Artistic Vision

Chapter Two

Akane allowed the rhythm of the music to flow through her. She kept her movements sensual, tempting the man across from her in the way only a dragoness could. From the amount of drool on his chin her target was buying into it. Akane allowed some of her inner fire to seep into her expression, smiling slightly when the target almost dropped his drink in his lap.

If Robin’s facts were correct, this man would lead her to information the Malmaynes would kill to keep quiet. She ran her hands through her hair, fluffing the curls around her face with a coquettish look. She licked her lips and allowed her gaze to roam over her target. When she was sure she’d set him to a nice simmer, she crooked her finger at him. All she had to do was seduce him enough that he was distracted. Her temporary Sidhe partner would then read the target’s mind and extract the information they needed. But if the target sensed for even one moment that his mind had been invaded, the entire operation would have to be scrapped and the back-up plan put into action.

Akane did not want to go to plan B. Plan B involved Robin’s direct involvement, something she was striving to avoid at all costs. If Robin showed up, things would get…messy.

Akane allowed the target to slide his hands around her waist. The Malmayne looked like most of them did, with golden, gleaming hair and pale eyes. On any other occasion she might have found him semi-attractive. Tonight, he was nothing more than a mark.

She danced with…what was his name again? Tristan? She danced with Tristan Malmayne, wondering when her temporary partner would give her the signal that they’d gotten what they needed. It would be a simple matter to slip away at that point, something she’d perfected over the years. More than one man had been left in her dust after she’d gotten what she wanted.

The target wasn’t a bad dancer. If he hadn’t been on the devil’s side she might have even enjoyed herself. She ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, scraping the skin with her nails. A shiver ran through him. His pupils dilated. His erection brushed against her as he pulled her closer.

She turned in his arms, allowing him to move against her ass, hoping her partner was done. His hands roamed over her bare legs, trying to slip beneath the hem of her miniskirt. If his fingers moved two inches higher he’d find a four inch stiletto pinning his foot to the floor. She wanted gone from here before she found herself thrown over Tristan’s shoulder and carted out of the bar. She’d hate to have to explain to Robin that she’d been forced to break the target into tiny little pieces for being too grabby. Again.

Akane looked up, trying to locate her partner, and damn near shrieked in surprise.

Right in front of her was one of the handsomest men she’d ever had the misfortune to meet. His sapphire eyes were blazing with anger. Dark blue silk stretched across massive shoulders. Tight, dark jeans were molded to his legs like a second skin. Those scarred hands took hold of the Tristan’s and twisted, sending the Sidhe reeling back in shock and pain.

“Mine.”

“Sorry.” She turned to find Tristan’s eyes narrowed. He studied Shane, way too closely for Akane’s comfort. “Don’t I know you?”

Shane grinned. “Nope.” He took hold of Akane’s arm and pulled her to the middle of the dance floor. “You are in deep shit, Miz Akane.”

It took everything in her to keep from twisting his fat head off his neck like a bottle cap. “I’m working.”

“That’s one word for it.”

She gasped in outrage. If he said that again he was going to be known as the Cockless Wonder. She allowed herself to be pulled into his arms just so she could hiss in his ear. “Do you know what you have done?”

“Nope. Don’t care either.”

The anger still appeared to be riding him hard. She was surprised his magic hadn’t escaped his control, filling the air around them with sparks or painting the whorls of a leprechaun on his skin. Only Shane’s eyes glittered with an almost inhuman rage. His attention wasn’t focused on her, though. His eyes were tracking Tristan Malmayne as the man made his way back to his seat.

“Robin will be here shortly.”

That got his attention. “Shit. You meant you were working, didn’t you?”

She gritted her teeth. “How attached are you to your balls?”

He had the audacity to laugh down at her. “Pretty damn attached.”

She pulled his head closer. “That was Tristan Malmayne. He might have given me an in with the Malmaynes if you hadn’t fucked it up.”

“They know who you are and who you work for, remember? Didn’t you damn near hand out business cards the day Duncan explained to his ex-clanmates why Charles Malmayne had been executed, and by whom?”

She grimaced. True, she’d told the Malmaynes in the room who she was and backed up Duncan’s declaration that Charles’s execution had been legal and fully justified. That didn’t mean she still couldn’t work the case the way Robin had asked her to. Besides, Tristan hadn’t been in that room, may not have gotten a good enough look at her through the satellite feed Duncan had set up. She could have pulled it off, especially the way Tristan’s hands had been inching up her skirt.

