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When Caleb woke on Sunday, he discovered quickly that he had slept until e However, Katrina was pleased he had slept that late, knowing how exhausted he had been fro around the house, although by early evening Caleb offered to grill some steaks and potatoes for him and Gil Then the four watched the film Public Enemies in the theater roo that at least he had no evening classes to teach; those were only on Tuesdays and Thursdays However, the day seerading to do before he went home for the day He knew that he would be too distracted by his house guests if he dared take the work ho, an unexpected visitor arrived as he continued grading at his desk Paige appeared at his office doorith a sly grin and wearing a pair of forer," she greeted in a perky voice "So, this is Professor Central, huh? You about to finish up for the day?"

He se Yeah, this is the place, my home away fros you around?"

She shrugged "I’ht want to run an errand with ued "Okay, I’ll bite Where to?"

She leaned against his door fraabout it, would youme your car keys?"

"What?"

But she merely held out her eers impatiently "Come on, come on Keys, please"

He laughed and tossed her his car keys, which she snatched out of ht back, so just stay put"

He chuckled and shook his head as his mysterious friend disappeared from view, followed closely by sound of the nearest exit doors abruptly opening and closing Her actions had piqued his curiosity, but he returned to grading quizzes so they could leave soon

Minutes later, she returned with a satisfied expression, but he noted she ithout the car keys in hand

"Hey, what aboutyour car back to the estate," she replied off-handedly "I sure hope he doesn’t get le map for him, after all"

"Gil was here?" he asked "Didn’t he want to go with us on the errand?"

"Nah, but then, you kno Gil is," she replied evasively as she plopped down in the guest chair beside his desk and inspected the items and decor in his office

Actually, I don’t, he

"Go ahead, finish grading Let ed while perusing the titles of books on the nearby shelf

He shook his head slightly, and then shrugged and returned to grading Within another thirty minutes he had finished and stacked the quizzes into an orderly pile As he filled his backpack with take-home items, Tanisha stopped by his open office doorway on her way out of the building

"Goodnight, Caleb," she offered as she shifted her leather satchel to her left hand while reaching into her shoulder purse for her car keys

"Oh, Tanisha, there’s so froe

Tanisha se ht blue eyes stared into Tanisha’s with amusement as a smirk played across her face at the woman’s race and ie’s in a polite grasp

"Paige, I’ue, Dr Tanisha Browning," Caleb offered "She’s our highly regarded Professor of Women’s History She’s also a priceless e"

He turned his gaze to Tanisha with a wide grin and offered proudly, "Tanisha, I’e Turner She’s like an adopted sister to e’s eyes darted to hirand introduction, but quickly refocused her attention back to Tanisha

"Well, I’e," the petite, hazel-eyed professor offered with an appraising slected to tell me that he had an adopted sister"

"It’s a dynae replied as the tomen released hands "That’s to say Caleb and I are like family, and he’s also very dear to htly "Oh, I see I thought at first you enuine curiosity "Really? Why would you think that?"

"Although there’s a difference in height, I sense you both have silance at Caleb, who by that tie in the nature of the conversation warily

"Purely a coincidence," Paige replied easily "But then, Katrina’s a long-time, close friend of mine, so perhaps we’ve rubbed off on each other a little bit"

"Perhaps," Tanisha accepted politely "It’s a pleasure to meet you, nonetheless Any friend of Caleb’s is a friend of lanced at him and prompted, "I’d better run, Caleb Desta has a recital this evening, and Richard and I promised ouldn’t be late for it"

"Tell Desta I’ for her," he offered as Tanisha headed for the building’s exit

When the door shut behind her, he released a heavy sigh For soed a bullet

"She’s perceptive," Paige observed "You’ll need to watch yourself with that one, kiddo"

Caleb countered, "She’s a good friend, Paige, not a threat"

But she turned to face hiuessed about our true nature"

He sed hard, understanding hersince Katrina had nearly threatened to kill Tanisha for si their existence was the first concern in every vae became lethally serious as the topic surfaced, which unnerved him somewhat

