Wicked Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 4) (21 page)

For approximately a week, my every need was catered to by vampires; certainly a memorable experience worth savoring.

Despite the strength that only slowly rebuilt in my body, I suddenly found that being human felt pretty damned good by comparison; though I missed the enhanced senses of smell, hearing, and sight that I had briefly enjoyed.

Still, little of my transitional time spent between worlds garnered similar appreciation.

It had been miserable, painful and debilitating.

I never wanted to go through that again.

Fortunately, my appetite returned with a vengeance, and my aversion to cooked meats quickly dissipated. I even enjoyed a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies Bonnie made for me.

“I should make you eat the stale original batch instead,” she had teased with an arched brow.

I adored her.

As soon as I was able to walk, I was taken to the hospital for a series brain and body scans.

Fortunately, each resulted in favorable assessments, which pleased me to no end. Essentially, my brain was healing and the remaining vampire cells in my body were progressively dissipating, destroyed by my body’s immune system.

I still experienced fleeting moments of blurriness, some body aches, and dizziness, but Ethan assured me it was relatively normal for my circumstances.

“Will I recover fully, doc?” I asked.

“I’m encouraged to think so,” he said.

It was as close to definitive as I could get from him, but it was better than nothing, given my condition.

I spent the evening of the Fourth of July watching the downtown Atlanta fireworks from the vantage point our front yard, arm-in-arm with Kat and surrounded by my friends, including Devon Archibald.

I still hadn’t got used to the guards on the property, though I appreciated their presence, given all that had happened recently.

* * *

Within ten days of waking from my coma-like state, Alton and Marla made plans to return to London in the coming week or so. Bonnie Lund said her time with us was also preparing to end.

“Dr. Reynolds is confident you’ll be fine on your own, with his and Kat’s supervision, of course,” she said.

It saddened me to see her leave, though I was more than pleased to be feeling better with each passing day. I’d grown fond of Bonnie in the short time I’d been around her.

“I’ll miss you,” I said, embracing her in a warm hug. “Nobody makes cookies like you, you know. But don’t tell Kat I said that.”

“I’ll keep in touch, Caleb,” she assured me. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope you’ll not need my services again anytime soon. Nevertheless, I’ll be here if needed.”

“Thanks,” I said. “And I feel the same way, actually. I’d prefer if this were a one-time event.”

Bonnie left the following day.

Another week passed, and I was already strong enough for moderate exercising. My body felt debilitated, and I was anxious to regain my strength and stamina. It also helped to pass the time.

I was growing restless.

Marla left within the week for London, and Alton said he’d only be staying for a few more days.

“How can I repay you for saving my life?” I asked him, once we had a moment alone together.

“Saving? I nearly cost you your life,” he said.

“I’d have died at the hospital, according to what Paige told me,” I said. “You gave me a chance, at least.”

He reached out to pat me on the shoulder in a paternal manner. “You’re here. That’s all that matters now.”

He refused to say anything further on the matter.

However, I soon discovered that Kat hadn’t been so fortunate.

One evening following dinner, I sat in our dining room, still serving as makeshift operations center for Alton, and alternated exasperated looks with him and Kat.

“Why does Kat have to go to London?” I demanded. “The debt is mine to repay, not hers.”

“The debt was mine, not yours,” Kat said sternly.

“Stop with all this talk of debts,” Alton said. “It’s pure nonsense. I need Katrina’s assistance with matters of imminent gravity, nothing more.”

“I’m going, too,” I said.

“No,” both Kat and Alton said simultaneously, each pausing to stare at the other.

Just great, denied in stereo.

“It’s too dangerous,” Kat said.

“I concur,” Alton said.

I ignored him for the moment.

“I’ll be safer with you in London,” I said, staring at Kat.

“I don’t want you there. It’s too dangerous and you’ll only distract me, Caleb,” she said flatly.

Her words stabbed into my chest like a hot knife.

She doesn’t want me there?

I stared back at her incredulously. How could she say something like that to me?

I just practically returned from the near dead, for God’s sake.

She reached out for my hand but I jerked it free from her grip.

“Don’t,” I said.

I don’t want you there…

If she didn’t want me there…well, that changed matters entirely.

Fine!

I stormed from the room, slamming shut the French doors to the dining room as I left.

“Caleb!” she called.

Pointedly ignoring her, I made for the nearest exit.

I caught Paige’s surprised look from where she stood in the kitchen as I barreled for the door leading out onto the back patio. I snatched my iPod and ear buds from a small table near the door as I darted outside.

Practically stomping my feet in anger, I proceeded through the backyard and into the night as I jammed the ear buds into place.

Seconds later, The Dresden Dolls’ “The Kill” blared in my ears.

I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of one of the suit-clad vampires following me.

Great, one of the goons is shadowing me.

I was determined to get as far as I could before my ‘safety zone’ was deemed to be exceeded.