Shane lifted his head and pulled her so close she could practically feel his heartbeat. “Your mom called. She said hi.”

Akane bit him through his shirt. The son of a bitch had been talking to her mother?

He pulled her head closer with a happy sigh. “She also said happy birthday.”

Akane attempted to lift her head. It was like trying to lift a Chevy Tahoe with her pinky. Damn, the man was strong. She usually snapped people like twigs when they annoyed her, but Shane was made of sterner stuff. He was the only person she’d ever met, other than Robin Goodfellow, who could physically haul her places she didn’t want to go. She’d kicked him once, and instead of the satisfying sound of bones breaking, he’d barely grunted. “You’re dead. You know that, right?”

She felt the rumble of his chuckle under her cheek. “Dance with me, sweetheart.”

She rolled her eyes. He was not going to wiggle out of his imminent demise that easily. “Sweetheart? Since when?”

“Since the moment I saw you.” He allowed her to lift her head, and she was under no illusions about that. He allowed it. “No matter your form, no matter what Robin asks of you, remember one thing: you belong to me.”

The song changed, slowed, and Shane began to dance. He moved against her with a sinuous grace that shocked her. For a brief, shining moment she pictured them moving together like this in bed, and she damn near came on the spot.

She had to get away from him before she did something she’d really regret, like rip those clothes off him and screw him right in the middle of the dance floor. Hell, with the way her luck was going recently Tristan Malmayne would offer to join in.

“Dance with me. Let’s give Mr. Malmayne a real show.”

Akane glared up at Shane but couldn’t hold it. He was right. If she couldn’t seduce Tristan the way she’d originally planned, she’d seduce him by being in someone else’s arms. She followed Shane’s lead, dancing with him the way she’d meant to dance with Tristan. She kept the majority of her attention on Tristan, watching him, gauging his reactions to see if it was working.

It wasn’t. He’d already found himself someone new to play with, a pretty little blonde with deep brown eyes with just a hint of… “Oh shit.”

“What?”

“The blonde with Tristan?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s Robin.”

Shane paled. Good. The man had some sense of self preservation. “Wow. He moves fast.”

She exchanged glances with her partner, relieved when the man nodded and headed for the door. “Time to go.”

“You have what you need?”

She looked back, only to find Tristan watching her leave with Shane. His expression was chagrined as he realized he wouldn’t get another shot at her. Little did he know. Akane planned on giving him as many shots as he wanted to take. “Yup.”

She headed for the door of the bar, Shane one step behind her. When they exited the building she braced herself for an unwanted meeting with the Hob. “Etienne, did we get what we needed?”

“In a way, oui.” The French Sidhe shrugged. “His thoughts were filled with you, but his mind is sharp. He almost detected my meddling. I was barely able to touch on the information we needed. We’ll need to set something up again where he’s distracted by you.” Etienne gestured to the side of the building, away from a group of people heading into the bar. “Personally, I was surprised to find a Malmayne in a place like this. It’s not up to their usual standards.”

Akane nodded. “The lord of the manor slumming it.” The place wasn’t bad at all. Akane had spent many a pleasurable hour in bars much like this one, where the drinks flowed freely and the music was loud and driving. It soothed some of the wildness in her to get out on a dance floor and give in to her dragon, if only a little.

“Maybe he feels free to do so knowing Henri and the girls are in New York.”

Akane and Etienne stared at Shane. “How do you know that?”

“I ran into them there briefly. I didn’t stick around to chat, though. They were kind of irritated with me.” Shane shrugged. “It might have been the face full of slush that did it.”

Akane opened her mouth to ask, then closed it again. She did not want to know. She turned back to Etienne, ignoring Shane’s amusement. She’d have to find out from Robin if any Blades in New York were keeping an eye on the trio. “What did you learn?”

“Not much. He is perturbed by Henri’s insistence on obtaining Leo Dunne’s seed. He believes he overheard something that may mean Henri is planning another move on Ruby Dunne. But that was all I got before he began to suspect something was wrong.”

“Shit.” Shane moved to Akane’s side, firmly putting himself in the situation. She wanted to tell him to back the fuck off, but Ruby was special. All the Dunnes adored the human Leo had mated, and with good reason. She took everything the fae had thrown at her in stride, never losing herself in what had to seem a strange, crazy world to the mundane female. She’d even managed to make Robin a good friend, a rare deed. If Robin found out Ruby was in danger once more, he’d pull out all the stops and never even tell her about it.

