Artistic Vision

Chapter Six

Shane waited until Jaden and Akane left the farm before pulling out his cell. He had a few things to discuss with Akane’s mother outside of the vision he’d had of Robin. He dialed the Seer’s number and listened to it ring.

“Hello, Shane.”

He smiled. Even before Caller ID she’d always known who was calling. “Hello. I need your help with a vision and with the Malmayne situation.”

“You know what I have to do.”

He grimaced. He hated this part. “Yes. I consent.”

Shane gasped as the Seer invaded his mind, read his visions. Because he was also to some extent a Seer, the only way for her to get an accurate read on the questions he had was to take a look at his visions, to know what drove his hands to create. All the possibilities floated in his mind, but his hands only created the most likely outcome. The closer the event, the more accurate the vision until he was moved to go to his studio and bend metal and glass. The mental rifling she did through his mind hurt like hell as she basically took his gift and used it as her own.

He was pale and sweating when she was done, his head pounding and his heart racing. All he wanted in that moment was to curl up on the bed around his mate, but that comfort was denied him. Shane tried to shake off the effects, but only time would erase them. “What do you think?”

“I think that soon the second piece will be complete.”

Shit. That meant the event the child of Dunne was supposed to influence was closer than his visions had led him to believe. “And Robin’s?”

“The Hob will find his heart before the Gray King does. Something must be lost in order to be found again. The damage that was done to the King’s soul will finally be healed.”

“Vague as always.” He could almost picture her smile. “And the Malmaynes?” The vision he’d had in Leo’s office came back to him in all its gory detail. If things went the way he’d seen, Shane would be in a world of hurt.

“Ruby is safe. It is your back you must watch.”

A jolt of fear shot down his spine, chilling him. He’d been right. He’d become a target again. Shit. “What would they want with me?”

“They know. Tell my daughter I said be careful.”

She hung up before he could ask what she meant. The possible threat to Akane scared him more than any real threat to himself. He grabbed his coat and his car keys and headed out of the studio, his only thought to be with his fiancée.

Akane watched through her inner sight as Jaden misted through the keyhole of the Malmayne’s front door. No one could perform a B&E like a vampire. Akane’s role was that of look-out, something she was infinitely suited for. She sat on the hood of her car, her senses wide open, following Jaden mentally through a house he was all too familiar with. She’d almost forgotten he’d broken into the Malmayne mansion twice before, once to collect information on Charles Malmayne, Duncan’s uncle, and once to exact justice on Charles for working with the Black. They’d gotten to the estate in fifteen minutes, Jaden driving like a bat out of hell in order to do it. Akane still wasn’t sure their wheels had been on the ground at any given time, but Jaden said he’d done this before and she believed him.

Jaden whisked through the house, sometimes mist, sometimes a silent predator. Already Akane was seeing signs the Malmaynes were on the downward spiral to the Black. The estate seemed surrounded by a dark miasma. Sometimes she wished she had Shane’s talent for seeing the future. She wasn’t sure anymore how many of the Malmaynes could be saved.

Jaden found Tristan still going through Henri’s things. He quickly subdued the White Court Sidhe, not giving him time to protest or even realize a vampire had snuck up on him. Akane couldn’t blame him. White Court Sidhe were notorious for attacking vampires on sight, not caring if they were Gray Court or Black. Tristan might know who Jaden was on an intellectual level, but she wasn’t willing to bet Jaden’s life on whether or not Tristan would react instinctively and try to kill Jaden.

Jaden trussed up Tristan like a roped calf, arms and legs together. He then turned his attention to whatever had caught Tristan’s and grinned. “I’m calling Red.” He spoke out loud, knowing Akane would be able to hear him even if he couldn’t hear her. They’d never formed even a light blood bond; the vampire had shied away from the thought from the very beginning of their partnership five years ago. She’d never known if his bond with Duncan had anything to do with that, or the fact that she was a dragon and he didn’t know if she’d give him indigestion.

Knowing Jaden, the answer could be both.

“Okay. Red’s going through the files.” Robin’s pet Gremlin was a wizard at anything electronic, but he specialized in hacking and data retrieval. He’d managed to pull data off of drives that had been completely reformatted, something the humans still hadn’t figured out how to do. “He says this time Henri must have known we’d get a Gremlin in on the action because the computer is slightly better protected than last time.” He sat in Henri’s chair and put his feet up on the unconscious Sidhe. “In other words, the computer’s legs are halfway closed instead of wide open.”

