Noble Blood

Chapter Six

Duncan reached out and slapped at the alarm clock, but the damn thing rang again almost immediately. He cracked open one eye and glared at the window.

Still dark out.

Next to him Jaden snuffled. A light snore erupted from the vampire’s mouth. Moira’s breathing was deep, her sleep undisturbed. Duncan smiled. For the first time in he couldn’t remember when he was completely at peace.

Ring.

Duncan sighed. He got out of bed as quietly as he could and headed for his pants. He pulled out his cell phone and walked into the sitting room next to the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind him. He didn’t see the need to wake the other two. He checked the caller ID and frowned.

What the hell does Shane Dunne want at—he squinted at the clock on the mantelpiece—two o’clock in the morning? “Hello?”

“Hello, Duncan. Long time no hear from.”

Shane’s low, smooth drawl was so unlike both Moira and Leo it was a shock to hear it. The middle child, Shane Joloun Dunne was unlike anyone Duncan had met before. Pure hybrids were so rare that only four had been recorded in the history of the Sidhe. All of them had been remarkable in one fashion or another. It was said the finest lord of the Sidhe, Nuada Silverhand, had actually been a hybrid. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Roughly two a.m. Listen, I got word that you might be in trouble. Anything I can do to help?”

Duncan blinked and looked at his phone. What the hell? Was there anyone who didn’t know about his problems? “What kind of trouble have you heard about?”

Shane sighed. “Darkness stalks the Malmayne clan. Salvation lies within one man. Accept the bond and pay the price. Shadow wraps around you thrice.”

Duncan took a deep breath. If that meant what he thought it did then they might already be too late. The only question was what the price might be. “Jaden, Moira and I have become bondmates.”

“Huh.” Silence. “My sister’s got a tribond? Interesting.”

Duncan rubbed his eyes. He was way too tired to deal with Shane. “Listen, I’ve been meaning to talk to your father. Is he awake?”

“No, and right now you wouldn’t be able to get much from him anyway. Tell me what’s wrong, I’ll get him the message.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” He needed Sean Dunne’s help, not his son’s.

“I give you my word my father will receive your message.”

Duncan heard the ring of magic in the other man’s voice. A vow, then. “The Malmaynes are pushing to punish the Dunnes for the deaths of Cullen and Kaitlynn.” He filled Shane in on the discussions he’d already had with both Henri and Charles. “If they have their way, Leo’s true bond will be set aside for the marriage contract, Jaden will die and the Dunnes will owe honor debt.” And I’ll be dead, more than likely. If losing his bondmate didn’t kill him then Charles would. He’d be a rallying point for any Malmayne not willing to follow the new regime. Killing Duncan would cement Charles’s place as the new Clan Lord.

Shane gave a low whistle. “Yeah. That’s going to be an issue. I’ll get Dad to summon the family. We’ll let you know when we expect you.”

“We’ll be there.”

“All three of you.”

Duncan smiled, warmed by the hybrid’s insistence. “I’ll drag Jaden if need be.”

“Good. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything more. Night, Duncan.”

“Good night, Shane.” Duncan hung up the phone and settled into one of the big armchairs in front of the fireplace. He thought about lighting a fire but that would take more energy than he had at the moment.

How the hell had Shane known about their problems? What was with that cryptic riddle? As far as he knew there were no Seers on either the Dunne or the Joloun side, rare creatures that they were. Only one full-blooded Seer still lived, so he must have heard that riddle from another source. The question was, who?

Duncan sat in the dark for another half an hour, pondering his next move. Jaden had every intention of investigating Charles along with the rest of the clan. What other avenues were open to them? He had to stop the fall of the clan, because he refused to bow before the Dark Queen. But how? He rubbed his forehead, all of the problems he’d had before Jaden came back home descending once again on his shoulders. Hell if he’d be able to sleep now.

“Duncan?”