There would be bloodshed in the Black Court, starting with Henri Malmayne. And Robin would be far from subtle about it.

“Have they officially become Black Court? I thought they were still White, if only technically.”

She was surprised Shane was the one who asked. She’d assumed the Malmaynes had gone Black, but if their allegiance was underground it might explain why the few good Malmaynes had remained with their clan. There were probably a few who did not approve of Henri’s plans for the clan, but she bet there’d be more who would if they knew about them.

“No. Glorianna has issued no proclamations to that effect. She’s still investigating the allegations on her own, and she’s let stand her pronouncement of Henri as their lord.” Etienne rubbed his hand through his long, dark hair. “Which means we could trip over her agents at any moment.”

“Or worse, find ourselves fighting them.”

“We don’t know who they are or what angle they’re taking. This could be bad.”

“My darlings, leave Glorianna to me.”

Akane jumped. She should have caught that wild, intense scent before the man spoke, but Robin had a way of creeping up on even the most sensitive noses. She turned to face her boss, her expression deliberately bland. “Good evening, Robin.”

Robin Goodfellow, aka Puck, aka the Hob, one of the scariest men on the planet, was a tall, slender man with the wiry build and broad shoulders of a swimmer. He had waist-length, red hair that danced around him in a fiery halo, and laughing blue eyes in a face that would have made Michelangelo weep. The Hob was dressed tonight in a caramel-colored silk shirt that complemented his bright hair and tight leather pants that showcased his slim build. Leather boots completed the look. He looked like a fairy-tale prince with a modern twist, and he reveled in it. The Hob smiled at her, green fire flashing in his eyes.

“Good evening, Akane. Shane.”

Shane smiled back, totally at ease with Robin’s presence. “Hey, Robin. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know she was working. Blame me for any screw-ups back there. If she’d told me, I wouldn’t have interfered.”

Robin looked up at Shane through his lashes. “Truly? You could have stood by and watched as your—”

“I. Am. Not. His. Mate.” Akane poked Jethro in the chest with each hissed word. She was getting tired of repeating herself.

“Whatever you say, darlin’,” Shane drawled back. He caught hold of her hand and held it there against his chest. “You’re just my sweetie, right?” And he gave her the biggest, most gooberish grin she’d ever seen on a person’s face.

Gods, he was so good at looking stupid it was frightening, especially since he was one of the cagiest men she’d ever met. She looked over at Robin, desperately trying to hide the panic growing inside her. “Can I kill him now?”

Robin threw his head back and laughed.

Shane just shook his head, his grin lightening to something much more natural. “Robin, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

She didn’t like the speculation in Robin’s eyes. She didn’t like it one little bit. She spoke without thinking, protecting him. “He’s not Blade material.”

That green fire flashed in Robin’s eyes once more. “I believe I am the best judge of that.”

The gentle rebuke was made more chilling by the green light that refused to leave Robin’s face. Akane bowed low, baring her neck, eyes respectfully downcast. “My apologies, my lord.”

She waited, head bowed, for either the blow or the caress. She breathed a sigh of relief when Robin’s hand tangled in her curls. “Forgiven, of course. One must make allowances when mates are involved.”

She lifted her head once more. “You’re so certain of that?” She was careful to keep any challenge from her voice. Robin’s temperament could be volatile; she didn’t want to test the levels of his affection for her.

He tilted her face up with one black-nailed finger. “Of course.” He winked at her, the green fire gone, once more the laughing rogue rather than Oberon’s personal Blade. “Am I ever wrong?”

She bit her tongue until it bled.

Robin nodded as if she’d agreed with him whole-heartedly. “Very well then. Shane, I’ll keep your offer in mind. For now, we know that Tristan is less than pleased with his Malmayne cousins.”

Shane’s fists clenched. “And Henri is thinking of harming Ruby.”

Every light bulb in the parking lot burst, plunging them into darkness. Robin’s voice floated out of the darkness, mildly curious. “I’m sorry. What was that again?”

The only light now was from passing cars, and Akane was grateful for it. She didn’t want to see Robin’s face just then. The last time he’d used that particular tone of voice they hadn’t even been able to identify the body via DNA. The Hob had managed to tear even that apart in his rage. She inched closer to Shane, placing herself between him and Robin, knowing even as she did so it would do no good.

Apparently Robin was very fond of the human female.

