Devil's Descent II: impure Chapter Eight

Estimated reading time: 50 – 82 minutes

CHAPTER EIGHT
“Path to Damnation”

Vickery Hill, Georgia
Spring 1998

“Again!”

Lily and Jonathon were training, or at least attempting to from the Handler’s point of view. Sweat poured down the young man’s face but he didn’t bother to wipe it off. Instead, he let it drip onto his already soaked Superman t-shirt.

Lily, on the other hand, was barely winded. This did more than irk the Handler. Impatiently, Jonathon fixed his Resurrector with a stern glare.

“Lily, why the hell are you wasting my time? You’re not even trying. There’s plenty of other things I could be doing with my night than spending it here in the middle of the freakin’ cold with you.”

Lily pushed a few sweaty strands off her face before resting small hands on hips. “Jonathon, you tell me to hit—I hit. You tell me to kick—I kick. How can you say that I’m not trying? And besides, you don’t have shit to do but spend it here with me.”

“Don’t get smart with me. For one, I have to keep repeating myself and you know how I hate that.” Jonathon’s southern twang ended in a whine. “You are completely lacking in focus.” Pulling the protective gear off his hands and arms, Jonathon stated in exasperation, “With the way you’re training, my grandmamma—”

“Which you don’t have.”

“Okay, IF I had a grandmamma, she could totally take you out. Doesn’t that even bother you the tiniest bit?”

“Johnny,” Lily needled him knowing he hated any shortened version of his name, “I’m sorry but I don’t see how I’m training any differently than before. I’m here for every session, right?”

“Yes, but—”

“I’m here on time for every session, right?”

“Well, actually—”

“I’m still kicking your ass, right?”

“Now wait a minute—”

“Then how can you say some imaginary granny could take me out?”

Jonathon stood there, seemingly defeated, when his leg suddenly shot out and swept Lily’s feet right from underneath her. She hit the ground with a stunned “Oof!” Jonathon leaned over and blithely asked, “You were saying, sweetheart?”

Lily wrinkled her pert nose and groaned instead.

Jonathon helped his protégé to her feet. “No more slacking, Lily. I know you think you’re a big girl out of high school and can do as you damn well please, but when you’re with me, you might as well be in kindergarten.”

“Don’t be an ass, Jonathon. You’ve made your point,” she grumbled ungraciously while releasing his hand. “You brought me down, woe is me!”

The Handler threw a kiss in her direction while slicking his blond hair back. Fishing a band out of his pocket, he tied it at his nape. “Okay, sweetheart. I gotta question for you.”

“What?”

Jonathon sauntered over to the discarded dresser he often used as a seat. Nimbly hopping up, he folded a leg beneath him and let the other dangle lazily. “Why do you think I’m riding you so hard lately?”

“Probably just to piss me off.”

“Try again.”

Lily sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, you do.”

She pursed her lips and decided to play nicely. “Nephilim.”

“Partly. You know how the Boss can be.”

“Don’t they have other Resurrectors to harass?”

“Tons.” He answered this with a wide grin. “And trust me, they harass them. Just not as much as you. Why do you think that is?”

“Because I wasn’t supposed to be the Resurrector.” Lily answered this with easy practice.

“Yep. You, my dear, are the anomaly that wasn’t meant to be.”

“Tell me about it. Story of my freakin’ life.” Lily plopped back down. Pillowing her arms beneath her head, she stared at the ceiling and pointed out smartly, “So are you.”

“Guilty. I’m about ten years too young to be a Handler and only three years wiser than you.”

“Wiser?” she asked with a lop-sided smirk.

“Funny. I got all these Old Timers making fun of my lack of chest hair every time I go down there for a physical.” Lily’s laughter died when he stated softly, “Imagine how popular that makes us.”

“Not very.”

“That’s right. Not very at all. This territory was supposed to be someone else’s, Lily. Not yours and not mine. But it belongs to us now and we’re not doing so well.”

Lily closed her eyes in resignation. “I know.”

“You know what they say at the Center?” Jonathon didn’t give her an opportunity to answer. “They say the worlds don’t respect or recognize you because you’re an insult to the balance of things here at Vickery Hill. The Resurrector is NOT supposed to be from here.”

“Don’t say it like it’s my fault! I didn’t ask for the Spirit to enter me.” Lily flexed her fingers, seemingly fascinated by the movement. “She just did.”

“You ever wonder why?”

“Sometimes.”

“Does she ever answer you?”

The young girl’s eyes flashed once. “Never. I still don’t even know her name.”

“Don’t feel bad. She never answers the Heads at Nephilim either. As far as names go, well, you know what they say—there’s tremendous power in them. It behooves the Spirit to keep that from being common knowledge. It’s just enough that we know where she comes from.”

Lily suffered a stab of sadness. Instinctually, she knew it wasn’t hers, but rather the Spirit’s.

She’s one of us. One of the twelve families. The spirit’s a Wold but no one here knows exactly who. She was sacrificed completely.

Even thinking the name gave Lily another brush with misery. “True. So what does she say?” Lily asked softly, as if afraid of the response.

Jonathon shrugged once. His hazel eyes twinkled with respect and mischief. “Just that she wanted a daughter of the town and not an outsider. The Walkers roots run deep here, sweetheart. That practically made you a shoo-in.”

Lily’s soft mouth curled with a hint of resentment. “Yeah. Walkers. Right. Anything else?”

“Nope.” He swung his leg with long, idle motions. “The Spirit is fond of you, Lily, and that is all that Nephilim should care about. But as always, there’s more.”

“What more?”

“You should know that too, Lily.”

Her head snapped up. His grim expression confirmed her fears. “No.”

“Yes.”

“We agreed we weren’t going to discuss that sack of shit. Ever. We’ve done very well abiding by those rules for the last month. There’s no reason to deviate.”

“We didn’t agree. You decreed and I respected that as long as I could. Now it’s been a month so it’s time to revisit this.”

“I disagree. Conversation over. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lily jumped to her feet. She grabbed her discarded gym bag and made way to the large, industrial door. She heard Jonathon’s quick steps behind her and lengthened her stride.

“Julian—”

Lily’s feet jerked to a stop. “Don’t fucking say his name to me!”

“You can’t keep pretending he doesn’t exist.” The gentle admonition kept her rooted in place. Jonathon touched her rigid shoulder lightly. “You have to quit reacting like this every time he comes up. Julian Douglas isn’t going anywhere and the faster you deal with it, the better for us all.”

She whirled around and snarled, “Jonathon, I forgave you for keeping that prick a secret from me, and in essence, setting me up to get humiliated in front of all Vickery Hill. Don’t push it by telling me what I should or shouldn’t do.”

“Lily, you’ve gotta know that’s not my intention.”

“Then what is?” She placed her hands on her hips and lifted her chin in cool disdain. “You gonna guilt me for feeling something other than duty, Handler? You mad because your Mary isn’t being a good little dolly?”

Mary, short for Marionette, was a common insult for Resurrectors—one both she and Jonathon absolutely despised. Lily’s use of it dug into him deeply.

“That’s not fair. I’ve never treated you like that. Don’t compare me to how other Handlers do their girls.”

“Then don’t expect me to just get over it.”

Jonathon put several feet between them before answering heatedly, “I’m sorry if I’m not holding your hand and listening to your feelings, sweetheart. In case you haven’t noticed, things are going to shit here really fucking fast. So get a clue and deal.”

“Damnit! Why can’t you just get off my back?”

“Because you’re blowing it, little girl.”

“So?”

“Why are you being such a brat?”

“Why are you?”

