Chapter 192
It was almost three when a vehicle pulled in. For the first time, Katelina was happy to see Oren. She dropped the book she'd been reading on the nearest stand and stood, just as a purposeful knock sounded at the door.
Jorick calmly finished his paragraph, and then answered it. His lion-maned fledgling pushed his way past him. He glanced at Katelina and uncomfortably adjusted his long gray coat. "I assume Jorick mentioned that you'll be driving?"
She suddenly realized how horrible it must be for him to need something from her. The idea spread a smile across her face. "Let's see how superior you are now, Mr. Grumpyboots!"
A warning look from Jorick said he'd heard her thoughts. She flashed him her cheery grin. "Yes, Jorick explained that you need me this time."
Oren's eyebrows drew together and his hands clenched, but he kept himself in check. "Yes, humans can occasionally be convenient. It's nice to see you've finally managed it."
Touch¨¦.
She refused to let his comments ruin her victory, and she was still smiling when she walked out the door, the black gym bag in hand. The smile died as her eyes landed on the vehicle Oren had borrowed. It was a large, dark brown panel van that looked as big as an armored truck. Now she knew how they hauled the coffins. "You've got to be kidding! That thing is huge!"
"It will suffice." Oren walked towards the driver's door, a set of keys jingling in his hand. "There are a couple of hours until sunlight, I'll drive until then."
Katelina stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide, and Jorick had to give her a nudge to get her moving. "I can't drive that! There's no way! I've never driven anything that big before!"
"You'll be fine."
Before she could object, a blur of motion passed between them and knocked Jorick to the side. She jumped back instinctively, and suddenly it was behind her. Someone pinned down her arms and hissed in her ear, "Where do you think you're going with your little black bag, you stupid bitch? No trip for you."
Alistair. Again.
Oren was half in and half out of the van. It took him a moment to register the attack. When he did, he dropped to the ground immediately. His golden eyes shifted between Jorick and the enemy.
The raven-haired vampire was on his feet quickly. He snarled in rage and closed the gap between himself and Katelina impossibly fast. His fist swung. Alistair dodged away and the blow landed against the side of the van with a metallic crunching sound that left a dent.
"Stay there!" Jorick shouted to Katelina and Oren as he lunged after their attacker. Katelina pressed her back against the cold metal of the van. Her heart pounded and her throat felt too tight to swallow. Though Oren stood nearby, his tense muscles and shifting eyes showed his indecision. Follow the fight or stand guard. She knew which one he'd rather do.
Something slammed into the roof of the vehicle, and they both looked up to see Alistair crouched there. His lips were pulled back from his teeth and his pale face was dotted with blood. Katelina stifled a scream as she realized whose it must be.
Alistair met Oren's eyes. "I don't want your blood, only theirs."
For a second Katelina thought the lion-maned vampire would take the out. Instead he asked angrily, "Is this stupid human really worth all the effort?"
Alistair's voice was gravely and cold. "She murdered my Kateesha! A filthy, lowly, human! You expect me to accept that?"
"What's done is done. You won't gain anything by targeting her."
Alistair drew back, tensing to strike. "Is that your philosophy, as you wage a war on those who killed your own?" Oren stiffened and Alistair barked, "Will you defend her, too?"
She could almost feel Oren loathing his own answer. "Yes."
Alistair's eyes glowed. "That makes you no better than she is. I hadn't planned to harm anyone else, but since you're determined to shield her, you and Jorick will share her fate!"
Before Oren could argue, Alistair leapt from the top of the van and tackled him to the ground. His fangs flashed and he bit Oren's arm. The blonde vampire swore loudly and punched him in the side of the head, then he rolled over, effectively pinning him down.
Katelina tried to disappear into the side of the van and held back a scream. Where the hell was Jorick? With her eyes, she followed the path he'd taken, but she saw nothing. Was he all right? Did he need help? If she ran while Alistair was busy with Oren, maybe she could find him.
She darted in the direction he'd disappeared. As she did, Alistair tore loose from Oren. He slammed the blonde's head into the ground and then seemingly disappeared. He reappeared behind her. Just like the dreams where she couldn't run fast enough, she knew there was no way she could escape him. Still, she tried.
Alistair grabbed her arm and swung her around. She slammed into the van. The breath was knocked out of her. Alistair pulled back, fangs exposed and ready to strike.
Jorick was suddenly there. He grabbed Alistair and flung him away. He crashed into a nearby tree and landed in the snow, stunned.
