and Deborah.” �
“They’re all here?” �
“They will keep you safe.” He didn't answer her question.
“They know? They know about you?” �
“It appears I’m not as cautious as I imagined,” his lips twisted with the admission. “They’ve known I was collecting lost souls since the beginning.”
She remained speechless, lost in the startling revelation.
…no time�
“You have to leave, Evangeline,”� Lucien set her from him.
“I can't,” she insisted, burrowing into his coat. “Julian is here, and waiting.” �
He smoothed his scarred hand over her wan features, the palm burning. “Our confrontation is inevitable. I need to keep you safe, my love, away from him.” �
“How touching, little brother.” �
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The daemon shall rise against the power of the angel�
Lucien enveloped her in his arms, his heartbeat painful.
Julian's voice flowed from the depths of the cavern, the tone filled with unmistakable foreboding and he glided toward them, his feet never touching the ground. Eva twisted about, and sickening dread coiled in her stomach.
She feared the power he had not yet revealed.
He remained, as he had been when she’d seen him last, attired in ragged clothes. In the eerie white light emitting from her brother's spirit, his features appeared contorted, the scars and furrows seeping into deeper and more unforgiving lines.
…run! �
Julian chuckled at Reese's whispery comment. He waved a twisted hand, dismissing the spirit's fervently uttered word. A slow smile contorted his face as he came closer.
“Foolish boy, she can't escape.” He murmured in seductive condemnation. “She couldn't escape me in New York, nor can she escape me in my domain.” �
Forcefully, Lucien pushed her behind him, and stood in the path of his brother. He pulled himself upright, although he was slighter. His shoulders straightened, tensing, and he threw his head back in defiant disregard.
Eva was shadowed by his height, her view of the approaching daemon obscured. He intended to distract his brother, keeping her safe from the unspoken madness obvious in the thickness of the chamber's air.
It was too late to seek sanctuary elsewhere. Even if it meant his demise, Lucien would battle his brother. He would do anything to prevent Julian from contaminating the one he held so precious.
Defiantly, he faced the image of the daemon he feared most.
…bastard! �
A blur of light, Reese shot across the chamber. Eva was uncertain what he hoped to accomplish, despite his fury, for his body was nothing more than mist.
As she predicted, Julian remained where he stood. He neither flinched, nor moved aside, as the ethereal image rushed through him. The contact caused more damage to the spirit, and his agonized groan echoed before he vanished into the stagnant air.
“What a commendable performance.” He laughed, shaking his head and lifting his arms. “You’re actions are foolhardy, spirit. Do you suppose a single soul could inflict damage on one with my power?” �
"He doesn’t understand.” Lucien moved away from her. He shifted across the room, the darkness of his clothes blending into the shadows. He was attempting to draw Julian's attention, hoping his brother would forget her.
“I'm the all-powerful ruler of St. Lorraine!” Julian's boast was loud and prideful. “A single spirit is not a worthy waste of my time!” �
In the glowing embers of light radiating from Lucien, she saw the change overtaking the hovering figure. Julian's eyes shifted and the gray orbs transformed. As she watched, his gaze became an intense shade of flaming crimson, the color akin to freshly flowing blood.
“A single spirit doesn’t hold power over me. I don’t suffer the same as you, my weak little brother.” He taunted mercilessly. “I’ve never been one to welcome a lost soul with open arms.” �
Lucien remained silent, and refused to rise to the bait thrown as cruelly as a steel gauntlet. His inaction appeared to infuriate his brother and Julian shot across the room, his swift movements a virtually invisible blur.
He wasn't prepared for the unforeseen attack, and flew backwards.
A low grunt erupted from Lucien and he tumbled to the floor. He remained where he had fallen, the impact tearing the breath from him. Dazed, his ears rang, and his lungs nearly burst while he strove to regain his breath. The dungeon was silent, save for Julian's high-pitched wail of laughter.
“Ah, do get up.” Julian’s plea was taunting and he swayed while humming a wordless tune. He danced to the macabre pace of an ancient minuet, each artful move precisely measured, and bowing to an unseen partner before turning back to his brother.
Lucien dragged his aching body across the stones, realizing Julian