Sunrise at Sunset (Sunset Vampire #1) - Page 9

Visitors

Caleb spent the better part of the next two days trying to occupy his time. He read part of a novel he brought from his apartment. He also camped out in the theater room watching cable television and movies from Kat's expansive DVD collection. Caleb counted no fewer than six hundred films from all different genres and periods dating back to the 1930s. It was definitely an eclectic collection, which generated a pleasant distraction.

Katrina felt much less distracted the past couple of days and wasn't even irritated when he periodically interrupted her at the computer console in her room. They hadn't argued, and she had deliberately been more attentive towards him. She peeked in on him as he watched television in the living room or a movie in the theater room. Once in a while she wandered in to watch him prepare a meal and eat or slumped into a chair near him as he read.

The one thing she didn't do was explain any of her preparations, activities, or possible plans. She remained silent, often going out of her way to change the conversations back to safer topics when he tried to make unwanted inquiries. That infuriated him, but he refrained from debates or disagreements with her.

Katrina insisted that he continue sleeping in the large bed in her sublevel room and usually curled up with him until he drifted off to sleep, though she was rarely beside him when he awoke. He typically found her sitting at the computer console either typing or switching rapidly between a cascaded series of individual windows. Other times she stared at the screen blankly, as if deep in thought or in some kind of trance. On rare occasions when she spoke on the telephone, she whispered, often leaving the room to continue the conversation elsewhere. On two occasions, Caleb found her in the study at the far end of the first floor. He wasn't sure what she was doing, but it involved some paperwork and manila folders. She often shut the door, leaving only a sliver of light, and he respected her subtle signal for privacy, even though he peeked in to confirm she was at her desk.

Of all the challenges facing his unusual circumstances, the most annoying was losing a visual sense of night or day. His only determinants of the passage of time was his watch and the clocks in the house. He discovered that watching the local news at various times helped deter his sense of detachment from the world around him. When watching the local weather coverage, he craved a walk outside to experience the mundane conditions being described or shown. Granted, he wasn't really missing much, as Atlanta's mid-December weather was usually sunny and in the upper forties to mid-fifties.

What impacted him most was that Christmas was less than three weeks away, and this was the first time in his life he might miss the holiday season entirely, unless Alondra Vargas – Chimalma – was dealt with soon. Given the gravity of their situation, he was too embarrassed to ask Katrina about her thoughts on or plans for Christmas. It was to be their first together. Though the way things were going, it was likely to be dark, ominous, and foreboding. He wondered what the rogue vampire had in store for them. It would be horrific if something happened to Katrina while she was trying to protect him. Anxiety coursed through him as his overactive imagination plagued him with violent imagery.

What would I do if something happened to Katrina? he morosely wondered.

In the short whirlwind of falling in love with Katrina, Caleb had become completely smitten with her presence in his life. Her very existence fascinated him, although her vampire nature sometimes unsettled him. The strength of the attraction that he felt for her frightened him somewhat. She was everything he could hope for in a lover, friend, and companion.

Most recently, he discovered that Katrina had an occasionally short temper coupled with a propensity to be somewhat authoritative towards him. And while those were annoying qualities, she seemed to have his best interests at heart so far. Despite that, he knew that he loved her. He owed his life to her a number of times over already. Who else can I say that about in my lifetime?

He mused over those thoughts while leaning against one of the large, spiral-fashioned oak columns flanking the entry of the oversized living room at the back of the house. The room was comfortably furnished and sported a large, widescreen television inset into a niche above the fireplace.

For no discernable reason, Caleb glanced to his left towards the partially visible front entry area. Katrina stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the second floor. She leaned against the banister railing, watching him with a penetrating expression. The shaft of light from the front entry room cast a strange glow on her pale complexion. The shadows around her caused his vision nearly to glance over her, if not for her striking long, red hair cascading around her shoulders.

"You look deep in thought," she observed.

Actually, you look lonely and forlorn, my dear, she thought. It was painful to be so secretive with him the past few days, but it was better he wasn't involved in her plans to address Chimalma. Likely, he wouldn't approve of her plan or her methods, leaving silence the better part of valor.

