Chapter 14 Caesar

Once again, I was in my classroom after-hours. My last defense class had gotten out an hour and a half before, and I'd planned to sit and grade that day's Shifter History homework assignments. But damn, there were only so many grammatical errors I could take in one afternoon.

"It's not ‘they're,' Jackson, it's ‘their,'" I muttered as I marked up the hound's essay.

Not that I was speciesist or anything, but the weres made the most spelling mistakes out of any of the other students. The other types of shifters that were born into our world usually went to better schools before coming here. I couldn't imagine how infuriating it was for Kai to grade math homework—especially Jackson's.

When my smart watch buzzed with a call, I was only too eager to turn away from my monotonous task.

Incoming call from EMERGENCY .

There was only one person on my contacts list codenamed Emergency .

"Julian," I whispered .

At the same time, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I decided to use it instead of the watch to answer the call for privacy. Withdrawing it from my pocket, I held it to my ear.

"Hello?" I said, issuing the command on my tablet to lock my door.

"Caesar, it's me, Julian." The vampire's voice seemed almost cheerful—a stark contrast from the ominous, panicked way Julian had spoken during his last call. "Is this a good time?"

"You have no idea," I replied.

"Good. I'm in town for the next little while. Can you meet me in an hour? We need to talk."

I glanced down at my watch. "Yeah, that should be fine. Let's make it Neville's again."

"If we must. See you then." The line went dead.

I realized just how stupid it was that I'd labeled Julian as Emergency in my contact list. If anybody ever saw my phone flashing with that, it would bring up some difficult questions.

Shoving the phone into my pocket, I shut the lights off before exiting the peacefully quiet classroom.

Walking down the hallway was Vauna Vex, the Were Transformation teacher. She'd been one of the students at the former school on Framboise Island. I had been the one to save her and her father, Matías, from the terrible attack. She was a mao of Colombian descent, and most of the male students were entranced by her beauty—and she knew it, too.

"Good afternoon, Miss Vex," I said, nodding to her as I passed.

"Director," she replied with a nod of her own, grinning with full lips that framed perfect, white teeth .

Had Kai been around, he would have mumbled some comment about her beauty, and I would have been quick to rebuke him, reminding him just how much older he was than Vauna. Even though I was currently sleeping with a girl at least eight years younger than me. Not for the first time, I asked myself what the hell I was doing.

I found myself in my office, surprised that I'd been so lost in thought that I couldn't remember the walk. Grabbing my tan overcoat from the rack in the corner, I put it on, pulling on the collar to straighten it over my shoulders.

"And where do you think you're off to?"

I jumped at Kai's voice, but when I turned around, I couldn't see my heart-attack-inducing friend.

"Very funny, Kai," I grumbled. "Where are you hiding?"

The kitsune stepped out of the wall next to me, making me jump again.

"Bastard!" I swung a fist at his shoulder, but Kai phased just at the right moment, making my punch go right through him.

"It never gets old," Kai said, grinning broadly.

"I'm glad you're so easily amused," I said, frowning. "But I'm in a hurry. Do you need something?"

"I just saw you storming down the hallway and thought I'd come and check on you. Are you doing okay?"

I sighed. "Yes. I've just got a lot on my mind."

Kai nodded. "You have a lot of weight to carry, and I'm not talking about the recent poundage you've been putting on." Kai jabbed a finger at my belly, which I immediately swatted away.

"Kai!" I growled. "I just need to get away from the Dome for a little while. I'll be back soon enough. "

"You want some company?" he offered. "It's been a while since we hit the pub together."

My heart thudded in my chest. Not only because there was a very good reason he couldn't come with me, but also because of the memory of my last pub visit—with Shea.

"Thanks, buddy. But all I want is to go to a human restaurant, order myself a slice of pumpkin pie, eat it, order another slice and eat that, too, then maybe stretch my wings out in the sky."

Kai angled his head to the side, appearing to be having some sort of internal struggle. At last, he nodded, his lips drawing into a straight line. "You know, I've always been more of an apple pie guy."

In frustration, I moved past him without saying a word and left my office.

"Remember what I said about the weight you're carrying," Kai called after me. "One slice is more than enough."

