The brave Camazotz sheltered under the great pine as members of the Trade wing fed him for three days, but his wings were completely mutilated. On the evening of the fourth day, when they left the roost at dusk, Shepard was gone. The Sire ordered no member of the colony to search for the wounded Camazotz. During the day, Shepard had turned into a man and made the decision to leave. Once he found a secluded spot, he no doubt flipped and waited till dehydration claimed him.
Rockland will not suffer that same dreaded fate.
The excitement of Connie and her father visiting, and Rockland’s return has woken most of the usually sleepy bats. When the Camazotz aren’t on market duties, they tend to prefer a more nocturnal routine—sleep late, flip to make goods for sale in the afternoon, feed at dusk, fly hard till midnight embracing the call of the wild, then return to the roost several hours before dawn. Decker scans the sea of moving bodies for Zada.
When he told his mother of Connie’s plan, she was as highly skeptical as he was, but in preparation, she stayed well fed—if only he had done the same. He curses his decision to stay in last night. If he had access to a phone like Rockland, Connie could have texted him so he would have known his brother was returning today. One day, he will own a device too. He’s saving his earnings from his metal work, and Rockland knows Connie will take him shopping when he has enough saved.
The Sire’s voice echoes for a second time inside his head. He calls a dozen young females to the den—immediately. That command silences the exuberant colony members. Decker watches the young bats congregate in the middle of the open space before heading toward the den. The girls are no doubt nervous about the unusual summons. Rebekkah, Phoenix, AuburnSky, Violet, Lavender, Macantia, Madison, RedFaith … Decker loses track of the young females as they enter the den. What is the Sire doing, and why does he still need Zada?
Trying to be patient, he flips onto the tiny ledge, careful not to stand on Rockland’s good wing. The dizzying height doesn’t bother him, and using just the tips of his fingers against the rough stone, he balances himself with ease. Picking up his brother as gently as he can manage, he arranges the straw bedding.
“I’m so sorry, brother. I should have been prepared. Just wait a little longer, and Zada will be here. She’s the only one Jeremiah and I could trust with our plan. If Strickland had heard we were letting Connie bring you back, we’d be wolf bait,” he whispers.
I know.
Rockland flinches as his brother lays him back in the soft dry grass. His wing is throbbing and his thirst is the worst he’s ever known. All he can think about is feeding; gorging himself on whatever beast is dumb enough to stay still long enough. He wishes Decker had snuck him to feed from the goats first, but Connie only had minutes before her father would get worried, and too many eyes were watching them.
When the shaman cursed the Camazotz, the magic used was dark and powerful. Rockland has often wondered about the villagers of that time, and what they were like because the terms and conditions that came along with the spell were complicated. No Camazotz can stomach the blood from another Camazotz. Were his ancient ancestors prone to cannibalism? Or did the shaman not understand the magic he was weaving?
As bats, they can feed from run-of-the-mill, weak, little aeronaughts for a powerful snack, but they can never drink the blood from their own kind. When the Camazotz feed each other, they regurgitate the blood of the animal they fed from to the bat in need. They never actually allow their own blood to be consumed. If Decker could, he’d slice open his vein now, but it would be a useless gesture. With his fast metabolism, his meal from the night before last is long gone. He weighs up the risk of being seen heading to the goat keep. The goats are for emergencies only, to see the colony through harsh, winter storms. And feeding from them is only allowed once the Sire commands it.
Zander re-appears from his patrol with news that the colony is safe and secure—the aeronaughts have left the mountain. He disappears into the den to give his full report in private.
Strickland emerges later followed by Zada and the young girls. They glide down to the cavern floor while Zander does the rounds collecting other Camazotz to join them. When the whole Land wing take flight, Decker gets nervous. Before he can figure out what the Sire is up to, he’s summoned along with all of Rockland’s siblings and closest cousins from other wings.
Strickland waits for quiet before making his announcement. “These females,” —he points to the twelve— “and ONLY these females will be responsible for feeding and nursing Rockland.”
“What the—” Decker starts, but is stopped by the ice in Strickland’s glare.
“No arguments. Are we clear? They have their duty. Matter closed.”
Decker eyes the group of girls, trying to hold back his curse of horror. This is a low blow even for Strickland, and his brother will never agree to it. He finds Zada in the group, her eyes red from crying. She’s watching him because she knows he will guess how Rockland will react to this decree. She shakes her head once, the smallest movement—a warning.
Decker feels his blood pounding through the vein in his temple. He respects his mother greatly and knows she’s the only member of this colony to truly understand their Sire, but this is wrong. He bites backs the words, trying to keep control.
“Decker, fetch a goat. The girls have my permission.”
Decker takes three steps away from the group, before his feet won’t shift. Rockland would defend him—his brother does defend him, forget about would.
“He’ll never agree to this.” His comment is greeted with utter silence. He turns slowly to face the anger he knows will be written clearly across Strickland’s features. “You know this.”
“He will do as I command or suffer.”
“Or die, you mean?”
Several members of the group gasp at his bold honesty, but he’s right. The only option the Sire is giving his own flesh and blood is to feed from the chosen females creating a blood bond—or die.
