Chapter 530
Thanks to Micah's big mouth, Xandria knew about Canada and she took it in stride. "Have fun, and I'll see you if you come back."
If. As though there was another option.
Katelina couldn't shake the premonition something bad was going to happen, and it followed her into her dreams. She drifted from a misty graveyard to a ship's hold. Among the dimly lit shapes sat someone who shined like the sun. Samael's dark hair covered most of his face. What peered out was placid.
"You're still on the ship," she said as she drew closer.
"Yes. One cannot travel the oceans in an instant without wings."
She thought of a plane, but kept the words to herself. Regardless he saw the image. "Such machines. A gift from the gods, or a curse that leads to growing impatience? It is no matter."
"How can you be on a ship for weeks without getting caught? You have to feed every day. Won't the crew notice people dying?"
"Unlike young vampires, I do not need to feed each day; every two or three days will suffice, and I can go longer with only mild discomfort. There will be no need to drain the crew."
"Oh." She didn't know what else to say.
"You are uneasy."
Though it wasn't a question, she nodded her answer. "They want us to guard some party thing."
"And you fear to? Why?"
It was a valid question; one she had no definitive answer to. "It's a bunch of rich snooty vampires. That's a recipe for disaster."
"You fear they will harm you?"
"No." Between her new abilities and Jorick's protection, she was pretty sure she'd be safe.
"Then you fear the hurt of a lover?"
"No."
"If you know they cannot hurt you, then there is nothing to fear, child. Sleep now, and worry no more."
If only she knew how to.
***
The next evening, Katelina sorted through her belongings to choose a single suitcase worth of stuff. She was in the middle of packing when Sarah arrived. Her curly hair was held back with gold clips, and a pumpkin colored sweater draped perfectly.
"We just need to finish up," Katelina explained.
Sarah stood by the door, hands clasped. "How are we going to get across the border without passports?"
Katelina shrugged and stuffed her pajamas in the suitcase. "Jorick will enchant them."
"What?"
"He's a whisperer, so he can make people do what he wants. He can tell the border security we have passports and to let us through. Jamie's one too."
"Who's Jamie?"
As if summoned, Jamie stepped through the open door. "Are you ready?"
"Almost." Katelina nodded toward the bathroom and the sound of Jorick's shower.
Jamie glanced to Sarah and away again. "You can put your luggage in the back of the SUV."
"I have my own car," Sarah replied.
"Your choice." Jamie shrugged and exited with a look that said "Hurry up."
Katelina finished packing and Jorick was soon dried and dressed. They headed outside together where a pair of greater guards waited. Jamie introduced them as Roger and Cornelius, then suggested they get moving.
Micah and Loren leaned against the building, Jorick stopped to hand the teen a piece of paper. "I spoke to Oren last night. This is the location of his new den."
The teen glanced at it. "Is this around here?"
Katelina felt a stab of alarm and Jorick said, "About half an hour, I believe. He won't be moved in for two weeks, perhaps a month. Humans process legal matters slowly."
Katelina didn't like the sound of Oren being close to her mother. "Why is he settling here?"
"Because Baltheir lives near here, and he's the one who arranged the purchase. As to why Baltheir lives here, I don't know." He turned to Sarah. "Are we ready?"
"I am," she said carefully. "Kate, do you want to ride with me?"
Katelina hesitated. Jorick had not-so-subtly been left out of the invitation. She knew she should stick with him, but how many times had he disappeared with his friends and told her to stay put?
"Sure. We'll let the men ride together."
They piled into their vehicles. The SUV pulled out first, and Sarah followed. Katelina could feel her friend's tension pulsating in the closed car. Once they hit the highway it lessened.
"I didn't think you were going to get rid of him. It's like he's attached with an umbilical cord. Even at Easter dinner. You went off with that bald jackass and I could feel all of Jorick's attention on the kitchen, as if he was mentally there. Do you ever get a minute to breathe?"
Katelina burst into laughter. "Jorick is as far from being attached as a man can get. You have no idea how many times he's wandered off and said 'stay here, I'll be back', or how many things he doesn't tell me. His nonchalant attitude used to really bug me, but I've gotten used to it."
Sarah gave her a sidelong glance. "If that's your idea of nonchalant you have a problem. He might have told you to stay there, but I'd bet he kept an eye on you. That's it! That's the impression I get from him. You may be apart but he still knows every move you make, or at least he wants to. As if you need him to protect you from some dark evil. I don't know if it's devotion or something else."
"Like what?"
"He's not the one who-made you this, is he?"
Katelina looked away. "No."
"I didn't think so. Maybe that's it. Maybe he's worried your-what do they call them?"
"Master?" Katelina suggested uncomfortably.
"I wasn't sure that was the real term, or just the one Troy used." Sarah spat the name like a poison.
Katelina made a noise of understanding and Sarah exploded, "Did you know he knew Patrick?"
Patrick. There was his name again in so many days. Katelina couldn't expect to come back to the start of it all and not hear it, but at the same time-"Patrick was Claudius' human slave."
Sarah growled. "That's how it all happened! Mullens dragged us into this mess! I knew he was bad news. I told you to stay away from him, didn't I? I said"
Katelina shook off an overwhelming sense of deja-vu. How many times had Sarah lectured her about Patrick back then? The situation had changed, but the words were the same, and she burst out laughing.
Sarah broke off. "What's so funny?"
"You haven't changed."
Sarah faltered. "You don't think so?"
Katelina shook her head and Sarah looked back to the road. "I hope you're right."
