Artistic Vision

She brushed her hand against his back, smiling at the warm strength of him.

Akane turned her attention back to the puzzle box. It wouldn’t take her long to figure out how to open it. How difficult could it be?

Epilogue

Three weeks later…

Robin stared at the completed statue of Oberon. A female figure rose from the waves, her upper body the only part of her visible. She reached for Oberon, their fingertips touching, a look of such pure yearning on her face that even Robin was moved.

Shane had completed Oberon’s art piece. What had Robin missed? He shook his head, once more amazed at the talent that seemed to run rampant in the Dunne family. Turning, ready to leave the studio, he paused. Under the pedestal was something draped in black cloth. Curious, he lifted the cloth off the figure.

Robin hissed. There, done in nearly black glass, was Oberon’s face. His fanged face.

He dropped the cloth back over his king’s head and left the studio. Something was going on, and Robin needed to find out what. First thing to do would be talk to Shane, find out what the hybrid had seen and, more importantly, which vision would come to pass.

“I hate you! What is this thing, a portal to Hell?” A golden puzzle box went flying past Robin’s head, followed swiftly by one fast-moving hybrid with bright reddish-gold hair and laughing blue eyes. “Oberon’s crown should be this well guarded, you, you—JETHRO! Get your ass back in here!”

Shane Joloun Dunne popped his ass onto the banister of the Dunne farmhouse and grinned at the Hob. “Evening, Robin.”

Robin nodded. He had to visit more often. These people entertained the hell out of him. “Good evening, Shane. How is your mate enjoying her present?”

“Oh, she likes it just fine.” Shane leaned back against the post and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “I think it’s the pregnancy that’s making her insane.”

Robin stilled. “Pregnancy?”

Shane nodded, his expression wicked. “Twins.”

“Congratulations.” Had the prophecy been fulfilled? Was it Shane’s child who would be the child of Dunne? “Wait. Does she know she’s pregnant?”

Shane chuckled, but didn’t answer.

A sea nymph stepped around the corner of the big Dunne house, her mousy brown hair pulled back in a ponytail that did little for her long face. She was a gangly thing too, tall and lean, with big wary eyes that stared at him in something akin to horror. She was dragging a suitcase behind her. “Oops. Sorry.”

“Hey, Cassie. You heading out?”

The way Shane spoke to the woman let Robin know she was an honored guest. Robin relaxed ever so slightly. This must be the woman who had healed Shane. Robin had yet to meet her. He’d been summoned back to Oberon’s side to give him an update on the Malmaynes.

Oberon had not been pleased to learn that they’d lost the clan before Robin had even started his investigation. He’d extended an invitation to all the Malmaynes who wished to avoid the Black Court, hoping at least some of them would take him up on it and give their allegiance to the Gray. So far, a small contingent had come forth, led surprisingly by Tristan Malmayne. Oberon was waiting to see if any more of them would follow the young Lord.

Robin wasn’t going to hold his breath.

Robin stilled. There was an ornate pearl ring he recognized on the woman’s hand. A surprising development indeed, even in such a surprising family. He studied her, looking for signs of her parents in her odd, almost homely face. “You are far from home.”

“So are you.”

Robin allowed his brows to rise, challenging her to say more. He found himself further intrigued when her spine straightened and she stared at him head-on.

“You know where you’re going?” Shane stood up and helped Cassie put her bag in her car.

“Yup. Out to the road, make a left, head straight on through the rest of Nebraska until I hit Utah and eventually Colorado.” She held out a piece of paper. “Are you sure I’ll be able to hole up here for a while?”

Robin stared at the paper over Shane’s shoulder, shamelessly eavesdropping. He stared in shock at his own address. He met the hybrid’s eyes, his own narrowed in suspicion. Shane was up to something.

Shane winked at him. Winked, like this was nothing but one of Robin’s own pranks. “Yup. Trust me, they’ll be delighted to have you.”

“Are you sure?”

Shane grinned. “I checked with the owners.”

Did he now? Odd, Robin couldn’t recall that conversation.

“Just remember, the owners work for the palace, so stay away when you hear the King is coming to visit.”

She shuddered. “You gotcha. I have no desire to meet a royal.”

Now that was even more intriguing.

“Thanks, Shane.” The nymph hugged the hybrid, her expression full of gratitude. “I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done without you and your folks.”

“You would have survived.” Akane stepped out from around the house and wrapped her arms around her mate. The puzzle box was in her hand. It looked exactly like it had the day Robin had first seen it. “You’re strong.”

The female, Cassie, shrugged. She looked oddly embarrassed. “Yeah, well.” She turned and stared at the road before giving them both a quick hug. “I’m outta here.” She gave Robin a brief, formal nod. “Nice to meet you, my lord.”

“Cassie, wait!”

Robin turned swiftly. Ruby Dunne had dashed out of the house like a madwoman. She threw herself into Cassie’s arms and hugged her tight. “You visit us, you hear?”

Cassie hugged back, and her expression set Robin back a step. This was a woman starved for affection, and Ruby was handing it out to her in super-size quantities. “I will, Ruby. You have my word.”

Well now, this was a fascinating twist, wasn’t it? He watched as the nymph, waving good-bye, took off down the wintery road toward whatever fate Shane Dunne had seen for her. She wasn’t the prettiest lass he’d ever seen, but there was something about her face that caught at him. Could it be? “Is she mine?”

Shane shook her head. “Nope.” He put his hand on Robin’s shoulder. “You’ll meet yours before she meets hers, but she’ll see hers before you see yours.”

Robin blinked slowly. What the hell? “Care to explain yourself?”

Shane gave him a shit-eating grin. “Let’s just say the child of Dunne has just done his duty.” And Shane took his laughing mate back into the Dunne house, leaving Robin standing out in the cold, confused as hell—and more curious than he could ever remember being.

A small hand patted him on the head. “You’ll get used to it.” Ruby Dunne took his hand and pulled him into the warmth and the light. Into something he longed for with all his ancient, weary heart.

Home.

About the Author

Dana Marie Bell wrote her first short story when she was thirteen years old. She attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts for creative writing, where freedom of expression was the order of the day. When her