Chapter 26 · Julian called

He stepped into the open.

The weapons outside charged.

"Julian!" I snapped.

He lifted both hands. Gold power streamed from his palms, bright and clean, the same light the city trusted. The soldiers hesitated.

"Hale," Julian called, "tell them to lower the weapons."

"You are under psychic control."

"I'm under a soul-bind. There's a difference."

"She forced it on you."

"No. I forced it on both of us."

I stared at his back.

He hadn't needed to say that.

He said it anyway.

Hale's weapon rose another inch. "Step away from her."

"No."

"Julian, this is your final command."

"I don't take commands from Silas's puppets."

The soldiers fired.

Julian threw up a shield. The first blast struck it and split into six smaller beams. Two ricocheted into the ceiling. One tore through the console. Another clipped Julian's side.

He staggered.

I moved before thinking.

My shield snapped out from my palm and caught the next shot. The blue barrier slammed into the soldiers, knocking them off their feet.

Julian looked over his shoulder. "I told you to stay behind me."

"You told me to keep the shield on my side."

"That wasn't what I meant."

"Then speak clearly.