“Who could that be?” I whispered to Quinn. “I’d much rather just stay here with you.”
Quinn lifted my chin and gave me a kiss, “Me too.”
He brushed tousled hair from my cheek, “You are so beautiful, but there is still distance in your eyes.”
“There are so many things I need to do…”
“Katrina…Damien is still between us and you know it. You never got the closure you needed, I understand that.”
“I don’t want to talk about Damien,” I said as I stood abruptly and braced myself on the chair behind the dressing table.
I looked back at him over my shoulder instantly sorry for my tone. “I’m sorry, Quinn.”
He came to me and embraced me from behind. “It’s all right. I just want you to know that I’m here regardless. I’ll take whatever time I have with you, knowing full well that it may not last.”
He turned me around, “I love you, with no conditions. I know you love me too. Could Damien ever say the same thing?”
“Then let’s just enjoy what we have, because none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, especially with all that’s going on around us these days. I do love you.”
“But…”
“No, I…”
“Katrina, come on,” Kate called.
Quinn smiled, “I’ll let you get dressed, see you down stairs.”
I closed the door and slumped back against it for a moment, Quinn was right, I wasn’t over Damien. Mother had told me long ago not take lightly the way I felt about each of them. My love for them both ran deep. Quinn my first crush, first a bloodlust-filled passion we both mistook for the real thing once and then something much more. But Quinn revealed that he had always truly loved me. And I . . . I didn’t have time to dwell on all this right now. I only knew I never wanted to hurt Quinn again.
I finished dressing and walked out into the hallway. A delicious scent filled my nostrils, this should be interesting.
“There you are Katrina, I was just about to send Lissel up to get you,” Mother said as I came down the stairs. “We have a visitor. Katrina, this is Reynold, Arthur’s son.”
He was the spitting image of his father. Tall, muscular and very,
very
handsome and that scent! Simply mouth watering.
“Good to meet you, Katrina,” he said as he took my hand. “Father has told me so much about all of you. And I must say that I assumed he must be exaggerating, but mere words couldn’t possibly do any of you justice.”
There was a collective swoon.
“Oh brother,” Quinn said under his breath.
“How is Arthur, Reynold?” Mother asked as Lissel brought in tea.
“Busy, and I’ve never seen him happier. I’ve come to see what
I
can do to help.”
“Other than charm, what can you offer us?” Quinn asked obviously unimpressed.
Reynold smiled ignoring his comment.
“I am only half vampire, my mother was Asuran.”
“I wondered about your unique scent,” I said. “The new Elvin Queen is half Asuran as well.”
“Yes, I have met her. Idalia is part of the reason I’m here. I grew up in Islandria. The heroism of her parents is legendary. Many Asuran reside in sanctuary, we have been helping the new Queen root out the evil that was imbedded there. That task is nearly complete now and it was time to leave and find a way in this world to help the Protectors.”
“Do you have something in mind?” Rosa inquired.
Reynold smiled, “Of course I would do whatever you think I need to do, but when Father spoke of the treasure lost, I hoped that was the task you would give to me.”
“You want to recover the lost treasures of Macchu?” El asked excitedly.
“Listen, if you want to take on that task we would be very grateful. Is this something you plan to take on alone?” I asked.
“I am sure there will be others that would join me if need be, but I think I would draw less attention if I go alone.”
“We have compiled a complete accounting of things that were stolen, along with locations of those that have turned up in Europe and South America,” I said. “We believe that the spoils of Macchu and their sale are funding many of their evil plans.”
“Yes that’s what Father believes as well.”
“I’ll see that you get everything you need. Are you staying nearby?”
“Yes, very near.”
“He’s staying with us, Katrina,” Mother interjected.
“I see. I have plans for this afternoon, so I’ll speak with you later, Reynold. Quinn, we should go.”
Quinn gave me a questioning look, “Of course.”
We walked out of the parlor, out the front door and across the street into the park.
“I want you to check Reynold’s story, leave nothing unquestioned, Quinn. I need to make sure he is everything he says he is. Don’t use the usual channels either.”
“You feel something isn’t right?”
“I may just be over cautious right now. After everything that’s happened, I’m not going to just hand over an accounting of the treasure over to anyone.”
“I’ll get on it right away. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“Tell Corbin I need to speak with him. Have him pick me up at the stables as soon as he can.”
He escorted me the short way to the stables before leaving to begin the tasks I had given him.
