Calion looked at the sleeping Raven sitting on the perch. He had no idea how Elwin had managed to convince the creature to remain in his office.

The bird looked dead. Calion wondered if it was a stuffed version of the creature rather than the actual Raven that appeared at his door earlier.

A wary finger readied to poke the bird.

"I would not do that if I were you," Elwin warned. "Raven will not find your prodding to be appropriate."

Calion turned to watch his brother cross the room, shooting him a contemptuous glare.

"And then he would act accordingly. I would have thought that you'd been taught not to pester the dead."

Looking back at the Raven, Calion felt fear rise inside his mind. Stepping back, he hoped that the creature remained asleep. Perhaps he was a fool like his brother said.

Picking up his phone, Elwin sent an email to the HR manager. One simple request. Organize an immediate meeting in her office with Heather Redwell. She was to keep Heather occupied until he arrived in ten minutes.

Glancing at Calion, Elwin wondered if he'd continue to loiter or if he'd get the hint and leave. Elwin believed that Calion was waiting for Heather to wander into his office, but he had no idea that she was hiding in the shadows in the lobby downstairs.

Elwin knew that only because he'd checked with security, who told him that she'd been hanging around for most of the day. After adding her location to the email, Elwin began forming a grievances list in case she tried something. She'd be lucky if she wasn't fired, which might happen if she wasn't careful. Fornicating anywhere in the building was against the company rules, but a common area with cameras was asking for trouble. If anything, Elwin was grateful that she had been that foolish. It was enough evidence to fire her immediately. The only thing that stopped him was who she was having sex with.

Ensuring that things did not go awry, Elwin accessed the elevator camera and searched the recordings. The few minutes were deleted from the main system and moved to the encrypted vault, where Elwin kept a lot of sensitive information.

"How is it that you have a Raven doing your bidding?"

"It is common for a lord and master to broker an agreement with a Raven. If you'd ever bothered to pay attention to our father, you would have noticed that he had an agreement as well."

Elwin understood that he alone knew the value of a Raven. His brothers were hardly ever brought into this side of their world. The rules, laws, and procedures. Their father had his rules, the leaders had their laws, and there was always a procedure to follow. Things were done for a reason. They made sense to those who took the time to pay attention.

For all that Calion was a homebody and liked his books, Elwin knew that he'd never bothered with anything in their father's study. If there was a book to be read by Calion, it was taken from the general library in their estate. They were vastly different.

"I have met with all of them."

Curious about what his brother meant by the statement, Calion faced him.

"The women on the list," Elwin explained. "They're lovely. You'd like them if you gave them half a chance."

Rolling his eyes, Calion stalked to the chair and picked up his jacket.

"And how would you know what I like? You spend your days in your steel and glass tower with billion-dollar views, then venture to your penthouse for more billion-dollar views."

"Says the fae who knew exactly where I lived and never visited."

"Pot and kettle, brother."

The two stared at each other with burning anger.

Elwin hated that he couldn't admit that he had, in fact, visited Calion when he first settled in the house. He thought it was a subtle sign from his brother that he wanted to be closer to him, so he visited, even daring to bring a basket of things as a housewarming gift.

He'd reached the doorstep, gotten as far as raising his hand to knock on the door, and then overheard the ranting and raving on the other side of it. Calion was annoyed that he'd picked a place close to where Elwin was living. The chances of crossing paths had increased infinitely.

After hearing that, Elwin turned away while vowing that he would not return. Clearly, his brother would not welcome him, so he did not want to bother. The housewarming gift was given to a man that approached pushing a shopping cart before Elwin climbed into the backseat of his car.

Never again.

"This is ridiculous. I don't want to get married." Calion snapped.

"Fine. Don't come to the estate tomorrow. Break the rules and see what happens. I have fulfilled all that I am required to do, so it is of no consequence to me."

Elwin didn't like the lie. There was a consequence to him, but his selfish brother failed to see it. All that he could see was how this affected him.

Checking his phone, Elwin found a return email from Kendall. Heather was in her office, spouting all sorts of nonsense about the Rochester estate and how she'd be visiting it over the winter break. Kendall finished the email by begging Elwin to hurry up and get the woman out of her office.

