Wicked Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 4) (16 page)

I felt so sorry for him.

And it’s my fault.

I wanted to scream with rage over the unfairness of the situation. We’d only just managed to get our relationship back on track.

Now, this.

“Shape I’m in—” he said, once again seeming to struggle for words. “How bad?”

I felt too miserable to speak, and patiently looked up at Ethan to describe his condition.

“Caleb, you had some very dangerous bleeding around the base of your brain,” Ethan said. “We operated to relieve the pressure and drain the unwanted fluid. Then we applied some of Katrina’s blood to accelerate the healing process. Our hope is that your brain and surrounding tissue will heal over the next couple of weeks, but it’s something that we’ll have to monitor closely.”

Caleb’s features turned serious, and then he got a blank expression on his face. I sensed he was trying to assimilate everything.

“Do you understand what I’ve told you?” Ethan prompted.

He looked up and slowly nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good,” Ethan said, gently patting his arm. “The important thing to know is you’ve made an excellent start. Actually, it’s pretty amazing, considering the severity of your injuries.”

“How long?” Caleb asked.

“We’ll know more very soon,” Ethan said. “Let’s take things one step at a time and appreciate our small victories. I’m going to let you visit for a short time but then I want you to rest. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Wait,” he said weakly. “What happens next?”

Ethan considered him and then adopted a supportive expression. “Given the scope and seriousness of your injuries, we’ll focus on managing your pain until the healing process advances. As with anytime that vampire blood is injected in you, your body will begin a cleansing process, so you should expect a slight fever, body aches, and maybe some chills,” he said. “As to other symptoms, there may be some lingering headaches or eye strain; maybe some sporadic sensations of confusion or fleeting disorientation. Just let us know if you experience anything so that we can track it, okay?”

“Sure,” he said with a tired expression.

Ethan and Nurse Lund stepped to the other side of the room, and I heard them whispering about symptom tracking and prescription regimens.

I refocused my attention fully upon my mate and reached out to lightly caress his forehead with my fingertips. He stared back at me with a searching look and frowned, as if struggling to recall something.

“I only remember bits and pieces about your fight,” he said.

I stifled a sigh as everyone in the room fell silent.

“How could you? What’s wrong with you two?” he asked.

He rubbed at his forehead as if struggling to process his thoughts.

“I was
flying
; like being hit by a speeding truck and knocked into the air. I remember hitting a wall and something crashed.”

A sharp pang of intense guilt surged through me, and I physically struggled not to wince at his words.

“Hey, don’t dwell on that, kiddo,” Paige said. “Listen, Red and I…we have a history of bickering from time to time. You know, just like two sisters having a sibling drag-out.”

He continued rubbing at his forehead with a strained expression. “Yeah, well, that crap stops now. I better damn well never see that again. Do you hear me?”

I was surprised by his sudden burst of anger.

Out of the corner of my eye, Ethan quickly appeared at his bedside. “Caleb, listen to me now,” he said. “It’s extremely important for you to try and stay calm. We need to keep your blood pressure down for the time being, okay?”

He looked at Nurse Lund, who moved behind me to inject something into his IV drip.

“We’re giving you something to help you rest, and I’m going to ask your visitors to wrap things up,” Ethan said, tightlipped and glaring at Paige and me.

“I’m so sorry, kiddo,” Paige said with a meaningful look at me. “We’ll try to keep a lid on that from now on. Won’t we, Red?”

“Of course,” I said. “I’m sorry—”

I stopped, suddenly realizing that my apologies merely sounded lame.

“It’s my fault, Caleb,” I said. “I’m responsible for your injuries.”

“Whoa, Red,” Paige said.

“No, Paige. I take full responsibility,” I said. “He’s my mate. And it’s my responsibility to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

I’ll make certain of that. Or at least, I’ll have to beat Paige’s ass someplace remote and far away from Caleb next time.

Caleb arched one eyebrow as he stared at me. “What were you fighting about?”

Ethan inhaled a deep breath and cast a disapproving look in my direction as he shook his head negatively.

I frowned back at him and reached out to grasp Caleb’s chin between my thumb and forefinger, though carefully enough not to create any discomfort.

“Nothing that isn’t already resolved,” I said firmly. “You don’t need to be concerned by any of that now. Understood?”

For a fleeting moment, he looked somewhat affronted. Then he appeared as if something significant dawned on him, and he adopted a wary expression.

“Says who?” he asked.

I arched one eyebrow at him imperiously. “My mate won’t pursue this topic further,” I said. “You’ll concentrate on healing and recuperating. That’s the only merit-worthy concern you’re charged with for the time being.”

“Whatever. Just try not to kill each other while I’m asleep.”

I froze, nearly in shock.

Shit. Will he ever let me live this down?

Would I even deserve for him to?

Then, I took a deep breath as I harnessed my formerly assertive resolve.

It didn’t return easily.

I need to do this for him. He needs this, and I will meet his needs, no matter the cost. I love him far too much to relinquish my responsibilities to him and his well-being.

“You can be angry with me, if it pleases you. I’ve already said it was a horrible mistake on my part,” I said.

He appeared intrigued by my admission.

“But don’t you dare doubt my love for you. You are
mine
, Caleb Taylor. My love, my mate, my life,” I affirmed, lightly tapping him on the tip of his nose with my index finger. “And yes, I do plan to keep you…alive and well from now on.”

“Oh, brother. Way over the top,” Paige mumbled under her breath.

I shot her a dirty look.
Shut up!

She playfully stuck her tongue out at me.

