The smell of the sable and hog bristle brushes that she was using permeated the air around her. Those animal hairs, mixed with the pungent smells of oils and turpentine, stung her nostrils more than she was accustomed to. She went to a window and opened it for more ventilation, pausing to breath deeply of the crisp outdoor air and watch the pigeons fly by on their daily errands.
She was doing that more and more often of late, watching the birds and the trees and the sky, all Nikolai’s doing of course. Just spending those few precious days with him had given her a new appreciation of the world around her. She no longer bowed her head and rushed through the crowded streets of the city. Now she took her time, savoring the nuances of her surroundings, strolling instead of hurrying to each destination. She was a changed woman, in many ways.
Julia took a sumi brush—not intended for use with oils, but effective all the same—and used it for its unique effects in the finishing touches of her portrait. Surprisingly it hadn’t taken her any time at all to perfect the piece, merely a few pleasant hours, instead of her customary several days. It would take a solid week to dry of course, because of her use of oils, but it would be well worth the wait to see the end product. Perhaps she could submit the work for extra credit at school. But then again perhaps not. Julia was finding more and more reasons to skimp out on her work at school.
As if school didn’t matter any more.
After so many years of hard work and planning, Julia began to wonder if school just wasn’t a waste of her time. Perhaps she was trying too hard to get by in school, when she should be trying to get by in life instead. She’d never given it much thought before, but now she began to wonder if her talents wouldn’t be better served by submission into the open markets of the art world. So much of her money was spent on books and training through school…but wasn’t true art the product of inspiration and true talent? Julia used to think so. She was beginning to think that way again.
What had she gained by going to school? Self-confidence? There was that. A future in the art world? Not necessarily. She could earn a degree and apply it towards teaching, but as far as being recognized as a great artist—as she’d always hoped and dreamed she would be—no school could give her that. She had to earn it on her own. Did the lessons at the school offer her training? Newfound skills? She had learned much since enrolling, true. But as far as honing her techniques and adopting new habits with her work, she’d learned more about this through Nikolai’s vision of the world than she’d learned her whole life on her own or at school.
Perhaps it was time for her to take a chance, to find an agent and begin circulating her works beyond her own doors or those of the classroom. Much had changed in the past week. She had changed. Her art had changed. Everything was different now.
Julia cleaned her brushes, carefully removing all traces of paint from the bristles as she’d always done, curling her lip against the pungent odor of the turpentine as it wafted up into her sensitive nostrils. Then, beneath the smells of her workspace she caught a whiff of Nikolai…again.
How long would it take for her to get over the scent of him—the memory of him? Would she look for him around every street corner, in every tall man’s face as he walked by her? These questions had been plaguing her ceaselessly for the past four days and she was still no closer to an answer. Choking on an unexpected sob she breathed deep of that elusive scent that teased her mercilessly. She growled, satisfied when the sound broke over her self-pitying sobs with greater volume.
She was tired of feeling sorry for herself. Tired of worrying. So Nikolai wanted to play rough with her? So be it. Rough is how the game would be. A compulsion overcame her, forgotten until just that moment. But now was just as good a time as any to recall her meeting with Adrian Darkwood, she supposed. She had some questions that needed answering. Now.
Chapter Sixteen
“Mr. Darkwood will see you now, Ms. Thurman.”
Julia thanked the receptionist and went to the door that separated Adrian Darkwood’s office from the lobby of The Living Forest’s headquarters. The conservation group had been a cornerstone of wildlife and forestry conservation for the past forty years—even Julia, who was decidedly not in the know about such ventures, had heard of their great accomplishments, and not only through playing hostess at their parties. The Living Forest conservation group and its representatives were often in the news, working on saving as much of the Earth and its creatures as they could, preserving them for future generations.
Opening the door, Julia was struck anew with that strange feeling of compulsion—as if her actions were not by her choice alone—and entered with a mixed feeling of anticipation and dread.
Adrian Darkwood was seated behind a large, ornate oaken desk, decorated with an unmistakably Native American design. Buffalo and Elk were carved in various stages of flight over great plains, being chased by warriors on horseback and on foot with their hunting dogs. It was a grand piece of art and immensely pleased Julia’s discerning eye.
“Where did you find your desk? I love the inlaid carvings. It must have taken the artist forever to capture the scenes just so.”
“Alas, my appeal dims before that of my desk,” he said with a warm smile, obviously not at all displeased with her reaction. “Actually, my father carved the piece in honor of my coming to work here ten years ago. He will be pleased to hear your comments on it, for you yourself are an artist. Are you not?”
Julia tore her eyes away from the desk, surprised that he knew that about her. “Yes, I am,” she said proudly. “But how would you know that?”
“I have seen some of your work at your school, in the gallery.”
“Really?” She was shocked that he even had knowledge of what school she attended. How odd. “I hope you liked what you saw, though I can tell you now that I’ve since done better.”
“A true artist never stops learning their craft. And yes, I very much liked what I saw. You have true talent, Julia. A rare and wonderful gift.”
