Julius, The Coven

JULIUS

THE COVEN

A Royal Blood Chronicle

By

Elizabeth Loraine

Royal Blood Chronicles Julius copyright © 2014 by Elizabeth Loraine all rights reserved.

Julius A Royal Blood Chronicle, Elizabeth Loraine

Smashwords Edition 2014

CHAPTER ONE

Julius, are you sure it’s prudent to leave our Coven now? After all, it’s been less than two months since we were attacked, hardly a good time for our leader to go abroad. Besides, since when is Europe’s current turmoil our business?

Ezra, although our Coven has been in existence for over two hundred years, if it weren’t for Katrina, we wouldn’t have a Coven at all. If she wants me to go to the Council meeting in England, I at least owe her the respect to listen to what they have to say. I’m going.

As Julius continued to pack, Ezra studied him. Even though we’ve spoken of pledging our allegiance to the Protectors, you have something else in mind, don’t you, Julius?

Julius stopped what he was doing, and then looked over at his friend. Through the years, we’ve watched as the Protectors have grown more and more powerful. Since Katrina and most of the Protectors have chosen to make their homes in the America, our Council, from its location in the Old World, may not comprehend how powerful they’ve grown. I’m going to make sure there is no misunderstanding as to the threat they pose, especially if their new strength comes from Dark sources. For now though, I’m going to do everything she asks of me. Take care to do the same while I’m gone.

So it means you’re going by boat and not using portals like they do? Ezra’s sarcasm caused Julius to frown.

"We don’t know they use or even have portals, Ezra. Their use of portals is simply a rumor spread by jealous old men. Be careful my friend that you don’t add to the acid - waving tongues spreading gossip. As I said, the Protectors are very powerful and as much as I hate to admit it, each time they’ve warned of an impending danger, they’ve always been right. Their intervention has saved this Coven more times than I care to admit.

"It’s a new century and it’s not enough threats assail us from the magical kingdoms in the World of Light and the Underworld, but now the human factions are at odds, and the escalating tensions between their governments threaten to spill over to our realms. Decisions need to be made. Decisions which could affect us for decades - even centuries to come. I have to go."

Julius stood at the gangway waiting to board the wind and steam powered clipper ship. He smiled at the scene before him. The way the ship filled the Eastern horizon, the way people crowded the rails and jubilantly waved to their family and friends seeing them off from the dock lifted the weight on his heart. Each passenger was so different from the other, by ethnicity, class, religion and economic situation. Yet their sameness, the very aspect of their being human, would unite them in fear against his race. His and their races were so close in origin. Yet, because his race possessed the gift of magic and were long lived, Witches and Warlocks were vilified, and if discovered, tortured and killed, often burned alive.

It’s a little intimidating isn’t it?

Julius frowned. Rowena?

I guess we all got the message. I wasn’t about to go alone. There’s still some truth to the old adage, ‘safety in numbers’ isn’t there?

So the Western Coven is represented. What about Maine?

Rowena smiled. Byron sent word. He’s probably already here somewhere in the crush.

Julius looked up and his gaze washed quickly across the throngs of people up on deck. A young woman caught his eye just for a second, and then she was gone. He frowned and glanced over to Rowena. He sensed she was totally at ease as they made their way up the gang plank.

It’s really quite exciting Julius. Why do you seem so worried?

It’s my nature, and I don’t trust these…people.

Please, they’re harmless.

You’re a fool if you really think so. Enjoy the voyage, Rowena.

Julius made his way through the crowd on deck to the purser’s desk. Offering his ticket, he was directed to the first class section of the ship. Entering the small outside cabin, he tossed his bag onto the bed, opened the porthole and looked out. The image of the woman on deck he’d caught a fleeting glimpse of earlier was on his mind. She was no human. What, or who she was, was making him feel uneasy. A knock caused the image to fade and he turned to the door.

Come.

I’m right next door. I thought I’d say hello.

Rowena assured me you’d be on board. Good to see you Byron. He was genuinely glad to see his longtime friend.

Byron grinned, held out his hand in greeting and Julius shook it. "Should be an interesting voyage and meeting, don’t you think? I’m on my way to the bar. Join me, we’ll talk about it."

Yes, very interesting, indeed, but no, I have some things to do. I’ll see you at dinner? Byron nodded and left the cabin.

Julius thought about staying in until dinner, but all he could think of was the woman he’d seen. His need to find her won out, and he headed to the deck.

Once on the wide foredeck he walked to the center, and let his power spread out and survey the crowd. He knew, of course, he was unlikely to locate a person of magical origins this way, since they would most likely cloak themselves, but he learned many things about the humans he scanned. As he walked the deck he could feel their true emotions, and avoided those he sensed might be a danger. Getting closer to the bow of the ship, he felt something unusual. Slowing his pace, he squinted as he turned his head from side to side, homing in on the direction of the sensation.

He stopped and concentrated harder. As the crowd cleared in front of him, he saw her. She was wearing a kelly-green wool coat. Her long, strawberry blonde curls billowed out around her with the breeze. She wasn’t cloaking herself, and when she turned he couldn’t stifle the involuntary gasp that escaped his lips. His reaction caused her to smile, her amusement curled across her full, pink lips. When she turned away to look once again out to the sea, Julius released the breath he’d been holding.

He swallowed hard and slowly approached her.

The ocean is mesmerizing isn’t it?

Yes it is. It’s like trying to predict the future. No way of knowing what will happen, it’s ever changing. She turned then and looked him in the eye. Are you ready for whatever the future might bring?

If it includes you, I am.

She chuckled and turned back, leaning against the rail. "Handsome and charming. Traits which serve you well, don’t they?"

He frowned. Usually, yes. I’m Julius.

She turned to him again. Marcella.

She didn’t offer her hand. Julius didn’t take it personally. Non-humans didn’t like to touch if they weren’t sure about the strength of the other’s power. He still wasn’t sure what kind of creature she was. A quick scan told him she was powerful, but he was sure she wasn’t allowing him full access. Of course he was blocking probes as well.

Nice to meet you Julius. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other often on this trip. She walked away and his gaze followed her until she disappeared inside. He shook his head. He was over a hundred years old, he’d experienced the pleasures of many women before finding the love of his life. But his happiness was short lived. He’d lost his love, his companion to the poison of evil. At first he’d ignored the signs as she became withdrawn and moody, then progressively more insolent and combative. When her darkening aura could no longer be disregarded, he thought he could save her, thought he had saved her but she almost destroyed not only him, but his Coven too. Traumatized and disheartened, he’d lived a quiet unattached life for the last years.

This woman intrigued him. She instantly stirred feelings in him he hadn’t opened himself to for many, many years.

You’ve seen something. Is it dangerous? Rowena asked as she approached.

I don’t think so. See you at dinner.

Rowena was dumbfounded. It was the second time today Julius had abruptly left her standing alone. She was irresistible, she always had been anyway. She felt her ire rise. Men didn’t just walk away from her, men of any race. Wasn’t it ironic, she’d only agreed to represent her Coven because she knew Julius was heading the delegation. She had relied on her natural attraction to draw him to her, now it looked like she would have to come up with Plan B.

You seem upset. What is it Rowena?

She glanced at Byron and sighed exaggeratedly. This entire trip is going to be a waste of time. She forced a smile as she laced her arm through Bryon’s and they started to walk together.

"You’ll find some distractions, Rowena. You always do. If not