Noble Blood

Chapter Eight

Akane sat at the Dunne kitchen table and pondered how to get out of the trap she found herself in. She couldn’t exactly chew her own arm off, but she was thinking about it. Maybe if she bled enough they’d try and take her to the hospital where she could make her escape.

The Dunnes had been everything hospitable, making her feel welcome, even giving her a room at Shane’s insistence. He’d even arranged to have her car parked…somewhere. The bastard. He’d guessed she wouldn’t leave without her baby.

If he hid it in some kind of pasture she’d kill him. She did not want her baby to smell of eau de cow patty.

She’d crawled into bed only after Shane made it clear she wasn’t going anywhere. He’d locked the door on her, leaving her no option but to go out the window. When she had, he’d been waiting. Bastard. He’d given her that smug smile, escorted her back to her room and left her with a fucking pat on the head.

That was when she knew she was in hell.

Shane was watching her out of those damn sapphire eyes. His big body was relaxed, his scarred farmer’s hands curled around his cup of coffee. He studied her like she was an exotic bug and he was just waiting to see which way she would crawl.

She hated it.

She was pretty sure she hated him. Never mind in the bright light of day he’d been even better looking than she’d first thought. His red-gold hair curled ever so slightly at the nape of his neck. She had the wicked urge to drag her nails through it. His kissable lips were quirked in a knowing smile. His big, booted feet were stretched out under the table, nearly reaching her chair. She bet he broke six foot two easily.

She especially hated that he was so much taller than she was. At five foot four she was shorter than average, but still.

“Shane, does your guest need more coffee?”

He didn’t even look at the tiny Sidhe female. “No, Ma. She’s fine.”

“Well, then. I hope the room was to your liking, Miss Russo.”

She couldn’t bring herself to bite off Aileen Dunne’s head. The woman had done nothing to deserve it other than give birth to the hulking ape across from her. She pasted a smile on her face for the poor woman. “It was fine, thank you.”

Sean Dunne settled into the chair next to his son. He had a suspiciously blank look on his face. “When did they say they’d be here?”

“Moira wanted to wait until dusk.” Aileen glanced out the kitchen window. “I’d give them another ten minutes.”

Moira Dunne? Shit, that meant Jaden was on his way. “Can I go now?”

The elder Dunnes lowered their heads, probably to hide their fucking laughter.

Shane shook his head. “Nope.”

Nope? “That’s all you can come up with, Jethro? Nope?”

His father got up from the table and stood at the back door. “They’re here.”

Shit. She couldn’t let Jaden see her. She looked at Aileen, letting some of her desperation show through. Surely the woman would understand and let her sneak out somehow. “Can I use the bathroom?”

“I don’t think so.” Shane took a sip of his coffee.

She kicked him. Hard.

“Ow.”

Her head tilted in complete disbelief. The last guy she’d kicked that hard had to deal with a broken bone. This idiot sounded like he’d barely banged a knuckle. “I have to pee,” she gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Liar liar, pants on fire.”

That was it. She was going to reach across that table and splatter Mrs. Dunne’s baby boy all over her nice, clean kitchen.

“Good evening, Dad!” A tall man who bore a striking resemblance to Sean Dunne stepped into the kitchen. Behind him was a short redhead with big, smiling brown eyes. “Hello, Mom. What’s the emergency?”

“Hello, Leo, Ruby.” Aileen kissed her tall son, then embraced her daughter-in-law. “The emergency is getting out of the blue sports car.”

“Duncan’s having problems?” Leo grabbed the coffeepot and poured himself a mug. He held it up. “Ruby?”

She shook her head and took a seat at the Dunne table. “Hi. I’m Ruby Dunne. You are?”

Akane stared at the hand held out to her. “Out of here.” She stood up, ready to bolt out the door.

“Too late.” His voice whispered across her senses, so low she doubted that any of the others had heard him.

“Ma, we’re home!” A fiery little redhead the spitting image of Aileen Dunne bounced through the back door and straight into Aileen’s waiting arms. Behind her came two men, one dark as sin, the other fair as the sun.

“Aw, shit.” Her shoulders slumped.

Jaden looked startled for only a moment before his brows drew down. “Akane? What the hell are you doing here?”

Now she’d have to explain why Robin had sent her, and what she was doing on the Dunne farm.

Could things get any worse?

Jaden glared at the dragoness. Robin had to have sent her to keep an eye on him, and he didn’t like it one little bit. “Well?”

She turned to face him, delicate hands on tiny little hips. If he didn’t know better he’d think she was fragile. “This wasn’t my idea.” She pointed at Shane, one foot tapping impatiently. “He made me stay.”

He glanced over at the eldest Dunne child. “Are you causing trouble again?”

Shane pointed at himself, his eyes wide. Probably the only person falling for the man’s innocent act was his mother, who patted him on the shoulder and handed him a cookie. “There, dear. I’m sure there’s no trouble.” The Sidhe female glared at Jaden like it was all somehow his fault.

Jaden had a hard time not laughing in his mother-in-law’s face. Gods, he liked the hybrid. He had a dragon female corralled on his farm, growling in aggravation. It was the most emotion he’d ever seen in Akane, and he’d known her for years. He had a high Sidhe lady up in arms, and…yup, a leprechaun hiding in his den, having a laughing fit.

Damn, that man can move fast.

A stinging slap landed on his arm. “Ow.”