He folded his arms across his chest. "How long have you been standing there?"

"A while," she responded casually. "Long enough to see a host of emotions playing across your face." I want to assuage your negative thoughts and feelings and return to happier times as soon as possible, she mused as a pang of sorrow swept through her.

He nodded while moving into the living room and taking a seat on the large leather couch. Leaning back into the cushion, he stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing his feet at the ankles. He stared at her, gesturing with his hand for her to join him.

She floated gracefully across the distance, studying him intently as she walked. He said nothing to her, instead watching her graceful transit towards him. He marveled at her body's fluid, rhythmic motion, and wondered why he hadn't paid more attention in the past. Perhaps because he was usually so focused on what they were doing or where they were. Would anyone who took the time to look at her see her like I do? he wondered.

She sat down beside him, curling her body alongside him. He draped his right arm lazily across her shoulders as her head rested against the inside of his shoulder.

"What were you thinking about?" she asked softly. Maybe me, she mused humorlessly.

"Many things," he replied vaguely. "You seem much more settled the past couple of days."

She smiled slyly and clarified, "You mean, much less angry and irritable."

He smiled at her quick interpretation of his evasive comment. He angled his face to meet hers and quickly kissed her on the lips. "Sorry, but yeah," he confirmed.

"I'm not as angry, it's true," she explained introspectively. "I'm more determined and resigned than angry. And I'm not angry with you, my love." But let's not dwell on that topic, shall we? she mused. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Huh? No, not yet," he answered with a glance at his watch. It was nearly 6 pm. The day had passed, and he had barely noticed.

"Come, I'll watch you make something," she offered and rose to help pull him to his feet. "We can chat while you eat."

Actually, the truth was she practically pulled him up from the couch, and he marveled at her controlled use of strength. "Did you ever have trouble adjusting to your increased strength after becoming a vampire?" he asked on their way to the kitchen.

Katrina considered his query with the hint of a smile. She recalled the number of times she had accidentally broken fragile items. She had also injured some men during intense acts of passion, which was a shocking wake-up call that she needed to learn control at an early stage of her vampire nature. "Hm, yes, I did," she replied as he removed a pizza from the freezer.

He set the oven to preheat and went about removing the pizza from its packaging.

"I broke a number of things," she replied with a smirk. "There were a number of accidental injuries inflicted on others, as well."

Caleb retrieved a pizza pan from the cabinet. Oddly, Katrina had a fairly well-stocked set of dishes, cookware, assorted cooking utensils, and basic kitchen appliances. He wondered why she had originally gone to the trouble, but he was grateful for her foresight.

"Over the years, I adjusted to my body's new attributes," she continued. "But it took a great deal of patience and practice."

He sat on a kitchen barstool to wait for the oven to heat. She wandered over to the cabinet, removed a drinking glass, and proceeded to fill it with ice cubes and water from the refrigerator dispenser.

"Now I act and move with precision unless I'm extremely angry," she added as she placed the glass before him on the kitchen countertop.

His eyebrows rose curiously. "Why water?" He preferred colas.

She frowned slightly. Water was important for the health of his body and his blood. "I don't like the amount of cola you've been drinking lately. You've looked a little dehydrated. Do me a favor and try to drink more water in the near future."

"Right you are, Mom," he answered smartly while raising his glass in salute.

She lightly smacked him on the back of his head with the flat of her palm and threatened mildly, "Don't even go there." Her limited experience with motherhood as a human was a topic she avoided almost as an emotional defense mechanism. Perhaps someday she would feel comfortable discussing it with him.

He sipped from his water glass. "So, when angry, you might still lose control of your strength sometimes?" he asked carefully.

Her lips curled into a devilish grin. "I try to show restraint, but you might not want to do anything to make me enraged." She almost felt guilty for taking advantage of his innocent nature to unnerve him, inwardly aware she'd never do anything deliberately to harm him, even if angry. But she had a good poker face. The truth was she loved catching him off-guard like that. She sensed in his reactions that he enjoyed it on occasion as well.