“If you had just listened to me in the first place, none of this would’ve happened.” Jonathon inwardly winced, knowing he had just added a gallon of gasoline to an already raging inferno.

“So. It’s. My. Fault.” Lily drew each word out with trembling cadence.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yes, you did!”

“No, I didn’t, Lily. I’m just saying that I warned you off Ian from the get go for a reason. I told you not to let yourself get attached to him. I told you that he wasn’t going to be a permanent part of your life, didn’t I?”

Lily returned Jonathon’s glare with a much nastier one. “So everything you did was for my own good, right?”

The Handler, being the strategic creature he was, already knew the destination of this little trip. Unfortunately, he also knew he had no other choice but to let Lily drive. He waved a mental hand in defeat. “Yes, believe it or not. It was.”

Her razor words cut with devastating precision. “So was it for my own good that you kept vital information regarding Ian’s past from me? Was it for my own good that you knew Ian was mentally unstable and most likely going to regress back to his origins? Was it for my own good that you enabled Ian to keep his façade for as long as he did?”

Jonathon’s aggressive stance deflated. He suddenly sounded tired beyond his years. “Lily, a blind man could see your feelings for him. I did what I could to keep you happy, even though I knew it would end like this.”

“If you had just said something substantial, Jonathon, something I could get my hands on! Maybe I could’ve changed this!”

Guilt made him rasp, “I was under orders, Lily. Julian Douglas’ identity needed to be buried.” His words had little effect on the mutinous girl. Jonathon heaved a heartfelt sigh. “You need to know I would never purposely do anything to hurt you. That night in front of the Assembly—I did NOT know about Julian’s return until right before you did.”

Jonathon didn’t elaborate on how he had tried to warn Lily about Julian. He didn’t have to. They both remembered.

---

“We’re going to be late, Jonathon. Come on!”

Lily pulled her arm from his grasp with impatient care. Her feet kicked up several dead leaves. The crackle jarred his already-stretched nerves causing him to snap, “Lily, wait! I need to talk to you.”

The younger girl’s eyes skimmed the clearing, seeing Vickery Hill’s Assembly standing in place. “Shit! We’re late.” Her frown melted as she smiled in surprise. “Ian’s here already. I was wondering why he didn’t meet us—”

Jonathon yanked her back to a halt. Irritation marred the corners of her red mouth. Before she had a chance to vent her frustration, he said, “I have to talk to you about Ian, Lily.”

“What about?”

Faced with her obliviousness, Jonathon stumbled with how to go about vocalizing the waking tragedy that had just entered her life. He simply plowed ahead and damned all diplomacy. “Ian’s dead, Lily.”

“What?” She laughed the word into existence. “What do you mean he’s dead? He’s standing right over there, goofball.”

The Handler shook his head. “No, no, you don’t understand. A Shade just came to tell me about tonight.”

Shades, short for Shade Couriers, were the most common use for earth-bound spirits. Nephilim had millions on their payroll, allowing for near-instantaneous delivery from sender to recipient. Given enough communication, a sort of familiarity developed between all parties.

However, this time the Shade hadn’t been Amelia, their personal ghost from the early twentieth century, but a nameless little boy with beautifully innocent blue eyes. The Shade’s sender had been as anonymous as the child.
The incident obviously reeked of intrigue. Apparently, someone thought very highly of them to send their Shade, even if only a few minutes before implosion.

‘But why? There were so many more direct methods to use than this.’

Jonathon’s disconcerted gaze flicked to the stranger standing in the midst of the assembly. Even from this distance, Jonathon could see the cruel mirth lighting Julian’s vampiric vision.

‘I think he knows.’

“A Shade? You mean it wasn’t Amelia?”

Julian inclined his head in mocking respect. The slight movement verified Jonathon’s suspicions.

“Well, what did it want?”

The bastard vampire knew what Jonathon was saying, possibly even thinking at this very moment.

“Hello, Johnny! What did the Shade want?”

Jonathon watched as the hollow creature lifted his aristocratic chin in their direction. An Elder turned and beckoned for Jonathon and Lily to enter the communal circle.

“Fine. It’s obviously nothing.”

Jonathon’s gaze shot back to his protégé. Her lovely little face held all the surety of absolute trust. Her eyes reminded him of the Shade’s; gentle and uncommonly placid. Jonathon had no intention of leading her to the slaughter like this.

“We’ll talk about your poor taste in jokes later.” Lily’s entire being hummed with excitement at seeing Ian. “Let’s just go.”

“No! He is NOT Ian.” Jonathon executed the distance between them until his lips rested next to her ear. “Do not go into that circle thinking you know who that man is. Lily, there’s…much…you don’t know and…more…I never told you about Ian.”

Lily stilled, dangling from the dread permeating his breathless words. “Jonathon?”

“Resurrector.”

The Handler pressed his lips closer. Jonathon’s anxious whisper tried vainly to drown out the Elder’s call. “Ian is not in that body anymore. That body has always belonged to a pureblood vampire called Julian Douglas. Ian was like a demon who had possessed Julian’s body, except he wasn’t an outside entity. He was a part of Julian’s personality.”

“What?” Lily all but shrieked the word into his brain.

“Resurrector.” The imperious command demanded obedience. Jonathon felt a swirl of energy pulse beneath Lily’s skin. The Spirit was coming. He had to make this count.

“Julian’s going to try to hurt you tonight. Don’t let him.”

“Resurrector,” the Elder intoned one final time. “Allow the Spirit to come forth.”

Duty pulled at Lily’s limbs. Her legs moved her away from the stricken Handler, even as her eyes sought his in horrible wonder.

---

Lily’s entire face reddened in humiliation. “If I had known that there was another being inside of Ian, I wouldn’t have ever allowed myself to get so close to him!”

Jonathon wisely refrained from pointing out once again that Ian was the intruder inside of Julian. He also nixed the idea of reiterating that Resurrectors were afflicted with the same condition, which was precisely the reason why Resurrectors were not encouraged to dally with romantic entanglements.

Other than with their Handlers.

He ruthlessly crushed the dirtied guilt that sprang up. “I swear to God, Lily, I did not keep Julian a secret in order to hurt you.”

“Then why did you?”

“I had my orders.”

“Well, what about me? What about loyalty to me? Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“It means everything, Lily. But damnit, girl! You bind my hands. You don’t listen, you do what you want, and leave me to have to clean it up! If I’m told to bury something then that’s what I do! And don’t look down your little nose at me, sweetheart, because I’ve had to bury quite a bit for you!”

Lily glared at a spot past his shoulder. She obviously didn’t want to accept or deny Jonathon’s views. The moments slinked past, heavy with stubborn pride and unspoken guilt. Finally, she gritted out, “Why the secret? Why was Julian Douglas so taboo?”

“It’s simple. As far as the Boss was concerned, Ian was the only identity worth cultivating. The fewer humans who knew who he really was the better. That’s why I kept quiet.”

Lily threw her hand up in frustration. “How long was this supposed to last?”

“It wasn’t. You were his last job, Lily. After that—” Jonathon’s words morphed into uneasy silence.

“After that what?”

“He was supposed to go back to Nephilim. For good.”

Tears scorched her eyes. She blinked rapidly, trying in vain to keep Jonathon from seeing her utter desolation. “You’re absolutely sure about this?”

“Yes.”

Lily knew Jonathon, inside and out. He never lied to her.

Which meant Ian did.

“He never told me.” She frowned and shook her head. “He never said a word.” A manic giggle escaped. “I kept going on and on about what we were going to do next year and he wasn’t even going to be here. God! I must’ve sounded like such an idiot.”