With long strides, I walked away and made for the retinal-scanning door that would let me escape the confines of the Dome.

* * *

I considered Ubering to Neville's , but walking in the cold allowed me more time and space to blow off steam.

A light snow fell all around, and I welcomed it with pleasure. Snow couldn't exist within the Dome—except for the simulation room, but that didn't count—so I took the time to enjoy Mother Nature's offering .

The roads were wet and slushy, and cars kicked up the mucky moisture off the ground and flung it close to my boots.

Store windows flashed their silver and gold decorations, and white pillars were wrapped in red ribbon to make them look like giant candy canes. There were lit Christmas trees with shiny ornaments on display within each one, and they seemed to all be trying to outdo each other in elegance and beauty.

A peaceful calm settled in my bones, and I realized how much simpler life seemed out in the city. Deep down, I knew the city was just as crazy as life in the Dome. But for the moment, it felt like a quiet night in a recliner, a mug of hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other—even though I was in the freezing cold of downtown Chicago.

I walked by a man in a red suit and hat wearing a ridiculously huge, fake white beard. Santa Claus grinned ear-to-ear as he rang a bell, shouting " Ho , ho , ho ," and prompting passersby to donate loose change for a good cause.

A few more blocks and I saw the giant neon sign shining Neville's proudly. As far as I knew, it had never changed for as long as I'd lived at the Dome, and it had become my favorite eatery so close by.

I could smell the freshly roasted coffee as I approached the welcoming double-door. Hanging on one of the windows was another neon sign that had a design that looked like a coffee cup with the word OPEN underneath.

The door opened and the bell attached to the crash bar jingled, adding its little voice to the spirit of Christmas. A gentleman bundled up for the cold walked out, holding the door open for me.

"Thank you," I said.

"Merry Christmas," the man replied as he let go and walked away .

"The same to you," I called before the door shut.

"Welcome to Neville's," the hostess said with a smile. She wore a navy blue suit coat that matched her skirt and a white collared shirt underneath. On her head sat a Santa hat. "Would you like a seat at the bar, or are you waiting for your party to show up?"

I scanned the open area—the restaurant wasn't busy, but it was late afternoon still—and saw Julian off in one of the corners, waving at me as inconspicuously as he could.

Smiling, I pointed toward the vampire. "It seems my party is already here."

She nodded. "Wonderful. Go ahead and take a seat. Your waiter will be right with you."

I looked at the hostess's name tag. "Thank you, Janice."

Passing several empty tables, I made my way to where Julian was stewing in the corner.

Julian stuck a single finger up in the air as I approached, causing me to stop and look curiously up at the ceiling.

"The music," the vampire said with disgust.

I hadn't even noticed it. A contemporary pop version of Jingle Bells was playing softly.

"What about it?" I pulled out the chair opposite him and sat.

"It's like watered-down blood. Whatever happened to music that actually sounds like Christmas?" He flicked the full glass of water sitting on the table in front of him.

Julian's grouchiness seemed to subside as he looked around with a worried look, most likely afraid he'd spoken just a little too loudly about blood and its possible consumption. Fortunately, no other customers were nearby, and our server hadn't yet come our way .

I didn't quite know how to reply to the analogy. "I'm afraid my experience with the taste quality of blood limits my understanding of what you just said, but I get it. In my book, the classics are the best."

Light footsteps sounded behind me, and I turned to see Vicky—the same server who'd helped me the last time I'd come—approaching. It was as if her auburn hair held the same intricate braid it had a month ago. Her uniform dress was light yellow, and her apron white. In her hand was a steaming pot of coffee.

"Welcome back to Neville's," she greeted with a smile. Her lips matched the color of her red fingernails.

"Thanks, Vicky," I said as she poured me a cup of coffee. She handed me a few single packages of creamer and a container of sugar.

"My pleasure," she replied. "I hope you're planning on getting something because your friend is once again adamant about coming to a restaurant and not eating."

I glanced at Julian and found him frowning, his head tilted down as he stared daggers at the table.

"Luckily for you," Julian said to the waitress, "I ate before I came."

An awkward moment surrounded the table, and I worried Julian would actually pounce on the poor girl.

