Masque of the Vampire (Amaranthine Book 8)

by Joleene Naylor

  The four sat in their chairs in perfect unison. Eileifr’s voice boomed, “This council has been called, based upon the complaint filed by Anya, fledgling of Josephus, previously of the old world.”

  A member of the Lesser Council stood and read Anya’s official complaint. It detailed the raid on her den, the fight with her coven, and the kidnapping of Thomas. Though she didn’t name names, she mentioned that one of her coven allowed the attackers to take her brother. If Katelina remembered correctly it was Des. The complaint went on to list Jorick and say he was with “unknown vampires”, an interesting phrase, considering Joseff and Lennon were in Claudius’ coven together. Surely Lennon would have recognized Joseff.

  “From what I understand, most of her coven abandoned her before she filed the complaint,” Jorick murmured. “No one wanted to war over Thomas.”

  When the Council called Jorick first, Katelina shot him a horrified look. He gave her a soothing smile and made his way to the front.

  Though Celandine could read minds, Eileifr obviously didn’t believe in using her talents. Jorick was forced to detail the attack and what provoked it.

  “We now know it was Malick who had Kale kidnapped and given to humans for experimentation, but at the time Kale and his coven blamed Thomas. We took him as recompense for Kale’s injuries. Kale was killed by Thomas in the assault. Joseff took charge of the coven and pronounced the old punishment for Thomas. I and others objected, but it wasn’t my coven or my doing.”

  After several questions for clarification, Jorick was released. He was barely in his chair before Katelina hissed, “I thought you weren’t on trial?”

  “I’m not. They have to work through everyone listed in the complaint so they can officially charge Joseff. The process used to be much faster.”

  Katelina remembered the last time they’d been before the councils. Malick sucked all the secrets from their minds ahead of time. Any conversation was merely to amuse the ancient master. “And it was much worse.”

  Jorick’s reply was a noncommittal shrug.

  Saeed and Yaul gave similar accounts of the kidnapping and punishment. When they finished Eileifr announced, “After review of the complaint, it has been determined that the suspected perpetrator is one Joseff, fledgling of Kale. Joseff will step forward while the charges are read.”

  As Verchiel tugged Joseff to his feet, Katelina relaxed. They weren’t charging Jorick. It was about time something went their way.

  The trial passed quickly. Anya testified about the attack and about her first attempt to file a complaint. “One of the Executioners told me as long as I blamed Jorick I’d never get a trial. Even now he’s escaping justice! He can say this is over Kale, but he’s really angry because Thomas wouldn’t take the fall for him. Jorick was the one who spied on our coven for Kateesha. Everyone knows they were lovers. What would Thomas have to gain?”

  At the mention of Kateesha, Katelina growled low in her throat. Jorick and his sister-in-blood were many things, but lovers was not one of them.

  Jorick shifted uncomfortably, and Katelina turned her glare on him. “You said she was too cruel for you.”

  “Yes,” he murmured, and quickly looked back to the trial.

  Eileifr motioned Anya’s tirade to silence. She scowled as she was forced to admit Kale and his coven “might” have helped take Thomas, and that Kale came to the door and asked her to turn her brother over. “He mentioned a kidnapping, but the request was so absurd I knew it was a distraction to allow the others to get into position.”

  Eileifr dismissed her and called the other members of her coven. Des refused to look at her as he admitted that Kale led the charge, and that he’d let them go. “Sorry, but Thomas wasn’t worth fighting for. I’ve never believed the stuff Jorick said about him being the traitor, but I didn’t like him, either.”

  Lennon and the others had similar stories. Finally, Thomas was called.

  “How is he supposed to answer questions?” Anya cried. “They took his tongue!”

  “Bring him forth,” Eileifr commanded.

  Anya grumbled but pushed him to the front. Thomas huddled in his chair. His wild, terrified eyes shot around the room. Katelina felt a sudden wash of burning terror. It took all her willpower not to bolt. It’s not me, she told herself. I’m not scared. It’s Thomas. Thomas is scared, not me.

  Celandine stood and moved in front of him. Her face held no emotion, but the horrified throbbing in Katelina’s head grew worse.

