Chapter Twenty-Four

Katelina opened her eyes. The darkness that greeted
them was very like the blackness that she saw with her eyes closed.
She blinked just to feel her eyelashes brush her cheek and be sure
she was really awake, though the throbbing in her legs told her she
was.
She and Jorick were jammed inside a wooden box like
a couple trying to spoon on a too small couch. Jorick lay half
beside her and half beneath her. His legs were tangled with hers,
and his long hair tickled her face. She thought again how roomy the
large box had appeared last night when she’d agreed to this
situation. The illusion of size had apparently been a trick
because, after having slept in it, she found it too small and too
confining.
After the fight last night, Kateesha’s new henchmen
had been charged with getting rid of all the bodies. While they’d
been busy, Katelina had taken a sponge bath to mop off the worst of
the blood and dirt. She’d told herself that it was enough, even
though it really wasn’t. Jorick and Oren had changed their clothes
and gone to a gas station in a neighboring town where they’d bought
her some food, antiseptic ointment, and a roll of gauze. Though
she’d had nothing else to wear, they’d made her ride along, and
when they got back Jorick had bandaged her wound, ignoring taunts
from Torina all the while. Before dawn, Kateesha had invited them
to stay the day. The coven’s coffin stash was in the back rooms of
the house, and she’d grandly allowed them to each choose their
own.
Katelina thought bitterly about Kateesha and her
motives. Oren’s words were still fresh in her memory, “…she thirsts
for power and for you.” The idea of Kateesha “thirsting” for Jorick
made her chest tighten and her stomach flip. A sliver of cold fear
pierced her heart as she wondered what he thought about it. Did he
want Kateesha too? She’d been made as his mate, but she was “too
cruel”. Did that mean that they’d been a pair until Jorick couldn’t
stand her cruelty anymore? What if she reformed? Would he give her
another chance?
Jorick stirred next to her, interrupting her
thoughts. Though she couldn’t see him, she could hear the smile in
his voice. “Good morning.”
“It’s hardly morning,” she remarked sarcastically,
though she tried to mask the bitterness she felt.
He gave a soft laugh. “It’s morning for us, little
one.”
She grimaced at the nightmarish thought: to wake
every day to a cold black sky; a literal dawn of darkness, devoid
of sunlight. It sounded cheerless and bleak.
She tried to move again and her shoulder scraped the
wall of the box. Pain shot down her arm and she drew a sharp hiss
of air through her teeth. His concern was almost tangible so she
quickly assured him. “I’m all right.”
He murmured in acknowledgement and nuzzled his face
against her neck. His cold lips slid over her skin and made her
sigh. “Maybe we should stay in here all night,” he whispered
suggestively in her ear.
Her cheeks turned an unseen pink as imagined images
played through her consciousness. “There isn’t enough room for
that.”
“Hmmmmm… You might be right.” He nibbled on her ear,
sending shivers down her spine. Despite her desire for him, she
wasn’t sure how she’d feel if they were actually intimate; whether
it would throw back to the terror she’d suffered at the hands of
Claudius or not. And though she’d never admit it, even to herself,
she was afraid of finding out.
A loud rap sounded on the lid above them and Oren’s
voice reverberated through the box, “Jorick, the sun is down. It is
time to rise.”
Jorick stayed silent, his lips still against her
neck, but Oren pounded on the lid again. Jorick sighed heavily in
resignation and called back grudgingly, “All right.” He gave her
neck a final kiss before he reached up and slid the lid to the side
so that it clattered to the floor.
Katelina blinked in the bright light, her eyes used
to the pitch black of the box. As she blinked, Oren slowly came
into focus. He stood impatiently next to the box, looking down at
them. His wounds from the previous night’s battle were fully healed
and his long golden hair was tamed back into a ponytail.
Jorick slid neatly from beneath her. He stood and
stretched his sinewy body. Like Oren, his hurts were also healed;
his face again flawless.
Katelina moved slowly and her stiff muscles
complained. Jorick stood next to the box, his head cocked to one
side as he watched her, a half grin on his face. She followed his
gaze and jerked the neckline of her dress up to cover her exposed
cleavage.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he teased and held a
hand out to help her up.
She scowled, but accepted his offer. “I doubt Oren
wants to see that.”
“One never knows.” He smirked as Katelina looked
horrified and Oren muttered in annoyance. With a chuckle, he tugged
her to her feet. “You need more practice at coffins.”
She glared at him, but refrained from
commenting.
