Amaranthine Special Edition Vol I

by Naylor, Joleene

  The van crunched across gravel and came to a stop. She heard the door swoosh open, and looked up in time to see Troy reaching for her. He grabbed her waist roughly and pulled her out of the van, despite her struggles, then heaved her over his shoulder. She hung down his back, upside down, with only glimpses of scenery beneath his arm.

  The air stroked her cheeks, cool and charged with the energy that predawn hours always brought; the feeling of promise and hope. But as she was bumped along she knew there was no hope left. Tears welled in her eyes and she tried to blink them back. For the second time in so many days, images of her life danced behind her eyes. She could see her mother standing next to the large tombstone of her father, flowers in her hands and jewel like tears on her cheeks. A large green tree grew behind the house and she sat in its branches eating a banana, her six year old legs swinging in the air. Music played softly and balloons shone with a kaleidoscope of colors as she stood next to the gym wall, her hands sweating as she watched her first real crush dancing with another girl.

  She choked back a sob and tried to banish the memories, though she knew she’d never relive them again.

  The gravel lot gave way to a set of cement steps. She heard a metal door scrape open loudly and then they plunged inside. She fought to lift her head and saw a half-naked woman staring at her curiously as they moved away from her and down a brick hallway.

  They started down another flight of stairs. The vampire’s footfalls fell in rhythm with her pounding heart. Fear tasted bitter in her mouth, but she forced herself to swallow it. She was going to die, but she wouldn’t die as a coward.

  This final thought gave her a strange sense of calm. The finality of accepting her situation and surrendering to it made things seem somehow clearer. She took a deep breath and resolved to be brave no matter what.

  The stairs ended and more concrete flashed beneath her, as well as several pairs of feet. She was carried into a well lit room and unceremoniously thrown to the floor. Tears of pain filled her eyes, but she forced them away and struggled to lift her head.

  The room was a large one, like an open basement complete with cement floor. A glowing chandelier hung above her and in front of her sat a large wicker chair. Draped lazily in it was a young man who might have been nineteen. He had blonde hair, cold green eyes and a face made for boredom, snobbery, and cruelty. He was flanked by two large men. A host of others were visible outside the ring of light, all moving closer and gazing curiously at the new prisoner.

  “Who is she?” the man in the chair drawled. His voice was bored and peevish.

  Troy answered from behind Katelina’s prone body, “It’s Patrick's human, the one Jorick’s claimed now.” He snickered and prodded her in the side with the toe of his boot.

  “Interesting.” The blonde stood from the chair and walked towards her languidly. “What’s so special about her that two men would go to such effort?” He walked around her in an ever – tightening circle and finally bent down to examine her face closely. He sneered in distaste and stood. “I’m disappointed. I find her distinctly mediocre. Though perhaps she’s more appealing without the bruises.”

  She bit her lip to keep from saying anything as he strode back to his chair and draped himself across it. He asked disinterestedly, “Where did you find her, Troy?”

  “She was in a motel room with Jorick and Arowenia.” He nudged her in the side as a warning, as if he sensed her desire to scream what a liar he was.

  The blonde’s whole demeanor changed. His face was suddenly alert as he swung into a sitting position. “Arowenia!” he cried, his voice passionate for the first time since they’d entered. “So you’ve found her at last?”

  “Yes, Claudius, we did,” Troy answered. A set of footsteps echoed in the large chamber. Katelina twisted to see one of the other vampires from the van carrying the limp, white clad girl.

  Claudius leapt to his feet, his eyes glued to the lifeless body that was borne towards him. The vampire stopped before him and held her out. Claudius stared furiously from the body to his servants. “What is this?”

  Troy sounded almost sorrowful, “We were too late, Jorick had already killed her. He ran,” he added and nudged Katelina in the ribs. “Leaving this behind.”

  Claudius bent over the dead girl, his face hidden from Katelina’s view. “My Arowenia,” he whispered, his voice filled with pain. He stroked her lifeless cheek gently, and then his head snapped up and his eyes narrowed as he snarled. “He will die for this!”

