Part 26 (1/2)

Why are the warriors so disrespected? I don't understand why the protectors of the race, not to mention some of the oldest, are looked down upon by the Darkhavens. Thank you for your service from this human who appreciates when somebody is out there trying to save our lives.

-Liz F., Springfield, MO USA (Nods tightly, clearly uncomfortable with the praise or the grat.i.tude) Let them disrespect us. We get the job done, and we do it our way. I don't hear anyone complaining about us when the bullets and blood are flying. If anyone disrespects our methods, let them come out to the front lines and take the heat alongside us.

Exactly how do you decide who can be part of the Order? Why did you decide on Kade and Brock and not some Darkhaven youth? Are there tests that must be pa.s.sed to join the Order?

-Diane Y., Toms River, NJ USA Darkhaven youth as a warrior? (tries and fails to stifle a smirk) The Order's not an equal opportunity employer, and I make no apologies for that. Our new recruits come in through recommendation by one of the warriors, or they're hand-picked by yours truly. We put them through some paces, take them out on a patrol or two, see what they're made of. The ones who're still standing come daybreak make it to another round. Sooner or later, the wheat separates from the chaff. Then I decide who stays and who goes.

Can a vampire be changed back to a human?

-Tiffany M., Port Arthur, TX USA Can a cat be changed back into a frog? Different animal altogether. Same with Breed and humans. No changes, no returns.

Why does Lucan not utilize the Breedmates with active powers to help with the fight? I know they need to be protected but it seems that so many of them could be used to help their mates.

-Tiffany S., APO, AE USA I'm not gonna be the one to call Niko's mate to the front lines of combat, but if Renata-or any of the other women of the Order-want to contribute to our missions, they can and do. They've got a pretty decent track record so far too. If you need a refresher, check out Veil of Midnight, Ashes of Midnight, Taken by Midnight, and Darker After Midnight.

What has happened in your life or continues to happen, Lucan, to make you so angry all the time? Even with Gabrielle in the beginning, you seem angry! You act as if you need her so much, but even that makes you seem angry!

-Lynn K., Willards, MD USA (snarls) Why do you think I'm angry? Do I look angry to you? (brow furrows deeper, growl curls up from back of his throat) For f.u.c.k's sake, I am not angry all the time. (glowers as Gideon barely suppresses a chortle) What's the deal, asking about my feelings for Gabrielle, anyway? Do I need to come right out in front of everyone here and say I need her? h.e.l.l, yeah, I need her. I love her, d.a.m.n it! And why the h.e.l.l do I have so many questions when everyone else in this Q&A session only has one or two?

:::Lara hastily steps into the room now::: Oookay, thank you for partic.i.p.ating today, Lucan. Moving on! Who's up next?

MIRA.

Did you ever wish that looking in your eyes didn't tell the future?

-Christian W., Keansburg, NJ USA Yes. Almost every day I wished for that. But it's better now.

NATHAN.

Did you meet with any of your half-brothers, e.g. the ones that were rescued along with your mother (and their mothers) by the Order?

-Julia H., Duisburg, Germany No, I haven't met any of them. Pretty sure I've seen some of them around Boston and elsewhere, though.

How many people have you a.s.sa.s.sinated in your short life before your mother and Hunter found you?

-Shannon C., West Yarmouth, MA USA A lot. Taking the time or attention to count them wasn't part of my training.

NIKOLAI.

How did Niko get into designing cool weapons and ammo for the Order?

-Rachel S., Tampa, FL USA Why is Rachel S. from Tampa speaking to me in third person? (grins, showing his twin dimples) Remember, I was born and raised in Siberia during the height of the Cold War era. Weapons and ammo were my teething toys.

RENATA.

How does it feel to be the first female ”warrior” member of the Order?

-Katy N., Alfortville, France Pretty f.u.c.king awesome. And by that I mean, it's an honor.

RIO.

Why could you only see your dead mate's ghost when Dylan was in danger?

-Lara B., Barrys Bay, ON Canada Why did she lead Dylan to me that day in the Czech mountains? Did she want to save my life, or did she want me to find my true mate in Dylan? You'd have to ask Eva these things.

When Eva appeared to me on that highway, I suppose after she'd died, she'd never tried so hard to reach out to me, the way she did when Dylan had been kidnapped by Dragos. Maybe my blood bond to Dylan helped bridge the gap between this plane and the next, and allowed Eva to appear to me.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful for what Eva did for me that day. For us, Dylan and me. I thought I would despise Eva for the rest of my life. I can summon no hate for her now.

SAVANNAH.

You have been mated to Gideon for a long time, what advice can you offer the younger Breed couples in keeping the love/romance everlasting?

-Madeline P., Escondido, CA USA Be honest with your mate, even if it scares you. Share everything you are, and trust the love you have together will see you through anything.

STERLING CHASE.

As a father of twins, what are your fondest memories of them as babies/toddlers? I bet you have plenty of adorable stories.

-Madeline P., Escondido, CA USA (chuckles) Memories of my children as toddlers usually involves Carys getting into some kind of trouble and Aric rus.h.i.+ng in to get her out of it. Come to think of it, not much has changed now that they're grown.

TAVIA.

Being part Breed now, years later, can you still eat both blood and human food?

-Angela B., Hillsboro, OH USA Yes. I'm lucky, I have the best of both worlds. Savannah and Dylan's amazing cooking when I want it, and Chase's carotid for dessert.

TEGAN.

When you were in Elise's apartment after you found her hunting Minions, you cooked her breakfast. For someone that only drinks blood and is a Gen One more comfortable with a blade or gun in your hand than a spatula, where did you learn to cook?

-Sheri B., Tampa, FL USA The Food Network. Hang out here sometime with the Breedmates. I figure they must have stock in the network or something, because it's on just about 24/7.

Why did you stay with Lucan and the Order after Lucan killed your mate and locked you up to cure your Bloodl.u.s.t?”

-Victoria W., Northridge, CA USA Didn't stay long. I left for a while, spent some time in Germany and other places. Hooked back up with Lucan in Boston because being a warrior isn't something I chose; it chose me. *Sides, I couldn't say it then-not for a long time-but I know he did the right thing. For Sorcha and for me, Lucan did the right thing.

I know you don't go there now that you have Elise, but where was your dark place that you used to go when you wanted to get away from the Order?

-Lisa S., London, United Kingdom Savannah knows.