Amaranthine Special Edition Vol II

by Naylor, Joleene

  “Why is everything human always my fault? I don’t mandate packaging!” She took a deep breath and forced herself calm. He was just trying to distract her. “Yeah, okay, there’s a lot of plastic, but I’m not responsible for it. There are a lot of things wrong with the world, but I didn’t create the problems.”

  “You do nothing to change them.”

  She refused to continue the conversation and loaded a boxed, pre-lit tree into the cart. She followed it up with several lengths of tinsel garland. Jorick grumbled and she decided to let the ornaments slide. If he wanted to object, he could help her make some.

  Next they picked out a set of shiny blue pans. Jorick asked where her old dishes were since she'd “cooked so much”, but she dismissed him. Just as Claudius' goons had had it in for her appliances, so had they disliked her dishes. Her mom had detailed the shattered plates and dented pans.

  Plates. She grabbed some from a display stack, then realized it would be more dishes to wash. As it was, she just threw the paper plates out when she was finished eating. Since Jorick burned the trash, she wasn't really contributing to the downfall of the world, so she put them back, though she made a big deal about the sacrifice and used it as an example of placating Jorick. He was only partially fooled.

  When they got to the checkout line they had a cart full of domestic items, including food, dish soap, and five do-it-yourself bookcases. The woman in front had outdone them, and while the cashier slowly rang up what seemed like the entire store, Katelina browsed the magazines. Most of them were celebrity gossip, but a black and white tabloid with the headline “Alien Gives Birth to Rock Superstar’s Love Child” caught her attention.

  Jorick watched with disdain as she flipped the pages in search of the cover story. “You don’t actually believe the stuff they print?”

  “Of course not.” She paused to look at a photograph of a zombie cat. “But they’re fun.”

  “I suppose. It’s nothing but far fetched stories and fake photography.” Her sharp gasp cut him off. “What?”

  She stared at the neat, tidy print with wide eyes and slowly found her voice. “I suppose every now and then they print something true.”

  “Such as?” His scorn disappeared as he peered at the article clutched in her fingers.

  The headline said simply “Breaking News: Vampires, the Secret War”.

  “Dracula. Nosfuartu. Methuselah. Vampire. Creatures of the night who skulk in the shadows and drink the blood of unwary mortals. These monsters, believed by many to be simply the fodder of popular horror literature and Hollywood movies, have terrified and delighted us for centuries, but for the first time, we have conclusive evidence to prove these creatures truly exist - in the form of a full-fledged vampire.

  “Dr. Noah C. Miley of the MI Institute of Supernatural and Unexplained Sciences has captured a flesh and blood vampire, and has already begun to run a series of tests. ‘It will be weeks before we have anything conclusive,’ he told us. ‘But what we find out may change the course of human history!’

  “Dr. Miley has informed us that while he has only managed to capture a single vampire there are still ‘hundreds, maybe thousands’ living inside the borders of the United States. ‘And they are at war,’ he adds. ‘It is a silent war that most people are unaware of, but it is no less real.’

  “When asked who the Vampires are at war with, Dr. Miley answered, ‘Each other. Who else would an immortal fight but another immortal? We are nothing to them; we are like cattle and not worth their notice. It’s hard to say how many humans have died, simply collateral damage in their ongoing battles, but it has to stop! That’s what I am hoping to do by evening the playing field.’

  “Dr Miley intends to analyze the blood of the Vampire and discover what gives them their ‘superpowers’, such as inhuman strength, immortality, and night vision. ‘If we can harness the Vampire’s strengths and not have to take on its weaknesses, well, let’s just say that would go a long way towards winning the war.’

  “Dr. Miley is hoping to have some results by the beginning of February, which he has promised to share with us. Stay tuned to this newspaper for future updates.”

  Katelina finished reading the article and swallowed, but her throat had gone dry and her horror stuck like a lump just behind her tongue. Numbly she pointed to the photograph above the article where a blonde man snarled at them. His lips were pulled back over a set of sharp fangs, his face furious and his hands bound. “Kale,” she whispered numbly. “My God, Jorick, it’s Kale!”

