Chapter 492
It took only one truck to carry them all. They stopped outside of town and Katelina was so hungry she didn't mind the hair. When they'd finished, they drove the hour to the airport. A handful of lights were on in the building and the tower, but a lack of hangars left her worried that they wouldn't find a plane.
"We can try." Verchiel patted her on the head.
They left the frosty night for the building. The lobby lights were out, and the information desk was empty. It looked like days in the truck might be a viable option.
Someone moved in the waiting area. As one, they spun toward the sound. Jorick sniffed the air and growled.
A figure stood from one of the deep arm chairs and straightened his jacket. "I wondered how much longer it would be before you showed up."
It was Sorino.
The vampire gave them a cold smile. "Come now, you don't seem happy to see me. Perhaps I can sway you. I have a plane waiting on the tarmac, ready for the trip to Beijing."
"How the fuck is that supposed to make us happy?" Micah asked.
Sorino coughed. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you need transportation to Beijing, yes? Even if this airport was expecting another flight you'd be out of luck. They don't go that far. However a private plane can go as far as pilot and fuel allow. Considering that Malick is approaching his target, I assumed you'd jump at the chance to leave tonight."
Oren stepped forward. "What do you mean?"
Jorick stopped his friend. "He means his spies contacted him."
"I wouldn't call Iris and Agnes spies," Sorino said. "Associates, perhaps."
Katelina worked to place the names. Agnes and Iris. They were treasure hunting sisters that had helped obtain a scroll with directions to Samael's tomb.
"He has them waiting in a strategic location," Jorick went on. "Apparently they've seen something."
Sorino drew himself up, like a sage delivering words of fate. "They saw Malick. Unless someone stops him, he and his army will march on Samael's complex tomorrow."
"What do you want in return?" Jorick asked coldly.
"Nothing."
Katelina narrowed her eyes. "You expect us to believe that?"
"It's the truth."
"I don't fucking trust you," Micah said. "Especially after you sold out Lunch and ass hat."
"I've already explained that. If you're not interested in the transport, then no problem." Sorino sniffed disdainfully and started toward a door in the back. "Have a pleasant evening. I'm sure you'll be able to find a flight tomorrow afternoon."
Maeko stepped to the front. "Wait." She turned to the group. "We have no choice. If Sorino-san's information is correct we must leave now."
"And if it's not?" Torina asked.
"Then we arrive early."
"If we arrive," Micah muttered. "This double crossing snake is likely to dump us in the ocean."
"Then Sorino-san would gain nothing. As it is, Sorino-san wishes to meet Samael-sama face to face and plans to use us as a means to get past Samael-sama's walls. That desire guarantees our safe arrival. Once we are there, Samael-sama will be able to defeat any schemes Sorino-san might have."
"Fine," Jorick said. "We'll take you to Samael."
Sorino gave a sarcastic bow. "How magnanimous of you. Come, we've already delayed departure."
He led them through the terminal, past the empty baggage claim. At the back of the building stood several staff members in a knot, their eyes straight ahead and their faces slack. When Sorino snapped his fingers, the people sprang to life. A woman with a ponytail shook her head and checked her watch with an exclamation.
One of the men noticed the group of vampires and rattled off something foreign. Though Katelina didn't understand the words she had a sense of the meaning, like she had in the Chinese diner with Verchiel. The man wanted to know what they were doing there.
Sorino replied in the same language, but she had no idea what he said. His answer soothed the people. They scurried off, no doubt to ready Sorino's departure.
Verchiel bumped his shoulder against Katelina and whispered, "You're not 'sensing the meaning' from their words, but from their minds. It's a mild form of mind reading. That's why it only works on weak human brains."
It was as Kai had suggested. She'd been able to do that before she was turned; before she had Micah's blood, meaning it was something from Samael.
Or Jorick, she thought hopefully.
Sorino's plane waited on the tarmac. Kai and Lurid were already seated inside. They didn't look surprised to see the rest of them. Katelina took a seat next to the window and buckled her belt. She agreed with Micah. Sorino seemed the type to drop them into the ocean just for fun.
The trip, that would have taken days by truck, took roughly two hours by plane. They swished their way through the huge airport, one whisperer after another, and finally stood outside on a brightly lit sidewalk.
"We'll have to hire someone to drive us to Samael's complex," Sorino said.
"Or we could just take something," Micah suggested.
Sorino looked down his nose. "Why dodge the police when you can simply pay?" He snapped his fingers at Kai. "Come, we will make arrangements."
Though Katelina didn't expect him to come back, he returned in the backseat of a shiny maroon SUV. Chinese characters were painted on the side. Katelina guessed it was a transport service.
Two identical vehicles parked behind it and Sorino waved them to climb inside. Jorick chose the same SUV as Sorino. Katelina followed.
When they were loaded, Sorino gave the driver directions. The man replied in thickly accented English, "The park is closed. Dangerous poisonous gas leak from underground. We cannot get close. Everyone who was inside is dead. All visitors and staff lost. The town around it has been evacuated. There are roadblocks. It is dangerous."
"Roadblocks." Sorino mused. He turned serious and tapped the back of the seat with his cane. "We are aware of the situation. Why do you think they sent us?"
"Do you say that you are from government?"
"Think of us as geological surveyors."
Katelina could almost feel the man thinking. "We will take you to the roadblock. We cannot go farther. Double the price."
"Fine," Sorino agreed. "Now drive."
The man muttered something that Katelina knew was a curse, then got on a CB radio to inform the other drivers. Their reactions were similar, but the promise of extra money persuaded them.
They pulled onto a crowded street. Katelina watched the glowing city go by. She thought back to her time with Samael. She remembered a town wrapped around the front gates. With Malick ready to attack, it was a good thing they'd evacuated it. Though it seemed odd. It wasn't as if the humans knew what was coming.
Did they?