He shivered involuntarily at her sadistic visage, which thankfully was an uncommon facial expression for her. A part of him felt another emotion flash across him. Is it simply intrigue or perhaps something more erotic? He gave her a sidelong glance as her features relaxed. The preheat warning went off, and he placed the pizza in the oven.

They talked about how he spent his day and about a film he had watched in the theater room. That led to a discussion about Katrina's favorite films. Not surprisingly, she had a diverse interest in film genres, including foreign films. When asked if the language barrier in foreign films bothered her, she explained that she spoke a number of languages fluently besides English, including French, Italian, German, Spanish, and some forms of Chinese. He was truly impressed by the revelation and realized he felt fortunate just to know some Spanish.

By the end of their conversation, his pizza had finished baking, and he dished out some slices onto a plate. Despite his offer, Katrina declined a slice.

"There's something I want to chat with you about," she ventured. "You may be interested to know vampires have as diverse a set of personalities as humans. They're often a reflection of their former human selves."

Caleb nodded as he munched on his first slice of pizza.

"But a common variable among vampires is that the older ones tend to have lofty self-images," she continued. "They often see themselves as elevated far above the status of humans and expect both respect and deference from them. Naturally, the world's full of people who feel they're so much better or more worthy of privilege than their fellow humans. It's the same with a number of older vampires."

He frowned, wondering why she chose that topic. He reached for his water glass and realized it was empty.

She picked up his glass and went to the refrigerator to refill it. "I like to associate with vampires who don't have such lofty self-images. But they're still worthy of respect, if only because of the positive, respectful manner in which they conduct themselves among humans."

"Thanks," he muttered as she placed the glass of water before him. He took a sip of water and munched on another slice of pizza while considering what she said. After a few moments, she continued.

"But never forget they're vampires," she warned gently. "They crave blood and see humans as food as much as companions, peers, or fellow beings. And while you may not necessarily need to fear the vampires I associate with, you always need to respect what they are. Never forget that their appreciation for you will never match what I feel for you. Though other vampires could eventually befriend you, always bear in mind I already love you. I'm the mate, and no vampire relationship is stronger. Does that make sense?"

"Kat, why are you telling me this?"

"Because visitors are coming," she offered with a supportive smile.

"Visitors?" he asked intently as he slipped another slice of pizza onto his plate.

Katrina paused. "Some friends, fellow vampires."

His eyes widened slightly at the revelation. "When?"

"They're on their way now," she replied softly. "They'll be here any time."

Caleb's heartbeat quickened, and his appetite suddenly abandoned him. He pushed his plate away and reached for his water glass.

"Go ahead. Finish eating your pizza," she offered supportively.

His eyes flickered to hers. Oh hell, more vampires, he lamented.

Around nine o'clock that evening, Caleb was cleaning up the kitchen when he heard the faint ringtone of Katrina's cell phone. As he finished rinsing the remaining dishes, she walked through the kitchen with the phone to her ear.

"I'm going to the garage now," she noted before flipping the phone shut. She stopped by Caleb, neatly using her arm to corral him around the waist, and ushered him to walk before her. "They're here," was all she said as they headed for the small hallway near the garage.

A feeling of nervous anticipation passed through him as she gently urged him further down the hallway to the garage door. She punched in a series of codes on the wall's security panel faster than he could gather the sequence. He heard the garage door opening beyond, and the lock on the small door leading into the garage clicked twice. She opened the door and followed him inside.

A late-model black sedan with tinted glass and a car rental vanity tag on the front bumper pulled into the empty garage bay closest to where Katrina and Caleb were standing. A man appeared to be driving.

Caleb noticed that it was dark outside and felt the cold night air tickle his bare arms and begin to permeate his cotton T-shirt. It was a very tempting sight being just a few feet away from access to the driveway.

Katrina immediately noticed his body language as he looked outside. "Don't even think about moving," she stated in a flat, commanding voice from behind him as she tapped the garage door button to close the bay door. If who I think is watching is out there, you need to stay where you are, Caleb, she thought. But rather than explain herself, she decided her gruff command would have to do. He probably thinks I'm a real bitch.

The car's engine shut off, and the driver's side door opened as Caleb gave a heavy sigh. He turned to give her a dirty look over his shoulder as the bay door closed fully.

