Devon was braced for an attack but he kept his posture as casual as possible. He had tried to keep Cassie behind him but she refused to stay there and instead stood by his side. He could sense her curiosity, her questions, especially about his brother, but she didn't ask them.

His brother was a man he had cared for a little, but had never been close to in life. He had grown to despise Robert in death. Robert stared back at Devon, an amused quirk to his mouth as he leaned against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. Every once in a while, Robert's gaze would wander to Cassie and stay far too long for Devon's liking.

It didn't matter what Zane said, they were not here for a tenuous truce. If they had come here looking for a truce, they would have left Robert behind, no matter how many reinforcements they felt they may require. They all knew what Robert desired more than anything was to see Devon miserable, not dead because that would be too quick, but completely destroyed.

Julian's shoulder brushed against Cassie's; his lip curled into a sneer as he glared at Robert. A fierce amount of hostility radiated between Robert and Devon; there was even more between Robert and Julian. Especially since Robert had once tried to kill Julian, and would have succeeded if Devon hadn't intervened. That had been the last time Devon had seen Robert, and he thought it had been the last time Julian had too.

Devon had left his brother broken and bleeding, and near death. He'd been brutal and ruthless at the time, had savored in the blood and the power, but he'd been unable to bring himself to kill his own brother. He regretted that decision now. Cassie tilted her chin as she glared back at Robert.

Robert broke into a grin and his eyebrows wiggled suggestively as he tilted his head to the side. "You know I was always the better looking, more sought after brother. You could always switch; many a woman has."

Devon's hands fisted as he fought the urge to punch the smug look off of Robert's face, but he knew Robert wanted that. "They obviously lied to you," Cassie retorted.

Robert's grin widened. "I would enjoy draining you dry."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Cassie," Julian warned.

Devon remained quiet and unmoving. He wanted Cassie to stop baiting Robert, yet he hoped Robert would rush him and give him the excuse he so eagerly sought to kill him. "Enough," Zane held up a hand as Robert stepped forward. "She will be one of us."

"Why are you so determined about that?" Cassie inquired.

"To join forces of course. Hunters and Vampires have fought for over a thousand years; it is time to end that war. If you are both a Hunter and a vampire we can guarantee this batch behind you will stay clear of us."

Cassie glanced behind her as her mouth pursed. "You killed our parents."

"Bygones," Zane replied flippantly.

Cassie's head snapped back around; her eyes narrowed. Devon braced himself as her fury beat against him. He didn't want them to see what she could be capable of, didn't want them to see what was inside of her. Not now anyway, he didn't need them to attack right now, and he feared they would if they realized just how much power she possessed. "Bygones!" she retorted. "They were our parents you son of a bitch!"

Devon took a defensive step forward. Zane was not one to mess with, but instead of becoming irritated, true amusement lit Zane's eyes. "She's a feisty one, I like it."

"You don't know how feisty I can be!" she spat back at him.

"Cassie," Devon cautioned. "Enough."

She glared up at him. Folding her arms over her chest, she focused her hate filled look on Zane again. Her foot tapped on the floor, but for once she held her tongue. "The change will occur tonight."

"No." Devon's shoulders slumped as he turned back to Cassie.

"What do you mean no?" Zane demanded as his amusement vanished. "This will be done."

"Yes, it will," Cassie agreed. "But not tonight, not until these creatures have been taken care of. You will need Devon and me in this fight, if something goes wrong with the change you won't have either of us. You and Devon are the only other vampires here who can walk about in the daylight, and we know that some of the Halflings can too."

Zane was thoughtful as he pondered Cassie's words. "And how do you know I share Devon's ability?"

Cassie rolled her eyes. "You're the only other one sporting a tan."

Amusement returned to Zane's features. Devon wasn't fooled though, Zane may be entertained and impressed by Cassie, but Devon knew Zane would still kill her in a heartbeat. "Very true my dear. The change will wait until this ordeal is over, but the moment it is over the change will occur, even if I have to do it myself."

Devon's lip curled in a sneer. He may not agree with this, but no one else was ever going to touch her. "That won't happen," Devon told him.

"Then make sure the change does occur," Zane informed him coldly.

"I'm not one of your little followers Zane, I never have been." His gaze raked disdainfully over the people gathered around him. "Do not think you have any control over me."

"But I do," Zane replied. "You will do anything not to have her hurt, in any way. If you insist upon pushing this into a fight you both may survive it, but not everyone will. You wouldn't like her heart to be broken would you?"

