I have found that you can find.

“Tic is very pleased to meet you, as well.” Larkin finally said, after he realized Tic wasn’t going to say anything in return. He just stood, silent in his suffering; unresponsive to Larkin’s affectionate stroking of his neck. Whether he meant it to or not, the way he shut himself up made Larkin angry. It was good that they were in a crowd, and Larkin at least mildly concerned of keeping his self-control.

Stelon looked at Larkin, her brows knitted. She gave Tic another glance, though, her face softening with pity because it was obvious to her, obvious to everyone that the boy had been through what anyone with his defiance would have in Larkin’s care. But The Shrike had him in control - like he could have anyone else he wanted, or so he liked to believe.

He looked away from her and Tic, across the many faces that were turned in his direction, eyes full of curiosity and anticipation. They wanted him to do it now, to tell them now. The party was still going on, full force, but some were ready to slip away to their rooms, while others just didn’t like to be kept waiting. This, Larkin understood.

He also felt as if time was slipping away from him, and worry gripped his stomach for the second time that night. He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly as he stared back into the eyes that urged him to tell his secret, but the butterflies in his stomach were relentless. He had never felt such worry before, was there something wrong with him? Maybe he needed another drink. But no, not before you tell them. They want to know.

He looked at Stelon, hoping her beauty would stir different feelings in his stomach, but they failed him. She gave Larkin a comforting smile, but frowned as his hand slid from her shoulder and he looked away, first down at Tic and then to the raised area of the ballroom where he would make his announcement from. He should go there now, tell them to brighten the lights and for everyone else to turn their attention to him. Yes, now, before it’s too late… and tell them to shut the doors.

“Stelon,” Larkin spoke grimly, though his words were meant to amuse, “I have to take care of my guests. They’re getting very fidgety and impatient with me. I’m afraid I have to tell them the news now or face certain doom. Will you be here when I return?”

He watched her smile disappear, replaced with a concerned expression and distant eyes as she thought hard about something. Long moments of silence passed and she said, just before Larkin himself became impatient, “Yes,” and with such finality that it convinced Larkin he didn’t have to worry about any doubts and suspicions he once had against her.

Then it was easy for him to leave Stelon standing there alone, and take Tic by the hand to guide him through the ballroom to the place that they had entered from, up the carpeted stairs to stand in front of so many eager faces. They all ceased what they were doing, turned from platters of food and lowered glasses of wine, stopped dancing and parted with their partners as the lights brightened ever so slightly that they could see the face of The Shrike.

As the sounds died away along with the music, Larkin whispered orders into the ear of a man in a guard’s uniform and he nodded, leaving to cross the ballroom. The huge doors were shut, and just in time, too - rain began to pour, thunder announced its arrival and lightning displayed a late warning. But everyone was inside, they couldn’t get wet, and it was nothing unusual. It always rained in the Dark World; it was always damp and cold.

At his side he held Tic, one arm wrapped gently around the boy, fingers massaging his upper arm, caring and almost apologetic for everything that had happened and what was about to happen. He still needed Tic, more than he thought he did. Larkin had been sloppy in gathering information from the boy; he didn’t have enough and he let his desire get in the way of that. But what did it hurt? He had Tic now, didn’t he? Tic was still his.

As he spoke, as he explained, puzzled faces turned hard and determined. Larkin was preaching the truth, he was right. The Sink were becoming so much more than a nuisance, they were costing them too much. It was time to put an end to them, stop the rebels before they could grow any stronger. And though he did not mention the boy, everyone knew. Some had once looked further into their concern about The Sink, thought they could do what Larkin would one day try to do - but no one else had what he did.

Larkin had what no one could get their hands onto: a traitor.

Lightening struck as silence came again, but thunder quickly followed.

The stunned silence was gone and in its place a triumphant cheer, as if by Larkin’s passionate speech they had already defeated The Sink. He smiled at them, running his fingers through the hair at the back of the traitor’s head; so completely unaware of what enemies he had in the crowd.