RBC06.50 - Marcella, Vampire Mage (18 page)

“I hope you were successful, my Lord,” said the Captain of the guards.

“We were indeed,” said Father as we dismounted and he handed his reigns to the stable boy.

“There’s news my Lord. The Lady Luena has escaped. And her brother Damien is also missing. Even his Watcher knows not of his whereabouts. Luena killed two guards. We made a search but found no sign of either of them.”

It was disturbing news about Luena; but of course I already knew Damien was gone. I hope he was truly free of her, but I couldn’t be sure they weren’t traveling together. Regardless, what he had said about her was surely true: she was evil.

“Well, inform all the delegates so they can watch out for her and Damien.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“We’ll have to question Damien’s Watcher about the fledglings, so make sure he doesn’t disappear.”

The guard bowed and took his leave.

“I’m going to get cleaned up and check on the girls,” I said.

 “That’s a good idea. I’ll join you in a little while. I need to inform the others of all the news of the day.”

“Of course, Father.”

Then we parted ways. Thomas and Simon weren’t far behind me of course, and we walked back together to Father’s quarters.

“Katrina!” exclaimed Eleanor. “Rosalinda, Arletta—Katrina’s back. Oh, Katrina, you
smell
.”

“Thanks, Eleanor.”

Then Rosalinda and Arletta came rushing out of their room.

“Did you kill them all?” Arletta said, her Spanish accent sharpened by anger.

“That’s ladylike,” I laughed. “And yes, we killed them all.”

“Tell us everything Katrina,” Rosa said.

“Yes everything,” the other two chimed in.

“Can I at least get cleaned up first?”

“Good idea. You
do
stink,” Rosa said, holding her nose.

“Thanks.”

Sarah, of course, had already prepared a bath for me. She was the perfect handmaiden, always a step ahead. The girls told me she was downstairs preparing lunch, and as soon as they said the word lunch, I realized I was starving. Rosa helped me off with my boots. Eleanor put my sword away, and Arletta tried to unbraid my hair, all the while informing me of all the news. I sank deep into the warm water, held my nose and slid completely under. When I came back up Sarah was there with a full glass of Crimson.

“Here, drink this; it’ll give you some energy.”

“Thank you, Sarah. What would I do without you?”

“I don’t know, and I’m not going to let you find out. There’s no getting rid of me now!”

I finished off the Crimson and Sarah took the glass from my hand and replaced it with a bar of soap. She washed my hair while I gave a detailed accounting of the battle. I left out the part about Damien; that memory was mine alone.

The girls were hanging on every word and when I was finished Rosa said, “I swear this is the last time you’re going into battle without me.”

“Or us,” Letta said, and El with equal determination.

“I wish I could have been there with you,” continued Rosa as if the other two had not spoken.

I hadn’t spent much time with my roommates, but I had a feeling we were going to be great friends.

“We’ve decided something, Katrina,” Rosa said matter-of-factly. The other two looked at me and nodded in agreement.

“We have neglected to train as hard as you have. Oh, we learned our languages, our history, rules, manners, and so on. But our battle skills—swordplay, strategy, and the development of each of our special gifts—are sorely lacking.”

“And…?” I said.

“Well, say something, Kat,” El urged, “What do you think?”

“I think it would be fantastic!”

They jumped up and hugged each other, then trotted over to the tub. I gave them a splash of water, they squealed, and we all laughed.

“All right, all right,” scolded Sarah. “Stop making a big mess for me. Shoo, you three. Let me get her out and dressed.”

The girls left reluctantly. I hoped they could convince their fathers, and I knew my father would have no objection to the plan. He always said I spent too much time alone. I guess he didn’t count Sarah or Quinn. “
Quinn!  What was I going to do about him?”
I sighed, and Sarah helped me into a simple sky-blue dress, combed my hair out with scented oils, and then deemed me fit to join the others for lunch. Father had returned and was in his room washing off the same sort of blood and grime that I’d just soaked off of myself. He was soon changed and now joined us for lunch. The girls each gave me a look, urging me to ask Father about their plan to accompany us home, and to stay and train with me.

“Father?”

“Yes, Katrina?”

“The girls and I wanted your permission for something. We want to ask their fathers if they may stay with me, so we can all train together, when we go home.”

“Is that right? Well I think that’s a fine idea. If you want, I’ll speak with all your fathers myself.”

“Oh yes, yes, would you?” they all exclaimed, while clapping their hands.

“Thank you, Father.” I went to him and gave him a big hug. He patted my arm and when I sat back down he gave me a wink.

“I have news. I’ve decided that a celebration is in order. We have much to be thankful for. You girls are safe, and we have averted a great threat to all our people—indeed to everyone on the continent. We shall plan a dinner and a ball.”

We clapped with glee and Father responded with a belly laugh.

“Is this what I have to look forward to?” he said and then laughed again.

As we finished our lunch, we asked Father if we could move back to our original accommodations, which he said was fine. We wanted to see each other’s gowns and stay up all night and gossip. As none of us had siblings not to mention sisters, and we were really looking forward to having each other’s company.

