The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Henry’s mouth. “See, I knew you were dangerous.”
    “Did I say you could speak?” Evan growled at his brother. “This must end tonight, Henry. I can’t be constantly afraid that you will try to kill the woman I love for crimes that are now 300 years in the past. It ends here.”
    “You’re really going to kill me?”
    “I have to.”
    Julia knew in that moment that this wasn’t fun and games. Evan was actually going to slit his brother’s throat. She wasn’t sure if that would be enough to kill a vampire, but she didn’t want to take the risk.
    “Wait,” she said. “Please don’t do it, Evan.”
    He turned to her. “You wish to wield the blade yourself?”
    It took her a moment to figure out what he meant by that. Did she want to kill Henry? Definitely not. Sure they’d started off on the wrong foot, but something was there between them, something major, and whether or not it was magical or mystical or whatever, she didn’t want it to end quite so quickly. She didn’t want him to die before she figured out the tornado of strange feelings that whirled inside her.
    “I’m your soulmate, right?” she said to Evan.
    He nodded emphatically. “You believe it to be true?”
    “Yes, of course,” she lied. “You and me. Together for ever. It just took me by surprise, is all. Apparently I was kind of evil in the past.” She and Henry exchanged a glance.
    Evan frowned. “You mustn’t listen to anything Henry says.”
    “Why? Was he wrong?”
    Evan cringed. “Well, I wouldn’t so much as use the word ‘evil’ to describe you. Challenging and exciting are better words.”
    “You have got to be joking,” Henry said dryly.
    “Shut your mouth,” Evan hissed. “You mean to kill the woman I love and now you are smart-mouthing me? You are in no position to do anything but beg for mercy.”
    “Don’t kill him,” Julia said simply.
    Evan frowned. “Why not?”
    “Because ...” She scrambled to come up with something that sounded like a reasonable excuse to prevent murder. “Because I’ve changed. I’m not into evil things any more. I just want everyone to get along and be happy.”
    “That’s wonderful, but I have no assurance that my brother feels the same way. He will never give up. He’s relentless in his pursuit of what he wants. It’s very annoying.”
    Julia looked at Henry, his head tilted back to avoid the blade Evan still held tightly against his throat. “Do you promise to not relentlessly pursue me?”
    Their eyes locked and she only felt that click from earlier tighten up a notch.
    “Not sure I can promise that,” he managed. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stay away from you even if I wanted to.”
    She knew he didn’t mean murder. But Evan didn’t.
    “Thank you for making this easier, brother.” Evan pulled his arm back to prepare for the death blow.
    Julia moved quickly, putting herself between Henry and Evan before he could bring the knife down across Henry’s throat.
    “Stop,” she said. “Nobody has to die here. I’ll go with you. Anywhere. We never have to see Henry again. Just don’t hurt him. Please.”
    “You are acting very erratically,” Evan said with a frown.
    “It’s been a strange evening.”
    Julia heard something then. A low buzzing sound.
    Evan grimaced. “One moment, please.” He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and held it to his ear. “Evan Frost here.” A pause. “Yes, that’s right.” Another pause and then he raised his gaze to look at both Julia and Henry in turn.
    Julia could feel the heat from Henry’s body behind her. She didn’t want to turn. She didn’t want to say anything else. She knew what would happen if she couldn’t convince Evan to turn around and leave with her. He’d kill Henry with no more questions asked. It didn’t matter how long they’d been brothers, how long they’d lived and survived. One would be dead. And she was sure that Henry wouldn’t raise a finger to defend himself. He’d spent his existence trying to keep his younger brother out of trouble; he wouldn’t fight to the death against him.
    She knew it was impossible to have fallen in love with somebody in a matter of minutes - to love them so deeply that you’d be willing to change your life in order to save them. And yet, that’s exactly what she was doing. She’d leave with Evan if it meant saving Henry’s life.
    It was crazy, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. She’d never felt so sure about anything before