“Who’s that?” Moira had her arms crossed over her chest. She stared at Akane, her green eyes glittering like emeralds.

Uh-oh. “That’s Akane.”

“And?” Moira drawled.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, darling.” “She’s a Blade.”

Now Akane was glaring at him. “Thanks a lot.”

He returned her glare with interest. “If you think I’m the only one getting run over by that particular bus you are sadly mistaken.”

“So? I mean, why is she here?” Moira was still glaring at Akane, who could probably eat Moira in one dainty bite.

“She’s sometimes my partner.” “Before you ask, no, we’ve never slept together.”

Arms reached around, plucking Moira from his side. “Down, girl.” Duncan’s soothing tones took the fight right out of his little leprechaun. “I’ve met Akane once or twice. Trust me when I say she’s never been Jaden’s type.”

Now Akane looked offended. Great. Jaden pinched the bridge of his nose and wondered if he’d be considered a coward if he ducked into the den with Sean.

Then again, did he really want to face his new father-in-law by himself?

Hmm. Pissed off dragon, pissed off leprechaun. He mentally shrugged. Might as well piss off the Sidhe lady. I wouldn’t want to miss anybody. He pressed a kiss to Moira’s forehead. “You know you’re one of my onlys, sweetheart.”

He risked a quick glance at the Dunne family. Shane looked amused, Leo looked outraged, and Aileen looked…smug?

It’s official. This whole family is freaky.

“I heard that.” Moira turned to look over Duncan’s shoulder at her family. She had to stand on tip-toe to do it. “Didn’t Mom tell you about the tribond?”

Shane continued to sit there, looking amused. He was beginning to understand why Akane was so pissed off. Leo, on the other hand, did as predicted. “What tribond?” The Sidhe’s eyes had narrowed dangerously, little golden sparks dancing along his skin.

“Leo.” Ruby took hold of her husband’s arm. “Down boy. Jaden’s one of the good guys, remember?”

Leo’s hand covered Ruby’s, holding her to him. Jaden didn’t know if it was out of affection for the woman or to protect his mate from the big bad vampire. “I’m trying to.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Jaden blinked. Shane was standing, ambling through the kitchen toward Akane, who was a lot closer to the dining room now.

“I’m leaving.”

Shane shook his head. “I’m still not sure why. You’ll only fly back and eavesdrop anyway, so why not sit, be comfortable and have some of Ma’s apple pie?”

Akane snorted. “God, Farm Boy. Why not offer to let me milk the cows, because that would be so much fun.”

Shane took hold of her arm and began leading her back to the kitchen table. Akane pulled on his hold, but to Jaden’s shock she didn’t get free. “As you wish.” He set Akane down in a chair and handed her a plate. “Enjoy your pie.”

What the fuck? Jaden had taken the hybrid with difficulty, true, but the fact that he’d just manhandled a dragon? That took strong to a whole new level.

Did that crazy hybrid let me kidnap him?

The small jump Moira gave, the speculative gleam in her eyes as she stared at her brother, let him know she’d heard his thoughts loud and clear. If Moira thought Shane had allowed Jaden to take him, then maybe Jaden was on the right track.

Akane ate her pie, her body tense. Jaden bet she was ready to bolt at the first sign that Shane’s vigilance had waned.

“Shane, be nice to the girl. She’s not used to us yet.” Aileen Dunne smiled at Akane, and the dragon suddenly looked terrified. “But I’m thinking she will be.”

“Not in this lifetime.” Akane shoveled another piece of pie in her mouth. “Thanks for the pie, though.”

Jaden almost laughed. Akane was brutally honest when cornered, and it looked like Shane had managed to push all her freak-out buttons. “All right. Let me hazard a guess. Akane, Robin sent you here to make sure I didn’t fuck up—”

“Jaden Blackthorn! Language!”

Jaden pretended to wince. It had been a very long time since he’d been scolded by a mother. “Sorry. Shane caught you and made you come inside. Did he threaten the car?”

The dragon snarled, the sound low and inhuman.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He turned to Leo. “The rest of us are here for a family meeting about the Malmaynes.”

“Kaitlynn and Cullen are dead. I thought it was over.” Leo sat, pulling a blushing Ruby into his lap. Those two were so cute together it made his fangs ache. “How wrong was I?”

“Completely.” Duncan sat, placing Moira next to him. He gestured for Jaden to take the empty chair to her left, bracketing her between them. Duncan was making a statement, but it put him dangerously close to Leo, who still didn’t look happy about how close Jaden was to his baby sister. The Sidhe was giving him some serious stink-eye. “Charles is set to try and take over the clan. If he does, he’ll begin pressuring Leo to mate with one of his daughters.”

Leo winced. “Ugh. Not those two. Constance and Cecelia are almost as bad as Kaitlynn was.”

“Not quite.” Jaden leaned forward, folding his hands on the table top. “They aren’t bat-shit crazy. They’re just mean.”

“True.” Leo glanced at Duncan, his cheeks turning pink. “No offense.”

“None taken. My sister was bat-shit crazy.” Duncan held Moira’s hand. “They’re also trying to set aside my bond with Moira and Jaden.”

There was silence around the Dunne table. “Both of them?” Leo leaned forward, staring at Duncan. “You’ve declared them both your mates?”