Akane snorted, amused. The running commentary was entertaining, but she’d rather be back in Shane’s nice warm studio.

“Got it. And according to Red, Henri is just taking Charles’s plan and upping it a notch or two.”

“Wonderful.” Jaden might not be able to hear or see Akane, but she couldn’t stop herself from replying anyway. Charles had wanted both Moira and Jaden tossed to Duncan’s curb and Leo mated to either Cecelia or Constance, his daughters. The Malmayne’s blindness where it came to Sean Dunne’s children and the possibility one of them would fulfill the prophecy would have tickled her if she didn’t understand the dangers. More than one person over the years had heard her mother’s words but had refused to listen. It never ended well for the willfully blind.

“On my way back. Warm up the car for me, will ya? It’s cold enough out here to freeze off the Black Queen’s tits.” He hefted the trussed up Tristan on his shoulder. “Oh, and I’m bringing you a present. You can thank me later.”

“I’d prefer chocolates.” She’d have to figure out a way to get Tristan to work with them. If she didn’t, she’d have no choice but to take him out of the game and pray there were no other White Court agents running around on her case. Hopefully Tristan had lied about having a partner or their goose could be cooked.

She withdrew her vision as soon as Jaden passed the Malmayne perimeter and began sprinting up the road toward her. She stretched, her ass half frozen from sitting on the hood of her car for so long.

“So? How’d it go?”

Akane shrieked and fell off the hood.

“Sorry.”

She would have believed Shane if he hadn’t been laughing so hard.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Jethro?” Smoke poured out of her nose, her annoyance at an all-time high.

“I missed you.” He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet. “You sure looked cold there, Miz Akane.”

She knew he did it just to annoy the fuck out of her. It was the only explanation as to why he did that hick drawl thing, because Shane’s voice was normally smooth as silk and warmer than fur.

“Hey, Shane.” Jaden jogged up to them, Tristan bouncing on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Take this, will you?” He flung the unconscious Sidhe at Shane, who caught him with a surprised grunt. “Red called. He thinks Henri is planning on moving on Ruby sometime in the next few days. We need to step up the security around both Ruby and Leo.”

Akane tilted her head like she was actually thinking about it. “What’s a step above Robin Goodfellow?”

Jaden opened his mouth, but he wisely shut it again. He turned his attention instead to Shane. “Had any visions lately?”

Shane shook his head and shoved Tristan in the back of his Corvette. He wasn’t exactly gentle about it either. “I can’t make the visions come to me. They show up when they show up.”

Shane was hiding something from her. His expression was closed, but the glimpse of fear she’d seen before he’d turned away from them told her more than words could.

Shane was never afraid, but today he was.

“Think the Seer might be able to help you with that?”

Shane stared at Jaden. “There’s always a price to pay when you consult the Seer.”

Akane bit her lip. “What payment have you made?” When Shane didn’t answer, she paled. “Shane? Tell me I’m not part of the payment.”

He glared at her. “You’re kidding me, right? You think even your mother could make me Claim you if fate hadn’t made you mine?”

Her cheeks flushed. “It was a thought.” She shook her finger in his face. “But you are going to tell me what price she’s made you pay.”

He nodded. “But not now.”

“This is all very touching, but McAsshole is starting to wake up.” Jaden leaned in the door of the Corvette. “Hello, Sleeping Beauty.” He reared back and tsk’d as Tristan kicked out at him, tumbling himself to the floor in the process as his feet were still tied to his wrists. “Now don’t you feel stupid? Guess who gets to sit on the corner stool after class?”

Akane rolled her eyes. “Way to make friends and influence people, Jade.”

“I try.” The vampire put his hand to his chest dramatically. “Why don’t we take him back to the Dunne farm and introduce him to Sean?”

The wicked gleam in Shane’s eyes did not bode well for the Sidhe. “I like that plan.” He got into the driver’s seat before Akane could say a word. “Meet you there.”

“Moira and Duncan will be there shortly.” Jaden got in the driver’s seat of her Boxster. “Call Leo. They should be there too. Maybe if all the Dunnes talk to Tristan he’ll be more easily persuaded to help.”

“Fine.” She got in and let Jaden drive her baby once more and called Leo.

He picked up on the first ring. “Hello?”

“We need you and Ruby to head for your parents’ farm.” She explained their plan to Leo, who readily agreed. “Meet you there.”

Akane smiled as they pulled onto Sean’s land. It seriously sucked, but damn if this wasn’t becoming home.

Shane pulled the wriggling Sidhe out of the back of his car. “Hush. You don’t want to piss off my father, do you?”

