“Too long to commit to something like that.”
“I agree. But for now, Astaroth believes you can provide stability to the halflings quicker than an unestablished demon.”
“We’ve got an unused office at the club you can use,” Ira said. “Just show up about three nights a week for a few hours to hold court, so to speak.”
Talon jerked his chin toward Julian, who straightened at the attention. “What about that one?”
Julian knuckled one eye. “This one needs to go home.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Nathan asked. “They know where you live. If they find out you’re still alive, they’ll come for you again.”
“I can’t just hide away forever. And I don’t want to. I won’t let them run me out of my own life.”
“What about your job?” Luke asked. “They know where you work. There’s nothing stopping them from jumping you again. You can’t be on guard at every single moment.”
He sighed, tucking his hands under his thighs. “I don’t know. I didn’t show up for my second job tonight, so that one’s probably a loss already.”
“Come and work with us,” Alex said. “We can help watch your back.”
He was still resistant to the idea. It would be safer, yes, and he’d already accepted their help more than once. Would it still be considered breaking his word if he joined them? Maybe his promise to avoid the Sentinels was moot now that the guild had tried to kill him.
Valac’s hand landed on his shoulder, and he looked up into his glowing eyes. “This could be what you’ve been missing, couldn’t it?” He gestured toward the training area, where tables were lined with holy blades and bottles of holy water.
The Sentinels had a purpose. They protected the innocent. If Julian joined them, maybe he wouldn’t feel like he was drifting aimlessly through his own life anymore. The paladins would think him a liar and a traitor, but they already did, didn’t they? He couldn’t change their minds about him, no matter what he did. At least here, he would be a part of something bigger than himself.
“Okay,” he agreed. “Yeah. I’d be happy to come and work here.”
Nathan beamed at him. “Wonderful. We’d be lucky to have you.”
Valac gently drew him to his feet. “I will take you home.”
“My car… I left my car at the restaurant.”
“Get it tomorrow,” Nathan suggested. “You shouldn’t be driving right now anyway. Rest is more important.”
He’d have to go and give his notice at the restaurant, too, so he might as well wait until morning and do both things at once. It was probably safer for them all if he wasn’t bringing his problems into the restaurant around civilians.
“Hang on. Before you go, take this,” Ira said, writing something on a piece of notebook paper from Zachary. He ripped it loose and handed it to Valac. “That’s the location of the club. The ninth floor is all yours. We can worry about getting you some personal items later. Clothing, toiletries, and such.”
“Thank you,” Valac said to Ira, his big hands closing around Julian’s upper arms. “Shall we go?”
Julian nodded. “Ready.”
The skating rink around them disappeared in a swirling blur, replaced by dark streaks of color. Julian gasped, reaching out for Valac and clinging to his trunk-like waist.
When it all came to a dizzying stop, he took a deep breath, and smoke filled his lungs.
His living room was on fire.
Chapter 16
Valac
The flamesand smoke didn’t bother Valac. He was immortal, and there were places in Hell worse than this, particularly around the Pit. It wasn’t until Julian convulsed in his arms that he realized they needed to move. Fire and smoke were deadly to humans. He teleported them out to the sidewalk, patting Julian’s back when he coughed violently.
The house was completely ablaze. Flames licked high into the sky, plumes of smoke rising into the air. His neighbors were out on the street, but in the chaos, he doubted anyone noticed that they’d appeared as if from nowhere, cloaked in the darkness across the street and behind most of the crowd of horrified onlookers.
“Oh my God,” Julian gasped. He lunged toward the house, but Valac grabbed him.
