RBC05 - Bloodline (3 page)

“
Katrina, are you still there
?”

“Yes, I had thought that they were just trying to bring attention to our peaceful clans here by infection of the humans, but now I realize that what they are actually doing is trying to grow their numbers!”

“Sorry to hear that. What are you going to do?”

“We had a way of stopping them before; maybe we can use it against them again this time.”

“You sound so tired, Katrina. Why don’t you come here for a few days to rest and recuperate? It would be good for both of us.”

“That would be a great idea, except I don’t have the time. I have to deal with this before the hybrid numbers become too great and humans start panicking and begin hunting
us
. We can’t let that happen here.”

“Don’t lose yourself in the fight, Katrina. Remember what’s important and make time for it.”

“I’ll try, Cathos. What can you tell me about Cain?”

“He and Damien have their own mission now. They are not lost to you, that’s all I can say.

Katrina remember, the powers that I gave you can only be used for good. If you try to use them for anything else they will be lost to you forever.”

“I understand. Thank you, Cathos. I’ll speak with you soon.”

“Anytime you need me, I’ll be here
.”

I did understand what he was telling me, without actually saying the words: That the power he gave to me was the same power that he given to Cain, and, Cain to Damien. They couldn’t use their power for evil purposes and I had to trust that they weren’t. If that was all that I was going to be told it was enough - for now.

After my talk with Cathos, I felt so much better. Now I had to speak with Allwain.

I stopped by his laboratory on my way back to the lodge.

“Good morning, Tao, Wyatt.”

Wyatt’s face lit up when he saw me. “Good morning, Katrina.”

“I guess Allwain is still with Nathaniel.”

“He’s on his way back. Is there anything I can help you with?” Tao asked in his usual calm, Elvin way.

“The hybrids are spreading their infection to the humans, not only endangering our clans, but purposefully growing their numbers. I need to know if the water treatment that was made for us before will work on them.”

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try, don’t you think?”

“Tell Allwain what I asked, and that I’ll be back later. Right now I want to meet with the others and devise a strategy.”

“Jonathan, I know you’re there,” I said as I left Allwain’s cottage.

“What gave me away this time?” asked the young warlock as he turned back into himself.

“Rabbits are only white in the winter,” I said as I continued walking.

Oh, I didn’t know. Katrina, I don’t think I ever thanked you for letting me join you here. I was supposed to be helping Cain, but he wouldn’t let me,” he said as he hurried to catch up to me.

“Maybe he’ll change his mind someday, Jonathan. For now, you can help us. I’ll find a new project for you.”

“I won’t let you or Niranjana down, I promise.”

We got back to the lodge and I gathered everyone into the council room.

“Are the new Watchers ready Gunter, we need them?”

“They’re ready. Tell me what you are thinking.”

“Since the existence of the Watchers, they have been our eyes and ears amongst the human populations and that is again what we need them to be. We need to find these hybrids and their leaders, now. My instincts are telling me that they are growing their numbers by infecting humans. This endangers everyone.”

“Can we use the treatment that we used before to treat the water and make human populations poison to them?” Kate asked.

“I don’t know, but Tao is consulting with Allwain about that right now.”

“You have something else in mind. I can see the wheels turning. What is it?” Rosa asked.

“Because these vampires know what the Five of us look like, we need to have human Watchers and vampire guard in locations throughout this country just like we always have had in Europe.”

“Since you’re looking at me, I assume that you want Avery and me to take care of this,” Quinn said with a wry smile.

“Who better? Not only were both trained by the best Watcher who’s ever lived but now you have vampire power and strength on your side!”

“And you also have the camouflage of human scent just like the hybrids,” Kate added.

“So where do you want us to start?” Avery asked.

“Get the vampire guard into the cities as fast as you can and then send Watchers to every small town and settlement close to our clan locations.”

“We have our orders, Quinn let’s get started.”

After Avery and Quinn left with Gunter, I looked around to see the others waiting to see what else I was going to do.

“We know there’s more,” Kate said, “out with it.”

“El, I know you want to go and try to heal the humans, but like I said, the hybrids know what we look like and we’ll be spotted, unless…”

“Unless what?” Rosa inquired.

“Unless we go as someone else. I have Jinn power now, thanks to Cathos and I have transferred some of that to the four of you, right?”

“So you or we can change our appearance?” Letta reasoned smiling slowly as the idea took hold.

