Amaranthine Special Edition Vol I

by Naylor, Joleene

  Oren held his gaze for a moment, but finally looked away. “I’m not responsible for everyone who crosses my path. I can only tell you that Kariss wasn’t working with Kateesha.”

  “Wasn’t?” Katelina interrupted.

  “She’s dead now,” Oren explained flatly. “Kateesha killed her.”

  Jorick’s scowl deepened. “We can come to that in a moment. What I want to know, right now, is why didn’t Loren come as he was supposed to? Where is he?”

  “He’s with the war coven,” Oren answered quietly. “He and Kariss had to hurry back because we received word that The Guild was moving. There wasn’t much time.”

  “And he had to rush off because…?”

  Oren shrugged. “Perhaps he was afraid he’d miss the battle? I can’t guess at his motives. I only know that I sent word for Kariss to hurry back, and he was the one who brought her. I can ask him, if it’s so important.”

  Jorick’s anger continued to buzz in Katelina’s ears, but he relaxed back into the chair. “So Loren survived the battle then?”

  “Yes. He was better than you gave him credit for.”

  Jorick murmured something inaudible, then changed the topic. “I assume the battle didn’t go well?”

  “No,” Oren answered flatly. “It didn’t. And don’t say that you warned me, either. Had you consented to join it would have been different.” His eyes lingered on the hole in the wall. “Many things would have been different.”

  Jorick ignored him completely and merely said, “Well, I did warn you.” Silence stretched between them, but despite his former protestations, Katelina could feel Jorick’s curiosity burning. It was only a matter of time before-

  “So, what happened?”

  “It went badly,” Oren murmured quietly.

  “So you’ve said. How badly?”

  Oren’s face stayed calm, and he shoved his hands into his pockets, so that only his eyes told the tale of his anxiety. “Five were killed outright, and two left.” He paused and then continued, his lips tight, “And now it appears Adam and Nirel won’t be returning, so we’ve lost nine.” Jorick made no comment so Oren filled the silence. “The Guild attacked Kateesha's coven, but I fear we took them for defeated long before they were.”

  Jorick nodded his head and looked impassive. “I’d pretend to be surprised, but...”

  “Yes, well.” Oren cleared his throat noisily. “I thought it safe to assume Kateesha was defeated when she relinquished the human to The Guild.”

  “But she wasn’t?” Jorick asked with no enthusiasm.

  “Obviously. Though I believe it was The Guild we underestimated the most.”

  Jorick’s smugness washed over Katelina, but she cut off his self satisfied reply to ask, “And what about Shelay?” They both looked blank, so she clarified sarcastically, “The human Kateesha had?”

  Oren brushed her aside with an impatient answer. “I already said, Kateesha gave her up.”

  “No. I mean what happened to her after that?”

  “I assume they'll kill her and dispose of the body as usual.” Oren sent her a look that suggested her questions were unimportant, but she really didn’t care what he thought.

  “And what does that mean, ‘as usual’?”

  Jorick explained calmly, “If it’s some who needs to be found they mangle the body, clean it of fingerprints and throw it in a ditch. A good portion of your human murders aren't what they seem.”

  “Yet they always manage to catch the killers.” Oren snorted. “True justice at work. They send an imbecile to prison for something he didn't do and then make a fuss when he swears to his innocence. They're so predictable, these modern humans! They can't abide the thought of something their science doesn't explain.”

  “But they can’t just kill her!” Katelina exclaimed, horrified. “She’s famous!”

  “Is she?” Oren looked disinterested. “I’ve never heard of her. Regardless, I doubt her fame will save her.”

  Jorick waved the topic away and picked up his previous conversation. “The question is what do you want with me? You didn't come just to tell me that the battle went badly.”

  “No,” Oren agreed. “I came to ask for your help. I know you’ve said this isn’t your war, but it is now. Kateesha brought it to you.” He waved his hand towards the hole in the wall. “They betrayed not only Kariss and I, but you as well.” His eyes slid to Katelina. “You’ve argued you couldn’t join because you needed to protect her, but did Adam and Nirel leave her unmolested? Did she survive unscathed?”

