Claudia D. Christian

Estimated reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

“How do you know?”

Julian’s smirk slipped. “I’m very intimate with the Resurrector life-cycle. It interested me to the point of obsession once.”

A jealous pang pierced. It made her feel petty and insignificant. “Sorry.”

“For what?”

Lily squirmed in her seat. She leaned towards the window, letting her finger rub the leather. The rhythmic motions allowed her to admit, “I’m sorry that they did that to you. You didn’t deserve to be…tortured…that way.”

“As opposed to what? Torture is torture, Lily. You know that.”

“No. There’s other ways to accomplish a goal without doing that.”

“Oh, my darling girl, you actually sound remorseful. I’m surprised. I would’ve thought you felt otherwise.” His devilish stare elucidated he knew exactly how much she felt otherwise.

Lily flushed even though she didn’t catch Julian’s look. Her finger traveled back and forth much faster. “I did. I even thought about arranging for a repeat performance.”

“Hmm. That’s not bound to happen again, darling.” Although spoken gently, his words bled with righteous purpose.

“How did they get you?”

Julian neatly avoided hitting a deer by levitating it out of the way. “I thought we were talking about your Resurrector status.”

Lily’s finger paused in its important mission. Distraction took advantage. “Curiosity I guess.”

“That is a sin I know too well. As such, I cannot lead you astray.”

“No, I guess you shouldn’t. You’ve already led me too far off the path tonight.”

Julian slanted his head towards her. “Not too far I hope. Not when there’s so many miles to explore together.”

“Stop that!” she snapped, peevish at the thrill shooting through her stomach. “Stop saying things you don’t mean!”

“What makes you think I don’t mean it?”

“Be quiet.” Lily whipped her finger away from the door. She crossed her arms beneath her chest and blinked back tears.

Julian allowed silence to lurk. He continued to drive as if nothing were amiss. Yet, Lily knew he could smell her weakness and that made her want to cry even more.

We’re never going to be. I’m so stupid to even care. I should treat him as if he was Ian’s twin. I mean I would never try to get with my boyfriend’s brother. Ever.

Lily shifted. Her hands slid into her lap. The road fled before her stare. Asphalt melted into hypnotic comfort.

I just need to handle myself better. I can do this. Julian is not the only man left on the planet. I don’t need to cling to him because Ian’s gone.

“Don’t think too hard or you’re liable to have a headache.”

Despite her best efforts, Lily flinched. “I’m not stupid.”

“Really?”

She didn’t let him bait her again. Lily kept her silence.

Not to be ignored, Julian kept needling her.

“Your kind of stupidity isn’t based on lack of ability. It’s based on your lack of subtlety. You have no cunning. You don’t think before you leap. You don’t know how to cozen those who’d do you harm. You’d rather just wave your little gun or sword in their face just to save what you call honor. Your ancestors writhe in their graves—I guarantee it.”

Lily’s expression remained serene. Julian tightened his fists on the wheel. Seeing the pink roses heralding the Walker abode, he recalled his charm. “All right, brat. Here’s something for you to dwell on. Your body forced the Spirit out. You’re reaching the point of maximum capacity and She’s retreating until you can accept her back in.”

Lily’s throat bobbed in agitation.