“Look, guys, I know you are busy and under a lot of pressure. I just need to see them at least once before we go to New York. I won’t be out long. You can keep working, and won’t have to keep trying to hide that you’re working,” I told them with a smile.
“No, let’s all go. We could use the break,” William said grabbing his keys for the Range Rover.
“Fine.” I grabbed my bag and followed him out to the garage, Ana trailing behind me.
“Why do you insist on walking behind me, Ana, are you afraid I’m going to run?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Very funny, it’s like you guys are my own personal guard or something. I used to go home alone all the time, what’s going on?”
Neither one answered, but they both stopped and looked around before going into the garage. William climbed into the driver’s seat and Ana waited to get in until the car was started, and I was securely in the car. We all sat there in silence as William pulled out of the drive and headed toward my house. Surprisingly it was Ana who broke the silence.
“I have been seeing more and more attacks coming in to the hospital, and the morgue is reporting multiple deaths per night. We still can’t locate a single one of our contacts within the Coven. Even with William’s connections they just disappeared, even though they are still here in the city somewhere.”
William had pulled into my neighborhood and parked just around the corner from my house where we wouldn’t be noticed. He turned sideways so he could see us both as we spoke.
“We need to be extra cautious; we didn’t think they would go underground for this long.”
“It’s only been a few weeks,” I replied.
“Yeah, well when you’re trying to recruit an army for a war two weeks is a hell of a long time.”
We all climbed out of the SUV and took to the shadows making our way to my house. We took the usual route taking the street directly behind mine, and leaping over the dividing wall in one seamless bound. Normally the house was empty except for a time or two when I was supposed to be missing when my neighbor Talia had come over. Tonight however I was surprised to find there were a few children running around playing, and several adults gathered in the kitchen talking and sharing a bottle of wine.
“What the hell is this?” I asked angrily to myself.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; there was a stack of birthday presents on the kitchen table and an elaborately decorated cake off to the side. No other indication there was a birthday going on.
“This isn’t a child’s birthday party. There isn’t a single decoration anywhere in sight, no games, no theme, there are more adults than children, and why is it at night and not during the day when his friends can come?”
“Juliana, who are you talking about?” Ana asked “What’s going on?”
“Evan, it’s his 10th birthday today.” I told them pointing to a little boy sitting by himself on the couch.
He was sitting by himself as the other children ran through the house chasing each other around. He was twirling a string bracelet around on his wrist, and just looked like he would rather be any other place than where he was. Evan was always small for his age, with sandy blond hair and light green eyes. He was clumsy like me, and had a heart of gold which always meant he had tons of friends. Birthdays were always a big deal in our family and I couldn’t believe Antonio was having what looked like an adult get together and calling it a birthday party.
“He doesn’t even want to be there, why would Antonio do this? That isn’t like him at all.” Just as I said the words out loud Evan got up from the couch and climbed the stairs to his room, without anyone even noticing the birthday boy was gone.
“Jules, I’m sure it isn’t like it seems. Perhaps this is a second gathering, don’t get upset,” William tried comforting me, but I wouldn’t have it.
I looked around to find Antonio, and found him with Talia glued to his side. I was easily able to overhear what was being said.
“Yes, it has been a very difficult past few months,” Antonio was telling some man I had never seen before, “but with Talia’s help it is becoming easier. She has been wonderful with the boys, and threw this great party for Evan.”
“Great party?” I practically yelled out “Evan isn’t even around, open your eyes.”
“Juliana, calm down. It is just a party; you can’t let them know you are here by getting excited,” Ana was saying again.
I dropped to my knees still keeping myself in the shadows of the yard, and dug my hands deep into the grass. I tried to focus my thoughts on the feel of the cold wet grass between my fingers and the grittiness of the dirt. I was trying not to run away like William had accused me of.
“Yes, it is just a party,” I shot my eyes to Ana knowing they were as black as the night, “a party I should be giving my youngest son. A party where I should be standing by my husband’s side not some other woman.”
I felt my compulsion come to me quicker, and stronger than it ever had in the past, singing through me like lightning. “You will never tell me to ‘not get excited’ about my human life again. The life you ripped away from me. Understood?”
Ana didn’t have any other choice but to agree, she was under my command. I did it so quickly and strongly she couldn’t even have attempted to put up a fight. Not that it would have mattered anyway.
“Get the Hell away from her!” I looked up to see Christian come flying through the air with his bat raised high above his head. He must have been in the tree house, and with so many other humans around, we didn’t take notice.
“Christian! Stop!”
He swung at William who quickly ducked and easily avoided Christian’s swing. Ana snapped out of her trance when I yelled, but not quickly enough and was hit on the shoulder. She turned on Christian baring her fangs, not understanding what was going on.
“Ana, that’s my son! Christian, stop it!”
Christian had stumbled backward when his bat glanced against Ana’s shoulder and was now regaining his footing and cocking his bat behind him like he was readying up for another swing. William flashed his hand out grabbing the bat from Christian’s hands and put himself in between him and Ana stopping her from attacking him.
