Goddess of Night (Amaranthine Book 9)

by Joleene Naylor

  Verchiel waved, then turned back to the men. “It’s okay. Sure, you’re mad about the vans breaking down, but luckily the third one was okay. You can all go back home, no harm done.”

  He led them to the least damaged vehicle. He pulled luggage out, then shuffled them inside. When he stepped back, the doors closed. The van came to life. Lights snapped on. It did a neat turn around and zipped off into the darkness.

  Verchiel wiped his hands and joined Katelina. “That’s taken care of. I went to check on the generators and found those guys. Hiding in the generator shed of all places.”

  “We have electricity?”

  “Yep. The weird thing is, only the generator to the master’s building was on. The others were shut off. I got them going again. Anyway, how’s our resident lug head?”

  “I don’t think he actually liked Des, more like he was the last of…I don’t know. Maybe a coven.”

  “Huh. I thought Micah was a lone.”

  “Maybe they were more like a group of friends. I don’t know. I don’t even know why the hell I stayed.”

  “You stayed because he’s your master. I know you dismiss the blood connection, but it’s there, Kately. Whenever you drink from a vampire, you form a bond, whether you want to or not. To have them turn you…that’s the biggest bond of all.”

  “You were bonded to Kateesha?” she asked sarcastically. It was a question she’d asked before, and she was ready for his flippant reply.

  Instead, he looked away, his face serious, if not sad. “Of course. You can’t help but be.” His fake smile returned. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me guess, you’re looking for Samael? I have no idea where he went. For all I know he may have turned into a bat and flown away. I just know he’s not here anymore.”

  Samael’s whereabouts were a good question, but… “I’m looking for Estrilda.”

  “I’m not sure you want to see her. She’s in bad shape.”

  Katelina thought of the gory mess. “So I should wait until she’s healed?”

  “That might help some…” He refused to meet her eyes. “Look, she may be a vampire, but there are some injuries…never mind. Come on.”

  He led her to the largest building. Inside was a living room with two couches, some matching chairs, and a fireplace. Copious amounts of dust said it had been a while since the occupants left. Maybe before the war with The Guild.

  Unconscious, Torina was draped in an overstuffed chair. Jorick and Oren stood next to one of the couches, their faces grim. Nestled between bloody pillows was Estrilda. Her head lay at an angle, her eyes closed. One arm hung over the edge, so her hand scraped the carpet. Verchiel’s shirt was wrapped around her middle, soaked in crimson. Her other arm was bound in a swath of bloody cloth taken from Torina’s skirt.

  Katelina drew to a stop. “Where are her legs?”

  Jorick looked up quickly. “Little one—”

  “They’re outside under my coat,” Verchiel said. “They tore loose when I picked her up.”

  “Shouldn’t you get them?” When no one moved, she added, “They’ll reattach while she sleeps.”

  Oren cleared his throat. “That works if the limb is cleanly severed. But this…”

  Verchiel spoke up, “This is like a puzzle made of shredded chicken.”

  Katelina’s imagination ran with that description. The picture made her sick.

  Jorick growled. The redhead tried to soften it with, “There’s a chance her arm might grow back into something sort of useable.”

  Brandle entered through a back doorway. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but if someone would volunteer to remove the shrapnel from my back, I’d be most appreciative.” When Katelina looked confused, he explained, “I and Micah were at the edge of the blast area, it seems. My injuries aren’t serious, but I do need some assistance.”

  “I’ll do it. I think I might have some in my leg.” Verchiel joined the blond. “Has anyone seen Zander?”

  Oren scoffed. “He’s praying to the Goddess for Des and Estrilda. He felt that was a better use of his time than actually helping.”

  “His faith means a lot to him,” Brandle said gently. “He believes that asking his goddess’ aid is helping. In these instances, it’s best to take the action at its intention.”

  He and the redhead ducked through a doorway. Oren smacked the couch hard enough to jolt the girl. “As if praying ever saved a child.”

  Estrilda stirred. Jorick moved quickly to put her back under. Katelina watched as the child’s puckered forehead relaxed, the small hand unclenched. In the silence she could almost hear the girl’s panic drain away into dreams.

