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Rook’s hands were shaking. “You’re making yourself bait.”

“I’m already bait. Voss has been on my case for over a month about introducing me to opportunities - before I met you, Rook.” Ethan met his eyes. “This way we control the circumstances.”

“He’ll have wards. Traps. Ways to contain you the moment you’re inside.”

“Which is why you won’t be far.” Ethan turned back to the architectural plans. “Pope’s primary ward seal is probably going to be at the center of the structure. If I had to guess, I’d say the old altar space in the nave. Once I locate and disrupt it, the outer wards should collapse, and that’s when you come in.”

“And if he kills you before you reach the seal?” Rook’s voice had gone rough.

“Then you’ll feel it through the bond and burn his church down, preferably while he’s still in it.” Ethan kept his tone factual. The bond worked both ways, and Rook would know the moment Ethan was in danger.

Thorn studied Ethan for a long moment. “Your idea has merit, but I think we need a distraction as well. Something that makes Pope think the guardians are hitting a different target while Ethan approaches through legitimate channels.”

“What about working through Detective Rowsell?” Julian was already typing. “We leak intelligence through her about planning to raid Ashford’s city hall office at around the same time. Pope is bound to hear about it, and while he’s protecting his investment in Ashford’s political network, Ethan makes contact about the consulting position.”

Silas nodded. “I’ve been monitoring Rowsell’s investigation since the Vane incident. She’s clean, frustrated with department corruption, and would absolutely move on solid evidence about council member involvement in trafficking. We can give her enough to justify a warrant, time it so it works for us, and let Pope intercept the communication through his police contacts.”

“He’ll reinforce Ashford’s defenses,” Cillian said.

“Exactly, which means fewer resources at the church.” Ethan pulled up Pope’s business hours. “I’ll request a consultation tomorrow morning. Professional, eager, and completely unaware of his trafficking operation. He’ll see an opportunity to leverage Rook’s mate and take it.”

Rook hadn’t moved, although his shadows couldn’t stay still and were currently winding their way about the table legs. But Ethan was getting a firsthand example of how their new bond could transmit Rook’s emotional state very clearly.

“I hate this.” Rook’s voice was barely human.

“I know.” Ethan reached across the table, letting Rook’s shadows wrap around his hand. “But he was coming for me eventually. You said it yourself - the tracking sigil was a clear indicator of that. It’s better that we face him on our terms than wait for him to act on his.”

“Our bond’s not even twelve hours old.”

“But thanks to you, I have accelerated healing, an emotional resonance with you, and shadow marks that identify me as yours. I’m more durable now than I was when we met - a lot more.” Ethan squeezed Rook’s hand. “And the only reason I have the courage to offer in the first place is that I know I won’t be alone. You’ll feel everything through the bond. The moment I break the seal, you’ll know.”

Thorn looked at each guardian in turn. “Vote. Cillian?”

“It’s sound from a tactical perspective. I don’t like using Ethan as bait, but he’s right about Pope coming for him eventually.”

“Silas?”

“The plan has merit. If we can nudge Detective Rowsell’s raid timing to work in our favor – like tonight for example, Ethan makes contact at nine the next morning. Pope will be stretched thin trying to protect multiple assets.” Silas glanced at Ethan. “You’ll need a cover story for how you heard about the position and credentials that check out under scrutiny.”

“I’ll handle that,” Julian said. “I can create a consulting portfolio that references Ethan’s Prague work under a modified credential set. Pope won’t question someone with that sort of experience.”

“Rook?” Thorn waited.

Rook’s shadows had crept up Ethan’s arm to his shoulder, a protective weight that pulsed in time with both their heartbeats. “If anything happens to him…”

“Then we will burn Pope’s world down,” Thorn said flatly. “But Ethan’s right. Pope’s already targeted him. We can’t protect the beacons by hiding them forever. It’s better to end the threat before it gets any worse.”

“I’m going with him.” Rook’s tone left no room for argument. “Not inside, but close. Within bond range.”

“Two blocks,” Silas said. “Any closer and Pope’s wards will alert him to guardian presence. But two blocks puts you well within the two-mile awareness radius.”

Ethan tested the bond, feeling Rook’s presence like a compass pointing north. Hopefully, two blocks wouldn’t feel any different than standing in different rooms. “That works.”

“Then we move tomorrow morning.” Thorn stood. “Julian, create the portfolio. Silas, coordinate with Detective Rowsell for tonight’s raid. Cillian, scout the area around Pope’s church for optimal entry points post-ward collapse.” He looked at Rook. “Keep your mate alive.”

“Always.”

After the others left, Rook pulled Ethan into his lap, his shadows wrapping them both in a protective cocoon.