Chapter 2

Julian Luna arrived early at The Rose Garden restaurant, intent on sizing up his latest business conquest. Although, he was not overly concerned about too much resistance from a mere child, his previous experiences have taught him to be somewhat careful even when he has the upper hand. He'd made some arrangements with the staff for a special 'treat' for this Chloe De la Cruz, in hopes of keeping her off her game. After all she was obviously highly intelligent, and this meeting would not be necessary if the girl had no value to him. She was very young and Julian had every intention of guiding her and The Legacy towards greatness. He also had to admit to himself that he needed a distraction from his issues with Caitlin.

It seemed that since her embrace, Caitlin had been growing steadily closer to the Primogen of the Brujah clan; and despite his best efforts Julian had been unable to stop it. When ever he'd brought the subject up, she would always get defensive and accuse him of trying to control her. He'd even tried being open about his feelings, letting her know how much it pained him to have the kindred responsible for his Sire's death constantly in his face. Well that conversation didn't go as he planned, for she then told him it was time to let the matter go for everyone's peace of mind. Archon was wrong for ordering the death of the Manzanita Brujah without cause. However, that does not diminish what he meant to Julian or the rest of the Ventrue Clan. And Cameron made it known how much he enjoyed killing Archon. How could Caitlin, the woman who claims to love him willingly associate herself with that man?

Then there was the fact that while he did love her, Julian had not made any steps to make Caitlin his mate. Despite the Cameron situation, he could not understand himself why he was holding back. Perhaps that would be just what was needed to break her bond with the Brujah Primogen. Julian shook his head and sighed. He did not want his relationship with Caitlin to turn out the same way, as the one he shred with Lily. He needed to keep a clear head not turn into a manipulative and vengeful person.

Julian was pulled from his musing by an enchanting sent, and an equally enchanting voice calling his name. He was struck speechless for the first time in decades. "Mr. Luna? I'm Chloe De la Cruz. I hope I haven't kept you waiting" Julian stared. "Mr. Luna?" Julian shook himself and smiled accepting the beauty's outstretched hand. He fought to remember what she'd said to him. "No I haven't been waiting long at all." She was beautiful. No more than that. He could quite think of the right word. Haunting maybe? She radiated innocence and worldliness at the same time. Julian had to remind himself that she was a child compared to him. He found himself wanting to touch her to connect with her on some level he could explain.

As Julian stood up to help her with her jacket and chair Chloe took a moment to observe the Prince more carefully. He seemed surprised when he saw her, and for a few moments he looked almost…hungry. He was well dressed as usual in his tailor made suits, as hansom as sin. Much to good looking to be out with out his significant other. Chloe was almost disappointed when he seemed to compose himself. She rather liked catching him off guard. Which was why she'd arrived at the restaurant early and watched him for a good half hour.

She'd guessed correctly that he would arrive early and try to observe her beforehand. He'd sat alone, but had arranged to face the entrance at an angle to see but avoid being seen. He seemed troubled by something, or someone. Chloe had a feeling he was thinking about a woman. Caitlin, most likely. But that would change soon enough.

She was an expert on reading people, and kindred were no different. She could just tell by the tension in those impressive shoulders of his that Julian Luna, Prince of the city had woman problems. How interesting. She actually felt bad for a moment especially since she had a fairly good idea as to why his relationship was getting increasingly rocky. It was because Caitlin was keeping a major secret from her lover.

Chloe's sympathy ran out when she'd heard the Ventrue order a Kindred staff member to serve her milk and cookies at his signal. At this point Chloe had nearly choked on the water she'd been sipping. Milk and cookies? That arrogant, patronizing Ventrue had the audacity to order her milk and cookies! He thought treating her like a child would manipulate her into trusting his judgment in regards to her company. He was trying to throw her off her game, and Chloe would have thought it a cute strategy were she not on the receiving end of it. She'd waited a moment to compose herself, then promptly found the waitress assigned to their table. She changed Julian's order, and planned a special surprise just for him.

As she sat down, Chloe waited for Julian to make the first move. Waited for him to put his game face back on. She waited and watched him mentally calculate how to handle a female he could no longer think of as a child. She waited for that look of supreme confidence to replace the confusion a surprise in his eyes, then gave a signal of her own.

She watched as a crystal champagne glass was placed in front of him. Heard the kindred waitress state that Chloe had placed the order for him. Watched him just as the taste and sent of the blood wine hit him simultaneously. She watched his eyes sharpen as realization hit him that she knew his secret. She watched as Julian Luna CEO of Luna Enterprises, became Julian Luna Price of the City right before her very eyes.

Then Chloe smiled.

Thank you The Deb of Night! . Although Chloe is aware of the Kindred and Julian's status among them, she does not want him to embrace her. She has someone else in mind for that. She wants him to like her and see her as an asset to the kindred community, so that when the time comes he will grant her the right to be embraced despite her family background. Before now, Julian had no clue that Chloe knew anything about the Kindred.

Here is a little insight to Chloe. She kind of like a human version of a Ventrue, She is young and smart, obviously. Yet she is not as worldly as she thinks she is. For example, she knows that men are attracted to her, but she sees them all the same. Men are men. Human or Kindred it does not matter to her. This is very dangerous when it comes to sexuality. Chloe understands that there is also a beast living in the body of kindred men on an intellectual level. She's even seen them become violent. But she has no experience in dealing with Kindred men when their beast is aroused sexually. In the next chapter you'll see in her interaction with Julian that she has no idea what she about to set into motion.. The very things that she is trying to prevent by connecting herself to Julian will happen anyway because of her lack of understanding in this area.. Chloe's about to let the beast out of his cage…