Chapter 169

Katelina and Jorick turned to see a vampire with long dark hair pulled back into a bun. He had soft brown eyes, and there was a lyrical cadence to his voice that was distinctly foreign, though eroded by time. His skin was smooth like marble, and though he might be younger than Jorick, it wasn't by much. Next to him was a woman with braided black hair and a cool expression. Her features were Native American and she had the same marble smoothness.

Jorick surveyed the pair, though he addressed only the male. "Hello, Jamie. It's been a while."

Katelina started to ask who they were, then she saw the twisted silver medallions around their necks. They were Executioners.

"It has been a while." Unlike Beldren's cool curiosity from the night before, Jamie's face held something close to friendliness. "I heard you'd been summoned."

"If you want to call it that," Jorick answered stiffly.

Jamie met his eyes and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Verchiel is fond of dramatics."