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She licks her lips. “Not quite, but I assure you, he will. We’re all going to have a happily ever after, Marina.”
The way her eyes sparkle at the mention of this friend leads me to believe that the happily ever after she’s speaking about for herself isn’t just the blood alternative. I think about asking her for more information about this mystery friend, but her face grows serious. Her brows fall heavily over her eyes.
“Stick by Julian’s side and don’t let him slip into something that he isn’t. The power and influence of the Council can change a person. Don’t let it happen to him,” she warns, and a pit grows in my stomach.
“I’m not entirely sure where Julian and I stand,” I admit, looking skyward and inhaling deeply.
“The lip?” she asks, sounding truly concerned.
A humorless laugh escapes my lips. “Not just that. He’s been keeping me in the dark on matters that I have a right to know about.”
She stares at me with anout with it alreadyexpression.
“My friend was bitten and turned at Law’s party. Julian took her to Seattle and only told me when Law forced him to.”
She whistles. “First, let me tell you how sorry I am to hear about your friend, Marina. Truly. When a human is turned, it’s excruciatingly painful. Terrifying, really.” She puffs out her cheeks. “I’m in no way excusing Julian’s decisions, but having witnessed the transition firsthand, I understand what he did.”
I stiffen. “There’s no good reason for him to lie to me.”
“He was trying to protect you from hurt, Marina. It’s not right, but it’s Julian’s answer to feeling powerless. If he can prevent you from being heartbroken, he’s accomplished something. At least in his mind, that’s how he sees it.”
“She’s my best friend,” I snap. “This whole time he had me believing she was in Seattle helping him. I thought she was okay.”
She plays with her hair and looks me square in the eyes. “Then don’t let him off the hook. Demand that he takes you with us.”
“With you?” I ask, confusion taking over.
“Yes. He asked me to accompany him just an hour ago. So, you’ve already demanded he take you then? Good.”
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I say, feeling yet again out of the loop.
It took so much for me to stand up to Julian and demand he take me, yet he invited her?
“Marina, it’s not like that,” she says, as though she knows what I’m thinking. “He only just asked me and truly, I believe it was more for my father’s benefit than mine.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re a vampire. You’re strong and capable of protecting yourself. Why wouldn’t he invite you?”
She sighs. “Marina, my darling, you underestimate yourself. You have all the power; you just haven’t realized it yet.”
My eyebrows crease in the center of my forehead, trying to decipher her words.
“Force him to see that he either makes you a true partner in his life or you’ll walk. He’ll do anything to prevent that, Marina.”
She stands before bending down and kissing each of my cheeks. “I’m sorry, but I really must go. I still need to pack. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better,” she smiles. “You’re good for him, Marina. I know you’ll keep him safe.”
My eyes widen at her words. “I’m human, Adèle. How can I possibly keep him safe?”
She chuckles. “You’re his familiar. You’re far more important than a simple human. Don’t worry. In time, all will be revealed.” She smiles one last time before turning on her heels and exiting the room. For several minutes I sit in the quiet of the parlor replaying her words in my head and trying desperately to decode what she said.
He told her about my being his familiar?
It’s only you he keeps in the dark.
Chapter Thirteen
By the time Julian and Count Dupré were done discussing whatever plans they’d agreed to, it was pushing midnight. I’d given up the notion we were still leaving tonight for Seattle when Katina rushed in, grabbed my suitcase and informed me we were leaving right then.
The entire ride was quiet, the tension between Julian and I palpable. He didn’t attempt to sit by me and not a word was uttered. Given the way Addy’s head volleyed back and forth between us, she was uncomfortable with the silence too.
