Chapter 585
Katelina shook her head. "I don't think Samael is looking for the blade of Nuwa. He hasn't mentioned it."
"You're still in communication with him, even after the change?"
As if to save her from a reply, Verchiel announced, "I love this song," and dragged her toward the dance floor with a wave to their acquaintances.
He stopped in a likely place and put his hand on her waist.
"You know how to dance?" she asked doubtfully.
"Sort of."
Katelina looked to the swirling dancers. Skirts flared and feathers swished. "I don't. Not like that."
"I guess we'll fake it." He caught her other hand in his. "At least for a couple of twirls, or Sorino will know we ran away from him." He gave her a spin. "You know, if Andrei thinks Samael's after that dagger, it's no wonder he demanded extra security."
Katelina stumbled over Verchiel's feet. "You mean it wasn't really a bunch of political crap?" She thought about what their host said when they first arrived, that though they should protect the guests his coven came first. "Now that you mention it, he said he'd requested us because of the Children of Shadows and the rumors of a 'maniacal vampire's resurrection'. I knew he meant Samael, but I didn't bother to wonder why he'd worry about him."
"I'd bet that sword is the reason."
They swung around and knocked into a pair of dancers. Verchiel apologized. When it happened twice more, a dark irritated shape tapped Verchiel on the shoulder.
They stopped and looked to Jorick's hard face. "I'm cutting in before you trip her and break her legs."
"You're on duty," the redhead said cheerfully. At Jorick's furious expression he stopped. "I suppose one dance would be okay. Next time find your own date." He disappeared before Jorick could club him, and reappeared near the door.
Jorick swept Katelina up and twirled effortlessly. Though she didn't know the steps, she did her best not to step on his toes.
"I didn't know you could dance," she murmured after a perfectly executed move.
"Of course I can. I used to attend Oren's soirees, or whatever Jesslynn called them. Before that Malick insisted Kateesha and I learn. He enjoyed watching us."
Katelina battled a mixture of hatred and misplaced jealousy.
"At least you realize it's misplaced," he commented to her thoughts. "I'd rather dance with you than her."
"Even though I keep stepping on your feet?"
He laughed and lifted her in the air so her feet dangled as he moved through the steps of the dance. "Easily fixed."
She wriggled and he put her back down as the song ended. Katelina applauded politely with the others. A new song began, slower than the last.
Jorick pulled her close and moved through the flowing steps. She felt his eyes on her and looked up to meet his gaze. Longing melted through her like warm butter. Though it wasn't hers, the intensity of it made her cheeks tint.
"You're beautiful," he murmured and crushed her tighter to him. "I'm sorry I failed to tell you earlier."
"It's okay. Verchiel's right. You have a lot on your mind tonight." She paused, then added, "Plus there's the strain of being nice to him."
She felt Jorick's surprise. "I didn't think you'd noticed. But, yes, I've been trying. Because it upsets you." His voice took on a gruff note. "Not that I understand why you care."
"Because I'm tired of all the fighting. It's soul draining."
"As if we have souls." When she stiffened he sighed. "I'm sorry. You may be from a new generation that adores the sympathetic villain, but society never put piety with blood drinking and darkness before."
"You don't need to be pious to have a soul. You're born with one whether you're good or evil. Even Malick had one, as twisted and black as it was."
"That's an interesting description. If his was twisted and black, what's mine?"
"Dark and sad," she answered without thinking. "With a core of pure golden light you're always trying to hide."
He chuckled. "And yours would be pink with rainbows, I suppose?" Before she could reply, he crushed a kiss to her lips that left her body tingling.
It ended too soon. "I should get back to work. Jamie's staring at us."
She followed Jorick's eyes to see the Executioner in question, arms crossed and expression hard.
"If you insist," she murmured.
She felt his reluctance as he pulled away. "Later," he promised with a wink and a final kiss.
As he walked away, she tried to calm her pounding heart and locate her so-called date. She looked over the guests; she recognized William dressed as a black masked pirate, talking to Yuki, the Asian vampire from Saskatchewan. She was dressed in black from head to toe, with copious amounts of feathers that made Katelina think of a swan. Brandle, in a green and purple jester costume, spoke to the goth-girl twins, who were dressed as angels, complete with shimmering white wings and halos. Borne appeared, costumed as the devil. Katelina thought that a demon suited all three.
