Sunset Rising (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 5)

by Jaz Primo

  “Yes, but in here it feels as though time were suspended,” I said. “I can sort of understand why Alton likes it.”

  “Alton?” he asked.

  “Oh, a friend of mine,” I said. “It was through him that I learned of your church.”

  “Well, the church is hardly mine. It belongs to God and those served by its presence in this parish,” he said. “Incidentally, would you be referring to Alton Rutherford?”

  “Yes,” I replied. “I understand that he supports the church, perhaps even worships here.”

  “Supports, yes,” he said. “Mr. Rutherford is a very generous benefactor, though one wouldn’t necessarily refer to him as among our regular parishioners.”

  “Ah,” I said.

  He studied me for a moment. “Wait, you’re an American. You must be Caleb Taylor then,” he ventured.

  I frowned. “You’ve heard of me?”

  “You’re Katrina Rawlings’ mate, I presume?” he asked.

  My eyes widened.

  He held up one hand. “Please, don’t be alarmed. I shouldn’t have been so forward.”

  “How did you know—”

  “Rest assured, Mr. Rutherford and I go back a long way together,” he said. “You have nothing to fear.”

  I hadn’t really taken notice before, but he did have an unusually pale complexion.

  “No way,” I said.

  “I beg your pardon?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” I said.

  He gave me a patient look. “Oh, many years it’s been since I’ve seen that expression used on me. Is it so very strange that I might be a vampire and a reverend?”

  I didn’t know what to say at that moment.

  “No way,” I repeated.

  “We’re all children of God,” he said. “Only some of us have been at it longer than others.”

  I felt dumbfounded, nearly numb.

  “How is that even possible?” I asked.

  He gestured to the nearest pew. “Please, take a seat.”

  I weighed the options of leaving versus staying, but my curiosity won out.

  I sat down and he sat beside me.

  “Caleb, at one time or another most of us wonder what our place in the world is,” he said. “It’s a challenge to know where we’re supposed to fit in. I’m happy to say that I’ve found my place, and it’s quite rewarding.”

  “Have you served here for very long?” I asked.

  “Oh, quite a number of years now,” he said. “Time gets away with me just as it does everyone else.”

  It was hard to wrap my mind around the contrast before me.

  “But you’re a vampire,” I said.

  “Being a vampire is what I am,” he said. “But it doesn’t have to define who I am.”

  I hadn’t considered it that way.

  “When you think about it, that’s really no different with anyone else in this world,” he said. “We each have free will to decide who we choose to be in life; those decisions are part of what defines us as beings.”

  “Yes, but how do you talk to people—minister to people—knowing what you do and what they don’t even realize?” I asked.

  “I do what any other reverend does,” he said. “Only mostly at night.”

  “Yeah, I can imagine,” I said.

  Then something occurred to me.

  “So, pardon my asking, but being a vampire, do you actually believe there’s a God?” I asked.

  He looked at me with an amused expression. “Did you happen to notice my outfit? This collar is neither a fashion statement nor a disguise, you know.”

  “A vampire reverend with a wry sense of humor,” I said.

  “A keen sense of humor is even more important in the ministry,” he said. “And yes, I’d like to believe that there is a God.”

  “But you don’t know,” I said.

  He shrugged. “Who does, really? Yet, I have faith that He might be there, after all.”

  “But what if He isn’t real?” I asked.

  “Better yet, what if everyone’s had it wrong and He is really a She?” he countered.

  I hadn’t even considered that.

  “Look, Caleb, the manner in which I choose to conduct my life is helping others,” he said. “Even if there is no God, though I’m hopeful there is, at the very least I can feel that I’ve made a positive difference in people’s lives. That has to be worth something, wouldn’t you agree?

  “And, let’s be frank,” he continued. “If there really isn’t a God, it isn’t going to disappoint any of us for very long after we take our last breath, is it?”

  I mulled that over for a moment.

  “You make some pragmatic, if not compelling, points,” I said.

  He slowly gazed around the room. “Yes, well, I’ve had a long time to refine my views on the matter. Mind you, I keep some of my views to myself.”

  I was tempted to ask him how old he was, but that seemed very forward to ask that of someone who I had just met.

  “I appreciate our chat,” I said. “Though I still can’t say that my initial quandary has been solved.”

  “Ah, the eternal question as to where you belong,” he said.

  “Yep,” I said, still reeling over the concept that I was talking to a vampire reverend.

  “Caleb, I’m sorry, but that’s a question that only you can answer for yourself,” he said. “Remember that, while your experiences or relationships may guide or influence your decision-making, only you can truly decide the person you want to be.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind,” I said. “Well, it’s getting late, but thank you for the visit. I appreciate your time.”

  I started to rise, but then paused and looked back at him, weighing the merits of a further query.

  “Yes?” he asked.

  “I apologize if this sounds invasive, but as a minister, how do you reconcile your whole blood-drinking thing?” I asked.

  “You are ever the curious one, aren’t you?” he asked. “Oh, the things you must have already seen to be so matter-of-fact about such topics.

