Betrayed (7 page)

More than anything, he looked scared. His eyes opened wide at the sight of her, and he struggled against his chains, trying to speak, but prevented by the gag in his mouth.

Samantha hurried to him and removed the gag. He immediately started talking.

“Samantha, what the hell is going on!?” he asked in a rush. “Is this for real? Were those people really vampires? Are
you
a vampire? Are you going to kill me? Tell me I’m dreaming.”

Before she removed his chains, Samantha reached up, took hold of his cheeks with both her hands, leaned in and kissed him. It was a long kiss. At first, he resisted, scared, but then she felt him soften, and kiss her back.

The longer they kissed, the more she felt it. He still loved her.

That was all she needed to know. Her mind was made up.

“Samantha, please,” Sam said. “Unchain me. Get me out of here. I want to be with you. I want to get out of here. Please—”

“Shhh,” she prodded, holding up one finger. “There’s no time to explain. I want to be with you, too. And we have little choice. There’s no way out of here. All exits are blocked. There are thousands of new vampires in here now, and there’s no way out. We have to go along, at least for now.”

“Go along with what? What are you talking about?”

“Sam,” she said, stroking his face, “I love you. I need to know if you feel the same.”

Sam looked directly at her, with a mix of fear and surprise.

“I love you, too,” he said. “I’ll go anywhere with you. Just get me out of here. Please. I don’t care if you’re a vampire or whatever. I just want to be with you.”

Samantha smiled. She felt her heart swell with an emotion she hadn’t felt in thousands of years. He felt the same way she did.

“OK,” she said, “then you have to trust me. There’s no other way. We can’t escape. If I bring you up there, like this, he’ll kill you. I want to save you. But there’s only one way.”

“What do you mean?” he asked. “Who will kill me? Why?”

“Sam,” she said urgently, “there’s no time. You just have to trust me. Do you want to be with me forever? Really think about this. I’m not just asking. I really,
really
mean it.”

She stared right into his eyes, his green eyes reflecting off of her blue eyes. He seemed speechless.

She asked one more time, slowly, with all the seriousness she could muster: “Do you want to be with me forever?”

He finally calmed, slowed his breath, and looked right into her eyes. He must’ve felt how serious she was.

“Yes,” he answered, confidently, with equal seriousness. “I want to be with you forever.”

She smiled.

“You might be mad at me at first, but I want you to know that there was no other way. Without this, you wouldn’t live. In any form. We would never see each other again. I’m doing this for you. For
us
. I believe that you have a power that none us of us have, and that that will save you.”

Samantha leaned back, and let the desire flood through her. She flooded herself with the smell of his skin, breathing deep, and as she did, her fangs grew long—impossibly long.

She could see the boy’s eyes opened wide with fear, as he suddenly realized what she was about to do.

He opened his mouth to speak, but it was too late. She couldn’t let him ruin the moment.

She wanted him.

Forever.

And before Sam could cry out, Samantha was already leaning in, with all her force. She felt the delicious, exquisite, salty taste, as she plunged her fangs deep into the boy’s throat, drinking like she never had before.

Yes. Now forever could be theirs.

TEN

Caitlin lay curled up in a ball on her bed. She had been lying like that for hours. Caleb was long gone now, as was Sera. She didn’t know how many hours had passed since she’d told him to leave. Since then, she hadn’t been able to move. She just lay there, frozen, wanting to die.

How could he do this to her? A child? How could he have not told her?

Then again, she wondered, did he really have an obligation to? They had only known each other for weeks—or was it days? Caitlin was surprised to think of it. It felt like they had been together for years already. Maybe their connection was more fleeting than she thought?

No. That wasn’t right. It was definitely something more. She saw it in his eyes. She felt it in his heart. He had strong feelings for her, there was no question about it. So then why had he kept his past secret from her?

Maybe he had just been waiting for the right time. Technically, they weren’t even officially dating. What were they exactly? Caitlin felt as if they were above labels, as if they had skipped all those steps. What they had was stronger. Deep down, she felt as if they were already together, forever. Crazy, she knew, but that was how she felt. And that was how she thought Caleb felt, too.

