“I said I was sorry, all right? I don’t know what more you want.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t want you to be sorry. I don’t want you to need to be sorry.” His voice rose, “I don’t want to see you with that idiot anymore. I don’t want you to be here. I don’t want to be here! I don’t want to play Malick’s games, but I don’t want to suffer the consequences for quitting! I don’t want you to die the way she did!”
He jerked to his feet, his hands clenching and unclenching at his side. Katelina stood quickly and put her arms around his rigid back. “It’s all right.”
“No it isn’t!” He ripped away from her, his eyes fire. “Do you think I don’t know that he’s to blame? I’d have to be blind and stupid not to have connected it! And I was! I was both blind and stupid for too long. I blamed him, but in the sulky way a child blames their parents for their misfortune, and all the time it was his fault; his punishment because I dared to want a life that wasn’t death and blood from sunset to sunrise! I’m sick of it, Katelina! I was sick of it then, and I’m sick of it now! But I won’t let you die for it, not the way she did.” He broke off and looked away.
Katelina slipped her arms around him. He didn’t fight this time. She took a deep, ragged breath and sought for words, but they were pointless, just like everything else, so she closed her eyes against it all.
Katelina’s dreams were unsettled and exhausting. She woke the next evening feeling anything but rested. Jorick was already gone. She nuzzled his pillow and imagined it was him. It might be normal to wake up everyday and have to go to work, but she’d gotten spoiled. She wanted him there with her, not off doing God knew what for Malick.
At least he hasn’t sent him on overnight trips.
The thought was barely comforting. She got up, got dressed and ordered a late breakfast. She watched some TV and had just decided that Verchiel wasn’t coming when he let himself in. He wore the ghastly pink shirt he’d warned her about and his usual chirpy grin. Behind him was another redhead, though his hair was a more natural, coppery shade. Like Verchiel, he was only a couple of inches taller than Katelina. He had dark eyes and a leather jacket over a plain t-shirt.
“Hello Kately! This is Aine. He just got back and doesn’t have anything to do, so I invited him to hang out with us.” Verchiel threw himself across a chair. “He’s the newest Executioner. Well, I guess he’s kind of tied with Kioko. She’s the one who-”
“Who knocked Jorick out,” Katelina snapped. “Yeah, I remember her.”
Verchiel was suddenly attentive. “She did what? When? Tell!”
Katelina told him the story in a few words, and he sagged back into the chair, disappointed. “Ah, they used NR2. I thought it was something interesting.”
She was conscious of Aine hovering uncomfortably in the background. She tried to ignore him. “What is NR2?”
“I don’t remember what it stands for, something chemical-ly. But, it’s a gas that knocks out vampires. It’s still pretty experimental so we don’t use it unless there’s no other choice, and you have to take a pill called Prep first or it will knock you out too, so you can’t really use it spur of the moment. It beats NR1, though. That stuff had a nasty habit of knocking everyone out and killing humans.”
“Sounds right up The Guild’s alley.”
“Nah, we can’t go around killing all the humans or what would we have to eat?” She glared at him and he shrugged. “Though most of the supplies here come from cattle, the more expensive stuff is from blood donors.”
“Who would willingly donate blood to vampires?”
“Ah, blood is easy to get. All you need is a van, the right equipment, a tray of donuts, some cash and a sob story about saving dying children. People are happy to part with the stuff for a little money and a conscience boost.”
Katelina shivered. She remembered the yearly blood drive at work. She’d donated every year and, as he said, assumed it went to save some needy kid. Now she wondered what really happened to it.
Verchiel seemed determined to disturb her. “And then the hospitals have all that surplus. They claim they destroy it, but there’s a good market for that stuff.”
She held up a hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“Really? If you’re happy to live in ignorance, then that’s fine with me. Anyhoo, let’s find something to do. I’m bored.”
