Masque of the Vampire (Amaranthine Book 8)

by Joleene Naylor

  That’s not at all what happened, Katelina thought angrily.

  Samael and his savior sang a short song, then he released her and turned for Lilith, still busy in her miniature party. A vampire from the sidelines handed him a shiny sword, and he fell on the group, slashing and swinging. Vampires crumpled to the floor, until at last only Lilith remained. Her hands fluttered to her breast and she ran around, seeking escape. The guests clapped and hemmed her in tighter, until Samael caught her. They circled in another fight that ended with him stabbing her. She stumbled backwards and, in a showy death scene, dropped to the ground with a final bout of rhyming regret.

  Katelina clapped with the others, and tried to ignore the shivers Kali’s laughter sent through her.

  “She seems very amused,” Sorino commented.

  Against her will, Katelina’s eyes were drawn to the vampiress. She stood, the twins on one side and Sarah on the other, clapping. Her hard eyes glittered. Something about the set of her mouth felt wrong, as though it wasn’t humor that made her laugh.

  Katelina’s skin crawled and the hairs stood on the back of her neck. She looked away, but her stomach tightened, as though a gathering storm was ready to unleash its fury.

  She felt Verchiel stiffen, and she looked to see Sorino cock an eyebrow. “How interesting. Do you feel the sudden tension?”

  Katelina nodded. “What is it?”

  As if in answer, words rang through her head. “I am here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Katelina turned to the entrance as the double doors blew open in a shower of wood shards. The vampires around her gasped and spun toward the destruction, all eyes focused on the figure in the gaping doorway. Black trousers and a black button shirt hugged his physique. Both his stance—arms raised and palms out—and a black robe with wide sleeves made him look like a sorcerer. Long black hair flowed over his shoulders, and dark topaz eyes burned like stars.

  It was Samael.

  His voice shook the room, “Come forth!”

  Verchiel slid in front of Katelina, reaching for a sword that wasn’t there. She laid a restraining hand on his shoulder and tried to process what was happening. Samael is here—Samael who said he’d found Lilith, so that means…

  The guests stared, trying to decide if this was part of the show or a genuine attack.

  …it means Lilith is here.

  Cold laughter filled the room. Kali stepped forward and removed her mask. “So it’s true. It has been so long I scarcely recall your face, but I would know that anger anywhere. Have you no greeting for me, after years uncounted?”

  …it means Kali is Lilith.

  Kali? Katelina choked on the revelation. That she was ancient was a certainty, but Lilith?

  Can it be true?

  As if to prove Kali’s identity, Katelina felt the burning of Samael’s fury. He snarled something in a foreign language and raised his hand. Katelina sensed the power coalescing around it, and knew what came next. But, like the rest of the vampires, she was rooted to the spot.

  Kali snapped her fingers and Sarah stepped in front of her, eyes empty. Samael’s expression stayed cold as he readied to release the attack.

  “No!”

  The scream tore from Katelina just before the ball of energy ripped free. A last second flick of Samael’s wrist sent it speeding above them to slam into the wall. Plaster and wood exploded. Dust rained down on the crowd. As it landed on the vampires, they sprang to life amid a sea of cries, pushing, shoving, and scampering for the exit blocked by an ancient.

  Andrei rose from his throne, the picture of royal indignation. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “Sit puny child,” Samael commanded. “My business is with another.”

  Andrei’s mouth opened, but he dropped into his seat at a motion from the ancient vampire.

  Kali moved to circle him, Sarah in front of her and the twins behind, their spears raised as weapons instead of props.

  Samael turned to her, another ball of power coalescing around his hand.

  “Did you not learn with the last?” Kali sneered. “To kill me tonight, you must break your covenant with the one who woke you. Will you do that, you who attach such honor to vows?”

  “I need break nothing. You cannot always hide behind your shield.”

  He moved so fast that even Katelina’s immortal eyes couldn’t see it. One minute he was in front of the door, and the next he was skidding to a stop where Kali had been. She, meanwhile, had leapt over him, Sarah clutched before her, her wind walking twins behind her.

