Chapter Twelve #2
“I don’t fear you,” Julian said simply. “You’re Eldritch Guardians who eliminate corruption. I’m not corrupt. Therefore, I’m not a target. Basic syllogistic reasoning.”
“He’s using formal logic,” Silas murmured. “Cillian, where did you find him?”
“Giving body disposal advice in an alley.” Cillian hadn’t relaxed, but Julian seemed completely unbothered by being surrounded by monsters. “While I was consuming that Vane lieutenant.”
Rook laughed, sharp and delighted. “No wonder you’re obsessed.”
“I’m not obsessed,” Cillian said.
“You threatened to destroy the city if he died,” Thorn pointed out.
“That’s not obsession. That’s a proportionate response.”
Julian’s eyebrows rose. “You threatened to destroy the city?”
“Only if they hurt you.”
“That does seem excessive.” But Julian was smiling at him, so Cillian didn’t mind the correction.
“I deemed it appropriate at the time.”
Silas was still circling, studying Julian from every angle. “The mate bond manifested immediately upon contact?”
“He touched my shadows without fear,” Cillian said. “The bond was instantaneous.”
“How does the bond work biologically?” Julian asked, addressing Silas. “Cillian mentioned he could feel my distress earlier. Is that an emotional connection or something more tangible?”
Silas’s eyes lit up behind his glasses. “Ooh, you want the clinical explanation.”
“I always want the clinical explanation.”
“Silas, don’t traumatize him,” Thorn warned.
“I won’t be traumatized by biological facts,” Julian said. “I have a degree in archival science. I understand research methodology.”
“The bond operates on multiple levels,” Silas began, clearly delighted to have a willing audience.
“Emotionally, you’ll begin experiencing shadow-resonance - an awareness of Cillian’s presence and emotional state.
Physically, your biorhythms will synchronize over time.
Heart rate, sleep cycles, and circadian patterns. Psychically…”
“There’s no scientific evidence for psychic phenomena,” Julian interrupted.
Silas’s smile showed too many teeth. “There’s no scientific evidence for shadow-beings who consume human corruption either, yet here we are.”
Cillian loved how Julian always seemed to tilt his head slightly sideways as he considered differing viewpoints. “Fair point. Continue.”
“The psychic component manifests as emotional transference. Cillian will feel your fear, pain, and pleasure. You’ll feel his protective instincts as a physical presence. The shadows themselves will respond to your emotional state.”
“Like how they rearranged my bookshelf by emotional resonance?”
Cillian winced. “I did apologize for that.”
“I wasn’t upset by it. I think they were bored, and it didn’t take me long to put the books back again.” Julian didn’t sound angry, more amused. “They are already proving to be very responsive.”
Rook made a strangled noise. “He’s perfect. Cillian, if you don’t keep him, can I have him?”
Cillian’s shadows manifested claws. “No!”
“Yep, as possessive as fuck,” Rook observed cheerfully.
“I’m not a possession to be traded,” Julian said. “I’m a person making autonomous decisions about my living situation based on threat assessment and personal preference.”
“And your personal preference is?” Thorn asked.
Julian looked at Cillian. “Staying here. At least until the Vane situation is resolved.” He paused. “Possibly longer, depending on variables I haven’t finished calculating.”
The relief that flooded through Cillian was almost painful. “You’re sure?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t sure. That would be inefficient.” Julian hopped down from the counter, coffee in hand. “Now, someone should explain the ward specifications and defensive capabilities. I need to understand the security parameters.”
“I can do that,” Silas offered. “I designed most of the suppression systems.”
“Perfect. Also, I’ll need internet access and a workspace with adequate lighting. And eventually food, though I understand you don’t eat.” Julian glanced at Cillian. “Do you have accommodations for human nutritional requirements?”
“We have a fully stocked kitchen,” Thorn said. “Rook stress-bakes.”
“I stress-cook that includes baking,” Rook confirmed. “Currently, there are three types of bread, chocolate croissants, and something I’m calling shadow cookies on the go, but before you get excited about the cookies, they’re just regular cookies made with very dark chocolate.”
Julian’s expression brightened fractionally. “Acceptable.”
“He’s staying in my quarters,” Cillian said, daring his brothers to argue. “On the third level.”
“Naturally,” Thorn said. “We’ve already prepared the adjacent room in case he prefers separate sleeping arrangements.”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Julian said. “I need more data about guardian sleep patterns and whether Cillian snores.”
“I don’t snore.”
“Everyone says that.”
Silas was watching their interaction with clinical fascination. “The resonance is already strengthening. Look at how his shadows respond when Julian speaks.”
Cillian looked down. His shadows were indeed wrapping around Julian’s ankles, winding up his calves like vines. He hadn’t even noticed.
