“If anyone else recognizes the area you are also free to go,” my mother said.
Nobody else responded.
“Okay,” Corrine said. “The rest of you will be left with the police. They’ll take care of you.”
“Mom, Dad, do either of you recognize this area?” I asked.
They looked around, then shook their heads. “Our house wasn’t near here,” my mother replied.
“So if we don’t know the location of any police station,” I said, “we’ll have to find a telephone.”
“Rose, Sofia and I can escort them,” my father said. “There’s no need for all of us to come. The rest of you just wait here for us.” He glanced toward the horizon. “We’ll be as quick as possible.”
With that, the three of us set off with the humans toward the road. There were hardly any cars around at this early hour.
“If any of you spot a phone booth, let us know,” my mother said.
We walked along the sidewalk for the next ten minutes. Our pace was frustratingly slow. I just wasn’t used to traveling at regular human speed any more.
Finally, one of the girls called out. “Look, there’s one on the other side.”
We crossed the road and approached the booth. My father picked up the phone, dialed 911 and turned to my mother and me as he held the phone to his ear.
“Check the name of this road,” he said.
My mother and I stepped away, located a signpost and noted the name.
After the call had connected, we gave my father the details he needed. Less than a minute later, he was done talking and replaced the phone.
“They’re coming for you,” he said, looking around at the humans.
They positively beamed.
“Rose, Sofia,” he said, “We’ll wait on the other side of the road, behind those bushes, until the police arrive—just to make sure they get picked up okay.”
“Good idea,” I said. There was no point in waiting here in full view of the police or they’d just entangle us in questions.
“Where do you live?” one of the girls asked, eyeing my father.
The three of us exchanged glances. “Not in California,” was all the answer she received from him.
We said goodbye to the humans and then ducked down behind the bushes on the opposite sidewalk. We didn’t have to wait long. The police arrived within ten minutes. I could hear the police asking them who had brought them here. The humans replied that they didn’t even know who we were and that we had just left. We were grateful that they didn’t point out our location in the bushes.
The police piled them into police cars and after ten minutes of fussing about, they drove away, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
My father placed an arm around me and my mother. He planted a kiss on each of our heads before saying, “Now it’s time for us to go home.”
Chapter 34: Rose
The familiar sight of The Shade’s Port sent a warm feeling rushing through me.
We’re home.
I could breathe freely for what felt like the first time since leaving our island. After all that had happened this past year, I swore to never take this place for granted again.
It being still early in the morning, most people would likely be asleep.
“Corrine, Ibrahim,” my father said, his voice quiet. “Why don’t you treat those among us who need it before turning in for the night?”
“Who needs medical attention?” Corrine asked, looking around each of us.
I looked down at my own chest. It was still red, but it wasn’t really bothering me anymore. I supposed that it was best to get treated just in case it developed into something worse.
Most of the vampires chose to do without help, saying that they would be fine and their bodies would heal themselves after some nourishment. Kiev seemed to be the most seriously injured of the vampires, but Mona said that she would be able to treat him at home. In the end, it was just me, Micah, my grandfather, and Ashley who went to see Corrine and Ibrahim. Caleb accompanied me as we headed to their home.
I waited in line for my turn, and then lay down on Corrine’s kitchen table, which she had turned into a treatment bed. She applied a cold compress to my chest and shoulders that stung momentarily.
“Nothing serious,” she said.
After five minutes, she allowed me to sit up. I looked down at my skin. It was tinged slightly pink, but otherwise it was pretty close to its usual color.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Caleb, how about you?” she asked. “You don’t need any help?”
“I will be all right,” he said. “The injuries I sustained have mostly healed themselves already.”
“All right. The two of you should go and get some rest,” she said, even as she yawned.
Caleb and I left the Sanctuary and began making our way through the forest. As we neared the Residences, we came across my parents standing with Vivienne and Xavier in the middle of the path.
I ran up and flung my arms around my aunt.
“Rose!” she said, hugging me back tightly. I felt the bump in her stomach.
Then I hugged my uncle.
“Your parents have just been telling us about your adventures,” Vivienne said, smiling.
Adventures. Huh. That’s one way to put it.
“Let’s return to our apartment,” my mother said, “where we can all sit comfortably and catch up.”
Although I was exhausted, and my body wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep, I was too curious to find out what had been happening around the island since we had been gone. So Caleb and I joined them in returning to my parents’ penthouse. We all gathered in the living room, taking seats on the sofa.
We spent the next three hours recounting everything from our visit to the Blood Keep to our battle with the black witches. Once we had told all there was to tell, my father asked, “How have things been around here?”
“Suspiciously peaceful,” Xavier said. “There is nothing much to report at all.”
“What about the dragons?” I asked, still anxious about our newly arrived residents.