Torina sashayed through the door, freshly dressed in
a revealing dress of gold and robin’s egg blue, her long red hair
swept back from her face. She had a mound of deep red cloth draped
over one arm and a tight smile on her lips. She held the dress out
to Katelina. “I brought this for you - though,” she glanced at Oren
to make sure he was listening. “- we’re going to have to get some
more clothes. I’m nearly out.”
Katelina took the clothing and unenthusiastically
mumbled, “Thanks.”
Torina nodded and took her brother’s arm. “Come
along, I’m sure she’d like her privacy.” She led him out of the
room and he obeyed willingly. Katelina watched them, amused at the
sight of the fearsome vampire being led along like a child.
Once they were gone, Jorick slid the straps of the
ruined green dress from her shoulders and let it drop carelessly to
the wooden floor. He leaned down and kissed her; gently at first
and then deepened it as he pressed her against him. She winced in
pain and he released her quickly. His eyes danced away from hers
and he murmured softly, “I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay.” She offered him a smile as he let his
gaze settle on her face.
“No. It isn’t. I tend to forget that you don’t heal
as we do.” His eyes reflected some unfathomable guilt.
“I almost wish I did – sort of,” she added quickly,
lest he take it as in invitation make her one of the living
dead.
“Do you really? Somehow I doubt that.”
She shrugged her shoulders and left the rhetorical
question unanswered.
He offered her another smile, though this one was
tighter. “Come, get dressed, and then we will join the others.
Kateesha will be setting up her new coven’s order, and I have no
desire to enjoy that spectacle.”
“Me either.” Thinking of Kateesha made her scowl
darkly. “The only thing I want to see her do is find the pointy end
of a stake.”
“You are not alone in that opinion, little one.” He
ruffled her hair before he stepped away. “Hurry and get
dressed.”
She quickly put on the red dress and tried to
stretch the material away from her skin. It was knee length and
clingy with a flared skirt. Instead of straps it thankfully had
sleeves, though they were only three–quarter length.
Jorick tilted his head. “Well, I have to admit it’s
not as fetching as the last one, but it will suffice. Let’s join
the others and leave this place.”
He’d said the words she’d been waiting to hear. She
placed her hand in his and an eager smile broke over her face.
“Anywhere but here,” she said emphatically and allowed him to lead
her through the house and out the newly repaired front door.
The sky was a deep, royal purple. Streaks of red
were still visible in the west, while diamond studded stars were
already appearing in the east. It was late dusk, the magical time
that is neither night nor day, when all of the monsters of one’s
imagination began to creep from under the bed, preparing for the
darkness. But she knew now that monsters didn’t always look like
monsters.
They walked through the overgrown yard to the
sidewalk where Oren stood. He leaned against the giant blue car
with his arms crossed over his chest, the last of the dying day
reflected in his strange golden eyes. His sister was half draped
over the hood next to him. She stared past Jorick and Katelina as
Kateesha swept out of the house and followed them.
“I see the human survived the night,” Kateesha
commented lightly as she joined them. All eyes turned to her and
everyone looked equally unenthusiastic to see the vampiress.
“Yes, Kateesha,” Jorick replied shortly. “Did you
expect her to die in the coffin?”
“Well, one never knows with the frailty of mortals.”
A cruel smile graced her lips.
“They are not that frail,” Jorick replied nastily.
“What did you plan to do? Kill her while I slept? Even you can’t be
foolish enough to murder a human who is under another’s
protection?”
“Oh yes, I know that you’ve claimed her,” Kateesha
scoffed, dismissing it in the same breath. “I was unaware that you
held with such antiquated ideals. I assumed that since you refuse
to follow the other Laws this one would be beneath you as well.
Still, I suppose that not everyone can resist the temptation to
claim a human slave.”
Oren pushed himself up from the car and strode to
stand before her. “The oaths have been fulfilled, our time here is
done.”
The dark vampiress turned her eyes back on Jorick.
“Will you leave so easily?”
His voice was cold. “Yes, Kateesha. I owe you
nothing more, nor do I want anything more from you.” He gazed at
her meaningfully as he wrapped his arm around Katelina’s waist.
“That is such a shame, Jorick.” She closed the gap
between them and trailed her fingers over his chest lustfully.
“Think what we could accomplish together! You choose to fight it,
but Malick made me for you. We are destined to be together.”
Jorick caught her hand and threw it away as though
he’d been burned. “We share no destiny.”
Her eyes grew hard and brittle like sharp glass.
“You would choose a mortal over me? And one who is substandard, no
less?”
“I would choose death over you, Kateesha.” He
squeezed Katelina even tighter, a wad of her red dress clenched
tightly in his angry fist.