He started and looked over his shoulder. Moira stood there, rubbing her eyes, her gloriously nude body outlined by the moonlight. “Hey. Go back to bed, amoureaux.”

She smiled and stepped into the room, padding silently across the carpeted floor. “I can hear you thinking. What’s wrong?”

“Shane called. He had a message for me, and an offer of help. He’s going to call a family meeting to see what they can do for us.” He pulled Moira into his lap, settling her head in the crook of his neck. He closed his eyes and nestled her close, letting some of the tension out. He had to release some of the burden to his mates or he’d lose his mind. “I’m not sure what to do.”

“I fight.” He looked over to find Jaden standing there, an odd, green glimmer in his black eyes, barely there before it was gone again. Duncan frowned, concerned. Where had that strange light had come from? There was nothing green in the room; it was done completely in whites and silvery blues. “I’ve been sanctioned to do whatever is necessary to prevent the Malmaynes from falling. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Duncan winced. If those were Jaden’s orders, someone would die. “I want you to be careful.” I don’t want to live without you again.

Moira’s fingers brushed his cheek. “We’ll help him.”

“Oh no you won’t.” Jaden’s back went rigid, his expression hard. “You keep your pretty asses out of this.”

Moira managed to beat him to the punch. “Excuse me? This is my family now, and I fight for my own!” The Irish was back in her voice, but this time it was full of outrage.

“I am a Blade, Moira. A fully trained Knight of the Gray Court, one of Oberon’s hand-picked warriors. I work directly for Robin Goodfellow, who, by the way, is scary beyond all sanity. Trust me, I think I can handle Charles Malmayne.”

“You think I can’t?”

Jaden’s eyes narrowed. “No. I have something else in mind for you to do.”

Duncan sat up at that. “Now wait a moment, Jaden.”

He would have said more except Moira’s hand covered his mouth. Now he was getting pissed at both of them. “What?”

“I know there are things you can do that a full-blooded leprechaun can’t. Use that to your advantage to protect yourself and Duncan. Let me deal with the outside threats. You take care of our home.”

Duncan’s eyes flashed. He removed Moira’s hand and let his magic seep into the air. “And what will I be doing while you two are combating the rest of the family?”

Jaden smirked. “What a son of the Tuatha Dé does best. Fuck with their minds.”

Moira kissed his cheek. “You’re the only one who can contact Glorianna about this. She’s not going to listen to me, and she certainly won’t listen to Jaden.” Moira shrugged. “Maybe if she knows what’s going on she’ll send help.”

Duncan almost snorted. He had a pretty good idea how Glorianna was going to react to his mating with Jaden and it wouldn’t be pleasant. Unfortunately he wasn’t ready to go to war with Charles. He’d been a warrior once, long ago, but his skills were rusty from disuse. That was something he could begin to rectify immediately. He narrowed his eyes at Jaden, hoping the vampire would know exactly how irritated he was at being left out of the fight. “I want you to spar with me.”

Jaden blinked. “Of course.”

“Me too.”

Jaden threw up his hands. “Oh no, Tiger. I’m still recovering from the last time you kicked my ass.”

Moira snorted. “I don’t need to be able to take you out. I need to be able to take Charles out.”

Jaden snorted. “I’ve fought you, sweetheart, and that’s not a problem. You could do that now as long as he doesn’t get into your mind.”

“That is going to be a problem,” Duncan muttered. He began drumming his fingers on Moira’s thigh. “Charles is strong, even stronger than I am. He could roll my mind without breaking a sweat.” In fact, he wasn’t entirely certain he could take Charles’s.

“Then we need to figure out a way to protect you.” Jaden frowned. “Thing is, I don’t know what will work against a Sidhe bent on a serious mind fuck.”

The three lovers exchanged a look. “We need to avoid him.” Duncan patted Moira’s hip, urging her off of him. “We need help.”

“Who?”