Tristan stopped wriggling. “You kill me and Glorianna will come down on you like the wrath of god.”

Shane untied the Sidhe’s feet and set him down. “You honestly believe that?” When Tristan nodded, Shane whistled.

The Sidhe’s eyes widened as fifty pounds of salamander landed in front of Shane, his fiery tail going a mile a minute. Happy flames danced up and down the salamander’s sides and legs. “Down, boy.”

Sal toned down his inner fire, his Seeming covering his scales until a German Shepherd sat at his feet.

Shane pointed to Tristan. “Guard.”

Sal’s gaze locked on Tristan. His tail stopped wagging as the salamander went to work, obeying Shane’s command the way he’d obey Akane’s. The salamander was smarter than most gave it credit for. It had known from the beginning that Akane belonged to Shane and had treated him accordingly.

Shane turned to the front of the house, ready to let his parents know what was about to happen, but he needn’t have bothered. Sean Dunne stood on the top step, his hands in the pockets of his thick jacket, his expression hard as he stared at Tristan. “Give me one good reason why someone should be able to find your body after today.”

Tristan glared up at the leprechaun. “Glorianna will kill you.”

Sean smiled, and Shane took a step toward him. “Da. We need him.”

“He hurt my daughter-in-law.” Sean had adored Akane from the very beginning. Tristan wasn’t going to be forgiven easily, not by the leprechaun.

“I thought it would knock her unconscious, not send her into heat.”

“And you think that’s an adequate excuse? You effectively fed her a date-rape drug.”

Tristan winced. “I’m sorry.”

From the way the ground rumbled under their feet Sean was far from appeased. “What if the gold had been poison to her? She’s a hybrid. It could have killed her.” His father’s voice was rich with the lilt of Ireland and filled with anger. “What would you have told me then when my son pined away from mate sickness? When my wife broke from grief? Would you have told me ‘oops’?” Shane watched as his father descended the steps to stand before Tristan, one hand resting easily on the top of Sal’s head. Jaden pulled up behind the Corvette and got slowly out of Akane’s car, his gaze firmly on Sean.

Akane hopped out and raced over to Shane. “Your brother-in-law drives like a freaking maniac.” She stopped in front of Sean and stood on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Aileen have any hot chocolate going? I’m freezing.”

Sean spared her a soft smile. “Go on in, Akane. I’m sure Aileen will be more than happy to make you some.”

“Sweet.” She started off up the stairs. Without pausing she yelled back, “Don’t kill him, Sean.” She glanced back over her shoulder and tossed Shane’s father a wicked grin. “I have plans for him.” She sauntered into the house, the sound of the screen door slamming shut loud in the cold air.

Sean stepped back from Tristan. “One step wrong and you’ll be dead before you know what happened to you.” He shot Tristan one last glare before following Akane into the house without a backward glance.

“I love that man.” Jaden sniffed and wiped away an imaginary tear.

Shane nodded. “He’s the best.” He’d have to tell his father about his chat with the Seer. If what he suspected was right, Akane was in serious danger.

Jaden took hold of Tristan’s arm. “Call off Sal. I’ll escort our guest inside.”

“Sal. Heel.” Sal trotted to sit beside Shane, his tail once more going a mile a minute. Just as he got to the front door Leo and Ruby pulled up in their Land Rover. Behind the wheel was, of all people, the Hob. Somehow, Shane wasn’t surprised. “C’mon in. I think Ma’s making hot chocolate.”

The Hob lifted Ruby out of the SUV, much to her husband’s obvious annoyance. Leo had been just a hair slower than Robin. “Hey, Shane!” Ruby waved, nearly knocking the Hob over. “Sorry, Robin.”

Robin shook his head and placed her on the ground. “You are a dangerous woman, Ruby Halloway Dunne.”

She reached up and patted his cheek. “And don’t you forget it.” She took hold of her husband’s arm and walked with him to the house. The grin on Leo’s face was wicked. He was getting used to Ruby’s ways and must have finally figured out Robin wouldn’t hurt a hair on her head.

The Hob, however, looked delightedly shocked. Shane paused, wondering that such a simple gesture put such a look of yearning on Robin’s face before it was hastily wiped away. “So.” Robin cleared his throat and sauntered to the house. Again, he was dressed way too lightly for the weather. A simple black coat with silver buttons reached his knees, but it was in no way thick enough to keep the cold air from reaching his skin. Black jeans were tucked into high black boots. Shane would bet anything another silk shirt lay under that jacket. Perched on his head was a black cowboy hat with a silver band. His red hair blew about in the cold air, unconfined by anything except that hat. “You have Tristan. What do you plan on doing with him?”

