Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
The weight clanked onto the floor as Julien paused to give Emory his attention. Sweat glistened on his cheeks above his beard and dotted his forehead. It had made his T-shirt stick to the heavy muscles of his chest and arms.
Desire curled inside Emory, but he cleared his throat. “What William said made me aware that you are in more danger than just from that penumbra he hired to torment you. Very powerful preternaturals are more than likely aware that you know of their presence. I want to take you to a safe house.”
Julien shook his head. “No, I will not be run out of my own home in addition to them trying to run me out of my company.”
“It would be best. The safe houses are protected by wards. Here, you’re vulnerable.”
“I have you, don’t I?”
“Yes, you have me. But if there are a handful of power wizards or sorcerers out to get you, I would be no match against them. If you won’t go to a safe house, then I want to bring in more bodyguards.”
Julien rested his elbows on his knees and regarded Emory. “I trust you to keep me safe.”
“I’m not enough.”
“You’re more than enough.”
There were heavy layers to that one, simple sentence. Layers that told Emory Julien wasn’t referring only to being his bodyguard.
“Look,” Julien said. “I was against having someone watching over me in the beginning because—as you’ve realized—I like everything just so. I’ve actually come to enjoy having you with me. But I’m not up to others joining us.”
“Julien, if these beings gathering are wizards and sorcerers, they’ll have spell abilities that will need to be counteracted. I’m fast enough to dodge most spells, but I don’t have casting abilities myself. At least agree to letting me call in Alaric. He’s an elf who can bind wizards.”
Julien was silent a couple of moments. “If something else happens, I’ll agree to that.”
Emory gave him a half smile. “Fuck, you’re stubborn.”
“Yes, and that trait has gotten me to the place I am. Or was.” He frowned. “There are members of my board who want me gone.”
“Are there ones you trust? To hire an honest third party to audit?”
Julien nodded and stood to grab a towel, which he swiped over his face and then dabbed at his neck. “Yes, I actually have more on my side. Though I can’t explain what was happening in that video. I did look rather insane.”
“The preternaturals on your board know exactly what was going on. You said they’re the ones on your side?”
“Yes. Most definitely—outside of William. Though none of them know I’m aware of what they are.”
“You might be surprised. The high amount of preternaturals in your office tells me they may very well know you can see them. Xavier told me that one of your employees knows and told you about Protective Solutions. You don’t think he’s told others?”
“I sincerely doubt it. I’ve mentioned him to you before. He swore to keep my secret, and he struck me as a very honest mothman.”
“Mothmen are rare. I’ve only met one before. He was a great guy.”
“So is Rockford. I have him in charge of public relations, and he’s killing it.”
“So William has no idea?”
Julien shook his head and draped the towel over the arm of his treadmill. “I toyed with the idea of telling him, but now I’m glad I never did. Something has kept me from completely trusting him, and now, knowing that he hired the penumbra to make me look foolish and untrustworthy tells me that my instincts were correct.”
“I haven’t sensed the penumbra. He probably stopped paying it to terrorize you now that his plan didn’t work.”
“Which means I’m probably not in danger anymore.”
“Oh no, not at all. You heard him warn you off investigating the other things you found in the files. There’s no doubt in my mind that if he’s involved in all that, he’s shared that you know something is going on. If there is some grand plan going on in this city with the ley line magic, then whoever it is will not want you passing along that information—especially to Xavier. Most beings are afraid of him. As they should be. I’ve never known a more powerful preternatural. And every single person he employs is powerful in their own right.”
“Including you.”
“I do have skills or he wouldn’t have approached me to begin with. What I’m trying to make you understand is that my skills might not be adequate against powerful wizards and sorcerers. I’ll protect you with everything I am, Julien, but I’m also honest enough to—” he broke off. He’d been about to reveal a little too much.
But Julien wasn’t going to let that go. He crossed the room to stand close and stare down into Emory’s face. “Honest enough to what?”