Chapter 628
Jorick stayed to talk to Jamie. Katelina was tired of Executioners, and slipped outside to steal a cigarette from Micah. She knocked on several doors, ending at Brandle's.
"Sorry. I don't know where he is. Did you need him for something important?"
"Just a cigarette."
Brandle fished a pack from his pocket. "As it stands, I have a few of my own I don't mind sharing."
"I didn't know you smoked."
"Occasionally, when the mood strikes." He stepped outside to light one for her, then lit his own. "How did the meeting with the Atormentadores go?"
"Despite what Verchiel said, it was useless." She filled him in and added, "If he'd read their minds he could have gotten all of that in under a minute."
"I'm not sure he'd have gotten as much as he did by observing them. You learn a lot from word choice, and no doubt body language."
"But mind reading"
Brandle smiled indulgently. "I'm not sure Verchiel's as accomplished as you believe. I suspect half of his powers are actually deductive reasoning. He's someone who's spent a great deal of time observing people; their interactions, their subtle movements, the nuances of their voice. Either he's a patient individual, or the schooling interested him."
"I think he'd be the second. He doesn't seem patient."
"No, he appears rather flighty. But perhaps that's affected."
"You think he fakes his short attention span? Why would he do that?"
Brandle shrugged. "People more readily accept a buffoon than someone intelligent. He can throw up his hands and say, 'I have the same problem. I'm not a scary Executioner, I'm one of you. The Guild makes me do this.' People respond. They understand. They're even sympathetic because they've been forced to do things they didn't want to. And of course, everyone knows The Guild is evil."
"Maybe. Most people get impatient with him."
"Impatience is a sort of cooperation. They don't fight or cause trouble because he's beneath them, something flighty and childish. I believe it's a defense mechanism."
Katelina saw the logic, but-"Why would he need to be defensive?"
"Probably because he has a habit of sticking his nose where it doesn't belong."
"That's one of the reasons Jorick hates him."
"I don't think he hates him," Brandle said thoughtfully. "More like resents him. Jorick's under the impression that Verchiel's had an easy life, that his carefree attitude is a result of happy circumstances. Pity he can't read his mind. If Jorick spent a moment in his head, he'd find it's quite the opposite."
Brandle's psychoanalysis left Katelina intrigued. "Really?"
"Ah, now, I've said more than I should. I do that on occasion. Anything else you want to know, you'll have to ask our redheaded friend. I'll say only, he's more complex than you give him credit for."
"Verchiel? Complex? How?"
Brandle laid his finger by his nose. "You should ask him. Or learn to read minds yourself. I understand from Kai that you've a bit of the ability?"
She didn't like that they'd been talking about her. "Eh. Sort of. I never get it to work right."
"There is no right. Like every talent, it's different for each user. No two artists paint the same portrait, and no two mind readers read minds precisely the same. For instance, did you notice I just read yours?"
Katelina clutched her head. "No."
"Don't worry. I only saw your ever present concern for your mother. My point is, when some vampires peer into your thoughts, you're aware of their intrusion, while others can sneak in and out unnoticed. Some see only the thoughts running through your mind, while some pick through your brain like a book. Still others drop whole hearted into your deepest memories."
"Yes." Katelina nodded emphatically. "That's what it's like. Like I'm them, seeing through their eyes, feeling what they feel-and sometimes I can randomly feel other people's feelings."
"Because you're a more empathetic reader," Brandle said. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. It is a gift, like any other. Don't discount it because it's different than those around you."
"But I don't just want to be a mind reader. I want to be a whisperer."
Brandle smiled. "Don't we all? Alas, it's a talent that has also eluded me. Perhaps in time." As he drew the last puff on his cigarette, he nodded to the robed figure of Zander, coming toward them. "I believe our new friend has come to say hello."
Zander nodded a greeting. "Do you wish to join my sunset prayer? It is normally a private matter, shared only with the faithful, but as you are interested in our worship, I thought it acceptable to ask you."
Katelina was far from interested in his worship. No matter what he said, she'd seen the Night Goddess festival first hand. She owned the dagger Memnon used to sacrifice to the deity. It was a religion of blood and death she didn't want near. But, her curiosity was piqued. What would prayers to such a goddess be like?
"Thank you," Brandle said. "I have witnessed prayers to the goddess before. I'm interested to see how your sect does it."
Zander looked at Katelina. Though he had no mind reading abilities, it felt like his ancient eyes bored through her. "Sure. I mean, thank you."
"Of course. You will come to my quarters?"
Zander headed off without waiting. Brandle pulled his door shut. "This should be most enlightening."
Katelina wasn't sure she wanted to be enlightened.
Zander's room was dark, lit only by three candles arranged on an end table. Next to them sat a golden bowl and a worn leather-bound book. A cone of incense spiraled musky smoke. A dagger's blade winked in the flickering light. At the sight of the weapon, Katelina tensed.
Zander bowed his head, oblivious to her worry. "Since you are not familiar with the ancient tongue, I will perform the rites in your language. The Night Goddess sees the intent, and will accept the prayers, no matter the tongue used."
"Thank you." Brandle inclined his head. "That's very thoughtful."
"I am ready to begin." Zander motioned them to stay to the side, then knelt before his makeshift altar. "Goddess of the Night, spread your dark wings and fly to your repose. As you go, allow your consort to rise, whose golden splendor does not diminish your power, but magnifies it. For great and magnificent are you, beautiful as the raven, wise as the owl, cunning as the serpent. Your beauty bends all to your will. With your wisdom and cunning you lead your children to the truth.
"As this night ends, we thank thee, Goddess, for the life eternal that springs from your scarlet fount, given freely to your children. We supplicate ourselves to you. In the obsidian night of our new world you are our light and guide, our mother and our teacher. We follow your words, and reap the divine.
"If it is your will, great Mother, we ask you lay low our enemies, and lead us always down your path. Send us signs, on the wings of your servants, that we might know your eternal love. Allow us to see you reflected in all. Remind us that, though our flesh came from many wombs, we share the blood of our dark mother, thus all are one. Help us to follow your scriptures, knowing that through them you have given us the greatest gift; your wisdom.
"Let us never forget: blood is freedom, and freedom is blood. In your blood we have found the freedom from earthly cares, and in blood we must repay."
Katelina met Brandle's eyes. She didn't like the direction this was going. Zander said he needed twenty sacrifices a year presumably for twenty holy days. That would mean nearly two a month. For all they knew, tonight was one of those. Maybe that was why he'd asked them to join: because he needed blood.
Just in case, she looked for a weapon. A lamp was the closest thing. She wasn't sure if she could reach it in time. Zander was old, and probably fast.
He went on, unaware of her mounting worry. "I thank you, Goddess. In gratitude of this night, and the nights to come, we offer this." Katelina flinched as he picked up the knife and stood. "May this sacrifice appease you, Goddess, and repay some small part of the debt owed to you." He turned to face them, the dagger raised. "The blood of the young tastes sweet, but the immortal holds more flavor. We give to you that which is most precious. Blood is freedom and freedom is blood."
Katelina started for the lamp.
