He was reminded of the fun they had once shared, not only while killing, fighting, and hunting for women, but also just with each other. They had shared many laughs, many drinks, and many nights simply enjoying each other’s friendship. They had been closer than brothers, far closer than Devon and Robert had ever been, and that was one of the reasons that Robert hated Julian so much.
A pain tugged at Devon’s heart, and for the first time he actually found himself wishing that they could go back there, that they could share that again. But he knew that it could never be that way again, not with everything that had passed between them, and not with Julian’s feelings for Cassie. Julian’s eyes glimmered briefly, something slipped across his features as he sensed Devon’s change of thought.
“I want to know why they want her to change so badly too,” Devon said aloud to explain his halting of Julian to The Elder’s, though Julian already knew this.
Julian’s gaze slid to Cassie, pain and longing bloomed briefly in his iced eyes. Then, to Devon’s complete and utter surprise, he grasped hold of Devon’s arm with his free hand, squeezed it tightly, and nodded to him. Though Julian didn’t say the words, Devon knew that he had just released any resentment toward him. Julian would not stand in their way, and he accepted what he couldn’t have, no matter how badly he wanted Cassie. In that moment Devon knew he had his friend again, that he didn’t have to worry about any of Julian’s intentions, and that he could rely upon him again.
Cassie turned toward him as Julian strode across the room. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she slid her hand into Devon’s, squeezing it reassuringly. He studied her, amazed by her strength and beauty. Touched by her unwavering love and understanding, no matter what he kept from her, or did to her. He was acutely reminded of the fact that she was too good for him, that she deserved better than this life. And yet this was all that he could give her.
One day he would make this up to her. When this was over, he vowed he would give her everything that she deserved, and more. His hand tightened around hers as he clasped it within both of his.
Julian reached Zane, grinning wildly as he stopped before the oldest Elder. They were the golden boys of The Elders, both fair and bright with disarming good looks. But that was where the similarities between them ended. Zane was refined, elegant, and thin with expensive clothes and even more expensive tastes. There was never a hair out of place, never a speck of dirt upon him. Julian however was wild, preferred beer to champagne, had never worn anything more expensive than cotton, and was never happier then when he was rolling around in the dirt getting drunk and causing a raucous. Their completely different personalities were only some of the reasons they hated each other. There were far more. One of the main reasons being that like Devon, Julian had never fallen into line with the rest of The Elder’s. He disdained their way of life, much preferring to be out in the world, reveling in it, instead of hiding and slinking through the shadows.
Zane had never allowed Julian to touch him before; in fact he had gone out of his way to avoid it every time they’d met. From the look on his face, he would not allow it now if it weren’t for the fact that he didn’t have a choice. And there was no choice; if Zane didn’t allow Julian to touch him then he would be admitting that there was something to hide. But if Zane did allow Julian to touch him, then there was also the possibility that he could somehow keep it hidden from Julian.
“This is to be quick. You get one brief chance to find what you are looking for and that is all,” Zane sneered.
Julian’s mouth quirked, distaste flashed through his eyes. “Don’t be afraid Zane, it doesn’t hurt. Much.” Julian taunted.
Anger sparked from Zane, but before he could retort or react, Julian grasped hold of his arm. Zane jerked back instantly, his arm flying up as he knocked Julian’s hand aside. “Thanks for the insight,” Julian murmured.
Zane’s eyes flooded red with fury, his jaw clenched tight, but he did not swing at Julian like he apparently longed to do. Julian moved down the line of Elder’s examining each one of them before stopping before Adon. Though Adon had one of the strongest abilities, he was also one of the two younger than Julian, and therefore unable to resist Julian’s probing. He was also under Devon’s firm control, and would be unable to withhold anything from Julian.
Before anyone could stop him, Julian seized hold of Adon’s hand. No one moved. Everyone remained frozen until Damon instructed Adon to react as he normally would have. Adon jerked his hand free of Julian’s grasp and delivered such a speedy round house that Julian didn’t have time to dodge it. His head snapped back, his teeth clattered loudly together as blood exploded from his inner cheek, spraying across the floor.
Releasing Cassie, Devon jumped forward. He knew that Julian was going to react badly to this, and now was not the time to fight. They were not prepared for it. Julian wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, but to Devon’s surprise, he did not attack Adon. “That’s one, you won’t get another,” he growled.
Adon glared back at him, his hands fisted at his side. Devon didn’t tell Adon to back down, he couldn’t. Adon had to appear normal; they could not suspect that Devon now had complete control over one of their own.
“No Adon,” Zane said sharply. “We are not here for that.”
Adon remained unmoving, his slender five foot four frame as taut as a bowstring. Aside from Annabelle, he was the smallest person in the room, and had what was now commonly referred to as little man syndrome. His temper was infamous and fiery, but it had supposedly been in check ever since he had nearly been lynched by a mob two hundred years ago. The humans had discovered what he was after he had gone on a drunken rampage in a tavern. It was only the interference of Zane, and Robert, that had kept Adon alive.
Devon was honestly surprised that Adon had survived as long as he had, but he supposed living away from society for long periods of time had probably attributed to that. Though, Adon looked as if he still wanted to pounce upon Julian, his eyes slowly returned to their dark mocha color as he took a small step back. His dark hair fell across his cheek. Adon was of Greek ancestry, but years spent out of the sun had faded his olive complexion.
Julian turned slowly away, nearly bumping into Devon. “Wasn’t expecting that,” he muttered, wiping away the remaining blood that trickled down his lip.
“Nor I.”
“Did you find out what you wanted to know?” Zane demanded, obviously irritated with the situation.