Gray stood rooted to the floor.

There was no way he was going to let this happen.

Not without a fight.

'No,' said Gray hoarsely.

'Take a breath, kid,' said Killian.

'Baldwin - he - you need me for the griffins,' said Gray.

Very precisely, Jessica raised her eyebrows. 'Are you talking back to me, Griffin?'

'That man,' said Gray, keeping his words steady, 'he was just a man. He wasn't Wilde's agent. He was calling for Killian. He was fighting the neighbours. Then he left, but there was a strange man afterwards-'

'He came here to take you,' said Jessica, her entire bearing controlled and still. 'You realise that?'

'So?' Gray gripped his hand hard in his air.

'You played right into his hands!'

'He didn't take me, though. He couldn't. He wasn't anything to do with Wilde.'

The words came out more heated than he intended.

Both Jessica and Killian doubletaked.

'I had to do something. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but else I would've been taken. And it worked. I'm fine. Everyone here is fine.'

'Fine?' said Jessica.

'Kid,' said Killian warningly.

'He didn't take me and he wasn't Wilde's agent,' said Gray, controlling his tone. 'Look, there was a man, closing your door, after everything. I thought it was a man from the party. But - he - his hair was elbow length. Dark. Longer than I've seen on anyone here. He - I didn't see him again - but he was probably the one who pinned the note, and he wasn't anything with magic-'

'What?' said Jessica, her eyes razor-sharp.

'He - it wasn't anyone - there was no signature, but his movement was off. But I was distracted - this wasn't a sorcerer attack, it wasn't Conor, it's wasn't-'

'Why did all the hair just go up on the back of my neck?' said Killian, softly. 'This man was in my house, Gray?'

He didn't even wait for an answer. He limped away, banging open doors, and then stalked up the stairs.

'Off?' said Jessica, her voice losing its steely edge, and turning into something restrained but no less formidable. 'What do you mean, off?'

'He - moved like an Other. His air,' said Gray, covering his eyes and trying to block out her glare, the warm light light, all distractions, 'it was muted. Stifled.'

There was a resounding silence.

Gray slowly lowered his hand, his face hot, knowing he sounded like a damn idiot.

Jessica stared at him, her lips parted. She turned her back to Gray, a hand on the back of her neck. She let out a soft expletive.

'Fey,' she said.

'No,' said Gray firmly. 'Unless a fey can have no magic.'

Jessica turned back to Gray. 'What about a fey that's had his power stripped?'

'I don't,' said Gray, 'I don't know what that is.'

Killian returned, face a shuttered mask. 'All clear.'

'Can a fey get past your wards?' said Jessica, briskly.

Killian's expression flickered for a fraction of a second.

Gray looked between Killian and Jessica.

'The wards should still alert the street,' said Killian softly, 'they should still activate, at the very least. But if there was a commotion, it might get in unnoticed.'

'The house is absolutely clear?' said Jessica.

'It's clear,' said Killian.

'I'll send for a team to check the street,' said Jessica. 'Gray, look at the note. Don't touch it.'

Hand clasped in his hair, Gray edged forward and inspected the note.

It was just a plain piece of parchment. One side was jagged. Torn. And all that was on it was the red X.

There was no enchantment, no jinx, no trace on the paper, as far as Gray could tell.

Now that Gray had studied runes in such detail for a couple days, he could see the X was drawn differently to the X on his wrist. The angle of the strokes was slightly pinched.

There was a tense beat.

'What?' said Jessica.

'It's,' said Gray, 'it's just an X on a paper. There's no magic, no intent here. But, they've drawn it differently, to Wilde's X.'

'I'd say that's a near perfect Wilde's X,' said Jessica.

Gray dropped his gaze to his wrist. The the leather wrap covering his mark.

'It's nothing,' said Gray. He glanced at them. 'Nothing,' he repeated reassuringly. 'Just a piece of paper.'

Is this something to do with the fey working with Conor at the barracks? Gray was dying to ask. But he wasn't sure if he was supposed to know about that, and he didn't want to test Jessica's temper any more than he already had.

The tendons on Jessica's neck were standing out. She was subtly repositioning her stance.