Frustration filled him; he would love nothing more than to beat the smug look from Zane's face. Cassie touched his arm as she sought to soothe him. "How do we know we can trust you not to turn on us anyway?" she inquired.

"How do we know we can trust you not to turn on us once the change is complete?"

She glanced nervously around before her gaze settled on Devon, seeking help. "You don't."

"And neither do you."

"You could allow Julian to touch you," Devon suggested. "To learn the truth."

"Then you would know the truth, and we wouldn't, that would put us at a disadvantage," Zane responded.

Devon glanced toward Julian. His jaw was set, his hands fisted. His eyes burned with his desire to grasp hold of one of them and learn the truth, but he remained restrained and unmoving. "Bernard can tell if we are lying to you or not," Devon answered.

Bernard glanced over them, his gaze briefly settled on Chris before he nodded his agreement. "Yes, the boy will not block my ability, he is not strong enough."

"Excuse me?" Chris inquired harshly.

Bernard turned away, apparently deciding Chris wasn't worth talking to. Chris continued to glare at the massive giant of a man. "Bernard's ability is the same as yours; he can sense people's emotions and what they are truly like inside. He will know if we are lying," Annabelle told Chris.

Chris looked even more exasperated and insulted by this response. Unfortunately though, it was the truth. Bernard was far more powerful than him, and if they weren't facing off against each other, Chris wouldn't block his power. It would be a brutal battle between the groups, but the outcome would more than likely favor The Elders. Zane didn't want to lose any of his group, but Devon still didn't understand why they would be willing to back down, or choose for Cassie to be changed.

"Then you will allow Julian to touch you," Devon commanded.

Zane's eyes flickered with hostility and resentment. He didn't like being ordered around, it was why Devon had made it more of a command than a question. He preferred Zane rattled and irritated, it may let some of his defenses drop enough for Julian to slip in.

"Fine," Zane finally relented.

Julian's fangs flashed as he was given reign to set his powers free. Devon seized hold of Julian's arm before he went any further. He expected for Julian to grab hold of Zane and see what he could learn from him. But Devon knew there was a possibility Zane had become powerful enough to keep Julian blocked from anything he didn't want him to know.

Holding Julian, he tried to make sure Julian understood there was someone else he had to touch. Someone Devon now controlled, and who would be unable to keep anything from Julian while under Devon's command. Julian's eyes filled with amusement and admiration gleamed in his gaze. Devon was starkly reminded of how things used to be between them, how close they had been, how devious and cruel they had both been at one time in their lives.

He was reminded of the fun they had once shared, not only while killing and hunting for women, but also just with each other. They had been closer than brothers, far closer than Devon and Robert had ever been, and that was one of the reasons Robert hated Julian so much. A twinge tugged at Devon's heart; he actually found himself wishing they could share that bond again. Julian's eyes glimmered briefly, something slipped across his features as he sensed Devon's change of thought.

"I would like to know why they want her to change so badly too," Devon said aloud to explain his halting of Julian to The Elder's.

Julian's gaze slid to Cassie, longing bloomed briefly in his iced eyes. Then, to Devon's complete and utter surprise, he grasped hold of Devon's arm with his free hand, squeezed it, and nodded to him. Julian didn't say the words, but Devon knew he’d just released any resentment toward him. He had his friend again, and he could rely upon Julian once more.

Cassie turned toward him as Julian strode across the room. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she slid her hand into Devon's and squeezed it reassuringly. He studied her, amazed by her strength and beauty. Touched by her unwavering love and understanding, no matter what he kept from her or did to her. She was too good for him; she deserved better than this life.

One day he would make this up to her. When this was over, he vowed he would give her everything she deserved, and more. His hand tensed around hers as he clasped it within both of his.

Julian grinned savagely as he stopped before the oldest Elder. They were the golden boys of The Elders, both fair and stunning with disarming good looks, but the similarities between them ended there. Zane was refined, elegant, and thin with expensive clothes and even more expensive tastes. There was never a hair out of place, never a speck of dirt upon him. Julian was unruly, preferred beer to champagne, had never worn anything more expensive than cotton, and was never happier than when he was rolling around in the dirt getting drunk and causing a raucous. Their completely different personalities were only some of the reasons they hated each other. One of the main reasons being that like Devon, Julian had never fallen into line with the rest of The Elders. He disdained their way of life, much preferring to be out in the world, reveling in it, instead of hiding and slinking through the shadows.

