Kingdom of Darkness (Kingdom Journals Book 2) Page 14

  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 l
ot to take in.”

  “I told you it was intense. This could be life or death. I needed you to know the stakes.”

  “And I get to choose whether I think you’re really crazy or not.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you think. I’m going to Sardinia. But I don’t want you to get hurt. This isn’t your fight.”

  “Then why does it feel like it is?” He paced away from me and back.

  “If you’re coming, I think we should pretend to be broken up or mad at each other.”

  “Why?”

  “Dr. Antos will suspect I’ve told you everything and that you’re siding with me. It will put you in danger.”

  “We could pretend you told me about the prophecy, I thought you were a crazy loon, and you got mad.”

  “That may work.” I nodded. “Very powerful witches may be able to read minds, so we have to be careful. The big unknown is Sonia and what she wants with the sword.”

  “Maybe she just doesn’t want you to have it.”

  “Why wouldn’t she want freedom for witches?”

  “Witches would have more children, and their covens and families would become powerful. Maybe she fears others having power.”

  “That’s a theory.”

  “Okay.” He took both my hands. “If we’re going to be fighting, I need to know. Do you have feelings for me beyond our friendship?”

  It was the moment of reckoning. I hadn’t fallen for him like the scenarios in the movies, like just knowing he was the one. I didn’t like him because he was handsome, brave, and smart. What drew me to him was this sense of goodness that seemed to emanate from him. But what if it was one big act and he was in league with Sonia? I pushed the thought from my mind. I had to trust my gut.

  I let my chin fall to my chest, and he lifted it with his fingers. I stared into his blue eyes. “I think so.”

  “Can I kiss you?”

  “Yes.” I smiled.

  He bent down, and I stood on my toes, pressing my lips to his. Even with our bracelets secured on our wrists, a zing of electricity shot through me, and my body warmed from head to toe.

  “Wow.” He wrapped his hand around my neck and kissed me again.

  “So, I’m guessing you felt that too?” I asked as he ended the kiss.

  “I’ve never had a kiss like that. Have you?”

  “That would have required that I had kissed someone before.”

  “You’ve never kissed anyone? Not even for like spin the bottle?”

  “I never wanted to until now.”

  “Then I feel honored.” He took both my hands in his and held them to his chest. “Okay, staged fight time.”

  “What about Frida? She’s going to be heartbroken. Maybe we can be mad for a day and then go back to being friends. As far as Dr. Antos is concerned, tell him that you want to stay as far away from me as possible. I’ll do the same.”

  “Got it. Double agent at your service.” He bowed.

  “I don’t want you doing this for me.”

  “It feels like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. “Okay, last kiss.” His lips were on mine before I could take a breath. The warmth of his skin penetrated my chilled mouth, and a hum filled my brain. I wouldn’t forget the sensation soon.

  “See.” He squeezed my hands as he leaned away. “We were meant to find each other.”

  Even through the haze of my elation, a survival instinct kicked in. Perhaps the thought of being separated from him instigated the panicked feeling. My breath caught in my throat, and I clung to his hand as he turned to go. “Wait. We should have some safeguard. A way we can always find each other.”

  “Dr. Antos told me I could locate someone if they had a talisman.”

  “It has to be permanent, something that couldn’t be taken. I need to drink your blood.”

  “What?”

  “You’re part vampire. If I drink your blood, you can always find me. Orm told Alena that when she healed Hunter. Maybe if you drink mine, it will be the same since we’re both witches sort of.”

  “It’s worth a shot.” He bent to the ground and picked up a rock. Pushing up his sleeve, he put the sharpest side to his skin.”

  “Wait.” I pulled my knife from my sock.

  “You have a knife too? Why didn’t I use that before?”

  “I didn’t trust you before. I’ll cut myself first so your blood will help heal my cut.” I ran the blade across my arm, gasping as the pain shot up my bicep. Holding my wrist out to him, I shut my eyes.

  “What do you think is going to happen? Will I grow fangs?”

  “I don’t know.” I popped my eyes open and met his gaze.

  He took my arm and put his lips to the cut, sucking the red liquid from the wound. Several seconds passed, and he didn’t stop. “Jude.” There was no response. “Jude.” I kicked his shin.

  Abandoning his hold on my arm, he stepped back. Seeming transfixed on my cut, he blinked and looked into my eyes. “Is it bad that I liked that and didn’t want to stop? As soon as your blood hit my tongue, I couldn’t think of anything else.”

  “So, you want further proof that you’re part vampire?”

