Page 141 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“Then you know that we need him.”

“Who?” Gen asked, glancing between them.

“Walter Rodriguez,” Kierse said.

“Who?” everyone repeated.

“It’s not an option,” Graves added.

Kierse huffed. “Walter was Graves’s apprentice before me.”

“Were you fucking him, too?” Laz muttered under his breath.

Graves shot him a sharp look, but the rest laughed. The fact that they could even joke with Graves was shocking. Revelatory.

“He has the ability to push his force-field magic into wards and combine it with computer systems. He kept Graves out of Third Floor. If he’s that powerful, we want him onourside,” Kierse told him. “If we leave him to himself, he might start working for them again.”

“If he helps us, we let him in on the take, and he could become that much more powerful.”

“Are you worried he would rival you?” Kierse challenged.

“No,” Graves said slowly. “I do not worry about that. But I am not in favor of giving more power to people with questionable loyalties.”

“They were allyourapprentices, Graves,” she said with pointed look. “Maybe the common denominator is you.”

“Maybe it is, but it doesn’t change that Walter is aliability. He’s powerful enough.”

“You don’t even know if he’ll ask for more power. Just because it’s what you’re after.”

Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how Graves would react. They could needle him, but Kierse was the only one who pushed. She was right about this. Laz had admitted he wasn’t the best. They needed the best.

“I’ll find out what he wants,” Graves finally said.

A breath released from the room. Kierse felt it a victory he’d given in, ever so slightly.

“Schwartz?” Graves asked.

“If I’m healed up in time, then I’m on the detail for the next assignment,” he said. Then tipped his head at Gen. “Thanks to your little healer, I should be a go for the con.”

“Good. You’ll be on duty, though. We’ll need backup. Possibly someone else invited to the event,” he said softly. His gaze slipped to hers. He sighed like he hated the question he was about to ask.

“What?” Kierse asked warily.

“Nathaniel O’Connor?”

Her eyes lit up. “You want toworkwith Nate?”

Last winter he’d gone ballistic at her for working with Nate, and now he wanted to bring himinto the fold?

“‘Want’ might be the wrong word,” Graves admitted, “but he’s the Dreadlord alpha. He’ll have an invite, and he’s on our side, right?”

“My side, at least,” she agreed.

“Good enough for me,” Graves said. “Would he do it?”

“I can ask him,” she said.

“We’re going to his engagement party next weekend,” Gen said brightly. “You should come.”

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