Duncan smiled. “I think we should start with Shane Joloun. He knows something about what’s going on. I intend to find out all of it.” Even if it meant rolling his brother-in-law’s mind. “Let’s go back to bed. We have to be at your parent’s house some time tomorrow.” He took Moira’s hand and held the other out for Jaden. “Coming?”

Jaden grinned. “Nah. You two go ahead. I have something I want to take care of first.”

“Jaden.” Duncan’s muscles tightened in instant denial. He hadn’t finished Binding the vampire to him. Jaden could still leave them.

“Don’t worry, old man.” He pressed a soft kiss to Duncan’s lips. “I’ll be back.” Jaden walked back toward the bedroom. “I just need to find something out.”

“Can it wait?”

Jaden’s eyes flashed that eerie green again, there and gone so fast Duncan wondered if he’d imagined it. Was there a light in the yard reflecting through the trees or something? “Nope.” He entered the bedroom. “Moira? What happened to my briefs?”

Moira rolled her eyes and stomped into the bedroom. “On the floor, like everyone else’s.” Duncan could hear the worry in her voice, but what could he do?

Jaden was a Blade. There was nothing that could protect them from that.

Akane shivered and climbed back into her car. She felt numb. How had Jaden resisted them for so long? The love that flowed between the three of them was so strong she was surprised any of them survived the separation. Why hadn’t she known what Jaden was really like? He was extraordinarily good at hiding those white knight tendencies of his. That explained why he was one of Robin’s favorites. Robin had a real soft spot for the noble ones. She snorted. It was probably the Hob’s only soft spot.

Now that she realized what Jaden was facing, and who some of the players were, it was time to make herself known. But one thing remained unclear to her. A player she didn’t recognize. Something about the power there tempted her like nothing else ever had. The taste of it was earthy and exotic, calling to her dragon senses the way no other ever had. Not even the Hob.

Not even Oberon.

She had to meet whoever it was.

Akane was a dragon who trusted her instincts, and those instincts were screaming at her that the unknown, powerful entity would profoundly impact her life. She hopped back into her car and started it, smiling at the purr of the powerful engine. She put it in gear and roared into the night.

First order of business: find out who the hell Shane Dunne was.

Jaden slipped into the darkness surrounding the house. He lifted his head and scented the air, his mind sifting through the information gathered. He sensed nothing out of the ordinary. He scented no watchers, heard no human or fae heartbeats. So, Charlie-boy isn’t watching the homestead. Jaden grinned headed for the garage. “Duncan? Mind if I borrow the car?”

There was pause. Duncan had been half asleep. “That depends. Which car?”

“Aw, c’mon, old man. Let me have a little fun.”

“Can’t you drive your car?”

He opened the garage door and looked at the row of brightly colored toys. He rubbed his hands together. “My Mustang doesn’t purr like the M6.” The sweet cherry-red convertible was calling to him.

“My M6? No, Jaden. Remember what you did to my Boxster?”

He slipped the keys off the hook and slid behind the wheel. The scent of premium leather surrounded him. “That was not my fault. That dryad jumped right out in front of me.” He started the car, damn near purring himself at the sound of the engine. Fuck, Duncan had great taste in cars.

He could almost feel Duncan’s chuckles. “Don’t you mean her tree?”

He put the car in gear and pulled out of the garage, closing the door behind him. “Leave her tree out of this.”

“Be careful, Jaden. Get a scratch on that car and I’ll take it out of your hide.”

“Promises, promises.” He hit the gate remote and drove out into the night. “I’m heading toward Charles’s place. What time do you need to be at the Dunne’s?”

“No clue. Shane said he’d arrange things with his father and call us back. By the way, you’re under family orders to attend.”

Well. Shit. So much for working through the family fun-fest. He could just picture what Sean Dunne would do to him when he found out his baby girl was a vampire’s bondmate. “Can’t we just say I’m dead?”

“Jaden. You’ll be there and you’ll like it.” He winced at Moira’s tart tone. Apparently there were downsides to this whole bondmate thing, like long distance nagging. “Jaden. You know what? Just shut up. Get your ass back home before daybreak.”

