Part 4

Over the next few nights she kept going to the coffeehouse to see if he might be there. Each and every night, he was indeed waiting for her. He was devoted to her, anything to ensure her happiness. Soon the two began roaming the city, getting to know each other a little more. He knew he'd have to explain the vampire thing, but didn't want to reveal it too soon and scare her off; or make her hate him for it. He wanted to find a way to make her remember the past; they were bonded together long ago. He waited it out, her feelings for him would develop over time and he knew it. He sensed it. Nights rolled into weeks and months as the demon vampire had been right, she was falling in love. It was pure luck that she went into the coffee shop that night. She'd never met anyone like him before. He was dark and mysterious, yet light hearted. She loved every minute they were together. Each night was like a new adventure.

When she was with him, it was as if the world shifted, somehow. She couldn't explain it. Feeling complete bliss with him. She'd loved before, but nothing like this. When they were apart, he was like an addiction to her. She needed to be near him again. Feeling that she couldn't live without him. His essence began to invade her dreams. Katrine found it a comfort when they were apart.

Syluss was overwhelmed at how well it was going in the mortal realm. He couldn't believe he'd found her, it was as if he were dreaming. He'd be able to live out eternity here so long as she was with him. Of course he missed being in the underworld, but he'd prefer to miss home than miss her. He couldn't wait to see her again, tonight. Just to touch his dark angel one more time. The thought of her consumed him. He'd rarely thought of his now thirst for human blood; unless he went without it for too long. He waited in the depths of the cave until the sun diminished for the night. Then he bolted from the cave and didn't stop until reaching the all night coffee house. He went in and waited for her arrival.

In her room, listening to music, instinctively looked to the window as the sun began to fade for the night. Jumping up, turning the music off; she grabbed the green tote bag and filled it with a few essentials. She couldn't wait to experience another night of freedom with him. It felt as if she'd never really experienced life until she met him. As soon as the bag had been packed, bolting out of the house, Katrine sprinted the mile and a half to the coffeehouse. She thought of nothing but being with him. Though she was only nineteen, knew what it was that plagued her.... Love. She was in love and refused to live without him. Young but deep down, there had been evidence of an old soul. As she rounded the corner, heart beating fast and out of breath; she stopped for a moment; only long enough to breathe normally again. Placing her hand on the door, peeked in to see that he was there already. He sat there in the back at a table for two. Opening the door, walking quickly over to him.

"Have you been here long?"

"Not that long."

"Oh good, I wouldn't want to keep you waiting."

"I'd wait an eternity for you." He replied as she kissed him. Letting go, she sat with him as they talked about everything together. She'd never known life could be this way. It was strange, she felt different with him, as if she could take over the world as long as he was there, too. Wondering if they'd known each other in a past life, or a few of them. The connection was a fierce one. She'd begun to have a strange instinct about these things recently. They were little things at first, then she noticed the intuition would get stronger during the nocturnal hours.

"Would you like to explore the caves with me tonight? It's quiet and a good place to be alone."

"I'd love to."

They quickly left the little coffee shop, she couldn't wait. Doing even the simplest things with him brought an overwhelming sense of joy. It felt as if the night belonged to the two of them. After hiking through the dense forest, she could see the caves in the distance, on the edge of the horizon. It was exciting, she wished they could do this forever.

Syluss wanted nothing more than to soak up every moment with her, he thought as they climbed up and to the entrance of the cave. The view was breath-taking.

"It's amazing up here, just unreal."

"I thought you'd like it."

He gave her a quirky smile. Fighting the urge to just do it and turn her, but knew it best to be patient, mortal women required patience. He was trying but part of him just wanted it to be done. Shaking the thoughts away before he did just sink his teeth into her throbbing neck. He could feel the blood pumping from inside of her. He needed to be gentle, if he just went on and turned her; it might not end well. He wanted to keep her happy; playing the nice guy was getting harder to do each night. He needed to tell her he was a vampire; but needed to make sure she was completely in love and would do anything to stay with him. It went on with her like this for months, each night he'd bring her to the caves. One night he couldn't keep it from her any longer. He enjoyed one last look at her, a final kiss before he had to reveal his immortal nature.

"Thank you for bringing me up here, I love the view of the stars from here."

"Of course."

After a moment of complete quiet, she looked at him.

"Do you believe in past lives?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" He said.

"I don't know,the thought just hit me."

"I do think we've known each other before."

"I wondered that myself."

"Do you believe in ghosts?" He asked, to keep the subject going.

"Yes, I'm a firm believer in the paranormal and supernatural things."

"Me too."

"I'm also fascinated with vampires."

"If you met one, would you want to be turned, an immortal?"

"Sure."

"I am a vampire... If you wanted immortality, I'd give it to you."

"I love you, no matter what you are."

"Do you want me to turn you?" He asked, fearing the answer.

"Go for it." She said, half assuming he was kidding.

He gently leaned her head back exposing the neck; sinking his fangs into her flesh, drinking from her. It put him into a euphoric state of joy, he'd never tasted anything so delicious. For a moment he feared he wouldn't stop, but after a few seconds, forced himself to pull away. He couldn't handle it if he depleted her. As the shock of what was happening put her into convulsions, he cut open the palm of his left hand, making her drink from it.

"Trust me, it'll all be over soon, then we'll be together, for eternity."

He stayed with her through the entire supernatural transformation. "It'll be okay, this is the worst of it." He told her, soothing her during the change. It didn't last as long as he thought. After a long moment of agonizing pain, as she waited for death, yet it didn't claim her. Seconds later, a sense of calmness washed over her. She felt it deep down that she would be okay. After a few minutes, she began to fade in and out until sleep took her. He sat beside her, it was part of the change. He knew that, but what if he screwed something up? Katrine had been weak, resting for two solid days. It scared the hell out of him. What if she were dead? What if he destroyed her? If she didn't wake in the next few hours, take her to Romero, he'd know what to do.

Just before the moon took its place in the center of the dark skies, she had begun to stir. Confused and disoriented, looking around the caves, she felt different, yet the same. It felt like an adrenaline rush, but knew it wasn't. Syluss was right there, staring at her. Then as if on command, a wave of memories hit her, of the time she'd known him before. It was a rush of images and sounds, in flashes coming to her. It slowly began to make sense. Meeting him had been her true fate.

"You have returned." He said.

"It was really you.."

"Yes."

Over the next few weeks, he helped her to hunt. He wanted her strength back. He had grown protective over her. As the memories of the underworld resurfaced; she began to understand more of him. She had never been so at peace with her own reality. The rest of us should be so lucky....

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