“What? That I’d like you to have a normal life? Sure. I’d like to see you have a wonderful, thriving life.”
“But without you? Right?”
“I’m not sure I know what you are saying, Kat. You know I’ll be there whenever you need or want anything.”
“What I’m saying, Niky, is…I never stopped loving you. Not for one moment. I thought you were an angel when you came to the hospital and got me out of there. I had been dreaming you’d come back for me forever it seems.”
“You remember when I came to get you out?” Dominic said slightly embarrassed.
“I do. Every word. Every tear. Every kiss. Every promise,” Katarina smiled.
“I….I didn’t think you would remember with…all the drugs they had you on, it was horrible to see you that way.”
“I’ll admit some of it was blurry in my mind, maybe even distorted, but it was like a dream come true - you rescuing me after all that time. You told me you had always loved me and that not a minute or day had gone by when you didn’t wonder where or what I was doing.
“But despite what you said, I want to know if you still feel that I should have a normal life without you. Or could you stand an abnormal life with me? That is, unless there’s someone else.”
“Someone else? No. There’s been no one since you, Kat. I just feel it would be selfish of me to immerse you into a vampire world. Your life could be so much better.”
“Yeah, because the last 30 years I’ve been sitting in a hospital doped up, I was having such a super life. You never gave me the opportunity to fight for this relationship when you left, but if you feel the way I do, I think we owe it to ourselves to try. Don’t you?”
“Kat, if you remember what I said to you when I took you out of the hospital, then you know how I feel about you, but I have a vampire son, and two vampire nephews practically married to two witch sisters, one of which turns into a werewolf once a month. Presently, I have a gypsy and a shapeshifter living in the cottage on the grounds, another werewolf and witch visiting, along with our psychic son and his girlfriend who is psychometric. Add in a prophecy that seems to be coming true about our family, and an unknown enemy posing as a friend, trying to kill my family. Inviting you into my life right now would be like signing your death warrant.”
“Maybe, maybe not. The question is, would you like me to be there, at your side, I mean?”
“Truthfully?”
“Truthfully and selfishness aside,” Katarina said.
He ran his hands down his face and then rubbed his neck hard trying to release the tension that was building there. “Truthfully, Kat, I need you like no one has ever needed anyone ever before, but it’s…”
“It is too that simple. Besides, it sounds like you have a house full of people to protect me from whatever danger lingers out there in the world.”
“How did you know what I was going to say?”
“Intuition, I suppose.”
“I really can’t expose you to all the violence going on right now. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep you from danger,” Dominic said.
“Don’t you think if someone is out to get you, I’d be safer with you than away from you?” she stated.
“I suppose. Is there talk of your release yet?” he asked.
“Yes. This meeting was really my last bridge to cross, according to the doctor. I’m sure you could get a better prognosis from the doctor, but they seem quite pleased with my progress.”
“Good. But don’t say I didn’t warn you, Kat, and if you change your mind, do it now instead of later. I don’t think I can give you up as gracefully as I did thirty years ago.”
“Oh, you aren’t getting rid of me that easily, Niky. Not this time.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to the doctors and get back to you,” Dominic said as he rose. She followed in suit.
He pulled her close to him, something he had dreamt about for nearly thirty years, and held her there as the knot in his stomach finally untied itself and all felt right for those few seconds. She looked up at him and said, “Niky? Thank you for finding me and rescuing me from that place.”
With his right hand at the nape of her neck and his left brushing a few random strands of hair from her face, he said, “My pleasure, Kat,” in his deepest, most sultry voice. She could see herself in his warm brown eyes and he bowed his head to meet her with a long, sweetly tender kiss. Katarina’s knees grew rubbery as they always had before when Dominic kissed her. Thirty years hadn’t changed a thing between them aside from having a son.
“Keep me apprised of when you will be discharged and I will make all the arrangements necessary.”
“I will,” Katarina said with a longing smile.
Before he left the room he turned back and said, “Be careful. Be suspicious of anyone new and don’t hesitate to call if your intuition sparks you.”
“I will. And Dominic?” she said.
“Yes?”
“I love you,” she said.
He smiled from ear to ear and said, ”I love you too, Kat.”
Chapter Twenty One
After dinner that evening, Dominic sat in the study contemplating his visit with Katarina, wearing a smile he hadn’t been aware he was donning. A knock at the door of the study revealed two brothers with smirks on their faces who were curious about their father’s new Cheshire-cat look.
Closing the door behind him, Anton said, “So Dad…we were curious…how did things go with Katarina today?” Anton exchanged a look with a smiling Josh and then they both focused on Dominic with that ‘Inquiring minds want to know’ look.
“Ganging up on me, I see,” Dominic chuckled. “Well, if you must know, things went exceptionally well.”
“Do tell,” Anton said.
“A gentleman never discloses such information about a lady,” Dominic teased.
“You did just go to the clinic, Dad, not a hotel,” Anton injected. Josh glanced at him with surprise but focused back on Dominic for the details.