Duncan opened his mouth to respond when an explosion rocked the house. Jaden had Moira on the ground so fast he didn’t know if she even understood what had happened. He pulled Duncan down next, forcing the Sidhe over Moira. “Protect her. I’ll find out what’s going on.”

Duncan nodded, his Seeming falling away, silver stars dancing around him. “Be careful, amoureaux.”

“I will.” He stood and gestured toward Akane to join him. “Let’s go.”

“I’ve got the front, you get the back.” That freaky eye of hers was glowing. Golden horns peeked out of her hair. She was moments from changing into her dragon form, ready to do battle and defend the Dunnes.

He nodded and misted through the door, rematerializing on the roof of the porch. Lucky for him night had fallen while sitting in the Dunne kitchen.

That luck was offset by the blast radius around what used to be the Dunne barn. “Fuck me.”

“No thanks, your mates might not appreciate it.” That hissing voice had him smiling. Akane had joined him, her wings flapping silently beside him, her amber gaze narrowed on the barn. “Smell anything funny?”

He sniffed, sorting through the various scents. “Redcaps.”

“Headed this way. Guess what else is out there?”

He sniffed again. “Shit. Someone is using a salamander?” The creatures were animals, trainable but not very bright. Salamanders were one of the few things that could kill a vampire before he knew what hit him.

“Let me deal with the salamander. You take on the redcaps.”

“My pleasure.” Jaden allowed his Seeming to drop.

“There. Go.”

He saw where her claw was pointing. Three figures stalked across the ground. He recognized one of them as the redcap he’d drunk from earlier. “They’re Charles’s pets.”

“Great. We now have proof positive he’s working with the Black, if not a card-carrying member himself. We’ll deal with him later.”

Jaden nodded, not taking the time to fill her in. He already had proof positive, but this wasn’t the time and place to give out the deets on Charles’s bad boy ways. He flowed along the roof, eager for the coming fight. He waited until they were almost to the house before dropping into the middle of them, startling them all.

Once again he found himself thanking the gods that redcaps were dumber than a box of rocks. He got hold of the first redcap, determined to take him out quickly. Jaden grabbed the redcap’s head and twisted, snapping his neck. He let the redcap fall and raced toward the next one. He couldn’t afford to let them into the house.

The ground under him trembled. The redcap on his left let out a horrified screech as he was sucked into the earth through a hole the size of a pin. There should have been a fountain of blood and gore flying through the air as the redcap was essentially strung through that hole, but the immense gravity just sucked everything in until there was nothing left, not even a drop.

Sean Dunne stood on the porch, the light of battle in his eyes. He grinned down at the last redcap. “Do you want to be joining your friend?” The strong lilt of Ireland was in the leprechaun’s voice. His black hair gleamed like the richest earth, his skin showing the faintest whorls common among those whose element was the earth itself. His green eyes had darkened to the color of summer leaves.

And he looked pissed.

Jaden damn near did a happy dance. These idiots had confronted a leprechaun on his own fucking land, threatened his family. He bowed to Sean Dunne, according him the respect he deserved. “Allow me.”

Sean, never taking his eyes from the redcap, nodded.

“Da! More on the south side!” Leo came running, golden sparks trailing behind him.

“Where’s your brother?” Sean followed his middle child around the house and out of Jaden’s sight.

Jaden pointed toward the redcap. “I know you! Didn’t I feed from you?” He licked his lips. “God, I hope you bathed today. Last time you left a nasty aftertaste.”

The redcap’s hand went to his neck, his eyes wide. “NO!” The idiot turned and ran, hand still over his neck.

I haven’t had this much fun in weeks! Jaden pounced, bringing his prey to the ground and biting into the side of his neck with little finesse. After all, the redcap wasn’t going to survive what Jaden did to him.

When he was done, it looked like he’d be paying a little visit to Charles Malmayne’s house. It was time for Charles to die.

Duncan pulled Moira to her feet. “Come on.” He raced for the opposite side of the house, knowing the explosion had to be a diversion.

“Wait! What about Jaden?”

Duncan sidestepped her father. The fury on Sean Dunne’s face would frighten a lesser man. Duncan had faced leprechauns before, but he’d never been stupid enough to do it on their own land. What in hell was Charles thinking? He had to know this was a very bad idea. As Jaden would say, it was a move worthy of a Darwin Award.

He sped out the front door, knowing Moira could move much faster than he. “Jaden has the back. Unless I miss my guess, there will be more out front.”

She stopped struggling and joined him. “Ma!”

“I’m heading upstairs with Ruby. I’ll keep her safe.” The two women pounded up the stairs, much to Duncan’s relief. While the little human was feisty, she was no match for a redcap.

He barreled through the front door and skidded to a halt. There in front of him were three redcaps. They’d dropped their Seeming, much to his dismay.

“Oh, ew.” Moira wriggled her nose. “Those guys are hideous.”

The redcaps had thick, muscle-bound bodies and limbs both skinnier and longer than they should be. Their skin was the color of fresh toadstools and wrinkled like that of extremely old men. Gray beards partially hid their fang-filled mouths. Red eyes glared at them, filled with hate. Steely claws tipped the fingers of each hand, razor sharp and lethal. All of their teeth were sharp, their eyes too big for their faces and their noses long and pointy. On their feet were iron boots, and on their heads they wore caps dripping with fresh blood. They weren’t carrying their traditional pikes; instead, each redcap carried a gun.

Shit.