Etienne spoke after an audible gulp. “Tristan overheard something that leads him to believe Henri’s planning on making a move on Ruby Dunne, something that would force Leo’s hand and give them what they want.”

“Ah.” The soft sigh Robin gave sounded sweet and gentle. “Then Ruby, above all, must be protected. Akane, you and Etienne will continue to court Tristan. Shane, I may require your assistance, but for now, allow Akane to protect you.” When Shane made a sound of protest Robin’s eyes glowed, bright enough to see, eerie enough to raise goose bumps on her arms. “Shane, you are still a child of Dunne and therefore in possible danger. Allow my Blade to do her job, if you please.”

Shane bowed beside her. “As you wish.”

Robin’s hand reached out and patted Shane’s cheek. “Good. You all know what you must do.” A gust of wind kicked up, swirling around Robin in a mini tornado, and yet his voice was as clear as ever. “And so do I.” With that, the Hob disappeared. The wind died down. The only sounds in the parking lot now were the breathing of the three remaining fae.

Akane’s damn knees had gone weak. If Robin had lost it, Shane could have died. Her reaction to that thought was something she was going to have to think long and hard about. The knowledge that she’d been willing to place herself between Shane and Robin-fucking-Goodfellow was life altering. “That went well.”

Etienne touched her shoulder. “Indeed. We still breathe.”

Shane blew out a breath, possibly just to prove he could. Robin had that effect on people. “He does know how to make an exit, doesn’t he?”

She refused to join Etienne in his slightly hysterical giggles. A woman had her pride, after all.

When they got back to the farm, cars were parked out front. Shane grinned. His mother had managed to pull it off, and Shane couldn’t be more pleased. It was one more step in giving Akane the family she so desperately craved, even if she didn’t understand why.

It was enough that he did. He had no problems sharing his family with his future mate. Hell, he wanted her to claim them as her own, because they’d already begun to claim her.

“What’s going on?”

He opened the car door and helped her out, hiding his smile as her covetous glance ran over Bumblebee. The bright yellow Corvette had caught her eye immediately. The low growl in her throat when she realized it belonged to him had been priceless. Since she’d flown to the bar rather than trust her Boxster in the parking lot, he’d been more than happy to give her a ride home, and she’d loved every minute of it. He’d opened up the muscle car on the road, letting the roar of the engine and the sounds of the wind drown out the need for conversation. “Let’s find out.”

He led her up to the front porch, noting her frown when she recognized Duncan’s M6 and Leo’s brand new Land Rover. “Wonder what they’re doing here? You think Robin contacted them?”

He almost laughed, keeping a straight face with difficulty. “You mean about Henri and his probable villainous intent to harm Ruby?”

She glared at him. She did that a lot, but this time was different. She was eyeing him like she didn’t quite know what to make of him and it was freaking her the fuck out.

“Yeah.”

“Maybe.” He opened the front door, enjoying her gasp of surprise. “Then again, maybe not.”

Over the green sofa in the living room, his mother had strung a Happy Birthday banner. Food, drink and presents littered every available surface. Family filled the air with chatter and laughter, warming the happy home even further.

“Akane! Happy birthday.” Ruby, Leo’s bubbly mate, darted out from the shelter of her man’s arms and gave Akane a hug.

Akane, red-faced, startled and wisps of smoke curling out her nostrils, hugged Ruby back. “Thank you.”

“Let them in from the cold, child.” Aileen gently rebuked Ruby, who blushed and pulled away from Akane.

“Sorry. Here, let me get your coats.” Ruby shut the door and gathered their coats while Moira gave Akane a hug. Jaden and Duncan watched their female through warm, loving eyes, their own hands clasped together, dark skin twined with fair.

Jaden Blackthorn’s Native American heritage was evident in his long, black hair and eyes, the shape of his jaw and his dusky skin. Duncan Malmayne-Blackthorn was as fair as his male mate was dark, with golden blond hair and pale gray eyes. Shane’s red-haired sister was like a flame between them, dancing back and forth with a touch here, a caress there, keeping her men grounded. It warmed Shane’s heart to see how close they’d become. She’d nearly lost both of them, one to mate sickness and the other to self doubt, and still hadn’t quite gotten over that. None of them had realized how deep the bond between Duncan and Jaden was until Jaden had left for weeks, nearly destroying both Duncan and Moira in the process. If Jaden had understood what his absence would do to his lovers he never would have left them, but he had, and Duncan still bore the marks in the silver that now dotted the golden mop of hair Jaden was busy playing with. He laughed when Duncan pushed his hands away with an annoyed grunt, but Shane caught the amusement Duncan tried to hide.

