Masque of the Vampire (Amaranthine Book 8)

by Joleene Naylor

  When his friend walked away, Sorino turned to her. “Did you want something?”

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “And why did you make it sound like Samael’s still there?”

  “It’s called business, child. And as for why we’re here, we were invited, unlike you.” She scowled as he probed her memories and imagined a brick wall. Some of the humor slipped from his face. “No matter. I know enough.” He leaned down and whispered, “You will never pull Jorick away from his duty. He enjoys playing the hero too much.” He straightened and tugged on Kai’s chain. “Let us unpack and see this so-called Spear of Destiny. I hope Andrei didn’t pay too much for it.”

  With a wave, Kai followed his master down the corridor.

  Katelina shook her head and went for the stairs. One day she hoped Kai realized what Sorino was and staked him in his sleep. Sadly, she doubted he would. Sorino had rescued the boy from rogue vampires when he was a child and raised him to be the perfect slave. Kai’s feelings for Sorino seemed to be caught somewhere between father and lover, in a place she didn’t want to think about.

  At the bottom of the stairs she veered around the black coated guards, Cornelius and Roger, who carried a heavy trunk. Cornelius nodded, but Roger scowled. “I didn’t join the greater guards to be a porter.”

  Cornelius shook his head. “It’s no good complaining. We got the assignment, so we have to stick with it.”

  “They only did it to stop me from putting in for the Executioner spot. Don’t think I don’t know what they’re up to.”

  “Who’s they?” Katelina asked.

  Roger’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t get a chance to tell her before Cutter called, “Up with the trunk, lads.”

  “I’ll kill him,” Roger grumbled as he shouldered the burden again. “I swear, I will gut him.”

  Katelina imagined him doing it, and stifled a laugh. As she reached the floor, the double doors opened and a pair of extremely pale vampire twins marched through. In identical white suits with their snow colored hair and skin, the only contrast was their bright blue eyes. They swept off their top hats in unison and bowed a greeting to the Executioners.

  A vampiress entered behind them, draped in fur. Her dark wavy hair was pulled back in a clip, and a fashionable hat was worn at an angle. Her deep red dress would have been more at home at the turn of the century. She flashed a smile at the guards, then, as if they felt her scrutiny, the three newcomers turned their eyes on Katelina.

  Lightning sliced into her brain. Just as quickly, the invasion was gone. Katelina was left blinking and unsteady.

  “And that’s why I hate the old ones,” Trivila said as she caught Katelina’s elbow. “They think they have the right to do that to everyone, because everyone is less than they are.”

  What a wonderful two weeks this is going to be.

  The guest’s dinner was served in the formal dining room. Though they didn’t say the words, it was clear the staff and entertainers were expected to dine separately in the smaller dining room. Katelina wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or glad she wasn’t trapped with that much old blood.

  Fleur slammed her glass angrily. “If today is anything to go by, I’m tired of this already.”

  Katelina stopped from agreeing and asked, “Oh?”

  Bishop cut in, “We drove all the way to St. Anthony, only the vampires we were supposed to pick up rented a camper and left forty-five minutes before we got there.”

  “And then they got lost,” Fleur added. “We were back more than half an hour before they finally showed up, their camper all muddy. I ask you, what do they need a camper for?”

  “It was probably the only vehicle they could rent that would hold all their luggage,” Graham suggested. “You should see how many trunks we went through today. They all packed for a month at least. Who needs that many clothes?”

  “Snotty rich ancients,” Fleur said dryly.

  The Canadians wandered away and Jorick turned to Katelina. “I meant to talk to you this morning, but I didn’t get the chance. I know you’ve trained and you have some abilities, but now that the guests are arriving I’d like you to be careful.”

  Sarah scoffed into her cup. Even without mind reading, Katelina knew what she was thinking.

  “Jorick, we’ll be fine. You’re an Executioner. Even the old ones respect that. Besides, I’m not human anymore. Why would they bother me?”

