Scorched Ice (Fire and Ice #3)(15)
If another fight broke out, they may not all be fortunate enough to walk away again this time. She could breathe life back into someone, but she didn’t know if she would be able to do that in time to save them if something were to happen here.
At the front of the crowd, the couple they’d taken from the hotel stood the closest to them. Their hands were entwined as they split their attention between the growing crowd and Julian. They didn’t shift nervously around as much as the rest of the vampires did.
Quinn glanced at Julian when he grasped her hand and clasped it within both of his. The vast power he possessed pulsed against her flesh in waves that caused her ability to slither toward him and latch on. She didn’t take anything from him, but she could now use his body to draw the life from another if it became necessary. It would give them both an influx of power that would help to decimate anyone trying to harm them.
He kept her hand in his as he took a step forward, drawing the attention of the vampires to him. Their murmurs died instantly. Before coming here, they’d all agreed Julian would take the lead on this with these vamps. Devon may be older than Julian, but most of his attention would remain on training the future Hunters and Guardians.
“We’re pleased to see so many of you here tonight.”
Hearing Julian talk in such a refined, crisp tone caused pride to swell forth in her. More at home in a bar with jeans on than in a suit and tie, leadership was not a role he’d ever sought, but she knew he wouldn’t deny the responsibility of it, and he would be good at it.
“I know you’re all wondering about this new leadership that has drawn you here tonight, and I think many of you will like what we are about to propose to you,” Julian continued.
Quinn tried to judge the reaction of the crowd so far, but most of them kept their faces blank and their bodies immobile.
“As you are all aware, Devon and I are the only remaining Elder vampires in existence. As you’re also aware, we had a big hand in destroying the other Elders.”
The crowd shifted and anxious murmurs ran through them. They quieted instantly when Julian raised his hand, but more than a few of them had slipped further into the shadows.
“The Elders’ deaths were a necessity,” Julian said. “We may have had a hand in destroying them, but we also had a hand in eradicating most members of The Commission, a group that was every vampire’s biggest enemy and still is as long as even one of them lives. The remaining members of The Commission will be eradicated if they are found.”
“You’re standing with some of our enemies right now, the Hunters!” a man shouted from the back of the crowd. Some of the vampires voiced their agreement, but most remained mute.
“They’re not your enemies,” Julian replied. “They are standing with us, just as we have stood with them for the last two years, and they will stand with you.”
The crowd shifted; their mumbles rose again. Some vampires edged closer while others remained where they were.
“How do we know that?” another one demanded. “Hunters and Guardians work for The Commission.”
Luther cleared his throat before speaking. “Most of the surviving Hunters and Guardians don’t work for The Commission anymore, not since we came to learn just how evil and corrupt they are. I was born into my role as a Guardian. I was taught by The Commission to believe all vampires were evil killers, and I taught the Hunters I trained the same thing. I’m not above admitting I was wrong in that belief. We all were.
“I cannot promise you that every remaining Hunter and Guardian will agree with what we propose here, just as not every vampire will. What I can promise you is that the many Hunters and Guardians we train, will be trained not to slay without first learning more about that vampire’s life. I have spoken with some of the few Guardian friends I trust about this, and they have all agreed to what we are proposing to you. They have also agreed to undergo some intense training with us. The training will help them to better assimilate and learn about vampires. We hope these changes will lead to a more secure future for all those involved.”
“And where will this training take place?” another asked.
“We will not ask you to divulge your location to us, and we will not divulge ours,” Devon said. “You can know that Cassie and I will be there to lead this new training with the Guardians and their Hunters. There are many Hunters and Guardians under our protection now. You will be working with the largest force of them still in existence. A force that won’t consider all vampires their enemies, if you are willing to take this step.”
“But we have no guarantee that a Hunter outside of your training won’t kill us on sight!” someone shouted.
“The Hunters have no guarantee that any vampire they encounter won’t slaughter them on sight either,” Cassie said. “There will have to be trust on both sides and an understanding that if their lives are threatened, all bets are off for both parties involved.”
“And how do we know you’re not lying to us so you can turn against us later?” another yelled.
“How do we know the same about you?” Cassie retorted.
“Again it will have to be trust from all those involved,” Julian said. “A trust that may take years to fully establish, but it needs a starting point, and this will be it.”
Julian looked to Quinn; she nodded to let him know she was ready for the next step. “Most, if not all of you, have heard the prophecy about a vampire who will become your greatest ally and savior,” Julian said. “It’s time you met her.”