“Happy birthday, Akane.” Jaden gave Akane a hug of his own, lifting the dragoness off her feet and twirling her around, much to Moira’s obvious disgust.

Shane wasn’t worried about Jaden. He was Akane’s usual partner, working with her on the cases Robin assigned them, but he’d been so busy setting up his newly minted clan he hadn’t been able to assist her recently. His presence in Nebraska must mean that his business in Colorado had been happily concluded. Shane could only hope so. He trusted Jaden to guard Akane’s back much more than that Etienne guy. The Sidhe might have been dumpster diving in Tristan Malmayne’s head but his beady eyes had been glued to Akane’s thighs.

Seriously. What the fuck kind of name was Etienne?

“Thanks, Jade.” Akane gave Jaden a peck on the cheek, and that did bother Shane. She’d yet to kiss him voluntarily.

The rest of the family offered their birthday wishes, and soon they were digging into the mountain of food Aileen had made. Shane found himself tucked in the corner, a plate in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, watching indulgently as his father tried to get Akane to eat asparagus tips. It was like watching him trying to feed Moira Brussel sprouts when she’d been four. Akane was making that same stinky doo-doo face Moira had made way back then.

“She seems happy enough.”

Shane was very proud of the fact that he didn’t jump at the sound of that rich, laughing voice. “I hope so, since I plan on her living here for the rest of her natural life.” He turned to smile at the red-headed man leaning in the window. An amazing feat, since the window had been closed not a moment before, Shane hadn’t heard it open, and for some reason the cold winter air wasn’t coming into the house. But that was what you got when the Hob decided to drop in for supper.

The Hob stepped in through the open window, closing it silently behind him. “Is that so?” His head tilted, the gesture somehow inhuman, almost birdlike. “What does she think of that?”

Shane shrugged. “She’s mine, and I’m here.” He held out his plate, the sandwich on it untouched. “Food?”

Robin took the plate with a small bow. “Thank you.”

While Robin ate his ham and cheese sandwich Shane took a moment to study him. Something about Robin had his fingers twitching. Just out of reach was the vision he’d had earlier, one that became stronger each time he met the Hob. With a gasp he realized what was meant to be in the center of the storm his vision kept showing him, and the knowledge left him dazed.

“Are you all right?”

Shane nodded, too stunned to speak. He needed to get to his workspace. He needed to go now. The vision was riding him hard, demanding completion before it would leave him be. “Yeah.” He handed his drink to Robin. “I have to go.” He signaled his mother and she nodded. She understood what the look on his face meant, and where he’d be for the foreseeable future. She’d let everyone know if they asked. His family would take care of him until it was over.

“Shane.”

He blinked and stared at Robin, his vision superimposed over the slender figure of the man himself. “Yes?”

Robin studied him, his brows slowly rising. “Take care. It’s cold out.”

“Cold out.” His eyes darted longingly toward the door. “Yes.”

He allowed Robin to steer him toward the doorway. The Hob thrust Shane’s coat in his hands. He blinked down at it, not really seeing it at all. “I have to go.”

“Yes, you do.” Robin led him out the front door, the cold no bother for the Hob. The chill wind plastered the caramel-colored silk shirt to his skin but Robin didn’t even shiver. He watched silently as Shane made his way to his studio, those sharp blue eyes catching everything Shane did.

Once inside the building, Shane turned to face him. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.” Robin looked around, curiosity in his gaze. “May I look around?”

Shane nodded, already changing into his coveralls, his vision overriding everything else, even common courtesy. It would be a while before he emerged again, and he’d be more than exhausted when he was done.

Worst of all, when it was over he’d need to call the Seer. If what he was seeing was correct, the world was in for one hell of a ride.

Robin Goodfellow perched on a rafter and looked down on Shane Joloun Dunne. He’d been around those with the Sight often enough to know a vision trance when he saw one, but what surprised him was the way Shane went about bringing his visions to life. The man’s hair gleamed with sweat as he worked the forge, purifying silver ore, bending brass and copper to his will. His hands were steady, his touch strong yet delicate as he took glass and molded it, twisted it until he was finally satisfied with shape and hue. His eyes had been, and still were, clouded with visions. Despite that, he’d looked at Robin as if seeing into the Hob without the terror Robin often encountered. If Robin were inclined toward men, it would be such a one who might win his empty, lonely heart.

