Aileen’s expression softened. “You do the best you can to see to it that no harm comes to her. You do what Robin has done, and Oberon, and all those with a bondmate. You love them, you protect them, you cherish them and you live with them.”
Live with them? “I don’t understand.”
“A truebond is your deepest strength and your greatest weakness. If anything happened to Sean…” Her face fell for a moment, but then her chin firmed. Raven saw the quiet strength Leo had, the stubborn determination of Moira and Shane’s need to protect all wrapped up in the tiny Sidhe female. “Nothing will happen to Sean, not while I’m alive to stop it.”
The ring of Sidhe magic was in her words, a vow to protect her bondmate no matter the cost.
“Aileen.” Raven glanced toward the entryway to the dining room and saw Sean Dunne standing there, his eyes glued to Aileen. The smile on the man’s lips was tight. “Time for bed, love.”
Aileen stood serenely and placed her cup in the sink. “Of course, Sean.”
Meek and mild, Aileen allowed her husband to take her hand and lead her from the room. “Good night, Raven. Think about what we talked about, all right?”
“I will. Good night, Aileen. Good night, Sean.” Raven sat back, wondering how Sean would take his bondmate’s vow. If Amanda had done something like that, placed herself in the position to hurt herself just to save him, he’d…
He’d…
Well, shit. He’d freak the fuck out. Just the thought that Amanda could be hurt because of him made the breath leave his lungs. Spots formed in front of his eyes, his claws coming out to defend the female he wanted for his own.
Air swirled around him, black down filling the space as Raven fought his instincts to go to Amanda, claim her and let the gods sort it all out. No. If Amanda, as he truly suspected, was his bondmate—no, his truebond—then steps needed to be taken to ensure that she remained safe and sound.
The first would be eliminating those who would use her against him, starting with Sayyid. His half brother would have no problem using a truebond to harm Raven. In fact, Sayyid would more than likely enjoy torturing someone Raven cared about, if only to pay him back for betraying Titannia. It wouldn’t matter that Amanda was innocent, or a human. Sayyid would treat her the same way he would any enemy of his queen.
Raven would just have to kill him before he even found out about Amanda. Nothing would harm a hair on her pretty blonde head.
She might not be aware of it now, but she’d just acquired the most badass bodyguard in the entire fae world. And when he finally claimed her as his own, he’d make damn sure she was so safe she couldn’t even get a damn paper cut.
The down settled, dissipating as Raven calmed. The air stopped swirling around him, settling back into the room like a familiar blanket.
There was no longer any doubt in his mind. Amanda Pierson was his, and woe to he who tried to take her from him.
Chapter Five
Matthew Exton was a hoot. The way he glared at Robin and kept an eye on both Melissa and Michaela was adorable. He had huge muscles and a voice so deep it rumbled. When the Exton family had arrived, he’d been first at the front door, introducing himself and demanding to see Michaela. His brown eyes had been filled with distrust, and his stance had been firm and unyielding. The man wanted to make sure his baby sister was fine and wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Martin and Melissa Exton had stood behind their huge brother, rolling their eyes and making faces behind his back. Apparently the big guy was a wee bit overprotective when it came to his siblings.
Robin seemed amused by Matthew’s posturing. Amanda watched the two of them dance around each other, somehow convinced that, despite his size, Robin could wipe the floor with the big guy and not even break a sweat.
“So.” The youngest Exton, Melissa, plopped gracelessly down on the sofa next to Amanda. “How do you know our sis?”
Amanda blinked. “I didn’t, not at first. Ruby and I are BFFs. When I came to visit I didn’t realize Michaela was here and getting married.”
Melissa tilted her head. She had the same dark hair and eyes as her sister, but where Michaela’s face was an interesting mix of planes and angles, Melissa’s had a soft roundness to it that made her adorable. Both women were on the short side of tiny, and both were curvy, but Melissa packed a little more bounce in her step than her big sister. “How did you wind up helping with the wedding party?”
