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“You’re not weak, Julian.”
He scoffs as if irritated by my words. I want to say something, anything, to make this better, but I don’t know where to begin. I’m contemplating my next words when he goes on.
“When I tasted your blood, your human emotions filtered through me. They’re unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and I don’t know how to handle it. I’m spiraling out of control and I worry about what I’m capable of. I don’t want to hurt you, Marina, but my emotions when you’re around... they’re too extreme.”
I know exactly what he’s saying. I feel it too. This pull between us is intense. The love I feel for him in such a short amount of time is unnatural. Yet it’s real all the same.
“It’s our bond,” I offer, trying to explain the unexplainable.
He nods. “There’s so much we have to learn, but I don’t even know where to start,” he admits.
“One thing at a time, Julian. Right now, you have to focus on this war and the new bites. Let me see what I can find on the legends.”
“That could be dangerous, Marina. There’s so much you don’t know.”
“Then tell me.”
“I will tell you everything,” he vows. “I promise. You were right; I have to stop hiding the truth about this world from you. You have to be prepared for what life will be like with me, because I can’t change who I am.”
“I never asked you to change.”
He scoffs. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Marina. You might change your mind.”
My hand cradles Julian’s cheek. “Never.”
He leans into my touch, closing his eyes and inhaling.
“I need you to be safe. I can’t do this without you, Marina. You can’t look into the legends without me.”
“I’m not alone, Julian. That’s why Law was in my room.” His eyes fly open, then narrow. I move ahead, not wanting this talk to be ruined by unjustified jealousy, because that’s the very emotion I see flitting around his face. “We’re combining our efforts because the familiar bond affects him too.”
“Why didn’t one of you tell me?”
“When, Julian? You’ve been busy. Your mind has been preoccupied, and we haven’t exactly been in the best place.”
He stiffens. “I don’t like it. I don’t like that you’ve turned to my brother instead of me.”
“You and me both,” I cry, quickly looking around to make sure I haven’t drawn Addy’s attention. This conversation too personal to be shared with anyone else. She appears to be asleep, and for that I’m grateful.
“I thought about everything you said and you’re right—things do need to change. I hope taking you to Seattle is the start. No more lies, no more half-truths,” he says, his eyes boring into mine. “We do this together. You and me.”
Goose bumps race across my skin at the declaration.
“I don’t know what’s to come, Marina, but I need you by my side. I love you.” A tear falls down my cheek, and he reaches out, swiping it away. “No more distance.”
“No more distance,” I whisper. “You and me.”
We have a long way to go, but I truly feel this is the start of us getting back to where we were—only stronger. For the first time in days, sleep finally comes.
* * *
On the other side of this heavy door is Shannon. I’ve been prepped by Julian on what to anticipate—which is to say, to expect the unexpected. He’s said she’s likely to be volatile and cruel, which is completely opposite of the Shannon I’ve known my entire life.
“Are you ready for this?” Julian asks, grabbing my hand and squeezing.
“No,” I admit. “I’m petrified.”
“We don’t have to do this now, Marina. We just arrived. You can get some rest and we can come back after lunch.”