“Yes, just like Cain changed Gruen. He’s not really changed at all, he just projects the illusion of a different appearance,” Liridon added. Gruen just smiled and waved.

Everyone had fallen in love with the gentle grendal. Their race had been welcomed into every Sanctuary and were wonderful additions to the peaceful races residing there.

“We can go along with you. Gruen can find the hybrids!” Liridon smiled at his huge friend proudly.

“I guess that’s settled. Where do you want to start?”

“Wait just a minute, what about the rest of us?” Eric asked clearly agitated by the thought that he and Kale would be left out once again.

“Will the two of you contact Arthur? He needs to know about this too.

“As soon as we find out from Allwain if we can use the water treatment we’ll leave,” I said to the group.

“Arthur is making good progress in Europe. Of course everyone there is so mesmerized by him; they will do anything he needs them to do without question.”

“Are you jealous, Eric?” Rosa asked.

“Of course not. I respect him and find all the knights, well…interesting.”

“I see. What else did you see when you were in Europe last week?” I said.

“There have been more deaths. Vampires we had placed in positions of power have been killed and will not be easily replaced.”

“And nothing from the elite vampire guard? They aren’t finding anything?” Rosa asked angrily.

“The guard hasn’t been able to track them and that’s not their job anyway. Non royals don’t have Watchers. We couldn’t possibly have a large enough guard contingent to watch
all
vampires and I’m sure that whoever is directing the hybrids knows that,” Eric said.

“Maybe I can help.”

“Father!”

“Fredrik, good to see you,” Kale said as he stood and shook Father’s hand.

      We could talk about his completed mission later. Right now I wanted to find out what he had in mind.

He sat at the end of the table and sighed.

“After seeing the work that Arthur is doing I’ve decided to call up all the knights that are in sanctuary, along with any others that wish to serve in these desperate times.”

“What will they be doing Father?”

“First, to put together and head new councils on each continent, keeping them closer to our people and each sanctuary. Then they must retrain the elite guard. I’m happy to report that it’s been decided to include grendal in their units. The grendal are eager to serve and their unique talents and intuition will make them invaluable.”

Gruen had a big smile on his face. “I can’t tell how proud I am, and the way you have all embraced us…”

      We could all see how emotional he was. “I was told when I started this journey, that it would be those that joined us willingly, that would make the difference between winning or losing this battle. You and your race reinforce that statement more than any other.”

“Thank you, Katrina,” he said wiping his eyes with his big paw-like hand.

Father went on, “Since we can’t use any of our current safe houses right now. We are working on both identities and housing; have been for weeks. We have decided to put several of them up for sale and buy them back under new names. These will be the locations that will house our allies.”

“I see. If vampires re-occupy any of these locations, our enemies will realize what we are doing,” I said.

“Yes. Well, unless there is anything else you need to discuss right now, I think we should all get to work.”

Kate and I waited for the others to file out so that we could speak with Father alone.

“How bad is it really?” he asked as he opened his arms, inviting us both in for a hug.

As his arms closed around us, it felt like I was just his daughter not the leader of the Five. In that moment, being his daughter was all that I wanted to be.

“I guess it could be worse,” I said as we broke our embrace.

“Yes, they could be continuing to make hybrids in the underworld and our enemies could have found out that we were will be able to make use of our friends the grendal ,” Kate said as we sat back down.

“Hopefully we will have good news from Allwain. I don’t think that the new vampires that they are creating here will have the same protections that they do in the underworld, but I guess I don’t know for sure.”

“How is Mother doing in New York? Will she be coming back soon?”

“She’s fine. Your mother is the City’s new social darling. The ‘invitations never stop coming’ she told me when I joined her there.”

“That doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“She’ll be back in a few weeks.”

“Good, I miss her.”

“Kate, would you go and see if Allwain has any news? I need to speak with Katrina alone for a few minutes.”

“Of course. Welcome home, Father.” Kate gave him a kiss on the cheek on her way out.

Father sighed again and walked slowly over to the credenza. He poured himself a goblet of crimson before turning and looking at me.

I suddenly regressed ten years and felt the same sinking feeling in my stomach that I felt when Quinn and I had gotten into trouble and Father contemplated an appropriate punishment for us.

“What is it Father?”

“You have done so much. I hoped we would never have to go through this again. During the clan wars I was young and full of energy and it still took so much out of me. I’m worried about you, Katrina.”