Chapter 231
Once the question of the cross was settled, Jorick carefully disassembled her splint and redid it with clean cloth. When he was finished, they made a shopping list including luggage, shampoo, soap and other odds and ends, then left for the nearest 24 hour chain store.
Jorick walked to the silver hatchback, and Katelina stopped next to Senya's shiny black car. "We could take this."
Jorick's nose wrinkled. "No, we should get rid of it."
Her eyes went wide with horror. "It's a sports car!"
"It's also an Executioner's car and someone might recognize it. I should have gotten rid of it earlier." He ran a restless hand through his hair. "There's no time now."
Katelina sighed and trudged to the ugly little Escort. As she climbed in she cast a regretful look back at the shiny car. "You're sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. It's bad luck."
Though she agreed, she did so gloomily. "You're probably right. She's such a bitch that I'm sure it rubbed off on it. Still, it is pretty."
"Not as pretty as you are." He planted a kiss on the side of her neck that sent delightful shivers down her spine. "Now let's go. We have a lot to do."
The shopping trip was uneventful, though Katelina was surprised to learn it was New Year's Eve. She made a mental note to pay attention to the time. The superstition said that whatever you were doing at midnight was what you'd be doing all year, and she wanted to make sure it was something good.
When they got home, they packed the new suitcases with most of their clothes and plenty of "supplies". Jorick made several remarks about traveling light. She ignored him. She'd once seen a documentary about illegal workers sneaking for weeks through the desert and she still hoped there'd be a better way.
Jorick took the bags to the car and she ran through the house for a final check. Thermostat down? Check. Windows locked? Check. Broken window in the library secured? Check. Sink trickling so the pipes won't freeze? Check. Oven and stove turned off? Check. Old bottle of congealed blood disposed of? Check.
With nothing else to do, she pulled on her coat and hat and started for the door. She'd just reached it when she was suddenly flung back into the house. She stumbled and sprawled in the chair, her hat askew. "What in the hell?"
"Don't move," Jorick hissed from just outside the door. "Someone's here."
Terror froze her limbs and she stared wide eyed through the gaping door. She could see the porch, the weedy yard and the stand of trees that led to the beach. "Who are they?" He didn't answer. "Jorick?"
"Shhh! I'm trying to listen!"
She clenched her hands into impatient fists. Her pounding heart beat in time to the passing seconds, and still nothing happened. Suddenly, Jorick slipped into the house, so fast that she didn't see the motions, and slammed the door.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know!" He met her eyes and some of the irritation left his face. "There are two of them. The female is unfamiliar but the male...I recognize the scent, but I can't place him."
Katelina shivered, more from fear than cold. Her eyes darted around and she waited for mysterious vampires to crash though the window. She imagined shards of glass flying as they tackled her to the ground, a knife pressed against her throat.
The polite knock came as a surprise.
They stared at one another with identical shock. Jorick sniffed again, frowned and then straightened his shirt resolutely. He motioned Katelina into the dining room. She hurried around the corner and crouched down in the space where the large desk used to stand. She leaned back against the wall and listened as the door opened and Jorick asked, "Yes?"
A male answered. "Hello, Jorick. You know why we're here."
"No, Ark," Jorick replied sarcastically. "I can't possibly guess."
A woman cut in, her tones terse and no nonsense. "You and your human are wanted for questioning concerning the murders of nine vampires, as well as the possible deaths of two Executioners and the theft of Guild property."
"Thank you, Kioko," Ark sounded anything but grateful. "This doesn't have to be hard, Jorick."
"You're right." Katelina heard the door slam shut, only to bang open again.
Ark sounded purposefully patient, "That isn't what I meant. Malick only wants to speak to you."
"We've done that already!"
"I know, however I have my orders, and I will carry them out."
"Really?" Jorick laughed coldly. "I'd like to see that."
A tense silence fell and Katelina twisted her coat collar in trembling hands. She tried to imagine what was happening. No picture formed, so she slowly crawled under the table and squinted through the doorway.