Verchiel led them through the second floor corridors, flashing his best impression of a suave smile. Aine followed silently. Katelina glanced back several times to see if he was still there. In the brighter light of the corridors, she could see pale freckles sprinkled across his cheeks. His eyes were deep brown, like polished mahogany, and he looked like he’d rather be hiding under a rug somewhere. She didn’t blame him.
They reached the open front arcade and Verchiel turned into it. He disappeared in the maze of machines. Katelina hung back. She didn’t think she’d ever been in an arcade before, unless she counted the pinball machines at the old roller skating rink, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to change that. With the beeps, booms and flashing multi colored lights, the arcade was a sensory overload.
Aine hovered nearby, his hands in his pockets. He glanced at her and looked away when she met his eyes. “So you’re Jorick’s human?”
It was easier to agree than to argue for human equality. “Yeah.”
“I’ve heard a lot about him, though I haven’t met him yet. I just got back last night.” He shifted from one foot to the other.
She murmured and looked away. She didn’t have anything to say to the Executioners! That Verchiel and Jorick were part of them was bad enough. How many could she be friendly with and still be sane?
A loud speaker suddenly crackled. Senya’s voice came over it, as terrifying in electronic form as in real life. “All Executioners are to report to Malick’s chambers. Repeat, all Executioners to Malick’s chambers now.”
Aine looked as relieved as Katelina felt. “I guess I’d better go.”
Verchiel appeared, frowning. “She doesn’t mean me, does she? I’m officially suspended.”
Aine shrugged. “She said all.”
Verchiel gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’d better go, then. I guess you’re on your own for the afternoon. Do you have your keycard?”
She couldn’t stop the eye roll. “Yes, mother. I can find my way back by myself.”
“I’d just hate to leave you wandering the corridors alone, lost and forlorn.” He ruffled her hair and she scowled. “All right, see you later!” He offered her a cheery wave, then grabbed Aine’s elbow and tugged the Executioner down the corridor.
Katelina wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or apprehensive. What could Malick want with all of them? Whatever it was, it was probably bad.
Jorick came through the door earlier than usual, Ark on his heels. Katelina hadn’t had a chance to see the head of the executioners close up, and she had to admit he was nice looking. His eyes were a pale green rimmed in an edge of dark emerald and his brown hair was flecked with blonde and auburn highlights.
Good looking or not his attitude was one of quiet superiority,.
“The council won’t tolerate this much longer,” he said, obviously in mid-conversation. “I spoke with Obi this morning. They know about your fledgling’s impending attack and they’re making plans. If Malick refuses to do as he should, then Eileifr will be given charge of us.”
“And Malick knows it!” Jorick snapped. “Why else would he call that meeting?”
The two men came to a stop in the middle of the front room. Ark frowned and shook his head. “Eileifr will have foreseen that.”
“The gift of the Demon Eye isn’t foolproof! The future is always in flux! How can Eileifr know Malick’s plans when he doesn’t have any?”
“Malick always has plans.”
Jorick snorted. “Then he’s fooled you. The only plan he has is to watch us kill one another.”
“We swore an oath to him.”
“No, you sw
ore an oath to uphold the laws. Only I and Kateesha swore oaths to him, and both are broken now. You will have to choose, and probably sooner than later.”
Ark made an angry noise in his throat. “You know where my loyalties lay.”
“No, I don’t.”
Something heavy hung in the air between them and Ark said quietly, “It was my duty to defend him. Your attack was unprovoked.”
Jorick snorted. “Let me kill your wife and see if you still find it so!”
“You’re too late for that, as you well know!” Ark broke off. “I don’t have time for this.”
“No, I imagine you don’t. Mark my words, Malick will make you choose.”
Ark’s only reply was to slam the door on his way out.
Jorick growled and dropped onto the couch, a hand to his head. When he didn’t speak, Katelina moved to his side. “What was that about?”
“Malick called a meeting of all the Executioners, even your friend. He gave a lecture about loyalty and whether we followed him or the High Council. Senya and Greneth swore allegiance to him immediately. I don’t think they know about the impeding battle, or perhaps they do.”
