“Why would they be looking in rural California? They have no reason to think Camille is anywhere but with Alena and Hunter. It would be stupid to break the trinity up.”
“So why are we here at all?” Tyler threw up his hands and placed them on his hips.
Camille stepped between us. “I’m tired of other people discussing my safety. I’m here because of Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa. We deserve some time to be together. I’ll see you this afternoon, Tyler.”
I mentally marked a point in Camille’s column. She stuffed her hair in a ball cap, and I fitted mine down over my forehead.
“I almost feel like a normal person,” I told her as I took her hand.
“We’ll have lots of normal days after this is all over.” I opened the door of Pop’s SUV for her and she lingered in the space. “How does one even contemplate living hundreds of years?”
“I don’t know.” My mind wandered to thoughts of my father and how old he might be. How could you know someone for seventeen years and not learn their biggest secret?
“I like that we’re getting some time, just us.” Camille spun to face me.
“Me, too.” I planted a kiss on her lips.
Our topics of conversation ranged from my mom and dad, to activities I’d participated in at school. She admitted how she’d always wanted to own a horse and be a veterinarian.
“You’ll make a great vet.” I glanced her way and took her hand.
“I’m pretty sure you need a high school diploma at least.”
“We’ll get our diplomas, and we can get into any college we want.”
“I want to earn my way in, not coerce my way in.”
“Well, if you want to do it the hard way.” I smirked, knowing there was no other way but the straight and narrow for her.
The drive took an hour, and we pulled off the paved road onto the dirt lane that led to the farm a little after ten.
“It’s beautiful here. So, green.” Camille looked out her window.
I leaned towards the windshield and scanned the sky. “And sunny.”
Camille turned to face me. “Anything special I should know?”
“No, you know she’s half vampire, but otherwise, no.” I tapped my fingers on the wheel and shrugged.
“Does she know she’s half vampire?”
“My Pop says no.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Not even about you and your dad.”
“Not now, maybe after this is all over. I wanted her to meet you.” I shut off the engine and jumped over the car to open Camille’s door for her.
“Like that wasn’t obvious.”
“No one’s looking.” I planted a kiss on her mouth.
She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“If you do that”—I pulled her hands from my back—“I’m never going to stop kissing you.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad.” She smiled and took my hand. “What should I say about my eyes?”
“They’re not that much darker than a dark brown.”
“You are such a bad liar.” She walked away.
I caught up with her in one long step. Approaching the farm house, we climbed the stairs to the porch. No one seemed to be inside. The wood planks creaked under foot as we wound to the back. We waited after knocking on the back door, me rolling on my heels. Hearing footsteps inside, I peered through the screen. A gray-haired woman approached the door.
“Have you been waiting? Sorry I was in the cellar. How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Emma James.”
“Jude?”
“Yes.” Not recognizing the woman, my face flushed. “Sorry, should I know you?”
“No, dear, sorry, I recognized you from the picture Emma has on her dresser. Come in.” She opened the door and waved us inside. “We’ll go find your mom. It’s been a while since you’ve visited, right?”
“I was overseas.”
“Oh, yes, Iceland.” She held her index finger up. “Let me get my hat.” She lifted it from a hook and started towards the door. We exited onto the back porch and walked down to the path lined with beds of flowers.
“Emma is in the back field. Do you want me to show you?”
“I know my way, thanks.”
“So much for anonymity,” Camille said as we walked through the garden.
“It will be fine.” I acted like I didn’t think there was any danger. Still, I scanned the trees surrounding the property as we walked.
Seeing four women in the strawberry patch, we made our way to the rows of low plants. Mom squatted in the middle of the field, picking berries and plopping them into a large basket. Skirting the field, I led Camille towards my mom.
“Are you nervous?” she asked, squeezing my hand.
“No.”
“Your hand is sweating.”
I slid it from hers and rubbed it on my pants. “Fine, maybe a little. I’ve never brought a girl to meet her. She can be a little emotional.”
“Now, I’m nervous.”
“She’ll love you.” I forced a smile, praying her manic mood swings hadn’t returned.
As we approached, Mom glanced up and her eyes grew wide. She covered her mouth with her hands, jumped over a row and ran to us.
“Jude, oh my goodness, you’re back.” She threw her arms around me, nearly squeezing the air from my lungs. “You’re so tall. Did you grow again?” Releasing me, she took a step back.
I nodded. “Maybe a little.”
“You’re thin as a rail though. Did they feed you?” She ran her hand down my arm.
“Sure, Mom.” I motioned to Camille. “This is Camille.”
Mom’s head jerked to face Camille. “Oh, dear, where are my manners?” She shed her glove and stuck her palm out to Camille.
Camille slid her hand in Mom’s. “It’s nice to meet you Ms. James.”
“Oh, it’s Emma. Wow, your eyes are so dark. Where’d you get those?”
“Mom.” I cringed at Mom’s inability to control the thoughts shooting from her mouth.
