Artistic Vision

by Dana Marie Bell

  Shane took a seat on the hard metal stool he tended to move around his workspace. He placed his hands on the empty wooden table in front of him and closed his eyes, visualizing what he needed, knowing he’d get almost what he wanted. The silver would be raw, unrefined. The sea glass would need to be shaped. But he’d have the raw materials to begin his new project. He concentrated, his magic surging through him, the feel of something just beyond his reach becoming stronger. He strained, grasping for the edges of the silver with his mind, finally grabbing hold and pulling it to him with a gasp.

  Shane opened his eyes. On the table sat a huge lump of raw silver. Sweat dripped into his eyes and he reached up, wiping it away before it could begin to sting.

  “That never fails to amaze me.”

  Shane jumped. “Fucking hell, Da!”

  His father’s rich laugh rolled through the studio. “Sorry, Shane.” His father placed a steaming bowl of soup and hot biscuits on the table next to the lump of silver ore. “Dinner.”

  “Thanks.” Shane picked up the soup bowl and began eating, shoveling the soup in like it was his first meal in days. Creating raw materials took a great deal of energy. By the time he was through creating everything he needed, he’d collapse onto the small bed in his tiny bedroom, exhausted.

  “It still amazes me to see you do that.” Sean poked the ore, his expression bemused. “One of these days you’ll have to explain how you do it.”

  “Simple.” Shane grabbed one of the biscuits. It was still piping hot. How his father managed that neat little trick in this cold he’d never figured out. To him, that was real magic. “I make dreams reality.”

  His father nodded. “I know.”

  Shane grinned and shoveled in the food, a peaceful silence dropping between the two men.

  Akane woke the next day more refreshed than she’d felt in quite some time. The bed was soft, the birds were chirping, and the strong arm around her waist was comforting. She snuggled in deeper and found herself cradled against a strong chest. “Mmm.”

  Her only answer was a light snore.

  Akane stifled her giggle. Jethro snored? It was so…adorable.

  Akane blinked. Wait a minute. She turned her head, hoping that somehow she was still dreaming.

  Nope. There was a huge lump of Nebraskan in her bed, snoring and drooling on her pillow. “Shane.”

  He snuffled and pulled her tighter to him. One thick thigh covered both her legs.

  “Jethro.” She tugged on his chest hairs, hoping the pain would wake him up.

  “Akane.”

  No one, most especially Shane, had the right to moan her name like that. “Wake up, Shane.”

  One huge paw slid up her hip. His face nuzzled into her neck, his whiskers abrasive. Tantalizing. She could almost feel that beard brushing the skin of her inner thighs.

  Gah. Mind out of the gutter! If this continued she’d probably find her ankles somewhere around his ears followed shortly by an Awkward Morning After Moment. So in sheer self defense she grabbed hold of his nipple and twisted it. “WAKE! UP!”

  She didn’t know that the Dunnes had Banshee blood in them. When her ears stopped ringing she found herself pinned to the bed by one angry half-Sidhe, half-leprechaun hybrid. His sapphire eyes had darkened to near black, his reddish blonde hair stuck up in messy spikes and whorls around his head. His lips were pressed firmly together.

  So were her legs.

  “Was that really necessary?” Shane’s deep, easy-going drawl was thickened by sleep and annoyance.

  He’d managed to get hold of her wrists and pin her hands beside her head, something she didn’t realize until she tried to push him off. “Yes.”

  “You think waking a man with a purple nurple is appropriate?”

  “In certain circumstances, yes.”

  A truly evil grin took over his face. “Then I’m certain you’ll understand why I find this equally appropriate.”

  Akane’s eyes went wide as Shane swooped down, taking her mouth in a kiss that threatened to unlock her legs. Before she could stop herself her lips parted, letting him in. Shane took immediate advantage, thrusting his tongue into her mouth with an intensity that told her how he’d thrust his cock into her body. He’d take her, leaving her no doubt as to who she was with, who she belonged to.

  His flavor burst over her, feral, deep and strong. It was a taste she could easily find herself addicted to. His hands curled around hers as somehow he took the kiss deeper. She found herself breathing him in, his scent surrounding her, his taste filling her. His hard cock nudged her stomach. For a brief moment of insanity she allowed her thighs to relax.

  For some reason, Shane didn’t take advantage of the implied invitation. Instead the kiss softened, became something more than just need, stronger than just hunger. Something tingled and danced across her skin, like snow fairies, cold and delicate. Akane risked opening her eyes.

  Gold and green sparks lit the air around them. The son of a bitch’s Sidhe half was trying to Claim her.

  Before she could buck him off he ended the kiss. “Damn, girl.” He groaned, his forehead resting against hers, his hips rocking into her, dragging his cock along the silk of her pajama pants. “Just…damn.”

  “Get off me.”

  He blinked, looking shocked at the harsh, growled words. “Akane.”

  “I am not your gods-damned mate, Shane.”

  His head tilted. For one brief moment she thought it was anger coloring his features before it was completely swamped by determination. “Fight it all you want. Yell. Scream. Throw things.” He blinked, his lips twitching. “But not in my mother’s living room.” He almost succeeded in winning a smile from her. His lips brushed the tip of her nose. “But we both know you’re mine.”

  She growled up at him. In about five seconds smoke would literally pour out of her ears if he didn’t get off her. “You’re delusional.”

  He smiled, an expression so full of joy she was shocked. “No. I’m blessed.” He brushed another soft kiss across her nose before slowly climbing out of bed. She tried to ignore the way his pajama pants rode low on his hips, or the way his hard cock tented the flannel fabric. He stretched, his arms over his head, his hands almost touching the ceiling. The long line of his back arched, his muscles bunched, and Akane had to stifle a groan of her own. He finished stretching and shook himself. “Coffee.” She watched in disbelief as he sauntered toward the bedroom door. “C’mon, darlin’ time’s awastin’.” He sent her a heart-stopping grin and opened the door. “My woman has bad guy ass to kick, remember?”

  Her jaw dropped. He winked and, without another glance, left the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind him.

  Akane picked up the pillow he’d been drooling on and, with an ear-splitting shriek, threw it at the door. She could not allow herself to be drawn in by Jethro. She was a fucking Blade! A total badass! Men quivered in fear when she appeared irritated. Fae hid in whatever nooks and crannies they could force themselves into at the sound of her wings. She ate Black Court vampires for breakfast and thought nothing of having lunch with the Hob afterward. She had Louis Vuitton on speed dial and could buy the Dunne farm a thousand times over.

  And Shane thought the whole thing was what? Cool? Neat? Fucking cute?

  Akane’s jaw clenched. If Shane thought a few sparkly lights were going to make this dragoness settle down on the farm, he had another thing coming.

  Akane blinked. The drifting scent of freshly brewed coffee filled her senses. Her mouth watered at the thought of one of Aileen’s perfect breakfasts. Was she making pancakes? Akane loved pancakes. Then again, maybe I could stay here for a while.

  “Aren’t you out of bed yet?” Shane’s laughing voice carried through the door. She could hear his big feet stamping down the stairs. She’d have to hustle to get anything to eat. The man ate enough food to feed three people.

  Akane leapt out of bed and headed for the shower.

  * * *

  Chapter Two

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  “Mine.”

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

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

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

  “That’s one word for it.”

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

  “Nope. Don’t care either.”

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

  “Robin will be here shortly.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  “What?”

  “The blonde with Tristan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s Robin.”

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

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

  “You have what you need?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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