Chapter 188
They stopped at Loren's house instead of their own. It was the same as it had been the other night, except the cat was back. It lay on the deck and glared evilly at them, as if to say "step on my tail now, bitch."
They went inside and Katelina kicked a pile of junk off the couch and took a seat. Jorick moved to the phone and dialed Oren's number in a series of musical beeps. She leaned back and listened to the one sided conversation.
"Oren? Have you heard from Kale or his coven yet?" There was a heavy pause and when Jorick spoke again he was annoyed. "Yes, I know, I know. I didn't give him your number. I have more important things to discuss. It's Kale. I believe he may be a prisoner." He broke off. "No! Not of Anya! Of humans!"
Oren was apparently able to concentrate after that because Jorick read him the article. When he finished he added, "Yes, I thought you could look into it. I am rather isolated here. What? Yes, I'm aware that was the point. Regardless, look into it and I'll call you tomorrow."
Unsure whether to feel relieved that they might do something, or apprehensive because they might do something, she turned her attention to the TV. The remote control worked fine, but the channels were all static. Loren probably hadn't paid the bill. Just her luck.
"- I'll go investigate, though I doubt I'll learn much."
That phrase got her attention, and when he hung up she asked suspiciously, "Investigate what?"
Jorick ran an irritated hand through his hair. "As I suspected, Traven is recruiting. He informed Oren tonight that two new vampires will arrive tomorrow. He claims that they're from our area and that their master was murdered. If he was, they probably did it."
***
It was an hour and a half drive to the house. Jorick parked the car down the road from it, then climbed out. Katelina watched him sniff the air. His face twisted in fury.
She joined him and he warned angrily, "There are others here. Three I don't recognize, and that redheaded idiot!"
"Verchiel?" Jorick's anger was her answer and she cringed. "What's he doing here?"
"Who knows!" Jorick ground his teeth and indecision shone in his eyes. At last, he declared, "Stay behind me, and don't talk to him. If he tries anything, I swear I'll kill him!"
She wasn't sure what Verchiel would try, but she nodded her head and followed. They cut across the lawn towards a small house. A single window was lit and the front door stood open as if inviting in the night. They'd just reached it when Verchiel seemed to materialize at their side.
"Well hello! What brings you out here? Don't tell me you were friends of the deceased?"
Instead of answering, Jorick demanded, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm investigating, but you knew that. Alas, there's not much to look at. If you come along, though, I'll give you the grand tour." He met Katelina's eyes and winked. "So glad to see you've ventured out into the cold to see me."
Jorick cut off her reply. "She isn't here to see you!"
The redhead turned suddenly serious. "No, of course not. I'm sure she wants to see blood splattered all over."
The mental image wasn't one she wanted to contemplate, and she didn't get to. Verchiel led them inside to a back bedroom; the room with the light on. Five wooden coffins were stacked to one side and two vampires were securing the lids to them with heavy yellow straps. Katelina's eyes wandered to the pair and Jorick explained, "Guards. They handle the menial tasks."
The blood Verchiel had mentioned was soaked into the carpet and splashed on the wall in one spot. In all, it was a pretty clean crime scene.
"Most of it was in the boxes," Verchiel commented to her unspoken thoughts. "Whoever killed them did so while they were asleep."
Jorick gave the room an uninterested glance. "It's obvious what happened. The two survivors murdered the other three and then fled to join Traven. Like attracts like."
"Traven? How interesting. Isn't he still with your fledgling?"
Jorick met his eyes. "You already knew where they went."
"I did, actually! Oh! Are you reading my mind?" He broke off and his grin got wider. "No, only guessing. I interviewed them and they said that they met a very helpful member of the lesser guard who called us about this little mess, and then suggested they should join with your friend."
"Traven is no friend of mine!"
"Brother-in-law then? Ex-brother-in-law?" As if he sensed Katelina's sudden fury, he quickly amended, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Anyway, you're wrong. They didn't do it."
"If you say so." Jorick turned to Katelina. "Come, we're not going to learn anything here."
"Big plans to rush off to?" Verchiel asked with feigned casualness.
"Plans that don't involve you."
Verchiel gave an exaggerated sigh. "If you insist. Though you may want to be careful." He turned suddenly serious. "Your friend is skulking around."
She couldn't stop herself. "What friend?"
"That Phantom who seems so determined to exact his revenge. He was seen, you know. Apparently he came here after his exciting escape. Well, not here, but your general area. I checked into him. Apparently he and Kateesha were pretty close, at least on his end of things. Whether she cared about him or not, who knows."
Jorick swore under his breath and Katelina visibly blanched. "I knew it! He's not the one who killed these vampires, is he?"
"Nah. It was done in the daytime. They'd already been dead for a while before the other two woke up and found them. It had to be a human. It was probably just a revenge killing, though whatever coven is responsible has a human who's not on the charts." His eyes glittered mischievously. "Unless you sent Kately down to do it? She is always threatening to kill people."
Her eyes bulged in horror. "Of course not! Why would I drive clear over here-"
Jorick interrupted her. "It's his idea of a joke."
"You're getting better at guessing. And you're right. I'm sure our little Kately isn't really that bloodthirsty."
She and Jorick shouted in unison:
"Quit calling me that/Quit calling her that!"
"I can tell the Christmas season hasn't made either of you cheerful. Shame." He brightened. "You will tell gloomy old Oren hello for me? And have a good trip. I'm sure Kale will be happy to see you. You'll probably be a better rescue party than anyone else who might show up."
Before Jorick could answer, he'd disappeared.
They couldn't get any information from the guards, except that a member of the Council was somewhere filling out paperwork. When they left, the only thing they'd really learned about the two vampires joining with Traven was that Verchiel said they were innocent.
"He says! If they killed their master then Traven is the vampire to go to." Jorick saw her confusion and added, "He murdered his master. It's an unacceptable crime, akin to killing your parents. It just isn't done and those who would do such a thing aren't to be trusted."
She nodded her head, but her thoughts were too busy dwelling on a pair of icy eyes and Verchiel's warning.
