Sunrise at Sunset (46 page)

Caleb considered that and nodded. “Sure, I can see that. I’ll try.”

Alton smiled supportively. “Katrina’s an alpha female, so your efforts should be appreciated. Paige might be helpful with gauging your success in phase one, but you probably already know what to do based upon your previously successful courtship with Katrina.”

“Since you mentioned it,” Caleb began curiously, “what is it about the fatal failures of Katrina’s previous relationships? I sense this ‘alpha female’ business plays into it.”

“Honestly, it’s not really my place –” Alton began.

“Oh come on!” he retorted irritably. “I want to do this correctly, and it’s not like I’m going to be able to get another male vampire’s perspective anywhere else. Besides, you know her better than most since you were her mentor.”

Alton shrugged. “Hm, a compelling argument.”

Caleb waited patiently.

“There are alpha female humans, you know, the ones who ‘wear the pants’ in the relationship,” Alton began. “It’s somewhat similar with vampires. Alpha vampires are among the most dangerous of our kind, and as such, often command more respect and regard from other vampires. Bear in mind Katrina doesn’t appreciate being challenged directly, either. That’s just one of a number of alpha qualities. You may have already noticed she compels compliance in areas of your security.”

Caleb nodded and raised his eyebrows.
Boy, does she
.

“Such challenging normally results in conflict, which in Katrina’s past became a battle for supremacy and authority between her and her previous alpha human male companions,” Alton continued. “You, on the other hand, are less confrontational and don’t openly challenge her authority. This is to your advantage.”

“But you seem successful with her, and you’re more of an alpha,” Caleb pointed out.

Alton smiled. “Yes, well, I’m a vampire like her. And I have the advantage of being her former mentor, as well as her friend. But even I as a fellow alpha have difficulties and have lost as many arguments as I’ve won. Then again, I’m also not her mate.”

Caleb considered those revelations.

“Use your subtle nature to appeal to her, but without openly challenging her,” Alton suggested. “I think you’ll find that your gentle nature and personality will have remarkable success with her. Opposites not only attract, they often fit well together, if paired correctly.”

Caleb smiled. This was the first time he considered his somewhat passive nature to be an asset. In the past, it normally only resulted in his being taken advantage of. “Okay, what about phase two?”

“Let’s get through phase one first,” Alton suggested. “Frankly, given Katrina’s past, I’m thinking phase two will involve less traditional pursuits. Say, perhaps, something along the lines of ‘fox and hound’ activities.”

Caleb looked at the vampire with a dumbfounded expression. “Doesn’t that involve horses or something?” he asked absently.

“Odds-bodkins, you Americans,” Alton admonished. “Hide and seek? Something like a playful form of escape and evade. Don’t worry about that now. We’ll work on the details later. Suffice to say you should start exercising more. Take up running or jogging and continue a regimen of upper body muscle toning.”

This is going to be harder than I thought
, Caleb ruminated.
Playtime sounds a little exhausting in phase two
.

While Alton couldn’t read his thoughts, he nevertheless read the young man’s body language and offered with a grin, “Don’t worry. Something tells me you’re going to enjoy phase two more than you think.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes doubtfully. “Thanks for your honesty,” he said. He extended his hand to shake Alton’s, and the vampire returned the handshake firmly.

Alton offered, “I’m honestly encouraged after our conversation, Caleb. I suspect your potential for success has improved greatly during the past few minutes. And remember your promise about trying to make Katrina happy a little each day for me.”

He smiled and nodded as the tall vampire turned to return inside the house, leaving him standing in the garage alone. “Well, I did say I wanted honesty,” he muttered.

Once evening arrived, it was time for Paige to accompany Alton to the airport for his return to Europe. Katrina gave her friend and former mentor a warm embrace, as well as a kiss on the cheek to send him on his way. Caleb stepped forward to shake Alton’s hand, and he gave the tall vampire a penetrating look. Alton smiled slightly and winked at him in a reassuring manner.

“Thank you,” Caleb offered. “It’s honestly been a pleasure.”
Alton regarded the young man, conceding, “Likewise. And quite honestly I can say I’m happily surprised.”

He grinned as Alton slid into the driver’s seat, while Katrina and Paige both shared odd glances with each another over the brief exchange between the two men. Katrina wrapped her arm around Caleb’s shoulders as Paige got into the car. They both waved briefly as the car backed out of the garage.

Katrina looked down at Caleb. “You’re not scared to be alone with me are you?”

He smiled briefly before looking up at her and replying in a sincere tone, “Not anymore, I’m not.”

She smiled at the forwardness of his reply and kissed him briefly on the lips. With her arm still wrapped around his shoulders, she turned them towards the entrance into the house and closed the garage door on their way inside. She felt both hopeful and relieved for the first time since the previous night.

Later that night, Caleb went to bed early, and Katrina lay down beside him until he fell asleep. Then she carefully slipped from the bed and sat at her computer checking her financial accounts and other online activities neglected since the Chimalma-related distractions in their lives.

When Paige returned with the rental car, the blonde-haired vampire peeked into the sublevel room to check in on them. Katrina looked up from her computer activities and quietly made her way upstairs to Paige.

“It’s too early to turn in for us vampires,” Paige ventured. “How about we heat up some blood and have a chat, just like old times?”

Katrina smiled, nodded, and replied, “Sure, sounds like fun.”

As the two went to the kitchen to retrieve some blood packets from the refrigerator, having moved the remainder of the supply there until the replacement refrigerator arrived for the basement, Katrina decided to broach a serious topic.

“Paige, Caleb seemed more positive this evening, and I’m feeling hopeful for how things might proceed,” the red-haired vampire anticipated. “But do you think I’m a danger to him?”