"Don’t worry I know," he replied dutifully "Katrina’s already warned e seemed satisfied and didn’t press the issue further Instead, she recovered her previously playful s Let’s hit the road"

Caleb nodded and turned to collect his backpack when Paige’s cell phone buzzed The petite vampire fluidly slipped it from her waist and flipped the cell phone cover open with a flourish "What’s up, Red?" she asked

He looked up at Paige, and her eyes glistened brightly as she gazed back at Caleb with a penetrating look "Well, I’lad Gil was able to follow directions And yeah, our boy’s right here," she confir’s just fine If you don’t ht I have an errand to run that he’s going to accompany me on before we head back to the estate"

"Our boy?" he asked with raised eyebrows

Paige grinned at hio ahead and eat Yes, I’ll make sure Caleb eats before we co on his door hook as we speak" She rolled her eyes, nodded her head, and used the fingers and thu very talkative

He barely restrained hi out loud at that

"Yes, I’ll tell hi, we need to get going now" She flipped the cell phone shut with a sigh and slipped the device into the holder at her waist "She loves you, by the way," she offered before ushering hi the door behind the his backpack over one shoulder

He chuckled while slipping into his leather jacket As the two of thee’s rental car, he coly, you know"

A cold wind blew froht arm around his waist as they walked "That’s true, I suppose At least for now, that is," she alluded

What an odd co?

She activated the remote on her keychain to unlock the doors to her black rental sedan and followed hier side as she heard his pulse increase in a slightly agitated manner He opened the door and pulled the seat forward so she could toss his backpack into the back seat Then he pushed the seat back and turned to stare at her with a curious expression

"So, where are we headed, anyway?" he inquired after reconsidering her odd, earlier coently

He didn’t even need to consider her question He trusted Paige with his life and had done so on a couple of occasions in the months he had known her The corners of his lips upturned, and he replied earnestly, "Of course, silly You’re uardian I trust you completely"

She sainst his cheek Then she held the passenger door open and said, "Good, you should So, get in already, and we’ll hit the road"

He got in and fastened his seatbelt, and within hway entrance not far from campus She played some rock music to break the silence as they traversed the cold February evening Ten hway 75 out of Atlanta, and his curiosity increased

When Caleb noticed their exit at the South Marietta Parkway, his heartbeat increased noticeably The only reason he could divine for coritted his teeth "Where are we going, Paige?" he de that the answer had to do with Devon Archibald

She glanced over at him and replied, "I just need to stop by to visit with someone for a few et to go soo for dinner tonight"

She was relieved that she had been able to assuage his curiosity for as long as she had It was a good testiree of trust they shared However, she hoped he would be agreeable from that point on since he obviously had an idea of why they were in Marietta

He silently fuh the city streets

"Nice little town, actually," she co closer to their destination She hadthe estate to pick up Caleb

He runted and mumbled, "Except for one resident, in particular"

She failed to contain a sly out of place co from someone who normally maintained such an upbeat and cheerful disposition

When they pulled into Devon’s driveway, Paige noted that his car was already there She had called hied that he seeh they had interacted via email a couple of times, this was her first occasion to iven her very detailed infore announced cal inside to chat for a few minutes, and then we’ll leave Okay?"

He reached for the door handle, but withdrew his hand and turned to look at Paige "I think I’ll stay here You go ahead"

She chewed her lower lip and considered the situation for aher door, she walked caler side of the vehicle and opened the door for him to exit But he kept his seatbelt on and crossed his ar straight ahead

Paige reached into the car and grasped the bicep of his right arrip on hi in with er?" she offered plainly "I’ll play nicely, if you will"

His jaw clenched, and he turned to stare at her with incredulity as he recalled how she had used the same declaration with him when she had firstwith her, but it galled him that she would force her will upon him She knew full well how much he hated Devon Archibald

"Fine," he replied levelly, conceding there was little to be gained fro a scene

She released his arm and adopted a pleasant expression as she waited for him to release his seatbelt and exit the vehicle As she shut the door and used the remote to lock the car, he stepped aside to look around the hborhood as the cold north hipped around him He noted the area didn’t appear in decline, but it was an older-looking neighborhood