“Sorry, that’s not how I should react the first time you bring a girl to meet me. Of course, it would have been fine if you brought a boy too. He’s never introduced me to any of his girlfriends. I’d see pictures from homecoming or prom but never met them.” She straightened her back and slapped her hands to her legs. “You’re probably thirsty and need a little restroom break from the drive. Let’s head back to the house.”
She spun and walked to her basket. I followed behind, taking it from her as she picked it up. “Thank you, it’s so good to see you. How was”—her eyes darted from me to Camille—“your camping experience?”
“Good. We spent some time in Italy too.”
“In Italy? Wow, how did that happen? You’re keeping up with your schoolwork, right?”
“Yes, Dad found this European school exchange program.” I hadn’t thought about what I’d tell her, and I was glad I thought of something on the fly.
“Your dad found it for you?”
“Yeah.”
“How is he?”
“Good, I guess. You know Dad, always off somewhere.”
“How about your Nan and Pop? They’re so nice to call me every week.”
We reached the porch and ascended the stairs. She set the basket on the wood planks. “I’ll get some drinks. Why don’t you guys find some seats?”
The door slammed behind her, and Camille and I surveyed the area.
“Let’s swing.” She pulled me to a suspended wood bench.
I wondered if there could be a more idyllic location. The tree-lined pastures, green even in winter, seemed to spread across the land like a carpet. The air smelled of berries and jasmine. The breeze made it just cool enough, and the most beautiful girl smelling of honey and flowers sat beside me.
“It’s beautiful here. I can see why your mom loves it.” Camille kicked her feet, propelling us back.
>
“I’m a bit biased, but anywhere you are is beautiful.”
Camille’s head shot back, and her laugh echoed off the ceiling. “That was the corniest thing you’ve ever said.”
“I mean it. You’re beautiful.”
“You’re making me blush.” Her hands went to her cheeks.
“Why are you making her blush?” Carrying a tray of ice glasses, Mom flung the screen door open with her hip.
“You could try to hide that you overheard our conversation,” I told her as she approached.
Mom looked at Camille. “Did he tell you I have amazing hearing? Why hide a gift? That’s what I always say. Of course, nature loves a balance. That’s why I live out here. Never sick a day in my life except for the food allergies.” She shoved the tray towards us. “My mom thought I was crazy. But now that Jude has them too, it means it was just genetic.” She shrugged and handed me a glass of lemonade.
“That makes sense.” Camille smiled, and her eyes darted to me.
“Never knew my father. Wait—” She froze. “Sorry, here I am going on about myself. How rude. You’ve never been here. I’ll give you a tour.” She jogged down the steps.
Between describing the various buildings and areas of the farm, Mom asked Camille question after question about where she was from, where she’d lived, her family, her aspirations. I couldn’t imagine bringing a girl who didn’t know about vampires to meet Mom. They’d probably chalk up her odd mannerisms and excitability to some type of social disorder. That would last until her next manic spree and then eventual drug binge cycle. I berated myself for being so negative. She’d been at the commune for four years without a single downturn. I had to admit, this was what she needed.
We ate lunch with the members of the community, sitting around a huge wooden farm table. The twenty-some-odd people were mostly the same since Mom came there. A few always drifted in and out, but the main group stayed constant. I guessed Mother had become one of those permanent members. I wondered what she’d do when she outlived them all. I’d probably have to tell her about vampires and witches eventually.
I watched Camille the whole day. How she held her head, listening to Mom, answering questions, interacting with the other people. The way she ate, her mannerisms, gestures, her smile.
“You’re quiet.” Mom squeezed my arm.
“Just enjoying being with you.”
“And in love,” she whispered.
My face flushed, and I looked to my plate and then Camille. “I guess.”
“I know.” She winked at me and popped a strawberry in her mouth.
I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Let’s not make it a big deal. We’re only seventeen.”
“I won’t. Treat her nice. Don’t be like your father.”
My jaw tightened as she mentioned Dad. “I don’t plan to.”
“I know.” She cupped her hand to my cheek. “You’re a good boy.”
“I’m a man now, Mom.” I straightened my back.
“And so you are.”
After lunch, we saddled up three horses and rode the trails around the property. Camille rode like a pro, and I couldn’t have imagined a better day.
“When will you be back? I’ve missed you. I’d love to see you more often,” Mom said as we walked to the car.
“I’m not sure. I’m here on break from the exchange program.” I continued the lie I’d started.
“Oh, well, don’t you know when it ends? I’d like to come to your graduation.”
“Their schools go through the end of June. I’ll let you know.” My eyes darted to hers. “You’d come to my graduation? How long has it been since you’ve been off this property?”
She slapped at my arm. “We go into town for supplies at the farm store.” We stopped in front of the vehicle. “Okay, well, call, or write, or something.” She pulled me to her, wrapping me in her signature bear hug.
“It was nice to meet you.” She gave Camille a half-hug.
“You too, thank you for today.” Camille waved to Mom.
I opened the door for Camille and wound round to the driver’s side.
Camille’s fingers tapped on her leg as we made our way along the double rutted drive. “I know why you don’t like Alena.”
“What? That’s the first thing you say to me after this amazingly successful day.”
“Why did you use the word successful?”
