When Lucian returned to the manor, Jules noticed a change in him. He seemed more tense—more alert. But what shocked her most was that he didn't even look at her as he walked past.
She sat on the edge of the staircase, resting her chin on her knees.
This continued for the next three days: the silent treatment. To Lucian, Jules was a ghost. In every room she entered, he blocked her out. Looking at her would only nauseate him.
At this point, Jules couldn't take it anymore. She felt invisible, powerless, and desperate all at once. She waited for the right moment and caught Lucian as he was leaving his office.
"Lucian," she ordered.
He brushed right past her, not even glancing in her direction. Angry, Jules stomped after him, her arms folded over her chest.
"Lucian, stop!" she shouted. The force of her tone shocked even her.
Lucian stopped, his back still facing her.
"This isn't fair, Lucian," she said breathlessly. "Just tell me why." Jules pleaded with him.
After a pause, Lucian finally turned to her. His expression shocked her. He looked sad, as though something was tearing him apart from the inside. He couldn't even find the words to say; instead, he turned away again and started toward the stairs. Then he abruptly stopped, whipping his head back toward Jules.
"I mean, it's just—" he stammered. "Silas, Jules. Really?"
Jules froze. How could Lucian have known about this? She remembered that he had come home a day early, but surely that wasn't because of her. Jules bit her lip, her eyes dropping to the floor. Now she couldn't look at him either.
"That's not your business," Jules muttered.
"Except it is my business, Jules. My job is to protect you, and you're playing with fire." Lucian's eyes were cold. He bit his tongue, holding back harsher words.
"Ask him how he was turned," Lucian said as he turned to go back up the stairs.
"What?" Jules tilted her head.
"I said, ask Silas how he was turned."
Jules blinked.
"Well, how were you turned?"
Lucian stopped again, cursing under his breath.
"If I tell you, can you at least consider using better judgment?"
Jules rolled her eyes.
"Yes."
Lucian smiled.
"Come with me."