Asylum (Causal Enchantment #2)(50)
Every once in a while, I’d find myself studying Julian’s face—usually while he dozed on the couch—wondering if I’d be this comfortable with him in different circumstances. If I’d talk so casually, laugh so freely, if I were sitting across from that face back in the real world, where we weren’t orphans and exiled by vampires; where I wasn’t pining over a jade-eyed Caden. With those full lips, olive skin, and chocolate-colored eyes, Julian was one of those guys a girl like me would probably fall hard for. But I hadn’t, thankfully. It would just complicate an already thorny situation, especially since it’d be one-sided. You’re not my type, he had said. That was for the best. Right now, I just needed a good human friend.
And so my new bestie and I sat in this chalet, day in and day out, looking for ways to occupy ourselves. The task was becoming more challenging with each sunrise. Our latest activity was chess. Julian had discovered a game board in one of the storage closets two days ago, and offered to teach me how to play. It quickly became obvious that chess wasn’t my game.
“Can I move the horse over here?” I asked.
“The knight?” he corrected me. “Yes, you can move him there . . . if you want to lose this game.”
My hand jumped away from the piece with his warning. I spent the next few minutes reevaluating my options while Julian took a turn staring vacantly out the window, deep in thought. “I wonder what summer’s going to be like here,” he murmured.
“Pretty. Long.” It was my turn to sound bored.
“And then another winter,” Julian continued, his tone flat.
“And don’t forget spring and fall in between.”
I glanced up to find him looking at me, defeat in his eyes. “Long,” he agreed.
I lifted my finger to my temple and made a circular motion. “I’m warning you . . . cuckoo!”
Julian gave me a crooked smile. “Take bets on who loses it first, you or me?”
I grinned. “Maybe Leo?”
Julian shook his head, chuckling, his deep dimples appearing. “No way. Not Davy Crocket.” Of all of us, Leo actually seemed to thrive here. Perhaps it was because he didn’t have to answer to Viggo’s demands at all hours of the day and night.
“Right. He’s rock-solid,” I said, thinking of the others. “Maybe Valentina?” My hand immediately to my mouth. “Sorry.”
Julian’s face turned solemn at the mention of his sister, who might already be nuts. We had seen little of her since arriving. She spent most of her time secluded in her room, her door barricaded with a chair. For protection, she said. I don’t think she did much else but sleep, based on her head of matted hair. Every once in a while she’d come out to get some icy air or grab a bite to eat. Or stare at me with those big, chocolate-brown eyes, long since transformed from innocent into something wild and calculating. I always smiled politely but otherwise I kept my distance.
I’m going to go crazy listening to you two jabber on, Max grumbled, rising to sit on his haunches. Max was not enjoying his time in the wilderness, much to my surprise. He said it was because there wasn’t a lot to hunt, this far up in the mountains. It meant traveling a bit, which meant leaving me for at least a day, a proposition he shunned immediately, even with the other dogs here as backup. As a result, he was starving and beyond ornery. Two weeks ago, his snark had reached unbearable proportions. I lost my patience, banishing him as I had the night he found Julian. He’d sullenly ventured beyond his comfort zone and stumbled upon a musk deer. When Max came back later that night, he was a much happier werebeast.
That was two weeks ago. Crabby Max was making a comeback. I said nothing, shooting a dirty look at the dog while I reached for my next chess piece. I shifted it over a few squares.
My move earned an exasperated sigh from Julian. “Do you intentionally go against every rule of this game?” he said.
“Sorry.” It was the seventh or eighth time I had done something stupid. I slid the piece back.
Move your queen over two squares, Max instructed, his massive head now hovering over the board.
Great. Even the dog knew how to play. With a casual look at Julian—not that there was any reason since he couldn’t hear Max—I followed instructions. I knew I was cheating, but I’d take that over looking like a complete idiot.
Julian’s hand shifted to cover his mouth, where it sat for a long moment. When he reached forward to his piece, I caught the devious smile. “Checkmate. And there’s no way you can get out.”
Oh, thank God it’s finally over! Can we please do something else now? I’d rather have my fur set on fire than watch you play chess.
I gasped, my brow furrowing in shock as comprehension hit me. “You sneaky mutt! You tricked me!”
Julian looked back and forth between Max and I and then, realizing what happened, exploded in laughter. “You’re taking chess lessons from the dog?”
Max snarled with displeasure at the dog comment but Julian didn’t even bat an eye as he reached out to give the werebeast’s forehead a rub. Since Max had saved his life, Julian was no longer the least bit apprehensive.
I held my scowl for a few seconds longer, but then I was laughing as well. Soon the two of us were borderline hysterical.
“What’s so funny?” An annoyed, high-pitched voice called. We turned to see a puffy-eyed, sallow-skinned Valentina strolling into the room.