Masque of the Vampire (Amaranthine Book 8)

by Joleene Naylor

  After a shower and a change, they went back to the restaurant for an uneventful meal. It was on their way back when they ran into Beldren.

  Jorick nodded to the Executioner’s long black coat. “On assignment?”

  “What else? I volunteered to help Zuri with the retrieval, but I suppose Eileifr saw he could assign me something more annoying.”

  “Retrieval?” Katelina asked.

  Beldren gave her a long look down his nose, as if trying to decide whether she was worth answering. “Thomas.”

  Katelina stiffened, and Beldren turned back to Jorick. “I imagine you’re looking forward to the trial. It’s a pity I’ll miss it.”

  “What trial?” she demanded.

  Jorick gave Beldren a hard look and caught Katelina’s hand. “We’ll discuss it later.”

  The blond Executioner laughed. “You didn’t tell her? How did you plan to get away with it? You’re good Jorick, but not that good.” Beldren forced his chuckles down to a snicker. “I’d best go. Don’t want to keep feuding covens waiting. Have a good evening.”

  The Executioner barely disappeared before Katelina ripped her hand from Jorick’s. “I thought you said you weren’t in trouble?”

  He gave an aggravated sigh. “It isn’t my trial. It’s Joseff’s. And I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d act like this.”

  Her hands went to her hips. “Like what?”

  “Like this. Angry, accusing, suspicious. Everything will be fine. Zuri has gone to get Thomas, a message was sent to Anya, and your redheaded clown is bringing Joseff in. If all goes to plan they should be back tonight or tomorrow. The trial will follow the next day. Then we’ll leave.”

  “Assuming your reports are written.”

  “They will be. Speaking of that, I should check on their progress. Would you like to come with me, or go back to the apartment?”

  “Can you avoid getting arrested or drafted by yourself?”

  He gave her a wink. “I’ll certainly try.”

  Two days later they were still at The Guild with no trial, no Joseff, and no dismissal. Rather than drag the human Xandria in front of vampires, Katelina stuck to the apartment watching TV. A special on the Heartless Killer, a Canadian child murderer who mutilated his victims, caught her attention. But, after half an hour, the crime scene photos were too disturbing, and Katelina flipped the show off.

  “There’s never anything on,” Xandria said. “That’s why I make up stories in my head. It’s like writing a book just for me.”

  Katelina didn’t know what to say, so she changed the subject to one she’d wondered about. “How did you meet Sanjay?”

  If Xandria was surprised by the shift in topics, she hid it. “I was with a group of vampire hunters in Zimbabwe. When they went after Sanjay, he killed everyone else and I talked him into keeping me as a slave. I don’t think he cared one way or the other, but he admitted later I was useful.”

  So Jorick was right. “Vampire hunters are a thing?”

  “I guess. Muzi’s parents were killed by vamps when he was younger, so he devoted his life to trying to kill them. It was kind of a sad story, and I didn’t have anything else to do. Pacha’s new coven threw me out, so I was kind of mad at vampires, anyway.”

  “Pacha?”

  “She was a friend of mine—or I thought she was. We ran away when I was sixteen and had a great year roaming all over. Then she joined that new coven, and they didn’t want non-food humans around.”

  “You didn’t want to be turned?”

  “I was all for it at the time, but Pacha didn’t want the responsibility. I was ‘fun’ but not ‘forever fun’, or something like that.”

  Ouch. “I’m sorry.”

  Xandria brandished a cigarette. “Hey, not your fault. I heard they got wiped out later, so I guess it’s karma. I just don’t know if it’s good karma that saved me, or bad karma that killed her.” She blew a puff of smoke. “I used to have a bunch of her paintings in a locker at a train station but they got stolen. She was good. You might not like her stuff, but it had real emotion. Like the painting in Loren’s room.”

  There was a noise at the door, and Jorick came in with a new book. He brushed a kiss across Katelina’s lips, then dropped onto the couch next to her. “Oren called today.”

  “He finally found a place?” Katelina asked with mixed interest.

  “I guess.” Jorick cracked the book open and breathed in the smell of the pages. “Nothing like new literature.”

