Frost Burn (The Fire and Ice Series, Book 1)

by Erica Stevens

  ***

  “She’s a what?” Chris slumped onto the bed in Luther’s hotel room. “Is that even possible?”

  “Apparently it is because she exists,” Julian replied. He stepped out of the room and glanced down the street toward the increasingly packed parking lot of Clint’s bar. He hated the idea of leaving her there unprotected, but he had to speak with the others about what he’d learned tonight. She would be fine on her own, but he still much preferred to have her in sight.

  “Now I don’t feel like as much of a freak,” Zach said.

  “She’s not a freak,” Julian snarled. “And if you ever call her that I’ll tear your tongue out through your throat.”

  Zach’s eyes widened, he took an abrupt step back. “Julian behave,” Melissa admonished. “He’s only kidding, Zach.”

  “No. I’m not. And if you think I am then just try me.”

  An awkward silence descended over the room. He could hear the increased heartbeats of those surrounding him. Maybe his reaction had been a little too volatile, but he continued to stare at Zach.

  Luther covered his mouth and gave a little cough before stepping forward. “It’s fascinating indeed, but we’ve dealt with a Hunter turned vampire before. This isn’t so different. I’ve never heard of a vampire being born before though.”

  “No one has,” Julian said. “It’s never happened before, at least not to my knowledge.”

  “Did you ask Devon about it?”

  “I spoke with him earlier. He has no knowledge of it ever happening either.”

  “How is it possible that she survived? Wouldn’t her mother’s heart have stopped beating when she was turned?” Chris asked. “Wouldn’t Quinn have died too?”

  They all looked to Luther. His mouth pursed as he tapped his foot on the ground. “As a Soul Master she may have been able to pull on the life force of her mother, which could also explain her rapid growth in the womb.”

  “She could have done that, as a fetus?” Melissa asked in disbelief.

  “It’s possible, and most likely what she did, since she was born with a heartbeat.”

  “Wow, just wow,” Chris breathed. “It explains why you felt so much more power coming from her. Is her Soul Master ability the only one she has, or is she able to do other things, like Cassie?”

  “It’s the only thing she can do,” Julian confirmed.

  “Good,” Chris said. “I’ve known Cassie my whole life; the things she can do still unnerve me a little.”

  Cassie’s ability had unsettled him in the beginning too, it still did. No one should have that much power, but if anyone could handle it, it was Cassie. “If the vampires learn about Quinn, they’ll come after her with everything they have. If they also learn what Cassie is capable of, they’ll see her as a way to counteract Cassie,” he told them.

  “Wait you don’t think Quinn would be able to kill Cassie, do you?” Melissa demanded.

  Julian shook his head. “No, I don’t. She doesn’t have that much power, but that won’t matter to them. They’ll see her as a Hunter turned vampire who they might be able to get their hands on. One that they might be able to twist to their way, and a Soul Master is a powerful asset to begin with. You’ve seen what she can do. Imagine if that power was warped and fueled by death and blood. Quinn is good at heart, but we all know how brutal a vampire can be, how they can twist and manipulate things. And if they’re unable to bend her to their will, they’ll kill her.”

  Chris shuddered at his words, Julian’s hands fisted, but he managed to keep his temper over such a notion covered up. Or he believed he did but when he turned his head, he found Melissa watching him with assessing eyes.

  Luther lifted his glasses to rub at the bridge of his nose as he spoke, “With her knowledge of the Hunter line and her strength, she’ll be a double threat if the vampires get their hands on her.”

  “It doesn’t change anything,” Chris said. “We already knew she had to be protected.”

  “True. A born vampire,” Luther said. “Amazing. How was she changed into a full vampire? Who changed her?”

  “The vampire blood already in her from being born, and from her Hunter heritage were enough to bring her back when she died,” Julian answered.

  “How did she die?” Chris asked.

  “Vampire attack.”

