by Missy Maxim
Julian took another healthy swig. “Hm.” He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her.
Catherine blinked innocently over her cup.
“It’s almost Halloween, you know…”
“Is it?” The subject change was sudden.
He nodded once. “Demon night off. It’s when we’re goin’ to the theatre.”
Her eyes widened. “The end of October is next week?”
“Miss Meticulous doesn’t know what day it is?” he teased.
“I have…I-I do, it’s just… I lost track of the date, okay? Happens when your world’s turned upside down.”
***
Might be the alcohol warming Julian’s stomach, but he found her frustrated pout adorable.
“So what would you rather be doing?” he asked.
“Carrying on with what I was. My goal was to get my teaching degree, eventually. I should be cramming for midterms, then pigging out on pizza with my roommate. God, she’s gotta be so worried by now…”
“You were chummy?”
She nodded. “Fast friends. We arrived to move in to the dorm on the same day, then kept bumping into each other after that. Bonded over a love of Chaucer, among other things.” She smiled, remembering. “That was in August. Feels longer.” She took another sip from the mug. “Did you go to college, when you were human?”
“You think I might’ve?”
“Yep. I know Alana well enough now to see what about all this isn’t her. Gives you away as being an educated man.”
Another swig from the bottle brought it down to half empty. “I was, in another lifetime. Right here, in London. Wasn’t a bad time, all things considered.”
“How so?”
“Wasn’t fond of my classmates, but I was otherwise at home. Went the full course and everythin’. Came home after, blah, blah, blah…”
Chemical calm was a nice thing.
“So how old did that make you when you became a vampire?”
“Twenty-eight. It was September. Cool enough for ladies to wear shawls at night. I was leaving another dreadful party, and Celia found me. She freed me, my salvation… I’ll always thank her for that.”
Julian finished the bottle and gave it an odd look, wondering how it was empty already. He shrugged and got up to fetch another. Grabbed a glass, too, this time.
“You needed saving back then?”
“In a matter of speakin’.”
Julian pulled the chair next to her out and sat, pouring a full glass from the new bottle of JD. No sense getting drunk on the expensive stuff.
“Misunderstood, I was, except by me mum. Celia saw to the heart of me, what I yearned for. We had over a hundred happy years together, until Lorcan…she was Daddy’s girl, to hell with anythin’ else.”
“How did that whole thing happen?”
Julian refilled his glass. “Lorcan doesn’t love. Feels it’s beneath him, a human thing. There’s a kind of affection he has for family, but there’s nothin’ soft about it. He came into town crazier than ever, and it’s a damn good thing he settled for just killin’ the demon hunter. When ‘e sets ‘is mind to a plan…well, it’s twisted and sadistic as hell, but it’s genius, too…and if you ever tell ‘im I said that, I’ll cut out your tongue and make you eat it.”
Catherine crossed her heart. “I promise. So, Lorcan and Celia leave town…and you’re…?”
“Healing. Broke my back. Hated that fuckin’… Couldn’t hunt, or do much of anythin’ for myself that mattered… A vampire will heal from just about anythin’, short of cutting off our head, but it still takes time, and blood. Least I still had the minions, as useless a lot they were.”
“That must have been hard,” she said. “Did you ever see her again?”
He nodded, swallowing more whiskey. “Six months later. It was well and truly…over.”
“I’m sorry.”
Julian sniffed. “’S alright. We had longer than most, right? And she’ll always go back to him, anyway…it’s how she was made.
***
There was her ‘in’. Catherine placed her hand on his. “That eats you up, huh?”
He nodded morosely. Abandoned the glass and went straight for the bottle.
“I don’t know how a woman could forsake such obvious devotion,” she added, shaking her head. He looked up, eyes glistening and vulnerable. “Most any of us would kill to be the center of a guy’s world for a hundred years.”
“You’re just sayin’ that,” he mumbled.