“That will be his choice. A bond isn’t the end of the world, Decker. You should be so lucky to ever experience one. I am giving Rockland a great honor.”
Decker’s whole body is taut as a wire, the anger seething below the surface of his skin. He knows his argument won’t help his brother, but saying nothing feels like a betrayal.
Zander steps forward and lays a warning hand on Decker’s arm. “Sire, I feel Decker is worried by the numbers. Surely, you are giving Rockland a choice from these females?”
“No. Rockland will bond with each and every one of them.”
“But, Sire, that’s … that’s unheard of, and he—” Zander replies.
“Zander, do not make me repeat myself.”
“Yes, Sire.” He bows his head and steps back.
The Sire walks forward and stops inches from Decker. He slowly folds his arms over his hard chest, using up the little space between them. Decker stands his ground, waiting. “Just so ALL understand. Rebekkah will feed him now; later tonight he’ll need more blood so Phoenix will do her duty. They will rotate, and continue to rotate until he is well. If he refuses one of them, he won’t be offered any more blood from any of them.”
Decker steps back, lowering his head. It isn’t a sign of respect, but one of resignation. The Sire has cornered his own son—bond with a dozen Camazotz females, or forfeit his life. Zada takes the young male’s hand and gives it a squeeze. Her comfort does little to ease the situation.
“Bring the goat!” k'12
Decker flinches at the command, drops his mother’s hand, and looks the Sire directly in the eye.
“You know this won’t cure him, don’t you? Trap him all you want, but he won’t let her go.”
7. Selfie
Connie
That night sleep evades me. I don’t even attempt to guess who those men are, but my gut goes psycho every time I think of them. Poor Tiff knew I was lying when I told her on the way to the mall that those men had nothing to do with me. She asked if I’d seen t
he van again, and I barely managed to keep my Honda from mounting the curb. If only she knew how closely I’d seen that van.
Turning on my lamp, I retrieve the red velvet pouch Rocks gave me. Tucked away inside is his eyebrow bar. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I balance the red metal on my kneecap. It’s a weird connection to him that my earrings, hair clips, and necklace don’t give me. He’ll come back for this—I’m sure of it.
Never in a million years did I think I’d turn into one of those boy-obsessed girls. I used to be so carefree and happy. Then Josie’s letter turned me into an angry, confused liar. Now I’m wandering around lost and without any focus. Discovering my birth parents has left a shadow over who I am. I don’t want to ever be like them. Not that I know anything other than what the media reports on my father, but I don’t want to be like him regardless.
What does Rocks see in me? He must be crazy to think I’m good girlfriend material. Those Camazotz girls share a side to Rocks that I will never understand. I don’t know what it feels like to fly, or flip, or need blood. And no matter how hard I try, I’ll never comprehend that. I squeeze my eyes shut trying to prevent more tears. I hide the piercing back in the pouch and shove it under my pillow.
No more crying.
Get it together.
God, I miss him. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I will myself not to cry over a boy that can’t help the fact he’s not visiting because he can’t fly. His absence doesn’t mean the Camazotz have won. He’s injured. The end. I wince and rub my aching abdomen, then roll my eyes. This week should be a real winner. I’m not losing my mind over a boy—I’m premenstrual. Awesome.
Tap, tap, tap.
My eyes flick to the window, and I fill my lungs with air in prep for my horror-movie-girl scream. There’s a shape looming in the darkness. Before I can go into full-blown panic mode, Decker’s face appears against the glass. What the … he’s flipped on the tiny ledge of roof outside my window.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper as the bitterly cold air hits my exposed flesh.
“Sorry.” He sits next to the opening with his back against the wall. “Didn’t think you’d be awake at this hour.”
“Get in here.”
“No, I’m good.” I eye him, but he just smiles. It reminds me so much of Rocks. “No really, it’s fine. Feel a bit odd coming in your bedroom at night without your boyfriend here.”
My eyes widen. “Gimme a second.” I duck back inside and grab my coat, gloves, and scarf. Popping my wool-covered head back out the window, I continue. “You know?”
“Are you kidding? He couldn’t wait to tell me about the mistletoe, and you don’t think he collected all that on his own do you?”
I feel my ears heat up under my beanie. A moment ago, I was doubting Rocks, only to discover he’s told his best friend about us, and how he planned our second kiss. Not only am I the worst daughter in the world, but I can add worst girlfriend to the list.
My cheeks join the pink party. “So whose idea was the whole ‘drink from my neck thing’ back at the blood ceremony?”
The moon has risen and is a few days away from being full. It lets me see Decker’s face although not well. I’m pretty sure his cheeks match mine.
“I knew he’d never ever be that forward with you, even though he wanted to. So I thought I’d help him along a little. Sorry.” His sheepish grin is so familiar.
“Don’t be. I was an idiot for not remembering he couldn’t drink from me as a human.”
Decker chuckles. “You’re all right, Connie. You really don’t judge us. And you’ve risked your neck for us, too. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I never thought I’d see the day where an aeronaught cared so much.”
We’re silent for a few minutes because I don’t know what to say. That’s the nicest thing a Camazotz has ever said to me, other than Rocks.