  When she was settled, Oren said quietly, “Someone should call her father.”

  “Verchiel already did,” Jorick replied. “He’s coming.”

  “Good. He should be the one to make the decision.”

  Katelina saw something in Oren’s eyes—regret? But for what? “What decision?”

  He made a noise of impatience. “The decision to end her suffering.”

  “You mean kill her? You can’t be serious? She’s been through so much already.”

  “That’s precisely the reason we are serious,” Oren snapped. “How much more do you want her to suffer?”

  “It’s better than being dead!”

  Jorick tried to pull her to him, but she jerked away. “No. You can’t support putting her down like a dog then comfort me. It doesn’t work that way.”

  “What do you want me to do, Katelina? Advocate leaving the child—who was already trapped in a body that won’t mature—with nothing? Tomorrow when she wakes, she’ll have one working arm, and no legs. She’s spent her life locked in two rooms, living as a secret. It’s time they let her go.”

  “How would you feel if that was you? If that was your child? Would you still say let her go?”

  “Yes,” Oren said quietly.

  She spun on him, but his expression stopped her. Between the two of them, he was the one who’d been a father to two immortal children for more than a hundred years.

  He’s the only one who might understand.

  “It will be Andrei and Annabelle’s decision,” Jorick said. “Not ours. Until they arrive, we’ll do what we can to make her comfortable.”

  Katelina looked away. “What about Des?”

  “If Micah is finished mourning, we’ll have a funeral for him later.”

  “I don’t know what Micah’s doing.” She was overwhelmed. That Sarah had betrayed them, that Des was dead, that Estrilda…She needed a break.

  “Why don’t you take a shower?” Jorick suggested. “I’ll bring your suitcase.”

  She followed him to the bathroom. Inside, she found musty towels under the sink. When he left, she peeled off her clothes and climbed in the shower. The hot water cleaned away the dirt and blood, while her mind replayed the last hour. She saw the explosion, saw Estrilda wrapped in Verchiel’s shirt, saw Sarah’s hard angry face.

  Katelina leaned her forehead against the shower wall. What had Lilith done to Sarah? They knew she’d messed with Sarah’s brain at the party, when she’d made her impervious to mind reading, but what else had she done? Had she planted that seed of bitterness? Or had it always been there?

  It was easier to blame Lilith. Otherwise, it meant Sarah was capable of monstrosities on her own. That she would really murder her mother, her father, and try to kill the woman who was basically a foster mother to her…

  “It was my deal with Kali, and my way of proving to her I was worthy.”

  Worthy of what?

  Jorick brought the suitcase as promised. Katelina dressed, leaving the dirty clothes wet and draped over the shower rod.

  Xandria stood outside, smoking. Katelina begged a cigarette. The nicotine tasted good. She closed her eyes, while Xandria chattered, and pretended she was back in the world before—before vampires, and blood, and explosions, back when Sarah was her best friend.

  Before Jorick.

  The last thought brough
t a sense of loss. She realized Sarah was right. If given the choice to save her or Jorick, he was the one she’d pick. She wasn’t sure she’d even hesitate.

  But it’s supposed to be that way. He’s as good as my husband.

  The thought left her choking on smoke. Xandria patted her back. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to choke you. I know it was kind of insensitive.”

  But Katelina hadn’t been paying attention. “What was?”

  “I asked if you thought Zander prayed naked?”

  Katelina choked a second time. “Why would he?”

  “Some ritualistic ceremonies require nudity, don’t they? He worships that Night Goddess. Isn’t she all about lust, sex, and blood drinking? It seems like the kind of deity who’d want naked celebrations.”

  “Not the way he does it. His version is more…normal.” Katelina thought of the way he’d cut his hand at the end of his nightly prayer. “Sort of.”

  “Oh well. I’m going to imagine him praying naked, anyway. It’s more interesting.”

  Katelina couldn’t deny it might be interesting, but…

  “He pulled me out of the van.”

  Katelina shook away images of Zander’s would-be erotic prayers. “What?”

