Free Ryder on the Storm: Emerald Seer I by Violet Patterson Page A

deserve that much. Then they can have what is left of him.” Ryder had found the photos of Trin in Keene’s room, boxes of surveillance footage and other personal effects the familiar had stolen. As it turned out, Keene had been stalking her for at least a year prior to Ryder’s reconnaissance.
     
    Lucian’s turn to laugh, “Ry, you are one of a kind. I truly have missed you these last several decades. I hope there is nothing to this prophecy of yours, I would hate to lose you as an Immortal, brother.”
     
    He could not think of a way to answer that. Instead, Ryder ignored it and focused on pulling into his spot at Starlight, “Stay here, call the boys, I will be back in fifteen. Then I will fill you in on how important knowledge can be.”
     
    Ryder walked into the club; the front door unlocked, and found Frederick scrubbing the bar top, still in his jeans from the night before but with a black t-shirt and baseball cap turned backward. He must be off tonight and planning on sleep. Angeline had set up shop at a table with her laptop and briefcase opened before her. She had a navy blue pinstriped skirt suit on, her hair tightly plaited, and a pair of tortoise shell reading glasses. When she felt his entrance, Angeline looked up from her work and nodded tightly.
     
    “Hey, boss. I let Ang in, she said she had something for you and needed to speak with you. I am ready to go over stock when you are done.” Frederick head to the back room, clipboard in hand.
     
    “Angeline?” Ryder looked down at his assistant. She closed the netbook and placed it inside her briefcase, standing in one fluid motion. Ryder noticed that Angeline’s fae side emerged when her emotions ran high. She smoothed her hair and adjusted the hemline of her blazer before meeting his eye.
     
    “My liege, Keene has taken his own life. We are not sure how he managed it but I have a team examining his cell. He scratched a suicide note on his shirt, seemingly with his own blood. I bagged it before the others arrived and locked it in the safe in your study. The body will be moved to your lab by nightfall.” Angeline paused, her deep blue eyes flitting to the side for a moment and a slight flush colored her cheeks. “I have other, er, news. Roane stopped at the manor earlier. Rosalee did not allow him entry, he became rather aggressive so I intervened and blackened his eye. He was, dissatisfied. I have been relieved of my position as a familiar.”
     
    Ryder laid a hand on her shoulder. “Angeline, you will remain as my assistant. Roane has no power to remove your status as a familiar and I assure you that will not happen. Please accompany me for the remainder of the day. Lucian is in the car, you can keep him company while I finish with Frederick.” Ryder watched Angeline’s expression change from relief to curiosity and back to her usual flat affect. She turned toward the door, “Oh, and Angeline, be sure to tell Lucian about your encounter with Roane. He will appreciate it greatly.”
     
    Angeline smiled tightly and nodded. Ryder sighed. Roane would be furious and demand reparations. Or perhaps not, he would not likely admit to the rest of the Brethren that a female had inflicted the injury he sought compensation for. Ryder turned toward the stock room. He heard Frederick shuffling boxes around, the sound echoed down the long industrial-styled hall. Perhaps he should do something with it; definitely an upgrade of the staff rooms would be appreciated. Ryder shrugged and turned into the stock room where Frederick stood counting a crate of Jack Daniels. When he looked up, Ryder noted the circles under his eyes.
     
    “Let’s make this fast so you can get some sleep, friend.” Frederick nodded and shrugged, his form of agreement. They blew through the stock counts quickly, nothing out of the norm; Frederick knew how to run the bar more efficiently that any he’d seen over the years. Ryder signed off on the requisitions and entrusted