Crimson Moon (16 page)

"I put the DVD in the player.” Sarah reached for a controller, pressing a button. The movie started and she rolled her eyes. “Can't you two ever watch anything but these disgusting slasher pictures?"

"And why would we want to do that?” Derek drawled.

Caleb used a controller to flip off the lights, lounging back and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I twisted slightly, pulling my legs up and cuddling next to him, resting my head on his chest.

This movie was somewhat easier to believe, since I knew werewolves did actually exist. Derek, Caleb, and even Sarah, grimaced and laughed at some of the things portrayed. Like the werewolf going crazy during a full moon.

"Is that true?” I asked, interrupting the movie. “Do you sprout fur and lose your minds during the full-moon?"

Derek snorted. “Typical human thinking. Consider the full moon our version of PMS. It comes once a month and makes us abnormally bitchy, but otherwise, it's harmless."

Sarah's sigh was drowned out by Caleb's boisterous laughter.

Leave it to Derek and his inept ability to explain things.

By the time the movie ended, I was struggling to keep my eyes open. Caleb asked if he could speak to Derek and Sarah privately and I graciously excused myself, climbing up the stairs to his room. I organized my clothing inside the closet earlier but I decided to wear one of Caleb's t-shirts, slipping it on and hurrying to the bed.

I drifted to sleep within minutes.

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Caleb came to bed at an unknown point during the night, rousing me when his arm encircled my waist to bring me back against his body. He was gone by the time I woke, and I decided that one day I had to surprise him and be the early bird for once.

I stumbled into the closet, choosing a short sleeved polo and a pair of khaki shorts for the hike. I dug inside the bag on the floor for my socks, thankful I'd been wearing sneakers when all of this transpired. Then I snuck into the bathroom for a short shower, drying my hair quickly, leaving it hanging loosely down my back and bringing along an elastic band. I could pull it up if I needed to later. I didn't bother with any makeup since I would only sweat it off anyway.

Sarah's voice carried from the living room when I descend the stairs and I turned in the direction of the sound. All of them were there, dressed and ready. Stuffed backpacks were resting on the floor at their feet.

"Good morning, Emma,” Sarah greeted me with a huge smile. She managed to look sporty in her khaki shorts and blue tank top, her hair parted to the side with a bobby pin keeping it in place. “Caleb said you like coffee, so I made some."

"Thank you.” I smiled at everyone and walked past, desperately needing my caffeine fix.

As promised, the pot was nearly full. I pulled down a mug and poured the coffee, stopping well before the top. I wanted milk and sugar.

Sweetness was just the thing I needed.

Caleb strode in, handsome as always. He hadn't shaved and I thought it suited him. His hair hung softly around his eyes, framing his face. He looked older, more rugged, and totally charming.

"Are you ready for some serious walking?” he teased me, opening the fridge and reaching inside for a bottle of water.

"As long as you're patient.” I took another drink of my coffee. “I should warn you, I'm not an agile hiker."

"If you want, I can carry you,” he offered.

I gave him a funny look, eyes bulging out when I realized he meant it.

"My bruises are finally turning green now,” I declined the invitation, shaking my head forcibly. There was no way in the world I was making that kind of trip again, not if I could avoid it. I touched my stomach absent mindedly, soothing the sore spots.

"I don't have to carry you across my shoulders.” He chuckled, lifting the bottle of water to his lips.

"Just the same, I'll stick to my feet, if you don't mind."

He continued laughing, watching me as I finished the coffee and rinsed out my mug. I walked to the counter and grabbed a banana, eating quickly and then discarding the remainder into the trash before following Caleb into the other room. Derek and Sarah were ready to go. Each had the enormous packs on, the sides bulging out around them.

"What do you have in there?” I asked curiously. It looked like they'd packed an entire room inside.

"All of the things we will need, plus lunch,” Sarah answered, her sweet smile never wavering.

"And where are ours?” I glanced at Caleb. I wouldn't make it far, but I'd give it an old fashioned try.

"No, Emma. We have
everything
.” Sarah lifted the strap on her shoulder, leaning forward to emphasize the packs. No wonder they were so bulky, she
had
packed an entire room inside.

