Page 64 of Curse of the Asuune

“I’ve been thinking,” Kathrine started. “I need to find out what’s going on. If Paul wants my help then it must be serious. What do you think?” Kathrine was trying to gauge Hailey’s response to this. If Kathrine was walking into a trap she was going to do it with her eyes wide open.

“Maybe, but Sarah would never let you leave,” Hailey replied.

“I can find a way around that. There are deliveries here at least once a week. We just climb into one of the trucks and get somewhere that I can rent a car.” Kathrine was setting up some bait of her own.

“Umm…ok,” Hailey agreed. “I could use some time away from Sarah. Actually everyone here hates me I think. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what Sarah and Agnus did for me. I just feel like I’m unwanted.”

Well, Sarah had wanted to kick her out and for once Agnus agreed with Sarah so that part was the truth. This all seemed too coincidental though and Kathrine just couldn’t shake the feeling that Hailey was hiding something. This might be the best way to find out without endangering everyone else.

“I’ll pack some stuff and tomorrow during our shift there should be a truck. We’ll just sneak into the back after he fuels up and we’ll be off, ok?” Kathrine asked.

“Ok, I won’t say a word,” Hailey replied. Truthfully, who was she going to tell? She only spoke to Kathrine and Agnus and Agnus didn’t like her.

That night Kathrine had supper with Sarah and her dad. She struggled with whether or not she should tell them what she was doing but, in the end, she decided she should. She was a grown woman who knew what she was getting into. She wanted them to trust her and also if they knew, they could give her some backup if she needed it.

“Guys,” Kathrine began. “I am going to sneak out of the settlement tomorrow with Hailey. She told me that Paul could use some help. Since Elyon is there or on his way, I’m thinking it has something to do with him. What do you think?”

“What? Hell no!” Mark replied.

“Wait, think about it for a second before you go telling her what to do. She is a grown woman, Mark,” Sarah said. She didn’t often disagree with Mark, this was shocking.

“I’m pretty sure that she’s up to something. She’s hiding something. Maybe I can figure out what’s going on without actually having to face Elyon. Maybe get some information on him and what’s going on there,” Kathrine explained.

“Look what happened last time.” Mark still sounded upset.

“Yes, let’s look at what happened last time.” Sarah seemed to actually be upset with Mark. This was unheard of, at least recently. “She met with Paul, found out that vampires are weak to a solution of holy water and silver dust when mixed. She found out that the vampires are now using guns provided by Azazel and that Paul is a spy on our side. Anything else?” Sarah looked snidely at her future husband.

Mark just stood there with his mouth open. She was right, he was being overprotective and he knew it.

“I did get shot four times and drown but all in all I think we came out ahead,” Kathrine smiled.

“But you almost died,” Mark stated. It was his only argument and his tone suggested that he knew he was losing this.

“Not really, she got pretty beat up. And yes, I was upset about the deceiving us part but she is coming out and telling us her plan this time. She is doing this the right way. I for one would rather know what she’s doing in case she needs help. She is a Versi who wants to get in this fight. Paul is there and may be in danger, I’m proud of her for thinking this through instead of just leaving. You will call if you need help right?” Sarah asked turning back to Kathrine.

“Of course, I’ll even text you with what’s going on or call if you want,” Kathrine replied.

“Yes, please let us know what’s going on. We’ll be there as soon as we can if you need help,” Sarah assured her.

“I guess I don’t get much say in this?” Mark asked.

“Nope,” Sarah and Kathrine said in unison.

“I’m not a little kid anymore. I need to learn about this stuff or I could die. You can’t protect me every minute of the day, dad.” Kathrine looked kindly on her dad. She wasn’t angry with him, she loved him very much.

“Yes, you and Sarah are right. I still want to treat you like a kid and I’m sorry,” Mark apologized.

“Hey, that’s not always a bad thing. I like being your little girl,” Kathrine replied as she hugged him.

“Be safe,” Sarah said when it was her turn for a hug.

“One more thing,” Sarah said quietly as she walked Kathrine to the door. She waited until Mark was out of earshot to finish. “Don’t have sex with him until you are ready to be with him full time.”

“What?” Kathrine was appalled that Sarah just assumed she would have sex with Paul. Her stomach started doing flips again. Why was her body never on her side?

“If he is your one, believe me you will want to but don’t. You won’t be able to stay away and neither will he,” Sarah explained.