Scorched Ice (Fire and Ice #3)(6)

Quinn nodded, but she still wouldn’t look at the couple again. Julian took hold of her chin and lifted her head. “We need them.”

“For what?”

“If you agree to it, we’ll gather the vampires and lead them together. As one of the last two remaining Elders, some of them will follow me, but with you by my side, many more will fall into line. There is no denying you’re the vampire of this prophecy, and though I’ve never bought into the prophecies, many vamps do, and they’re latching onto this one.

“Since we killed the rest of the Elders, the vamps have no idea what to do with themselves. If we don’t give them a purpose, they’re going to continue to see you as their lifeline, and because of that, they won’t stop trying to find you. We’ll give them both of us, a purpose, and rules.”

“You hate vampires,” she pointed out.

“I hate people too, but I tolerate them,” he said with a teasing smile that caused a small one to tug at her lips.

“Having Quinn work with them instead of in opposition to them could succeed in bringing them under control,” Devon said. “Her joining with them could be the savior part of the prophecy, or at least many of them may see it that way.”

“I’m hoping so,” Julian replied, but he didn’t tear his eyes away from Quinn. “I won’t do this if you say no. This is something we will have to do together.”

“We will all do it together,” Luther said. “I think it’s time we do more to bring the non-killing vamps, Hunters, and Guardians together. An understanding between all three could save many lives in the future.”

“It could,” Cassie agreed.

“Don’t feel forced into this,” Julian said to Quinn. “Out of all of us, you’re the one many of them will look to. I’ll do whatever you choose to do.”

“But they’ll keep coming for me if I keep trying to remain hidden,” she murmured.

“They won’t stop searching for you,” he confirmed. “I’ll kill every single one of them if that’s what it takes to keep you safe.”

Her eyes searched his face. He remained unmoving as she pondered her answer.

“I’ll try it,” she said.

Relief and dread filled him. He’d hoped she’d make this choice, he believed it would work, but it would also be a big risk to expose her in such a way.

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He kissed her again before turning to Devon and waving at the immobile couple. “Can you wake them?”

Lou lifted his chin from his chest to gaze tiredly at all of them, but Julian had a feeling he’d been awake throughout the conversation, or at least most of it as he didn’t look confused.

Devon stared at Julian for a minute before replying, “I can.” Walking into the poolroom, Devon stopped near where the couple sat. “Wake,” he commanded.

Both of their eyes opened, their heads shot up, and their gazes darted around the room as they took in their new surroundings.

The woman’s lower lip trembled and tears filled her eyes. “How did we get here?”

Julian felt no sympathy for them. They’d been in that ballroom with Quinn and all the other vampires. They’d stood by as she’d sat helplessly on the stage. If he didn’t need them, he’d kill them himself.

“We brought you here,” Julian answered and stepped in front of Quinn when their gazes went to her.

The man took hold of the woman’s hand when tears spilled down her cheeks. Julian didn’t know if they were a mated couple or not, and he didn’t care.

“What do you want with us?” the man demanded.

Julian reached back, grasped Quinn’s hand, and gave it a squeeze before stalking across the room to stand before the couple. They both shrank away from him. “Do you know who I am?” he inquired.

The woman’s brown eyes ran over him. The man’s blue eyes went from him to where Devon stood beside him. “Julian Aasen,” the man replied, “and Devon Knight. The only two Elders still in existence.”

At the age of five hundred, Julian and Devon had reached the rarely attained Elder status of a vampire.

“We’re the only two Elders left because we killed the others,” Julian said.

The woman whimpered and shrank further away from him. The man’s shoulders went back, but the tremor in his hands belied his brave front.

“Do you remember what happened at the hotel?” Julian asked. They both nodded. “We did that,” he gestured at the group behind him. They’d all risen from their seats and moved closer while he’d been speaking. Clint stood beside Quinn with his hand on her arm. “This small number destroyed hundreds of vampires.”

The couple both swallowed nervously and leaned away from him when he unleashed some of his power, allowing it to drift off of him in waves.

“Come with me,” he commanded. They exchanged a look but rose to their feet. Walking across the room, he stopped in front of Quinn and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I want you to stay here.”

“No.”

“You shouldn’t see what I’ve done.” He didn’t know how she would react to seeing Earl pinned as she had once been pinned.

Some of the color drained from her face, but she tilted her chin up. “I refuse to turn away from any part of you.”