Duncan tried to push Moira behind him, without luck. She ducked and ran, heading around the porch. One of the redcaps took off after her, firing his gun. Duncan saw her weave her way across the ground, moving faster and faster until she was around the corner.

Duncan had to trust that Moira knew what she was doing. She knew this land almost as well as her father, and that bond would give her some power here.

He turned his attention to the two remaining redcaps. Both had lifted their guns. He had a split second to decide what he was going to do.

Do what a son of the Tuatha Dé does best. Fuck with their minds.

The echo of Jaden’s words gave him just what he needed to get moving. He dove into one of their minds, quickly reweaving what the redcap saw. Duncan now seemed to stand where his comrade did, while Duncan himself looked like the redcap’s ensorcelled partner.

As he’d hoped the redcap spun and fired on his buddy, hitting him in the head and killing him instantly. Duncan held on to the redcap’s mind, sensing its satisfaction at a job well done.

Well, shit. Their orders were to kill him. And the person he saw handing down those orders was his own uncle.

He snarled, gesturing for the redcap to follow him. They ran in the direction Moira had gone. The redcap’s orders as far as Moira was concerned were muddled. Part of the redcap wanted to kill her, to feast on her sweet blood. The other…

The other had Duncan seeing things through a filmy haze of rage. The urge to crush the redcap’s mind until nothing was left but a slobbering, mindless husk was nearly overwhelming. But he held on. If the other redcap had cornered Moira, he had plans. He’d use this redcap to destroy the other.

Then he’d crush the creature’s mind.

They turned the corner to find Moira fighting off the redcap. She was using her link to the earth to pull up rocks, hurling them at the redcap with devastating results. The redcap was bleeding from hundreds of cuts. Bruises peppered his body. One eye was swollen completely shut. Still the rocks came, pelting the redcap with all the force a major league baseball pitcher could put behind a throw.

Duncan could tell Moira was tiring. Sweat beaded her brow, and her aim seemed off. Duncan switched Moira and the other redcap in his redcap’s mind. It responded immediately, firing on the redcap menacing Moira.

The bruised redcap fell with a howl. The shot hadn’t been lethal. Duncan read the fantasy his redcap had of stripping Moira down and having her, and shuddered. He reached out and looped a fantasy through the remaining redcap’s mind. He grimaced at what the redcap considered nirvana, but he shoved the redcap there anyway and left him to rot. He would never move from that spot without being lifted. He would not eat, drink or sleep.

Duncan had sentenced him to death, and the redcap would never know how or why it had happened, not that Duncan really cared.

Moira joined him, the swirls of her skin dancing with rage. Green firelights danced around her. She was panting, strain showing in fine lines around her eyes and mouth. She rolled her shoulders. “Are there more?”

Duncan picked up the gun and aimed at the howling redcap’s head. “I hope not.” He pulled the trigger and ended the redcap’s life. “Let’s go.”

Jaden stalked around the corner of the house, his eyes glittering red and green, his claws dripping with blood. “Any more?”

“Other than the one contemplating his navel? No.”

Jaden eyed the bodies with satisfaction. “Good.” He stared up at the sky, a huge grin crossing his face. “Look up. Akane’s playing.”

Duncan looked up. “Dear gods. Is that a salamander?”

“Yup.” Jaden put an arm around each of them, pulling them close. “And that’s my partner beating the shit out of it.”

Duncan wasn’t surprised when Moira elbowed Jaden in the side. “I thought you and Akane only worked together occasionally?”

Jaden winced. “Yeah, well. Mostly I work alone, but when I partner up I usually prefer Akane. She’s all right, you know?”

“She’s mine.” Shane Dunne stepped off the corner of the porch, his gaze glued to the black and gold dragon fighting the salamander. Unlike popular myth, the dragon wasn’t much bigger than the woman had been, and most of that was wingspan. The salamander was roughly the size of a German shepherd, long and sleek and sinewy. Flames shot out of the salamander’s mouth, but the dragon was immune, darting in and out, toying with the salamander.

“Gods above. Is that a salamander?” Sean Dunne stood next to his son, staring up at the battle raging above them.

The salamander was tiring. Its flame bursts were coming further and further apart. Akane forced it down, closer to the ground, using her tail to whip its ass into complying. The salamander landed, exhausted. The creature panted, watching them warily through flame red eyes. Its flame dimmed until it looked more like a tall Komodo dragon with longer limbs. After another second it took on its Seeming. The German Shepherd wagged its tail and settled down on its haunches.

Akane landed next to it, turning back into the elegant female she’d been inside the Dunne house. She petted the salamander, smiling when it licked her hand. “I think I’ll keep it.” She winked at Jaden, earning the vampire glares from two sets of Dunne eyes.

Jaden stared at Shane and Moira. “What did I do now?”

Duncan began herding them all back toward the house. “I think we need to finish that chat we were all having.”

“You go on. I think it’s time I left.” Akane stepped in front of Shane, her hands on her hips. “Where is my car?”

Shane, for the first time, looked uneasy. “The barn?” He gave her a weak grin, backing away from her slowly. “What kind of car was it again?”

Steam literally began to pour from the dragon’s ears. “A Porsche Boxster.”

Shane swallowed hard. “What year?”

“Brand new.”