  “After the battle. He pulled me out of the van and made sure I was okay before he went to pray. I thought that was pretty nice. Most older vampires look at humans like cattle, you know? But it wasn’t like that. It was like I was a person.”

  Katelina gave a soft cough. “You mean like Loren treats you?”

  “Yeah, kind of, though Loren has more of a puppy quality. He’s eager to please, if you know what I mean.” She blew out a stream of smoke.

  Loren chose that moment to appear, looking excited. “Guess what Micah found?”

  “Treasure?” Xandria asked hopefully.

  “Nah. Sorino got all of that. Micah found three dead vampires.”

  Xandria perked up. “Where?”

  “In there.” He pointed to the partially collapsed building. “Sorino talked him into moving some of the rubble. They were underneath it.”

  “Who are they?” Katelina asked.

  “I think they were the leftovers from Traven’s coven. I recognized the girl. She was that kinda nerdy one with glasses that had a dude’s name. Like Benny or something.”

  Benny? Katelina had a smeary memory of the woman; she’d been turned by an old vampiress. When her lover was murdered, she’d been recruited by Traven. After the fight with the Guild, she stayed with the coven because she had nowhere else to go.

  “Did they get killed when the place fell in?” Xandria asked.

  “I don’t think so. They were lying in pools of goo…like their insides were liquefied.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Kinda like Samael did it.”

  Katelina stiffened. “Why would he?”

  “Look at the front gates. He kinda broke in here. They probably confronted him and—” He made a laser beam noise then added, “Sploosh”, using his hand to illustrate liquefied organs running out of their mouth.

  After the mess with Des, Katelina couldn’t deal with it. She took her last puff and excused herself. As she slipped inside, she heard Xandria ask, “What are they doing with the bodies? Burning them?”

  She didn’t hear Loren’s answer, but she didn’t want to.

  Estrilda was still on the couch asleep. Someone had placed a blanket under her, and covered her up.

  Katelina touched her pillow. Estrilda had been with Lilith, locked up in the back with Sarah. Was there a chance she knew Lilith’s next move? Had Jorick tried probing her mind yet?

  She didn’t know where he was to ask. Why should I? She reminded herself. I’m supposed to be able to do this, too.

  She concentrated, but nothing happened. After a couple of minutes, she tried laying her hand on the girl’s head, the way she’d seen Jorick do before. Though it might not make a difference, maybe she could convince herself it did.

  She closed her eyes, and thought about Lilith, about her plans, about the plane and where it was going.

  When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t in the living room, but the bedroom of the airplane. Her body vibrated with terror as Lilith peered down at her. Her smile should have been beautiful but it only terrified Katelina—no, Estrilda—more.

  I can’t hear her mind!

  The vampiress’ voice was lyrical, “There’s nothing to be afraid of, child. If you are good to me, I will be good to you. We will take care of you. Won’t we, Sarah?”

  Estrilda’s gaze swung. Sarah stood near the door, dressed in her costume from the ball. Like Lilith, Estrilda couldn’t hear her mind.

  “I’m sorry, Kali, but I don’t understand why you brought that thing?” Sarah bit off.

  “Now, now, that’s not nice, is it? Estrilda likes to be a princess. She’s going to be our princess, aren’t you dear?”

  Sarah grumbled. Lilith turned to her. “She can’t see your mind anymore. I told you, I sealed it from everyone. You don’t need to fear her.”

  “I don’t fear her. I just don’t like her. She’s sneaky. She hid outside my room and watched my dreams. I don’t like that.”

  Lilith turned back to the child. “That was naughty of you, wasn’t it? But I imagine you get lonely hiding in those small rooms upstairs. I understand, little one. Hush.” Her attention moved to Sarah. “We have some business, dear. You said you have a favor to ask?”

  Sarah’s nod was crisp. “Tol and Ren…They didn’t believe I was serious. They said I didn’t have the stomach to join you, to do what needed to be done.”

  Lilith’s smile flickered at the mention of the dead twins. “They were strong, but they could not see inside you.”

  “I know,” Sarah said quickly. “But I want to prove myself. To you and to everyone else.”

