Page 53 of A Curse So Vile

“Ah, Brenna, it’s good to finally meet you. My name is Julian. Take a seat. We have much to talk about.”

“Unhand the girl,” Brenna demanded.

Julian put his hands up. “My hands were never on her.”

“Fiona, go upstairs and wait with your brother.”

“She will wait here,” Julian said, “and you’d better hope you have that foul Heartlander trained, because the moment he comes down those stairs, he’s as good as dead.”

Brenna knew better than to argue with the Ossorian. Chances were, they’d never make it out of the inn alive.

“What is it you want?”

He walked with surprising grace around the bar, over to the table she was standing next to, and pulled out a chair for her to sit.

She complied.

He smiled through large, jagged teeth. “Would you like a drink?”

“I didn’t think the Ossorians had it in them to be civilized.” She glanced around the bloodied room. “Especially after feasting.”

He grabbed a pitcher and two glasses from the counter and poured two cups of blood.

“For you, I am on my best behavior.”

She drew her brow into a deep V. “For me?”

“Ah, I’ve gotten ahead of myself.” He took a seat across from her.

“Why are you here?” she asked, getting straight to the point. “And why haven’t you tried to kill me yet?”

“I am offended.” Julian’s mouth dropped, forming a mocking ‘O’.

“Cut the shit.”

“Fine. I’m here to bring you back to Ossory.”

“Why?”

“It’s where you belong.”

“How do you figure? Our people haven’t mixed or parlayed in…decades, and now you want to invite me to brunch?”

He took a long sip of his drink, not bothering to wipe the red from his lips afterward. “All will be made clear in time. For now, you’ll have to trust me.”

Brenna laughed. “Trust you? An Ossorian?”

“You trust humans, and they are no better.”

His words were true, for as much heart and light as the humans had, they were of an equal part darkness.

“I can go back to the Den with your wish to negotiate, but I’m afraid that I alone have nothing to offer you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

The last place she wanted to spend her remaining moments on earth was Ossory, but trouble was brewing. She could feel it in her bones.

“If I go with you, will you’ll leave the rest of the town and my traveling companions intact?”