“Rocks asked you to fly by?”
“Yeah. He’s worried, and I needed out of there.”
This is new. Decker loves his colony and being a Camazotz. “Are you allowed to be here?” Another sheepish grin is his answer. “Decker! I don’t want you in trouble too because of me.”
“It’s not you. It’s me. I said some stuff to Strickland, and let’s just say he hasn’t forgotten.” He sighs, staring up at the moon. “I honestly don’t know how Rockland keeps his cool with that man.”
“I know right.”
“But I didn’t come to talk about Strickland. How are you?”
Decker has proven he loves his brother and doesn’t mind me, so I might as well be honest. “It’s been a long two weeks. I miss him so much. Is he getting better?”
“The cast is still on if that’s what you’re meaning. He’s doing … okay. He’s alive.”
“Oh.” I’d imagined him healing well. My heart stutters at the thought of some unknown complication. “I was hoping you’d say he was better than okay.”
“If Rocks heals, he’ll be the first bat ever to have survived a broken wing. He hasn’t said, but I think he feels trapped.”
“How?”
“I can’t remember him being a Camazotz for this long without flipping. I think it’s messing with his head, and well, … yeah, just bat stuff.” The sheepish grin returns, but I’ll give him a pass on the bat stuff remark. I have more important questions.
Poor Rocks. The Camazotz that loves being human is forced to remain as a bat for eight long weeks. The worst of it is his bat form is going to save his life. If he thought he could remain human with me, this will let him know he can’t. It will prove to him that he can’t pick one side of himself.
“You okay?” he asks, studying my face.
I nod. “Tell him not to worry. I’m fine.”
“Good. Those men come looking for the money?” I indicate no and Decker lets out a deep breath.
“I never got a chance to thank you and Jeremiah for saving me. I owe you both my life.”
“No, you don’t. You saved my brother and risked the wrath of Strickland doing it. I owe you.”
We agree that each life debt cancels out the other so we’re square. I sneak down to the kitchen and heat Decker some leftover mac and cheese. I remember it’s his favorite and try not to laugh when I see his nose twitch before I pass the bowl out the window. This is my chance to get more information while he’s distracted with cheesy goodness.
“Care to tell me what you know about Alex Green?”
Decker chokes on a mouthful of hot pasta. He coughs and splutters, smacking his chest, and I worry the noise will wake my parents. I hand him my water bottle, and he gulps it down between coughs. It’s easy to forget he hasn’t had much practice eating and talking at the same time.
“Rocks said you were the most determined girl he knew, and he wasn’t wrong. Man, you don’t let anything go.” He smiles at me and wipes his chin. “What do you want to know?”
“I’m surprised she had an aeronaught boyfriend.”
He snorts. “So was Strickland. We all were. Celand started disappearing a lot, always having an excuse for not being were she was supposed to be. Turns out she was sneaking off to see him.”
“How did they meet?” I rub my cheeks with my gloved hands, trying to prevent them from freezing.
“Apparently, she found him lost on our mountain. She told Rocks he was ‘alternative.’ Whatever that means.”
“What did he look like?”
“Covered in tattoos and pierced all over. His hair was half red and half black.” Decker laughs. “I thought he blended right in with us—not like someone I know.” He side eyes me with a smile. I silently curse being blonde for the millionth time. “I don’t know much, but I know she left with him. We never saw her again. There’s lots of rumors, but she wanted to be with him, and she paid for that with her life.”
I suck in a breath. “How do you know she died?”
“A group was sent to look for her—daughter of the Sire and all. They questioned Alex, and he swore she hadn’t met him where they’d
arranged. Never saw or heard from her again.”
This explains so much about what I’ve experienced at the colony. The other members are watching and waiting for me to lure their next leader off into my world and are worried it will kill him. Strickland must want to strangle me. I also understand why Rocks never told me. He didn’t want me to feel sick with second-hand guilt like I do now. One of my kind was responsible for his sister’s death. I think of Mini and how I would feel toward the Camazotz if one of them were responsible for her death.
That thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I’d want blood, and I wouldn’t care whom it belonged to. How can he look at me and not feel some kind of animosity?
“You okay?” Decker’s voice brings me out of my head. I seem to disappear there too often these days.
“Rocks, he … he doesn’t …” I sigh. “The other Camazotz blame me because I’m an aeronaught. Rocks doesn’t think like that.”
“That’s our boy. Rockland’s the most level-headed, reasonable bat I know.”
Decker clicks open his silver pocket watch and sighs. “I should let you get some sleep.”
“I’m wide awake. It’s okay.” I lean on the windowsill next to him in silence. Decker sits, staring at the rising moon, but his fingers tap out a beat on his thigh.
“Your lap computer handy?”
My brain had drifted to Rocks and his struggle with staying as a Camazotz while his wing heals. “Um, no, it’s in the TV room.”
“Oh, no matter.” Decker looks back at the sky, folds his arms and then unfolds them again.
“I can search anything you need to know on my phone.” I slip it from my coat pocket and unlock the screen.
Sanguine Moon Page 9