Ouch. That was going to sting the man’s wallet. Duncan was pretty sure Shane could afford to replace the dragon’s car, but he was dressed so modestly that he wasn’t certain if the man wanted Akane to know how rich he truly was. Dragons were known to covet either wealth or the rare and exotic, and until he got to know her better Akane’s preferences would remain a mystery. But from the car she drove and the clothes she wore, he was betting she preferred wealth. Duncan decided to give his bondmate’s brother a hand keeping his wealth a secret. “Allow me replace it.”

Akane gifted him with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Mr. Malmayne. At least there are some gentlemen left in the world.”

Duncan wasn’t buying that for a moment, but he’d let her get away with it for now. He bowed his head before the Blade. “You’re welcome.”

“Whew. I’m not sure how much corn I’d have to sell before I could replace a fancy car like that.” Shane stuck his hands into his back pockets and rocked on his heels. “How much does one of them go for, anyway? Ten, fifteen thousand?”

The dragoness looked ready to sic her new pet on Shane. Duncan stepped between them, gesturing toward the house once more. “We could use your help, m’lady.”

She blew her hair out of her eyes. “Sure. It’s not like I can go anywhere, can I, Rhubarb?”

Shane shook his head. “Nope. Not until we get you a rental. Unless you want me to drive you in the tractor?”

Akane spun on her heel and headed for the house, stomping the entire way. The “dog” followed her, obviously seeing her as its new master. The heels of her expensive boots kept sinking into the earth. She let out an annoyed screech and leapt for the porch. She turned the corner and they could hear the screen door slam shut behind her.

“You’re bad.” Jaden draped his arm around Shane’s shoulders. “I like that about you.”

Shane’s shoulders were shaking with laughter. “Thank you kindly.”

“We need to do something about the…” Duncan turned, but there was no sign that the redcaps had ever been there. Even the one gazing at his own navel was missing. “Hmm.”

Sean merely whistled and ambled up onto his porch. “Coming?”

“Remind me not to piss him off.” Jaden followed his new father-in-law up onto the porch.

Duncan took Moira’s hand and followed them. Jaden wasn’t fooling him one little bit. That amused nonchalance was hiding a terrible anger. He had the feeling his personal Gray Knight was going to disappear some time during the night, and in the morning Duncan would hear about a tragedy at Charles Malmayne’s house.

Why? Why had Charles done something so drastically stupid? It didn’t make sense! Why hit the Dunne house?

Duncan pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed home.

“Hello?”

Shit. Ian sounded breathless. “Is everyone safe?”

“We’ve held off an invasion of redcaps, my lord.”

Duncan swore. “Is anyone injured?”

“No, thank goodness. But the strangest thing happened. One moment they were almost through the door, and the next they were…well, gone. All we could hear were these horrible screams and—” the man gulped, “—wet, crunching sounds.”

Duncan blinked. “Was there anything left of them?”

“No, sir. But we did find a note on the front step.”

“What did the note say?”

“Whoever it was charged us fifty dollars for yard clean up, sir.”

“Anything else?”

“The bill was made out to Lord Jaden, my lord.”

What the hell? “Thank you, Ian. Keep an eye out on things. We think Charles may be behind the attacks.”

“Very good, sir. If I may say so, please be careful.”

“I will. And thank you.” Duncan hung up the phone. There could only be two explanations for this. The first, Charles had declared war on him, deciding to take him out when he least expected it. By hitting the Dunnes and his home he guaranteed that the redcaps would find him. The other possibility was that Charles was aware that Jaden had been in his house. It was possible that he also knew Jaden had found incriminating evidence of his collusion with the Black Court. Either way, he had to have known what Jaden would do once he recognized those redcaps. Jaden would make a beeline to Charles, intent on killing him.

Duncan stopped. He had to have known.

“Jaden!” He raced toward the house, but it was too late. He heard the roar of an engine, and Jaden was gone.

“What the hell is going on?” Moira watched Duncan’s face pale. “What?”

“He’s going to kill Charles.”

Duh. “I know. And?”

“Charles had to know what Jaden would do if we were threatened, Moira. He had to. That means he planned on it.”

Her entire body went cold. “It’s a trap.”

“Of one kind or another. Either he intends to capture Jaden, or he intends to be a martyr. Either way, the Malmaynes will demand Jaden’s head.”

“Despite evidence that Charles is using help from the Black Court.” Moira took a deep breath and turned in a circle, searching for something, anything that could help, but only one thought kept revolving through her mind. “We haven’t completed the Vows, Duncan.” She’d planned on doing that here, in front of family.

His eyes narrowed. “No. But he completed the blood bond. We’re his mates.” He ran around to the front of the house. The car was gone. “Son of a bitch!” Duncan’s Seeming exploded from him, silver lights dancing in a furious display. “We have to go after him.”

“How? We don’t have a car.” Moira took Duncan into her arms. “Contact him. Let him know we think this is a trap.”

“Jaden? Answer me, damn it. We think you’re heading into a trap.”

“I know. But I’ve been ordered by Robin to take care of the Malmayne problem. We’ll have to use the evidence of the redcap attack and what was found in the computer files to prove that he’s been working with the Black.”

“There is no evidence of the attack, Jaden.” Moira tightened her grip on Duncan. “My father buried it.”

“Well. That makes things a bit more difficult. Still, I was told to handle this any way I see fit, and I see fit to take his stupid ass out.”

