The sixth floor looked the same as it had the night before. They stopped outside of the restaurant and Verchiel jerked his thumb towards it. “Hungry?” Her nerves were still too raw, so she shook her head. “You’re sure? It’s one of the few places all the humans mingle. You might find some interesting people in there. I think there’s some kind of government emissary here.”
“What do you mean all the humans?” She suddenly thought of the three people in the “humans only” section the night before and peered into the restaurant curiously.
“The floor’s divided up to keep the squeamish humans away from the hungry monsters and their gnawed upon friends. Some of them get really upset about the idea of so many blood drinkers, so they’re kept separate so that they don’t have to think about it. Makes them feel better. We can roam up here as much as we like, so long as we stay out of their section.”
“Gnawed upon friends?” Her nose wrinkled as she remembered the waitress from the night before.
He snickered at her disgust. “Especially the junkies.”
“You make it sound like they’re drug addicts.”
“Some of them are. They get addicted to vampire blood. You can drink it for years without being turned or linked, as long as you don’t drink a huge quantity of it at a shot. Things get complicated, though, when they start drinking off of various vampires. All those mixed allegiances.”
She imagined someone drinking that much blood and her stomach churned. ”Ewwww.” Suddenly, the restaurant didn’t seem appealing.
Verchiel led her past another corridor and through a large set of double doors. With scattered couches and chairs, the lounge reminded Katelina of a hospital waiting room. Instead of the usual small TV, there were three large plasma screens and a bank of computers and chairs. A miniature Christmas tree sat blinking on one of the glass topped tables, and fake spruce garland ran around the room, trying to remind the humans about the impending holiday.
There were very few people using the facilities. Two women were on computers and a short man watched something on one of the televisions. He was the only one to notice Katelina and Verchiel as they walked in, but his attention didn’t linger.
Verchiel stretched and looked bored. “You can watch TV or ‘surf the web’ or whatever it is you do for fun. I’ll just hang around on guard duty.”
She didn’t bother to hide her annoyance. “And what are you guarding me from?”
He leveled his gaze with hers. “I don’t know. I can’t read Malick’s mind, even on a good day, and I can’t guess what he was thinking, unless it was to annoy Jorick.”
“That should amuse you then.” She rolled her eyes and moved towards one of the TVs.
He followed. “Why does everyone think I like irritating people? Maybe I want to be liked once in a while.”
“I’m sure you do,” she muttered with no conviction and took a seat on the couch. She snatched the TV remote from the nearby tabletop. At the press of a button, the screen lit up with a colorfully sharp commercial full of smiling people. They could have been advertising anything from q-tips to motor oil.
Verchiel unfastened his long black coat and dropped casually onto the couch. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back into the sofa, his attitude one of relaxed comfort. “You are planning to watch something interesting, right?”
She didn’t answer and he stayed silent as a sitcom flashed past, followed by the news. The too pretty anchors related a list of disasters the world over. Katelina found it almost comforting to know everyone else was suffering too.
As the minutes passed, the meeting with Malick turned into a blur. The exposed, humiliated feelings faded and the tension in her body melted. It was as if, when faced with the reality of TV, her rational mind decided that Malick and his chamber were just an absurd dream.
She and Verchiel had been in the lounge nearly two hours when a dark cop drama came on. The graphic images stirred too many memories, and Katelina flipped the channel. A chain store’s Christmas commercial blared. A smiling Santa Claus gave gusty laughs and added a backdrop of credibility to claims of wondrous toys. Her morbid thoughts tripped back to the bearded man in the parking lot. She could see Verchiel fasten his mouth around the old man’s neck and drink…
As if in answer to her silent memories, Verchiel asked, “So you really don’t like me?”
She looked at him sharply, suspicious. “How can you possibly claim to be under stress now?”