  Jorick caught her hand and the feeling disappeared. Katelina met his eyes. He gave her a nod, as if to acknowledge he was using his mental shielding abilities. She was too grateful to chastise him.

  Celandine announced in a clear voice, “I have seen his memories. The testimony given thus far is correct. It was Joseff, fledgling of Kale, who administered the punishment.”

  “Of course you’d say that,” Anya snapped. “You aren’t going to admit it’s everyone’s favorite pet.”

  Celandine turned cold gray eyes on her. “I speak what I see. I have witnessed your brother’s memories, both before and after he was taken from you. I have seen things even you have not. Do not press me.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Anya demanded. “Go ahead. Give away his ‘secrets’. My brother has nothing to hide.”

  Celandine looked down her nose and Katelina could feel the vampiress’ carefully controlled power breaking the bonds of its imprisonment to swirl around the room. “Does he not? His midnight meetings with Kateesha? I saw the promises she made him, and the loyalty he gave. How he lured others in your war coven to betray those they had sworn to fight beside, and how he tried to recruit still more. Your brother was the traitor he was so named. If I peer into your mind, I shall see you already know, though you wish not to.”

  “I don’t have to listen to this!” Anya jerked the wheelchair back. Thomas tumbled out and hit the floor with an echoing plop. Celandine stepped back, as if afraid of letting even the hem of her dress touch him.

  Anya scooped her brother up and stuffed him back in the chair. He slid sideways and she huffed as she righted him, her movements jerky and her face pinched.

  “She’s afraid,” Jorick commented. “She’s never been before the Council before, or dealt with vampires as old as these.”

  Katelina nodded. If she remembered correctly, Celandine was over a thousand years old.

  As one, the High Council stood. “We will deliberate,” Eileifr announced. The council turned in unison and walked through the back door to their chambers, their movements even and graceful. Something about their long robes and the way they moved made Katelina think of a cult.

  They were only gone a few minutes before they returned. After they took their seats, Eileifr raised his hands for quiet.

  “Bring the prisoner forth.”

  Verchiel prodded Joseff forward. He snarled and jerked away from the Executioner but, with nowhere to go, he made his way to the dais. He glared at the Council members as Eileifr said, “Joseff, fledgling of Kale, this council finds you guilty of unlawful kidnapping, as per the complaint filed by Anya, fledgling of Josephus. With further testimony and evidence, this council also finds you guilty of attempted unlawful murder, of improper implementation of illegal torture, and of unlawful maiming. The Laws give only one penalty for such misdeeds. Joseff, you are hereby sentenced to death by Executioner, to be carried out tomorrow at midnight in the execution chamber.”

  Joseff’s face paled, then hardened. “Thomas deserved it and more. You sit on your thrones and pretend to deal justice, but your justice is blind. He killed my master!”

  “Enough.” Though Eileifr didn’t stand, he seemed to grow taller. “Kale’s death was the result of battle, and so legal. In regard to you and yours, Thomas did nothing against the law.”

  Joseff howled in rage and lunged forward. Verchiel grabbed him, but the scarred vampire spun around with a kick that caught him off guard. As the Executioner flew backwards, his sword fell from his coat. Joseff sn
atched up the fallen weapon and snapped it out of its scabbard. The threat was written on his face; a death sentence for anyone he could get his hands on.

  Chapter Four

  Katelina jumped to her feet. Jorick tugged her back down. “They’ll handle it.”

  The vampires in the front row scattered for the door, followed by the Lesser Council. “Bureaucrats who’ve grown soft,” Jorick muttered.

  Joseff dropped into a fighting stance and the guards started toward him, drawing weapons as they closed in.

  Verchiel leapt to his feet. He disappeared then reappeared in front of Joseff. He spun the surprised vampire and snapped handcuffs around one wrist. Before he could get the other, Joseff ripped free and slashed with the stolen sword.

  Verchiel dodged away. He lunged again for his attacker, and Joseff hopped backwards onto the dais. Calculations rippled over his face before he grabbed Celandine and pressed the point of the blade to her heart.

  Verchiel drew to a stop, hands up, and Jamie skidded to a halt. “Stand down, prisoner.”

  “Or what?” Joseff demanded. “You’re going to kill me anyway. At least now the mind reading bitch comes with me.”

