Crimson Moon (24 page)

"The first time I touched you in the alley I felt something, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. Then, in the bathroom, when I cleaned your arm.” He gently traced the scab that had formed with his thumb, “I felt it again. You're a gorgeous girl, Emma. I thought it was just physical attraction."

"So when did you know for sure?"

"When you stumbled against me in McDonald's, it distracted me and I dropped my guard. But seeing you against that wall, hurt and afraid, everything fell into place. I knew for sure then."

Softly, I whispered, “And what happens now?"

"We discover one another. I have money saved. We can just go. Anywhere you want. We can just be together, without any of the stress or complications. As soon as this is over, it will only be me and you, for as long as we choose."

"I'd like that. It sounds perfect. I've always wanted to travel. And don't worry, I have money, too, you know."

"I've fallen for an heiress?” he said teasingly.

"Nothing as extravagant as that,” I sighed, shaking my head, “Mostly precarious thinking on my Grandma's part."

He kissed me again, lips flush against my own, our mouths opening and meeting. My heart accelerated as my body heated, pine and forest engulfed my nose, overtaking my senses.

His arms were rough against my back, the blanket sliding down as he cradled by body and brought me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck and his body lifted over, leaning across me, pushing me into the pillows and mattress. My hands touched his arms, chest and back, fingers tracing the muscles, following them through his shirt. He groaned and shifted over, hands roaming freely. The wild primitive part of me demanded I grab him, forcing him tighter against my body.

"Emma,” he breathed my name against my lips.

"Caleb,” I moaned into his mouth.

"We have to stop.” He pulled back and my entire body screamed in frustration.

"Why?"

"I want you completely to myself. We will not do this with Derek and Sarah in the next room, in Haven's cabin."

"Please, Caleb,” I groaned, tugging at his shirt. “Make love to me."

His eyes flashed bright and he pulled the obstructive thing over his head, sliding into the covers beside me. His body was warm, his hands tender, and soon I was a mass of trembling muscles and aching parts.

"I don't know what I would do without you,” he rasped, sliding carefully into my slightly sore but very willing body and then grasping my hips in his hands. “Being apart from you is going to kill me."

"Shh,” I whispered, raising my head and kissing him softly. “Don't think about that. We're together now."

Both of us knew the dynamic would shift, changing everything when the sun came up.

We listened to each other breathing in the darkened room after our bodies were spent, wishing in vain that time would stand still. I closed my eyes, playing with his hair, falling asleep when I didn't mean to—too incredibly snug and content against his heated body.

I opened my eyes before the daylight trickled into the room. Caleb was still sleeping, his face against my neck and an arm draped across my hip. I lay as still as possible, afraid to disturb him or interrupt our last morning together. I waited until the light filtered in before I slipped free.

I managed not to wake him, tiptoeing into the closet and retrieving my clothes to take a shower. I hurried, saving everyone water, and towel dried my hair quickly in an effort to maintain the silence until everyone woke. I padded silently into the bedroom and Caleb was awake, dressed and leaning against the headboard.

"Good morning,” he greeted me in a thick voice. His hair was ever so messy.

"Good morning,” I replied, smiling. I leaned into the closet and tossed the towel on top of the pile of clothes in the hamper.

"I'm next,” he said.

He lifted himself off the mattress and walked to me, grasping my hip and kissing my forehead. Then he went into the closet for his own clothes, quietly padding into the bathroom.

Another door opened and closed and I glanced up. Sarah peeked around the door and smiled at me.

"May I come in?"

"Sure.” I motioned to the bed and she sat across from me, looking fantastic, even first thing in the morning. Derek was a very lucky man.

"You must be nervous, big day today,” she said.

"Very nervous, worried, all that good stuff.” I nodded, releasing a sigh. “The last few days have been unbelievable—first Caleb, and now this. I don't over think it anymore because just when I think I have it all sorted, another curveball gets thrown in."

"That's very understandable. Perhaps after you meet with Sam and his liaison, you will feel more secure about everything."