'It's fine,' rushed out Gray, before Jessica could say what he feared she was about to say. 'I promise-'

'Hush, kid. Jessica, this is typical sorcerer tactics. Everything's already set, maybe it's good you're taking the kid far away.'

'It'll endanger the job,' said Jessica. 'It'll endanger my team. Conor Griffin, Wilde, fey. Tracking This is a real problem.'

'It's not going to be a problem,' said Gray. 'It's not a problem.'

Slowly, Jessica raised her eyebrows. 'They know the wards around Killian's home. They either orchestrated for someone to come in to cause a ruckus, or they waited until they had their opportunity to come in unnoticed. They sent in a fey with no magic, so it could get past you. To pin a - a threat to the door? Something's going on here.'

Gods.

'Yeah,' said Gray, straining to keep his tone neutral. 'Yeah, that's bad. But it's not going to be a problem, I'm not going to let it interfere with anything-'

'You're,' said Jessica, 'not going to let it interfere with anything?'

'I don't mean-' Gray rushed out.

'Do I need to remind you what happened to your entire family?' said Jessica. 'You don't think the Griffin home had wards, guards, strong mages, every measure, a plan, to keep them safe?'

'You don't need to remind me of that,' said Gray, losing control of his tone. 'Don't threaten to take me off the Krydon job-'

'You call me ma'am,' said Jessica. There was the barest hint of bared teeth behind her words. 'And you don't talk like that to me, mage.'

Gray froze, shocked. His pulse beat his ears.

'The neighbours said this officer picked you up and carried you off. It was absurdly easy for him. You didn't fight him off. You didn't slip out of his hold and run. You resorted to illegal - very dangerous - use of magic to stop him. It could've endangered innocent civilians.'

Her breath was in Gray's face.

'And you waited almost ten damn minutes to tell me there was an Other at this door.'

Gray kept himself rigidly still, his hands pressed against his side.

'Did I miss anything, mage?'

Gray flinched as he felt specks of her spit.

He'd never heard Jessica like this. Not when Sorena had run away, not when she fought with Killian. This was a woman with a voice and words as brutally cold and stinging as Baldwin's. Her presence was growing.

And she'd hit on exactly what was beating a pounding rhythm of doubt within Gray. She was right. Gray hadn't fought properly. He'd let go of his magic.

'No ma'am.' Gray's muscles locked. He braced for the hit of more words.

'I can't hear you,' said Jessica.

'No, ma'am. I'm sorry.'

But, then,

'Let me handle this,' said Killian. 'Why don't you clean up? You can use my shower. Then we can run through the data here.'

There was a long pause. Gray didn't dare raise his head. Didn't move.

'Please, Jess,' said Killian.

There was another silence. Floorboards creaked as she shifted her weight. Then, she strode up the stairs, and a few seconds later, the sounds of water running through the pipes whistled through the house.

There was a heavy sigh from Killian.

'Has Jessica explained how important it is to follow instructions?' said Killian. 'Or your trainers?'

Gray's jaw was locked.

'Talk, when I ask you a question, please,' said Killian.

It took a second for Gray to relax his jaw. To summon words.

'Yes.'

'They've made it very clear?' said Killian.

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'Yes.'

'Unmistakably clear?'

'They've made it clear,' said Gray.

'They should've fucking hammered it into you, Gray. They should've made it the first damn lesson, before you moved onto anything else. It needs to be your first instinct.'

'They have,' said Gray. 'I messed up. It's my fault.'

'They should be training your damn reflexes. They should've been drilling you so hard that no one can touch you. No one can grab you because you're too damn fast. Have they been doing this?'

'Yes,' said Gray.

Killian raised his eyebrows.

'Yes, sir,' said Gray.

'I'm not looking for a sir, I want you to sound confident.' Killian's lips were white.

'Yes.'

'That shit you're pulling, the sensitivity you have, identifying a powerless fey, from - where were you, down the damn street? - is very good. The wandless magic, strong enough to destroy the street is … is damn terrifying. Gods, Gray. Did you throw your magic stat test? Hold back? 78 is high but, that,' Killian pointed towards the street with two sharp fingers, 'that is higher than 78.'

