Rising Son (The Juliana Lucio Series)

by L. C. DeCarlo

  They ran into battle that night thinking they would be safe, but still some died. They thought the woman must have been crazy trying to protect them with a spell. Then the hunters began to notice they were no longer able to be controlled by the vampires. The spell of protection was for their mind; nothing could penetrate their psyche any longer and compel them. The gypsies eventually ran most of the vampires out of Northern Europe. The line had been terribly diminished by that time though.”

  Ana and William paused in their story and just looked at me as I tried to take in what they were saying to me.

  “So, what you are telling me is my ancestors fought and gave their lives fighting vampires, and now I am one?”

  “It’s just one possible explanation,” William said. “We think the change into a vampire mutated whatever it is that protects you, and that’s why you are able to compel other vampires. Do you have any Romani in your heritage?”

  “Yes, I do.” I closed my eyes and hung my head. Even though I didn’t ask for this, I felt like a betrayer. “This is why Christian is able to resist compulsion, because he’s my son? If Martin and Sebastian knew about this already then they now know about Christian being resistant also. This is why they agreed so easily to let him guard me, they’ll want to use him somehow.”

  They just nodded their heads in agreement.

  “And I just handed him to them. Not only that, but they’ll soon know about Evan as well. What have I done?” I spoke the last more as a whisper, and mostly to myself.

  “We’ll have to keep them away from your house if at all possible. Christian must always come to see us, you will have to limit your times you go home Juliana. We will have to do everything we can to not bring attention to the fact that you have another son,” Ana was already sketching out a list and plans in her head.

  “It’s too late. They’re going to find out. Very soon, in fact.”

  Ana stopped counting things off on her fingers and gave me her full attention, “Why would it be too late?”

  “Because Sebastian is going to have a full guard detail set up around my family 24 hours a day.”

  “Why is he doing this?” William’s eyes were quickly turning black and his jaw was twitching from his anger – or jealously.

  “It was a condition that my family be protected if I was going to work with him to stop the Coven.”

  William’s fangs dropped instantly and his muscles tightened under his tee shirt.

  “We told you not to work for the Council!”

  “I’m not working for the Council, I’m working with you guys to stop the Coven from torturing human beings, and outing vampires to the world. If they get what they want it will be like walking around after the apocalypse, and that isn’t the world I want to live in – or see my children live in, vampire or not.”

  “You will never get out, Jules. You just gave yourself to him, don’t you get it?”

  “I heard you the first time, I can also quit as soon as we stop the Coven. Without being harmed or killed,” I told them both smugly.

  “I have been working for the Council for almost my entire vampire existence and so has Ana, the entire time we have been trying to take down the Coven. There will be no quitting for you,” William said as he turned and stepped off the side of the building.

  “Will!” I screamed frantically.

  “Relax, like he’s really going to get hurt.”

  I looked over the edge of the building to see William had fallen several stories before stopping himself by grabbing the edge of the building. There was another building next to us he flung himself onto by landing on its fire escape then jumping onto the roof.

  “What is he doing?”

  He was now standing on the edge of the building next to us looking out and away from Ana and I. He was as still as a statue, with his hands on his hips. I looked down at the harrowing fifteen stories down to the streets below, then over to William ignoring me.

  “And he had the gall to accuse me of being a runner.” I said as I began to back away from the edge of the wall.

  “What are you doing?” Ana asked me nervously.

  “Fighting for what I love, dammit.” I said as I took a running leap off the side of the building and aimed for the one below us that William was on. I hit the roof with a thump, and rolled myself into a ball as I went skidding across the rooftop. William ran over to my side and pulled me up.

  “What are you doing?”

  “That seems to be the question of the night,” Ana answered for me as she came to a graceful landing next to me.

  “Coming after you. Why are you running from me?”

  William blew out a frustrated breath of air and ran his fingers through his hair, “Jules, we have been doing everything we can to make you feel safe, to keep your family safe. We only wanted you to trust us, and not join the Council–for your own good. Now the first opportunity you had, you joined up and have them detailing your family for protection?”

  “You heard him before I left, he said if I didn’t agree to work with you guys in stopping the Coven then I couldn’t see Christian again, but that isn’t why I agreed. I actually told him no on our way back to the hotel because of my family, I didn’t want them to become a target. That’s when he offered to put a 24 hour guard on them, in exchange for my help. You knew this was going to happen. Why are you acting like this?”

  “Because you don’t know what you’re doing. You should have said no and let me try to come up with another solution. Are you sure you aren’t doing this just to make Sebastian happy?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You say it was so horrible being there, but I don’t smell any other humans or vampires on you, but I do smell a whole lot of Sebastian. What exactly were you two doing, Jules?”

  “He kept me from stopping what they were doing to that poor girl! That’s all. I almost used my compulsion I was so angry. I didn’t ‘do’ anything with him William. I thought you knew me better than that.”

