Goddess of Night (Amaranthine Book 9)

by Joleene Naylor

  He touched her face with his fingertips and smiled. “You really did deserve a better date.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed hoarsely, lost for words.

  His smile stretched. He closed the tiny gap between them. Lips brushed hers, warm, soft. She returned the kiss, until her brain fired enough to stop her.

  “You and Sarah?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I like her, but we’re not a couple.”

  Though Sarah had earmarked him, they’d only gone out twice, and she’d never said they were committed. It was good enough for Katelina. She shifted to wind her arms around his neck. His hand settled in the small of her back, pulling her closer.

  Then her stomach heaved.

  She leaned back, embarrassed, covering her mouth. Her stomach gurgled, clutched, and heaved again.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled and dashed for the kitchen. She barely made it to the sink in time. The spill of alcohol and half-digested hamburger made her sicker. When her stomach was empty, she leaned on the counter, her brow sweaty and her mouth thick with the taste of bile.

  Sarah looked in. “Oh shit. You’re sick.” She stumbled to her, giggling. “You shouldn’t have had that last margarita.”

  Katelina’s agreement disappeared under the fog of dreamland. She was suddenly in her apartment, in bed. Sunlight slanted through the window. She held the phone to her aching head. Sarah prattled on the other end, detailing what happened after she left.

  “—then we moved to the bedroom.”

  The story went on. Katelina dropped back to her pillow and groaned softly. It looked like they were a couple now.

  The sunny bedroom faded away with her humiliation. At least Brad never brought that up again, and she’d die before she did. The incident made things uncomfortable at first. As months passed, it became a vague alcohol flavored half-memory.

  Not real.

  She dropped into unfamiliar surroundings. Windowless walls hung heavy with art. Ornate furniture called to mind a bygone era.

  She drew closer to a partially open vault door in the back of the room. She couldn’t see Samael, but she could feel him; feel how the air crackled with his excitement.

  She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Walls were lined in glass cabinets, displaying broken pottery and tarnished statuettes. In the middle of the room, Samael was perched on a table, holding an oblong piece of metal. Streaked in green, the irregular edges and worn surface spoke of age, but not purpose. As she drew closer, she could make out what might have been a winged lion etched on the surface, surrounded by unfamiliar markings.

  “What is that?”

  Samael looked up. “Like all things from antiquity, it is known by many names in many cultures. For my part, it was the shield of ZhuRong, carried by he who laid waste to our kingdom of gluttony and slayed the one who was like my brother. I hold no ill will. The punishment was just. I have told you before how he went insane with power.”

  Samael laid the shield aside and stood to pace the room, hands clasped behind his back. “More importantly, she draws near. She has taken Nuwa’s blade, and she seeks the shield of ZhuRong, believing that the power of the ancients will defeat me. How she must fear me.” He stopped pacing to spin toward Katelina. “Well she should. Tonight, she will be here, and I will end her.”

  Tonight? “Where are we? I mean where is this?”

  “I know not the name man has given it.” He made a dismissive gesture. “In future it will be known as the grave of the she-demon.”

  Katelina’s panic oozed through the cracks of Samael’s delight. “But if we don’t know where you are, how can we get there in time?”

  Samael cocked his head to one side. “You speak with good intentions, but aid is not necessary. Unlike the queen of hell, I do not need to hide behind the power of others. I possess all the strength I require.”

  Katelina’s anxiety drained away, replaced with serenity. He would vanquish Lilith, and everything would be over. It was only a matter of hours and then…

  Samael’s voice came soft and soothing. “Rest, and wake at peace.”

  Though a part of her wanted to argue, her will disappeared under his and the room faded away to cool darkness.

  Katelina woke, the dream fresh in her mind. She shook Jorick awake, and poured it out to him.

  “Katelina. Slow down. What shield? What are you talking about?”

  She gave an impatient huff and ran through it again. Already, details were disappearing; the building, the color of the walls. Were the rooms carpeted or hardwood? Every detail could be a clue. She struggled to hold onto them.

  Jorick looked grim as she finished. “That’s not much to go on, little one.”