  “Awful.” Melissa gave a sad shake of her head. Aside from him, everyone in this room had lost at least one of their parents to vampires. Most of them had lost both. “What of the family who raised her?”

  “They were killed in the same attack,” he answered.

  “The Hunters have never had an easy life, or a lengthy one for that matter. Hers was made doubly difficult because of the circumstances of her birth,” Luther said. “We cannot allow them to get their hands on her, Julian.”

  “I’ll kill anyone who tries,” he vowed. “Her last name is Martin. I don’t know if that will help you in any way.”

  “I remember seeing a Martin line in one of the journals. I’ll look into them. Her aunt and uncle were assumed to have died in a fire?”

  “Yes. I can find out their names if it will help.”

  “No, her last name is enough info to be able to locate them.” Luther walked over to join him in the doorway. “I need a shower, and I’ll take a look through the books. I don’t think info on her family will help in this situation, but it can’t hurt. I’ll join you at the bar shortly.”

  Julian watched the smaller man walk away from the door. “I have to get some clothes.”

  He didn’t bother to look back at the others as he walked out of the room and down the row of rooms to the one he’d yet to sleep in. He watched the people gathered outside the door of the bar, smoking. Quinn briefly materialized by one of the windows, she delivered a round of drinks and turned away swiftly. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched the sway of her hips.

  Slipping into his room, he tossed a few articles of clothing into a duffel bag. He didn’t acknowledge Chris or Melissa when they appeared in his doorway. Turning away from them, he walked into the bathroom to gather his toiletries. Chris was leaning in the doorway when he reemerged from the bathroom.

  “You like her,” Melissa stated as Julian tossed his deodorant into the bag.

  “Who?” he asked.

  “Quinn,” Chris replied. “You like her.”

  He zipped up the bag. “I like many things, Christopher.”

  “I’ve touched a nerve.” Julian glared at him; Chris only smiled more. “You only ever call me by my full name when I aggravate you.”

  “I must call you by it all the time then.”

  “Shockingly, no. You like her.”

  Julian lifted the bag and tossed it over his shoulder. “She’s a nice girl.”

  “She is.” Chris folded his arms over his chest. “And you think you don’t deserve her.”

  “Don’t try to read me.”

  “I couldn’t if I tried; you’re too old for that. I’m not a moron though. You like her, and it scares you.”

  “Nothing scares me.”

  “She does.”

  “Christopher…”

  “You’re worried you’ll lose her or hurt her in some way,” Melissa interjected. “You’ve never felt like this about anyone before.”

  “First off, you’re both really starting to grate on my nerves,” he growled. “Second of all, are you forgetting I loved Cassie?”

  “No,” Chris said. “Come on, admit it, you let yourself love Cassie because a part of you always knew she could never be yours. It was easy to let yourself love someone when you already knew the outcome. But Quinn, she’s a mystery to you. She’s not a monster, and she’s not unattainable.”

  “You’re pretty bored lately aren’t you?” Julian asked.

  “You can pretend to deny it all you want, but we know the truth and so do you,” Melissa said.

  Julian refused to think about their words. “Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he told them as he str
ode across the room. They both stepped out of his way. “I’m going to drop this off at Quinn’s place, and then I’m going to try and hunt down whoever is killing in this town. Go to the bar and keep an eye on her.”

  Julian would have much preferred to be the one watching over her, but after their words he needed some time to himself. “We will,” Chris said.

  “Make sure she stays safe.” He hadn’t intended them to, but the words came out a snarl.

  “Of course,” Chris replied.

  Julian turned away from them and strode rapidly down the wooden walkway running along the front of the motel. “Julian.” He turned to look back at them. Melissa stepped forward as she continued to speak. “Just so you know we said you liked her; you’re the one who brought love into this.”

  Julian’s upper lip curled into a sneer. Chris’s laughter trailed behind him as he hopped off of the walkway. Melissa waved at him before turning and following Chris. They both whistled innocently as they strolled toward the bar.