Chapter 60
Katelina quickly put on the red dress and tried to stretch the material away from her skin. It was knee length and clingy with a flared skirt. Instead of straps it thankfully had sleeves, though they were only three-quarter length.
Jorick tilted his head. "Well, I have to admit it's not as fetching as the last one, but it will suffice. Let's join the others and leave this place."
He'd said the words she'd been waiting to hear. She placed her hand in his and an eager smile broke over her face. "Anywhere but here," she said emphatically and allowed him to lead her through the house and out the newly repaired front door.
The sky was a deep, royal purple. Streaks of red were still visible in the west, while diamond studded stars were already appearing in the east. It was late dusk, the magical time that is neither night nor day, when all of the monsters of one's imagination began to creep from under the bed, preparing for the darkness. But she knew now that monsters didn't always look like monsters.
They walked through the overgrown yard to the sidewalk where Oren stood. He leaned against the giant blue car with his arms crossed over his chest, the last of the dying day reflected in his strange golden eyes. His sister was half draped over the hood next to him. She stared past Jorick and Katelina as Kateesha swept out of the house and followed them.
"I see the human survived the night," Kateesha commented lightly as she joined them. All eyes turned to her and everyone looked equally unenthusiastic to see the vampiress.
"Yes, Kateesha," Jorick replied shortly. "Did you expect her to die in the coffin?"
"Well, one never knows with the frailty of mortals." A cruel smile graced her lips.
"They are not that frail," Jorick replied nastily. "What did you plan to do? Kill her while I slept? Even you can't be foolish enough to murder a human who is under another's protection?"
"Oh yes, I know that you've claimed her," Kateesha scoffed, dismissing it in the same breath. "I was unaware that you held with such antiquated ideals. I assumed that since you refuse to follow the other Laws this one would be beneath you as well. Still, I suppose that not everyone can resist the temptation to claim a human slave."
Oren pushed himself up from the car and strode to stand before her. "The oaths have been fulfilled, our time here is done."
The dark vampiress turned her eyes back on Jorick. "Will you leave so easily?"
His voice was cold. "Yes, Kateesha. I owe you nothing more, nor do I want anything more from you." He gazed at her meaningfully as he wrapped his arm around Katelina's waist.
"That is such a shame, Jorick." She closed the gap between them and trailed her fingers over his chest lustfully. "Think what we could accomplish together! You choose to fight it, but Malick made me for you. We are destined to be together."
Jorick caught her hand and threw it away as though he'd been burned. "We share no destiny."
Her eyes grew hard and brittle like sharp glass. "You would choose a mortal over me? And one who is substandard, no less?"
"I would choose death over you, Kateesha." He squeezed Katelina even tighter, a wad of her red dress clenched tightly in his angry fist.
Kateesha's perfect face twisted in fury. "Then so be it, Jorick. Our alliance ends here. When next we meet, you'll get your wish!"
"I doubt that. Never forget who is the elder." His hard features softened as he turned his attention to Katelina. "Come, little one," he said and steered her towards the car.
She followed blindly; happy to go anywhere that took her away from the dark woman. Oren swung the door open and waited for them to climb in. She laid her hand on the metal frame and ducked her head to do just that, when a voice hissed inside her head, "You will die, pathetic mortal. I will feast on your blood and your flesh, and when Jorick has forgotten that you ever lived I will have him as my willing slave."
Katelina spun around and glared at the gloating vampiress. "Fuck you," she spat and then turned back and climbed into the backseat. Jorick gave her a curious glance, but chose not to comment as he slid in next to her. Torina and Oren were equally silent as they took their places, neither looking at the other as the car rumbled to life.
They drove down the road and Katelina stared out the window. Her eyes were locked on the tiny, dilapidated house where Kateesha still stood, surrounded by her four new followers. Under the flickering street lights, their shadows stretched long across the lawn, like clawing hands ever reaching.
Only when they made it to the highway did Oren speak. "She will pose a threat now."
Jorick sighed. "She always has."
"But, she will be more of a threat than ever. Once she has taken complete control of Claudius' coven-"
"Let Kateesha go, she is not your battle. As you said, oaths have been fulfilled." His eyes flicked to Torina. "One day she will be forced to pay for her transgressions."
"That day will not come soon enough," the redhead muttered under her breath before falling silent.
Raindrops soon pelted the windshield. Katelina closed her eyes and saw a half formed vision of Patrick; his blue eyes dancing with laughter, his shock of blonde hair an untidy mess. Kateesha's voice echoed in her head, repeating words she'd spoken last night, "You were only supposed to guard her, not fall in love with her! Did Patrick know?"
She burrowed her head into Jorick's side and willed the evil thoughts to leave her in peace. She wondered for the umpteenth time how she had come to be there. Why had she listened to that mysterious voice on the phone? Why hadn't she stayed home where she belonged, away from walking nightmares and death? But she knew the answer, and it was no more comforting than the questions were.
