“Yeah, yeah, see ya,” John said then took his key from Kathrine and went to his room.
“So,” Hailey said as she grabbed the key from Kathrine. “We have no clothes and no food.”
As soon as Kelly was gone Nice Hailey came back. She would have thought it was Kelly that was causing this split personality but Moody Hailey had shown up way before they picked up Kelly. Kathrine was having fun for a change, nice Hailey was way more fun to be around. It had been a while since Kathrine actually had someone she could call a friend and she wanted to call Nice Hailey her friend.
“S’pose they are freaking out looking for us?” Hailey asked as she opened the door to their room.
“Yeah, I’m gonna send dad a text and tell them that you and I needed to blow of some steam. I’ll say we’re shopping and just having a vacation. That should keep them from tracking us down at least,” Kathrine said as she rummaged through her purse for her phone. It was a small lie, more of an omission but she still felt guilty telling this to Nice Hailey.
“That works,” Hailey agreed.
While Kathrine was texting, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Hailey looking around the room. She seemed amazed and pleased by the room until she noticed the bed. Immediately Moody Hailey came back.
“One bed? I’ll sleep on the couch,” Hailey said as she stormed over to the couch.
“What? Why? That bed is enormous. We’ll be fine,” Kathrine assured her.
Hailey now looked very anxious.
“I guess. That couch does look pretty uncomfortable.” Hailey walked over to the bed and took her shoes off before stiffly laying on it.
“You’re gonna sleep in your clothes?” Kathrine asked. “I’m gonna take a shower first.”
“You sleep nude?” Hailey said a little too loudly.
“No, tee-shirt and underwear. I’ll try not to take all the hot water.” Kathrine snickered as she shut the door.
When Kathrine got out of the shower Hailey was already sleeping. She figured Hailey was probably exhausted. Not only had she recently given up blood but it had been a long trip. Kathrine got into bed and before long she was also asleep.
The next morning, after a discussion about how they were going to find Paul, it was clear that they needed John’s help. The vampires and Paul had vacated the boat according to Hailey. She had only found Paul after a lot of searching and that had been by accident.
John and Kelly were down eating breakfast when Hailey and Kathrine found them. The two seemed to be quite good friends. Kathrine got the clear impression that neither was interested in the other romantically, more like child hood friends that annoy and pick on one another.
“So John,” Kathrine said as she sat beside him. The two had gotten a table with four places, they had apparently been waiting for them.
“Yes, Kate?” John replied.
“Kathrine please and I was wondering if you might know how we could find Paul?” Kathrine asked while stealing a piece of bacon from Kelly’s plate. Kelly just smiled and pushed her plate closer to Kathrine. This girl was just too nice! Kathrine had hoped for a hint of possessiveness or even anger, something that would put a dent in this perfect woman.
“Sorry, Kathrine. I think I might know where we can start looking. There’s a restaurant that the vampires like to hang out at. The important, higher up ones, like Paul,” John began. Kathrine was tempted to defend Paul and tell them that he wasn’t a vampire but thought it might be a bad idea to have that knowledge spreading around. “We could go, grab a bite to eat and see who shows up. Whadda’ya say?”
“Sure, what time?” Kathrine asked.
“About eight or so and we’ll need some different clothes,” John said meekly. Kathrine didn’t like the sound of this.
“What do you mean different?” Hailey blurted out. Apparently she had been paying attention even though she had sat with her face in her lap the whole time.
“Like fancy different. This place is really expensive. Oh! And we will need a reservation,” John added.
“Well then I guess we better get shopping. And I’ll get us a reservation. I think I can handle it,” Kathrine said with an eerie smile. No one bothered to ask her how she would get a reservation, they just took Kathrine at her word. Truthfully, she still was an FBI agent. With a few phone calls she could convince the owner that she was on an official stakeout trying to find a wanted criminal. Heck, she could say she was chasing her dad, that should get her quite a ways. He was still the second most wanted man in America.
Within a few hours they were in the restaurant. Kathrine had gotten them a last minute reservation at what turned out to be one of the best restaurants in town. John wore a tuxedo and the three women all wore similar black dresses. Despite their similarity Kathrine felt like the ugly duckling when standing next to the other two. Kelly filled out her dress perfectly and Hailey looked like the Egyptian royalty that she was. Kathrine knew she looked like an FBI agent trying to fit in with cover models and it was very depressing.