  They stopped short of the door and Kali laughed. “I realize now my mistake. I will not make it again. When next we meet I will find you, and I will slay you with the blade of the gods you once adored!”

  She spun for her exit, but Verchiel was in her way. Katelina looked to the spot he’d occupied only a moment before and held back a cry. The redhead advanced a step, a piece of the door held as a weapon. “I’m sorry, but you’re under arrest.”

  The distraction was enough. Samael disappeared and reappeared behind her. In a single sweep, he knocked Kali across the room. She crashed into the orchestra’s island, sending musicians and instruments splashing into the fake pond.

  Sarah fell to the floor in a heap. Verchiel dodged for her, but the twins swept her up and leapt away. Katelina had a flash of them landing at the edge of the crowd before they disappeared again.

  Samael hovered over Kali’s prone form. Then she was gone and he crashed into the crowd, thrown by the vampiress in a move too fast to see. He ripped loose from a tangle of terrified guests and threw a blast of psychic energy at his enemy. To Katelina’s amazement, Kali made a quick motion with her hand, and the energy bounced away to slam into the ceiling in a spray of plaster.

  Of course. If he can do it, she can. They’re the same age.

  As if to prove Katelina’s nightmares, Kali raised her hand and flicked her wrist. The ball of power was almost visible as it sped across the room and slammed into the vampire next to Samael. With a scream and a spray of blood, Borne fell backwards. The angel costumed twins screamed and rushed for him, held back by the panicked crowd pushing for the door.

  “It seems your aim has not improved,” Samael commented.

  “Or has it?” Kali asked. “I would hate to see you die a quick death.”

  With the door unguarded, several vampires raced out. Katelina looked to see Verchiel hop aside. He shouted directions to them as they streaked past, though his words were lost in the racket of their terror. Katelina saw Fleur among the bedlam, pushing people for the door, but she couldn’t see Jorick. Panicked, she rushed toward the redhead, and reached him just as Jorick and Jamie did.

  She clutched Jorick’s arm. “Thank God. I was afraid you were hurt with the orchestra.”

  “I’m fine.” He forced Trivila and Marna out the door.

  A pair of vampires fell to the floor. The surging crowd trampled them in their haste.

  “We need to do something with this crowd,” Jamie shouted as a fox masked servant stumbled past.

  At the other end of the room Andrei stood again, tugging Annabelle after him. They dodged around a chunk of flying debris, sent by a blast from Kali, and raced for the door.

  “Not the party you expected,” Verchiel called as plaster exploded near the fairy forest. “Or is it?”

  Their host paused long enough to shout, “Do something! That’s what you’re here for!” then sprang toward his escape. An invisible burst of energy slammed above the doorway. The wall collapsed in a roaring pile of plaster and wood.

  Katelina stumbled back, waving the dust out of her face. Jorick and Jamie had leapt to the right and Verchiel to the left. Andrei and Annabelle had pulled up short just in time. The vampiress leaned heavily on her husband, the visible half of her face painted with terror. Wriggling limbs stuck out from under the heap of debris, vampires who hadn’t reacted fast enough.

  The cloud of dust hung like fog. Through it Katelina could see
the shadowy shapes of figures. Someone crashed through the cloud and slammed Jorick back against the rubble. It took Katelina a second to recognize William. His pirate costume was torn and his black mask was askew.

  Jorick threw him aside and pulled to his feet. Jamie kicked William’s legs out from under him and pointed his sword at his chest.

  From the chaos came a vampiress dressed as a saloon girl. She pulled a dagger from her corset and stabbed Jamie. Her running force sent her barreling past, but left the blade buried in his left shoulder.

  Jorick flung her back. He raised his hand to strike, when Yuki charged like a furious black swan. She caught Jorick with her shoulder and knocked him backwards. The saloon girl used her freedom to attack Jamie. The Executioner, who hadn’t had time to pull the dagger free, slashed with his sword.

  Verchiel jumped to help, but a fourth assailant leapt in from the melee, black mask torn and dress dirty. It was—

  “Anya?”

