by Morgan Rice
Chapter Eighteen
The ferry let Caleb and Caleb off at the dock in Edgartown, a small village in the southeast corner of Martha's Vineyard. As they walked down the ramp, Caitlin noticed that both Caleb and Rose seemed relieved to be on dry land. Rose peeked her head out, and kept it out, sniffing the air, and taking in the view with great curiosity.
Caitlin held the flyer up once again and stared. She couldn't believe their luck. It was an advertisement to explore "Historic Martha's Vineyard," and there, towards the end of the list of sites, it read: "The Vincent House. Built 1672. "
After seeing it, they had decided to change plans, and to go to the Vincent House first, before the Aquinnah Cliffs. After all, that's what was engraved on the key, and that was a more concrete lead than the cliffs. Maybe they wouldn't even need to see the cliffs now. At least now they had a specific place to go. And of course, Caitlin still held the key in her pocket, holding it close. She slipped one hand into her pocket, feeling the worn silver, and felt reassured.
Caleb and Caleb walked down the long dock, which was practically empty. It was as if they had the island to themselves. Despite the time of year, the weather had warmed on their boat trip out. It was now unseasonably warm, at 65 degrees. Caitlin felt herself wanting to get rid of some of her layers of thick clothing.
She looked down, and felt embarrassed that she was still wearing the clothing she had picked up days ago, at that Salvation Army. She desperately wanted some more clothes. But she had no money on her. And she couldn't ask Caleb.
She looked over and saw Caleb adjusting his collar, apparently also affected by the warmth. It felt like a late spring day, hardly like March. The sun was brilliant, and shining everywhere, bouncing off the water and off of everything.
Caleb suddenly looked at her, and, as if reading her mind, said, "Why don't we get you some new clothes?" Before she could respond, he added, "Don't worry. I have a credit card with an unlimited credit line. " He broke into a sheepish smile. "One of the advantages of being around for thousands of years. You amass wealth. "
Caitlin marveled at how he could always read her thoughts. On the one hand, she loved it, but on the other, she worried as to how much he could read, exactly. Was he able to know her deepest thoughts and feelings? She hoped not. But she had a feeling that, even he did, he was able to control how deep he probed, and that he didn't pry.
"As long as you're sure it's not a problem," Caitlin said tentatively. "And that you'll let me pay you back one day. "
He took her hand and led her on a walk down the main street of the quaint, historic village. Despite the beautiful weather, there were hardly any people out - probably, she assumed, because of the time of year. This seemed to be a seasonal place. She felt as if they had the whole town to themselves - and it was the most beautiful place she had ever been.
The village was so clean, so perfectly maintained, and was filled with small, historic houses, each more stunning than the next. It looked like a time set, like they had gone back to the early 1800s. The town was a quiet masterpiece.
The only thing ruining the illusion were the modern retail shops. She assumed that in the summertime, these were probably all opened and crowded with wealthy people, that this was probably one of those places that she could have never afforded to visit. She marveled at her luck. She was so happy to be here now, and with Caleb, and on such a beautiful day.
She closed her eyes and breathed in the spring air, and she could almost see herself living here with Caleb, back in time, in another century. A part of her wished that they could just stop running, just settle down here, live a normal life together. But she knew that was not meant to be.
"Should we find the Vincent House?" she asked.
"We will," he said. "Let's get you your clothes first. "
He led Caitlin into the one shop that was open. Lily Pulitzer.
The quaint little bell rang as they opened the old door, and the saleswoman seemed thrilled to have customers. She put down her paper and hurried over, and couldn't have been more gracious.
Caitlin handed Rose to Caleb as she browsed, and the saleswoman was delighted.
"Wow, what a beautiful puppy," she said, her eyes opening wide. "Is that a husky?"
Caleb smiled. "Something like that," he said.
Ten minutes later they exited the store, Caitlin dressed in a new outfit from head to toe. She felt like a new person. She looked down at herself and nearly laughed aloud. It was so not her. She had gone from wearing all Salvation Army to being decked out in a series of pastels: lime green jeans, a pink tee-shirt, a light purple, cashmere sweater, and a lime green Kiera coat. It's not like she had much of a choice: it was the only store open, and it was all that they had left this time of year in her size. The coat hugged her firmly, and had an inner pocket just big enough to hold her journal, which she transferred from her other jacket. For shoes, she'd bought gold, sequined flats. She could have been in a Lily Pulitzer catalog.
Well, if she was going to get caught up in a vampire war, at least she'd be fashionable. And probably the only vampire not wearing black.
She smiled as she recalled the saleswoman's surprised expression when she'd told her to just throw out all of the clothes she'd wore in. It must not have been every day that a customer said that.
A part of her kind of liked it. It was a whole new her. It certainly wasn't the wardrobe she'd had in mind in this journey with Caleb. She pictured herself wearing something all black, like him, maybe something leather, with high collars, something Gothic. But that was fine. They were new, and she was so grateful for that.
