Andrei clapped his hands and called for silence. “These are our guests from The Guild and The Assembly.” As he explained their purpose, a vampiress in the front drew Katelina’s attention. Long auburn hair fell around pale shoulders and a dress hugged her torso to drift into filmy folds around her feet. A delicate chain around her neck disappeared into her cleavage. Most interesting was a white half mask, like something from the Phantom of the Opera. The thick material had a glossy plastic sheen. Worn spots at the edges showed it wasn’t new.
“This is Annabelle, my mate.” When the masked vampiress looked up, her sea green eyes sent a jolt through Katelina.
“You’ve met Cutter, of course. This is Kolli.” He pointed to a blonde male with a young face and crystal blue eyes, then to a slightly pudgy brunette woman. “This is Marna.” The rest of the names flowed over Katelina like water, and she was relieved when he finished. “Cutter will take you to the green lounge and discuss the plans with you.”
Katelina gratefully hurried from the room, Sarah at her elbow. “There’s a lot of them,” her friend whispered. “No wonder he wanted security.”
“Those are the vampires who live here, not the guests. I hate to think how many he’s invited.”
Sarah choked. “How many… are there in the world?”
“A bunch. Most countries have their own vampire government.”
“I thought there was only a handful. How can so many hide?”
Jorick cut in, “By following The Laws. That’s why the punishment is so severe for breaking them.”
Sarah clamped her mouth shut, but Katelina saw something unsettled in her eyes.
Just as Fleur said, they went over party plans. The event would last two weeks and involved a myriad of entertainment including a circus, a magician, a play of some kind, a feast, and a masked ball for the final event.
Jamie and Jorick exchanged looks. Though Fleur didn’t comment, Katelina thought she was as overwhelmed as they were.
Cutter gave them a guest list that the Executioners glanced through. Jamie stiffened and mumbled, “Eagan”, but his discomfort quickly disappeared under his unruffled façade.
They split up to do a “perimeter check”. Katelina and Sarah followed Jorick out the door and around the mansion. Two wings flanked the main section in the front. In the back, another two came out in a V. In the triangle shaped spaces on the sides were patio areas. Because of the cold, no plants grew, and water features sat empty, waiting for warmer days.
In the back between the two wings, was the largest patio. Shiny tables and chairs were scattered over it. Katelina had the impression they’d been purchased just for the party.
The lawn, still clothed in winter colors, sloped down to a pond big enough to warrant a boat house with a miniature pier. A sliver of ice ringed the water and tiny waves puckered the surface, ruffling the star’s reflection. The icy stillness left Katelina unsettled.
They left the random buildings for the guards to investigate and moved to a shooting range. A gazebo overlooked it, and a tennis court was to the left. Katelina thought one of the farther off buildings might be a stable.
Jamie joined them with a nod, and Sarah asked, “Where does this guy get all his money?”
“He’s old,” Jorick replied. “More than twice my age. He’s had all those years to amass wealth, make investments, and buy companies.”
“Vampire companies?” Katelina asked.
Jamie shook his head. “Normal companies, with human employees and CEOs. Andrei is clever about his investments. For instance, he and Claudius were involved in a joint venture. On Claudius’ death, the whole went to Andrei. I’m sure there have been similar mergers and acquisitions over the years. Then there’s all the property he owns.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “How do you know this?”
“The Assembly handles some of it, and their records are our records. Before leaving for this assignment, I familiarized myself with them.” He gazed off into the distance. “Bad weather is coming.”
Though Katelina didn’t notice the chill, a shiver ran down her spine. She wasn’t sure if he meant the dark clouds, or something metaphorical.
Hopefully he just means snow.
The reconnaissance done, Katelina followed the others inside. Cutter met them in the entryway and escorted them back to the green lounge, where he produced blueprints of the mansion. It didn’t interest Katelina, and she fell to whispers with Sarah.
