A Bloody London Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 2) (33 page)

As they proceeded further into London proper, the city became an anomaly unto itself. There were many modern buildings sporting both professional and creative architecture interspersed with sites of historical antiquity, and all were crammed into a metropolis thriving with both people and traffic. Certainly, most major cities supported a blend of architectures from varying periods, but London was the historic heart of Great Britain, and it was laid out in its glory for the world to see and traverse.

When they arrived at the hotel, Summit Towers, in the heart of the business district, Caleb was impressed by appearance of the fifteen-story building. The frontage offered a stately elegance that also appeared very modern. As the building loomed above them, he noted that the glass around the first and second floors, as well as the three top-most floors, appeared tinted, while the other floors appeared to have traditional glass. He wondered if that were to accommodate vampire guests more easily, though Katrina hadn’t mentioned that the hotel catered specifically to vampires.

The limousine pulled onto a small access road leading around the periphery of the building and proceeded to a gated entrance into an underground parking garage that was manned by a uniformed security guard. Their limousine was admitted after a brief exchange between the guard and chauffeur, and they proceeded into the well lit garage. Following a couple of brief turns around concrete pillars, the vehicle came to a stop before a faux street entrance, appearing much like the street-side entrance of the hotel.

Two uniformed hotel staff approached the car immediately, and the chauffeur provided access to the trunk. Simmons exited the vehicle, swept his gaze around the garage meticulously, and then opened the rear passenger side door to allow Katrina and Caleb to exit.

Katrina slid out of the car, visually swept the surrounding area herself, and stood aside for Caleb to exit. As he left the car, he was amused by the hotel’s replica entrance and noted that their luggage was quickly being removed from the limousine’s trunk.

A short, middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache and wearing a tailored white business suit approached Simmons and nodded politely. Simmons gestured towards Katrina deliberately, and the man shifted his focus to her with a professionally practiced smile.

“Welcome to Summit Towers, madam,” he offered in a stately English accent. “My name is Jenkins, and as the daytime manager, it would be my pleasure if you would allow me the privilege of checking you into the hotel. May I inquire as to the name on the reservation?”

Katrina smiled pleasantly. “Reservations for Mr. Caleb Taylor and Ms. Katrina Rawlings.”

The man’s eyes widened only slightly before returning to their previously practiced state. He clasped his hands in front of him and inclined his head towards Katrina deferentially.

“My apologies for this unnecessary delay, Ms. Rawlings,” he apologized. “I wasn’t informed that you were already on your way to us this morning. I am aware that your reservations have already been processed, and I’ll see that your luggage is taken to your suite immediately. We’re very pleased to have you stay with us, and rest assured that your every need will be attended to immediately. You have only to ask, and it shall be addressed. If it pleases you, I’ll program your key access cards.”

Katrina raised her own eyebrows with slight surprise at the elevated form of address from the man. “Of course. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.”

Caleb looked up at Katrina, who maintained an impassive expression as she turned to follow Jenkins into the hotel lobby through the small entrance. He shrugged and followed behind her as Simmons closed the car door and nodded brusquely to the chauffeur.

Caleb nearly stopped in his tracks as he entered the posh hotel. The flooring was mostly polished white tile, while other areas were polished oak. The walls were white plaster with matching wood lining the lower part of the wall, the effect both stately and regal at the same time. Large plaster columns inlaid with Greek-looking symbols were scattered throughout the interior of the vast lobby, and crystal chandeliers with imbedded lights hung from high vaulted ceilings, which were themselves inlaid with white plaster designs outlined in painted gold trim. Polished oak furniture complemented the décor, as well as leather couches and reading chairs placed throughout. Sleek lamps decorated polished wood end tables near the chairs and couches, and a variety of stylized classical artworks hung in various open wall spaces.

Jenkins moved behind a polished wood counter with marble inlay. A young woman wearing a business suit with hotel crest on her jacket stood at the main desk, and she quickly cast a curious glance at both Katrina and Caleb before turning her eyes downward to the countertop. Caleb frowned, wondering why she seemed so subdued. She briefly glanced up at them again, and he smiled at her. She returned his smile shyly, then returned to some paperwork set before her. Katrina glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, and he shrugged innocently before moving to stand beside her.