"Thank you so much, Caleb," she said, as they walked out the store. She really meant it. She'd never had any guy in her life buy her clothing, much less clothing this nice. And having been so kind and gracious about it. She really felt taken care of, and she was more appreciative than he would ever know.
He smiled and took her hand, as they strolled down the street. She felt so warm in her new clothing, perhaps too warm, but she knew it was an unusually hot day, and that it would be better to be too hot than too cold.
They had asked the saleswoman if she'd heard of The Vincent House and had been happily surprised that she not only knew where it was, but reported that it was only a block away.
As they headed in that direction, for the first time, they were not walking in a mad rush. They strolled, taking their time. In the back of their minds, they both had a feeling that once they got to this house, discovered the next clue, things would heat up again. They were both tired. Neither of them was in a rush to get rolling at a frantic pace again. And neither of them were too eager to find whatever was there. On the one hand, they did. But on the other, they both knew that once they found it - whatever it was, wherever it was - their lives would change irrevocably. And that would probably entail their parting ways.
Caitlin set Rose down and allowed her to walk beside them. She was happy to see that she was well behaved, keeping pace with them and not wandering off. She ran to a small patch of grass to relieve herself, but then ran right back. Caitlin reached down and gave her another small piece of the hotdog, and she ate it happily.
They passed a large, historic church, walked alongside a small, white picket fence, and then turned and entered a walkway that led through immaculately kept grounds. The grass was green and vibrant, even this time of year. To one side of them was a magnificent old whaling Church, and to the other was an enormous whaling house from the mid-19th century, with a large veranda in the back. The sign read: "The Daniel Fisher House. " It was the most beautiful house she'd ever seen. She could happily picture herself living there. Strolling through its backyard, with Caleb holding her hand and Rose by her side, it almost felt like they were home.
They continued down the walkway another hundred yards or so, and eventually it led to a small, historic house, set back from everything. She looked up at the plaque: The Vincent House. 1672.
They bo
th stared at the structure. It wasn't anything much. A small, low-ceilinged house, it looked like the typical 1600s house, with only a few, tiny windows, and a low roof. It only looked large enough to hold a bedroom or two, and was a modest, wooden structure. Not what Caitlin had expected.
They walked to the front door, and Caleb reached out and tried the knob. Locked.
"Hello?" came a voice. "Can I help you?"
They both turned to see a woman in her 60s, immaculately dressed and wearing a stern expression, approaching them in an official, businesslike manner.
Caleb turned to Caitlin. "This time it's your turn," he said. "I want you to use your mind control. You can do it. Vampires have it over humans. Yours is not yet developed, and may not be as strong, but you definitely have some power. Practice on this woman. Influence her. Stay calm, and allow her thoughts to become your thoughts. Allow your thoughts to become hers. Suggest to her what she must do. In her own voice. Your mind can do it all. Just let it. "
The woman, getting closer, called out again, "The house is closed for the season, like the sign says," she said, very proper. "I'm afraid you'll have to come back in-season. It's under restoration, and there are no tours before then. " She looked down at Rose. "And we certainly don't allow dogs. "
The woman, only feet away, hands on her hips, had a very stern presence, like that of a strict schoolteacher.
Rose looked up and growled back.
Caleb looked at Caitlin.
Caitlin looked at the woman, nervous. She had never tried this before, and wasn't sure if she could do it.
OK, Caitlin thought, here it goes.
She stared at the woman, trying to get a fix on her thoughts. She felt a lot of firmness, a lot of strictness. A person not easily controlled. She felt anger, annoyance, an insistence on the rules. On order. She allowed it all in.
Then, Caitlin tried to send her an outgoing thought. She tried to suggest that it was OK to bend the rules once in a while. That she could leave them alone. That she could let them in.
Caitlin stared at her, wondering if it was working. The woman continued to stare angrily back. It didn't seem to be working.
"Thank you for informing us," Caitlin said to her sweetly. "It was so nice meeting you. We are so grateful that you are going to bend the rules for us, just this once, and let us tour the house ourselves. "
The woman stared back.
"I didn't say that!" she snapped.
But Caitlin breathed deeply, and closed her eyes, focusing.
She opened them, and stared right at her.
After two full seconds, the woman's eyes began to glaze over. Finally, she said, "You know what. . . I guess there's no harm in bending the rules once in a while. You two have fun. "
The woman turned and walked away, and was soon out of sight.
Caitlin turned to Caleb, elated. She was shocked at her own powers, and so proud of herself. Caleb smiled.
"Only use it when you have to," he cautioned, "and only in a way that will never harm others. This is what separates the benevolent vampire race from the evil. "
Caitlin extracted the small, silver key, excited to try it. She tried the lock on the front door, but it didn't work.
"It doesn't fit," she said.
Caleb took it and tried it himself.
He finally furrowed his brow in frustration. "You're right. " He looked around. "Maybe there's another entrance. "
They walked around to the back of the house, and found another door. Caleb tried the key. It didn't fit there, either.
