Chapter Fifteen #2
Julian’s Latin was serviceable. From what he could tell, the manual described suppression technology designed to contain Eldritch entities.
Most of the text covered the obsidian chains, which were described as metaphysical restraints that could bind a guardian’s form temporarily.
Julian had heard those mentioned more than once throughout the day.
But one chapter detailed something else.
Apparatus Suppressionis Mechanica, the heading read.
Apparently it was a mechanical device powered by blood sacrifice and ritual magic.
The schematics showed a cage-like structure approximately three meters in diameter, inscribed with symbols Julian recognized from his medieval manuscript research.
The text claimed the device could hold a guardian indefinitely, draining their essence to fuel its containment field.
“What are you reading?”
Julian looked up. Cillian stood in the doorway, fresh from the shower, dark hair damp and shadows coiling lazily around his shoulders.
“Technical documentation about suppression devices.” Julian held up the book. “Specifically, a mechanical apparatus from the 1950s that supposedly could contain guardians indefinitely through blood magic.”
Cillian’s expression shuttered. He crossed the room and sat beside Julian, close enough for their shoulders to touch. “Where did you find that?”
“Your bookshelf. Third row, between the cosmology text and the warfare manual.” Julian studied Cillian’s face. “You’re concerned.”
“That technology was eliminated.” Cillian took the book, flipping to the schematic page. “The Order spent decades tracking down every device, destroying them completely. The last confirmed apparatus was dismantled in 1987.”
“Confirmed?”
“We believed we’d found them all.” Cillian’s shadows tightened. “But we’ve been wrong before.”
Julian processed this. “You said Vane acquired obsidian chains. Those are different.”
“Yes. The chains are temporary restraints. They’re uncomfortable, restrictive, but breakable with enough effort.
A guardian can shatter obsidian chains within hours, maybe minutes if sufficiently motivated.
” Cillian’s jaw tightened. “The mechanical apparatus is different. It doesn’t just restrain a guardian, it drains them. ”
“Explain the mechanism.”
Cillian set the book aside and took Julian’s hand, shadows wrapping around their joined fingers.
“Guardians are essentially concentrated energies.
In our case, we focus on corruption. For us, that energy is what keeps us going - we consume it and process it, and by doing that, we help to maintain balance among the populations.
“The apparatus reverses that process. It forces a guardian to continuously purge their essence while the containment field prevents reformation. The blood sacrifice powers the initial activation, but the guardian’s own nature sustains it afterward.”
“A parasitic feedback loop.” Julian cataloged the implications. “The guardian becomes the power source for their own restraints.”
“Exactly.” Cillian’s thumb stroked Julian’s knuckles. “We’ve had no intelligence suggesting Vane sourced one of these devices. The chains are concerning but manageable. If he has an apparatus…”
“Show me how the obsidian chains work.”
Cillian blinked. “What?”
“You said they’re breakable. I want to understand the mechanism and limitations.” Julian squeezed Cillian’s hand. “Knowledge reduces anxiety. I know your shadows are capable of taking on many forms, so demonstrate how the chains function and how you would escape them.”
Cillian studied him for a long moment, then nodded.
He stood and moved to the center of the room, his shadows pooling at his feet.
“The chains are forged from obsidian mined in remote places where the veil between the worlds is thin. They’re inscribed with binding runes that resonate with guardian essence. ”
His shadows began to move, forming shapes in the air.
“When activated, they manifest around a guardian’s form, locking into our fundamental structure.
Like this.” Inky black chains materialized around Cillian’s wrists and throat, pulling taut.
His other shadows strained against them, unable to fully extend.
“It restricts your movement,” Julian observed.
“And access to our full power.” Cillian’s voice remained calm despite the restraints.
“But the chains rely on metaphysical binding, not physical containment. They can be broken through concentrated effort.” His shadows pulsed once, twice.
On the third pulse, the chains shattered into dissipating fragments.
“It’s uncomfortable and briefly limiting, but not permanent. ”
Julian stood and crossed to him, examining where the chains had been. “How long would it take to break those chains in combat conditions?”
“Three to five minutes, depending on how much essence I’d already expended.” Cillian caught Julian’s hand. “You’re afraid.”
“I’m assessing variables.” Julian met his mate’s dark eyes. “Vane placed a bounty on me to draw you out. He has suppression technology. The logical conclusion is he’s planning a trap specifically designed to capture or kill you.”
“Yes.”
“That’s unacceptable.”
Cillian’s expression softened. He pulled Julian closer, shadows wrapping around them both. “I’m not concerned. I’ve survived worse than Marcus Vane.”
“None of those previous threats involved me as bait.” Julian’s hands fisted Cillian’s shirt. “I dislike being a liability.”
“You’re not a liability. You’re my mate.” Cillian’s forehead pressed to Julian’s. “And you’ve already proven your value - the defensive strategy, the location analysis. Thorn said you think like a tactician.”
“Pattern recognition and logic.”
“Which keeps us going.” Cillian’s shadows tightened protectively. “The chains are a threat, but manageable. We have no evidence that Vane has an apparatus. We’re prepared for both possibilities.”
Julian nodded slowly, accepting the reassurance even as his mind continued cataloging risks and variables. “If he does have an apparatus…”
“Then we destroy it before he activates it.” Cillian’s voice deepened. “Nothing will separate us, Julian. Not Vane, not suppression devices, not anything in this world or the void beyond it.”
“Dramatic, but statistically improbable to guarantee.”
“Watch me.”
Julian allowed himself a small smile. “I intend to.”
“Good. Now, come to bed.” Cillian’s voice dropped two octaves, and Julian shivered in anticipation. “I have other things to show you.” He must’ve been in a hurry because the shadows had already moved all the books off the covers.