“This way,” Caleb said.
He took her hand and led her down a narrow corridor, and it opened up into a grand hal , with high, arched windows on both sides. It was much lighter in here, even with the dust.
There was some furniture left over in here, too: a long, medieval oak table, surrounded by ornate, wooded chairs.
At its center sat a huge, marble mantel, one of the largest fireplaces Caitlin had ever seen. It was incredible. Caitlin felt as if she had walked right back into the Cloisters.
“I had it built in the 12th century,” he said, looking around himself. “Back then, this was the style.”
“You lived here?” Caitlin asked.
He nodded.
“For how long?”
He thought. “Not more than a century,” he said. “Maybe two.”
Caitlin marveled, once again, at the huge increments of time in the vampire world.
Suddenly, though, she got worried, as she thought of something else: had he lived here with another woman?
She was afraid to ask.
He suddenly turned and looked at her.
“No, I did not,” he said. “I lived here alone. I assure you.
You’re the first woman I’ve ever taken here.”
Caitlin felt relieved, though embarrassed at his reading her mind.
“Come on,” he said. “This way.”
He led her up a spiral stone staircase, and it twisted and turned, and let them out on the second floor. This floor was much brighter, with large, arched windows facing every direction, sunlight pouring in, reflecting the distant sea. The rooms were smal er here, more intimate. There were more marble fireplaces, and as Caitlin wandered from room to room, she saw a huge four-poster bed dominating one of them. Chaise lounges and overstuffed velvet chairs, were spread throughout the other rooms. There were no rugs, just a bare stone floor. It was very stark. But beautiful.
He led her across the room, to a set of huge, glass doors.
They’d been covered in so much dust, she hadn’t even known they were there. He stepped up and tugged hard at the locks and knobs, and final y, with a bang and a cloud of dust, they opened.
He stepped outside, and Caitlin fol owed.
They stepped out onto a huge, stone terrace, framed by an ornate limestone, column railing.
They walked together up to the edge, and looked out.
From here, they had a commanding view of the entire countryside, of the ocean. Caitlin could hear the crashing of the waves, and smel the sea heavy in the air on the rol ing breezes. She felt like she were in heaven.
If Caitlin had ever imagined a dream house, this would definitely be it. It was dusty, and it needed a woman’s touch, but Caitlin knew that they could fix it up, could get it to the state that it once was. She felt that this was truly a place they could cal home together.
“I was thinking about what you said,” he said, “the entire flight here. About our building a life together. I would like that very much.”
He put an arm around her.
“I would like for you to live here with me. For us to start our life over again. Right here. It’s quiet here, and safe, and protected. No one knows about this place. No one wil ever find us here. I see no reason why we can’t live out our lives safely, as regular people,” he said. “Of course, it wil need a lot of work to fix it up. But I’m game, if you are.”
He turned and smiled at her.
She smiled back. She had never been more game in her life.
More than that, she felt deeply touched that he’d invited her to live with him. Nothing had ever meant more to her. The truth was, she would have lived with them anywhere, even if it was just a hut in the woods.
“I’d love to,” she answered. “I just want to be with you.”
Her heart pounded as they came together in a kiss, the sound of the waves in the background, the ocean breezes rol ing over them.
Final y, everything was perfect in her world again.
*
Caitlin had never been so happy as she ambled through the house, going room to room, carrying a washcloth. Caleb had left, had gone out hunting, excited to bring them both home dinner. She was thril ed, because it gave her some time alone to walk through the house, to take it al in, by herself, and to look at it, with a woman’s eye, for how she could fix it up and make it a home for them both.
She walked through the rooms, opening windows, letting in the ocean air. She’d found a pail and rag and had gone down to the stream she’d seen running through the backyard, and had returned with an overflowing pail ful of water. She’d run the rag through the stream until it was as clean as could be. She’d found a large crate to stand on, and as she opened each of the huge, medieval windows, she stood up on the crate, and wiped each pane. There were a few windows which were simply too high for her to reach, and for these, she activated her wings, fluttering high in the air, and hovering before the windows as she cleaned them.
She was shocked at the immediate difference it made. The room transformed from being dark to being completely flooded with light. There must’ve been hundreds of years of caked dirt and salt on both sides of the pane. Indeed, just opening each window was a feat in itself, taking al her might to yank them free of rust and debris.
Caitlin looked careful y and was in awe at the craftsmanship of each window. Each window pane was several inches thick, and had the most beautiful design.
Some of the glass was stained, some was clear, and some had the slightest tint of color. As she wiped each one down, she could almost feel the house’s gratitude, as it slowly, inch by inch, came back to life.
Caitlin final y finished and surveyed it again. She was shocked. What had before been a dark, uninviting room, was now an incredible, sun-fil ed room, with a view of the ocean.
Caitlin turned to the floors next, getting down on her hands and knees and scrubbing them foot by foot. She watched with satisfaction as inches of dirt came off, and the beautiful, huge stones began to shine through.