Kateesha’s perfect face twisted in fury. “Then so be
it, Jorick. Our alliance ends here. When next we meet, you’ll get
your wish!”
“I doubt that. Never forget who is the elder.” His
hard features softened as he turned his attention to Katelina.
“Come, little one,” he said and steered her towards the car.
She followed blindly; happy to go anywhere that took
her away from the dark woman. Oren swung the door open and waited
for them to climb in. She laid her hand on the metal frame and
ducked her head to do just that, when a voice hissed inside her
head, “You will die, pathetic mortal. I will feast on your blood
and your flesh, and when Jorick has forgotten that you ever lived I
will have him as my willing slave.”
Katelina spun around and glared at the gloating
vampiress. “Fuck you,” she spat and then turned back and climbed
into the backseat. Jorick gave her a curious glance, but chose not
to comment as he slid in next to her. Torina and Oren were equally
silent as they took their places, neither looking at the other as
the car rumbled to life.
They drove down the road and Katelina stared out the
window. Her eyes were locked on the tiny, dilapidated house where
Kateesha still stood, surrounded by her four new followers. Under
the flickering street lights, their shadows stretched long across
the lawn, like clawing hands ever reaching.
Only when they made it to the highway did Oren
speak. “She will pose a threat now.”
Jorick sighed. “She always has.”
“But, she will be more of a threat than ever. Once
she has taken complete control of Claudius’ coven–”
“Let Kateesha go, she is not your battle. As you
said, oaths have been fulfilled.” His eyes flicked to Torina. “One
day she will be forced to pay for her transgressions.”
“That day will not come soon enough,” the redhead
muttered under her breath before falling silent.
Raindrops soon pelted the windshield. Katelina
closed her eyes and saw a half formed vision of Patrick; his blue
eyes dancing with laughter, his shock of blonde hair an untidy
mess. Kateesha’s voice echoed in her head, repeating words she’d
spoken last night, “You were only supposed to guard her, not
fall in love with her! Did Patrick know?”
She burrowed her head into Jorick’s side and willed
the evil thoughts to leave her in peace. She wondered for the
umpteenth time how she had come to be there. Why had she listened
to that mysterious voice on the phone? Why hadn’t she stayed home
where she belonged, away from walking nightmares and death? But she
knew the answer, and it was no more comforting than the questions
were.
 
They drove to yet another cheap ranch-style motel. A
neon moon that read Star Dust Inn flickered off and on in the
parking lot. As usual, they got rooms with no trouble, though
Katelina began to wonder exactly what went on inside the motel
offices. Jorick had been able to bend the staff of the hospital to
his will. Was he applying the same trick to the motel
management?
The bed was only slightly more sanitary than usual,
but after the coffin and the long car ride it was a welcome sight.
Katelina took a shower and emerged to find Jorick in the middle of
rearranging the furniture.
She dropped onto the bed and cocked her head at him.
“You never put it back, do you? I wonder what the staff thinks
about it?”
“I don’t know.” He grinned teasingly. “Perhaps we
should ask them?”
She rolled her eyes in reply and settled in. Jorick
continued to eye the stack critically and then rearrange it, only
to repeat the procedure again. He dropped his hands in surrender
and muttered dark obscenities to himself before he announced, “I
don’t think it’s going to work. There isn’t enough furniture.”
“The bathtub?” she asked sorrowfully, but he shook
his head to the negative.
“The floor should be all right. I think.”
“You think?” she echoed. She wanted very much to ask
him what would happen if it wasn’t “all right”, but she decided she
didn’t want to know. She still wasn’t ready to accept that he was
one of them.
Jorick stretched out on the floor on the far side of
the bed. He gallantly declined both pillows and blankets. Katelina
looked from Jorick’s position to the jumbled pile before the window
and hoped he was right. She didn’t think she could deal with waking
up to a pile of ashes.
“If not, I’ll wake up and move. It won’t kill me
instantly,” he assured her and she wondered at his too perfect
perception. How many times had he answered her unspoken thoughts?
For the second time in as many days, she worried that he could read
her mind as Troy could.
Jorick’s cheerful voice cut into her fears. “Best
get some sleep.”
She nodded in the darkness, but his words caused a
fearful suspicion to fill her. “Why? What are we doing
tomorrow?”
“Driving.”
He gave no more details and she quickly made
assumptions that involved more blood and death. “Driving
where?”
She could almost hear the smile in his voice, but
whether the mirth was at her trepidation or at the answer she
didn’t know. “Home.”
