Wicked Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 4)

by Primo, Jaz

  I swallowed hard to relax the lump that had formed in my throat.

  I didn’t want to die.

  But I didn’t really want to be a human any longer, either.

  It was as if recent events dictated that my longevity depended upon my being a vampire; there seemed to be no other way to improve my odds for survival.

  My life had become too dangerous otherwise; remaining human was no longer a viable option.

  “I—I’d rather not die,” I said.

  I wanted to be turned.

  Part of me knew that I needed to be turned.

  But I had to embrace my humanity if I wanted any chance of continued…life.

  Later. I can always be turned later, right?

  But then, the choice wasn’t really mine. My continued survival was up to my body. Or rather, it was up to my body’s immune system to overcome the vampire cells that were permeating my body.

  The healing blood in my body—Kat’s blood—was what was trying to turn me into a vampire, even as it healed the damage to my brain.

  My savior was also my damnation.

  Dammit.

  Kat squeezed my hand between hers supportively.

  I rubbed at my forehead with my free hand.

  “Fight it, my boy,” Alton said.

  I looked up at him. “What?”

  “You’re not merely a helpless pawn,” he said. “Sheer willpower can accomplish things that modern medical science can’t even begin to understand, much less replicate.”

  Willpower.

  I cocked one eyebrow at him as he moved to stand next to me. He reached down to grasp my shoulder as he looked into my eyes in an almost paternal fashion.

  In that moment, I felt a sense of immeasurable reassurance from him, and I wished I’d had a father like him when I was growing up.

  “There’s no line drawn in the sand here,” he said. “This isn’t your only opportunity for a transformation, you know. And it’s not something to be entered into lightly. There are accommodations that can make the transition much more bearable, and we haven’t prepared any of that yet.”

  Accommodations?

  “And besides, we have so much more left to accomplish before then,” he said. “Think upon that.”

  Okay, that sounded pretty cryptic.

  Then, without another word or before I could query him further, he turned and quietly exited the room without even looking back.

  Kat sighed. I looked into her sharp green eyes.

  “What?”

  “Don’t even ask me what he meant by that,” she said with a shrug. “He certainly hasn’t consulted with me on the matter.”

  While I was willing to bet that annoyed her in no small way, frankly, I was too exhausted to contemplate the matter further.

  I lay back against my pillows feeling wearier than I recalled in a long time; my mind felt both hazy and tired.

  Kat sat on the edge of my bed, gently caressing her soft cool fingertips across my forehead.

  I closed my eyes and soon felt myself drifting off to sleep.

  “Rest well, my love,” I heard her whisper.

  * * *

  It was late morning on the sixth day following my surgery that Ethan, Kat, Alton, and Paige gathered around me for a discussion. The mood in the room seemed ominous to me, though Ethan offered me a reassuring expression. And while I considered him to be a sincere person, I wondered if it was more a practiced response than genuine optimism.

  “Well, let’s have it, doctor,” Alton said.

  Paige closed the door to the room and Kat moved to stand next to me, reaching out to hold my right hand between both of hers.

  “Caleb, I realize you’ve already spoken with Alton about the gest of things,” Ethan said. “Based upon previous extensive studies, it’s readily known that a vampire’s conversion process, commonly referred to as the turning, occurs first in the area surrounding brain stem.”

  “I don’t suppose I could read the white papers on that,” I quipped.

  Ethan smiled. “Those might be hard to come by.”

  Kat arched her brow at me.

  I shrugged. What could I say? Levity was sort of a defense mechanism for me.

  “As conversion centers near the brain stem, the direct application of Katrina’s blood in that region during your operation was a delicate process. We placed blood close to where it would most ideally stimulate efficient healing of the damaged areas while hoping to avoid the conversion process,” Ethan explained.

  “So the vampire cells are currently converting my brain tissue?” I asked.

  “They’re attempting to,” he said. “Fortunately, you have a strong immune system and we’ve been injecting you with some of the strongest antibiotics available, so the vampire cells are being hampered. However, we’re at a stage where the vampire cells may be gaining the upper hand.”

  I wondered if anyone else in the room found it ironic that my hope of survival involved overcoming Kat’s blood and its attempt to overwhelm me.

  I half expected Paige to say, I warned you Kat might consume you in the end.

  As those odd thoughts and symbolisms floated through my mind, Kat perched on the edge of my bed and enfolded me in her arms.

  “What now?” I asked, looking up at Ethan.

  His attention reverted from me to Alton, who nodded.

  “At this point, there’s not much more that we can do but wait,” he said. “But if things progress negatively, we don’t want to draw any undue attention here in the hospital. Already, the episode with your attacker risked undesirable exposure.”

  “Who was Sid, anyway?” I asked.

  “Sid?” Paige asked.

  “He said his name was Sid,” I said.

  “Sidney Darzoli was a midrate assassin who won’t be troubling us any longer,” Alton said. “And soon, neither will those who sent him.”

  “Agreed,” Kat said.

  Ethan cleared his throat. “As I was saying, Caleb, I think that it’s time to discharge you. There’s very little else we can do here that I can’t provide you at home, and you’ll probably feel more comfortable there.”

