Maxwell had turned, shifting automatically to edge himself between the boy and the stranger, but at the sight of Dorian, he immediately relaxed. And then laughed gently at Bayard's question.

"No, no," he promised, turning back to the young man. "This is Dorian, one of the people I was telling you about. He won't hurt you either."

He looked at Dorian and gestured between them.

"Dorian, meet Bayard. A new friend of mine."