Rising Son (The Juliana Lucio Series) (4 page)

“Yes, they do order death sentences, and I understand your hatred of them, but they are the law-keepers of vampirekind. Believe it or not they are the only thing standing between an all-out vampire-human massacre.”

He now had my full attention; I leaned on my elbows, as much as was possible with William sitting on me, so I could see him better as he spoke.

“There are two distinct factions of vampires, ones that are like Ana and me they live peacefully, blend in with human society, and do our absolute best not to kill any humans. And in the case that it happens we disguise it to keep ourselves hidden. We live according to the law set by vampirekind and upheld by the Council. The other faction is like Nathaniel, they see themselves as the ‘greater beings’ as they put it and their goal is to out all of vampirekind to the human world. They feel vampires should be able to live, feed, and breed without restrictions, and because we are stronger, faster, and live longer than humans that puts us on the top of the food chain. They call themselves
t
he Coven, and currently have a presence in almost every major city in North America, Europe, and Asia, and they are spreading.”

I went to remove my gag again. I had questions for him I wanted answered. He grabbed my hands stopping me, but he did help me take off my jacket and threw it in the corner with his.

“The gag stays. You can ask your questions later. You should have just cooperated from the beginning, Jules.” He at least put a pillow under my head for me making me more comfortable.

“This C
oven is also part of an extremely complex, and hard to track human-trafficking ring, they traffic humans around from place to place, for their blood, minimizing the missing persons and death reports in a single area. They eventually turn a large number of them as well. Intel shows they are creating an army, which is what is allowing them to have
an increase in
numbers spread across the globe. They are attempting to over-throw The Council, and at the same time make a coordinated outing of vampirekind to the world. Humans are not just going to back down, and allow themselves to be preyed upon. They already know our number one weakness whether through book, movie, or myth-- sunlight. An outing would cause an out and out
war between humans and vampires which is what t
he Council is working to prevent.”

He started shifting around on top of me making me appreciate the closeness of our situation. He reached back behind him pulling off his boots. I pointed to my gag, raising my eyebrows questioningly. I really didn’t want this to be a one sided conversation anymore.

“Sorry Jules, I believe you’ll listen now, but I’m still not so sure you won’t compel me to turn around and walk right out of here.”

“The primary objective of the Council is to protect the existence of vampires from humans. The last thing they want is an outing. It’s hard to know where and how The Coven is working. That’s why all the strict laws about revealing ourselves to humans, it could be a coven member testing the waters so to speak.

That’s also where Ana and I come in, along with others. We are part of
a clandestine group within the C
ouncil called Sub-Rosa, whose primary objective is to seek out factions of The Coven and try to infiltrate within their ranks. There are only two other vampires who even know of our role or existence within the Council, Sebastian Ramírez, the Director of the Council, and Martin Harris, the Director of Sub-Ro
sa. The identities of the other
s involved with Sub-Rosa is completely classified information to protect the members and the information obtained.

That’s why all the secrets, all the weapons, the cars. Well, I really just like fast cars so that one is mostly me, but we couldn’t tell you before we dealt with Nathaniel. If he was somehow able to compel you, and found out about us working for the Council it would not only endanger our lives, but thousands of vampire and human lives as well.”

He put his hands on my face looking earnestly into my eyes, “We never told anyone within the Council about Nathaniel’s interest in Christian. We tried to protect him as best we could, but he and the rest of your family still can’t know about you. If your family discovers you are a vampire and the other council members realize they know, all of our lives will be forfei
t. They can accuse us of being C
oven for not reporting it, and if we do report it they can force you to turn, kill, or enslave them. There is no happy ending in them finding out you are still alive. Do you see why we were protecting you? Why we waited to tell you the whole story?”

I tried to answer him, but still had that stupid gag in my mouth.

Gradually, the tenderness he was starting to show me was fading as his eyes were slowly becoming rimmed in black. I could see him thinking over what I had done, and I went to reach for my gag. I needed to apologize before his temper was too far gone. He grabbed my wrists once again, and slammed them firmly into the mattress behind my head. His face was inches from mine, and I could only see the smallest sliver of the deep brown of his eyes.