Lily’s chest tightened. She couldn’t breathe. The Spirit stirred, awakened by Lily’s virulent emotions. Both irises pulsed rhythmically between white and black.

“Sweetheart? Come on. Don’t do this.” Jonathon’s tone failed to coax the younger girl out of her rising volatility.

“No wonder Ian kept things the way they were.” No wonder he wouldn’t touch me the way I wanted…the way I needed. Her eyes’ sclera bled to black, leaving the irises to shimmer corpse white.

Jonathon’s mouth begged to ask the obvious question, but instead he chose to tentatively lay his hand on her stiff back. “Ian was supposed to return to Nephilim for treatment a year ago, Lily. He chose not to. That means something.”

“Sure it does.”

Pain haunted Jonathon’s somber features. He turned the much smaller girl around. Lily’s inhuman gaze deepened the hurt. He tipped her chin up with one finger. “Sweetheart, it does. Ian adored you. He didn’t want to leave you. Even at the cost of what he thought was his sanity.”

Tears spilled onto her cheeks. Her eye color instantly reverted back to normal. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have kept him here, Jonathon. I wouldn’t have.”

“I know.” His arms encircled her waist. He allowed himself the luxury of touch, excusing it as compassion. “You were his heart. He couldn’t leave it behind.”

Lily leaned into him, desperate for the contact. “But he did, Jonathon. He left us both behind.”

The Handler kept quiet, unsure of how to deflect the inevitability of that particular truth.

“Fuck it,” she sniffled rather inelegantly. Lily rubbed her nose against his shirt and laughed at his outraged cry of, “Hey! Don’t put your boogers on me!” Lily wiped her nose one more time just to listen to Jonathon groan. “Sorry.”

He smiled and rubbed the back of her head. “Feeling better?”

“I’m sorry I was being a wussy little girl.”

“It’s all right. Everybody is entitled to a little wuss time.”

Lily pushed off Jonathon and smacked him in the thigh. “Yeah, well don’t expect to see it again anytime soon.”

“Oh, thank God!” he replied in falsetto. “I simply don’t know what I’d do if you actually stood there and started blowing snot-bubbles! I mean, you’d probably cry real ugly, get bug-eyed and swollen, and then ask me, ‘But I still look beautiful, right?’”

Lily shoved Jonathon with gentle hands, causing him to stumble slightly. “Don’t make fun of me. I can’t help it that I don’t cry pretty.”

“So the most beautiful girl of Vickery County says.”

She mockingly sneered at him when her mind caught his past words like a web. “You said Ian needed treatment. What kind?”

Jonathon didn’t miss a beat. “Behavior modification.”

Revulsion crawled across Lily’s countenance. Surprisingly, she remained calm. “Such as?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t really know that side of things, Lily. I do know that letting Ian come here was a risk in itself, but it was one Nephilim was willing to take. Especially since they have a veritable arsenal of mind-altering tricks up their sleeves. I think, no, scratch that, I’m sure they ran a ton of scenarios on what could possibly happen to him. The odds must’ve been in his favor. That’s the only way they would’ve let him come.”

Lily chewed her lip, slowly digesting this morsel of information. “Why was it such a risk?”

Jonathon rolled his shoulders. He hummed a forgotten ditty in perfect tune.

She cut him an assessing glance. “You not gonna tell me?”

“It would just be speculation.”

“Go on. Speculate me.”

“Julian was a typical pureblood in most regards.” Jonathon began while doing his best to ignore the hatred that bloomed in her face. “Except that he devoured women.”

“That’s hardly any different than most purebloods, Jonathon. They only seem to concern themselves with feeding and fucking. Although they’re not nearly as bad as the halfbloods, they’re still pretty cold.”

“True, but he wasn’t entirely typical, Lily. Most purebloods feed when hungry, but spend the majority of their time with their peers. Not Julian. He liked to live among the ‘filth.’ His hunger for sex and blood were a legendary addiction even amongst them. He seemed more like a succubus than a vampire.”

“I’m surprised his thing hasn’t fallen off,” Lily muttered. “Did he love many of them?” The question slithered between them, brazen and shameful at the same time. Lily met her Handler’s eyes boldly. “I want to know.”

Jonathon paused. He tried to put into words the answer she sought in the most painless way possible. “Obsession was like love to him.”

“I’m sorry, but I totally don’t get what you’re saying. What does that mean? In plain speak please. Has he loved anyone? Is there someone waiting for him now? Is that why he hates me?”

Jonathon looked away. He despised seeing this side of Lily. You don’t bow to any man, not even Ian, so why now? Why him? He suddenly felt sick with jealousy and fear. I’ll answer her questions and hopefully she’ll be done with this.

“His hatred of you has nothing to do with another woman. Julian didn’t, doesn’t, believe in softness of any kind. Love is weakness to him. But obsession…that’s something entirely different. Julian can obsess without fear of contamination. Once his obsession runs its course, he can move onto the next one. Love without love—that’s the only way I can describe it.”

Lily groaned inarticulately. “That I understand all too well. What else you got on Lord Ass?”

Relief touched him. His eyes swept over her bristling form and liked what it saw. “He’s not that complex, sweetheart. Julian revels in the dirtiness of humanity. Typical black sheep behavior. Instead of elevating man, Julian would rather hand him a can of gasoline, one match, and place a bet on who he’ll burn first—the world or himself.”

“Lovely and all too cliché. So as far as sociopaths go, he’s pretty typical.”

“He’s not that different from us, Lily,” Jonathon sang. “Stones and glass houses, my love.”

She flushed an unbecoming shade of indignation. “I’ll neither acknowledge nor agree with that statement. However, let the record show that my sociopathic tendencies are very, very tiny and have been under control for quite some time now.”

“Duly noted and yes, my love, they are very, very tiny and your control is inspirational.”

Lily snapped her wrist in an impatient gesture. “May we get back on topic now?”

“What more did you need to know? Oh, yes. Julian Douglas’ view on mankind. Okay, mortals held an endless fascination for him in the past, Lily. I don’t know if the same could be said now—”

“Ian is what I care about, Jonathon. Why is…was…Ian so different and why was he allowed to come here?”

“That’s a much harder question to answer, sweetheart.” He smacked his lips twice. “I’m thirsty. You thirsty?”

“No thanks.”

“I wasn’t offering. Just asking.”

Lily stuck her tongue out. She walked over to a ratty chair and plopped down. “So begins evasive maneuver number one. ‘My throat is so parched it’s interfering with my reasoning abilities.’ I’ll just wait.”

Jonathon smiled. He sauntered over to the makeshift kitchen. He lifted several cups of various sizes and sniffed each one delicately, before discarding them back onto the counter. “Lily, when are you going to do the dishes? It’s gross in here.”

“How about never?”

Jonathon continued to grumble about the selfishness of a certain female in his life. One who dirtied his kitchen and never lifted one brawny finger to at least rinse out her leftover chocolate milk.

Lily huffed and stomped across the room. She picked up the first cup she saw, reached across Jonathon, and ran it under the tap several times before thrusting it at him. “Here. Mostly clean. Filled with water. No soap residue. Now drink your damn drink and answer my questions.”

With that brusque command, she stomped back to her seat and waited with the serenity of a war lord.

Jonathon took a sip. He grimaced comically, “Gross!” and tossed the cup into the crowded sink. “I’ll get something later. Where were we?”

Lily smiled with incredible sweetness. “Jonathon, I believe you’re playing games with me. I’m all for games, but I can’t play if I don’t know the rules. When that happens I choose to make up my own game. Do you want to play?”

“Okay, now that’s effing creepy!” He shivered hysterically. “God! I hate it when you get all cute and psychotic.”

