Page 74

Ryder did not look happy about it. “Then I’ll be there, too.”

Slowly Caemorn turned his silver-eyed gaze on Ryder. It was such a cold and distant look as if Caemorn were staring down at an insect. “Won’t you have your hands full? You have to ensure that Lawson leaves tomorrow, do you not?”

Ryder’s jaw worked. He didn’t back down from Caemorn even though many strong people would have. He didn’t respond though. Finally, Caemorn tipped his head.

“Pleasure to meet you, Grayson. You will be collected tomorrow at the appropriate time,” Caemorn said.

The Kaly Vampire turned neatly on his heel and walked off, his cane tapping on the ground. Grayson’s shoulders slumped. He was suddenly exhausted.

“Come, let’s get you back,” Ryder said gently, putting a hand on Grayson’s shoulder.

“Y-yeah, that sounds good.” Grayson nodded.

“Will you be all right by yourselves? I want to talk to our people and… check in on Lawson and Natasha,” Demos said.

“That sounds good. Keep me apprised?” Ryder asked.

“Will do.” Demos nodded his head and stalked off.

Grayson watched as Demos headed off towards the Weryn. They were all dressed--seeming in versions of black leather and fur--and staring intently at Grayson and Ryder. In fact, the intensity of some of their stares were strong enough to burn through metal. Ryder glanced over, but seemed mostly unmoved by their looks.

“Let’s go,” Ryder said, putting a possessive-protective hand on Grayson’s lower back.

“Heading back to the dorm. See you two later!” Grayson waved to Eiji and Mairead.

Seeing Ryder’s hand on him, Mairead simply lifted her eyebrows. Eiji waved back and the two of them headed towards a grouping of Vampires. They were going to break the ice. The Ashyr Vampire and Balthazar were nowhere to be seen. He wondered if Balthazar had changed her mind about what she’d seen Grayson do. He didn’t know what to think about that. He was slightly ashamed at the relief he felt at the thought that she might not remember what he’d done.

He and Ryder walked in silence back towards the dorm. Grayson’s mind flitted from one image to the next of the parade, of Lawson, of Ryder’s holding him. The last he got rather stuck on.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea that you’re around me so much?” Grayson asked.

Ryder’s eyebrows rose as he turned to Grayson. “What do you mean?”

“Your people--the other Weryn--didn’t look happy about it. Lawson’s anger was focused on that, too. He was pissed because he thought that you were not going to hold the line about the whole no-fledglings thing,” Grayson said quietly.

“He had no true reason for his behavior,” Ryder growled.

Grayson had to admit that he liked the fact that Ryder didn’t think there was any acceptable reason for what Lawson had done.

“Yeah, but your people are going to think you’re breaking from tradition, because they’ll think you’re courting me? What do you call starting a relationship with someone you want to turn?” Grayson asked.

“Courting is appropriate.” Ryder smiled. “You do not need to worry about the Weryn. Demos will calm them. And once Lawson leaves tomorrow, the rest of the issues will be solved.”

“Will he leave?” Grayson asked.

Ryder frowned and Grayson had the urge to tease those lips back up into a smile. “King Daemon requested I be the representative of the Weryn here. Lawson must go.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Grayson lied, though he hoped it was true.

They reached the dorm and went up the steps to the doors. They slowed down then. Grayson assumed that Ryder would leave, meet up with Demos, deal with Lawson and the fallout. But Ryder gestured for Grayson to precede him into the dorm.

“You’re going to walk me to my door?” Grayson smiled.

“I am going to spend the night with you,” Ryder stated simply.

Grayson blinked. “You’re going to--”

“Keep you safe, Grayson,” Ryder told him. “I will do whatever it takes to accomplish this. So… may I come up?”