“That might be just what he wants.” Duncan pulled away from Moira and strode toward the house. “If he becomes a martyr, you know what the clan will do?”

“They can’t touch me, Duncan, we both know that. Not if it’s a sanctioned Blade hit.”

“We both know that’s not entirely true.” Duncan stepped into the house and nodded toward Shane. “I need your help.”

Shane followed him back out. “What can I do for you?”

“Jaden’s in trouble. I can’t get to him because he took my car.”

Shane slapped him on the back. “No problem. Follow me.”

“Duncan? You still there?”

“He’s a little busy plotting something with my brother.” Moira followed behind the two men, curious to see how Shane could help.

“Which brother?”

The concern in his voice would have amused her if the situation wasn’t so dire. “Shane.”

“Shit. Stay away until it’s over, Moira. Promise me.”

When hell opened its first ice skating rink.

Shane led the way to the shed, and Moira found herself chuckling. “Oh, boy. You’re letting us borrow Bumblebee?”

Shane threw open the shed doors, exposing the tarp-covered car. He pressed his finger to his lips. “Shh. Just don’t let Akane see it.”

Moira helped her brother uncover the bright yellow Corvette.

Duncan rubbed his hands together with child-like glee. “Happy birthday to me.”

“Uh, no. Still my baby, thank you.” Shane took the keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Moira. “Get your own, Mr. Gentleman.”

Moira slid behind the wheel and started the Corvette. “Come on, Duncan.”

“Moira?”

She ignored Jaden, gesturing instead to Duncan. “Let’s go.”

“Moira, damn it, answer me.”

Duncan climbed into the passenger seat and put on his seat belt. “Let’s go.” He placed his hand on the dashboard and concentrated.

Moira blinked. The beautiful yellow Corvette now looked like some rusty junk ball choking its way out of the shed. Behind her she could hear Shane laughing like an idiot as she drove off, the dust kicking up behind them looking black and thick, enhanced by Duncan’s magic.

“Duncan. Use your head. You come after me and they’ll blame you. I’m sanctioned for this kill. You most certainly are not.”

Moira pulled out of the farm’s driveway and onto the road. “You think Shane will tell Akane what’s going on? She’s a witness to the attack. That might come in useful if the clan turns against Jaden.”

Duncan ran his hands through his hair, the gesture screaming his frustration. “I don’t know. I’m still not entirely sure why Charles is doing all this.”

There had to be something in the contract, something that all of them had missed. Moira hadn’t looked too deeply at the contract, and now she was kicking herself. “I doubt it’s revenge. It’s got to be something else.”

“What is so special about Leo Dunne? Why all the focus on him?”

“Other than the fact that his powers are almost pure Sidhe?” Moira shrugged. “I have no clue, but the entire clan keeps harping on that fact.”

“Fuck. Until we figure that part out we’re flying blind.”

“Guys?” Jaden’s voice was full of strained amusement. “You know I can hear you, right? Where are you?”

Moira pulled up to the gate leading to Charles Malmayne’s estate. She stared at the huge mansion. The oversized portico was almost obscene, thrusting out from the main body of the house. “Jaden? You were right. He’s definitely overcompensating.”

She reached out to press the button that would open the gates.

“Hello?” The voice was deep, almost guttural.

“Duncan Malmayne to see Charles Malmayne.”

“One moment.” There was a click, and the gates swung open.

“Stupid, stupid move, Moira. They know I’m here now.”

She couldn’t let herself think about that too much. She was determined to save not only Jaden but the Malmayne clan. The only way to do that was to confront Charles and find out what the hell was going on.

She pulled through the gate and up the long drive, parking in front of the porch. It definitely reminded her of a hotel. All it needed was the oversized ashtray slash trash cans. “Do we need to check our bags at the front desk?”

Duncan didn’t respond other than to step out of Shane’s car. “Let’s get this over with.”

She got out and followed him up the stairs to the door. “What do you think is going to happen?”

His jaw tightened. He rang the bell and took hold of her hand.

“Oh.” She stood as tall as she could despite the fact that she was covered in dirt and redcap blood. She was Lady Malmayne, and as such she pulled on her mother’s teachings to give herself as regal an air as she could. She might not be able to glamour herself into appearing clean and dignified, but damn if she couldn’t make herself look like a warrior queen just off the battlefield.

“Which you are. Now get back into the car and go home, Queenie. And take Toto with you.”

She let the corners of her lips lift into a small smile. Duncan was practically vibrating next to her. She bet Jaden would regret calling him that.

The door swung open. Charles’s butler bowed to Duncan. “Lord Malmayne.” He ignored Moira completely. Waving his hand, he gestured for them to enter. “Please, follow me.” Duncan’s hand tightened on hers, but he didn’t correct the butler. They didn’t have time to mess with the fae’s prejudices. They followed the butler past the sweeping, grand staircase to a room off to the left. Moira’s sneakers squeaked on the polished marble floors. The entire entry was done in blinding white and gold, from the Carrera marbled floors to the gilded stair rail. It made Moira’s eyes hurt just looking at it. She preferred the cooler tones of blue and green to this cold museum-like décor.

The butler threw open a door. “Lord Malmayne to see you, sir.”

“Show him in, Bradley.”

Moira bit her tongue at how they’d been announced. The butler hadn’t even said “and guest”, leaving Moira to question just where Charles Malmayne lumped her in Duncan’s life.