“That doesn’t leave me a whole lot of time, sweetheart.” It was already three o’clock in the morning. Daybreak was in roughly three hours.

“Doesn’t matter. You need to be rested before you deal with my family.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, dear.”

She snorted. How the hell did you snort mentally? “Be careful, a ghra.”

His heart freaking melted right in his chest. He hoped he never took their love for granted. The gift they’d granted him was priceless, and he planned on treating it as such. “I will. Promise. Keep yourselves safe, got it?”

“Will do.” Moira sounded sleepy. “Love you, Jaden.”

“Love you, amoureaux. Get some rest.” Duncan sounded much more awake. “I’ll keep watch now. Moira, you can have the morning shift.”

Jaden couldn’t stop the smile from crossing his face. Duncan had been pissed at being stuck in the damsel-in-distress role, but Jaden knew Duncan was not prepared for what someone toying with the Black could throw at him. It was up to Jaden to keep them truly safe. “I’m not expecting a move from them tonight. They’ve laid down the gauntlet, now they’re going to watch how you react to it.”

“Which means they might be expecting you.”

“True. I’ve got plans for that, though.”

He felt Duncan’s surprise. “What plans?”

He smirked. “You’ll see. Don’t worry, this isn’t my first job.” And it wouldn’t be his last, bondmates or no. He helped people every day, people damaged by those who sought quick and dirty ways to power. As far as he was concerned he would be a Blade until the day he died whether he worked for Robin or not.

It was the least he could do to pay back all of the gifts fate had been kind enough to give him.

Jaden pulled up outside the house Charles Malmayne was currently calling home. It was a stately mansion located somewhere between where Leo Dunne now resided and Duncan’s latest acquisition, the huge brick mansion Moira was dying to redecorate. Duncan’s home, large though it was, still managed to feel like a home. Charles’s house, on the other hand, shouted money and power. Clad in pale stucco and stone with Grecian columns and a car port larger than most hotels had, it managed to look both boorish and pretentious. A huge fountain in the circular driveway featured a nude woman pouring water out of an urn surrounded by pissing cherubs. “It’s confirmed. Charles is definitely overcompensating.”

“What?”

“Have you seen his new place?” Jaden backed the car up until the house was out of sight. He pressed the button that raised the car’s roof and locked it into place.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Let’s just say that I doubt he serves cocktail wieners. They probably give him a complex.” He got out of the car and locked it before misting through the bushes and the fence. He solidified on Charles’s property and scented the air. “So far so good. I’m on the grounds.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Will do.” Jaden glided forward, soundless and swift. Vampires could move quickly when motivated, and Jaden had lots of motivation. He reached the side of the mansion within two blinks. He began to climb up the house, heading for the roof. He doubted Charles was stupid enough to leave him an open window, but that was all right.

Jaden didn’t need something to be open to get into a house. All he needed was a tiny crack.

He reached the roof unmolested. “I’m going to try and get into the house now.” He could almost hear Duncan grumbling. “I’m being careful, old man.”

“Stop calling me that.”

Jaden’s brows rose. Duncan’s tone was difficult to decipher. “I didn’t know you disliked me calling you that.” Duncan had never mentioned it before.

“I tolerated it. Now? No way in hell will my lover call me old man.”

Jaden shivered, and his dick turned rock-hard. Just like that he’d gone from Blade to lover. “Shit. Knock it off. How the hell am I supposed to pull a B&E with a hard-on?”

“Don’t go in, Jaden. Stay outside the house.”

“No can do. I need to know what Charlie-boy has planned.” He misted through the slight gap in the weatherproofing of the window casement, solidifying in the dark and musty attic. “No one ever takes care of the attic windows. Did you ever notice that?”

“Can’t say that I have.” If mental voices had teeth, Duncan’s would be clenched.