  “I know. But if we can’t figure it out…” She sighed. “Samael doesn’t need us to fight Lilith, but Sarah and Estrilda might be there. He’s not going to worry about saving them. I think the shield may be the key. The room…there were glass cases…like a museum. He said different cultures had different names for it. Maybe it’s something Sorino knows about.”

  “Our resident relic hunter,” Jorick mused.

  She threw the blankets off. “I’ll go ask him.”

  He caught her elbow. “There’s no reason to be in such a hurry. We’re awake early.”

  “Only a few minutes, and we’ve used them up already. The sooner we find out where we’re going, the sooner—oh!” Her sentenced died as he tackled her to the bed and claimed her lips. She drowned in his kiss. Threads of the dream slipped away, dissolving in desire and the memory of his bath time promises.

  A knock at the door ruined the moment. Jorick tried to take it back. “Ignore them.”

  Katelina laughed into the kiss. “It might be important.”

  “It’s not.”

  She tried to reach out, to see who their visitor was. Jorick’s kisses made it impossible to concentrate.

  The knock came again, louder, more insistent. Katelina burst into laughter. “You’d better see who it is.”

  Jorick gave an unhappy growl as he pulled away and reached for his trousers. “I know who it is.”

  Verchiel’s voice floated through the door. “Jorick! Kately! Up, up!”

  He jerked the door open to glare at the Executioner. “What do you want? Hoping to drag Katelina into danger again?”

  “Look, about yesterday—”

  “You were an idiot and you nearly got her killed. I should rip you into pieces for that alone.”

  “That’s as may be, but your vengeance will have to wait. The wind is picking up. It’s going to get hot here in an hour or two.”

  Air heavy with the smell of burning trees and grass rolled through the door. Katelina coughed more from habit than reflex. “You mean this place is going to burn down?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. But let’s play it safe.”

  Katelina straightened her shirt and moved near the door. Verchiel grinned at her patterned pajamas. “Aw, aren’t those cute? I should have known you were a closet kitten lover.”

  Jorick growled. Verchiel’s attention snapped back to him. “Ark and Jamie were recalled to the Citadel.”

  “What about you?” Katelina asked.

  “I seem to have slipped through the cracks. Anyway, best get dressed so we can head back to the airstrip. Since I don’t have any packing to do, I’ll get the others moving.”

  “Good idea.” Jorick shut the door in his face.

  “That wasn’t nice.” Katelina moved to the bathroom, where she’d left clothing and toiletries scattered.

  “I don’t feel nice. You could have—”

  She stuck her head back in the room. “Died? Yes, I know. But I could have died from a thousand dangerous situations you put me in, too. Are you that hard on yourself?”

  Something flared in his eyes. He turned away. “Yes.”

  Her reply stuck in her throat. She wanted to go to him, but he pulled his shirt on and muttered that he’d return.

  He wasn’t back by the time she was dressed and packed
, so she headed out in search of him. The fire was much closer. The smoke was a thick fog that made it hard to see down the highway. Embers danced on the wind, like swirling stars. Ash and dry chunks of debris skittered noisily along the ground, scraping pavement.

  Jorick strode out of Oren’s room and took the suitcase from her. “Ready?”

  She nodded, nervous eyes on the wall of smoke. She needed to talk to Sorino about the shield, but maybe it would be safer to wait until they were in a vehicle?

  Jorick led her to the SUVs where Brandle and Des stood. She grabbed the door handle and pulled. Nothing happened.

  “They’re locked,” Des said.

  Ark marched purposefully across the parking lot. As he drew close, he pulled out a car remote. “The vehicles are ours. Find your own, Jorick.”

  “Where should I look?” Jorick demanded.

  “It isn’t my problem. I didn’t invite you. I’m not in charge of your transportation. Talk to Verchiel.” Ark clicked the remote and swung into the passenger seat. Jorick caught the door before he could close it.

  “This is hardly amusing.”

  “Isn’t it lucky I don’t have a sense of humor?” Ark asked coldly.

  Jorick glared. “Luckily, I do.” He jerked the back door open. Ark clicked the locks, but it was too late. “Get in, Katelina.”

