Chapter 622
Jamie called a few minutes later with the same story. When Jorick hung up, he gave Oren and Etsuko a more detailed rundown. "-The Atormentadores dealt with it by setting fire "
Katelina interrupted. "Who are the Arrto-whatever?"
He made a low noise in his throat. "The Atormentadores are the Mexican Executioners. As I was saying, they set fire to the entire village to destroy the evidence."
Katelina gaped. "They burned a whole town? What about the people?"
"Presumably they were lost. Jamie said the human news reported no survivors."
No survivors. An entire town gone. "Did Lilith kill everyone, or was it the Mexican Executioners?"
"I don't know," Jorick said patiently. "Jamie isn't there yet. He has very little information."
"They're sure it was Lilith?" Oren asked.
"No," Jorick said. "But from what Jamie and Verchiel gathered, the damage sounded similar."
"Why Texas?" Oren asked. "You said Katelina's friend escaped and came here, hence the destruction. What could have happened in a Texas village?"
"I have no idea," Jorick admitted. "Jamie said there were no vampires registered in the area. They're not sure it was her. As I said"
"Yes, yes. The witnesses are dead and the evidence destroyed." Oren waved it away. "Do you want to go? Or wait until there's more information?"
Katelina sagged. "I don't think there's a choice, is there?"
"There's always a choice," Jorick said. "I'm sure you're welcome to remain here." The look on Oren's face said otherwise, but Jorick went on. "No doubt the Neanderthal would take you to see your mother."
"How would we get through the roadblocks?" Katelina asked with frustration. "How would we get around the curfew? If I was a whisperer, sure, but I'm not. I'm-useless."
Oren coughed lightly, as if fighting not to agree.
"You're not useless," Jorick took her hand.
Etsuko bobbed her head. "Of course Katelina-san is welcome. However, I believe Micah-san plans to go with Jorick-sama, so he would be unavailable to drive to the hospital."
Jorick looked surprised. "I didn't invite him."
Oren rolled his eyes. "Yes, but Loren's human is going, so Loren's going, which means-"
Jorick scowled. "I didn't invite her either."
Loren's human? Katelina thought. Interesting.
"The more help the better." Oren hesitated. "Unless you object, I will join you."
Katelina thought of Estrilda. How many helpers did they want finding out about her? Previously a father to immortal children, Oren would be trustworthy, as would Etsuko, but the others- "Sarah's not the only one Lilith took. There's also Annabelle's daughter. A vampire child."
"I see," Oren said.
Katelina nodded. "So not just anyone can come. We can't risk Estrilda being reported."
"While I would not report Estrilda-san, I think it better if I remain here," Etsuko said.
Oren made a low noise in his throat. "As you wish. In that case, Torina will probably come as well. Of course, she's trustworthy. Micah is safe enough, and Loren. As to the human, no one would listen to her, not that I think she'd say anything."
"What about Zander?" Katelina asked. "He'll want to come."
"He doesn't seem well versed in the modern laws," Jorick soothed.
Oren snorted. "He doesn't seem well versed in anything modern. Earlier, it took him twenty minutes to change the TV channel."
Jorick leaned into the front room, then back. "Where is he now?"
Etsuko bobbed her head. "Zander-sama went for a walk, to seek counsel from his goddess."
Oren and Jorick exchanged looks. "I'll speak to him later about the trip," Jorick finally said.
How about after we get back?
It was nearly bedtime when Jorick told Zander about Texas. "Are you sure you want to travel that far?"
Zander cocked his head to the side. "I have traveled farther."
Being more than a thousand years old, he probably had.
They showed him to the basement where Etsuko offered him Loren's box.
"I apologize for the meager lodgings. If Zander-sama would like, I can bring a pillow or blanket to make it more comfortable?"
"No, thank you. This is fine." He cleared his throat. "Is there a quiet place where I can perform my nightly prayers?"
Prayers? Katelina looked to Jorick, who shrugged.
"Yes of course," Etsuko said. "Would it please Zander-sama to use the library?"
As she led him away, Katelina laid down on her blanket. "You don't suppose those prayers to the Night Goddess involve sacrificing someone?"
"I doubt it." Jorick stretched out and pulled her close. "Where would he find a victim?"
"I don't know. Kai? Xandria? No one's guarding them."
"Kai and Sorino are linked," Jorick reminded her. "He can see what Kai sees. He'd do something about it."
"Only because Kai is his meal ticket." She knew what Jorick's reply was going to be: stay out of other vampires' relationships, but it was hard. Whatever love Kai felt for Sorino was Stockholm Syndrome. If she could just show him-
The burn of a mind reader blossomed in her head. Jorick cleared his throat. "Even if it is, let it be."
"You can't mean that? Kai's basically in love with his abuser."
"It's your opinion of abuse, Katelina. Who are you to decide? Just as some people enjoy whips and chains, or sex in uncomfortable places"
"Don't compare this to BDSM or something consensual. Those people are adults who know what they're doing."
"Do they? Are you in their heads? I find it interesting how you pick and choose which things to deem deplorable and which to accept."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said." He pressed a kiss behind her ear that sent a delightful shiver down her spine. "If we were alone-" The thought trailed off, but she knew what it was. She could feel his desire, hot and pressing into her back.
"It's your fault we're always with an army." She dropped the subject as Brandle took the blanket near theirs. Xandria's comment came back to her. "How do you ever get laid?"
It made her want to kick the woman all over again.
