Chapter Seventeen

Katelina woke. She blinked in the dimness, her eyes
drawn to the open bathroom door. Light flooded out of it and gave
shape and depth to the small motel room.
Jorick was still next to her on his back, his arm
under her head. His dark lashes lay on his pale cheeks and his
raven hair pooled against the crisp white pillowcase. He was
covered from the waist down in the ugly bedspread and the bathroom
light gleamed on the smooth expanse of his chest.
She looked away from him to the water stained
ceiling. She closed her eyes tightly to blot out the world and
asked herself the requisite “what have I done?” morning-after
question, only she truthfully felt no regret. It was simply a game
she played out of habit, a society imposed guilt complex that
failed to actually make her feel guilty. No, she knew what she’d
done and she wasn’t even slightly sorry, only vaguely excited at
the warm memories.
She rolled towards him and tentatively brushed his
naked flesh with her fingertips. His skin was cold to the touch,
like it had been in the bathtub, and she pulled her hand away
quickly as if it burned. Implications rose in her head, but she
forced them away and slid out of the bed. She paused to gather up
her clothes and her sack before she hurried to the bathroom, the
parcels held like a shield against the chilly air.
She remained tense until the door was shut, and only
then did she drop the clothes to the floor. Her flight might seem
stupid, but she’d never been comfortable with anyone seeing her
naked. Most of her ex–boyfriends had laughed at her over her
modesty, but there was nothing she could do about it.
She turned the shower on and, as the steam began to
billow, she glanced in the mirror. Her eyes caught something above
her collar bone and she leaned closer to examine it. Sure enough,
in the curve of her neck where Jorick had marked her was a fresh
set of neat bite marks, exactly over the top of the old ones.
Her hand went to it unconsciously and she wondered
if that was the point of the mark. Was it proof that you’d shared
their most intimate embrace? Is that why you belonged to them;
their human “property”? Was that why Oren found it distasteful? She
wasn’t sure how she felt about the idea. And she wondered, if he’d
bitten her, had he also taken blood from her? She recalled the
overwhelming sensations: the images, the feelings, the waves of
intoxicating pleasure that had been like no other. Was that what
had caused it? Was it like something from a low budget, R rated
movie where vampire bites were so orgasmic that girls would strip
naked for no reason? But, she argued with herself, Jesslynn had
bitten her, as had that vampire in the cellar, and there was no
pleasure, just pain.
She dismissed her query and climbed into the shower.
She let the hot water run over her and wash away her fears and
doubts. She reminded herself that Jorick had never done anything to
hurt her. His only fault had been the omission of a few facts, and
though that angered her it hadn’t really put her in danger.
Well, not completely. Then again, memories of the vampire manor
made her question her theory.
Katelina finished her shower and dressed quickly.
With relish, she retrieved her hair brush from the bag and ran the
bristles through her wet, tangled hair. Things were almost normal.
Almost.
The door opened and she looked up quickly to see
Jorick. He leaned casually against the doorframe with his arms
crossed over his chest and gazed at her lazily from half closed
eyes. When he offered no explanation she asked, “Yes?”
“Nothing.” He smiled broadly so that his fangs
glimmered in the bright light. “Just looking at you.” He continued
to gaze in silence until her raised brows prompted him to laugh.
“All right, all right. I’m going to go get you some food, but I
have a meeting, so it’ll take a little longer than usual.”
She kept her voice casual. “A meeting with who?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he answered airily. Then, his
face hardened. “I’m not taking you with me today.”
She snapped her head around to face him and began
her argument, “But – ”
“No,” he cut her off and shook his head firmly. “Not
today. I want you to stay here,” he paused before specifying, “ –
in this room. Do you understand?”
An unreasonable rage flared up in her and a voice
inside her head hissed: He’s going to meet Kateesha alone to
take her up on her offer, because now that he’s had you he’s
disappointed.
