Goddess of Night (Amaranthine Book 9)

by Joleene Naylor

  “Wow.” Xandria whistled. “I thought it was something stupid, like a car wreck he caused, but that’s not his fault.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” Torina pulled back the sides of Katelina’s hair. “He’s an odd boy, or man, I should say. That child face fools people.”

  “Then they haven’t spent much time with vampires,” Xandria said. “But he is odd. I actually thought he was going to call everything off the other day, after you caught us. He was so embarrassed. I don’t get it. Why are Americans so uptight about sex?”

  “Probably because we were founded by Puritans,” Katelina muttered, trying to banish the memories.

  “Were you? I always thought it was prisoners. Or is that Australia? I don’t know. World history was never my strong point. I liked writing better. Poetry was the best. And political science.”

  Not much of a poet, Katelina made a noncommittal noise.

  “When I was a child we didn’t learn the things they do now,” Torina said. “Especially women. You didn’t need to understand politics to run a household.”

  “I suppose not, but politics are really an extension of psychology, of understanding how people work. Don’t you find that interesting?”

  “I know how people work.” Torina brandished a bobby pin. “I’ve seen them in all their stages, their innermost feelings exposed. What drives humanity is selfishness. Even the most selfless act has a secret selfish motive. Once you understand that, you realize how boring it all is.”

  She jabbed the pin with gusto. Katelina flinched. “You don’t need to skewer me.”

  “I’m just getting started. Now hold still.”

  Two hours later Torina hunted for the right dress. She settled on a sheer-ish blue sleeveless with a white underlay and a knee length skirt. She shoved it at Katelina, with a pile of support garments Katelina thought vampires didn’t wear.

  “Of course I do,” Torina said. “How could I wear a dress to a fight without something under it? When Jorick borrowed clothing he didn’t bother to get you any undergarments. He’s a man, after all. They may enjoy the silhouette the brassiere creates, but they find you more erotic without it.”

  “Bras aren’t good for you,” Xandria said. “They cut off your air or something. I read an article about it.”

  “I’m sure you did.” Torina added pantyhose to the stack. “Go get dressed. But don’t mess up your hair.”

  Katelina hurried to the bathroom, grateful she didn’t have to strip in front of them. Xandria probably wouldn’t think anything of it. Hell, she was probably the girl they showed on TV jiggling her friend’s breasts. Katelina couldn’t imagine that. She wasn’t a prude, she just liked her bubble space.

  It took her a few tries to get everything fastened. When she was done she felt constricted, considering how little was actually covered.

  “There’s no way I’d do this every day.”

  Though the dress was pretty, and she secretly admired it, it looked silly on her. Like the beautifully arranged hair, and the perfectly applied makeup. She didn’t look like herself.

  With a breath for courage, she plunged into the hall. Torina ambushed her and held her at arm’s length. “You’d be better with shoes, but your feet are too big for mine. Let’s find Jorick. After reading that romance novel all day, he should have plenty of implanted ideas. Of course, since you’re not in your own house, completely alone, you won’t give in to him, but it will add to the excitement when you finally do surrender.”

  Torina practically dragged Katelina down the hall, Xandria on their heels. “I don’t see why you’d need to be completely alone in the house. How do you ever get laid that way?”

  Katelina wasn’t sure who she wished would disappear, Torina or Xandria. Either one would improve her day.

  Jorick was stretched out on a couch in a room near the library. It took Torina two tries to get him to look up from his book. “What do you—” His gaze landed on Katelina. He gave her a once over, then turned to Torina. “How did you talk her into that?”

  The vampiress crossed her arms and cocked her hip impatiently. “I didn’t give her a choice. So?”

  “Yes?” he asked innocently. Katelina felt his amusement.

  “You could compliment her! I spent nearly three hours on it.”

  Jorick chuckled. “I won’t say you wasted your time, but it takes less than that to make her beautiful. All she has to do is wake up.”

  Katelina looked down at the sheer-ish blue skirt, fighting a smile.