“What?” Understanding blossomed in his eyes. “Aw, you were thinking about me! How cute!” He patted her head and drew back his hand, before she could hurt him. “Really though, how can you not like me? Everyone likes me!” He looked thoughtful. “Except Jorick, of course. Oh, and Oren. And Senya’s pretty mad right now.” He broke off and poked her in the shoulder with a finger. “You have to like me. Just a little bit?”
Katelina looked at him as if he’d gone insane. “Why would I like you?”
“Why not? Because I didn't kill you? Because I’m fun? Because I’m amusing?”
She made a dissenting noise but didn’t elaborate.
His remorse was exaggerated. “Ah well, I guess you can’t please everyone. Still, I’m more fun than Senya, or that Oren.” He made a face. “Talk about gloomy!”
She gaped at him in disbelief. “Gloomy? His wife and kids got butchered just a few weeks ago, you know! And by your friends!”
“I wouldn’t call Bren and Senya my friends. Co-workers, maybe, but not friends. Still, Oren needs to loosen up some.”
She snorted derisively and watched TV for a while. Eventually her interest waned and she glanced at the redheaded vampire again. She still thought he looked Asian. It was something in the way his eyebrows slanted and the shape of his eyes, but the bright red hair didn’t fit. It was such an unusual shade - so fake. Vampires couldn’t dye their hair and make it last, could they? Didn’t they basically reset when they went to sleep?
He turned suddenly and caught her scrutiny. She looked away but he grinned and asked, “Yes?”
“Nothing.”
“Aw, come on. What?”
Like most of the vampires, his voice had an odd lilt to it, a strange pronunciation of the harsh English words, and it only served to fuel her curiosity. She started to deny it, but changed her mind and instead asked bluntly, “Where were you from before you became a vampire?”
He shrugged and threw his hands up. “I don’t know. I don’t remember anything before I opened my eyes and saw Kateesha leaning over me.”
Katelina caught her breath at the familiar name. “Kateesha?”
“You’re surprised!” He laughed delightedly. “Yes, Kateesha made me. She told me that she’d found me appealing and decided to turn me. Whether she knew me beforehand or not, I can’t say. I don’t even know what my name was. She told me it was Verchiel and I just accepted it.”
Katelina struggled with the concept of Kateesha as anything but a bloodthirsty bitch, and failed. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? Obviously the past isn’t important, since I’ve survived all this time without it, and as for Kateesha, she was interesting enough for a time.”
Katelina didn’t know what to say. She thought about Kateesha, and tried to imagine what it would be like to be one of her vampires - to actually like her. The idea was too strange for her to comprehend. No one liked Kateesha. Even Saeed didn’t seem crushed that she was dead, and he’d been one of her personal guards! How could Verchiel like her? Unless they were lovers. If that were the case, then…
“So what happened?”
Verchiel drew a tight breath through his nose and held it a second too long before he answered. “Her master ordered her to come with him to the New World, to help set up The Guild, and she left. She was apologetic to a point, but it was Kateesha. On to the next big adventure. Besides, she was optimistic about her chances with Jorick. She was sure there’d only be savages and by comparison, she’d be his only choice. I assume he told you about that?” He
r blank face gave her answer and he grinned. “He came with Malick to be the head of the New World’s Executioners. That would have been…” he paused and scratched his head. “Oh… the early 1700s, I’m sure.”
She choked on the date, but tried to hide her shock and sound like she knew what he meant. “Oh, right.”
He chuckled at her attempts. “He doesn’t tell you because he’s afraid it will upset you. He doesn’t want you to think badly of him.”
Her cheeks flamed and she looked down at her feet. “I guess.”
“It’s true. I have to admit I’ve been quite anxious to meet him, ever since Kateesha described him so glowingly.” She looked horrified, so he went on. “Anyway, I had some fun on my own, did a little of this and that, but eventually I had to come see what this America was like. It was disappointing, though the 1920s were a transition period, I suppose. Anyway, once I got here, I tried to find Kateesha. She’d already dropped off the map with her failed rebellion, however, Malick thought that I was interesting. Kateesha’d never mentioned that I existed. He was hoping I’d inherited more of her mental powers than I had, but he was content with what I had managed to get.”