  Jorick shushed her and grabbed the tabloid out of her hands. Wordlessly, he threw it on the conveyor belt and followed it up with their other items.

  She didn’t understand how he could be so calm. When she tried to discuss it, he silenced her with a sharp look. It wasn’t until they were in the car and on their way home that he informed her, “The Guild probably knows about it.”

  “And?” She was too horrified at the prospects to accept that answer. The words “change the course of human history” swam before her eyes and she shuddered.

  “And they’ll handle it.”

  “Like they handled Alistair? Where’s he at now? My god, Jorick, what if that insane doctor does something?”

  “He won’t.” Jorick mused quietly, almost to himself, “I wonder how Kale was captured. He just left The Guild to go back to his coven, so why hasn’t his coven done something about it? How did he allow himself to be caught by a human?” His nose wrinkled. “Something isn’t right.”

  She dismissed the question. “Rather than worrying about how he got caught, shouldn’t you worry about how he’s going to escape?”

  “I already told you, The Guild will handle it. Trust me, they won’t let that doctor run any tests. I doubt they’ll even leave him alive.”

  She shuddered involuntarily. Though Kale was technically one of Claudius’ and then Kateesha’s vampires, she’d never faced him in a fight, and he had stuck up for her at her trial. He deserved better.

  They stopped at Loren’s house instead of their own. It was the same as it had been the other night, except the cat was back. It lay on the deck and glared evilly at them, as if to say “step on my tail now, bitch.”

  They went inside and Katelina kicked a pile of junk off the couch and took a seat. Jorick moved to the phone and dialed Oren’s number in a series of musical beeps. She leaned back and listened to the one sided conversation.

  “Oren? Have you heard from Kale or his coven yet?” There was a heavy pause and when Jorick spoke again he was annoyed. “Yes, I know, I know. I didn’t give him your number. I have more important things to discuss. It’s Kale. I believe he may be a prisoner.” He broke off. “No! Not of Anya! Of humans!”

  Oren was apparently able to concentrate after that because Jorick read him the article. When he finished he added, “Yes, I thought you could look into it. I am rather isolated here. What? Yes, I’m aware that was the point. Regardless, look into it and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Unsure whether to feel relieved that they might do something, or apprehensive because they might do something, she turned her attention to the TV. The remote control worked fine, but the channels were all static. Loren probably hadn’t paid the bill. Just her luck.

  “- I’ll go investigate, though I doubt I’ll learn much.”

  That phrase got her attention, and when he hung up she asked suspiciously, “Investigate what?”

  Jorick ran an irritated hand through his hair. “As I suspected, Traven is recruiting. He informed Oren tonight that two new vampires will arrive tomorrow. He claims that they’re from our area and that their master was murdered. If he was, they probably did it.”

  It was an hour and a half drive to the house. Jorick parked the car down the road from it, then climbed out. Katelina watched him sniff the air. His face twisted in fury.

  She joined him and he warned angrily, “There are others here. Three I don’t recognize, and that redheaded idiot!”

  “Verchiel?”
Jorick’s anger was her answer and she cringed. “What’s he doing here?”

  “Who knows!” Jorick ground his teeth and indecision shone in his eyes. At last, he declared, “Stay behind me, and don’t talk to him. If he tries anything, I swear I’ll kill him!”

  She wasn’t sure what Verchiel would try, but she nodded her head and followed. They cut across the lawn towards a small house. A single window was lit and the front door stood open as if inviting in the night. They’d just reached it when Verchiel seemed to materialize at their side.

  “Well hello! What brings you out here? Don’t tell me you were friends of the deceased?”

  Instead of answering, Jorick demanded, “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m investigating, but you knew that. Alas, there’s not much to look at. If you come along, though, I’ll give you the grand tour.” He met Katelina’s eyes and winked. “So glad to see you’ve ventured out into the cold to see me.”