  Jorick remained outwardly impassive at Oren’s too keen perception, but Katelina felt his anger.

  Oren went on, “If Kateesha was dead there’d no longer be a threat. You're blood is older than hers, your powers are greater. You could break her like a branch before the storm. Drink from her heart and no one could contest-”

  Jorick cut him off, “I thought your war was with The Guild?”

  Oren shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, and it still is, but-”

  “But now you have a new war,” Jorick finished. “Because when you attacked them both…”

  “Yes,” Oren admitted grudgingly. “Kateesha took it as opening hostilities. Though, it isn’t as if we hadn’t considered that.”

  “And now you’re fighting both of them?”

  “Not exactly. As I told you at the manor, Kateesha wants to fight the same war, but for herself. She’s the biggest threat, now. Not only to us, but to your human as well.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Katelina narrowed her eyes at Oren. How dare he use her to get what he wanted!

  Jorick’s answer was slow, and it didn't make Katelina happy. “Let me think on this.”

  Oren nodded. “Of course. I understand. I’ll return tomorrow.”

  “Fine.” Jorick stood and the two men moved to the door. Oren lingered on the threshold a moment, his eyes locked with Jorick’s and then he looked away. His gaze landed on Katelina and he gave her a nod of recognition before he left.

  After the door shut, Jorick stood motionless and stared into space. He started to turn for the dining room, but stopped mid step. Katelina was sure he’d been heading to his little shrine, only to remember it was gone. She waited for him to speak, or move, or do anything, but he just stood in place and stared at nothing. Finally, she asked, “So, you're thinking about it then?”

  “I don't know.” He lifted his hand to his chin absently.

  Sarcasm crept into her voice, “And I suppose you'll find some convenient place to dump me at while you take off?” He didn’t reply and she coughed loudly to get his attention.

  “I don't know.”

  Her eyebrows shot up in irritation. “When you make my mind up for me, let me know.” She tried to go back to the book, but she couldn’t help thinking that it had turned out very conveniently for Oren that Adam and Nirel were traitors.

  Jorick spent the rest of the night wrapped in contemplative silence, though Katelina couldn’t understand why. It wasn’t as complicated as he made it out to be - at least not to her. She didn’t want mixed up in another war. But, on the other hand, she didn’t want any more of Kateesha’s goons to show up. He’d had to link her this time, what would he do next time? Would it be like his nightmare? Personally, she blamed Oren. If he was more capable, he’d have already disposed of Kateesha on his own.

  True to his word, Oren returned the next night. Katelina was just out of the shower and had to make a mad, towel clad dash downstairs. She dressed as fast as she could and was back in the main room of the basement when she heard voices floating down to her.

  One of them was Jorick, “-if I do this then what of Katelina?”

  “Leave her here,” and the other was Oren – the grate!

  Katelina moved across the basement and stared up. Sure enough, the newly uncovered metal grate was just above her. She could hear every word they said.

  “No,” Jorick said quietly. “I won't leave her unprotected. I've learned from that mis
take.”

  Oren’s tone was annoyed, “Well, you can't bring her with you. She'd be a hindrance.”

  Jorick spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “Then what would you suggest?”

  “Turn her and be done with it. If you're so determined to have her around there's no reason to leave her as a human anymore. Besides, she'd be safer that way.”

  Jorick’s voice low and almost sad. “She doesn't want that, and I wouldn't make her against her will.”

  There was a pause and then, “So you've asked her?”

  “No, I don't need to. I know her thoughts.”

  “Did you read them?” Oren pressed. “Or did she share them with you freely? People often say things they don't mean.”

  “That may be true, but I saw them embossed in her mind. The attack,” he paused and Katelina imagined him looking away. “Katelina was wounded.”

  “Wounded? So you… What? What could you have-” he stopped, and then groaned. “You can’t mean? But, no one does that! No. Tell me you didn’t.”

  “There was no other choice.” Jorick insisted firmly. “She's as excited about it as you are.”