  Lilith looked intrigued. “How?”

  “There are…debts I owe. People who deserve to suffer. My mother. My so-called father. Let me kill them.”

  “Alone?” Sarah nodded and Lilith turned thoughtful. “No. Not alone. We will do it together. It will be a good exercise for our new members; a chance for them to work together. And it will show them I can be magnanimous, granting wishes to the deserving.”

  “I want to be the one to kill them!”

  “And you shall, dear.” Lilith moved to stroke Sarah’s hair. “You will lead the assault; give the orders. The others will follow your commands.”

  The scene melted. It was the same room, but two days later. A new dress lay across the bed; pink with glitter. It was beautiful, but Estrilda didn’t like it. She wanted to go home, with her mother. Where is my mother?

  Lilith stood, hands on her hips. “She doesn’t want you anymore. That’s why you’re with me. Try on your new clothes.”

  Though Estrilda knew it was a lie, the words stung. Silently she screamed, Mother! Mother!

  The sharp slap knocked her to the floor in a heap.

  “No more of that,” Lilith said coldly. “I’ve offered you a pretty life, but you try my patience. Put on the dress.”

  Estrilda broke into sobs. She wanted to go home. She wanted her mother. She wanted away from this cruel woman and her horrible friends. She wanted to go home. Mother!

  Lilith grabbed her by the front of her shirt and shoved her angry face into hers. “I am your mother now, and you’d do well to remember it.” She threw her to the bed then shouted for someone. Katelina recognized Angelica.

  “Dress her,” Lilith commanded.

  Estrilda saw the apology in Angelica’s eyes, but it didn’t stem her terror.

  The scene shifted. The same room, but the day had changed, as had the circumstances. Lilith stood in the doorway, angry. Anya and Zachariah entered. Lilith snapped, “Make her drink.”

  Estrilda pressed herself against the wall. Mother! Mother! Help me!

  Anya held her and Zachariah pressed the glass of blood to her lips. Estrilda b
lew, splattering him in crimson.

  “Idiot.” Anya jerked the glass away. “Hold her head.”

  Zachariah grabbed Estrilda’s face with one hand, and her wrists with the other. Anya pried her mouth open and poured the blood into it. Estrilda didn’t want to swallow. She knew if she did, it would happen again, but the taste was overwhelming. She gulped it down.

  They let her go and stepped back. Lilith waved them out of the room. She smiled her slow, terrifying smile. Estrilda scrambled, but there was nowhere to go. Lilith swept her up. Her lips pulled back from her teeth.

  Fangs pierced Estrilda’s throat. She screamed silently, begging for her mother, for help. Lilith snarled and ripped. Estrilda’s hands balled into fists. She hit the woman, but it did nothing.

  Lilith finished her meal and threw Estrilda to the floor. The child’s breath came in gurgles. Her fingers fluttered over her ruined throat. Lilith shouted for her underlings. They reappeared with more blood; blood to heal her, to make her whole, to fill her full so Lilith could drink from her never ending, as though she was a glass bottle.

  Mother!

  Katelina dropped back to the living room. Her heart hammered, and her hand moved to her throat, checking for the injury. She was healed, she was—

  Not me, she told herself. That wasn’t me.

  She stepped back from the couch, trembling. Now she knew the real reason Lilith kept her prisoner with her. Not because she hadn’t had time to build a dungeon, but because she needed her handy for her meals. What good was a personalized glass if you didn’t use it?

  Katelina shuddered. She hadn’t learned anything, but she wasn’t trying again. Let Jorick do it. Maybe he could find real information.

  Better him than me.

  It was later that evening when Verchiel rounded everyone up for Des’ funeral. They’d built a pyre of broken furniture and bric-a-brac in an empty area of the compound. Des’ body lay on top, wrapped in blankets. The petroleum scent of kerosene bit Katelina’s nose. She pressed closer to Jorick, as if he could shelter her from it.

  Brandle stood silent, hands clasped before him. Several feet away were Micah and Torina. The vampiress was fully restored and wearing a new blue dress. Despite her past with Des, or maybe because of it, Katelina sensed real sadness from her.