Amanda was still trying to understand that herself. “I’m not sure, honestly. Ruby volunteered me, since I’m a party planner back east. I just found myself saying yes, and here I am.”
“Huh.” Melissa turned around and held a rubber band behind her. “Do me a favor? Braid me?”
“Sure.” Amanda took the rubber band and began loosely braiding Melissa’s long, dark hair.
“I love my hair, but I’m getting tired of it.” Melissa touched her hair, but because her back was to Amanda she couldn’t tell what Melissa was thinking.
“Have you ever thought of highlights?”
Melissa nodded so enthusiastically she practically ripped the braid out of Amanda’s hands. “Yeah. I want blue ones though.”
Martin, the second oldest, shook his head. “You are not smurfing your hair, kiddo.”
“Why not?” Melissa’s tone was weary, like she’d had this argument before.
Martin cocked his hip and tilted his head. “Darling, you’d look much better in warm tones.”
Amanda chuckled as she tied off the braid. “Your hair is thick and gorgeous. If you’re going to do a fun color, why not go for something like a deep burgundy, or like an amethyst color?”
Melissa gagged. “Ugh. Purple.”
Amanda tilted her head, studying Melissa’s skin tone. “You could do dark teal, then.”
Melissa hummed. “That could work.”
Amanda tugged on the bottom of Melissa’s braid. “You could do it just on the bottom half, or do a big highlight around your face.”
She nodded slowly. “A nice, edgy haircut—”
Michaela was there so quickly Amanda didn’t even see her move. “Cut your hair and die.” She sniffed. “I love your hair, Mellie.”
“Bangs, crazy woman. Edgy bangs.” Melissa glanced toward Martin, who had dropped his pose and was quietly talking to Leo and Ruby. He had an odd, stunned expression on his face. “What’s up with Marty?”
“I don’t know.” Michaela glanced toward her brother.
“The last time I saw that look, he told us he’d seen fairies.”
Amanda laughed. “Fairies?”
Michaela had gone dead still, her eyes going right to Robin. “Yeah, fairies.” She laughed weakly and stood, heading for her fiancé. “I’ll be right back.”
“Huh?” Amanda watched her go. “What’s up with her?”
“I don’t know.” Melissa leaned in and whispered quietly, “She’s been acting odd since we got here.”
“Odd how?” Amanda didn’t question why Melissa seemed comfortable talking to her. All of the Extons seemed extraordinarily trusting. They’d accepted Amanda and the Dunne family with ease, as if being Michaela’s friends automatically made them all family.
Okay. Maybe not Matthew. He was still glaring daggers at Robin, who’d put his arms around Michaela while they whispered to each other.
“It’s like she’s hiding something from us, and that’s not like her.” Melissa seemed worried. “Normally she tells us everything, but ever since she met her dream man she’s been unusually quiet about some things.” Melissa shivered. “I think something happened and she doesn’t want to tell us about it.”
Amanda watched the Dunne clan for a few seconds, her own uneasiness coming back in spades. She felt like something was off, like she should be remembering something, but for the life of her she couldn’t quite seem to grasp it. “I kn
ow what you mean.”
“Do you…” Melissa’s eyes went wide and she whistled softly. “Who’s that?”
Amanda turned her gaze to where Melissa was looking and shivered. “Raven.”
As if he’d heard her speak his name, Raven turned, gracing her with a wide, wicked grin. One brow shot up and, instead of heading toward Robin, he changed direction. When he reached her, he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. The feel of his lips on her skin sent shivers down her spine. “Amanda. Enjoying yourself?”
She stiffened her spine, unwilling to allow the man to get to her. Raven was everything she thought didn’t want in a man, yet here she was, practically salivating at the thought of touching him. “Oh, yes. We’re done braiding our hair and now we’re going to give each other facials and talk about boys.”
