Chapter 33
I felt my eye muscles flex, “No way!”
“Yeah. She told Dad her greatest wish was to be free of Centaurs. She said she wanted to be human. He thought her wish, left ungranted while it was within his power to honor it, could destroy Aphrodite’s magic. Dad set her free then put a protective spell over her. You should have seen him the night that he found out she’d had a child with another Centaur after he gave up his most powerful magic to protect her – he was pissed!”
“Was that the night of Bruce’s wedding, when I met him?”
“Yeah, I think so. You have to understand, he seriously loved your mom. But your mom was so freaked from growing up with Zandra that he couldn’t force her to marry him. It just wasn’t in him. The night of the wedding, he told her he’d protect her from Zandra - gave her a plane ticket, an apartment, cash, a new identity and sent her away.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“He wouldn’t have any reason to lie to me about it. It’s the only explanation for why Zandra never found her. Dad has Aphrodite’s magic. Protecting someone he loved with her magic was the only thing that ensured her safety.”
“So that story Zandra just told us is true?”
“My dad thinks it is. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know he has powerful magic, but he wasn’t willing to use it against your mom. It seems like it would have been a lot easier on both of them if he had used it to make your mother fall in love with him. Whether it came from Aphrodite or the Wicked Witch of the West isn’t all that important. He knew where she was her whole life. You, on the other hand, were a real surprise. He didn’t know anything about you.”
“Why would he agree to let you marry me? You’d think it would open old wounds or something.”
“I think he thought I’d be more charming or something, who knows. Dad and Zandra do have one common goal; they definitely want us to marry. I don’t think there’s anything either of them wouldn’t do to make it happen.” He took a breath, then explained, “Zandra is by far the most powerful Centauride. Her power comes from her lineage. Dad is in the same boat. He loaned a chunk of his magic to your mother, but since your mother’s death. . .sorry, Aphrodite’s magic has returned to him. They have this crazy idea that if we marry, our children will be kind of a Centaur Super-Race. We have the only two ancestors who were touched directly by the gods.”
“So how do you feel about it?”
“About marrying you?” I nodded. “When Bianca chose Drake, I didn’t care about much of anything. But when word spread that you had come to your father’s house, I thought my dad might try to work something out with your dad. Let’s face it, it’s not hard to look at you.” Gage’s smile was shy. He had been so larger-than-life since I met him that it took me aback. “I thought maybe you and I could start out as friends and maybe grow into something more - eventually I’d get over Bianca. When I showed up the other morning, and you were wearing the same stupid necklace Dad had told me about, that had been worn by Angela, I knew I couldn’t force you to marry me any more than he could your mother. I told my father about the necklace, and he wasn’t happy. I told him I thought if I could bring Bianca and Drake back with me – history wouldn’t repeat itself.”
“Does he know how you feel about Bianca?”
“Sure he does. But he knows engagements are almost never broken. The fact that we were both betrothed, it wouldn’t have occurred to him or anyone else.”
“I’m ready to disappear, deep, deep undercover and never see another Centaur for the rest of my life!”
“We aren’t all bad. In fact, I know one who would follow you to the end of the earth.”
“Drake?”
“Well, yeah. He’s been infatuated with you since the night of your brother’s wedding. When his engagement to Bianca was announced, he didn’t show even a hint of excitement. He spent like thirty seconds with you that night, and he was ready to sacrifice his blood line.”
“You weren’t even there that night. How would you know?”
“Bianca told me, and I see it on Drake’s face. You should have seen him the other night when I told him how we were going to smuggle him into your room. You’d have thought he just won the lottery.”
“You could have clued me in a little ahead of time.”
“Right, the next time I try to sneak my fiancé’s lover into her bedroom, I’ll make sure to send word ahead of time.”
“So, what do you think Zandra’s going to do to us?”
“I don’t know, but knowing her, it’ll be something dramatic. She might send me away. Are you going to be okay here without me for a few weeks?”
“As long as I know I’m getting out of here, I’ll be fine.”
“Good, sorry Bianca got us busted. I told her to use her microwaves or whatever power she has to make sure the coast was clear.”
I patted Gage’s hand, “I’m sure her thoughts were elsewhere.”
We didn’t have to wait long. I had no sooner gotten my words out than Zandra emerged from the house. In as kind and thoughtful a voice as I had heard from her, she said, “There’s no reason to send you back to your father’s, Gage.”
“Miss Zandra, I deeply apologize for my indiscretion. It won’t happen again.”
That wicked smile that had been reserved for me reappeared, “I know it won’t. The problem has been dealt with. There will be no more distractions.”
Horror gripped me when I saw the crimson on her hands. “Grandmother, what’s on your hands?”
In that same sweet voice she had just used with Gage, she answered, “Camille, that is the blood of your enemy. Her heart no longer beats.” She turned to Gage, “As a gesture of my goodwill, I also stopped the heart of the man who lusted after your betrothed. Your competition is also no longer a concern.”
“Nooooooooo!” was the only response I could get out. I grabbed hold of Gage, trying to steady myself. He pushed my hand away and ran into Zandra’s mansion. I was behind him, but he topped the stairs before I took the first one. My guard was in chase and grabbed my arms, holding me in place on the third step from the bottom.