"Are you scared?" she asked gently It occurred to her that soh she only detected moderate wariness from him

"Just irritated," he admitted as he stared up at the house before hilow fro reement with Devon," she reassured hi alpha I can handle ainst a vampire, if needed"

He frowned at the spunk that she exuded under the circumstances and recalled how scary she had been at the estate when interrogating an intruder last Dece wind, or both "He’s huge, Paige," he recalled quietly as events froht at the wildlife preserve replayed in his memory

"Babysitter’s on duty, so don’t worry," she replied "Now quit stalling"

He felt her hand pat the sently, and he sloalked up the driveway towards the house He stopped at the foot of the sentle pressure of Paige’s hand at his back again He glanced back over his shoulder at her with a dark expression, but shefunny?" he asked

"Sorry, but Katrina’s so right You’re really cute when you’re annoyed," she observed with a smirk

He rolled his eyes and felt her arm encircle his waist as she pulled him forward to stand before the front door with her She reached out and rang the doorbell once

A mo a pair of faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt He towered above both of his visitors, but had a pleasant smile on his face "Please, come in," he offered as he stood aside for them to enter

Caleb took a moment to stare up at the tall, e to enter first, but he felt her arm press him forward, and she followed him into the small entry area

Devon closed the door behind them, and then held his hand out to shake Caleb’s politely "Welcome toour introductions over by shaking your hand in a gesture of mutual respect and civility"

Caleb wasn’t happy to be there, but he conceded that there was no reason for him to be rude in the vampire’s own home He extended his hand, only to have it disappear in Devon’s But the varee of pressure and shook

"Pleased to meet you, Mr Taylor," Devon offered for a little silly"You can callvampire replied "And please feel free to call e’s in turn "It’s nice to finally e"

"Likewise, Devon," she replied "And thanks for seeing us on short notice I hope that didn’t create any hardships for your schedule"

"Not at all," he replied, gesturing towards the living room for them to enter "Pleaserooe on the couch He took particular interest in the pastoral paintings depicting wildlife and outdoor scenery, and he frowned at the see before hihed into his fist to clear his throat

Devon started to sit down, but glanced at Caleb when he heard hi to drink?" he asked "I have Coca-Colas in the fridge"

His eyebrows rose "You do?"

Devon nodded as Caleb found hi somewhat surprised by the revelation It was his favorite cola, though perhaps Katrina had tipped him off to that

"Well, um, please," Caleb stammered "That would be nice, thank you"

"Glass or can?" Devon asked

"Oh, a can would be fine, thanks"

Devon looked to Paige, but she shook her head "No, nothing for e vae with upraised eyebrows She nodded back at hiht, Caleb thought

Devon returned with an open can of Coke and handed it to Caleb

"Thanks," he replied, accepting the beverage "Much appreciated"

Devon s chair opposite froht?" he inquired

"Caleb and I thought it would be a good idea to an "I’ town, and I didn’t want to htful while steepling his fingers before hie-fra present for our first official "

She saze and casually placed her left hand on Caleb’s thigh, of which Devon took iate vampire So, I have the latitude to act in his best interests as I deelanced at Devon "Providing I don’t run contrary to Katrina’s wishes, of course"

Katrina had spoken at length with Paige regarding what she had said to Devon concerning their agreement, and she felt it important to mirror Katrina’s words as closely as possible to avoid confusion

"Of course," Devon replied with a nod

"I was hoping you ht tell me a little about yourself," she pro such personal matters with us"

Devon considered the two of theround story he had related to Katrina, though he glossed over the details of his relationship with Nadida Caleb found his tale so froer at Devon during the recollection Paige had already heard the story once from Katrina, but displayed respectful interest as the tale was relayed

"And here we are," Devon finished and turned to Caleb "But before we speak further, I’d like to offer ht at the preserve I thought you were prey, but I should have curtailed my hunt after you declared yourself a vampire’s mate For that, I ay And while the offer stands no matter your response, I harbor no resentment if you decline In my past, I’ve been hated by people who didn’t know me for who I truly was, and yet I haven’t allowed it to htfully silent for a moment "Yes, I can see where, in your past, you may have been hated by others simply because of the color of your skin, which is certainly reprehensible But then, you weren’t hunting them as food at the time, either Despite that, and hatred aside, does the rabbit not dislike the wolf by its very nature?"