  The blonde snarled. Katelina had a nanosecond view of the vampiress’ fist slamming toward her, then the flash of the foggy room as she flew backwards. She slammed into something and a cry tore from her lips.

  She struggled to come to terms with what had happened and where she was. The ceiling spread above her, marred by holes in the plaster. They reminded her of the chandelier, of the way the ceiling came down with it. The rope wasn’t cut. No one could have made it come down, plaster and all. No one except Kali.

  As if she was back in time, she saw a flash of the entryway mirror, saw the reflection of a figure in a dark dress.

  And then Ren saved me.

  But why? Why would Kali try to crush her? Why would her underling disobey her? Unless that was part of the plan.

  Ren’s chilling voice whispered through her memory, “We could all be great friends.” Just what Kali wanted, Samael’s “chosen one” and Sarah’s Blade of Nu-Gua. The sword she’d gloated over possessing only moments ago.

  Oh holy fuck.

  Katelina jerked to her feet and looked hurriedly for her friend. The cloud of plaster dust was still thick, and she swiveled and waved the particles from her face. She saw the pile of rubble that had caught her; part of the castle. The four towers toppled in all directions. Splintered wood and tattered velvet was all that was left of the throne’s dais.

  A moan sounded. Something moved. A hand. With a quick glance in the direction of Jorick and the others, she hurriedly dragged away beams of wood until she could see the red head of Rangvald.

  “Are you okay?”

  He spit out a mouthful of blood, then helped dig himself out. He pulled free of the mess, and his eyes darted around, no doubt seeking Petta.

  “I haven’t seen her,” Katelina shouted.

  The dust started to settle and the air cleared. Fleur joined the Executioners, her shirt torn and her leg bloody. A group of seven vampires, all in black masks, attacked. Brandle, as disheveled as the others, pushed one of the attackers aside and joined. At first Katelina thought he was with them, but when he threw William across the room she realized he was fighting on their side.

  Against his friend.

  Annabelle worked furiously at digging out the door. Andrei stood over her, wrestling with one of his black masked guests. Another black mask. Another combatant. Were they in league together? Was that what William was recruiting for? But why was he gathering a group? To fight Jorick?

  Katelina picked up the dented shield-shaped coat of arms. Made of metal, it could be useful as both shield and weapon. She carried it toward the Executioners, stepping over bits of rubble and prone bodies.

  As she moved, she focused her attention on the orchestra area. Samael was on the ruined island, his hand extended. Katelina felt the wave of his anger smash through her and staggered.

  The twins stood among the chaos, their spears at the ready. In front of them was Kali. In one arm she clutched Sarah’s unconscious figure, her other hand raised.

  Katelina felt the draw of power, the manifestation of Samael’s will, as he gathered psychic energy around his hand. While the assault built, Kali sent small missiles of invisible power flying. One slammed into the floor at his feet. Another went wide and hit Saul’s servant Trevor, the vampire who’d attacked Sarah over Kai. Like Borne he went back in a spray of blood and lay limp, scarlet pouring from his ears and nose, his organs liquefied.

  Samael released his attack, but Kali dodged away. The energy missed her and slammed into Tol. Katelina cried in surprise as his head exploded in a rain of blood and brains.

  Ren screamed and charged Samael, ready to impale him with his spear. With a wave of the ancient’s hand, his attacker was thrown back. Another flick of his wrist sent a ball of energy that crumpled Ren to the floor, blood running from his eyes and ears.

  Kali looked over her dead followers. “Do you know how hard it is to train them properly?” She focused on Samael and a strange smile curved her lips. “I tire of this game. I’ve already said my goodbyes. Perhaps this time you’ll accept them, or do I need to drive the point home?”

  She met Katelina’s eyes. The chaos of the room disappeared, replaced with a dark shining prison.

  “I warned you not to wander alone.”

  The voice. It was the same one she’d blamed on the twins. Sarah was right. It wasn’t them, but Kali. Not Kali. Lilith.

  “If you prefer. Come child. Surrender to my will. Surely you’re no harder to control than a lion.”

  Lion. Leo the lion. “…He’s friendly and well behaved...Someone was controlling him.”

