Free Katrina, The Beginning by Elizabeth Loraine

sitting
quietly until then, ran into their father’s arms and burst into
tears. I then explained what Quinn had seen and all that had
transpired in the corridors below the shed.
    “I’m not sure we can wait
until morning,” I added. “The fledglings know the girls have been
rescued. I didn’t detect them when we first opened the passageway,
so that means there must be another way in to those tunnels from
some distance away.”
    “Now we know why the trail
was lost by the river. That must have been a decoy group. They were
here all along,” muttered Gunter.
    The girls were more settled
now, and their fathers couldn’t stop thanking us.
    “We only saw fledglings,
but we did hear a woman’s voice once in a while,” Rosa
said.
    “They kept us hooded and
bound. We were fed very little, but had some fresh blood, human
blood,” Arletta remembered.
    “I scented humans in their
compound earlier.”
    “What should we do,
Fredrik?” asked Michael, Rosalinda’s father.
    “Well, now that your
daughters have been returned safely to you, I expect you to join us
in exterminating this fledgling scourge.”
    “Of course,” all three
replied.
    “If they know their leader
has been exposed, they may disperse into smaller groups and be a
greater problem throughout the continent and beyond. Katrina’s
right, we can’t wait until morning. We have to act now. Wake
everyone, Thomas, and have them come to the Council room. Simon,
make sure to bypass any of the Watchers for the Daminovs before you
alert any of our Watchers not on duty now. Quinn, tell the sergeant
of arms to prepare our weapons as quickly as possible. Now go,
everyone, and be ready within the hour.”
    I could tell by the look on
Rosalinda’s face she wanted to fight too.
    “I know just how you feel,”
I told her. “We all want to go. Let’s get you cleaned up, or
otherwise they’ll smell you coming. Sarah, oh good, will
you.…”
    “No need, Katrina, the
baths have been prepared, food and drink are on the way, and I’ve
sent for clean outfits. Their Watchers have been notified, except
Rosalinda’s new watcher.”
    “What do you mean?”
Rosalinda asked. “New Watcher? Where’s Joseph?”
    I had forgotten she didn’t
know.
    “I’m so sorry, Rosa. The
night the fledglings.... They overwhelmed him…I’m so
sorry.”
    “I’m sorry too, miss, but
at least it will be a comfort to you to know Katrina took care of
two of those that did this,” Sarah patted Rosa’s arm.
    “You did?” Rosa said
through her sobs.
    “Yes, my training served me
well, as it will all of you if need be. Now take your baths and
eat. You’ll need your strength. Thank you Sarah.”
    “Of course,
Katrina.”
    Then she guided them into
the dressing rooms.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Thomas returned a moment
later. I had almost forgotten he was my Watcher now. How strange it
felt to be attended by someone other than Quinn.
    “All the Watchers are
here—two inside, three of us outside.”
    “Thank you, Thomas. They
can watch the girls, but I want to be at the Council
rooms.”
    “Your father left orders
for me to keep you here!”
    I gave him a withering look
that stopped him in his tracks. “Shall I go alone, or will my
Watcher be going with me?”
    On our way to the Council
chambers, I noticed there were now several guards posted around
Luena’s quarters, including specially trained palace guard—vampire
guards—whom I recognized as ones we had brought with us. Father was
already talking strategy with Philepe. Gunter and Quinn were
huddled with them, pointing at maps and discussing final
details.
    “I need to speak with you,
Father.”
    “Thomas, what did I tell
you?”
    “She’s your daughter, sir.
She was determined to come with or without me.”
    I saw Quinn hide a smile as
if acknowledging he knew just what Thomas was going
through.
    “All right, you’re here
now, what is it?”
    “What of Damien, Father? He
hasn’t been implicated in this, and we have no