  His face softened a little as his anger slowly started to melt, “I do know you, and I don’t think you will be able to handle being undercover. The Coven will not allow you to go without participating for very long without becoming suspicious of you. You are too kindhearted and too quick to anger to handle it.”

  “Then I guess you will have to teach more than just Christian won’t you?”

  “Speaking of which, you need to call and have Christian come over to the house. We must start training him immediately,” Ana said.

  “We? I thought you hated the idea,” I said a little surprised.

  “I do, but it seems I don’t have a choice, and if he is going to be involved than I am going to do everything I can to make sure he doesn’t get himself or you killed.”

  “Thanks Ana, that really means a lot to me.”

  “Don’t get all emotional, just tell him to be at our house in two nights as soon as the sun has set, and to bring all of his shoes and belts.”

  “Ooo-kay.”

  “He’ll also need to wear something comfortable, combat training starts that night as well. For both of you,” William added on.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next night we made our way home to Chicago and began to prepare for both my and Christian’s training. Ana called the house telling him when and where to meet us. I didn’t want to risk Antonio answering the phone. For the first time since becoming a vampire I was looking forward to sunrise; I was going to sleep in my own bed with William wrapped around me, and when I rose at nightfall I would get to see my son without the threat of death hanging around us.

  When I rose the night Christian was coming it was to find William staring at me, I was still wrapped in his arms the way I had been when we passed out the night before.

  “Good morning –err night,” I said turning so I could see him better.

  He just smiled and brushed my hair out of my face then leaned over to kiss me.

  “I’m sorry for getting upset whe
n we were in New York. I just don’t want to lose you, Jules, to another man or to the Coven. I couldn’t handle it if either one happened.”

  “You aren’t going to lose me, trust me you have nothing to worry about. I really do think Sebastian’s intentions were good when he distracted me so I wouldn’t interfere, and even if his intentions weren’t good, mine are. I’m never leaving you again.” I pulled him closer to me just to emphasize my point, plus he was naked, I just wanted to be closer to him.

  We started kissing more deeply and just as William was sliding his hands under my tank top there was a knock on my bedroom door causing William to curse with frustration.

  “What!” he yelled out.

  “Christian’s here, we told him to be here as soon as the sun set,” Ana told us from the other side of the door.

  “We’re coming down now. Thanks, Ana” I answered, not trusting William to reply.

  She didn’t say anything else and I could hear her steps retreating down the stairs. I climbed out of bed and pulled off the tank top I usually slept in, as I turned to talk to William.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked before I could say anything.

  “What are you talking about?”

  I went to the dresser grabbing the first shirt and pair of yoga pants I could find. I pulled off my underwear and threw them into the hamper, turning to find William looking at me with fully black eyes as I stood there naked.

  “What’s the matter with you, we need to get dressed.”

  I bent over pulling on my pants, then slid into a bra, and quickly pulled my shirt over my head.

  “Will, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about before we go downstairs,” I told him while I was looking around the room for my running shoes, and I knelt on the floor to look under the bed. He was still sitting exactly where he was before, frozen yet watching me like a hawk with eyes just as black.

  I popped up from the floor after pulling out my shoes from under the bed and sat next to him while I put them on, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Christian to know about us yet. It was sudden for me, and I think it will be really sudden for him to take in. Can we keep things quiet when he’s around? Just for now?”

  “Yeah, sure, I understand.” William said with a slight strain to his voice.

  “Are you going to get dressed and come downstairs or what?” I asked him standing up.

  “Um, I think I’m just gonna take a quick shower first, preferably a cold one.”

  “Whatever. I’m going down.”

  “That’s part of the problem, I don’t think you are.”

  He finally got out of bed and headed into the bathroom naked as could be, revealing why he needed that cold shower as I was walking out the door.

  I ran down the stairs to find Christian holding a garbage bag full of shoes and belts. He was standing facing Ana keeping the kitchen table conspicuously between them. I didn’t slow my momentum any and came running to him, pulling him into a hug I was sure was just a little too tight.

  “Uh, hi Mom.”

  “Christian, did you find it okay? How’s Evan, did he like the truck?”

  “Yeah, he loved it. You can let go now.”

  “Oh, sorry,” I reluctantly let him go and just looked him over. I know I had just seen him a few days ago, but that had been too quick, and we were at the risk of someone finding out. Now it was safe, we could shout it out to the world, well to the vampire world, that he was my son and he would still be safe. Again, sort of.

  “It’s just so great to see you. I miss you so much. I miss you all so much.” I couldn’t help it I grabbed it him into another hug and held him tight. I don’t think I was going to let him go home at all.

  “Geez Mom, I think it’s a good thing none of my friends can know about this,” Christian joked, but he still hugged me back just as tight.

  “If you want to just leave your shoes and belts with me, I’ll leave you guys alone,” Ana said trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

  I pulled away from Christian to find Ana and William standing there watching us, they looked like they wanted to give us privacy, yet at the same time didn’t want to leave. They were getting a glimpse of something they had probably not truly witnessed since they were human. Having to always remain on the outskirts of human society and hide what they really were they only got to see human families from a distance, not be a part of one themselves.