I cleared my throat. "You know, Vicky, what I really could use right now is a big slice of pumpkin pie."

My words broke the spell—at least for our server.

"Going for dessert first today, are we?" she asked, pulling out her pad of paper and pencil.

"And second, I'm afraid," I replied with a chuckle. "More than likely I'll be getting two slices. But let's start with one. "

"I'll go get that right now," she said as she jotted it down with quick scribbles. With one last scowl at Julian, she turned and walked away.

"You know," I said, opening a package of creamer and dumping it into my coffee, "you could try a little harder to be a bit more civil. Especially around the holidays."

"That waitress is relentless," he said, pointing a pale finger toward the back area of the restaurant where Vicky had disappeared. "And trust me, I don't use that term lightly. In my lifetime, I've known a lot of relentless people."

"Maybe we need a new meeting place," I suggested, dumping a packet of sugar into my cup and stirring it. "One that doesn't involve food."

"Food doesn't bother me," he said, looking out the window next to us. "Persistent waitresses do."

Julian mumbled his last words as Vicky approached with a piece of pumpkin pie that had to be at least a quarter of a whole one. She placed the plate in front of me, then handed me a rolled-up napkin that had the prongs of a fork sticking out of the top.

"Can I get anything else for you?" Vicky asked.

"You've already brought me perfection," I said, staring at the massive piece in front of me. A large dollop of whipped cream had been placed on top. "To ask for more would be way too selfish."

"Overindulgent," Julian corrected.

Vicky snorted. "At least he ordered something." She looked back at me and smiled. "Just let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

I nodded. "I will. Thanks, Vicky."

She left us alone, returning to the back area once again .

"I'm glad to see you, Julian," I admitted. "You went silent for quite some time, and I was beginning to think Hadrian had done you in."

He chuckled dryly, running a hand through his long black hair. "Not yet. But I'm still walking on dangerous ground."

Again, I nodded, then pulled my fork out of the napkin wrapping. The prongs sunk easily through the cream and pie.

"I thought we should meet to update each other on what's been going on," Julian continued.

"And Hadrian's okay with this meetup?" I raised the first bite of pumpkin pie to my mouth. The spices made for a taste explosion, and I closed my eyes and savored the flavor.

As my eyelids opened, I found Julian looking at me with bored annoyance.

"Of course Hadrian's not okay with this," he replied. "I've been assigned a solo mission here in Chicago, which explains why I can meet with you without him knowing."

I gave him an impressed look. "A solo mission? You must be moving up Hadrian's ranks at break-neck speed." I took another glorious bite.

"He's simply using me for my ability to walk in daylight," he said with a shrug. "But let me start at the beginning. Heaven knows, I have all the time in the world to speak while you satisfy your sweet tooth."

I grinned between bites. "You know me so well."

The vampire explained what he'd gone through to be reinitiated into Hadrian's legion. The torment sounded horrendous, and I had to swallow down a gulp of hot coffee to stop myself from choking on pie when I heard Julian tell his story .

"And I've been on a few missions," Julian said. "I was there during the attack on Arya and her friends."

The fork I was holding clattered on the table, and I dabbed at my mouth with my napkin. "You were there? And you didn't warn me?"

Julian tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "And that wouldn't have been obvious, right? I was with Hadrian the entire time. He had me on a tight leash and wanted to make sure I really was serious about joining him again."

"You must have done your job," I growled. "That attack nearly killed one of my students."

He studied me with his azure eyes. "I actually didn't really participate in the fight. Hadrian wasn't happy with me."

"And yet he sends you here on a solo mission?" I questioned.

He sighed. "I already told you, I'm here because of my abilities. No doubt it's another test to prove myself."

"And what is your mission?" I noticed that I'd consumed most of my delicious slice.

He cleared his throat and hunched over the table. "Hadrian wants me to bring Arya back to him."

I polished off the last crusty bite and sat back, analyzing the vampire. "That's it? A simple grab and run?"

Julian nodded.

"She's a siren," I said softly. "She'd stop you in a heartbeat if she didn't want you to take her."

He chuckled lightly. "If I were planning to kidnap the girl, I'd make sure I'd keep her mouth shut. But I have no intention of taking her. "

I smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Because this conversation would be heading in a very different direction if you were making such plans."