"Be nice. We have company," she whispered with a brief poke in the small of his back with the tip of her finger.

A dark-haired man over six feet tall who looked to be somewhere in his late thirties to early forties exited the vehicle. He was of solid build and wore dark gray casual slacks and a white, long-sleeved dress shirt. His pale complexion matched Katrina's.

"Katrina!" he exclaimed with a bright smile that displayed his perfect white teeth. He walked around the back of the car to the passenger side.

Katrina moved past Caleb and hugged the man warmly. "It's good to see you, dear friend," she greeted him in a brighter mood than she had displayed recently.

"It's been too long, my dear," he replied in a rich English accent.

Caleb felt an immediate pang of jealousy as he watched the exchange, though he kept his facial expression pleasant and respectful.

The man glanced at Caleb with bright hazel eyes and appeared somewhat amused. He disengaged from the embrace with Katrina and immediately moved past her to reach out his right hand to Caleb.

"Alton, I'm pleased to introduce you to my mate, Caleb," Katrina offered from behind the man with a smile and a gleam in her green eyes.

Caleb took his hand and immediately noticed the man's firm grip. He also carried himself with an air of authority. Caleb momentarily wondered if he were titled or not. "Pleased to meet you, sir," he greeted the man.

"Alton," the fellow offered congenially.

"Sir Alton," Caleb ventured formally.

"Just Alton," the man corrected him in the crisp British accent with a disarming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Caleb. I've looked forward to meeting the man who stole Katrina's heart."

Caleb grinned and glanced at Katrina, who winked at him.

The moment was broken suddenly by a loud banging sound coming from the truck, which startled Caleb enough that his body physically jolted with surprise. His heart skipped a beat, and he stared at the trunk warily. Both Alton and Katrina looked sharply towards the rear of the car, but neither seemed surprised.

"Alton, open this trunk right now!" came a muffled female voice from inside.

Alton moved past Katrina to the rear of the car and activated a button on his key remote, and the trunk lid snapped open. Caleb moved closer to where Katrina stood, keeping well away from the trunk.

A short, blonde-haired woman appearing to be in her mid-twenties gracefully slipped out over the edge of the roomy car trunk and frowned up at Alton sourly. "It's about time, Alton," the young woman snapped. "Next time you can ride back there."

Her face was beautiful, and her hair was straight and trimmed at jaw level in a bob reminding Caleb of a Charleston dancing girl from the 1920s. She was approximately five feet and a half, and her petite body was hugged by a pair of denim blue jeans and a dark, snug Alice Cooper concert T-shirt. Her general appearance was like one of the young college students Caleb taught in his history classes, except for the unusual hair style. But she didn't appear much younger than he was, actually. Following a moment's reconsideration, Caleb noted that her T-shirt seemed out of tempo for her age. Still, he found her to be striking on a number of levels.

The young blonde's bright blue eyes seemed to gleam as her attention was diverted to the sight of Caleb standing awkwardly before her. He was still trying to ascertain why she was in the trunk.

"Hi. Caleb Taylor," he offered a little nervously while extending his hand to shake hers.

"Hi." She returned his handshake and offered an appraising grin. "I'm Paige, Paige Turner."

The pun almost made him chuckle. "Heavy reader, are you?" he quipped with a smirk.

Paige's eyes widened brightly at the reference, and her pearly-white teeth gleamed at him as she grinned broadly. "Oh, I like you already."

Though she was friendly, Caleb was unsettled by the view of her glinting teeth. It made her look almost sinister. In addition, Paige's eyes were a penetrating blue and appeared to target Caleb as she stared at him.

Katrina smiled subtly at the exchange between her friend and her mate. Her eyes darted to Alton speculatively, and she noticed that the corners of his mouth were upturned in a subtle smile. She was pleased everything was off to a good start.

Paige moved quickly to Katrina to embrace her energetically. Katrina smiled brightly as her arms warmly enveloped the shorter woman.

"Missed you," Paige muttered as she popped a kiss on Katrina's cheek. "Been too long, Katrina."

"You too, Paige," Katrina replied warmly with a quick, sisterly peck to Paige's cheek.

