Darkness Betrayed (Guardians of Eternity #17)

by Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

When a conspiracy threatens what’s most precious to The Guardians of Eternity, they must depend upon their one-time enemy to protect them in the latest from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy . . .

Once, Brigette was the conduit through which the ultimate evil reached Earth. Now she’s just a lonely Were isolated in an Irish cottage, cut off from her animal and humanity alike. When a band of rebels approach her to take down the king of the vampires, she knows denying them means certain death—but even if she warns the king, he may not listen to the likes of her.

From the moment Xi slips into Brigette’s bedroom to escort her to his king, he sees the heartbreak that hides behind her guilt. The elusive vampire has fought for centuries to master his own regrets, and his word will convince the king to value hers. Neither can escape the attraction between them, even as partners on an undercover mission. But there’s no room for pleasure when their work might redeem her to the Guardians completely—or send them to the death they’ve evaded for so long . . .

Themes: Paranormal, Shifter, Vampires

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

The enemy becomes the savior in this new installment of the intriguing and long-running Guardian of Eternity Series by Alexandra Ivy. Ivy’s series has taken her characters through several almost-apocalypses, near demonic world dominations, and so many interesting matings with laughter, tears, and drama and I’ve loved going along for the ride as a reader. Brigette was introduced several stories ago as a conduit for a dangerous and deadly evil to enter and take over the world, but once it was thwarted she became a prisoner until escaping and finding herself a small slice of peace and quiet to rebuild what she could of her life. When two strangers arrive on her doorstep she finds herself in the unique situation of becoming a hero instead of the villain as the works with Anasso of the vampires and one of his Ravens in order to thwart this newest threat. Xi is skeptical about his newest partner but the more time he spends with her as they investigate and work to prevent danger the more he is captivated. Xi has lived a long time and has skills that no other vampire could imagine, but this she-wolf draws him like no other and makes him wonder if he might have finally met his match, but when the ultimate scarified might be the only way to stop their enemies can they find a way for an HEA or will it all end for them? I LOVED this story even as I cried right up until the very end. I can honestly say I haven’t had a story in years that ended out of my expectations, but Ivy truly surprised me and left me hanging until the end when she redeemed herself and her characters. Brigette has learned a lot about herself and the importance of penance, but she knows that she will never be able to make up for all the pain and death she caused in her past—hell even her inner wolf has deserted her for her crimes. She has humbled and changed a lot, but so far it hasn’t been enough to earn her redemption so embracing a relationship with Xi, beyond the simple sexual, is difficult even though the vampire makes her hear race and in body melt. She knows that she can’t just leave the world to be overrun by idiots again, but at the same time she doesn’t want to forfeit the little bit of life she has left, until something truly changes in her heart. Xi was one of the most enigmatic characters I have read in a long time, dark and forbidding for sure, but when he gets to know Brigette he offers his whole heart and soul to the she-wolf who completes him. I loved seeing him in action as they worked together on their missions, but seeing him in painful or heartbreaking moments had me in tears for sure. His strength in the face of loss, willingness to give everything for the greater good, and dedication to his Anasso made him a perfect foil for Brigette to teach her the last lessons she needed to find her redemption. The heat between Brigette and Xi and off the charts and for sure would have burned down half off the planet had the suppressed it for too much longer before they finally gave into the passion. I loved every second of this story and I’m dying to see what Ivy has in store next for her characters, but I would really like to see Xi and Brigette more in future stories for sure to see their HEA in action. Ivy broke my heart, made me laugh and cry, and ultimately reminded us that redemption always comes at a price in her latest masterpiece.