Chapter 464
Katelina and Jorick said their goodbyes to Sadihra and Wolfe, and headed out of the restaurant. "That was surprising," Katelina mused.
"Sadihra asking you to be a witness? Not really. She's been friendly to you before."
"No, that she's marrying Wolfe. I wouldn't."
"That's probably why he didn't ask you." Jorick's chuckle faded and something heavy hung between them, something she wasn't ready to deal with.
She was saved by Sorino. The flashy vampire rounded the corner, Kai behind him on his chain. Bringing up the rear was a dark skinned vampire whose dreadlocks were studded with beads. It was Lurid, his relic hunting friend.
"Ah, Jorick. I believe you're acquainted?"
"Yes," he answered impatiently. Katelina remembered the beaded vampire from their quest to find the Heart of the Raven. She still hadn't decided if he was good or bad.
"Such things are subjective," Sorino said. His usual smugness was missing.
"You look unhappy," Jorick commented cheerfully.
"Yes. Things cannot always be as we wish them. Not everyone has their price it seems."
Katelina scoffed. "You mean there are still honest people in the world that you can't buy off? How tragic."
"Not tragic, merely inconvenient. It means more work on my part." He turned his attention to Jorick and some of the light returned to his eyes. "Have you heard? The Black Vigil was acquitted. But of course you know. It's a pity they didn't do the slaying, or I doubt the Father of Shadows would have escaped."
"And what is your interest in it?" Jorick asked. "Wasn't there a relic you were looking for? A seal?"
Sorino's smile turned sly and appreciative. "You are referring to the original seal of Memnon. It is an item that would be highly prized by any collector of antiquities, but that is only a portion of my interest."
Katelina looked from Sorino to his treasure hunting friend. "Sure. And you met up with him accidentally?"
"Of course not. I invited him to join us. An interesting fact is that when Lurid went to search for the Children of Shadows he stopped at an airstrip in Syria. All of the staff were dead."
Jorick perked up. "Dead?"
"Yes, as in murdered. Interestingly enough, they were not torn to shreds as the Children were, but rather sliced, as though with a sword- or sickle." He put special emphasis on the last word, and Katelina understood what he was implying.
"You think the Black Vigil did it?"
"I wouldn't be surprised, but then who am I to lecture a tiger about claws? Enough from me. I imagine you're in a hurry to get back to your room. Have a good evening."
Jorick made a noncommittal noise and tugged Katelina down the corridor. She glanced back toward the restaurant. "What was that about?"
"It was a warning. He thinks I've underestimated Fethillen."
They asked for Fethillen at the information desk. The vampiress and her followers hadn't checked into rooms. Jorick inquired about travel arrangements. The receptionist told him tersely that it was none of his business. He gave her a smug smile and led Katelina away.
"What was that? Did you get something from her mind?"
"No. But does the name Sushel ring a bell?"
"What about him?"
"He made travel arrangements for himself and eleven others. They're set to leave in about an hour."
"I thought you said you didn't read her mind?"
"I didn't. It was written in the open log book on her desk. We should hurry if we want to catch them."
They found Ume and eleven of the Black Vigil in the marble lobby. The missing member appeared from the corridor across the room, carrying a long cardboard box.
Fethillen looked up as Katelina and Jorick approached. "Are you worried that we will take your newest recruit with us?"
"Ume is no recruit of mine," Jorick replied. "She can go where she pleases, just as you do." He stopped in front of them and crossed his arms. "You're going after the Father of Shadows?"
Fethillen scowled. "I would accuse you of resorting to tricks, dream stealer, but my mission is known to all. We will not rest until the last remnant has been destroyed."
The box was opened and the weapons the Scharfrichter had taken from them were handed out.
Jorick said, "I understand why you feel that way, Keirza, but aren't there worthier wars?"
Fethillen stiffened and narrowed her eyes. "Why do you call me that?"
"I know who you are. Memnon's sister, who has devoted her life to destroying the evil he created."
"Yes." Fethillen fastened her dagger on her thigh. "Have you come to offer your services? As I told your fledgling, they are no longer required. " She met his eyes. "You were not as useful as I had anticipated. We will finish this ourselves."
Katelina flinched at the blunt remark but Jorick only asked, "Do you really think you can?"