“Thank you.” She was growing more and more used to not blushing and stammering in the midst of such conversation. She squared her shoulders and continued, noting an old, age worn book before Adrian on the desk out of the corner of her eye. “But I didn’t come here to discuss my artwork, pleasant though it may be for my ego.”
Adrian laughed, throwing back his handsome head and flashing brilliant white teeth. “Of course you didn’t.” His chuckles subsided. “Are you hungry, Julia? I find that I am famished.”
With some surprise Julia noted that she was indeed hungry, even though she’d only just eaten some peanut butter on crackers before she’d left her apartment.
But Adrian didn’t give her time to nod her assent before he rose from his seat. He grabbed the book before him and walked around the desk to her side. “Why don’t we go down the street to the bistro and grab a bite to eat? My treat. I find that serious conversation flows best over a good hearty meal.” He offered her his arm in a gallant gesture.
Julia smiled and accepted his offering and together they exited the building in search of food.
Unnoticed, their watcher followed at a safe distance.
* * * * *
“So why have you sought me out, Julia Thurman?” Adrian asked as he helped to seat her at the table.
Julia gave it some thought, then said firmly and without shame, “To be honest, I have no real idea why I came today. I just felt that I had to, you see, that I had to speak to you. Does that make any sense to you, because it really doesn’t make much sense to me.”
“Perhaps you have questions for me?” he urged.
“What answers could you possibly give me? You have no idea what is going on in my life right now, believe me.”
“You’ll tell me if I guess right in saying that these questions involve our Mr. Nikolai Tamits, won’t you?” His dark chocolate eyes were wise beyond their years, all knowing and powerful in their knowledge.
“Why should I admit any such thing to you? I don
’t know you.”
“But I can assure you that I know you, Julia. I have made it a point to learn everything I can about you.”
“Why on earth would you do that?” Julia asked in surprise.
“There are always reasons for what I do, Julia, have no doubts about that. And I promise you that my interest in you and your missing Russian bears no nefarious undertones. I wish you no ill will.”
“How did you now that Nikolai is…” She trailed off, uncertain how much to reveal and how much to keep to herself.
It didn’t matter. Adrian was obviously well informed. “Missing? That his whereabouts have been unknown for the past four days?” Julia gasped at his accuracy. “I told you. I have made it a point to learn as much about you and Nikolai as I can. It wasn’t hard to find out that he has been checked out of his hotel by you, and that he has yet to return home to his kin in Russia.”
Julia started at that bit of information. “So he’s still here? He hasn’t gone back home? Do you know where he is?” Julia growled and clenched her fists in her lap to restrain herself from reaching over the table for Adrian’s lapels—the better to shake the information out of him—and took a deep, steadying breath.
“Please calm yourself, Julia. I do not know where Nikolai is at this time.” His dark eyes scanned the area, as if expecting to find the answers to her question amongst the mill of the crowded restaurant, before coming to rest on her once more. “And I only know that he hasn’t returned home because I have spoken to his cousin-by-marriage, Brianna Basileus, who is also our company CEO. She told me only just this morning that she has had no word from him since he left your apartment four days ago.”
“So she’s spoken to him? What did he say? Is he all right?”
“Her husband, Ivan, spoke to him. I don’t know the details of the conversation. I’m sorry.”
Julia’s heart fell. Now she had more questions than ever before. If Nikolai hadn’t returned home then where was he? Why didn’t he come to her? Was he safe, or had the change taken him and placed him in danger?
“I don’t understand what’s going on anymore. I’m so confused about…everything,” she admitted, slouching in her seat with a weary moan.
“There is nothing you can do but worry for now, Julia, so I suggest you let it go. For now, there is much to discuss between just the two of us without worries of Nikolai and his whereabouts. There is much for you to learn, about yourself, I have no doubt. You are changing, Julia, in many ways. I can see it. Those around us can sense it, though they don’t understand it. You need your answers and will hear as many as I can give you, I promise you that. But first, let us order our meal. Ah, yes, here comes our waiter.” Adrian sent her a comforting wink and a smile as he motioned for their server to approach.
Strangely enough she did feel comforted around Adrian Darkwood, despite all of his cryptic words. He was an unusual man, a beautiful man—though she only noted this truth with her artist’s eye and not her libido—but he was also non-threatening. Julia suspected that he could be quite threatening and dangerous indeed if the opportunity arose, but for now he was only a kind individual, offering her the comfort of his company. He seemed an enigma to her, at the same time both gentle and volatile in emotion and demeanor. How odd that she should notice such a thing, she who had never been able to size up a member of the opposite sex with much success in her entire life.
“Shall I order for the both of us, Julia?” he asked politely, breaking over her thoughts with his melodious voice.
“Sure, it’s your dime,” she lightly responded with an unsteady smile.
“Well then, sir,” Adrian addressed their host. “I’d like to order two sirloins. Extra, extra rare.”
Chapter Seventeen
Julia ate with voracious appetite, devouring her nearly raw steak, she who had never enjoyed a steak without it being burnt to a crisp. And for once in her life she didn’t slather steak sauce over the meat, preferring to leave the flavor and texture of the juicy cut of beef untouched. How strange.