  Celandine’s face was marble. Her eyes slid toward Eileifr and the Nordic master nodded. “You may execute the prisoner now.”

  As though that was what he’d been waiting for, Jamie hopped up on the dais. Joseff tightened his hold. “I’ll kill her.”

  “No you won’t.” With a single stroke of Jamie’s sword, Joseff’s head flew away in a spray of blood.

  Katelina gasped as Joseff’s body crumpled to the floor. Jamie dispassionately ran his sword through his fallen foe’s chest, then turned to the council and bowed. “I apologize masters, I should have been faster.”

  Celandine dabbed at her bloody dress with a lace edged handkerchief. “Your reactions were adequate, Executioner. I am a mind reader more powerful than you, and I did not see this outcome in his thoughts.” She looked over the headless corpse and the spreading pool of blood. Crimson rivulets reached the edge of the dais and ran down to meet the carpet. “This session of the Full Council is adjourned. Guards, see the mess is cleaned up.”

  Verchiel grabbed his fallen weapon and stashed it away. When Katelina met his eyes, he offered her a smile that didn’t seem genuine.

  With the High Council’s withdrawal, what remained of the audience hurried out of the chamber. Jorick stood leisurely and led her through the double doors and into the hallway. The red-haired Lennon leaned against the wall, chatting with another vampire. Though Katelina would rather kick him than be friendly, she pulled Jorick to a stop.

  “You were in Claudius’ coven?”

  Though Lennon glared at Jorick, he gave her a blank once over that said he wasn’t sure who she was. “So?”

  “There was a human, Sarah, that someone kidnapped. What happened to her?”

  “How the hell should I know? I don’t remember all the humans Claudius fed on.”

  Jorick gave him a warning look, and Katelina clarified, “No. She wasn’t a meal. They were trying to kidnap-” she broke off from saying “me” and instead said, “Patrick’s girlfriend, but they got the wrong girl.”

  Recognition sparked in Lennon’s eyes. “Oh! Her. Troy killed her. Why?”

  “You’re sure?”

  Lennon scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure. I watched ‘til I got bored. Why?”

  Katelina forced down her revulsion. “And no one turned her, or kept her?”

  “No, why would they? She wasn’t good for anything, not even as bait. Why do you want to know?”

  “Never mind,” Jorick said brusquely. “Come, Katelina.”

  He pulled her down the hall and into the elevator. As the shiny doors closed, Katelina leaned back against the wall. “I just don’t understand how she could have survived. Unless he was lying?”

  Jorick shook his head and she added, “Did you see the rest of his thoughts? He said he watched…” She broke off and held up a hand. “Never mind.” It was better that she didn’t know.

  The next evening, Jorick left for his final meeting with Eileifr. Katelina finished packing, surprised Verchiel didn’t come see them. She was even more surprised when Beldren banged on their door.

  “If you insist on having visitors at least give them a key card,” the blond Executioner snapped. “I got in late this morning and I’d planned to sleep in, except this oaf kept banging on the block door.”

  Micah stepped up behind him, meaty arms crossed, Loren on his heels. “Watch who you’re calling an oaf, dog.”

  Beldren snarled and would have turned on him, but Micah motioned to the luggage with the demand, “What’s that about?”

  “Jorick’s meeting with Eileifr, then we’re leaving,” Katelina answered.

  “And good riddance.” Beldren turned on his heel and stomped away before she could think of a suitable reply.

  Loren grinned at Xandria, and Micah barked, “Leaving? Where in the hell do you think you’re going?”

  “My mother’s, then home.”

  He snorted. “Your training ain’t done, sunshine, which means your blood debt ain’t paid, so we’re going with you.”

  “Whoo-hoo!” Loren cried. “Road trip!”

  Katelina’s eyes bulged. “Absolutely not!”

  “It’s that or you don’t go. I’ve been doin’ research. Ask your boyfriend how the blood debt works.”

  Katelina’s heart sank. Though she wanted to argue, wanted to say he was wrong, he wasn’t. She was lucky training was all he expected from her. But how was she going to explain him to her mother? “Maybe I can train after Mom’s? Loren lives down the beach from us. You could stay there.”

