Chapter 501
Katelina reached out mentally and felt the sudden crushing presence of the ancient master. She drew back and tried to shut off her perception, only she didn't know how.
"Are you comin'?" asked Micah.
She pushed herself to follow him. They moved past the last of the buildings, and hopped over a wall. A courtyard spread on the other side, peppered with ornamental trees and hedges, buildings and roofed walkways. Malick stood on the roof of one, a smile on his lips, and his staff in his good hand. The moonlight glinted from his crown and his white hair, giving him an artificial halo. Two vampires stood on either side of him, gripping their weapons, their faces an open threat.
Oren and Torina stood on the other side of the courtyard, splattered with crimson. Loren and Lurid were behind them, both wounded. The teen leaned on the wall. His pale face and tight skin spoke of blood loss. To Katelina's right, Maeko and Hikaru stood back to back, her gun drawn and his stick at the ready.