When the others finished studying the plans, Cutter led them on a tour. Among the rooms were different colored lounges, a library, a den, a ballroom, a formal dining room that seated fifty, a smaller dining room, and a room of glass cases that contained Andrei’s “collections”. The kitchens had coolers of refrigerated blood, and walk in freezers.
The basement had a bowling alley, a miniature movie theater, and an indoor swimming pool surrounded by sea colored tiles and lush jungle plants. Upstairs were rows of bedrooms and sumptuous bathrooms, a trophy room, and what Cutter called a ladies’ sewing salon, though it looked like another lounge to Katelina.
Andrei and Annabelle’s chambers had double doors and a small entryway that led into a sitting room. Though the tour didn’t go on, she imagined the bedroom and private bath were through the other doors.
There was also a television lounge, with a big screen and a leather sectional. A pair of vampires paused their show to gaze languidly at them. Katelina heard it resume after they left.
“They aren’t very friendly,” Sarah muttered. “I thought we were doing them a favor.”
Katelina shook her head. “Everyone’s waiting for us to screw up.”
The third floor was mostly bedrooms, while the fourth was storage and servants’ quarters. Tucked away in the middle was a locked door that Cutter breezily called, “Annabelle’s private room.”
“What’s in it?” Jamie asked.
Cutter repeated, “Private room,” then said, “The tour is finished. I believe it’s lunch time. Please follow me.”
He took them to a blue lounge full of windows and a shiny piano. Warmed blood was served in cups. A few of the coven members joined them, including Annabelle. Though she nodded a greeting, she didn’t speak, and she didn’t remove her mask.
“Maybe she’s getting in the masquerade spirit?” Sarah suggested uncertainly.
After lunch, Fleur tried to start a meeting. At a look from Jorick she grudgingly backed down and Jamie took the lead.
“We have four days until the guests arrive. The entertainers, decorators, and caterers will begin appearing tomorrow. Their identities need to be confirmed, and they and their goods inspected. Since I have the highest clearance, I’ll check them against The Guild’s databases. Roger, Cornelius, Graham, and Porter will be in charge of searching their luggage. Should it be necessary, Fleur and Bishop will handle transportation to and from the airport. Jorick, you will interview everyone regarding their intentions and the truthfulness of their credentials.”
“Do you really think there’ll be a problem?” Cornelius asked with concern.
“Better safe than sorry. Andrei wants us to do a job. We will do it to the fullest.”
In other words, if Andrei was determined to waste their time, they were going to make it as inconvenient for everyone as they could.
Fleur motioned to Katelina and Sarah. “What will they do?”
“They’ll assist me,” Jorick said.
Katelina felt Sarah stiffen, but she stayed silent.
Jamie moved on. “When the guests arrive, we’ll follow the same procedure.”
Jorick scoffed. “They’ll enjoy that.”
“As I said, this is what Andrei wants. Once everyone is here, we’ll split security up into shifts. I’ll make rosters tonight. During your shift, your job will be to monitor where everyone is and what they’re doing. There will be no mistakes, and when we’re done, Andrei will think twice about his requests.”
Fleur glared, but only muttered her agreement. A
s the meeting split up, Katelina foresaw a house of irritated vampires.
It was the following evening when a voice cut into Katelina’s thoughts. “Hello.”
She looked up sharply, and focused on the young, blue eyed face of a vampire. Kolli, she thought his name was. “Hello.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you. Cutter sent me to help with luggage.”
Katelina nodded to a pile of trunks and boxes scattered over the entryway. Jorick was lost in conversation with three decorators, whose angry accented English slipped into French and back again. Roger, Graham, Porter, and Cornelius were elbow deep in the mess, looking for something suspicious, though no one knew what that “something” was.
“When they finish sorting, I guess you can take it.” Her vague directions lacked authority, but she didn’t care.
Sarah cut in, “The personal luggage goes to their rooms. The decorations go to the ballroom.”
