"You would love her." Lucian smiled at the ceiling, lying on his back beside Jules.
"Do you love her?" Jules was still groggy and not thinking straight.
Lucian blinked.
"She's like my sister, so-no."
"I didn't mean to pry, it's just- I feel like I don't know a lot about you."
"Well, my story is far too boring and depressing for your case."
"I don't buy it," Jules frowned. "When were you born?"
Lucian laughed to himself and sat up.
"1802." He wanted Jules's reaction.
"So, you've been twenty-three for over one-hundred years?"
Lucian nodded.
"Hm," Jules muttered. "You think you'd mature a little after that long?"
A pause.
She forgot Lucian didn't have a sense of humor.
"He's going to come after me, Lucian," Jules said, sitting up in her nightgown.
Jules's bloodied dress had been thrown out; She couldn't bear to see that reminder.
"We have a plan, Jules," Lucian replied.
Jules raised a brow skeptically.
"We're having a masquerade, but it's in unclaimed territory." Lucian stopped to face her.
"The Rogue's will see it as an opportunity, and attend. That's where we'll be waiting for them."
Jules paused.
"You don't think they'll sense it's a trap."
Lucian shook his head.
"I think they'll be too overwhelmed be the opportunity to corrupt."
"I'll need a dress," Jules said.
Lucian's head snapped around, clutching his glass.
"You will not be going."
Jules frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, you're going to need me. They'll smell me there and want to come," She looked for his approval. "Plus, if I'm not there, they'll know I'm here without your supervision."
That caught Lucian.
She's right.
"Fine. We'll have to find you a dress by tomorrow."
________________________________________
Jules was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard a knock at her door. When she opened it, a squeal erupted across the room. Charlotte Beaux stepped inside, her arms full of dresses.
Charlotte looked just as beautiful as she did all those years ago. Her green slip dress was tied up around her neck, and her cherry lips smiled at Jules.
"You're much more beautiful than Lucian described you," she said as she put her arms on Jules's shoulders. "Time to get you ready!"
Charlotte was so wrapped up in setting up the dresses that she'd completely forgotten about introducing herself. She stopped and slapped her palm over her forehead.
"Ugh! Sorry! I just, I get so excited about this stuff!" She stuck her hand out. "I'm Charlotte."
Jules saw why Lucian liked her so much. She lit up every room she walked into. Her energy could recharge anyone's in an instant.
"Jules," she smiled back.
Charlotte had laid out three dresses, each a bit different from the other.
Jules had finally decided on an outfit. She was tied into her dark red corset dress. Black lace trailed across the top and on the petticoat of the gown. Her black hair had been pinned halfway, and curled at the ends, pinned together with a golden clip. Her velvette gloves had black lace lining the cuffs, and a black lace choker wrapped around her neck with a ruby gem hanging.
For the final piece, she wore a red-and-black-lined mask, exposing her red-kissed lips.
Charlotte looked at Jules like a work of art. She could hardly hide her excitement.
"You look perfect!" She clapped her hands together.
"I must go to get ready, but I'll see you there." She gave Jules a kiss on the cheek.
By the time Jules got downstairs to the foyer, there was a horse-drawn carriage already waiting for her.
Cassius walked up beside her.
"He is already there. I will be transporting you to him."
Jules nodded as Cassius helped her into the carriage.
She could hear the music from practically down the road; it was so loud. Once they pulled in front of the manor. Torches hung from either side of the door. It was an ominous-looking house- obvious that it hadn't been used in years.
Cassius led her to the doorway. Unbeknownst to her, humans had been invited. This was in order to keep the peace; One bad move, the most important human in New Orleans would find out the secret. However, Lucian had to keep himself composed in return. Which would be hard, given the way he looked at Jules when she walked into the ballroom.
Jules's eyes immediately met with Lucian's from across the room. He wore a black lace scarf that reached his Adam's apple, with a black silk suit underneath. Golden chains were woven into his vests, and a red and black cape hung over his right shoulder. He'd run his hands through his hair until it lay smooth and disciplined, a deliberate contrast to his usual untamed look. His mask folded over the left side of his face, leaving one of his piercing eyes exposed.
It almost made Jules catch her breath.
Her gaze was averted when Charlotte pulled her aside. She seemed even more beautiful than before; she looked like a princess. Her white gloves reached her elbows, where her strapless baby pink silk dress hugged her hips. Little pink bows and ribbons hung on her petticoat. Her mask was decorated with pink feathers and small diamonds. It was the most visual representation of her personality.
