Sunrise at Sunset (45 page)

The women’s expressions displayed some surprise at Alton’s sudden revelation, and they glanced at one another. They smiled and simultaneously moved to embrace him. The group hug was heartwarming, an unusual occurrence among vampires.

After a few moments, there was a knock at the door, and Caleb’s face peeked into the room with a wary expression. All three vampires separated from one another slightly.

“Is this a ‘vampires only’ meeting?” he asked tentatively, but with a hopeful smirk.

Katrina’s tense features softened somewhat, and she crooked her finger in a beckoning motion as she invited, “Not at all. Come in.”

He opened the sliding door fully and leaned against the door jamb with his arms crossed before him. “Some new development?” he asked.

“Alton’s leaving,” Katrina explained.

“Tonight, if I can arrange a flight,” Alton added. “I have to be in Europe in the next couple of days for an important obligation. I wish I could stay, but perhaps I can visit again in the near future.”

“Oh,” he replied, unhappy at the news.

“But I’m staying on for a while, kiddo,” Paige offered with a grin.

His face reflected a degree of relief. “For Christmas and maybe New Year’s?”

Katrina sighed, suspecting suddenly that he didn’t want to be left completely alone with her. A feeling of dread shot through her as she hoped it wasn’t a sign of negative things to come between them.

Alton’s eyes darted to Katrina, having heard her sigh, but Paige deliberately ignored it.

“Sure,” Paige giggled. “I’ve never brought in the new year in Georgia before.”

“I thought you said you didn’t celebrate holidays,” he recalled suspiciously.

“Ah, but I did mention parties, and New Year’s involves lots of them,” Paige countered slyly.

“Katrina, perhaps you could assist me with Sunset Air arrangements?” Alton interrupted.

“Sure,” she replied. She moved towards the computer, while Paige sprinted up the small steps leading to the main level of the house and pulled on Caleb’s hand to draw him down the hallway with her.

Once they reached the opposite end of the house, Paige led him into the theater room and pushed the door closed slightly for privacy. He regarded her curiously as she moved closer to him.

“Katrina’s really troubled by what happened last night,” she whispered.

He nodded. “I realize that,” he replied. “She looked horrified now that I think back on it. I just never expected that from her, that’s all. I felt betrayed.”

“That’s understandable. But you two have to move beyond it,” she replied. “You realize why I’m staying, don’t you?”

Caleb shrugged. “Sure, you’re worried about Katrina.”

She locked her blue eyes with his and corrected him, “I’m here for you both; remember that. You’re both important to me now, understand?”

He smiled appreciatively. “Thanks.”

“Big sister’s on duty now,” she smirked while passing him to exit.

“Oh great, yet another self-professed title. What happened to the babysitter?” he teased.

She reached out and poked him in the ribs with her index finger before she exited, offering, “She’ll show up as needed.”

Later that afternoon, Caleb was sitting in the main living room watching television when he noticed Alton walking by with a suitcase. The tall vampire stopped in the entry to the living room and motioned to him by placing his index finger to his lips. Then he gestured for Caleb to follow him.

Caleb got up quietly, following Alton through the kitchen area and down the small hallway leading into the garage. Alton closed the door behind them and walked to the rear of the rental car with his suitcase. He activated the remote’s trunk release and placed the suitcase inside before turning his full attention to Caleb with a serious expression.

“I’m departing for the airport very soon, so here’s my personal email address and cell phone number,” Alton offered as he handed off a business card. “Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns, or just need to talk. Use Paige too. She cares about you both, and you already know you’re safe with her if things become…darker.”

Caleb’s heart rate anxiously increased at the vampire’s last comment. “You think things could get worse with Katrina?” he asked.

Alton soberly regarded him. “I’m hopeful that won’t be the case.”

Caleb considered the stately vampire. “I don’t think you’re being honest with me,” he complained.

Alton smirked. “Oh, really? You want honesty?”

The young man looked taken aback. “Well, of course I do.”

“Very well, Caleb. For the remainder of this conversation both of us will be totally honest with one another. Do you think you’re up to that?”

He looked suspiciously at the tall vampire and retorted, “I’ll be honest if you will.”

“We’ll see,” Alton replied.

Caleb remained silent and folded his arms before him.

“I’ve mentioned to you that Katrina experienced a tumultuous past. She’s moved away from higher levels of violence for years, until the recent events with Chimalma. You can be the catalyst to help her relinquish the aggression once more. Again, it all depends upon whether you’re up to handling it. It would take a dedicated and determined mate to succeed at the effort,” the dark-haired vampire stipulated.

“You have doubts?” Caleb countered. “So, you don’t approve of Katrina’s selection of me as her partner?”

“Frankly, I’m not totally convinced you’re up to that role yet. But I think with some improvement, you have the potential to be a sound choice as her mate,” the vampire replied smoothly. “But you shouldn’t confuse being her mate with being her partner. Partnership implies a shared, equal position, and you are no equal to her, or to any vampire. Vampires are superior to humans in most ways.”

“Well, that was brutally honest,” he retorted curtly. “Katrina said you respected humans. Was she mistaken?”

“You said you wanted honesty. And as for humans, I do respect them in general. Believe it or not, I’m gaining respect for you as time progresses.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re sincere, and you amuse me,” Alton replied simply. “And you seem to make Katrina happy. Her happiness is very important to me.”

“Does that also make me important to you?”

Alton raised an eyebrow. “You’re important to me because of your impact in Katrina’s life. But you have a great deal left to prove to me before you’re of greater importance. After all, I haven’t actually known you for very long, and trust doesn’t come easily for a vampire.”

Caleb nodded. “At least I appreciate your honesty.”