Finally everyone was standing still and looking at each other, waiting for the other to speak first.
“What are you doing to my Mom? Don’t touch her or I’ll kill you,” Christian said stepping toward William.
I stood up and moved around William, “Christian, what are you doing? They aren’t trying to hurt me.”
“I saw her standing over you, and then felt you suddenly compel her, like you did at the fire station to Victoria’s dad. What was I supposed to think?”
Ana started cursing under her breath and began pacing. William had gotten a thoughtful look on his face, and seemed to take Christian a bit more seriously.
“Did you know what we were when you attacked?”
“Don’t even think about it, William,” I said moving between Christian and William.
He just raised his eyebrows at me in a questioning sort of way. I told him under my breath making sure Christian wouldn’t be able to hear me, “That’s exactly what Ana asked me the instant before she attacked me.”
“Wouldn’t think of it, Love,” he responded.
“Of course I knew what you were. How could I not, but I still wasn’t about to stand by and watch you attack my mom.”
I turned around and faced Christian, “They weren’t attacking me, they came with me to make sure I was safe. These two helped rescue you and patch you back up again. Besides, what happened to acting like you know nothing of vampires in the first place?”
“Yeah, about that, I want to come work for you. Dad is making me get a job, so why don’t you guys teach me to fight or something. I can even like run daytime errands for you or something -- whatever you want.”
“No.”
“That’s a good idea.” William said at the
same time.
“How can you say bringing another human into the mix is a good idea?” Ana asked. “And one we just risked everything to protect, it’s idiotic.”
“He can be taught to fight, he won’t have to fight vampires during the day, and he already knows about us. Who would be more motivated to protect Jules's secret than him?” William responded back to Ana.
“I don’t like it,” I told them.
“I’m in,” Christian said.
“What ‘errands’ is he going to run for us William? Is he going to go out for a gallon of milk,” Ana asked dripping with sarcasm.
“Look we aren’t doing this right now. Christian I’m going to be out of town, but will come see you again as soon as it’s safe.” I looked over at the house still not seeing Evan.
“Is Evan doing okay? He looked miserable in there.”
“He’s having a hard time, but is doing better. I’m doing the best I can to try and help him through it. This stupid party was Talia’s idea, why Dad went along with it I have no idea.”
“Will you do me a favor, I was going to just leave it somehow, but this will be better. Can you give this to him for me? Tell him I bought it a few months ago, and told you about it.” I pulled the present out of my bag and handed it to Christian. It was a remote control car any ten year-old boy would dream of having. Attached was a card and letter I had written to him telling him all the things I wish I could say in person, but no longer could.
“Sure thing Mom,” he said taking the package from me.
“Thanks babe. I love you.” I gave him a quick hug and told him we needed to go. We could have stayed longer, but I didn’t trust myself and my emotions to be there any longer.
The next night as soon as we had risen, we left to head to the airport boarding a private jet headed to New York. Our only pit stop along the way was stopping so I could feed before we made it there. William and Ana had made me feed twice a day since the basement debacle, rather than my normal once every other day routine. I thought what happened in the basement went horribly, they both were ecstatic I didn’t attempt to kill anyone.
They were making me feed so much, practically gorging myself because we were betting on the idea that if Sebastian put me in a same sort of situation Ana did, I would be repulsed by the thought of more blood instead of reacting with bloodlust. I have to say at this point, I agree with them. If anyone so much as gets a paper cut on this trip I think I might vomit.
It didn’t take us long to get to New York and I was anxious to make it to the hotel. We had a chauffeured limo waiting for us at the airport to take us there. I was looking forward to finally having some alone time with William, and thought this would be our chance. We hadn’t had any time alone together since making up.
“Where are we meeting Sebastian exactly?”
“It’s a club called Charlie’s. You can only get in if you’re a vampire.”
William had been reading non-stop since we’d met Mark, the feeder; he’d been going through all the books at the house reading them continuously. First at vampiric speed, then once again a bit slower if they held something that was interesting to him, as though he was afraid he’d miss something. He left the house a few times then came back with more books.
“Will, when are you going to put that book away? You’ve been reading it non-stop, how many times are you going to look at it?”
“This is a different book; they just have the same cover, they're books on vampire history and law. I think I might have found something to help us, Mark being at the house and working for the Council reminded me of them.”
“Are you keeping something from me again? What is going to happen tonight that has you scouring vampire law?”
“I have no idea what Sebastian wants, he might just want to meet you given that Ana and I are part of the Council, and Sub-Rosa, but if he tries to pull you into the Council you have to say no, Jules. No matter what.”
I looked to Ana, to see what her reaction to this was, “Do you have any idea what’s going to happen tonight?”
“Nothing more than I’ve already told you, but I agree with Will. Do not agree to work for the Council, for any cost,” she turned to face out the window looking like she was remembering her cost for joining the Council.
“These are the good guys?”