“Oh, I understand perfectly,” she snapped. The fury
nearly blinded her, but she kept it in check as he kissed her
deeply then left, calling back for her to lock the door.
Her hands shook with rage as she exited the bathroom
and did as he requested. She dropped on the foot of the unmade bed
and turned on the TV. Brightly colored images flashed past but she
couldn’t comprehend or concentrate on them. The hissing tones in
her head were growing louder, drowning out the too–happy voices on
the television. They told her again that Jorick was going to see
her. He’d pretended not to want her yesterday because
Katelina had been there, but today he’d be alone with her. He’s
left the key to the other room on the dresser.
Shocked, she looked up as this last thought bellowed
through her mind, completely unbidden and unlooked for. Her eyes
snapped to the dresser and sure enough, the key lay there. Its
yellow plastic tag bore the room number 622.
Before she knew what she was doing, she had the key
in her hand. “No,” she told herself and started to put it back.
This wasn’t a good idea. What if Arowenia wasn’t restrained? How
could she possibly hope to defeat a vampiress? She was no match for
their strength. Besides, why would she want to go there? Jorick was
meeting someone; he wasn’t in Arowenia’s room.
But the voice had an answer for her: maybe that’s
where he’s really gone, maybe Arowenia is his lover. The words
shocked her, but she mulled them over. Perhaps Arowenia had run
away with Jorick. After all, Oren had spoken of some secret motive
behind everything. Maybe Jorick was in that room right now, making
love to Arowenia and laughing at the stupid human.
The burning anger washed over her again and drowned
her senses until she could think of nothing else. She turned from
the dresser and marched towards the door. The key was clenched
tightly in her fist as she unsnapped the locks, one after
another.
She marched outside and stormed along the building,
oblivious to the world around her.
The door was suddenly in front of her; painted a
dingy white. She stared at it in confusion, taking in the minute
details. The metal numbers 622 were chipped and most of the gold
coating had flaked off years ago. The silver screws that held them
on had also turned a dingy color from the years of weather and
elements.
No light seeped out from under the door, so she
pressed her ear to it. Nothing. There was only the last of the
crickets chirping in the shadows. Jorick wasn’t there.
Katelina shook herself back to the present. She
didn’t even know what she was doing. Why was she there with the
room key in her hand? To see Arowenia? She wasn’t even sure that
Arowenia was being held there. This was stupid.
She turned and started back to her room when
unbidden thoughts pulsed in her ears to a rhythm of anger and
betrayal. Maybe Arowenia isn’t there, but maybe Kateesha is!
She’s in there with Jorick and you know what they’re doing!
Katelina snapped back around and jammed the key in
the lock with shaking hands. The door swung inward with a push, but
she hesitated in the doorway.
The room was dark except for a bright swath of light
thrown in by the door. Her silhouette was a black blot in the
middle of it.
It was too familiar. She’d seen this before; a
golden path of light that stretched into the darkness and lead her
to something terrible. It was like standing in a memory and she
knew she should leave – but she couldn’t. She had to see. She had
to know. She always had to know.
She reached for the light switch and stopped. A
strip of light spilled out beneath the bathroom door, betraying his
presence. He’s in there. He’s with her!
She moved across the floor slowly and stopped in
front of the door. A subtle rustling noise came from inside,
followed by a soft slurping. He’s in there! He’s with
her!
Katelina was aware of her hand on the doorknob, the
metal cool to her touch, but she was really beyond the entire
scene. Her consciousness was floating somewhere high above the
reality of the situation and above the voice in her head.
The door swung open and her awareness came slamming
back to earth. The world suddenly rushed into confused focus and
she found herself in the middle of a nightmare. Kateesha sat on the
edge of the white bathtub, smiling obscenely, a limp body in her
arms. Blood covered Kateesha’s perfect face and ran down her chin
in rivulets. It stained her green dress in long crimson ribbons and
dripped onto the dead woman; if the creature could be called a
woman. She looked barely over sixteen, with porcelain cheeks and
long lashes. She wore a white, tattered dress of some filmy
material and her long blonde hair hung down nearly to the floor.