Jorick stood in front of the open door, his back to her and his eyes locked with those of a tall brunette in a long black coat; Ark. Katelina remembered him now. He was the leader of the Executioners. On their last visit to the Citadel, he'd brought them a message from one of the council members. She didn't recognize the oriental female who stood next to him. Her hair was pulled up and her face was impassive and hard.
Ark shook his head sorrowfully. "Is this really what you want, Jorick?" He glanced at his partner. "All right, Kioko."
The woman pulled something out of her coat. Jorick growled furiously, "You!" Before he could specify what he meant, the same something hit the floor and a hissing sound filled the air.
Katelina crawled forward to see a round, red metallic ball slowly roll to a stop near the couch. It looked kind of like a hand grenade or smoke bomb.
Suddenly, Jorick's knees buckled and he fell on all fours, snarling like a cornered animal.
"I'm sorry, Jorick. I didn't want to resort to this."
"No, I'm sure you didn't." He struggled to stand but failed.
Time stood still for Katelina. She stared, wide eyed. What had they done to him? Were they killing him or just hurting him? What could she do? She couldn't hide and watch him suffer. She had to do something!
With no plan, she dashed into the room and dropped to her knees beside him. She grabbed his arm and cried, "Jorick! What's wrong?"
"Gas. They have the gas-" he broke off and clutched at her. "I swear, if you hurt her-"
"The human will remain unharmed, as per our orders." Kioko's cool eyes swept over Katelina's horrified figure.
Jorick snarled again and swayed dangerously. His words were labored, but he forced them out. "I can't believe- you've turned into a coward- Ark."
"I'm sorry, but there wasn't any other way." Ark turned his attention to Katelina and held out a hand to help her to her feet. "Come."
She ignored him and tried to hold Jorick up as he sagged. He was too heavy for her. He clutched at her coat and his mouth opened. Then, his eyes rolled back into his head and he dropped to the floor.
"Jorick!" She shook him. "Jorick!"
"He'll be fine in a few hours," Ark assured her. "Now, come with us."
She glared at him and shouted, "What have you done to him?"
"It's a kind of nerve gas," Kioko said crisply. "It specifically targets vampires."
"Then why aren't you affected?" Ark tried to grab her. She jerked away. "Answer me! Why aren't you affected?"
Kioko fastened her coat. "Your questions are unimportant, human. We will leave now."
"Like hell!" Katelina pulled herself to her feet. She stood protectively over Jorick, uncertain if he'd want her to save him or run.
"You can do neither," Ark said and she stared at him in surprise. He must be a mind reader like Jorick and Verchiel. "I suggest you cooperate. It will make things easier."
She snapped sarcastically, "Can't you just knock me out too?"
"If you wish." Kioko moved towards her. Katelina's eyes skipped to Jorick, then to the dining room doorway and then back to the Executioners.
Indecision crippled her and Kioko caught her and slung her over one shoulder. Katelina kicked her legs, but the slender vampiress ignored it. She carried Katelina outside into the cold night and down the driveway. Ark followed, carrying Jorick's limp form.
They stopped at the end of the driveway, next to a sleek red car that looked out of place on the back roads of Maine. Ark opened the driver's door and dumped Jorick in the backseat. Then he turned to study Kioko and her prisoner.
"We should render her immobile," Kioko suggested as Katelina kicked again. "It will make the trip easier."
"You may be right. He's at least found someone as difficult as he is."
Ark moved behind her and she panicked. There was nowhere to go and nothing to do. Something clamped over her face and an acrid smell filled her nostrils. She tried to pull away, but Ark only applied more pressure. She choked and gagged as the chemical filled her lungs. The world started to turn dark at the edges. Ark and Kioko's voices seemed echoey and far away.
"How long does this take?"
"Usually not this long. She's obviously had plenty of vampire blood."
Kioko's reply was lost to the rushing noise in her ears. Katelina tried to cling to consciousness, but the world blurred away and the small white house faded into a sea of silent blackness.