But Robin knew himself well. Even while wearing the form of a female he was, deep down, a lover of all things feminine. The thought of taking a male lover was, while not exactly repulsive, something that simply did not occur to him. Robin longed for soft, feminine flesh and warm, loving hands. Hands that would caress him, ease the burden on his weary soul. He desired eyes that would see into him without fear, a mind willing to know him, accept him for everything he was. All he wished from life was a soft place to land, a gentle touch, and an acceptance that was beyond most. To find such a thing would be wondrous indeed.

He smiled as he watched the eldest Dunne child through bright eyes. Leo Dunne had found such a one, and little Ruby was a delight to the Hob’s heart. She greeted him with glee, hugged him in welcome, and offered him that safe, soft place he yearned for. Had she not been truebonded, he might have been tempted to steal her from the Sidhe lord. But alas, Ruby was forever beyond him, bound by ties of love, soul mated to the man the gods had decreed was hers and hers alone.

And Robin was happy for them. To know such a woman existed and had found her fae mate gave him a hope he’d long since given up on.

Robin held himself perfectly still as Shane sighed wearily. He could tell whatever visions drove the man had almost been purged, but Shane, it seemed, had one last thing to do. One last bit to add to one of the sculptures he’d worked madly on all night, driven to near insanity by what only he could see. Robin wasn’t sure what the sculptures meant, but Shane did, and Robin was determined to find out what.

All he had to do was wait.

The doorbell pealed, interrupting the story Sean had been telling about the time Shane had gotten into the neighbor’s corral and rode one of the orneriest horses known to mankind. Once he’d been picked up from the dust, he’d told his father he’d known he could ride it, but he hadn’t known for how long.

From the stories Sean told, Akane was surprised Shane had made it to adulthood. The man was certifiable.

Duncan waved languidly, mellowed by good food and wine. “I’ll get it.” He opened the door, and all traces of relaxation left him. Jaden went on point, shoving Moira behind him. The chilly smile on Duncan’s face was far from welcoming as he greeted his cousin. “Henri. What a lovely surprise.”

Akane twisted, startled to see Henri Malmayne at the front door of the Dunne’s home. Wasn’t he supposed to be in New York? She nodded to him cautiously. Shit, this could blow her cover wide open. “Henri.”

Henri nodded, those sharp blue eyes of his taking in everything from the birthday banner to the cake in Akane’s hand. “Am I interrupting?”

Jaden shrugged, the smart-ass smirk he so loved to use crossing his face. “Yup. My partner’s birthday party. You’re not invited.”

Henri didn’t react to Jaden at all, ignoring the vampire. His attention remained focused on Duncan and Sean Dunne. “I would like to speak with Leo, if you don’t mind.”

The earth trembled. Sean stepped up to stand beside Duncan, blocking Henri’s view of the room. “I don’t think so.”

“I assure you I mean him no harm.”

“Get off my land.”

Akane glanced out the window and had to stifle a gasp. The pebbles and dirt that made up the driveway of the Dunne farmhouse were dancing like water on a hot skillet.

Henri held up his hands. “It’s to our mutual benefit that Leo comply with our requests. I assure you, I am not my predecessors. I wish to negotiate a compromise rather than force the issue.”

“I’m truebonded, Henri. That leaves no room for compromise, I’m afraid.” Leo tugged until Ruby was safe under his arm. “There’s no way I’ll accept a second mate.”

Henri sighed. “Perhaps a meeting could be arranged between you and Constance? If you meet, the three of you, perhaps you’ll see that what we propose isn’t quite as bad as Cullen and Charles made it appear.”

Oh hell to the no. There was no way Akane was going to allow Leo and Ruby to be alone with a Malmayne. She didn’t count Duncan; Duncan was now a Blackthorn thanks to Jaden bonding with both Duncan and Moira before the Sidhe bond took effect. “Only if Jaden and I go with them.”

Henri looked pained. “I’m afraid the vampire is not welcome in our home, but we may be able to arrange something where you are present.” He turned back to Leo. “Would such an arrangement be acceptable?”

“No.” Aileen Dunne stepped forward, tiny and fierce. “The marriage contract has been fulfilled by my daughter. You no longer have any say or sway over my children. Go. Away.”

Somehow, the front door closed with no one touching it. Akane blinked. What the fuck?

“How… Who did that?” Duncan looked as startled as everyone else.

