Lillian Holmes and the Leaping Man Read Online Free

Phillip’s anger.
    “It’s all right, Georgy, let me in,” his brother called.
    George drew his power up in a breath and opened the door, then nonchalantly turned his back on his sibling and retrieved his pipe. He stared out the window, waiting for Phillip to speak first, but the room remained silent. Finally he turned, finding the eyes of the first person he’d made immortal. His only ally, willing or not.
    “I despise you for making me hide out in this dreadful place. Where have you been?”
    “You said you’d stay away until Kitty’s natural life came to an end. You promised, George. Of course, I am once again the fool for believing you.”
    “Yes, I love you too. Now, where have you been?”
    “What does it matter?”
    George tilted his head and sent the force of his will into Phillip’s chest. Yes, the connection remained.
    “New Orleans, damn you to hell.”
    “Too much competition in that city.”
    “We were there so Kitty could paint a portrait. A handsome commission, too. I care not about the New Orleans House. A more pompous, egotistical society I never encountered. You would fit in nicely.”
    “And does our long-lost cousin still run that House? Do we still find favor among his brood? I recall he made you a handsome offer some decades ago?”
    “Looking for a post are you, George? You want to be Jean’s errand-boy? I find that quite amusing.”
    “I simply like to keep up on the latest comings and goings.”
    “I felt you as soon as I returned.” His brother shook his head morosely and sat. “I thought our bond fully broken when you left for London.”
    “You thought you’d be completely free of me—at least for many years.” George had expected his brother’s disappointment, but not that it would hurt his pride. “The maker bond is as strong as ever, isn’t it? I feel it to be so.”
    “And now you will strengthen it, and I’ll be at your mercy again. Sadly enough, part of me welcomes it. I’m so used to fighting you at every turn, trying to undo the havoc you wreak; I’ve barely known what to do with myself with all my free time.”
    “Sarcasm is not your strong point.”
    “At least now I’ll have you to blame for all of my own mistakes as well.” Phillip loosened his cravat and leaned back into the cushions.
    “Like Kitty?” George held his hand up to ward off the coming attack. “Ah, old habits die hard. Kitty is not a mistake in your eyes. But I know the temptation to take her blood must be overwhelming at times. How does she fare?”
    “She is well, as if you care. But you are not here for her, so tell me what brings you back. We had a bargain.”
    “I don’t mind Kitty that much. Although she might be in the way now.”
    “ You are in the way. She is to be my wife.”
    George paced in front of the fireplace, now only embers. “Madam Lucifer is at it again. Marie de Bourbon is unalive, well, and on a new crusade against me.”
    Phillip laughed. “Oh, bloody hell, George. Is that all? My ex-wife threatened you? Did you call her portly again?”
    “It’s not funny. She has a long memory.”
    “Yes, well, it’s a little hard to forget that your brother-in-law turned your husband into a vampire. She was somewhat fond of me. At least, I think she was. Didn’t like either of us much after you drained her, too.”
    “I was a bit relentless in those first weeks.”
    “You were quite insane, as I’ve not seen since in any House. You killed for sport, it seemed.”
    George spun away from Phillip and rubbed at his chin. Don’t lose your temper just yet. Let him get a few digs in. “I concur. It was not my finest moment. In any case, I released Marie’s bond centuries ago in a moment of weakness. I should have killed her when I had the chance.”
    “So kill her now, what do I care? She’s loathsome and would certainly take me down with you, along with my Kitty. You’d be doing us all a favor. What can I do about any of this? If she’s too strong for you, then