Page 203 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“Graves, my boy!” Kingston crowed.

“Kingston.” A smile appeared on Graves’s face, almost unbidden. He was clearly displeased with his mentor’s unannounced arrival, and yet somehow, Kingston could still manage to get a smile out of him. “What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t think I’d miss this Monster Conference that you’re hosting.”

“I’m not hosting,” Graves said.

“It’s in your city!” Kingston said, pulling his top hat from his head and tucking it under his arm. He was a penguin of a man, the picture-perfect caricature of a British gentleman. Complete with suit tails, crisp white cravat, and shiny black cane.

“That doesn’t mean…” Graves began.

But Kingston cut him off, turning to face Kierse. “Hello, my dear.”

“You remember my former mentor, Kingston Darby,” Graves said. He gestured to Kierse. “Kingston, my apprentice, Miss McKenna.”

The formality took her by surprise. She had been so used to him using her first name or even her nickname that her last name felt like a barb.

“Kierse,” she said quickly as she held her hand out.“Feel free to call me Kierse.”

Kingston took it and shook vigorously.

“I certainly do remember her,” Kingston said. His smile was wide and sharp as knives. “When my apprentice takes on his own apprentice, it is always of note. Though I believed you a wren.” Kingston glanced at Graves and back. “You managed to keep one alive.”

“Barely,” Kierse joked.

Graves shrugged. “We’ll see for how long.”

“Charming,” Kingston said with a laugh as he clapped Graves on the back. “Well, the pleasure is mine as always, Kierse. Are you attending the conference as well?”

“I’m not,” Kierse said.

“Well, that’s a bloody shame. We could use some more warlocks present.”

“That’s questionable,” Graves said, glancing at Kierse, silently willing her not to contradict the statement.

She wasn’t stupid enough to do so. Graves only trusted Kingston about as far as he could throw him. He might like the man and open up around him, but trust was a different matter. Yet another thing they had in common.

“You never did like the thought of our kind being out amongst the other monsters,” Kingston said.

“Indeed,” Graves agreed. “Bottom feeders.”

“Well, I won’t disagree with that sentiment. Most monsters are self-centered and single-minded.”

“Not so different than yourself,” Graves muttered.

Kingston guffawed. “I have my moments.”

“As does Graves,” Kierse said easily. “How long are you staying?”

“Well, I certainly can’t leave before the festivities,”Kingston argued.

“Go home,” Graves cajoled.

“The convention is only a few days, and you’ll need more voices of reason with this Treaty discussion happening.”

“Which is precisely why you should leave.”

“I am reasonable,” Kingston argued with a laugh.

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