again, to be brutally honest. Perhaps we’ll see each other again this summer. There’s a European conference on the horizon I’ve asked Katrina to attend, you see.”
Caleb’s eyes rose with speculative interest, while Katrina looked at Alton sharply, muttering, “Perhaps. We’ll have to see.”
Alton assumed a diplomatic expression and quietly sipped from a glass of rare vintage wine. “Our information systems staff have discovered that Davison was accessing reports of our surveillance activities in London,” he informed them. “He was copying those reports and providing them to his contacts stationed in the Tube tunnels. It’s likely that Caleb and the Fullers interrupted a ’data drop’ that day at the station. And I suspect they took the leather couch as a bit of an inside joke, operating right under our noses, so to speak.”
He paused for a moment to let that sink in before changing the subject. “I hope, despite a couple of speed bumps, you’ve enjoyed your holiday to England,” he ventured.
Katrina glared at the dark-haired vampire from across the table and chastised, “Speed bumps? You have a gift for understatement, Alton.”
“It’s been very educational, actually,” Caleb replied easily and added with a smirk: “I learned never to turn my back on a wounded vampire.”
Katrina arched an eyebrow as she glanced at her mate, while Alton nodded.
“Well said, my boy. Now finish your wine. It’s very old and expensive.”
Katrina merely rolled her eyes while Caleb grinned. He once again marveled at the fact that he was sitting down to dinner with beings who had lived on Earth for five hundred years and more. Vampires are absolutely amazing. Well, when they’re not busy trying to terrify or kill you, that is.
Katrina caught his attention with a sparkle in her eyes, and he smiled warmly. But most of all, when they love you, it’s like being the center of their universe.
* * * *
Early Friday evening, Katrina and Caleb paid a final, brief visit to Dr. Guilhelm. The three of them had a productive discussion regarding Caleb’s progress in dealing with his new memories. Later that evening, it was time for them to bid goodbye to Alton and the city of London. The stately vampire seemed quite sincere when voicing his regrets over the unplanned events that had overshadowed their stay. He promised a completely different experience if they were able to visit again. He even accompanied them in the limousine ride to the airport.
Katrina hugged her tall friend and former mentor, kissed him on the cheek affectionately, and whispered in a sincere tone, “Alton, you’ve been a consummate host for both Caleb and me. Thank you for everything. And come visit when you can. We’d both like that.”
Alton nodded and kissed her on the cheek in return. “Count on it,” he muttered with a disarming smile. Then he turned to Caleb and reached out to shake his hand.
But this time, it was Caleb who pulled Alton towards him and clasped him on the back briefly in a partial hug. The vampire chuckled and grinned with approval as they parted.
“Try to stay out of trouble, scamp,” he teased.
“Keep an eye on your couches,” Caleb replied.
Minutes later, Katrina and Caleb boarded the Sunset Air flight. Once they settled into their cabin, which was as elaborate and comfortable as the one in which they had traveled to England, Caleb felt his eyelids growing heavy. He had been on the go since early that morning. But the day’s events had finally caught up with him, and he yawned dramatically.
Katrina smirked, settling down beside him. She rotated in her seat and kissed him warmly. “I love you,” she offered after their lips parted.
He smiled. “Love you too.”
Soon after takeoff, Caleb fell asleep, remaining that way for most of the return flight. Katrina frequently glanced at him fondly and read the mystery novel she had started back at the hotel.
* * * *
Chapter 9: Reconciliation
Caleb and Katrina arrived back home in Atlanta on Saturday evening at the end of spring break. While Caleb had enjoyed his first venture outside of the country, at least the part not relating to being pursued or attacked by vampires, he was nevertheless happy to be safely back home. It was evident by Katrina’s lighter disposition that she felt the same. She called Alton and Devon Archibald to let them know they had returned home, while he called Paige. Unfortunately, he had to leave voicemail for her since she didn’t pick up. It was yet another unanswered call in a series since