“Then answer my question! Why was Ian allowed to come here and royally fuck up my life?!”

Jonathon stopped in mid-antic. His sudden somberness became a perfect foil to his gentle words. “Ian didn’t mean to mess up your life, Lily. That’s cruel of you to imply.”

She slammed her hands against her knees. “Now you’re criticizing how I talk about Ian. Why are you always trying to be my conscience? I already have one thank you.”

“Because you naturally choose not to use it.” He took her mulish silence as grudging assent. “All right, no more games. Don’t blame Ian for this, Lily. Ever. He didn’t know what would really happen if he didn’t go back.”

“You said earlier you knew it’d end like this. Did you really know, Jonathon? Did you really know this day was going to come?”

Jonathon was tempted to deny and lie his ass off. He shook his head in weary amusement. Temptation seemed to be his cross to bear no matter the circumstance. “I wasn’t surprised.”

“Jesus, Jonathon! And it never occurred to you to maybe talk to him or me about it?”
“It was Ian’s choice to make, Lily. It had to be a choice without interference. Those are the rules of free will.”

“Really? Where was free will when they fucked with Ian’s head, Jonathon? Where was it then?”

“Lily, you have to understand Ian was like a newborn baby. He was an unmarked creature with no previous memories of his life as Julian Douglas or any memories of what had led up to his ‘birth.’ Nephilim, rightfully feeling guilt for their hand in that incident, took Ian in and helped build him up into someone to be proud of. Someone who was good and decent.”

“Behavior modification at its absolute worst,” Lily whispered in resigned horror. “Nephilim set him to fail! They made him into something that couldn’t last because Julian was never a good person.”

“What would you have done? Would you have left him rotting in that church basement, Lily? Would you have let him free to wander about and be victimized again? If you took him in, would you have trained him to be a right bastard just so that you didn’t fuck with his mind and lie?”

“No. I wouldn’t have done any of those things.” She clenched her jaw several times, pained to have admitted it.

“Lily, I know this is hell for you but you’ve got to move past this perpetual opposition with Nephilim.”

“I’ll move past it when Vickery Hill ceases to exist, okay?” She brusquely brought the conversation back on track. “I’ll admit to the necessity of their plan with Ian. But wouldn’t he have run into people from his past? People who would’ve known exactly what and who he was. How did they keep that a secret?”

“They couldn’t. That’s why Ian was kept away from the world. For a hundred and fifty years he lived with Nephilim. He researched, he aided in training, he worshiped—Ian became the closest thing to a living saint.”

“I remember,” she whispered fondly. “He unnerved me because he was so good. Innocent. I spent so much of our time together trying to get him to break the rules…to be naughty.” Lily threw her head back and growled, “Now I wish I hadn’t.”

Jonathon shared in her memories and regrets. “We were the first time he’d been let out for an extended period without direct supervision. I don’t know if Ian wanted it or if Nephilim believed it to be time to see if their experiment had worked.”

“And Nephilim didn’t think I’d be a threat?” Lily didn’t want to acknowledge the insecurity coating the inside of her mouth. She already knew the answer. Everyone involved already knew.

“What do you mean?”

“You can guess at what I mean, Jonathon. Nephilim wasn’t worried that my hormones were going to take their baby boy down a dirty, lusty path?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes.”

“No. You were a girl who didn’t fit the bill.”

That cut to the quick. Lily had recently read the smuggled profile for Julian Douglas and knew his obsessive fondness for tall, willowy blonds—something she clearly wasn’t. Which meant she was something entirely different.

“I was the test run for womankind.”

“You can say that.”

“Well, ain’t that a kick in the teeth,” Lily muttered. She made a pact with herself to refrain from whining and screeching for at least five minutes. She rose on the balls of her feet in an awkward stretch. “So what do you think they were hoping to gain? I mean they obviously spent a lot of time and energy in creating Ian. Why would they risk him?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they were confident Ian had become real enough to block Julian out. If not, they were obviously willing to cut ties and deal with the consequences.” Jonathon rubbed his fingertips together in the universal symbol for money.

Lily arched forward in mid-stretch. Her silent pact disintegrated. “The fuck! You know this is all out sick!”

“It’s the world we’re a part of, Lily.” As always, he stated it without judgment. “That’s just how it works. You know that.”

“Yeah, I know. Whatever. I’m almost through with this anyways. Surely my shelf life is about to expire.”

“Hey!” he snapped while closing in on her space. “That’s not an option, Lily, so don’t go all morbid on me.”

“Tell that to Samantha.”

“Different scenario. Don’t compare yourself to her.”

“Why shouldn’t I? After all, she held the job before me and died spectacularly at eighteen. Or should I forget the sight of her burning body falling off the bridge into the lake?”

“You’re not her.”

“Who else am I if not her?” she muttered. Lily then smiled and whispered, “I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, Sir, because I’m not myself you see.” She derived perverse pleasure from Jonathon’s troubled expression. “Ian said that all time. I never knew until this moment what he meant.”

“Lily, don’t go down this road. You already have enough trouble as it is.”

She hated seeing the worry masquerading as anger. However, something petty and vile took hold of her. Stalking away from him, Lily plopped down on a purple beanbag chair. “Johnny, don’t sweat me,” she crooned. “If I get chucked into the lake, you’ll get someone new. Maybe she’ll do you proud. After all, it’s just the Resurrectors who die young—not their Handlers.”

Jonathon jerked back. His flushed face instantly turned pallid. “Stop it.”

“Why? I’m sure Nephilim is listening right now. You know how they log every word we say and everything we do. Hey, why don’t you put in your request? I bet they can even custom-make you a girl to fit the bill. Just like they did Ian.”

Jonathon’s thin face twisted into a pained snarl. “I’m not a dog for you to kick around, Lily. You are going to stop this shit right now!”

The malicious light in her faded, leaving familiar disgrace behind. Lily stood up slowly. “I’m sorry.”

Jonathon’s body drew up tighter the closer she got to him.

“I’m so sorry.” She cautiously touched his clenched jaw. He didn’t move. Emboldened, Lily reached out and wrapped her arms around Jonathon’s waist. “I don’t know why I say the things I do. Mama says it’s because I’ve got my family’s mean streak. I think she’s underestimating just how mean it is.”

“I’ve never deserved your spite, Lily. I’ve never treated you like a Mary. All I ever try to do is support you.” He spoke softly, delicately, and so very wounded.

“I know.” Lily screwed her eyes shut. The rhythm of his heart accused her, reminding Lily of how often she carelessly attacked it. “Jonathon, I love you.”

The Handler’s expression deepened with unimaginable longing. His lips parted, eager to rejoice in her affection.

“You’re like a brother to me. I can’t bear to lose you. Please don’t stay angry at me.”

The longing disappeared. His face became a mobile lie. He laughed once and asked, “How can I stay mad at you? You’re forgiven. Just watch your mouth.”

“Thank you.” Lily squeezed him tightly.

Jonathon warred between letting things go as they were and continuing. Duty, as always, dictated his response. “Lily, we still need to talk about Julian.”

“Haven’t we talked enough about that man?” Lily dropped her head on his chest. “Okay. Go.”

“Julian is beyond pissed with Nephilim and they’re going to do everything they can to make it right.”

“What about making it right to me?” She stepped back from Jonathon. Her dark eyes held accusation. “It’s their fault Ian became that thing!”

“Lily, we just went over this! It’s not their fault Ian regressed. It IS their fault Julian became Ian a hundred and fifty years ago.”

Lily whispered, “But was that really so bad, Jonathon?”

“The man was tortured for a year, Lily! How can you even think that?”