"I wanted to make you suffer.” Derek glared at me playfully. “But Sarah threatened me with bodily harm."

Sarah rolled her eyes but smiled at us. “You two just enjoy the scenery. Derek and I have this."

They led the way outside. The grass was slightly damp from the morning dew, causing the plastic soles of my shoes to squeak. We passed the pond and a fish splashed on the surface, creating a circular ripple. I smiled, thinking about Billy and my feeble attempts with his fishing rod.

A path was visible between the barn and an expanse of heavy trees. The dirt scattered with new patches of grass growing throughout.

"We'll follow the path. If you need us to slow down, just yell,” Sarah called to us over her shoulder, following the route in confident strides.

"Will do,” Caleb hollered back, extending his hand. I placed mine inside his warm fingers and we started off.

The initial area was fairly flat, the terrain easy to maneuver. The trees cleared a path and Derek and Sarah moved forward, their bodies disappearing from view.

The sun couldn't breach the trees. Instead it lit them from above, creating a shadowed green canopy. It was serene and calm, the wind building and whistling through the branches, blowing cool against my skin. Squirrels and a few rabbits darted about, bobbing in and out of the shrubbery.

"I see why you love it here,” I told Caleb enviously, taking in as much as my eyes, ears, and nose would allow.

"You'll love it in the winter. The leaves fall, and you can see everything. And when it snows, it's like a blanket of sparkling white.” He squeezed my hand, ducking out of the way of a low hanging branch.

"If I'm here in the winter,” I murmured quietly. I'd love to see the snow here—with Caleb.

"I've been thinking about that.” He pushed more branches out of his way, holding them aloft, keeping them from striking me. “The next time Sam calls, I'm getting some answers."

I peered up at him. “What do you mean?"

"I want to know what your Father's intentions are. I know he wants to meet with you and take care of you, but what else does he want? I'm going to ask Sam and find out.” He smiled confidently. “It concerns me now. Sam will tell me."

"You don't think—” I had entertained one theory but refused to say it out loud with one exception—in the van. “You don't think he'll expect me to...be like them, do you?"

"I don't know much about what vampires refer to as royalty, other than they pick direct descendants to fill in the line if they need to. But I do know Sam has worked with them for years and trusts them. And I trust Sam. He would never help them if the outcome hurt someone—like you for example. And trust me, Emma, I won't allow them to do anything you don't want."

"I know you wouldn't.” I blushed, smiling at his candor. “And answers of any kind would be most welcome."

He chuckled, teasing me, “I'll have to warn Sam about your knack with questions."

My ‘knack’ had me brave enough to broach the one thing that I kept going back to, something personal, and I was certain something private.

"Caleb, back at the house you said your Mom changed, but she could have stayed human, right?"

His smile disappeared and his jaw clenched. I waited, thinking he'd pull his hand away. When he didn't, I held on.

I didn't say anything and we walked for several minutes in silence. I tried to enjoy the sounds and sights of nature around me, trying not to be hurt by his reaction. Guilt made my stomach churn. I should have left it alone until he told me on his own.

"She changed,” he began then stopped, clearing his throat and starting over. His hair fell across his forehead, obscuring his eyes from view.

"When my change started, Mom thought I was a typical young man ironing out my rough edges. After that first trip to Haven's, it was difficult for her. I stopped coming around, too wrapped up in discovering who I was. I went from living at home in college, to living at Haven's and fighting every night in the bar. Of course, she didn't know any of this. Only that I showed up to Sunday dinner with fresh bruises."

He took a deep breath and I squeezed his hand encouragingly.

"One Sunday I came home wired, the night before had been brutal. I didn't get any sleep at all. I went to my room to rest for a little while and I drifted off. I had a vivid nightmare—swinging fists, blood, cracking and broken bones.” His voice was uneven and he paused, collecting himself. “I shifted as I dreamed, and Mom heard me. Samantha was just a little girl at the time and she told her to play quietly while she checked in. I woke when the door opened, still halfway in a dream. I lunged before I could comprehend what I was seeing and she tried to yank the door shut. But not before I got her. A tiny nick of my teeth on her hand was all it took."