“Because Mom didn’t embarrass me too much, and you looked like you were having fun.”
“Well, I hope you had fun. I haven’t had that good of a day since Iceland.”
“Duh, yeah, I was in that same freaky castle with you, remember?”
“You’re deflecting.”
“Are we fighting?” I pulled onto the main road.
“No, you are still evading the topic.”
“Of why I hate Alena? What does that have to do with today?”
“Are you kidding me? You know what I’m talking about.” She slapped my leg.
I glanced at her, and her eyes bore into mine. Still, I didn’t want to admit it.
She rolled her eyes. “Jude, do I have to say it? Alena’s mannerisms are just like your mother’s. The choppy, quick actions, the overzealous personality, it’s so obvious. You were mad at your mom, and you transferred that to Alena.”
“Thank you, Dr. Antos.” I moved my free hand to the steering wheel and focused on the road in front of me.
“You’re not mad at me. You know it’s true.”
I glanced her way. “I could never be mad at you.”
“Were you mad when I got myself caught?”
“Yes, I was mad then.”
“Then admit that you don’t like Alena because she reminds you of your mom.”
“Fine.”
“Good.” Her smile spread across her face, and she folded her arms across her chest.
“For the record”—I took her hand—“I was mad when you got caught, but not angry with you. I was furious with myself for leaving you alone.”
That night I saw a man, dressed in a long tunic, surrounded by a crowd. A smaller group approached the man. A leader of that group stopped in front of the man. “Hail, Master.” The leader kissed the man in the long tunic.
“Friend, why are you here?”
When the leader stepped back, his followers surrounded the man. Wondering where I would see my father’s face, I looked between the two men.
“Do you not know me?” The leader turned to face me. I looked at the sword I held in my hand. “I am Judas Icarus.” The leader’s face transformed to my dad’s.
As I had the night before, I woke in a cold sweat. Tossing my covers aside, I paced the room. In successive nights, my dad had starred as Eve, Judas, and then Brutus. I felt betrayed by my father—that had to be it. Perhaps being with my grandparents stirred the feelings within, bringing them to the front of my psyche. I took to rising early to work out and drinking blood twice a day to keep my energy up. I didn’t want to worry or burden Camille and planned fun outings for her family every day.
We took a ferry to Santa Catalina Island, drove up to Malibu, and visited the Wild Animal Sanctuary near San Diego. Other than Tyler being paranoid, they were perfect days. We lay on our towels on the beach, walked trails on the island, had lunch in Malibu, and ate ice cream cones like we were ten.
By Friday, Grady had all the arrangements made for Janine’s parents to occupy their new home. He reserved a car to take them, and we waited in the foyer for the driver. I took Camille’s hand after she’d said goodbye to them, and we watched as they walked to the street and loaded their things in the car. Tears streamed down her cheeks as they drove away. She buried her face in my chest. Hugging her to me, I kissed the top of her head. “Everything will be all right. In six months, you’ll be living on the vineyard with them, stomping grapes every day.”
She titled her head back laughing. “Your fantasy, not mine.”
Watching Camille talking and laughing with her parents and
Tyler, on our last night in LA, I let my mind drift to thoughts of my dad. For as angry as Camille had been at Grady, she had forgiven him. Perhaps I’d been too harsh on Dad. Maybe he deserved a second chance. Could it be that my dreams were prompting me to save him from his fate in Michael’s coven?
“You with me or not?” Pop’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. “You playing or not? What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
“I’m thinking I should go rescue my dad.”
Pop stood and slapped me on the back. “Well, it’s about time. I was wondering if I was going to have to shove it down your throat. You won’t be sorry, and checkmate by the way.” He pointed at the board as he walked away.
Staring at the chessboard, I wondered if it were even possible. I couldn’t involve Camille, Alena, or Hunter, but Grady and Tyler might be willing to help. Marcus owed us a favor, so I might be able to use him. I smiled at Camille across the room.
She glanced my way, and her cheeks turned pink as our eyes met. Each day she’d gotten stronger, her color improved, and I thought I noticed her eyes lightening. She tried using her magic, to no avail, but I knew the chelation therapy would work. It had to.
“Thank you.” Camille kissed my cheek as we took our seats on the plane the next day.
“For what?”
“For giving me this week. It was wonderful, and you made it happen.”
“No, you made it happen.” I bumped her arm with mine.
“I wouldn’t have come without you pushing me. You knew exactly what I needed.”
“A month in a godforsaken frozen tundra land and then another month as prisoners in a castle with someone will do that.”
“Iceland wasn’t that bad.” She traced circles on my hand.
“It was cold and dark.”
“And Italy was cold and dark.”
I looked out the window and back to her. “Yeah, Italy was worse.”
“I’m glad you decided we should rescue your dad.” She wrapped her hand around mine.
“We aren’t going to get my dad.”
“What do you mean, you said—”
Squeezing her hand, I bent down so we were eye to eye. “I said I was going to get my dad. You’re not going anywhere near that compound.”
Kingdom of Honor (Kingdom Journals Book 3) Page 19