Chapter 34
It was Phineas. I hadn’t seen him in several days, and in the back of my mind I knew I should have been concerned. He did the unthinkable and whispered aloud to me, “Be quiet child, before the necklace does her dirty work.” He stood behind me with my arms cinched behind my back as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I heard Gage scream out as if someone had completely squeezed the life out of him. I heard furniture being thrown into walls, glass break, and then stillness.
Several minutes went by, and my sobs were nearly uncontrollable. Zandra had stepped into the hallway and eyed me suspiciously. I stood slack with Phineas still holding me in position. I saw Gage emerge from the upstairs hallway. He walked toward me with heavy steps, a defeated man. He took the steps slowly, his head hung low. He paused in front of me and gently brushed his fingertips to my cheek. I saw blood on his hands and on his clothing, tears streaking his face, “I promise I’ll be back for you on our wedding night. . . I can’t stay.”
Gage continued his march down the steps as Phineas allowed me to fall to the floor. He addressed Zandra with authority, squeezing the emotion completely out of his voice, “I’ll notify their families. This is a debt I hope you are forced to pay before the sun sets tomorrow.”
“No Chancellor or Magistrate will find me guilty – you may want me to hold my tongue. I’m sure your family would be none too thrilled with the circumstances of their deaths. I will be here the night you return to marry Camille and meet your destiny.”
Gage gave me one final sorrowful look before he walked out the door and shut it behind him. Zandra turned her attention to me. “I understand she was your friend, but I did it for your own good. No Centauride should ever share; it goes against nature.” I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.
I was in shock. She continued, “Her fiancé had feelings for you. Were you aware? I could see it through his deceit. I couldn’t allow for him to interfere with your destiny either. I’ll give you the remainder of the day to mourn.” I hadn’t collected myself fully when she said, “It was done out of love, Camille.”
My body shut down: I felt it go slack as everything went black.
As I awoke, I saw that it was dark outside, and for the slightest fraction of a moment, I reached out for Drake. When I came up empty, the events flooded over me again. My eyes were swollen shut: I must have been sobbing in my sleep. My throat was on fire, and I felt like I would be sick. I pried myself out of bed, splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would help my eyes enough so that I could open them.
Drake was gone. We knew we’d never be able to have more than a few precious weeks together, but being robbed of what little time we should have had together felt cruel, even more cruel than the betrothals. So much no longer mattered. Drake was no more than a shooting star in my life; I didn’t realize how much of an impact he’d had on me until he was stolen away. In that moment, I knew I had lost the love of my life. I knew why Kyle Richardson had hidden my mother from Zandra all those years ago. I would have wished for any fate for Drake other than death, even if his fate never allowed me to see him again. That’s what love is. I was in love with him and didn’t know it until he was gone. I would never have the chance to tell him. My heart ached, and I wondered if I’d ever be able to escape the pain.
Bianca had been the truest of friends, an ally. I hated love-triangles – but she was the first person I’d ever known to advocate for a love-square. She was deeply in love with Gage and willing to take nearly any risk to be with him. I couldn’t fault her for her crazy plan – love makes you do things you wouldn’t dream of - even befriending the woman who is supposed to marry the love of your life. There would never be another Bianca.
I saw the two feet standing on the other side of my door: still a prison, but now, one of indescribable horrors. When I lay down on the bed, I realized it still smelled of Drake. If I closed my eyes and lay very still, I could imagine him with me. I let my mind wander. I had been so focused on my own circumstances that I didn’t know anything about him: not his family, his interests, hobbies, political persuasion , what his job was other than he worked for his father. The only thing I knew was every time I closed my eyes, I could see his ice blue eyes staring back at me.
I stayed in my room. There was no need to leave. I had taken every lesson that I would allow Zandra to teach me. I didn’t need food, and I could get water from the bathroom sink. From time to time I would see a guard open the door – I guess checking to see if I was swinging from the rafters. I never once acknowledged one of them, and none ever uttered a word to me. I found the small tube of salve that Drake had gently put on my neck to help the healing. I would be rid of this stupid necklace very soon, and when I was, I wanted no reminder that I ever wore it, that this time ever existed.
By the third day with no food and only water for sustenance, I felt lethargic. I had difficulty determining what was a dream and what was reality. I had decided that when Gage came to take me from this house of horrors, I would ask him to let me go back to California - back to the uncomplicated life I had led before I met my father or any of the others. I knew he wouldn’t be over Bianca and may even hold me responsible for her death. I was pretty sure he would be happier with me out of his life than he would with me in it.
The door opened slowly. It was Zandra. I turned away from her and looked out the window. I’m sure she said something to me, but I was too weak to waste the energy to listen. Whatever she had said, the lack of a response from me must have been some sort of an answer she was seeking because moments later I was again alone.
*****
Daniel
I stood outside the gate, a state policeman on my flank, leaning up against the steel gate, wondering what kind of a prison Cami was in. It took several hours to convince someone even to escort me out to Zandra Chiron’s property. After we got there, I was expecting the police to help me. I got the distinct feeling they were humoring me.
