Page 48 of Bitten By Chaos

“Not if you are dead.”

Julian struck so fast there was no room for a reaction. With teeth and animal strength, he tore through her throat and severed her head. The body fell to the ground still clutching the necklace as Julian held up the shocked head of who I assumed to be Elsa’s sire. Both he and the room were bathed in blood.

Elsa materialized beside him, took the head, and threw her arms around him, kissing him in a way that made me sicker than the gore of the moment. She smeared her sire’s blood up his face and into his gorgeous curls which she grasped possessively.

When they came up for air, Julian ran a finger through the blood now coating her lips. “The charm worked well. It prevented her from using her speed and strength while she held it, just as Kayora said. But how did you know she’d pick the ruby?”

“She knows me. I go for big and beautiful.” Elsa tossed the head over her shoulder and slid one hand down the front of Julian’s pants.

I jerked away from the table, gulping for breath as the real world came into view. Julian still sat in the chair looking miserable.

“It’s okay,” I said, getting ahold of myself. “I understand. I do.”

“It is far from okay, Charlotte.” He buried his head in his hands.

“Julian, stop it. I was dead for gods’ sakes, and she was obviously manipulating you.” I tugged at his arms, but he stayed stubbornly hidden. “She may have had your body, but I have your heart.”

Julian pulled his fingers slowly away from his face as I waited. “I have never loved another. It will always be you.”

“Look, it’s not like I never slept with anyone before we met.” I sat back in my chair and grasped his hands before he hissed, and I realized that maybe that wasn’t the right thing to say.

“Regardless of the past, we are together now,” I corrected. “You were able to escape from Silas after this, right? That’s worth all of it.”

“Yes. I never attended the ball. Merlin took me across the ocean to Quebec, hiding our movements while Kayora distracted Silas with what I assume was debauchery and promises of Vlad’s ear. Elizabeth was meant to move to meet me, but without her sire to hold her back, and the help of her distant cousin’s power in the supernatural community, she forgot about me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, dropping my gaze.

“Don’t be. I had no feelings for her, despite what she may fancy. She’d done me several favors, and I’d returned them.”

“Several?” I raised my eyebrows, making Julian laugh.

“Yes, she freed me of my guilt of enjoying certain delights. But more importantly, she freed me from Silas, allowing me to begin the long process of finding myself again. And she introduced me to Merlin, who as it turned out was quite a valuable, albeit expensive, asset, until yesterday.”

“Okay. So, now I know. But, what about in the roaring 20’s, Chicago? Did anything happen then I should be aware of? Honestly, Julian, if it’s just sex, I don’t need to see it.”

His mouth was on mine the second I’d said it, and I parted my lips immediately. His tongue swept inside with strong, claiming strokes, and I melted as he lifted me from the chair, guiding my head back to deepen the ravenous kiss. By the time he was done, I was surprised I still knew my own name.

“I never kissed her like that,” he promised, setting me back down on the chair.

Touching a finger to my swollen lips, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes, there probably are some things you should see, though,” he admitted, sitting and pulling his chair closer to me. “Charlotte, there will be more that is difficult to witness. But please know that I do not blame you.”

“Me?” Why would he blame me?

“You will see.” He reached for my hand, and I drew a deep breath, settling into his memories.

Chapter 16

How Could I?

Rain poured from the sky outside the enormous picture window as Julian leaned against it, gaze focused intently on something. He looked ridiculously handsome in his three-piece, pinstriped suit and fedora that tipped low over his intense, indigo eyes. Right now, they were glowing, and I followed the trajectory of his stare through to the busy sidewalk and sea of umbrellas.

Standing at the curb, waiting to rush across was…me. My jaw dropped as I took in the short dress and high heels that matched the brilliant red rose adorning the hat on my head. My short, cropped hair peeked out from beneath it, curling in a rim of auburn. I seemed to have no notion I was being watched until, when I finally made it across the street, I stopped, creating a split in the flow of people around me, and glanced back over my shoulder with narrowed eyes toward the window then shook my head and continued on my way.

Julian relaxed his stance, and I noticed for the first time we were in a little restaurant with checkerboard tablecloths and tiny vases with violet flowers on each table. Only a few people scurried around in white aprons, and I wondered why Julian was inside before other customers.

Following close behind, I trailed Julian to the glass doors of the entrance where a closed sign hung. “I can’t wait another second,” he said under his breath and threw it open, letting the roar of rain and people crash inside.

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