  Torina rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

  “Of course. But she’s beautiful now.” He laid the book down and moved to take Katelina’s hand. “She’s always beautiful.”

  Xandria squealed. “Oh my God, that’s so sweet!”

  “And annoying,” Torina said. “She looks much better.”

  Jorick kissed Katelina lightly on the lips, probably afraid of smearing the three layers of carefully shaded lipstick. “I already told you my opinion. Though I do like the dress. You don’t wear dresses enough.”

  “Jeans are more comfortable,” Katelina said.

  Jorick’s eyes glittered. Whatever he had in mind was lost when Kai opened the door and held the phone out.

  “What do you want?” Torina eyed the device. “Who’s it for?”

  Jorick snatched it before Kai could answer. “Hello?” His amusement melted into a scowl, then morphed into something unreadable. “I see. There isn’t time tonight. It’s at least two hours to an open airfield from here…Yes…” The scowl returned. “It doesn’t surprise me. All right. Tomorrow then.” He snapped the phone shut and handed it back. “We’ve found out where south is.”

  Before she could ask where, Micah stuck his head in the door. “What’s going on?”

  Jorick made an impatient noise. “That was Verchiel. There was ‘significant vampire activity’ in Texas. He said it sounded like the attack here.”

  Xandria lit up. “Are we going? I’m dying to get out and do something.”

  Katelina bit her lip. Texas. She was eager to save Sarah, to save Estrilda, but going more than a thousand miles while her mother was lying in the hospital... Not visiting was one thing, but to not be in the same state… “Mom’s still…”

  Jorick cleared his throat. “You may have to choose. You can always stay here, and we can go.”

  “But if Lilith is in Texas, so is Sarah.”

  Micah shrugged. “Pick whichever’s more important.”

  “They both matter.”

  A thought whispered through her mind. Though it sounded like her own inner voice, she knew it wasn’t. You already know who matters more to you.

  She did, but the answer left her guilty. Sarah had been through so much, she deserved to be first with someone. So why wasn’t she?

  Because your mother is your mother.

  She recognized Kai’s logic, but didn’t bother to acknowledge his intrusion. What was there to say? He was right. Still, she’d have to go. It wasn’t just Sarah. There was Estrilda to think of, and she’d promised Annabelle they’d bring her back.

  I’m sorry, Mom.

  Xandria didn’t notice the tension. “What’s Texas like? I think I’ve heard of it.”

  “It’s where cowboys are from,” Micah said.

  Katelina shook off her melancholy. “No, cowboys are from the west. Texas is the south.”

  “The Texas Rangers are cowboys, girlie,” Micah said.

  “Whatever.”

  “Look, I used to watch all those cowboy shows on TV, and I’m tellin’ ya, Texas is where the cattle ranches and all that shit are. You’ll see. They probably still wear spurs.”

  “Right,” Torina said. “Because television is such an adequate representation.”

  Micah glared threateningly. “Don’t you disrespect Bonanza. Sexy or not, I’ll turn you over my knee.”

  “You’re disgusting,” Katelina said. “Besides, Bonanza takes place in Nevada.”

  “That’s it. I’ll take you out back an
d—” He broke off, his eyes bulging. “Holy shit! What happened to you?”

  Torina seemed happy to get the reaction she wanted, even if it was from the wrong man.

  I guess we all have to settle.

  Chapter Ten

  Jamie called a few minutes later with the same story. When Jorick hung up, he gave Oren and Etsuko a more detailed rundown. “…The Atormentadores dealt with it by setting fire— ”

  Katelina interrupted. “Who are the Arrto-whatever?”

  He made a low noise in his throat. “The Atormentadores are the Mexican Executioners. As I was saying, they set fire to the entire village to destroy the evidence.”

  Katelina gaped. “They burned a whole town? What about the people?”

  “Presumably they were lost. Jamie said the human news reported no survivors.”

  No survivors. An entire town gone. “Did Lilith kill everyone, or was it the Mexican Executioners?”

  “I don’t know,” Jorick said patiently. “Jamie isn’t there yet. He has very little information.”