Her throat gaped, red and gushing.
Questions echoed in Katelina’s mind. Where was she?
Why was she there? What was happening around her? Her mouth hung
open like a lost tourist, and Kateesha laughed obscenely. She
licked the scarlet liquid from her lips and savored it like a fine
wine. “So you came, you little fool!” She broke into laughter and
then added, “How easy it was to trick you! Your mind is so open
that any idiot could manipulate it!”
Katelina’s eyes darted around the tiny room. Blood
streaked the white walls and floor, dark red against the chipped
tiles and porcelain. Katelina blinked to try to make the horror she
was seeing go away, to block out the thick pool of blood collecting
at Kateesha’s feet.
The vampiress smiled. “Don’t worry, our company
should be arriving any moment.” She dropped the dead girl to the
floor, then looked from the splayed and ruined body to the gaping
woman in the doorway. “Oh, should I introduce you? This is
Arowenia. Maybe you haven’t met?”
Arowenia? Did she mean the Arowenia – Claudius’
lover that had been kidnapped? But she was dead… And then all the
answers snapped into place. Kateesha had killed Arowenia and by her
own admission had manipulated Katelina.
Kateesha was suddenly in front of her, grinning
evilly. Katelina dashed for the door, but she wasn’t fast enough.
Kateesha caught her around the throat and lifted her into the air,
so that her feet just barely dangled above the floor.
“Where do you think you’re going? I thought I told
you we were expecting a few friends?”
“Let me go,” Katelina rasped. She kicked her legs
uselessly and tried to pry Kateesha’s crushing fingers away.
“Don’t bother. By the time Claudius has finished
with you, there won’t be anything left – or at least not enough
left to tell Jorick who helped them catch you.” She spoke with mock
sympathy. “Poor Jorick! He’ll be so bereaved to have lost his new
favorite pet, won’t he? And when he grieves over your gruesome
death, who will be there for him? Faithful Kateesha, who he’s
overlooked all these long, long years!”
She dropped Katelina to the floor and made a slow,
half circle around her prostrate form, smirking.
Katelina pulled herself to her knees and massaged
her bruised throat, coughing for air. When she had her voice back
she asked sarcastically, “Don’t you think Claudius is going to be
angry you’ve killed her?”
Kateesha crouched down next to her and stroked her
head like a cat. “There, there,” she murmured. “Don’t you worry
your little head about it.” She suddenly grabbed a handful of her
hair and pulled her head back. “Of course Claudius won’t know I had
anything to do with it! I’ve made a deal already. They’ll take you
and tell Claudius that when they arrived it was too late to save
the poor, unfortunate Arowenia, and that Jorick escaped, leaving
you to their mercy.” Her eyes gleamed with superiority. “And what
do you think Claudius will do to the human lover of one who killed
his property?” She snickered at Katelina’s terrified expression.
“If I were you, I’d try not to think about it too much – and pray
he kills you quickly!”
“Why?” Katelina croaked, and then comprehension
dawned. “You’re the one who told Claudius about Oren– ”
“Hardly. Not that it’s any concern of yours, but
until yesterday I was happy to hold the little bitch captive. After
Jorick told me The Guild is involved… well, now I think my purposes
would be better served this way. And I can get rid of you in the
process. Two birds with one stone, I believe is what they call
it.”
A noise sounded in the bedroom. Kateesha stiffened
and sniffed the air. Recognition dawned on her features and she
broke into a grin and called out, “We’re in here!”
Footsteps clomped through the bedroom and then a
tall, broad shouldered man filled the doorway. His shaved head
gleamed in the bathroom’s light and his cold eyes stared at them
from beneath sarcastically arched brows. He nodded to Katelina and
smirked. “Not real impressive, is it?”
“No.” Kateesha threw Katelina away from her, like
something contaminated. “I was surprised, especially after all the
rumors.” She made a snorting noise as she stood and wiped her hands
off on the soiled dress.