The breath she’d been holding escaped in a sigh of
relief. “So, no more battles?”
“No. Oren wants to wage a war on The Guild, and I’ve
told him repeatedly that I won’t be a part of it.” His words were
too good to be true.
“Really?”
Soft laughter filled the room. “Yes, really.”
Katelina fell into a thoughtful silence and then
asked, “Your home or mine?”
Jorick rolled his head to the side and studied her.
“Which one do you prefer?”
She looked at her feet, uncertain. All she’d wanted
was to go home and see her mother and pick up her life, but would
that be a life that Jorick didn’t follow her into? How would he fit
into it? And, what about the police and all her injuries? If she
showed up at home like this they’d certainly arrest him.
Though two weeks ago she’d have never imagined it,
she found herself asking slowly, “Where’s your home at?”
“Not far,” he answered vaguely. “It’s near the
beach.”
“The beach.” Pictures rose to her mind of sand and
palm trees, but she knew they were too far north for that.
She drew a deep breath and made up her mind. “The
beach sounds like a good place to go while I wait for all of this
to heal.”
His smile seemed strange, but he nodded. “Then the
beach it is.”
She intended to go to sleep, but when she closed her
eyes horrific memories played behind them. Last night she’d been
too terrified of Kateesha to concentrate on anything else, but
tonight the aftermath of the battle was upon her. The twisted face
of a teenage boy swam before her, and his scream echoed through her
ears. She fought to escape it, but was unable. Seeking comfort or
distraction she asked softly, “Jorick?”
“Yes?”
The words were hard to find. “Last night… during the
fight. That-that boy…” She was unable to finish, to say “that boy I
killed.”
Jorick’s tone betrayed no emotion. “What about
him?”
It was a good question and one she didn’t have an
answer for. “I-I don’t know,” she confessed.
He sat up and gazed at her with weary eyes. “It’s
all right. I know the first time you might feel-” he faltered.
“Guilty?” she suggested bitterly. “I killed someone.
I mean – I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” She broke off,
frustrated at her inability to express her thoughts. “Watching you,
it’s different. It’s like it isn’t real – like a movie, you know?
But that boy, it was like he was real. I could see his eyes. His
blood was cold–”
Jorick interrupted her. “Had you not killed him,
then I would have in order to keep him from killing you, so he’d
have died either way. It makes no difference who delivered the
blow.”
“But it does!” she exclaimed passionately. “At least
to me.”
He laid a hand on her arm and squeezed it gently,
then gave a resigned sigh and cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I
understand. I was young the first time I killed someone and the
guilt weighed on me heavily. But, in time it fades. You’ll soon
forget.”
Her voice was a whisper. “I thought you said that
nothing is forgotten?”
“Perhaps I exaggerated,” he admitted. “In time
you’ll forget.”
“Will I?” she met his eyes and held them. “Have
you?”
His answer was slow to come. “Yes and no. Over time
I’ve become desensitized to death and to fighting. But I won’t lie
to you. There are some wounds that never heal, no matter the years
that pass.”
Though she gazed at him questioningly, the
conversation was over. As if to prove it, he patted her arm and
said firmly, “Don’t let it bother you anymore. Go to sleep. You’ll
feel better in the morning.”
He settled back down on the floor, but she didn’t
close her eyes. Instead she softly murmured, “Jorick?”
Though he didn’t sigh impatiently, she felt like he
wanted to. “Yes?”
“Kateesha–”
He sat up again. “What about her?”
She found it hard to ask what she wanted to know. It
seemed stupid and somehow possessive. “You and her… were you ever…
you know…” she trailed off lamely and hoped he knew what she
meant.
“Were we a couple?” he asked with amusement. “No,
never. I told you, she doesn’t interest me. She’s too cruel.”
“Oh.”
When nothing else followed he asked quietly,
“Anything else?”
She shook her head to the negative and Jorick lay
back down, a small smile still on his lips. “Go to sleep, little
one. Tomorrow everything will be better.”
“I hope so,” she muttered. Though her voice held no
conviction, she was really clinging to the slender hope that he was
right.
She closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep, but
the scene in her mind refused to change. The battle raged. The boy
died. Claudius was beheaded. Kateesha dug through the pile of
corpses for her meal. As Katelina re-witnessed the last scene, she
could hear Oren’s words: “She won’t stop until she gets what she
wants.” Suddenly, Katelina was sure that Jorick was wrong and Oren
was right. No matter how much they wanted it to be over it wasn’t
the end; only the beginning.
 

 
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