Chapter 534
A sharp knock woke Katelina the next evening. Jorick stirred next to her and gave his customary morning gasp, like someone who'd forgotten to breathe all night. The rap repeated, then she heard footsteps patter down the corridor.
She threw the bedclothes back with the realization that the sun wasn't yet gone. Jorick told her vampires who didn't get enough sleep needed extra blood-
"It's a matter of minutes," Jorick replied. "Though I hope it's not a regular occurrence."
Dressed, they met Jamie in the hallway. The Executioner nodded a greeting, his expression grim.
"They woke you, too?" Jorick asked.
"Yes. I think we need to discuss our status. I have no problem with servant's quartersI've slept in worsebut only Ark, Eileifr, or the High Council can command me to wake early."
Jorick scoffed. "I wouldn't wake even for them."
"We know about your disobedience." Jamie's eyes twinkled, then hardened. "We may be working for Andrei, but it's a cursory favor. We aren't his employees, or members of his coven. We could arrest him at a whim, and he'd do well to remember it."
Jorick chuckled. "I'd forgotten how unpleasant you are before you've fed. Not that I disagree, but we'd need a charge."
"Exacerbating an Executioner should be enough," Jamie muttered.
Sarah's door opened and she stepped out, dressed in khakis and a button up shirt. "Hello."
"Good morning," Jamie said with a stiff but polite nod.
"It's evening," Sarah corrected halfheartedly. "Are we supposed to go downstairs?"
Jorick shrugged, and the two Executioners started down the hall. Sarah held Katelina back. "Last night-There was someone outside my room."
Katelina took in her friend's worried expression and thought about her overreaction at the falls. "The human servants were probably awake while we were sleeping."
"I'm not sure that's it." Sarah bit her lip. "Never mind. It was probably my imagination and this creepy house. It's like something from a Bronte novel."
"I said that last night!" Katelina led her after the men, detailing their conversation.
Jorick and Jamie waited on the landing, and Fleur and her guards were on the ground floor.
"Breakfast is in the kitchen," Fleur said. "Then we have a meeting with the master. We'll be introduced to everyone and the general plans for the event. After that we'll divide up, go over the grounds, and determine our security strategies."
When Katelina sighed, Jorick asked, "What did you think it would entail?"
"I thought we'd show up and hang around." She felt Fleur's burning annoyance. "Never mind. Let's eat."
The word eat was metaphorical. Katelina downed her glass of blood quickly and looked hopefully for seconds. As Roger and Cornelius entered, a vampiress in a maid's uniform brought a second pitcher. Roger took a sip and scowled. "Cow."
"You didn't expect human?" Cornelius asked. "If they have that they'll save it for the guests."
"All the blood is bovine," the maid said as she gathered the empty glasses. "The master owns several cattle ranches and has the blood sent."
Of course he would. All that money had to go for something practical.
Cutter appeared, looking as thin and butlery as the night before.
"He isn't the butler," Jorick murmured. "He's Andrei's second in command."
"Why does he look like a butler?"
Jorick smirked. "You can't fault a man for his face."
Andrei waited in the smoking room. He bowed, then apologized. "There was a miscommunication with the servants. Humans, you understand." Katelina bristled at the remark, but he continued. "In future you will not be woken early."
Jorick and Jamie gave satisfied nods. Andrei asked them to accompany him to the entryway where a group of vampires were assembled. Katelina could feel the mixture of curiosity and boredom, so strong she wasn't sure what her real emotions were.
Andrei clapped his hands and called for silence. "These are our guests from The Guild and The Assembly." As he explained their purpose, a vampiress in the front drew Katelina's attention. Long auburn hair fell around pale shoulders and a dress hugged her torso to drift into filmy folds around her feet. A delicate chain around her neck disappeared into her cleavage. Most interesting was a white half mask, like something from the Phantom of the Opera. The thick material had a glossy plastic sheen. Worn spots at the edges showed it wasn't new.
"This is Annabelle, my mate." When the masked vampiress looked up, her sea green eyes sent a jolt through Katelina.
"You've met Cutter, of course. This is Kolli." He pointed to a blonde male with a young face and crystal blue eyes, then to a slightly pudgy brunette woman. "This is Marna." The rest of the names flowed over Katelina like water, and she was relieved when he finished. "Cutter will take you to the green lounge and discuss the plans with you."
Katelina gratefully hurried from the room, Sarah at her elbow. "There's a lot of them," her friend whispered. "No wonder he wanted security."
"Those are the vampires who live here, not the guests. I hate to think how many he's invited."
Sarah choked. "How many- are there in the world?"
"A bunch. Most countries have their own vampire government."
"I thought there was only a handful. How can so many hide?"
Jorick cut in, "By following The Laws. That's why the punishment is so severe for breaking them."
Sarah clamped her mouth shut, but Katelina saw something unsettled in her eyes.
Just as Fleur said, they went over party plans. The event would last two weeks and involved a myriad of entertainment including a circus, a magician, a play of some kind, a feast, and a masked ball for the final event.
Jamie and Jorick exchanged looks. Though Fleur didn't comment, Katelina thought she was as overwhelmed as they were.
Cutter gave them a guest list that the Executioners glanced through. Jamie stiffened and mumbled, "Eagan", but his discomfort quickly disappeared under his unruffled fa?ade.
They split up to do a "perimeter check". Katelina and Sarah followed Jorick out the door and around the mansion. Two wings flanked the main section in the front. In the back, another two came out in a V. In the triangle shaped spaces on the sides were patio areas. Because of the cold, no plants grew, and water features sat empty, waiting for warmer days.
In the back between the two wings, was the largest patio. Shiny tables and chairs were scattered over it. Katelina had the impression they'd been purchased just for the party.
The lawn, still clothed in winter colors, sloped down to a pond big enough to warrant a boat house with a miniature pier. A sliver of ice ringed the water and tiny waves puckered the surface, ruffling the star's reflection. The icy stillness left Katelina unsettled.
They left the random buildings for the guards to investigate and moved to a shooting range. A gazebo overlooked it, and a tennis court was to the left. Katelina thought one of the farther off buildings might be a stable.
Jamie joined them with a nod, and Sarah asked, "Where does this guy get all his money?"
"He's old," Jorick replied. "More than twice my age. He's had all those years to amass wealth, make investments, and buy companies."
"Vampire companies?" Katelina asked.
Jamie shook his head. "Normal companies, with human employees and CEOs. Andrei is clever about his investments. For instance, he and Claudius were involved in a joint venture. On Claudius' death, the whole went to Andrei. I'm sure there have been similar mergers and acquisitions over the years. Then there's all the property he owns."
Sarah narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How do you know this?"
"The Assembly handles some of it, and their records are our records. Before leaving for this assignment, I familiarized myself with them." He gazed off into the distance. "Bad weather is coming."
Though Katelina didn't notice the chill, a shiver ran down her spine. She wasn't sure if he meant the dark clouds, or something metaphorical.
Hopefully he just means snow.
