Chapter 143
Katelina and Jorick were almost to a gas station when a beat up car pulled over. The driver's window wound down and a man stuck his head out. A shapeless felt hat perched on his head, long gray and black hair trailed over his shoulders, and thick matching beard hung from his chin. His voice was rough and tinted with a faded southern accent. "So, you're out already?"
"Yes," Jorick answered, and approached the car. Katelina tried to place the unfamiliar vampire. As if in answer to her silent question, Jorick said, "This is Baltheir; he was once in Oren's coven."
"You mean Jesslynn's," Baltheir corrected gruffly. "Do you want a ride? I've driven all this way."
Jorick nodded. "Of course. Thank you."
Katelina was tempted to object, then decided that it was better than calling her mom from a payphone. Wordlessly, she climbed into the backseat. She twisted around a mound of junk, her nose wrinkled.
"I'm not used to passengers," Baltheir barked by way of apology.