Always Hate Me

21. Heart Sworn

Frida was walking back to her dorm from the cafeteria when the heavens let loose. Darting quick as a mouse, she ducked under a protruding balcony for cover. It wasn't quite large enough and her shoulder continued to get wet. A flicker of movement made her turn and she gasped in surprise, confronted by Jordan.

He was dressed in plain clothes rather than armour, though pinned to his coat lapel was his new insignia of an ancient tree. Frida's heart stuttered. There were standing toe to toe. He moved slightly, his new position shielding her from the rain.

"Anything to report?" He asked, his crimson gaze fixed on her with interest. Frida gulped and nodded.

She glanced up and down the street before replying.

"We were approached today, by some kind of anti-vampire cult."

Jordan's jaw tightened. He'd hoped they'd seen the last of the vampire-hating Judges. "I think they were feeling us out. They wanted to know if the Knights Heartsworn are the real deal – or if we're a vampire set up."

"And?"

"And Callie was..." Frida thought a minute for the English word. "Guarded?"

Jordan nodded, affirming that she'd used the word right. "They'll be meeting again. Nothing really got settled."

"This is good. Try to gain their trust. I want to know their members and what their plans are."

Frida nodded but she wasn't thrilled at the idea. They'd seemed like extremists to her. What would they do to her if they learnt that she was a spy? 

Jordan reached out suddenly and, with the back of his hand, he caressed her cheek.

"What do you dream of Frida?" His voice softened to a whisper. "Do you dream of me?"

"I don't dream." She answered honestly. She never dreamt. Not since her and her brother had made it to Gomorrah. Her mind was a blank space – clearer. She'd survived. She carried on living. She never wanted to dwell or remember.

Jordan seemed to study her and she wondered if she'd offended him.

"But you feel something for me," he asserted. "I can sense it."

"I feel a lot for you." Fear. Curiosity. Everyday she was surrounded by the same messages. Jordan was the creator and commander of armies. Everywhere he was regarded as a dark angel, a guardian of the world. Believing in Jordan had become the most popularly recognised religion of the empire.

"I won't disappoint you," she promised. Jordan retracted his hand. The rain had let up and, with a tilt of his head, he dismissed her. "Salute," Frida meekly offered in farewell. The vampire made no reply. He melted into the night – leaving her alone and nervous.

**

Chloe had been making folders, categorising the missing persons cases. It was frustrating. She knew that it was the vampires behind it but, without proof, she was one person shouting against the wind.

"Frida?" She called, noticing the interest Frida was showing one page. Frida's fingers caressed the name printed in size 11 font. "Frida?" Chloe put aside her folder, reading Frida's troubled expression.

"My brother," Frida explained.

Chloe winced, she got up and looked over Frida's shoulder at the page. Now she realised that the surnames matched. She hadn't thought...

"You never said."

Frida shrugged. She cleared her throat and quickly turned the page over.

"I've been avoiding thinking about it – it seemed useless."

"Getting justice for people like yourself and your brother is exactly what I'm trying to do. I don't think its useless."

Frida looked around at the office. Recruitment was at an all-time high – they numbered five. And only her and Chloe were full-time. She scanned her colleague's desks and wondered how many of them were spies - just like she was.

"Do you really think we can?"

"I promise you. The vampire that attacked your brother will-"

"I know who it was," Frida interrupted. The clock ticked loudly on the wall behind them and Chloe blinked in surprise.

"What?"

"It was Lucjan Dubiki." 

Chloe sat down. She pulled toward her a pad and pencil, poised.

"Tell me everything. I need every detail."

Frida hesitated. She wasn't supposed to be working with this woman, she was supposed to be betraying her. Frida thought of Jordan and she quailed. He scared her. But then she thought of her brother and of Lucjan's sneering smile...

"Ok."

**

Chloe bit her lip. She was sat on the end of her bed, in her bedroom – in Lucjan's complex. She'd removed her mask and was allowing milky moonlight from the window to bathe her face. It appeared that Lucjan was recruiting vampires on the sly. Not only was this extremely unethical – the survival rates were against it. But it was also interesting in terms of vampire politics. Vampires had a strong bond with their makers. Lucjan was making vampires loyal to himself and not to Jordan. This was interesting. 

Chloe crossed her legs. She sat still, back perfectly erect and closed her eyes – trying to think. If they set a trap, they might be able to catch Lucjan in the act. Her lips compressed into a hard line. Lucjan arrogantly thought that she couldn't catch him, so he was letting her try. But Chloe wasn't afraid of the challenge.

**

Ryder marched briskly down the cobblestones - his stride confident. He felt a disturbance in the air and he looked up, in time to see a vampire descend from the rooftops. The vampire landed with grace right in front of him.

"It's past curfew." Giovani hissed - his stance half crouched. 

Ryder grinned. Good, he was itching for a fight. Ryder raised his hand. The vampire lunged but too late, his crimson eyes bulged and he looked down- gaping- at the icy spear plunged into his chest. Ryder rotated his hand. Obediently, the blade of ice twisted and Giovani cried out in agony. His legs gave way and he fell to his knees, groaning.

Eyes dancing, Ryder reached out and roughly held the vampire's jaw.

"Give Lucjan Dubiki a message from me," he purred – enjoying the moment. "Tell him," he leant forward – speaking into the fledgling's ear. "I'm coming for his heart."