He doubted he’d have a choice.With the truth coming out, he might as well tell Cyril everything.He was desperate to keep Cyril with him, but not so desperate to trap him with lies.The Organization had taken any alternative away from Vale, and his only option was to be honest, no matter the outcome.
He closed his eyes and inhaled.Telling Cyril wasn’t the only problem.The Organization was here, and they were coming after Vale.He didn’t know why, but it couldn’t be good.
* * * *
CYRIL DIDN’T LIKE THEfact that Vale was clearly hiding something from him.Normally, he would’ve told him what was going on right away, but not this time.That meant it had to be particularly bad, and Cyril needed to know more.
“What can you tell me about this organization?”he asked John.
“I really think you should talk to Vale about this.”
Cyril glared at him.“Do I have to remind you that I’m the one helping you right now?”
“I’m grateful for that help, but really, I don’t know that much.I just know that I was snatched by people who were looking for Vale and who mentioned this organization.I don’t think they expected me to survive and tell Vale.”
But Johnhadsurvived, and he was here, warning Vale.Even though Cyril disliked pretty much everything about this mess, at least they knew something was up.It gave Cyril a little time to wrap his mind around the fact that they were in trouble again and gave Vale the time to get ready for whatever was coming.
Cyril wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
But he’d find out.He couldn’t hide his head in the sand, even though he wanted to.If Vale was in danger, Cyril needed to know.He wasn’t sure there was anything he could do to help, but he’d try.He wouldn’t let his boyfriend deal with whatever this was on his own.They were a team, and that mattered to him.
“Ihaveheard of this organization,” John said as he relaxed against the couch.
Now that Cyril was done with his wounds, he looked a little better.He was still pale, but he didn’t look like he was about to faint anymore.That was good because Cyril wasn’t sure how to deal with fainting people.“What have you heard about them?”
John grimaced.“Nothing good.”
“You’re going to have to give me more.Vale’s in danger.I need to know everything.”
“Like I said, I don’t really know that much.They’re like the bogeyman of the professional assassin forums.From what I know, they take whatever contract pays the most.They don’t care what they have to do to get that money.They have a legitimate side that works for the government, but the illegitimate side is the scary one.”
Cyril frowned.“What does that mean?”
“Well, from what I know, Vale and his closest friends only take jobs that don’t involve children or other vulnerable people, just like I don’t.That’s not the case for the Organization.If you want something nasty done, and done well, they’re who you hire.There are rumors that they were the ones who caused that plane crash in Pennsylvania a few years ago.”
Cyril remembered it.He’d been contacted by the husband of one of the women who’d died on the plane.It had been an incredibly hard job to do, but he’d done it.
There’d been rumors flying around that the crash hadn’t been an accident, but he hadn’t wanted to know.He was pretty sure he still didn’t.Many innocent people had died that day.There had been men, women, and children on board.
But the people who’d apparently been behind the crash were now after his boyfriend.What was he supposed to do with that?There wasn’t much hecoulddo, especially if he didn’t have all the information.If he wanted to be able to help Vale, he’d need to know.
He hated this.
The sound of bone tentacles on the hard floor made Cyril turn.Oscar appeared, making a beeline for Cyril.When Cyril opened his arms, Oscar didn’t hesitate to climb in between them.Neither of them paid too much attention to John, but when Cyril turned to him, he found John staring at him.
“You already know Oscar,” Cyril said with a sigh.
“I do, but it doesn’t make it any less extraordinary.”
“There’s nothing weird about him.”
John barked out a laugh.“Are you serious?”
“Nothing weirder than last time.Stop staring at him.You’re going to make him self-conscious.”
Cyril wasn’t sure Oscar could feel self-conscious.He wasn’t sure how much Oscar could feel, period.After all, Oscar was a bunch of bones that didn’t belong together and were kept that way because of Cyril’s ability as a necromancer.
But Cyril knew that Oscar did feel things.He felt affection for Cyril, at the very least.Oscar had always liked cuddles, but since Cyril had been hurt and had lost his ability as a necromancer, he’d been clingier, even now that Cyril had his ability back.Oscar had even started being pushier when he wanted something, usually to climb into Cyril’s lap.