She didn’t have to wait for long. “Ah, I see you brought your…wife with you.” The sneer that crossed Charles’s face and the relaxed, easy posture he held by the mantelpiece were belied by the shaking of his hand as he lit his pipe. “To what do I owe the honor?”

Duncan walked forward, taking Moira with him. From the look on her Sidhe lord’s face, things were not going to go well for Charles. “I know you sent the powrie to kill me.”

Moira hid her surprise. Powrie? She hadn’t heard that name for redcaps in years, not since that trip to visit the Dunne half of her family in Ireland. The powrie lived more in Scotland and Ireland, and the Dunne sprites were very familiar with the vile redcaps.

“What makes you think I want you dead?”

“I looked into the mind of one of them before Sean Dunne took steps to remove the threat.” Duncan’s body language was just as relaxed as Charles’s, but he kept a firm grip on Moira’s hand, his thumb stroking across the back. “His orders were to kill me. What he planned to do to Moira was merely icing on his sick cake.”

Charles’s eyes darted to her before returning to his pipe. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He took a drag, blowing out a fragrant stream of smoke. “Besides, it’s entirely possible that an enemy of ours merely made the redcap think I’m the one who gave him those orders.”

“Oh, no. I know tampering when I see it, and I saw no signs of it. This was all done by you, Charles.”

Charles gave him a cocky grin. “You can’t prove that, Duncan, and we both know it.”

“One of the powrie was in your employ as a bodyguard.”

Charles shook his head. “I would never employ a redcap, Duncan. I did have an invasion of them, true, but it was dealt with.”

“Oh? How?”

“At least two of them were found unconscious near the entrance to my attic. Several more were found beaten around the estate. They were removed forthwith by my own men.” He took another drag off the stem of his pipe, blowing the smoke right at Moira. “I wonder how they came to be here?” He shifted, shoving one of his hands into his pocket. “They are Black Court, and it’s well known the Malmaynes are White Court.” He eyed Duncan sideways, a sly smile on his mouth. “One of them appeared to have been bitten. Perhaps your pet vampire knows something about that?”

Duncan returned Charles’s smile with interest. “Why don’t we ask my bondmate when he gets here?”

The pipe froze. Charles stiffened. “Bondmate?”

Duncan nodded regally. “I have the great good fortune to have formed a tribond, Charles. Congratulate me.”

That last was no request. Duncan demanded respect for his two mates as Lord Malmayne, and Charles, unless he wanted to prove himself a traitor, would have no choice but to comply.

“Congratulations.” The tone was strained, but Charles gave what was required of him. “Although I’m certain how the rest of the clan will feel about this.”

“Does it matter?” Moira kept her eyes on Charles, despite the urge to look at Duncan. His tone and posture were so arrogant she was startled. “I think you keep forgetting something.” Silver sparks began dancing in the air. “I am Lord Malmayne. The clan follows me. If they object to my matings, that is their problem, not mine.”

She’d never seen this side of him before, the cold lord demanding respect from someone beneath him.

“It is our problem when you mate with someone so far beneath you, nephew. Think! By marrying Moira you’ve caused endless trouble, not to mention what your mating to that damn vampire will do.”

“Why is it so important that Leo Dunne marry into the Malmayne clan?” When Charles turned away from him Duncan reacted, grabbing hold of the man’s collar and yanking him forward. His Seeming dropped away, revealing him in all his Sidhe glory. He glowed with silver light. He looked beautiful and deadly. “You’re going to tell me what the hell is so important about Leo that he simply must be the Dunne that fulfills our contract, and you’re going to explain it now.”

Charles tried to shrug off Duncan’s grip but didn’t succeed. He looked surprised at his nephew’s strength. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

Duncan pulled him closer until they were nose to nose. “Wrong answer.”

Charles gasped, struggling in Duncan’s grip for only a moment. Moira had no idea what was going on until she saw the look on Duncan’s face.

He was building Charles a fantasy from Charles’s own memories, one in which the Sidhe wouldn’t know he was spilling his secrets to Duncan. Duncan had once said that Charles was strong, almost strong enough to roll Duncan’s mind. Apparently he’d been wrong, or the bond he shared with her and Jaden had strengthened him, because he was easily taking control of Charles’s senses. She watched, waiting for the show to begin.

“You should have brought popcorn, sweetheart.”

Jaden was close. She could feel him, almost as if he were right behind her. She almost turned to look, but it was futile. Jaden wasn’t there. Not yet, anyway.

“Hello, Charles,” Duncan purred, pulling her attention back to her Sidhe mate. He eased Charles back, moving his hand from the other Sidhe’s collar down to his arm. “How is the plan coming along?”

Charles bowed low. “Our plan to replace Duncan is coming apace, my lord.”

“How go things with the marriage contract?”

“Once Duncan is removed we can begin pressuring Leo Dunne once more.” Charles preened. “Dealing with his truebond should be no problem. The little human won’t know what hit her.”

Duncan’s eyebrow rose. “You are not considering killing her? Their life forces are bound together.”

Charles scoffed, waving off Duncan’s concerns. “Of course not. We know they’re bound. No, Leo will take one of my daughters to wife, and the contract will be fulfilled the way we’d always dreamed.”

Duncan’s head tilted. “You’ll have to explain exactly how you plan on dealing with Sean Dunne. The leprechaun is quite powerful.”