  “No. I’m sorry. I won’t ever drink your blood again.”

  “I think it’s kind of a permanent thing, so you won’t need to. Here.” I handed him the knife.

  He shoved up his sleeve and cut his arm in the same place as earlier. I lifted the cut to my mouth. His blood tasted of bitter iron, and my nose scrunched up. “Okay, yeah, I don’t want to do that again.”

  “Me vampire, you witch.” He chuckled, pressing his thumb to his wound. “Here.” He took my arm and wound some gauze around the cut. “I think you’re a little worse off than me.”

  “It will heal. Okay, so staged-fight time.”

  Grabbing my biceps, he pulled me to him, pressing his lips to mine. It was a hard kiss, not soft like the others, and I was surprised to find myself responding to his intensity. I wondered if I’d been thinking rationally with the whole blood sharing thing. Perhaps all the kissing had me confused. What if he were working for Sonia?

  “Okay. I’m ready,” he whispered as he ended the kiss.

  Falling back, I steadied myself. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t trust me,” I yelled and stomped back to the fire circle.

  He grabbed my arm. “You’re a crazy loon. You just said you loved me, and then you go on about some daft thing like witches and prophecies. I just want to screw you, not be in a relationship.”

  His language shocked me, but when I looked at the other campers, I realized it got a reaction.

  “Don’t ever touch me again. And if you ever tell a soul, I’ll make you wish you didn’t.” Stomping past the group, I ran towards my tent. Frida trailed behind me, calling for me to slow down.

  Throwing myself on my cot, I covered my head with the pillow.

  A form depressed the edge of my bed. “Camille, what happened?” Frida asked.

  “Jude is a pompous jerk and a filthy animal, just like every other male.”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “No, he just thought I would be with him, and when I said no, he tried to kiss me anyway.”

  “I can’t believe Jude did that. He seemed so nice.”

  “Well, I guess he’s nice as long as he’s getting what he wants. Did he think I’d sleep with him because he saved you?”

  “Yeah, he’s crazy. He picked the wrong broad. I would’ve in a heartbeat.”

  I lowered the pillow from my face. “Are you serious?”

  “Well, yeah, before you told me all that stuff.”

  “That was my first kiss, and he ruined it.” I hid my face under my sleeping bag.

  “That sucks.”

  “Frida, I know you want to help, and you like to talk though things, but I want to be alone.”

  “No, that’s fine. I get it.” Her weight shifted off the cot. “Let me know if you want to talk.” I heard her footsteps retreating and th
en the tent door open and close.

  Within a few minutes, I heard the zipper again. “Camille?” Ema, our counselor, began. “I need to ask you about the incident with Jude.”

  I sat up as she lowered herself to my cot. I hadn’t thought about the repercussions of accusing Jude of kissing me. “It was just boys being boys, a misunderstanding.”

  “Are you sure? Because Frida and the others are reporting something different.”

  “I was just embarrassed and mad that he thought I was leading him on.”

  “If he touched you against your will, that is not okay, and you need to tell me so that Jude can be handled appropriately.”

  “I don’t know.” I covered my face with my hands. Real tears formed in my eyes as I realized the mess I’d caused. “I did like him. I just didn’t want to break the rules. I think he misunderstood my signals.”

  “It is normal for a victim to rationalize the actions of their assaulters.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

  “I’m not sure his lips even touched mine. He just leaned towards me, and I thought he was going to kiss me.”

  “Are you sure? I know we haven’t gotten much of a chance to get to know each other, but you can talk to me. If you’re more comfortable talking to Dr. Antos, I can get him.”

  “No, that’s fine.” I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I already put in a request to see him tomorrow. I’ll deal with it then. I just want to be alone.”

  “Okay, well, come get me if you need anything else.” She rubbed her hand down my back, stood, and exited the tent.

  Touching my lips, I could still feel the tingle of the last kiss as if his lips were still pressed against mine. Thinking of the zing and hum of magic that had filled my senses, I smiled. All I wanted to do was picture his face in my dreams, and I gathered my toiletries and made my way to the bathhouse. When I returned, I changed and slid into my sleeping bag. Hoping I hadn’t gotten Jude into a situation that would put him in jeopardy, I closed my eyes.

  Jude was strong, perhaps as strong as Alena or Theron. If he felt some kind of drive to protect me, maybe he was my guardian angel of sorts. It made sense that there would be someone destined to protect the children of light. Even as the thought crossed my mind, I could hardly believe I’d internalized the fact. I was a child of light, one of the trinity. I had to help get the sword and be united with Alena and Hunter.