"I should have walked past her home that night and never seen her again," he said and sat on the ground beside the grave, his head in his hands. He looked up at me, his face wet from tears. "Everywhere we go, people die, Julien. We are God's punishment onmortals."
Our time with Soren was to prove his words truer than either of usknew.
My brother escaped one hell for another, having only a brief respite when he and Danielle were happy together and the wounds Marguerite inflicted on him hadhealed.
Unable to refuse Soren, Michel rationalized hisservitude.
"This way, brother, I can learn the secrets of our kind. Marguerite never told us anything that would be of use in destroying vampires but Soren is very old and knows everything. I must go with him so that I will know as well. Come with me," he begged. "Once we know his secrets we'll killhim."
* * *
Iclosethe manuscript and think of Danielle with the hazel eyes and fair hair. I can't help but suspect that part of the reason Michel's attracted to me is because I resemble her physically. If so, that would be a bad omen. Then I realize both of us resembled Marguerite and I feelsick.
The story I read of the Nephilim intrigues me – biblical creatures created when angels came to earth and mated with human women, according to the Gospel of Enoch, which isn't really part of the standard bible. Of course, I don't believe it for a second. What the bible stories describe is some kind of genetic mutation that people at the time couldn't explain without resorting to gods, angels and demons – nothing trulyparanormal.
I make a mental note to check my mother's files to see if there's anything about this because it could prove to be important when I start doing my own medical research. Vampires are immortal. The properties in their genetic makeup that give them immortality could be used to extend human life and is an avenue I would have to explore if itexists.
And then I think maybe Michel's afraid. I remember what Julien wrote about Danielle and how Michel felt responsible for her death. Perhaps he feels that way about me as well and this might explain, at least in part, his need to protectme.
* * *
Later,I sit in the coffee shop, waiting for Julien to show. I debated with myself all afternoon whether I'd meet with him, but in the end, I feel I owe it to myself to meet him and hear what more he can tell me about my mother and this wholeworld.
I get a text from Michel beforesunset.
Eve,
I can't force you not to meet with Julien. To be honest, if I could compel you not to meet him, I would. I can only ask that you don't. I can say that he'll tell you things you may not want to hear. He and I – there's still an animosity between us because of our past history. But he's still a good man at heart so I can't tell you he's evil or out to hurt you. Neither of us would do that because of yourmother.
So, meet with him or not, it's up to you. If you are going to be my Adept, it would be a show of faith if you didn't meet withhim.
I'll leave it up toyou.
Yours,
Michel
Yours,Michel…
I can't deny the appeal of that for me. I'm sorely tempted not to meet with Julien just to please him, but I feel I owe it to my mother to hear Julien out at least. See what he says. Michel's been quite reticent to speak about my mother. He's focused on his mission and everything seems to be subordinate toit.
In the end, I can't resist meeting Julien and sit in my favorite corner of the café and wait, my back to the window as I watch the door to seehim.
He arrives, looking just as beautiful as always, with his long black trench and scarf. He takes off his coat and sits across from me. The waitress comes over right away and smiles at him like he's a rock star. He orders an espresso and turns his attention back tome.
"Lovely Eve," he says. "I can see why my brother wants you all tohimself."
"You're very different from him," I say, ignoring the compliment. "You're even different from yourmanuscript."
He shrugs. "I wrote it a very long time ago. I was so serious back then. Eight hundred years has cured me of being all melancholic for what can't be, unlike Michel. I live in the moment now. It's a good way to be. Listen, Eve, Michel needs to lighten up. Maybe now that he's got you, he will, but I doubt it. He's a lostcause."
"What do youmean?"
"Come on, you know what I mean…" he grins suggestively. "You've seen him. You kissed him…" He gives that lopsided grin, which is entirely too suggestive. "The man's uptight. In need of some redemption. If he had you, I imagine he'd be very happy. Relaxed for once. I'm just surprised he found you soeasily."
"I posted a message on a message board and he had aservice–"
"Yes, that's what he told me, too. I think it's rather suspicious. I think he knew where you were allalong."