  Turning from the body of his lover, he sighed deeply. “Dispose of it as is proper.” He was obeyed instantly. The vampire bowed his head and withdrew from the chamber.

  Claudius dropped into the chair again. He quickly composed himself, though he looked sulkier. He gazed at Katelina as though she was something distasteful. His eyes were calculating as he asked, “So, Jorick abandoned his pet?”

  “Yes,” Troy replied without hesitation. “She slowed him down.”

  “All that effort only to abandon her? No, I don’t think so. Something is wrong with that.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair thoughtfully.

  Troy rushed to fill in the silence, a hint of concern in his voice. “I assure you that is what – ”

  Claudius held up his hand, signaling for silence. “No, that isn’t it at all.” He stood and walked towards Katelina, tapping his chin. “No, I think he had another motive for leaving her. He knew we would take her. He knew we would bring her here and how angry I would be. He had a reason for what he did. The question is,” he caught her chin with the toe of his shoe and lifted her face to look up at him. “The question is what?”

  Troy hurried to answer, “Perhaps he was tired of her – ”

  Claudius narrowed his eyes disapprovingly. “I did not ask you, I asked her. Why did he leave you behind?”.

  His shoe pressed into her throat and she fought to swallow the lump of bitter fear that had formed just above it. Though he looked young, the fangs that glittered in his mouth said he could be any age, and if he was someone the others feared, no doubt he was old; very old. With age was supposed to come wisdom, and it was obvious that he could see through Troy’s story. But would he believe the truth?

  “Well?” he demanded. “I don’t want to ask again. What was Jorick up to?”

  No, she decided. He wouldn’t. But maybe he’d leave her alive while he tried to puzzle it out. A little time was better than no time, which was what she’d have if he decided she was lying.

  “I don't know.”

  “Oh, you don't know? Perhaps he’s using you to find me, hmmmmm?” His eyes glittered at the new thought that entered his mind. “Perhaps you have some sort of tracking device on you?”

  She tried to shake her head, but it wasn’t very effective. “No.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Like I’m going to take your word for it.” He let her chin drop to the floor and stepped back. “Check her over.”

  Hands gripped her roughly and hauled her upright. She struggled, but with her wrists and feet bound she had no chance.

  Troy approached her. An evil smile played across his lips. He stood before her and grabbed a handful of her t – shirt, leering at the distorted Tweety Bird decal. In a single motion he ripped it and pulled the ruined cloth away to leave her naked torso exposed to the cold eyes of the onlookers.

  A whimpering noise escaped her throat and his smile broadened as she tried to find a way to cover her bare breasts. He gripped her jeans and the sound of tearing denim echoed through the chamber as he tore them from her body and flung them to the floor, chortling at her cries of pain.

  “Isn't this fun?” he asked. His thumb caught the edge of her underwear elastic and slid around the waist band. “Shame it has to be so quick.”

  “Get on with it.” Claudius crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot impatiently. “This isn’t to amuse you.”

  “Of course, as you command.” Troy grasped the delicate flowered undergarment and ripped it away t
o elicit another cry from Katelina. He leered down at her pale body as she stood before them all, naked and helpless. The cold air touched her bruised skin like obscene hands.

  “Check her,” Claudius ordered. His gaze flicked over her lazily and he added meaningfully, “Everywhere.”

  “As you command.”

  She tried to draw away from Troy, but the rope and restraining hands prevented any escape.

  He snickered at her feeble attempts. “That won’t do you any good.” He grabbed her shoulders roughly and ran his hands over every inch of her. She shuddered in disgust and closed her eyes against the humiliation while her face burned with embarrassment and rage. A whimper escaped her lips as he jammed his hand between her thighs. His breath was foul as he pressed his face close to hers, his hands fumbling in her most private areas. Snickering, he withdrew his probing fingers and stood back, leaving her with her face bowed and her eyes full of tears.

  “Nothing,” he said simply.