“Yeah, so they say,” Ana replied unconcerned.
“Yet, you two are adamant I don’t work for them.”
“Yes, you are not allowed to work for them,” she replied.
“Yes, and we all know how it works out when you try to tell me what I can and cannot do,” I shot back at her. She just gave me a dagger-eyed stare that always sent chills down my spine. I decided not to argue with her anymore and got back on track.
“What exactly are the bad guys like?”
“They will skin you alive and make you watch while they do it,” she said matter-of-factly cocking her head to the side while gauging my reaction to this.
“Oh look, we’re at the hotel,” she said clearly changing the subject.
We all climbed out of the car and the chauffeur was unloading our bags from the trunk of the limo. We didn’t bring much because we wanted to make sure we only stayed for the two days we planned on being here. We wouldn’t even have to feed if we left on time.
We took our bags and found the main desk in the lobby. William was checking in when I overheard the desk clerk telling him we had one room and was giving him the key.
“I’m sorry, but there must be some sort of mistake we should have two rooms,” I interjected.
He looked from me to William to Ana then back to me, “Oh! I’m so sorry, let me check. No, no it says, “one room for Ana Chase, her lover Juliana Chase, and their companion William who can also be called Chase because what the hell.” He looked up to verify we were in fact all those people. “I must say, we don’t generally have that much personal information on file for our guests, but as it says, what the hell. Here is your room key to your one room ma’am,” he said handing over the key.
“What the hell is this?” I snapped as we grabbed our bags and began walking away.
“This is Sebastian’s idea of a joke. He booked the hotel and finds himself terribly funny, but the point is we are safer together than apart. This town is crawling with Coven.”
We made it up to our room which was conveniently situated in the middle of the hotel. It wasn’t exactly one room like the clerk had indicated though, it was the presidential suite. It was a huge expanse of space that could easily accommodate the three of us. It had multiple king size beds, a large oversized couch in the living room, another in the den, and two bathrooms flanking a small kitchen. Not that we would really be utilizing the kitchen.
“Wow, this’ll work. We’re only going to be here for two nights anyway, right?”
“Yeah, just the two nights. We should probably start getting ready for tonight. We need to be there by midnight,” Ana told me.
“How far away is it? It’s only 9:30.”
“It’s right around the corner, but you have to actually do something with your hair tonight Juliana, and they did invent makeup for wearing you know.”
“Hey! I resent that. I do my hair, sometimes, and I don’t need to wear makeup.”
“When every other person in the place is a vampire, you need to wear makeup. It’s like being the prettiest girl in school until the supermodel enrolls. Trust me; you’ll want to look your best."
“Fine, whatever you say,” I told her stiffly.
I spent the next two hours having Ana curl, brush, pull, straighten, curl, brush, pull, and straighten my hair. I was sure I was going to look like a big puffy mess from the eighties, but it looked sleek, shiny, and very stylish. She did her own hair in a half up half down style making her neck seem longer and more elegant than before. She then pulled out a massive bag of makeup and spread it out over the counter and went to work on me. She looked at the clock on the bathroom counter then decided to move at vam
piric speed. By the time she was done we both looked like we had spent the night at the spa, not on a jet. I pulled on the barely there metallic colored dress and some silver spiked stiletto heels. She did such a good job concealing that they were really weapons you would never guess they had been tampered with, even with using vampire sight.
Ana was wearing a black form fitting dress that fell to the floor. It had a slit up one side that went all the way up to the top of her thigh. Every time she moved she revealed more of the pale smoothness of her long lean leg. The dress itself was deceptively modest. From the front she revealed no cleavage, the straps were wide and crisscrossed in front of her neck, but as soon as she turned around the back of her dress plunged down low making it completely backless, and incredibly erotic. I found I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She looked amazing, and I wanted to run my fingertips along the length of her spine just to see if I could make her shiver.
I knew she could feel my eyes on her, and could sense a little of what I was feeling through our bond as she turned to look at me over her shoulder. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, and felt my vision sharpening which meant my eyes were beginning to ring themselves in black. I couldn't believe I was being turned on by her, just by looking at her. This had never happened before, at least not on my part. I had known almost since the beginning Ana wanted me, but I had made myself very clear I wasn’t interested in her that way. Right?
“Ahem. Ladies are you ready to go?” William said breaking up our unspoken exchange.
I looked over at William and saw him standing in the living area in a perfectly tailored dark grey slim cut suit. His normally unruly hair was slicked back making him look even more impressive and sure of himself. He started walking over to me and as he did I could see his muscles roll under the cut of his suit. He looked strong, sexy, and powerful. He stopped just in front of me taking in my new look. He ran his fingers gently along my hair, not daring to mess it up, then along my cheek as he leaned in for a kiss. One small peck wasn’t enough for him however and he started pulling me in for a deeper, harder kiss pressing against me. I had no problem reciprocating and wrapped my arms around his neck when I felt a cool draft along my bottom.
Rising Son (The Juliana Lucio Series) Page 7