  “They’re sure it was Lilith?” Oren asked.

  “No,” Jorick said. “But from what Jamie and Verchiel gathered, the damage sounded similar.”

  “Why Texas?” Oren asked. “You said Katelina’s friend escaped and came here, hence the destruction. What could have happened in a Texas village?”

  “I have no idea,” Jorick admitted. “Jamie said there were no vampires registered in the area. They’re not sure it was her. As I said—”

  “Yes, yes. The witnesses are dead and the evidence destroyed.” Oren waved it away. “Do you want to go? Or wait until there’s more information?”

  Katelina sagged. “I don’t think there’s a choice, is there?”

  “There’s always a choice,” Jorick said. “I’m sure you’re welcome to remain here.” The look on Oren’s face said otherwise, but Jorick went on. “No doubt the Neanderthal would take you to see your mother.”

  “How would we get through the roadblocks?” Katelina asked with frustration. “How would we get around the curfew? If I was a whisperer, sure, but I’m not. I’m…useless.”

  Oren coughed lightly, as if fighting not to agree.

  “You’re not useless,” Jorick took her hand.

  Etsuko bobbed her head. “Of course Katelina-san is welcome. However, I believe Micah-san plans to go with Jorick-sama, so he would be unavailable to drive to the hospital.”

  Jorick looked surprised. “I didn’t invite him.”

  Oren rolled his eyes. “Yes, but Loren’s human is going, so Loren’s going, which means…”

  Jorick scowled. “I didn’t invite her either.”

  Loren’s human? Katelina thought. Interesting.

  “The more help the better.” Oren hesitated. “Unless you object, I will join you.”

  Katelina thought of Estrilda. How many helpers did they want finding out about her? Previously a father to immortal children, Oren would be trustworthy, as would Etsuko, but the others… “Sarah’s not the only one Lilith took. There’s also Annabelle’s daughter. A vampire child.”

  “I see,” Oren said.

  Katelina nodded. “So not just anyone can come. We can’t risk Estrilda being reported.”

  “While I would not report Estrilda-san, I think it better if I remain here,” Etsuko said.

  Oren made a low noise in his throat. “As you wish. In that case, Torina will probably come as well. Of course, she’s trustworthy. Micah is safe enough, and Loren. As to the human, no one would listen to her, not that I think she’d say anything.”

  “What about Zander?” Katelina asked. “He’ll want to come.”

  “He doesn’t seem well versed in the modern laws,” Jorick soothed.

  Oren snorted. “He doesn’t seem well versed in anything modern. Earlier, it took him twenty minutes to change the TV channel.”

  Jorick leaned into the front room, then back. “Where is he now?”

  Etsuko bobbed her head. “Zander-sama went for a walk, to seek counsel from his goddess.”

  Oren and Jorick exchanged looks. “I’ll speak to him later about the trip,” Jorick finally said.

  How about after we get back?

  It was nearly bedtime when Jorick told Zander about Texas. “Are you sure you want to travel that far?”

  Zander cocked his head to the side. “I have traveled farther.”

  Being more than a thousand years old, he probably had.

  They showed him to the basement where Etsuko offered him Loren’s box.

  “I apologize for the meager lodgings. If Zander-sama would like, I can bring a pillow or blanket to make it more comfortable?”

  “No, thank you. This is fine.” He cleared his throat. “Is there a quiet place where I can perform my nightly prayers?”

  Prayers? Katelina looked to Jorick, who shrugged.

  “Yes of course,” Etsuko said. “Would it please Zander-sama to use the library?”

  As she led him away, Katelina laid down on her blanket. “You don’t suppose those prayers to the Night Goddess involve sacrificing someone?”

  “I doubt it.” Jorick stretched out and pulled her close. “Where would he find a victim?”

  “I don’t know. Kai? Xandria? No one’s guarding them.”

  “Kai and Sorino are linked,” Jorick reminded her. “He can see what Kai sees. He’d do something about it.”