When the policeman had spoken to her through the intercom, I’d expected him to be polite, but firm. I was thoroughly pissed off when I heard him say, “Good evening Miss Zandra. This is Officer Westcott from the Florida State Police. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could I have a word with you?”
I expected the massive gates to swing free, maybe I’d see Cami goofing around, and I could give her hell for not calling or texting me or her family. I didn’t. The place was large, completely surrounded by a swamp that acted like a moat, and the gates didn’t budge. An elderly voice answered back through the intercom, “Officer Westcott, so nice of you to drop by. I’ll be down at the gate in a few minutes.”
I turned to him and said, “We need to get in there.”
Officer Westcott shook his head, “We don’t have a search warrant, and Miss Zandra is well regarded in the community. You can ask her permission to speak with her granddaughter, but don’t go off half-cocked.”
“Half-cocked? My best friend is being held prisoner in there.”
“So you say. Maybe she ran away from you.”
“She didn’t run away; she was taken!”
“By a little old lady? You ever met Miss Zandra?”
This guy was about as helpful as a mall cop. I could see a golf cart driving toward us. The lady on it had to be Zandra Chiron. She had long silver-white hair, wore a large brimmed straw hat, and gave us both a warm smile. “Hello, Officer Westcott, so nice to see you again. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Officer Westcott tipped his hat, “Good evening, ma’am. We’re sure sorry to bother you this evening, but this young man is worried about your granddaughter, Camille. He asked us to come out here. We obliged to make sure there wouldn’t be any trouble.”
“Trouble? Trouble from me? Certainly not.”
“Oh, no, we didn’t think you would be any trouble at all, Miss Zandra. We wanted to make sure he wasn’t a nuisance to you.”
“How very thoughtful of you.” She gave him a thin smile, almost daring me to say something to get me handcuffed and escorted away.
I straightened my posture, returned her smile and asked, “Mrs. Chiron, I’m Daniel Gaskins. I was wondering if I might see Cami for a few minutes?”
She lowered her chin and raised her eyelids. The look was thoughtful, sincere, and to anyone who’d grown up around actors – it looked rehearsed. “I’m sorry, Daniel. Camille is under the weather. I’ll be happy to tell her you stopped by.”
“Mrs. Chiron, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve flown here from California because I hadn’t heard from her. Is there any chance I could see her?”
More firmly than her first refusal, but still an Oscar-worthy performance, “I’m afraid not. I will tell her that you inquired about her.”
“Could I stop…”
I was interrupted by Officer Westcott’s hand on my shoulder as he said, “She’s not feeling well, son. Time to get going.”
I yanked my shoulder away from him and on reflex shared my best glare, “I’m not leaving until I see her.”
Mrs. Chiron, still with the sweet voice, “Officer Westcott, you know how I feel about trespassers on my property. I’m an old woman and fear he may return when you aren’t here to protect me. Is there anything you can do?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Was she trying to get me thrown in jail? I just wanted to know that Cami was fine. “Listen, I just want to see her. Just for a second. Once I see her, I’ll go.”
“I’ve already told you, Mr. Gaskins, she isn’t well enough for visitors.”
Officer Westcott interjected, “Miss Zandra, thank you for your time this evening. I hope we weren’t too much trouble. Daniel, let’s go.”
Although it sounded like a reque
st, his big beefy hand cinched tight around my arm as he led me back to his squad car. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I could see the house off in the distance. If Cami was in there, I didn’t understand why I couldn’t see her.
Maybe what Dad had told me was true, it wasn’t just his family – all full-blooded Centaurs would see me as nothing more than human. I would never be worthy to be in her life – not even as just her friend. I had given up hope of anything more years ago when he first told me about his family and why I was different from other humans. I was thirteen and had my very first crush – Cami. She was really tough, not just for a girl, but like, “bite steel and spit nails” tough. She never picked fights, but she was always the first person to step in and shut someone down if they were picking on someone else around school. At thirteen I thought she was beautiful – my dad picked up on it right away. He told me she was different, that she wouldn’t want to be my friend in another couple years – that she’d outgrow me. He discouraged our friendship, but never outright forbade it. I’d seen her date one loser after another. As her friend, it bothered me, but whenever my dad heard about it – he would get pissed off. Yet now that she was with the rest of her family and no one would let me see her, he didn’t seem to care at all. None of it made sense to me.
I wished I understood the whole Centaur thing. My dad told me enough to peak my interest, but fell short on actually answering questions. Dad and Cami’s mom were not at all friendly; there was always this weird tension between them, and any time there was a school function where both had to attend, I could count on them to be at opposite ends of the auditorium.
I was lost in thought when I felt the squad car come to a halt in front of the Jacksonville Airport. “My return flight isn’t until tomorrow.” My overnight bag was in the back seat of the car. I hadn’t even checked into a hotel before I went to ask for the police’s help.
“Son, my advice to you is, you get in there, get on a plane, and get out of here - tonight. Miss Zandra’s an influential lady. She knows judges, lawyers, politicians – you name it. She isn’t someone you want to cross.”
Blood Debt (Touched Series Book 1) Page 24
