Chapter Eight


Katarina looked deeply into Caleb's eyes and saw straight through to his soul. He felt it, and stirred uncomfortably in his chair. He had secretly arranged to meet her, in her London flat, telling his father that he was visiting an old college chum, so as not to arouse Colin's suspicion. The cold winter wind blew strongly against the window, and a wet snow had begun to fall. It was a gray, Friday afternoon in early January, 1889 and Katarina was carefully considering Caleb's request.

"I realize that you've learned much in the time you've spent with us, Caleb. We've traveled the world and had some wonderful experiences…you have seen an awful lot…But are you absolutely sure you're ready?" "I am," Caleb answered firmly. "I feel it with my entire being. I long for it! I lay awake at night thinking about it. I want it now, so that in time for my father's birthday, I can make my first human kill and become a full-fledged vampire! I'll be giving him the best birthday present of his life!"

What the hell? Katarina thought to herself. If Caleb wants it that badly, then why not? It's only a few months short of a year, anyway! It would please Colin immensely…and I suppose I'll finally agree to marry him, too, though I must admit that young Caleb here is certainly tempting! His blue eyes are magnificent!…hmmm…what Colin doesn't know won't hurt him…when I turn Caleb, it might be fun to enjoy a little sex on the side!

"Very well, Caleb, I'll agree to do it, but on MY terms!" Katarina said boldy. "I dictate where, when and how we do it. Will you agree to that?" "Absolutely! I'd have it no other way, Katarina! Thank you!" Caleb walked over to her and lightly kissed her cheek. He felt almost as if she were pulling him to her, but that was a crazy notion! Still, her sweet smell, the softness of her skin, her intense beauty…she was so very hard to resist…but he had to shake off those thoughts because she was his father's love and that meant she was off limits, wasn't she?

The next month, Katarina met Caleb secretly again at her London flat. Colin was in Paris on business and was planning on meeting them both in London on February 15th, for Caleb's twenty-second birthday celebration. Caleb arrived two days early, on the 13th, at exactly 3 p.m., according to Katarina's instructions. "I'm so glad you agreed to stay here with me, Caleb, it's really not wise for you to stay at a hotel," Katarina told him as Caleb unpacked his suitcase. "For these two days before your father's arrival, we have much to do, and total privacy is essential." "Exactly what is it that we have to do? I know you'll bite my neck, but really, how long does that take?" Caleb queried. Katarina laughed. "My dear, it's a lot more involved than that, if we do it properly, that is! We don't want to cheapen it! Think of it as the difference between eating chataubriand versus ground beef, or savoring a fine wine versus gulping down some cheap ale! Turning from a human to a vampire is a right of passage few are ever honored to experience! It should be accomplished in a very precise and…sensual manner. You'll see. Now, change into your lounging pajamas…you didn't bring any? No matter. You'll find a pair in the bureau drawer. Meet me in the parlor in half an hour. I'll be waiting. She saw the confused look in Caleb's eyes. Remember what we agreed to last month, Caleb! My terms! I've dictated where, and now I'll dictate when and how. Don't worry, my sweet, you're in very good hands!" She smiled, and left the room, closing the door behind her. Caleb read her loud and clear. Oh, I'm not worried about that! he thought to himself, with a broad grin on his face. If anything, I'm in too good of hands! But I guess I've no choice but to go along with her… what father doesn't know, can't hurt him.

Caleb found the black satin lounging pajamas exactly where Katarina had said, and he was amused that they fit perfectly. How does she do it? he thought. One half-hour later, he opened the door to the parlor, to see Katarina lying prone across the sofa, her low-cut, black satin negligee clinging seductively to her body. He stepped into the room. "Shall I close the door, or leave it open?" he asked. "Leave it open. No one will be here. The late afternoon sunlight was fading outside, and the room was beginning to darken. One hundred candles were lit all around the parlor's perimeter, so that the flames cast dancing shadows on the walls. The fire in the fireplace was ablaze, throwing its own red-hot light onto the ceiling and polished wood floor. The result was almost surreal.