She absently traced the wrinkles in his shirt with a finger. “Ark knows?”
“As does Jamie and your idiotic friend, because they saw it in my mind or yours. Beyond that, I don’t know who is aware and who isn’t. It isn’t my place to tell them.”
Katelina didn’t know the answer any more than he did. In her imagination, she saw the mass confusion and warring loyalties played out against a backdrop of screams. “It’s coming soon, isn’t it?”
Jorick slipped his arm around her and pulled her to him. “Yes, little one. It’s coming.”
**********
Chapter Twenty
She spent the evening with Jorick. When she slept, her dreams were no better than the night before, and she woke to an empty bed. Jorick was gone, again.
It was early evening when Verchiel sauntered through the door, wearing low rise jeans and a neon green shirt that said “Kiss Me Quick.” His coat was over his arm and she suggested he put it on to hide the bad outfit.
They wandered to the first floor and headed into the atrium. The room was just as impressive as she remembered. The ceiling was six stories tall and was made of thick glass with light bulbs behind it to imitate a natural skylight. The back wall was lumpy stone. A waterfall cascaded down and fell, gurgling and swirling, into a rock lined pool. Trees and plants were scattered around, and among the vegetation were benches and lounge areas, some brightly lit and others secluded under larger trees. Vines climbed up the pillars and rows of terraces lined the walls to the left and right. It was funny to think that for a night, she and Jorick had had one of the highly prized terrace rooms, and she hadn’t even appreciated it.
In the center of the atrium was a large metal fountain, dramatically lit by spotlights. Verchiel lounged against it and offered Katelina a penny. “Maybe the fountain will work better than the waterfall?”
“I doubt it.” She took the coin anyway and tossed it in with a plink. No wish sprang to mind, except to get the hell out of there. Before she could think of a better one, Geneva, the girl from the store, came to a stop in front of them. Verchiel was instantly distracted.
Geneva cocked an eyebrow. “Still palling around with your new friend?”
He feigned innocent shock. “Are you saying you’d rather I spent time with you?”
“How much longer are you going to be skulking around here instead of out doing your job?”
“You do! I’m sure I’m free this evening.”
Geneva smacked him in the head. “No, you idiot! I want to know why you’re all here.”
He rubbed his injury. “Whatever do you mean?”
“All the Executioners.” Her eyes darted around as if she was afraid of being overheard. “Ark and that Chinese-”
“Japanese.”
“Whatever. Ark and the Asian woman were called back mid-mission, and Aine came back yesterday. Since then no one’s left. You’re all here.”
“Except Zuri,” Verchiel offered. “He’s a prisoner.”
“As I was saying, you’re all here and they’ve got Jamie and that new guy guarding the upper levels. That’s not normal, and you know it!”
“Who told you all that?” Verchiel asked.
“Jackie. You know she follows the Executioners.”
“Still hoping to land one?” Verchiel took an unconscious step backwards.
“Yes, she is, but that’s beside the point.” She grabbed the front of his shirt. “Something’s going on and I want to know what it is!”
He pulled loose and turned serious. “There’s something coming, Geneva. When the sirens sound, be sure you’re somewhere safe.”
Geneva’s eyes went wide. “What?”
Verchiel was back to his usual flip self. “You heard me.” He ruffled her perfectly placed hair and she squealed. “Now, I don’t have time to listen to Jackie’s gossip. Kately wanted to visit the sixth floor.”
He tugged Katelina out the doors and to the elevator. They crammed in with a group heading up, and Katelina waited until they got off at the sixth floor to demand, “What the hell was that?”
“She said Jorick was guarding the upper levels. I thought you might like to see him at work.”
She’d already seen him working, and the memory still haunted her. “You just want to find out what’s going on.”
He went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “Come on, let’s go look for them.”