“Because Ian was a good person, Jonathon! You said it yourself! He was like a living saint! What did Julian Douglas do except seduce, kill, and exist like every other low-life vamp out there? Julian Douglas did nothing to contribute to the world. Nothing!”

“Maybe so, but Julian has patrimony, Lily.”

Rage twisted her pretty face into an unforgiving mask. “I know all about his patrimony. Nephilim lets him get away with murder because he’s a precious pureblood, right? Well, what about Ian? Why can’t Nephilim banish Julian and bring Ian back? What do they care? It’s still the same body.”

“Lily,” he hissed in a rapidly dissolving display of patience. “Because there’s nothing to bring back. Ian wasn’t real. His foundation was built on sand, sweetheart.”

“No, there was something there, Jonathon,” Lily argued. “Look, no matter how good Nephilim’s Minders were, they couldn’t make Ian last if there wasn’t something there. He lasted on the outside for seven years, Jonathon. Seven!”

“With treatment. And then he refused the treatments and disappeared, sweetheart.” Jonathon cupped her cheek. “I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. Listen to me. This isn’t your fault. Ian knew the consequences when he made his choice.”

“How could he when he didn’t even know who he was?”

“He didn’t have to know about Julian to know that something was happening to his mind. In that sense, he knew exactly what he was doing. Nephilim urged him to come back on several occasions and Ian said no.”

“Sure they did.”

“It’s true. I know you’re determined to think the worst of them, but in this case you shouldn’t.”

Lily suddenly appeared far too old for her age. She rubbed her cheek against the solid warmth of Jonathon’s dependable hand. “They have no problem forcing everyone else to do their bidding,” she whispered in varying parts of petulance and melancholy. “Why couldn’t this have counted too?”

“They wouldn’t force Ian back because it was his choice, Lily. Not yours, not mine, but Ian’s. There was nothing you could’ve done to stop it.”

No, that’s not true. And you’re wrong. It is my fault.

Guilt twisted Lily’s gut. This was her sin. Jonathon thought her last contact with Julian was a month before. He was wrong. It was last week.

---

Julian’s unnatural eyes glowed eerily in the darkness. He stalked closer to the defiant girl. The lights from a distant house twinkled across the lake, emphasizing their total seclusion. “He got what he deserved.”

“No!”

“Of course he did, darling.”

Lily’s chin tipped up aggressively. “Don’t call me that! I’m not your darling. I’m not your anything.”

“Fair enough. Let me rephrase that then. Of course he did, bitch. Is that better?”

Lily’s face whitened. “You can’t be real.”

Julian’s caustic laughter echoed across the water. “Oh, I am very real, little girl. I’m far more real than your dearly departed Ian ever was.”

“What happened to you?” Waves lapped onto the small beach, sounding much like phantom weeping. “Why are you like this?”

“I don’t owe you any explanations. Be grateful I even bothered to come here.”

“You do owe me something. I’ve known you for over seven years. The least you can do is tell me why.”

“Wrong, Resurrector. You’ve never known me and I don’t have to tell you a blessed thing.” Julian pulled a card out of his new overcoat and flicked it to her. “However, I don’t make it a habit of denying people their just desserts.”

Lily caught the ivory sliver. She barely glanced at it. “Collette Beauvois. Who’s this?”

“Just a lovely witch with a penchant of working in the darkest of magicks. Would you believe it? She claims to be able to turn an immortal into the lowest of all creatures.”

Lily flinched. His cultured spite made her feel dirty. “She makes vampires human. How come I’ve never heard of this?”

“Probably because you don’t pay attention. Listen carefully, girl. I said claim.” Lily’s feet shifted in the sand. Julian noted her changed stance with amusement. “Are you done, Resurrector? I don’t have all night entertaining a child like you.”

“You haven’t answered anything.”

Julian pulled out his car keys. “My God, you’re stupid as well as childish. Connect the dots. You’re mortal, Ian wasn’t. You’re, unfortunately, real and he, fortunately, wasn’t. The card explains it all. Now if you’ll excuse me…” Julian turned away and walked to his car.

Lily rushed forward and grabbed his arm. “I’m not done talking to you!”

He shook her hand off violently. “Don’t presume to touch me with your filth, Resurrector!” Julian’s handsomeness fell beneath loathing. “Let me explain this so even you can understand. You dug his grave, you little whore, when you tried to fuck him.”

Lily’s cheeks bloomed with embarrassment. “I loved him.” She abruptly shut her mouth, as if angered to have shared even that much.

“Your love leaves quite a bit to be desired. Just admit it—you could never accept Ian as he was. What, Lily? Afraid to have something cold and unnatural between your little thighs? Or were you afraid because you were the unnatural one?”

“Shut up!”

“Admit it, little girl. He was better human being as a vampire than you were as a human!”

“I never asked for him to be anything other than who he was!”

“Liar.” Julian’s voice oozed with distaste. “You wanted to destroy perfection, Resurrector. He knew his goodness bothered you.”

“That’s not true! What would you know?”

The vampire leaned closer. “I was there. Or did you forget?”

“No.” Lily shook her head slowly. Her mouth tightened with denial. “You’re the one who doesn’t belong. You’re nothing more than a monster.”

“No more than you, Lily…Walker.” His smile oozed malicious regard. “Monster or not, I’m here to stay.” Julian peered down his perfect nose at Lily. “If there’s anyone to blame for Ian’s fortunate exorcism it’s you. So let me extend my thanks, Miss Walker.” The vampire sharply turned on his heel and left her on the beach.

Lily let out a scream of rage. “Ian!”

He stopped. Looking over his shoulder, he let his cool gaze slide over hers. “Ian? No. My name is not Ian. It’s Julian Douglas. Remember it well, bitch.”

---

Lily couldn’t share that night with Jonathon. As far as he knew it never happened.

Since when did lying to him become so natural?

Lily hid a multitude of growing sins, discreet and nearly unrecognizable. She added a new one each day, storing them for reasons without motive. She thought she could handle the weight, never seeing how bowed her back was becoming. Nor how twisted.

“Nephilim let it be Ian’s choice,” she stressed doggedly. “So again—why can’t they do what they did before? Julian is disposable. Ian isn’t. They brought forth Ian once before. They can do it again.”

“What do you mean?”

Lily’s gaze glittered with malice. “You know.”

Jonathon inhaled sharply. “You want him tortured, and broken again, all for the minute hope that Ian could come back?”

“Yes.”

Jonathon shook his head. “I know you don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do!” she whispered harshly. “I want Ian! I don’t care how it happens! I just want things to go back to the way they were!”

Jonathon’s observatory nature came to the forefront. He studied Lily for several moments, seeing what he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge for weeks.

Sallow skin. Dried, cracked lips. Eyes dominating a sickly face. Typical signs of withdrawal and/or abuse of spiritual power.

This is bad.

Really, really bad.

Lily was suffering the loss of her love and, by extension, so was he. Jonathon hated the mockery of his position more than ever before. He wanted to touch her but he couldn’t. He wanted to make the pain go away, but he couldn’t do that either. All he could do was talk to her and pray something touched that warped little heart.

“I understand how you’re feeling.”

“No, you don’t. You don’t know what it feels like to have the only person you’ve ever—” Lily killed off her words. When she spoke again, her husky voice captivated Jonathon completely. “You can’t imagine how it feels like to have your friend and mentor turn away from you. You don’t know what it feels like to have him hate you, look at you as if he wished you dead, and still not understand why.”

“Lily…”

“Why does he hate me? What did I ever do that was so wrong?” Lily’s eyes burned with misery. “I didn’t turn him into Ian. I didn’t know about any of it.”