A quiet moment passed before Katrina and Paige released from their hug, both still smiling appreciatively. Caleb wondered what the back story was with them.

"Let's get everybody settled inside," Katrina suggested, breaking the momentary silence as she noted Caleb's reaction.

Caleb moved immediately to the car's open trunk and removed two large leather duffle bags. Alton opened the rear car door and effortlessly pulled out two large black suitcases from inside. He followed Katrina into the house. Caleb shouldered both duffle bags, one over each arm, and headed through the garage.

"Very gentlemanly," Paige observed as she followed Caleb. "But I can carry my own bags, thank you."

Caleb smiled. "I'm happy to oblige."

At the doorway leading into the house, he thought he heard the sound of Paige inhaling deeply from behind his head.

"Hm, nice vintage," she whispered.

A small shiver went up Caleb's spine as Paige playfully giggled.

Caleb took Paige's luggage to one of the guest rooms upstairs. The youthful blonde vampire silently followed Caleb into the room and stared at him intently with a smile on her face as he placed her bags on the bed. Her expression was both appraising and unsettling, and he only briefly made eye contact with her to smile in a welcoming fashion before quickly departing.

"Thank you, Caleb," Paige called in a remarkably upbeat tone of voice that contrasted to her intense gaze.

"You're welcome," he replied before barreling downstairs.

Katrina directed Alton to a guest room next to Paige's, but further away from the stairs. She smirked and shook her head upon hearing Caleb's quickly retreating footsteps down the stairs.

"He doesn't know what to make of Paige," Alton surmised with an amused expression.

"It took me years. How about you?" Katrina countered with an upraised eyebrow.

He chuckled deeply. "She's really quite charming once you get used to her dynamic personality."

"Oh, I can appreciate her fully now," Katrina countered. "But it wasn't immediate," she recalled with a smile.

"Part of that's because you were always so serious," Alton noted pointedly. "But I sense that Caleb has tempered that somewhat."

Her smile faded slightly as she admitted, "We were doing fabulously, but we've been arguing a little bit since Chimalma made her appearance."

He nodded supportively, but said nothing.

"I mean, I've tried to be especially patient with him," she continued. "I've really been more openly affectionate and understanding than in the past."

"And he makes you happy, I suspect," he suggested. "His personality likely encourages you to feel that way."

She smiled shyly. "Yes, I'm very happy. I haven't felt this in a long time, Alton. I'm in love, after such a long time."

"He's very different from the others," Alton noted. "I could tell that upon first meeting him."

Katrina smiled while reflecting on Caleb's many appreciable attributes. He was very different from the men in her past, except perhaps for one.

"And what's been his reaction to our little plan?" he asked.

She frowned and replied in a cooler tone of voice, "You know there's nothing for him to react to. We're going to do what needs to be done, what we should have done half a century ago."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You mean, you haven't told him anything?"

"He knows what he needs to know," she countered evenly. "Nothing more."

Alton's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "That's a little overprotective, even for you. No wonder you've been arguing more lately."

Katrina scowled. "I tried that with my last mate, and he committed suicide. You know that, Alton, and I'm not making the same mistake twice."

Alton remained silent.

"Caleb's a gentle soul," she explained with some exasperation. "And he's experienced enough violence in his past already. Chimalma's not going to get to him, much less warp his mind and emotions."

Alton sighed softly and raised both eyebrows appraisingly. "I respect that, Katrina. But I recommend caution. Such isolation could breed resentment, as well."

Katrina shook her head in resignation. "I'm trying my best here."

He considered his former pupil and reached out to embrace her, causing Katrina's former irritation levels to subside somewhat. "Come on," he offered. "Let's go chat a little bit with Caleb before the night gets away from us."

After a moment, Katrina pulled away from him with an appreciative smile and turned to lead the way downstairs.

They were no sooner downstairs when Caleb's nervous voice could be heard in the kitchen. Both vampires exchanged curious glances and hastened in that direction. Upon arrival, they saw Caleb backed up against the kitchen counter bar while Paige stood before him with her arms crossed.

