“Oh, Christ, you are,” Wesley said, but he was smiling. “You’re smitten with a twenty-one-year-old hellcat. What’s wrong with you?”

“Apparently that I don’t fight for him,” said Arthur. “I can’t believe you were the one to point that out.”

“By all means, don’t thank me,” Wesley said sardonically. “Just continue to be genuinely shocked that I’m capable of empathy and human emotion, that’s very complimentary.” He glanced at Arthur out of the corner of his eye. “Maybe you should introduce me to the other fellow, the handsome one.”

Wesley, mixed up in the paranormal world. Not in a million years. “Sorry, Wes. But some things you just aren’t meant to know.”

When Arthur got back to the art gallery, he found Zhang out on patrol on both foot and the astral plane, apparently, and Jade, Ellis and Gwen in one corner of the back room, deep in a discussion of magical theory that he didn’t understand in the slightest. Sebastian and Rory were sitting together on a couch, buried in a stack of Spanish and Italian books.

“Sebastian,” Arthur said sharply, and they both looked up. “A word.” Rory and Sebastian exchanged a glance and they both started to stand. Arthur held up a hand. “I just want to ask Sebastian a question.”

Rory furrowed his brow but then shrugged guilelessly. “All right.”

Sebastian followed Arthur into the back room, expression wary. Arthur pulled the pocket door shut and turned around to stare down Sebastian. “What are your intentions toward Rory?”

Sebastian’s eyes widened. “Am I that obvious?”

Oh, marvelous. “Yes, you are,” Arthur said sharply. “And if you think I’m—”

“He reminds me of Mateo.”

“—just going to roll over and—” Arthur blinked. “Who?”

“My brother.” Sebastian ran a hand through brown waves, moving toward the window. “Given our history, your caution is understandable, but I have no ill intentions toward Rory. I haven’t seen Mateo since I was ordered to work for Zeppler. He’s about Rory’s age and also a subordinate paranormal.”

“Your brother.” Arthur’s world suddenly made sense. “You’re nice to Rory because he reminds you of your brother.”

Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “That is what you were asking, yes?”

“Of course it was.” Arthur smiled winningly. “Good thing we got that straightened out.”

Sebastian’s brow was still furrowed, but Arthur was spared any awkward questions as the pocket door opened and Gwen stuck her head in. Her gaze darted over Arthur, pupils overly dilated, her expression troubled. “Arthur? May I have a word?”

“I have an errand anyway,” Sebastian said. “I’ll grab Ellis.” He slipped out the door into the alley, gracefully giving them privacy.