The attention shifted to Kale, but he refused to make a comment, and only his clenched jaw betrayed his anger.
Though no one had officially dismissed her, Katelina decided that she’d had enough of the chair. She limped across the room, her legs and hips in agony from hours of sitting, and tugged at Jorick’s sleeve. He smiled down at her and slipped an arm around her waist. “I told you,” he said quietly. “Though Fabian came as a surprise.”
She nodded and then asked carefully, “So, now what?”
As he’d promised, Oren moved Katelina to one of the empty slave’s quarters - empty because, unlike Claudius, Kateesha didn’t keep human slaves. “They aren’t compulsory,” Oren had sniffed at the inquiry, an attitude Katelina found interesting, considering the number of human servants he’d had.
Thomas, in a fit of swagger, blabbed that he was going to petition The Guild about Jorick and his “dangerous human”, so Oren thought it might be better if Jorick stayed where he was. The more they were apart, the better, or so he said. Katelina didn’t agree, but Jorick whispered to her that it was only for one night, and that tomorrow they’d leave.
But, they didn’t.
Anya, Des, Thomas, and three of Kateesha’s old followers left the next evening, while Katelina and Jorick stayed behind. When she pulled Jorick aside and demanded to know why, he explained that Oren was trying to make a deal with Kale. However, by the time that she and Loren finally found the complex’s kitchen, the deal had fallen through. Kale told them that he wasn’t interested in a war with The Guild, and that he and the others only wanted some peace and quiet for a while.
With that settled, there was only one problem left; the Mexican reinforcements. Though they still hadn’t arrived, it was only a matter of time, and no one was sure if they’d accept the fact that Kateesha was defeated, or if they’d try to make trouble. After all, fifty against the fourteen that remained wasn’t very good odds. So, Oren, Jorick, Jeda, Loren, Micah, Fabian, Torina and, by default, Katelina gathered in a sort of informal meeting.
When Oren had finished explaining the situation, Jeda asked primly, “What do we do?”
“We could just leave, right?” Loren suggested. “Then we won’t be here when they show up.”
“No we wouldn’t be here,” Jorick agreed. “But when fifty transplanted vampires show up and find a den all stocked and waiting, what do you think they’ll do?”
Micah nodded. “Right. So what if they stay a while? I personally couldn’t give a good God damn about what they do, so long as I ain’t here. If you’re all worried, then let’s just burn the damn den and leave. When the Mexicans get here, they can figure out what happened themselves.”
Katelina immediately wanted to point out the futility of burning stone tunnels, but decided that she didn’t care. However, Jorick cleared it up for her.
“I doubt it would destroy the tunnels, especially the old ones. Though, it would eliminate the stock pile of supplies, and no doubt make the place inhospitable.”
“And what would Kale say about this?” Jeda asked. “The den is his, by right.”
Fabian stretched lethargically and stifled a yawn. “He doesn’t want it. That’s what Luna said, anyway. He’s planning to take them all and go off somewhere else. Though, there’s some stuff he wants to take with him.”
They fell to discussing various things that they wanted to take too; from coffins to furniture to abandoned personal effects. Katelina was the only one who remembered the “stash”.
“And what about the cows?”
At her words, the vampires stared openly. “The cows?” Torina echoed.
Micah laughed. “Trust lunch to worry about saving dinner!”
“She’s no one’s lunch,” Jorick snapped. “I don’t want to remind you of that again.”
“Then don’t.”
Jorick growled low and Oren held up a placating hand. “We’ll release the cows first, all right?” There was a general agreement, since no one really cared except Katelina. Oren also suggested that they should start cleaning out any of the items they wanted as soon as possible.
They started that very night.
The sun had been gone for nearly an hour before Katelina finally stepped out into the snowy world. The cold air was like a refreshing slap in the face. After days of being cooped up underground, she was more than ready for the fresh air, no matter what the temperature.
Torina walked behind her, wearing a long hooded coat that made Katelina think of the 1950s. Together, they headed across the snowy field and came to a stop a safe distance from the building.
“I can’t believe Kale and the others left already,” Torina huffed. “Like we should have to do this by ourselves.”
Katelina didn’t bother to answer, only wrapped her arms around herself and enjoyed the smell of the world that seeped into her every pore. She wasn’t the only one. The cows, now freed, picked their way through the field and made snuffling noises that she took for happy sounds. It had to be better than being cooped up in a smelly dungeon, just waiting to be snacked on. After twenty minutes, though, all the freedom and wonder was forgotten and she stomped her feet impatiently in the snow. For crying out loud, all they had to do was pour gasoline around and set it on fire. How long could that possibly take?
“Cold?” Torina asked, her voice smooth and sarcastic. “It must be terrible to be human.”
With an angry stamp of her feet, Katelina snapped, “Don’t you remember?”
It took the redhead a moment to answer and, when she did, her tone was serious. “No, I don’t.”
Katelina didn’t know what to say, so she focused on the building and prayed they’d hurry up.