Everyone except Jaden, who raised his hand with a wicked grin. “Mea culpa. Sue me, but he was uglifying the place.”

Akane choked back a laugh. “Uglifying? Is that even a word?”

Jaden waved at Duncan. “According to him, I’m a lord now and can do whatever the fuck I want. Therefore, I declare Henri Malmayne to be one uglifying bastard.” He held out his hand to Moira. “Cake me.”

Jaden picked frosting out of his eyebrows with a grimace. Had he truly expected any other response from his fiery mate?

Duncan ran his finger down Jaden’s shirt and licked off the frosting. “Mm. Chocolate.”

Akane stepped into Shane’s studio bright and early the next morning and peered around the vast space. He’d had a corrugated metal building erected where an old corn silo used to stand. Metal and glass working tools littered the space. In the back she could see a doorway cracked open. Shane was nowhere to be seen. Aileen had kept her from coming out here all night despite the strange look on Shane’s face as he’d left her birthday party. The fact that he was accompanied by the Hob had made her anxiety even worse. Had Robin recruited Shane? Just the thought had cold shivers running down her spine. “Shane? Are you in here?”

“Back here.”

His voice echoed wearily through the metal building, but she followed his scent until she found him. She stepped through an open doorway to find Shane, his head resting on an empty pedestal, staring at one of his sculptures. He was covered in metal and glass shavings, his coveralls ripped in places, his hands bleeding sluggishly. He looked bemused, exhausted. Beautiful. She approached him like she would a startled fawn, knowing one wrong move might send him running, or worse. If he collapsed would she be able to move him to safety? “Shane? What’s wrong?”

“C’mere and tell me what you see.”

Her brows rose but she did as asked, moving to stand beside him. Her breath caught.

On the opposite pedestal from where he stood was a metal and glass sculpture, one that sent a shiver of fear through her. It was a ball made out of razor sharp, mirror-like metallic strips, with bits of jagged glass dotting them. The cutting metal edges stuck randomly out into space, creating a chaotic feel that gave Akane the willies. Through the metal strips she could see a tiny figure standing, arms raised like a supplicant, one hand to her chest, one to the sky. “What the hell is that?”

Shane took a deep breath. “What do you see?”

She glared at him before taking a closer look. It wasn’t until she was almost nose to sharp edge with it did she realize that, inside the ball, the curves were smooth, glistening, reflecting the figure inside over and over again. The face of the figure was serene, if vague in its features, as if Shane couldn’t quite see the person’s face well enough to sculpt it. “Whatever this ball is, it’s protecting the person inside.”

“Yeah. I thought you’d see that too.”

She shook her head. “What does this mean?”

He lifted his head wearily. His eyes were bloodshot. He must have been up all night working on this. “Follow me.” He led her over to another pedestal. “See this?”

“Yeah.” It was magnificent, but whereas the last sculpture sent shivers down her spine this one evoked a sense of loss and loneliness. A lone figure stood in shining silver, head bowed, shoulders bent. Flowing down its back, a long sweep of metal she presumed to be the figure’s hair crossed over the figure until the tips blended into glass and metal waves. The “foam” of the broken waves brushed the feet of the figure, and how Shane had gotten that effect she had no idea. The figure had no face, but even without it was obvious something dear had been lost, maybe never to be found again. One glistening hand reached toward the waves, either tossing something away or summoning something back. “What are you calling this one?”

“Incomplete.”

She blew out a breath. “Wow. Hell of a name.”

He chuckled. “No. I mean it’s not complete. The rest of the vision hasn’t come to me.”

Vision? What was he talking about?

He pointed to a small spot in the middle of the sculpture. “Right here. Something is supposed to go right here, but I don’t know who or what yet.”

Things finally clicked into place. How he’d known where she was going to be the night before, if not why. How he’d known who she was even before she set foot on his father’s land. “You have seer’s blood in you.” It was rare to find, rarer still not to find an accompanying madness underneath. Her mother’s people hadn’t exactly been prolific before they were wiped away in the war that split the Courts.

Those sapphire eyes, bloodshot though they were, pierced through her. “Where, and on what side, I don’t know, but yeah.” He shoved a filthy hand through his hair, dislodging what had to be more glass dust. “I finished the ball one last night, but this one has been plaguing me for a while now. Until I know what goes in the center, it remains incomplete.”

She turned her attention back to the glass and metal ball. “What do you call that one?”

“What would you call it?”

