Chapter 9. Olympus Has Fallen

JULIAN

The ethereal scent of demon blood consumed the atmosphere, growing stronger in my senses with every passing minute. The more I lingered in my position, the more the burning within me intensified.

For weeks, I had fought it, the urge, longing, and craving, that heavenly euphoria that ensued when my teeth burrowed into my prey. But the more I thought of it, the more pictures of Festus struggling to hang onto life tormented me. My eyes grew smart with tears.

He had been like a brother to me ever since I arrived in these northern Alps. He had helped me adjust to the language, food, lifestyle, and culture, and I was even unhappy when I finally got deployed. The constant presence of my beloved, Aurelia, made it even harder for me because we were a cheerful trio. Now the look on her face screamed resentment and judgment as if I had been damned forever. She would never forgive me. I knew that, and it killed me faster than my efforts to resist her blood.

“Brace