I walked to each of the stalls I knew to be ours and greeted each of its occupants.
“Miss Katrina, is that you?”
“Kenneth, you remember me?”
“How could I possibly forget you? Would you like to take a ride? I’d be happy to get your mare ready.”
“I’m really not dressed for it.”
“Oh, your mother left riding clothes for all five of you in your personal tack room. Everything you need and more is there I assure you.”
“Leave it to Mother to think of that. Then thank you Kenneth, I would really love to take a ride.”
“It’s just this way.”
He unlocked the door for me before rushing off to have my black mare saddled. I locked the door behind me and found handsome formal attire with my name attached to it. To my delight, the outfit included new riding boots with a shine so brilliant that I could see my face in them. By the time I finished changing, my horse was ready and impatiently pawing the ground in front of her stall.
I laughed, “Sorry I took so long, girl.”
Kenneth rushed over to help me mount. “The south trail is beautiful this time of year. Do you need anything else?”
I was sure he thought that I should have an escort, but didn’t voice that concern.
“I’ll be fine, thank you, Kenneth.”
Kenneth was right; the trail was in full bloom with early spring flowers and vines. I felt free and happy for the entire hour. A familiar figure waited for me at the stable entrance when as I returned.
“Corbin, thank you for coming so soon,” I said as I dismounted and handed the reins over to a stable boy. “Tell me what I need to know.”
“Your Father has enlisted the help of the Masons worldwide. In order to get them to understand the full danger he told John Ashton everything.”
“You mean he knows our…”
“Yes, he knows we are vampires and all that our race has done for the peace. He also knows there are safe havens for other peaceful races which must be protected at all cost and he has been told what treasure we guard.”
“And they are willing to help?”
“Yes.”
“When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Their secret society has far reaching resources making it already a kind of Watcher system. That’s great news Corbin.”
“Yes, the Masons have allies in every county, every territory, worldwide. Quinn tells me you have reservations about Reynold. You needn’t. I was there when he was born, the day his mother died. Arthur was heartbroken, that’s when he withdrew never to come out of sanctuary again, that is until Fredrik recently asked for his help.”
“And you are sure that the man that is staying at my house right now is that son? Our enemies had spies in every sanctuary, and are very adept at creating look-a-likes, I have to be sure.”
“I understand, and to be frank I don’t know that, I just…”
“Assumed, yes I’ve made that mistake before. I told Quinn not to use the usual channels; they would be watching those if this man is indeed an imposter. Whichever way it turns out, I need to get rid of him. Either he will start on the mission he has chosen for himself or one that I choose
for
him.”
“If this is an imposter, I doubt that they would be able to duplicate his gifts. The Reynold I know has Asuran gifts not vampire ones.”
“And do you know what they are?”
“Like all Asuran, he can portal using his mind and has the ability to change form. His personal gifts may not all be known to me, but he could make things smaller and larger, and I do remember that he has a brilliant mind. Tell me Katrina, what did Reynold ask of you?”
“He wishes to bring the lost treasures of Macchu back to us. I told him I would give him the accounting and help in any way that I can. He didn’t need my permission. He could have gotten permission from the queen.”
“Is that what drew your suspicion?”
“That and the fact that he would even need an accounting of the treasures lost.”
“Hmm, another thing that he could have gotten from the Queen.”
“Exactly.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Wait. See what we can find out, and then I’ll decide.”
Like everyone, Corbin knew not to ask too much. He quietly studied me as we walked. I wanted to ask if he’d heard from Damien, but I just couldn’t form the words. When we reached the edge of the park he stopped.
“I have something for you,” he said reaching into his pocket and retrieving an envelope. “It just came this morning.”
There was no writing on the outside, no indication where it was from at all.
“I’ll leave you now. If you need anything else please let me know.”
“I will Corbin, thank you. Your friendship and loyalty mean a lot to me.”
“And your trust and the trust of your family mean even more to me.”
He smiled, turned and then strode purposely away.
I walked over to the closest bench and sat down. After a few deep breaths I unsealed the envelope.
I pulled the folded message out closing my eyes for a second before reading the message. Three words were written in blood:
We need you.
I raised the crimson letters to my nostrils and then let the moisture on the tip of my tongue soak up its salty residue. I would leave tonight.
CHAPTER FIVE
I
refolded the message and placed it in my vest pocket. As I walked back toward the stables so that I could change out of my riding clothes, I couldn’t help wondering what this meant.