Page 50 of Bitten By Chaos

“She doesn’t know yet.” Julian motioned for another drink.

It was Elsa’s turn to laugh. “What are you waiting for? Torturing yourself? If that’s what you want, I can provide it just as easily. Turn her, Jules. She’ll instantly feel the bond, and if she becomes hysterical, you can tell her to behave. Done and done. It’s what I’d do. And then I’d invite others to join in the fun. I’d be open…” She trailed a finger down his lapel.

Catching her hand, Julian shook his head. “Clearly, you haven’t found your mate yet since it’s clear you don’t know how love works. I won’t change her if she doesn’t want to be changed, Elsa. And I will kill anyone who interferes.”

“Fine.” Elsa yanked her hand free and tipped back her drink. “Your loss. But what if she rejects you? She’s human, right? Humans are fickle creatures.”

“Then I would respect that,” Julian answered without hesitation. “Because I love her.”

“I want to dance,” Elsa announced and grabbed the closest man to her aside from Julian to drag him toward the small area surrounding the stage.

The scene changed again, and the day was bright and sunny. Julian wore a dark grey suit now and was outside the restaurant, whistling. I stayed as close to the entrance beneath the awning as possible so that I wouldn’t be run through by pedestrians.

I saw myself approach just as Julian did, and he stood straighter, tugging at his suit jacket. As I passed by the alleyway beside the restaurant, a figure darted from inside and snatched the small red handbag dangling from my wrist. I watched myself scream as Julian calmly stepped out, grabbing hold of the far shorter thief, and tugging the stolen purse from his hand, then releasing him to run away.

My hand had fluttered to the long strand of pearls on my chest as Julian held the retrieved goods back to me. Flustered and blushing, 1920’s Charlotte took the offered bag, fingers grazing Julian’s as she met his gaze.

Damn, I could feel the electricity from here.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Are you alright?” Julian asked, his accent peeking through.

“Y…yes, I think so. It was fortunate for me you were there. If I’d lost my purse, I don’t know how I’d survive until payday.”

“Glad to help. The name is Julian.” He reached out his hand, and the other me shook it, grinning.

“Charlotte.”

The scene changed again, though I could have watched that forever. This time, we sat laughing together at a table piled with pasta.

“It’s broken,” Julian said, indicating a watch on a long gold chain that I recognized as something that had hung from his vest pocket. Was that the watch he’d traded his blood for?

“I can fix it,” I answered, popping open the back and examining it. “I can have it back to you tonight.”

“Allow me the honor of buying you dinner in exchange,” Julian said, setting a hand over mine.

I sure did blush a lot. I wondered if that was true in this life too as I watched her suck in her bottom lip. “Not necessary.”

“But desired,” Julian said smoothly. “I’ll pick you up at eight. I’ll be taking you somewhere far nicer than my own establishment.”

“I’m not sure there is such a thing,” I teased, standing and clutching the watch.

When the scene changed, I’d expected to be having a romantic dinner with Julian, but instead, it was Julian in a jewelry store facing an elderly man with sideburns. “That one.”

The man tucked the ring, the same one on my finger, into a velvet box and handed it to him with a smile.

When the world shifted again, I gaped in shock at my own horrified face, ghostly white as I took in the speakeasy around me.

“Charlotte,” Julian blocked me before I could take the last step down into his den. “I was going to pick you up in half an hour.”

The place was less crowded than the last time we’d been in it, but judging by my face, I didn’t approve. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I’m glad I surprised you,” I insisted, pressing the watch into his chest. “I’d rather know the real you now then after I’d fallen for you. Don’t call on me again.”

Julian watched, heartbroken, as I rushed up the steps and away from his life. I ran to him instantly to comfort him and assure him I was here. But this was a memory, and I couldn’t change it. No wonder he said he didn’t blame me.

I turned away from him, unable to watch, and gaped. In the back corner near the bar, Elsa sat with a glass of whiskey, smiling and satisfied.

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