An End of Night (A Shade of Vampire #16)(52)

He sat up. “You’ll be eighteen.”

Eighteen. It seemed so old.

Thinking back on my seventeenth year, I realized it was basically just one long blur of shocks, confusion, kidnappings and… Caleb.

I also couldn’t believe that I was about to experience a birthday without Ben. It would be the first time we’d been apart on our birthday since the day we were born. A hollow feeling settled in at the base of my stomach.

I gulped.

I didn’t want to start getting teary in front of Caleb, so I changed the subject.

“When is your birthday?” I asked.

“Not for a while,” he said vaguely. “Let’s talk about yours first… I have an idea for what we could do to celebrate.”

I raised a brow.

He bent down close to me again, kissing my cheek and then whispering into my ear: “Let’s get married, Rose.”

I almost choked.

“Caleb… that would be the best birthday present. Ever.”

Chapter 36: Caleb

After Rose responded to my suggestion with passion, I got off her, picked up her towel from the floor and handed it to her.

“If we’re really going to have our wedding tomorrow, we’ve got to get a move on.” She finished towel-drying her hair and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “Let’s go see my parents.”

“I have something to do,” I said. She looked at me curiously, but didn’t question what this something was. “You go without me.”

“How long do you think you’ll be?” she asked. “Because we need to decide on details about the wedding.”

“Rose,” I said, “we could hold the wedding in a cave, and I wouldn’t care.” I gave her a smile. “Just make sure you show up.”

“Okay,” she said, grinning. “I’ll try to remember that part. My mom, Corrine and I will do all the planning.” She walked up to me and pulled my head down for another passionate kiss. “I’m going to be so busy, plus I’ll be spending the night at my parents’ place, we’re unlikely to see each other again before tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll see you at the aisle.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Yes,” she said.

Embracing one more time, we said goodbye and she left the room. I watched through the window as she left, chuckling as she raced down the mountain and sprinted into the woods at full speed.

Now, I had my own preparations to see to.

I took a quick shower, got dressed and left the cabin. I made my way down the mountain, whipping through the trees until I reached the Sanctuary. I listened at the door before knocking, wondering if Corrine and Ibrahim might still be sleeping. I heard voices coming from within so I went ahead and rapped on the door.

It was Corrine who answered. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wore a short nightgown.

“Hi, Caleb. What brings you here?”

“Is Ibrahim around?” I asked.

“Yes. Why?” She looked at me curiously, and then a mischievous glint showed in her eyes. “Is this to do with Rose again?”

She knew me too well.

“Yes,” I said. “You know it’s her birthday in one day.”

“Oh, my gosh. No. I’ve been totally oblivious to the days passing. I-I can’t believe it’s come round again so soon!”

“Yes, well… I need Ibrahim’s help with something. It shouldn’t take up much of his time.”

“Okay,” she said. She turned around and called back through her home. “Ibrahim!”

A deep groan emanated from one of the chambers. “I’m sleeping.”

Corrine smirked and rolled her eyes. “No, you’re talking,” she shot back. “Get your butt out of bed. It’s important. You can go back to sleep later.”

I felt guilty as Ibrahim appeared at the door two minutes later. He wore pajamas, his hair was ruffled and he still had sleep in his eyes. Corrine squeezed his cheek before leaving the two of us alone.

“Hello, Caleb,” he said.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to disturb you—”

“It’s all right,” he said, stretching out and yawning. “What’s the matter?”

I began to explain what I had in mind, and by the end, the warlock was nodding.

“Sounds easy enough,” he said. “I can definitely help you with that. Come inside while I take a shower.”

He led me into their living room where I waited while Ibrahim got ready. Then the two of us left for one of the more remote parts of the island where we were least likely to be seen. Ibrahim helped me with what he could in the space of an hour, and after that, I was able to continue without him.

Darkness had fallen beyond The Shade’s boundary by the time I was satisfied with the result. I stopped by the ocean to splash my face with water before heading back to our cabin. I was expecting to find the place empty, since Rose had already informed me she wouldn’t be returning that night.

I certainly wasn’t expecting to find a dragon lurking in the shadows of our doorstep.

Chapter 37: Rose

As I made my way toward my parents’ penthouse, I couldn’t help but wonder what Caleb wanted to do. I could only assume that something was a surprise.