She remembered the conversation from last night about inheriting traits. “Why didn’t you get all of it?”
“Kateesha was too young, I guess. But I don’t mind since I didn’t inherit the wind walking from her.” Before Katelina could ask, he added, “That’s what they call a vampire who can move really fast, a Wind Walker, get it?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“I must have just been predisposed to it and the vampirism drew it out.” He snapped his fingers. “It does that, you know?”
She didn’t, but she didn’t like to admit it, so she nodded.
“I imagine being Kateesha’s fledgling is why old Jorick can’t hear my thoughts; whatever shielded Kateesha’s from him also shields mine. And neither of us can read Malick.”
She shuddered as she thought of the ancient vampire. “I’m glad Jorick’s free of him. He kept saying ‘my son’ all the time, like he was desperate to remind him they were related.” A horrific idea occurred to her. “They’re not really related, are they? Wouldn’t that make Kateesha Jorick’s sister?” That put a sick spin on things, so she quickly added, “And wouldn’t that make you his nephew?”
“I wouldn’t say that to him. Actually, it might be better to say we’re related, since you drank from Kateesha’s heart. She didn’t bite you, so there was no mental connection and it didn’t link you two, but it did connect you in a way. Her blood entered you, changed you a little.”
She cringed at the memories and the implications. “Jorick said something like that at the time, but I’d forgotten about it.”
He nodded, and rubbed his chin. “I hadn’t thought about it either, until just this moment. It’s probably why I found you interesting.”
“That or because you were trying to haul Jorick in to The Guild?”
He snickered but conceded, “It could be that. Maybe it’s a combination?”
They fell silent and he changed topics, “So when are you planning to make the change? You’ll have to one day if you plan to stay with Jorick, and I assume you do. Why are you so reluctant?”
“Read my mind and tell me!” He raised his eyebrows in silent rebuff and she sighed heavily. “You’d think it’s stupid.”
“Don’t want to drink blood? It’s not bad, you know, and you’ve gotten pretty good at it, I hear.” He ignored the dark look that flickered over her features. “Or is it sunlight? I admit, I don’t remember it, so I don’t know what I’m missing, but it can’t be nearly as exhilarating as the night. It looks too bright. Or is it food? You know you can still taste it. I just wouldn’t recommend swallowing it or you’ll wish you were dead for a while.”
“No, that’s not it.” She shifted uncomfortably and her voice dropped. “I told you it’s stupid.”
“Aw, come on. I’ve answered all your questions.”
She started to argue, but he was right. “Fine.” She took a deep breath forced out the words, “It’s a hell of a commitment, isn’t it? Once you’re a vampire, you’re a vampire, there’s no going back. I still have options being human. I can decide later to be one or to stay as I am. I’m not trapped into a decision that I made spur of the moment.” He started laughing and she broke off to glare at him.
“You have to be joking! That’s the big objection? From the fit you had earlier, I assumed it was some terrible anti-vampire thing! And it’s just that you don’t want to commit!”
“Shut up! I knew I shouldn’t have told you!”
He sobered up, though his eyes still danced with mirth. “I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s insensitive. You have to admit it’s a dumb reason, though.”
“I already did,” she grumbled and looked way.
Silence fell and she tried to concentrate on the TV, but Verchiel wasn’t finished. “I have another question. If you’re afraid of commitment, then what about Jorick?”
“What about him?” She wished she’d never told him and frankly, she didn’t know why she had.
“Aren’t you committed to him?”
“Of course I am! But that’s different!”
“Not really. Any time you allow someone inside your sphere of influence, they change you, even if it’s just a little bit. If you broke up with him this minute, he’d still leave unalterable changes to your personality and your life.”
Suddenly, the amusement disappeared and he sniffed the air “And speaking of Jorick, he should be here any minute.”