  “Wouldn’t it have been fun to get rid of your annoying guard? No matter, he is as useless as all men in a crisis.”

  “Release her!”

  The last voice was Samael’s. With it, the room came roaring back. Katelina shook her head to chase away the effects of the woman’s gaze.

  “Next time, I’ll keep her.”

  Her threat made, Kali headed for the door. Katelina reached the Executioner’s battle. Torn between joining them and watching the ancients, she hovered on the edge, her attention on Samael as he readied to throw another attack.

  William bowled her over, knocking the shield from her hands, Verchiel on his heels. He disappeared and reappeared a few feet away. The redhead did the same. Jorick pushed Anya to the ground and bounded to Katelina’s side. He pulled her to her feet, but before he could check on her, Anya was back, screaming and driving a forked dagger into his stomach.

  Katelina tackled the vampiress and slammed her fist into the blonde’s face. She readied to strike again when the room shook. Plaster and wood rained down from above. Katelina buckled under the sudden onslaught.

  When the roaring stopped, she tried to come to terms with what had happened. The ceiling had fallen in. She was still on top of Anya, her face inches from the vampiress’ bleeding nose.

  Jorick’s voice sounded close to her ear, “Are you all right?”

  She realized the weight on top of her wasn’t rubble, but Jorick. At the last second he’d thrown himself over her.

  “I’m not!” Anya roared. “Get off of me! I swear—”

  “You swear nothing.” Jorick shifted and an avalanche of wreckage tumbled noisily. “I had no idea William was still desperate for an uprising.”

  He pulled free and tugged Katelina out of the debris. She brushed herself off, and glared as Anya stood. The vampiress dropped into a stance, ready to attack. Jorick knocked her back in a heap.

  “Stay down or I’ll kill you next time.”

  Katelina laid a hand on him, her eyes on his bleeding stomach. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded as the others unburied themselves, shaking off dust and surprise. The couch from the sewing room stood on end, partially lost in the mess.

  Katelina chanced a quick look up to see that the floor above had caved in. She saw a slice of pale blue wall and a chair that hung over the giant opening.

  Under the hole stood Kali. She held Sarah in one arm, but her attention was on something at her f
eet. As the dust settled, Katelina saw a tattered purple fairy wing.

  Estrilda.

  Kali hauled the child up by the back of her dress. Katelina felt Estrilda’s mental scream as Kali surveyed her. With a shriek, Annabelle lunged. Yuki, free from the mess, knocked her aside before she could reach her target. She tumbled over the remains of the table that had been in the sewing room. Andrei roared and charged the offending vampiress. They crashed together and Andrei slammed his fist into her. She turned at the last second to take the blow on her side. Katelina could almost hear the crunch.

  The vampiress staggered back. Andrei knocked her legs out from under her and stabbed a chunk of splintered wood through her chest. With an animalistic intensity he looked up to Kali, Yuki’s blood on his face and hands. “Release her.”

  “I don’t think so. The blood of children is the sweetest, and what would be sweeter than one who has been a child for centuries? William!”

  The vampire in question appeared at Kali’s feet. She tossed Estrilda into his arms. Jorick and Andrei sprang in unison, but William was gone before they reached him. At a cry from the door, Katelina saw Graham crumple to the ground and William disappear through the narrow opening Annabelle’d dug free.

  A mound of rubble exploded near Katelina. She ducked flying chunks and looked to see Samael stand. His robe was torn and a cut across one cheek bled crimson. “Now you die, foul demon!” As he raised his hands, Kali held Sarah before her. Katelina felt Samael’s indecision, and her heart stopped when he came to a conclusion.

  “I am sorry.”

  Sarah’s death was written on his face. With a cry, Katelina grabbed the fallen shield and flung it at him. The force of impact sent his shot wide to blast a hole in the wall. Kali laughed and evaporated, no doubt racing out the new exit.

  Samael met Katelina’s eyes. She felt the spark of his disappointment before he, too, disappeared. In the aftermath, Anya bounded for the door, followed by her black masked compatriots. Verchiel and the guards raced after them.