After that, she turned to the enormous marble mantelpiece, wiping off years of dust. Then she turned to the huge, ornate mirror above it, wiping it down until it shone. She was bummed that she could stil not see her reflection—but she knew there was little she could do about that.
She turned to the chandelier next, wiping each and every one of its crystal laden candle holders.
After that, she set her sights on the four-poster bed. She wiped down each of its posts, and then its frame, slowly bringing back to life the ancient wood. She grabbed the aging blankets and went to the terrace and shook them hard, clouds of dust flying everywhere.
Caitlin returned to the room, her would-be bedroom, and surveyed it: it was now magnificent. It shone as brightly as any room in any castle. It was stil medieval, but at least now it was fresh and inviting. Her heart soared at the idea of living here.
She looked down and realized that the water in the bucket had turned completely black, and bounded down the steps and out the door, eager to refil it in the stream.
Caitlin smiled as she thought of what Caleb’s reaction would be when he came back. He would be so surprised, she thought. She would clean out the dining room next.
She’d try to create an intimate environment in which they could have their first meal together in a new home—the first, she hoped, of many.
As Caitlin arrived at the waterbank, sinking to her knees in the soft grass, emptying and fil ing the bucket, she suddenly felt her senses on high alert. She heard a rustling noise, close by, and sensed an animal approaching her.
She quickly spun, and was surprised at what she saw.
Approaching her slowly, just feet away, was a wolf pup. Its fur was al white, except for a single streak of gray running down its forehead and back. What struck Caitlin most was its eyes: they stared back at Caitlin as if it knew her. What’s more: they were the same eyes as Rose.
Caleb felt her heart pounding. She felt as if Rose had come back from the dead, had b
een reincarnated in some other animal. That expression, that face. The fur color was different, but otherwise, this could have been Rose reborn.
The wolf pup, too, seemed startled to see Caitlin. It stopped, staring at her, then slowly, cautiously, took a few tentative steps towards her. Caitlin scanned the woods, looking to see if other pups were around, or its mother. She didn’t want to end up in a fight.
But there was no other animal anywhere in sight.
As Caitlin examined the pup more closely, she saw why. It was limping badly, blood coming from its paw. It look injured. It had probably been abandoned by its mom, Caitlin realized, left to die.
The wolf pup lowered its head, and walked slowly, right up to Caitlin. Then, to Caitlin’s surprise, it lowered its head and rested it in her lap, whining softly as it closed its eyes.
Caitlin’s heart leapt. She had missed Rose so badly, and now she felt as if she’d come back to her.
Caitlin set the bucket down, reached out, and took the pup in her arms. She held it close to her chest, crying as she did, remembering al the time she’d spent with Rose.
Despite herself, the tears rol ed down her cheeks. The pup, as if sensing it, suddenly looked up at her, leaned back, and licked the tears from her face.
Caitlin leaned down and kissed it on its forehead. She held it tight, cuddling it to her chest.
There was no way she could let it go. She would do whatever she had to to help it heal and bring it back to life.
And, if the wolf wanted, to keep her as a pet.
“What shal I cal you?” Caitlin asked. “We can’t do Rose again….How about…Ruth?”
The pup suddenly licked Caitlin’s cheek, as if responding to the name. That was as definitive an answer as Caitlin could have asked for.
Ruth it was.
*
Caitlin, Ruth at her side, had just finished cleaning the dining room, when she spotted something interesting along the wal . There, beside the fireplace, were two long, silver swords. She picked up one of them, dusted it off, and admired the hilt, encrusted with jewels. It was a beautiful weapon.
She set down the rag and pail, and couldn’t resist giving it a go. She swung the sword wildly, left and right in circles, switching hands, al throughout the cavernous room. It felt great.
She wondered how many other weapons Caleb had here.
She could have a field day training with them.
“I see you found the weapons,” Caleb said, suddenly walking in the door. Caitlin immediately set down the sword, self-conscious.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to pry into your stuff.”
Caleb laughed. “My house is yours,” he said, as he walked into the room carrying two huge deer slung over his shoulder. “Whatever I have, you’re welcome to. Besides, you’re a girl after my own heart. I would have went right for the swords, too,” he said with a wink.
He strutted through the room, carrying the deer, then suddenly stopped and turned, doing a double take.
“Wow,” he said, in shock. “It looks like a new place!”
He stood there, staring, wide-eyed. Caitlin could see how impressed he was, and she felt happy.
She looked at the room herself, and saw that it was indeed transformed. They now had a gorgeous, dining room, replete with table and chairs for their first meal.
Ruth suddenly whined, and Caleb looked down, and saw her for the first time. He looked even more surprised.
Caitlin suddenly worried if he’d mind having the pup here.
But she was relieved to see that his eyes opened wide in delight.
“I can’t believe it,” Caleb said, staring, “those eyes…she looks just like Rose.”
“Can we keep her?” Caitlin asked, hesitantly.
“I’d love to,” he answered. “I’d give her a hug, but my hands are ful .”
