Chapter 538
The guests arrived the following evening. They wore their age like their jewels, and Katelina shivered at the thought of that many masters in one place.
Though she didn't want to help Jorick greet them, Sarah's uncomfortable questions were worse. When the servants asked Katelina to carry luggage she jumped at the escape.
It was near dinner when she rounded a corner and heard a familiar voice.
"The original is completely authentic."
"Maybe if you were selling the original I'd be interested, Sorino," said a second vampire with a laugh. "A reproduction is only good for so much."
Katelina peeked around the corner. Sure enough, she saw Sorino: a tall thin vampire with long brown hair. He was dressed in a blue pin-striped suit, a ruffle at his throat. A lace handkerchief peeped from a pocket and a carved cane rested in one hand. In the other was a glossy photograph. Behind him stood a teenage boy with shaggy blonde hair that obscured his eyes. An open shirt revealed scars that marked him like sheet music; a symphony of his past suffering. He wore a black collar around his neck. Fastened to it was a thin silver chain that Sorino had attached to his cane.
His companion had dark skin, bright eyes, and an amused smile.
Sorino made a low noise of amusement. "The worth of such a document is uncountable, not only for its age, but for its information. I should think you'd understand that, Bassile."
The dark vampire smiled. "Come, my friend. Even you cannot read such an ancient relic."
"But I can," Sorino purred. "For a small fee, I provide a translation."
Bassile rubbed his chin. "I would need a sample of this translation first. A small one," he added. "Just to be sure it is-authentic."
"Of course, my friend." Sorino produced a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "I'm afraid I won't give you the clues to the temple's location for free. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course, of course."
Temple? Clues? Could it be-?
Sorino's thin smile stretched, though it looked no more genuine. "The works of mankind shall be destroyed on the Master's altar, and scattered at the feet of his consort. All will bow before their terrible might, and he shall wield the blade of Creation, forged by the Gods. With it he will strike his foe from the Earth, and so his dominion will be complete."
Bassile cocked an eyebrow. "And who is 'he'? I understood this was the scroll of The Raven Queen?"
Katelina stiffened. The scroll of The Raven Queen. She remembered when they'd gotten it in Egypt and followed the clues to find Samael in Lilith's legendary place.
Sorino's tone was honey. "So it is called, but that is a mistranslation. It is not the Queen of the Raven who is the subject of this artifact, rather her lover, the mighty Samael."
"Samael," Bassile mused. "But it is Lilith who lays in the temple, yes? The stories say"
"What are stories when compared with truth? Never mind. I can see you aren't interested in the real history of what many call the original vampires, nor in locating the secret temple of Lilith."
"If it's truth, why haven't you been there?"
Sorino's eyes glowed. "Who says I haven't?"
Bassile hesitated. "So you have seen Lilith entombed?"
"I already told you, it's not Lilith who lay in the bowels of the temple."
Bassile noticed Katelina. "It seems we have a friend."
Her first instinct was to run. Instead she straightened her spine and marched around the corner. Sorino gave her his usual cold smile. "When I saw Jorick at the door I thought you'd be here skulking in the shadows. He doesn't go far without his pet."
Bassile chuckled. "And you don't go far without a snack. When did you pick up your accessory?"
"A few years ago, in Estonia," Sorino replied.
Katelina sought the teen boy's eyes, and got a nod of greeting. That Kai was still alive always amazed her, as if she thought Sorino might drain him dry.
Maybe he still will.
Sorino pointed to her. "This is one who can attest to the truth of the temple. She was there, in the secret chambers." His cold smile turned frosty and a warning gleamed in his eyes.
But it was the truth. She'd been there. "Yes, I was."
"See? Ask her if she saw the god-like Samael in his slumber. Ask her."
Bassile looked skeptical. "Did you?"
"Yes," she answered, though she'd have rather kicked Sorino in the leg.
"I told you," Sorino said.
"I'll have to consider it. If it is as you say, the original would be more interesting. Speaking of originals, you should see what Andrei has unearthed."
"Oh?" Sorino asked disinterestedly.
"Rumor is it's the Spear of Destiny."
"I rather doubt that." Sorino sniffed. "Nonetheless we'll take a look."