  Jorick cut off her reply. “She isn’t here to see you!”

  The redhead turned suddenly serious. “No, of course not. I’m sure she wants to see blood splattered all over.”

  The mental image wasn’t one she wanted to contemplate, and she didn’t get to. Verchiel led them inside to a back bedroom; the room with the light on. Five wooden coffins were stacked to one side and two vampires were securing the lids to them with heavy yellow straps. Katelina’s eyes wandered to the pair and Jorick explained, “Guards. They handle the menial tasks.”

  The blood Verchiel had mentioned was soaked into the carpet and splashed on the wall in one spot. In all, it was a pretty clean crime scene.

  “Most of it was in the boxes,” Verchiel commented to her unspoken thoughts. “Whoever killed them did so while they were asleep.”

  Jorick gave the room an uninterested glance. “It’s obvious what happened. The two survivors murdered the other three and then fled to join Traven. Like attracts like.”

  “Traven? How interesting. Isn’t he still with your fledgling?”

  Jorick met his eyes. “You already knew where they went.”

  “I did, actually! Oh! Are you reading my mind?” He broke off and his grin got wider. “No, only guessing. I interviewed them and they said that they met a very helpful member of the lesser guard who called us about this little mess, and then suggested they should join with your friend.”

  “Traven is no friend of mine!”

  “Brother-in-law then? Ex-brother-in-law?” As if he sensed Katelina’s sudden fury, he quickly amended, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Anyway, you’re wrong. They didn’t do it.”

  “If you say so.” Jorick turned to Katelina. “Come, we’re not going to learn anything here.”

  “Big plans to rush off to?” Verchiel asked with feigned casualness.

  “Plans that don’t involve you.”

  Verchiel gave an exaggerated sigh. “If you insist. Though you may want to be careful.” He turned suddenly serious. “Your friend is skulking around.”

  She couldn’t stop herself. “What friend?”

  “That Phantom who seems so determined to exact his revenge. He was seen, you know. Apparently he came here after his exciting escape. Well, not here, but your general area. I checked into him. Apparently he and Kateesha were pretty close, at least on his end of things. Whether she cared about him or not, who knows.”

  Jorick swore under his breath and Katelina visibly blanched. “I knew it! He’s not the one who killed these vampires, is he?”

  “Nah. It was done in the daytime. They’d already been dead for a while before the other two woke up and found them. It had to be a human. It was probably just a revenge killing, though whatever coven is responsible has a human who’s not on the charts.” His eyes glittered mischievously. “Unless you sent Kately down to do it? She is always threatening to kill people.”

  Her eyes bulged in horror. “Of course not! Why would I drive clear over here-”

  Jorick interrupted her. “It’s his idea of a joke.”

  “You’re getting better at guessing. And you’re right. I’m sure our little Kately isn’t really that bloodthirsty.”

  She and Jorick shouted in unison:

  “Quit calling me that/Quit calling her that!”

  “I can tell the Christmas season hasn’t made either of you cheerful. Shame.” He brightened. “You will tell gloomy old Oren hello for me? And have a good trip. I’m sure Kale will be happy to see you. You’ll probably be a better rescue party than anyone else who might show up.”

  Before Jorick could answer, he’d disappeared.

  They couldn’t get any information from the guards, except that a member of the Council was somewhere filling out paperwork. When they left, the only thing they’d really learned about the two vampires joining with Traven was that Verchiel said they were innocent.

  “He says! If they killed their master then Traven is the vampire to go to.” Jorick saw her confusion and added, “He murdered his master. It’s an unacceptable crime, akin to killing your parents. It just isn’t done and those who would do such a thing aren’t to be trusted.”

  She nodded her head, but her thoughts were too busy dwelling on a pair of icy eyes and Verchiel’s warning.

  It was another hour and a half before Jorick parked in front of the house and climbed out. Katelina opened her door too, but he hissed, “Stay!”