"Maybe it's not to a door," Caitlin said. "Maybe it's a key to something else. Something inside the house. "
"Well, I guess we have no choice," he said, then, after looking furtively around, reached up and broke the handle. So much for preservation.
They quickly entered the house and shut the door behind them.
The house was dim, lit only by the exterior light filtering through the small windows. The ceilings were low, and Caleb had to nearly crouch as he walked. It was all wood: wood ceilings, wooden posts, wooden beams, and wide plank, wooded floors. The center of the room was made up of a huge, brick fireplace. The house was perfectly preserved, and it was like walking into 1672.
They walked around, the floorboards creaking, examining every nook and crevice. They also pored over all the furniture. But Caitlin couldn't find anything in which the key could fit. In fact, she couldn't find any hiding places at all.
They each circled the house, and met in the middle.
"Anything?" Caleb asked.
She shook her head. "You?"
He shook his, too.
Suddenly there was a noise, and they both spun around.
The front door to the house opened, and a large, black man, 50s, stood in the doorway. He took several steps in.
He stopped before Caleb and stared.
Caleb stared back.
"Caleb?" the man finally asked.
Caleb's expression softened.
"Roger?" Caleb asked.
The man broke into a smile, as did Caleb, and they both embraced in a huge hug. They held it for several seconds.
Who is this? Caitlin thought.
Roger began to laugh - a deep, warm, generous laugh. He held Caleb by the shoulders and looked at him. Caleb was a big man, but even so, Roger towered over him.
"Son of a bitch," Roger said. "I haven't seen you in what. . . a hundred and fifty years?"
"More like 200," Caleb said.
They both stared at each other, surprised. Whoever he was, this had clearly been an important man in Caleb's life.
Caleb turned, and held his hand out to Caitlin. "Excuse my manners," he said. "Roger, may I introduce Caitlin Paine. "
Roger did a half bow. "A pleasure to meet you, Caitlin. "
Caitlin smiled back. "A pleasure to meet you, too. How do you guys know each other?"
"Oh," Roger said, smiling, "let's just say we go way back. "
"Roger is one of my oldest friends," Caleb said. "He's saved my life once or twice. "
"More times than that," Rogers said, laughing.
Rose peeked her head out of Caitlin's jacket, and Roger's eyes lit up. "Well, hello little fella," he said, coming over and petting her.
Rose licked his huge palm.
"How did you know we were here?" Caleb asked.
"Caleb, please," Roger said, as if the answer were obvious. "This is an island. Your scent has nowhere to go. It's visible from miles away. "
"So you knew the second I got off the boat," Caleb said, smiling. "And you waited to see where I'd go. "
"Of course," Roger said. "Wouldn't you? But I would have guessed it would be here. " Caleb looked carefully over the room. "Why?" "There's only one reason one of us comes to the Vincent House. The sword, right? Isn't that what you're after?"
Caitlin and Caleb looked at each other.
"We might be," Caleb said warily.
Roger smiled.
"You know, the thing about that sword," he said, "is that only the person meant to find it will. As in, The One. I know you're not The One. And as for your friend, with all due respect. . . well, I don't mean to make any assumptions, but unless she - "
Caitlin reached into her pocket and held out the small, silver key.
Roger stared at if for several second, speechless.
His jaw dropped.
"My god," he said, in a whisper.
He looked at Caleb, as if for confirmation, and Caleb nodded back.
He exhaled.
"Well," he said, humbled, in an entirely different tone, "this does change everything. "
He looked Caitlin over. He shook his head.
"I never would have guessed," he said.
"So then. . . you know where it is?" Caleb asked.
Roger nodded. "Not here," he said.
Caitlin and Caleb exchanged a glance.
"That key," he said, "was accurate at one time. But not anymore. It's a decoy. The Vincent House is no longer the place you'll find it in. Now it's just the place you need to go. "
Caitlin was thoroughly confused.
"But - " she began.
"The Vincent House was moved," Roger clarified. "Don't you know its history?"
Caitlin shook her head.
"Caleb. I'm disappointed in you - you're slipping," Roger chided. "It used to be in a different location. But 200 years ago, we moved it, to where it is now. The Council got worried about safekeeping. So they moved the object out of the house, and put it in a safer, more stable place. And they assigned someone to guard it. As in, me. "
Caleb studied his friend.
"I've been waiting for someone to arrive with that key for almost 200 years," he said. He shook his head again. "I never dreamt it would be you. "
"Will you show us?" Caleb asked.
The man looked long and hard at Caleb, then at Caitlin.
He finally held out his huge palm, towards Caitlin.
"May I see that?" he asked.
Caitlin look to Caleb. He nodded.
She reached out and placed the small, silver key into his huge palm.
Roger stared at it. He held it up to the light. He turned it over read the inscription on the back. He finally shook his head.
"God damn," he said. "I was sure it would be bigger. "
