One Plus Two Equals... - 44

"Locking up means turning on the security system, too!" Auden glared at Julyan as he armed the system.

"Sorry," Julyan whispered.

"Just be damned glad… Aw hell, I'm the one who should be sorry for yelling at you."

"Why are you here and not Duane?"

"Because I'm the protector in this outfit."

Julyan frowned. "Why would I need protecting here?"

Auden sat down on the arm of the sofa. "You probably don't. Remember what we told you about being bait? I have the distinct feeling that's what's happening. Not that whoever called you expects you to show up tomorrow. They know you'll tell Duane and figure he'll be there instead of you. And if they happen to know what he is, they might be hoping it'll be me instead."

"Well, then don't go."

Auden shook his head. "If one of us doesn't show then they'll try something else, like just taking you instead of making you the messenger."

"Maybe they really think I'm just the houseboy."

"Don't count on it. They were trying to panic Duane by letting him know how close they were to you."

"That means they do know what he is, or at least that he works for the agency."

"I suspect so, all things considered. What's worse, they know you're you despite this." Auden reached over to ruffle Julyan's hair.

Julyan caught his hand before he could take it back, gripping it tightly. "You're not going there to meet them."

"Since when do you make the rules?" Auden spat out before he could stop himself. Seeing the hurt look on Julyan's face, he brought his temper under control again. "Don't you see I don't have a choice? It's better to end whatever game they have in mind before it goes any farther and you get hurt."

"What about you? You know you'll be walking into a trap and they have to know you're not stupid enough not to know it, so they're going to be very prepared."

Auden chuckled. "That’s a somewhat convoluted sentence, but I get what you're saying. I'll just have to be better prepared. It's not like I haven't faced down more than one at a time before."

"I know." Julyan worried his lip with his teeth. "Will you have backup?"

"If the boss here can spare someone. It's not like we're a huge organization."