  She froze at the command. Her terrified eyes jerked around the dark surroundings and she held her breath. Jorick took a cautious step towards the house. His whole body was tensed, like a cat waiting to spring. She counted her heartbeats as he edged away from the car. Suddenly, he swore and moved quickly towards the porch.

  She leaned around the door and called, “What is it?”

  “Nothing. Just stay in the car.”

  She watched as he bent and quickly picked something up. As he turned, she caught a glimpse of something in his hands. It was red and wet, and about the size of a human head.

  “Jorick?”

  “Just stay there!” he commanded and disappeared around the side of the house. A moment later he was back, wiping his hands on his jeans.

  “It’s all right, come on.”

  She didn’t feel all right, but her curiosity was killing her. She hurried out of the car and towards the porch. As she drew close, she could see a sticky, dark puddle on the cement. She knew the liquid on sight; it was blood.

  She stopped short of the porch, her eyes locked on the crimson pool. “Where did that come from?” Her gaze flicked to Jorick’s face and she repeated her question.

  A muscle twitched in Jorick’s jaw. “Someone left us a present.”

  Her stomach rolled and she took an involuntary step back. “What kind of a present?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with it in a moment.” She repeated her query and he shook his head. “Just leave it alone.”

  But she couldn’t. “What kind of a present was it?”

  “You don’t want to know! Now just go in the house and-”

  “Why do you get to decide what I want to know and what I don’t? What was it?”

  His dark eyes snapped. “Fine, Katelina. If you want to know, it was a skull, with most of the meat peeled off. There. Are you happy?”

  She shuddered involuntarily and her eyes darted around, seeking the messenger. “Like an, uh, animal skull?”

  “No. Not like an animal skull.” The blood drained from her face and he suddenly relented. “I’m sorry. You wanted to know.”

  “No, no, you’re right. I wanted to know.” She suddenly wished she didn’t. “Whose was it?” She realized he’d have no way of knowing. “Never mind. I’ll just uh, go inside and, uh…” She swallowed hard. Was inside even safe?

  He nodded encouragingly and, as if he’d had the same thought, he went through the house first, clicking on lights with his elbow and searching rooms. When it was deemed secure, he left her to go “deal with their present”. He returned a few minutes later to wash his hands and get
a bucket of water for the porch. She sat huddled on the couch while he cleaned away the evidence, and then he came back, loaded down with the groceries.

  He left the Christmas tree in the front room and she took the box of pans to the kitchen while he dropped the bookcases off in the soon to be library. He reappeared, a fake smile on his face. “I thought you’d already be working on your tree?”

  Her eyes moved unbidden to the nearby window and she shivered. “How can I think about Christmas at a time like this?”

  Jorick put his hands on her hips and kissed her cheek. “What else are you going to do? Spend the whole night huddled in a ball of fear, waiting for him to attack?”

  “That’s what springs instantly to mind.”

  He sighed. “It won’t do any good, little one. Why don’t you go to the basement and see if you can find some tools so I can put those bookcases together?”

  “You just need a screwdriver.”

  “All right, then go see if you can find a screwdriver.”

  She exploded. “How can you be so calm? He was here, Jorick! Alistair was here, on our porch! He left someone’s skull on our porch!”

  “Yes, probably.” She glared and his shoulders sagged the smallest amount. “I’m sorry if I’m not panicking, but what good would that do? One of us needs to stay calm. Besides, call me cold, but after all these years it takes more than a bloody skull to frighten me. I’ve seen my share of them.”

  His old nickname sprang to mind, and she shuddered involuntarily. She didn’t want to know where he’d seen them at. “All right. I’ll go find a screwdriver, but only because the basement is probably the safest room in the house.”

  With no directions on where to look, it took her some minutes to locate a set of like-new screwdrivers neatly stored in a wooden box. While she hunted she also found an angel tree topper that mice had nibbled on, as well as a handful of tarnished ornaments and a dilapidated Christmas wreath.