  A sense of uneasiness pervaded in me.

  “So, there’s nothing more we can do except wait?” I asked.

  “I’m afraid so,” Ethan said. “Although we’ll have around the clock nursing assistance for you, and I’ll be available at any time, if needed.”

  My eyes scanned the faces in the room, each looking somber and quiet.

  “We’ll make you very comfortable, my love,” Kat said in a tight voice. “You won’t want for anything.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I felt like a patient being placed on hospice.

  Alton walked over to me and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “We’re not giving up on you, Caleb. And to be brutally honest, we’re not sending you home to die,” he insisted, gazing down upon me with a self-assured expression. “We merely need the privacy of somewhere discreet, and the estate meets both yours and our needs quite nicely. Understood?”

  To be brutally honest…

  Alton had always shot straight with me when using our secret phrase. It was our agreement, of sorts.

  It was a matter of honor.

  I nodded in silent response, more than ever determined not to give up my life without one hell of a fight.

  Chapter 14

  Katrina

  How much pain can one woman endure in five hundred years?

  Despite my best efforts, my nerves were frayed.

  Caleb had been home at the estate for three days, though his condition seemed to be worsening.

  I didn’t know what else I could do but wait, as well as try to be positive and support him emotionally.

  I felt so damned helpless once again; powerless to affect his condition.

  For all my strength, skills, and experience, I could do nothing.

  If not for our houseguests, I’d probably be a nervous wreck.

  Bonnie Lund was one hell of a nurse
for a vampire. I really didn’t expect that, but I genuinely appreciated it.

  Alton had commandeered our dining room, turning it into some sort of impromptu command center. Between his three large displays and no less than three notebook computers, he barely had room to place his tea mug.

  Alton’s personal vampire assistant, Marla Kendrick, had arrived last evening. I welcomed her arrival to help ride shotgun over Alton, and Caleb was particularly fond of her.

  The amazing Ms. Kendrick was a force unto her own as she effortlessly made due in her limited environment. She efficiently used a discreet amount of space in Caleb’s study, leaving notably ample space for her own teacup.

  Only English vampires would still drink so much tea after being turned. It probably rivaled their intake of blood.

  I spent most of my time watching over Caleb as he lay in our bed, often sitting and watching him sleep as the minutes ticked by.

  Sometimes I read and other times I meditated.

  Either way, I felt as if I was trapped in a sort of purgatory, stuck between heaven and hell.

  So, I waited.

  Ethan had been absolutely wonderful. He stopped by frequently to check in on Caleb; only I had the odd sense that it was as much for me as for him.

  He was such a kind vampire, truly surprising in a refreshing and reassuring way.

  Bonnie Lund stayed with us, as well. Her assistance was likewise immeasurable and welcome.

  That filled our guest rooms to capacity.

  Of course, Paige had taken up partial residence in the estate; splitting her time between our estate and the home she shared with Ethan across town. I think her motorcycle trips to and fro helped to distract her.

  There were no less than three plainclothes guards on the grounds at all times; two humans and a vampire during the day, and three vampires at night. Fortunately, they had hotel accommodations off-site in either Mableton or Atlanta proper.

  “How is he?” Ethan asked in a whisper.

  I looked up to see him and Page approaching the bedside where Caleb was sound asleep.

  “The same,” I said. “He seems feverish more of the time, and he complains of being hot, achy, tired, and generally nauseous. He’s barely keeping vegetable-based foods and fluids down now.”

  His revulsion to animal-based food or liquid was a telltale sign that we were losing our battle to keep him human.

  I was fearful of the inevitable outcome.

  He won’t survive a conversion in his physical state.

  And I can’t live without him.

  “Are you sure his brain’s not healed enough yet?” I asked, grasping at hope.

  Ethan regarded me patiently. “The odds improve ever slightly with each day his conversion is delayed, but I seriously doubt it.”

  I shook my head as Paige placed a supportive hand on my shoulder.

  “With the vampire blood trying to convert his cells, his body is battling just to remain human,” Ethan said. “And there’s limited energy for his body’s normal human healing processes.”

  I can tell he’s growing weaker every day.

  “He walked around the house a little bit today,” I said.

  “Yeah, I practically had to chase him back into bed before he fell over,” Paige said with a snicker.

  Caleb stirred slightly and then fell back into a deep sleep.

  “He’s seems so determined to fight it,” I said. “Even when he wants conversion so badly.”

  He’s very brave.

  “Still, with each passing day there’s hope,” Ethan said. “We can’t forget that.”

  I wanted to believe him, but I feared otherwise.

  * * *

  I envied Alton.

  He seemed in constant motion, blissfully distracted with things both mundane and arcane: exchanging numerous phone calls, working with Marla on various tasks and projects, and typing like a madman on the array of computers before him.

  He’d been chatting with me about the state of vampire politics abroad, though I hardly remembered a word of it.

  My mind was firmly set upon the love of my life.

  “Will Caleb survive?” I asked yet again.