Paige placed two glasses of blood into the microwave to heat and shrugged. “What do I think? I think you’re both a lot better together than you are apart.”

“I appreciate that,” Katrina offered with a smile.

But Paige wasn’t finished, and she looked her friend directly in the eyes. “I also think, since you’ve claimed him as your mate, it’s time he knew more about your past.”

Katrina nodded her understanding and sighed. Alton had made her realize how negligent she had been about that already, but it helped to have multiple perspectives.

“And one more thing,” Paige said as she removed the glasses of blood from the microwave.

Katrina raised a curious eyebrow as she stared at her plain-spoken friend.

“It’s time to lighten up on him,” Paige insisted gently but with a serious expression. “Let him make some mistakes without feeling as though he just broke a cardinal sin. Show a little tolerance. Try a gentle hand with him for a change.”
Katrina frowned as she took a glass from Paige and sipped at the blood.

“You think I’ve been too hard on him?” she asked. Katrina always found it difficult to accept criticism, but she realized Paige’s intentions were sincere. Paige was a true, long-time friend, just as Alton was, and she didn’t suspect either of them of ulterior motives.

“I think he’ll be a lot less afraid to make a mistake if the repercussions aren’t so severe,” Paige explained. “Let some slack out on the leash. This is a great opportunity to start fresh with him.”

Katrina smiled a little bit, appreciating the leash reference. She realized that she had been a little heavy-handed with Caleb since the Chimalma interruption of recent weeks. “I was more lighthearted when we met,” she reflected.
It seems like a lifetime ago since I first sat in the back row of his history class watching
him lecture.

“You mean, aside from restraining yourself from killing his ex-girlfriend?” Paige teased.

Katrina rolled her eyes with a shake of her head.

“Find that same lighthearted place again,” Paige urged. “Renew those feelings and relish them. He’ll do anything for you, Katrina. Nurture him, and show a little patience.”

She sipped at the blood in her glass and reflected on her friend’s comments. “You certainly seem to have quite a way with him,” she noted with amusement.

Paige smirked and conceded, “I’m playful. He likes that. It’s a method that works for me. But I can be serious when necessary, and he respects that, as well.”

“Your playing the role of protective big sister does seem to appeal to him,” Katrina reflected.

Paige corrected her friend, “Ah, but he fell in love with the tall, mysterious, and equally protective vampire you are. I can tell he really likes that. Just be more subtle.”

“Any initial suggestions?” Katrina asked.

Paige smiled with sudden realization and offered, “Sure: Christmas shopping.”

The next day, Katrina and Paige slept for a couple of hours that morning, having stayed up until before dawn talking outdoors where they could appreciate the night in its fullness. Caleb tip-toed out of the sublevel room so he didn’t disturb Katrina, who took the precaution of sleeping on the couch in front of the wall-mounted television instead of risking falling asleep next to him. She seemed to be sleeping soundly when he departed the room and made his way upstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast. He courteously remained indoors so as not to alarm either of the vampires.

Once both vampires rose later that morning, they made plans for the upcoming evening. The day was spent performing simple repairs throughout the house using the various tools and supplies from the home improvement store. The new refrigerator for the basement arrived early. It was a simple effort for Paige and Katrina to carry the old refrigerator to the garage before the delivery men arrived, although the men gave the vampires a sidelong glance as they noticed the bullet holes in the door, which were sealed over with duct tape. Fortunately, the majority of blood stains were cleaned from within the refrigerator prior to the truck’s arrival.

“Vandals,” Paige offered from the protective shade of the garage as the sun shone brightly outside.

Caleb nearly winced at her explanation, but managed to maintain a straight face as he watched the two men load the old refrigerator into the truck.

“Pretty hostile vandals,” one of the guys commented incredulously.

After the delivery service departed, Paige and Katrina easily carried the new refrigerator to the basement. Caleb marveled at the benefit of their enhanced physical strength for home improvement activities.

“I see successful business potential for a vampire moving company,” he quipped with a grin, only to be given bland expressions by both women.

By late afternoon, each of them had showered and changed into casual clothes for their evening out to do some Christmas shopping. Both women were clad in designer jeans and brightly colored sweaters, while Caleb wore black denim jeans, a red oxford shirt, and his black leather jacket. Together, they looked appropriately holiday-themed.

Both vampires decided to wait until their return from the mall to consume blood, while Caleb waited to eat at the mall. They all piled into Katrina’s Audi and made their way to Lenox Square. There was a complete selection of major department stores, as well as fashion boutiques. The entire mall was decorated to the hilt with Christmas décor and packed with people scrambling for gifts in the final shopping days of the season.

Caleb was amazed how easily Paige and Katrina fell into rather traditional women’s shopping activities. It was hard for him to overlook the fact they were vampires, and he almost found it humorous that everyone around them seemed totally oblivious. But vampires weren’t supposed to be real, and it wasn’t that long ago since he hadn’t suspected Katrina of being anything other than an alluring, intelligent woman of interest. Following that line of thought, he was happy they were partaking in “normal” social activities.

The young man watched with a mix of interest and amusement from the comfort of a fabric-covered chair in the shoe department as both women tried on strappy, high-heeled, designer-brand shoes at one of the mall’s elegant department stores. He marveled at how they were like two college girlfriends on a shopping spree. Katrina was unable to decide between the black or bright blue, while Paige was uncertain about a bright red pair. The truth was that he appreciated how sexy any of the colors looked on their feet.

As he stared at them with a smile, both women simultaneously looked at him, as if feeling his eyes upon them. Paige grinned at him, while Katrina seemed amused by his scrutiny. The female sales clerk noted both of the women’s sudden interest in Caleb and smirked at him as if she knew what was coming next.