Quietly, I asked, “Do you know anything about vampires?"

"I do.” She glanced at the door. “What do you want to know?"

"Why does this happen with blood relatives? Why not anyone else? And what's with all the secrecy?” The questions flew from my mouth as quickly as they came to me.

"That's a loaded question.” She smiled, laughing quietly. “We'll start at the why. The special characteristics that some obtain when they change only occurs when it's from a direct descendant. We're not sure how it happens exactly, and of course, they'd never tell us. We work for them, and we're friendly with them, but not that friendly. From the snooping I've done it seems to be something in the genetic make-up, but I can't be sure. There have been a few times when the people we've protected have been sent to the fold. I don't know why they are picked or what happens to them, but I asked once. Sam wouldn't budge, and I don't think it's because he was being stubborn. I think there are aspects of all of this that Sam isn't privy to."

My anxiety filtered through my voice. “How am I supposed to trust these people? I'm expected to get on a plane and travel across the world just because they promise it will all be okay? That isn't enough for me."

"Don't worry.” Sarah attempted to reassure me. “Sam will demand they give an oath before you go. If they break it, they will be declared enemies of his pack and all the other packs he's linked to. They are not irresponsible enough to even fathom such a thing, not even for Luca DeViard's daughter. They are all about self preservation, Emma. Otherwise, they'd never send us to look after their families."

"Have you ever met one?” I asked curiously.

"I've met several common vampires when I went to the pack gathering in Biloxi. They were amiable, easy to talk to. Truebloods, however, are a totally different story—very standoffish and snobby. They don't like to be around anyone that isn't of pureblood.” Her tone didn't match her polite expression as she continued, “The first time I met Trent Balman, I wanted to rip him apart. Of course, he attempts to be more pleasant now."

"How did you start working together?"

"It's a long standing thing. Sam took over just as his Alpha before him did. It's our line of work, dating back hundreds of years."

The water to the shower stopped and Sarah rose from the bed. “Everything will be fine, Emma. I know it will."

"Thanks Sarah, I'm really glad I had the chance to meet you."

We smiled at one another and she walked back out, returning to Derek's room. I pictured her crawling back into the bed, nestling close to Derek.

Beads of water trailed down Caleb's neck when he appeared, fluffing a towel briskly across his hair. He was completely dressed, in the same clothing he'd worn the first day we met. Indistinct black t-shirt, blue jeans, and his scuff marked combat boots.

At least I didn't feel self conscious about my own attire. I decided to wear a green short sleeved blouse with jeans. If we made it home today the temperature would be cooler, far too cool for shorts.

I stood and strode over, his towel dropping to the floor as I reached out for him. I decided to forget about Sam, truebloods, and commons for the moment.

I had more important things to appreciate while they lasted.

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We stayed in the room as long as we could, preparing for the trip. I collected the remaining clothing Caleb purchased, as well as a framed picture of him and his family taken a few years back.

I wanted a reminder of what was waiting for me when I returned home.

Sarah and Derek waited on the porch. She was smiling, but her beautiful face was sad. She hugged me, eliciting a promise that I would call if I ever needed anything before slipping a piece of paper into my hand. Derek wasn't his usual self, ill at ease and jumpy. He and Caleb embraced quickly, patting one another on the back.

We loaded into Sam's Cadillac Escalade. No Chevy this road trip. Caleb slid in beside me, lying in the back seat and resting his head in my lap. He confessed he didn't over sleep earlier and had only managed to drift off as the sun came up. I combed my fingers through his hair, watching him when he finally slept, feeling my heart wretch painfully.

Sam had an earpiece he used to make calls as he drove along, chatting away. A few times he got calls that he quickly ended, stating he couldn't talk at the moment. Official pack business, I presumed. He didn't speak to me, but he did peer through the mirrored rearview from time to time.

Perhaps it was the lack of adrenaline or knowing where we were going, but the time passed quickly. We only needed to stop a few times for gas and food, arriving in front of my house in the afternoon. A surge of emotion overcame me upon seeing the brick porch, my trusty grey Honda still parked exactly as I'd left it. Sam pulled onto the curb and we climbed out.