“If my father has his way, feed him to the cat.”

“That hardly seems like a fitting punishment for hurting your fiancée.”

“You haven’t seen the cat.”

Robin hopped up the steps and quickly entered the house, but not before rolling his eyes. “Come along, Shane.”

“Yes, sir.” He patted Sal one last time on the head and set the salamander to guarding the house. He didn’t want another surprise attack from the Malmaynes during a family meeting. The last one had blown up Akane’s car and lost them the barn, but gained them Sal.

This time they might not be so lucky.

He stepped into the house and headed for the kitchen, the heart of his parents’ home. He accepted the hot chocolate his mother handed him and settled in next to Akane who, for the first time, did not growl or glare at him. She put her head against his shoulder wearily, like it was the most natural thing in the world, and not something that stopped the conversation dead in its tracks.

“What?” Akane yawned. “I’m tired.”

Moira relaxed. He hadn’t even realized how tense his sister was around his bondmate until that moment. “We have to figure out the best way to protect Leo and Ruby.”

Robin coughed.

“When Robin is busy elsewhere.”

Everyone chuckled, even Robin.

Shane took a deep breath. “I have a message from the Seer.”

Akane lifted her head. “What did my mother say?”

“First, she said to tell you hello.”

Akane nodded impatiently. “And?”

“‘Ruby is safe. It is your back you must watch.’”

“Mine?” Akane pointed to herself.

Shane shook his head. “No. Mine.”

“What?” Akane jumped out of her seat, flames dancing in her eyes. Her golden horns appeared on her head.

“She also said they know and to tell you to be careful.”

Akane stilled. “They know what?”

“I’m not sure. That you broke into their house?”

“That Shane has visions?” Robin examined his fingernails. “If they have such a gift in their hands they might be able to interpret, or even interrupt, prophecy.”

Aileen’s fist clenched on the table. “They are not taking my child from me again.” Golden sparks danced across her skin as the full-blood Sidhe’s fear took over.

“We’ll protect him, Ma.” Moira gestured to her mates. “Jaden can watch over him when Akane’s asleep.”

Jaden nodded. “It won’t be a problem.”

Leo sighed. “I feel kind of useless. I’m surrounded by Blades. Sit. Stay. Good boy. Woof.”

“You’re still their primary target. Don’t forget that.” Akane patted his shoulder. “If they can get you to agree to a mating they think they’ve succeeded. If Shane has become a target it’s because they know about the visions.”

“Which means they’re willing to hurt him where they aren’t willing to hurt Leo.” Sean sighed. “We need this over with. I’m tired of my family being in danger.”

Tristan watched everything silently. Shane had no idea what was going through the Sidhe’s head. Tristan’s expression was carefully closed off, giving no clue to what he was thinking.

Ruby bit her lip. “If we stay on our land, Leo should be able to keep us both safe, right? He’s bonded there the way Sean is here. He could use the land itself to stop someone.”

“Only if he knows they’re coming,” Akane pointed out.

Ruby snorted. “Please. The day something gets past Robin Goodfellow is the day I go up on the roof naked and sing show tunes.”

Everyone turned and stared at the small human perched delicately on her husband’s lap. “Ruby,” Leo sighed. His hand covered his eyes. “Don’t tempt him.”

Robin tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. He tapped one black fingernail against his chin. “Would it be worth it?”

Ruby patted her husband’s cheek. “It’s okay. I trust him.”

That simple, honest answer brought a flush to the Hob’s cheeks. Shane was certain that the number of times the Hob had blushed could be counted on one hand.

But then the Hob’s attention turned to Tristan and any trace of a blush was gone. He straddled the man’s chair, those black nails lengthening into talons. His blue eyes flashed to glowing green. Tristan paled beneath the cold touch of the Hob’s claws.

“You are at the heart of this.”

Tristan swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed visibly. “I am an agent of the White Queen.”

“You are interfering in a duly appointed Blade’s operation.” One claw drifted down Tristan’s cheek, leaving behind a thin trail of blood. His hand gripped Tristan’s chin tightly. “Now. Don’t lie to me. I will know it if you lie.”

Jaden began to pant and clutch his stomach. He moaned, the sound agonized.

“Shit.” Duncan stood and hauled Jaden to his feet. “Moira, I need you.”

