Eclipse Sector (V-Clan #3)

19. Cillian

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CILLIAN

Have you picked up on anything noteworthy? Ivana mentally asked as she took a sip from the drink in her hand. The liquid was pale yellow in color, the sweet yet sour scent suggesting it was lemonade in her cup. About Sylvia, I mean, she clarified.

I admired her long, delicate fingers wrapped around the stem of her glass, as well as the way her throat lightly bobbed with each swallow. A myriad of sensual images danced through my mind, each of them involving her lips wrapped around something much larger—and harder—while her throat created a similar motion.

It was wrong.

The timing was absolutely inappropriate.

And yet, I couldn’t seem to halt the stream of thought.

Such a dangerous distraction , I told myself. Which is why I can’t have her. Shouldn’t have her.

Cillian? she prompted, her gaze on the room despite her thoughts being directed at me.

Yes?

Her lips curled down a little. I asked if you’d found anything.

Oh. Right.

I’m still working on it, I lied. Well, it wasn’t technically a lie. I was trying to work. I just… Fuck, Ivana, I’m sorry. I ? —

Her free hand grabbed mine, giving it a squeeze. Don’t. Not here. Not now. We both have a job to do. You figure out who drugged Sylvia while I keep the Omegas calm.

And who is going to keep you calm? I asked, at a loss for what else to say to this marvelous creature.

She faced me, one blonde eyebrow inching upward. Do I need to be calmed? she asked, her tone underlined with a profound patience that I couldn’t help but respect. Because I feel pretty calm, Cillian.

How? I asked her. How are you so calm?

She lifted a shoulder and took another sip from her glass, the picture of nonchalance.

I know you’ll figure this out and protect us, Cillian. And I know Sylvia is safe in Blood Sector. My only concern right now is regarding the Sanctuary Omegas. They don’t have the same experience and faith that I do. This is all still very new to them. They need reassurances right now, which I can provide. And you’ll do the same when you determine who hurt Sylvia.

Her hand squeezed mine once more before slipping away.

Or she attempted to, anyway.

I intertwined our fingers before she could and tugged her back to me, her warmth a welcome sensation against my skin.

For whatever reason, I wasn’t quite ready to let her go.

Maybe it was her calm aura.

Maybe it was the fact that I didn’t want her to go anywhere near Cael.

Or maybe I simply needed her.

Who the fuck knew? I just couldn’t release her. Not now. Not after she’d found me lurking in the shadows. She’d done this countless times before, but something was different now. I wasn’t sure if it was our time in the shower or the forbidden kiss I’d stolen from her, or some combination of both.

All I knew was I couldn’t release her. Not physically or mentally.

Cillian? she asked, her mental voice tentative.

I need a minute, I told her, my thumb running along her hand. Just sixty more seconds.

Okay, she replied, not asking me to explain.

Instead, she stood quietly beside me while finishing her drink, her mind as peaceful as ever. She exuded a serenity unlike any other, her mere presence allowing me to breathe a little deeper.

I’d spent so many years fighting this pull between us, this urge to just sink into her embrace and allow her to care for me. So many tense moments. So much physical and mental strain.

It was like I’d been drowning for years and had refused to let her tug me up to the surface for air. But I’d been drowning for her. Protecting her from my turbulent undertow. Ensuring she could remain in the blissful sun without me anchoring her to the ocean floor.

Some might say I was selfless.

Others might call me selfish.

I supposed it was all about perspective, because right now, I felt more selfish than I’d ever been, holding her hand and keeping her away from all the Alpha suitors in the room. Staking a claim I shouldn’t be allowed to stake.

Yet it felt too good. Too right. Too necessary .

I swallowed, my eyes scanning the area before us and noting the quiet murmurs occurring between the Omegas, as well as the guarded looks among the Alphas. They were all questioning each other’s intentions, wondering if one of the others had tried to hurt Sylvia.

The general undertone of fury suggested they were all innocent. None of them were pleased that Sylvia had been drugged.

It was an anger I shared with them all.

An anger the Omega beside me miraculously quieted.

Our minute stretched into two minutes. Then five. And on to ten. All the while, Ivana remained by my side without uttering a word, allowing me to focus my mind and continue scanning everyone around us, including the inhabitants of Glacier Sector not in this dining hall.

A myriad of emotion-filled thoughts swirled through my mind, allowing me to filter them out as I searched for useful information.

Concern. Rage. Fear. Some irritation.

But no guilt.

And the fear was coming from the Omegas, not from an Alpha afraid of being caught.

I clenched and unclenched my jaw. There were only three Alphas I couldn’t read at all—Cael and his Elites.

Kieran’s not going to be pleased , I told Ivana. We’re going to spend days questioning everyone. Which meant he would be away from his pregnant mate.

Everyone? she repeated.

I haven’t been able to find a single clue or hint in anyone’s thoughts, which means I’m missing something. A fact that had me questioning everything. Sylvia had been assaulted on my watch while I’d been distracted. And now, I had no proof.

