CHAPTER 36

Caleb and I stood together on the large, open terrace outside the Cloisters, looking out at the night. Far-off, I could see the Hudson River, peeking out between the bare trees of March. In the distance, I could even see the tiny lights of cars heading over the bridge. The night was completely silent.

“I need you to answer some questions for me, Caleb,” I said softly, after several seconds of silence.

“I know,” Caleb answered.

“What am I doing here? Who do you think I am?” I asked. It took her a few seconds more to summon the courage to ask the final question, “And why did you save me?”

Caleb stared off into the horizon for several seconds. I could not tell what he was thinking, or if he would even answer.

Finally, he turned to me. He stared right into my eyes, and the power of his stare was overwhelming. I couldn’t look away if I tried.

“I am a vampire,” he said, flatly. “Of the White Coven. I have lived for over 3,000 years, and I have been with this coven for 800 of them.”

“W