  Jorick sighed. “Among some of the ancients, being young is no better. Please. I’m not asking you to tie yourself to me, just don’t wander too far, or let them lure you somewhere alone.”

  It seemed simple enough. “All right.”

  “And don’t speak to them unless they speak to you. Even then don’t answer unless it’s a direct question.”

  “I wasn’t planning on making friends.”

  “Good.” He gave her a relieved smile and reached past a mime for a refill.

  Late arrivals appeared after dinner. Katelina followed Jorick and Jamie to the entryway. Cutter was already in conversation with a broad shouldered man. He wore a heavy beard. Blonde hair fell in long curls to his shoulders. His scowl said news of the security measures wasn’t to his liking.

  Katelina turned to comment that he looked like trouble, when she noticed the hard line of Jamie’s mouth and the uncomfortable set of his shoulders. There was a name on the guest list that had disturbed him. What was it? Edgar? Ebert?

  “Eagan,” Jamie muttered. Though the timing was perfect, she suspected it was more coincidence than mind reading.

  “Do you want me to handle him?” Jorick asked.

  Jamie sighed. “Not particularly. I bear him no ill will but…it’s been a long time.”

  As though Eagan sensed their conversation—and Katelina thought he probably did—his eyes landed on Jamie. He nodded to Cutter, then stalked to them in long heavy strides. Both his movements and appearance made Katelina think of an old warrior.

  “Jamie, is it?” Eagan asked in a thickly accented voice. “I did’na think to see ya here, lad.” His attention slid to the Executioners’ emblem. “Ah. So you’re one of them, are ya? Caitrin will be interested to hear the news, and glad to know yer still alive.”

  Jamie’s expression stayed neutral. “You still speak with them?”

  “Aye. They left the coven a hundred years hence, but we still see one anither now and again. They’ve gone to Wales, if ya can believe it.” He laughed. “No different than ya joinin’ up with the guard, so ta speak. Never thought ta see ya there, what with yer hatred for authority.”

  Cornelius appeared at Jamie’s elbow, looking apologetic and terrified. “Sir, should we start searching his luggage?”

  Eagan slapped the guard on the back hard enough to make him stumble. “Aye, aye, best be gettin’ on with it so I can get to my bed.” He inclined his head to Jamie. “Good to see ya, lad.” Then he turned and followed the horrified guard.

  When he was out of range, Katelina asked, “Was that your master?”

  It took Jamie a minute to answer. “Not in the sense you’re thinking. He didn’t turn me, but he was the master of the one who did, so he owned us.”

  Katelina balked. “I knew it meant you were in their coven, but to own you?”

  “It’s because of the blood debt,” Jamie answered. “Had the debt been paid before Caitrin turned me then he wouldn’t have owned me, she would have. Since it wasn’t paid, anyone she or I made belonged to Eagan.”

  “Was Caitrin your girlfriend?”

  “Sister,” Jamie said stiffly. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

  He strode away and Katelina shot Jorick a questioning look.

  “He was nearly killed in some battle or another, and returned home on death’s door to discover his sister and her husband made immortal. It was the husband, I think, that Eagan actually made, but he turned his wife, and she her brother. It’s a sore topic for him, even after all these years. I don’t know what it was, but something happened bet
ween him and his brother-in-law. That’s why he came to the colonies.”

  “Since you made Oren, and he turned his sister and the rest of them before his debt was paid, did that mean you owned them?”

  “I suppose, though I’d never want to claim them.”

  Katelina turned back to the scene at hand. “Eagan is interesting. You don’t see many vampires with a beard. Why is that? Ancient people wore beards all the time.”

  “Maybe they did, and maybe they didn’t. Regardless, it's usually standard practice to prepare before being turned.”

  “You mean by shaving?” He nodded and she thought of his hairless chest. “Did you?”

  “Yes. As did Oren. It's one way to tell if someone was turned by an old master or a new one. The new ones don't bother with it, but old masters tend to be pickier.”

