Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(29)

She wasn’t safe yet. Some scumbag might be lurking in the shadows, just waiting for Dalhu to leave her unprotected.

He hated those kinds of worms.

It was ironic really; on a battlefield, he was a cold-blooded killer but wouldn’t let harm come to a female if he could help it. Only cowards and scum preyed on women and girls, and when facing someone like him, the same maggots who relished the power of abusing the weak and defenseless would cower and piss themselves.

They didn’t deserve to live.

Tightening his hands on the steering wheel, he felt the familiar rage rising and wished like hell for one of the worms to show himself so he could kill the bastard. His eyes glowing with his seething anger, he scanned the area for any signs of a potential perpetrator, letting his senses spread out over everything in his surroundings. But besides the two cars idling in the parking lot, the place was deserted.

Fuck. Now he was stuck with his rage engaged and no one to take it out on.

A few minutes later, the girl finally pulled out into the street and drove away. As her car disappeared around the curve and he shifted the transmission to drive, Dalhu realized he hadn’t even asked her for her name.





1 7

K I A N

“K ian! Are you even listening?” Onegus asked.

The morning meeting had been going on for some time, but Kian was barely paying attention to Onegus or any of the other Guardians present.

Ever since waking up before sunrise and reluctantly extracting himself from Syssi’s warm embrace, he’d been preoccupied with thoughts of her.

Despite the mountain of work he’d planned to catch up on before the meeting, he’d spent most of the time leaning back in his chair and ignoring the stuff on his desk.

He found himself grinning like a fool, recalling pieces of their conversations—her smiles, the desire in her eyes, the way she responded to him. The sexy sounds she made. But most of all, he cherished the way she would on occasion look at him adoringly, as if he was the most wonderful man in the world. And in those moments, he could almost believe it.

She made him happy.

He loved her.

And imagining life without her was unbearable.

Kian’s smile wilted, and as a tidal wave of emotions swept over him, grabbing at his heart and squeezing hard, he clutched at his chest—the hoping, the wishing… imploring the fates and the gods and whoever else might heed his plea…

She had to turn. He’d go insane if she didn’t.

Then it hit him.

If he waited until after her transition to tell her he loved her, she would always doubt his sincerity. Becoming the most valuable asset to him and his clan, she’d believe he would do and say just about anything to keep her— regardless of his true feelings.

He needed to tell her now. Even if it meant more pain down the road if she didn’t turn. Syssi deserved to hear him say it, out loud. His love not just implied but voiced clearly and emphatically.

Decided, Kian felt almost giddy with anticipation. He’d tell her tonight at dinner; the exclusive restaurant providing the perfect romantic setting. And what’s more… he’d get to say it out of bed. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he said the words in the throes of passion without giving it real thought.

If he was to proclaim his love, he wanted to do it right, without leaving even a shred of doubt in Syssi’s mind as to how deep and encompassing his love for her was.

“Kian?” Onegus snapped his fingers in front of Kian’s face.

“Sorry, could you repeat what you’ve said? My mind was elsewhere.”

“Was it by any chance preoccupied with a certain young lady? The one peeking at you from behind the glass doors?”

Kian looked up, and there she was, his sweet Syssi. Standing outside the conference room’s closed doors, smiling at him and doing the little wave thing with her hand.

“Please excuse me for a moment. I’ll be right back.” Kian pushed out of his chair and in long, urgent strides hurried toward his love.





1 8

S Y S S I

U nnerved by Kian’s intense gaze and stalking stride, Syssi took a step back. Was it a mistake to come here uninvited and intrude on his meeting? Was he angry with her?

She just wanted to see him and say goodbye before leaving for her shopping trip with Amanda.

But then, as soon as the French doors closed behind him, he lifted her in his arms and kissed the living daylights out of her.

Lost in the passionate kiss, she closed her eyes until the sounds of catcalls percolating through the closed doors reminded her they had an audience.

Kian was kissing her in clear view of everyone in the conference room— as if staking his claim in a public declaration of ownership.

Her embarrassment cooling some of her fervor, Syssi pushed ineffectually at the solid wall of his chest.

Growling at her in warning, he tightened the grip on her nape and deepened his kiss.

Their audience forgotten, Syssi felt like any moment now Kian would tear off her clothes and have his wicked way with her right there on the floor.

But instead of alarm, the thought sent delicious shivers of desire through her, and she clung to him, moaning into his mouth.

Kian broke the kiss only when their oxygen ran out; he then turned to look at the Guardians’ smirking faces behind the glass doors, giving them a look that sent a clear message.