“I risked everything for you! Even knowing it could cost me my life, my job, my reputation. I went willingly with you against a 400-year-old master vampire who very well should have killed us all, so I could protect you! As vain as that may seem I thought I could protect you,” he said as he gave a self-deprecating laugh.

He eased a bit then was holding my wrists even harder, pushing them farther above my head straining my arms. I couldn’t believe how badly I had screwed up. Everything he was saying was true. I started to shake my head, to tell him I was sorry, I didn’t mean it. I was sorry I had left and hurt him so badly.

His voice was pitched low, “I told you I would explain everything once we got home, but you fled. Do you have any idea how much you calling me a betrayer had hurt me? I told you before; I would never do anything to hurt you, I would never be something for you to fear.”

He seemed to notice the position I was in for the first time, and his gaze landed on my breasts being pushed upward from the strain of my arms being pinned over my head. He had me trapped underneath and there was no way I was going to get out from under him, I was gagged, and completely at his mercy. He leaned over and started kissing my neck stirring up all kinds of emotions in me. I wanted him to go on, to kiss me harder, I wanted to be able to kiss him back and show him just how sorry I really was. 

“We never once told anyone in the council about your son, but they do know about Nathaniel and how he wanted you. It’s hard to hide the death of a 400-year-old vampire that is on the radar of every council member,” he started sliding my shirt up with one hand keeping his other firmly gripping my wrists, “they don’t know why exactly he wanted you. We were vague in answering their questions, Ana alluded it could have been because he was her sire and was doing it to attack her. We aren’t sure what the council will do when they discover your ‘talents’ and don’t want to risk you.”

He began caressing me everywhere, but where I wanted him to. His hand traced along the skin of my now exposed stomach, between my breasts and along the sides of them, but he never touched them. He kept me pinned beneath him, and still wouldn’t release my hands or gag.

“Jules, I swear I’ve told you the truth. I need you to trust me again, and if you need to compel me to get the answers you need then do it.”

He reached over me to untie the gag, and I could feel the sleepiness I always got when sunrise was getting close. I wiped the drool from my face, thanks to the gag, massaged my jaw a little and looked him over. He was sitting on me still, and looked miserable about it,
yet
he was determined to make me believe him, to get me to trust him again.

“I just have one question for you Will.”

“Are you going to compel me?”

“No, I trust you, and I’m sorry I forgot that.”

“What’s your question?” He looked a little nervous, and I guess after the way I had behaved I couldn’t blame him.

“Will you forgive me, for acting like I did, for forgetting my trust in you?”

His answer came as he crushed his lips against mine devouring them in a kiss, he slid his arms under my back pulling me as close to him as he could possibly manage.

He let me lay back on the bed, as the sun rose and my world went black.

I woke the next evening to find William sitting in the chair he had shoved under the door the night before. The room was back to normal, the blankets off the window with no evidence of any sun-proofing of any sort. He was sitting with one leg bent over his knee, he was dressed and ready to go, and seemed to be lost in thought. I half-expected to wake with him in bed next to me like we had done for a few nights at home. Tonight he seemed distant and withdrawn-- not exactly in the cuddling mood.

“Hey, how long have you been up?”

“Not long. As soon as you get dressed we can go. I assume you plan on coming home or have you made other arrangements?”

I was a little taken aback at his indifferent attitude. I thought I had made myself clear I was sorry for not giving him a chance to explain himself.

“Is everything okay?”

“Fine. I’ll meet you at the car. Your shoes and jacket are still in the corner.”

He left the room without as much as another word or glance. I quickly put my shoes on and grabbed my jacket to follow him out. He was sliding into the Audi as I came out of our room. It was a sleek and sexy Audi R8; its V10 engine could launch you from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. It was powerful, fast and took corners like it was on rails. I loved that car. William had stopped letting me drive it when he found out how fast I’d been going. He loved it too.

“You brought the Audi, I’ve missed my car,” I said with a grin.

I let my fingertips graze along her hood as I slowly drifted over to the passenger side door and jumped in.

“Your car? I don’t think so, you aren’t even allowed to drive it anymore,” his half-cocked grin was back as he seemed to have forgotten he was giving me the cold shoulder. Then just as quickly his face was back to neutral, he threw the car in reverse and took off out of the parking lot.

