Part 5 (2/2)
Georgia sighed. ”Yes, love, of course. I a.s.sure you I'm quite resigned to the fact.”
”Then, perhaps, if it's not too inconvenient, you might go out and actually investigate the situation?”
Georgia's eyebrows rose. ”What-do you mean right now?”
”Unless you feel that's too much for me to ask?” He stared pointedly at her magazine until she cast it aside.
”Of course not,” Georgia gritted out through clenched teeth. Her blue eyes sparked with annoyance as she rose from the chaise, matching his sarcastic politeness with a deep curtsey and a dulcet murmur. ”My sire commands. I can but obey.”
”Splendid,” Conrad muttered, watching as she, too, departed. Just splendid. His evening had only just begun and already he'd somehow succeeded in alienating nearly everyone with whom he'd come into contact. He couldn't wait to see what joy the rest of the night might bring.
He didn't have to wait long to find out. In fact, he'd barely resumed reading when Julie joined him in the salon.
”I need a favor, Grandfather,” she said as she crossed the room and seated herself in the same chair Armand had so recently occupied. ”Will you do something for me?”
”If it's within my power to do so.” Conrad regarded her cautiously. Recent experience had made him a little wary. He just hoped she wouldn't ask for anything he couldn't possibly agree to-he'd had far too much of that lately. ”What is it you need?”
Julie took a deep breath. She seemed to square her shoulders before she answered. ”I want you to fire Brennan.”
It was very likely the last thing Conrad had been expecting. ”Why? What's he done?”
”He hasn't done anything,” Julie a.s.sured him quickly. ”I just think we both need a break, that's all. But if he stays here, we'll just keep seeing each other. He has to go.”
Conrad nodded. ”Very well. Consider it done. I'll tell Damian to arrange it immediately.”
”There's a little more.”
”I'm listening.”
”I care about him and...I don't want any of the others feeding on him. He doesn't want that either, he's said as much. But I don't think he'll be able to resist if they...if it's offered. I think he's addicted and it's kind of our fault-all of us, everyone who's fed on him. So I want you to give him some kind of severance package, enough money to live on for a while and help finding a new job. And I want you to make sure everyone knows he's off-limits.”
Conrad raised one eyebrow. ”I see. Is there anything else?”
”No.” Julie sighed. ”No, that's pretty much it.”
”Very well,” Conrad repeated. ”Then, as I said, I will see that it's taken care of.”
”Thank you,” Julie said, her voice subdued.
”I have to say, my dear, you don't seem very happy about this.”
”I'm not.” She shook her head. ”I'm going to miss him terribly. But, all the same, I know it has to be done. I don't want him ending up like...well, like Damian's friend. You know the one I mean.”
He did indeed. ”Paul.”
”Yes.”
Conrad nodded. ”I see. And is that why you came to me, rather than your uncle?”
”Partly. Damian doesn't really understand why this is important to me. I'm afraid if I try and explain... Well, I'm afraid it will bring up bad memories and he'll be hurt. Besides,” she added, smiling faintly, ”I want everyone to leave Brennan alone, and I know it will carry much more weight if you say it.”
”Indeed.” Conrad nodded. ”Just as it should. Are you certain there's nothing else I can do for you? I hate to see you look so sad.”
Julie shook her head, then stopped and said, ”No, except, can I tell him myself? Brennan, I mean. I don't want him to hear it from someone else.”
”Of course, my dear.” Conrad smiled softly at her. ”You may tell him whatever you wish.”
After Julie left, Conrad once again picked up his book, but his thoughts drifted away almost immediately. It wasn't just Damian who could be hurt by painful memories. They all had plenty of those.
Chapter Seven.
May, 1995 ”Damian!” Marc's voice rang through the quiet house. He stalked down the hall, peering into empty rooms, dragging Julie along with him. ”d.a.m.n it. Where the h.e.l.l is he?”
”Let me go Marc,” Julie protested, trying to pry her arm loose. ”You're just being ridiculous now.”
Marc shook his head. He drew in another breath and Julie gritted her teeth in frustration. No doubt he was about to yell again-which was just what her poor ears didn't need. Luckily for her, the door to Damian's room opened before Marc had the chance to completely deafen her.
Damian leaned heavily against the doorframe and regarded them both with a weary expression. ”Well, mis ninos? What is it?”
Julie glanced away, heart twisting at the sight of him. He looked terrible, gaunt and heavy-eyed. Unhappy. They shouldn't be bothering him at a time like this.
”It's Julie,” Marc said, pus.h.i.+ng her forward. ”You have to do something with her.”
A sardonic smile curved Damian's lips. ”Is this so, chica? Is there something that must be done with you?”
Julie flushed angrily. ”No.” Crossing her arms she glared at her brother. ”Of course not. Marc's just being stupid. Ignore him.”
”Bulls.h.i.+t,” Marc snapped. ”Stop pretending. I'm not the one who's been stupid tonight and you d.a.m.n well know it. You need help.”
Damian sighed. ”Must you resort to vulgarity, Marc? What help does she need? What is it you think I should be doing that I'm not?”
”I don't know, how about go out hunting with her once in a while like you used to? Work with her on some advanced self-defense techniques? Pay attention? I can't always be there when she gets in trouble, you know.”
”Stop it!” Julie snarled. ”I'm right here, Marc. Don't talk about me like I'm not. And I don't need you to be anywhere. I'm fine, all right? You make it sound like this kind of stuff happens all the time!”
”What 'stuff' has happened now?” Damian asked.
Julie shrugged. ”Nothing much. It was just...some guys were giving me a hard time tonight, that's all. They were drunk and I...”
”They had her cornered,” Marc said, taking up the tale. ”In an alley downtown. She freaked out and went all fangy on them and if I hadn't been close by...well, it could have been a real mess.”
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