  “Hopefully it’s better than that TV show.” Xandria finished her cigarette in a long drag and stabbed it out in the ashtray, ignoring Jorick’s glare.

  A knock sounded on the door. No one moved, and Xandria finally opened it to reveal Verchiel.

  “Hello!” The redhead slipped into the room. “Did you miss me?”

  “No.” Jorick made a show of lifting his book in front of his face.

  Katelina tried to remember where Verchiel had been. That was right. Joseff. “Did you find him?”

  “Of course.” Verchiel flopped into a chair. “He resisted arrest, but he came along after I persuaded him.” He brandished his fists menacingly.

  Katelina conjured an image of Joseff, his dark eyes aflame with hatred. “Where is he?”

  “In a cell, of course,” Jorick muttered from behind his book.

  “Right across from that green eyed whisperer, Gadriel.” Katelina looked blank and Verchiel prompted, “You remember. The last time we were here, before we left for Munich. He tried to kidnap you from the shopping center. He got sentenced to six months after we left.”

  A memory rose to the surface. A pair of emerald green eyes pulled her into a crystal prison. She’d come to and found herself being led by an unknown vampire. The remembered terror prickled at her and she brushed it away. “Yeah.”

  “Anyway, I imagine Joseff’s trial will be tomorrow.” Verchiel looked to Jorick. “How’s your report coming?”

  Jorick turned a page noisily. “It’s finished and turned in.”

  Katelina looked surprised. “When?”

  “Today.” Jorick peered over the top of the book. “How long did you think it would take them to write? We were only gone three months.”

  Verchiel chuckled. “I bet you left out a lot. But, I haven’t started mine yet, so who am I to judge?” He yawned loudly. “I suppose I should head back to the ol’ apartment, order a drink, hit the hay.” He stood, looking from one to the other, as if waiting for someone to object. “Okay then. Have a good night.”

  He hung in the door and a black blur zoomed past him into the room. Katelina leapt to her feet, but was knocked back down as what felt like a thousand knives sliced her skin.

  What in the hell?

  Chapter Three

  Katelina pressed a hand to her bleeding arm as Jorick swept to his feet. The blur bounced around like a pinball, then zipped into Xandria’s bedroom. Verchiel shook his head, and disappeared after it. A loud snarling came floating back, then a pop, and the hiss of escaping air.

  “So much for the air mattress,” Jorick muttered.

  The streak zoomed back. As it passed, Jorick snatched it up. The thing screamed and howled, but fell still. Jorick turned to face Katelina. Dangling from his hand was a black cat, its fur ruffled and its stare malevolent.

  A vampire with long copper hair and a freckled face appeared at the door. His cartoon t-shirt and slouched shoulders made him look young. She’d met him before. It was—

  “Aine!” Verchiel sauntered out of the bedroom, straightening his hair. “What’s up?”

  Jorick watched the kid through narrowed eyes, and Verchiel explained, “He’s one of the newer Executioners. He got assigned right before Malick’s big revolt.”

  “I know who he is. I’m curious about what he wants.”

  Aine cleared his throat and tapped the doorframe with the toe of his boot. “Um. I was looking for my cat.”

  Katelina absently rubbed the claw marks on her arms. “You mean that
monster?”

  Aine sighed and shuffled inside. “Salem. What have you done now?”

  Jorick pushed the animal into the young Executioner’s arms, and resumed his seat. “See it doesn’t happen again.”

  “Y-Yes, of course.” Aine made a motion like a salute, the cat clutched tightly with his other arm. “I’m sorry.” He backed toward the door. “It won’t happen again.”

  Jorick motioned him out. The Executioner bobbed and hurried away, closing the door behind him.

  “And that’s why Eileifr wants rid of Jorick. You don’t see Aine cowering to anyone else, except Ark.”

  Ark. The leader of the Executioners.

  “Aine’s not a bad kid,” Verchiel added. “Though I don’t know where he got a vampire cat.”

  Katelina’s eyes went wide. “The cat’s a vampire? Are you serious?”

  “Why not? The dog in the office is. Don’t tell me you never noticed.”

  Katelina brushed the information aside. “You can make your pets immortal?”

