Chapter 236
Katelina was escorted to a room just off the fifth floor terrace. Jamie told her she could order food to be delivered and then left her. Though he wasn't as terrifying as most of the others, she was glad to be free of him.
Her new accommodations were like the ones she'd shared with Oren and Jorick on their last visit, though the furniture was different. Instead of three coffins and two twin beds, this one had a double bed and one coffin. The seating area was the same: a couch, two chairs and a low table, though they'd gained a TV and a mini fridge. The closet and bathroom were the same and, instead of a window, there was a painting whose blue and green hues were probably meant to imitate ocean waves. Outside, the terrace overlooked the six story atrium, but she couldn't bring herself to go look at it.
She dropped into a chair and stared at her hands. Malick couldn't really make Jorick work for them! He couldn't!
Her stomach growled and she realized she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast yesterday. She found the number for the sixth floor restaurant on a laminated sheet and called in her order. The meal was delivered by a young man with thick scars on his neck. He handed her food over and gave her a conspiratorial wink before he disappeared; one vampire lover acknowledging another. Only she wasn't really. She wasn't a junkie like the others. She wasn't addicted.
She played at eating and took a shower, then flopped on the bed and turned on the TV. With the immediate danger past, her wrist throbbed. She thought of pain killers. With no one else to ask, she called the restaurant. The woman who answered was curt, but the same young man returned with an unopened bottle of aspirin and a glass of milk.
The news had a recap of last night's New Year's celebrations and she all but smacked herself in the forehead. She'd wanted to do something special at midnight; instead she and Jorick had been unconscious, traveling on an airplane to the citadel. If that was really a sign of the year to come, then it was a year she would happily skip!
Hours passed. She expected Verchiel to show up, but he still hadn't by the time Jorick slammed the door and stalked into the room, his muscles tense with fury.
Katelina threw herself at him and he wrapped his arms around her. It was a moment before he spoke.
"You're all right?"
She nodded against his chest. "I ordered dinner and watched TV all night."
He drew back to gaze at her. His face softened, but anger stayed in his eyes.
Her smile faltered. "Why is he doing this?"
Jorick released her. He moved to the couch and sat down wearily. "Malick is amusing himself."
"What about all those things he said about wiping out weak vampires?"
Jorick snorted. "That's the point. I should have seen it, especially after our conversation the last time we were here." He ran an irritated hand through his hair. "He deems the vampires weak and hoped for a 'worthy adversary' from genetically enhanced humans. He had Senya kidnap Kale and give him to the humans, after he'd used another human to help them renovate their facilities."
Katelina sat down next to him and laid a comforting hand on his knee. "Then why did he send Verchiel and Senya?"
Jorick scowled at the name. "The Executioners he sent were ordered to kill Kale and leave the research intact. Officially, Kale would have been killed by the humans."
She bit her lip. "Then why did Verchiel let us go?"
"I don't know! Maybe you should ask him?" She flinched at his anger and he relented. "I'm sorry. I don't know what he was thinking."
Next was the question she was afraid to ask. "How long are we going to be here?"
"Until Malick has been sufficiently amused." She sagged and he added, "The council doesn't approve. Malick acts as though he alone is in charge. This time he may have gone too far."
She remembered the masters' conversation and nodded. Despite Jorick's optimism, she had a bad feeling.
A knock woke them the next evening. It was Beldren. He surveyed Jorick coolly. "Malick has called for you."
Jorick was equally frosty and far more sarcastic. "Thank you, Beldren."
"I'm sorry, but you can't expect to be welcomed back when Zuri is still missing."
"I never asked for your welcome." They stared at one another and then Jorick added, "I had nothing to do with him. Senya was my target."
"You might suggest your fledgling release him."
"I already have."
They stared at one another a moment longer and then Beldren broke away. He turned back to add, "Malick said for you to hurry."
"You can tell him I hurry for no one." Then Jorick slammed the door.
Katelina propped herself up on one elbow and asked mournfully, "Again?"
"I imagine that I'll be summoned every day."
