Page 55 of Julian

“Yeah, so if you see it, don’t go killin’ it or I’ll kill you.”

“Speaking of killing … we should go feed before tonight.” Greyson shoved up from his chair. “Don’t get your tails up in a bunch. Of course, we won’t be taking any human lives … not yet anyway.”

“How we ridin’?” Rafe snatched another piece of bacon off the plate.

“Don’t be late. Be back for tonight,” Julian told him.

“Just to let you all know, I’m staying here with the pack. It’s close to the full moon,” Logan told him. “Take Dominique with you. She needs to get back into practice.”

“You sure about that?” Julian raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know the vampire well enough to know if she’d be an asset or liability.

“Dom’s a fighter. She’s worked security for Kade for years…before the incident.” Logan glanced to Cassia and Dominique in the other room who appeared to be getting along, talking and removing clothing from the bags. “I think Kade’s afraid she’s gonna kill an innocent, or really anyone who crosses her the wrong way. Which may have been true at one time, but she’s doing better now. This might be good for her. And you. She’s an extra pair of fangs. Greyson here can surely keep her in line if she gets too feisty. To be fair, Dom was always a little…hmm…what’s the word? Aggressive.”

“Aggressive?” Julian was tempted to laugh.

“Maybe impulsive is the right word. I mean we’re all a little aggressive sometimes. You know more than anyone what Hell or demons can do to someone. From the time she was turned, she’s had a rough go of things. She’s really one of the good guys but we can’t have her going off killin’ the first person who looks at her the wrong way.”

“I guarantee Kellan’s gonna look at her and you know she’s gonna want to fuck his shit up. But Dom’s smart enough to know not to get involved with him,” Greyson said.

“You’d be doing me and Kade a favor,” Logan told him. “I know you know this, but Kellan is going to try to push you guys around tonight. That’s exactly why I want her to go. Greyson’s with you so he can control things and she can help protect you. She’s a fierce fighter.”

“You’ve been kind enough to put us up, Alpha. So if you think she’s ready and Greyson agrees, I’m in.” Julian looked to the ancient vampire.

“She’ll be fine. I’m in agreement she needs to go. No use coddling a vampire. But remember, Jules, I’m not Kade. Sometimes a killing is just what’s needed. And no offense, Alpha, but neither you nor Kade is going to stop me. I’ll play by the rules until I don’t.”

“I did you a favor. And Viktor.” Julian glanced at Rafe and back to the vampire. He released just a fraction of his power, power like none of them had ever seen. “There will be no innocent blood shed in New Orleans. I respect you, Greyson. You’ll respect me.”

The room fell silent. Logan averted his gaze as did Rafe.

Julian knew he pushed the ancient vampire far more than he would have liked. But he made himself clear. Unless there was reason for violence, they would get in and out of the bar without incident.

“Fine. No killing … if I can help it. But the second I get a whiff of trouble, I ask questions later.” Greyson looked to Rafe who shrugged with indifference. “Ready to go?”

“You know it. Let’s flash.” The wolf put a hand on the vampire’s shoulder.

“Don’t let Rafe—” Julian sighed as they disappeared. “Fucking vampire is hard work.”

“But he’s taking care of Rafe?”

“Yeah, yeah he is. Rafe is doing well but benefits from guidance. I get concerned sometimes. Worried he might be a little too rough. It’s the power of the blood … it drives the bloodlust,” Julian found himself divulging. “It’s only a matter of time before Rafe becomes an Alpha. Could be years … could be sooner. He’ll need his own pack one day but for now … he’s with me.”

“And you?”

Julian looked to Cassia who held up a graphic t-shirt that read ‘bite me’ and laughed with Dominique. “She’s going to change everything for me.”

“For someone who’s an ancient, you sure have a lot to learn.”

“I’ve spent all my years on a solo adventure. Time with wolves. Not shifters … but our brothers. Time with humans. Time to think. I’ve watched both humans and supernaturals fall in love … mate … bond. So much time passes, you forget who you are. You deny your beast his brethren … the opportunity to be with your family. Seeing my sister again awakened something in me. For too long we kept hidden.”

“Is it true? Is your blood hellfire? I’m sorry for asking. I heard as much from Hunter.”

“Our blood is of the original shifter magick the Goddess created.” Julian held up his palms, shifting his power until his hands flickered with light. “This …”

“What is that?” Logan asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and concern.

“It’s the hellfire. It’s the original spark of the Goddess. The blood of the royals.”

“So, what do you do with that, huh?”

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