Chapter 358
Katelina woke the next evening to the sound of running water and the smell of soap. The open bathroom door leaked a trail of light, and beyond it she could hear Jorick's voice, soft and low, singing something she didn't recognize.
She climbed out of bed reluctantly, and sifted through the suitcase for something to wear. The beach clothes felt ridiculous now that they were back in the snow. With a sigh she selected a heavy navy pullover and a clean pair of jeans.
The empty camera stared at her accusingly. She'd meant to take a photo of the brightly lit marina and the interior of the plane, but neither had seemed like a good idea. She took two snapshots of the room, carefully avoiding the coffins, and decided to call it a hotel in Munich. Her mother would never know.
Jorick finished his shower to emerge naked and glistening with water drops. He offered her a suggestive smile, but her bladder said otherwise, so she dashed past him to the bathroom. His laughter followed, and she slammed the door on his comments about human "problems".
Though the claw footed tub suggested a long soak, she took a quick shower, dressed, and found Jorick waiting for her. "Shall we have some breakfast?"
***
The restaurant was mostly white with only the black chairs, polished wooden floor, and a few strategically placed rattan wall panels to break it up. She wasn't sure if it felt cold or sophisticated, and the other guests left her nervous enough to toy with the silverware as she skimmed the menu.
She ordered fish in a mysterious sauce that came with mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and salad with creamy dressing. The mystery sauce turned out to be mustard, but edible, while the Brussels sprouts were rejected after one bite.
"What's wrong with them?" Jorick asked as he sipped his glass of blood.
"They're Brussels sprouts. No one likes Brussels sprouts."
"Someone does, or they wouldn't serve them." He gave her a wink. "You don't like them because they're good for you."
"Healthy food usually tastes bad," she agreed. He sat his glass down and she picked it up to sniff, a sarcastic comment at the ready, but the temperature surprised her and she let go. "It's warm!"
"You expected it to be cold?" His dark eyes twinkled.
"Well, yes. Don't you have to keep it refrigerated?"
"You keep your food refrigerated, but you heat it up first. I'm sure there are lunatics out there who like it cold, just as there are people who like Brussels sprouts."
She shook her head and turned back to her meal. "You're in an abnormally good mood. I understood when we were on vacation, but now-" she trailed off, unsure how to say "You're not as crabby as usual."
He shrugged. "What do I have to be concerned about? Der H?here Rat is going to collect a statement and send us back to the U.S. Malick no longer runs The Guild, so there's nothing to worry about there. Maeko isn't in danger now, so we don't need to protect her. Oren should be able to slip between the cracks, and if he doesn't I'll appeal on his behalf because only the leaders of the covens were punished, and Fabian was already put to death as the leader. They'll see things my way, if for no other reason than it's more work not to. Loren has thrown his lot in with Micah, and is no longer my responsibility. I have only you to look after now, and unless you can think of a reason for me to worry, I believe things are finally going to return to calm."
She felt like Oren on the beach. "What about the attack at the marina? You said yourself Cyprus was there."
"No, I said there was someone who looked like Cyprus. It obviously has nothing to do with us, since we're not members of either of their ridiculous cults. No doubt the battle is really a split coven warring between themselves. Why else would they dress similar? I imagine der H?here Rat will find out all the details when they put them on trial."
Katelina thought of the trial experience she'd had at The Guild and shivered. She didn't wish it on anyone. "That's a big coincidence, but let's say you're right. What about Samael?"
"Why on earth would he cause us problems? I imagine he's busy bringing about his vampire apocalypse, or whatever it is."
She remembered what Sorino had read them from the Sanskrit scroll:
"Thus will begin the new age. Mankind will be subjugated to the will of the vampires and by this will they shall live and die. It shall be as an- apocalypse- for all of mortal kind, when the Heart has been given to the broken body within the temple of the Raven Queen and the sleeping wreak their wrath. Then all will tremble at the might of the master and his consort in the time of the Great Destruction... Cities will be leveled and the works of men destroyed."
"And you're not worried about cities being destroyed and mortal man being subjugated and what not?"
Jorick toyed with his glass. "No, I'm not. I doubt it will come to that. The Kugsankal will handle it."
"Right, the way they've handled Malick." She waved the conversation away. "Forget it. Maybe you're right. It's not your job. You're not the world's super hero."
***
On the way back to their room they ran into Oren. The golden haired vampire looked irritated, but he didn't speak until they were on their floor.
"I hope you're having a better day than I am. I tried to get our rooms rearranged."
"And?"
"And nothing. Unless she's accompanied by a vampire she has to move to the human only floor. I doubt you want that since she was entrusted to you." He gave Jorick a pointed look. "I'm going to suggest she room with Torina."
Katelina choked on the idea. "Torina? She'll make Etsuko's life miserable. I'm surprised she hasn't yet."
Jorick chortled. "I believe Etsuko is stronger than you give her credit for. I'm sure she can handle Torina."
"I doubt it," Katelina said. "Torina has a way of being really nasty when she wants to be."
Jorick gave her a wink. "The alternative is that she sleeps with Oren. Is that better?"
Oren looked offended. "You say that as if it's something abhorrent. I assure you I've done nothing to the human! She slept in the bed and I in one of the coffins. I would hardly"
Jorick cut him off with a laugh. "No one thinks you've taken advantage of her."
They reached their door where a piece of parchment paper waited. Sealed with a lump of red wax, it looked better suited for a historical television drama.
"What's that?" Oren asked.
Jorick pulled the message loose and snapped the seal. He skimmed the contents quickly. "Der H?here Rat requests our presence at twenty-three hundred to discuss the sudden termination of our previous visit and the results of our altercation with the malcontent Malick."
"That was fast." A heavy weight of fear settled over Katelina. "What time is twenty-three?"
"Eleven." He glanced back to the paper. "Better sooner than later."
"Yes," agreed Oren. "Then we can leave."
Jorick folded the letter and stuck it in his pocket. "The label 'malcontent' is interesting."
"I guess." She had more important things on her mind, such as what der H?here Rat would be like. The Guild's High Council was terrifying enough, and the one in Munich was probably older than they were.
Jorick cleared his throat. "I doubt very much they'll speak to you, since they'll view you as a mere human."
"If I'm a mere human why do I have to go?"
"Because we all have to go. They've also requested the red-headed idiot, Neil, and Cyprus. I assume Wolfe will explain the latter two's absences. Speaking of Wolfe, we have to meet him in a 'waiting room', and he will escort us to the proceedings."
Oren scoffed. "In that case, your day will be as good as mine."
Katelina couldn't argue.