Julian blinked. "I'm still on your side, Caesar. But this is a test I will ultimately fail, and Hadrian has already informed me of the punishment I will suffer for returning empty-handed."

I sipped my coffee, then placed the cup back on the table. "What do you propose we do?"

"Well, if she is the prophesied siren you think she is, I say we storm Heritage Prep Academy with everything you've got and get Arya to end Hadrian and his reign."

A bombardment of feelings struck me, but mostly shock. "A full-on assault on the vampire fortress?"

Julian shrugged. "Why prolong it? If the prophecy is true, why would you want to wait? To let Hadrian become even more powerful?"

"The girl needs training," I said. "And we're working on that."

"You said it yourself," he replied. "Arya's a siren. She can command anybody she wants to at any time. That includes Hadrian. Drill a hole in that fucking place and force Hadrian out, then let Arya do her thing."

I shook my head. "You make it sound so simple. But it's not. At this point she can't even protect herself. We're building her confidence. We're strengthening her. But we aren't prepared to attack Heritage Prep."

"Caesar," Julian said heavily, "Hadrian will not wait to assault your school. The longer you wait, the grander his plans will grow and the more likely your people will fall."

Setting my jaw, I stirred my coffee. My mind felt like the swirling brown liquid, a vortex of unknowns spinning round and round .

"I should get back to the school," I mumbled.

"And I should return home," Julian replied. "But I have one more request for you."

I returned my attention to the vampire.

"I have come in contact with a particular person who desires admittance into your school," he said. "She's attempting to help me bring Alice back to life."

A sting of guilt stabbed at my gut. I'd promised Julian that if he rejoined Hadrian as a spy, I'd set the goal to bring Alice back. Was he giving up on me?

"You have a debt to me, Caesar," he said firmly. "If Shea—the witch helping me—succeeds in bringing back Alice, you will grant her admittance into your school. Is that clear?"

If I wasn't inside a cozy diner, I would've been certain I'd just been struck by lightning.

"Sh—shea?" I choked out.

"Yes. You owe me, Caesar," Julian said darkly.

A witch named Shea was helping my vampire ally to reanimate his dead wife. It had to be a different witch. For all I knew, there were a dozen witches with the same name.

But only one that knew about the Dome and wanted to study there.

And hadn't Shea mentioned something about a run in with a vampire a few weeks ago?

Holy shit!

"Caesar? Are you having a heart attack from all that garbage you're eating?" Julian waved a hand in front of my face .

"I just might be," I muttered, pressing my hand against my tight chest.

Julian looked past me, a scowl forming.

"Ready for round two?" Vicky said sweetly as she approached.

I blinked up at her, trying to recover from this latest shock. "You know, I think one slice was enough." I slipped my credit card out of my pocket and handed it to her.

"It was a pretty big piece," she said as she took my card, then turned on her toes and made her way to the register at the front of the restaurant.

"Seriously, do I need to rush you to a hospital?" Julian asked, eyeing me with concern. "You look about as pale as me."

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Um, about your witch—"

He held up a hand. "I know. You and I had made a deal. But how could I not jump at a chance like this? So I'm changing our deal. And for my end of the bargain, I want you to allow her entrance to the school."

I opened my mouth to say… What? What more could I possibly ask him? Though I trusted Julian, and I was pretty sure he wouldn't have any qualms about age differences, I really didn't want to allude to my relationship with Shea. Especially when, at the end of the day, it didn't matter. I was already working on a plan to get Shea in.

"I'll see what I can do about getting your witch into my school," I said finally.

He gave me a surprised frown, then nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you." He glanced over my shoulder. "Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll take my leave before Nosy Nancy returns. "

"Her name is Vicky," I corrected as he got up, and he strode down the aisle and out the door without a reply.

What the hell was Shea thinking? Making deals with vampires? I mean, okay, I was doing the same thing, but I knew Julian very well. She didn't. How foolish could she be to agree to use magic for a vampire? Especially after knowing that they were actively trying to kill her best friend, and the rest of us?

And even worse, if I confronted her about this, I'd only sound like a hypocrite, because we were both in league with the same vampire. Could my life get any more complicated?