"Come to me, Caleb. It's time." Caleb walked over to her. "Pour us each a glass of champagne." With all the candles and fire blazing, he hadn't even noticed the bottle chilling on the table. He poured and handed the glass to her. Then he poured his own, sitting down on a huge floor pillow next to the sofa. Caleb tucked his bare feet under him and got comfortable. "I propose a toast!" Katarina said. "To your eternal life, full of pleasure, power, lust and love - the most important things on earth!" They touched glasses and drank down every drop. It was time to pour again…and then again and again. As they each drank their last glass, they savored the bubbly liquid as if it were the only bottle of champagne on earth. Caleb knew what was coming next; it was obvious. And what scared him, was that he wanted her so badly. It was hard enough to keep thoughts of his father and her in bed together out of his mind. But what had been harder still, these past few nights, was the anticipation of this moment with her. He realized that his desire for Katarina was beyond his control. This was not his usual romantic fling. It was much deeper, much more serious…and sensual. He could not completely comprehend it. But he didn't care. Caleb just wanted to experience one time with her; to know her body, and to carry that knowledge with him for the rest of his eternal life.

Katarina, appropriately enough, made the first move. Black velvet darkness engulfed the room now, save for the candlelight and softly glowing fire. She got up from the sofa, and led Caleb over to a huge black bear rug, which had magically appeared on the floor in front of the fireplace. They knelt down to face each other; their bodies so close each could hear the other's heart beating. Katarina kissed Caleb on the mouth, her tongue probing until he answered with his. She unbuttoned his pajama top, pulling it off him, as she licked his chest and neck. Her touch was electric! Caleb slipped the satin straps of her negligee off her shoulders, and untied the small satin bow at her bosom, so that the negligee slid down, exposing her firm, round breasts, soft ivory skin and fabulous long legs. She could see his excitement beneath his pajama bottoms, and smiled. "Caleb, what we're about to do shall forever remain just between us! Our little secret…agreed?" Caleb answered in between the open-mouthed kisses he was giving her all over her body. "Yes…agreed…forever between us…our secret…" Untying his pajama bottoms, Katarina began to pleasure Caleb in ways he had never even dreamed of. Much later, Caleb was lying on his back, with Katarina on top, and he was ready to explode. Just as he felt he could hold back no longer, she sensed what was happening and leaned down, her fangs exposed, sinking them into the throbbing carotid artery on the right side of Caleb's neck. He was taken by utter surprise, but instead of the pain Caleb had thought he'd feel, the bite seemed only to intensify his orgasm to the point of complete and total bliss! He'd never felt anything like this! He moaned loudly, wanting more! But Katarina ran her fingers through his hair and whispered to him, as she covered his face with tiny kisses. "Shhhhhh, my darling! It's fine…you'll be fine…it's done! Now you need to calm down and rest…I'm here with you and I'm not leaving your side. It's time to sleep my darling…sleep." Katarina wrapped him in her arms as he closed his eyes to sleep in a most contented slumber - the deep slumber of near-death. It had been a long time since she'd turned a human, and this one was special; the exquisitely sweet taste of his blood told her that! Caleb was destined to be a very powerful vampire! Perhaps, just perhaps…Katarina thought, he'll be every bit as powerful as me! That thought gave her pause, as a small smile came across her face and she, too, drifted off to sleep.

Very early the next morning, at first light, Katarina awoke to see Caleb still lying in her arms, very white and still. This is it, she thought. He'll come out of it soon, and mine will be the first eyes he sees. I love this part! I couldn't do this with Colin…he had to wake up next to that wife of his! But, oh, how sweet, to turn his beautiful son! And quite a good lover, too! How lucky could she get?

