"He was upset about his brother."
Jule nodded, a dark look crossing his features.
"That was a bad time for all of us," he recalled. "A very bad time. That was right after I met them, before the Schism and being paroled to earth. When it rains, it hails."
"I know."
"I'm impressed. You're doing well. I bet D didn't tell you that only ten percent of Oracles ever get as far as you have."
"No, he didn't," she said.
"Most of them kill themselves. Some go crazy. Some go crazy then kill themselves. The rest we kill when they start going crazy."
"Are you …" She paused then plowed forward, gaze on his choker. "Are you the same kind of entity he is?"
"Sort of. We're cousins, several times removed. We both inherited our powers while Dusty was like you, a human meant for something much greater."
"We found the traitors in your hemisphere," she said, looking away.
"I know. You saved thousands of lives."
She was silent.
"Sofia." She looked up at his soft tone. His gaze was warm. "You did the right thing."
"I hope so," she replied. "I'd do anything for Damian."
"Dusty said I'd like you," he said with a smile. "He's right. You're what D needs. It's taken thousands of years, but I'm glad you finally showed up."
"Let me guess, if you didn't like me, Dustin would take me out back and kill me."
"Something like that," Jule said with a laugh. "He's really protective of the people he cares about."
"You didn't come all the way to Tucson for an errand," she said, recalling their phone conversation.
"I did not," he confirmed. He said no more, and she lost the nerve to pursue.
"I'm going for Frenchie fries," Pierre called. "You want anything, Sofi? Perhaps an American hamburger? Where are you from, Jule, so I can get you ethnically stereotypical food?"
Jule laughed, looking at her to see how she'd take it.
"That man has issues," she muttered.
"Let me guess, you asked him if he wanted a croissant?"
Jule bristled suddenly, the smile disappearing as his face turned predatory once again. Sofia watched him, surprised at the quick change.
"Pierre," he called.
Her Guardian was ramrod straight as well, sensing whatever Jule sensed. They exchanged a silent communication, and Pierre moved through the crowd toward Linda and Traci.
"C'mon, sweetheart," Jule said. "It's time for us to go."
Fear swept through her, and he offered a tight smile.
"No worries. Nothing here can get through me. I'm not D, but I'm as close as they come."
He strode beside her, whipping out his cell as they headed toward the nearest exit.