“I could have told you she wasn’t much,” the bald
vampire remarked. “That’s why I thought Michael was full of
shit.”
“Surprise,” Kateesha sniffed. “He wasn’t. Jesslynn
told me that Jorick was taking her with him, but I’d assumed it was
something more platonic than this.” She wrinkled her nose. “His
taste hasn’t improved since the last one.”
“Whatever. I’m just here to get them and go.” He
gave Kateesha a fanged grin. “So let’s get this over with,
huh?”
“Yes, Troy,” Kateesha drawled. “Hurry up before
Jorick returns.”
Katelina sought for a nonexistent escape and tried
to figure out what she was going to do. Despite Kateesha’s concern,
she doubted Jorick would return in time to save her. He’d always
come before, just when she had no hope left, but somehow she could
feel that he wasn’t going to this time. And when he didn’t what
would happen? Would they really take her to Claudius? Would he kill
her? Was this really how her life was going to end, to die in a
pool of blood and terror?
Kateesha stood over her looking thoughtful, then
suggested casually, “She has enough blood on her to look like a
battle, but you should rough her up a little to make it more
convincing.”
Troy nodded in the affirmative and grinned. “Don’t
worry. I’m sure she’ll be plenty roughed up by the time we get
there.” He turned his head and called over his shoulder, “Won’t she
boys?” Two voices agreed with him from the obstructed depths of the
motel room.
Katelina’s stomach dropped at the sound of his
unseen accomplices. She might have been able to escape from one
vampire, but not from three.
Troy grabbed her arm and pulled her to her knees. He
slammed her face into the door and laughed when she cried out. As
she wiped away the thin stream of blood trickling from her nose a
sick certainty settled through her. Yes, they would kill her, and
they would laugh while they did it.
He shouted directions and another vampire came in to
collect the remains of the child bride. He slung her ruined body
over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Troy looked once more around the room. “You are
gonna clean this mess up, right? I mean Jorick’s dumb, but he’s not
gonna believe your story.”
Kateesha cut him off. “I’m well aware of my ‘story’
and what I need to do. Not that it’s your concern, but yes, it will
be clean.”
Troy couldn’t let it go. “I don’t know why you made
such a fucking mess in the first place. It won’t look like Arowenia
escaped.”
Kateesha was nearly out of patience. “I have no
intention of saying Arowenia escaped. As far as Jorick will know
you came and took her back and took this stupid human while you
were at it.”
Troy paused uncertainly, “And that’s going to do
what? Send him right for our door. That wasn’t the deal.”
“What, are you really that scared of him?” Kateesha
laughed. “He doesn’t have his inside informant anymore, so how will
he know where you took her? Claudius has a dozen dens, doesn’t he?
Besides, if things go as planned he’ll believe that she’s
dead.”
Troy seemed to catch on. “He’ll smell all the blood
– ”
“But there won’t be any left. Exactly. The obvious
conclusion is that you and your little friends drank it all. Since
you wouldn’t have killed Arowenia yourself, obviously it was his
pet.”
“Right. And when he hears that Arowenia is dead?
Won’t he find that a touch confusing?”
“Oh for the love of – Perhaps it would be easier if
I just took down my barriers and let you pull it from my mind?”
Troy looked a little too eager and Kateesha laughed. “Hardly. Let
him hear it and make whatever inference he wants. You’re the one
who wanted the war to escalate, remember, not me. I could ask why
that is.”
“You could, but who says I’ll answer?” He gave her a
wide, fanged grin. “Come on, sweetheart, this isn’t a movie
motive–swap.”
Kateesha sucked the blood from her fingernails
thoughtfully. “I’m just saying, you’re afraid of Jorick storming
the keep and yet – ”
“Not afraid. I just think we should be the ones on
the offensive, not the other way around, and after this – ” he
nodded toward the vampire holding Arowenia’s mangled body “ – we
will be. Finally. No more of this slinking shit.”
