Kaden was pretty pleased with how the day had turned out. So far, he'd earmarked two possible recruits for the security team, and an elderly, yet highly qualified, legal secretary for Thorn.

He glanced at Ryver. Quite apart from that weird-as-hell episode first thing this morning, the strain of listening to everyone he came into contact with was beginning to show. The guy's mood had grown darker as the interviews progressed. Kaden sighed, feeling just a little guilty for making him do this so soon after having been released from Soraya's care.

He checked his list. "According to this, that was the last one."

"Thank fuck for that," Mercury called out from the doorway. "I'm starvin', and I don't reckon much on Bowman hospitality."

"I wouldn't let Master Bowman hear you say that."

"Crane Bowman can go fuck himself," Ryver said.

Kaden raised an eyebrow at the young Guardian.

"What's got in your wick?" Mercury asked.

Ryver's perma-scowl didn't relent. "I've been listening to that prick all day. He's so full of self-importance, even his thoughts are louder than everyone else."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Kaden replied. "Anything I need to worry about?"

Ryver's brow furrowed further. "Maybe. If I didn't know the Fallen took his father's life, I'd say definitely. He's conflicted. He despises what the Fallen did to his family, but I'm starting to think he might hate House Blackwood more for allowing it to happen."

"Great," Kaden replied.

"See. This is why it's a stupid fuckin' idea to invite the whole bloody race to this handfasting."

"Yes, thank you, Mercury. Very helpful."

"I think it's a good idea to keep him away from Lena," Ryver continued. "There's definitely no love lost there."

"I think the feeling is mutual," Kaden replied. "I don't think we'll have much trouble keeping them apart."

Ryver cocked his head to one side. "He holds her responsible."

"For what?"

"For his father's death."

Well wasn't that just wonderful?

* * *

Ryver's gaze shot to the door. He could hear the Vampire hovering in the hallway. He couldn't help but smirk at the pep talk the guy was giving himself, gearing himself up to introduce himself to the formidable Kaden of House Blackwood. The boss man still instilled fear in his Warriors from time to time, so he shouldn't be surprised that a civilian would be petrified of him.

As the Vampire paced the corridor, reminding himself only to speak when spoken to, Ryver realised there was something familiar about his mental voice. He listened harder, hearing the man reassuring himself that if could handle the Steward of the Watch and the King with the correct amount of respect and decorum, then he could man up and face the Keeper. He focused on remembering all the work he'd put into the as yet unused communication suite in the bunker, determined to show his worth to Kaden.

His experience was impressive and would put even Mercury to shame.

Ryver realised why the guy's voice sounded familiar. Unlike his older brother, however, he held nothing but the deepest respect for House Blackwood. He wanted nothing more than to escape Crane's scheming, to make his mother proud. He knew neither of them would be happy with him leaving, but he knew he was right.

Ryver smiled. "I think I've found your comms expert,” he told the other two.

"What are you talkin' about? Kaden just said we'd seen 'em all."

"This one didn't formally apply," Ryver replied.

"Why not?" Kaden asked.

Ryver cocked his head, listening again. "Because his mother thinks him an embarrassment and his brother doesn't want anything to do with the Order. He didn't want them to know, but he always intended to talk to you."

"Huh?"

"Who is he?" Kaden asked.

"Roarke of House Bowman."

Kaden smirked. "Of course. Lena told me about the comms suite in the safe room. If it had actually been online when she and Thorn were stuck down there it would have been able to hail someone on Pluto."

"You sure about this, bruv?" Mercury asked.

Ryver nodded. "Positive."

"Good enough for me. Boss, whaddya reckon?"

Kaden looked at Ryver, then the door. "You can come in now, Master Bowman," he called out.

All three of them had to stifle a snigger as Roarke's head popped around the corner. The guy's eyes were impossibly wide, staring at them incredulously, before his body caught up with his head and he stumbled into his brother's cramped office. "How did you know it was me?"

Mercury barked a laugh, walked over and clapped his younger brother on the back. "You musta 'eard of the great mind reader, Ryver of House Blackwood, right?"

"He's real?"

Ryver heard the guy's immediate response. "Yeah. I'm real."

"Holy Goddess in Faerie." The guy's eyes were now impossibly wide. "Y-you c-can hear e-everything?"

Ryver expected fear and doubt. There was always fear and doubt. Being a telepath always freaked people out. They doubted whether the phenomenon was real. When they realised it was true, the fear crept in. They worried about their secrets. They worried about their deepest desires. They worried about everything. Nobody liked having their whole soul bared.

Roarke was different.

Somehow, he'd made it through his three hundred odd years without keeping any secrets. He'd lived as honourably as his mother and brother had allowed him. All he wanted was to make his father proud and to avenge his death. He had no other desires. He knew he'd never be a warrior despite his lineage. His only hope was that he could join the Order in some other capacity. When the Keeper of the Watch put out the call, he felt his prayers had been answered.

Interesting.

Ryver felt Kaden's icy stare before he let his mental shields down just enough to shout, "WE GOOD?"

Ryver flinched. Why did everyone think they needed to shout when they wanted him to hear something? Too tired to bother reminding them, he just nodded his reply.

Kaden returned the gesture. "Good enough. Master Bowman, we find ourselves in need of a comms expert."

Roarke was too shocked to say anything. He just stood there wide-eyed and open-mouthed, not believing his luck.

"Pack up your stuff. You start tonight."

"Y-yes, S-Sir."

"Please tell me that means we can leave now?" Mercury asked.

"Yes. It means we can go."

"Yes!" Mercury fist bumped the air. "No offence, kid, but I 'ave been 'ere way too long already."

Roarke grinned. "No offence taken, Sir."

Kaden and Mercury led the way from the cramped office, back up the corridor. The butler met them halfway and insisted on escorting them to the front door. Once all four of them had stepped outside, Ryver could hear the butler's surprise when Master Roarke appeared to be leaving with them.

The guy cleared his throat. "The Maluth is expecting you to join her in the drawing room, Master Roarke."

Roarke's resolve faltered at the mention of his mother. "I... I... Um."

"Shall I tell her you will be delayed?"

Ryver caught the looks Mercury and Kaden gave each other and willed Roarke to find his balls. He hadn't even left House Bowman yet and it looked as though his adventure with the Order was going to be over before it had even started. C'mon, kid. Man the fuck up!

Ryver could hear him, the knowledge that he had to stand up for himself forefront in the guy's mind.

Roarke took a deep breath. "Sparrow, please inform my mother that I shan't be joining her for some time. The Keeper of the Watch has requested my presence at House Blackwood. I have important work to do and orders to fulfill. I am honour bound to leave with the brethren."

Sparrow stood there aghast. Ryver had to hide a smirk behind his hand. Unfortunately, he locked gazes with Mercury who couldn't look more amused at the butler's predicament, and he barely caught the snort that threatened to break loose.

He turned his attention back to Roarke and Sparrow. The butler had the unenviable task of informing Larissa Bowman that her youngest son was leaving her House. To his credit, Sparrow could see the honour in serving House Blackwood; unfortunately for him, he knew his mistress would not. Leaving one House for another was no trivial matter. Many Maluths saw it as a slight. And although Roarke could not be leaving for a more honourable or respectable House than House Blackwood, Ryver doubted whether Larissa would see it that way. Crane definitely wouldn't.

Sparrow recovered enough to tell Roarke he would pass the message on, but Ryver knew he didn’t relish the thought.

Roarke nodded and turned to Kaden. "I'm ready whenever you are, Sir."

Mercury clapped him on the back. "About bloody time!"

Roarke gave him a weak smile before they all dematerialised to House Blackwood.