  “Only because Kai is his meal ticket.” She knew what Jorick’s reply was going to be: stay out of other vampires’ relationships, but it was hard. Whatever love Kai felt for Sorino was Stockholm Syndrome. If she could just show him…

  The burn of a mind reader blossomed in her head. Jorick cleared his throat. “Even if it is, let it be.”

  “You can’t mean that? Kai’s basically in love with his abuser.”

  “It’s your opinion of abuse, Katelina. Who are you to decide? Just as some people enjoy whips and chains, or sex in uncomfortable places—”

  “Don’t compare this to BDSM or something consensual. Those people are adults who know what they’re doing.”

  “Do they? Are you in their heads? I find it interesting how you pick and choose which things to deem deplorable and which to accept.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Exactly what I said.” He pressed a kiss behind her ear that sent a delightful shiver down her spine. “If we were alone…” The thought trailed off, but she knew what it was. She could feel his desire, hot and pressing into her back.

  “It’s your fault we’re always with an army.” She dropped the subject as Brandle took the blanket near theirs. Xandria’s comment came back to her. “How do you ever get laid?”

  It made her want to kick the woman all over again.

  Katelina had a hard time sleeping. She hoped Samael would contact her so she could tell him what they’d learned, but she only dreamed about her mother’s funeral. She woke unhappy. Even a hot shower couldn’t banish the melancholy.

  She dressed and met Jorick to feed. When she called the hospital they said there was no change, and warned again that her mom might be moved. The nurse couldn’t tell her to what facility but, if it happened, she promised to call the number on file.

  With that small comfort, Katelina packed her suitcase.

  Oren was right. When given her options, Torina opted to come. That she’d prefer Des’ company to Etsuko’s…Katelina imagined the two women alone in the house together. The scenario was something like The Odd Couple, only with more lipstick.

  When everyone was ready, Etsuko waved them goodbye. It took two hours and three vehicles to reach the airfield. On arrival, they found the plane, but the pilots were at a motel twenty minutes away.

  While they waited near the building, Katelina wondered if it would be safe to smoke there.

  “You look thoughtful,” Brandle commented. “Are you meditating on the universe?”

  “Nicotine,” she admitted.

  “Not a wise place to imbibe.”
He nodded to a No Smoking sign.

  “I know. It would make things easier, though.”

  “I’ve never found that tobacco soothed the conscience, only distracted it.” She looked at him sharply. He shrugged. “I can smell your turmoil from across the field. If you crave distraction, our new friend Zander looks lonely.”

  “I’m not sure he’s our friend.”

  “Surely everyone is, until proved not to be? I think I’ll go speak with him. Will you come?”

  Though she didn’t really want to, it seemed rude to say, so she followed.

  Zander stood away from the group, clutching his bag. His dark robes looked like something from a cult. The cult of the Night Goddess.

  “Hello.” Brandle held out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Brandle.”

  Katelina looked between the two of them. Brandle’s pleasant expression was a bright contrast to Zander’s impassive face. Was being emotionless something vampires had to learn, or was it the other way around. Did Brandle have to purposefully look friendly, instead of like a beautiful statue?

  Zander blinked at the proffered hand, and finally took it. “Hello. You’re the master here?”

  Brandle laughed. “Not at all. I understand the confusion, considering the age difference, but I’m only helping out. I believe Jorick is running the show.”

  “I see.”

  “You’re disappointed?”

  “Not disappointed,” Zander said. “I’m not used to such young vampires.”

  “You come from an old coven?”

  “Yes. Though our master is no longer with us. Sadly, he left some years ago.”

  “Sadly?” Brandle asked with surprise. “It’s rare to find someone who feels affection for their master after so many years. You must have had one who was unusually kind.”

  “Master was…I don’t know if kind is the word, but he was pleasant enough. I have no ill feelings for him. Do you dislike your master?”

  Brandle chuckled. “That’s the usual way of it, at least with those of us from the old world. Modern vampirism seems to be a friendlier thing, turned by brothers, lovers, friends.”