The Lycan Collapse (The Flux Age Book 2) (6 page)

“Wait,” Florence said, grabbing Julian by the arm. Jack felt a surge of anger. He and Florence were still in werewolf form and needed to make it back to the Society straight away.

“Go on without me,” Florence said. Jack blinked at her with amazement. Surely she wasn’t going off with this creep?

“You can’t trust this guy,” he said angrily. “If you reveal anything to him, I’ll …”

“What, Jack?” Florence taunted, backing away alongside Julian.

The aquilan smiled infuriatingly as Florence climbed onto his back. Jack could barely watch as the aquilan extended his magnificent wings.

“Fine,” Jack eventually breathed, crushing his anger into a little ball. “Have it your way, Underwood. I knew I was wrong to trust you.”

4 - Julian

New York City, USA

Julian almost laughed as he spiraled between two high office buildings. To leave Jack Foley on the ground like that was cruel, but the man had it coming. He seemed brash and over-confident, and Julian wanted him to see how
imposing
the aquila were in full flight. He hadn’t been able to do that down in the cramped sewers. A throaty chuckle floated across his right shoulder. Florence was holding tight but enjoying every second on his back. She still hadn’t shifted back into human form, so her claws had dug somewhat painfully into Julian’s shoulders. Still, the impromptu flight was worth the pain, as it had the double effect of sweeping Florence off her feet and making Jack
really
pissed. He hadn’t intended to drive a wedge between the lycans but it made good sense to split them a little, make them uncertain. The less solidarity the Lycan Society had, the greater the chance of an alliance with the aquila.

Once Julian had reached the top of the Brandis Engineering building he allowed himself to be pressed by a downdraft that saw them glide safely to a tree-lined boulevard on the west bank of the East River . As ever, no New Yorkers seemed to notice Julian’s landing. It was amazing how brazen he could be in a world where people kept their eyes on the ground.

Florence slid from Julian’s back and looked at him with dark, unfathomable werewolf eyes.

“I still need to shift,” she said. “I’ve stashed clothes at a few locations across the city, I can—”

“No need,” Julian said smoothly. “I know where we can go. Just give me a second.”

Julian crouched to the ground and winced in pain. Florence turned away, sensing a shift. The sun was very low to the west and had cast an orange glow to the Brooklyn skyline across the river. By the time she turned back Julian was standing again. His wings were no longer visible.

“You were in human form when we first met,” Florence observed. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“We ‘germ’ into our spirit creatures, just like lycans do,” Julian said, with special emphasis on the last bit. “We’re all naturebound.”

“Well, not really,” Florence said. “Naturebound species are those who shift into actual animals, not mutations like werewolves or the aquila.”

“Then most lycans are naturebound, yes?” Julian countered. “Not all are werewolves like you.”

“You know quite a bit about us,” Florence commented as she fell in alongside Julian. She seemed self-conscious being out in the open - she would need to shift before someone got a good look at her. Luckily, there weren’t too many folks out here late on a clear, cold afternoon.

“We can talk more about this later,” Julian promised, taking Florence by the hand. He looked her in the eye. “That wasn’t an evasion, by the way. I intend to tell you my story if you’ll hear it.”

Julian hoped that she very much wanted to hear it. Seeing potential trouble, he suddenly pressed her into an alleyway and covered her with his tall frame. A gaggle of school kids wandered past, oblivious to the pair. Once they’d gone Julian took Florence out into the street. The light was fading fast, providing the werewolf with a little more cover. Not far to go now.

Just half a block to the west Julian stopped outside a boutique clothing store and dashed inside. He instructed the floor staff to turn aside before returning to Florence. He led her across the shop floor and directly into a fitting room.

“I know the owners,” Julian explained sheepishly. Florence seemed relieved to have a safe, private place to germ.

“Now let me see,” Julian said, assessing Florence theatrically. “Street casual with a trace of rebel?”

Florence giggled, swatting him away. “You choose,” she called after him. “Just get the sizes right.”

Julian grinned as he selected a pair of designer jeans and a leather jacket. He hesitated at the underwear. Regular? G-string? Three quarter? One of the shop assistants shook her head as if to say ‘don’t go there’. Wise advice. Julian shrugged and delivered the clothes.

“I’ll have to owe you,” Florence said from the fitting room.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Julian said. “Consider me logistical support to your mission.”

There was a moment of silence before Florence replied. “I should probably head back and report on what we saw.”

“I’m sure Jack Foley has that well and truly covered,” Julian said hastily. “If your superiors required you I’m sure you’d know about it.”

“True,” Florence said after a pause. Julian smiled inwardly - his hunch had been correct.

The fitting room door swung open and Florence appeared in human form. Julian was momentarily lost for words. Florence looked a little dishevelled in her new casual gear, but that only enhanced her charm. Her shoulder-length red hair was ruffled and windblown, her pale cheeks flushed and radiant. The light in those hazel eyes somehow warmed his heart, made him want to go out and leap tall buildings. It was a strange sensation but one that he could work with.

“You … look beautiful,” he stammered.

Florence rolled her eyes. “Get out,” she said dismissively, although her eyes told him she welcomed the observation. It seemed Florence Underwood was not adverse to a little romance. Julian got the feeling she was sexually active but that didn’t mean she had been swept off her feet. Julian had known many women in his life and he knew the type. Gregarious, confident, strong. Too strong for some men. So strong that she’d settled into a routine of one night stands and other casual encounters. Maybe she’d forgotten what it was like to be swept away by the moonlight, to be lavished with the attention that she truly deserved.

“Let’s take our minds off what happened today,” he said intently. “You hungry?”

Florence grinned. The effect lit up the whole shop floor.

“Ravenous,” she growled.

