Shutting my eyes, I blinked hard. I needed to focus on getting back to the group. His words were already melting my resolve.
“How can I prove it to you?”
“I don’t know.” The statement came out much louder than I planned. “You can’t show me your thoughts because you could paint any picture you want me to see. There’s no way for me to know if you’re telling the truth.”
“I can give you my phone. It has all the pictures of my friends in L.A., my texts with them and my family. I can give you my school transcripts, anything. I’m not part of some elaborate plan to abduct you.”
“What if you are and don’t know it?”
“Then we’d be in it together and fight our way out. I…” He raked his hand over his head, gripping his cap. “Ever since the thing in the ocean, I’ve felt this strong pull towards you. Like I want to be near you all the time. I feel like I’m supposed to be protecting you somehow. When you told me to save Frida, I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to leave you. That’s what I was thinking the whole time I was underwater searching for her, but I still did it because you told me to. I feel this overwhelming urge to do what you want me to.”
I shook my head. “That sounds exactly like something a psychopath villain would say.”
“How can I prove I’m telling the truth?” He stopped his advance and threw his backpack to the ground.
“How did you save Frida?”
“I saw the light on her jacket. I told you that.”
“Cut yourself.”
“What?”
“Cut yourself to show me you can’t heal?”
“Are you crazy? What do you think I am?”
“I think you’re half vampire. That’s how you’re so fast, why you need to eat natural foods, and how you saved Frida.”
“A vampire?”
“Really? You’re going to believe in witches and not vampires. Have you ever gotten sick? When is your birthday?”
“March twenty first. Why would that matter?”
“Cut yourself.” I challenged him as my brain processed that he was born on the spring equinox.
“Fine.” He put one knee to the ground and picked up a rock. “I heal fast anyway, always have. This isn’t going to prove anything.” He held the stone to his exposed arm. “You have first aid supplies, right?”
“You don’t?”
“Some of us aren’t paranoid. How did that mace get past inspection?”
“I hid it in my camera bag.”
“Case in point.” He turned the rock over so the sharp side hung above his skin. “I’ll probably get some nasty infection from this.”
“Wait.”
“Thank God.”
“You should rinse it off first.” I opened my water bottle and poured water over the stone.
“Well, thanks for that. I thought you were going to change your mind. A psycho would cut himself you know.”
“Just do it.”
He pressed the rock into his forearm until he broke the skin. Blood poured from the wound. “Happy now? Not a vampire.”
“Let me see.” I gripped his arm, inspecting the cut. It looked like what you would expect from a cut. “But you said you healed fast. Here.” I poured water over the scrape, swabbed it with antibiotic cream, and put a bandage on it.
“Thank you for that, I guess.”
“You’re mad at me?”
“I just pictured this going down a little differently. I guess you’re allowed a little freak out.”
“How would a normal person react to seeing a levitating rock? By freaking out.”
“But you’re accusing me of trying to kidnap you.”
“Maybe Dr. Antos set this up, and you’re just a pawn.”
“How could he have lined us both up like that? I started having this problem two months ago.”
“In L.A.?”
“That’s where I said I lived. Won’t you just take off your bracelet and try some magic? Maybe we could protect you from Dr. Antos if he’s the bad guy.”
“Last time I took off the bracelet, I ended up with a migraine.” I paced away from him and back.
“But you were with Dr. Antos, a powerful witch.”
“So, maybe he did that to me on purpose so I wouldn’t take off the bracelet and my friends couldn’t find me.”
“You have friends looking for you too?”
“Never mind.” I slid my bracelet off, but nothing happened. “Perform some magic.”
“Okay.” Jude closed his eyes, and a breeze picked up.
A low hum grew in my head. “Is that you?”
“I’m controlling the wind.”
“Stop,” I told him. The wind died, the hum with it.
Closing my eyes, I pictured the small rock beside my shoe. The buzzing in my head grew, but I tried to push through. The noise stopped. I opened my eyes to see the stone floating in front of me.
“See.” Jude jumped back when the rock fell to the ground. “You’re a witch.”
“Half witch, it’s not the same.”
“Well, who is the smarty pants now?”
“There you are.” Allen appeared from around the bend. “We’ve been looking all over. It’s time to head back.”
Thinking I couldn’t have asked for better timing, I slid my hand in my bracelet, shouldered my pack, and fell in behind him on the trail. Joining the others, I found Ruth, assuming Jude wouldn’t talk to me if I were with someone else. I needed to figure out what to do. Did I confront Dr. Antos? What if Jude told him about our incident? I’d be trapped for sure. No, I had to find out if Jude was telling the truth. As we neared the camp, I slowed to fall in step with him.
“You’re talking to me now?”
“Can I have your word that you won’t tell Dr. Antos about today?”
“He told me not tell anyone anyway, especially you. He wanted you to come to it on your own, or something like that. If he’s a threat, I’ll protect you.”
“You don’t know what you’re getting mixed up in. Just don’t tell Dr. Antos.”
“I won’t. I swear.”
“Thanks.” I increased my stride, leaving him behind. Then I stopped and turned back to him. “How old are you? What year were you born?”
