Chapter 17 · You're scared of turning to stone

"You're scared of turning to stone."

"I said don't."

"You hear the dead every time the plague spreads. You feel yourself hardening, and you know the Vault won't cure you. It will use you."

Julian's fingers closed around Kael's coat.

"You don't know what I feel."

"Tell me."

"No."

"Tell me, and I might be able to stop it."

"You can't stop it."

"Then why keep me alive?"

Julian's face was inches away now. His cold breath mixed with Kael's. His grip held Kael still, but he didn't force him closer.

"Because when you touch me," Julian whispered, "the voices stop."

Kael forgot the next breath.

Julian's eyes dropped to his mouth again. This time, he didn't hide it.

Kael should have pushed him away.

Instead, his fingers tightened around Julian's wrist.

"That's not a cure," Kael said.

"I know."

"It's dependence."

"I know."

"You could have told me."

"Would you have stayed?"

Kael's answer caught behind his teeth.

Julian gave a small, bitter smile. "Exactly."

The guard cleared his throat. "My lord. The records chamber."

Julian stepped back first.

The loss of his warmth was immediate, and Kael hated that he noticed.

"Keep him close," Julian told the guard.