“You’re guilty by association.”

The calm pronouncement inflamed her ire. “But I would’ve found a way to accept Julian! As much as I care about Ian, I would’ve found a way to care about Julian too. I know it. But he never gave me a chance. He hated me from the moment he saw me and now I know why.”

Jonathon tucked his hand under her chin, forcing his Resurrector to look at him. “It’s not what you think. The truth is you’ll never be able to understand why, Lily. Be thankful that you won’t.”

“Please just be straightforward with me. Just once.”

He found himself unable to resist her pleas, even while despising them. “Julian Douglas is a dangerous creature, Lily. You can’t ever tame someone so unstable. He doesn’t need your friendship. He doesn’t want it. To him, you’re nothing more than an insect. Easily stepped on and easily replaced. For every Lily, there’s a thousand more. He can’t see you—all he can see is how to wound you…corrupt you…dirty you.”

Two tears broke free from their ebony cage.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Listen to me. Although it’s not his intention, Julian’s doing you the greatest kindness by being this way.”

“It’s so hard, Jonathon.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“I just want the pain to stop.”

Cracked as they were, Lily’s lips beckoned with sinful sweetness. Jonathon swallowed down his impotence and drew upon the strength of his training. “Maybe this will make it stop. The whole point about tonight’s conversation really is about this. I’ve heard from Nephilim tonight.”

“What did they say?”

“You are not permitted to have any contact with Julian.”

Vulnerability disappeared beneath Lily’s constant anger. “Like I want it!”

“You are not permitted to threaten him or even speak to him.”

She lifted her shoulder in a shrug. Suspicion halted the insolent gesture. “On whose request?”

Pity flickered in his gaze. “His.”

Lily yanked her chin away. Her throat tightened from a dizzying flood of rage. “That fucker put a restraining order on me?”

“Yes.”

Lily exploded. “That stupid son of a bitch! Who the fuck does he think he is? Piece of shit! Goddamnit!”

“Lily—potty mouth.” Jonathon’s customary warning had no effect this time.

“Like I give a fuck about Julian! That goddamn prick!” Lily stalked away. “Put a restraining order on me like I’m some psycho. I’ll fucking show him.”

“You will do no such thing, Lily Walker.” Jonathon’s tone froze Lily halfway out the door. “Will you embarrass us both by proving Julian right?”

“I don’t care!”

“Well you better start caring, sweetheart, because you are on a very thin string with Nephilim.”

“Oh, am I?” Lily’s baby voice dripped with poison.

“You know you are. You keep this up and they’ll petition to replace you.”

Lily clenched her jaw and tightened her fists. “Maybe they should.”

“Watch your words there, Lily. The Spirit might listen and decide to abandon you.”

“Why shouldn’t she? We both know my tenure as Resurrector has been pretty damn shitty. I’m supposed to be nothing more than a glorified phone, Jonathon. A means to allow the Spirit to come through, remember?”

“You’re more than that, Lily.”

“Right, I’m also supposed to keep the peace between our world and theirs. Well, Vickery Hill hasn’t had a moment of that since I took over. How many lives have I had to take, Jonathon? Wait. Don’t answer. I’ll tell you—two hundred and forty-three.”

The Handler sighed in resignation. “It’s been tough. I know.”

“Tough ain’t the word I’d use.” Lily’s belligerence faded into weariness. “You wonder why I’m so opposed to behavior modification? Look around you and you’ll get your answer. We’re splintering here, Jonathon. The twelve families were never supposed to be together in this—Nephilim forced us here. They even built this fucking lake to keep us caged. Why? Because we almost got out. The Spirit is just another form of control. They took away our freedom, banished us into this corner of the world, and made it so we can never leave. How messed up is that?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you elaborate?”

Lily curled her lip at his coaxing tone. “We’re all blood enemies by nature, remember? We’re not supposed to be confined on the same continent at the same time period much less in the same damned town.”

“Maybe so, but you’ve all made it work. You’ve even found a way to put nature behind to combine the bloodlines. Given enough time there won’t be eleven separate families, but just one.”

“Or we’ll all go the way of the dodo just like the Wolds.”

“Lily, no disrespect to the Walkers but there’s a very good reason why you’re here.”

She grimaced in a travesty of a smile. “Yes, being that my ancestors were all fucking murderers up for the highest bidder—usually themselves. Just like Wadell, Webb, Werck, Whitelock, Whorton, Wicks, Williams, Wold, Wolton, Wright, and Writley.”

“That’s so cute,” Jonathon pointed out in an unsuccessful attempt to alleviate her morbidity.

“What?”

“How everyone in this town, including you, always says the names in alphabetical order.”

“It’s political. You can’t condemn the alphabet for being the way it is. It’s a tidy way of order that doesn’t intentionally lift one letter over the other based on ego. We subscribe to it rather than cause war over whose family is better. Besides, the names don’t matter. They’re Nephilim names which mean they’re slave names. We know who we are.”

Jonathon was quite familiar with the typical brooding that usually occurred after this type of discussion.

“Do you know what really pisses me off?”

“No. Tell me.”

“The fact that some of them feel that we’re suffering this bloodline curse due to disobedience to God. That because we sinned, we deserve to suffer this punishment.” She hissed in disgust, “We can’t even say our real names with getting a delightful little brain blast thanks to the wards set all around this wonderful little cage. We’ve been sedated to docility and it’s sick.”

“Lily, I feel the need to point out that the world is a bit better, not much, but a little bit because of Vickery Hill. All of your ancestors were rather big players in the methods of world destruction.”

“Stop using so many colloquialisms. Just say it like it really was.” Lily deepened her voice. “Your murdering, raping, psychotic ancestors are lucky Nephilim only wiped you out historically. You’re dead to the world and dead in spirit so all that’s left is to die. Oh, lucky you.”

Jonathon squeezed her cheek between thumb and forefinger. “And you’re such a bundle of joy too!”

Lily half-heartedly slapped his hand away. “I’m just tired. I’m tired of all the bullshit that goes with being here and being a Resurrector.”

“Honey, I’m tired of all your cussing.” His lighthearted complaint brought an unwilling smile to Lily’s lips.

“Okay, okay. I’ll tone it down. But let me just say this—cussing is my only vice, Jonathon. Hell, I don’t drink, smoke, do drugs, and I’m still a virgin. You gotta give me something. At least I’m not taking a page from my ancestral history and poisoning all who stand in my way.”

“Let’s keep it that way.” The mention of her virginity gave Jonathon pause. “Speaking of purity…you so sure you want to keep that? Maybe you’d be less cranky if you had another hobby.” He waggled his pale brows suggestively.

“Why? You want to relieve me of it?”

Jonathon instantly wanted to give into the beautiful danger Lily represented. Impulse demanded he change the course of their fucked up tale.

Yes.

Instead, he found himself mouthing, “Yeah, and have Lord Douglas rip my dick off and shove it up my ass?” He slapped her on the back. “Thanks but no thanks, sweetheart.”

Lily flinched. “That’s not funny.”

Vicious denial twisted Jonathon’s mind. His selfish need to pin Lily down had only succeeded in making him want to punch something. Really, really hard.

I just had to know, didn’t I? Well, now I fucking do. She wants him.

Lily’s haunted face had let something escape. Something she might not even know existed.

Desire.

“You’re right. Sorry.” His smile reappeared with awkward flair. “Hey, listen. You know I was joking about Julian, right? Call it a weird slip since all we’ve been doing is talking about him. I mean, you know you’re not really his type.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

“No! Not that you’re not gorgeous or anything—”

“I know I look good. I don’t need fu-freaking Julian Douglas to tell me that.”

