After the separate demonstrations of elemental power, the warriors then showed how they might use the elements together. Air users helped freeze water summoned by water users. Earth users trapped dummies in the ground, letting fire users swoop in for the kill. (This resulted in another near destruction of a dummy when Christian again got too zealous with his flames. “Sorry,” he repeated, not sounding sorry in the least.)

Finally, they concluded with a demonstration of the hand-to-hand maneuvers I’d seen them practicing when I arrived. Moroi weren’t as physically strong as dhampirs, but it was clear this group had put in a lot of training. I wouldn’t have wanted to go up against any of them in a fight. They demonstrated moves any guardian would’ve been proud to master and even showed how to work in elemental attacks. All in all, it was a stunning display.

“Well?” demanded Christian afterward. He came striding over to us on the sidelines when the display finished. “Think that’ll win them over?”

A small blond girl in blue walked beside him, and I was pleased—though not surprised—that Mia Rinaldi was a leader among the water users. “That was flawless,” she agreed. “There’s no way they can’t approve a program now.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“This was just a warm-up,” Christian explained. “No pun intended. We’re going to show this to the Moroi Council in the hopes they’ll approve a program we can take to all the Moroi schools, in order to recruit and train more people for the cause.”

Mia’s blue eyes gleamed. “We also want to get approval to launch some private Strigoi hunting parties.”

“Well, you’d have my vote,” I said honestly. “You seem like you might put the guardians out of business.”

“Let’s not get carried away,” teased Rose. “But you’re right—they’ve come a long way. Now we just have to get the council to agree. Lissa’s already on board.”

“Of course she is,” I said. “Because she’s young and progressive. The others . . . might be more resistant to change. Even with a display as impressive as this.”

Rose nodded, perfectly understanding how even the most well-intentioned Moroi clung to tradition. “I’d hoped Sydney might have some logical arguments we could use to plead our case.”

I chuckled at that. “I’m sure she would.”

“Where is Sydney anyway?” asked Christian.

“Asleep,” Rose and I said in unison.

As fascinating as these Moroi warriors were, I feared more questions about Sydney were coming my way. That and a glance at my watch told me it’d soon be time to go dream walking with Nina. “I should head back,” I said. “Thanks for letting me see this.”