Page 31 of Peacemaker

“They did not expect hunters. They were also disoriented and weak.” Amias spoke at last, his voice as dark as I’d ever heard it. Amias Sato, master vampire, was scared.

“Weak,” I exclaimed. “They didn’t seem weak in the least. Confused, maybe, but they were huge and fast and strong. They weren’t weak.”

His smile did not reach his eyes. “For rifters, they were weak. At full strength, a dozen rifters would not have left nearly so many humans untouched before you took them out. Those who will come, those who adjust, they will show you true strength. They will be nearly impossible to subdue. They are not like us. They are immune to silver. They do not require a human’s permission to enter his home. No place is sacred. No place is safe.”

The uneasy silence was raw and heavy.

“You begin to see the gravity of the situation,” Himself said. And for some reason, he sounded almost pleased. “Rifters cannot be easily killed. Not even by Silverlight’s hand. Not even by a hunter’s hand. It will take work. And when hundreds of them slip through…”

I swallowed. “We’ll be in trouble.”

“Indeed, Bloodhunter.”

“Why were there only a few of them? Where are the others?”

“The elders are trying to contain them. They will not be successful. There will be trickles until finally the wall is shattered completely. If we do not find a way to help the elders refortify, rifters will soon flood the city.”

Angus folded his arms, his frown deep, his voice gruff. “I’m not letting her risk her life in a fight she can’t win.” He spoke only to Himself and didn’t even glance at me, as though I had no say in the matter.

“There are no choices, Werebull. She will fight. And in the end…” Himself put his stare on me. “She will sacrifice. You must accept this fact. Human lives must be preserved. If they fall, we all fall.”

“It begins,” Nadine told me. “And tonight is practice for a test you must not fail.”