'No,' said Gray. 'I'm pretty sure it all came out. It all got measured.'

'Pretty sure?' said Killian.

'I'm sure,' said Gray.

Killian was very still. 'OK. Fine. It's fine. Regardless, none of this is any good if you can't follow a basic order, you're second guessing yourself, and you get owned by the first thug that comes along.'

Killian heaved out a strong breath.

'Who's teaching you?' he said. 'Hunark? Whitlock?'

Gray nodded.

Killian rubbed his forehead. 'OK, they know their stuff, they're good teachers. You know what I mean when I say training reflexes, right?'

'Yeah,' Gray said. 'Yes-'

Killian reached out a hand, so fast, that Gray only felt the wind of it whipping past his face, and then the sharp smack to the side of his head.

Gray grabbed the side of his head. 'What the hell-'

Killian snagged Gray's ear, tugged it hard.

'Ouch.'

When Killian's hand shot out a third time, Gray dodged, his ears ringing.

Killian didn't say a word. His next open hand came flying out of nowhere. Gray dodged again, and Killian's hand cracked the air just shy of Gray's nose.

Another strike. Gray twisted to the side, and Killian's palm whistled past him.

'They've been teaching me this,' said Gray. 'We do this at school, too.'

'OK,' said Killian. 'Good.'

He feinted left and smacked the side of Gray's head again.

Gray clutched his head. 'Damn it, Killian.'

'You are not responsible for breaking up every fight,' said Killian. 'You aren't responsible for keeping the peace. You're responsible for keeping yourself safe, obeying Jessica, and adhering Lismere's laws.' There was a beat. 'And if I tell you to stay on the inside of a locked door unless I'm with you, I bloody mean it. This all could've been prevented if you'd just done as I'd told you.'

Gray lowered his hand from his throbbing head. He nodded.

He made himself stand still, and kept looking at Killian's pale, tight, and utterly disappointed face.

'And the northerners will probably be fighting, hm? They're not going to be happy for Jessica to show up with a group of soldiers and mages, judging by our reception last time.'

Gray let out a small breath.

Definitely not.

'What are you going to do,' said Killian, 'if you see northerners arguing with our soldiers, and your orders are to follow a select path through Krydon, and to do it before sundown?'

Gray wiped his hands over his shorts, seeking his pockets. But he somehow missed them, and he ended up clasping his hands together, entwining his fingers.

'Jessica's group,' said Gray, quietly, because this was a very real concern, it had crossed his mind several times, and he wasn't looking forward to returning to Krydon and everyone there seeing him working with the Auguste soldiers, 'they're not going to be like your treasure league-?'

Killian swiftly bent, so he was eye-to-eye with Gray. This close, Gray could see the sore red edging Killian's dark gaze. The healing gashes, cuts, scrapes, bruises. There were half-moon fingernail cuts on his stubbled chin, from where someone - Conor, maybe a fey - had grabbed Killian's jaw.

'You need to be prepared for it not to be pretty, Gray. So, what are you going to do?'

He knew the answer Killian was expecting.

And he knew he'd do what he needed to, to get the vampiric sorcerer. Because catching the vampiric sorcerer wasn't just for Alistair or Rowan, it was also for the rest of the people in Krydon who were in danger of becoming the next one hanged.

He didn't want anyone else to go through that.

'I'll focus on the job at hand,' said Gray, heavily. 'I'll follow my orders. I want this vampiric sorcerer stopped, more than anything.'

Killian straightened.

'Good,' said Killian. 'And you're not going to let this get into your head, are you? That bastard of an officer taught you a good lesson. You're not going to be caught off guard again, are you?'

Gray lowered his gaze. 'No.'

'A sorcerer,' said Killian, 'for all their power, they're no match for an Auguste officer in a physical fight. That bastard is as bad as you're going to face.'

Gray felt his face crumple into a wince.

'You sense something, anything outside of Jessica's plan, you tell her immediately. You stop every damn thing, you interrupt, you tell her. If she's not available, you tell the next person of authority.'

'I promise.'