“Very funny boys,” Dominic volleyed.
“Seriously, Dominic, what did she want? How’s she doing with the whole vampire thing? Did you guys patch things up?” Josh rattled off.
“Whoa, whoa, there Josh. One question at a time. She said that she had gotten a lot of her memory back from before she had been admitted to the hospital. She asked what my feelings were for her. She seems fine with the vampire thing. Since that is why I called things off the first time, she asked if now that she knows about it if we could, you know, move forward.”
“And…what did you say?” Josh and Anton asked in stereo.
“Well, I discouraged it.”
“What? Why?” Anton said, looking a little pale and sitting down suddenly.
“Are you all right, Anton?”
“Yeah. I’m fine…why would you discourage her? Isn’t a relationship what you would like to have?”
“Well…yes. Very much so, but I hadn’t really talked to either of you about how you both might feel about that, and plus with all that is going on, I feel like I would be putting her in danger.”
“Maybe, but wouldn’t you be able to protect her more easily if she was close at hand?” Josh argued.
“Funny you should say that, as that was what she said,” Dominic chuckled then glanced at Anton to make sure he was indeed okay.
“Well, after all, we are related,” Josh pointed out.
“Indeed. And since you both have broadsided me with this conversation, how do you feel about all this, Josh?” Dominic asked.
“Me?”
“Yes. It’s important to me that you’re okay with Katarina and I having a relationship. I mean, you just lost your parents and you just found about us. You were pretty standoffish about meeting Katarina when it was first discussed.”
“And you both just found out about me - seems we’re both in the same boat. As for Katarina, my mom and I talked about her before they…” Josh paused for a moment then continued, “Mom wanted to go with me
to meet her. She was excited about meeting Katarina and now that I know that Katarina didn’t really have much choice in what happened to her, I’m kind of looking forward to meeting her. Not that my parents could ever be replaced, but to some extent I feel like my parents were somewhat handing off their torches to you and Katarina before they died. You don’t think they somehow knew what the future would bring, do you?”
“Maybe, maybe not, Josh, but they had an amazing sense of family and I felt welcomed into their family wholeheartedly. I got the sense that they wanted us all to be involved in your life. I just wish Katarina could have met them; I know she would have loved them for how wonderful they were and how much they loved you.”
“So…does that mean that Katarina will be joining us soon?” Anton interrupted.
“With yours and Josh’s approval, yes,” Dominic said.
“When?” Josh asked.
“Well, very soon, I would expect. Probably within a few days. The doctors are just going through all the paperwork now, crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s, so to speak.”
“That’s great, Dad, Josh. I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Anton said, looking a bit green now.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Anton?” Josh and Dominic both asked.
“You know, I’m not feeling super; is it okay if I head up to bed? I think I’m just tired.”
“Are you sure that’s all?” said Josh. “I mean, Blake and Devon are both in the hospital, maybe you’ve been…”
“Don’t be silly. I’m fine. I’m just tired. I’ll see you both in the morning,” he said as he headed out of the room. “Oh and Dad?” he said, looking over his shoulder, “Congratulations! I’m glad to see you so happy.”
“Thanks, Anton,” Dominic said proudly.
“Well, I think I will head to bed too,” Josh said.
“Sleep well, Josh,” Dominic said.
“Thanks. You too,” Josh replied. “Oh and Dominic?”
“Yes?”
“I think it’s really cool that after all these years you and Katarina still feel so intensely for each other. Makes me think that if things had been different, we might have been a really happy family.”
“I’d like to think so, but either way, we might still have a pretty happy future together, all of us,” Dominic noted.
“Yeah. My parents would have liked that. I’m really glad you talked me into having them come here. Despite what happened, I think they really enjoyed meeting you. I’ve never seen my dad so talkative with anyone like he was with you. They both had great things to say about you and told me how lucky I was to have two sets of loving parents.”
“Thanks, Josh. It means a lot to me that they felt that way about me. I really liked them too. Now go get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Right. Night!”
“Goodnight,” Dominic said.
*****
After Josh shut the study door, the phone rang. Dominic picked up the receiver and pushed the ‘talk’ button. “Hello?”
“Dominic? It’s Sally. Sally Keaton in California?”
“Of course, sweet girl, I knew who you were without your last name or location. Don’t you think we’ve spent enough time together to know one another?” Dominic said, chuckling.
“Well…I guess. It’s just we’re not family and well, I’ve never called you before.”
“Sally, as far as I am concerned, you have fought and been there for this family; I consider you family.”
“Well, thank you…that really means a lot to me,” Sally said rather taken aback.
“How is Dean doing with all those emotions?”
“Ugggh! Don’t get me started. But actually, with everyone on the east coast and not as many people around, he’s better. Even with people around, he does seem to be getting a handle on controlling it, but I think it’s hard on him. He’s never been a super emotional guy and now he’s got more emotion than he knows what to do with.”
