s or deep conversations where he bared his soul.
He looked away from them, frustrated and pissed off. A blond woman caught his eye, her smile was tremulous, but it was the child at her side, staring up at him, that stopped him cold.
He knew instantly who it was: Logan. Jaxon and Libby’s son.
The dark eyes looked at him with no fear, and he broke from his mother, ignoring her protest. Julian felt a spark of admiration for the child. The kid had spunk, he had to give him that. The youngster stopped in front of him, his dark eyes surrounded by the Castille eyebrows and high cheekbones.
His hair was longish, dark waves that caressed baby-soft skin.
Julian sensed the energy that surrounded the boy, and it was surprisingly strong. His signatures were not wholly shifter. There was something else. Something powerful. Magick.
Julian frowned.
The little hand reached for him but hesitated in the air, inches from his own. Julian was aware of all eyes upon him. He knew that Jaden was close, inches from his back, and that Declan and Ana stood several feet away.
For a second, he nearly turned. The need to disappear was overwhelming, and he thought how easy it would be to lose himself in the cold and snow that surrounded the compound. How easy it would be to let his soul slowly break apart until there was nothing but darkness inside him.
He could give in, say fuck it, and let whatever happened lead him to wherever the hell that road would take him.
And yet as he gazed down upon the chubby cheeks of the small boy in front of him, he felt a glimmer of hope. A touch of heat inside him that was gone just as fast.
The little boy’s hand moved, and Julian did nothing to stop him from clasping his large index finger. The child pulled at him gently.
“Come on,” he said simply, his face breaking out into a shy smile. “I want to show you my doggie.”
Julian let the boy lead him forward, and he nodded to Libby as he passed her.
“Hey,” she said softly, the merest whisper of a smile gracing her face.
His throat felt tight, and he kept silent as he walked into the house, very much aware that everyone was still watching him. It made him uncomfortable, the attention.
“Well, holy Christ, what about me? My ass was burned just as bad if not worse down there, ya know. A little tender lovin’ would be much appreciated.” Declan’s sarcastic comment followed him inside.
Julian cracked a genuine smile and shook his head.
“And we should care about your ass because?” Ana interrupted.
“Baby, you know you care. I mean, it’s one hell of a fine specimen, don’t you think?”
Their words faded away and so did his smile, as little Logan tugged at him and squealed in delight. The clatter of nails across tiles echoed into the room and he glanced toward a bundle of golden fur that ran at him crazily.
The dog skidded to a halt, its feet sliding across the floor until it nearly crashed into them. Logan let go of Julian’s finger and wrapped his small arms around the young dog’s neck, giggling the way small children do. The sound was musical, notes of glee that fell from his lips.
The child looked up at him, his smile wide. “This is my Shelby girlie; do you wants to pet her?”
Julian cleared his throat and shook his head.
Logan frowned. “She won’t hurt you. I promise. She bit Skye once, but that was an accident.”
Awkward didn’t begin to describe the energy in the room as he stared down at the boy helplessly. His feet felt like they were entrenched deep in cement. He wanted to act but was frozen in place. It was frustrating, and he felt the hole inside him widen.
“I don’t like dogs.” The words slipped from him, and the boy’s frown deepened.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked before his gaze settled on someone behind him. “Mama, why is the dark mist around Uncle Julian? I thought that was only for bad men.”
He heard Jaden inhale sharply, then heard her whisper, “This child is how old?”
He turned away, scowling as he caught sight of his brother. “I didn’t come here for a family reunion. I heard you had intel, so either we get to it, or I leave.”