Scorched Ice (Fire and Ice #3)(9)
Unfortunately, it couldn’t be—not while a chance remained that the vampires would seek her out because of the prophecy.
Julian released the man’s arm and turned toward the woman. He saw many of the same images from her. The man’s ability to speak with ghosts hadn’t been a concern to Julian. The woman’s ability to disorient her prey was a little bit more of one, but not much. He’d have her heart in his hand before she could attempt to wield it against anyone in this room.
Releasing her, he took a step back.
“What did you see?” Devon inquired.
“Chris is right,” he said. “They simply exist for each other. There is nothing evil within them. He can communicate with ghosts and she’s a Spinner.”
Both of them shifted, uncomfortable their special abilities had been uncovered and revealed. “Will you tell us what you wanted with us now?” the man inquired.
“I will,” Julian replied with a tight smile. “You’re going to go out, find as many vampires as you can, and you’re going to tell every one of them the story of what happened at that hotel. “The story of what we did to a group that far outnumbered us. You’re also going to tell them that if anyone tries to come after the vampire of this f*cking prophecy again, they’ll meet the same fate as every vampire who perished in that hotel. And I will make sure their deaths are nowhere near as easy as being burned alive. You saw what I started with Earl. That will be nothing compared to what I will do to anyone else who comes after her. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” the couple replied at the same time.
“You’re also going to go out among the vampires and spread another message,” Julian said.
“Wh… what would you like us to tell them?” the woman stammered out.
“Exactly one month from now, there will be a meeting concerning the future of the vampire race. A new leadership will be formed, and as you witnessed last night, it will be a leadership that will be able to protect and guide them far better than the Elders ever did. Everyone who arrives at the meeting is promised safe passage to and from it, no matter what they decide.”
“Where will it be?” the man asked.
“Where the hotel stood,” Julian answered. “The two of you will be there.”
“We will,” the man vowed.
The woman’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed at them. “Will you kill us then?” she inquired.
“Not if you do as I’ve instructed,” Julian replied. “Which Devon will make sure you do.”
“They will.” Devon smiled at the couple as he strode forward to stand before them. “Now, when you regained consciousness after the fire, you were no longer at the hotel in the desert, but in San Francisco with no memory of how you got there.”
Their faces took on blank expressions as he continued to speak with them while his power intertwined with their minds. “You believe all of us to be located somewhere in California, but you have no idea where. You do remember how to get back to where the hotel stood, and you will recall everything that occurred there. Except”—he pointed to Cassie—”you’ll have no recollection of her—”
“No,” Cassie interrupted.
Devon whirled to face her. “What do you mean ‘no’?”
Cassie held Devon’s gaze as she spoke. “I mean no. If there is going to be a new leadership for the vampires, if we’re going to give them something to grasp onto and try to make them less lethal, then I think it’s best they know something about me.”
Red flared through Devon’s eyes; Chris and Melissa edged away from him.
“That is a horrible idea,” Devon said.
“I think what Julian wants to do with the vampires will work, but we need to present as big of a united front to them as we can,” Cassie said.
“There will be those who will continue to come for me no matter what we do,” Quinn said.
“Yes, but if there are a lot more of us to fear, they’ll think twice about it,” Cassie replied. “If most of the vampires believe you’re their ally, and that all of us are on your side too, they’ll be more likely to defend you against the vamps who are foolish enough to try to come after you again.”
“The vampires may not like some of the rules I plan to set forth, but they’ll obey if they think it will help keep them alive. The ones who don’t fall in line will be open season for Hunters, Guardians, and vampires alike. That’s one hell of a force protecting you against another attack.” Julian slid his arm around Quinn’s waist, drawing her eyes to him when he pulled her close to his side. “Believe me, most of them will prefer not being able to kill humans to having those numbers breathing down their necks.”
“And if we merge the Hunters, Guardians, and vamps into one faction, it will be a nearly unstoppable force that will benefit all of us,” Luther said, “especially with two Elders involved.”
“And two Hunters turned vampires who will stand beside those Elders when they see us next,” Cassie said. “Plus three Hunters and three Guardians who will also be present. It’s a united front many of the vampires will be unable to resist. A force that may be more powerful than the Elders we destroyed.”
“It could well be,” Clint agreed as he rubbed at his beard.