“Nineteen ninety-nine. Why?”
“Nothing.” I hurried ahead to catch up with Ruth.
“You and Jude fighting?” she asked.
“Yes.” I guessed it wasn’t far from the truth.
Back at camp, I had an hour of free time to ponder the conundrum. I didn’t know if I should trust Jude. I wanted to, but what if he were playing the part, trying to reel me in? And what of Dr. Antos? What did I say to him? Nothing? Could Jude and I help Hunter and Alena get the sword back? If Dr. Antos took us to Thanatos and Theron there may be a chance of retrieving it. The wild card seemed to be Sonia. Perhaps my dad would be willing to help. He’d always told me if I was in trouble and needed his help, he’d find me.
When it was time for my session with Dr. Antos, I made my way to his tent, spinning the bracelet on my arm.
“You seem deep in thought,” he commented as I sat in front of him, rubbing my fingers over the black beads.
I sucked in a huge breath. “I want to talk about my long-term outlook. Do I have to wear this thing forever?”
“It’s hard to say, and it’s partially up to you. I’m working on a theory that this sort of thing may be hormonally related, and as you mature, it works itself out. If you’d be willing to be one of my subjects and test that theory, I would appreciate keeping in touch over the next five years.”
“Jude mentioned further treatment options after the camp.”
“He did, did he? What exactly did he say?”
“He said you had a retreat in Italy.”
“I offered it to him because he seems especially troubled. His parents are adrift, and he wanted some additional support.”
“Do you think I need something like that?”
“Do you think you
do?”
My heartbeat thudded in my chest as I created a story. “Something happened in the shower the other day I couldn’t explain. I’d taken my bracelet off like always and got under the stream. I wished it was warmer, and this humming sound grew in my ears. Then the water turned warm, and the humming sound stopped.”
“I instructed you never to take off the bracelet. I thought we were clear.”
“I know. It just wears on me after a while.”
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you come to me right away?”
“Saturday. I figured it was the humming from not having my bracelet on, but I still didn’t get the connection between the water temperature and the succession of the sound in my head. It could have been random that the water got warmer. Then I tried it yesterday, and it happened again.”
“Well, this certainly is a development.” He looked down to his locked hands and circled his thumbs around each other. “Your father travels a lot, correct?”
“Yes, he and my mother are divorced.”
“And your mother doesn’t have any history of”—he cleared his throat—“mental illness?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He leaned forward. “Take off your bracelet.”
“Do you think I will experience the migraine again?”
“If you’ve taken your bracelets off without the migraine occurring, I doubt it will this time.”
I took off the string of black beads and placed them beside my leg.
“Okay, focus on something you want. Try to levitate it to you,” Dr. Antos instructed.
“You’re kidding, right.” I played the part.
“No. You may have abilities.”
“What abilities? Does Jude have abilities?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss other patients. And to be clear, you’re not allowed to discuss this with anyone, including Jude.”
Focusing on the pen on his desk, I closed my eyes. The buzzing sensation in my head increased and then dissipated.
“Open your eyes.”
I looked up to see the pen in front of my face. Holding out my palm, I let it fall to my fingers.
“It seems you are a half witch, young lady. Like me”—he stretched out his arm and took off a black beaded bracelet—“you can do magic.”
The familiar hum rose in volume in my head as he levitated the pen from my hand to his. “If you let the magic flow through you rather than blocking it, the sensation in your head will not cause you pain.”
“So, is this what Jude was invited to investigate in Italy?”
“Again—”
“You are not at liberty to say. Is this what this camp if for? To find people like me?”
“The burden of magic is great. You see the life your father leads. He’s not allowed to reside in one dwelling for more than two years. I’m guessing your mother moved you around to help with the same problem.”
“My mother and father never told me anything about magic or witches. I wouldn’t have known unless I started having those visions.”
“And do you think they’re real now?”
“I don’t know what to think. Do you think they’re real?”
“I wouldn’t know. I certainly haven’t ever come across anything like it. But you have a choice to renounce your magic. You can lead a normal life.”
“So, that part of the hallucination was real?”
“Yes.” He nodded his head and stood. “I’ve given you a lot to think about. Please do not discuss this with anyone, even Jude. Keep your bracelet on. If the visions are real, then there are those who hunt you. Come see me when you make a decision.”
“Okay.” I slid on my bracelet and stood. “Thank you.”
Leaving the tent, it felt as if my heart would beat out of my chest. Had I just played into his hand? Was he the one hunting me? Would I be captured and regret the decision to join him for the rest of my life? What had he said about magic being a burden? Witches weren’t allowed to live in one place for more than two years? It explained Alena’s moves, her father’s absence, my father’s moves, our moves as a family, and Jude’s father’s travels. Was this the enslavement that the children of light were supposed to free the witches from? If so, wasn’t it my duty as a child of light to help in the quest?
But what part did Jude have in this? None, right? Perhaps I should dissuade him from joining Dr. Antos at the retreat. It would keep him safe. He could seek out witches in Los Angeles or demand that his father train him. His birthdate twitched in my mind, and I wondered if he was meant to be a herald or protector of the children of light.
