors: Alexis Morgan
Bound by Darkness
“Female, stop running. If you please myself and my friends, perhaps we'll let you live.”
Sasha stopped moving and threw her shoulders back. “I'd rather die.”
The Kalith pushed his long hair back from his face, his smile turning nasty. “That won't be as fun for us, but if you insist . . .”
Larem didn't want to kill his own kind, but he wouldn't let them hurt Sasha, not when she was his to protect. So far they hadn't noticed him; he wasn't sure about Sasha.
He paused long enough to jerk the tie out of his hair, letting it hang free down around his shoulders. Raising his sword, he started forward, calling out a traditional greeting among Kalith warriors in their own language. “My brothers, how fare thee?”
The leader jerked his attention away from Sasha long enough to answer, “My brother, we are about to fare very well.”
Then his eyes flared wide as he took in the human attire Larem wore, and his smile turned feral. “You speak our language, but you carry the stench of Paladins.”
Sasha finally recognized him. “Larem?”
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“Intriguing and unique . . . compelling characters.”
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More praise for Alexis Morgan's steamy Paladin series
DEFEAT THE DARKNESS
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Defeat the Darkness
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Defeat the Darkness
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Romantic Times
DARKNESS UNKNOWN
“A fabulous read. . . . Passionate, hot, and very sexy.”
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REDEEMED IN DARKNESS
“Captivating, compelling, and totally hot!”
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IN DARKNESS REBORN
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These titles are also available as eBooks
A
LSO BY
A
LEXIS
M
ORGAN
The Paladin Series
DEFEAT THE DARKNESS
DARKNESS UNKNOWN
REDEEMED IN DARKNESS
IN DARKNESS REBORN
DARK DEFENDER
DARK PROTECTOR
The Talion Series
DARK WARRIOR UNTAMED
DARK WARRIOR UNBROKEN
DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED
 | Pocket Star Books A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 www.SimonandSchuster.com |
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2011 by Patricia L. Pritchard
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Pocket Star Books paperback edition May 2011
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Cover design by Craig White
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN 978-1-4391-7604-7
ISBN 978-1-4391-7607-8 (ebook)
To Susan Malleryâjust a note to say how much I value your support and your friendshipânot to mention all the laughter. You're proof that one of the best things about this business is all the wonderful people we meet along the way.
Acknowledgments
Danielle Poiesz, I want to take this opportunity to say how much I appreciate all the hard work you put in from start to finish to help my books shine. It means a lot to know you're always there. Thanks for all that you do!
S
lamming his fist into the wall wasn't the smartest thing Larem had ever done, but it was that or punch his roommate. Since the current situation wasn't Lonzo's fault, he'd aimed his temper at something that wouldn't bruiseâor hit backâalthough right now a good down-and-dirty fight held some appeal. Pain was slow to register, but his blood stood out in stark relief against the wall's white paint.
“Damn it, Larem, was that really necessary? I hope you didn't break anything; it's your night to do the dishes.” Lonzo's comment held an equal mix of worry and disgust. “We both know Devlin has no choice in the matter. He's only asking that you and Barak lie low for a while. Besides, it's only temporary.”
Larem flexed his hand gingerly. Nothing broken. Nothing solved. He was still caught between two worlds, neither of which wanted to lay claim to him.
“Yeah, right. Why not make it easier on everyone concerned and tell the Regents to make one big cage and stuff all your pet Kalith into it?” Larem said bitterly.
Swallowing hard against the acrid taste of his rage, he slowly turned to his worried friend. “Or better yet, shove us back across the barrier. With any luck, the Sworn Guardians will solve the problem for you with just a few swings of a sword.”
Lonzo had his own temper and shoved Larem hard, sending him bouncing back against the wall. “Don't be such a dumbass. None of us would let that happen.”
Larem got right back up in his friend's face. “Correction, Lonzo.
Some
of the Seattle Paladins wouldn't want that to happen, but you're paid to follow orders. If the Regents decide they want us gone, what can you do to stop them? If you refuse to rid the world of a few inconvenient Kalith, they can always find others who will.”
He looked down the hall where more Paladins were congregated. “And they wouldn't have to go far to find them.”
A deep voice joined the discussion. “You're wrong, Larem. That's not happening. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. We owe you and the others too much.”
Larem wanted to believe Devlin Bane. He really did, but he'd been betrayed too many times by his own kind to easily accept that his former enemies would behave any differently. Gods above, he missed his old life so damned much. As a Blademate to a Sworn Guardian, he'd known his place in their world and served his people with honor.
Here, he accepted a paycheck from the Paladins
for teaching weapons practice a few hours a month. He hated living on their charity, but he was still learning his way in this new life. Eventually, he'd be able to strike out on his own and be free to make his own choices. Some days he seriously thought about crossing back over into Kalithia and taking his chances that his death sentence would be rescinded. So far he'd resisted the urge.
Another Paladin came out of the conference room and headed straight for Larem. “This new policy is crap, and you know it.”
Hunter Fitzsimon glared at Devlin, his green eyes blazing with pure rage. “I have more reason than most to hate what comes boiling across the barrier at us, but Larem is different.”
Devlin rolled his huge shoulders, no doubt trying to shrug off some tension. “Listen up, all of you. You'll get no arguments from me on that score. However, until this new rep from the Regents is actually here, we just need to be careful. Arguing by e-mail won't change anything, but I can and will make our case in person.”