“What?” The end of the word snapped like the tip of a whip. “Is that why you invoked martial law?”

In spite of everything, Julian had to smile.

“Justine tried to kill Xavier,” he told Carling. “She slaughtered her household, kidnapped Melly, tried to kill me, and now she and Dominic are fighting to occupy Evenfall, but none of that is why I called you. Melly and I have gotten back together. She’s helped me think of a lot of things in a different light, including you. And I need to be free to make real choices for a future with her. Maybe that includes ruling the Nightkind demesne, but maybe it doesn’t.” He shook his head. “I can make that decision after I turn the traitors to dust.”

Their connection grew muffled, as if she had put her hand over the receiver. Still, Julian distinctly heard Carling say, “I made that demesne. I can bring it down if it misbehaves.”

In the background, Rune said, “No, darling Carling.”

“Damn it, Rune.”

“We aren’t going to storm a castle today. This isn’t your fight.”

“Oh fine,” she snapped. The connection became clearer as she spoke into the phone again. “Call me when you’re finished cleaning house. As soon as you’re ready for us to come, I’ll say these words in person. Until then, Julian Regillus, you are free of any obligation to the Nightkind demesne save those you choose for yourself. Your future will be what you make of it, and no longer what I order.”

Did the leash on his soul lift, or did he just imagine it? It was impossible to tell for sure.

He said quietly, “Thank you.”

“Melly’s good people,” Carling said. “She made you happy, and I’m glad you and she are together again. Give her my best.”

“I will.”

He disconnected, considering.

The conversation had gone so much better than he had expected. Almost, he thought, as if Carling had been waiting for him all this time to reach out to her.

Things could never be the same between them, and he wouldn’t want them to be. There was only so much that could be done to repair something that became so broken.

Or maybe he was wrong. He’d been wrong a lot.

In the meantime, people who loved him despite all his shortcomings were waiting for him on the other side of the door.

Blurring into quick movement, he went to his weapons cabinet, hidden discreetly behind a wall panel. The cabinet also held sun-protective clothing and custom-fitted body armor.

He donned the clothing and armor, strapped his sword to his back, and fastened on a gun belt with automatic weapons and extra ammo. Carrying gloves and a hood, he strode out.

Personal growth was damn hard work. It also took a lot of time, so it was going to have to take a backseat for a while.

Because right now, he had a battle to fight and Vampyre ass to kick.

Seventeen

T

he woods that blanketed much of Marin County were some of the most beautiful in the world. Populated with massive redwoods and rich in land magic, the forest floor was dark and shaded enough so that the Vampyres in the group could pull off their hoods and walk in safety.

Julian stayed by Melly’s side so he could spend as much time as he could with her. Like him, she wore fitted body armor and weapons. Despite carrying what he knew must be a good forty pounds in extra weight, she moved easily and with grace. She had braided her hair and rolled it into a tight bun at the base of her neck. It emphasized the graceful arch of her neck and the elegant bone structure of her face.

Much of the time, Melly greeted the world with a good-humored smile and a twinkle. Experienced at being in the public eye, she knew how to work the red carpet for movie premieres, and she made it easy for people to believe in her movie starlet persona.

Now as he looked at her, there could be no doubt – she was every bit Tatiana Aindris’s daughter and the Light Fae heir.

They didn’t have time to talk. Julian led them through the woods at a punishing pace. No matter how fast they deployed, every moment in a battle seemed to take forever, and he was all too conscious of what might be happening inside Evenfall.

Xavier’s people joined them a few at a time. Led by Xavier’s head of security, Raoul, the advance scout confirmed that while troops dotted the land close to Evenfall’s walls, there was no sign of Dominic’s forces this far into the woods.

Xavier himself had insisted on coming along. While Julian had forbade him from volunteering to go into battle, as he pointed out, accompanying the group through the woods was something else entirely, and Julian hadn’t the heart to stop him. He had a challenging time keeping up with the rest of the force, but he did so with grim determination, and Tess never left his side.

Finally they reached the area that Julian had been looking for, a broken patch of high, rocky ground covered with moss and ferns.

He said telepathically to Melly, This entrance has been secret ever since the castle was originally built. You can only use something like this effectively once.

She looked around the area, her expression curious. If there’s any time to blow a secret, this is it.

He nodded, turned to face the others and ordered, “Come in close.”

The troops drew near, keeping their attention on his face.

He told them, “I have only one objective. I’m not going to let them take Evenfall. If I have to napalm the inside of those walls, I’m going to do it. That means we need to split into two groups. One will be with me. We’ll be on the offensive. Another group needs to focus on evacuating noncombatants.”

Melly said, “I’ll lead that team. I’ll take ten of my people to work on the evacuation.” Her gaze told him she wasn’t happy about the two of them splitting up, but she accepted the need for it.

His attention shifted to Shane. He said telepathically to the other man, As soon as Melly’s presence becomes known, she could become a target again. Justine kidnapped her for a reason.

The Light Fae captain replied, The Queen’s orders are that I’m to do anything Melly says, except leave her side. Today my goal in life is to make sure that the Light Fae heir remains safe.

Relief lifted a weight off his shoulders. He told the other man, That’s more than acceptable to me.

Aloud, he said to the group, “This tunnel leads to my suite. The passage is narrow, so my team will go first. Once we get inside, we’re not going to wait, so the strongest fighters in the second team need to follow directly afterward.”