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How can you be so calm?!

Because they only got this far because I let them get this far,Daemon said and he sounded so sad. Everything they did was because I was not here. And that includes your parents’ deaths and imprisonment.

But you didn’t--

I wouldn’t change it, Julian, Daemon stated simply.

Julian’s head jerked up and his eyes widened. What? Why--

Because it was the only way I would get to have you,Daemon explained.

But we would have met--

Your former mortal life was but a flicker of time,Daemon told him. You must understand that such a flicker is there and over and… gone.

Julian wanted to argue that his parents would have filled him in on the secret of Nightvallen, that he would have gone with them, that he would have found Daemon’s tomb, but… but he stopped with that line of thought.

Daemon had only drunk from him because Julian offered his life up for Christian’s. Julian had only drunk Daemon’s blood, because Daemon had failed to protect Christian and it was the only way to save his best friend. Would there have been a moment when either of them would have taken the risks they had? Daemon was saying no.

No rose cutting into his skin.

No lips at his throat.

No Immortal blood flowing over his tongue.

Only desperation and the driving force of his parents’ deaths and Christian’s near one would have pushed him to that moment. It had happened the only way it could have happened.

They had to die so we would find one another?Julian confirmed softly.

This was the only way. Seeyr… Seeyr saw it, even if I did not,Daemon answered.

Julian couldn’t imagine not being with Daemon. He couldn’t imagine not being his Childe. He couldn’t imagine them not having an eternity together. But their lives could have easily been like two ships passing in the night.

So my anger with Kaly is great, but… I chose this fate for both of us, Julian, Daemon told him as his thumb ran over the infinity tattoo on his wrist.

I understand.Julian lifted his head so that his eyes were fixed on Daemon’s. Can we get my parents back though? Is it too much to ask that I have you and them? Is fate going to say no?

Seeyr awaits us upstairs. She will have the answers, even if she can only tell us so much,Daemon said.

“Perhaps we should speak elsewhere?” Fiona suggested as if she had heard Daemon’s last words.

Somehow it felt like fate.

Daemon gave a nod.

Arcius said, “Elgar and I will remain on guard here.”

“Good, though we will need you both later,” Balthazar said.

“I’ll arrange guards,” Arcius answered with a nod.

Fiona teleported them all upstairs to the dining room. Balthazar sat down in a chair heavily. He looked exhausted and worn. Meffy mewed piteously and bunted Balthazar’s cheek with his head. Julian frowned. The Eyros Vampire needed to rest and recover. He was not up for a mission right now, but Julian couldn’t imagine going to Moonfall without Christian, but Balthazar would balk at Christian going without him.

Caemorn sat down in the center of the table, fingers laced together before him. He looked unruffled and totally calm, which told Julian--even without dipping himself into Caemorn’s thoughts--that the Kaly Vampire was anything but. There was no anger in Julian any longer at Caemorn. Kaly was the puppetmaster. And if Caemorn could truly bring Julian’s parents back… well, like Daemon had said, it would be good for Julian to have such a resourceful Vampire in his corner.

Fiona paced around the table. Her arms were crossed loosely over her chest. Her expression was grim and she nibbled her lower lip. Her far away gaze had Julian guessing that she was thinking about a plan for Moonfall.

Finally, Christian moved to Balthazar’s side and rested a gentle hand on his Master’s shoulder. But his eyes never left Julian. They had worked so long together, been friends so long, that they could read each other’s minds without the Eyros Bloodline gift. Christian knew Julian wanted him to come to Moonfall and Christian wanted that, too.