Back in our quarters, we shook off all bad memories surrounding the place by staging a fashion show. Each of us would be modeling a gown she hoped to wear to the coming celebration. Rosa and Letta, being blessed with beautiful olive skin, looked wonderful in any color. Rosa settled on a copper-colored silk and for Letta a gorgeous tangerine, both concluding that gold slippers would be just the thing. As for El and me, we were blessed with the palest of skin, had long legs and comely figures. Everyone agreed gold silk was right for me; and teal looked lovely with El’s blue eyes and light hair. El had matching teal slippers; I decided to go with matching gold ones.

We oohed and aahed over each other’s jewelry and decided that we would all wear our hair up tonight. After all these important decisions had been made, Sarah demanded that we should rest before dinner. After everything that had happened, it was natural that we were feeling uneasy about being alone in our rooms, so we paired up, El and I in my room, Rosa and Letta in Rosa’s.

We eased into my welcoming bed. I sighed as the down comforter enfolded my body and I began to relax. I had just closed my eyes when I heard El’s whispered question, “Did you hear that Luena had turned her Watcher?”

“Yes, and I saw him up close this morning,” I whispered back, my eyes still closed.

“I wonder if she was sleeping with him. Do you think so, Kat?”

“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past her.” I snuggled down into my pillow.

“What about you, Kat?”

I wasn’t going to get any rest, was I?

“What do you mean, El?”

“Well, would you ever sleep with one of your Watchers? All of yours are so handsome.”

This got my eyes open. I turned towards her, propped my head up on my elbow and studied her for a moment. Could I trust her? Yes, I decided; I was sure I could.

“Yes,” I said with conviction.

“
Really
? Which one?”

“Quinn.” then I told her our whole story.

“Kat, that’s so romantic! I wish I had a secret someone,” she said, then sighed again.

“This is all between us for now, agreed?”

“Of course, Kat. I’m so glad you trusted me with your secret. We’re going to be the best of friends, all of us.”

“Now can we get some rest?” I said, burrowed back into my comforter and closed my eyes. El was so nice. It felt wonderful telling her my secrets. I had grown up with no female companions except for Sarah, but being surrounded by my Father, Quinn and his brothers, had made me strong and independent. Gunter had honed my fighting skills and successive tutors had seen to my education and soothed off my rough edges. But as close as Sarah and I were, it was not the same as having a sister. It’s strange how things turn out; I had always wished that I had a sister, and now I had three. I felt drawn to them, and knew somehow, that our bond was more than just a friendship.

Just weeks ago my future was unsure, and now I realized just how quickly everything could change. I recognized then that I had instinctively kept my feelings about Damien from El. Just why, I wasn’t sure. Maybe it was because I wanted that memory to be mine alone. I probably would never see him again, except in my dreams. With that I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Sarah woke us about two hours later. We were to meet our fathers for dinner, and we hoped they had agreed to let us stay together and train. The ball was to be tomorrow, so we dressed simply and headed over to the main dining room

Our Watchers of course escorted us, and I noticed when we arrived at the hall, Eleanor was looking around to see if she could get a good look at Quinn. I was looking as well, but he was nowhere in sight. Then all at once he appeared with three of his brothers in tow.

“Thomas, Simon, look who just showed up,” Quinn said.

Thomas laughed. “You missed all the fun.”

“Thought you’d save some for us,” Avery said, jutting his lip out in a pout.

“Maybe next time,” Quinn said.

“Katrina, I heard you did us proud. After all the whining during your training, I bet now you’re glad we all worked you so hard,” Gregor, this pride showing, beamed at Katrina.

“You’re absolutely right, Gregor. Just remind me of that the next time I complain.”

Just then Father arrived with Gunter, and the men all shook hands. It was good to have them all together again.

“Since you are all here now I want to introduce you to your new students. Lady Rosalinda DiPalicio, Eleanor Flanery and Arletta Valdesio may I present Cedrik, Gregor and Avery Voss. Men, their fathers have agreed that they will be traveling back with us to continue their training with you and Katrina.”

The men bowed, but had startled looks on their faces.

“We look forward to the challenge,” Thomas said, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Now,” Father said as he clapped and then rubbed his hands together. “We must meet the others for dinner. Ladies,” he said as he gestured for us to enter the hall.

My friends’ fathers were already inside, and the girls greeted them with big hugs, kisses, and thanks for agreeing to let them train. I went to thank each of the fathers as well. We were all so excited we could hardly eat.

“Fredrik?”

“Yes, Philepe?”

“Any news of Luena or Damien?”

“Nothing. The Count and Countess Daminov are devastated and have gone into seclusion,” said Father.

“We are fortunate Damien wasn’t voted High Regent, under the power of the office they could have continued creating their fledgling army,” Philepe said.

We all nodded in agreement. I wanted to rise in Damien’s defense, but this wasn’t the time. Maybe that time would never come. For that matter, I wasn’t completely sure he had told
me
the truth.

“We have had word, however, of the Volator. After we were attacked, we sent out scouts to track those that had escaped. What they found was quite a surprise. In the forest, not far from the road, and about two miles from the palace, were the bodies of not only the four we knew had escaped, but also the body of one who we suspect was their leader.”

“Well, that
is
fine news Fredrik,” Philepe said, gesturing with his fist.