Dark Embrace

Dark Embrace
Brenda Joyce

Her Seduction.His Salvation.Feared by all and trusted by none, Aidan hunts alone, seeking vengeance against the evil that destroyed his son. He has abandoned the Brotherhood and not saved an Innocent in sixty-six years – until he hears Brianna Rose’s scream across the centuries and leaps to modern-day Manhattan to rescue her…Brie is an empathy who fights evil from the safety of her laptop – and fantasises about the medieval Highlander she once met. When Aidan suddenly appears, Brie cannot believe how dark and dangerous her fantasy man has become.She knows she should be afraid, but instead she will fight across time for his redemption… and his love.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author

BRENDA JOYCE

Masters of Time series

“For intense emotions, power-packed writing, alpha males and building sexual tension, Joyce is unrivaled.

In the second installment of the Masters of Time she lures us into the seductive world of good and evil as the brotherhood of the Masters fights demonic powers. She grabs and holds you a willing captive from the opening until the very end.”

—RT Book Reviews on Dark Rival

“Her world of Healers and Masters is rich and the plot well-handled…The supporting characters are excellent, the sex scenes are plentiful…and the plot thick, making this sophomore series entry a fine entertainment, sure to gratify fans of the bestselling kickoff.”

—Publishers Weekly on Dark Rival

“Bestselling author Joyce kicks off her Masters of Time series with a master’s skill, instantly elevating her to the top ranks of the ever-growing list of paranormal romance authors. Steeped in action and sensuality, populated by sexy warriors and strong women, graced with lush details and a captivating story…superlative.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Dark Seduction

“A powerfully emotional, ingenious novel about a world peopled with characters that completely capture your imagination. The pages sing with excitement, drama and passion. Joyce sets the standard for otherworldly lovers.”

—RT Book Reviews on Dark Seduction

Also by Brenda Joyce

The Masters of Time

DARK RIVAL

DARK SEDUCTION

The de Warenne Dynasty

A DANGEROUS LOVE

THE PERFECT BRIDE

A LADY AT LAST

THE STOLEN BRIDE

THE MASQUERADE

THE PRIZE

Watch for the upcoming Masters of Time novels

DARK VICTORY

DARK LOVER

Dark Embrace

Brenda Joyce

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This one’s for all of you who have supported

my new series, The Masters of Time,

with so much incredible enthusiasm!

Thank you!

Once again I must give my sincere thanks to

Laurel letherby, without whom I’d be lost in every possible

way. I also want to thank my editor Miranda Stecyk for her

phenomenal editing—especially her

line editing, which is the best I’ve ever had.

Please, keep on cutting!

PROLOGUE

Loch Awe, Scotland, 1436

“A HIGHLANDER WITH NO CLAN, no father but Satan’s spawn and ye still war for land? ’Tis not the land ye need, Lismore,” Argyll spat. “Ye need a father and a soul.”

Aidan of Awe trembled with rage, the glen behind him filled with the dead and the dying. His Campbell rival sawed on his steed’s reins and smiled savagely, clearly aware he had delivered the final blow that day, and galloped off toward his departing army.

Aidan breathed hard, blue eyes flashing. His breath was warm in the cold winter air, hanging there like the smoke from the camp’s fires. He could not know ifArgyll had chosen his words with care or not. It was not a secret that he was a bastard, born in rape and shame. Still, when his father was alive, he had been the king’s favorite and the Defender of the Realm. Aidan realized he could turn over Argyll’s meaning a hundred times and never decide if the man knew the entire black truth about the Earl of Moray. But in these dark and bloody times, only the most foolish of men would be oblivious to the war between good and evil that raged across the world, and the Campbell was no fool. Perhaps he knew of the matters secretly spoken of betwixt the Masters and the gods.

He turned now to stare at the last of the warring men, his leine soaking wet and clinging to his muscular body. His men were all Highlanders and they’d fought mostly on foot, with long and broad swords, with daggers and pikes. They were dirty, tired, bloody—and loyal to him. Men had died for him that day. The snow was red with their blood—and that of the Campbells.

Aidan took up his stallion’s reins. His men were returning from the glen, trudging tiredly toward him, their larger weapons heaved over shoulders, the wounded being helped by their comrades. Still, every man smiled and nodded at him as they passed. He spoke or nodded to each in turn, to let each man know he was grateful for their arms and valor.

Tents were raised and cook fires started. Aidan handed his stallion off to a young, hopeful Highland lad, when he felt a frisson of alarm. The emotion came from afar, but the vibration went entirely through him.

In that instant, he knew that the fear he sensed came from his son, who was safely at home.