“Of course you don’t. I’m just saying that Julian was notorious for—”

“Skinny blond bitches. Yeah, I know. So what would I be? A dumpy, dark, rounded rebellion? In theory, mind you, because I’m awesome.”

“Of sorts. Minus the dumpy part.”

“Well, yeah! I haven’t been dumpy in years.” Lily turned and punched him in the shoulder. “Next time my self-esteem needs boosting remind me not to call you.”

Relief flooded Jonathon. He recognized this girl again. This girl bore no resemblance to the tainted creature of before.

She can’t possibly be attracted to Julian. I was wrong.

“Can do.” He ruffled her hair. “Just as long as you make sure that you listen to orders, Lily.”

“I won’t have a problem as long as he stays away from me.”

“He will.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Like I said, Lily. You’re not his type.”

“What the hell difference does it make? Ian thought I was good enough.” Lily’s cheeks flamed crimson as she realized what she admitted. “I mean…well…he probably would’ve. If we got to that point.”

Jonathon cleared his throat while rubbing the back of his neck. “Did you?”

“No! We were just friends!”

“You sure?”

Lily’s brows snapped together. “Yes, I’m sure! God, Jonathon! Don’t you think I’d tell you if that was the case?”

“No, I don’t.” Jonathon watched as Lily’s mouth mimicked a fish. “I need to know if there’s anything I need to know.”

Lily’s neck matched the burn in her cheeks. “I’m still a virgin.”

“Yes, you told me.”

Her breathy whisper evolved into a full-fledge shout. “Then what the fu-freak does that tell you?!”

“All right. Damn!” Jonathon stuck a finger in his ear. “Don’t deafen me.” Scowling at her, he muttered, “Why does his preference bother you so much? You sound as if you want Julian to pick up where Ian left off…in theory.”

“It doesn’t and I don’t!” Lily scowled at her Handler. “As if I want that nasty, man-whore anywhere near me…” His expression turned to enigmatic disbelief. “Whatever, Jonathon.”

“Just stay away from him, Lily.”

“I freaking will! God! If you and Nephilim are so damned worried about his precious lordship’s safety, why don’t you make HIM leave?”

“Because he doesn’t want to and he doesn’t have to.”

The show of temper disappeared beneath disgusted resignation. “Yeah, I get it. Nephilim wants to keep him happy just to keep out of court. If you ask me, he effing got what he deserved for turning that Resurrector into a vampire.”

“Lily, nobody deserves what he went through for that.”

She shrugged in blatant disregard. “Why do you think he did it?”

“Nobody but Julian and that particular Resurrector knows.” He smiled again. “But I do think that’s why Ian was subconsciously trying to make reparation through you.”

Barely veiled grief tightened Lily’s jaw. “His last act of decency before he left?”

“You could say that.”

“Now what?”

Jonathon sighed. “Now we do what we’re told when it comes to Lord Douglas.”

“Yeah, I get it.” Lily rubbed her neck in fatigue. “I gotta go take a shower before I meet Cricket and Robbie. They’ll throw a complete hissy if I’m too late. Do you want to come?”

“No thanks. I’m all Elvised out.”

“Watch your freaking mouth there, Jonathon. Elvis is the King for a reason and if you’re too simple to get it, well, it’s your own fault.”

“Fine. I’ll lay a sacrifice of a fried peanut-butter and banana sandwich on his altar for disrespect.”

“You see that you do.” Lily grinned mischievously. “I’m outta here.”

“All right, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bring it or else.”

“Yes, Jonathon.” Lily laughed when he stuck his tongue out at her. “I’ll make sure you regret tomorrow when I’m kicking your skinny tail up and down this floor.”

“You do that and I’ll buy you lunch.”

“Deal.” Lily waved at him before slipping out the door. The night was biting cold, but it barely affected her. She strolled to the car, scanning the area for any hostile energy. Finding nothing, she got into her 1971 Challenger, left courtesy of an absent father. She cranked it and the radio up. “Bye!”

Jonathon raised his hand in farewell and watched until the candy-apple red car rumbled out of sight.

“You know Nephilim is extremely vigilant in concern to their rules and regulations. How delightful…for me.”

The Handler slid the door shut and latched it. He turned and met the arctic gaze without surprise or fear, in odds to the lethal blade already raised in his hand. “Julian.”

“Jonathon.” The aristocratic accent oozed with solicitousness and a touch of mockery. Julian made an elegant show of taking two steps back from the Handler’s personal space and hence, away from the knife. “It’s comforting to know that life moves on, even in the company of former friends. Although better for some if not for others.”

The Handler efficiently slipped the enchanted blade back into the sheaf strapped to his leg. “That it does. So what do I owe the honor for this rather tacky visit?”

Julian strolled back to the middle of the space, giving Jonathon a chance to observe his unwelcome visitor. Gone was the scholarly black sweater with matching slacks and sensible dress shirt Ian had worn faithfully for the past seven years. Instead, a stranger reeking of money and power stood in his place. With the tailored ebony suit, charcoal shirt, and crimson tie, Jonathon couldn’t decide if Julian looked like a well-kept company man or an impeccably dressed gangster.

“I haven’t had an opportunity to thank you.”

The smug conceit coating Julian’s statement set Jonathon on edge. “I doubt there’s much you’d thank me for,” he replied neutrally.

The vampire smiled. “Oh, I’m afraid you’re wrong.” He pulled out a pack of Marlboros.

My brand. Conceited ass must really want to talk to me.

“Smoke?”

Jonathon walked forward and accepted the offering. He pulled out his lighter and held it out in question. Julian politely accepted. Waiting until they both took a drag, the Handler asked, “How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to hear your brat throw her tantrum.” Julian smirked behind a cloud of smoke. “I’m surprised neither of you felt my presence. But then again, considering how appallingly disturbed that young lady is…”

The Handler refused to show blood. “She won’t ignore orders.”

Julian once more smiled in secret amusement. “See that she doesn’t, Jonathon. I’d hate for anything to spoil my sojourn here.”

The Handler’s mouth twitched. It was the only outward sign of his agitation. “Perhaps you’d find Atlanta much more suited to your tastes. Or better yet—Miami. It’s crawling with your peers. You can take that time to catch up on world events. I’m sure anywhere is better than here.”

“Do I detect a bit of protectiveness?” Julian chuckled with easy derision. “You had the right of it, Jonathon. Your little brat doesn’t interest me.”

“Then why stay?”

Julian blew out a stream of smoke. “Would you believe me if I told you it was nostalgia?”

“No.”

“Smart boy.” The vampire gave the other man a mock salute. “I needed to make sure you understood the way of things. It would hardly do to have you encourage the Resurrector in harassing me. I’m very pleased to know you have my interests. Therefore, my thanks.”

“They’re not yours, Douglas.” Jonathon dropped the cigarette and crushed it beneath his shoe. “I love Lily and I would die for her. Anything I do is for her.”

Julian’s expression remained open and easy. However, his eyes flashed once. “Extremely passionate. So, despite your lack of balls, you’re no different than other Handlers. You all seem to find a way to fuck your Resurrectors, don’t you? Bravo. Although,” he added with a sly smirk, “you can’t help yourself, can you? You’re genetically engineered to do it. I guess Nephilim can’t depend on old-fashioned loyalty.”

Jonathon shrugged. “I doubt you’d understand me or half of what you’re insinuating.”

The vampire flicked his cigarette ashes with graceful motions. “You forget, Jonathon. I was there. I know enough of Nephilim’s dirty secrets…and yours.”

