Page 169 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“Niamh said it’s best to start on the full moon, because we’ll be at full strength. That’s Tuesday.”

“Okay,” Kierse said with a sigh. “I’ll need the week to prepare to see Lorcan again, anyway.”

“And Niamh,” Gen said softly.

Kierse nodded at her friend. They were both a little fucked.

Graves stepped through the door of his library. Hishands were bare, and he ran one through his dark hair. The sight of him in that suit with the ferocious look on his face just made her want to drag him back upstairs.

“Everything all right?” Kierse asked.

“Laz is in place,” Graves said without preamble. “Schwartz was taken off of security from the Curator.”

“What?” Kierse and Gen gasped at the same time.

“Since the auction, the Curator decided to go with in-house security,” Graves said. “We’re going to have to find some other way to get him inside.”

“Fuck,” Kierse grumbled.

“Andyouinside,” Graves added. “Since we thought Schwartz would be able to bypass security for you.”

“Double fuck.”

“Plus, I just got the final information from the con. Increased security, due to the nature of the business—monsters—and the new collection being showcased.”

“Curator,” Gen said with a sigh.

Graves nodded. “No plus-ones are allowed inside the conference space at any point. Everyone will have a badge given to them at check-in with a bar scanner that matches a picture verification.”

“So Walter just adds me to the list,” Kierse said.

“Then they’d know you were there,” Walter said. “The uninvited thief.”

“Correct.” Graves glanced at Walter. “Rodriguez, you got anything for me?”

“In fact, I do.” He pressed a button, and a small printer Kierse hadn’t noticed at his side whirred to life. “This is the Monster Con schedule.”

“You had no difficulties getting into the con network?”

Walter looked up at him with skepticism. “Should I have? It took about three minutes.”

“Good,” Graves said. His eyes shot up to hers, and she mouthed,I told you so.He tipped his head at her in concession.

“I’ve reestablished your security net and reinforced it with my warding. I’m working on the problem of the Curator now. That might take me a little longer.” Walter ripped the papers off the printer and passed them to Graves. “I’d print the list of registrants, but it’s hundreds of monsters long. If you’re looking for anyone in particular, I can do a search for you. Otherwise I’ll send it to your email for review.”

“Excellent.”

Graves scanned the schedule that Walter had given him. Kierse abandoned the decoy to take a look at the second half of the papers and see what all the fuss was about.

Saturday, June 22nd 11:00 a.m.

The Rise and Fall of Vampires: A Comprehensive Look at the Changes in Blood Composition by leading experts in the field, including ex-Visage scientist Harry Hayward.

Saturday June 22nd 11:00 a.m.

The Monster Treaty: Pros and Cons for Wraiths including panelists Gregory Amberdash, Michelle Lombardy, James Van Dyken, and Anders Larsson.

Saturday June 22nd 11:00 a.m.

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