  “No, I’m sorry. I was being rude; I don’t think Christian has formally met you two. Christian this is Ana and William, I live here with them, and they are both going to help train you.”

  “What’s up,” he said with a head nod, and I elbowed him in the side, “Uh, I mean, it’s nice to meet you both . . . and I’m sorry for attacking you guys with that bat.”

  “Not a problem, I’d expect no less from someone that comes from your mother,” William said with an amused smile, “and never apologize for protecting her. That is your job now, after all.”

  “Yes, my shoulder felt better in seconds. It was fine,” Ana told him a bit more stiffly. I did appreciate the effort she was giving though and gave her a smile.

  “So, what’s with all my shoes? Do I have to go home barefoot?” Christian asked the three of us.

  “We are turning you into a weapon Christian. That means everything about you must act like one. The way you think, the way you move and react. You aren’t going to be able to walk around carrying a silver stake in your back pocket. Not only are we turning you into a weapon, but everything you could possibly wear will be turned into one as well. While William teaches you martial arts and combat training, I’ll be working on weapons,” Ana told him very seriously.

  “Wow, intense.”

  “It is, Christian, it’s more intense than you realize. Before we do anything we need to explain to you how intense it is.”

  We left his bag of stuff in the kitchen and went to sit in the library, Ana sat in the single chair and William took up his usual post near the fireplace.

  “Dang Mom! This place is amazing, Dad and Evan would both love this.” He started for the book shelf letting his fingers roam along the books’ bindings as he read them. I cringed a little as he said the words, even though I was trying not to let it show. Ana started to open her mouth, but I held up my hand stopping her. William’s eyes were glued to me, wanting to see my reaction at the mention of my husband I was sure.

  “Christian sit down. Do you remember what we talked about at the hospital? About Dad and Evan knowing what I am?”

  He grew silent and looked away. I would normally demand he answer me and stop ignoring me, but this was too vital to everyone’s continued existence. I had to make sure he understood the magnitude of what was going on.

  “Yeah, I remember. They can’t know anything or that council guy might come after you,” he mumbled in a sort of stubborn way.

  “Christian pay attention!” This time I did yell at him and his head snapped around facing me. Even Ana and William straightened up a little.

  “Our trip to New York this weekend wasn’t a fun little vacation, it was a meeting with that ‘council guy’ and he is allowing us to train you as a Day Guardian. It is a privileged position, one that hasn’t been used in over three centuries. He wanted us to stress upon you the importance of not revealing the existence of vampirekind to the human world. Because you will be my Guardian you and I will not be subject to the normal punishment that comes from revealing or discovering vampire kind.”

  “What’s the punishment again?”

  “Look at me, and you’ll see the punishment. It’s this or death,” I told him. Ana stiffened in her chair, but didn’t say anything.

  “Before we left, Sebastian told me personally if you even insinuate anything about the vampire world to anyone you will be killed, along with whomever you talk to. I wasn’t willing to risk it, but I can’t compel you to forget either. You know the consequences, and he won’t be lenient.”

  As I stressed the enorm
ity of the situation to him the full realization of what I had agreed to just hit me. Christian’s life really depended on him keeping quite.

  “I can keep it quite Mom. You know I can. I get it.”

  I was just nodding my head, I couldn’t answer him. My heart had dropped to the floor and I couldn’t find the strength to speak.

  “Hey, Christian, what do you say I give you a tour of the weapons room huh?” William said coming to my rescue. He walked around the back of the couch and pulled out the book triggering the hidden door to the room below the house.

  “No way! Secret rooms, this is gonna be sweet,” Christian said jumping over the back of the couch following William.

  “What have I done? Oh, God what have I done?” Ana came over and sat next to me on the couch, as I kept repeating myself over and over. She put her arms around me and pulled me close to her as I had a sort of nervous breakdown.

  “You didn’t have a choice; it was the only way of protecting what he already knew, Juliana. You know that. We just have to make sure he can keep his mouth shut, that’s all.”

  Ana pulled back from me a little so she could look me in the eye as she spoke, “You made the hardest decision possible for a mother, and the best one possible to protect him. You did the right thing,” she told me with a small smile.

  “Thank you, Ana,” I said hugging her tightly again. We sat like that for a few minutes longer before I finally convinced myself she was right and I let her go.

  “So, do you need help with his shoes?”

  “No, I think you should go get some training in before he has to leave. Besides I’m sure he can’t stay all night, and I’m willing to bet as cool as he thinks that room is down there, he wants to spend time with you.”

  This time I had a genuine smile that lit up my face, “Thanks, Ana.” I gave her another quick hug before I ran down the stairs to find William and Christian.

  I came down the stairs leading to the weapons room to find Christian standing blindfolded in the middle of the room.

  “. . . you will never be able to out run or out last a vampire.” William was in the middle of telling Christian from the other side of the room.