“Hey.” His voice caught me by surprise. “Did you talk to Dr. Antos?”
“Shh.” I put my finger to my lips. “We’re not supposed to talk to each other about it.” I cut my eyes around the field. Seeing no one, I turned back to him. “How’s your arm?”
He pushed his coat sleeve up, revealing the bandage. I stripped it off to find pink skin underneath. Running my fingers over his arm, I noted the smooth feel of his skin. “Humans don’t heal that fast.”
“So, you think I’m a half vampire? Do you think Dr. Antos knows?”
“He would at least suspect it.” I wished I could tell him everything right then. I would before the week was over. He deserved to know what he was getting into. That way he could make the decision for himself.
“How do you know so much about—”
Just then a set of cold fingers covered my eyes. “Guess who?”
“Frida?” I spun to face her.
“You guys are the talk of the camp. Heard you went all rogue on the hike. Anything you care to share?”
“I wanted to kiss her, but she didn’t want to break the rules.” Jude cut his eyes to me and back to Frida. My cheeks burned, and I imagined them turning crimson red.
Frida hooked her arm around my neck. “What’s the hold up chickie? Don’t you like Mr. Hottie over here.”
“We’re friends, and like he said, I don’t want to break the rules.”
As per usual, Frida chatted about all the camp gossip over dinner. As we were leaving the mess tent with one of Frida’s arms hooked through mine and one through Jude’s, he stopped mid-step.
“Can I have a minute with Camille?”
Frida looked between us, a smile growing on her face. “Of course.”
He led me past the sleeping tents until it was so dark I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. “Can you see here?” I asked.
“Some. Is that significant?”
“Vampire skill.”
“Stop saying that. Just thinking about how much I like rare steak is freaking me out. But the more pressing issue is what do I say to Dr. Antos?”
My mind turned over the options. I didn’t have time right then to fill him in. “He doesn’t know you told me.”
“But he’ll suspect with the rumors of us off to ourselves. I’m sure he gets updates on all the campers.”
“Okay, well, keep up the ruse that you like me.”
“I need to know more and soon,” Jude insisted.
“We can slip away from the bonfire tonight. Dr. Antos will be in sessions with other campers.”
“Okay, sounds good.” He squeezed my hand. “And for the record, I do like you. I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first day in the parking lot.”
“Jude.” I pleaded with him, hoping my voice conveyed my need to stay focused.
“Italy. I’m kissing you in Italy.” He took my hand.
“Who said I wanted you to kiss me? And act sort of non-committal about Italy. That way it won’t seem as obvious if you back out.”
“Why would I back out?” Jude’s watch dinged. “Darn, I’ve got to go.”
“Just do it. I’ll explain later.”
We walked back towards the tent grouping, and he split off to go see Dr. Antos. Thinking I had some thought organization work, I made my way to my tent and popped in my earbuds. If Jude and I went to Italy and it was a trap, I didn’t want
them knowing we were together. We’d could pretend to be in a fight, estranged from one another. Otherwise they would suspect I’d shared my story with Jude. Perhaps we could figure out another way to communicate like I did with Hunter and Alena. Turning my bracelet on my wrist, I wondered if I could hear them if I wasn’t cloaked. They’d been looking for me. I doubt they would give up. I couldn’t risk drawing them to Iceland with my plan in place. The best chance of getting the sword would be to infiltrate Thanatos’s dwelling, even if it was as a captor. From there I could find out a way to summon Alena and Hunter or my dad.
First, I needed convince Mom to let me go to Sardinia. Summoning all my anger around being kept in the dark, I pulled a sheet of paper and pen from my bag. They should let me go with Dr. Antos and train to be a witch so I didn’t lose my powers. This was my destiny and my choice. I was old enough to make it, and the path I wanted was that of a witch. If I started spouting arguments about the sword, I figured Mom would have me committed. Perhaps I’d have Dad come home to help convince her. If she resisted, I’d run away. I didn’t want to fight with her, but I wouldn’t have any other option.
Thinking it would help to have Dr. Antos aware of my desire to go to Sardinia as soon as possible, I walked to his tent and filled out a request for a session the next day. Leaving the form in the box, I headed for the fire circle. I hated bonfire night. The smoke from the burning logs hung in my hair and clothes for days, and everyone seemed amped up like when we’d had our mini dance party.
A tap on my shoulder had me jumping away from the source. “Hey, should we go?” Jude cocked his head away from the group. I nodded and took his outstretched hand, wondering if I’d decided to trust him. If he was in league with Theron, he’d already know the story. So, telling him wouldn’t make a difference. If he betrayed me, then I’d find a way to best them no matter what. Besides, I had a whole army on my side.
Stopping and facing him, I relayed the story about the imaginary friends I’d had as a kid and how I’d started having visions of them. I described all the hallucinations and how Hunter and Alena were searching for me.
“Okay, even for witch stuff, this seems far-fetched. A prophecy about a sword and three kids who are destined to possess it? An evil witch who wants to use it for power? Hitler? This is a lot to take in.”
The Kingdom Journals Complete Series Box Set Page 38
