Part 24 (1/2)

Holding my arm tightly, he held me close against him as we moved forward. I couldn't see much, given the dark shades and hood pulled right over my eyes, and I dared not lift either after Caleb's stern instruction. I could only see what was on the ground a few feet ahead of me.

We had barely been walking five minutes when he hissed, ”Duck down!”

He pushed me down behind a bush. He knelt beside me. I held my breath as I tried to listen to what was going on. He parted the shrubbery and peered through it.

”They're leaving,” he whispered.

”Huh?”

He parted the bush a little more and I raised the hood and sungla.s.ses. We were still near the port-we had been walking along the outskirts of the dark island-and I looked just in time to see a submarine submerging. Even though I only caught the top of the submarine, I knew it was one of The Shade's subs from its distinctive design.

Before I could say another word, he lifted me up and raced back to our submarine. Flinging open the hatch, he lowered me inside and shut it after him. He raced back to the control room and lurched the vessel forward before I even had a chance to reach my seat.

”We can't lose them,” he said. ”Or we'll have no way of getting you back to The Shade.”

I gripped my seat as we surged forward. As I looked through the front screen at the dark waters we were traveling through, I couldn't see anything, but from the way Caleb was navigating the vessel, it was clear that he was following something.

But something didn't seem right. Home was the last place my parents would have been traveling to if they had been unable to find me on Stellan's island. They had found Ben, but I couldn't imagine them returning home without me.

”Do you think they're definitely heading back to The Shade?” I asked.

”It looks like it. At least, they're not headed toward my island.”

I wondered if perhaps they had to return some injured vampires back to the island before coming back to search for me.

I settled more comfortably in my chair and looked up at Caleb's face. His eyes were fixed forward. As the hours pa.s.sed by in silence, his concentration didn't break. I a.s.sumed that we definitely were headed toward The Shade since Caleb hadn't said anything to indicate the contrary.

This is it now.

I'm going home.

I'd thought I would be feeling joy and relief.

Instead, watching Caleb speed the vessel forward, I felt strangely numb.

Chapter 37: Rose.

A few hours later, the vessel ground to a halt.

I glanced up at Caleb. He stood up and walked out the door. He headed toward the hatch and pushed it open, then lowered himself back down, making way for me to climb up.

s.h.i.+vers ran down my spine as I looked up at the open hatch.

Just a few steps up toward goodbye forever.

He raised his eyes to me and, reaching for my hand, planted a chaste kiss over it.

”Goodbye, princess,” he said softly.

He motioned to let go of my hand, but I gripped on tight. I began shaking my head.

”No. Not yet. Come with me,” I said, tugging at him to climb up through the hatch with me.

”No. This is where I leave you.”

”Caleb, you're coming with me whether you like it or not.” I began climbing the ladder to the open hatch, gripping his arm and pulling him with me with all the force I could manage.

Sighing, he caught hold of a pipe sticking out of the wall and pulled himself back.

”Don't.”

”Look, it's just for a short while. I promise. Please?”

He frowned at me. ”For what?”

”I want you to meet my parents. Th-they'll want to thank you for everything you've done.”

He looked even more reluctant at the mention of my parents. But after several more minutes of my begging, he eventually gave in to my request and followed me out of the hatch.

Looking around the port, I saw the large submarine moored in the harbor. I caught his cold hand, and, entwining my fingers with his, walked toward the entrance of the woods.

I watched his face as he took in the surroundings of our warm island. His expression was a mixture of fascination and apprehension.

”Mom?” I began to shout. ”Dad?”

If they were on this half of the island they would hear me easily. One of the many benefits of having vampires for parents.

No reply.

But then a few moments later, my grandfather came into view, rus.h.i.+ng along the forest path toward us.

”Grandpa!” I yelled, running toward him.

His face broke out into a huge smile and tears of relief filled his eyes as he swept me up in his arms. ”Rose! Oh, Rose! I don't remember the last time I slept. We've all been sick with worry.” He showered my cheeks with kisses and hugged me tight before finally putting me down. ”How did you get here?”

”This is Caleb,” I said, smiling and tugging at Caleb's sleeve. ”He's the only reason I'm here. Caleb, this is my grandfather, Aiden.”

My grandfather stood up straight, his eyes settling on Caleb for the first time. He reached out for Caleb's hand and shook it. Then he pulled Caleb against his chest for an embrace.

”I don't know anything about you, boy. But I'm forever in your debt for returning my granddaughter to me.”

Caleb nodded, and gave him a small smile.