Kolli offered a smile and a mock salute. “As you say.” He bobbed his head and plunged into the chaos.
“He was kind of cute.” Katelina elbowed her friend.
“As if I can think about romance now that I’m…this.”
“Why not? Vampires aren’t celibate.”
“I wish you’d stop using that word.”
Katelina ran through what she’d said. “What word? Vampire?”
“Yes. It makes this seem like a cheap romance novel, or a B horror movie. We aren’t vampires, we’re…we’re…”
“Vampires,” Katelina said, though the word felt uncomfortable. “That’s what they call themselves, Sarah. That’s what we are now.”
“No! I refuse! I…” She faltered, her hands in shaking fists. “I need some air.”
Katelina watched her friend storm out the double doors. She rose from her seat on the grand stairs to follow, then changed her mind. Jorick sent a questioning look, but stayed with the angry decorators.
Andrei sauntered into the room wearing a tailored suit and a polite expression. He moved to the decorators and gave them a spiel in French. Though Katelina didn’t understand the words, she imagined he blamed everything on them; saying The Guild insisted. Whatever it was, the vampires calmed down.
Jorick joined Katelina and she asked, “Having fun?”
“Of course. Moments like this make me sad to leave the Executioners.”
The sarcasm was thick enough to drown in. “You’re the one who agreed. A favor to Jamie.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Excuse me.” Kolli wobbled past them, buried under a pile of luggage. Katelina thought she should help, but she couldn’t summon the will. It was all so much pointless drivel.
Jorick nodded. “Life is pointless drivel. Though you’re right. You aren’t a mule. Let them haul it.”
She leaned back on her elbows. “I may not be a mule, but I’m bored. How much longer is this going to take?”
“I’m finished for the moment. Fleur is helping at the temporary landing strip, and I have no idea where Jamie is.”
“Hiding and letting us piss everyone off.”
“You’re worried about making them angry? What will they do? Write ‘Katelina is mean’ on the ballroom ceiling in lights? They’re only decorators.”
“Until they band together and kill us. Never mind. If you’re done let’s do something.”
Jorick feigned surprise. “Just you and I? I thought you’d forgotten how to live without Sarah attached to your hip.”
Katelina smacked him. “She’s new at this, and she doesn’t know anyone.”
He caught her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “You were once new, too. Who did you cling to?”
“You. At least I tried to.”
“I remember it differently. It doesn’t matter. Come, let’s find ‘something to do’.”
It was two hours later when Sarah joined them in the TV lounge. She dropped down on the couch next to Katelina and glared at Jorick and his book. “I suppose he dragged you up here?”
Katelina paused the show. “No. He isn’t big on TV. He wanted to hang out in the library, but there were some women in there…Marna and a blonde who stared at him like she wanted to eat him.”
“Trivila,” Sarah said. “I ran into them while I was looking for you.”
Cornelius appeared at the door, twisting his hat in his hands. “I apologize, sir, but there’s a new bunch to interrogate.”
Katelina groaned. Another hour of angry chattering and unhappy guards.
With a huff, Jorick closed his book and swept to his feet. “You don’t need to come, little one. I’ll be back.”
Katelina relaxed and turned back to her TV show. It gave way to the news. Though it was Canadian, it was the same as usual. War somewhere. Record low temperatures in parts of the U.S. An out of season hurricane. A lost masterpiece recovered from what they believed was an undiscovered World War II bunker in Germany. A child found mutilated in Quebec led authorities to believe the Ontario Heartless Killer had moved. A hiker and a pair of kidnapped children from Churchill Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador, were still missing.
The show was winding up when a pair of dark eyed twins entered. With their black dresses and hair in Wednesday Adams braids, they looked like goth-girl poster children. They pulled a human teen behind them by a rope around her neck. Her hands were bound and her mouth gagged, her jeans and sweater torn. She stumbled to her knees and they dragged her into the room, laughing.