  “However, if you must know, I’ve never taken blood from a parishioner. I’ve also never killed anyone since becoming a vampire, either.”

  “Then how—”

  “For years, I relied upon the measured—shall we say, charity—of others,” he said. “However, I suspect that you’re well aware of modern blood bank services, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, I see,” I said. “I meant no offense in asking, of course.”

  He maintained a pleasant expression. “I can assure you, none taken.”

  I rose. “Well, I’d better get going now. Um, thank you for your time and it’s a pleasure meeting you, Father Thomas.”

  He shook my hand again. “Yes, a pleasure visiting with you, Caleb. And please be sure to stop by again for another chat. I’m here to help, and it may be comforting to be able to speak with someone who understands your unique challenges.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Um, about our chat—”

  “As with all our parishioners, our discussions remain confidential,” he said. “It’s just between us and God.”

  He accompanied me to the front of the sanctuary.

  “Please give my best to Mr. Rutherford,” he said.

  “I will.”

  As I walked toward the entrance, I spied the box for food bank donations. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a sole ten-pound note, which I folded and stuffed into the narrow slot at the top.

  When I turned to look back, Father Thomas smiled and inclined his head toward me.

  I opened the front door and nearly walked into a young couple who were entering.

  “Oh, sorry,” said the man.

  I held the door open for them.

  “Thank you,” said the young woman.

  “Father Thomas, we’re so sorry about running late for our counseling session,” the man said. “We had a flat on the way.”

  “No apologies necessary. I’m here all ni
ght, you know,” Thomas said.

  “And what a night. It’s getting to be almost pea soup out there,” the woman said.

  “Well then, you hang up your coats while I brew us a nice hot cup of tea before we begin,” Thomas said.

  I shook my head as I closed the door behind me and stepped into the night.

  Suddenly, the world had become a much stranger place than I gave it credit for.

  As I stepped out onto the sidewalk, I failed to see either Dane or Lyra nearby. I also noted that an eerie fog had set in.

  “Oh, that pea soup,” I said while removing my smartphone from my jacket pocket. “Great. Just great.”

  I texted Dane, Where the hell are you guys?

  Chapter 24

  Caleb

  The ominous fog thickened fast and a light mist fell.

  London wasn’t a quiet city, and yet, the conditions seemed to mute the sounds of traffic as if they were happening in another part of the world.

  I considered the warmth and relative safety of the church before proceeding up the sidewalk in the direction of the hotel.

  A vehicle passed by and was quickly enveloped into the mist. Moments later, the muted sounds of heavy footsteps came from behind me.

  My phone buzzed and I looked down to see a text reply from Dane.

  Thought you’d taken holy orders. Relax.

  As I returned my phone to my pocket, the footsteps grew louder and I reached into my jacket with my free hand to grasp one of the UV flashlights.

  I reached for one of my combat knives and turned to face the figure approaching me.

  I first glimpsed a long black leather coat before my eyes focused on Kat’s face and long red hair. She pursed her lips with amusement.

  “Wondered what you’d do,” she said.

  I relaxed, inwardly relieved to see her.

  She stopped before me and bent down to give me a warm kiss, sending a wave of happiness through me.

  “Surprised to see me?” she asked.

  “Actually, yes. But it’s a very happy revelation,” I replied. “Where’s Dane and Lyra?”

  “I gave them the night off,” she said. “Shall we hail a lift back to the hotel?”

  “Let’s stroll for a bit,” I said.

  “As you wish, my love,” she said. She reached down to grasp my hand and walked alongside me.

  Despite the foreboding setting, there was an oddly romantic feel to walking beside her in the mist and fog.

  “Did your meeting go well?” I asked.

  She didn’t answer me immediately.

  “It was interesting,” she said. “Alton and I are delving into some things more cautiously, given your unusual knowledge of our guest. But let’s not talk about that now.”

  Part of me wondered why she sounded so hedgy. However, another part of me really didn’t care. I was happy to finally spend some quality time with her.

  We walked in silence for a time while holding hands. The mist lightened up but the fog remained dense. Despite the slight chill, it felt like being encapsulated inside our own private bubble of reality.

  “I was rather surprised to hear that you were visiting a church,” she said. “I didn’t think you were especially religious.”

  “Not especially,” I said. “I was curious.”

  “I see,” she said.

  “Father Brookins was very welcoming,” I said.

  She looked at me. “So, you met Thomas, then. He’s an interesting fellow.”

  “He’s a vampire,” I said.

  “Oh, I know. Though you’d hardly suspect it,” she said. “What are the odds that you would wander into a church and find the only vampire clergyman in London?”

  “I learned about Saint James the Less from a file I was sorting for Marla,” I said. “Though I didn’t know anything about him until going there firsthand.”

  “Thomas doesn’t like to embrace his nature,” she said. “He’s unusual, even for a vampire.”

  “I like him,” I said.

  “Are you going back to see him again?” she asked.

  “I dunno,” I said. “Maybe. It depends.”

  “Anything that you want to discuss?” she asked. “Are you having a crisis of faith?”