  “Weren’t you listening? Of course, you have to have permission from The Guild, otherwise the animal can get confiscated. They can’t risk an unknown vampire pet getting loose.”

  “What about passing on powers? If you turned a cat would it be super-fast?”

  Verchiel frowned. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried it. Have you, Jorick?”

  “No.” Jorick lifted his book and noisily turned a page. “You were leaving?”

  “Right. Yes. Leaving. Have a good night and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Katelina and Xandria returned his wave, but Jorick only muttered, “I certainly hope not.”

  The next morning, Katelina entered the living room where Jorick was on the phone. After a noise of agreement, he hung up.

  “Who was that?” she asked.

  He offered her a smile. “The trial is tonight.”

  Katelina wasn’t sure she wanted to see Thomas or his evil sister again, but she wanted—no needed—to see it was really Joseff on trial and that it was all resolved. She was tired of being chased by phantoms from the past. “I’m going.”

  Though Jorick threw up his hands, Katelina was pleased that instead of arguing he said, “You’ll have to do something with your human.”

  “She has a name.” Katelina glanced uncomfortably at the closed door to Xandria’s room. “I guess we could see if Micah and Loren would watch her.” It felt wrong, like treating Xandria as a pet yorkie, but he was right. What if someone lured her away and did something horrible?

  Katelina called Micah. Though he grumbled at the prospect, she could hear Loren’s enthusiasm in the background. She wondered that he could be over Ume so fast. Ume’d just left three weeks ago, too furious with Jorick to travel with them anymore. Her departure was a blow to her and Loren’s burgeoning relationship, maybe one Loren wasn’t willing to overlook. Though they were immortal, Loren had only been a vampire since the nineties. He might still have his human impatience.

  After breakfast in the restaurant, Katelina and Jorick walked Xandria to Micah’s room. Katelina mumbled an uncomfortable apology, but Xandria waved it away. “It’s cool. The trial sounds horrifying.”

  Her words echoed in Katelina’s head as she and Jorick took the elevator to the third floor. When they reached a set of double doors, a guard stationed outside nodded to the emblem around Jorick’s neck and hurriedly let them through.

  The room was three stories tall, dotted with pillars and alcoves, and hung with tapestries. A long red rug went through the middle, a bright contrast to the parquet floor. Chairs were set up on each side in neat rows, a few of them inhabited. Still empty was a long table that Katelina knew would hold the Lesser Council, and a table and chairs for the defendant. At the end of the room was a raised dais with four empty thrones. Above them hung a silver dragon; the symbol of Eileifr, the new leader.

  A couple of gray clad guards stood in strategic spots, wearing self-important expressions. Near the door stood Jamie, a shiny sword in his hand.

  “Expecting trouble?” Jorick asked good-naturedly.

  Jamie shook his head. “No. It’s the replacement. I got it today and I don’t know…” he trailed off and tested the weight. “Something’s off.”

  “Why get a new sword?” Katelina asked.

  “Malick.” The one word was icy and Katelina felt the sudden slap of Jamie’s anger. She remembered Malick stomping on Jamie’s blade and shattering it into pieces.

  Three vampires came through the door and took seats. Jorick and Jamie exchanged nods, then he and Katelina did the same.

  “I know we were here before,” she whispered. “But I don’t remember all of it.”

  Jorick nodded patiently. “You were human then and Malick’s presence was overwhelming.” He pointed to the guards in gray. “Those are lesser guards. Their job is to remain at the Citadel and guard specific things like the chambers or the detention cells. Though I don’t see any right now, the guards in black and silver are greater guards who travel with the Executioners and also guard the High Council.

  “The empty table is for the Lesser Council, eleven vampires who handle the day to day incidents. It’s rare for them to call a full council—meaning both the High Council and Lesser Council—especially for a kidnapping. I imagine it’s because of my involvement. Full councils are usually called to deal with Executioner transgressions.”

  Katelina started. “You promised me you weren’t on trial.”

  “I’m not, but since Anya’s complaint mentions me specifically…” He shrugged.

