"I know you are out there!" Dina Demille shouted into the cool night air. "What a royal jerk," she huffed. This was the second time she and Sean had had words this week. Something about the man just set her blood boiling. Perhaps it was the fact that he'd treated her like a crazy person last week. Dina thought back to the events three days ago.

Dina noticed a commotion while out walking her furry little Lhasa Apso, Precious. It was the start of another lovely Texas morning- sunny, clear blue skies with a pleasantly soft breeze to keep the heat at bay. Her neighbors were gathered in a semi-circle around something large lying on the ground. Oh no, Dina thought, not another one. The remains of what once had been Robert Seger's much loved Great Dane lay displayed in the middle of grass. It had been gutted. It's getting bolder, Dina thought. She sighed. Her neighbor, Sean, needed to take care of this before it escalated further or she would be forced step in. Dina was supposed to remain neutral. Problem was, when she tried to talk to him about whatever creature was taunting him by leaving dead animals in his territory, he'd pretended to be clueless and treated her like she was one fruit shy of a basket. It likely hadn't helped that when she'd lightly touched him arm to get his attention, something like an electric shock had moved between them, causing her to jump, back up a step, and gape at him like an idiot. She'd noticed how handsome he was from a distance, but up close he was positively gorgeous.

The innkeeper of the Gertrude Hunt Inn gripped her broom, knuckles turning white, outrage all but screaming from her visage as she watched the solid muscular frame of Sean Evan's back through her inn's open rear door. He seemed to think she was unaware that he was urinating on one of her beloved apple trees.

Sean deftly spun around, a wolfish grin brightening his normally stoic demeanor. "You're welcome to help me with my scepter any time you like, princess," he called, tossing her a roguish wink. How could I have forgotten about the enhanced hearing? she thought. Ugh. He moved gracefully, flaunting his well-trained, carefully maintained body and approached the Gertrude Hunt Inn.

Gertrude Hunt Inn was located in a smaller Texas city, boasting a modest population of around 9,000, and nestled back off a lightly trafficked drive. It offered its' guests something beings from all over valued: privacy and space. It was also magic, but as one wise human had once said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," and the inn operated with mind-boggling, physics defying, technology.

"You may just find yourself scepter-less if that tree dies," Dina growled. Grimacing, she acknowledged that perhaps threatening an apex predator wasn't the shrewdest of ideas, but she'd already made her bed, and was now determined to lie in it. Dina straightened, squaring her shoulders. "This is MY domain," she spoke in a soft yet firm voice, knowing he could hear her. One of his eyebrows quirked as Sean halted his advance, observing her closely. Likely wondering what precisely she had meant by that.

He could huff and puff all he wanted, but he couldn't blow THIS house down, she thought. Dina snickered audibly as the visual of him as the Big Bad Wolf flitted through her mind. Sean's bright green eyes narrowed as he tried to stare her down. A shiver ran through her as she met, and matched, the intensity of his gaze. She wouldn't mind him blowing on other things…..A blush crept onto her cheeks and Dina shook her head, clearing her libido addled brain.

She eyed him ruefully, sighing. "Sean Evans is far too attractive for his own good," she muttered under her breath.

A smirk appeared on his handsome face. Dina realized she'd spoken aloud and her blush deepened. She heard approaching footsteps and turned towards them, grateful for the excuse to hide her flaming face.

The only guest and permanent resident, thanks to an iron-clad contract and a myriad of bounties on her head, stepped into the kitchen, soaking in the view of the formerly peaceful orchard and Sean's tall, powerful physique.

Caldenia looked, and carried herself, like royalty, which she was–just not on this planet. Her platinum blonde hair was carefully set in a neat bun at the top of her head. Though she appeared to be an elegant middle-aged woman approaching 50, she was, in fact, nearing 200 times that.

"Is he bothering you dear?" Caldenia's concerned, otherworldly violet eyes settled on Dina's face. "Just say the word and it will be done," she offered patting Dina's shoulder with grandmotherly affection. "You know, werewolf is considered quite the delicacy, especially in a nice hot stew." She smiled, flashing a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.

Kyoko felt her gorge rise. I'm Dina, I'm Dina, she chanted internally, and Dina is NOT pregnant.

"Um, that won't be necessary Your Grace, but I appreciate your kind offer ever so much," Dina replied, executing a flawless bow. "Perhaps you'd like some tea?"

"Oh, yes, thank you dear." She smiled innocently and sat on the divan near the inn's back entry where she had clear view of the back orchard. Caldenia's teeth weren't the only things that were sharp.

Dina shuffled into the kitchen her fluffy beige robe billowing in her wake as the inn reacted to her mood by sending a tranquil breeze to soothe her emotions. "Viewscreen," she called. The inn shifted, answering her command. "Enlarge." Reaching to fetch Caldenia's tea, she saw Sean abruptly change course, calling, "Dina, don't worry. I told you I'd handle it and I am." Then he was gone.

"Evidently he's decided he has better things to do than poison my trees and flirt," Dina mused aloud. "High time."

Cut! The director called. That's a wrap for The Innkeeper scene 1! "Excellent job, you three,"Director Mark complimented, giving them an affirming nod.

Kuon suddenly appeared by her side, a playful grin on his face. He brushed his lips to hers in a light kiss, knowing, despite having been in America for a few years now, she was still uncomfortable with PDA. And they were working. "Don't worry babe, I know you'd never dream of harming your precious scepter."

"Shhhh!" she cried frantically, moving to elbow him in the ribs. Just like the character he was playing, Kuon had amazing reflexes. He dodged her easily.

"You can't talk like that here," she continued as she peered around, her laughter a stark contrast to her stern words. Much to her relief, no cast or crew were in their immediate vicinity.

His expression turned serious. "Are you ok?" Leave it to her husband to notice the barest change in her emotions. She treasured their ability to read each other so well. "I thought I noticed something when Michelle said - mmpphmm!"

Kyoko threw a hand over Kuon's mouth mercifully muffling his words. "Please don't repeat it!" she pleaded, eyes wide.

Three weeks ago they had discovered Kyoko was pregnant. Kuon was elated, practically floating with glee. She was excited too, but also terrified. The way a field mouse must feel as it scampered along, scrounging for food in a world full of large, sharp clawed predators.

And now the "morning sickness" had kicked in. It was proving to be a lot more complicated than she'd anticipated. Hopefully Michelle, the actress playing Caldenia, wouldn't have too many more lines like that, but she wasn't going to hold her breath.

A/N:

I really wanted to combine two of my favorites- Yoshiki Nakamura's Skip Beat! with Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Chronicles. So, I had Kyoko and Kuon act out a small scene based on the beginning of Clean Sweep, the first novel in the Innkeeper Chronicles. If you enjoyed this glimpse into that world, please go out and read the book. It's awesome and far more well–written. :)