Chapter 584
Katelina let Verchiel take her into the ballroom.
The giant clock from the feast still stood in its place, flanked by a pair of glittering fake trees and wreathed in flowers. A large mirror was inserted into the fireplace, and decorated as a fantasy portal. The walls of the ballroom were covered in paper painted in blue, pink, and gold, like a sunset. In one corner was a forest of more sparkling fake trees. The branches were dotted with miniature fairies. Jewel centered flowers were gathered at their feet. A path made of brown paper rolled from the forest and branched off to the front of a small cottage situated in the opposite corner. The door was partially open and a wolf dressed in a nightgown and bonnet peeped out. A window box held more of the jeweled flowers, and bushes at the base of the fake cottage glittered emerald. Papier-m?ch¨¦ mushrooms dotted the space between, some sized for stools and others big enough to be tables. A couple of the larger ones held trays of crystal glasses and decanters of blood. Party staff dressed as animals carried smaller trays and moved through the guests, offering refreshment.
The path wound across the room where a miniature lake had been created in a large container whose outside was painted to look like dirt and grass. Lily pads and candles floated in the blue tinted water. Three stepping stones led across to a center island where the miniature orchestra sat, wearing court costumes. A large area of the floor, littered with glitter and flower petals, was open for dancing.
In the center of the back wall, where the stage had been, was a fairytale castle that put Katelina's junior prom to shame. Four white towers rose with peaked roofs. Windows were lined in colored plastic that looked like stained glass. Lights inside threw colorful patches of rainbow on the floor around it. In the front, a large pair of golden gates stood at the head of a path that led to the ballroom's double doors. Katelina wondered if they were going to open the gates, and if so what was inside.
The guests were as elaborately dressed as the room. Katelina recognized Hannah's peacock costume, complete with a feathered cap. A masked tiger chatted to a big game hunter with a gun. A pair of Arabian princes wore gold masks and feathered turbans. Between them was a vampiress dressed as a belly dancer, including the jewel in her bellybutton. Their curled slippers looked like something from an old movie, and Katelina imagined they were hard to walk in.
Jorick stood near the musicians like a black shadow against the bright wall. He met her gaze with a nod, but no smile.
"He's mad," she murmured.
Verchiel followed her eyes and waved at the Executioner. "He hates these kinds of things." His violet eyes glittered with mischief. "Unless you mean he's mad you're here with the best looking guy in the room, because I could understand that."
She was ready to suggest they should talk to Jorick, when a knight in armor approached and flipped up a visor. It was Kolli. "Let me guess, you're a princess, and you're-" he struggled. "Peter Pan?"
Katelina suppressed a giggle and Verchiel struck a fencing pose. "I am the jaunty Robin Hood. On Guard! Be prepared to be relieved of your gold, sir!"
Kolli laughed. "Fooled you, noble sir. I have no gold. It has all gone to King John's taxes, and to pay for my armor. Pity it's only plastic." He rapped the breast plate with his knuckles. "Aren't you working like the rest of them?"
"No. I was sent to investigate the child murderer, and I've finished that." He laid his finger next to his nose and winked.
Kolli looked serious. "Really? Have you made an arrest?"
"Not yet, but we will."
When no more came, the blond vampire nodded. "Have fun. I'll see you later."
Katelina watched him move to the next group. "You shouldn't have told him that."
"It'll be fine. Trust me."
They made their way to Jorick and his musical outpost. Katelina saw the muscle in his jaw twitch, but he only nodded, then turned his attention to the guests.
"You look nice too," Katelina said sarcastically.
He rolled his eyes. "You look nice."
"Don't strain yourself."
Verchiel elbowed her. "Cut him some slack. He has a lot on his plate, like keeping his eyes peeled for Kali and making sure no one murders anyone."
"And not punching you," Jorick muttered.
Verchiel cupped his ear. "I don't think I heard you."
"I'm busy. Bother someone else."
Verchiel swept his hat off and gave a bow. "In that case, good sir, we shall away." He straightened and offered his arm. "Come, Milady."
With a final look to Jorick, she let the redhead lead her toward the mushrooms. He grabbed a glass from one of the trays and poured a drink, his face alight. "It's killing him."
She sighed. "Surely he's not jealous? He's the one who didn't want to dress up."
"That too. But I meant being nice to me. Haven't you noticed?"