"A Coca-Cola?" she asked cynically. "I said thirsty. Hello? I'm a vampire. Maybe the next time you say you're thirsty, I'll bring you a glass of soapy water."

"I'm really sorry," he apologized.

Alton covered his mouth with his hand to hide the smile forming, while Katrina's expression became steely.

"Problem?" Katrina asked pointedly.

"Maybe just a little," Caleb answered nervously. "It seems I'm not quite certain where to find some blood for our guests."

"Oh, I already found some blood, all right," Paige noted with a sly expression as she smiled at him.

"Paige," Katrina chastised her in an ominous tone.

The young vampire adopted a sour expression and looked up at the ceiling with her arms crossed.

"He doesn't know where I keep the blood yet," Katrina informed Paige levelly. "I don't feed in front of him."

Caleb had never observed her while she consumed blood, except from him, obviously.

Paige's eyes reflected sincere surprise, and her eyes darted to look at Caleb before turning to stare at Katrina with a puzzled look. "You're kidding," she scoffed incredulously. "There was a time when you used to drink before other humans as you drank from the human serving as the donor."

Caleb's eyes darted to stare at Katrina with a degree of silent shock. But his mind began to work over what was just said, and he blinked slowly as his gaze drilled into Katrina's with intensity.

"That's enough, Paige," Alton warned in a harsh voice.

"I bet he feeds in front of you, Katrina," Paige ventured with mild annoyance.

"How many hardy men balked at discovering your true nature?" Katrina demanded.

"None that lived," Paige countered. "However, he already knows you're a vampire."

Caleb turned his level gaze upon Paige as his body's muscles tensed. "I apologize for my ignorance," he stated flatly. "I'm not allowed to offer you my blood, but I'll be happy to retrieve some for you, if Katrina would just point me to the proper location."

Alton's expression reflected momentary surprise, but then he gazed upon Caleb with approval. However, Katrina's face grew concerned as she saw the tense series of emotions playing across her mate's face.

"I'll show them -" Katrina began.

"No," Caleb interrupted coldly. "I want to take care of it."

Katrina said nothing, but reached out for Caleb's hand, which she grasped gently in hers, and led him through the kitchen to a nearby door leading down into her small wine cellar. A long series of descending concrete steps led to a concrete room surrounded by storage shelves, a couple of workbenches, and a portion of the far wall containing a series of wine storage shelves stocked with a variety of bottles of wine. Immediately at the bottom of the stairs and to the right was a medium-sized white refrigerator.

Katrina opened the refrigerator to reveal shelves lined with a large variety of plastic bags of human blood. There were a variety of blood types, and each was labeled in the same manner one would see in a hospital or surgery center. Caleb estimated the combined total of blood would likely constitute a sizable quantity of human bodies.

"Each blood type has a somewhat different flavor to a vampire, but just like wine, each packet of blood may have a unique taste all its own," Katrina explained softly. She glanced at his face to find him just staring and taking the information in.

"Its own vintage," he ventured quietly, recalling the word Paige's earlier comment.

She nodded after a brief pause and agreed, "Yes, something like that."

"Which ones do I take?" he asked.

"Just randomly pick one of each for them," she stated with a sigh. "They'll let you know if they want something specific."

He grabbed two of the chilled pints of blood before pausing to ask, "Do you want one?"

"No," she replied quietly. "Thank you." She shut the refrigerator door, and he turned to walk back upstairs. But she reached out and pulled him into her arms protectively. He seemed so vulnerable to her, just like the little eight-year-old boy she remembered.

"It's okay," he muttered absently. "I'm okay with this." He sounded as if he were trying to convince himself. Is this like a cow who's been asked to bring a steak to a human? he wondered.

She shook her head slightly. "It's my fault. Perhaps I've sheltered you too much. But I was afraid."

It dawned on him what she was getting at. "You were afraid I'd be too unsettled by all this?" he asked.

"Yes," she said and kissed the top of his head. "So many new things are coming at you quickly. How much is too much for you?" I don't want to frighten you away, my love.

He formulated an answer as she stood with her arms wrapped securely around him. "You scare me. You all scare me," he replied earnestly. "But I love you, a