The glass window of the rooftop door exploded before Julian even touched the handle. Out of nowhere, a tall man in a dark suit leapt through the shattered frame. His eyes glowed with this weird, flat gold light. He didn’t yell. He barely even breathed. He moved like something out of a nightmare—too fast, too smooth, not quite human.
“Maya, move!” Julian shouted.
He lunged, slamming into the man midair. They hit the roof hard, stone scraping skin. Julian swung, landing a punch right on the man’s jaw—a punch that should’ve knocked anyone out. But the guy didn’t even blink. He just stared at Julian, that golden stare locked on him, and gave the faintest, almost gentle smile.
“We are one, Julian,” the man whispered. His voice wasn’t right; it sounded like a dozen people speaking at once. “W