That sneer was back on Charles’s face. “Once his precious son is in our hands he’ll have nothing to say.”

“And the bond Leo has with his land? You intend to find a way to break that?”

Charles looked confused. “He’s Sidhe. He’s not really bound to the land.”

Moira thought Duncan hid his shock admirably. How could Charles be so deluded? Leo’s bond with the land he’d claimed as his own was as strong as her father’s was. Taking Leo from his land would eventually kill him. “How exactly will the Malmaynes benefit from this?”

The confusion smoothed out and Charles relaxed, serene certainty lending him an air of childlike faith. “The child of Dunne will one day perform an act that will change our world.”

Moira frowned. “What the hell?”

Duncan squeezed her hand, silencing her. “Who told you that?”

“The Seer.” Charles shivered. Moira understood why. The Seer was something of an enigma. The last of her kind, her wisdom was sought by many and she gave to all, White, Black or Gray, equally. She claimed no allegiance, though rumor had it that Oberon had offered her sanctuary on more than one occasion when her predictions had caused friction between the Courts.

Duncan took a deep breath. “What makes you think that child will come from Leo?”

“Because he is the only one who is a Dunne Sidhe. We need him bound to us, otherwise we would have let the contract lapse when that bitch mated the leprechaun all those years ago.” Charles made a moue of distaste. “A leprechaun? You might as well mate my butler, or worse, a human.”

Moira saw Jaden slip into the room without a sound. He put his finger to his lips, his eyes glued to the man in Duncan’s grip. From the revulsion he exuded he’d heard more than enough of Charles’s twisted logic.

“You want to be able to control this child of Dunne.”

“He must be a Malmayne, you know that! You know why.” Charles shuddered. “You know what she’ll do to us if we don’t deliver what we promised.”

For one brief moment Duncan looked horrified before his expression smoothed out. “Yes, I do. Thank you, Charles.”

Charles blinked rapidly. “You.” He started to lunge for Duncan but pulled himself up short. “You rolled my mind.”

Duncan turned away in disgust. “Jaden.”

“Yes, my lord?”

Moira smiled. Jaden’s tone was respectful, his stance one of easy readiness. She’d seen that stillness in him just before she’d attacked him that day he’d kidnapped Ruby.

“Blood debt is owed. Charles is going to pay it.”

“Wait! Duncan, I owe no blood debt. The Dunnes owe us!”

Duncan snarled. “You conspired to have me killed. You’re working with an agent of the Black Court, trying to circumvent prophecy for your own gain. You attacked the Dunne farm knowing that I was there with my mates, hoping one or all of us would be killed. For the crime of working with the Black alone your life is forfeit.” Charles paled. “For the crime of attacking your lord and his bondmates, your life is forfeit. I judge you guilty by your own word and hand. The sentence is death, to be carried out immediately.”

“That stupid human female stole our destiny, Duncan! We should have been mated into the Dunnes, the precious child ours to shape. Think about it! What could we do with such a child! All we have to do is arrange a co-marriage with one of the Malmayne females and the world is ours!”

Duncan let Charles go. “The Hob himself has sent his Blade to mete out justice for your crimes.”

Charles gulped. “Blade?” He looked around the room wildly.

Duncan nodded. “Jaden?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“He’s all yours.”

Jaden smiled and dropped his seeming. Moira, for all that she’d seen Jaden feeding before, hid her face in Duncan’s chest when the first scream was ripped out of Charles’s throat.

Duncan led her out of the room. “This is a side of him, of us, you’ll have to get used to, Moira.”

She nodded. “I know.” She lifted her head and stared into his loving, worried eyes. “I guess I’m not the warrior I thought I was.”

One brow rose. “You pelted a redcap with stones hard enough to break bones and didn’t flinch when I put a bullet into its head. But this bothers you?”

“Jaden’s bite is…intimate. It’s ours. You understand? And now he’s using it to kill.”

Duncan nodded slowly. “Would it help if he tore Charles limb from limb instead?”

She pictured Jaden doing just that and shuddered. “No.”

“You have to let it go. He’s a Blade. Most of the time we won’t see that side of him. We’ll just get to clean him up and love him when he comes home to us.”

“Thank you for that.” Jaden stepped out of the room, carefully wiping the blood from his lips. “It’s done. I need to contact Robin so he knows what happened here. The rest of the clan will also need to be investigated to make sure Charles wasn’t the only one in the Black’s pocket.”

“Kaitlynn, Charles, Henri, possibly my father. Who knows how far or deep into the clan this goes?” Duncan sighed wearily. “What has happened to my clan? How come I didn’t see it?”

Moira smacked him in the arm. “No pity party. You’ve been lord for a few months, most of those spent in the throes of mating sickness. Your father was murdered, your sister put to death. Your father worked hard to keep you ignorant, didn’t he?” Duncan winced, confirming her thoughts. “A lot has happened. Now we know there’s a problem and we can deal with it, hopefully before it’s too late.”

Duncan’s slow smile was precious to her. “My practical leprechaun.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re right. We need to find the root of the problem and kill it before it drags the rest of the clan down.”

“I agree.” Jaden stepped toward them, holding out his hands. “But first things first. Moira?”

He stood as if he was uncertain of his welcome. Moira ran into his arms, eager to let her lover know that, no matter what, she would be there for him.

He held her tight, his body relaxing into her. “Thank you.”

That soft whisper told her all she needed to know.