Frozen minutes ticked by until, finally, figures emerged from the tin building; dark shapes against the snow. As the fire crept up the tunnels behind them, their shadows grew longer and longer, and the light from the ruined doors brighter and brighter. Smoke curled from the doorways in thick black tendrils, and soon crimson flames licked the metal and shot upwards into the sky.
Jorick stood next to Oren and motioned with his hands to illustrate a conversation that Katelina couldn’t hear. She watched him intently and wished that she could still send him mental messages, like “Hurry up!” She was getting colder, and the silence between herself and Torina had stretched until it was uncomfortable at best.
Though Jorick didn’t receive her mental thoughts, it was almost as if Torina had. “He’s taking his time, I see.”
Katelina nodded uncertainly.
The redhead gazed at the two men and then she said quietly, “It really was nothing.”
Katelina was more than a little confused at the topic change. “What?”
“Jorick,” Torina explained and drew herself up. “It was nothing. A brief infatuation that ended as quickly as it began. He’s too grim for me.”
A lump formed in Katelina’s throat, and she couldn’t find words powerful enough to move past it. Luckily, Jorick chose that moment to end his conversation with Oren and stroll to them casually. He came to a stop before them, his dark eyes on the voluptuous vampiress. “Torina.”
“Jorick.” She smiled and tilted her head appraisingly. “You’re sure this is your choice?” She inclined her head towards Katelina. “This is what you want?”
“I know what I’m doing,” he answered firmly.
“Do you really, I wonder?” She gazed at him thoughtfully and then shrugged the question away. “It matters not to me.” She looked once more at Katelina. “When next we meet, perhaps he’ll have finally made you one of our kind.” Without waiting for an answer, she walked towards her brother, a lone figure against the snow.
Jorick moved next to Katelina and took her hand. He looked from their intertwined fingers, to the burning building, as though he were really staring through it. “Everything’s settled.”
She smiled for the first time that evening. “Good.” A touch of worry nagged at her, and she asked quietly, “Is Thomas really going to comp
lain to The Guild?”
“I don’t know,” Jorick answered honestly.
Despite the answer, she managed some levity. “I thought you knew everything?”
His smile didn’t seem quite right. “Not everything, only nearly everything.” The strange smile faded altogether. “We should go.”
She nodded and waited for him to lead her away but he only stood motionless, until she cleared her throat loudly and asked, “Aren’t we going?”
“Yes.” He ran a restless hand through his dark hair, his eyes everywhere but on her. “Katelina...” he began, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain. “Are you sure?”
“About what?” She blinked at him, puzzled. “I want away from them, if that’s what you mean.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” He paused again and cast about for words. “Regardless of your choice, I’d take you away from here.”
The tin roof collapsed loudly and she jumped and asked hurriedly, “Then what?”
He began again, hesitantly. “Katelina… This life… my life… it’s a world of darkness. There’s no sunlight in it.” He swallowed and continued to stare at the ruined building. “You don’t have to live like that. You can still embrace the sun.”
“What are you saying?” A sick ball of fear formed in her chest as she remembered a similar conversation; one they’d had on the beach the night he’d told her to go home.
“Katelina, I-” he turned his eyes on her at last, and they bored through her, as if he could see her soul. “I have no right to ask you to live in darkness with me. I have no right to expect you to stay or for you to… to even want to…” he stopped again.
She stared at him and tried to figure out his objective. Was he trying to scrape her off? Or was he honestly asking her? If so, it was pointless. She’d made her decision when she’d followed him into the battle. That night, she’d chosen her path and, if it was one of darkness and silver moonlight rather than blue skies and sunlight, then so be it. She didn’t want an existence without him anymore. In fact she couldn’t believe that her life had been real before that night at the old farm house, when Jorick had turned over all of the rocks of the world to reveal the dark secrets underneath; the damp reality of fear and blood and scurrying creatures that shied from the sunlight. She no longer believed in the office of polished chrome and glass, or central heating and coffee pots. It all seemed so far away and so long ago now, like an entirely different lifetime; a lifetime that had been comfortable, but empty and lonely. Didn’t Jorick understand that?
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” she asked bluntly, her eyes narrowed at him expectantly.
“What?” It was his turn at confusion. “No, of course not. What I’m trying to say is-“
“For knowing nearly everything you’re an idiot,” she muttered, and tried to suppress a smile. “You should already know my choice, Jorick.” She met his eyes and laid a hand to his smooth, cool face. “I already told you, I…” She swallowed and forced the words out. “I love you.”
He drew her to him and pressed his lips against her forehead. “I love you too, Katelina. But this won’t be easy for you. If you went back to the mortal world-”
“No.” She tipped her face up so he could see the determined look in her eyes. “You’re stuck with me, Jorick, whether you like it or not.”
His only answer was to crush her lips in a deep kiss, as he held her tight. She responded with as much enthusiasm as she could, as if she thought it would prove her words.
He released her reluctantly and took her hand again. “If that’s your choice, then we’d better go.”
Her smile grew wider and she nodded emphatically. “I think that’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Is it?” he asked, with mock surprise. “I’ll have to remember that.” And, with a laugh, he led her away from the burning building and into the darkness.
