“Iwill not argue with you about this,” Jonathan said to Riley. “I need you to go now!” He was at once standing right next to Riley, so close that he was literally in Riley’s face. “You will do more harm than good trying to help me fight the demons. I can’t afford to take that risk; it would put me at a disadvantage. I need you to listen to me and let me do what I committed myself to—protecting you at all costs. If you want to stay alive, you go to the garage and go down into the space I created for you. Stay there until I come get you.”
“Jonathan, I . . .”
“Go, Riley. Now!” Jonathan yelled.
Never had his friend spoken to him in this manner, never even raised his voice. Riley’s knees felt weak at the thought of whatever might be out there coming for them. There was so much more he still