Zane had never allowed Julian to touch him before; he had gone out of his way to avoid it every time they'd met. From the look on his face, he wouldn't allow it now if he had a choice. "This is to be quick. You get one brief chance to find what you are looking for and that is all," Zane sneered.

Julian's mouth quirked as distaste flashed through his eyes. "Don't be afraid Zane, it doesn't hurt. Much." Julian taunted.

Anger sparked from Zane, but before he could retort or react, Julian grasped hold of his arm. Zane jerked back instantly as his arm flew up to knock Julian's hand aside. "Thanks for the insight," Julian murmured.

Zane's eyes flooded red, his jaw clenched, but he didn't swing at Julian. Julian moved down the line of Elders examining each one of them before stopping before Adon. Though Adon had one of the strongest abilities, he was also one of the two younger than Julian, and therefore unable to resist Julian's probing. He was also under Devon's firm control.

Before anyone could stop him, Julian seized hold of Adon's hand. No one moved. Everyone remained frozen until Devon instructed Adon to react as he normally would have. Adon jerked his hand free of Julian's grasp and delivered such a speedy round house that Julian didn't have time to dodge it. His teeth clattered loudly together as blood exploded from his inner cheek and sprayed across the floor.

Releasing Cassie, Devon jumped forward. Julian wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, but he didn't attack Adon. "That's one, you won't get another," Julian promised him.

Adon glared at him with his hands fisted at his side. Devon didn't tell Adon to back down, he couldn't. Adon had to appear normal; they couldn't suspect Devon now had complete control over one of their own. "No Adon," Zane said. "We are not here for that."

Adon remained unmoving, his slender five foot four frame as taut as a bowstring. Aside from Annabelle, he was the smallest person in the room, and had what was now commonly referred to as little man syndrome. His temper was infamous and fiery, but it had supposedly been in check ever since he'd nearly been lynched by a mob two hundred years ago. The humans had discovered what he was after he'd gone on a drunken rampage in a tavern. It was only the interference of Zane, and Robert, that had kept Adon alive.

Devon was amazed Adon had survived so many years, but he supposed living away from society for extended periods of time had probably attributed to that. Although Adon looked as if he still considered pouncing on Julian, his eyes returned to their dark mocha color as he took a step back. His dark hair fell across his cheek. Adon was of Greek ancestry, but years spent out of the sun had faded his olive complexion.

Julian turned away and nearly bumped into Devon. "Wasn't expecting that," he muttered as he wiped away the remaining blood trickling down his lip.

"Nor I."

"Did you find out what you wanted to know?" Zane demanded, obviously irritated with the situation.

"I think we can trust them," Julian told him. "They don't like this union, but they are accepting of it because they feel Cassie will be a powerful ally, an asset."

"Asset?" Cassie inquired sharply.

Devon disliked the rebellious fire in her eyes. "The Elders," Julian said disdainfully. "Mistakenly believe every vampire created belongs to them, and is meant to do their bidding, and to serve them. They think they will have ultimate power over you."

Zane smiled coldly at Julian. "We may not control you, but we do have ultimate power over you. We all serve the same purpose; we all want to keep our own kind safe. Cassie will be a great aid in that."

"And if things go wrong?" Cassie demanded.

"Everyone in this room knows you will have to be dealt with if it comes to that."

Cassie's eyes were hopeless and lost. Devon ached for her, but he couldn't disagree with Zane's statement. If something went wrong, they would have to both be destroyed.

"Every one of your friends is to agree to this arrangement, aloud and separately so Bernard can read them. If there is no agreement, and if he feels any kind of betrayal or lie from you, there will be consequences."

Panic flickered through Cassie's eyes, but before she could protest, Julian seized hold of her arm and bent low to her ear. Though Devon couldn't hear what he said, Cassie's mouth clamped shut. Around the room people began to respond. Julian continued to hold her arm as Cassie bent her head and listened to everyone's yeses. Devon remained a few feet from them, his eyes focused on Bernard as he read each response and nodded afterward.

Chris's silence was profound within the crowded room. Cassie finally lifted her head and turned to look at her best friend. "Chris?"

"I agree with the change, but I will not help to destroy you." His gaze flickered to Devon. "Either of you."

Devon tilted his head as he studied the boy who had come to be his friend. "Understandable," Devon said.

The scent of Cassie's tears was acute in the room as she hurried to Chris and enveloped him in a hug. "Odd," Zane murmured.

Devon despised the tone of his voice. "What is?"