Dear gods, she did not want to name who it was. Shane didn’t just create art. He created people, their essence flowing through the piece with shattering results. “Please don’t make me.”

His hand reached out to her, but he pulled back. “You know, Akane.”

She walked back to the jagged ball. “Do you know who she is?”

“Are you so sure it’s a she? It could be Oberon.”

She shook her head. “I know who this is, and I know what that figure represents. It’s a she.” She pointed back to the forlorn figure. “Just like I know who that is.” She shivered. “You’re playing with dangerous visions, Shane.”

“Playing? Like I have a choice in this? Unlike you, I don’t get to pick and choose what visions come to me. I just get to watch them come alive under my hands.” The water in his tiny bathroom started up, and it wasn’t long before a pair of damp arms circled her waist. “Akane. Do you know what happens if the figure falls?”

She closed her eyes, but when she opened them, somehow Shane had toppled the figure. Thanks to the way he’d constructed the ball, now the inside only reflected the jagged edges of the outside over and over until there was nothing left but chaos and death. The position of the figure’s arms when standing were perfect for a figure lying on the ground as well, and if that happened the world itself would be in danger. “Shit.”

“Yeah.”

“We should tell Robin.”

He turned her around, his big hands gentle. “Can you take a look for me? Maybe I’m missing something.” His eyes strayed back to the fallen figure before spearing into her once more. “If this can be avoided, it has to be.”

She sighed. “Do you know what happened the last time I tried to get a look at him?”

“No, what?”

She leaned against him, trusting him with her weight, for once not caring that her clothes would be covered in grime. She needed his strength after seeing those two pieces of art. “Once, a long time ago, I saw my mother talking to a pretty, pretty man.” His arms tightened and she wriggled in protest, turning once more to study the jagged ball. “So I wondered who that pretty man was, but my mother refused to tell me. So I opened my vision, because damn if someone was going to tell me that I couldn’t know something.” She ignored his belly laugh. “When I woke up, Robin Goodfellow—”

“Who was the pretty man, I presume?”

“Yup. He offered me a job.”

“Because he likes that kind of crazy, huh?”

She elbowed him, pleased when he gave a soft grunt. “Do you know who she is?”

“No, and that scares the shit out of me.”

“Why?”

“We can’t protect her if we don’t.” He touched one of the jagged edges, his blood welling up, red on silver. “If we don’t know…”

“The world will be awash in blood.”

“I think so.” His hand returned to her waist, cuddling her close. “I think this might be the one thing that could drive him to do something that would make Tunguska look like a cherry bomb.”

“Wonderful.” The 1908 explosion over the Tunguska region of Russia was had been horrific in its destruction. Scientists believed a meteor or comet fragment exploded roughly three miles above the spot that had been decimated, but there was no solid proof of what had happened. It had the impact of roughly ten to fifteen megatons of TNT. Nothing had survived intact. The fallout from that explosion was seen around the world. Strange light could be seen as far away as England, where people reported that it was bright enough to read the newspaper by. When an expedition was finally sent by the Russians in 1927, the pictures of the devastation had been humbling. And she knew for a fact the scientists had it wrong. No meteor had done that. Robin had, and to this day only two people knew why: High King Oberon and Robin himself. “We need to find out, then.”

“I’m thinking of calling your mother.”

She winced. “Please don’t.”

“She’s helped me before, when I couldn’t interpret a vision. How do you think I got her number?”

She sagged in his arms. “Please not my mom. Please?”

He picked her up like she actually was the dainty little human most people believed she was. His strength never ceased to amaze her…or turn her on. “Man up, Akane. World-wide destruction or talk to your mother.” When she didn’t answer right away, he shook her.

“What? I’m thinking about it.”

With a hearty laugh he carted her out of the studio and back to the tiny attached bedroom, her muttered curses drifting on the air around them.

A glowing pair of green eyes appeared next to one of the pedestals. They stared at the lone figure, waves lapping at its feet, before turning to the jagged ball of glass and metal. A black boot heel clacked on the concrete floor, and Robin Goodfellow materialized out of the nothingness to stare at the fallen figure. The words of the two hybrids echoed in his ears.

“Interesting.”

He lifted the small figure with a gentle touch and set it back on its feet. He caressed the side of that serene face with wonder, the metal and glass bending away from him to allow him the simple touch. He smiled, full of hope and anticipation the likes of which he hadn’t experienced in centuries. “I wonder who you are?”