Devon’s eyebrow rose in a degree of surprise and appeared introspective as he considered Caleb’s response Paige’s hand tightened ever so slightly on Caleb’s thigh, and she glanced at hi I hadn’t looked at it quite that way before, she mused

But before anyone spoke, he continued, "But I’y in the spirit in which it was offered However, while I can’t guarantee we ree to be polite and respectful in the future And I appreciate the gesture of your apology"

Paige looked sidelong at her young charge with a curious expression, ad his diplomatic craft Devon, too, see varee to polite and respectful dialogue froe that, as well"

Caleb took a swig of his Coke as he glanced at a picture of an elk on the wall to his left While he wasn’t feeling as angry or anxious as when he arrived, he wasn’t feeling overly happy about being there either

"There’s soe interjected "There’s a small matter of your blood supply"

Devon looked taken aback and corrected, "I’m afraid you’re misinformed I don’t reed "But if you’re going to be around Calebhi, but countered, "That’s a rather expensive prospect for me, you understand"

"I appreciate your circuo However, I’m prepared to carry your delivery and blood supply expenses under enuine surprise, and even Caleb cast a perplexed glance at his blonde-haired protector

"Why?" he asked carefully "Why would you do that? I ive me if I seereeht be"

The corners of Paige’s mouth rose, and she casually draped her left arm behind Caleb’s lower back "Understand: I’ate vampire That means his interests are now my interests," she explained as her blue eyes penetrated Devon’s

Caleb sh

"And that’s all the incentive I need," she added with a glance at Caleb

Devon’s eyes went between Caleb’s and Paige’s faces, and he nodded, as if in understanding "This is all very unusual to me," he observed "I haven’t met other vampires such as you and Katrina, and not merely because you’re alpha females, either"

There was a brief pause as the dark-complexioned vampire considered the situation "I appreciate your offer, and I accept Are there conditions with this gift?"

Paige nodded and answered, "Just that you look after Caleb as called to do so and never allow your hunger to pose a threat to him"

"Done," Devon replied easily "And thank you"

"You’re welcome," she said, once more the perky, carefree vampire "I’ll email you when the first delivery is scheduled Oh, and always feel free to call , particularlyCaleb"

She rose from her seat, and Caleb followed suit behind her "Now, I better get him to a restaurant He’s not pleasant to be around when he’s hungry, either," she quipped "He’s rinned, shook the short vampire’s hand and turned to Caleb to shake his "I’ll show you to the front door"

Caleb found that to be an interesting prospect given the front door was visible from where they stood, but perhaps it was just southern hospitality or soh he conceded the visit had gone better than he had expected

As Devon opened his front door and stepped aside for the by, and please coh I’m away at work a lot, so maybe call ahead of time so you don’t waste a trip unnecessarily"

They nodded, and Caleb offered, "Well, feel free to visit our hohborhood And thanks for the cola"

"You’re welcome, and thank you for the offer, Caleb," Devon replied "But keep inblindly I’ve seen what it can do to a person"

Caleb nodded with a polite s analogy, as well"

Paige and Caleb stepped outside into the cold night air as Devon watched them walk away The front door shut quietly as they neared their car

"Well, the vampire-human summit went pretty well overall," she said

"Suo, you may recall," he pointed out as she unlocked the car doors with her reht also have under different circumstances," she countered slyly as she followed hier side

But he returned her sly expression with one of his own and quipped, "You know, under different circuht blue eyes stared rinned at hier seat with a flurry of her hands "Don’t teed as she softly patted him on top of the head with the palot into the driver’s seat and started the car Then she paused and turned to Caleb with a smirk "I’m a wolf, you know And yet, you don’t hate rinned and downed the re the empty can in the in-dash cup holder He turned to her and replied matter-of-factly, "Ah, but I adore you, Ms Wolf, because you’re a friendly wolf"

"Think so?" she countered with a raised eyebrow She grinned, gunned the engine, and whipped out of the driveway and down the street Once they were navigating through the lanced over at him and asked, "Okay, Rabbit, where do you want to eat dinner then?"

