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“You’ll do it? You will help me?” Julia asked, biting her bottom lip in anguish.

“Come,” I repeated, leading Julia away from the park and out of London. We flew across the land to Devon, where there were rocks that jutted out of the sea.

I would tie her to one of these, and Julia would have the peace that she craved. She was too far gone for me—or anyone else—to help.

Julia’s rantings deepened as we raced towards her death. My heart was heavy, but I accepted the responsibility for what I must do.

We reached the coast at Dawlish, and I searched along the coastline till I found what I was looking for. Julia raved at my side the entire time.

It was too late for Julia. There was no saving her.

Chapter Twenty-One.

Julia seemed at peace now she realised it was time. The ranting stopped, as did the threats against Elizabeth. Julia looked around with the wide-eyed stare of an innocent child. For a moment, I wavered. She felt it and turned back. Julia’s eyes were lucid, and she spoke calmly.

“Chain me to the rock, or I’ll escape. Should I do so, I will return to London and finish what I began.”

In tears, I nodded.

Then, sobbing, I led Julia out to sea and, using some chains stolen from an inn, I tied Julia to the chosen rock. Determined to savour every last minute, I stayed with Julia until dawn arrived. Just before sunrise, I pecked Julia gently on the lips and brow.

“I love you.”

“I know, Jacques, you always have. Just remember, I love you, too. But I need rest, and it’s time. Now go, I don’t want you to die.”

Devastated, I went to leave but turned back and kissed Julia hard again on the mouth. “You’ll always be in my heart,” I murmured before leaving.

I raced across the beach to some caves, where I would be safe from the rays of the sun. Agonised, I curled into a ball and began to cry.

It felt as if I was losing part of myself, and there was nothing I could do. Julia had been by my side for many millennia, and I was the one responsible for ending her life. Guess it was better me than Li’zel or Ami. At least I understood Julia and her pain.

“Look in the drawers in my bedroom,”Julia sent telepathically.

I never heard from Julia again. Telepathically linking with her, I experienced her death as keenly as I would my own. Julia didn’t cry out until the last minute, and that was my name.

Not as an accusation, but as a thanks.

Julia’s final thought was of me, and she wanted me to know.

My heart went out to her with unspoken love. Julia died surrounded by my love. She accepted that gratefully, and then she was gone.

Miserable, I stayed in the cave for the next two days, crying and grieving, closing myself off from everyone. Then, I pulled myself together. Julia wouldn’t have wanted this, and I didn’t honour her memory.

Wallowing in guilt and self-righteousness was not how Julia would’ve wanted to be remembered. At least Julia was with Kierran now, and that gladdened my heart a little. Not a lot, but it was a small comfort.

I rose, left the cave, and made my way back home to London.

When I arrived, it was late at night, and I headed for Julia’s bedroom. Quietly searching the chest of drawers as she had asked, I discovered a leather-backed book. On opening it, I realised I held Julia’s diary, dated three weeks before she began her killing spree. With it was a will, leaving everything to me and, surprisingly, Elizabeth Barrington.

I pocketed both items and left. Soon, the household would be in an uproar over her absence. Julia would have wished me to take care of them, so I would. For now, a subtle unease whispered through the servants.

I strode along to London Bridge, flicking through the book and intending to destroy it. How long I stood staring at the Thames, I’ve no idea, but I was lost in my own little world.

And so, it was a great shock when a hand roughly turned me round and slapped my face as hard as possible. My teeth rattled, and I had to shake my head to clear the stars that appeared.

“How could you kill her? What harm had Julia ever done to you?” an angry voice asked, and when my vision cleared, I faced Mihal.

Oh great, here we go.