  “Nice try princess. You think The Guild dog will go home if he knows we’re waiting?”

  “Stop calling him that. He isn’t an Executioner anymore.”

  “I’ll believe it when he turns in his necklace.”

  “When who turns in their necklace?” Verchiel ambled in, hands in the pockets of his jeans.

  Loren waved and Micah sneered. “What do you want? Thought you’d catch Lunch by herself?”

  Verchiel cocked his head to one side. “I don’t know why you have such a low opinion of me.” He saw the luggage. Katelina thought she saw something shift in his eyes, but it was so quick she wasn’t sure. “Ah. Jorick’s been officially released. Back home?”

  Katelina started to answer when Micah cut her off. “None of your business.”

  Verchiel grinned. “You’re getting as jealous as Jorick. Something we should know about?”

  It took Katelina a moment to grasp the implication, but Micah snarled, “Not what you’re thinking, Guild dog. I just ain’t got no respect for thieves. Lunch belongs to Jorick, so why don’t you back off.”

  Katelina’s hands went to her hips. “I’m not a ‘thing’ to be stolen, and I don’t belong to anyone. I’m with Jorick because I want to be.”

  Verchiel’s smile looked in danger of disappearing. “What’s with you guys? If someone’s friendly it has to be something devious. Are you really that bitter and miserable?”

  “I call it realistic.” Micah crossed his arms.

  Loren moved in front of his friend. “Chill. I know there’s all of that master stuff with you and Katelina now.”

  “Fuck that. Ain’t no master crap. I told you a long time ago, I don’t like sneaky shit. I ain’t no thief and I don’t wanna be around one. You can’t trust ‘em.”

  “That’s enough!” Katelina cried. “No one is ‘stealing’ me, so you can all get over yourselves.”

  Beldren pounded on the other side of the wall and shouted a muffled, “Shut up!”

  “You shut up!” Micah roared back.

  Jorick stormed through the open door, scowling. “What in God’s name is going on?”

  “Your favorite idiot was trying to schmooze on your chick.” Micah jerked his thumb toward the redhead.

  The last shred of Verchiel’s good humor disappea
red. “You’re the idiot. I’ve been nothing but friendly and helpful since I met you people. All I’ve earned are sarcastic comments and suspicion. You want me to go? Fine! Have a good life!”

  Katelina stared, slack jawed and wide eyed, as he stormed out of the room. She shook herself quickly. “Now look what you did.”

  Jorick shrugged. “Good riddance.”

  Katelina smacked him on the arm. “I think you hurt his feelings. Someone should go after him.” No one moved and she gave an angry huff. “Fine, I—”

  Jorick caught her arm and met her eyes. “Don’t. I’ve given you leeway where the idiot is concerned, but my patience only goes so far.”

  “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  He released her and straightened his shirt. “I think I was pretty clear.”

  “I’ll go,” Xandria volunteered. “No one cares if he seduces me.”

  As she hurried out the door, Jorick hefted a suitcase and glanced to Micah. “You can follow him.”

  Micah shook his head. “Ain’t got time. Loren and I gotta pack. Come on pipsqueak.”

  Jorick stiffened, as if he’d read Micah’s mind. “No, you’re not.”

  “Oh come on, it’ll be fun,” Loren insisted.

  Jorick rounded on them, but Katelina shouted, “Enough! I’m sick to death of all the squabbling and fighting. Oren has finally shut up and it’s time the rest of you did, too. Micah, stop insulting everyone all the damn time. Jorick, I don’t like the idea of them coming, but right now I want to get the hell out of here!”

  Loren gave a low whistle. Micah muttered a string of insults under his breath then said, “We’ll be back. No sneaking off while we’re gone,” before he dragged the teen out the door.

  Jorick dropped the suitcase to the floor. “You want to be in charge, Katelina? Fine. You can carry the luggage, since you obviously don’t need me. I’ll see you in the welcome room.” Then he slammed out.

  With a groan Katelina sank into a chair and closed her eyes. Just what she needed: another trip from hell.

  Xandria returned faster than Katelina anticipated. “Verchiel said he wants to be left alone, though he appreciated the thought and says for you to take care. And he’s sorry he blew up. It’s been a stressful few days.”