Duncan shuddered. One Kaitlynn had been bad enough.
Moira had made sure she was seated with Akane, off to one side and out of the line of fire. The dragoness seemed completely out of place with her Asian features, but her highly fashionable clothes declared her a force to be reckoned with, at least as far as the rest of the clan would be concerned. They still seemed confused as to the role she was going to play in this meeting. Duncan had every intention of enlightening them.
He rapped his knuckles on the desk. Even though the sound had been quiet the clan immediately quieted down except for the sniffling of the two women.
It was obvious Henri hoped to control this meeting. The man stepped forward, ready to confront him. There was a gleam in his eye that told Duncan he was enjoying what he thought he was about to do.
Duncan smiled. Henri was in for the shock of his pampered, pompous life. “We're called here today to deal with the fact that The Hob called an inquiry into the doings of Clan Malmayne.” There was a hiss of indrawn breath, but far less shock than Duncan was comfortable with. “His Blades, after careful investigation, determined that Charles Malmayne was working with one or more agents of the Black to force the Dunne family into an unwanted alliance."
"Unwanted by whom?” Constance asked. As the eldest daughter she stood the best chance of being chosen for an alliance marriage now that Kaitlynn was dead.
"Unwanted by the Dunne Charles hoped to force. Leo Dunne is in a truebond and unwilling to contemplate a second marriage. His bonded wife is also adamant that no other marriage will take place, thus insuring that it would be impossible and unwanted.” Duncan steepled his fingers and watched his clan members carefully. Some still seemed shocked, but the majority of them stared at him with blank faces. “The Malmayne-Dunne marriage contract has been fulfilled by myself.” He held up his hand when Henri tried to complain. “I will hear no more on Moira's unsuitability. She is a Dunne child.” He said that deliberately, watching the reactions of his relatives. Jaden was listening in the security room, watching the reactions of those who were not on American soil. They planned on keeping each other informed through their bond. “The subject of my mating with Moira is hereby closed."
"The bond is incomplete,” Cecelia piped up. “Therefore the contract has not been fulfilled."
Duncan smiled. “Moira requested that the Vows be said with her family standing as witness. That has been arranged.” Something he'd seen to just after Jaden assassinated Charles for his crimes. Sean hadn't been surprised in the least, and Aileen had been ecstatic. All that was left to do was be there, on the Dunne farm, ready to speak and seal their bond for eternity. “I assure you, our bond is complete. And that is the last time I will talk about my mating with Moira."
"Then what about the rumors that you also mated with the vampire?"
Duncan kept his expression coolly amused, but he could tell that this was where things got tricky. The disdain most Seelie Sidhe held vampires in would work against him here. Moira was marginally acceptable to them; Jaden would not be. Not that he gave a flying fuck. “That would be correct.” The gasps of outrage were louder this time; never had a White Court Sidhe mated a vampire. “I have the great good pleasure of having been blessed with a tribond."
Some of the Malmaynes moved restlessly at that, most of them with disapproving expressions.
"Isn't Jaden the one who killed Charles?” Henri shook his head and tsk'd. “How exactly does that work? I understand Charles was going to challenge you for leadership of the Malmayne clan. How convenient for you that he was executed after your pet vampire accused him of collusion with the Black."
"Are you saying that I have a Blade in my pocket, Henri?"
Henri threw his arms wide. “What Blade? I don't see your...I'm sorry, Robin's Blade here."
Akane stood up, straightening out her Donna Karan skirt. “Did you want to speak to a Blade, Henri Malmayne?” Those odd eyes of hers, one so dark, the other so light, pinned Henri like a bug to a mat. The coldness radiating off the dragoness was intimidating. “That can be arranged."
Duncan bowed his head toward Akane. “Allow me to present Dame Akane Russo, Knight of The Gray Court and Oberon's Blade."
"She's a Blade?” one of the younger Malmaynes whispered. The respect and awe in the young woman's voice had Duncan damn near smiling.
"Yes, Letitia, Akane is a Blade.” Duncan turned back to Henri, all amusement gone. “She was there when Charles's powrie attacked the Dunne farm."