Alton inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement. “Now,” he asked, “do you have the fortitude to confront the truth about Katrina’s current condition?”

Caleb nodded agreeably, although was concerned with just how serious the conversation was preparing to turn. He didn’t like the idea that Katrina’s behavior might entail a “condition.”

“She’s experiencing a condition combining post traumatic stress disorder and something like what an addict might experience,” Alton began. “You’ve heard of people who crave adventurous activities. They thrive on the thrill and excitement derived from their dangerous behaviors.”

“Kat’s an adrenaline junkie?” Caleb demanded incredulously. “Like those extreme sports fanatics?”

Alton frowned and corrected, “No, not like that. It’s more like a soldier who spends the majority of their life in a war zone who adapts well to the environment and craves the danger and excitement of the hunt and the kill. A number of us -- vampires, that is -- enjoy that sort of setting. Katrina’s one of those. She gradually moved away from it after having her fill of it over time, and then she wanted to explore alternate paths in her life. Unfortunately, her recent and brief exposure to those activities has brought back some of the feelings she missed from those times. Only now, she’s reaping the side effects of her sudden immersion.”

Caleb nodded his head, understanding the situation much better with Alton’s explanation. It was a little unsettling, but he supposed it made sense.

“Caleb, all vampires are essentially predators at heart, merely in different ways. We all love our prey, so to speak. I, for one, have always considered hunting more of a parlor game played out delicately with intrigue, much like a chess match. Paige prefers a more social method of hunting, though I’m certain such a fact doesn’t surprise you by now. Katrina simply prefers a more visceral, direct method.”

“Am I in danger from her?” he asked tentatively.

Alton regarded him soberly. “My dear boy, we’re vampires. Humans are our favorite prey. Of course you’re in danger. Surely Katrina told you this?”

He considered past conversations with Katrina. “Sure, but I thought she was exaggerating somewhat. I never thought she’d actually
attack
me.”

“That was unexpected, I admit. But she wasn’t exaggerating. She’s a potential danger to you if provoked,” Alton carefully explained. “Suffice to say provoking her anger could result in unpleasant repercussions, even if it were something less than fatal.”

“But I didn’t provoke her, damn it!” Caleb shot back heatedly. “She scared the hell out of me.”

The tall vampire remained calm, but his jaw tightened noticeably. “Well, that’s just too bad for you, then. Did you honestly expect to exchange some mutual affection and just charm a violent predatory being into someone sedate and harmless? Was your sudden appearance in her life going to instantly change her, and the two of you would live happily ever after?” Alton pressed.

His eyes reflected surprise and outrage, and he retorted, “Listen to me, Alton. I’m not afraid of commitment or hard work in a relationship, and I’m damned sure not going to give up on her. But I shouldn’t have to expect to be attacked by her, either.”

The corners of Alton’s mouth upturned slightly, and he ventured, “I see we’ve struck a nerve. And are you angry with her?”

“Hell yes, I’m angry!” Caleb snapped. “In fact, I’m pissed off about it! How could she do that after she swore to protect me?”

Alton smiled sagely. “Ah yes, now we’re getting at the brutal honesty.”

He looked surprised, both at himself and at Alton’s reaction to him.

“Do you hate her?” Alton asked.

“What?” Caleb asked, dumbfounded. “No, of course not!”

“Do you want to leave her?” the vampire asked simply.

“No,” he immediately answered. “I love her.”

“I see,” Alton replied smoothly. “So, what are you going to do about the situation?”

Caleb’s eyes played wildly before him as he searched for an answer. “I’ll do what I have to do, Alton,” he countered vaguely. He honestly had no idea what he needed to do regarding Katrina. It was a little outside of his experience level.
But most vampire issues are far outside of my experience.

Alton observed Caleb’s reaction, actively evaluating him. The vampire paused before continuing, “Relationships between vampires and humans are difficult at best, and you often have to wrestle with many issues to make them succeed. Frankly, most people -- most humans -- just aren’t up to the task. That’s because most of all, as a human, you have to be able to face your own mortality and accept the fact that someday you may just die if something goes wrong. You have to look fear in the face, Caleb, and accept it. Only then can you begin to truly embrace and accept Katrina as a vampire.”

“I see,” Caleb replied.

“Now, you need to determine if you’re up to the task or not, and either stay or leave,” Alton stipulated flatly. “I’m confident Katrina would let you live and leave, so long as you held to her rules for the rest of your days on earth.”

Caleb tried to contemplate leaving Katrina and living without her. It was a painful thought, even at a cursory consideration. He glanced up to the stately vampire with narrowed eyes and saw Alton regarding him thoughtfully.

“Brutal honesty, remember?” Alton reminded with a subtle smile.

Caleb took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine, I’ll work on the fear issues,” he answered coolly. “Now, you’re the elder vampire. What else do I need to do to help Katrina?”

Alton quietly considered him at length. “Very well. I’ve been thinking it’s going to be a two-phase process. First, we have to move her away from the desire for violence. Later, we have to replace the violent tendencies with outlets less visceral but perhaps just as exciting.”

“You already expected me to ask, didn’t you?” Caleb asked suspiciously.

Alton smiled genuinely. “Well, let’s just say that I was prepared in case this conversation went better than expected.”

Caleb shook his head and sighed.
This guy’s a regular mastermind
, he mused. “Okay, what do you recommend for phase one?” he pressed with a raised eyebrow.

Alton adopted an introspective expression. “Well, phase one involves your encouraging her with less violent activities and more displays of affection, appreciation, and intimacy. Avoid arguments or confrontations. Be understanding and agreeable. Let her know how much you need and appreciate her. Really though, these aren’t uncommon techniques already successful with most women, am I not correct?”