“I’m not! You seem to be the perfect catch for a vampiress wanting to be loved. Have you tried getting out there…since?”
“Not exactly how it works, love. There’s no speed-dating night for demons.”
She rolled her eyes. “But there are clubs, aren’t there? For booze and a hook-up. It’s the 21st Century.”
“Until a hunter shows up to be the ultimate killjoy,” he replied, pouting.
“That’s what happened tonight, isn’t it? Knew there had to be a reason for the bad-ass look.”
Ooops.
Julian curled his tongue behind his teeth. “The baddest, baby. You like the way I look?” He said this just a little too close to her face.
Catherine’s eyes watered from the alcohol fumes. “I-It’s fine…if you’re into that sort of thing.”
“What kind of ‘thing’ is that?”
“You know…the whole ‘can’t take home to Mom’ vibe. But bad boys always lead to trouble.”
“Hm. Trouble can be fun.”
“Trouble can get you killed.”
“How can you ever really feel alive if you don’t test your limits? I bet even you have contemplated a walk on the wild side at least once…”
Okay, how did this get turned around on her?
“For, like, a minute. I’m human. But that’s not my way.”
“Bet you’ve dreamed about it.”
“Julian…”
“Not one, little, fantasy? ‘S only natural…” he prodded.
Well, Cathy, you’re the one that kept talking to the drunk, horny vampire.
“Not really. I’m boring like that.”
“Not even with all Alana’s sex talk?”
“Geeze, you’re like a dog with a bone…”
“Better believe it, baby,” he slurred. “Hey, the whsikey’s all gone…”
She put her hand on his arm to stop him as he made to get up. “Maybe it’s time you called it a night, then.”
“Please! It takes more than two bottles to get a vampire drunk!” Julian shuffled to the cabinet to retrieve a bottle of rum.
“If you say so,” she muttered. Though it took only two bottles for him to talk funny…
“Ya wan’ some?” he offered, dangerously tipping the bottle.
“No, no…you go ahead.”
He nodded. “You’re a good girl, Cat. Always polite. Kitty-cat, pussy-cat, jungle cat… I got books with drawings from all those expeditions… Very old. You ever wanna drive Lorcan around the bend, start singin’.”
“Really?”
Julian executed a poor Boy Scout salute. “True as the North Star. Hates music.”
“Still… I’d rather avoid him altogether.” She dropped her eyes to her cup, and swirled the last bit of milk left around the bottom.
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I know, pet. Shows you have a lick o’ sense.”
“I try not to think about it, or just be brave…but I can’t imagine anything worse then being at his mercy. And I know I don’t know all he’s capable of, despite being told what he did to Celia, but it’s enough… I don’t need to be a vampire for my blood to run cold.”
“You’ve done well for yourself so far,” he murmured.
Catherine shook her head. “If I was really brave, I would have left. Disappeared.”
“What I don’t know won’t hurt you,” Julian replied.
She arched her brow, and he nodded. Well, then. That was something. He wasn’t going to help, but he wouldn’t sto
p her, either. It gave him plausible deniability in front of Lorcan.
She smiled, then looked at the clock. “Well, it’s late… You need a hand upstairs?” she asked, standing.
“’M fine.” He rose too quickly and swayed on his feet. “I’ll, uh, make the trip with you, though.”
Catherine smothered a smile to preserve his pride. “Okay.”
Chapter 7
Julian’s suite was on the floor below Catherine’s room. It felt like miles to trek, with a heavy drunk leaning on her for balance. The old manor had narrow steps for the staircases, his big booted feet slipping off them with the lack of his usual grace. He nearly took her down a few times when he stumbled and flailed for something to hold on to.
She wrapped her arm around his waist and continued.
“What are you humming?” she asked when they reached his floor and turned down the hallway.
“Motorhead. Bloody brilliant stuff. Not like the dreck they call modern music.”