They were seated at the back of the large room. Kathrine had explained to the owner that she needed a good view of all the exits to catch the dangerous Mark Albet. She had laid it on thick, telling him that Mr. Albet was seen in this area three times in the last week and that she had noticed his alias popping up all over town. She didn’t go into details about what the alias was but assured the owner that she would try not to make a scene. The owner himself had met them at the table as soon as he heard that she was there.
“Ms. Elisman, I hope you find everything satisfactory,” the overly stuffed man said nervously.
“Yes, and please call me Lyndsee. We don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea about who I am,” Kathrine winked. Even though Lyndsee Elisman was lost and presumed dead, this man had not bothered to contact the local field office to check her story.
“My, you ladies look ravishing. I expected…I mean to say…” the overstuffed man floundered.
“You expected grey pantsuits?” Kelly interjected.
“Well, yes, actually,” the owner replied.
“We’re undercover and very good at our jobs,” Kelly assured him.
Kathrine just stared at Kelly, beautiful, nice and now intelligent. Who was this woman? Every time Kathrine thought she could at least outshine her at something the woman just one upped her again. It was like competing with Sarah, no matter how good you were, she was just a little better.
“How old are you, Kelly?” Kathrine couldn’t take it anymore, this woman had to be more than twenty despite her looks.
“I’m one hundred and three,” Kelly whispered as she leaned in. Kathrine’s jaw nearly dropped onto the table. She expected thirty maybe forty but over one hundred? Was Kathrine the youngest Asuune in the whole world?
John saw the dumbfounded look on Kathrine’s face and felt he had to help.
“I know right? But what about you two? Seriously if you tell me you are older than her I’m gonna feel like a baby,” John laughed.
“I’m umm…too old to talk about,” Hailey mumbled while she tried to look preoccupied by the menu.
“She’s over two thousand,” Kathrine whispered to John. Hailey immediately slapped Kathrine on the arm.
“She’s twenty five,” Hailey said sticking out her tongue at Kathrine. Nice Hailey had made a surprise appearance, this made Kathrine smile.
“Well looks like you are joining me in the baby ranks,” John said then realized he had forgotten to tell them his age. “Just turned twenty two.”
“You don’t seem very old,” Kathrine said gazing at Kelly. “I don’t just mean your looks. You talk like a teenager.”
Kelly just beamed like she had been waiting for someone to notice. She scooted up to the table excitedly.
“I’ve been staying with my great granddaughter. It’s been the most wonderful experience! She tells me about her boyfriends, her desire to become a doctor and I get to learn all the latest catch phrases.” Kelly looked like the happiest person
in the world then it hit Kathrine. She would never have children, grandchildren or greatgrandchildren. She had given it up to save Sarah. She gave up a lot. Then she saw Sarah in her head. Without that silly red head there would be a huge empty spot in her life. It was worth what she gave up. “You seem lost in space.” Apparently Kelly had noticed Kathrine’s blank expression.
“I’m very happy for you,” Kathrine said trying to gloss over it.
“You don’t have kids do you? What am I saying, you’re twenty five. You’re still a baby yourself. I wish I could say that you aren’t missing anything but I don’t like to lie to my friends. I know why you gave it up. All of us should be so brave.” Kelly looked sad for the first time since Kathrine had met her. How did she know about Sarah?
“How?” Kathrine asked.
“I hear things,” Kelly said with a strange grin. There was more to this story but the waiter had arrived so it would have to wait.
The four of them ordered and had started on their food before Kathrine smelled the first vampire come in.
“Oh, man. One just walked in,” Kathrine warned them while covering her nose with her napkin. Strangely Kelly also covered her nose. Could she smell them?
“Yeah, I thought I smelled filth,” Kelly agreed. Kelly could smell them!
“You…” Kathrine started but before she could finish Kelly slid her claws out along the table discreetly.
