Chapter Ten

I awoke to Kara staring at me the next morning. I jumped, startled. "Shit, Kara! Why are you being super creepy?!"

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake up."

"What time is it?" I asked while rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"Past midday."

I shot up out of the bed. "Already?!" I threw off the robes and slipped into my armor. Why didn't you wake me earlier?" I shouted, flustered.

"I tried, believe it or not." I just looked at her. "What's the big deal, anyway? It's not like we're in a hurry."

"What do you mean 'we're not in a hurry'? Of course we are!"

She gave me a confused look. "Why?"

"Because," I started. "Because..." Then it dawned on me that I had no real reason to hurry. It was going to take us days to get there anyway. And it wasn't like I was going to see Lucien again once I got there. "Well, then. I guess we aren't in a hurry..."

We left a few minutes later, finally off to Cheydinhal, where I was going to meet my new family of killers. I was going to have a place to belong.

A few days later, we arrived in Cheydinhal. The sun was setting and it smelled like rain, so Kara and I hurried over to the abandoned house. I picked the lock and we slipped inside just as the first drops of rain began to fall.

Inside the house, the air was full of dust and I coughed. "Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked, and coughed again. "It looks like no one's been in here for years."

I looked over at Kara, who seemed to be struggling to keep her eyes open against the dust. "It has to be. Let's keep looking."

We continued on into the dark and dusty house. A few moments later, I heard a low, pulsing sound, then saw a faint, red glow coming from what appeared to be a dark hole in the back of the house.

I followed the glow, Kara on my heels, to a great door. I felt the icy chill emanating from it as it spoke to me.

"What is the color of night?"

"Sanguine, my brother," I answered almost automatically.

The door opened with a sigh, saying "Welcome home,"as I walked inside.

Continuing inside, the one known as Ocheeva greeted me warmly. I smiled in return, glad to be so warmly welcomed.

"I see that you already have a set of our unique armor. You must have met Ki'ra, then," Ocheeva rasped.

"Uh, yes," was all I could muster in response.

"Go see Vicente for your contracts. He takes care of all the newcomers. Welcome to your new home." She nodded good-bye before turning around and disappearing farther inside.

"Okay..." I muttered to myself after she had left. I turned to Kara. "So, any clue?" I mean, it wasn't as if I was magically able to figure out where Vicente was.

"Maybe try following where Ocheeva went?"

I shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

"Who are you speaking with?" I just about jumped out of my armor at the new voice.

I turned to face the source of the new voice. "Oh! I, uh, was just thinking aloud," I answered nevously. I definitely didn't need these people thinking I was crazy or something.

"Do you need any help? You look a little lost."

"Uh, yes, please, actually." I answered. "I'm Kalowen and I'm looking for a Vicente?"

"Of course. Well, I'm Antoinette Marie and Vicente should be in his quarters all the way down on the end if you just go straight back!"

"Oh, thanks," I said as she walked off. I turned to Kara again. She nodded for me to lead the way. I sighed and started walking. A minute or so later, I found the huge set of doors that lead to what I hoped were Vicente's quarters. I knocked on one of the doors and they swung open by themselves.

"Come in!" I heard a voice call.

I walked inside to find a very gaunt-looking man with strange, red eyes. He saw my reaction and chuckled.

"Yes, I am a vampire, but do not let my appearance frighten you. I am Vicente."