Page 175 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Twenty-two years late, but he’ll take it.

Julian pulls back but doesn’t let go. His amber eyes move over Riley’s face, wincing like he’s feeling his pain. ‘You’re so beat up.’

‘I don’t care,’ Riley says, shaking his head. ‘Doesn’t matter.’

‘Of course it does,’ Julian corrects with a frown. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Riley.’

Julian smiles softly. ‘Riley,’ he echoes. ‘I’m Julian.’

‘I know.’ Riley lifts a trembling hand. ‘Can I?’

‘Yeah.’

Given permission, Riley rests his palm over Julian’s heart, memorising the new rhythm. It’s solid and slow, rhythmic like the ocean waves Riley has dreamed of for years, when it was both of them together under the moon, bare feet in the sand, water nearby.

‘You’re different, aren’t you?’ Julian whispers.

Riley opens his eyes, hand dropping quickly.

He’s ashamed but not surprised that Julian can tell.

‘I’m not human.’

He waits for judgement, for disgust, fear.

Julian says, ‘We’re not human either.’

‘You and Mimi?’ Julian nods. ‘But you’re not like me,’ Riley insists with total certainty. ‘Not… this.’

‘Have you been here this whole time?’

‘Yeah.’

‘We were so close. Living in the same city. I never knew.’ Julian looks at Troy and his expression darkens thunderously. ‘Did you keep him here?’

Troy has been standing off to the side, watching, arms folded across his chest. His knuckles are red with Riley’s blood.

‘We don’t have time for this. Not anymore.’

‘You hid my brother from me?’

‘I wasn’t hiding him from you.’

‘You didn’t even tell me when we got here!’

‘Now listen up,’ Troy cuts in sharply, a hint of bark to it. ‘The plan we had before, that’s gone now.’

Julian sneers. ‘Because you thought you could keep us apart?’

‘Because the plan allowed for time to get you safely away,’ Troy corrects, glaring dully at Riley, who stares back defiantly. Fuck him and his lies. ‘Now that Penhalyx knows it was Iron Star, we have no time at all.’

‘How does he know? I gave you all the information you needed to get inside the Estate covertly. I told you how to make it look like it was the Moroz Front. I even helped you—’

‘Kid, we have to cut bait and get you out of here tonight.’

Riley looks between them, brain unable to connect their conversation.