Chapter 150
Katelina was too shocked to comment at the newcommer, but Traven hissed an angry breath between his teeth and snarled, "The Wind Walker!"
Jorick was also far from speechless. "You!" he bellowed and lunged towards him.
Verchiel neatly jumped out of his reach and landed in front of the couch. "You don't look very pleased to see me, Jorick." Then he raised his voice to address the room. "The fight is over. The Executioners have no argument with most of you, we only want them." He indicated Jorick, Oren and Katelina. "Put down your weapons and you're free to go."
Katelina gaped at him. The necklace meant he was an Executioner, so why had he helped her and Jorick before? And what did he mean he only wanted them?
What remained of Traven's coven looked to their leader. The suave brunette deliberated silently and then nodded. Katelina thought they would resume their attack. Instead, they moved as one and stepped away from their combatants. The two surviving Executioners moved back from them as well, both battle stained and irritated. The female shouted at Verchiel, "It took you long enough!"
"I thought you'd enjoy some fun, Griselda," he answered innocently.
As Traven's coven moved away from the fight, Katelina's heart sank. She looked desperately to Oren and the others. Fabian was still curled up on the floor in a sticky pool of congealing blood. Loren clutched Micah's good arm and stood. He held his friend's severed hand like a prize. He tried to take a step forward, but swayed on his feet. Micah caught him and held him up. Despite their injuries, their faces reflected defiant determination.
Torina dropped Bren's body and rose to a crouch, ready to strike on command, and Luna clutched Senya's good arm. Oren made an angry noise in his throat, but he reluctantly released Senya and stood. He looked from the new comer to his bleeding companions and defeat flared in his eyes. Silently, he held up his hand, signaling them to back down. Loren sank to the floor wearily, relief on his face. Luna released Senya and moved quickly to Fabian's side. She tugged him into her lap, and ran her hands over him, seeking his injuries.
Jorick stood next to the couch, his hands clenched into fists and a murderous expression on his face. "And by what order do you plan to seize us?"
Verchiel casually tossed Bren's bloodied sword to the floor. "You know very well. But for the benefit of everyone else, the command came from Malick." There was a gasp of shock from many of the assembled vampires. Verchiel took advantage of the lull to snap his sword back into its scabbard and stash it in his coat, as if he'd already won. Reluctantly, Griselda lowered her weapon. The male Executioner didn't move, and Verchiel called to him, "Come on, Greneth. Senya needs your help."
Senya struggled to her knees and growled, but she let Greneth help her up.
Oren moved to stand next to Jorick; their faces equally hard. "Why would Malick issue such a command?"
Katelina wanted to remind them about Thomas, but her tongue wouldn't work. Meanwhile, Verchiel shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "He wants to speak to you about a few things."
Jorick met Oren's eyes and a silent conversation passed between them. A decision reached, he broke eye contact. "Not Katelina. She stays here."
"You're in no position to make demands!" Senya seethed, her eyes slits. "You and yours will suffer for this!"
Verchiel pretended not to hear her and looked sorrowful. "I'm sorry, Jorick, but as you know, our great leader was adamant about her presence. He's eager to meet her."
Jorick visibly tensed. Fear and anger danced through his eyes. "No-" he began, but Traven interrupted him.
"My coven does not wish to quibble over a human." He stepped away from Katelina, Jeda on his arm. "As you stated, you have no argument with us. We will withdraw so this may be concluded among the parties involved."
"Yes." Torina said contemptuously. "Save yourself, Traven."
He ignored her and grabbed Jorge with his free hand. His expression dared the frightened vampire to say a single word. Jorge took the threat seriously and stayed silent as Traven dragged him out of the room, towards the cellar. The rest of Traven's coven followed quickly, bearing the bodies of their fallen.
"Cowards," Micah spat after the retreating figures.
Oren spoke quietly, "They owe us nothing. They made no agreement about this."
Senya staggered and Greneth caught her. "Subdue them and let's go!" he shouted. "We've wasted enough time!"
Verchiel smiled pleasantly, one moment standing a few feet from Katelina and the next beside her. The air he stirred ruffled her hair and she stiffened in surprise and fear at his sudden arrival. Terrified thoughts splashed through her head. He seemed oblivious to her horror and addressed his colleagues, "Oh, I don't think I need to subdue anyone." He laid a gloved hand on top of Katelina's head. "You three can go, I can handle the rest of this."
"Get away from her!" Jorick took a warning step forward, his fist raised.
"You don't need to worry, Jorick. I wouldn't hurt little Kately." He mussed her hair and she both flinched and scowled at the same time. "It seems to me you're more likely to cooperate if she does."
Senya snorted and addressed her underlings. "Let him make an idiot out of himself. We've done our part."
The other two Executioners murmured agreement. They led their broken commander through the room. Senya drug her feet and they stopped in front of Verchiel. "You know the consequences if you fail."
"Of course," he replied cheerfully. "Now you'd best be getting back to your box, you look like you could use some rest."