***
If he were a better man, he would have stopped using her as a crutch once they reached flat ground…but he wasn’t. He liked having her curves pressed against him, liked having the excuse to turn his head and smell her fruity-scented hair. Feel its silky softness brushing against his hand on her shoulder. It’d been a long time since someone acted like his friend, lending a hand for the sake of helping.
Catherine stopped in front of the big mahogany doors. “Well, this is your stop.”
“Right…” Julian removed an old key from his pocket and inserted it in the lock. Turned to face her as she stepped aside. “Don’t think this lets you get out of your lessons tomorrow.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Goodnight, Julian. I hope you sleep well.”
He caught her hand when she started to walk away, lifting it to his lips to place a kiss on the back.
“Sweet dreams, pet.”
She blushed.
He opened his bedroom door and slipped inside.
***
Her hand still in his, he pulled her in the room with him. Her heart-beat rapid like a bird’s, she cast wide eyes about the room, taking in his private sanctuary. He smirked, drawing her farther in, closer to the great canopy bed with its ebony silk sheets. She knew what she was here for, of course. It had been her training for weeks.
The vampire let his coat slide off his shoulders to the floor, then sat on the bed, his hands on her shoulders gently pressuring her to her knees. She was nervous, but with anticipation, not fear.
She’d never seen a grown man revealed in the flesh before, so as she unfastened his trousers, her eyes were fixed on that spot. It was easier than looking up into the intensity of his eyes. She could feel them burning through her skull.
His erection sprang out as she lowered the zipper, surprising her. She touched it, caressing it softly with her fingertips. The vampire hissed in pleasure, the heat of her hand in contrast to his room-temperature skin. She was again surprised by how soft his skin was, yet the muscle underneath was hard as steel. Her hand made passes over and around as she learned his contours, until she felt his hand in her hair. It was a signal to get on with what she was supposed to do.
She couldn’t take that thing in all the way…her mouth just wasn’t that big, but she tried her best, and found it wasn’t entirely unpleasant to have him this way.
He moaned at the first feel of her lips passing over the head and down his shaft. Praised how hot she was. He made more encouraging sounds when she grazed her teeth along his length as she lifted her head back up. Up-down, up-down. Apply suction. Flick her tongue in the little cleft. She fell into a rhythm, learning what he liked.
Even learned she wanted to please him.
It was soon apparent, though she was on her knees, that she held the power here. She could bite clear through and maim him. Rip his testicles off with a twist and pull of her hand. Make him make a myriad of sounds, good or bad.
Lucky for him she was determined to make him scream in pleasure.
His body warned her of what was coming next, so she was prepared for the jerk of his hips and the spurt of thick fluid down her throat. She’d been trained to swallow, too, unless he didn’t want her to. It didn’t go down easily but the taste was alright. The hand that had been tangled in her hair massaged her scalp. She released him from her mouth. She looked up at the panting vampire.
He pulled her to him to kiss her, plunging his tongue past her lips. They clashed in desire, warring for dominance.
He had to have her now…
She needed to be satisfied…
***
Was that really my dream?
***
Julian hadn’t been as drunk as he let on, but he still woke up with a bad taste in his mouth and a headache. Rolling out of bed, he realized he never ate the night before. That would explain why he felt out of sorts.
He remembered talking to Catherine. How sweet she’d been. Helpful. Concerned about him.
It wasn’t the natural order of things between a human and a vampire. On the street, she would’ve been just another meal.
“Don’t get to know your food,” he muttered, heading for the shower.
Julian didn’t do soft feelings, not since Celia, and not that much then. Celia wanted her “naughty wicked boy”. She’d rather have a freshly-beating heart on her birthday than flowers or pretty baubles, though the jewels were never thrown out. His goddess liked to dress to the nines no matter what the era. Always a lady, even when covered in blood.
So, he liked the human. Wasn’t the end of the world. Could be the end of his business, but that wouldn’t be the end of the world, either.