My thoughts were jumbled and my anger coursed through me in waves. Before I knew it, I was passing through the neighborhood park, past the bench where Kat had revealed her vampire secret to me last fall.

It seemed like a lifetime ago.

“Dammit.”

I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

What the hell am I supposed to do now that my mate doesn’t want me around?

Chapter 18

Katrina

Caleb’s shoulders were squared and stiff as I watched him march away.

We’d only just welcomed him from the brink of oblivion, and he was already angry with me…yet again.

Once again, I’d said something that he took totally wrong, eliciting another heated reaction from him.

With practice, I could learn to be more diplomatic with him.

I need to try better, I suppose.

Being abrupt with others was another one of my less than charming attributes. It was no wonder I’ve had such a checkered past with relationships.

Of course, that tidbit of self-actualization hardly helped me at the present.

Personal faults aside, I was somewhat surprised he hadn’t permitted me time to explain further.

I rose to pursue my wayward mate, only to feel Alton’s grip tighten around my arm.

“Let him go, Katrina,” he said.

I frowned and jerked my arm from his grasp with more force than I’d intended. “Why should I? I need to reason with him.”

He spared me one of his more patient-looking expressions, which I merely found infuriating.

“Give the young man time to cool off,” he said.

“He’s acting like a spoiled teenager,” I said.

“Careful there,” he cautioned. “I remember cradling a grown woman in my arms not so long ago.”

“I was grief-stricken, thank you very much,” I responded.

An arched brow was his only response.

I rolled my eyes, though I suppose he made a good point.

“He’ll come around when he’s ready,” he added.

I hitched my hands atop my hips. “Oh, really? And just when did you become so well versed in all things Caleb?”

One of the French doors opened and I looked up to see Paige staring at me curiously.

“What the hell was that all about?” she asked. “Our boy looked like a road rage poster child.”

I closed my eyes and massaged my fingertips against my eyelids, not really interested in explaining things to her at that moment.

“Caleb won’t be accompanying us to London,” Alton said. “He didn’t take the news well.”

“Gee, do ya’ think?” she quipped.

“He’ll be fine once we help him understand the dangers and implications involved,” Alton said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll smooth things over with him,” I said.

Paige quirked her lips and looked at each of us.

“You know, when it comes to the soft sell, you two really suck,” she said.

I frowned at her sarcastic admonition.

However, she made an excellent point, I suppose.

“I can assure you we have things well in hand,” Alton said. “He’ll cool off soon enough and then we can rationally discuss the matter.”

She scoffed and stared at me in a penetrating fashion. “I’ll talk to him.”

“And tell him what?” I asked.

“What any friend would,” she replied. “What he needs to hear.”

She sped away toward the living room.

I sighed. Paige always seemed to have a colorful way with Caleb that I desperately envied at times. It was yet another aspect I needed to improve upon if I wanted to smooth the path between him and me moving forward.

However, I hoped her advice to him was intended to be helpful versus obstructive. Sometimes she had her own agenda, or at least her own angle on other peoples agendas.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know which for certain until afterward.

Flip a coin.

I loved Caleb so dearly, and I only wanted what was in his best interest.

In the end, I could only hope he also realized that, over and above his sense of frustration.

Chapter 19

Caleb

At such a brisk pace it didn’t take me long to traverse the length of the park and make my way out to the addition’s central road leading to the entrance.

A few minutes later, I walked through the addition’s main exit gate and along the asphalt county road. I glanced back over my shoulder long enough to see my vampire escort following me while talking on his mobile phone.

I could practically imagine the conversation:
Subject in sight, headquarters. Awaiting further orders.

Oh, well. Everyone needs a job, right?

Hell, I wished I still had one.

I let that thought slide and appreciated the fact I was alive and relatively well.

Count my blessings.

One of the nice aspects of the surrounding area was the relatively rural feel of things. The Pine Valley addition was the only one of its kind, amidst large expanses of virgin land, and some acreage that hosted cattle.

On a normal evening, I’d probably have found it quite soothing.

However, my thoughts returned to my anger over being left behind; once again, when things appeared even remotely dangerous. It made me feel like some helpless invalid needing to be coddled and sheltered.

Kat’s words echoed in my mind.

I don’t want you there, Caleb.

That was the real heart of the problem.

I couldn’t force her to want me.

“Crap.”

I lost track of time as I walked. A car passed by and I half expected it to be Kat coming to retrieve me. However, the regal looking Lexus merely sped down the road until I lost sight of its tail lights in the distance.

I’d made it a lot further than I’d anticipated.

A slight breeze kicked up and the woodsy scent from a nearby copse of pines assailed my nose.

How many more scents am I missing that a vampire would’ve been able to detect?

If only I were a vampire then Kat would let me go with her to London.

But the way things had been going lately, I had no idea if I’d ever be turned.