He considered that at length and finally replied with a sneer, "Pizza buffet"

"Pizza buffet?!" she de the stinky, dead, burned rinned back at her evilly

"This is payback, isn’t it?" she asked with a sour expression

He chuckled and replied, "Yep"

"Evil bunny," she hway headed back towards Atlanta Once in Atlanta proper, she took him to a pizza place with a dinner buffet and nursed a cola while watching hie, and allat a slice of cheese pizza and some salad just for show In the end, they had an enjoyable visit together and chatted and laughed just like two best friends enjoying each other’s company Afterwards, they returned to the estate, where Katrina atching so room

Caleb squatted down to kiss Katrina on the lips as she lay on the couch holding the remote control One brief smell of hiering scent ofDevon’s home" She noted the latter with narrowed eyes

"That’s right," Paige interrupted before he could be grilled further "We had a brief ht add"

Katrina looked up at Caleb, her right ar out to encircle his waist and asked, "Indeed?"

He sighed, leaned against her while squatting on his knees and replied, "Yeah, it went pretty well, actually"

"How about souered varin "You too, Kat?"

"No, thank you," she replied and released her arm from around him so he could rise Once he disappeared into the kitchen, Katrina focused her attention on Paige fully "Why did you take hie positioned herself next to the couch, planting both hands atop her slihouse for the agreeot tohie Or are you so ready to be back on the skids with hiht?"

Katrina was taken aback by her frank assessood points It was true that she was very happy with how things had gone between her and Caleb the previous night, and she didn’t want things to change "Okay, points well made, actually," she admitted "I suppose thanks are in order"

"None needed, Red," Paige countered with a shrug "It was nice to spend time alone with hie adored Caleb, and a little time alone with him was probably reasonable "By the way, toyou and Devon as Caleb’s protectors"

Paige nodded She was fully aware that Katrina and Alton orking on that, but was still a little surprised that Katrina illing to iven how private and reclusive she had been over the years in the vae asked

"In the theater room," Katrina replied "He was bored and wanted to watch some new vampire e rolled her eyes, not typically a fan of Hollywood vah, she ad er was rather endearing Although that one also had olves, and everyone knew that olves weren’t real She plopped down on a nearby upholstered chair with a sigh, draping one leg lazily over the arlass of heated blood for Paige, who gratefully accepted it "Thanks, kiddo"

He slipped his shoes off and went to lie down beside Katrina on the oversized couch The red-haired varatefully, wrapped her arm around him, and even handed him the remote control

"Surf away," she remarked and kissed hiht, okay, sport?" Paige re on the evening’s events "Pizza buffet, of all places," she mumbled sourly, only to hear Caleb chuckle in response

On Tuesday, Caleb was oncewith students, andwith the dayti occasional freebetween hi va access to an entirely different side of his personality, as well as by sharing his intriguing life story He had been quite critical of Katrina’s decision to spare Devon’s life, but he felt a glimmer of sy to wait and see how things progressed

During the early afternoon, he checked his personal ee with the header, "Declaration of Territorial Claie, he found hiht Dwellers,

I bid you peace and ishes froood relations and cooperation, I hereby infor the city of Mableton, Georgia, as sovereign territory undera small portion of the city proper in don Atlanta The specific area claimed don relates to the cae and an area of twothe campus property Individuals under my sanction and protection include my human e Turner, and Mr Devon Archibald In addition, the culling of humans within and around my stated territories should be curtailed to avoid unnecessary scrutiny and/or visibility to myself and our kind

I appreciate your cooperation in observing my claim, and I welcoh s Thank you, and s of Mableton/Atlanta, Georgia, United States