The two concentrated on Jaden and, whatever they did, it soothed the vampire. He slumped between them, the two holding him, protecting him from whatever it was that tormented him.

“Get him out or the memories will break free.” Robin turned his head. “Patrol if you must, or slip away and help him forget, but for now he must be removed.”

Duncan nodded distantly, but not for one moment did Shane think he was angry with the Hob. The Sidhe was building a fantasy for his mate, keeping Jaden trapped there to protect him from whatever painful memories were trying to erupt.

The trio walked slowly out of the room, headed for the stairs. Duncan and Moira had decided to distract their mate, and Shane just hoped they didn’t get too loud. There were just some things a man shouldn’t hear his baby sister doing.

“So much for Duncan talking to Tristan.” Akane flopped back down next to Shane and stared at the Sidhe currently serving as Robin’s perch. “Are you beginning to understand what’s really going on?”

“Why are they protecting a vampire?” Tristan shook his head and earned himself another scratch from Robin’s claws. “He’s a vile child of the Dark Queen. I will never understand how they can just accept him that way.”

Akane gasped when Shane began to laugh. “You will. Oh, you will understand, and when you do you’ll regret those words.”

Akane opened her inner sight and gasped. Shane’s power rippled around him, his visions in overdrive. “Something tells me Tristan is going to become a Shane Joloun original.”

“Soon. Not yet. Other things must happen first before his future comes to pass.”

“Let him see.” Robin crooned the words as he tapped Tristan’s forehead. “Let him see what he risks by his refusal to help us.”

Shane stood. “I’m not sure. I’ve never dropped my Seeming around anyone but my family before.”

Robin nodded without ever taking his eyes off of Tristan. “Trust me, Shane.”

Shane sighed and dropped his Seeming. Ruby gasped as Shane’s true appearance dazzled everyone in the room. He was a golden god, and Akane ached to lick him one inch at a time. His power swirled around him, pieces of art being created in light, and Akane longed to touch, to hold. To hoard. He pushed his longer hair behind his ears, and for the first time she noticed the delicate points. Looking even closer she realized he had the classic oval pupils of the Sidhe.

“Wow,” Ruby breathed.

Tristan blinked. “Gods above. He’s a true hybrid.” His breath hitched. “I’d heard tales, but I assumed they were wrong, that Shane was merely a closer blend than most between his parents. But no. He’s truly a hybrid.”

Robin nodded. “Rarest of the rare, and mated to another true hybrid as well.”

Tristan’s eyes closed. “Akane.”

“You didn’t believe the daughter of the Seer was also a hybrid?” Robin’s laugh was low. “More fool you.”

Tristan’s eyes opened. He stared at Akane, who’d also dropped her Seeming. While she didn’t have Shane’s golden splendor, her own looks were intimidating in their own way. She hissed at Tristan but left her wings furled. The kitchen was too small to stretch them out. That night in the park he hadn’t gotten a good look at her. Now he could see her in all her glory, and he winced at the sight.

“Double wow.” A feather-light touch along her wings startled her. “That is so cool.” She turned to find Ruby practically bouncing around her like an over-eager Tigger while Leo looked on indulgently. Ruby played with her claws briefly and eyed her horns before she looked over at Shane. “You have got to use her as a model.”

Shane smiled at his bubbly sister-in-law and wrapped his arms around Akane, careful of her wings. She maneuvered them so that he could rest his head against her shoulder. “I already did.”

“Good.” Ruby turned to Robin. “You know, I’m tired of this song and dance where the Malmaynes try and take me to force Leo to be a sperm donor. Can we change the music?”

Robin blinked. “Ah.” His face stilled, but Shane could almost see the plans whirling through the Hob’s head at lightning speed. “What an excellent suggestion.” He tapped his claw on Tristan’s chin much the same way he tapped it on his own. “We know Charles and Cullen were working with the Black. Do we yet have proof that Henri is as well?”

“Even if we do, if we execute him someone else will just take his place.” Sean was practically growling, his own Seeming failing. Brown swirls appeared on his suddenly darker skin, his eyes turning a stormy blue-green. “Cecelia or Constance will see to it that another male of the blood becomes lord of the clan.”

“So, ’tis a hydra, not a snake, we play with here.” Robin stood and got a fresh mug of hot chocolate. He handed it to Ruby, who smiled and accepted it with quiet thanks. “The only way to stop a hydra is to lop off its heads and burn the stumps.”

Leo’s eyes were wide, his expression horrified. “You’re talking about the death of a clan.”

