Page 3 of Denied

Kayla’s legs gripped the beast as though it were a horse. A second later, its front tire rammed into the door, slamming it closed. With a screeching squeal of tires and the smell of burning rubber, the engine revved as the motorcycle turned in place. The entire machine shuddered as a blast of white-hot fire shot from its tailpipes, welding the edges of the door to the frame.

Someone inside the club shouted, and a heavy weight rammed into the door from the other side.

The motorcycle lurched forward and stopped next to Christine. Her astonished expression matched Kayla’s shock. There was more shouting from behind the door.

“I hate walking,” Christine said, and climbed on behind Kayla.

Once her friend settled into position, the bike made it’s way through the parking lot. Though Kayla looked like she was steering, she only gripped the handlebars to stay mounted. She looked over her shoulder just as the Blackstones emerged to stare at the fallen drunk.

“Here they come.”

The motorcycle’s engine revved.

“Got it,” Christine said. She whipped out her arms, flinging the hairpins at the Dark Fae trotting toward them. Three of the men at the front of the group shrieked and fell, covering their eyes with their palms.

CHAPTER 2

“WE SHOULD RETURN to the faire grounds and search for them there, my liege,” Colm Longacre said as he coasted to a stop beside Ryan Sheridan’s big, white motorcycle. “I cannot believe the Blackstones would try to take them into town. We have too many friends here.”

The master of Forever Faire scanned the nearly empty streets around them. Though they’d been plowed clear of the snow from the enormous storm, few residents were venturing out. Ryan clenched his jaw. Perhaps his second was right. When he’d realized that the sisters were no longer at the portal, he’d gone directly to Tara’s room.

“Tara must have lied about what she saw,” Ryan said. “I do not believe her claim that she fainted, either. You saw how she kept rubbing the back of her head.”

“Aye, as if she’d been clouted.”

They would have to start at the beginning and use spelltrace. It would be slow but–

“Fuck me,” Colm muttered.

Ryan followed the direction of his gaze and went still. Two nearly naked women were driving toward them on a Blackstone bike. Both had on wigs made of thin metallic strips, and tiny costumes covered with spangles. The driver yanked off her wig, revealing long, dark silken hair.

“Kayla.”

The Blackstone bike stopped on the other side of the intersection. Ryan sped through it, screeched to a stop, and jumped off his own bike. In moments he snatched Kayla into his arms.

“Where have you been?” He looked down at her skimpy garment and tore off his jacket to drape it over her. “Why are you dressed like this?”

“I’ll explain when we get back,” she said, and looked back down the road. “The Blackstones are coming after us.”

“Yeah,” Christine said as she leaned over to kiss Colm, who wrapped her in his long coat. “And they’re pissed, and we stole one of their dragon bikes. So let’s move, boys.”

They all quickly remounted. Ryan and Colm flanked the women, and the odd trio of bikes sped back to the faire grounds. Once inside the boundary, Kayla’s bike stopped and parked, and she headed for the lodge. Ryan knew exactly where she was headed. But before he could step in front of her, Christine did.

“We need to get rid of the dragon first,” she said.

Ryan eyed the Blackstone’s motorcycle, which disappeared in a shimmer of silvery light. In its place a huge, black-scaled dragon appeared, smoke pouring from its nostrils as it arched its long, leathery wings.

“Take cover,” Colm shouted as he drew his daggers.

“He’s not going to hurt anyone,” Kayla yelled. She darted between him and the huge creature, and said to the dragon. “Down, Fallon.” She turned back to Colm. “That’s his name.”

“I don’t care what the bloody thing calls itself,” Colm said as he shoved Christine behind him. “Get out of the way, Rowe.”

The long wings folded as the creature dropped down on his belly, making the earth shake beneath their feet. Tucking his muzzle in so that his smoky breath wafted away from them, he went still and watched Kayla’s face.

Ryan regarded her in disbelief. “You control this monster?”

“I haven’t had to yet.” Kayla reached out and placed her hand on the dragon’s brow. “But I can hear his thoughts, just like the horses. It’s okay, Colm.” She stroked the reptile’s head. “He and the other dragons were created to serve as slaves for the Dark Fae. I think they’re a lot like your Fae horses, except the clan has been seriously abusing them for centuries.”