Page 176 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“Maybe,” Kierse said, meaningno, he doesn’t. “Let’s just get this training over with.”

They hopped off the train and headed down Broadway. Niamh had suggested they meet her and Ethan outside Williamsburgh Savings Bank at dusk. The full moon was tracing an arc across the night sky as they stepped up to the large building.

Declan stood at the entrance. His beefy arms crossed, his eyes trained on her and Gen as they approached. A gun was holstered at his waist.

Kierse sighed heavily. Lorcan’s second had kidnapped her and held her at gunpoint. He’d disrespected Niamh in her presence. To say she wasn’t particularly fond of the man was an understatement.

“Declan,” Kierse said.

He sneered down at her. “You’re late.”

“Lorcan has you on guard duty?” she said with a smirk. “Good dog.”

His glare was ferocious as he took a threatening step toward her.

“Stop instigating him, Kierse,” Gen said, pushing her backward. “It’s good to see you again.”

Declan raised his eyebrows. “Is it?”

“No,” Kierse muttered.

“It is. I know you were just following orders,” Gen said, ever the peacemaker.

The door to the bank opened, and Niamh appeared. She wasn’t in the school-girl attire she’d worn in Dublin, or the cool business-casual look she’d adopted with theDruids. Tonight, she was in all-black athletic clothing—flared leggings, a tank top, and sneakers. She grinned down at the girls. “Having fun with the rabble?”

Declan shot her a glare. “Yourguestshave arrived.”

Niamh patted him twice on his arm. “Thanks, Dec.” She turned to Gen and Kierse. “Are you excited to get started?”

“I am,” Gen said. She pointed her thumb at Kierse. “She has beef with Lorcan.”

“Don’t we all,” Niamh said with a laugh. “What did he do this time?”

“Yes,” Lorcan asked as he stepped into the doorframe. “What have I done?”

Kierse faltered at the sight of him. She had to physically hold onto her anger like lightning in her chest. Because he, too, was out of his characteristic suit and instead wearing black joggers and a fitted gray T-shirt that stretched across his muscular chest. His dark hair was loose against his forehead, and those piercing blue eyes shot straight through her. The pulse of their connection was a brand against her sternum.

“You were supposed to wait inside,” Niamh chided him.

Lorcan didn’t even spare her a glance. “And you expected me to listen?”

“He never listens,” Niamh muttered under her breath. “Why don’t you two have it out, and I’ll get Gen and Ethan set up inside?”

Gen nodded vigorously. “Sounds like a plan.”

They darted inside, letting the door fall shut behind them.

Lorcan didn’t even look at Declan while dismissing him. “You’re no longer needed.”

Declan gave him a little salute before wandering off, his eyes continuing to look back at them.

“So, are you going to tell me what I’ve done?”

Kierse ground her teeth together. “The binding ceremony.”

“What about it?”

“You didn’ttellme about it.”

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