It was too late. He had said he would only be gone an hour, three hours ago. I slipped out of the apartment and over to Zach and Sable's place. Sable opened the door, looking just as worried as I was. She shook her head before I could even open my mouth.
"All I know is, Zach and Arthur went out to back Katty up and they haven't called to check in at all." She glanced back when Henri came over to the door. Then she turned back to me. "Have you tried calling Arthur? I can't reach Zach."
I didn't get a chance to answer. She suddenly choked and clutched at her chest. She started to fall when Henri and I caught her, hefting her between us. Henri went from worried to frantic.
"Sable! What's wrong?!" She let out a strangled cry and Henri turned to me. "Let's get her into bed."
Sable shook her head and hissed as she struggled to take her own weight. "No. Katty's place. Katty's place now."
Henri looked to me. I sighed and started helping Sable towards the elevator. When we got to Katty's apartment, I looked around. Jake and Emilio were already there, Jake pacing and Emilio looking almost as bad as Sable on the couch. Jake noticed us come in and quickly hurried over.
"Her too? What's going on?!"
I shook my head and helped Henri get Sable settled on the couch. "No idea. Where's Katty? And Max and Jason for that matter? And Logan?! Why are we the only ones in this apartment when it's usually full of people?!"
Jake shook his head, then jerked around when the door opened again. Tabitha rushed in, frantic and teary eyed. Atreyu followed on her heels. They didn't have any information either. Soon after them came Isaac, supporting Joan while Chris staggered along behind them. This was getting more and more worrisome.
I jumped to my feet when Tony came in, grim faced and leading a woman that oozed magic. My blood ran cold when right behind them came Jason, carrying Katty's lifeless body. Max hurried along on Jason's heels, his eyes red from crying and stubbornly clinging to hope.
Tony didn't even acknowledge anyone. She just led the way into Katty's bedroom and started giving clipped instructions. Then she shoved Jason and Max out of the bedroom, telling them to stay out or else and slamming the door in their faces.
They hovered there, looking lost. Jake slid over to comfort Max while Tabitha gently pulled Jason away from the door. She tried the knob but Tony had locked it. The apartment went from deathly quiet to full of whispered questions.
Jason collapsed into a chair and shook his head helplessly as everyone began to ply him with questions. "We went out to help with a Were problem. We got into a fight. She was protecting Max and got shot with a lot of silver in the chest." He wiped a hand over his eyes and shuddered in distress. The shock was catching up with him.
I turned to Max. He wasn't doing well. The hope was fading to be replaced with horror and self-loathing. "It's my fault. It's all my fault."
Jason was suddenly out of his seat and catching Max in a tight embrace. "No, Max. No. Listen to me. It could have just as easily been me. Or Tony even. She would have protected any of us. Don't blame yourself, alright?"
The bedroom door opened and the witch came out. Max and Jason were immediately trying to push their way into the bedroom behind her. Tony met them, looking worn and tired. "Just Jason." Max started to protest and she emphatically shook her head. "When she comes to, she's going to drain the first blood she comes across. That won't be you."
Jason put a hand on Max's head and turned him for a desperate kiss. Then he was sliding past Tony. Tony shut the door behind her and steered Max back towards me. I bit my lip as I settled a hand on Max's shoulder. He sagged into me. Tony gave me a sad smile and staggered over to sit with Sable.
The rest of the humans helped me keep Max together. The Vampires all seemed to slip into a trance, going still as statues, their eyes glazed. I looked up when the door opened and Zach stumbled in with Arthur right behind him, the both of them fighting the catatonia. Zach went to curl around Sable, then slipped under.
Arthur came over and gently laid a hand on my shoulder. Then he slumped into a chair and was gone as well. I looked around, then met the gaze of Isaac, Henri and Jake in turn. I was just as lost as they were, but I would do my best to take care of them until the Vampires roused.
I didn't have to wait for too long. Tabitha and Tony perked up first and got to their feet, eagerly going to crack open the door to Katty's room. Zach came out next and quickly checked over Sable before glancing over at the girls. They had pushed their way inside, saying Katty's name excitedly and scolding Jason for not coming to get them.
Zach scraped a hand through his hair. He didn't look particularly pleased his Mistress was awake. He glanced towards me, then past me. I turned to find Arthur alert and staring at the door. He also looked concerned.