  Ark swung a foot out threateningly. “Don’t.”

  “No.” Jorick’s voice was a low growl. “You don’t.”

  They glared at one another, glittering eyes clashing. Finally, Ark looked away. “I’m going to report this.”

  “Go ahead.” Jorick motioned to the backseat. “Get in, Katelina.”

  Resisting would make him look weak in front of Ark, so she did as instructed. Des and Brandle followed, taking the farthest seat in the back. Jorick came last, sliding next to her. Ark sat in front of him, his back rigid and his attention focused straight ahead.

  The others trickled out slowly. To Katelina’s annoyance, Sorino and Kai chose a different vehicle, leaving Oren and Torina to join them. As the SUVs pulled out, she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to hold onto what little she could remember. Don’t forget. Don’t forget.

  They stopped several miles up the road to feed on a herd of cattle. Katelina practically leapt out of the vehicle and hurried toward Sorino. He gave her an uncertain once over. “Yes?”

  “The shield of ZhuRong. Have you heard of it?”

  She could see his mind click away behind his eyes. “ZhuRong. The name comes from a Chinese legend, I believe?”

  “I don’t know.” Samael’s exact words were gone. “He said it went with the sword of Nu-Gua.”

  Sorino tapped his chin. “I’ve never heard of a companion artifact to the blade. I’m sorry. Who told you this?”

  Katelina sagged. That was it. Her one idea. “Samael told me. He said Lilith was looking for the shield. He beat her to it and he’s waiting to ambush her. Only, I don’t know where he is.”

  “I see. If I knew where the artifact was housed…”

  She nodded.

  “I’m sorry. Not only for you. It would have made an interesting relic to…study.”

  Katelina knew he meant “steal”, but didn’t bother to correct him.

  As she turned away, Kai asked softly, “What does it look like?”

  She glanced back. “It was made of metal…dirty. Old.” She closed her eyes and tried to picture it. “There was a lion etched on it. With wings or something. I don’t know.”

  She started away when Sorino made a thoughtful sound. “A winged lion?”

  “I think it was a lion.”

  Sorino smiled a slow, smug smile. “This shield. It was about…” He motioned a size with his hands. “And you say Samael has it?”

  “Yes. He said Lilith would be there tonight. I know it must be close but—” When the vampire broke into laughter she scowled. “What’s so funny?”

  Sorino tugged his phone out. “The pilots should already be at the airport. I called them when we woke, but it looks like they need to file a new flight plan. The trip shouldn’t be more than forty minutes. Hurry along.”

  “Are you saying you know where he is?”

  Sorino lowered the phone impatiently. “The shield you’ve described is known as the shield of Michael, one of the Archangels of Christian mythology. As for its location, oh yes. I know who snatched that out from under my nose. I’ve been meaning to pay his den a visit. It looks like it will be sooner rather than later.”

  “Who has it?” she cried.

  “Traven.”

  Katelina shivered at the name. Jorick’s ex-brother in law, a vampire who’d allowed his wife to be put to death for his crimes. A few months ago, he’d been killed by Samael. Katelina had forgotten about him, except as the vampire who’d blown Loren’s arm up.

  Sorino turned to his call, and she hurried to join Jorick, Jamie, and Oren.

  “—if you can make them behave, it would be all right, but know Eileifr is thin on patience at the moment,” Jamie said.

  Eileifr. Jorick was thinking about going to The Guild.

  Katelina interrupted them, “Sorino knows where Samael is.”

  Oren arched a brow “Where would that be?”

  “Traven’s old den. He owned the shield from my dream.” She explained it to Oren and Jamie. “Sorino is calling his pilots, to change the flight plans.”

  Jamie laid a hand on Jorick’s shoulder. “I won’t report this until we meet with the High Council. By then it should be over. Good luck.”

  Though Katelina expected Ark to protest about them riding in the cars again, he only shouted at the guard to drive, as if trying to ignore them.

  The trip felt longer than yesterday. She checked her watch half a dozen times. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Twenty. With each second that passed Lilith got closer to her battle with Samael.

  Come on!