Jaden smirked. He crawled along the wall, careful to avoid the creaking floorboards because, mansion or hovel, they all had creaky floorboards somewhere. Very few of them had creaky walls, however, and that’s what he stuck to. “Spiderman, Spiderman, friendly neighborhood Spiderman.”

“Jaden. No. Please. The last time you did that I had that damn song stuck in my head for a week.”

Moira giggled, sounding sleepy. “Spins a web, any size. Catches thieves just like flies.”

“I hate you both.”

“Look out! Here comes the Spiderman!” Jaden chorused with Moira. He bit his lip to keep from laughing and opened the basement door.

Moira’s mental voice was full of amusement. “Why are we singing that, anyway?”

He stared at the two “men” outside the door. Both of them were holding .38’s pointed right at him. They were dressed like Secret Service men, complete with sunglasses and dangling wires in their ears. Idiots. “Step into my parlor.”

“Shit. Jaden?”

He stepped down, carefully lifting his hands into the air. He smiled, showing his fangs. Their scent reeked of moldy mushrooms. Fucking redcaps. He now had proof positive that Charles was living in the darker shade of gray. Redcaps only worked at the express order of their overlord, who was firmly in the Black. He strove to keep his voice quiet so as not to awaken any other would-be guardians. “Hey, neighbor. Can I borrow a cup of sugar?”

The goons frowned. One of them lowered his gun by a hair, if that. The other opened his mouth, hand lifting to his ear.

“Thank the gods they’re stupid.” That was all the opening he needed. Jaden pounced. He had the first one in a submission hold before the other could blink. His arm was around the redcap’s throat, cutting off his air. He ripped the wire out of his ear, keeping him from contacting whoever it was he wanted backup from.

“Jaden?”

“Not now, sweetheart. Daddy’s working.” They seemed to move in slow motion, making it easy to avoid their blows. Jaden shifted, moving before the redcap could slam his elbow into Jaden’s stomach. He tightened his grip, using the redcap in his arms as a shield. He kept the Black Court fucker in a sleeper hold, waiting for him to drop. The free redcap feinted to the left, but Jaden didn’t buy it, didn’t give him an opening. Once a redcap had you in his arms it was damn hard to break free. The freaks were super-strong for all they were so thin, especially if they dropped their Seeming.

Jaden hoped they didn’t do that. He did not want to fill his quota of fugly for the day.

The redcap went limp in his arms, almost dragging Jaden to the floor with him. He held up and on, waiting to make sure the redcap was down for the count before dropping his limp form. He bared his fangs at the remaining redcap. “Looks like it’s just you and me, kid.”

The redcap eyed his fallen comrade and glared at Jaden. “You’ll pay for that.”

“That’s what they all say.” He wagged his fingers at the redcap in a “come here” gesture. “Here, stupid, stupid, stupid. C’mon, boy. Come on.”

The redcap growled and charged Jaden.

Perfect. Like I said, thank the gods these guys are idiots. This one hadn’t even thought to use his “hidden” microphone to call for help, let alone his gun.

Jaden used the redcap’s momentum to get behind him, swinging until he rested on the redcap’s back like a baby monkey. He grabbed hold of the redcap’s ears. “Giddy up!”

The redcap opened his mouth to roar. Jaden clamped a hand around that huge maw. “Uh-uh. No calling in reinforcements.” He twisted the ear he still gripped, earning himself a muffled howl. The redcap shook his head in an attempt to dislodge Jaden’s grip. “There ya go.” Jaden leaned down and bit into the side of the redcap’s neck. Instantly the redcap quieted, Jaden’s vampiric mind control kicking in, keeping the creature in his arms docile. He refused to use the power that made this feel good; all Jaden wanted was quiet. He drank until his opponent had suffered enough blood loss to pass out, but not enough to kill.

Blech. Mushrooms. Jaden swiped his tongue across the puncture wounds. He’d briefly considered killing the two goons but decided not to. He didn’t want it obvious he’d been there; that might get Duncan in trouble. It would be better to let Charlie-boy think that the two idiots had fallen asleep on the job. He arranged them so that they were leaning against the attic door, posing them as naturally as he could, heads leaned back and lolling, mouths open, arms draped over knees. He entered both of their minds, erasing his presence from their memories before misting down the hallway.