Julian didn’t seem bothered. “Is this going to happen constantly?”
“Probably,” Cillian admitted.
“Will it interfere with my mobility?”
“No. They’ll move with you.”
“Then I’ll adapt.” Julian addressed the group. “So, ward specifications, workspace requirements, and a schedule for eliminating Marcus Vane. What’s the tactical timeline?”
Thorn’s expression shifted to something almost like approval. “Direct. I appreciate that.”
“I don’t see the point in pretending I’m not actively involved in this situation.
” Julian’s matter-of-fact tone brooked no argument.
“Vane wants to question me about what I witnessed. You want to eliminate Vane to neutralize the threat both to me and the community overall. I have information that may be tactically useful. Therefore, I should be included in planning sessions.”
“Absolutely not,” Cillian said immediately. “You’ll stay here where it’s safe while we handle Vane.”
Julian turned to look at him, and Cillian recognized the expression. The one that meant Julian was about to correct him, probably with citations.
“Actually,” Julian said, “I witnessed the initial incident. I have geographical knowledge of the warehouse district that may prove useful. And based on your reaction in the alley, your judgment is compromised where my safety is concerned. Therefore, excluding me from tactical planning is strategically unsound.”
Rook made another strangled noise. “Oh, he’s arguing with you. This is amazing.”
“He has a point,” Silas observed.
“He’s not going anywhere near Vane,” Cillian growled.
“Obviously not,” Julian agreed. “I got close enough to him an hour ago, and it wasn’t him in the alley. But I can provide intelligence and strategic input from this location. Unless you’re suggesting my cognitive abilities are somehow impaired by being human?”
“Your cognitive abilities are perfect. You’re perfect. That’s why you’re staying here in our fortified warehouse where nothing can touch you.” Cillian needed Julian to understand how important his safety was. Cillian’s sanity depended on it.
“That’s not a logical argument, that’s emotional reasoning.”
“I’m allowed emotional reasoning where your safety is concerned!”
Julian did that little head tilt again, and Cillian let out a breath.
At least his mate was considering his counterargument.
“That’s actually fair. The mate bond does create emotional bias.
” He turned to Thorn. “With Cillian’s judgment compromised, what is your assessment of my proposed involvement in tactical planning? ”
Thorn studied Julian for a long moment, and Cillian saw the exact instant his brother decided Julian was worth protecting.
“Your input would be valuable for intelligence gathering,” Thorn said. “But field deployment is out of the question.”
“Agreed,” Julian said immediately. “I have no combat training and would be a liability in active engagement.” He looked at Cillian. “So, we have a compromise. I provide strategic consultation from a secure location. You handle all direct confrontations with Vane’s forces. Acceptable?”
Cillian wanted to argue. He wanted to lock Julian in his third-floor quarters and stand guard until every threat was eliminated. But Julian was right - his judgment was compromised, and excluding his mate from the planning would only make Julian feel like a prisoner instead of a partner.
“Acceptable,” Cillian conceded. “But the secure location is non-negotiable.”
“Obviously.”
“And you will follow every safety protocol exactly as outlined.”
“I wouldn’t deviate from established safety protocols. That would be stupid.”
Rook grinned at Cillian. “He called you stupid.”
“He called the hypothetical action stupid,” Silas corrected. “There’s a meaningful distinction.”
“Can we focus?” Thorn’s voice cut through the room. “Vane’s deployment is escalating, and his use of obsidian chains is still a huge unknown factor. We need to move soon.”
“How soon?” Julian asked as they moved into the other room.
“Seventy-two hours. Maybe less.” Thorn pulled up a holographic display from the tactical table, shadows projecting warehouse locations across the wall. “He’s consolidating assets, preparing for something big.”
Julian moved closer to the display, studying the pattern. “These distribution points follow the old transport routes. When this district was active, these buildings were all connected by underground tunnels for moving product between facilities.”
Four pairs of eyes fixed on Julian.
“The tunnels still exist?” Silas asked sharply.
“Partially. Some collapsed, some were sealed, but the main arterial routes are probably still accessible. I wrote a paper on the industrial architecture of the Madison warehouse district as part of my graduate program.” Julian pointed to three locations.
“These three buildings definitely had tunnel access. If Vane is using the old infrastructure, he could move personnel and supplies without surface exposure.”
Thorn and Silas exchanged glances.
“That explains how he’s been avoiding our surveillance,” Silas said.
“Get me the paper,” Thorn ordered. “Schematics, tunnel maps, everything you might have.”
“I have an archived copy on my laptop.” Julian gestured to his bag. “I’ll pull the files now.”
As Julian moved to retrieve his computer, Cillian caught Thorn’s eye. His brother gave him a slight nod - approval and acknowledgment that Cillian had been right. Julian wasn’t just worth protecting. He was already invaluable.