"And as such, feel free to leave at any time. Clearly, you don't want to be here."

With an indignant huff, Calion turned on his heels and stormed out of his brother's office. When the door slammed, the Raven opened his eyes. The Raven shifted into the boy as his feet hit the marble floor.

"I would appreciate it if you followed my brother and observed him until I call for you. Discrete observations, of course."

"Of course."

In a whirl of black, the Raven disappeared from Elwin's office. The Raven watched Calion as he searched the lobby while walking to the doors. The fae did not stop, continuing through the doors and returning to his car.

Meanwhile, Elwin made his way to Kendall's office. It was a few floors down on level twenty. She had a lovely corner office with views not that different from Elwin's. Kendalais du Crépuscule was her true name, but Kendall Donovan was her current name. Elwin kept her close, like a few employees in this building. They'd move to the next fake life with Elwin when the time came.

The door to Kendall's office was open, but only a fraction. Elwin knew that this was unlike her. Kendall always kept her door open to the point where it was pointless having one installed. They'd joked about removing it, and Kendall merely shrugged and said that he could probably sell it for a few dollars in the right market.

The door would remain. It being partially closed was curious, though.

Stopping before he pushed on the door, Elwin strained to listen to the conversation. It was exactly as Kendall had complained about. Heather was talking about the estate and the winter season. Elwin knew that he had to be careful with each step he took. Heather was after something, and he knew that it was not Calion's love and affection. Elwin doubted that even he was not what she was after. There was something else going on here.

Tired of listening to her drivel, Elwin pushed open the door and entered Kendall's office. Her face brightened the second she saw the door move.

"Good afternoon, sir."

Kendall stood, pressing her hands over her skirt in an attempt to straighten herself. Heather didn't even bother to turn to look at her boss. She had a defiant smile on her face and had vowed not to be intimidated by him.

"Good afternoon, Kendall, Heather."

Finally acknowledging his presence, Heather nodded at Elwin.

"Calion advised that he wishes for your name to be added to the list. Is that correct?"

"It is. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Personally, no. However, it is in your contract, like everyone else in this place, that as an employee, you are not permitted to take part in any events held by the Rochester family. I do not want either of us to break the contract, so this is where you need to decide what you want. Either working here or on the list."

"And you'll comply?"

"I will. That is why we're here. Kendall is the witness to the decision that you make."

Heather looked at the HR manager, who awkwardly returned to her seat. Kendall gave her a smile, one that was strained through gritted teeth.

It was fair to say that Kendall didn't think much of Heather, but her employment in this company was not completely within her control. She merely interviewed and shortlisted the candidates for the selection panel to decide upon. Heather made it through all of the interviews and tests. She was suited for the secretarial position that she'd applied for. So the panel, with Elwin, agreed to her employment.

Kendall was surprised at how fast Heather made her way up the ranks. She'd warned Elwin against the woman, fearing that she was getting too close to one of the higher positions. Thankfully, Elwin saw sense and stopped the runaway freight train from getting too far ahead of herself.

"Alright," Heather said with a supreme smile. "I'll take the list."

"Then you need to tender your resignation. Kendall, would you please provide Heather with a pen and paper?"

Dragging open her drawer, Kendall put a notepad and pen on the desk. With one push, it was snapped up, and Heather began writing.

While she was distracted, Elwin turned to the window but not before giving Kendall a wicked smile. It was barely seen but enough to tell Kendall that someone was playing a game here. Anxiety filled her as Kendall worried that she'd slip up and create chaos in Elwin's plan, whatever it was.

"There, it's done."

"Signed and dated, name clear, and everything that you desire, Kendall?"

Pulling the notepad to her, Kendall read through it and silently nodded.

"Excellent. If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you helped Heather pack her things. I'm sure that there's a lot to take home."

"You're okay with me going now?" Heather asked curiously. "You don't expect notice or anything?"

"Of course not. It's the last day of work anyway."

"Are you sure? I don't want this to come back to bite me on the ass."

