Chapter 402

The thunder that had been in the distance most of the night finally caught up to them and Katelina kept an anxious eye on the heavy black sky.

Jorick returned, looking irritated. Sorino followed. He looked vaguely curious and slightly aloof, like someone from the upper class who'd come down to the slums to "look around".

Jorick motioned to the group around the fire. "We'll leave tomorrow. Of course we'll have to take the prisoner, Fethillen, and at least two others. She wanted more, but we're already over capacity."

Etsuko bowed. "I can be of no help on the journey, so with Oren-sama and Jorick-sama's permission I would willingly remain behind."

Jorick shook his head. "Not alone."

"Torina could stay," Oren suggested. "She's not likely to be useful, either."

Jorick nodded toward the black clad vampires. "Could she defend Etsuko if there's trouble?"

"If nothing else she could take her into the jungle until we returned."

"Etsuko is your human, so it's your choice."