Chapter 250
Katelina's dreams were unsettled and exhausting. She woke the next evening feeling anything but rested. Jorick was already gone. She nuzzled his pillow and imagined it was him. It might be normal to wake up everyday and have to go to work, but she'd gotten spoiled. She wanted him there with her, not off doing God knew what for Malick.
At least he hasn't sent him on overnight trips.
The thought was barely comforting. She got up, got dressed and ordered a late breakfast. She watched some TV and had just decided that Verchiel wasn't coming when he let himself in. He wore the ghastly pink shirt he'd warned her about and his usual chirpy grin. Behind him was another redhead, though his hair was a more natural, coppery shade. Like Verchiel, he was only a couple of inches taller than Katelina. He had dark eyes and a leather jacket over a plain t-shirt.
"Hello Kately! This is Aine. He just got back and doesn't have anything to do, so I invited him to hang out with us." Verchiel threw himself across a chair. "He's the newest Executioner. Well, I guess he's kind of tied with Kioko. She's the one who-"
"Who knocked Jorick out," Katelina snapped. "Yeah, I remember her."
Verchiel was suddenly attentive. "She did what? When? Tell!"
Katelina told him the story in a few words, and he sagged back into the chair, disappointed. "Ah, they used NR2. I thought it was something interesting."
She was conscious of Aine hovering uncomfortably in the background. She tried to ignore him. "What is NR2?"
"I don't remember what it stands for, something chemical-ly. But, it's a gas that knocks out vampires. It's still pretty experimental so we don't use it unless there's no other choice, and you have to take a pill called Prep first or it will knock you out too, so you can't really use it spur of the moment. It beats NR1, though. That stuff had a nasty habit of knocking everyone out and killing humans."
"Sounds right up The Guild's alley."
"Nah, we can't go around killing all the humans or what would we have to eat?" She glared at him and he shrugged. "Though most of the supplies here come from cattle, the more expensive stuff is from blood donors."
"Who would willingly donate blood to vampires?"
"Ah, blood is easy to get. All you need is a van, the right equipment, a tray of donuts, some cash and a sob story about saving dying children. People are happy to part with the stuff for a little money and a conscience boost."
Katelina shivered. She remembered the yearly blood drive at work. She'd donated every year and, as he said, assumed it went to save some needy kid. Now she wondered what really happened to it.
Verchiel seemed determined to disturb her. "And then the hospitals have all that surplus. They claim they destroy it, but there's a good market for that stuff."
She held up a hand. "I don't want to know."
"Really? If you're happy to live in ignorance, then that's fine with me. Anyhoo, let's find something to do. I'm bored."
***
Verchiel led them through the second floor corridors, flashing his best impression of a suave smile. Aine followed silently. Katelina glanced back several times to see if he was still there. In the brighter light of the corridors, she could see pale freckles sprinkled across his cheeks. His eyes were deep brown, like polished mahogany, and he looked like he'd rather be hiding under a rug somewhere. She didn't blame him.
They reached the open front arcade and Verchiel turned into it. He disappeared in the maze of machines. Katelina hung back. She didn't think she'd ever been in an arcade before, unless she counted the pinball machines at the old roller skating rink, and she wasn't sure she was ready to change that. With the beeps, booms and flashing multi colored lights, the arcade was a sensory overload.
Aine hovered nearby, his hands in his pockets. He glanced at her and looked away when she met his eyes. "So you're Jorick's human?"
It was easier to agree than to argue for human equality. "Yeah."
"I've heard a lot about him, though I haven't met him yet. I just got back last night." He shifted from one foot to the other.
She murmured and looked away. She didn't have anything to say to the Executioners! That Verchiel and Jorick were part of them was bad enough. How many could she be friendly with and still be sane?
A loud speaker suddenly crackled. Senya's voice came over it, as terrifying in electronic form as in real life. "All Executioners are to report to Malick's chambers. Repeat, all Executioners to Malick's chambers now."
Aine looked as relieved as Katelina felt. "I guess I'd better go."
Verchiel appeared, frowning. "She doesn't mean me, does she? I'm officially suspended."
Aine shrugged. "She said all."
Verchiel gave an exaggerated sigh. "I'd better go, then. I guess you're on your own for the afternoon. Do you have your keycard?"
She couldn't stop the eye roll. "Yes, mother. I can find my way back by myself."
"I'd just hate to leave you wandering the corridors alone, lost and forlorn." He ruffled her hair and she scowled. "All right, see you later!" He offered her a cheery wave, then grabbed Aine's elbow and tugged the Executioner down the corridor.
Katelina wasn't sure whether to be relieved or apprehensive. What could Malick want with all of them? Whatever it was, it was probably bad.
***
Jorick came through the door earlier than usual, Ark on his heels. Katelina hadn't had a chance to see the head of the executioners close up, and she had to admit he was nice looking. His eyes were a pale green rimmed in an edge of dark emerald and his brown hair was flecked with blonde and auburn highlights.
Good looking or not his attitude was one of quiet superiority,.
"The council won't tolerate this much longer," he said, obviously in mid-conversation. "I spoke with Obi this morning. They know about your fledgling's impending attack and they're making plans. If Malick refuses to do as he should, then Eileifr will be given charge of us."
"And Malick knows it!" Jorick snapped. "Why else would he call that meeting?"
The two men came to a stop in the middle of the front room. Ark frowned and shook his head. "Eileifr will have foreseen that."
"The gift of the Demon Eye isn't foolproof! The future is always in flux! How can Eileifr know Malick's plans when he doesn't have any?"
"Malick always has plans."
Jorick snorted. "Then he's fooled you. The only plan he has is to watch us kill one another."
"We swore an oath to him."
"No, you swore an oath to uphold the laws. Only I and Kateesha swore oaths to him, and both are broken now. You will have to choose, and probably sooner than later."
Ark made an angry noise in his throat. "You know where my loyalties lay."
"No, I don't."
Something heavy hung in the air between them and Ark said quietly, "It was my duty to defend him. Your attack was unprovoked."
Jorick snorted. "Let me kill your wife and see if you still find it so!"
"You're too late for that, as you well know!" Ark broke off. "I don't have time for this."
"No, I imagine you don't. Mark my words, Malick will make you choose."
Ark's only reply was to slam the door on his way out.
Jorick growled and dropped onto the couch, a hand to his head. When he didn't speak, Katelina moved to his side. "What was that about?"
"Malick called a meeting of all the Executioners, even your friend. He gave a lecture about loyalty and whether we followed him or the High Council. Senya and Greneth swore allegiance to him immediately. I don't think they know about the impeding battle, or perhaps they do."
She absently traced the wrinkles in his shirt with a finger. "Ark knows?"
"As does Jamie and your idiotic friend, because they saw it in my mind or yours. Beyond that, I don't know who is aware and who isn't. It isn't my place to tell them."
Katelina didn't know the answer any more than he did. In her imagination, she saw the mass confusion and warring loyalties played out against a backdrop of screams. "It's coming soon, isn't it?"
Jorick slipped his arm around her and pulled her to him. "Yes, little one. It's coming."