I hurried to one of several potted plants on the porch, reaching under and pulling out the spare key. I would have to replace the locks soon, having lost my original set when I'd left my jacket in the back of the van.

"I'm going to finish up some calls, but I'll be in momentarily,” Sam called to us, dialing on his cell.

Caleb walked onto the porch behind me, following inside when I pried the door open. I slid the key into my jeans for safe keeping.

I started the home tour with Mom's picture. Caleb fawned over it, an incredulous smile on his face. “You say I look like my Dad. I could say the same about you two.” He touched the frame and quickly yanked his hand away.

"Are you okay?” I grabbed his hand, flipping his fingers over and inspecting it closely. The pads were slightly pink and welted.

"It's a silver frame,” he explained, motioning to the picture.

"I'm sorry, I forgot.” I smiled apologetically. “Why is that anyway?"

He shrugged. “It burns our skin. It's slower to heal, too."

We walked up the creaking stairs to my bedroom. Fortunately, everything was where I had left it. There was no underwear thrown over the dresser or dirty laundry left scattered, but the bed was still slightly messy.

Caleb smiled at the pool trophies displayed on the shelf, walking across the room to take a closer look. I used the opportunity to start packing necessities, starting with my clothes and working my way to the toiletries. I made sure to pack a little of everything. I still had no idea where I was going or how long I was going to be there.

I hoped Trent showed himself soon, I had too many questions to ask.

By the time I finished, it was well into the afternoon. I told Caleb we needed to go soon if we expected to see my Grandmother—visiting hours didn't extend past seven o'clock.

I left my bags, leading him back down the stairs and through the house. Sam was exactly where we'd left him, talking on the phone, circling the front lawn. He pressed a button, leaving his ear piece attached, waiting for us to approach.

"We're going to see her Grandmother now, if that's not a problem."

"None at all.” Sam tossed Caleb the keys. “Take the caddy. I'll go inside, if you don't mind. I'm still ironing out the kinks."

"Please, help yourself,” I offered hospitably, smiling.

The drive to Franklin Place residential community was relatively short. The building only a few miles away, located directly in the center of town. It was a new facility, recently added to our township. Caleb pulled into the front parking lot, parking the expensive SUV in an open slot.

Guilt washed over me. It had been over a month since I last visited. I shook off the weight, opening the door and climbing out.

"This way.” I pointed toward the double doors in the front.

Caleb walked beside me, resting his hand possessively against my lower back, and I grinned. In a small town like Big Falls, there would be talk. Did you hear about Emma Johnson and the tall, dark, and handsome stranger? No? She came to visit her Grandmother at Franklin and he came with her.

My ears were already burning.

We checked in at the front desk, greeted by a new receptionist. The staff here was composed of the old timers and the constantly fluctuating newbies. It wasn't an easy job, especially if you became attached to the residents.

Grandma's room was in the same spot on the second floor, middle of the hallway, on the left.

I knocked on the door, staring at the light glowing from the narrow slit under the frame that indicated she was awake.

"Come in."

"Hi,” I said softly, pushing the door open and walking in. I didn't introduce myself or offer my name. Sometimes it made things worse. I waited for her to either recognize me or to ask why I'd come to visit.

"Well, hello. Can I help you?” she asked sweetly.

Grandma looked absolutely the same. Tightly coiled gray curls covered her head, light sky blue eyes shining. Her room hadn't changed either. A few framed paintings hung on the walls, all of them landscapes. She wasn't allowed pictures of me or her family. Oftentimes, they caused more harm than good.

"We volunteer at the hospital and wanted to come by and see if you needed anything."

I decided on the same guise I'd used time and time again. It was safe, solid, and reliable. If she happened to remember me, she would think I volunteered. If not, it was the same thing.

"Oh that's sweet, dear.” She shook her curly head. “But I'm afraid I have plans. My granddaughter Emmaline is coming to visit today."