Chapter 248
Katelina tried to distract herself with the new TV, but Dahlia's frightened eyes hung in her mind, two terrified gray orbs. When Jorick stalked through the door, she flung herself into his arms and clutched him as though he were a lifeline.
He returned the embrace and then peeled her loose to look into her face. His eyes darkened. "For once, the idiot is right. It isn't your fault."
"Malick acted like it was." She laid her head against his chest. "Are they going to kill the guard, too?"
"No. He was sentenced to fifty years in the detention block."
She thought of Verchiel in the prison; his withered face and matted hair, and shuddered. "I still don't understand why Traven would do that."
"He likes to keep his coven perfectly balanced. He lost most of his vampires fighting the Mexicans, when he force-recruited Jorge. He needed replacements, so he killed two birds with one stone. By using the app, his human could find vampires that had the abilities he was seeking. When she killed their coven mates, it left them scared, with no where to turn. Then Gerard would come in as a representative of The Guild and offer Traven's help. By killing them close to us, he hoped that we'd run and Malick would send the strongest Executioners to chase us. When he and Oren attacked, the strongest fighters would be gone."
It all came back to the stupid attack. She ground her teeth and prayed that when it came, Oren got everything he deserved.
***
She ordered dinner and, as Verchiel had instructed, met them at the door to the block. It was the same young man who'd waited on her the other day. He looked nervous at the new locale. She took the covered dishes and had barely thanked him before he disappeared.
She and Jorick watched mindless television until she fell asleep in his lap. He woke her gently and carried her to the bedroom where she snuggled down under the crisp teddy bear sheets.
The next evening came too soon. Jorick gave her a soft kiss and left. Katelina stared at the ceiling and willed the day to end. When it didn't, she got up and started her morning routine.
She'd just finished breakfast when the door opened and Verchiel strolled in. Today's t-shirt was canary yellow and said "All My Black Clothes are at the Cleaners".
"Is that another one from the truck stop?"
He dropped into a chair and grinned. "How did you guess? There's a pink one that says 'Vampires and Glitter Don't Mix' that I have laid out for tomorrow."
"Something to look forward to." She stared at the dirty plate. "What should I do with this? Upstairs, I just left them in the hallway."
"Good question. I guess we could take them back? I don't have anything else planned."
"Is that why you're here, again?"
"You're not complaining, are you? I bet there's plenty of people who'd love to have me around. If you don't, just say the word and I'm outta here."
She snorted sarcastically. "Promises, promises."
***
Verchiel talked her into going back to his chaotic disaster of an apartment and shoved a video game controller in her hand. The sound effects were loud, and they'd only been playing for an hour when someone hammered on the door. Before Verchiel could answer it, the door jerked open and Senya strode in, her face twisted in fury. Katelina squealed and threw herself behind the anime tower. Verchiel was unconcerned, even as Senya snarled, "Turn that shit down or I'll rip out your wind pipe!"
"Well hello! I was just beating Kately at yet another race. She has appalling driving skills. Care to join us? Or are you too busy with your needlework? Embroidering 'Executioner property' in your underwear?"
Senya shot him a withering glance and turned on her heel. "Insolent moron! I don't care what you do with your new pet, just do it quietly!"
The door slammed as he called, "She's not really mine. I'm just watching her for a friend!"
Katelina peered out and tried to relax. She's gone. She's gone. She's-
"Yes, she is." The mental intrusion earned him a dirty look. "Maybe we'd better play something quieter?"
Despite his good intentions, the new game was soon as loud as the first. The pounding on the door wasn't much of a surprise, though the visitor was. Verchiel opened the door to find that instead of Senya, it was the oriental vampiress, Kioko.
"I realize that I'm new, and you're my superior, but is it necessary to have your television so loud?"
Verchiel leaned on the doorframe and batted his eyes innocently. "Why don't you come in and find out?"
She peered past him to where Katelina sat, scowling. She hadn't forgotten Kioko.
"No thank you, it appears you're already busy with your human. If you'll excuse me, just please turn that down."
Kioko turned away stiffly and Verchiel called after her, "She's not mine! Come on! We could get better acquainted!" Katelina heard her door shut and he sighed. "What's the point of being a superior if they don't want to suck up?" He broke off into a lurid snicker. "Suck up, get it?"
Katelina rolled her eyes. "You're disgusting."
"That may be, but I admit when I've met my match. Apparently everyone is spending the day at home. Let's go somewhere less crowded."
His idea of less crowded was the first floor shopping center. They rifled through several stores and ran into the "bit of fluff" from the movie theater. Verchiel smiled at her hopefully. She rolled her eyes and turned away.
"I take it your date didn't go well?"
He shrugged. "Oh, I had a good time, and I think she did, too. It was her boyfriend that didn't appreciate it."
Before Katelina could comment, someone called Verchiel's name. They both looked to see the Native American Executioner from yesterday. Her long black hair was thrown over her shoulder in a single, thick braid, and her dark eyes were annoyed.
"Hello, Migina! Not hanging out upstairs like the rest of them?"
"Malick has called for the human. He said you would likely follow."
Katelina shivered and stepped away. "Why can't he leave me alone?"
Migina didn't deign to answer her. "He wants her in the detention block. I assume you can find the way?"
Verchiel mock saluted her. "Aye-aye, ma'am! Leave it to me!"
Migina made a noise of disgust and stalked off.
"She takes everything too seriously, you know that?" But Katelina was already oozing away. He turned and saw her before she could disappear into the nearest store. "Hey! Didn't you hear her? We're wanted!"
Katelina shook her head. "You can go if you want, but I'm not!"
Verchiel caught her elbow, suddenly serious. "If you don't go, Malick will punish Jorick. You don't want that." She stared back with wide, horrified eyes, and he shifted back to his flippant self. "Besides, aren't you dying to see what he wants?"
His choice of words made her shudder. "I hope not."
