Immortal Embrace

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think she trusts my judgement at the moment, considering the choices you’ve made, and I can understand that as well. I can’t say I’m happy with you for what you did.”

“It had to be done.”

“You believe it had to be done. I disagree, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. You did what you thought was right and now I’m the one who’s going to have to deal with the repercussions of that. There are cities all over the country that now don’t have someone there to control them.”

“That was a part of the plan. We don’t want to be controlled any more, Vi. It’s past time the vampires took control over their own destiny.”

“Please tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”

“Don’t tell me you’re not fed up of living in the shadows. I know you are. You’re like me. You want to be able to love your life and you can’t at the moment. We can change the world, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

“No.” Violet shook her head. “We are not doing that. I’m going to get in contact with people who might be able to take my siblings places and hopefully that will mitigate the damage you caused.”

“I’m not going to let you do that.”

“You’re not going to be able to stop me. I am older than you, Finn, and that means I’m still stronger than you.”

“Maybe you are, but I don’t think you can stop me from doing this.”

Violet stared into his eyes, their bodies pressing together. Pinning her to the nearest building was easier than it should have been and he couldn’t help wondering what the reason was for that. “Finn…”

“Have you really changed that much, Violet?” He studied her. “The vampire I knew so long ago believed the same thing I do.”

“I’m not that person now. I haven’t been that person for a very long time and I know I was a fool before to believe what I did.”

“Your brothers told you that, did they? They managed to convince you the vampires should stay in the shadows? I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not, because I know you cared more about surviving than you did anything else.”

“It was about you.”

“You say that, but I don’t know if I believe you.” He took a step back. “I’m not going to let you stop me from doing this. I’ve been fighting too long to make this happen. I’m fed up with being trapped in the shadows and I’m going to step out of them. My family will follow me. Other vampires will follow me. In the end you’re not going to be able to do anything, because it is just you and Quentin left.” He shook his head, doing his best to ignore the disappointment he felt when he saw the anger in her eyes. “Come back to me if you change your mind.”

Before she could say anything more Finn walked away. He didn’t want to argue with her. When he felt a hand on his shoulder he stopped, but he didn’t turn. “I’m not going to let it happen.”

“Honestly, even if you were to take me out of the equation, there are other vampires who could take my place, vampires who all feel the same way I do, and there are enough of us to change the world. There are more than enough.”

***

“I helped you, Morgan.”

“Yes, you did.” Morgan sighed. “How did you get my number?”

“Vi gave it to me.”

“Great. Look, I appreciate what you did for me. I feel myself again for the first time in a long time. You did, however, just blow up a number of vampires, and you expect me to trust you around my family. They’re hunters, Finn.”

“Yes, they are. I don’t want to hurt them. I might want to change the world, but I have no reason to hate humans, and I truly believe we can share this world. It’s going to take a while. I don’t think for a moment it’s all going to magically come together. I’m not stupid. Humans will view us as little more than parasites, at least to begin with, so it’s probably going to take centuries for things to start sorting themselves out. Right now I don’t want to make a move, because I know there are hunters here - hunters who are stupid enough to think they can take on the first. That’s why they came. They know all about me, Morgan, and they always have done. Your family knows much more than they told you. Like all hunters they were keeping secret. We can talk about that, if you want, because I know what they do, and I think it will help you to know.”

“Maybe it will.” Finn didn’t need to be in the same room as her to know she was sharing a look with Luke. “I’m bringing Luke with me.”

“Good. He could do with learning the same truths as you.”

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