I decided to try again to find out what was bothering him, “Will, about last night. I really am sorry for the way I behaved. You were right in saying I was acting like a child. I said I trusted you and would give you a chance to explain. Then I ran the first opportunity you had to do just that. Will you forgive me?”

“I already told you I did, there’s no need to ask twice,” he said still looking ahead.

“Then why are you acting like this, why won’t you talk to me?”

“I am talking to you.”

I didn’t say anything for a minute. I wasn’t sure where this
obstinance
was suddenly coming from, but I did know enough to realize arguing with him would get me nowhere. I would have to wait him out, and that I was good at. I decided to turn on the radio and act as though his disregarding attitude wasn’t bothering me.  I was surprised to find hip hop flowing from the speakers.

“Huh.”

“What?”

“Nothing, just not what I expected you to be listening to, that’s all.”

I liked the song and went to turn it up, but couldn’t figure out which button controlled the volume, “How do you turn it up?” I asked scanning the control panel. He must have hit a button somewhere because the volume went up and the music started flowing over me.

“What do you mean? What did you expect me to be listening to?”

I was curious at his reaction to my off-hand comment. William looked like he was in his early thirties, a very good looking model-like early thirty, but the fact re
mained he was a little over 160-
years-old.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I was starting to move a little to the music, “I guess I was expecting something along the lines of
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah
or
Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me
. You know.”

I was suppressing a smile as I tried not to laugh at my baiting him and continued swaying to the music. I really did like this song and I couldn’t help but let the music move me. The bass was filling up the car and making me move almost without my own volition. He was giving me a disbelieving look with his mouth agape.

“You really should watch the road you know. I’d hate for this beauty to get a scratch on her.”

“
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah?
Jules, how can you possibly think I’d be listening to something like that?”

“Well, you are what like 160 years old aren’t you? Isn’t that what you listened to back then? I just thought you’d still like it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of William, we can change it if you want. Would you prefer
God Save The Queen
?”

I put my arms on my head as I started to dance a little more
;
I was mostly trying to hide my face at this point though. I couldn’t suppress my smile anymore, and knew he’d figure out I was messing with him. At least he was talking to me now.

“Jules, the only way you will ever make it in this world is if you learn to change and adapt. You must learn to change with the times and with it their customs. Of course I don’t dress
and act the same way I did 160-year-
ago. I would surely be found out if I did.”

“Yes. Surely,” I replied with mocked seriousness.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Only a little.”

Just then the song changed and classical piano came pouring through the speakers, seeming even louder because of our conversation. I burst out laughing and William quickly turned the entire thing off.

“That doesn’t mean anything; lots of people listen to classical music today.”

“I know that.”

“Then why are you laughing?” He was starting to sound more than a little angry now.

“Geez, William calm down. I was only giving you a hard time. I actually like classical music. I listened to it all the time while I was going through medical school. It helped me concentrate better than most other types of music; you can put it back on.”

“Forget it, we’re almost home.”

We were back to strained silence once again, and I still didn’t know what was bothering him. He had never acted this way toward me before. We had always had an easy friendship and attraction neither of us really understood right from the start. He had been there for me since day one of my turning. I really was sorry I had forgotten that. Without him, I never would have killed Nathaniel or gotten Christian back.

He was right about being almost home though, we soon pulled into the drive of William and Ana’s house; our house. It was more like a mansion, but home sweet home it was these days.
The
two story house
,
buil
t of old stone blocks and brick
was
surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence, which opened upon our arrival. The front of the house has a huge front entrance with four large stone stairs leading up to an over-sized front door. It has two tower-like structures on each side of the house with windows completely surrounding it. William drove around back to a separate three car garage and pulled in turning off the engine. I wasn’t sure when I’d be alone with him again so
decided to ask what was up. I guess I wasn’t as good at waiting him out as I thought.

He was about to open his door to leave when I blurted out,
"I just don't get why you are acting like this, either you forgive me or you don't. If you do, then drop the cold shoulder act. If not, tell me what I need to do to make it up to you. I said I was sorry and I meant it."

"Look, I do forgive you okay. I just realized a few things this evening. One of them being, you don't feel the same way about me as I do you."

