Chapter 629
Brandle grabbed Katelina before she could move more than an inch. Her rebuke died when Zander drew the blade across his own hand. He turned back to the altar and squeezed a few drops of blood into the bowl, then knelt again.
"May the Goddess of Night accept this sacrifice in the spirit it is given. May it recompense some small portion of a debt that cannot be paid. Now we leave you in peace and gratitude. Batna, you are our queen."
Zander used the bloody bowl to douse the candles, one at a time. The task completed, he made a sign with his hand, then rose and turned to them. "You have seen that our ritual is nothing like the one you attended. I would weep for those who have strayed so far from our scriptures. I can only pray that the Goddess' judgement be swift and merciful."
Katelina relaxed. "You're right. It's nothing like the feast I was at."
Zander gathered his items. "The hour grows late. If you wish, another time I will read for you some of our scriptures."
Was he trying to recruit them? She gave a vague nod and Brandle said, "You're right. The sun will come soon. Thank you again."
"You are most welcome."
Katelina followed Brandle outside. He escorted her to her room. It was only when they reached the door that she said, "That was terrifying. I thought he was going to kill us."
"I won't deny that other versions of Night Goddess worship involve death. His seems very different. I wonder where it came from."
"You mean who made it up?" she asked.
"I mean who was inspired to write down their scriptures."
"Inspired is a strong word. It's not like the Night Goddess is real."
"She is to Zander, and probably to others." Katelina dismissed it and Brandle added, "Do you know for sure that your God is real?"
Though she wasn't a church goer, and had never been ultra-religious, she still had strong feelings on it. "Of course I'm sure. But the Night Goddess is made up, like Zeus."
Brandle laughed. "Careful, no doubt someone believes in him as fiercely as you believe in your god. But you are young. You'll understand one day. Now I must bid you good night and sweet dreams." He gave a sweeping bow, then headed for his room, his chuckle floating after him.
***
Near dawn, Katelina snuggled into bed next to Jorick, still contemplating the ritual. The thoughts folded into dreams. She drifted on tides until she landed in a familiar apartment. A blue couch had fluffy pillows. A television was unnaturally clean. The faint smell of flowers lingered from scented candles.
Zander sat on the couch, his face serious. Then he morphed into Brad. The mirthless expression melted into amusement as he laughed at a joke. Sarah perched in a chair across from him, her eyes shining.
"It's a shame your date was such a jerk," Brad said.
Katelina shrugged, her thoughts thick with alcohol. "That's what happens when I let Sarah fix me up." She dissolved into giggles.
Sarah batted at her. "Hey! He seemed nice at work."
"Yeah, I know. Or I wouldn't have agreed."
Sarah stood and wobbled. "If you'll excuse me, the bladder demands." She staggered for the bathroom.
Katelina laughed at her friend, hard enough to make her body shake. She tried to lean back, but lost her balance and fell sideways, into Brad.
She looked up at him. Sandy blonde hair fell over his forehead, and blue eyes peered back, the color of a summer sky. Something in their depths choked off the laughter in her throat.
He touched her face with his fingertips and smiled. "You really did deserve a better date."
"Yeah," she agreed hoarsely, lost for words.
His smile stretched. He closed the tiny gap between them. Lips brushed hers, warm, soft. She returned the kiss, until her brain fired enough to stop her.
"You and Sarah?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I like her, but we're not a couple."
Though Sarah had earmarked him, they'd only gone out twice, and she'd never said they were committed. It was good enough for Katelina. She shifted to wind her arms around his neck. His hand settled in the small of her back, pulling her closer.
Then her stomach heaved.
She leaned back, embarrassed, covering her mouth. Her stomach gurgled, clutched, and heaved again.
"Sorry," she mumbled and dashed for the kitchen. She barely made it to the sink in time. The spill of alcohol and half-digested hamburger made her sicker. When her stomach was empty, she leaned on the counter, her brow sweaty and her mouth thick with the taste of bile.
Sarah looked in. "Oh shit. You're sick." She stumbled to her, giggling. "You shouldn't have had that last margarita."
Katelina's agreement disappeared under the fog of dreamland. She was suddenly in her apartment, in bed. Sunlight slanted through the window. She held the phone to her aching head. Sarah prattled on the other end, detailing what happened after she left.
"then we moved to the bedroom."
The story went on. Katelina dropped back to her pillow and groaned softly. It looked like they were a couple now.
The sunny bedroom faded away with her humiliation. At least Brad never brought that up again, and she'd die before she did. The incident made things uncomfortable at first. As months passed, it became a vague alcohol flavored half-memory.
Not real.
She dropped into unfamiliar surroundings. Windowless walls hung heavy with art. Ornate furniture called to mind a bygone era.
She drew closer to a partially open vault door in the back of the room. She couldn't see Samael, but she could feel him; feel how the air crackled with his excitement.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Walls were lined in glass cabinets, displaying broken pottery and tarnished statuettes. In the middle of the room, Samael was perched on a table, holding an oblong piece of metal. Streaked in green, the irregular edges and worn surface spoke of age, but not purpose. As she drew closer, she could make out what might have been a winged lion etched on the surface, surrounded by unfamiliar markings.
"What is that?"
Samael looked up. "Like all things from antiquity, it is known by many names in many cultures. For my part, it was the shield of ZhuRong, carried by he who laid waste to our kingdom of gluttony and slayed the one who was like my brother. I hold no ill will. The punishment was just. I have told you before how he went insane with power."
Samael laid the shield aside and stood to pace the room, hands clasped behind his back. "More importantly, she draws near. She has taken Nuwa's blade, and she seeks the shield of ZhuRong, believing that the power of the ancients will defeat me. How she must fear me." He stopped pacing to spin toward Katelina. "Well she should. Tonight, she will be here, and I will end her."
Tonight? "Where are we? I mean where is this?"
"I know not the name man has given it." He made a dismissive gesture. "In future it will be known as the grave of the she-demon."
Katelina's panic oozed through the cracks of Samael's delight. "But if we don't know where you are, how can we get there in time?"
Samael cocked his head to one side. "You speak with good intentions, but aid is not necessary. Unlike the queen of hell, I do not need to hide behind the power of others. I possess all the strength I require."
Katelina's anxiety drained away, replaced with serenity. He would vanquish Lilith, and everything would be over. It was only a matter of hours and then-
Samael's voice came soft and soothing. "Rest, and wake at peace."
Though a part of her wanted to argue, her will disappeared under his and the room faded away to cool darkness.
