Turned (Book 1 in the Vampire Journals) by Morgan Rice by Morgan Rice Page B

Caleb. Being around him was all-encompassing.
    Caleb’s smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He was clearly disturbed.
    “I’m afraid there will be a much higher price for admission,” he said, “if this meeting does not go as I would hope.”
    He led her through another stone archway, and into a small, medieval courtyard. Perfectly symmetrical, surrounded on four sides by columns and arches, this courtyard, lit by the moon, was very beautiful. She could not fathom how they were still in New York City. They could have been in a European countryside.
    They walked across the courtyard and down a long stone hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing. They were trailed by several more guards. Vampires? She wondered. If so, why were they so civil? Why didn’t they attack Caleb, or her?
    They walked down another stone corridor and through another medieval door. And then they suddenly stopped.
    Standing there was another man, dressed in black, who looked startlingly similar to Caleb. He wore a large red cloak over his shoulders, and was flanked by several attendants. He seemed to hold a position of authority.
    “Caleb,” he said softly. He sounded shocked to see him.
    Caleb stood there calmly, staring back.
    “Samuel,” Caleb answered, flatly.
    The man stood there, staring, shaking his head just a little bit.
    “Not even a hug for your long lost brother?” Caleb asked.
    “You know this is very serious,” Samuel answered. “You have violated many laws by coming here tonight. Especially by bringing her.”
    The man did not even bother looking over at Caitlin. She felt insulted.
    “But I had no choice,” Caleb said. “The day has arrived. War is here.”
    A hushed murmur erupted among the vampires standing behind Samuel, and among the growing group of vampires forming behind them. She turned, and saw that more than a dozen of them now encircled them. She was starting to feel claustrophobic. They were vastly outnumbered, and there was no way out. She had no idea what Caleb had done, but whatever it was, she hoped that he could talk his way out of it.
    Samuel raised his hands, and the murmur died down.
    “What’s more,” Caleb continued, “this woman here,” he said, nodding towards Caitlin, “she is The One.”
    Woman . Caitlin had never been called that before. She liked it. But she didn’t understand. The One? He had put a funny emphasis on the phrase, as if he were talking about the Messiah or something. She wondered if they were all crazy.
    Another murmur arose, and all heads turned to stare at her.
    “I need to see the Council,” Caleb said, “And I must bring her with me.”
    Samuel shook his head.
    “You know that I would not stop you. I can only advise. And I advise you to leave right now, return to your post and await the Council’s summons.”
    Caleb stared back. “I’m afraid that is not possible,” he said.
    “You’ve always done as you wish,” Samuel said.
    Samuel stepped aside, and motioned with his hand that he was free to pass.
    “Your wife will not be pleased,” Samuel said.
    Wife ? Caitlin thought, and felt a cold chill run up her spine. Why did she suddenly feel so insanely jealous? How had her feelings for Caleb developed that quickly? What right did she have to feel so possessive of him?
    She felt her cheeks turn red. She did care. It made no sense at all, but she completely cared. Why didn’t he tell me –
    “Don’t call her that,” Caleb answered, his cheeks also burning red. “You know that –”
    “Know that what !?” came a woman’s shriek.
    They all turned to see a woman marching towards them from down the hallway. She, too, was dressed in all black, with long, flowing red hair that trailed past her shoulders, and large, shiny green eyes. She was tall, ageless, and strikingly beautiful.
    Caitlin felt humbled in her presence, like she had just shrunk. This was a woman. Or was it…vampire? Whatever she was, she was a creature that Caitlin could never