  It was the kind of preparations Katelina had wanted to do. She was distracted from her regret by newcomers. A pale vampire wore a dark ponytail and a long traveling cloak. The vampiress on his arm wore one of a similar cut, though violet in color. Her midnight tresses spilled out around the hood, and her voluptuous blood red lips were a bright contrast against her cocoa skin.

  A third vampire walked toward them, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. His curly hair was cropped short, as was the beard on his strong chin. He stopped next to the pair, and the woman pulled the glasses from his face with an admonishment.

  It was Des, Anya’s ex-lover, the vampire who’d let them take Thomas.

  Katelina grabbed Jorick’s arm. “What’s he doing here?”

  “He’s accompanying his mother and her lover, Demetrious. Sadly, he won’t be the last familiar face we see. With so many guests it’s not surprising.”

  “Just how many are there?”

  “Fifty guests RSVP’d. That’s why I asked you to be careful.”

  If she added in all the entertainers, decorators, extra staff, servants, and coven members, the number was dizzying. It would be impossible to keep track of everyone at once. No wonder he was worried.

  He cut in on her thoughts. “It looks like Jamie has things under control. Let’s go for a walk.”

  She nodded her head. Anything was better than the crushing chaos of the house.

  Outside, the stars throbbed in the sky. With her vampire eyes she could see colors; pinks, blues, yellows, reds, and a thousand pinpoints of light she’d never known existed. The moon was a sliver of silver and she drank in its light like nectar.

  Jorick led her around the house toward the pond. They walked silently out onto the little pier. She watched the dark waves lap the supports, and wondered how cold the water was.

  “It’s a beautiful night,” Jorick said softly.

  She made an absent minded noise of agreement.

  “I’m sorry.”

  His apology caught her off guard. “What?”

  “I’m sorry, for this. I promised we were finished, yet here we are.”

  Oh. That. “Sorino said you can’t help yourself.”

  “He did, did he?” His anger melted with a sigh. “It isn’t that. I’ve lived a long time, Katelina, and in those years…You aren’t the only one I owe something to. You should be the most important one, and you are, but—”

  She laid a finger to his startled lips. “It’s okay. I get it. Whether you want to use the word or not, Jamie is your friend. He probably saved your life a time or two, and you probably saved his. When Eileifr sent him to Indonesia to bring you home, he disobeyed orders and stayed to help look for me. He helped you defeat Malick, a vampire he’d once sworn loyalty to. If you didn’t come, he’d be by himself with the bumbling guards, or they’d have sent a newbie who’s barely better than they are. I admit, I was upset at first, but it’s okay.”

  Jorick sighed with relief and wrapped his arm around her. “You never cease to surprise me, little one.” He frowned. “If that’s not the problem, then what’s bothering you? Is it what happened with the hiker?”

  She leaned her head against him and listened to the steady sound of his heartbeat. “That was upsetting, but no. It’s Sarah. She’s been acting tense and stiff all day.”

  Jorick made an uncomfortable sound. “Did you have a fight?”

  “Not exactly. We were talking yesterday. I don’t think her introduction to immortality was a nice one. She said something about being locked in a cage in Troy’s basement until December. God, you guys killed him in October. That means she would have been in there more than a month with no food. I don’t know. I guess she’s mad because she thought I’d been a prisoner of Claudius’, and a vampire, for the whole time; that I’d only recently escaped. When she found out I was only a prisoner overnight and I stayed human until Malick…I think she’s just confused. She thought she understood what happened, only to find out she doesn’t. I wish I knew how to help her.”

  “All you can do is be there for her, and be careful.”

  She peered up into his face. “Be careful of what?”

  He didn’t meet her eyes. “Sometimes, when people have suffered…It may take her some time to heal.”

  “I know.” Katelina relaxed again. “I wish there was a magic way to make everything better.”

  Jorick’s voice was so low she could barely hear him. “Don’t we all?”

  They wandered back inside near daybreak. They were barely through the door when Jamie pounced and dragged Jorick into the portrait lined hall. Katelina stood uncomfortably near a statue and examined a bouquet of flowers, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

  “Excuse me,” a female voice purred.