'Very good,' said Killian. 'I'll tell Jessica that. And I'll tell Baldwin, so hopefully he'll want this whole thing to continue as planned. I can't promise you anything, but I'll see what I can do.'

Gray let out a cold breath, pressing his cool hands against his hot face.

'You owe me,' said Killian.

'Yes,' said Gray.

'No, I mean you owe me. I've been tap dancing for a while with Baldwin already.'

'Tap dancing?'

'Delicate negotiations. To get him to agree to let you live with Barin Haxley.'

Gray lowered his hands.

Time stood still.

'What?' said Gray.

'It wasn't easy, let me tell you. It was bloody unpleasant, actually.'

'Wait,' said Gray. His breath was caught. His mind. 'What?'

'Codder found them,' said Killian.

Seeping disbelief was washing through Gray, fighting with numbness. Fear. Killian pressed Alistair's - Harriette's - dented pocketwatch into Gray's hand.

Gray curled his fingers around it.

This couldn't be real.

But, it was right here. The pocketwatch in Gray's hand, cool to touch.

'Are - are they OK?' said Gray.

'Happy as lambs. Why didn't you tell me Codder threatened your family?'

'He,' said Gray, fighting to cling onto words, 'I … they're OK?'

'They're fine,' said Killian.

'Codder didn't -? He's not going to - and you're not going to ..?'

'What?' said Killian. 'I'm not going to hurt them. No one's going to hurt them. Not Baldwin, not Codder. I've got him so tightly under my thumb the fucker can't move.'

Relief flooded Gray, a racing warm tide, from toe tip to head.

Gray wanted to sink to the ground. He made himself stay standing. He locked his knees, like the world wasn't swaying.

'You're not - going to put them in prison?'

'It'll be a little hard for them to take care of you from prison, Gray. No.'

Gray let out a breath.

'They were hiding at the port here, about to flee to Foix,' said Killian. 'Baldwin's already agreed to a pardon, the paperwork's being drawn up. So you better do everything in your power to come out of Krydon safe, so you can go live with them, hm?'

Killian kept talking, but Gray's mind was racing, because there was no way Barin would've accepted to take Gray back.

'… Nice guardian, by the way,' Killian was saying, 'I don't know why the damn you'd prefer that man over the consort palace, but you seemed hellbent on not going there, and you can't stay here. It's been a pretty shitty summer for you, huh? You didn't even get to see your horse …' Killian faded out. 'I thought this would make you happy.'

Gray's hands trembled around the watch.

'That was me trying to cheer you the hell up, kid.' Killian shifted, surveying Gray. 'You've been banging on about Barin and Harriette since I met you.'

'I am happy,' said Gray. 'Thank you. Thank you so much.'

Killian frowned.

'Harriette's OK?' said Gray quickly.

'She's completely fine.'

'You,' said Gray, 'saw them?'

'Yes,' said Killian. 'Harriette, short auburn hair. Intelligent. I have no idea how she came out of Haxley.'

'You spoke to Barin?'

'Yeah, I spoke to him,' said Killian.

Gray waited. Barin taking Gray back was so unexpected and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

Killian's frown deepened.

'Baldwin wasn't pleased about the whole idea,' said Killian. 'I've convinced him that you'll be heartbroken if you can't go live with your family. He'll be monitoring. It'll just be for your holidays, anyway, you'll be boarding at the guild for most of the year …'

Gray was barely processing Killian's words. He pocketed the watch. Got it back out so he could hold it.

'So, you know,' said Killian, 'try and act happy when you see them.'

'I am happy.' Gray's voice cracked.

'Well,' said Killian. 'Good.'

Gray stalled, staring at Killian.

'Don't hug me,' said Killian.

'I wasn't going to,' said Gray. 'I was going to give you one of these…' He jabbed Killian on the shoulder.

'That's acceptable, I guess,' said Killian.

'I,' said Gray, quickly, because he had to say this, but it'd be less painful if he just ripped it off, like a plaster, 'I can't ever repay you, you know. Thank you.'

Killian waved a dismissive hand. 'When I said you owe me, I wasn't being serious. I scared them off in the first place.'