“Borne, we brought you a present.” The vampiress faltered. “He’s not here.” She eyed Katelina and Sarah. “You’re with the Executioners? Have you seen Borne?”
The human girl struggled and tried to grab the rope, but the second twin pulled hard enough to send her sprawling. Tears streaked her dirty face, and her body rose and fell with sobs.
Katelina felt the wash of her fear, sharp and cold, and her heart hammered in time to the girl’s. She forced down the terror—not mine, not mine—and stood. “What are you doing?”
The twins looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “We’re looking for Borne,” the first said with exaggerated slowness. “He has sandy hair and a sweater. Have you seen him?”
“He’s in the blue lounge,” Sarah replied without looking away from the television.
“Thanks.” They started out the way they’d come. Their captive cast a terrified, pleading look back, as though sensing this might be her last chance for salvation.
With an irritated noise, Katelina bound toward them. “I asked what you’re doing with her.”
They stopped in the doorway and the first twin snapped, “Are you dim witted? We’re taking her to—”
Katelina pressed her face close, lips drawn back threateningly. “I heard you. But what is Borne going to do with her?”
The twin snarled, but pulled away. “What do you think?”
“He’s going to kill her! What gives him the right to do that? She’s a living, breathing person. Where did you find her?”
The second twin stepped up. “Since when was it illegal to kill a human? Geeze. If you’re worried about anyone finding out, it’s fine. She was hiking alone and got lost days ago.”
Katelina thought of the missing hiker on the news. With a growl she ripped the gag away to reveal the girl’s terrified, element ravaged face, the same face she’d seen on the news. “They’re looking for her! She’s on TV!”
The girl choked and rattled out unintelligible words through her cracked lips. Though Katelina couldn’t understand, she knew the meaning. Don’t kill me.
The first twin jerked the gag away from Katelina. “So? They’re looking for her sixty miles from here. Unless you’ve got an Executioner emblem hidden under your shirt, and a legitimate complaint, mind your own business.”
The second twin simpered. “You have to excuse them, sister. They’re fraught with paranoia. If something goes wrong at this little shindig, they get the blame.”
“Good for them.” The first twin marched into the corridor. Katelina lu
nged after her, but Sarah pulled her back.
“What are you doing?” Stronger than her friend, she wrestled free. “They’re going to kill her!”
“Of course they are. That’s what monsters do.” Katelina gaped, and Sarah dropped her eyes. “You know what we are, Kate. Why pretend to be anything different?”
“Just because we’re… this, doesn’t mean we have to be monsters. We can save her.”
“How? Unless it is illegal?” Katelina deflated slightly and Sarah nodded. “She’s none of our business. Come watch TV.”
Katelina jerked away. “You can stay indifferent if it makes you feel superior, but I can’t.”
She charged out of the lounge and pounded down to the entryway where Jamie was surrounded by four angry vampiresses. Off to the side stood a vampire with long dark hair and a cape. What looked like magician’s implements were scattered around the room, including a giant mirror that Graham experimentally stepped through and then back again, a delighted look on his face.
“Those are our orders,” Jamie snapped to the women. “You can accept it, or take your things and go back to Bucharest.” He caught sight of Katelina, and muttered, “Excuse me.”
When he made his way to her she snapped, “Where’s Jorick?”
“Seeing to something else. What’s wrong?” She poured her story out. When she finished, he nodded. “They’re correct. The human’s capture won’t raise suspicion, or compromise the coven. It’s perfectly legal.”
“So, you’re going to stand there and…and let them kill her?” Katelina’s voice shrilled and the chattering vampiresses looked toward her.
Jamie drew her away and lowered his voice, “I understand you’re upset.”
“You’re damn right I’m upset! You have to stop them.”
He made an uncomfortable noise. “I’m sorry, but she’s already seen us. Do you understand? Even if I were to free her she’d be killed by The Assembly because unmarked humans—”
“I know the damn laws.”
Masque of the Vampire (Amaranthine Book 8) Page 13