"He seems as cranky as usual."
"Nah. Normally he'd threaten to rip out my windpipe."
He had a point. "I suppose Jamie's making him?"
Verchiel laughed. "Jamie? I doubt anyone could make Jorick do anything. He's under the impression you want him to be nicer."
"Me? I mean, yeah, I do. I know the only reason he's suspicious of you is because he can't read your mind, but that's no reason to be an ass when you've been-" she couldn't bring herself to say nice, considering some of the things he'd pulled in the past "-helpful."
"Right. Anyway, he's making an effort, so you should probably mention you've noticed. Men like that."
"How do I do that? 'Gee, I noticed you aren't as mean to Verchiel as usual. Good job.'?"
"Whatever works."
The clock struck midnight. As the last of the chimes died away, the orchestra took up a light, slow song.
Verchiel waved his hand in time to the melody, then nodded to the door. "Look who it is."
Katelina followed his nod to see Kali step inside, dressed in pale shimmering teal. Sparkling jewels dotted her crown and clustered at her throat. Behind her walked the twins, who'd forsaken their usual white for teal and black guard uniforms, complete with furry hats, and spears. Their black masks covered only their eyes and made a stark contrast against their white skin.
Last in the procession was Sarah. She wore the white crop top and leather pants, with a black mask that matched the twins. A lumpy scabbard hung from a low slung belt. Katelina recognized the handle that peeked out.
Verchiel squinted. "What's she using for a dagger?"
"It's the blade of Nu-Gua. She got it from Andrei as part of a settlement."
Verchiel coughed. "Why does he owe her a settlement?"
"Some crap about it being Claudius' interest in their joint company. Since Troy made her, they say she technically belonged to Claudius' coven."
"Did he offer Hectia money?"
Katelina started to ask who, then remembered the vampiress they'd run into months ago. "That's right. She was a member of Claudius' coven. Andrei made it sound like Sarah was the only survivor."
"She's not. There's Hectia, and Lennon, and several others who are still alive. It seems more likely he used that as an excuse to dump something he didn't want. It's cursed, you know."
"That's what Sorino said. Something about it being made by the gods for a war among themselves."
A familiar voice purred from behind her, "What did Sorino say?"
Katelina turned to find the vampire in question. He was dressed in a velvet vest and high collared cape, with his hair slicked back. Despite his long nosed mask, the effect called to mind Dracula.
"Very good," he said. "And this is my hellhound."
He motioned to Kai, who wore a tight pair of furry pants and a set of pointed ears. An exaggerated collar was clasped around his neck, and the usual slender chain was replaced with a thick plastic one. His naked chest sported a thousand scars, like a topographical map of past pain.
Verchiel nodded to them. "We were discussing the blade of Nu-Gua."
"You might be interested to know I asked Andrei about it."
Katelina refused to beg the vampire for information, but Verchiel had no problem. At his prompting, Sorino continued, "He said he felt it was better to return it to Claudius' coven. Of course we all know that's ridiculous, and I told him so. He finally admitted he hasn't felt at ease since he found out what it was. That's why he was willing to insult so many of his usual guests by slighting them and inviting younger vampires instead. Like Anya and her brother. He hoped to pass it off to them. However, when the price was too low, the ignorant were suspicious, and those who knew what it was weren't interested. He tried the staff next, but when the guests refused to take it, they knew something was amiss. I imagine he's delighted to pass it off to her, considering who's looking for it."
"Who's that?" Katelina asked.
Sorino's eyes twinkled. "You should really brush up on your mythology, child."
"Humor us," Verchiel said. "Who wants it?"
"The mighty Samael, of course. So says the legend that he shall wield the blade of Creation and strike his foe from the earth. What better candidate for the sword of Creation than the blade of Nu-Gua, also known in Chinese mythology as Nuwa, the Goddess of creation?"
Nuwa. The name rang like a bell in Katelina's head. "Samael mentioned her-she's the one who refused to turn him-she's also the one who destroyed their kingdom. When he and his friend took over a civilization, Nuwa and her army eventually destroyed them in a great war. Holy shit. The gods. Samael always calls them gods. That was the war of the gods, the war the sword was forged for!"
Sorino nearly glowed with interest. "And if Samael is seeking the weapon, no doubt his counterpart wants it too. What better blade for Lilith to use than the one prophesized for her enemy?"