'Yeah,' said Gray, hesitantly. 'You were kind of diabolical.'

Killian grinned a much too toothy grin. 'Yeah, I was. Thanks.'

Gray ducked his face, unable to bring himself to smile back. 'I'm seeing them tomorrow?'

'Not tomorrow, you won't have time,' said Killian. 'Everything going well with Krydon, you'll see them back up there. We'll fahren them to the Tipsy Stag Tavern when Krydon's safe. So, follow your orders to make it safe.'

Gray nodded.

'You're going to have to have guards.'

'Oh,' said Gray, surprised. 'At the tavern?'

'Of course.' Killian paused, as though weighing his words. 'The guards will be in Baldwin's ear. If Baldwin's not happy with things, he will put you in the consort palace.' Killian examined Gray. 'Do I need to give you a rundown of what Baldwin will deem acceptable behaviour from Barin?'

This sobered Gray up. He tugged at the sleeve of his sweater, frowning, his stomach hot.

'No,' said Gray. 'I think I have a good idea.'

'You do?' said Killian evenly.

'Barin's a good man,' said Gray. 'He just doesn't know about mage stuff.'

'He cannot cut and sell your hair to make his own personal fortune,' said Killian swiftly. 'The hair thing could be a huge issue. Don't let him do it. If the guards see Barin doing that, the guards will not be happy. And Baldwin …'

Gray got a sudden vision of Barin's face when he realised he'd be host to a bunch of guards. The danger that Gray would constantly be putting Harriette in.

'Hm?' said Killian.

Gray's gaze slid to the side.

'I can't stay here?' said Gray, his heart beginning to thud. 'It's - close to the mage guild, and the alchemy academy. And I'm quiet and clean, you know? You won't even know I'm here.'

Killian stared at him with such open surprise that Gray felt his ears turn red.

'You want to stay here?' said Killian.

'Sorry,' muttered Gray. 'Never mind. It was a stupid idea.'

'No.' Killian gestured to the note with the X and Finola's proposal. 'No.'

'Course,' muttered Gray.

'Forget this,' said Killian, pointing at the X again, 'they won't let me work with you in any capacity if you're living here and I'm cutting the crusts off your sandwiches and reading you bedtime stories.'

Work with you?

'You know I'm almost fifteen, right?' said Gray. 'I can read bedtime stories to myself now.'

'You understand?'

'Yeah,' said Gray. 'You know - I'm not interested in -'

'-in joining the military,' finished Killian. 'I hear you.'

Gray let out a ribboned breath.

'I know you're a nerd at heart,' said Killian. 'You know my offer. I'm not going to push. It's important to me to leave that door open, in case Baldwin and you ever do change your minds about signing. You know, when Baldwin officially declares you not a demon spawn.'

Killian gave a half grin. 'Hm?'

Gray stared hard at the kitchen bench.

'And …' said Killian, 'that offer's always on the table for you. You say the word, Baldwin says yes, and you're in, no questions asked, and I'm going to prioritize getting your stats up high, fast. I want to make that crystal clear.'

Gray's chest was tight.

'You all right?' said Killian.

Gray dropped his gaze. Nodded.

'You're not hurt?'

'No.'

'You got bruising on your throat,' said Killian.

'Oh.' Gray raised his hand, brushing his neck. 'Uh, it doesn't hurt. I think it's from training. The officer just - he just used my shirt, picked me up, he didn't hurt me…'

Gray's voice was in danger of betraying him and he closed his mouth tight.

'Bed,' said Killian.

Gray hesitated.

'But first apologise to Jessica.'

'Apologise?' said Gray.

'Just do it, please. Arriving here with the street messed up, an X on the door, and you gone, was not fun. You have the face of a baby deer, and putting you in harm's way is fucking with her conscience. Go show her you're fine. Say sorry for messing up and for speaking to her like she's not a Colonel. She's been dealing with the situation at the barracks all day and night. She hasn't slept.'

Gray nodded.

'Then, bed,' said Killian. 'I don't want you up before ten am. Understood?'

Gray nodded again.

He silently retreated up the stairs.

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