then conceded with a nod. “Fair enough. You obviously know Cam is alive. I’m guessing you were also informed of his intentions prior to the reformation.”
I dipped my chin in confirmation. Izzy’s survival as Cam’s Erosita had required assistance from several key players, myself included. But I’d helped from the shadows, Damien serving as the face of the operation. My name had been left out of it, mostly because I wanted to remain hidden indefinitely. But Silvano’s latest antics had forced my hand, and now I was too curious to return to my reclusive shell.
It’d be easier if I just took Willow and remained here for eternity, but after everything I’d witnessed in Silvano’s former region, I couldn’t just sit by idly and allow the situation to worsen.
The council had gone too far.
It was time for another change.
And as Jace detailed his ideas, I realized he had more than a proper plan in place; he had a full-on strategy for what was needed.
Edon remained quiet while Jace spoke, confirming he already knew about the revolution. I suspected he found out recently, given the events in his clan.
I sat in my executive chair while Edon and Jace took the two lounge chairs across from my desk, Jace speaking the whole time.
Thirty minutes later, I had a newfound respect for the male.
There was only one problem with his grand design.
“A decade is too long to wait,” I said at the end. “It needs to happen now.”
“We’re not ready yet.”
“By the time you’re ready, it’ll be too late,” I informed him. “One thing I’ve learned over the last four weeks as a royal is that vampires are being too gluttonous. There are not enough humans to satisfy our immortality. They’re being killed left and right, allowing precious blood to go to waste in the process.”
I turned on my computer again to show him the report Damien had been working on for me in regard to my newly inherited region.
“Look at these trends.” I swiveled the monitor toward him, ensuring he could read it. Then I switched the diagram to show him the progression. “And that’s ten years from now.”
The numbers were telling because they were all negative.
“I estimate your ten percent value to be around five right now, assuming this behavior is similar throughout the world. Your region may be governed differently, but can you tell me Ankit, Lajos, Sofia, and, hell, even Helias are running their regions similarly?” I scoffed at the very notion. “Those sadistic assholes were some of Silvano’s best friends. And don’t even get me started on Ayaz and Aika.”
Cormac was perhaps one of the few vampires in the world not killing humans aimlessly. Naomi, too, maybe.
“I would have said the same about Kylan, but he’s proven surprising,” Jace murmured.
“Maybe to you. But I’ve known him for a long time. He’s bored, not sadistic.” I didn’t particularly like the royal jackass, but I tolerated him far better than I did those in Silvano’s circle.
“He was suspected of killing his entire harem.” Jace pointed out.
“Suspected being the operative word in that sentence,” I returned. “And I’ve heard my fair share of rumors on your cruelty as well, but that doesn’t mean I believe them.”
“You should.”
“I don’t,” I countered, leaning forward. “Justice isn’t cruel; it’s a necessity. Some just choose to view it differently.”
He considered me for a long moment before conceding with a slight nod. “True.”
“A decade is too long,” I stressed again. “You can’t wait that long. It’ll be too late to revive the human race.” I looked at Edon. “And I haven’t even begun looking into what your kind is up to, but the moon chase pretty much says it all, in my opinion.”
“I’ve outlawed that in our clan,” he said.
“Good.”
“The breeding camps are next,” he added. “We don’t need humans to create lycans. We can do that among ourselves. Breeding with a mortal should be rare and done in situations where it’s a guaranteed success, not as a series of experiments.”
“I’m sure Willow will approve.” I sure as hell did.
His dark eyes hardened. “Good. But on the subject of Willow, I have a requirement.”
“A requirement?” I repeated, arching a brow at the young alpha. That took some serious confidence to say to one as old as me. “Which is?”
“I agree that hiding her isn’t really an option,” he said slowly. “That said, she’s partially mine and therefore my responsibility. If she wants to remain with Clemente Clan, I’ll accept and protect her. And if she opts to