"One of them was identified as having been in Charles's house prior to the attack. Duncan confirmed that Charles was working with the Black through Charles's own words. Files on Charles's computer confirmed that he had, indeed, been in frequent contact with the lord of the redcaps and a known agent of the Dark Queen herself.” Akane spoke as if she'd been there and witnessed everything. Duncan was positive no one would question her. “Sentence was passed by Lord Malmayne and approved by Robin Goodfellow. The execution was carried out by my partner, Jaden Blackthorn."
No one would dare question an order by the Hob. To do so invited his attention and not many people could handle that. Duncan thought about that for a second, and realized there was only one who could handle Robin's undivided attention. Oberon held Robin's loyalty in a way no one else could.
Akane tilted her head, the movement sinuous and somehow inhuman. “Any questions?"
"Who will pay for my father's death?” Cecelia shouted despite her sister's attempts to shush her. “That filthy, half-breed vampire dared lay his hands on a Malmayne! Glorianna will hear of this, and I guarantee you she will side with us."
Oh, shit. There was the thorn in his side, the hidden pinch, that Charles's children would seek blood debt through the Queen and Court. It was well known that Glorianna hated vampires with a passion. The only reason she hadn't demanded that he turn Jaden over to her was the fact that Jaden had clearly aligned himself with the Gray Court, taking himself out of her jurisdiction. “Jaden is of the Gray and a Blade, Cecelia. He performed his duties as he was required to by both my decree and that of the Hob. Glorianna holds no sway over him."
"How do you think the Queen will feel having the head of one of the major clans mated to that abomination?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I am positive that a new Lord Malmayne will be declared forthwith once the clan proper makes their dissatisfaction known."
It was possible. If Glorianna chose to take exception to his tribond he could be removed as Lord Malmayne, and that would open both Moira and Jaden to the machinations of whoever became the next Lord Malmayne. She was the only one who had the power to do so. He'd known all along it was a possibility. But someone like Henri as the next Lord Malmayne?
That was not something he could allow to happen. His clan would be destroyed if Henri was proclaimed Lord.
Duncan could feel his temper beginning to build, the anger swift and hot as flowing blood, as deeply rooted as the earth itself. He had a very bad feeling about this, and from the way Moira and Jaden were murmuring in his head he could tell they shared his concerns. “Who do you propose that next Lord be?"
"Henri.” His name was said with such speed and conviction that Duncan guessed his cousins had decided on him before showing up on Duncan's doorstep. “He's been more than supportive of the Malmayne clan and has our best interests at heart.” Cecelia practically cooed as she brushed her hand down Henri's arm.
Well. That was a wrinkle dear old Dad didn't know about. Had Cullen been aware of the machinations of his brother Charles? Had Cullen too been duped? How deep was Henri into everything that had happened? “I'm afraid that Henri's life will also be forfeit once Robin finds out he was the go-between for Charles and the Unseelie Sidhe lord he was conspiring with."
The look in Cecelia's eyes would have killed a lesser man. “Prove it."
He barely stopped himself from growling. He didn't have proof, not yet. Charles was dead and hardly likely to throw Henri under the bus even if he were still alive.
The bastard had a sick sort of honor that would have prevented him from handing over someone he considered inferior to save himself.
So instead Duncan stood. He leaned forward, hands flat on the desk, and met her stare for stare, allowing her to feel the iron determination to root the Black out of his clan. “I will."
* * * *
"That went well. What's next? Red hot spikes up the ass?” Jaden flopped into the chair across from Duncan's desk and rubbed his forehead. Moira could really shout when she wanted to, and she'd been pissed as hell at the Malmaynes for calling him an “abomination". Well, they'd called him worse in the past. He'd live. He was more concerned over how livid Duncan was with the results of the meeting.
"We investigate the rest of the clan.” Duncan stalked around the room. He'd moved beyond pissed and into homicidal rage. “I want Henri's head on a pike."
Jaden watched his cool Sidhe lord loose his self control, pacing like a caged tiger in front of his desk. “Duncan."
