Chapter 54
Katelina dressed quickly but took extra time to find the front of the lacey stretch underwear. They were uncomfortable and it felt like she wasn't wearing anything at all. The thin dress did nothing to combat the feeling of nakedness; it had no sleeves and a plunging neckline that was held up by two thin, copper colored spaghetti straps. Even the clingy, knee length skirt didn't feel like any kind of protection, not like her usual jeans and t-shirts.
She glanced in the un-fogged mirror and let her eyes travel from her ruined face, down to her exposed cleavage. She crossed her arms over it and wondered why Jorick seemed to have a mental block against bras.
When she exited the bathroom she found him seated on the corner of the bed. He studied her appraisingly and nodded his head in apparent satisfaction. "That looks better on you than her."
"I doubt it." She couldn't help enjoying the flattery, even though she felt embarrassed and silly. She tugged at the skirt and changed the topic. "So, what are we doing?"
"Oren's gone to fetch food for you, and when he returns we'll be leaving for Sorem."
"Sorem?" The word rolled on her tongue like a piece of poisoned candy. "But that's where Claudius is."
Jorick nodded. "We have unfinished business-"
"Like what? Like the fact that I actually lived! Let's go back and see if he can finish me off this time? Is that the idea?"
Jorick stood and quickly caught her waving arms. "No," he soothed. "I promise I won't let him hurt you."
"Really?" she snapped sarcastically, but the look on his face made her anger evaporate. Her shoulders sagged. "I don't want to be near him," she whispered.
"I know," he murmured softly. "But so long as he lives this won't be over."
"I thought Oren didn't want to appear to be too 'obviously hostile'? Won't The Guild punish him again?"
"No. Not as long as the war is conducted properly." Jorick sighed. "As long as it doesn't create any complications and no one complains, they don't care. And in case you've forgotten, Oren already 'appeared hostile' when we rescued you." She wondered if Oren expected some sort of apology and scowled at the idea, but Jorick continued. "Kateesha has pushed our hands, undoubtedly just as she wanted to. She's had her eye on Claudius' coven since she first agreed to help Oren, and I imagine she's been waiting for this opportunity for some time. Oren hasn't seemed interested in really finishing Claudius off, and Claudius wasn't really interested in finishing Oren. Now they'll have to settle it, and she assumes we'll win and then she can have it."
Katelina blinked at him in confusion. "But if you and Oren defeat him isn't it yours? Victor and spoils and all that?"
He shook his head "The coven has been promised to Kateesha. It was her price to assist in your rescue."
"But-"
"It's of no importance," Jorick said quickly. "Neither I nor Oren want it, not anymore. That was Jesslynn, not him. What use will a straggling handful of unhappy vampires be? But, if Kateesha wishes to think she's manipulated us, it matters not to me. Let her have what is left of Claudius' coven when we've finished and may it keep her busy for many years to come. So long as she leaves me in peace I don't care what she does."
"So Kateesha is going, too?" Katelina asked weakly. "Even though she..."
Jorick sighed heavily. "Yes, she is. I didn't know she'd set it up, not until Torina got the information from one of Claudius' men. Kateesha volunteered to go, and if I'd been thinking straight I'd have realized how unusual that was. Kateesha only does what benefits Kateesha. I should have seen that she had some vested interest in it, but I had other things on my mind." He touched her cheek softly and then gave her a reassuring smile. "She won't be able to do anything to you as long as I'm with you. And besides, I doubt that she would."
Katelina's eyes bulged. "What? You're not defending her?"
"No, no!" He rushed to explain himself. "She only does things that are of benefit to herself. What benefit could she possibly gain from hurting you?" Katelina's mouth opened, but he kept talking. "She killed Arowenia and sent you to Claudius because she knew we'd rescue you. She just wanted to advance the war."
"And can you read her mind?" Katelina demanded angrily. "Because that's not what she told me! She said-"
"Yes, I know what she said. And no, I can't read her mind. But this isn't a music hall production. The villain isn't going to reveal their master plot to the victim. I know her well enough to say she's got what she wants, or will have as soon as she's taken what's left of the coven." He met Katelina's gaze. "Trust me."
"I do trust you! It's just... what if you're wrong?"
He rubbed her chin with his thumb. "I'm not."
"But..." she trailed off with a sigh. How could she say "It's just that I have this nagging feeling" without sounding stupid? Maybe Jorick was right. Maybe Kateesha had only told her that because she thought it would upset her. Hell, none of the vampires made much sense anyway. Still, the sense of foreboding refused to go away.
She let it go and asked weakly, "You're sure we have to go?"
His face grew grim, and he tightened his arms around her. "Yes. I'm sorry, but I owe Claudius now, and I always repay my debts." He opened his mouth to say something further when a knock stopped him.
"It's me," Oren's voice floated through the door before it opened and the golden-haired vampire came in, a fast food bag clutched in one hand, and a soda in the other. "I have no idea what you humans eat."
She took the offered bag and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed. The scent of French fries and cheeseburger wafted up into her face and she savored the smell. Last night she hadn't been hungry but today she was ravenous, and so without any shame she stuffed several fries in her mouth at once.
Oren's nose wrinkled in repulsion. "And they say we're disgusting when we feed."
She glanced at him sharply and thought about mentioning that she hadn't invited him to watch in the first place. Instead, she settled on saying, "I'm starving."
"Obviously." He turned to his friend. "I'm not staying to watch this, Jorick. When it's finished, we'll be waiting." He shuddered and moved quickly out of the room.
She swallowed and looked up at Jorick. "What? It's not that bad?"
His only answer was laughter.