Maxim’s Deli on Broadway was humble, welcoming, and most importantly, delicious. Florence wolfed her Reuben with such gusto that Julian struggled to keep up.

“I’m sorry,” Florence said after Julian was forced to wipe some mustard off her lower lip. “They don’t exactly teach you table manners in the Nursery.”

“You were reared as a lycan from birth?” Julian asked, trying to sound casual.

Florence’s face clouded over briefly. “I was,” she said with a trace of emotion. “My mother died in childbirth.”

“And the lycans took you in?”

“Not quite,” Florence said, seemingly unwilling to say more.

“Was she a lycan?” Julian prompted gently.

“Yes,” Florence said, her eyes moistening. Julian recognized he was entering dangerous territory and needed to be very, very careful. All his work could be undone in one careless moment.

“You spent some time in the cercarium, didn’t you?” he asked in a neutral tone.

Florence looked up sharply at Julian. “How do you know of our lore?”

Julian laid a placating hand over Florence’s. She flinched slightly, but didn’t withdraw it. A good sign. She
wanted
to believe in him.

“You’ve been candid with me, and I honor you for that,” he said with genuine honesty. “It’s my turn to tell you about me. My parents died when I was six. I was old enough to remember them.”

“I’m sorry,” Florence said.

“I carry the memory with me,” Julian said. “It’s my most cherished possession.”

Julian hoped his meaning was clear. Florence would know that he was a rich and powerful man. Heir and CEO to one of the largest companies in the world. It was important that she understand what he valued in life.

“My father was from the Vevestri line,” Julian continued. “A wealthy mercantile family from northern Italy. Their proud tradition can be traced back through history, right back to the Dark Ages.”

Florence’s eyes widened. “Vevestri,” she repeated. “I see that name a lot in the texts I read from our library.”

Julian nodded. “That’s because my family were very similar to the lycans, except in reverse. The Lycan Society stood up to protect human civilisation and culture from being lost forever during the last Flux Age. The Vevestris took it upon themselves to protect aquilan lore from being lost once the last aquilan died out. Now that my people are returning, we have access to Flux knowledge the lycans can only dream about.”

Florence stared at Julian for several seconds, perhaps deciding whether to trust him or not. He tried to project a cool, calm air, mindful that this was a critical moment.

Finally, Florence spoke. “You were right about the cercarium. I spent my first year of life trapped in those walls. I don’t remember anything specific, but occasionally I dream about that time. My mother’s body. It was near me the whole time. Nourishing me. It’s hard to explain.”

“The cercarium,” Julian said quietly. “It’s what kept you lycans alive after the last Flux Age faded.”

Florence met Julian’s gaze. “It did,” she said. “And that’s why we guard it so fiercely.”

Florence had clearly decided to be honest with Julian, but there was also a hint of a threat in those words. Julian nodded, letting go of Florence’s hand. The boundaries had been established, but that didn’t mean there was no prospect of intimacy between them.

Julian smiled at Florence, sensing a change in tone was required.

“You follow the Knicks?”

Florence beamed. “You kidding? Only for the last fifty years.”

The pair stood as Julian paid the bill. “Just how old are you anyway?” he asked.

“Kinda rude to ask a lady,” Florence teased, “But I’m almost twenty-one.”

Julian blinked.

“… in my second century of life.”

Julian’s frown collapsed into an easy smile as they left Maxim’s and emerged into the cold street. He didn’t know what to make of Florence’s age. It fascinated and intimidated him in equal measure. What had she seen? Where had she traveled? There were so many questions.

Now that there was a game to attend, Julian had a pit stop to make. This time it was his turn to purchase a change of clothes. In the end he selected a pair of simple linen trousers and a casual jacket.

“You make it look effortless,” Florence commented as they left the store.

“Hey, I was raised on the upper east side,” Julian said with a grin. “My uncle would never leave the house without a double-breasted suit.”

“I never thought I could date someone like you,” Florence said, shaking her head.

“So is that what this is? A date?” Julian asked teasingly.

“Hey you had me when you mentioned the Knicks,” Florence said.

“Which reminds me,” Julian said. “We need a … taxi!”

The pair reached Madison Square Garden with time to spare. That night the Knicks were hosting the Bulls and a full house was expected.

“Don’t tell me …” Florence groaned as Julian led her down the packed terraces of the huge stadium. The aquilan grinned as he marched his date right up to a courtside row of seats and claimed two in the middle.

“Perks of the job,” he said a little sheepishly. “I’m usually hosting some boring businessman. Much happier with this situation.”

“I can’t believe it,” Florence beamed as the players were announced amid general euphoric cheering. “I could never tell my friends I scored courtside seats.”

“Then don’t,” Julian said with a smile. “I’m happy to keep your dirty secrets.”

The game was a close one. The Bulls eventually got up by three points. Julian enjoyed Florence’s animated support more than the actual game.

“Your cussing vocabulary is something I aspire to,” he said as the final horn sounded.

Florence smiled, embarrassed. “Come on, the ref was clearly on the take,” she said grumpily. “I thought my heart was about to finally quit on me.”

Florence was about to head for the exit like everyone else but Julian grabbed her hand.

“No need for that,” he said cryptically, leading her further up into the highest seats.

“Something tells me you have a particular view in mind?” Florence said with a knowing grin.

Julian played dumb as they stepped into an elevator and rode it to the roof.

“Just one thing,” Florence murmured as they stood facing each other. “You said you were from the Vevestri line. Why is your surname Banes?”

“My mother’s maiden name,” Julian explained. “The Vevestri name is something I’m proud of. But my family had a lot of enemies. My parents were killed by a ruthless man in 1976. A German. One day I’ll find him and I’ll kill him.”