“They’ve kept to themselves mostly,” Vivienne said. “At least, none of them have come to see us. But I’ve heard through the grapevine—from Becky, that is—that they have all chosen girls now… except for the prince.”
“Huh?” I jolted in my seat. “Theon still hasn’t chosen a girl?”
Vivienne shook her head. “Nope.”
“But… the main purpose of their stay was to find a partner for him, to continue their royal lineage. The other dragons’ finding mates was supposed to be secondary.”
Vivienne shrugged. “I’m not sure why he hasn’t hooked up with anyone. Becky didn’t seem to know either.”
I wondered what this meant for us. If the prince saw nobody fit for him here, would they all leave?
“Don’t worry about it now, honey,” my mother said, squeezing my knee. “We’ll find out what the situation is soon enough.”
We talked for about an hour more, by which point I was no longer able to keep my eyelids open. They began to droop without me even realizing it. Caleb scooped me up in his strong arms and moved toward the door.
“Excuse us,” he said.
“Good night,” my family called after us as we left the apartment.
More like good morning, I thought groggily, before falling asleep in Caleb’s arms.
Chapter 35: Rose
I woke to the sound of Caleb’s light breathing next to me. I opened my eyes slowly, turning to face him on the pillow. He was still fast asleep.
Trying not to wake him, I gently lifted his right arm from over my waist and placed it down on the bed. Then I slid out from beneath the sheets and headed straight to the bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then took a shower and washed my hair. It was shocking how much gunk had managed to stick in it. The pool of water forming on the shower floor was a murky brown.
&nbs
p; After I’d finished in the shower, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me before heading back into the bedroom to get dressed. I was about to open my closet when the digital alarm clock on the windowsill caught my attention.
11.34 AM.
But it wasn’t those blinking figures that made me stop. It was the date beneath them. I dropped my towel and picked up the clock, looking at it more closely in case I’d misread it.
I hadn’t.
Wow. I’d completely lost track of time.
In just one day, it would be my birthday. My and Ben’s birthday.
I had not been aware of the date for a while now, since so many things had happened one after the other. I just could not believe an entire year had gone by since Ben and I had plotted our escape to Hawaii.
“Nice view…” Caleb spoke huskily from the bed.
He’d woken up. Propping up his head with one hand, he was leaning on his elbow as his brown eyes roamed me.
I smirked, motioning to pick up my towel from the floor, but he grabbed me before I had the chance.
Trailing his hands from beneath my shoulders down to the base of my spine, he gathered me to him. His legs entwined with mine as he ran his nose down the bridge of mine before tasting my lips.
“What are you looking so surprised about, beautiful?” he asked in a whisper.
“I didn’t realize how much time has passed… It’s my birthday tomorrow.”
He sat up. “You’ll be eighteen.”
Eighteen. It seemed so old.
Thinking back on my seventeenth year, I realized it was basically just one long blur of shocks, confusion, kidnappings and… Caleb.
I also couldn’t believe that I was about to experience a birthday without Ben. It would be the first time we’d been apart on our birthday since the day we were born. A hollow feeling settled in at the base of my stomach.
I gulped.
I didn’t want to start getting teary in front of Caleb, so I changed the subject.
“When is your birthday?” I asked.
“Not for a while,” he said vaguely. “Let’s talk about yours first… I have an idea for what we could do to celebrate.”
I raised a brow.
He bent down close to me again, kissing my cheek and then whispering into my ear: “Let’s get married, Rose.”
I almost choked.
“Caleb… that would be the best birthday present. Ever.”
Chapter 36: Caleb
After Rose responded to my suggestion with passion, I got off her, picked up her towel from the floor and handed it to her.
“If we’re really going to have our wedding tomorrow, we’ve got to get a move on.” She finished towel-drying her hair and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “Let’s go see my parents.”
“I have something to do,” I said. She looked at me curiously, but didn’t question what this something was. “You go without me.”
“How long do you think you’ll be?” she asked. “Because we need to decide on details about the wedding.”
“Rose,” I said, “we could hold the wedding in a cave, and I wouldn’t care.” I gave her a smile. “Just make sure you show up.”
“Okay,” she said, grinning. “I’ll try to remember that part. My mom, Corrine and I will do all the planning.” She walked up to me and pulled my head down for another passionate kiss. “I’m going to be so busy, plus I’ll be spending the night at my parents’ place, we’re unlikely to see each other again before tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll see you at the aisle.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Yes,” she said.
Embracing one more time, we said goodbye and she left the room. I watched through the window as she left, chuckling as she raced down the mountain and sprinted into the woods at full speed.
Now, I had my own preparations to see to.
I took a quick shower, got dressed and left the cabin. I made my way down the mountain, whipping through the trees until I reached the Sanctuary. I listened at the door before knocking, wondering if Corrine and Ibrahim might still be sleeping. I heard voices coming from within so I went ahead and rapped on the door.