“And you can earn the glory you think you deserve?”
Kateesha asked with a flash of amusement. “And… get your own
revenge. How interesting. I had no idea that you had a thing
for…”
Troy snarled and Kateesha laughed again. “Relax,
your secret is safe with me. For now. Take your little prize before
I kill her too and leave you with nothing to give your boss.”
It was a confusing tangle, but Katelina had gathered
enough of it to understand. If only the knowledge would do anything
to help her!
Troy growled low. “We’ll be leaving now.”
“Good,” Kateesha purred. “Don’t forget your part of
this arrangement.”
“What? Making sure The Guild doesn’t know about your
involvement? Daddy refuse to save you again?”
Kateesha’s smugness disappeared and she looked as
angry as Troy. “At least I don’t enjoy screwing little boys!”
“Patrick wasn’t little, darling. He was of age and
then some.”
Patrick? Katelina’s eyes bulged. What in the
hell?
Before she could think any further, Troy hauled her
through the bedroom door, then stopped on the other side of it.
“Lose my number after this, huh?”
Kateesha’s answer was cold. “Gladly.”
He snorted in reply and dragged Katelina towards the
still gaping door, leaving a smear of Arowenia’s blood on the ugly
carpet behind them.
Katelina tried desperately to think of a way to save
herself. She struggled as she was heaved out the door and through
the damp grass, but it accomplished nothing. He dragged her around
the building to the front parking lot where a white panel van sat
open and waiting. When they reached it, Troy tried to force her
into the back, but she twisted in his grip and sunk her teeth into
his hand. The bitter taste of his blood filled her mouth.
He swore in surprise and loosened his hold just
enough to allow her to break free. She ran as fast as she could
toward the office of the motel, screaming loudly. Her only hope was
Benjamin.
The office door opened and a fat, balding man with
whiskers on his flabby neck stuck his head out. He stared from
Katelina to the bald vampire on her heels. “What in the hell?”
“Help me!” she cried as she closed the gap between
them. She’d almost reached him, almost made it to the safety of the
dingy motel office, when the weight of her pursuer slammed her to
the ground. She struggled beneath him, but he grabbed a fist full
of her hair and banged her face into the cement until she
stopped.
She was pulled roughly to her feet, and she saw
through blood and tears that the fat man was now brandishing a
shotgun and shouting. “I won’t stand for this! You clear on out of
here now and quit harassing my customers! I mean it! I’m not scared
of you! You get on out of here!”
Troy jerked his head towards Benjamin, and the other
two moved in with evil smiles on their faces. Katelina was dragged
away towards the van so that she didn’t have to watch what they did
to him. She was thankful to be spared the sight; his echoing
screams were horrific enough.
Troy heaved her up by both arms and threw her into
the van. “Now then, you stupid bitch, if I didn’t need you, you’d
already be dead.” He slid the panel closed and climbed into the
passenger seat. With a glance over his shoulder he and added,
“Claudius is going to be delighted to know Jorick abandoned you,
and don’t waste your breath saying different. Or maybe you should,
it might be fun watching him torture you for ‘lying’.”
The two who had gone to deal with Benjamin returned,
the leader licking blood from his fingers and smiling wickedly. He
slid between the seats and crouched next to Katelina, while the
other took up his post as driver.
Katelina glanced warily at her new companion. He
made a show of cleaning his hands with his long tongue. When she
shuddered he asked, “You like that, stupid bitch? I had other
things to do today besides this!” He grabbed a fistful of her hair
as the van roared to life and slammed her head into the floor. Dark
flowers blossomed in her vision as she fought for
consciousness.
“Let’s get going, boys,” Troy commanded. He jerked
his head towards Katelina. “And shut her up, would you?”
The vehicle jerked forward into the deserted street,
headed for God only knew where, and the last thing Katelina heard
were the words, “With pleasure,” before her head was slammed into
the floor and darkness took her.