“Your luggage is being moved to your suite as we speak,” Jenkins offered as he produced two gold key cards and handed them over to Katrina. “These will work for any of the special services rooms, elevators, and of course, your own suite.”

Katrina took the keys and handed one to Caleb.

“We’re so very pleased that you’re staying with us, Ms. Rawlings and Mr. Taylor,” Jenkins offered. “Now, if you’ll permit me, I’ll show you to your suite.”

Katrina nodded politely and smirked at Caleb, who wore a telltale tourist expression as he tried to take in everything at once. They both turned to follow Jenkins across the beautiful lobby towards the nearby elevators. They entered the elevator together, and he regarded them with a respectful smile as he inserted a pass card and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor, the topmost in the hotel.

“Your room key is required for the car to go to the top two floors,” he informed them.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a regal hallway decorated much like the lobby with polished wood paneling at the lower portion of the plaster walls. There were stained oak tables with mirrors above them and flanking fabric-backed chairs at intervals along with curtained windows. Caleb cast a quick glance up to Katrina as she comfortably passed the first window, and he noted the window panes were all tinted with what he guessed must be a UV-dampening coating.

Their suite was at the end of the long hallway furthest from the elevators, and Jenkins commented, “There are only four suites on this floor, so I’m hopeful that you will enjoy a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.”

The manager gestured to Caleb for his room card, neatly swiped the lock and opened the large door leading into Suite 1504. He handed the card back to Caleb, encouraging them to enter ahead of him with a sweeping gesture of his arm.

The living room was as roomy as the one at Katrina’s estate. The furniture was a mix of oak and leather-covered chairs and a comfortable-looking couch. The rich carpet was thick-piled, complementing the décor with an air of regal comfort. The far wall was a series of large pane-glass windows coated with the same tinting as the hallway glass, each flanked by heavy drapes for privacy at night.

“Wow,” Caleb muttered with a degree of awe, to which Jenkins offered a sincere grin. A pang of embarrassment passed through him, and he silently admonished himself for acting like a little kid who’d never seen a hotel room before.
Come on, act like you’ve been off the farm more than once in your life.

“I’m happy that you approve,” Jenkins offered congenially, but with a tentative glance at Katrina.

“Very nice, indeed,” she agreed with a simple nod.

The bedroom was spacious, and a lengthy dining room sporting an eight-seated varnished table held court at the back of the suite before another series of large windows. A small study next to the dining area hosted a stocked wet bar.

“I’ll leave you now, but please let me know if there’s anything at all I can do to accommodate your needs or make your stay more enjoyable,” Jenkins offered with a polite nod to both Katrina and Caleb. He quickly exited, pulling the door closed behind him.

Caleb walked over to the living room windows, staring in silent wonderment at the city beyond. Katrina walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him warmly on the cheek.

“Very cool. I’m actually in London,” he murmured before turning his attention back to his mate. “This is simply unbelievable, Kat.”

She beamed, so very pleased he was happy. “And it’s just the beginning, my love.”

“Hey! I can see the London Eye from here,” he exclaimed as he stared out the large window.

She raised both eyebrows as she looked. She absently curled her arm around his waist as she glanced through the window, grateful the coated glass allowed her to appreciate the daytime view with him, even though the coating made the view appear somewhat duskier than the early daytime hour that it was.

The London Eye was indeed a sight. The large circular wheel was part of a Millennium landmark competition in the late 1990s. Its perimeter was surrounded by glass-encased viewing pods, which allowed for spectacular views of the city. Caleb grinned as he observed it in the distance and turned to glance up at Katrina with an inquisitive expression.

“Yes,” she replied with a smirk. “I’ll make sure that you get to go up in it, both at day and night.”

He chuckled and tilted his face upwards slightly towards her while elevating himself on his toes to kiss her lightly.

“You’re the best, Kat,” he complimented, to which she kissed him in return as she tightened her grip around his waist.

