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Ryan looked to Lauren and asked, “Are you one of Gavin’s people?”
“I’m blood bound to him, so for your purposes as it pertains to this situation, I suppose I am.”
Gavin smiled. “She’s mine, but not my property. Also, while she’s possibly now properly classified as a magical human, please remember she’s still more fragile than the rest of us. She’s a fierce fighter and can hold her own, but I’d prefer she not be the first person into a room.”
Ryan looked at Kirsten and smirked. “I feel as if I’ve entered an alternate universe. My next question is whether you consider Gavin one of yours?”
Kirsten grinned back. “Right there with you, because the answer to your question is that my daughter loves him, and that makes him on the way to being part of the family. He’s welcome in my home as a guest, so long as he enters in appropriate ways. In an emergency, he can enter however he needs to.”
Gavin understood Kirsten was pointing out that the Slayer entered her home without an invitation and in inappropriate ways, and she expected Gavin would be better behaved.
The Slayer met Mordecai’s gaze and asked, “Will you and your people agree to follow me?”
“My people will have to speak for themselves, though I don’t see why they’d refuse. I will remain on the sidelines. An observer.”
Ryan nodded and looked to the wolf Alpha, who asked him, “Can you arrange a sit-down between me and the Slayer responsible for Branson?”
“I can do that. I assume this is a negotiation?”
“I’d like notification before one of my people comes under a death order, and I’d like to form a relationship with our Slayer, as the people in Chattanooga have been allowed to do with you.”
“I doubt any Slayer will agree to be bound to a notification clause, but in exchange for the service of you and your people for this op, I can certainly sit down with you and your Slayer in the coming weeks and encourage an amicable relationship.”
The Alpha bowed. “My people and I will follow you into battle. We are yours to command for a single two-hour period, the start time to be decided upon by you within the next three days.”
“I accept your terms.”
“And I yours.”
* * * *
Lauren felt the promise when the two men shook hands. She knew that in Faerie, the land recorded the promise, but this felt more as if the magic in this realm recorded it.
What just happened?She asked Gavin.
Interesting that you felt it. Much as a blood bond is a tangible thing, some agreements become so, when created with intentional magic. Both the Alpha and the Slayer lent their magic, and the deal became real.
And if it’s broken?
It isn’t like Faerie, where the magic will retaliate, but most of us believe the karmic returns are more intense.
I don’t think Ryan has figured out what to do with me yet.
Ryan and your mother are friends, so I believe he hopes he doesn’t have to do anything with you, but he’s also trying to make it look as if his friendship with your mother doesn’t affect how he does his job.
I make him uncomfortable. He sees things as they are, but not in the same way I do. I don’t know how things appear to him, but I’m certain he has an ability similar to mine. I’m also certain he knows I do as well, and that he doesn’t appreciate it when the tables are turned.
“With that out of the way,” Ryan said, “I’ll have a tour bus drive us to Vegas once Kirsten and Queenie narrow down the location. I’ll wait to decide whether accommodations are necessary, and where they should be, until we have more information.”
I’d rather stay here with you than go across the river and eat,Lauren told Gavin.
You and Nick need to be seen with the larger party.
We’ll eat with them, but maybe we can come back after? I don’t want to gamble, nor am I interested in watching strippers, or having sex with someone other than the two of you.
Gavin stepped a little closer to her, so the two were facing Ryan. “It sounds like that’s all we need to talk about? If so, I need to meet with Lauren and Nick in private for about fifteen minutes before the group leaves for dinner.”
Ryan gave a terse nod. “I understand the group is headed across the river for an evening of fun before you return here for some illicit shenanigans.”