They took the stairs that led to the office. The only occupants were the grizzled farmer and his yellow dog. A twitch of his newspaper was the only indication that he was aware of their presence.
Verchiel led her out of the building and across the brightly lit gravel lot. The fresh air was strangely welcome. The Citadel’s many skylights gave the illusion of openness, but it had been days since she’d been outside.
A cold wind buffeted them and Katelina huddled into her shirt. Without a word, Verchiel plucked his coat off and casually dropped it over her shoulders.
They ducked into a corrugated machine shed. Muted light reflected on rows of cars; the Citadel’s parking garage. They wound their way through the rows to a trap door. Signs above it said “Service Entrance. Authorized Personnel Only” and “Be Prepared to Show Identification”. She’d been through that door and down the ladder before. It led to a narrow, tunnel like hallway and a guard room. It was the entrance Senya and Verchiel had taken her through the first time she’d come to the Citadel.
Verchiel put his hands on his narrow hips. “I wonder where they’ve got off to? The office and the garage are the optimal strategic points.”
“Maybe they’re on a break?”
“Yeah, sounds like them. The two most over serious vampires on a smoke break.” He scratched his chin. “Maybe they’re in the guard room…” He suddenly pointed to the trap door. “There they are.”
She stared at the door as if she could see through it, and strained to hear what Verchiel heard. Finally, Jamie’s voice floated to her, “You shouldn’t be so concerned about him. He isn’t a threat.”
Verchiel’s eyes danced in the half light and Katelina wondered if they were talking about him. Jorick’s reply answered her question.
“He’s already had her drinking his blood.”
She flinched and Jamie sighed. “I admit I wasn't there, but that isn’t how I heard it. Regardless, he isn’t using it to claim her.”
“Not yet.”
Their footsteps stopped and Katelina guessed they were at the ladder. She chanced a look at Verchiel. He seemed to puff up, as though she could see his ego swelling. She tried to express her disgust with her eyes. He pretended not to notice.
Jamie cleared his throat. “If he were going to, he’d have already done it. I understand your concern. A blood debt can take a long time to pay off, especially to an unscrupulous Master. But I can’t imagine Verchiel taking what belong
s to another, nor allowing anyone else to.”
Jorick snorted. “You think he’d defend her?”
“Yes, I do. But, I don’t think anyone would dare to cross you, Jorick. Not only do you have the advantage of age, you’ve claimed the human. The law would be on your side. Only Malick would disregard it so freely.” He broke off uncomfortably. When he resumed, he sounded surprised, “He has no reason to do such a thing.”
“Doesn’t he? Why do you think he ordered that buffoon to keep an eye on her, or Senya to watch him? I’d have to be blind not to know that Malick is using her to control me!”
Katelina’s accusing eyes snapped to her companion. She mouthed, “Is that true?” He only shrugged.
“But to go that far?“
“We both know he would. Look at what he’s done before.” Jorick’s voice caught. When he spoke again, it was with less feeling. “He’s smarter than to use his own blood to create a fledgling of convenience. He’d order someone else to do it.”
“If so, it would be Senya or Greneth.”
Katelina shuddered at the thought. To be a vampire and owe allegiance to Senya? What a nightmare!
Jorick went on, “Better yet, someone whose abilities are unstable and uncertain. One likely not to pass them on.”
“You think that’s why he assigned Verchiel to keep your human occupied? Because his mental abilities might not be passed on should he turn her?”
“Yes. He’s the likeliest choice.”
“But a loose cannon. I doubt that even Verchiel knows what he’s going to do from one moment to the next. How can Malick anticipate him?”
Verchiel nearly danced with delight, but Jorick’s voice was tight. “Perhaps he can’t. That would make it more interesting to Malick; an outcome he can’t predict.”
“You’re reading too much into this. I agree that Malick is using her to control you, and I know he asked Verchiel to watch over her, but I don’t think his plans go beyond that. Your past has made you paranoid.”
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