  Oren groaned audibly. “Why would you do that, Jorick? Willingly weaken yourself at such an important time? How long is it supposed to take to recover from that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Oren went on as if Jorick had never spoken. “At a time like this! Why would you do that? Why would you link yourself with a human,” he broke off. “And one who, by your own admission, was against it.”

  Jorick’s voice was flat, “It was either that or let her die.”

  “Then let her die. There are others Jorick; hundreds, thousands, millions of them, crawling all over the world. I know you've spoken of your feelings, but I still wonder if they aren't manufactured? Perhaps you only want to feel this way?”

  Despite the way it was phrased, Oren’s insinuation about Jorick’s “feelings” made Katelina smile stupidly.

  “I won't discuss this again,” Jorick's voice was hard, angry and left no room for further questioning.

  “Fine.” Oren snapped. “Whether right or wrong, she's linked now. Use it to your advantage. Leave her somewhere safe, and if she's in danger you'll know."

  “And come too late? No, not again. Not ever again. I can't carry that guilt on my soul, Oren.”

  “Soul?” Oren gave a hollow laugh. “I thought we surrendered that long ago? Besides, you have no guilt to bear. You did what was right. You had a master to serve then; your blood debt wasn’t repaid yet. She chose not to defend herself.”

  “And Katelina can’t defend herself against them. Should I abandon her to suit your needs, Oren? Your blood is younger than mine, yet I wonder that you’re so much more heartless, like one of the ancient ones.”

  “I let go of those things which were no longer necessary. We thought you had too, until this.” Oren paused. “Leave her and be done with it, before it's too late. She'll only get you killed. This obsession isn't healthy for either of you.”

  Jorick's laughter echoed through the grate. “So you keep saying, and I listened. Your advice nearly cost me a lot, Oren.”

  Silence fell and Katelina imagined the two of them staring at one another. Finally, Jorick said, “Katelina will come with us or I don't go.”

  She wanted to shriek, “No! No! No!” She didn't want to go on another adventure. She didn’t want to see Kateesha again. She didn’t want to deal with any of this. No!

  “Fine, encumber yourself,” Oren sounded frustrated. “But I won’t protect her and neither will the others.”

  Jorick snickered coldly. “You’ve said yourself that your blood debt is unpaid. You’ll protect her, as will those who swear allegiance to you. When do we leave?"

  Katelina moved to the stairs and perched gloomily on the bottom step. She really, really didn’t want to go. The idea filled her with a fear that made her hands tremble. Still, a sick part of her wondered which she’d choose if it came to loosing Jorick or going with him. She supposed she knew the answer, though she didn’t like to admit it, even to herself.

  A voice, smooth and rich, like silky chocolate washed through her mind, “We’re going. No arguments. Come, pack your things, we'll be leaving within the hour.”

  She scowled deeply and pulled herself to her feet. “No arguments?” she demanded to the empty air. “Who do you think you are?”

  “You know who I am.”

  She glared towards the ceiling. “Would it really kill you to walk twenty steps and open the damn door to talk to me?”

  “Maybe,” came the silent answer, followed by a wave of laughter.

  **********

  Chapter Eleven

  The night was quiet. They were the only car on the dark highway; speeding steadily towards Oren’s new hideout, or war coven, as he called it. Oren sat behind the wheel, his face grim despite his obvious victory, while Jorick sat in the passenger seat, the picture of relaxed elegance. Katelina was tucked into the backseat – better there than next to Oren – with a tatty suitcase. She’d picked it over the duffle bag because it was bigger, and she hoped it held together. If it fell apart that would just be the topper to an otherwise dismal trip.

  She pulled her new, black stocking hat down over her ears and burrowed her face in the too big coat. Since Jorick had washed it, it smelled like “fresh spring” or something to that effect; a scent that was too perfumy with a catchy name.

  They’d been driving for nearly half an hour when Jorick cleared his throat loudly. “I assume there's a plan of some sort, Oren?” The question hung unanswered for a moment; waiting.

  “Mmmmm,” Oren’s golden eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, then back to the road. “First we have to decide what to do with your human – with Katelina,” he corrected.