However, the edges of Caleb’s mouth upturned slightly, and he appeared pleased by my response.

Happily, I realized that my alpha vampire nature had once again returned and reasserted itself.

Just in time.

I noticed Ethan and Nurse Lund staring at me with a degree of amusement.

Nobody else needs to understand it. It’s merely Caleb’s and my special, dynamic, albeit unconventional style of relationship; something that we both seem to need…and relish.

Sensing another presence in the room, I glanced back over my shoulder to see Alton standing in the corner intently watching my exchange with Caleb.

He gave me a slight nod of approval and mouthed the words, “Very good.”

I smiled back at him appreciatively.

Of anyone, Alton gets it. He seems to understand both Caleb and me all too well, in fact.

Chapter 13

Caleb

Being bedridden in the hospital really sucks.

The first four days of post-surgical recovery passed quickly because I slept through most of it.

That’s not to say it was entirely pleasant. I had strange dreams and was plagued by fevers and body aches, not to mention headaches and repeated bouts of dizziness.

More annoying was how my vision occasionally blurred before becoming crisp again, which wreaked havoc as I tried reading or watching television.

I felt nauseous, and nothing sounded appetizing, though I was able to keep vegetable broth and crackers down.

Sleeping was definitely the preferred escape from my situation.

At least I was cared for by excellent nurses, including Nurse Lund, who insisted I call her Bonnie. She was very kind, and to my surprise, a vampire.

Despite her kindness, Bonnie was insistent about my following her instructions; almost stern at times. As such, Kat appeared to regard her with increasing appreciation and respect.

Go figure. Birds of a feather.

Browbeating aside, I was still angry with both Kat and Paige for my present circumstances. To their credit, each went out of their way to cater to my needs and be on their best behavior; they practically walked on eggshells around me.

I realized they felt guilty about my situation.

Good.

When I woke up on the fifth day, Paige was sitting in a chair beside me reading a magazine. As usual, the blinds were shut tight, but according to the clock on the wall it was late morning.

“Mornin’, kiddo” she said, continuing to read.

Before replying, I immediately realized that, aside from a headache and feeling overly warm, I felt quite different from the day before.

Somewhat better, in fact.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Sure,” I said. “Although I’m hankerin’ for some chocolate.”

“Hankerin’?” she asked. “Well, I ’spose I could come up with something…you country bumpkin.”

“Gee, thanks,
sis
,” I said.

Earlier, a nurse made reference to ‘my sister’ making a call in the waiting room just down the hall.

“You heard about that, I see,” she said.

“Anyway, I’d feel even better if I could just go home,” I said. “Please help me escape. The scents in this hospital are starting to drive me crazy.”

She arched an eyebrow at me.

Then I thought I smelled chicken soup and the smell of something else.

Cheese bread?

A moment later, Nurse Collins, a friendly young woman who was one of two other human nurses that reported directly to Bonnie, carried in a covered tray.

“Caleb, guess what I have for you?”

“Chicken soup and cheese bread, right?”

She frowned. “How did you know that?”

“No way,” Paige said.

I glanced sidelong at her, noting the perplexed, almost wary, expression on her face.

I shrugged. “What? I practically smelled it as soon as she was at the door.”

Nurse Collins quietly delivered the tray to a serving table next to my bed and promptly exited the room.

Minutes later, both Bonnie and Ethan burst into my room, followed closely by Nurse Collins.

Ethan strode directly up to my bedside.

“How are you feeling, Caleb?”

“Well, aside from a headache I feel better today. But I finally feel hungry, so I was just about to eat,” I said, removing the cover to my food.

The potent surge from the scents of the food assailed my senses, causing a near-sour reaction to my stomach. I suppressed a gag reflex and quickly pushed the tray away from me.

“Man, that’s powerful,” I choked, turning my head away from it. “I changed my mind; not so hungry right now.”

I caught a glimpse of Paige’s shocked face.

“When did this start?” Ethan asked.

“When did what start?” I asked, as Nurse Collins removed the tray of food.

“Your increased sensitivity of smell?” he asked.

“Wait, earlier he said the smells in this place bothered him,” Paige said.

“When did you notice that?” Ethan asked, as Bonnie stared impassively at me over his shoulder.

“I don’t know,” I said. “A few days ago, maybe? At least that long, I think.”

I smelled the telltale scent of cherry blossoms and looked to the doorway to see Kat leaning against the door jamb, sipping from a Styrofoam cup. There was also the scent of something that whetted my appetite.

“Hey, Kat,” I said. “Your eyes look better today. Get some sleep?”

At first she smiled back at me, but then her expression turned sober as Ethan turned to stare at her.

“Everything okay here?” she asked with concern.

“Her eyes?” Ethan asked me.

“Huh? Yeah, last night before she left she had strained-looking wrinkles in the corners, and they weren’t as bright looking.”

Ethan turned to look back at Kat. “You can tell that all the way from here?”

“Yeah, can’t you? I mean, you’re the vampire, after all,” I said irritably.

“Yes, I can,” he said. “But you shouldn’t; not from that distance.”

Kat calmly moved to stand near my bedside, and the scent of her drink wafted over to me. Once again, my sense of hunger had mysteriously returned.

“Hey, can I have a sip of that? It smells really tasty,” I said as my stomach growled.

“Hardly,” she said. “Caleb, this is blood.”

What?

Everyone was staring at me as if I’d gone insane.

My mind reeled as the realization struck me.

“Am I turning?” I asked.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I scanned the faces of those around me.

The only response was silence and a mix of surprised faces and blank stares.