The vampires had undergone a drastic transformation since Ethan's rapid and ruthless actions at the court. His display of cruelty and overwhelming strength had shattered the fragile power balance that once divided their kind. No longer did factions within the clans squabble over ideology or dominance. Whatever personal ambitions or philosophies they held, none dared to challenge Ethan's authority. His rule was absolute, his word law.
The first decree he issued struck at the very foundation of vampire society: the oppression of the First Generation was to end. For years, they had exerted their dominance over the younger bloodlines, dictating every aspect of existence and feeding upon their progress like parasites of tradition. But Ethan commanded them to withdraw, to abandon their interference in the world of sunlight and to cease their stranglehold on the Second Generation.