Fethillen lifted her chin a notch, her gaze icy fire. "You forget, the Father took immortality from my brother. His years are fewer than mine. Like yours."
The implied threat hung heavy. Fethillen purposefully turned and started up the stairs. Jorick grabbed her arm and she spun around, her sickle raised menacingly. "This is your only warning."
Jorick ignored her animosity. "How do you plan to find him?"
"I have my ways."
"Like destroying an airport?" he suggested.
"We learned valuable information."
"And yet you waited to attack until the Scharfrichter were already there?"
If Fethillen could freeze people with a look, Jorick would have been ice. "We learned the destination of their plane, not the location of the hideout. It is none of your concern."
Jorick cocked an eyebrow. "You had to follow the Scharfrichter to the hideout, even after wiping out all the staff in the airport? So much death for so little gain."
Fethillen's lips disappeared into a hard line. "My mission-"
"Is one of pride. It has left a centuries-high pile of dead innocents and destroyed nearly all your coven. How can you say you are better than Memnon?"
"You think to undermine me with your twisted words, Executioner? Men are all the same. They see a woman in power and must knock her down. "
"You've knocked yourself down with your blind purpose."
Fethillen growled, then stormed up the stairs. She stopped at the top to look back. "For your previous aid, this conversation will remain unfinished. I suggest you leave it that way, or the end will not be to your liking."
She and her group disappeared and Katelina sagged. "Why didn't you try to convince them to help us with Malick? I thought they were our allies."
"Hardly. We were their tools and when Fethillen realized she could not control us-" He glanced at Ume. "Never mind."
The vampiress' only comment was a sigh.
***
The next two days passed in relative calm. It was one a.m. on the second evening when Katelina dropped on the bed with a groan. Jorick didn't bother to look up from his newest book. "How did it go?"
"The shopping, or the last half of the training?"
He turned the page. "I hate Micah more than the next person, but you showed you could take care of yourself."
"Before or after I knocked him across the room for making comments about those stupid spandex pants?"
"After. Besides, today was Braydon's trial." He met her eyes. "Needless to say, the coward chose ten years servitude to the Sodalitas over imprisonment, and his restitution is a paltry two thousand dollars. Two thousand!"
Katelina kicked off her shoes and asked sarcastically, "You were hoping for more?"
"He owes me blood! If he hadn't helped to kidnap you, none of this would have happened. Micah never would have needed to" He took a calming breath. "It doesn't matter. How was the dress shopping?"
"Different. Her wedding dress is pretty, but her witnesses aren't all women." Jorick didn't comment and she pushed, "Wolfe said it was like being a bridesmaid, so I thought-" When he still didn't reply she went on. "Sadihra didn't want anyone to spend money on matching outfits."
"Good." Jorick gave a satisfied nod and turned back to his book.
"She said it was a waste of time and resources, but her champion insisted. You remember Hethin? The white haired guy?"
Jorick made a low murmur of understanding.
"He's her champion. Apparently the covens sometimes demanded a fight before the wedding and whichever champion won determined which coven the pair ended up in. You probably know all this?"
"Maybe," he said disinterestedly. "You said he insisted?"
"Yeah. The women ended up with purple dresses. They're okay, but nothing I'm going to wear again."
"I prefer white, but I suppose you can't compete with the bride." Jorick went back to his book. "Where has your human wondered off to?"
"She's with Etsuko. I didn't think she'd want to tag along after watching me train all day."
"Probably not. Humans get demanding when they're bored."
She noticed the humor twinkling in his eyes and purposefully turned the TV on. She flipped the channels until she felt her point was made. "By the way, in case you didn't notice, they have Oren and Etsuko in the same room. Again."
Jorick casually flipped a page. "You say they, but Oren made his own arrangements this time."
Katelina was still processing the implications when a knock sounded, followed by Wolfe's sharp voice, "Jorick! Open the door."
Neither of them moved. A loud click sounded and Wolfe stormed in, his face graver than usual. "When I issue a command"
"I ignore it," Jorick replied and closed his book. "What do you want?"
"The Sodalitas require your help. You have orders."
Jorick was on his feet before Wolfe could finish, his eyes shining with cold hatred. Katelina shot him a questioning look and he said, "It's Malick."