  Finally, they parked at the airfield. Jamie told Jorick goodbye, then followed Ark inside. Sorino nodded along to a conversation on his phone and motioned them in. “It’s set.”

  Verchiel rubbed his hands together. “Excellent. We should probably get going. Every minute counts.”

  “We?” Jorick asked. “Your place is with Ark.”

  The redhead shrugged. “Technically, I didn’t get sent here by The Guild, which means I don’t need to give a report. Shall we?”

  “What about your car?” Katelina nodded to the streaky, sooty vehicle with the gaping windshield. “You’re leaving it?”

  “I already arranged for someone to pick it up. I can’t drive it cross country like that. I’m surprised it made it this far.” He looked remorseful. “It was brand new. But I’m sure they’ll fix it and charge me. Anyway, shall we?”

  Oren looked to Jorick. Katelina could read the question in his eyes: Are we really taking the buffoon?

  Jorick glowered. “Fine. Just stay out of the way. Come, Katelina.”

  The airport was less crowded than last time, but easier to get through. Soon, Katelina was on the plane, fastening her seatbelt. “I don’t know why we have to fly everywhere.”

  Xandria took the seat across from her. “Because it’s faster. You don’t want to walk, do you?”

  “No, but we could drive.”

  Xandria laughed. Katelina didn’t bother to say she wasn’t joking. She had enough to worry about, like what was going to happen when they got to Traven’s old den.

  Assuming we survive the flight.

  They’d been in the air twenty minutes when Micah thumped up the aisle. “We’re going to fight the big bad bitch, right?”

  Jorick’s nostril’s flared at the interruption. He made a noise of agreement without looking up from his book.

  “Then shouldn’t we have some goddamn weapons? Yeah, I know I’m all about tearin’ people to shreds with my bare hands, but this bitch…this is the kind of thing you need a fucking bazooka for. And maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see any around here. Fuck, I don’t even see a steak knife
.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jorick said. “Would you like us to land at Weapons R Us, load up, then go on?”

  “Weapons R…ha ha. Pretty funny,” Micah replied sarcastically. “Didn’t know you had a sense of humor. Look, the fucking point is, we need some kind of plan, and we need some way to actually beat the bitch.”

  Jorick lowered his book to meet Micah’s eyes. “No, we don’t. Our priority is to rescue Sarah and the girl.” He raised the book again. “Let Samael deal with Lilith.”

  Micah scratched his chin. “What girl?”

  There it was. The detail they’d carefully left out.

  “Andrei’s daughter.” Jorick turned a page noisily. “Lilith took both her and Katelina’s friend.”

  “Oh yeah?” Micah leaned on the seat. “So how old is this daughter? What’s she look like.”

  “She’s not your type,” Jorick said.

  “What the fuck? You don’t know my type. Hey, Lunch. This daughter-”

  “Just drop it,” she said.

  “What? I’m not good enough for her, is that it? I don’t know this Andrei guy, but if I’m helpin’ rescue her then-”

  Sorino leaned up. “She’s a child.”

  Katelina closed her eyes angrily. So much for trusting Sorino to shut up.

  “I was tired of listening to the conversation,” he said.

  Micah opened his mouth, hesitated, then asked, “Do you mean a teenage vampire like Loren, or a real child?”

  “A real vampire child,” Sorino said.

  Micah choked. “Like a little kid vampire? Fuck, that’s…”

  “Illegal?” Sorino suggested.

  Micah glanced to Oren a few seats up. “It’s a thing. Anyway, so we’re rescuing Lunch’s friend and a kid. We need some kind of plan to do that.”

  Jorick turned another page. “We wait until Lilith and Samael are locked in combat, then we kill her underlings, and take the prisoners.”

  “Great. We need weapons for that shit.”

  Jorick motioned him away. “Talk to Sorino. I’m sure he has something in the cargo hold, probably carted off from Lilith’s den in Quebec.”

  Sorino gave a loud guffaw. “You’ve been peeking, Jorick. That’s not nice. But very well.” He stood and gave a sweeping bow. “Come, my bald friend. Bring some of your little followers. I’ll show you what I have.”