Slowly, as the sun dawned brighter, the color began to return to Caleb's cheeks. He opened his eyes and stared into Katarina's face, drinking in her black eyes, high cheekbones, ruby red lips and raven black hair. She was intoxicating, and Caleb suddenly felt very lightheaded as he tried, unsuccessfully, to get up. "Owww…my head and neck!" Caleb exclaimed. "Did what I think happened, actually happen?" he asked, settling his head back in her lap.

They were still on the warm bear rug in front of the fire, which, amazingly, was still burning! "Why, of course, my love, what did you think? That I wouldn't make good on our agreement? You're turned, my sweet! What do you remember?" Katarina asked with anticipation. "Well, I know I experienced the most fantastic lovemaking in my entire life! And then, the next thing I knew, your fangs were in my neck and it was completely orgasmic -- I thought I was going to die from the shock!" "And you did, my sweet! Well, for a moment, at least. You are beyond death, now - a full-fledged vampire in training!" Katarina laughed as she tenderly rubbed Caleb's forehead, just above his eyebrows. "There, does that feel better?" she asked. "Mmmmm….yes…please, don't stop…" Caleb mumbled, starting to drift off again into a light sleep. "Good, good…I won't stop, don't worry. When you finally wake up again, your head and neck pain will have disappeared, and those two little marks on your neck will be long gone…another couple of hours should do the trick! Sleep well, my darling…sleep well."

True to her word, Caleb woke up two hours later, but he didn't recognize his surroundings, except for Katarina who was lying on huge floor pillows right beside him. "Where are we, Katarina?" It was dark, save for the candles glowing all around them. Pillows and several cushions were scattered on the floor, and the room looked cave-like. "Let's just say we're in my little secret getaway. An alternate reality, really, where we can be completely alone. No one can ever find us here; it's as if we don't exist." She smiled at him and stroked his face, tracing his eyebrows, his nose, his lips…on down the side of his neck. Caleb felt a trembling through his body. He wanted her again, and drew her to him, kissing her passionately. She responded on impulse, but then gently pushed him away. No, Caleb, we shouldn't…not right now at least. You need to rest, have some nourishment, and then we need to take you outdoors for a little feeding lesson." Caleb looked terribly disappointed. "Don't be so sad. We'll make love again - later." She handed him a bowl of grapes, along with a glass of white wine. Here, eat. She began feeding him the grapes, one by one. You're at that early stage now, where you can still be satisfied by normal food…for a time. But soon, you'll begin to crave blood, and that's why I need to teach you how to feed. First, we'll kill small animals, so you can practice. In four or five weeks, you'll be ready for your first human kill. I'll keep you on the accelerated track!" she said, laughing. "You're a special one, my dear! It won't take long at all for you to learn the ropes! You'll be completely turned by March 31st, your father's birthday - I promise!"

Katarina always followed through on her promises. In the late night hours of March 29, 1889, she accompanied Caleb through the snowy streets of London, searching for his first victim. A middle-aged tramp lay huddled in a corner on the side of an alley, and Caleb spotted him first, as Katarina quickly nodded in silent agreement. Caleb sprang into action, overcoming his victim with a single, strong, blow, burying his fangs into the man's neck, sucking deeply, rhythmically, until the last drop of blood was drained from his body and ran coursing through Caleb's veins.

When it was over, the tramp lay limp as a rag doll on the ground, and Katarina hurried over to her protégé, throwing her arms around his neck and reaching up her face to kiss him. "You've done it! Congratulations, my sweet! That was magnificent!" Caleb wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and kissed her back - a long, deep, powerful kiss. His first human kill was the biggest thrill of his life, next to the lovemaking session when she had turned him! How awesome and enthralling! Caleb knew in his heart that he had made the correct decision!

Before he knew what was happening, they were transported back to Katarina's little getaway for one last night of breathtaking passion. Caleb memorized her face, her arms, her breasts, her tummy, and her legs and feet, running his hands over and over her. They knew they'd never be together like this again; Katarina was scheduled to become Colin's bride in less than a month, so the memories they made tonight had to last for all eternity.

End of Chapter Eight
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