Tristan twitched. “My clan is not Black.”

“But they are no longer entirely White, either.” Robin paused and waved his hand. Tristan’s bindings fell, tattered, to the ground. “Henri, Cecelia and Constance are but a part of the whole.”

“Just because my clan objected to Duncan’s mating a vampire does not mean all of them are turning to the Black.” Tristan stood and faced the Hob squarely, but Shane could see the fear in him.

“But they follow where their leaders take them, even if it’s into darkness.” The Hob sighed and held up his hand as Tristan began to protest. “No. There is a haven for those who do not wish to fall, but not all will take it and you know it.”

“The Gray Court.” Tristan said it without emotion, but his shoulders slumped.

“Aye.” Robin smiled. “’Tis not a bad place to wash ashore when you are set adrift.”

“And all those who do will be clanless.”

“Better clanless than a bad guy.” Ruby sipped her hot chocolate. “Think about it. Would you rather work for Robin or against him?” She shrugged. “I know which team I’d bat for.”

“You wouldn’t be clanless for long,” Duncan added, stepping into the room. He looked weary, but relieved. Whatever he and Moira had done for Jaden must have worked. “If you object to Clan Blackthorn, there are other Gray Clans who would accept you and any who followed you.”

“You bested a dragon and a seer. If you wish, training as a Blade would be made available to you.”

Tristan ran his fingers through his hair. “We haven’t fallen to the Black.”

“Are you sure?” Shane held out his hands, his light dancing around him, forming odd shapes. “Want to see what the future holds?”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in Tristan’s voice.

“Then watch.” Shane exhaled, and his lights danced.

When he was done Tristan was pale and sweating. Akane didn’t understand half of the images in Shane’s lights but apparently Tristan did. “Dear gods. What have they done?” He collapsed into his chair, his head in his hands. “What have we done?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Leo was watching the whole thing. Gods alone knew what was going on behind those green eyes of his, but Akane doubted it was the same thing going through hers. Leo was a good man, but he wasn’t a Blade and never would be.

“You helped, didn’t you?” Akane opened her sight, hoping she’d catch a glimpse of how Tristan wound up Glorianna’s errand boy on this one. “She knew all along, didn’t she?”

“Who?” Leo threw his hands up. “I swear if someone doesn’t start explaining this shit to me I’m going to explode!” Golden sparks danced across his skin and through his hair.

“Then let me shed some light for you.” Akane allowed her inner fire to glow under her skin, reminding Tristan just what he was dealing with. “You helped first Cullen, then Kaitlynn, and finally Charles, didn’t you?”

Tristan nodded. “My goal was to get information, but somehow each one died before I had enough to bring to Glorianna. She blames Jaden rather than my own failures.” He lifted his head, his face ravaged. “If they succeed… But how do I take visions to my Queen as proof?”

“You don’t. Jaden said you found enough on Henri’s computer to get him eliminated.”

“But the hydra would live on.” Robin, almost forgotten he’d gone so still and quiet, stepped into Akane’s light. “We need to chop off all the heads.”

“Or fulfill the prophecy.” Shane slipped his arms around Akane, unafraid of her fire. “One way or another, we have to stop Henri from gaining control of Leo.”

“The thing is, the prophecy is so fucking vague how will we even know if it’s been fulfilled?”

“What is the prophecy?” Tristan stared around at all of them, his confusion clear. “I’ve heard that we need the child of Dunne but I’m not far enough in the inner circle to find out anything more.”

Akane spoke the words her mother had given Clan Malmayne, sealing all of their fates. “The child of Dunne will one day perform an act that will change our world.”

Tristan blinked. “That’s it?”

Akane shrugged. “That’s it.”

“But…that could be any of you!”

“Exactly. But for some reason the Malmaynes have it in their thick skulls that only Leo can produce the child spoken of in the prophecy.”

Tristan shook his head. “But…what about Sean’s children? I’d think one of them would be the one to fulfill the prophecy, not some unnamed, unborn child.” His expression turned horrified. “Unless that was why they’re pushing so hard for marriage with Leo. They’re hedging their bets.”

“That’s what we think.” Duncan pushed away from the wall and stared up at the ceiling. “Jaden’s out. Moira’s going to stay with him a bit longer and make sure the nightmares don’t return.” He transferred his gaze to Tristan, silver lights dancing around him like fireflies, a Sidhe lord in full wrath. Tristan’s power paled beside Duncan’s. “Now. Tell me what the hell is going on in my former clan.”

He left unspoken the or else.