The Handler froze. His nostrils flared in wary regard.

Julian savored the reactions with sadistic satisfaction. “Does she know yet?” he asked in a mesmerizing tone. “Does little Lily know you dream of bending her over yon table? Does she suspect that you’ve stroked yourself at her expense from the time she was twelve? It’s rather perverse, wouldn’t you agree? You could’ve at least waited until she grew some tits.”

Jonathon pinned him with a violated glare. “That’s rather crude even for you.”

“Thank you.” Julian rolled each syllable in seductive cadence. “I’m surprised you haven’t made a move yet. She’s all alone. Distraught. Vulnerable. So full of angry confusion. She admitted she loved you. Lucky boy.”

“You sound as if you want me to take her.”

“Touch her in any manner less than professional and I will dismember you. Painfully slow and while you’re still alive.” Julian stared the young man down for several dangerous moments.

Jonathon had been trained on how to avoid being taken as prey by those of supernatural proclivity. He knew all the mental guards to erect and all the physical steps to perform. He had successfully eluded death nearly as many times as Lily. However, staring into Julian Douglas’ vicious gaze was to suffer his own mortality. Every nauseating bit of weakness was splayed out for Julian to exploit. Nothing was sacred. Nothing was secret. Nothing could keep him out.

Jonathon’s heart thudded in terrified screams for mercy.

Suddenly, Julian laughed in maniacal glee. He turned away and strode towards the overcoat lying across a random table. “Just joking. Take her until you both die for all I care. I won’t say a word. After all, you have the right of it. I don’t want anything to do with that other life.”

“Then why stay?” Jonathon’s body quaked with the effort of defiant normalcy.

Julian grinned in condescension at both the question and the human’s continuing terror. “I doubt you’d understand me.”

“Fair enough.” Jonathon stripped off his shirt, revealing an extremely lean and fit physique. “I take it we’re done? I’ve got things to do.”

Julian pointed out with cigarette still in hand, “When I said I wasn’t interested in your brat that included you too.”

Jonathon stretched with lazy grace, forcing his will onto jelly muscles. “I’ve done my homework. You don’t drink from men. Unless you’ve changed your tastes.”

“No. Still like ‘em female and virginal if I can get ‘em. Although now I’ve seen it’s much harder than it was before.”

Frustration crawled across Jonathon’s expression. “Thanks for sharing.”

Julian sauntered past the Handler. He didn’t bother to hide his smug grin. Jonathon’s obvious provocation didn’t work and they both knew it. If Julian attacked the other man he’d lose any and all rights for compensation, as well as immunity for past crimes committed.

Julian apparently had no intention of letting that happen.

“Keep your bitch on a tight leash, Johnny. You do that and we won’t have any problems.”

Jonathon’s hatred shattered his calm composure. “So you acknowledge it.”

Julian paused by the door, much like Lily had only minutes before. “What?”

“You acknowledge that she’s MY bitch.”

“Your bitch, is she?” He whirled in a graceful arc. “How do you think little Lily would feel to hear you refer to her in such unflattering terms?”

“It’s better than what you’d call her.” Jonathon welcomed the aggressiveness hiding behind his constant grin. “She was supposed to be mine.”

The vampire bared a cruel, challenging smile. It reminded Jonathon of what it must be like if the moon had teeth. He was absolutely riveted.

“Are you very, very sure of that?” Julian flicked his cigarette to the ground and left without another word.

What the holy hell did he mean by that?

Jonathon didn’t bother to follow Julian outside. There was no point. The prick had accomplished exactly whatever he had set out to do. Instead, Jonathon mulled over the arrogant words, tasting his rival’s superiority and not caring for it at all.

Lily belongs to me. She’s mine. Nephilim matched us together for a reason. He’s just trying to get under my skin and the insecure idiot that I am is making it very easy.

Julian hadn’t lied when he made his dirty observation about Handlers. Resurrectors and Handlers generally became lovers.

Except us.

Jonathon’s shoulders abruptly dipped with fatigue. Julian presented a threat and Jonathon had no idea how to move past his own suppressed, volatile emotions. It would be so much easier if the bastard vampire just exploded into ash and politely removed himself from Jonathon and Lily’s existence.

Damn though! I wanted him to bite me or at least try. Then I could nail him.

Jonathon rubbed the scar beneath his ear. He imagined he could feel the nanochip inside. If Julian or any vampire bit him, Nephilim would know exactly who and when. Same went if anyone, human or not, attacked or killed him. It was reassuring protection. It wouldn’t stop him from dying, but it at least assured him of justice.

If only it assured me of more.

Jonathon slung his damp shirt around his neck. He was beyond tired. Knowing Julian had been privy to the entire conversation with Lily pissed him off. It also unsettled him.

Neither of us knew he was here. He could’ve attacked and now I don’t know if we could’ve fought him off.

Jonathon prided himself on his wit and intellect. However, he knew this unfortunate situation robbed him of all objectivity. He sighed in resignation. It was becoming more difficult to be so close to Lily. Julian had the right of it. Jonathon wanted his Resurrector.

Badly.

If he knows that means Ian did too.

Embarrassment scalded Jonathon so that the tips of his ears turned bright red. He thought back to all the years they had existed in the together in the realm of polite professionalism. Lily had been the glue keeping them in close contact. Not choice. Accordingly, she had been a topic that neither seemed to broach unless it was regarding her duties.

I wonder did he pity me?

The last year saw Jonathon facing his protégé’s heart drifting to another man. No matter how badly his unrequited love had threatened to disintegrate his sanity, Jonathon had found a way to cope. Ironically, it had been Ian, not Lily, who provided the motivation. Ian had been a gentleman, through and through, compelling Jonathon to react in kind.

Now, all those rules were dead and buried.

Jonathon Walker took Lily’s surname the same day she took his heart. He’d never again part with either.

Twisted bastard wants to make it dirty. It’s not. HIS lust for Lily would be sick…but he doesn’t want her, right?

Jonathon needed to trust that even vampires were creatures of habit. Julian Douglas was notorious for having an unnatural predilection for tall, blond women with come-hither blue eyes.

In fact, all his mistresses, victims, and pets were blond versions of one Lady Fiona Telford—the human woman he almost married. I guess Lord Douglas can’t let his past go.

Based on inclination and taste, it would appear Lily was completely safe from Julian’s attentions. Appear being the operative word.

Even if Julian wants nothing to do with her, I doubt Lily’s going to give him up so easily. It doesn’t matter that he’s obviously a different man from the one she knew, Lily doesn’t understand how it’s possible. And what Lily doesn’t understand, she destroys. Whether it be him or herself.

Jonathon’s locked the door and set the interior and exterior alarms. He checked every window and every portal, physical and other, with methodic precision while running the latest scenario through his mind.

He had believed delicate avoidance to be the best course in regards to Lily’s infatuation. He was mistaken.

First crushes are always the hardest to forget…especially when you don’t get a chance to let it run its course. I should know.

Jonathon scooped up a newspaper from his cluttered work table. Checking the date, he tucked it under his arm and made his way to the bathroom. Tempting a killer to follow his nature always gave Jonathon the shits.

I’ll get Lily through this. I know I can. All she needs is time and work. I can’t give her time but I can give her plenty of work. Nephilim can’t complain about her then. As far as her heart goes—she’ll get over her infatuation. She will because she’s too stubborn for anything else.

The Handler cleaved to his thoughts, finding disciplined comfort in its suppositions and what he thought he knew of his girl.

The Handler was right in his assessment of Lily.

If only Jonathon Walker knew how very wrong the man was.

Image Credit: phobol @ Stock.Xchng

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