Page 31 of Something Worth Keeping
Cillian stared at him. “Impressed.”
“You covered approximately two point three miles in under four minutes. That’s impressive.” Julian frowned. “Although it raises questions about where you were when I sent the initial text. You couldn’t have been at Shadow House - that’s across the city. Were you following me?”
Cillian’s silence was answer enough.
“You were following me,” Julian said. “Maintaining a perimeter?”
“I was…concerned about your safety.”
“Based on what intelligence?” Julian’s frown deepened. “You said you were coming. Past tense. You were already enroute before I texted. What happened?”
Cillian’s jaw tightened. His shadows contracted around Julian, protective. “We need to leave. Now. I’ll explain, but not here.”
“Tell me now.” Julian kept his voice calm, but something cold was forming in his chest. “What has changed since our lovely date last night? You were content enough to leave me then.”
“Julian…”
“What. Changed.”
Cillian closed his eyes. “Marcus Vane identified you through traffic camera footage. He knows you were in the alley the night I killed his lieutenant. He’s placed a bounty on you. He’s offering fifty thousand dollars for yourlocation. These three were just the first.”
The cold in Julian’s chest spread. Not fear - something more analytical - and he recognized the feeling for what it was. He was processing. “When did you learn this?”
“Last night. Thorn called a meeting after I left you.”
“Last night.” Julian’s voice didn’t rise, but something sharp entered it. “You knew I was in danger for approximately twelve hours and didn’t inform me.”
“I was going to tell you this morning. I was coming to your apartment when I felt…” Cillian opened his eyes. “I felt your distress through my connection with you. I knew you were in danger.”
Julian filed that information away for later analysis. “You should have told me immediately.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I wanted one more night where you were safe. Where you could sleep without this hanging over you.” Cillian’s hands tightened on Julian’s. “I was wrong.”
“Yes, you were.” Julian took a breath. “What’s the threat level?”
“Extreme. Vane has resources - money, men, technology. He’s acquired obsidian chains.”
“Define that.”
“It’s a form of suppression tech that can temporarily contain guardians. It appears, from the number of his men that have been eliminated recently, that he’s surmised the forces against him aren’t exactly human. The chains would limit our abilities if we were caught in them.” Cillian’s shadows tightened. “You’re not safe at your apartment anymore. You’re not safe anywhere that I can’t actively protect you.”
That was easy to process. “You want me to come with you.”
“Yes. To Shadow House. It’s warded, protected. The other guardians will help defend you while we dismantle Vane’s operation.” Cillian’s voice dropped. “I know I should have told you sooner. I know I just showed you things that should send you running. But I’m asking anyway. Come with me. Let me keep you safe.”
Julian looked up at Cillian - an ancient, powerful being who’d just slaughtered three men to protect him and was now asking, not demanding, to let him protect him further. Who’d respected Julian’s autonomy even while desperate to claim him. Who was covered in gore and shadows and looking at Julian like he was the only thing in the universe that mattered. Julian wasn’t an idiot.
“Okay.”
Cillian blinked. “Okay?”
“Yes. I’ll come with you.” Julian said it without hesitation because the logic was sound. His apartment was compromised. Vane had resources. Cillian and the Order had more. “I’ll need to pack essentials - clothes, my spare glasses, my laptop, and research materials. My suspension will end at some point, so I’ll need to coordinate with the library about potential extended leave. And I’ll need to understand the ward specifications and defensive capabilities of Shadow House to properly assess the security parameters.”
“You’re…” Cillian shook his head slowly. “You’re not going to argue?”
“Why would I argue? Your assessment is accurate. I’m a liability in my current location. Moving to a secure facility makes logical sense.” Julian paused. “Unless you’re askingif I’m afraid to live with you. The answer is no.”
“Even after…”