"It's fine, Heather. You'll still be paid for the time difference, and I don't expect you to turn up to work when the place will be shut."

As the two women walked to the door, Elwin picked up the notepad. The resignation letter was removed and tucked into the inner pocket of his jacket. He did not want it to become lost. Picking up the pen, Elwin wrote something on the notepad for Kendall to find later when she returned. Placing it face down on the desk, Elwin smiled and walked out of her office.

When they were in the elevator, Elwin waited for a moment before pressing the down button. Seconds passed before the doors of another elevator opened. The journey to the lobby was uneventful, and Elwin was grateful for that. He didn't need any hiccups.

"Mr. Rochester. How can I help?"

Elwin moved behind the security desk, approaching the security guard. Jordan was crudely scratched out in marker pen on his tag.

"We have an employee leaving us today. In a few moments, in fact. I'd like her clearance to be wiped and to be put on the no admittance list."

"Just that one in particular?"

"Are there any others that she could get onto that would stop her from getting into this place?"

"Uh no, sir."

"Good. I expect that no admittance means no friendly visits, no stopping by to collect the last of her things. She does not get past this desk, and if she happens to come here again, she is to be escorted to the doors without delay."

The elevator pinged, and Elwin turned to see two women who were equally confused. Kendall approached with Heather's security tag, passing it to Elwin. He ran it through the reader and then passed it to Jordan.

"So, you'll do as you said, right? I'll be on the list?"

"Absolutely."

"And the invitation?"

"Invitations are sent by mail. They have the address and the necessary details to find the estate."

Still a little confused, Heather nodded. She walked to the door, briefly glancing back at the fae man, who did not offer a smile but was clearly happy. Heather knew that something was not right, and she was grateful that she had a plan b up her sleeve.

"Alright. What gives?"

Elwin looked at Kendall and shrugged.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Jordan, would you be so kind as to tell Miss Donovan how many lists our dearly departed and former employee is on?"

"Uh, well, you said no getting into this place, so she'd be on the outright banned list. Newly created and better than the no admittance list, sir."

"Wonderful," Elwin exclaimed cheerily. "Sounds like someone made the list after all."

Kendall was stunned into silence. When her mind kicked into gear, she realized that Elwin had walked away and was at the elevator waiting for her. She scuttled over the dark stone floor to join him for more than just an elevator ride.

"She is going to be angry, Elwin."

"I know, but what can she do about it? I was careful with my words. I never promised to put her on the potential wife list. I merely said that she would be on a list, which she is."

The doors closed, and the two stared at each other.

"You're asking for trouble."

"She was trouble the day that she walked into this place. It's like someone was asleep at the wheel the day she came for her interview."

Kendall's eyes narrowed as her lips twisted. Elwin didn't notice. His attention was directed to his phone where he was accessing the security camera system. One camera was switched off, temporarily, of course.

With the phone back in his pocket, Elwin looked up at Kendall.

"I warned you. Don't you start that rubbish with me."

Elwin playfully pouted as he crossed the elevator to the other side. Kendall hit the wall with a soft gasp as he closed in on her.

"I could make it up to you if you like."

The whispered words were warm against her ear, sending a shiver through her body. Kendall could never figure out how Elwin could make her a mess of desire. He turned her to liquid ecstasy easily, yet all he did was whisper his sweet words.

The hands smoothed over her hips as Elwin drew her closer. A wave of aftershave hit her, the decadent scent that she'd gifted him on his birthday this year. She couldn't recall the name but remembered how the salesman rattled off the list of notes that were perfectly balanced. Kendall liked it because it reminded her of Elwin–powerful, elegant, aristocratic.

"Bernies,"

Kendall gasped as Elwin scraped his lips over her neck, tempting her with an offer of dinner. As his hands found the hem of her skirt and began to push it higher, Elwin continued his temptation with dessert at his place.

When he lowered to his knees in front of her, Kendall slammed her hand against the buttons, stopping the elevator.

Her body was already on fire, and Elwin hadn't evenstarted. She whimpered with ecstasy, and as the smile filled her face, Kendallknew that nothing was better than this fae between her legs.