It was Corrine who answered. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wore a short nightgown.
“Hi, Caleb. What brings you here?”
“Is Ibrahim around?” I asked.
“Yes. Why?” She looked at me curiously, and then a mischievous glint showed in her eyes. “Is this to do with Rose again?”
She knew me too well.
“Yes,” I said. “You know it’s her birthday in one day.”
“Oh, my gosh. No. I’ve been totally oblivious to the days passing. I-I can’t believe it’s come round again so soon!”
“Yes, well… I need Ibrahim’s help with something. It shouldn’t take up much of his time.”
“Okay,” she said. She turned around and called back through her home. “Ibrahim!”
A deep groan emanated from one of the chambers. “I’m sleeping.”
Corrine smirked and rolled her eyes. “No, you’re talking,” she shot back. “Get your butt out of bed. It’s important. You can go back to sleep later.”
I felt guilty as Ibrahim appeared at the door two minutes later. He wore pajamas, his hair was ruffled and he still had sleep in his eyes. Corrine squeezed his cheek before leaving the two of us alone.
“Hello, Caleb,” he said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb you—”
“It’s all right,” he said, stretching out and yawning. “What’s the matter?”
I began to explain what I had in mind, and by the end, the warlock was nodding.
“Sounds easy enough,” he said. “I can definitely help you with that. Come inside while I take a shower.”
He led me into their living room where I waited while Ibrahim got ready. Then the two of us left for one of the more remote parts of the island where we were least likely to be seen. Ibrahim helped me with what he could in the space of an hour, and after that, I was able to continue without him.
Darkness had fallen beyond The Shade’s boundary by the time I was satisfied with the result. I stopped by the ocean to splash my face with water before heading back to our cabin. I was expecting to find the place empty, since Rose had already informed me she wouldn’t be returning that night.
I certainly wasn’t expecting to find a dragon lurking in the shadows of our doorstep.
Chapter 37: Rose
As I made my way toward my parents’ penthouse, I couldn’t help but wonder what Caleb wanted to do. I could only assume that something was a surprise.
I knocked on the front door and my mother opened it after thirty seconds.
“Rose,” she said, giving me a huge smile, “you do realize that it’s your birthday tomorrow?”
Of course, Mom would remember my birthday even if the sky was falling.
“Yeah, I just realized this morning.”
She took my hand and pulled me inside. “How do you want to celebrate?”
“Not another trip to Hawaii, I hope,” my father said dryly, looking up from a pile of papers as he sat at the breakfast table.
“Not quite,” I said. Mention of that particular escapade made me wince. “Caleb and I want to get married.”
That knocked both of them speechless.
“Oh,” my mother said, her mouth hanging open.
My father dropped the piece of toast he was eating.
“What?” I said, amused by their reaction. “You already know Caleb and I are engaged.”
“Oh, I think it’s a good idea,” my mother said quickly. “It’s just… We weren’t expecting it to happen so soon.”
My father didn’t say anything as I took a seat at the table next to him. He just stared at me. Although he didn’t betray a lot of emotion in his expression, I could sense that he was crestfallen.
“Come on, Dad. You knew it was going to happen sometime.” I reached out and squeezed his ar
m. “And I promise, I will always be your little girl… even when I’m eighty years old.”
He rolled his eyes and I was relieved when he finally gave me a grin.
“And don’t ever forget it,” he said.
My mother looked up at the clock on the wall. “We’ve lost the morning already. That leaves us only the rest of the day to prepare for the wedding… That said, this island seems to have developed a tradition of last-minute weddings. We’ll pull it off.”
“Where are you going to hold it?” my father asked.
I paused. I hadn’t really given the location much thought until now. “How about in the forest? You know that clearing near Grandpa’s apartment—that would be large enough to fit a gazebo and as for the chairs and banquet table, we could position them among the trees. I think it would be beautiful.”
“I love that idea,” my mother replied. “And your dress, have you thought about it? I wish that you could have worn my wedding dress. It was so gorgeous.”
“What happened to it?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Honestly, this island has been through so much turmoil, it got lost at some point—perhaps when the Elders took over and many of the penthouses got destroyed.”
“Well, we’ll just have to design a new one,” I said.
I fetched a notepad and pen. My mother and I spent the next half hour sketching out ideas before we finally came up with the final design.
She beamed at me. “Let’s take this to Corrine… and then we need to start spreading the word to make sure more people than just your father and I show up.”
Chapter 38: Caleb
“Theon?” I called up, stopping in my tracks and looking him over.
He bowed his head slightly, his amber-gold eyes fixed on me.
“What brings you here?” I asked, moving closer.
“I’d like to speak with you,” he said, his voice calm.
I climbed up the steps to the porch and stopped a few feet away from him. “I’m listening.”
“That one’s special,” he said.