Two choices: turn the girl over to Lorcan, or let her sneak off with enough dosh to get to London in one piece. Her contract only made them responsible for the girl’s well-being if she was on the premises. It was up to the Great Idiot to collect her if she was out on her own.
Julian was tempted to wish her good luck and wash his hands of the whole thing.
And why was that? When had he ever avoided trouble? It certainly wasn’t out of fear of Lorcan--he hadn’t felt that since he was a fledge. The money didn’t matter.
It was…
“Ah, hell, figure it out later.”
He wrapped a towel around his waist, then worked a bit of gel into his hair, smoothing it down with a comb. Grabbed a packet of O-neg out of the mini-fridge and heated it in the microwave. He’d just sunk his fangs into the bag, when there was a knock on the door.
“Enter.”
The door opened slowly, part way. “Just me. I wanted to see how you were.” It was Catherine.
“In or out, pet. You’re lettin’ in a draft.” He squeezed the last of the blood into a glass.
She slipped inside. “Ooops, sorry! Oh…”
Catherine stopped and blushed, averting her eyes.
“I-I didn’t expect you to be…um…”
He smirked, his eyes twinkling as he watched her stammer through her embarrassment. He couldn’t resist teasing her.
“Two minutes sooner, and you’d have caught me wanderin’ around starkers, so I’d say you’re timing is perfect, Miss Mitchell…unless you wanted to catch a peek?”
“No! I mean, not that you aren’t worthy of peeking at, if one planned to do so, but that so wasn’t my plan, and, um, oh God… I’m just gonna go.” She turned around, only to find him blocking the door.
“So soon? I thought you had a question for me,” Julian purred, stalking her.
***
Don’t look at the perfectly-chiseled nearly-naked man, don’t look at the…
“Eeep!”
He took gentle hold of her arms.
“What are you doing?”
And pushed her down to sit.
“You were about to run into a chair,” he replied. He picked up the crystal tumbler again. “Head’s fine, by the way. Just need my breakfast.”
“Good! That’s…good…”
“What
day is it?”
She thought for a second. “Friday?”
“Mm, excellent. I’m thinking, you’ve read about demons, but you’ve hardly seen any. We need an outing.”
“You and me?”
Julian shook his head. “Everyone! Been too long, cooped up in the house and such.” He paused to make notes on a pad on the desk.”
“Uh, where?” She dropped her eyes to her lap when the towel loosened to reveal a couple centimeters of butt crack. But, he did have the most beautiful back…
“Demon bar or club, wherever we see first. Alana can make a few contacts…” he replied absently. He made a couple more jots on the paper, folded it, and turned it around to hand it to her. “Here, take this down to Alana so she can get started.”
Catherine had stood, resolutely keeping her eyes at shoulder level.
“What?”
“Uh, Julian…” Please don’t make me say it.
He looked down, then behind him, and noticed the towel had caught on the desk chair.
And rolled his eyes.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake…get out of here.”
Her blush deepened. She briefly met his eyes, then sprinted from the room.
***
Julian flicked his erection and swallowed the last of his blood, scowling.
“See what you did,” he scolded his lower brain, and walked to the closet.
***
“You’ve seen penis!” Alana exclaimed upon seeing Catherine’s face.
“What? No! I haven’t! I didn’t!”
“Oh. Well, poo. And I thought this day was finally going to get exciting.”
“Well, I saw Julian on my way downstairs and he gave me this for you.”
The redhead scanned the page. “Uh-huh…uh-huh…I can do this…unh-uh, not on short notice….okay, okay…okay! You can go now.”
Catherine exited the office, shaking her head. She still wasn’t completely used to the half-demon’s no-nonsense manner. Word spread quickly amongst the girls that Julian was sponsoring a night out. She wasn’t so excited.
When she came downstairs in jeans, a sweater, and sensible boots, Julian vetoed the outfit immediately.
“You’re not going to a club like that! Go put on something appropriate!”