“I can imagine. I’m sure he’ll be in control of them soon. It’s a lot to take in. Speaking of the east coast, when are you two coming?”
“In another day or two. Dean and I are clearing up some minor issues with the contractor that’s taking over while we are gone and with the insurance company. I expect we will be heading out there by Friday.”
“Good. We miss not having you here.”
“Thanks, that’s sweet.”
“So is everything okay there?”
“Well…that’s really why I called.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Remember how I told you when we were all starting to notice our new powers, that I had seen your sister and wife wandering around the house?”
“Yes.”
“Well, when I was in Connecticut, they could actually speak to me. I didn’t always understand what they were talking about, but at least I could hear them.”
“Okay… but what does that have to do with you now?”
“Well, they’ve followed me here, I guess. I assume since I’m the only one they’ve been able to converse with, they came here looking for me.”
“Really? I didn’t think spirits travelled much.”
“I don’t know, but they are here and they seem distraught, but I guess because they are away from their home, they’re weaker and we can’t seem to converse here. All I know is they seem very concerned and seem to be trying to warn me about something or someone,” Sally said.
“But you don’t know what?”
“No. I can tell they are very frustrated with me because I can’t hear them as I could before, but something is very wrong or something is going to happen.”
“Well, thank you, Sally for letting me know. Any chance you might be able to speed things up and get out here sooner so we can find out what spirits are trying to tell you?”
“We’ll try. If all goes well today with the contractor, I think I can do the rest by phone. If that’s the case we might be able to head that way tomorrow.”
“Great. Keep me informed and be safe,” Dominic commanded.
“We will. See you as soon as we can.”
“Thank you, Sweet Sally. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
*****
Anton still wasn’t feeling very well when he went to sleep that evening. His thoughts of the day swirled around his head and wafted away as quickly as they came. Soon he was relaxed and sleeping deeply, when he realized he was in someone’s head looking at the world through their eyes. He knew immediately he was inside Jules’s head again. Why, he thought, is it always her? Why can’t it be someone I don’t know - some random stranger in a sea of people?
He tried to pull out of the dream even though he had no idea how, but he felt he should. Then he noticed a name on a piece of paper – Dr. Rowe, Michael W. What is she up to? This wasn’t Dr. Rowe’s office - at least not his doctor’s office. This was a seedy, dark office, something you might see in an old private eye flick. The desk was strewn with papers and folders, but aside from the desk and a file cabinet, there wasn’t much else in the tiny office. There was a book shelf, a fax machine, a couple of chairs, and that was about it. The desk had a hookup for a computer, probably a laptop the owner of the office kept with him. There was also a telephone and a full box of 24 vials of sedatives with syringes and another box of sedatives that was almost empty.
What is she doing? She was rifling through papers on the desk. A car rental agreement for a dark silver, midsize car. Jules was reading it feverishly when her eyes stopped on the state of rental - Minnesota.
As if she were on some kind of hunt with a limited amount of time looming over her, she went through the desk drawers. A copy of a death certificate for someone who died in Pennsylvania and was being sent to Minnesota. How odd! Why would Dr. Rowe go to Minnesota AFTER the person on the certificate died? Anton thought as she moved on to another drawer.
In the file cabinet she found a digital timer with its wires all pulled out and exposed and a receipt
from someone named Kompton with a description of ‘Services’ for a very large sum of money. Then she spied several files labeled: Larsen CT; she opened the file to find shipping invoices dated every two weeks for refrigerated items not described. She wrote down the last shipping date on a piece of paper.
Anton watched her scribble June 12 and May 29. On the opposite side of the folder was a spreadsheet of blood types and amounts. Anton thought, ah, these are the blood shipments to the house, but the two dates Jules had written down had been written in another color - black. Maybe he ran out of ink with the pen he had used before. Nothing unusual about that, Anton thought. But when Anton thought back on the dates, he thought it hadn’t been too long after May 29 when bad things started to happen. Making sure nothing much was too out of place, Jules snuck out of the office as easily as she had snuck in and Anton’s dreams drifted and shifted back to other things.
Could it all be a coincidence? Or could she have been telling the truth about Dr. Rowe and she was trying to dig up some proof to show me? He wasn’t sure, but like his dad had said, maybe it was worth looking into.
*****
The next morning when everyone came down for breakfast, there was one person not accounted for: Anton. Conversation at the breakfast table was solely on the latest updates anyone had on Devon and Blake’s condition and how the girls were doing in Baltimore. When they finished breakfast and Anton still hadn’t shown up, Dominic and Josh decided to check on him. They both entered his room, trying to engage in conversation with Anton who was not roused by their attempts.
Dominic sat on the side of the bed and jostled Anton only to find that nothing he did seemed to work. A phone call later, and an ambulance was headed for the house to take him to Baltimore where he would join his cousins at Johns Hopkins under the care of Dr. Chase Donaldson. This was no coincidence. Someone was trying to take the vampire family out and so far, was doing a pretty good job of it.
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