“It got you all working together again, for one.All of the Immortals, that is,” Julian pointed out.
He thought of how pleased Grayson was to have them working together.This was giving them the opportunity to unearth and forgive all past wrongs.To put the past to bed so the future could take seed in clean soil.
“It… did.”
“I suppose he could run around and do everything himself, but that wouldn’t move the needle in other ways, important ways,” Julian explained.“Getting you all to talk to one another, work together and exorcize your demons is priceless.That isn’t something he can make happen as easily as taking out an enemy.But he can use that enemy to urge you all to heal some old wounds.”
Ryder slowly nodded.“Yes, all the Immortals working together was rather thrilling, except for the part when Grayson was taken onto the dance floor by my doppelganger.”
Julian grimaced.“Believe me when I say that doing this Daemon’s way is hard as hell.But it will lead to something good in the end.”
They walked under the archway of trees that would lead them to the clearing.The sounds of Shadow’s Company filtered in around them.The faint creak of branches in the wind.The crack and snap of underbrush as small–or large–creatures moved about.The scent of green, growing things filled the air.The night-caressed wind stirred their hair and clothes.Ryder closed his eyes and stretched out his fingers as if he were connecting physically to the earth like Daemon did when he communed.
“Having my parents back–and I still can’t believe I have them–has helped me accept all of this so much more.To see further than maybe I would have in the past,” Julian said.
Ryder knew the story of how Caemorn had done the seemingly impossible, which was to create new bodies for the long dead out of whole cloth.Julian’s parents–Jack and Joanna Harrow–were brilliant, beautiful and as beloved as their son.They had chosen to become Vampires, but had not yet picked their Bloodline or who turn them as far as Ryder knew.Unlike the students at the academy, it was to be purely the Harrows’ choice as to these things.It would be the greatest honor for any Vampire and their Bloodline to be chosen.
“Are they taking the classes with the other students?”he asked.
Julian grinned.“They’regivingsome of the classes.Balthazar said that all their years of teaching and being on television makes them excellent lecturers.And since they are on the journey like the students are, they’re more approachable.”
“I bet.I look forward to meeting them”
“I’m so glad you said that,” Julian said carefully.
“Oh, why?”
“My dad is really interested in the Weryn Bloodline,” Julian admitted with a shy look up at him.
Ryder blinked.“He is?!”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”Julian laughed.“The Weryn are amazing!To turn into an animal… It’s awesome.”
“Yes, yes, it is.”Ryder rubbed his face with one hand.“It’s just been so long since we… since I even considered the Weryn as anything more than dysfunctional.”
“That was under Lawson, but now they are under your leadership,” Julian stated.
It sounded so simple.He controlled the Weryn Bloodline.He was Weryn.And Jack Harrow wanted to become pack.
“I am–am happy to speak with him at any time,” Ryder got out.
“Good, I’m glad.”And Julian indeed did look very glad.
“What about–about your mother?”
“She is interested in Wyvern,” Julian said.“She and Fiona get along like a house on fire.But neither of them is set on it happening.At least so they claim.”
“Of course, I’m sure your parents will have concerns, because of their relationship with each other and their relationship to you,” Ryder said.
“They are worthy all on their own regardless of me,” Julian said simply.
“I have no doubt of that.”
But they were the parents of the prince.And that could never be forgotten. It would be a huge coup for any Bloodline to have them.
“We are here,” Ryder said as the trees opened up and there was a perfect patch of glass under the moonlight.“Now we should breathe.”
“How beautiful.”
