Page 201 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

Kierse bit back a laugh. She was all hard-hitting confidence until it came to her parents finding out what she was doing. Joining the theater against their wishes was one thing. This was something else entirely.

Graves’s eyes met Kierse’s. The look curdled the laughter inside of her. She had to tell him about Lorcan. They had to talk about what had happened. And he had gotten much better at reading her without ever laying a hand on her.

She broke eye contact and sauntered across the room to take a seat next to Nate. Right now was neither the time nor place.

“You seem tense,” Nate said, throwing an arm across her shoulders.

“We’re stealing the cauldrontomorrow.”

Nate arched an eyebrow. “Normally you’re hyped up for this shit. Jonesing for some thievery.”

Damn her friends for knowing her too well.

She shoved Nate’s arm off her with a good-natured laugh. “I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Suit yourself,” Nate said.

Graves cleared his throat. “Let’s address the new factors. The troll revolt and the Men of Valor logos spray painted in the subways. It’s unclear if they’re going to make a move atthe conference while we’re busy, but it is a possibility. Nate and I will be on high alert throughout and we’ll have Walter with eyes in the sky. Otherwise, proceed as normal.”

“Lorcan will be there, too,” Kierse added.

Graves’s eyes skipped to her, and she looked away. She didn’t want him to see whatever was on her face. “Wonderful,” he said drily. “He better stay out of our fucking way.”

“He’s there to counter the Men of Valor. So I’d guess he’s on our side.”

When Kierse glanced at Gen, her best friend was staring bullets into her. There were questions in her eyes that Kierse had no answers for.

“Similar objectives doesn’t put himon our side,” Graves said.

“Okay,” Kierse agreed.

Graves was silent for a few seconds. She hoped he wasn’t piecing together something she didn’t want him to look too closely at. But eventually he moved on. “The convocation seats add a new layer to the plan,” he said, glancing to Nate. “There are two seats up for grabs. We know the Men of Valor are going to try to get both of them.”

Gen bit her lip. “How do we stop that from happening?”

“Nate is going to put himself forward for one of the seats.”

Nate jerked around. “What?”

“You were part of the treaty signing. You are well liked. You have an army of wolves behind you,” Graves said. “You’re an obvious choice.”

“But I’ll be busy with this,” he said, gesturing to the heist party.

“Voting will be after,” Graves said. “You’ll do your job with this, put your hat in the race, and all goes well, we’ll be voting you in to the convocation this weekend.”

“Fuck,” Nate said. “Maura is going to kill me.”

“She’ll be fine with it,” Kierse told him.

“You’re perfect for the job, Nate,” Gen told him.

He groaned. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Good,” Graves said. “Everyone else set? Laz?”

“All wards are in place. I’m set for transport tomorrow.”

“Schwartz?”

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