He should have told her. If he had truly expected to be with her forever, then he could have found an opportunity to give her the news.
Sera and I have a child together
. Why couldn’t he have told her? Why was he hiding it from her? Didn’t she have a right to know?

And what of their child? Was it a boy or girl? How old was he or she? She imagined it was a boy. Were Caleb and he close? If not, why not?

And what else wasn’t he telling her?

These questions swirled around and around in Caitlin’s brain, as she tried to make sense of the whole thing. A part of her wanted to excuse him, to explain it all away, and lying here now, she kicked herself for not at least hearing him out, hearing his side of the story.

But another part, a stronger part, felt betrayed. After all, she had seen them kissing. There was no doubt about that. That could only mean one thing: Caleb was still in love with her. There was no other logical explanation.

Caitlin curled up, tighter, wanting to just disappear. Now, of all times, she was cursed with immortality. Going through this heartache was hard enough; now, she’d have to suffer with it not just for one lifetime—but forever. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked to be turned. Maybe she should have just let herself die in that church. It certainly would have been less painful.

Caitlin felt something wet on her face, and looked up to see Rose, licking her, prodding her with her snout. Rose started to whine, as she licked Caitlin more aggressively. She must have sensed Caitlin’s emotions.

Caitlin reached out and patted her, stroking her face. Thank God for Rose. Caitlin didn’t know what she would do without her.

As Rose kept licking and prodding, Caitlin found herself sitting up in bed, slowly snapping out of it. She looked around the room, and wondered:
what now
? She knew that down below there was an entire community of vampires that had taken her in. They were probably waiting to meet her. Should she go down there?

But Caitlin didn’t really feel up to meeting anyone right now. The pain was too raw, too intense. She needed to be alone, and to sort out her feelings.

She looked over, and saw, on the small, ancient desk in the corner, that it was still sitting there. Her journal. Her old, trusted friend.

Yes
, she thought,
that’s it
. That was what she needed. Pen and paper. To sort it all out. As always, everything had happened so quickly. She could barely remember the events of the last few days, much less the last few weeks. She needed to remind herself.

Caitlin walked over to the desk and sat on the small, medieval chair. She lit a candle, and it illuminated the worn pages of her journal. She turned them back slowly, as the brittle pages made a soft, crackling noise. In the candlelight, she picked up the pen, rested her forehead in one hand, and began to write.

*

How did I get here? And where is here, exactly? I don’t even know anymore. I’m in a room, at the top of a tower, on some remote island, on some huge river. I feel like a fairy princess. Except, my prince charming has just left me.

Where to begin? Caleb. Always with Caleb. Since we first met, there’s been little else I’ve been able to think about. Days and weeks followed, but always, he dominates my thoughts. And my feelings.

When we first met, he was suddenly there at my side, saving me, racing me through the streets in a whirlwind. It seems like nothing has changed in our relationship. Again and again, it follows the same pattern: we are in danger, he is saving me. And the sad thing is, I’ve never really had a chance to thank him, and to tell him how much I love him.

The last few weeks were magical…New York, Salem, Martha’s Vineyard, Edgartown, the Aquinnah Cliffs, and finally, the Freedom Trail. Always on the hunt for the ancient Sword supposed to save mankind.

The deeper we got in our search, the more I started to believe it, the more I started to believe that maybe, after all, I was The One. Maybe it was all true. Maybe I did come from some special lineage that could help save mankind….

The clues lead to more clues, and finally, we found it.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

First, Caleb and I found each other. On Martha’s Vineyard, on the beach, under the Aquinnah Cliffs, we had a magical night together. We finally had a chance to express our love for each other. We became a couple, and things changed forever between us.

But after we found the Sword, the malevolent vampires stole it away. They also kidnapped my brother, Sam. And then they stabbed me. Caleb was forced to stay with me, instead of chasing after them.

I could have died. I should have died. I felt my life ebbing away. But I insisted that Caleb turn me. I didn’t know if he would. But I hoped. And prayed.