Senya hissed at him, then snarled to Oren and the others, "Guards will arrive shortly to collect our dead. I suggest you do nothing to the bodies." Then she allowed her subordinates to bear her out of the room.
No one made a sound until they heard the back door slam shut, and then Verchiel spoke, his voice friendly. "Now that they're taken care of, I believe we have to discuss your impending trip?"
Jorick lunged, but Oren grabbed him and held him back. "You won't gain anything. He's too fast. Before you could reach him, she'd be dead. If you want anything left to rescue, then stand down!"
Katelina whimpered as the reality of his words crashed home. Surely there was some way? Before she could think of one, Verchiel clamped his hands on her shoulders and pulled her towards the door.
Jorick jerked free of Oren and took a menacing step forward. "I swear I'll kill you if you harm her!"
Verchiel looked offended. "I have no intention of hurting a hair on her shiny little head, but I am taking her to The Guild. I can only hope that you and Oren do the right thing and follow." He frowned suddenly. "I can't guarantee what'll happen if she goes before Malick with no representation. I'm sure he'll interrogate her but, since you've marked her, she shouldn't have to be destroyed." He lit up. "Maybe he'll turn her. Wouldn't that be entertaining?"
The idea filled her with terror. She didn't want to be a vampire, let alone one under Malick's infamous tutelage. Jorick had been clear enough at the horrors that entailed. She struggled uselessly. "Let me go! I'm not going anywhere!"
"Sorry, but you are. I think it's lovely, though, how many of them are concerned about you."
"Who said we care? Kill her, turn her, makes no difference to me!" Micah snapped. His shriveled body slumped from exhaustion, and it was obvious how much effort it took him just to stay on his feet. Loren looked like he wanted to fight, but he was too weary to do more than stare morosely, one hand on his shattered head and the other holding Micah's severed appendage.
Verchiel met Micah's eyes. "You say that, but your thoughts are quite different. Oh well, I'm sure you'll all be reunited soon. I promise I'll take good care of her. I'll be sure to feed and water her and, if she's good, maybe I'll take her for a nice walky." He laughed at his own joke, then wrapped his arms around her waist, and tugged her into the dining room. "I don't suppose someone wants to fetch her suitcase?"
He received blank, angry stares in reply. "Okay, I see no one's going to volunteer." He tilted his head down so that his warm breath blew across Katelina's cheek. "What do you say? Think you can travel without it?"
Luna stood suddenly, leaving Fabian on the floor. "I'll get it." Then, she disappeared towards the master bedroom.
"Wasn't that nice?" Verchiel asked. "And while she does that, Jorick, you might like to tell dear little Kately goodbye. Maybe something about how you'll rescue her and roast me on a spit?"
"I'm going to do a lot more than that!"
Katelina fought tears. She pleaded silently to Jorick to do something, anything. Her heart pounded and she tried to tell herself that he wouldn't let her be taken to The Guild. He had some trick up his sleeve. He had to. But, as he continued to stare, his mouth opening and closing in blind fury, she started to doubt.
His jaw snapped closed and tightened until it looked painful. He struggled against his emotions, but mastered them and declared gruffly, "Cooperate with him, Katelina. I'll come for you. I promise."
Her shoulders sagged at his words and tears spilled down her cheeks, though she tried to be brave. Oren was right. Jorick couldn't gain anything by attacking right now. "I know you will." A small flame of anger sputtered to life inside her as she saw the helplessness in Jorick's eyes. She wanted to kill Verchiel for using her like this, for hurting Jorick and for leaving him and Oren no choice.
Luna silently reappeared with the tatty suitcase in her hand, effectively interrupting the intense atmosphere. She stopped on the threshold, the luggage held at arm's length.
"If you'd grab that?" Verchiel asked Katelina pleasantly. She did as he asked, only because she planned to bludgeon him with it. Reading her mind, he commented cheerily, "I wouldn't try that."
Luna stepped back into the living room. Her eyes seemed to appraise the situation in search of an advantage, but there was none.
Verchiel looked down at his prisoner again. "Now, do we have everything? Your coat? Your luggage?" Katelina's only reply was to quietly grind her teeth, so he answered his own question. "Yes, I think we do. Good." He grinned at the other vampires and stepped further into the dining room. Jorick moved around the couch, stalking slowly towards them.
"All right. I guess this is goodbye. Be seeing you two soon!" And before they could answer Verchiel snatched her suitcase, spun on his heel and flung her over his shoulder. With the suitcase before them like a shield, they crashed through the dining room window and landed in the snow outside. Katelina screamed as shards of glass tinkled around her and disappeared in the night.
Jorick ran to the window and leaned out it, framed in shattered glass, his face a mask of anger. "I will come for you!" he shouted.
She stretched her arms out towards him, screaming his name, but Verchiel bounded away into the darkness and, too quickly, the window became a tiny yellow square in the distance and she couldn't see Jorick anymore.