  Claudius looked coolly from his servant to the humiliated Katelina. “Hmmmmm....” He stood before her, hands clasped behind his back as he studied her flushed form. “If there is no tracking device then how is he following her here?”

  “Maybe he isn’t?” Troy offered, while his counterparts continued to remain conspicuously silent.

  Claudius ignored his opinion completely. Suddenly a little flame flared in the depths of his green eyes and his head snapped around to his servant. “They're not linked, are they?”

  Troy balked visibly. “Linked?” He swallowed quickly. “No, I don’t think so. No one does that anymore – ”

  “Says who?” Claudius grabbed a handful of Katelina’s hair and jerked her head roughly to the side. His eyes raked over the mark Jorick had left. “It looks normal…” he trailed off, and ran a finger lightly over the tidy puncture marks. “No,” he repeated as he released her. “It looks like a normal mark to me.” He began to pace in circles again, his forehead wrinkled. “No. He expects me to do something... but what? Does he think I'll let her live? In that case I should kill her. Or does he think that I’ll turn her? Or maybe that I'll kill her and he can complain to the Guild about it? Would that give him an advantage? Last I heard they were none too happy with him.?”

  He took his thoughtful walk up again, signaling to the vampires who held her arms. They released her and she crashed to the cold cement floor. Unable to catch herself, her shoulder jarred painfully as it hit the cement. Hot tears dripped down her burning face as she struggled to remain brave like she’d promised herself.

  Claudius surrendered and threw himself into the large chair. He gazed petulantly at the assembled vampires, expecting one of them to have a revelation. “Did he say anything? Maybe there was a clue?”

  “No,” Troy answered quickly. “He just ran, not a word.”

  “Damn!” Claudius slammed his fist into the arm of the chair. “I don't know what to do with her! I hate this!”

  He waved his hand dismissively. “Take her back and lock her up somewhere while I think – no wait,” a sinister smile spread across his face. “On second thought bring in the cage, and put her in it. Maybe looking at her will inspire me.”

  The vampires laughed at his apparently amusing idea, but quieted down at a look from their baby faced master. “No one is to kill her – yet. If Jorick thinks that her death would get me into trouble, then perhaps there’s something to it. Summon that Guild buffoon and we’ll find out whether Jorick holds enough favor to make it a problem. Last I knew the laws were very loose concerning human property, but they may have changed.” His features fell back into their permanent sulk as he tapped the arm of the chair. “If he thinks my killing her will make The Guild absolve him of Arowenia’s death and call it even… No! I won’t allow that.”

  A loud scraping noise filled the chamber, the sound of something heavy and metal being dragged across the floor. Katelina didn’t have long to wonder about it, before she was hauled to her feet. A large, rusty metal cage appeared, moved by a lone vampire with short cropped red hair. Without looking at her, he stopped the metal monstrosity near Claudius’ chair.

  “Come on,” Troy hissed in her ear. He dragged her towards the waiting cage and threw her into it. She fell forward with a cry, unable to stop herself, and her face slammed into the metal grillwork floor.

  Claudius looked up at the sound. “Oh,” he commented, disinterested. “You can untie her now. She won’t be able to escape.”

  “Of course.” Troy roughly jerked the rope from around her ankles and wrists. He grabbed a fist full of her hair and leaned close to her ear to hiss between his teeth. “Smart girl. Just keep quiet and maybe he’ll let you live.”

  She pulled away and spit at him. He growled and wiped his face. “Fucking bitch,” he murmured. He stepped out of the cage and slammed the door with a resounding clang. She heard a padlock slide into it and tried to roll over, but her body refused to move. Her limbs had been immobilized too long and she could barely wipe the blood from her nose.

  Tears of fear slid from her eyes and she bunched herself into a ball in the corner of the cage. She forced her arms and knees to bend enough to cover herself and gazed out between the rusty bars.