Caleb continued with the deer, through the room, and down the corridor. Caitlin and Ruth fol owed him, and watched him set down the deer in a smal room, atop a huge slab of stone.
“Since we don’t real y cook,” he said, “I thought I’d drain the blood for us. Then we could drink together, for dinner. I thought I’d take care of the messy work in here, so we could just sit before the fireplace and drink in style.”
“I’d like that,” Caitlin said.
Ruth sat at Caleb’s heels, looking up and whining as he carved. He laughed, cut a smal piece for her, and reached down and fed it to her. She snapped it up and whined for more.
Caitlin headed back to the dining area, and began wiping down the goblets she’d seen. Before the mantle sat a pile of furs, and she gathered them up and took them out to the terrace, shaking them out in preparation.
While Caitlin waited for Caleb to finish, she looked out at the sunset, breaking over the horizon.
She could hear the sound of the waves, breathed in the salt air, and had never felt more relaxed. She stood there and closed her eyes, and she wasn’t even aware of how much time had passed.
When Caitlin opened her eyes again, it was nearly dark.
“Caitlin?” came the voice, cal ing out for her.
She turned and hurried back inside. Caleb was already in there, carrying two huge silver goblets of the venison blood.
He was in the process of lighting candles, al throughout the dim room. She came over and joined him, setting the furs back down.
Within moments, the room was completely lit, glowing with candlelight in every direction. The two of them sat together on the furs, before the fireplace, and Ruth ran up and set beside them. The windows were open and a breeze wafted through, and it was actual y getting cool in here.
The two of them sat beside each other, and looked into each other’s eyes as they toasted.
The liquid felt so good. She drank and drank, as he did, and she had never felt so alive. It was an incredible rush.
Caleb looked rejuvenated, too, his eyes and skin shining.
They turned and faced each other.
He reached up, and slowly touched her cheek with the back of his hand.
Caitlin’s heart started to pound, and she realized she was nervous. It felt like it had been forever since she had last been with him. She had imagined a moment like this for so long, but now that it was here, she felt like it was her first time with him, al over again. She could see that his hand was trembling, and she realized he was nervous, too.
There remained so many things she wanted to say, so many questions she had for him, and she could see that he was brimming with questions, too. But at this moment, she didn’t trust herself to speak. And apparently, he didn’t either.
The two of them kissed passionately. As his lips met hers, she felt overwhelmed with emotion for him.
She closed her eyes as he came in closer, as they met in a passionate embrace. They rol ed onto the furs, and she felt her heart surge with emotion.
Final y, he was hers.
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER EIGHT
Pol y strode quickly down the corridors of Versail es, heels echoing on the marble floor, rushing down an endless corridor with soaring ceilings, moldings, marble fireplaces, enormous mirrors, and chandeliers hanging low. Everything shone.
But she barely noticed it; it was second-nature to her. Living here for years, she could hardly imagine any other form of existence.
What she did notice, though—very much—was Sam. A visitor like him was not at al a part of daily life—and, in fact, was most unusual. They hardly ever had vampire visitors, especial y from another time, and when they did, Aiden never seemed to care. Sam must be very important, she realized. He intrigued her. He seemed a bit young, and he seemed to be bumble around a bit.
But there was something about him, something she couldn’t quite place. She felt like, somehow, she had some connection to him, that she’d met him before, or that he was connected to someone who was important to her.
Which was so strange, because just the night before, she’d had the most vivid dream. About a vampire girl named
Caitlin. She could see her face, her eyes, her hair, even now. In the dream, she was told that this girl had been her best friend for life, and throughout the dream, it seemed like they were friends forever. She woke up feeling it was so real, that it was more a meeting than a dream.
She couldn’t understand it, but she woke up remembering everything about this girl, remembering al the times they’d spent together.
It didn’t make any sense, because Pol y knew she’d never been to any of those places. She wondered if maybe, somehow, she had been looking into the future? She knew that vampires visited each other in dreams, and that they occasional y had the power to see into the future and the past.
But these powers were also unpredictable. It could be a world of il usions. One never knew: was one seeing the future, seeing the past, and was one merely dreaming?
After the dream, Pol y had awakened looking for Caitlin, as if she real y knew her. She found herself missing her as she walked down the hal . It was crazy. Missing a girl she’d never even met.
And then this boy showed up, Sam. And for some crazy reason, Pol y felt his energy to be connected to hers. How, she couldn’t possibly know. Was she just imagining that, too?
Aside from al of this, she found herself feeling something for Sam. She wouldn’t say that she was head over heels for him. But she was not unattracted to him either. There was something about him. It wasn’t the feeling of being in love. It was more a feeling of being…intrigued. Wanting to know more.
Which made her al the more agitated that Kendra had already laid her eyes upon him. Not necessarily that she wanted him for himself. It was way too early for her to know that. But more because he seemed so innocent, naïve, impressionable. And Kendra was a vulture. She was a member of the royal family, one who had never been told No in her life, and she had a magical way of getting whatever she wanted, from whomever she wanted.