After he finished reading the e, he sat back in his desk chair and looked out his officeThe huh life, completely oblivious to the fact that part of their city had just been claiht seemed surreal to him However, in the samebeen claimed by a vampire, so too would he to this latest revelation The question ould others kindly observe Katrina’s declaration? More to the point, ould happen if they didn’t? He tried not to conteth Instead, he picked up his desk phone and dialed the estate On the first ring, the phone was picked up

"Hello?" Katrina inquired

He smiled at the sound of his e a fewthe door to his office

"Thank you, my love," she responded with a pleased tone "Were you surprised?"

"Actually, yes, I was," he said "It’s so oblivious to the declaration It’s like secretly asserting that someone has just claimed your property, and you’re coy "Sorry that we didn’t have a chance to discuss it beforehand, but Alton conveyed a sense of urgency about getting that out He believes the recent notoriety of our experience with Chie additional unexpected visitors unless we quickly establish soood point, I suppose But I have a quick question or two," he said "What about vampires who don’t have email? And what about vampires whose addresses you didn’t have access to?"

There was a silent pause

"Excellent questions, my love There’s always the possibility of an occasional transient visitor from the off-line ranks of our kind But at least an effort has been s so much easier for us, as a matter of fact And as for those whose addresses I didn’t have access to, so to others But I’ll also post the s and chat rooms that our kind utilize"

"You have chat roo services?"

"Very funny, my love," she replied dryly "But yes, we’re quite active online despite being a diverse and often reclusive coh, I hate Twitter"

He chuckled "Yeah, me too"

"How’s your day?" she asked

"Oh, okay, I suppose," he replied "But I wish I were hoht now"

"I wish you were here too," she purred

"Well, I’ll be hoht," he promised

"Great," she replied "And I’ll have son, as well"

"Paperwork?"

"Later Have a good re up

He frowned as he pulled the handset away from his head and stared at it with a bland expression I hate it when she does that

Later that evening, once Caleb had arrived ho roo peacefully on the couch with her hands folded across her stomach as a black and white classic movie played on the television He observed the steady rise and fall of her chest, wondering if she were asleep It would have been the first ti

He moved slowly and quietly towards the end of the couch until he neared where her head rested Froe he was able to see that her eyes were closed He reached out to grasp at her shoulders to startle her, but at the last rab hi his body in a semi-circle until he landed on top of her

"Gotcha’!" she hollered as her hands tickled hihed and thrashed, desperately trying to wriggle fro trouble catching his breath, and she stopped abruptly The petite va position and pulled hied to inhale a deep breath and wrapped his arht I had you there for a ht his breath "You looked co," she conceded "But I heard you the ood actress, eh?"

"Acadereed "Hey, where’s Gil?"

"He went out for cigarettes about an hour ago," she recalled "I’ to find his way back about now"

He shook his head and offered with a sigh, "Should I go looking for hih," she said "Besides, Red’s waiting for you in the study So about paperwork Better be careful, kiddo; she seery?"

"Yep, you better take her a glass of blood as a peace offering," she advised "Maybe a little o in After all, couldn’t hurt to start off on a positive note"

He nodded as his ood idea Thanks"

He rose from the couch, made his way down to the wine baselass in the microwave After a few minutes, he went down the dark central hallway on the first floor until he reached the outer door to Katrina’s study The door was slightly ajar, and he could see enough to deter over so unannounced, he knocked on the door frame politely

"Caleb?" she asked "Please come in"

She smiled up at him when he entered, and he offered the best hopeful expression that he could muster as he walked towards her desk Unfortunately, his heart was beating h he was certain she had already detere over hi sure to avoid any of the papers strewn across the desktop He e her shoulders gently between his fingertips She leaned her head back and moaned with pleasure from his efforts

"Hoas the rest of your day after I spoke with you?" he asked carefully She didn’t sound angry earlier today

Katrina frowned "Caleb, is everything okay?"