"I would never allow Anastasia to hug another man."

"No dear, you allow me to do so much more," Anastasia purred as she licked her lips eagerly. The last time Devon had seen her, her black hair had been floor length. It was now cut into a sleek bob just beneath her ears that showed off her refined, aristocratic features. Her dark blue eyes stood out starkly against the pallor of her skin, and the midnight of her hair. "Because I love it when you catch me."

Devon's stomach twisted in disgust. The two of them had been together for over four hundred years. Their love was strong, turbulent, and completely sick and twisted. They did things to each other, and other people, that had repulsed him even when he'd been at his absolute worst. There had been a time when he'd thought what they shared was the only kind of love a vampire could have. A time when he believed if he did find a mate, their relationship would be exactly like Zane and Anastasia's. He was thankful he'd been completely wrong. Their relationship was twisted and dark, because they were twisted and dark.

He glanced behind him to make sure Cassie wasn't watching; he didn't want her to witness this sick exchange. She was still hugging Chris, Luther and Melissa had joined them; they spoke quietly as they clung to each other.

"What is your assessment Bernard?" Julian inquired obviously just as sickened by the exchange as Devon was.

"They tell the truth," Bernard stated. "They may not like this arrangement, but they will agree with it. If we do not betray them, they will not betray us."

"Wonderful," Zane said as he clasped his hands before him. "Now we must decide how to proceed with these creatures, but that can wait till tomorrow. We are all tired, it was a lengthy trip."

"You will not be staying here," Devon told him when Zane looked around the room.

"Oh?"

Devon folded his arms over his chest as he faced off against the lead Elder. "We may have a tenuous truce, but we will not pretend to like or respect each other. You will not be staying here."

"But we must discuss plans."

"Tomorrow."

"Hmm," Zane nodded. "I suppose you are correct, we should not push our boundaries."

"No, you should not."

"Where is safe around here?" Octavia inquired. Her liquid brown eyes were rapt as she studied Devon with distaste. She had once tried to pursue him, but he'd spurned her advances as she'd also been with his brother at the time. Devon wanted nothing to do with anything Robert had touched, ever. Octavia was not a pretty girl in the classical sense, but she was one of the most sensual, curvaceous women he’d ever seen. She was also one of the cruelest and most vindictive.

"The bank has a safe; you will be fine inside there. No sunlight will get in, and there is a way to let yourselves out from the inside," Devon told them.

He could feel Cassie's gaze upon his back, but he didn't turn to look at her. He wasn't going to tell her he’d attempted to lock himself in there in order to stay away from her. The discovery of the release handle inside had prevented him from being successful however. "And what will we do if they come for us during the day?" Octavia asked.

"They will not," Matthew answered. "The battle does not begin today."

Everyone focused their attention upon the slender man with his hands folded peacefully before him. His shock of orange hair puffed out around his face in unruly wisps. The orange freckles spattered across his face stood out against the deathly pallor of his skin. Matthew had been fair in life, but in death it seemed all of the color had drained from his body, and into his orange freckles and hair to make them stand out far more vibrantly than they had before. Though the rest of his features were perfect, sculpted even, the orange color around his head completely detracted from them.

"When will it begin?" Julian inquired.

Matthew shrugged his slender shoulders and unfolded his hands as he spread them wide. "Your guess is as good as mine; you know my visions do not reveal everything. Just as I do not know who will win, or what her change will bring. There are some things the world keeps me in the dark about. These are a few of those things. Though perhaps, if I was allowed to touch the girl…"

"Absolutely not!" Devon interrupted harshly. Matthew would take too much pleasure in being allowed to touch Cassie, and Devon would be damned if he let any of them get close enough to touch her.

"Well, then," Matthew continued in his melodic voice. "We will have to remain in the dark about those things, unless the young seer has anything to tell us." Melissa shook her head in response to the inquisitive looks cast her way. "It is best to have some secrets in one’s future anyway, makes life all the more exciting."

The last time Devon had seen Matthew, he'd suspected the man was losing his mind. But now, listening to the cadences and nuances within his tone, Devon was certain of it. He didn't know what had finally driven Matthew over the edge, whether it was his numerous visions, his knowledge of things that weren't supposed to be known, or his unending cruelty and maliciousness. Whatever had caused it, it now appeared Matthew had more than just a few screws loose, but a few hundred of them.

"But the battle will come to us during the night, not during the day," Matthew continued.