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES IN TIES OF BLOOD!
What character would you like to see more of? Vote in the poll at:
http://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/who-would-you-like-to-see-return-in-book-6/
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BONUS MATERIAL
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LEGACY OF GHOSTS:
THE LOST CHAPTERS
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The Lost Chapters were never really “lost” or removed from Legacy of Ghosts, but rather written after the book as promotional material. But, like the deleted scenes on a DVD, they do offer some small insight and expansion on the story. I hope you enjoy.
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Scene 1: Sparkling Jorick
(Insert this randomly into Chapter Three between the walk and the stitches)
Katelina lay on the living room couch and stared at the book in her hands. It was another 1800s era “classic” and, though she liked old books, she wanted something newer. Maybe something that didn’t have women with bustles.
The door opened and her eyes flicked from the printed words to Jorick. He strolled into the living room casually, and then started for the dining room. When he noticed her scrutiny, he changed directions and came to a stop next to the couch. “Hello.”
She gave him a cursory smile, then asked, “Don’t you have any books that were published after 1901?”
His brow wrinkled. “What?”
“Books,” she repeated. “Published after 1901? Maybe something from the last fifty years?”
“Of course I do. You just have to look for them.”
“That could take the rest of my life,” she muttered darkly, her eyes on the random stacks of books that cluttered the room. “It isn’t like you have anything organized around here!”
If his expression was anything to go on, the idea was a completely foreign one to Jorick. “And how should it be organized, pray tell?”
“The books could go in a book case. That would be a good start.”-
He blinked at her, and then waved the conversation away. “You just have to look for them. I’ve got a lot of books around here-”
“I’ve noticed.”
He ignored the interruption. “-And there’s surely something you approve of.”
Loren chose that moment to arrive, noisily banging the door open and closed. Almost tauntingly, the boy’s arms were laden with even more freaking books!
“You’re bringing yours over here now?” she cried. “There’s enough!”
Loren dropped the stack into one of the wing backed chairs and straightened his hoodie. “Nah, these are Jorick’s. Just bringing them back.”
Katelina couldn’t stop the annoyed eye roll. “Fantastic. Just what we need. More books.”
“There’s some good ones in here,” Loren objected. He paused to rifle through the heap and one fell to the floor with a bang. Loren left it lay, oblivious to the dark look Jorick shot at him. He seemed to suddenly find what he wanted. “Here, this one’s good.” He held up a battered paperback of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
“It’s strange,” Jorick countered, and scooped up the fallen book.
“It’s supposed to be!” Loren explained, waving the book for emphasis. “It’s funny.”
Katelina climbed to her feet and moved to examine the books. Most had unfamiliar, albeit modern covers, all except one; a black cover with a bright red apple.
“You’re joking!” she cried and hefted the heavy book. “You own this?”
Jorick peered disinterestedly over her shoulder. “Oh, that. Yes, I suppose I do.”
“Oh my God! You’ve read this? Seriously?”
“Yes, I read it. I’ve read a great deal worse, though I’ve also read a great deal better.”
“No shit!” Katelina suddenly imagined him sitting in the chair, pouring over the teenage romance, a Kleenex clutched in his hand. The image was too much and her laughter got the better of her. She dropped onto the couch arms wrapped around her stomach.
“I’m not sure what’s so funny,” Jorick remarked stiffly. “It’s a book, like any
other.”
“Yeah, if you’re a twelve year old girl!”
“Hey!” Loren objected. “I read it too, you know!”
Katelina waved the objection away, and managed to choke out, “So, team Edward or Jacob?”
Jorick drew back a step, as though she’d lost her mind. “What?”
“Jacob.” Loren leaned on the back of the chair, settling in for the conversation. “That shit in the second book where he takes off and leaves her, I just can’t condone that, you know? He just leaves her there to get whacked by those other guys.” He grinned broadly. “Besides, the whole glitter thing is too gay, you know?” He jerked his head towards Jorick. “Can you imagine him glittering?”
“No,” Jorick stated flatly and snatched the book from Katelina’s hands. “She can’t.”
“Actually,” Katelina began, her grin large and evil. “I think it’s an interesting picture. Jorick in sparkles.” She held up her hands as if framing a photograph. “What do you think, Loren? Wouldn’t he be lovely?”
Loren laughed until Jorick smacked him in the back of the head. “Aw, come on man, lighten up! This is a literary discussion here!”
“It’s an imbecilic discussion.” Jorick looked at the book in his hands, then held it out to Katelina. “Here. You were so desperate for something modern.”
Her laughter died and she cleared her throat noisily. “Well, yes, but…”
Jorick raised an inquiring eyebrow. “But?”
She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes on the floor. “But, well.” Her voice got quiet and she admitted reluctantly, “I’ve already read it.”
Jorick’s expression was one of satisfied smugness.
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Scene 2: The Black Cliché
(Insert this in the middle of Chapter Four, after the nightgown, but before the dining room discovery. (The letters))
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