"Cecelia and Constance are up to their necks in whatever's going on, too. I want them taken care of.” Silver lights danced around him.
Jaden was starting to get worried. Duncan rarely lost his temper in the hundred years since they'd first met, and in the span of a few days he was losing it on a regular basis. “Duncan!"
Duncan stopped and stared at him. “What?"
"Deep breaths. You're starting to freak me out.” Duncan actually bared his teeth at him. He had to hold back a laugh. “I'm terrified, oh fangless one.” He rolled his eyes. “You're going to need anger management therapy if you keep this up."
Duncan blinked. “What the hell are you talking about?"
"The last time I remember you losing your temper this much was—” Jaden tilted his head, “—never.” He glanced over at Moira and noticed her sudden concern. “Has he been like this since I left?"
That earned him another snarl as Duncan began prowling around the room again. “I am not out of control."
"He was beyond depressed before you came back, and he's been, well, upset off and on since you came back."
He nodded. Then he stood, walked over to Duncan and grabbed his shoulder. He forced the Sidhe to face him again and pointed to his chin. “Go ahead. You know you've been dying to."
Duncan rolled his eyes. “I already laid you out flat, remember?"
"But you're still pissed at me, and it's leaking over into everything else.” Jaden threw his arms wide. “I'm not going anywhere ever again, unless it's on assignment."
Duncan's jaw clenched. Ah-hah. There we go.
"You're ticked because I didn't tell you I was a Blade?” He tried not to laugh. “That growl would be a lot more terrifying if I didn't know you'd never really hurt me."
"Why did you keep that from me?"
Jaden could hear the anguish under the anger, and sighed. “Because everyone knew who I lived with and worked for."
"It was the perfect cover? Show up somewhere, party down, someone dies, you come home with none the wiser?"
Jaden lowered his arms. “No. Not every assignment has led to someone's death. Just because I was built to be a fucking soldier doesn't make me an automatic killer."
Moira got between them, her hand over his heart. “Stop it. You know Duncan doesn't feel that way. And you!” She turned on Duncan. “Stop taking it out on him. If Robin Goodfellow told you to keep a secret, what would you do?"
Duncan rubbed his eyes. “I'd probably superglue my lips shut."
"See? Would you have told Duncan what you were if you could have?"
Jaden saw no point in telling the truth. “Yes."
"Liar."
Jaden smiled. "You get why, don't you?"
"Fucker. You were keeping me safe, weren't you?"
Jaden nodded.
"Don't do it again. What if one of your ‘assignments’ had figured out who you were and come after me? I would have had no way of protecting myself."
And there Duncan was wrong. Robin himself had promised to keep Duncan safe when Jaden gave his oath as a Blade. “Are you done being pissed at me?"
"I'm thinking about it."
Moira patted their cheeks. “There now. Feel all better?"
"Not yet, but I will soon.” Jaden leered down at her, patting her on the ass. “What say we take this to the bedroom?"
Moira smacked him in the stomach. Hard. Her surprised expression rapidly turned pained.
Huh. Was that supposed to hurt?
"Ow.” She shook her hand out. “We need to figure out what to do about Henri. What if they really go to the Queen? Can she do something to remove Duncan as head of the clan?"
Jaden shrugged. “Never really cared much about White Court politics."
"She can, if enough of the clan objects to my mating.” Duncan sagged against his desk. “Enough of them have felt the rough edge of Jaden's tongue that they might relish the idea of hurting him through me."
"There are options, but they might not be ones you like.” Akane rose from her seat. She'd been so quiet he'd almost forgotten his sometime-partner was still there. “Option one, remain White Court, even knowing you'll more than likely lose your position as head of the clan. If that happens, Jaden should still be safe because of his, um, connections.” She looked non-plussed for a moment before her features smoothed back out into their usual calm facade. “Option two, remain White Court and fight not only your clan but your Queen to remain its lord. It will be an uphill battle I'm not sure you'll win, especially since I can sense that most of your clan is leaning toward the Black now even if they don't realize it."
"Option three?” Jaden had the feeling he knew where this was heading.
"Give oaths to Oberon and join the Gray."