“Yes, I’m like you. Not as gifted as you, I can’t smell evil, but I can smell the blood. One of them has just fed. What are the chances that two of the three felines would be in the same place?” Kelly snickered. There was a lot more going on with Kelly than Kathrine had originally thought. Kelly knew what she was and about Sarah. She knew everything about Kathrine it seemed. The strange part was that Kelly wasn’t hiding it. It seemed like she wanted Kathrine to know.
Kathrine didn’t have time to ask. Right after the first important looking vampire Azazel walked in followed by Paul. Kathrine looked down, she really wanted to have that menu back about now. Kelly reached over to the table beside them.
“Would you mind if we borrow a menu?” she asked politely. “My friend is not liking what she ordered and wants to try something else.”
The nice couple gladly handed their extra menu to Kelly then went back to their conversation about what they should try this time.
“This what you’re looking for?” Kelly asked with a grin.
Was she that transparent or was Kelly just that smart?
“Thank you,” Kathrine replied then buried her nose in the menu while peering over the edge. Kelly had taken a compact out of her purse and was using it to spy on the trio that had just walked in.
The new vampire looked very sure of himself. He was a large man, not Charles large, but easily bigger than Paul. He had dark black hair and dark skin. Kathrine recognized the similarities between him and Hailey. She turned to ask Hailey if he was Elyon but Hailey was getting up. She turned her face away from them and was apparently heading to the bathroom.
“He can’t see me. He will kill everyone in here if he thinks he can get me back home,” Hailey said urgently.
Kathrine’s question was answered and then some. She quickly got up and put herself between Hailey and the three then headed to the bathroom with her back turned on them. While walking to the bathroom she realized that she had known they were there before she smelled the vampire. She had felt Paul getting closer somehow. Did he also feel her? He hadn’t looked around, at least Kathrine hadn’t seen him do it, maybe it was just her.
Once in the bathroom Hailey sighed with relief as she leaned against the sink.
“I didn’t think he would be here so soon.” Hailey looked like she was sweating buckets. Maybe she was telling the truth about her brother. This reaction would be hard to fake.
“So that is Elyon?” Kathrine asked.
“Yes, and he’s not a vampire.” Hailey looked worried and for the first time in days she looked Kathrine in the eyes. “He’s Versi.”
“Yes, I knew that,” Kathrine said to herself as much as to Hailey.
“We need to get out of here. I wasn’t expecting all of them to be here. I’ll head out the back, you go get Kelly and John. We’ll meet one block down, to the north. Sound good?” Hailey asked. She was still a nervous wreck. It was probably a good idea for her to leave now.
“Ok, meet you there in say ten?” Kathrine asked but Hailey was already heading to the back door. The cooks tried to tell her she couldn’t leave that way but Hailey just pushed them out of the way like they were nothing.
Once Hailey was gone Kathrine headed back to the table only to find that Kelly and John were missing. Paul was also missing from the table with Elyon and Azazel. What had happened? Kathrine was startled as a strong hand grabbed her arm from behind and whirled her around.
“What are you doing here?” Paul asked. He was frantic.
“Eating!” Kathrine barked back at him.
“No, you shouldn’t be here. I was going to contact you but Elyon showed up. You need to leave. This isn’t safe now.” Paul glanced over to the table and realized that Kathrine was still visible to his father and Elyon. Paul pushed her against the wall to keep her out of sight but this made Kathrine angry.
“What are you doing?!” Kathrine fumed.
“Trying to save your life. My father remembers you, just like he remembers Ceralin. He will kill you on sight, especially if he sees me talking to you.” Paul glanced back at the table again and then at Kathrine. “Please, head home. I’ll send word when Elyon is gone.”
How dare he?! He asked for her to come and now pushed her away. Perhaps her frustrations with the man were clouding her judgment but she had just about had enough from him. Kathrine pushed him and Paul was a little surprised at her strength.
“You asked me to come here. Then you just send me away? I don’t think so. You’re gonna explain some things before I go anywhere.” Kathrine’s voice was getting louder. Some of the guests near them started to stare which made Paul even more nervous.
“Fine! This way!” Paul whispered loudly. Kathrine was amused how anyone could whisper with such volume but Paul had managed to pull it off. It was funny to see this man, the one everyone was so scared of, so annoyed with her. It almost made her happy that he was as frustrated as she was.