"Me? Sure, just fine," he reassured her, his fingers rubbing a little harder as he tried to discern why she would be upset with hih she didn’t seerasp his hands and swiveled in her leather chair to face hi up at hi I should know, my love?"

His mind raced as he sed hard and replied, "Um, I don’t think so"

She narrowed her eyes as she continued to hold his hands in hers

He rolled his eyes and conceded, "Look, I don’t knohat I did, but I’ll confess if you’ll just tell et this over with, please?"

She looked at hi about?" she deape, saw the confusion on her face and asked, "Aren’t you angry with e said --"

She interrupted hi sory at all But thank you for thea little hungry"

The feeling of relief surged through him like a blast of cold air on a hot summer day A new mission flashed in his mind, and he tried to pull his hands away fro to kill her!"

But she laughed, held onto his hands, and stood up from her chair "Okay, okay, you can kill her in just a s forand let her steer hilass of blood, took a sip of it, and pointed to son those there you see the yellow highlight," she instructed hi her left hand atop his shoulder

He picked up the ink pen lying to the side of the papers and looked over the?" he asked

She savored another sip of blood and replied, "I’ you onto one ofyou to be added to one of s so o to Europe"

He looked up at her and shook his head "You don’t have to do that, Kat," he insisted "I don’t want your money"

She smiled down at hiifts, particularly the ether,all the previous ones seem like frauds and interlopers The sole exception was her hureat deal Soain, she lass on the desk

"Kat?" he asked with upraised eyebrows "Are you okay?"

She broke from her reverie and bent down to kiss him on the lips warmly

"I love you so very htly metallic aftertaste from the hint of blood on her lips and murmured, "I love you too"

She deliberately adopted a mock-stern expression, placed her hands on her hips, and ordered, "You’re n"

He s expression, ie "You’re so sexy when you do that," he con the forrinned slyly I know, and you love it Then she turned serious and pointed out, "You need to realize that having the strength of proper funding in some parts of the world is essential to ensure safe travel And it can get you out of a lot of delicate situations with a minimal amount of questions"

He put the ink pen down and turned his head to glance up at her with a grin She reverted her facial expression to a more sedate one

"Thank you," she offered pleasantly "I’ll let you knohen your credit card arrives"

Suddenly, Paige popped into the roorin, "Hey, tiger Think you could heat up a glass of blood for me, too?"

"You hellion!" he blurted and leapt fro the chair spinning in his wake as he charged towards the doorway Paige disappeared down the hallith Caleb in close pursuit

Katrina giggled at the sound of their footsteps rushing down the hallway and observed, "’Hellion’ I like that one" She shook her head with amusement andin a house"

Abruptly, the phone rang, and she picked up the cordless handset from the desk with a flourish "Hello?" she asked "Hi, Gil Yes, I’ll send someone to lead the way back Where are you?" She paused a er and said, "Got it"

She moved to the open doorway and yelled down the hallway, "Gil’s at the Quick Mart about five miles away and can’t find his way back!"

"Well, crap!" Paige exclaie venture hopefully, "Um, Caleb?"

"Hey, he’s your boyfriend," he countered

Katrina grinned

"Come on, kiddo, at least dropa brief silence, Paige added, "Come on! Back rub?"

"We’ll be back soon, Kat!" ca back to her desk to finish preparing the for so well for a change Then she frowned and wondered how long that would actually last

By Saturday, an important first-time event was about to take place between Katrina and Caleb It was February 14th, ether Caleb had been thinking about the prospects of that particular occasion because it was a holiday that seemed uniquely suited for a vampire with the color red and the symbolisreeting card, of course, but he also tried to think creatively regarding his gifts for Katrina He even e, the second-dearest woe assisting with a community outreach project to curb domestic partner abuse He answered phones at the call center and helped prepare lunch for co the free seminars and workshops As a victim of abuse himself, he felt it was i under abusive circu fully how helpless and lost a person could feel He was grateful that his and Katrina’s relationship was nurturing, respectful, and violence-free

By the end of the day-long event, he eagerly e’s rental car was nowhere to be seen, and he entered the house only to be greeted with the sound of silence However, he did smell the scent of one of his favorite cuisines, barbeque

"Kat?" he inquired as he slipped the backpack off his shoulder and sat a paper sack full of gifts on the dining roo only silence, he laid aside a sreeting card He sat out a s paper, followed by a single red rose accented by baby’s breath in a slender crystal vase He left the reifts in the sack at the other end of the table

He walked into the kitchen, only to see Katrina standing before hi Her long red hair cascaded down across one shoulder, and her e as she sly

"Happy Valentines’ Day, my love," she murmured in a sultry voice "Do you like?"