When his friend walked away, Sorino turned to her. "Did you want something?"
"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "And why did you make it sound like Samael's still there?"
"It's called business, child. And as for why we're here, we were invited, unlike you." She scowled as he probed her memories and imagined a brick wall. Some of the humor slipped from his face. "No matter. I know enough." He leaned down and whispered, "You will never pull Jorick away from his duty. He enjoys playing the hero too much." He straightened and tugged on Kai's chain. "Let us unpack and see this so-called Spear of Destiny. I hope Andrei didn't pay too much for it."
With a wave, Kai followed his master down the corridor.
Katelina shook her head and went for the stairs. One day she hoped Kai realized what Sorino was and staked him in his sleep. Sadly, she doubted he would. Sorino had rescued the boy from rogue vampires when he was a child and raised him to be the perfect slave. Kai's feelings for Sorino seemed to be caught somewhere between father and lover, in a place she didn't want to think about.
At the bottom of the stairs she veered around the black coated guards, Cornelius and Roger, who carried a heavy trunk. Cornelius nodded, but Roger scowled. "I didn't join the greater guards to be a porter."
Cornelius shook his head. "It's no good complaining. We got the assignment, so we have to stick with it."
"They only did it to stop me from putting in for the Executioner spot. Don't think I don't know what they're up to."
"Who's they?" Katelina asked.
Roger's scowl deepened, but he didn't get a chance to tell her before Cutter called, "Up with the trunk, lads."
"I'll kill him," Roger grumbled as he shouldered the burden again. "I swear, I will gut him."
Katelina imagined him doing it, and stifled a laugh. As she reached the floor, the double doors opened and a pair of extremely pale vampire twins marched through. In identical white suits with their snow colored hair and skin, the only contrast was their bright blue eyes. They swept off their top hats in unison and bowed a greeting to the Executioners.
A vampiress entered behind them, draped in fur. Her dark wavy hair was pulled back in a clip, and a fashionable hat was worn at an angle. Her deep red dress would have been more at home at the turn of the century. She flashed a smile at the guards, then, as if they felt her scrutiny, the three newcomers turned their eyes on Katelina.
Lightning sliced into her brain. Just as quickly, the invasion was gone. Katelina was left blinking and unsteady.
"And that's why I hate the old ones," Trivila said as she caught Katelina's elbow. "They think they have the right to do that to everyone, because everyone is less than they are."
What a wonderful two weeks this is going to be.
***
The guest's dinner was served in the formal dining room. Though they didn't say the words, it was clear the staff and entertainers were expected to dine separately in the smaller dining room. Katelina wasn't sure whether to be insulted or glad she wasn't trapped with that much old blood.
Fleur slammed her glass angrily. "If today is anything to go by, I'm tired of this already."
Katelina stopped from agreeing and asked, "Oh?"
Bishop cut in, "We drove all the way to St. Anthony, only the vampires we were supposed to pick up rented a camper and left forty-five minutes before we got there."
"And then they got lost," Fleur added. "We were back more than half an hour before they finally showed up, their camper all muddy. I ask you, what do they need a camper for?"
"It was probably the only vehicle they could rent that would hold all their luggage," Graham suggested. "You should see how many trunks we went through today. They all packed for a month at least. Who needs that many clothes?"
"Snotty rich ancients," Fleur said dryly.
The Canadians wandered away and Jorick turned to Katelina. "I meant to talk to you this morning, but I didn't get the chance. I know you've trained and you have some abilities, but now that the guests are arriving I'd like you to be careful."
Sarah scoffed into her cup. Even without mind reading, Katelina knew what she was thinking.
"Jorick, we'll be fine. You're an Executioner. Even the old ones respect that. Besides, I'm not human anymore. Why would they bother me?"
Jorick sighed. "Among some of the ancients, being young is no better. Please. I'm not asking you to tie yourself to me, just don't wander too far, or let them lure you somewhere alone."
It seemed simple enough. "All right."
"And don't speak to them unless they speak to you. Even then don't answer unless it's a direct question."
"I wasn't planning on making friends."
"Good." He gave her a relieved smile and reached past a mime for a refill.
