Jaden’s hand flew into the air. “Ditto.” He frowned, absently allowing his hand to be captured by Duncan. “But the question is, why?”
“It might have something to do with a vision he had.” Once again, Akane had the trio’s undivided attention. “What? You didn’t know?”
Jaden started to laugh. He patted Moira’s bottom with his free hand. “Gods, I love your family, sweetheart.”
Moira rolled her eyes and got off Jaden’s lap. “Shane’s always been different, known things others didn’t, but I’ve watched you. He doesn’t show any of the signs you do when you’re using your powers.”
“His are completely different. I see the now. Shane sees the future.”
Jaden jumped up, knocking Duncan to the floor. “Wait right here.” He ran out of the room, only to return a few seconds later carrying a metal sculpture. Three figures entwined, two hovering protectively over one, encased in swirling green, gold and gray. He set the statue on Duncan’s desk. “Do you know when he made this?”
“That’s us, isn’t it?” Moira touched the smallest figure. All of them were androgynous in their features, but something about the way that figure stood screamed female.
Duncan got up off the floor and dusted off his ass. “I’m inclined to believe so.” He studied the figures, smiling slightly. “I know who the middle figure is, too.”
Jaden rolled his eyes. “You, obviously.”
Duncan snorted. “If believing that makes you sleep better at night, so be it.”
Akane took the statue and tilted it up. “Look at the bottom.”
Moira gasped. Jaden grinned, but his eyes looked a bit wild. Duncan merely nodded, as if he’d known what he’d see all along.
Shane had marked the date he’d created the statue on the bottom. It was dated precisely one year before Shane’s abduction. “He made a similar one of Ruby and Leo.”
“Has he made one of you?”
Akane avoided Duncan’s knowing eyes. “There are two others he’s made, and they scare even him.” She described both the Robin figure and the one she assumed was Oberon, the one Shane hadn’t been able to finish yet.
“Holy fuck.” Jaden stared at the statue of the three mates. “Does he know what they mean?”
“I think he gets flashes, little glimpses, but until certain things happen they’re mysteries to him. He must have known Moira was the female in this statue, but until he met you two he might not have known who you were.”
“Damn. He has no idea who Robin’s female is then, does he?”
Akane shook her head. It was obvious Jaden was thinking the same thing she was. “Or what’s missing from Oberon’s.”
Jaden stood, suddenly every inch the Blade he was. “We need to find out.”
“Before it’s too late.”
“Deal with the Malmaynes first.” Duncan rubbed his hand down Jaden’s back. “Robin’s woman will show up. We just need to keep an eye out for her. We’ll protect her so she doesn’t fall.”
Moira leaned back against the edge of Duncan’s desk. “What about the vision of Oberon?”
“Shane says it’s incomplete. He doesn’t know yet what is supposed to be in the center of the sculpture.”
Duncan wrapped his arms around his mates. “I think I do.” He kissed each one on the cheek, his expression full of love for them. “Perhaps it’s time for Oberon’s heart to open up once more.”
Akane stared at the three of them and decided Duncan might be right.
“Are you sure about this?” Shane watched Leo pace his office. He’d snuck out once he was sure Akane was gone. His brother was planning something, and Shane wanted in on it.
“As sure as I can be.” Leo stopped and stared blankly at the wall. “Ruby and I have been over this again and again. Until I get the Malmaynes to realize they’ll never have me this will just keep going on and on.”
“The Energizer bunny of fuck-ups.” Shane nodded. “Count me in.”
Leo’s smile was more of a grimace. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I mean that. If Akane finds out about this my ass is toast.” Shane stood. “Where’s Ruby?”
“Here.” The little redhead swept into the room and curled up against her spouse. “Just finishing up some work before we face off with the Dork Brigade.”
Shane grinned. “You’ve been hanging out with Jaden again.”
She grinned back. “Nah. Robin’s been by a few times.” She tilted her head. “I think he’s lonely.”
Shane hid his shock. She’d seen below the surface Robin showed the world to find the desperately lonely fae beneath. “Yeah. I think so too.”
“I think you’re both insane, but okay.” Leo jolted at the sound of the doorbell, betraying his nervousness. “Okay. It’ll be okay.”
“You want me to get the door?” Shane was already out of the office when his brother’s soft consent reached his ears. Really, Leo wasn’t made for this sort of fight. He was a wheeler, dealer and dreamer, running Fantasy Inc., a high-end party planning business used by corporations and politicians nationwide. Shane wasn’t much better off, his artistic endeavors leaving little time to learn to fight. But he and Leo had the Blackthorns, Robin Goodfellow and Akane on their side.
They’d be just fine.
Shane opened Leo’s front door to find Constance, Cecelia and Henri Malmayne on the other side. Cecelia was once again hanging all over Henri, while Constance had a coldly blank look on her face. “Hey, Leo!” He bellowed at the top of his lungs, making sure he sounded as rube as he could. “You’ve got Malmaynes at your door!”
“Let them in, Shane.”
“Butlering for your brother now, Shane?” Cecelia sneered and sauntered past him. “Careful with my coat. It’s Dior.”
Shane took their coats, nodding back at Henri, who gave him a semi-civil nod and ignoring Constance the way she ignored him. “Leo’s in the office, third door on the right.”
The Malmaynes went past like a cold breeze. Shane scrunched their coats up into a ball and dropped them on the closet floor before joining his brother in the office.
The women had taken seats around Leo’s desk, Henri standing behind Cecelia with one hand on her shoulder. Ruby was at Leo’s right hand, the wedding ring she wore flashing as they clasped hands. Shane went to stand on his brother’s left and let his visions flow over him.
He couldn’t see what was about to happen; it was too close. This was where Akane’s talent was most useful, and he wished his dragoness were here by his side. He did his best, but the visions he was getting were about things that were coming.
And both Malmayne sisters were at the heart of it.
He listened with half an ear as Leo explained, yet again, that he and Ruby did not wish for a third in their marriage. The visions surrounding Cecelia Malmayne were…disturbing. Some were of what looked like torture. Others showed her having a relatively happy life with the man at her side. But in both cases a black pall hung over everything she did.
Constance, on the other hand, looked like she was sleeping with the devil. Who the hell was that in the vision? The man had horns and fangs, but Shane couldn’t quite get a glimpse of his face. There was something familiar about him, about the way he moved, but no matter how hard Shane concentrated he couldn’t get anything on him. If the man had been in the room Shane might have gotten a better read on him.
Should he warn her of the devil, or leave her to her fate?
“I’m telling you, Leo and I are fine the way things are. We don’t want you here! The contract has been fulfilled. We know why you want a Child of Dunne and we’re sick of dealing with this shit!” Ruby’s rarely roused temper flared as she squared off with the Malmaynes, effectively dragging Shane back into the present. The vision of the devil man faded, and Shane decided to remain silent. Whatever Constance Malmayne was courting he had no doubt she deserved it. The aura surrounding her actions in his visions was black as pitch.