Or no one here is guilty, she murmured. Maybe whoever hurt her shadowed in and out before anyone could sense them. Or perhaps this was done before we even arrived.

I startled at her thought. Before we arrived? I echoed, considering her words.

Suppressants take weeks to build up in an Omega’s system. She glanced at me. Couldn’t a heat inducer work similarly?

What do you know about suppressants? I asked, the concept causing the hairs along my arms to stand on end. You ? —

I’ve never taken them, she interjected before I could finish my next question. But I know all about them. Just like I know a lot about the drugs used in Bariloche Sector. Quinn would probably be a good resource to ask about heat inducers.

My stomach twisted at the mention of the hellhole Kieran, Lorcan, and I had pulled Quinnlynn from a few months back. Fortunately, she’d been mostly unharmed—just drained of energy from healing all the Omegas around her.

But some of the other Omegas had been in much worse shape, many of them having been drugged repeatedly by the former Alpha of Bariloche Sector and his merry band of sadistic supporters.

I’ll talk to Quinnlynn , I informed Ivana and moved to face her, placing the room at my back. But these next two words needed to be spoken aloud, not whispered into her mind.

She needed to understand the importance of what she’d just offered me. Not just the ideas in her thoughts, but also the quiet comfort she’d provided when I’d needed it. And the show of leadership she’d displayed when taking over with the Omegas.

“Thank you,” I told her softly, my palm reaching up to cup her cheek as I bent to press my forehead to hers. “Thank you, Ivana.” It was worth repeating.

You don’t have to thank me, Cillian.

I do, I admitted into her mind. When this is done, we’ll talk.

Her responding sigh touched my lips, her agitation momentarily glittering in her mind. However, I pressed a kiss to her mouth before she could reply to my comment.

Because we would talk.

About what had happened today. Before today. After today. Just… everything .

Alas, for now, I left it with a brief kiss, trying to display my intentions and my emotions without words.

Then stepped back to finally let her go.

Lorcan will be here soon to pilot everyone to Blood Sector. I expect you to get on that plane, Ivana.

Her blue eyes held mine for a long moment before she nodded. Okay .

Okay , I echoed, my palm still cupping her cheek. I brushed my thumb against her bottom lip, my gaze following the action. Be safe, macushla. But call me if you need me.

She stared at me for another beat, her eyes searching. Then she dipped her chin again in a small nod and disappeared to rejoin the Omegas.

Ashlyn instantly moved over, making room for Ivana. My Omega studied her for a second before setting her empty glass on the table and sliding onto the open chair. She almost seemed wary, the exchange a bit strange.

However, everything surrounding the Z-Clan Omega seemed off. Even her thoughts—which were once again surface level and seemed to be directed right at me as she thought, That’s much better, Alpha. Much better indeed.

I didn’t reply, instead wrapping myself even deeper into the shadows. Then I pulled up a screen from my watch and typed a message to Kieran, one I knew he wouldn’t like. But Ivana’s point had been extremely valid.

Ask Quinnlynn to evaluate Sylvia. Specifically, see if the condition reminds her of anything from Bariloche Sector.

She’d once said a V-Clan Alpha had been visiting the captive Omegas. And we’d yet to determine who that Alpha had been.

It was a long shot, but if the condition was similar, then it could be the same Alpha.

And Ivana’s comments about how the serum might have been given to Sylvia before she’d arrived in Glacier Sector could hold merit.

My wrist buzzed as Kieran replied with, I’ll talk to Quinnlynn.

Let me know what you learn. I have nothing to report here.

Well, except about Cael’s growing powers.

But that was a discussion Kieran and I needed to have in person.

Minimizing my screen, I leaned back against the wall and resumed my lurking.

Let me know if you need any food, Ivana thought at me. I’ll sneak something over to you.

My lips almost curled. I’m all right for now, but thank you .

Okay, but even stubborn Alphas need to eat, Cillian.

The only thing I want to eat right now is you, Vana, I answered before I could stop myself.

A loud clatter drew my gaze to her at the table where she was apologizing for dropping her fork.

My lips truly curled now. Careful, love. You’re supposed to be calming the Omegas, not startling them.

Cillian, she practically growled into my mind, causing my smile to grow. You can’t… don’t… ughhh.

I can’t what? Eat you? I canted my head a little. Pretty sure I could devour you, macushla. Several times.

Stop, she hissed. You’re distracting me.

Hmm, I’m quite familiar with the problem, I drawled. Very pleased to return the favor now.

She growled again but didn’t say anything. Out loud, she was asking Ashlyn about the notebook on the table. The Z-Clan Omega murmured something about it being her doodling journal.

“The real ones are… well, I already told you about all that. Hopefully, you remember,” Ashlyn concluded.

I almost interjected again, just to make Ivana blush once more, but I decided to let her be.

Because she’d been right—now wasn’t the time for this.

Maybe later.

Or maybe never, I thought, my smile disappearing as I ran a hand over my face.

I had a job to do first.

Then… then I would… figure this shit out.