A Whisper of Humanity

Julianna was seated at the bar again, her rage telegraphing itself to everyone within her orbit. She could feel the wide circles made to avoid her, and felt perverse satisfaction at the awareness that many of those present were decidedly afraid of her just now. She was almost spitting with indignation, and the wine in her hand no longer appeased her mood in any fashion."Damn you!" she hissed in an undertone."I hope you don't mean me," a new voice observed with mild amusement. Startled much more than she should have been, Julianna swiveled the bar stool and smiled."Of course not, Adrian."Adrian surveyed her with a critical eye, and perched on the stool next to her. "Then who is in danger of damnation?" he asked with more curiosity than genuine interest. He had other concerns at the moment. But, winning Julianna's help usually meant having to ease into the need for it, so, he played the friendly game of banter."No one you need worry over, I assure you, mon amour." She looked back at him, quickly and accurately reading his mood. "You didn't come here for conversation, Adrian. What is it you are trying to ask of me this time?"Have you seen anybody new here tonight?"Suspicion flared within her, but it never reached her outer composure. "Many people drift in and out, Adrian. Am I expected to keep a record of them for you?"This one's a cop," Blackthorne told her, his voice hard. "An out of town cop named Faith Prentice. Shiller told her she might like this place."Perhaps she would?" Julianna suggested with a tilt of her head. "Many do."Was she here, Julianna?" Adrian demanded, quickly losing patience with the verbal fencing."No."Something in the flat reply sparked suspicion in Adrian, and he turned her eyes back to meet his when she looked away.