  While Katelina tried to calm herself, vampires trailed inside and took seats. Among the newcomers was a pair she recognized. Saeed’s muscled physique was barely contained by his slacks and button-up shirt. The light gleamed on his ebony skin and the naked dome of his head. Next to his massive frame, Yaul looked small. His brown hair was messy and his shirt needed ironed. When his eyes met hers, Katelina expected to see fury. Instead he gave a nod of acknowledgement and moved on, as if Saeed’s quest for Zen had infected him, too.

  Others continued to trickle in. Katelina saw a few more familiar faces. Des, a former ally who’d sided with Anya and Thomas. Next to him was a redheaded male Katelina thought was named Lennon, a past member of Claudius’ coven. The rest of what had been Anya’s coven showed up, though Katelina couldn’t remember their names.

  A blonde vampiress shoved through the doors pushing a wheelchair. Her ponytail, tough pointed features, and sinewy build looked like an action movie heroine. It was Anya, and what she pushed in the wheelchair made Katelina look away. Thomas was little more than a torso. Though his arms and legs were gone, he was dressed in a crisp white shirt and slacks, the sleeves and legs left hanging empty. The top of his head was perfect, with a slender nose and large, haunted eyes. The horror started under his top lip. His upper teeth hung exposed, one fang busted, with nothing beneath them. Joseff had ripped his lower jaw away to stop him from using his mouth to dig his way out over the centuries, leaving him with a horrible overstretched smile that never ended.

  Jorick squeezed her hand. “It isn’t pleasant, but I’ve seen worse.”

  Anya noticed them and jerked to a stop. “Look at this, Jorick! Look at what you’ve done!”

  The other vampires followed her gaze and fell into whispers.

  Katelina tried to disappear into her seat, her eyes everywhere but the thing in the wheelchair.

  Jorick shrugged. “I had nothing to do with it, though it’s no less than he deserved.”

  She snarled. “Of course you’d say so. With your ridiculous claim that he spied on Oren’s war coven.”

  Oren? Katelina gaped. Thomas and Anya were members of Oren’s war coven when they fought Kateesha. Someone turned traitor and worked both sides. Jorick was blamed first, because he and Kateesha shared a master and a history, but it wasn’t him.

  Anya went on, “You planned to use my brother as a scapegoat. When it didn’t work—”

  Jamie started
toward the ruckus as Jorick replied, “The truth was in Kateesha’s papers, though they’ve disappeared. I imagine you took them when you left, to get rid of the evidence.”

  Thomas made a gurgling sound that Anya hushed. “Me?”

  Jamie came to a stop behind them, sword in hand. “Is there a problem?”

  “No.” Jorick leaned back in his chair. “Anya was looking for her seat.”

  “I’ll assist her.” Jamie motioned them forward and, with a final growl, Anya went.

  Katelina leaned close to Jorick and whispered, “She thinks it’s over that? Doesn’t she know why Kale attacked them?”

  “Probably not,” Jorick said. “It will all come out in the trial.”

  Before Katelina could press further, the doors opened. Verchiel walked in leading Joseff. The prisoner’s naturally tan skin was paled by immortality and his long black hair was pulled back into a braid. An angry scar ran down his right cheek. When his gaze landed on them, his dark eyes flashed with hatred that made Katelina cringe.

  Jorick gazed back unperturbed. Verchiel pulled his prisoner to one of the tables and pushed him down in the seat. He took the other chair and, though his air was casual, his posture was wary.

  The murmured conversation swelled, then died. As it faded, a door-shaped portion of the back wall opened. Four guards walked out wearing black and silver uniforms. Behind them came the High Council.

  Celandine was first, her head high and her dark brown hair in a braid. Katelina caught her silver eyes. The world wavered, but Celandine turned away and the effect disappeared.

  Obi came next, his skin dark and his expression neutral. He wore long sand-colored robes and a heavy golden chain around his neck. Behind him was Heng. With dark hair worn in a top knot, delicately slanting eyes, high cheekbones, and long thin fingers, he looked elegant.

  Last was Eileifr. Though he was short, his years made him seem tall. His long blonde hair fell down his back, mingled with thin braids. A beard sprouted from his chin. His Nordic features were frozen in immortal perfection; his skin like polished marble and his gray eyes gleaming.