He reached the staircase to the lower level and solidified, ready to check the next level. He remembered from previous encounters that Charlie-boy preferred his office on the main level of any house he owned, and that was where Jaden was going. He didn’t have enough time to case the entire house. That would have to wait for another night.

“Jaden?”

Jaden sighed. Duncan hadn’t bothered him this much in years. “Yes, dear?”

“How is it going?”

He slid a foot onto the railing, testing to see how slick it was. “I don’t recommend the mushrooms.”

“Redcaps?”

Jaden blinked. How the hell did Duncan know that? He’d never described their taste to Duncan before. “Yes.”

“You aren’t hurt?”

“Pfft. Please.” He misted down the banister. The damn thing seemed a little shaky to him, so crawling down it was definitely out. When he reached the bottom he rematerialized, panting a bit. Misting was damn tiring. “There were only two.”

“Only two? Jaden!”

Jaden winced. Damn, the man could yell. Who knew? “Shh. Daddy’s still working.”

He heard the low growl in his mind. Duncan was going to have words for him when he got back. He grinned. He couldn’t wait. This side of Duncan was one he’d never have suspected before. It gave him all kinds of tingles to know he was the one who had Duncan in full protection mode, misplaced though it was.

He made his way silently through the lower floor, misting in stops and starts. It was a power that only worked for brief periods of time and the energy drain was horrendous. He might have to feed again before leaving the house if he kept this up.

Jaden came to a stop at the last room to the right before the servants’ wing. Ah-hah. He’d finally found what he was looking for—Charles’s office.

He stepped into the room and quietly began to rifle through Charles’s desk, careful to disturb as little as possible. He didn’t need Charles knowing that he’d been in here.

Jaden had learned long ago how to perform a B&E. He’d been working for Robin almost from the start of his service in the Gray Court. Once he’d proven adept at this aspect of his job Robin himself had taken him under his wing, teaching him the finer points of how to search a home and leave no traces behind. He’d gone for nighttime forays into neighborhoods that would have turned Duncan’s hair white if he’d known about it, but Jaden had learned. Oh, he’d learned. Robin was a hard taskmaster, but he had to admit the man was fair. When Jaden had done particularly well the Hob had managed to make the once unwanted boy feel like he’d found a true mentor. Strangely enough, Duncan had never once asked where he went at night. He hadn’t cared so long as Jaden came home in one piece. It was why he’d thought Duncan wouldn’t mind him taking the job offer Robin had held out like a lifeline all those years ago.

“I cared. I was afraid if I tried to rein you in you’d leave me.”

Jaden paused, setting down the papers he’d been reading. “You never told me that.”

“Of course not. I didn’t understand it myself.” Duncan sighed. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Jaden couldn’t stop the smile that crossed his face. “This is the part where we break out the foam curlers, paint our nails and talk about our feelings, isn’t it?”

“Asshole.” The amused affection in Duncan’s voice took the sting out of the insult. “Do what you have to do and come home to me, amoureaux.”

Jaden’s cheeks heated. He put the papers back in their proper place. Damn it, he had to focus on the job, not on his lovers. The risk of getting caught got higher with every minute he spent in Charles’s house.

He closed his eyes and let his senses lead the way. Sniffing, he noticed that Charles’s scent tended to linger over by a particular chair, near the globe and at the fireplace. Hmm. He checked out the chair but found nothing of interest, no secret caches or buttons hidden as knotwork. The globe was a standard minibar. He lifted out the booze but found no hidden compartments. Finally he checked out the fireplace.

No hidden passageways, no safe behind the painting. At least Charlie boy is smarter than the Deranged Darling was. Last but not least was the computer.

Jaden took out his cell phone. He dialed a number Robin had made him memorize for just such a situation.