  Claudius demanded someone bring him some refreshment. They obeyed quickly and brought back a limp, drugged boy who might have been twelve or thirteen. Claudius wrinkled his nose as he took the child on his lap, but after sniffing him he smiled. Katelina winced and closed her eyes as Claudius’ fanged mouth closed around the child’s throat. A single scream echoed through the air and then there was only the sickening slurping noise of the boy’s blood.

  When the sounds ceased she dared to open her eyes again, retching but unheeded. Claudius dumped the bleeding body on the floor, the throat mangled and destroyed. Blood coated his face and shirt and he licked his lips. He signaled for the others to take the body away and clean the mess. As the boy’s remains were removed, a vampiress in a dark blue dress handed Claudius a cloth with which he cleaned his face. When he’d finished, another woman unbuttoned his soiled shirt and a third, the one who had stood at the door when Katelina first arrived, slipped a new one around his naked torso and fastened it.

  He waved the three women away and they bowed their heads before they disappeared from Katelina’s view. They were quickly replaced by four males, Troy among them.

  Claudius straightened his shirt and glanced towards Katelina’s cage and then back to Troy. “Was Oren there?”

  “No,” the bald vampire said quickly. “Only Jorick. There’s no proof he has any accomplices.”

  “You think Michael lied?” Claudius demanded. “To me? No, he told the truth. This is all Oren’s work, his attack, so to speak. No doubt he believed that I would be as crippled without Arowenia as he is without Jesslynn.”

  “I heard the Executioners killed her,” one of the others said.

  “So I hear,” Claudius murmured disinterestedly. He tapped impatient fingers on the arm of his chair. “If the idiots had gotten there sooner they could have retrieved Arowenia alive! I have half a mind to send her corpse to them! Of all the bumbling, inept, stupid…” he trailed off into dark mutters.

  The vampire who’d spoken a moment ago asked, “How do you know she was ever there. Surely Oren is smart enough to keep her in a less incriminating place?”

  “Now you’re suggesting Michael lied?” Claudius asked lightly. “Or do you suggest his brother lied to him? Do you think he made up a false location, intending to go and retrieve her himself and return her for his freedom? Are you implying he intended to let his brother die for his sins?”

  The vampire looked exasperated. “I don’t know what I’m implying. I wasn’t here when you interrogated Michael.”

  “You’d be sorry you missed it,” Troy commented, snickering. “He screamed and begged – ”

  “Enough.” Claudius motioned him to silence. “Michael informed me that the plan was Oren’s from the beginning, as part of our little war. He and Patric
k were brought into it, so to speak.”

  Katelina tensed at the mention of Patrick’s name, but she tried hard not to make her interest obvious. Did this have something to do with what Kateesha had said?

  “Rather they brought Oren into it,” Troy said. “Michael said they were looking for a way out and bumped into Oren and his butt buddy Jorick and – ”

  “That will suffice,” Claudius snapped impatiently. “The more direct version is that Patrick came to his senses and wished to return Arowenia to me, however, Michael refused.” He snorted. “Amusing since he presented himself to me as a humbled, repentant thrall. Regardless, he caught his brother in the act of leaving to carry out his plan of redemption. Whether by accident or force, Patrick named Oren’s manor house as Arowenia’s prison. But, when Patrick refused to abandon his quest, Michael killed him.” He paused. “Or perhaps Jorick did. I hardly care. He was a toy I used to torture Michael with, nothing more.”

  Something strange moved across Troy’s face for a millisecond, then disappeared. Katelina cringed back into the corner as all of the implications crashed on her. Troy and Patrick was too much to think about, let alone Claudius’ suggest that Jorick had… No, Michael had admitted to killing his brother when she saw him in the basement. Hadn’t he?

  “And you’ve contacted The Guild?” the questioning vampire demanded. “You risked suffering your own consequences?”

  Claudius looked bored. “Hardly. It was all above board. The human, Patrick, was plainly marked. I have done nothing illegal. I’m allowed to take anyone I deem worthy into my coven and as my slave, so long as all the details are followed, and they were. Even Michael was a legitimate fledgling.”

  “Against his will,” the other vampire muttered.