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The smile melted off his lips and he sat up in the bed like I’d flipped some sort of off switch. Confused, I joined him.
“What is it? Did I say something?”
“No.” Julian turned and cupped my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “You’re perfect, and I want you to stay that way. You will never be a monster like me.”
“Stop saying that. You aren’t a monster, Julian.” I sighed, searching his eyes that held so much buried pain. I remembered the flash I’d gotten of him and Silas. How he’d been soaked in blood from tearing out someone’s throat in anger. “I know you blame yourself, but as you well know, when a vampire is first turned, it’s extremely difficult to control your impulses with strong emotions. I learned that from my studies. Ultimately, it’s a trait that helps you survive.”
“Extremely difficult is not the same as impossible.” Julian’s lips tipped up, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He leaned in to press his forehead to mine and we stayed there a bit, thinking.
“Run away with me, Charlotte,” he said suddenly. “We can travel. You can have anything your heart desires. I have money enough for centuries stored all over the world.”
“I’m sorry, Julian.” I kissed his cheek. “There must be another way to solve our problems. I already told you I will not do that to my family no matter what.”
“I know. But I had to ask.” Julian’s fingers lightly brushed against my skin as they trailed lazily between my breasts.
When I realized he’d stopped touching me, I leaned back and found him cupping the anti-glamour charm that Zoe had crafted for me. The tiny green heart glinted in his palm as he studied it, tilting it this way and that so the magic-imbued crystal sparkled slightly. Then before I could react, he made a fist and opened it to reveal a pile of fine green dust.
“Julian! What have you done?” I asked, pulling away in horror.
Then he had my face in his hands, holding me still so he could look in my eyes. His indigo gaze glowed again, pulsing like a star, and I stopped wiggling to stare at the beautiful sight. It was mesmerizing.
“Charlotte,” he said as I watched the glow swell and dance. “I know you will never forgive me, yet I’d choose this again if it came down to it. I will always do everything in my power to protect you.”
I wondered what he meant as I stared at the kaleidoscope of his eyes. They were so beautiful.
“You hate me,” he said.
No, I wanted to protest, but…I did hate him, didn’t I?
“You want me gone and never want to see me again. You will go back to your family and live a happy life. You won’t torture yourself by thinking back on this more than necessary.”
I hated this man. I should try to get away. Half-heartedly, I tugged my arms, but the undulating glow…
“You will avoid Silas unless you are with a member of SHADE whom you trust. I will find a way to lure him far from the island, but you must remain safe in the meantime. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I heard myself say.
“I shouldn’t ask this, but kiss me one last time, love,” he added, and I pressed my lips to his even though I wanted to yell at him to leave me and never come back. I tasted blood and realized it was his tears.
He deserved to cry.
“Now call Zoe and have her portal you home,” he said and let me go.
A windstorm swirled in the hotel room, and I covered my eyes to protect them. When it stopped, I looked up and found a bathrobe and my cell phone on the bed but no sign of the rotten vampire who’d been here.
Good riddance, I thought as I quickly dialed my sister.
Chapter Fourteen
Forgotten Conversation
“You’re sad,” Em said as I toyed with my cottage pie.
Mama had made it because she’d found out Em’s favorite foods were mashed potatoes and burgers and made the best of both while saying she was “sure they hadn’t given the child anything of quality in that room.”
“No, sweetie.” I smiled at her. “I just feel...weird. Like I’m forgetting something important.” I shoveled a bite of the delicious dinner in my mouth.
Em tilted her head, considering me. “What happened to Mr. Julian?”