"But he can't-"
"Yes he can, for now." Jorick dressed and brushed a kiss across her lips. "I'll return later. Be careful, and don't stray very far. Though Malick guaranteed your safety, I don't trust anyone here, least of all him."
She nodded and he left her alone. It was several minutes before she convinced herself to get up and get dressed. In a too familiar scenario, she tugged on dirty clothes with one hand. All of her luggage was neatly packed into the back of the silver Escort and waiting for her in Maine. If only I was there with it!
She'd finished her lunch when someone knocked on the door. She ignored it. If Verchiel couldn't bother to come to her trial then she couldn't bother to see him! After two repeats, the door jerked open to reveal not Verchiel, but Greneth, his permanent sneer firmly on his face.
"You're summoned."
She sneered back at him. "By who?"
"Come human, you've been enough trouble!"
His attitude left no room for argument and she reluctantly did as he commanded. She told herself that it might be Jorick who'd sent for her. Yes, it had to be Jorick. Who else could it be?
Her optimism disappeared in the elevator. Greneth slid a key into the familiar slot and pressed the button for the lowest floor of the Citadel.
The doors swished open and Greneth stalked out into the horrific black and red corridor. She stood in the back of the elevator, pressed against the glass, too terrified to move.
The guard in the hallway scoffed after Greneth, "Leaving without your charge?"
Greneth stopped mid stride and spun around, his face furious. "Come!"
When she didn't move, he grabbed her sore arm and ripped her out of the elevator, ignoring her cries of protest. He pressed his face close to hers. "When I say come, you come. Do you understand, human?" She stared back in mute horror and he squeezed her arm until she squealed. "You will not disobey me again!"
He forced her down the corridor. Katelina recognized the route from her first visit to the Citadel and knew their terrifying destination.
They came at last to a set of double doors. Greneth dragged her through them, into an antechamber and then into the room beyond.
Malick's chamber was still filled with plants and animal skins. Rough stone walls gave it a primitive air, as did the low, empty couch that peeped out from amongst the foliage. Terror stole her breath, but Greneth pushed her on, forcing her through another door into a larger room.
Inside, the walls were painted gold and the domed ceiling was made of etched glass. Light bulbs behind the glass gave the illusion of diffused daylight. The floor was dark wood, and expensive paintings hung on the walls. A large black piano and a collection of chairs and low tables sat nearby. On a raised platform at the other end of the room was a huge, carved desk that held a computer and a twisted tower of CDs. The painting over the desk was a clich¨¦ portrait of the Master himself, so photorealistic that Katelina shivered.
"He'll be here in a moment!" Greneth practically threw her towards the chairs with the command, "Sit."
While Greneth paced the room, Katelina tried to calm her pounding heart and focus her thoughts. Her terrified eyes skipped around like a hyperactive bird, pausing on object after object and then bouncing away again.
There was a sudden change in the atmosphere, as if a thunderstorm was approaching. The pressure increased until the air seemed to crackle with electricity. Katelina grew rigid, and though Greneth tried to act casual, his body language betrayed his unease.
Malick strode through the door and the familiar feeling of suffocation washed over her. She choked on it, but forced herself to focus. Malick looked different than he had the day before. His lavish robes were replaced by a sharp suit, the crisp shirt unbuttoned at the neck. His long, white hair was slicked back in a ponytail and his beard had been neatly trimmed.
He stopped before Greneth and dismissed him in a few words. The Executioner bowed, then swept from the room.
Malick turned to Katelina with an indulgent smile. She couldn't look away. Without realizing it, she stood and crossed to him. Physically, Malick was barely taller than she was, but his presence overwhelmed her.
He caught her chin with his fingertips and forced her to gaze into his dark, jewel like eyes. Where Jorick's were like drowning in warm silk, Malick's were like falling into naked flame. They seared into her consciousness. She whimpered but couldn't move away.
He rolled over her until she lost all sense of herself or her feelings. The only thing that existed was the master and his flawless features. His skin was like tawny marble and, as if commanded, she touched his face. It was cool and smooth under her fingers. He was inside her mind. Instead of tearing at raw wounds as he had last time, he peered at things visible on the surface while a calming sensation gently cradled her.
She was completely lost in his gaze.