Paul led her by the bathrooms and though another door that said ‘Closed for repairs’. This was apparently another dining area that had taken some water damage, or at least that’s what Kathrine assumed by the look of the place. There were chairs against the walls and a huge stain on the carpet. If it wasn’t water she didn’t want to know what made that huge stain. After he shut the door and locked it Paul pushed her to the middle of the room.
“This room is sound proof. It’s for the special guests of the owner.” The way Paul emphasized the words Kathrine knew he meant vampires.
“But he’s not a vampire,” Kathrine stated.
“No, but he wants to be. He’s got some romantic notion that he can become one and live forever, dating teenage girls and mind controlling them. Stupid stuff like that,” Paul laughed.
“So, he’s a pervert that thinks being a vampire will make it alright?” Kathrine shook her head. Such a stupid pathetic man. If he only knew. He was human, Kathrine could tell from his scent. If a vampire did bite him, he would die.
“Pretty much. Makes it easier to use him when he’s so disgusting.” Paul then turned angrily to Kathrine again. “You think you’re ready for this world? There’s people like him out there that can be vampires. What do you think they will do with you?”
“I can take care of myself!” Kathrine yelled back at him. He had said that this room was soundproof. No reason not to lay into him. She had so much pent up frustration for this man and she was going to let him have it!
Paul walked closer to Kathrine.
“Well, show me,” Paul said angrily.
Kathrine wasn’t sure what to do? Did he want her to hit hi
m?
“Come on! Show me how you can take care of yourself!” Paul yelled as he got even closer to Kathrine.
That was all she could take. The anger and frustration came to the surface. If he wanted to fight, they were going to fight. Kathrine used some of what Agnus and Sarah had taught her. She faked with her left then hit him right in the jaw with her right. Her hand hurt but it felt so good to release all that anger.
“That’s it?” Paul laughed.
Kathrine charged at him and tried to hit him again but Paul caught her first and threw her against a wall. Paul was going easy on her. She barely tapped the wall. Fury rose inside her and she charged again. This time she held her hand back like she was going to try the same move but instead dropped to her knees and attempted a groin punch. Paul caught her by the shoulders and flipped over her. Once he was on his feet he turned and put both arms around her chest and arms. She couldn’t move. His grip was like a bear trap, she couldn’t move her arms and couldn’t breathe.
“Enough,” Kathrine gasped. Her voice was quieted by her lack of breath. “I said enough!” Kathrine used the last of her breath to yell.
Paul released her and took a step back. Kathrine turned and tripped Paul with a sweep. Then before he hit the ground she lunged at him with her elbow and hit him in the sternum. Now Paul was the one out of breath and she grinned. Paul rolled away and again put his arms around Kathrine so that she couldn’t move but this time his face was only inches from hers. Paul stared into her eyes and just when she thought he was going to hurt her more he kissed her. A long deep kiss and after a few seconds Kathrine kissed him back. She had waited for this, dreamed about it and it was better than she had imagined. She felt like electricity was flowing from Paul directly into her. Paul released her arms and she grabbed him with both hands behind his head. She didn’t want him pulling away, this was what she had waited for. Her fingers knitted their way through his hair.
Paul picked up Kathrine easily and pushed her against the wall. She continued to hold onto his hair while he worked his way down the low cut dress. Paul knelt and Kathrine released him unsure of what he was doing but not wanting it to stop. He gently ran his hands up her legs and she thought she might melt. When his fingers reached her panties she gasped then whispered his name. This only seemed to excite him further and he slid them down in one quick motion then pushed her to sit on the chair behind her. Paul’s fingers slid gently up the inside of her thighs and she opened herself for him. She didn’t care what Sarah had said, she wanted him now. Paul’s fingers continued upward then stopped just short. Kathrine couldn’t take it anymore and begged him to keep going. Then with another swift motion he lifted the dress and let his tongue satiate her desire. Kathrine thought she might scream. This man knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it. Then when she thought he couldn’t have been better at it he sucked gently. Kathrine could feel the explosion building inside her, just a few more…
Curse of the Asuune Page 20