Julian shook his head. "I guess they aren't as smart as we were giving them credit for."

"And why do you say that?" Matthew's brown eyes were inquisitive.

Julian seemed unable to figure out the strange creature across from him as he studied him. "Because they would know to attack during the day, when we are far more vulnerable."

"Perhaps they are too; perhaps though they can walk about in the day, they prefer the darkness of the night to hide the evil inside them. Perhaps they feel it best not to expose themselves to the good of the sun's rays as they feel undeserving of it. That is the way it was always intended. In return for immortal life, we are denied the pleasure and warmth of the sun's rays, it is the way things are supposed to be. Then the abnormalities rose up amongst us to taint this earth with their presence during the day."

Devon lifted an eyebrow. Yep, Matthew had finally flipped his nut, and apparently he wasn't as enamored with Zane as he'd once been. Now it seemed Zane was an abnormality tainting the earth and so was Devon. Julian cast Devon a sideways glance.

"If our kind were meant to walk amongst the light, then we would not burn upon entering it. Their kind, even the ones who roam the day, may still feel the sting of redemption upon their skin. As they should. For us to not feel the sting of the warmth is a disgrace, an affront…"

"Enough Matthew!" Zane spat.

Though Matthew grew quiet, the tick in his jaw indicated he’d had more to say. Julian circled his finger beside his temple and mouthed the word, cuckoo. Devon nodded his agreement. They both received dark looks from Zane, but Matthew seemed oblivious to them as he piously refolded his hands before him.

"We'll see you at nightfall then," Elspet said.

Devon's eyes were drawn to the slender girl standing behind the other Elders. She was the youngest amongst them at barely over five hundred years old. Devon had met her a few times many years ago, after she'd first been changed. It wasn't until recently, when she'd attained the prime age of five hundred she'd been drawn into the ranks of The Elders. When Devon had known her, she'd been a pretty girl with delicate features and fine brown hair flowing down to her shoulder blades. She'd worn simple dresses and stayed mostly in the background. She hadn't displayed overt acts of cruelty, but had simply fed when the need struck her. At the time he’d thought her lack of cruelty would eventually get her killed. He’d never imagined she would be an Elder, let alone fit in with the elite group she was now a part of.

The girl before him now was nothing like the girl he'd known. She had shaved her head, and on one side had a beautiful angel tattooed on her skull, on the other side was a snarling devil with blood dripping from its mouth and its claws curved over. Her lip, eyebrow, and nose had been pierced, and she sported metal all the way up both sides of her ears. She was dressed all in black spandex that hugged her lithe figure. Though he couldn't see the tattoos on her arms, he could see the tail ends of them curling around her hands and wrists.

Devon held her gaze as he nodded briskly. He would have agreed to almost anything to get them out of this store, and as far away from Cassie as possible, for now. They said nothing more as they filed out of the store. He was a little amazed they were actually leaving. He was even more amazed they were hiding Matthew amongst them, when he’d obviously lost his mind. Though Devon had never met an off the rocker vampire, he couldn't imagine they would be much fun to deal with, or keep under control.

"Does Matthew think he's a freaking preacher or something now?" Julian demanded when they disappeared into the night.

Devon shook his head as he ran his fingers wearily through his hair. "He thinks he's something now."

"They only keep him alive for his visions," Julian told him. At Devon's questioning look he elaborated. "I saw it through Adon, Matthew has been crazy for a while now, but Zane needs him."

"What made him that way?" Melissa was pale; her hands folded before her as she twisted them nervously.

Julian shrugged as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Some people are just not cut out for this lifestyle, no matter what. Matthew was always a little off. You mix that with Zane's constant torture and mental abuse, and apparently it made him crack. Matthew was Zane's puppet, his play thing, and he has broken him. But he still likes to pull his strings once in a while."

They all gaped at him, horrified by his description of what Zane had done to Matthew. "It is not the worst thing Zane has ever done," Julian murmured.

Devon wished Julian would stop talking. "Can we really trust them?" Luther inquired.

Julian nodded as he folded his arms over his chest. "Yes. They will abide by this truce because it suits their needs. I can't guarantee they will stick to it if Cassie doesn't survive the change, and we lose Devon. They will have no need for you then. I can't guarantee any of us will survive if such a thing happens."

Devon ignored their curious stares; he was determined not to think about that right now. He held his hand out to Cassie; relief filled him when she clasped hold of it. Her hand was warm and reassuring as she squeezed his. He bent to brush his lips across her forehead.