Classical music echoed in the ballroom. The tile floors clicked to the sounds of heels. Charlotte took Jules's arm and led her into the crowd. At first, she felt overwhelmed at the number of people, but then she realized the way everyone was looking at her; Like she was a diamond. She felt they'd once judged her, but now, they were seeing what Lucian saw all along.
Once they reached Lucian at the end of the room, he was mute. It was like someone had taken all the words right out of him. Charlotte took notice of this and smiled to herself. It made her happy to see him humbled sometimes.
"Any sign of them?" Charlotte asked.
Lucian blinked.
"No," His eyes shot over to Charlotte. "Not yet, at least."
Charlotte softly smiled at Jules and whispered in her ear.
"I'll be back in a bit."
Jules felt her chest tighten. What was she going to say to him? They never spent time together, especially not out of the manor. She felt a wave of insecurity wash over her; She saw the way the other women were looking at him. And worse, she saw the way the other women were looking at her.
She suddenly felt Lucian's hand brush against her waist. She felt her breath catch.
"Stay beside me tonight. Not behind me." Lucian's voice was low.
She could feel him pull her beside him.
Cassius stepped over to take watch of Jules for a while, while Lucian went to network.
When she stepped away for a moment, she heard someone approach her.
Elias Crowt.
He was tall, with straw-colored hair and dark eyes. His jaw was sharp enough to slice, and his rigid cheekbones cut above his skin.. He wore a golden vest, with a white cape, and a golden mask that covered the top half of his face.
He grabbed her hand, pulling her into the dance lines.
"You wear fear beautifully." He said, voice sharp.
Jules tried not to make a scene; she kept her voice calm.
"Then why does it keep finding me?"
Elias smiled back.
"Because monsters recognize survivors."
A hand stopped on Elias's shoulder.
Lucian's hand settled on the small of Jules's back.
Beside him stood two vampires. They had a more familiar scent to Jules than Elias.
Seraphine Volkov. She was an elder when she was around fifty-six. Past her greying dark hair, or pale eyes, she truly was beautiful; She wore age like a glove. Before her transformation, she'd travelled here from Russia in 1763, while it was under the rule of Catherine the Great. She was one of the most respected elders and had also been elected a Supreme.
Beside her stood a Coven member, Valen Pierre. Valen was transformed after nearing death on the battlefield during the French Revolution. The court saw potential in his combat abilities; They were not disappointed. Cassius protected the clan while Valen planned necessary attacks. They both worked together as the Umbral network. Everyone served their own place in the clan. Valen and Cassius were stronger than the others, so their job was to protect and network with the other clans to keep the peace. Valen's dark hair fell down his neck, where his face was covered with a navy mask. He wore a black suit with a navy vest underneath. His eyes kept glancing back at Cassius, like they were ready for any sort of shift.
Lucian stepped between her and Elias.
"You've had your moment." His eyes darkened.
Elias's shoulders tensed, and he backed away, like a dog with its tail between its legs. While Lucian was settled on Elias, a hand brushed against Jules's. An envelope was slid between her fingertips. She couldn't see who'd given it to her. It was sealed in black wax. Jules squinted, unwrapping the envelope. She pulled out a small sheet of paper. It wrote:
"You've chosen the wrong side."
Jules took a step back out of fear, and Lucian felt her body tremble.
"He's here, isn't he?"
Jules could feel her voice shaking.
"Not close enough to touch you," Lucian brought her close. "That's what matters."
Jules could feel Lucian's grip on her grow tighter.
"I hate that you're here," Lucian whispered in her ear.
"You don't want me here?" Jules played back.
Lucian rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean."
Jules could feel her throat closing in. She began to feel short of breath. Her arms trembling, she grabbed onto Lucian.
"Are you okay?" Lucian looked at her.
"I think I just need air," Jules whispered.
Lucian nodded and grabbed her hand, leading her down the hallway. When they reached the French doors, he pushed them open, and Jules was finally met with the cool breeze.
"This is too open," Lucian scanned the courtyard.
He led her to the gardens, where the hedges reached well above their heads; It was like walking through a maze. Fireflies lit their way as they passed blooming magnolias and Louisiana Irises. They both stopped in front of the fountain. It was quiet- the only sounds were the drips of the water and the faint sound of a violin from inside. They both removed their masks and gave themselves a moment to breathe.
Lucian couldn't help but stare. He knew Jules was beautiful, but this took his breath away. The way the moonlight reflected from her pale eyes, or how red her lips looked in the pale light. Subconsciously, he'd grown closer to her since they'd stopped. He felt himself draw back a bit before Jules looked back up at him.
"I'm sorry," Lucian's head hung low.
Jules froze.
