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I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a cold hand slide up my spine. Either I’d blacked out a moment, or Silas had superspeeded over to my side to lean over me with a concerned expression on his handsome face. Then something even more shocking happened. He spoke in my mind like only Julian and I had been able to do.

It’s okay, Mon Cher. I will protect you. I always protect my interests.

I jerked away from his touch, but he only blinked. “I…I have to go. Put in the report. The general,” I stammered, standing and swaying slightly.

“Are you okay, Char?” Lydia was by my side in a flash, brows furrowed.

All I could do was nod, though I didn’t relish trying to keep my balance on the stairs. As though reading my mind—and for all I knew he had—Silas offered his elbow to escort me.

I would have rather fallen down all four flights.

“I’m good, thank you,” I said.

Take his arm, Pythia commanded.

What the actual fuck?

Fine.

I slipped my arm through his and let him guide me back downstairs. The scent of burning wood flowed over me as a vision clouded my mind.

Silas sat in a large chair near a roaring fire and sipped jeweled liquid that matched his eyes. To his left, Julian, dressed in a black tunic and covered in what looked like blood, knelt on the thick burgundy carpet, head bowed, hands fisted and trembling with rage.

Despite my anger and indignation at his abrupt departure, I longed to run to him. Yet I knew that this moment was one that happened long ago, far before I was born.

Silas grinned, fangs extended, and swirled the brandy in his glass. “She was delicious. I didn’t waste an ounce.”

“You are a monster,” Julian spat, his accent far heavier than current day. He raised his head to reveal glowing scarlet eyes and dark veins protruding from his neck. Tears of blood flowed from his eyes.

Silas swiped a finger over Julian’s face and licked it, sampling the carnage covering him. “We both are, it seems, and it’s time you learned to accept your own nature. Where did the blood for your tears come from, Julian?” Silas leaned over to meet his eyes as he laughed. “It tastes very much like the blood of a young man in his prime. Perhaps a police officer that refused to investigate the death of a peasant girl?”

Julian growled low, fangs extended and monstrously enraged. I had to fight not to gasp or grasp my own throat in defense. But still, he did not attack.

“She was my sister, not some peasant girl.”

“Your sister was a peasant girl,” Silas bellowed, rising and towering over Julian. He threw his glass into the fire where it crackled and exploded on impact. “Beneath us. Holding you back. Only one human girl matters to either of us, and you will bring her to me tonight.”

“No.” Julian’s entire body shook as he fought some internal battle. Was Silas using telekinesis to hold him down? That had to be it.

Laughter met Julian’s obvious pain. “Throw a tantrum if you wish, but you will do as I say because I command it.”

My blood froze. Could Silas use mind-bending?

“Now, say it, son.” He squatted before Julian.

“Yes, sire.”

“Tell me she belongs to me.”

Now Julian shook so hard I was surprised he stayed upright as he coughed out, “She is yours.”

“Good. Then I shall have Dr. Welk prepare for your immanent arrival. Go fetch me my psychic like the good dog you are. Oh, and Julian? Once she’s been turned, I think I’ll have her rip your heart out. After you’ve watched me fuck her, of course.”

Julian roared so loud the flames in the brick fireplace shivered in response.

When I looked up again, Silas was opening the front door of the mansion for me.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Char. Whatever could be wrong?” he asked.