"William, that isn't true--"

"Yes, it is. And it's okay, you recently lost everything, your husband included, and I don't want to push you into anything. But I'm also not going to sit around falling in love with you knowing you can't feel the same way about me right now. I won't do it Juliana."

"What are you saying? I care about you."

Of course I cared about him. If I hadn't, I would never
 
have slept with him or shared blood with him.

"I . . . I do care about you," I said again, not sure who I was really trying to convince.

"Yes, but what you can give me right now isn't enough. I want to be with you completely. I want you to trust me without question, to run to me, not away from me. I can't be with someone that's afraid of me. I think we need to start over."

The silence that filled the car was deafening in its stillness. He was right. There was a piece of me that was still afraid. It was the real reason behind why I ran. I was trying to run away from it all, and back to my old life. My
real
life.

"I’m not afraid of you William. I’m afraid of me, of what Ana did to me, of what I'm becoming. It's everything. It all scares me. I’ve never been in love with anyone other than Antonio; I slept with all of two men in college. You have to understand how hard this all is for me. I don't want to lose you though." I turned my eyes to him, and looked at him with the fullest sincerity I could offer. He had risked everything for me, and he did mean a lot to me.

"You haven't lost me,” he said finally turning to look at me. “I'm still going to be here, but I also won't
 
sit around and be your emotional punching
 
bag either. I deserve better than that, and so
 
do you."

"What am I supposed to say to that?"

"Say you'll let us start over."

"Um, okay? I still don’t understand where all this is coming from.”

After sitting there for a moment in silence each, deciding we had said all we could at the time, we got out of the car an
d headed into the house
both of us surrounded by a cloud of our own sadness.
 
It was for the better--probably, but this
 
didn't feel right. It felt like I was losing yet another person I cared about.

When we got inside I found Ana sitting in the library, it was my favorite room in the entire house. She had a cup of coffee at
 
the end table
 
by the couch and was pretending to read. I say pretending because in all the time I had lived there, which granted hadn't been that long, I had never once seen her even glance at a
 
single book on the shelf. She had most likely read them all before, several times, but this was all show. She was trying to act as though my running away hadn't affected her, seeming to forget our conversation at the hospital.

"Hello, Ana."

"Oh, hi Juliana."

She didn't look up, but continued to stare at her book.

“Good book?” I asked with feigned interest.

“Very.”

“Really? What’s it about?”

She didn’t say anything and I was starting to think she wasn’t going to answer me. Then she had the audacity to actually flip the book around so she could look at the cover and see what she was pretending to read.

She opened her mouth to start to give me an answer, and I cut her off, “Oh, don’t even bother. I know you weren’t even reading it in the first place; you were just waiting around to see if I was going to show up. Well, here I am and before you start to lecture me, yell at me, throw me into the wall, and flash your fangs at me, let me start by saying I’m sorry, okay. It was wrong of me to leave. You and William both risked a lot, no, you risked everything,
to help me rescue Christian, and I am forever indebted to you both for that. You both said you would explain all the secrets to me after that was done. And instead of giving you the benefit of the doubt, when you have never given me a reason not to trust you, I called you both horrible names and fled from you. I truly am sorry; can you find it within your heart to forgive me?”

Ana just stared at me her turquoise eyes wide with shock. I could feel the surprise coming from her through our bond. I guess she was expecting another fight from me, and I couldn’t really blame her. Not after the way I had been behaving lately.

“Yeah. Of course, I’ll forgive you. I’m glad you came home. You are staying . . . right?”

“If I can, that is if you and William still want me too.”

She looked questioningly from me, then to William leaning against the fireplace, and back to me again as if looking for answers to unspoken questions.

“Why wouldn’t William want you to stay here? What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on. I just wanted to be sure I was still allowed
to stay after what had happened,
that’s all.”

I walked past her and into the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee. None of us could drink it, but we often made it during times of stress. The aroma was enough to be calming; it often reminded me of my days of being human. I would drink coffee by the pot back then. I hadn’t tried cooking any foods to see if it had the same effect. That seemed a little more wasteful.

Ana followed me into the kitchen and sat at the table while I finished with the coffee.

“Want a cup?” I asked her.

“No, I’m good. Is everything okay? You seem, I don’t know, depressed?”

I spared a quick glance toward the library then back to the cupboard to grab a coffee cup.