Scorched Ice (Fire and Ice #3)(10)
A muscle twitched in Devon’s cheek as he stared at Cassie. “What about training and the children?” he demanded of her.
“We can do this without you, Solar,” Julian said, earning him a scowl from Cassie. “The children need the two of you.”
“And they’ll still have us. Just because the next time the vampires see us we’re presenting a united front, it doesn’t mean we have to be together all the time,” Cassie replied. “This thing with the vampires will mainly be yours to run. The training and protection of the children will be ours, but Devon and I can’t remain hidden while you try to do this. All of us together is how we have to be, at least in the beginning. Liam and Annabelle will stay with the children and remain out of it completely. In case something goes wrong, they’ll still be there to look after them.”
Cassie took hold of Devon’s hand as she spoke with him. “Take from this couple the memory of everything I can do, but leave me in there.”
Julian agreed with leaving Annabelle and Liam out of this. Right now, the two vampires were safely hidden away in Canada with the Hunter and Guardian children they’d all rescued two years ago.
“I don’t like this,” Devon said.
“Neither do I,” Julian muttered.
The idea of putting Cassie, probably the most powerful vampire in existence, anywhere near the vamps hunting for Quinn unsettled him. However, he couldn’t deny it made sense to show the vampires how much power they had on their side.
Beside him, Clint unwrapped a piece of gum and popped it in his mouth. Somewhere during everything that had happened, Clint had lost his customary baseball cap. His bushy gray hair stuck out in a million different directions, making it look like Einstein’s hair. He adjusted his pants, pulling them up so his belly didn’t hang over his belt quite as badly. Clint’s brown eyes warmed when he focused on Quinn.
“I’m ‘fraid I’m going to have to sit most of this out,” Clint said to her. “I’ve been considering that RV thing after everything that’s happened. I think Hawtie and I would enjoy traveling the country together. I think it’s time we enjoy our lives for a change. If not for you, my Hawtie would be dead right now. We missed out on having kids, but I’m not going to miss out on anything more with her. Life is too damn short for us mortals.”
Quinn squeezed Clint’s arm as she smiled at him. “I think that’s one of the best plans I’ve ever heard, and you know I’ll always be here for both of you.”
“Maybe I’ll finally be able to get that woman to agree to marry me,” he said with a grin and Quinn laughed.
“When you’re done with the RV life,” Cassie said to Clint, “I know a place with a lot of Hunter and Guardian kids who could always use a little extra guidance and love. You’ll be more than welcome there.”
“I’d like that, and I’m sure Hawtie would too,” Clint replied.
“Tell him the bad part about where the place is,” Julian said to her.
Cassie rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not bad. You’re just a freak show who can’t stand the cold.”
“He lives in Arizona; believe me, it won’t be a selling point for him.” Julian turned to face Clint. “It’s in Canada.”
Clint winced before shrugging. “Guess we’ll have to buy some winter coats then.”
Cassie smiled smugly at Julian before focusing on Devon. “It will be best if we’re all there in a month to meet with those vampires.”
Devon stared at her before glancing at Julian.
“It’s your choice,” Julian told him. “Your help would be appreciated, but I wouldn’t want Quinn involved either if she didn’t have to be.”
“After everything gets settled, Julian will be able to handle this for the most part. We can spend most of our time in Canada still,” Cassie insisted.
Devon appeared torn for a minute before his shoulders slumped and he turned back to the couple. Throughout the discussion, they had remained mute with blank expressions on their faces.
Devon stared at them before speaking again. “You will recall nothing of what you just heard us discuss, you will only remember what I am saying to you now. You will remember what occurred in the hotel, but you have no recollection of what she is capable of.” He pointed to Cassie and the couple followed his finger. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” they both murmured.
“You will remember what Julian revealed to you with Earl in the garage, but you have no idea where that garage is. After you saw Earl, you woke up in San Francisco. You believe us to be located somewhere in California, but you’re not sure where exactly.
“You will tell the vampires about what occurred at the hotel, why it happened, and what was done with Earl to every vampire you come across. You will ask them to also spread the word through the vampire population. You will tell all of the vampires you encounter that they are guaranteed safe passage to the meeting that will occur exactly one month from today. Tell them they will be offered protection at this meeting, and they will be given the chance to follow a new leadership under the two remaining Elders. Make sure they know we have the vampire of the prophecy and she is on our side.”
“Also tell them that I can wield Quinn’s ability when it becomes necessary,” Julian said to Devon. Quinn frowned up at him. He nudged her a couple of steps away from the couple to speak with her. “They don’t need to know that I can only do it through you, but it will encourage the vampires to back off if they believe we can both kill them at any time with a simple touch.”