Katelina looked up sharply. Before she could speak, Jorick strode through the door and Verchiel added, “I see he’s in a lovely mood as usual.”
**********
Chapter Fifteen
Jorick strode across the room, his face a thundercloud waiting to unleash its fury. His angry eyes landed on Verchiel and flashed. He’d found his target.
“Well, hello.” The redheaded vampire got no further.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Well,” Verchiel mocked as he stood and met Jorick’s eyes. “It looks like I’m guarding your little human, like I was told to. Would you rather we stayed holed up alone in your bedroom?” He packed too much meaning into the last word. “I didn’t think you’d appreciate that, but if you prefer -”
Jorick punched him.
Katelina stifled a cry as Verchiel fell back on the couch. Jorick snarled and swung again. His fist connected with the couch; Verchiel was already standing behind it, his hand to his bleeding nose.
“I suppose I deserved that?” he asked through his fingers, his eyes dancing.
“You deserve a hell of a lot more than that!”
The three people in the lounge stared wide-eyed, and Katelina quickly grabbed Jorick’s arm. “What are you doing?”
He rounded on her. “In case you’ve forgotten, he kidnapped you! Do you remember that? And I have him to thank for calling the police!”
She took a step back. “What?”
Jorick jabbed an infuriated finger towards him, but Verchiel held up a pacifying hand. “I didn’t want the cops chasing you while I was trying to bring you in. It could have gotten complicated. Better to get it over with quickly.”
“I’ll get something over with quickly!” Jorick waved his fist. “Stay away from us. And stay away from Katelina.”
Verchiel batted his eyes innocently. “You don’t still think I’m planning to kill her, do you?”
Jorick ignored him and turned to Katelina. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and Verchiel asked, “You’re leaving already? What a shame, and just when we were getting along so well.” He wiped the blood off his face and flashed a fanged smile at Jorick. “I’m sure we’ll see one another again. I’d hate to think this is my only brush with The Hand of Death.”
Katelina looked to Jorick for some explanation, but he was too furious to notice her. “I abandoned that name long ago!”
/> “So I hear.” Verchiel took a step towards the door. “If you must go, then I’ll take my leave.” He gave Katelina a wink. “See you later, Kately.” And with a final wave he sauntered out of the room.
When he’d disappeared, she tugged on Jorick’s arm and asked, “What did he mean by that?”
Fury seemed to render him deaf. His only reply was, “Come.”
When they got to their room they found Oren seated in one of the chairs, his face furious. As much as he hated it there, Katelina had expected to see him packed and ready to go. “Where’s the luggage?”
“Ask Jorick!” His fists clenched and unclenched, as if he’d like to punch someone, too.
She turned to the raven-haired vampire, but he looked away. “We haven’t been released yet.”
Her eyes bulged as his words sunk in. “What? You mean…”
“We’re staying here!” Oren roared. “Until Malick sees fit to let us go!”
“I thought he was done with us? Verchiel said- ”
Jorick rounded on her suddenly. “And what did that clown colored buffoon say?”
She flinched away from his fury. “He - he said Malick thought I was a blood-thirsty killer and wanted to replace Kateesha with me.”
“Yes,” Jorick spat, though some of his anger cooled. “Apparently you weren’t what he was expecting.”
“That’s what -” she stopped from saying “what Verchiel said”, and rushed on. “So why can’t we leave?”
Jorick’s jaw tightened. “Because Malick’s bored.”
Though she didn’t understand, something in his eyes made her sink into one of the nearby chairs. “He can’t keep us without a reason, can he?”
“Obviously he can, you stupid human!” Oren shouted. “Or we wouldn’t be here!”
Katelina stared wide-eyed at the sudden attack, and Jorick spun towards him. “That’s enough! Don’t take your anger out on her!”
Oren stood too quickly and the chair fell backwards with a crash. “It’s her fault! We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her!” He broke off into a wordless cry of fury and stormed out of the room. He slammed the door so hard that it bounced open again.
Amaranthine Special Edition Vol II Page 19