"That's how Mom found out, how she was introduced to what we are, and to what she now is.” His mouth lifted slightly, enhancing his guilt ridden face. “I stayed away for months, until she came to Haven's, threatening to haul me home herself if I missed another Sunday dinner."

My eyes burned and I pushed aside the tears that threatened to fall. I had seen the devotion he felt for his family as he shared their pictures inside his room. Now I understood why Brigette's words had cut so deeply.

"It wasn't your fault. You said yourself it's difficult to control.” I attempted to console him, making sure my voice was clear and level.

I let go of his hand, wrapping my arms around him, pressing my body against his.

He squeezed me tenderly with his arms. “They've forgiven me, but I'm still working on it."

I hugged him tighter, burrowing into his chest. That was why Caleb was always so serious. He tried to balance everything on his shoulders. It was one of the most admirable things about him but one of the most heartrending. He judged himself much harder than everyone else did, and he didn't forgive himself if he made a mistake. Perhaps time would change that. I was thankful he decided to share the story. It helped me understand him a little better.

We walked until the trees started to thin and clear, the dark cover widening just beyond. Bright light rested at the edge of the leaves and tree trunks, and I hurried forward, curious to the see what awaited ahead.

"Patience is a virtue, you know.” Caleb smiled, letting me go.

Branches parted and trees separated, a line of sun ran along the edge, separating the woods from the area ahead like a border.

I stepped out of the shade and into the meadow, the sun encasing and blinding me. Grass stretched to my waist, tickling my elbows, dancing as the wind coursed over the terrain covered entirely with golden coreopsis. They swayed together, petals glowing in the sun.

"Wow,” I said breathlessly, eyes wide.

Caleb walked just behind me. “Do you like it?"

"It's too much for words.” I was awestruck, absorbing as much as my vision would allow, yellow bleeding with green in the corner of my eyes.

We walked deeper into the meadow, yellow wrapping all around us, until all I could see were endless waves of gold. I reached down, touching the soft petals and standing straight, gazing out as far as possible, attempting to see past the covering of flowers.

"Where did Sarah and Derek go?” I asked, smiling up at him, basking in the sun.

"They always change when we come here.” His eyes scanned past the tips of the grass, seeing where I could not.

I heard them initially. A playful growling like Mrs. Peatree's Golden Retriever, Ralphie, when he saw me pass the fence. I couldn't see anything but yellow gold, following the direction of Caleb's gaze.

The sound got closer, the growling more intense and vibrant. Flowers parted at the north end of the field, and then—I saw them.

They didn't look like wolves, not exactly. Their bodies were massive, bigger than any dog I'd ever seen in my life. They ran in nimble movements, legs graceful, bodies perfectly balanced. My eyes followed them as they frolicked, color and size indicating who I was seeing. Derek's coat was a honey blond, beautifully striking against Sarah's inky black. He was larger, but she was faster, nipping at his flank and darting away.

"They're beautiful,” I whispered in wonderment.

"I told you I'd surprise you.” Caleb wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin atop my head.

"Why didn't you—don't you normally join them?” I was certain he did, just as I was certain they came here often together. Running through the meadow and basking in the sun.

"It can wait for another time.” He leaned down, kissing my hair, inhaling through his nose.

"No.” I turned in his arms. “I want to see—I want to see you."

"Are you sure about that?” He was astonished, his entire body utterly motionless.

"Yes. And will you...Will you come to me?"

"Are you sure about this, Emma?” He sounded worried and anxious, barely breathing.

I pushed him toward the wooded area, voice steady. “I'm positive."

"We don't have to do this now,” he stalled. “
You
don't have to do this now."

"Don't make me ask again, Caleb.” I shoved him with as much force as I could muster. It didn't even budge his enormous frame but he turned around anyway.

He didn't look back as he jogged, pulling his shirt over his head as he faded into the distance, vanishing under the lush canopy. I glanced toward the sounds Derek and Sarah were making, their happy yips and growls in the meadow making me smile.