Page 133 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

That was probably as close as I was going to come.

He tucked his chin on my shoulder, watching as I folded shirts into neat stacks. “You want to learn how to use magic.”

“I don’t really have a choice.” Were the knots in my stomach mine or his?

“Mine,” he answered for me.

I paused. “You don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“It’s not that.” He dropped his hold on me and sprawled onto the bed, watching me. “Who are you going to find to teach you? I’m not sure I trust...”

Anyone. He didn’t have to say it at this point.

“Every familiar I know is connected to the Council, and even if we found one who wasn’t, how many of them will be able to help?”

I bit my lower lip. He was either going to love my idea or hate it. “I had a thought, but I’m not sure she’ll help me.”

“Who?” His eyes narrowed.

“Diana Jones. The witch who was on my performance committee for graduation—”

“I know who she is, pet.”

“She was very clear that she was not a familiar.” I decided not to remind him that she’d also been fairly anti-vampire. “She recognized that there was magic in my music. Maybe she can help.”

He considered for a moment, his eyes tracking my movements as I crossed to the chest of drawers. “It’s not a terrible idea.”

I released a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. It wasn’t that I’d expected him to be against it. It was that I had mixed feelings about the plan. Seeing Diana meant confronting the fact I’d stopped playing.

Julian’s lips twisted as if he was thinking the same, but he didn’t push.

“I looked her up. She’s in London right now, preparing for a performance with the city symphony. I know we’re supposed to go back to Venice...”

“We have a week before The Third Rite.” He pushed off the bed in one graceful motion. “It’s not much time, but it’s a start.”

I nodded. It was better than nothing. “She might be too busy.”

“She won’t be.”

“Julian, she’s an internationally renowned musician,” I reminded him. “I’m not going to demand she clear her schedule for me.”

He stalked toward me, and I swallowed when I saw the darkness seeping into his eyes. “I can be very persuasive.”

I put my hands on my hips, even as his nearness sent a heady rush of hormones jolting through me. “You are not going to compel her.”

“No.” He placed his hands over mine, dragging me closer. “I am going to ask her. Nicely.”

I lifted my brow.

“She’ll help you because she wants to,” he promised. “Even an anti-Council witch will feel indebted to you.”

“What? Why?”

“You’ve given them back their magic. If you think she might help you, I suspect she will.” He brushed a soft kiss over my lips and I felt my core melt. “But if we’re going to London, I need to talk to Benedict.”

“Going to crash at his place?” I teased, trying to think past the need ticking between my legs.

But Julian shook his head. “He has permission to live in London.”

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