“Big Red here.”

Jaden grinned. If anyone could break into Charles’s files it would be Robin’s pet gremlin. “Hey, Red. This is Blackthorn. I have a job for you.”

“Bring it on.”

He made sure the computer was running before giving Big Red the information he needed to begin rifling through the hard drive. Files began to open and close faster than should be possible, the gremlin’s magic touch working on the electronics.

Jaden kept one eye on the dancing files and another on the door, a sense of satisfaction purring through him.

“Hey, Blackthorn? You’re not going to believe this.”

Jaden checked the file that opened in front of him. He smiled when he saw what Big Red had highlighted. God, I love my job. “Download it all and send it to Robin. Hey, Red? Thanks.”

“My pleasure. Good luck, and happy hunting.”

Jaden hung up the phone and began to make his way out of Charles’s house. There was no way the would-be Lord Malmayne would be able to get out of this one.

Akane pulled up outside the quaint farmhouse. It was an old Victorian, with white gingerbread accents and a wide front porch. It was difficult to tell the color in the dark, but she bet it was a soothing blue color, the trim a blinding white. It would suit the landscape around it. A huge wrap-around porch with a real porch swing gave the old Victorian a homey feel. A place like this in San Francisco would go for millions.

Out here in the sticks? Probably worth less than a hundred grand.

“Personally, I think it’s worth a bit more than that.”

Akane didn’t blink. How the fuck had the stranger come up on her that quietly? She smiled, pulling out all the charm at her disposal. “Hi. I’m lost.”

The man smiled down at her, his expression knowing. “I don’t think so, darlin’. I think you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

That slow, deep drawl did some strange things to her insides. Blue eyes gleamed down at her, the most dazzling she’d ever seen, like the finest of sapphires. His light hair looked like spun gold in the moonlight. He had to be the most beautiful man she’d ever laid eyes on, but she couldn’t let that distract her. She had a job to do, a family to save. “Can you tell me how to get to Highway Nine?” There was always a Highway Nine somewhere around these types of places.

The son of a bitch had the gall to lean his hip against the door of her car. “Now you and I both know you’re not looking for Highway Nine.”

She blinked up at him, trying to look small and unthreatening. She’d always succeeded in the past. Big lugs like these would fall into the palm of her hand, ready to be crushed into pulp. “Of course I am. I need to get to Omaha.”

His lips twitched. “Of course you do.” His hand reached out, his fingers tipping up her chin. He studied her face. Something about his close scrutiny had her squirming in her seat like a nine-year-old in front of the principal. “You don’t need to lie to me. In fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”

She laughed, hoping it sounded as confused as she actually was. “Okay. I need to go now.”

“Why? You’re only going to pull over about a mile away and fly back here. Why not come in for a cup of tea?”

Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?” Who the hell was this guy?

“Shane? Are you out there?”

His eyes twinkled down at her. The lilting tongue of the Sidhe dripped from his firm lips. “I’m busy, Da. Give me a few minutes, please. And can you put on a pot of tea? It seems we have a guest.” He stood tall and held out his hand, switching back to English. “Come along, Akane Russo. We have a few things to discuss. Wouldn’t it be more comfortable inside, where it’s warm?”

“You’re Shane Dunne?” She let her pupil expand, and her Sight along with it. What she saw had her blinking in shock.

No wonder she’d been fascinated by the power she’d felt. The man was a hybrid! One of the rarest of the rare, with powers not even Oberon himself could comprehend, and here he was on a little Podunk, Nebraska farm. What a waste. Her mother would have a fit when she found out. Hybrids were something of a hobby for her.

Akane tried her best to hide her wince. Yeah right. Just a hobby.

He looked down at her as if he knew every single one of her secrets and liked what he saw. “To some.” His grip on her hand tightened, his lips just brushing the backs of her knuckles. “I’ll be someone else to you.”

Her belly flopped, but she got out of the car anyway.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?