  Katelina looked up to see the pale top hatted twins from earlier. The dark haired vampiress was between them. She wore a designer dress and heels. Though it hugged her body, it didn’t make her look slutty or provocative, only sexy.

  Before Katelina could make other observations, the world dipped and swayed, then returned, almost too sharp and clear to be real.

  “I said, my friends are hungry,” the vampiress repeated, though Katelina had missed it the first time. “Where can they get a snack?”

  Katelina’s mouth worked on its own as she gave directions to the kitchen. When she finished the vampiress said, “Thank you, child,” and started away.

  One of the twins hung back. His smile was more terrifying than friendly. “You should not wander alone. You’re too interesting to get lost.”

  Before Katelina could ask what he meant, they were gone and Jorick was hurrying toward her.

  “Are you all right?”

  She nodded and rubbed her head absently.

  He caught her hands with a frown. “Who was it and what did they want?”

  “It was those pale twins and the woman they came with.” She racked her memory, but there was only a dark edged hole. “It’s weird, but I can’t remember what she looked like, just that she was well dressed.”

  Jorick pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re safe.”

  It was several hours later when Katelina jerked awake. Her terrified eyes made a circuit of the room, seeking a threat and a weapon. Sunlight gilded the edges of the drapes. Deep shadows colored the corners in twilight gloom. Jorick sat next to her, body tense, lips drawn back from his fangs, his hand wrapped around the bedside lamp.

  The door opened a crack. Jorick sniffed then released the lamp and flopped back. Sarah’s head popped inside. “Kate! Come quick!”

  The urgency in her voice left Katelina scrambling from bed. She was barely in the corridor before Sarah dragged her down the dim hall.

  “They went this way. I heard their footsteps.”

  “Who?” As the words left her lips, she realized it was the stalker that supposedly stood outside Sarah’s room every day.

  When the hall ended at a T-junction, Sarah hesitated and looked both ways. Katelina tried to sniff out their quarry, but she didn’t know what to smell for.

  With an aggravate
d grunt, Sarah pulled her to the right. They rushed to make up for lost time, and rounded a corner on a full row of blazing, uncovered windows.

  Katelina gasped as the light hit her. Sarah gave a cry and lurched forward, seeking the shade of an ornate table, pulling Katelina with her. She stumbled and fell onto it, sending them into a tangled heap of limbs and broken wood, directly in a swath of glowing gold. Katelina lifted her arm to shield her head. The heat burned her skin and sapped her reason.

  Sarah released her with a wail and tried to protect her face. Thoughtless panic crashed over Katelina, and she struggled to surface from it.

  The sun. The sun. Burns.

  Chapter Eleven

  The golden sunlight seared Katelina’s body and mind. Her oversensitive eyes refused to focus, and her skin felt flushed and tight. Sunlight. Sunlight was bad for vampires. It hurt them. It burned them. It killed them.

  Only if they let it.

  She struggled against the primeval fear and mentally slapped herself. If she didn’t pull it together they’d both be casualties of daylight. She had no intention of going out that way.

  She squeezed her eyes shut against the burning rays and jerked Sarah to her feet. Her friend struggled and wailed as new parts of her body were exposed, but Katelina was stronger. She forced her around the corner, back to the safety of the shadows. When she released her, Sarah collapsed against the wall gasping. The terror faded from her eyes. Shiny yellow blisters stood out vividly against her pink, burned skin.

  Katelina glanced to her own naked arms. Though unblistered, she was colored a light pink, like she’d been in the pool too long without sunscreen.

  “Oh my God,” Sarah moaned.

  Katelina carefully helped her to her feet. “It will heal.”

  “I know. I’ve been in the sun before.” Sarah limped forward, using Katelina and the wall for support. “But how did my stalker survive the light?”

  Katelina chose her words carefully. “Maybe they’re really old. The older the vampire, the more sun they can stand. Samael can be in it for hours. Or maybe we made a wrong turn.”

  “It was this or the storage areas,” Sarah muttered. “I doubt they’d go there.”