  Katelina bristled at his slip. She was tired of being called “Jorick’s human” all the time. It implied that she was nothing more than “his cat” or “his goldfish”. She wasn’t a pet, she was a human being, and she had a name! The vampires might think they’d evolved past humanity and were better than her, but she was tired of that attitude. She wanted to be treated with some respect and consideration, instead of everyone acting like she was a hamster.

  “I’ll deal with Katelina when the time comes.” Jorick glanced over his shoulder and gave her a suggestive smile, then turned back to Oren. “But there is a plan?”

  The blonde vampire stared unflinchingly at the road ahead. “Not really,” he answered reluctantly.

  Jorick took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I see.” He laid a hand to his head and asked incredulously, “You don’t have a plan? You want me to defeat Kateesha with nothing?”

  “I wouldn’t say ‘nothing’,” Oren replied defensively. “But a plan will come. We’ll have a war council.”

  “Wonderful,” Jorick muttered. “A council. Always the best way to get nothing accomplished.” He held up his hand to signal the end of the conversation. “Never mind, we'll figure it out when we arrive." He leaned back into the seat and closed his eyes, meditating.

  Silence fell over the three of them. Time dragged by and finally, she forced them to stop at a gas station. Near the checkout counter, the usual assortment of gossip rags all carried a similar headline “Pop Diva Shelay Found Murdered.” Katelina tossed one of them on the counter with her lime-aid slurpy and cheese pretzels. Jorick raised a questioning eyebrow, but only added an armload of plastic wrapped food to the purchases.

  When they got back to the car, he tossed the bag into the backseat, and Katelina suddenly realized what it was for: she was looking at her food for the foreseeable future. She stifled a groan with a mouthful of pretzels and sat back to read the magazine.

  The article on Shelay was halfway through the magazine, just after an advertisement for cellulite cream. There was very little information in it; it recapped that she was last seen at a trendy night club, and left in the company of a woman she met there, that her family had report
ed her missing, and so forth. It did say that her body was found in a ditch, wrapped in a beige shower curtain, and mutilated. Police were looking for the woman from the nightclub, but there were no other leads. A few photographs punctuated the article; there was a large image of Shelay at her last concert, a few grainy pictures of her and the woman who still looked very, very much like Kateesha, and then a snapshot of something wrapped in a shower curtain. Underneath, it instructed her to “turn to page 68 for gruesome crime scene photos of Shelay.”

  Like some kind of golem, Katelina flipped pages hurriedly. In truth, the gruesome photos weren’t much. There were two blurry close-ups; one of her blood splattered face, eyes closed, and hair pulled back and the other of her hand, again splattered in blood. A third was an oddly angled shot of the shower curtain with one naked foot sticking out from beneath it, while the fourth showed her lacerated arm, and a sliver of bloody torso. All the photos were in black and white, so what shock value should have been there was robbed by the missing color.

  A miniature article underneath the oddly angled shot explained that the pop singer appeared to have been stabbed and sliced with a sharp weapon multiple times, before her torso had been cut open and many of her internal organs removed, including the stomach, lungs and heart.

  When Katelina thought about it, a strangled noise escaped her throat. The way Oren had spoken the woman had been alive when Kateesha handed her over. Which meant-

  “Yes,” Jorick answered from the front seat. “I did tell you that’s what would happen.”

  Oren glanced up curiously, but didn’t care enough to inquire.

  Something sick twisted inside Katelina as she realized that could be her someday. “Don’t tell anyone about us or you’ll be in danger from the others.” Talk about an understatement.

  In total it was a six and a half hour trip, including the unplanned stop. It ended in the snowy driveway of a large Victorian style house. Although it was in better repair, outwardly, than Jorick's little house by the sea, it wasn't much to look at. The gingerbread edging was loose or missing in about a million places and a hanging gutter banged against the siding. The clanging echoed endlessly beneath the ceiling of the onyx sky, and the lonely sound made Katelina shiver. The landscape that spread out before them was an endless expanse of smooth white that ended at the feet of a miniature forest. Despite their distance, the thick, concealing trees seemed somehow menacing.