  “Not especially.”

  Then something strange struck me.

  “Have you ever?”

  “Crisis of faith?” she asked. “Yes, but it was a long time ago. And I’ve moved well beyond it over the years.”

  “Years?”

  She squeezed my hand. “All right, then, more accurately centuries. There’s no need to accentuate my protracted existence, if you please.”

  “Oh, please,” I said. “It makes you seem so much more exotic.”

  “You mean ancient,” she said.

  I grinned. “Cradle robber.”

  She yanked my hand and pulled me against her. I felt her teeth playfully nip at my neck and I laughed.

  Then she kissed me there.

  “I love and adore you,” I said, taking her into my arms and kissing her.

  “I’m very happy to hear that,” she said between kisses.

  I spied a coffee shop across the street.

  “Hey, I’ve got an idea,” I said. “Perfect for a nibbler like you.”

  Minutes later, we sat at a small corner table sipping hot tea. She picked at an orange-frosted scone while I ate a hot sandwich and crisps with a frosted chocolate cupcake for dessert.

  She smiled at me. “I think you’re the nibbler here.”

  “Fog makes me hungry,” I said.

  “Breathing makes you hungry,” she teased.

  We spent more than two hours just sitting and chatting about nothing and everything. It felt like the times we had spent together when we first started dating more than a year ago.

  It was the best of times.

  By the time we left the shop, it had started raining outside.

  “How do you feel about either a taxi or the tube?” I asked.

  “Good idea,” she said, retrieving her phone from her pocket. “Try hailing a cab.”

  I stepped out to the curb and raised my hand while looking up and down the street, but I didn’t see any available taxis in the vicinity.

  “I think we’d better plan to find the nearest tube access,” I said.

  As I dropped my hand, a pair of dark SUVs sped down the street and came to a screeching halt before us.

  I turned to look at Kat and she winked at me.

  “They just happened to be nearby?” I asked.

  She stepped forward and opened the rear passenger door of the lead SUV for us.

  “You don’t think I’d leave us stranded out on such a foreboding night?” she countered, gently ushering me into the back seat.

  “Where to, General?” asked the driver.

  “Home,” she replied.

  As we proceeded, I stared out the window at the nearly deserted streets.

  “What about Thanksgiving?” I asked.

  “As we planned, it’ll be in the Mediterranean,” she replied.

  “When do we leave?”

  “Tomorrow night,” she replied. “Looking forward to it?”

  I almost hesitated to answer with my desired reply, but then braved it.

  “Yes, though I’d like it better if Paige were there,” I said.

  “I know. I passed along word to Ethan,” she said. “I also left messages with some of her older contact points.”

  I looked at her with a hopeful expression.

  “I can’t make any guarantees, Caleb,” she said. “She’s unpredictable, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you given how things went between you two back in Ohio.”

  It made me sad to think that Paige might not be part of our upcoming holidays. She felt like family to me now, and the holidays were all about family. Even Ethan felt like extended family.

  Before I realized it, our SUV pulled up in front of the hotel. During our short walk and elevator ride to our room, my thoughts
wandered back to Paige.

  God, how I miss her.

  As I lay in bed beside Kat, I reflected on the events of the day, including Alton’s stern counseling with me that morning.

  Alton saw so much promise in me. Yet, none of that mattered if I wasn’t devoted to fulfilling those expectations.

  Before falling asleep, I recalled something Father Brookins had said during our meeting.

  Remember that, while your experiences or relationships may guide or influence your decision-making, only you can truly decide the person you want to be...

  * * *

  When I awoke, I felt strangely more settled about my life, though I couldn’t point to any specific reason why. Maybe I was merely looking forward to Thanksgiving.

  It was, after all, my favorite holiday.

  Kat was busily packing two suitcases for herself. Fortunately, most of my things were still packed from my arrival two days prior.

  “Kat, one question,” I asked.

  “Just one?” she countered. “Will wonders never cease?”

  I gave her a bland look. “Fun-ny.”

  She appeared a little too pleased with herself.

  “Where precisely are we going for Thanksgiving?” I asked. “Alton seems to like the whole surprise aspect, but today’s the day we leave and I’m dying of curiosity.”

  “But Alton wanted to surprise you,” she said. “We’re even leaving during the day so that we arrive before sunset. I hope that you appreciate his efforts.”

  “Do you know our destination?” I asked.

  “Of course,” she replied.

  I folded my arms before me. “I thought mates don’t keep secrets from each other.”

  “It’s not a secret. It’s a surprise.”

  I gave her a flat look.

  She placed her hands atop her hips. “Caleb Taylor, you’re going to be surprised and like it.”

  I shook my head and carried my suitcases to the front door.

  Two hours later, we boarded a Sunset Air flight for points unknown. Kat and I shared a luxurious private cabin with Alton, but he remained tight-lipped about our destination.

  Almost five hours later, we landed and I eagerly disembarked the flight, only to stand inside a closed hangar. Two men wearing business suits stood nearby and Alton motioned to them.