How delicious! She was surprised to note that she could almost eat another, so heady was her appetite today.
“So basically what I’m saying is this. You’ve been envenomed by an alpha werewolf, my dear.”
Julia was startled out of her quiet enjoyment of her meal. She hadn’t heard a word Adrian had said for at least the past ten minutes! She’d been enraptured by the filling perfection of her steak. What had he said?
“Could you repeat that last bit, Adrian. I could have sworn you said…” she faltered.
“You’ve been envenomed by an alpha werewolf. By Nikolai. It’s only a matter of time now.”
“I’m…I’m sorry. What do you mean? How did you know that Nikolai is a…”
“You haven’t been listening to me, have you?” Adrian admonished.
“It’s just…I was so hungry. And the steak was so good. I don’t normally eat steak rare like this. In fact, I-I never have.” Julia felt her stomach contract with fear and her hoarsely spoken words faltered over and over with her nervousness. “What…w-what did you say?”
“Nikolai is from a race of wolf-people, a werewolf for lack of a better term. But you knew that, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” she admitted in a whisper. “How in the world did you know that?”
“I have spent my entire life studying tribes such as his.”
“But he said his was the only pack.”
“He is misinformed. But that is not his fault. Most of his kind live in secrecy and never learn of others outside their own families. Nikolai himself was raised in a remote location, far from the opportunity to encounter others like himself. His tribe is much removed, having lived high in their mountain range for centuries, never feeling the need to venture far beyond their borders. It isn’t surprising that he would be unaware of the repercussions a mating between himself—an alpha—and a human.”
“What…repercussions?”
“You weren’t listening to me at all.” Adrian chuckled, but it was a mirthless sound. “You will be shocked at first, but that’s to be expected. You have mated with an alpha male of a strong werewolf tribe. He has bitten you, has he not? I can sense that he has.”
“Y-yes…he bit me. But it wasn’t bad, just a nip.” She felt the need to defend Nikolai’s loss of control.
“But his teeth broke through your skin. Did he draw blood?”
“A little,” she admitted.
“Then you have been envenomed by the poison in the glands that rest behind Nikolai’s fangs. He injected that poison—or hormone, or enzyme, whatever you want to call it—into your blood stream when he broke through your flesh. He was probably quite wild to bite you before it happened, feverish and irritable, but afterwards he was calmer…wasn’t he?”
“Y…y-yes.” Oh god, how could this be? Was it a dream? Had she truly lost her mind?
“It is his instinct to claim you, to join you to him and make you like he is. Though I doubt that he realizes it. I suspect he left you because he was afraid he might harm you somehow, especially after biting you.”
“How can you know all of this? I don’t understand how you can have all these answers, when Nikolai doesn’t have them himself.”
“It is because I come from a similar ilk as Nikolai. I, too, am a werewolf—or skinwalker as many of my people would say—and I knew from the beginning that Nikolai was one of us, when I first shook his hand. Do not be alarmed!” He reached for her hand across the table when she gasped at the unexpected news. “There are many of us, more than you could ever guess, I would wager. But it is not so frightening a thing as you might expect,” he said in an effort to soothe her.
“I don’t believe you,” she said in an unsteady voice, knowing already in the back of her mind that he spoke the truth.
Adrian flashed her another toothy grin, this time revealing a set of sharp, elongated fangs. “You have no idea how difficult this is to do in public,” he muttered. “I can only affect so much o
f my change at will without losing control and braying like a hound at the moon.” He laughed at himself, but it was a dark and guttural sound, coming from such a sharp-toothed mouth.
“Okay. I believe you. Put those away, please,” she beseeched before continuing in a weak voice. “If you could tell what he was just by shaking his hand, how come Nikolai didn’t know you were a…,” she looked around nervously and lowered her words, “a werewolf?”
“Nikolai is not so informed as I, I told you. I know what signs to look for, what nuances make another werewolf stand out in a crowd. Nikolai does not. He sensed a threat in me, instinctively, though he could not pinpoint what that threat was. He sensed the alpha strain in me, that strength of will and purpose that makes me a natural leader among my own kind. It was why he became agitated when I spoke to you at the party, if you’ll remember his reaction. It is why he is naturally cautious around me…just as I am cautious around him. I would not want to engage in a supremacy fight with your Nikolai, I have my doubts about who the victor would be.”
“And you’re saying that I am…becoming like him?”
“Yes. Very much so. Already your appetites have changed, you crave rare and nearly uncooked meats, and you have a natural inclination to be territorial when it comes to discussions concerning Nikolai. You miss him, with an inexplicable yearning I have no doubt, as you are true mates. You hold yourself with a grace—a poise—that you did not possess but a few nights ago at the party in the hotel, that is plain for me to see. Your eyes are brighter, not yet burning as Nikolai’s often do, but far from human now just the same. You have a draw on humans, male and female, that you haven’t even noticed yet. There are eyes watching you right now, enraptured by your animal magnetism. You may not experience a full change with the moon for several more months…but already it has begun. You are no longer human, Julia.”
Bitten: Moon Lust 2 Page 15