Jason slowly came out of the bedroom and shut the door behind him. Max was immediately out of my arms and pressing Jason for information. Jason gently pulled Max into an embrace. Zach broke the silence. Joan was slowly rousing, with Sable right behind her.
"Bad news?"
Jason slowly nodded. "She's awake." He looked up at the door when Logan came bursting in. The boy struggled to catch his breath.
"Where's my mom?"
Jason looked around the room. Emilio was coming out of it. Joan was gently shaking Chris to get him to wake up as well. "Katty is certainly undead now. The transition has wiped all her memories. Hopefully she'll get them all back in time, but for right now we'll have to-"
He broke off when Tabitha and Tony started screaming in distress. I heard Tony ordering Jason to bring blood. Fast. Arthur was already in the kitchen, yanking a bottle out of the fridge. He threw it across the apartment to Jason, who caught it easily. Jason gave Max a gentle shove towards Logan.
"Stay out for right now."
The both of them leaned against each other. It wasn't what they had wanted to hear. They just stared at the door as Jason disappeared behind it. I glanced up when Arthur laid a hand on my shoulder. He seemed stressed. Frustrated that there was nothing he could do. No way to help.
I leaned back into him and we waited until Tony and Tabitha exited the room, looking depressed. Then Jason came back out. "She just got some memories back. I guess it's just a matter of time for the rest." He nodded to Max and Logan. "I think we should keep these two away from her for now. At least until we know how she'll react."
I glanced back at Arthur. "Home?"
He slowly nodded and I led him back downstairs to our apartment. He was still agitated. His hands shook and he didn't seem to know what to do with himself. I grit my teeth and made an abrupt decision. I snuck up behind him and settled my hands on his shoulders.
I don't think he even realized what he was doing. He just suddenly had his fingers tangled in my hair and was using the grip to wrench my head back to expose my throat. Horror flashed in his eyes and he almost shoved me away.
I grabbed his hand to keep it in my hair, even if there was no strength in his grip. I left my throat open and kept my eyes down. I slowly dropped down to my knees in front of him. I could feel his hand shaking. He was warring with himself. Wanting so badly to take control and yet unwilling to force me.
"What do you want from me Master?"
His teeth snapped and I caught the flash of red even if I was looking at his chest. "Don't call me that. If you have to call me anything either use my name or sir."
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry Sir. Please, tell me what you want from me." My gaze flickered up to his briefly. Just long enough to catch that he knew what I was doing. Knew why I was doing it. That he was willing to play along for as long as we would mutually benefit from it. And that this exercise would not be counted one way or the other towards our ongoing discussion.
As soon as that had been established I dropped my eyes again. I let go of his hand in my hair and was rather pleased when it didn't fall away.
His grip tightened instead, giving me a light pull. "Look at me." My gaze lifted to meet his red glowing eyes and held there. He smiled, showing off his fangs. It was such a strange look on him that a thrill of fear went through me. "You're afraid of me now aren't you."
I swallowed. I wasn't about to lie to him. "Yes, Sir. But I still trust you."
His smile faded and he let go of me, taking a step back. He studied me. Almost confused. His eyes suddenly narrowed. "Enough to give me your blood?"
I wordlessly rolled my head to open up my neck. He swallowed harshly.
"Enough to give me everything?" I licked my lips as I nodded, nervous about the question but sure he wouldn't push me down and rape me immediately. He lifted clawed hands to scrub over his face with a frustrated sigh. "On your feet. Get me a beer and then join me on the couch." He stalked away to sit heavily on the couch and turn on the TV. I jumped up to follow his orders.
He focused on the screen as I brought him the cold bottle and settled on my knees next to his feet. I knew all his attention was on me however. He took the beer from me when I offered it and popped it open to take a long drink. His gaze flicked over me before turning back to the TV. "Get comfortable."
I twisted to sit in front of the couch, my shoulder pressed up against his leg. I jumped when he suddenly touched my head, then leaned my head against his knee as he pet my hair. I relaxed easily. I was confident this would be the extent of what he would ask of me. And I was alright with that. I could already feel him slowly relaxing. He was once more in control, and it was making him feel better.