“Let’s let them know we’re friendly,” Caitlin called out. “Let’s land by the main gate.”
“But if they confront us, better to land on the roof,” Caleb responded.
“I don’t feel that they will confront us,” Caitlin said. “If they are guardians of the vampire secret, I think they will appreciate why we are here. They might even be expecting us.” Caleb looked skeptical, but he agreed, and together they dove down, right for the main gate.
Moments later, they were standing at the end of the footbridge, before the main castle gate, in a wide open plaza guarded by dozens of vampires.
The vampires, dressed in red, scowled back, and Caitlin hoped that she had made the right decision.
As she took several steps forward, towards the entrance, suddenly, the main castle gate opened, the heavy iron spikes slowly rising. A single vampire approached, standing out from the others as he was the only one dressed in all white. He had a long beard spilling out from under it, and as he approached, he pulled back his hood and stared at them both with an intense stare. He was followed by a dozen guards, and Caitlin briefly wondered if they were about to attack.
But then she saw the lead vampire break into a smile, and finally, she felt at ease.
“Caitlin and Caleb,” he said slowly, shaking his head. “I’ve heard a lot about you two. I am honored you’ve come to our remote corner of the world.”
With that, he suddenly turned and walked into the castle.
Caitlin and Caleb looked at each other, and figured there was only one thing to do: to follow him.
*
“Most vampires who come here, come looking for the Grail,” the lead vampire said, as they walked through an ancient stone corridor. He turned to them and smiled. “But I can tell that you two are different. You are looking for something else, something much more sacred.”
“I’m looking for my father,” Caitlin replied.
“Yes, I know you are,” the vampire responded. He stopped and faced her. “I knew him well. He was an amazing man.”
Caitlin’s heart raced.
“Is he here?” she asked, excitedly.
He laughed, a short, little sound. “I wish he was. No, I’m afraid he hasn’t been here for centuries. But he left a very important legacy here. And he prepared us for your arrival. Centuries ago.”
The man turned, opened a small, medieval door, and they all headed down a new corridor, twisting and turning.
“What did he prepare?” Caitlin asked, burning with curiosity.
The man stopped before another door. “There was something he wanted you to have. You and only you.”
He opened another small door, and Caitlin had to duck as she walked through the opening.
This door opened into a grand room, lit by dozens of torches, with high arched ceilings, and stained-glass. It looked like a chapel, and at the end was a large, shining gold altar, guarded by two vampire soldiers, dressed in red, who stood at attention. Caitlin wondered what could be so valuable and precious that two guards would have to stand watch over it at all times. She wondered if it was the second half of the torn page.
As they approached it, her turned to her, “Your clue?” the vampire prodded.
Caitlin wondered for a moment what he was asking for, then realized it must have been the torn page. She reached in and extracted it.
He slowly shook his head.
“That is not for this place,” he said. “Your necklace,” he corrected.
Caitlin momentarily forgot what he was referring to; then she reached down and removed her small antique cross, grateful once again that she still wore it.
The man gestured towards an ancient, bejeweled chest, and Caitlin knelt down, and inserted her cross with the click. She turned it, and it slowly opened.
She could not believe what she saw.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Polly awoke from a night of exquisite dreams, happier than she had ever been. She had been riding on cloud nine ever since Sam had proposed to her the night before. She had been secretly, deep down, hoping that he would, especially on Caitlin and Caleb’s wedding night. She knew that she had no real reason to expect this, given that they had barely been together a few days—and yet somehow, deep down, she still hoped for it anyway. She had never loved anyone as much as Sam, and she’d wanted him to propose to her more than anything.
Polly had gone to bed ecstatic and had dreamt all night long that she and Sam had been walking through a field of white flowers, white rose petals showering all around them, as the sun never seemed to set. She saw the two of them walking into the white light, and she awoke with the most peaceful feeling of her life, feeling so relaxed and content. She’d had the strangest, fleeting thought, that, given how happy and content she was, she’d be perfectly happy to die right now, on this day.
After all, there was nothing more she could ever want from the world.
After laying with her in bed most of the morning, Sam had finally arisen, seeming as happy as she was. He’d said he wanted to celebrate, to go out and hunt for them, to find the biggest, wild boar he could, kill it, and bring it back for a special feast for them two of them that night. It was to be a celebration of their love, he’d said. And he wanted to find the perfect animal himself.
Polly loved the idea. She could use the day, herself, to get ready and prepare all the vegetables that could go with it. It would be like their own special wedding night.
Polly gave him a long kiss goodbye, knowing she would see him in just a few hours. Yet deep down, she had the craziest feeling that she might not. She didn’t understand the feeling at all—it made no rational sense. Still, as Sam turned to walk out the door, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him back to her, and hugged him tight. She did not let go for several seconds.
“What is it?” Sam asked, surprised, looking down with concern.
Polly slowly shook her head and forced a smile, knowing she was just being crazy.
“Nothing,” she said. “I just love you.”
Sam leaned in and kissed her, and then turned and walked out the door.
That was when Polly felt it. Her first pang.
It struck her so hard in the stomach, she keeled over from the unfamiliar sensation, having no idea what it was. Just as she tried to stand, it hit her again.
And again.
Finally, Polly realized that something was wrong. She sat on the edge of her bed, in a sweat, wondering what on earth it could be. After several more pangs, she had the craziest idea. Could it be possible that she was pregnant?