Kathleen Collins - Realm Walker

He remained silent until she reached the top of the stairs. “This isn’t over, Juliana. Not even close.”

Did she think to be rid of him so easily? His little bride, as aggravating and enticing as always. Thomas narrowed his eyes at the door that stood between him and his mate. She thought to reduce their history to one night? He tried to read her, to see if she meant her words, but the shield she erected against him in her mind was impenetrable. Their union should give them access to each other’s emotions, even their thoughts if she let it.

But she threw the wall up right after he left, and only on rare occasions had he been able to get through her mental shields. He hoped lessening the distance between them would make it easier for him to gain access, but he was wrong. If anything, his appearance only made her strengthen the barrier. Seven years he’d been anticipating their reunion and nothing thus far had gone as he envisioned.

He thought once he explained why he left, she’d understand, be grateful even, but she never gave him the chance. The corner of his mouth curled into a reluctant smile as he remembered their volatile exchange. He’d always enjoyed their sparring matches. No one else dared speak to him that way. No one else had in nearly a thousand years and lived. No one but his Juliana.

She always had a sharp tongue and a quick temper, even as a child. Her complete disregard for the danger he represented was the reason he took her off the streets in the first place. Well, that and his sister’s begging. Sara had been as instantly snared by Juliana as he was. She’d never feared him, never questioned her belief that he wouldn’t harm her. She reminded him of his humanity.

And she’d been completely unwilling to admit that she needed help. She’d been taking care of herself for months when Sara came across her in the park and they became instant friends. Twelve years old with no memory of where she came from or who she was beyond her name. Of course, her age was an estimate done by the same doctors that had done the tests to determine her heritage. She’d built a new life with them in their coven. And then another life after he left.

His smile faded into a frown. Despite the familiarity of her anger, she wasn’t the same woman he left behind. She’d changed. Changes that went beyond her red-streaked hair and the lean muscle that now graced her body from head to toe. She’d lost the playful edge she used to have. The twinkle that lit her eye as she antagonized him. She was harder, rougher around the edges.

But it was the injury she wouldn’t let him examine that stayed in the forefront of his mind. He knew she worked for the Agency, knew she was a Walker even, but never imagined she would be in a high-risk position. There were many who bore the title Realm Walker and never left the walls of the Agency as their skills were not suited for the field. Curse it, what had that girl been up to?

“You told her I was coming?” He kept his eyes locked on the door, some part him waiting for her to walk back through and finish their fight.

“No. Of course not, my lord,” the underling behind him stammered.

Thomas hadn’t actually thought the man had, but he’d learned long ago never to make assumptions. The manager of the Den had been one of his best informants over the past seven years. Juliana was in the bar almost as much as she was home. But Tony hadn’t told him everything. Thomas wasn’t foolish enough to think he happened along the first night she’d been hurt and Tony had never mentioned any injuries. The man would answer for his omission later.

Thomas should let her go. Should find her again later when she’d had time to absorb his return. He knew this but he found himself flashing back to the vivid daydream he’d allowed himself on the flight home. Juliana, happy to see him, had thrown herself into his arms. Unable to wait another moment before he claimed her, he emptied the bar and took her on the nearest table. The image was enough to make him follow her into the night.

Juliana was just climbing on her Ducati when he opened the door. A tendril of power snaked away from him to wrap around her, caress her. It was a physical manifestation of their bond, one that went beyond their union. He could control it if he chose, keep his power contained, but what was the point? No, better to remind his bride that he was there. And that she better get used to it.

The limo he brought from the airport drove up and he slid into the back seat just as Juliana pulled out of the parking lot. He shut the door and the driver glanced back at him. Michael Bishop, the only one he’d trust with his life and, more importantly, Juliana’s.

Michael arched his brows. “What do you want to do?”

“Follow her. Make sure she gets home all right.”

“She won’t like it,” he said, but put the car in gear and followed in her wake.

Fifteen minutes after Juliana left the Den, she pulled into the short drive next to a small well-kept house.

“What is this?” Thomas asked. He assumed Juliana would head straight home.

Michael coughed into his hand, but Thomas had already seen the smirk. “This is her house.”

Thomas ran his eyes over the hovel before him. It was what a real estate agent would have called “cozy”—which translated to “tiny.” He’d be astounded if there was more than one bedroom. Glancing down the length of the street he saw the only working light was directly across from her and it flickered on and off. “That is not a house. That is a hut.”

Juliana flipped him off and shut the door behind her. After a moment, he motioned for Michael to drive on. She was doubtless tucked in safe behind multiple wards and enchantments. At least, she better be in this neighborhood. He had antagonized her enough for one evening. “Why did you not tell me she was living in such conditions?”

Michael shook his head. “She’s happy there and she’s done a lot of good for the people in the neighborhood. Leave her be.”

In the past several years, Michael had taken a very protective stance when it came to Juliana. It was a trait Thomas usually liked in his second, but not now. She didn’t need protection from him. It was everyone else Michael needed to worry about. Thomas mentally counted to ten. If he didn’t value his second so much, he’d remind him exactly what his place was, but he didn’t want to lose him. Not over this. Juliana belonged to Thomas, regardless what anyone else might think, including the woman herself.

He let his mind wander as Michael drove him to the house. There was no reason for Juliana to be living as she was. Everything he possessed was hers. She had a home, money and she turned her back on all of it to live like a pauper. He ground his teeth. The cursed girl stripped his nerves bare and stomped all over them. She always had.

Michael’s phone rang. The timing was too coincidental for it to be anyone but his bride. She’d want to know why her lover hadn’t informed her that her husband was back in town. Thomas allowed himself a bitter smile. Oh, he knew the moment his bride had fallen into bed with his most trusted associate. In a way, it was what he wanted when he left and he supposed that Michael was a better choice than most. He would protect Juliana with his life.

Thomas also knew that if Michael were aware of their union he never would have slept with her in the first place. “Answer it,” Thomas said after the third ring.

“I’m driving.”

“I wasn’t asking.” Thomas met Michael’s eyes in the mirror.

Michael swallowed whatever argument he’d been about to make and answered. “I didn’t know,” he said, confirming it was Juliana on the line. “He said he had some business and left on an errand out of town. He’s moving home. You aren’t getting rid of him.”