"Why?" She tilted her head.
He paced for a moment before giving her a definitive answer.
"I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did that night about Silas. I was out of line, and I hope you'll forgive me."
Jules was confused.
"I accept your apology," She smiled at him. "But, really, I should be the one apologizing." She kicked a pebble with her heel.
She hated apologies.
Lucian furrowed his brows.
"I haven't been easy on you,"
As the words came out of her mouth, she realized how true they really were. Since the moment Lucian fought for her, she never so much as thanked him. She only rebelled against him. When she thought about it, she realized it was never even him she was wanting to rebel against. It was that she'd lost a battle. She didn't stand up for herself. It was a price she'd have to pay for the rest of her life.
"And, I'm sorry. Thank you for taking me in." Her voice was low.
Lucian's eyes searched her face, his hand moving slowly towards her hand. He carefully took it, tangling her fingers with his.
"How about a clean slate?" Lucian smiled.
"I'd like that," Jules replied back.
In a moment of passion, Lucian gently grabbed her gloved hand and slid the glove off, slowly kissing each finger, her hand, then up her arm. Jules felt her breath hitch. From the way he never broke eye contact with her, to how much he looked like he enjoyed it, she felt her chest flutter. He slowly slid her glove back up her arm. She expected him to kiss her, but he didn't. He just looked at her like a blind man seeing for the first time. As he took her hand to lead her back, they heard a crunch from outside the garden.
Lucian stopped, like a bloodhound on a trail. Jules watched his shoulders, then relaxed. Adrian stepped inside the hedges.
"Get Jules. We need to leave, now."
Screams erupted from inside the house.
"Have everyone meet at the Cathedral," Lucian ordered.
Adrien nodded, gathered the other clan members, and headed towards their meeting place.
Lucian picked Jules up, carrying her to the gravel walkway. His black Shire's reigns had been tied around one of the wooden posts.
"You know how to ride horses?" Jules raised a brow.
"My whole life." Lucian laughed to himself.
He picked Jules up by her waist and set her on the back of the horse. He put one leather boot in each holster. He quickly pulled a hooded velvet cape from out of his satchel and tied the ribbon below Jules's chin. He could practically smell her fear.
The horse's hoofs kicked up the pebbles as they raced to the sanctuary.
Lightning struck above them, and small droplets of rain landed on top of Jules's head. The lightning always left a stale taste in Lucian's mouth. A taste he would prefer not to remember.
When they reached the steps of the church, Lucian scooped Jules up off the horse and set her on the cement steps. The rain pattered on the concrete, and lightning struck above the gargoyle statues that hung above the gardens.
Ambros stepped out of the clearing, welcome, Jules. She told him she'd meet him inside soon.
Lucian wasn't even sure what had happened at the ball. What he did know was that as soon as Cassius arrived, he'd find out.
Lucian rushed to Cassius as soon as he could smell him. He stood at the end of the driveway, hidden behind a row of trees. Cassius's face was hard and stern. He shook his head, looking down.
"It's Scarlett," Cassius swallowed. "A silver arrow through her heart."
Lucian felt like the air had been let out of his chest. Not only had he lost a friend of many decades, but he'd also lost a valued coven-member. She was their strongest connection to the humans. Without her, they were cut off from most communication. Worse, it left them with a greater chance of being exposed.
Lucian hung his head, running his hands through his once-gelled hair, now messied and falling over his forehead.
"Word has it that they're targeting members of our coven, before the Council."
The Council was made up of all the court, elders, and supremes; The most powerful vampires known to man.
"If that's true, then Jules isn't safe under my care," Lucian's eyes shot back and forth, trying to find a solution. "They'll be after me."
He tapped his fingers against his palm.
"But, I own an old farmhouse in Covington. That will at least buy us some time; They'll be hot on my trail, and give you time to come up with a plan."
Cassius raised his non-scarred brow.
"You'd be okay with leaving her here?"
Lucian sighed, resting his back against the stone wall. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and took a puff before blowing the smoke into the rainy air.
Cassius nodded to the cigarette.
"Thought you quit."
Lucian laughed, flicking the ash from the tip.
"Desperate times." He replied.
A pause.
"To answer your question," Lucian's eyes turned sad. "No. I'm not okay with it."
He took another puff, before his eyes flashed to Cassius.
"But, if my absence saves her life, then I would disappear a million times more."
Cassius smiled.
Lucian grinned, cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
Cassius took a breath before they turned to see Jules standing with her hands folded in front of her, patiently waiting for Lucian to return to her. It made his heart sink to see her like that- so innocent. She had no idea what was coming.