  Alton remained silent as he reached out for his mug of hot tea. It seemed to take forever for him to drink from that mug.

  “Alton?” I asked.

  He sat the mug down and stared into my eyes. “I honestly don’t know, Katrina. Heaven knows, I genuinely hope so.”

  His voice was thick with sincerity in a manner that pulled at my heart. I felt my eyes moisten.

  “You need a distraction,” he said. “Something to pass the time.”

  “Like what?” I asked. “And if you say ‘make a cup of tea’ I’ll scream.”

  I certainly could use a good scream.

  And then, perhaps a cup of tea.

  “I know who hired Caleb’s hospital assassin,” Alton said.

  Now that’s a worthy distraction.

  “Who?” I asked.

  “Raul Balefor is the head of the Balefor clan, residing in the ancient city of Merida, Spain. He was yet another strong ally of the late Baldar Dubravko.”

  My mind raced with both anger and scorn, and I wanted to leap from my chair for the first plane bound for Europe.

  “Never heard of him, not that it matters,” I said. “I’ll see to him personally.”

  I’ll crush him.

  “I thought you might feel that way,” he said with a weary tone.

  I looked at him sharply. “And just how else am I supposed to feel?”

  “I realize you’re upset, Katrina, but perhaps you could wait long enough for my insights before you run off on a killing spree.”

  I folded my arms before me and glared daggers at him.

  “Thank you,” he said in that unnervingly patient manner of his. “Balefor’s merely one of many vampires who’s aligned themselves together.”

  “What sort of Alliance?” I asked. “I thought Hakizimana said there were merely numerous parties who opposed the Slovene conference. I don’t recall any mention of an alliance.”

  He nodded. “Indeed. They’ve either organized far more quickly than we have, or they’ve been far more secretive than I gave them credit for.”

  “It’s hard to believe they could’ve out-organized you following the conference,” I said.

  “I’ve been working rather aggressively on my own alliance in the short time since the conference, if I do say so myself,” he said. “That was one of the reasons I was already here stateside when Paige called me about Caleb’s condition.”

  Caleb.

  “And how are your efforts coming along?” I asked, though more to distract myself again.

  “Quite well, actually,” he said.

  Alton was many things, but a braggart wasn’t one of them. He was one of the most capable and charismatic vampire leaders on the planet, in fact.

  “But not as well as our opposition,” he said.

  “Then they’ve been organized for a time,” I said.

  “Yes, it would seem they have,” he said. “Recall that few if any of us were expected to have survived that briefcase bomb at the conference. After further consideration, I suspect they would’ve initiated large scale actions internationally by now had the bombing not been thwarted by Caleb.”

  I nodded. “These attempts against Caleb must be a revenge vendetta; a message to others not to interfere. You suggested that might happen before we ever left Slovenia.”

  He shrugged. “On that matter, I’m sorry to have been correct.”

  A bitter realization struck me. “And that means they’re probably not going to stop.”

  “Perhaps,” he said. “But perhaps not, if we act properly.”

  I wondered what hope for success I had if I boarded a plane for Europe.

  One vengeful vampire against who knows how many aligned opponents? That’s a daunting prospect, even for me.

  “You’re contemplating the odds, aren’t you?” he asked.
>
  I looked up, startled.

  “What can I say? I know how you think, Katrina,” he said.

  “Perhaps,” I said cryptically.

  “Well, you can forget about it,” he said. “We’re in this together, you know. Caleb is likewise dear to me, but it goes well beyond him now.”

  “Far beyond Caleb?” I asked, arching my brow.

  “We’ve reached a potentially dire crossroad in the vampire world,” he said. “I’ve seen this in our future for some time, actually. That’s why I pushed so hard to form the Slovene conference.

  “Regrettably, I greatly underestimated how quickly we’ve arrived at this pivotal moment. I ran out of time. Perhaps if I’d started a decade ago,” he said.

  I frowned. “All right, you’re late. Now please tell me you have some grand plan in mind.”

  His eyebrows rose. “It is rather grand, of sorts; certainly ambitious.”

  The tone in his reply reminded me of a gambler whose bluff had been called.

  “Go on,” I said, though part of me wished I hadn’t.

  “The arms are fair, when the intent of bearing them is just,” he said.

  “Where’s that from?”

  “Henry IV.”

  “And why are you quoting Shakespeare?”

  For some strange reason, I suddenly felt very cold.

  “For the first time in a nearly three hundred years, House Rutherford is preparing for war,” he said. “I’m raising an army, as well as a coalition of willing partners among our kind. Some have already declared an allegiance to the venture; not surprisingly, many of them were potential victims of the recent Slovene summit bombing attempt.”

  I stared back at my friend and former mentor with disbelief. My only experience with one of Alton’s wars was not long after I’d been turned, and Alton had taken me in under his wing to train and mentor.

  Given my lack of experience, I’d taken very little part in sorties as a young vampire; though Alton had taken me on a few minor excursions as part of my training. Most of my experience came later when I ventured out on my own.

  “That’s what you’ve been busying yourself with these past few days?” I asked.