She had shopped for just the right outfit to entice hiht to appeal to his baser desires before offering a ift to hirowing sense of desire He crossed the distance to her and bent his head up slightly to kiss her on the lips

She reveled in his response and offered, "Gil and Paige are out for the evening, so the house is ours for a while I hope you like what I’ve catered for you"

His mouth watered from the scent of barbeque, and he appreciated howto allow it to perh the house "Oh, it’s wonderful," he replied with a grin

"Are you hungry?" she asked playfully

He silently nodded

"Food, or fun first?" she asked with a srinned, took her by the hand, and started down the hallith her in tow But then he stopped, turned, and led her back into the dining rooh him, he made a deliberate effort for patience in order to present her gifts to her first

She followed hiifts before her She picked up the vase with the rose and took ait down, she opened the ro card It included a poem about true love and his own handwritten note, To my true love: the woel atches over me My life, my blood, my body for you I love you Yourover his sincere declaration She gave hiainst his in a passionate kiss

He grinned with satisfaction So far, so good

She placed the card on the table with a look of satisfaction and re inside, she reift set of cherry blossoel It was her favorite scent and, she had discovered, Caleb’s as well

"Perfect How did you know that I needed so small, silver-wrapped box

He picked it up from the table and placed it in her hands with a hopeful expression, prefacing, "The best for last"

She removed the paper delicately froers slowly pivoted the lid open, and her breath caught in her throat at the sight of two perfect e posts

"Oh, Caleb, they’re beautiful," she whispered appreciatively She felt a suilt as she realized that they iven their exquisite cut, clarity, and size

He beaht catches the ge eyes"

She was both impressed and deeply touched and turned to eainst his neck, kissed his supple skin and moved to his lips

"I love them," she th, relishing the closeness Then she pulled away fro into his eyes with approval It was definitely a memorable Valentine’s Day for her, the first in so many years And noas her turn to ested, "Now, coift I think you’ll find keeps on giving"

He grinned and gratefully followed her down into the sublevel cha Katrina’s five centuries of existence, she hadthe refined art of love And while Caleb was no novice to sex, she reveled in the opportunity to explore a nu their inti which time Katrina made him work up an appetite, she served hiave hiraved on the back with his initials He had been shocked to receive such an expensive gift on Valentine’s Day

Later that evening, they changed into co a roe and Gil returning fro out, and Caleb quietly slipped fro her on the cheek beforehand She s in his s back at her

"Take your time," she offered quietly as her attention returned to the o upstairs to shower," Paige’s voice e"

"Sounds good, babe," Gil replied eagerly as he strode through the kitchen

Caleb leaned against the kitchen door jamb, casually folded his arlass vase fro the dozen roses in it, then glanced up at him with a curious expression

"Nice flowers," he observed pleasantly

She smiled wanly "Yeah, that eet of Gil, actually"

"What else did he get you?" he asked carefully, uncertain whether it was a good idea to ask

She wrinkled her nose "Lingerie Black lace with pink accents, and skimpy, of course I asked him to take it upstairs with him when he went up to shower"

"Hey, you have the body to wear it, so be happy," he offered with a sed and ran water froarded his friend soberly, realizing she wasn’t particularly happy A pang of sadness ran through hiesture to do so a surprise was exactly what she needed at the moment

"I took hie said as she set the vase of flowers on the counter "Reservations were hard to come by, but I sort of charmed my way into one last week, since I had anticipated we’d still be in town Gil was really happy about that Food is definitely one way to his heart"