She caught a glimpse of Anya, dressed as a Greek archeress, before she located Verchiel. He was near the fairy forest, talking to Trivila. Her handmaiden gown matched Annabelle's, and the circlet shone with ruby gems against her blonde hair. Though she nodded to whatever he said, her body language said she wanted to escape.
When Katelina interrupted, Trivila shot her a grateful look and hurried away.
"Hey! I was working my magic," Verchiel objected.
"That's why she ran at the first chance?" Katelina teased.
He nodded to the dance floor. "It doesn't look like your friend is having trouble with the opposite sex."
Katelina looked to see Sarah in Des' arms, swaying to the slow music. "Good for them. I'm sure joining our enemies suits her."
The giant clock chimed twelve-thirty. The music stopped and the costumed servants hurried to open the gates of the castle and fold back the sides. Katelina moved to see past them. The stage was still there, though now it held a pair of ornate thrones with a coat of arms above them. A red carpet rolled down to the gates, ending shy of the brown paper path. Heavy red draperies hung around the thrones, and glittering potted plants gave a touch of fairytale greenery.
Andrei made a show of taking Annabelle's hand. Holding it high, he led her from their spot by the door to the thrones. Trivila and Marna trailed after them, carrying the trains of their cloaks. The guests parted for them and, like something from a pageant, they took their seats.
Andrei gave a gloved wave. The vampires who were gathered near the castle moved to leave a large open space. A chime sounded and the theater troupe jogged through the door on their toes, dressed in their togas and their masks. They circled the room, then came to a final stop before the host and hostess. The front row bowed deeply, then danced backwards while the next row moved up and did the same thing. When they'd all bowed, they broke apart and moved to the sides. A single vampire stepped forward and explained in rhyme that in honor of the hosts they had a new presentation that had never been seen before. Andrei gave a nod and waved them to continue.
Sorino walked up behind Verchiel. "This should be interesting. I had a little chat with them after their last performance, and they promised to correct a few things."
Before Katelina could ask what he meant, the narrator set the scene and promised this version was the truth behind the myth. The vampires who represented Samael and Lilith danced into the center, only this time Samael wore the red heart on his chest. They danced and sang a song about their love, accompanied by the orchestra. The joy turned to anger, and soon they threw bitter words instead of kisses. Lilith danced away and Samael turned to the vampires on the side. Three came forward. One after another, he danced with each, as he had in the last performance. Instead of watching jealously, Lilith was busy dancing with her own vampires. They did a round of beautiful choreography that broke to leave Lilith and Samael in the center, circling one another. They danced closer, then back again, pantomiming their fight. At last, as Samael leered in her face, a vampire from her side leapt forward, spun him around, and ripped the heart from his chest.
Samael stumbled backwards and fell artfully to the floor. Katelina readied to clap politely, but the play didn't end. Instead Lilith carefully arranged her fallen lover, and sang a song of triumph. Samael's three wives wept. Lilith moved to each and motioned across them, as though slitting their throats. They crumpled to the floor, and she took up a dance with the one who'd helped murder her husband.
The other vampires joined. While they reveled and sang, one of the wives rose and swapped her mask for a new one. With her new face she approached the prone Samael and danced around him. On the third circle he lifted his hand. She took it and helped him to his feet.
That's not at all what happened, Katelina thought angrily.
Samael and his savior sang a short song, then he released her and turned for Lilith, still busy in her miniature party. A vampire from the sidelines handed him a shiny sword, and he fell on the group, slashing and swinging. Vampires crumpled to the floor, until at last only Lilith remained. Her hands fluttered to her breast and she ran around, seeking escape. The guests clapped and hemmed her in tighter, until Samael caught her. They circled in another fight that ended with him stabbing her. She stumbled backwards and, in a showy death scene, dropped to the ground with a final bout of rhyming regret.
Katelina clapped with the others, and tried to ignore the shivers Kali's laughter sent through her.
"She seems very amused," Sorino commented.
Against her will, Katelina's eyes were drawn to the vampiress. She stood, the twins on one side and Sarah on the other, clapping. Her hard eyes glittered. Something about the set of her mouth felt wrong, as though it wasn't humor that made her laugh.
Katelina's skin crawled and the hairs stood on the back of her neck. She looked away, but her stomach tightened, as though a gathering storm was ready to unleash its fury.
She felt Verchiel stiffen, and she looked to see Sorino cock an eyebrow. "How interesting. Do you feel the sudden tension?"
Katelina nodded. "What is it?"
As if in answer, words rang through her head. "I am here."