And here I am. Still alive. But alive in immortality.

I woke here, on this remote island. I am different now. No longer a mere human. I feel stronger, more confident. But also more emotional.

The worst blow, ironically, was reserved for the one closest to me, for Caleb himself. Just when I thought we’d be together forever, I discover he’s still with his ex-wife. And I caught them kissing. Worse, she told me they have a child. I have no idea what else Caleb is hiding from me.

I told him to leave. I couldn’t bear talking to him after that. Maybe he would have explained it away, but I don’t really see how. He left, and flew away, and with his flight, he took all my hopes and dreams with him.

I don’t know what life will look like now. And I don’t know if I want to…

*

“Going to sleep all day, are you?” came a quick, jovial voice, in a heavy Irish accent.

Caitlin looked up, trying to figure out where she was, who was talking to her.

As she slowly sat up, she felt the stiffness in her joints, and realized that she had fallen asleep in the chair, head resting on the desk. Before her lay her open Journal. She must have fallen asleep writing.

She could see the sunlight streaming in through the window. Had she slept like that all night?

Caitlin looked up and saw a pretty girl, maybe 17, standing over her, less than a foot away, looking down. She was struck by the girl’s beauty, and her presence. Her skin was a very pale shade of translucent white, her hair was a light brown, and her eyes, large and shining, were a shade of blue. The girl was smiling wide, and her entire demeanor exuded a feeling of happiness and joy.

Caitlin had no idea who she was, or why she was speaking to her, but she could sense already that this girl was of her race—a vampire—and that she was a very kind and happy person.

“You’ve already missed the morning bell, you know,” the girl said, still smiling. “Aiden won’t be pleased. Not to mention there are scores and scores of people who want you to meet. They’re all dying with excitement, you know. First of all, me,” she said all in a rush, excitedly, and leaned back and reached out her hand. “Polly is my name. I’m your new best friend—if I may be so bold. That is, if you’ll have me. There are not many girls like us. I was so thrilled when they dropped you off. But you’re always sleeping.” Polly said, in a rush. “I’ve been waiting
forever
for you to wake up!”

Caitlin didn’t know which part of her speech to respond to first. She immediately liked her, and she reached out and shook her icy cold hand, slowly waking, trying to process it all. Polly spoke so fast, and so excitedly, and with her Irish accent, it was hard to take it all in. But it certainly brought Caitlin out of herself, made her completely forget what she’d been thinking.

“And who is this?” Polly asked, as Rose ran over and jumped on her. Polly kneeled and gave Rose a hug. Rose was squealing like crazy as she leaned up and licked her face. “Wow! They hadn’t told me about this! A new pet on the island, then!? Double the excitement! I had no idea. Is this a real wolf pup? And what is your name, darling?”

“Rose,” Caitlin said.

“Rose! How delightful. Yes, perfect. You are quite the Rose, aren’t you?”

Caitlin didn’t quite know what to say. She still didn’t really know who this person was, or how she should respond to any of it. It was all happening so fast.

“I’m sorry…” Caitlin began, “who are you again?”

“You’re not the only one on this island, dear,” Polly began with a smile, “there are scores of us you know. All down below. We’re one big, happy family as they say. But no point sitting here and talking about it. Let’s go see for ourselves. I’ve been assigned to give you the tour. To tell the truth, I volunteered. I was dying and dying to meet you, and I wanted to be first,” Polly said, and without hesitating grabbed Caitlin’s hand, and led her happily out the open door.

As they entered the open air, Caitlin felt stabs of pain and recoiled at the harsh sunlight; she immediately lowered her head and covered her eyes.

“Oh dear, you haven’t been out in the sunlight yet, have you?” Polly asked.

The pain was so intense, it was unlike anything Caitlin had ever felt. It was her first experience as a true, full vampire in the sun, and it was oppressive. She tried, but couldn’t open her eyes.

She felt a soft hand on her forehead. “Lean back, dear. This won’t take but a minute.”