"That would save us but leave the rest of the clan to Henri's mercies.” Duncan's fingers drummed on the edge of the desk. “I'm not sure that's an option we can take."
"We need to find out how much of the clan is still loyal to the White and Duncan, and how many are in this for what the Seer told Charles it will gain them."
Akane's head tilted, her expression one that sent dread through Jaden's whole body. “The Seer?"
"She told Charles that the child of Dunne will one day perform an act that will change our world."
Akane's eyes closed. “That stupid fucker. Idiot male.” Her eyes snapped open. “When did she tell him that?"
Duncan opened his mouth to answer, but his brow furrowed. “I'm not sure. I do know that the reason they didn't just give up on the marriage contract when Aileen mated Sean was because of that prophecy.” Duncan jerked. “Oh, fuck."
Moira's eyes met his, a hint of panic in them. “It's not a child of Leo's, is it? It's a child of my father's.” She looked around the room, her eyes wide and wild. “What the hell?"
"Don't panic, sweetheart.” Jaden pulled her into the cradle of her arms, frowning when he noticed her shivers. “The thing about prophecy? It's going to happen no matter what you do. If you're the one who makes the decision, then so be it. If it's Leo or Shane, then so be it. Fighting it will only make it happen in such a way that you'll live to regret it."
"He's right.” Akane sat back down, her demeanor once more serene. “Don't fight it. Make the decisions you feel are right. It's possible it will be your child or another one of Sean's grandchildren who make the crucial decision. Who knows? It's the child of Dunne."
"Then it won't be Moira's child.” Duncan smiled. “She's a Malmayne now."
Akane shook her head. “No, she's not. She's a Blackthorn."
Jaden blinked. What the hell?
"You completed your blood bond with them first, right? That makes them both Blackthorns. The first bond is the one first recognized when it comes to a tribond.” Akane frowned. “Didn't you know that?"
All three of them blushed. “No. Besides, we were busy."
"I know.” Akane smirked. “I was keeping an eye on you, remember?"
Moira stepped in front of both of them. “Do I really want to
know how much you saw?"
Akane huffed out a laugh. “Probably not."
Something was itching at the back of Jaden's brain. Something that might mean something, something a Dunne had said to Duncan. “Crap. What was it that Shane called you about the other night?"
"You mean that weird rhyme? ‘Darkness stalks the Malmayne clan. Salvation lies within one man. Accept the bond and pay the price. Shadow wraps around you thrice.’”
The three of them stared at each other.
"Oh, crap,” Akane whispered. “Where did he hear that?"
"He said he had his sources, but wouldn't say."
"Darkness stalks the Malmayne clan. The Black, obviously.” Duncan was off, once more prowling the room, but the difference was obvious. This time he was thinking, not stewing. “Salvation lies within one man."
Jaden sprawled in the chair in front of Duncan's desk, his preferred thinking spot. “One man. You?"
Duncan snorted. “Obviously not. You, perhaps?"
"Not sure. Accept the bond and pay the price?"
"The tribond,” Moira whispered, settling against the edge of Duncan's desk. It was a good spot to watch them both, something she seemed to enjoy doing. “But what's the price? The loss of the clan?"
"My rulership of the clan.” Duncan shook his head. “I would gladly give that up for my bond with you both. It's not that hard a price to pay. I know I don't want to live without either of you."
Jaden was warmed straight through. Duncan had hoped to lead the Malmaynes into the future once Cullen had passed on. He'd spoken of it at length on the nights when his father's autocratic decrees had weighed on him heavily. But now wasn't the time to get sentimental. “Shadows wrap around you thrice."
"The Gray Court?” Moira blew her hair out of her eyes. “We'll leave the White for the Gray?"
"All of the Malmaynes who don't wish to fall into the Black, or just the three of us?"
"Shadows wrap around you thrice. Was he speaking only of you, Duncan, or the three of you?” Akane watched them all, her eyes sparkling. She loved a good riddle. All dragons did.
"Either way, it seems to dictate our course, doesn't it?” Jaden stood. “What say we all?"
Noble Blood [The Gray Court, Book 2] Page 16