She relished their closeness at that moment and fully appreciated how easy it was to love him. He made her so happy, so content with her life. “Come on,” she offered while reluctantly releasing him. “Let’s call Alton. He’ll want to know we’ve arrived.”

She walked to the nearest phone in the living area while Caleb continued to absorb the view of the city. Soon afterwards, the two of them shared a shower and changed into fresh clothes. Being in casual tourist mode, both chose jeans. However, where Caleb wore a plain cotton shirt, Katrina selected a fleecy turtleneck sweater. While the temperatures were cold outside, neither needed their jackets as they didn’t intend to go outdoors, never mind that Katrina would find the experience lethal from the UV radiation emanating through the clouds.

They proceeded into the hotel elevator and took it to the first sub-level floor, which was one story below ground. Alton had informed Katrina that the hotel and his office building were connected via an underground passageway, making it ideal for vampires during daylight hours. They had no sooner exited the elevator car and proceeded down a short length of carpeted hallway when a lone, smiling figure appeared at the end of the empty corridor.

Alton Rutherford stood a few inches over six feet and appeared quite the English playboy in a pair of dark gray dress slacks and white, long-sleeved silk dress shirt. He had forgone a tie, but still looked sharply attired by the addition of a designer leather belt and dress shoes. His late thirty-something appearance was complemented by a solid body frame, short dark hair, and piercing hazel eyes. And while Caleb didn’t know exactly how old Alton was, he knew the vampire was older than Katrina, and she had lived over five hundred years.

Like Katrina, his unusually pale skin tone was nearly radiant, though not stark enough to set him aside from the human environment around him. In London, it wasn’t as if people walked around sporting a natural tan. But Alton’s pale complexion hardly detracted from the attractive specimen who likely turned many a woman’s head in his direction.

Katrina immediately moved to embrace Alton warmly, each smiling at the reunion. It had been months since they had last seen each other, just prior to Katrina’s and Caleb’s nearly lethal confrontation with Chimalma. As they parted, Alton pressed a kiss to her cheek, eliciting a playful smirk. While her close friend and former mentor had never been a romantic partner, she felt strong affection for him.

“Welcome to London, my dear,” he offered. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“It’s good to see you as well,” she replied.

Alton turned his full attention to Caleb and extended his hand. Caleb returned the firm grip in kind, but felt the elder vampire pull him towards him in a brief, fraternal embrace. Katrina raised an eyebrow at the exchange, noting Alton’s unusually affectionate greeting towards her mate.

“Hello, young man,” Alton greeted. “It feels like a long time since we’ve seen each other. Strange, isn’t it?”

Caleb smiled brightly as he pulled away from the tall vampire and looked up appreciatively into his eyes. He welcomed the warm greeting and marveled at how natural the exchange felt for him. He had confided many things to Alton during the past few months. The vampire’s advice and knowledge of Katrina’s background had proven quite helpful in strengthening his relationship with her. Not to mention the fact that his continuing understanding of alpha vampires was due in large part to Alton.

The three exchanged small talk regarding the overseas flight as they walked down the span of corridor leading into a small lobby at the other end. Aside from a couple of conservative-looking couches, reading chairs, and contemporary tables, the only other central element was two elevator doors. Devoid of other people, the area seemed eerily quiet.

“Kind of handy having a connecting corridor between the hotel and your office building,” Caleb noted as he glanced at Alton.

“Sensible and convenient for our kind, wouldn’t you say?” he replied.

“Indeed,” Katrina agreed. “Did you enter into a partnership with the hotel to arrange this?”

“Oh, yes,” Alton replied with a smirk. “In fact, I bought the hotel almost a year ago.”

“Cool,” Caleb noted. “Which must explain why some of the hotel’s floors have coated glass.”

Alton pressed a return button for the elevator. “Precisely. London’s well on its way to becoming a central hub for our kind, all the better to ensure that accommodations are easily available. The Tube is another element of that, in fact. It’s mostly underground, allowing virtually unlimited travel throughout the city without ever exposing oneself to sunlight.”