Page 31

“What about specifically? The five people in that warehouse who could have a full-blown panic if they see a hint of shadows?” Rook set the pan down harder than necessary. “Or the fact that we don’t know what kind of wards Ashford installed? For all we know, it could be suppression tech like last time, or something worse that we just haven’t come across yet.”

“That’s not what you’re worried about.”

Rook met Cillian’s stare. “What do you want me to say?”

“That’s up to you, but you look at Ethan the way I look at Julian.”

Rook’s shadows recoiled, wrapping tightly around his forearms in defensive spirals. “That’s…”

“Accurate.” Cillian’s expression remained neutral. “Your shadows won’t leave him alone, and you can’t stop watching him. When Thorn said Ethan couldn’t come tonight, you argued on his behalf. You never argue with Thorn about anything.”

Rook turned back to the cinnamon rolls, reaching for the glaze brush and the small bowl he’d prepared earlier. “He’s my beacon. Of course I’m protective.”

“It’s more than protective.” Cillian moved closer, his voice dropping. “You’re terrified of him getting hurt.”

“That’s normal for a guardian with a beacon. I saw that happen to you more than once.”

“No.” Cillian’s hand landed on Rook’s shoulder, stopping the frantic glazing motion. “It’s normal for a guardian with a mate.”

The word settled in Rook’s chest like molten lead. Mate, not just a beacon and not just a human his shadows responded to. Mate.

“You heard him back there. I barely know him, apparently,” Rook said, but his voice lacked conviction.

“As if that counts for anything with beings like us. I knew Julian was mine the moment he stopped to talk instead of screaming.” Cillian’s grip tightened. “The bond doesn’t care about timelines. It cares about recognition. And you recognized him.”

Rook had to set down the glazing bowl because his hands were shaking. “I know that, but what if I fuck it up?”

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that.” Rook turned, meeting Cillian’s black stare. “Julian’s brilliant and calm about everything. If anything, he sees you as a fascinating research topic. Ethan’s been hurt before. He flinches from touch. What if my shadows scare him off? What if I’m too intense? Too possessive? What if…”

“Rook.” Cillian’s voice cut through the spiral. “His ex might have hurt him, but your shadows have been touching him from the start, and he hasn’t panicked once. He’s like Julian, he just examines them as though they’re interesting. That’s recognition.”

“Or scientific curiosity.”

“He was an art history student before he served drinks according to Julian’s notes, not a scientist.” Cillian released Rook’s shoulder. “Julian’s curiosity and acceptance are the same thing, though. If Ethan’s asking questions about your shadows instead of running, he’s already choosing you. He just doesn’t have the words for it yet.”

Rook wanted to believe that so badly. He’d give anything to think that the way Ethan leaned into Rook’s touch wasn’t just exhaustion.

“He’s coming tonight.” Rook’s shadows coiled tighter. “What if something happens?”

“Then we protect him.” Cillian’s certainty was absolute. “All of us, because he’s yours, which makes him ours. That’s how this works.”

The knot in Rook’s chest loosened slightly. The Order of the Shadows protected their own.

“Thanks,” Rook managed.

“Don’t get him killed.” Cillian headed for the door. “Julian’s already planning a welcome dinner for Ethan next week. It would be extremely inconvenient if we had to cancel.”

/~/~/~/~/

At twenty-one forty-five, they assembled in the garage. Thorn and Cillian wore dark clothing that would blend into shadows. Julian was staying back at Shadow House to keep an eye on CCTV cameras around the immediate area. Silas carried his medical kit and surveillance equipment while Ethan stood beside the extraction van, dressed in dark jeans and a black jacket he’d borrowed from Julian, looking nervous and trying very hard not to be. Rook’s shadows reached for him automatically.

“Everyone clear on protocols?” Thorn’s voice was low but easily heard. “Silas and Ethan remain in the vehicle at all times. Rook enters first, neutralizes ground-floor guards. Cillian secures the upper level. I handle perimeter and any external threats. We extract the victims, Silas provides medical assessment, then we wait for Ashford to arrive for pickup.”

“And if the wards are active suppression tech?” Cillian asked. “Or Ashford doesn’t show up? It’s not his regular day for it.”

“We adapt.” Thorn’s expression hardened. “We’re not leaving those people in there another night.”