Chapter 617
Back at Oren's den, Katelina joined Kai in front of the TV. They made it through three shows before Loren and Xandria appeared. Katelina wasn't ready to face him, so she made a show of standing and stretching. "I wonder where Jorick is."
"I think he's with Oren," Xandria replied. "They might be in the library."
"Library?"
The woman waved her hand in a vague direction. With a shrug, Katelina headed off. A library was something Jorick would have, but Oren? Was he an avid reader? Thinking on it, she didn't know what his hobbies were.
She followed the hallway to a partially open door and stuck her head inside. There were two bookcases against one wall, and a weight bench where Micah was seated.
"Come to get some practice in?" he asked.
"No. Why are you lifting weights? You can't build up muscle, can you? I mean, vampires can't get stronger like that?"
"Nah." He stood and flexed his arms, as if demonstrating he was already fantastic enough. "But lifting weights is relaxing. Go on."
She stepped back. "It's okay. I'm looking for Jorick." She eyed the bookshelves. "Is this the library?"
Micah laughed. "Library? I guess, if ya wanna call it that."
"Ah. Xandria said Jorick was in here with Oren. Never mind." As she turned to go, something shiny caught her eye. She looked back to a silver vase perched in front of the books, then on to several other gleaming items. "Those look expensive."
"I thought so." He winked. "Pipsqueak and I stopped off at Claudius' place before we came here. There was a lot of nice crap no one was using."
Katelina thought of the destruction at the mansion. "Did you spray paint everything?"
"No. Got over that shit by the time I was out of junior high, Princess. Vandalism don't gain nothin'."
She couldn't fault him for taking the stuff. The owner was dead. Why leave it there to get ruined?
"We got a bunch of shit. This is just the stuff I got cleaned up so far. If you're a good girl, maybe I'll let you look through it later. I bet ol' grump ass' house could use some decorating."
It could, but she wasn't going to admit that. "Right." She took a step toward the door, then thought of the horror in the living room. "Hey, I have a question. Xandria and Loren-?"
"What about 'em?"
"Are they a thing? Like, is he in love with her?"
"How the hell should I know?" When Katelina glared, Micah relented. "I think he thinks he is. But he thought so with Ume, didn't he? And probably with half a dozen chicks before that. I think he wants to be in love. I dunno why. It's not worth it."
"Says who?"
"Says someone who's been around the block, kiddo. It's all well and good at first when you both think it's some bunch of magic bullshit. Then it breaks down to who leaves the light on, who won't pick their socks up, and who tracked shit all over the kitchen. Pretty soon you don't give a fuck anymore."
"That's kind of bleak."
"Life's bleak, kid. But hey, maybe you'll be busy slaying vampires and won't notice. Or have you given up your vampire killing now that you're one of us?" He slapped her on the back, then moved back to the bench. "If you're looking for Jorick try the kitchen. I think he and Oren were looking for somewhere private to hatch plans and shit."
Plans and shit? Great, just what they needed.
But Etsuko was the only one in the kitchen, carefully filling small bottles from a large jug. Even without the smell, Katelina knew what the liquid was. Her stomach tightened.
Etsuko turned to her with a smile. "Would Katelina-san like a drink?"
"Uh, no, thank you." Despite her words, she stared at the neat row of crimson filled bottles.
Etsuko held one out to her. "Please. Katelina-san is welcome."
She told herself it would be rude not to, then took the bottle with a half embarrassed smile and a mumbled, "Thanks."
Etsuko turned back to her task. "Katelina-san will excuse me, please? I am almost done."
Concentrating on sipping instead of gulping, it took her a second to realize Etsuko had spoken. "It's fine."
Etsuko paused her work. "The blood lust will fade as Katelina-san ages. It is nothing to be embarrassed of. It happens to all new vampires."
Katelina flinched. Right. Etsuko was a mind reader, like Oren. "That's what Jorick says."
"Jorick-sama is wise."
Katelina took a long sip, but forced herself to break it off. "Have you seen him?"
"I believe Jorick-sama and Oren-sama are outside." There was a pause, then she added, "With Torina-san."
"How are you two getting along?"
"Myself and Torina-san? The situation is tolerable."
Though Etsuko gave a polite smile, the words said it all. Tolerable was Etsuko speak for "I hate her and I hope she disappears." Or that was how Katelina took it.
"I would not use the word hate," Etsuko said. "Torina-san is-unhappy and afraid. She tries to hide those feelings behind an unfriendly mask."
Afraid. Katelina'd once overheard Jorick accuse Torina of that. It was an emotion she couldn't associate with the vampiress.
Katelina finished the bottle and handed it back. "Thank you. I'll go see if I can find them." With a half wave, she headed through the back door. Outside, the spring sky sparkled with stars. A night breeze whispered of green plants and summer's approach. It was comfortingly familiar; the way it smelled, the way it felt, like the summers of her youth. She thought of Sarah, of laughing with her, trying on swimsuits, talking for hours on the phone, staying up all night and, when they were older, of going to the bars, double dating, eating ice cream and watching horror movies.
We'll do it again. I promise.
She came across Des as she headed for the barn. The dark vampire's brow was furrowed. Whatever his problem, he kept it to himself, and they passed in silence.
Around the corner of the building, she saw Torina, a cigarette in her hand. With her long red nails, perfect hair, and soft green dress, she looked like a 60s cigarette advertisement.
That explains why he looked mad.
Before Katelina could say anything, Torina snapped, "What do you want?"