Something odd flashed in his eyes, a hint of green that hadn’t been there before. He caressed her cheek, cupping her chin in his palm. “Enjoy your chat, and stay in the house.” He pulled something out of his pocket. “Hold still.”
He snapped something to her ear, something that stung. “Ow!”
Raven seemed inordinately pleased with himself as he gazed at her ear. “That’s better.”
She reached up and touched her ear, surprised to find something soft and…feathery? “What is that?”
“I’ll explain later.” He let her go, darting a glance toward Robin and Michaela. “I have some errands to run. I’ll be back in a few hours.” He tapped his finger against her lips. “Don’t take that out.”
She glared at him, prepared to do just that.
He touched the feathery…something in her ear. “If I promise to explain everything to you when I return, will you leave it in?”
For some reason, Raven appeared apprehensive. “Promise?”
“I give you my word, I’ll tell you what you want to know when I return, but only if you leave my mark on you.”
Mark? And why did his voice have that odd, echoey quality to it? “Sure. I agree.”
“Done.” He tipped her face up and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back.”
“Like a rash?”
He snorted a laugh. “Exactly. You’ll be unable to ignore me.” He straightened and sauntered away, his black jeans hugging an incredibly taut ass. Amanda watched as he briefly spoke to Robin then walked out the door, unable to lift her gaze from the riveting view.
She wanted a bite at that apple butt.
Only as he left did she realize he’d seen her checking him out. He winked at her as he left, a knowing smile on his face.
“Damn.” Amanda sat back and fanned herself.
“Yeah,” Melissa sighed. “Where can I get me one of those?”
For some reason, that pissed Amanda off. She didn’t want Melissa coveting what was hers. She bit back the response she wanted to give and pointed toward Robin. “I’d ask him.”
Melissa stretched and stood. “Maybe I will.” She waggled her brows. “After all, I think Raven’s taken.”
Amanda blushed as Melissa walked away. “He is not,” she muttered, ignoring the little flutter in her stomach.
“No?” Martin sat next to her. Too close. “Then maybe you’d like to go out for a drink some night soon?”
The trinket in her ear hummed, the deep, cackling cry of a raven sounding loudly in her ears. She winced, tugging on the feather. “Um, we’ll see.”
The cawing cry stopped, but the trinket continued to hum.
“Aw. That Raven guy your boyfriend?” Martin smiled. “Opposites attract and all that?”
“Pfft.” Amanda waved her hand lazily. “I just met him.”
“He seems awfully possessive for someone you just met.” Martin’s easygoing smile morphed into a concerned frown. “He’s not pressuring you or anything, is he?”
“Nah.” She patted his hand. The guy was sweet to worry about her. “I can handle someone like him.”
“If you say so.” Martin sighed. “But if anything happens, you let Matt or me know. Matt and I will help, okay?”
She patted his cheek. “You’re sweet.”
“I’m available too.” He shot her a sweet, puppy-dog look. “Take me home?” He put his head on her shoulder and looked at her soulfully, his dark lashes fluttering over surprisingly light colored eyes. They were so light a blue they appeared almost silver. “I don’t eat much, and I’m house trained.”
Amanda laughed, amused. “You’re cute.” The cawing sound began again, so loud she winced. She shook her head, trying to get it to stop, but nothing she did silenced the stupid thing.
What the fuck had Raven put on her ear, some kind of radio receiver?
“Amanda!”
Amanda blinked, startled to find herself surrounded. Matt, Martin and Melissa looked concerned. The Dunne brothers looked amused, and the Dunne women seemed sympathetic.
It was Robin who caught her attention though. He glared at Martin, his blue eyes turning rapidly green. For some reason, Amanda felt the urge to protect poor Martin from whatever Robin had planned for him.
She winced and held her hand out to Robin, absolutely certain that there was only one way to save the poor boy from a beating. “My head hurts.”
Robin immediately focused back on her. “Ah, my dear. Allow me.” He pressed a finger to her ear, and with a final squawk the earpiece went silent. “Better now?”
She nodded, relieved. “Yeah. What the hell did he put on me?”
Robin’s expression went blank. “All will be revealed in time, my dear. Trust me, Raven would sooner cut off body parts than harm you.”
“Why?”
Robin totally flabbergasted her when he laughed merrily. “Why, because you are his, of course.”
Amanda scowled. Of course my lily white ass. Now she was certain something weird was going on. Was this a goddamn cult or something her bestie had gotten sucked into? Why did all of the Dunnes seem okay with Robin’s pronouncement, like they’d all expected something like that to come out of his mouth?
And why was a secret part of her agreeing with them?
Damn it, Amanda wanted answers, and she was going to get them no matter what.
“Guard her, Father.” The taste of Amanda’s skin was still on his lips, tantalizing him with what a deeper sampling would be like. The thought of dipping between her lips to sip at her inner sweetness nearly stopped him in his tracks.
But he had an enemy to find and a brother to end, or any dreams of Amanda becoming his would be dashed.
“Is she yours?”
Raven was nodding yes before his father finished the question. “I’m certain of it.”
Robin, staring at Raven with something akin to pride, nodded. “Then I shall guard her with my life.”
That was good enough for him. Nothing would harm Amanda with Robin on lookout.
It didn’t take long for Raven to find where Sayyid was staying. The asshole was in one of the most charming B&Bs in Omaha, a quaint little inn meant for honeymooners, anniversaries and quiet weekend getaways. Not the place you expected to find a top-notch assassin.
Raven landed on the roof and touched his nose to the raven perched there. Images of Sayyid sleeping filtered through his mind. The image was hazy, but undoubtedly his brother. The black Ourobos that marked him as one of Titannia’s Chosen was clear to see on his arm. “Good,” Raven murmured, petting the bird’s head. “Go sleep.”
The bird disappeared into the night.
Raven crouched, the air swirling around him as he sought the tiny cracks and crevices of the house.
There. One he could use, and not far from Sayyid’s room. He’d have to be careful not to alert the humans staying in the bed and breakfast. The last thing he needed was to be the fae who got humans to remember that the fae were real.
That would suck big-time.
Raven flowed through the infinitesimal crack he’d found, reassembling in the upper hallway of the B&B. He paused in the shadows, listening for the sounds of any movement. Detecting none, he slowly inched his way down the corridor. He made no sound as he floated along, the air barely moving at his passing. He didn’t want anything to alert Sayyid to his presence before Raven was ready to reveal himself.
Raven’s pocket vibrated. His cell phone was going off. There were only two people who knew the number, and if they were using it someone was in grave danger.
Raven reached into his pocket and pulled it out, reading the display.
It’s a trap! Get the hell out now!
Shit. Raven didn’t question Liam’s text. The gremlin must have been tracking him the whole time and caught on to what Raven missed. This was a djinn illusion trap, meant to keep a specific intruder within its walls until they collapsed, crushing the fly in the spider’s web.
And Raven had no intention of being the fly.
Sayyid must have known Raven would go after him first and set this place up as a red herring, misdirecting Raven’s search. Even his ravens had been fooled by the thoroughness of the illusion. Hell, people probably had stayed here for their honeymoon and vacations, at least in the past week or two. Those who had would remember the place with a vague fondness, possibly thinking it had been demolished, destroyed in a storm, or somehow or other disappeared in a believable manner.
No one would realize that the dilapidated house or empty lot had once been their home away from home.
Raven could almost feel the walls closing in on him. The trap hadn’t quite been sprung yet. If Liam hadn’t warned him, Raven would have entered the center of Sayyid’s web, the heart of the illusion.
The bedroom. The place where Sayyid was supposedly sleeping peacefully.
Raven backed slowly away, keeping silent as a ghost. Not even air itself could escape a djinn illusion trap once sprung. Raven’s only hope was to stay out of that bedroom.
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