Centaur Redemption (Touched Series)

by Nancy Straight

  I spat out, "I didn't coerce anybody. Look, I don't want the job if it means that much to you."

  "Yeah, I believe that. You got what you want, now it's time to placate the brother. Fine, you want to be Chairman," Cameron bowed down, with his outstretched hands hanging in the air, "oh, great overlord of the Centaur, I'm not worthy."

  I watched him make a fool of himself in front of all the interested eyes around us. When he stood up, I leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "It's not something I was looking to put on my resume. The only thing I want is to get to know the guy I shared a womb with. If this position is going to drive a wedge between us, I won't take it."

  Cameron jerked his ear away from me, his eyes wide, searching mine to see if there was any kind of deception in my words. When he didn't find any, his tone changed to one of disbelief, "Seriously?"

  "You want it? It's yours."

  "Why, so you can take pot-shots at me when you don't like decisions I make?"

  Cameron had serious trust issues. How had he gotten so tight with Zandra in a matter of weeks, yet he was convinced I had it in for him? I shook my head, "I'll do whatever you want me to do. Drake and I can make a life anywhere. If you want it out of the spotlight, I think we can find a quiet corner of the world. The only thing I would ask is, let me be a part of your life."

  "Just like that? You tell me Grandma picked you, but you'll tell her 'no' and give the job to me. Why would you do that?"

  "It sounds like you want the job more than I do. Look, I know you don't know Zethus, but he and Zandra didn't speak for over forty years. Part of why they didn't speak was because of the Chairman position. I don't want that to be us."

  Cameron's eyes fixed on the floor. I could see the turmoil in his face but couldn't hear any of his thoughts. Just as I was about to ask Cameron what he wanted, Angelo's voice sounded behind me, "Don't flatter yourselves. Neither of you is worthy of the Chairman's position. I have support from the heads of families. It means little what the Chairman desires, neither of you will take my birthright."

  Cameron's eyes snapped up and straight at Angelo, his hands balled into fists. Drake wrenched me behind him and stood eye-to-eye with Angelo. Drake's movement had been so quick that Centaurs standing within ten feet of us all made a similar move protecting their Centaurides with their own bodies. Drake accused, "Angelo, you lie. The heads of families don't back you."

  "I lie, do I? I have the backing of some powerful friends who are more than willing to exert their influence. I assure you that no head of any family will stand against me."

  Drake laughed, "I can hardly wait. Did you hear that, Cami? Angelo has after all these years found friends. Do you think they're real or imaginary?"

  Angelo shouted, "Do not mock me! You may be a warrior, but you are still a mortal."

  Drake smiled, "And you may be a Chiron, but you've been swimming at the shallow end of the gene pool your whole life."

  Angelo opened his mouth to release another insult when he thought better of it, abruptly turned, and stormed away. Angelo didn't stop to exchange pleasantries with anyone, choosing instead to go to the far side of the warehouse where he had been when we arrived, and to glare in our direction.

  Cameron cautioned, "Watch yourself around him. Grandma told me he's got a temper."

  Drake laughed, "No offense, but I took everything Zeus could dish out protecting Zandra. Angelo is the least of my concerns."

  I had been under the impression Cameron and Angelo were friendly. That was sure not the case now, “Did you and Angelo have a falling out?”

  Cameron shrugged his shoulders and smirked. “You could say that.”

  I felt my insides doing a happy dance, but I didn't want to blow things with Cameron if the two of us were finally able to have a real conversation. Instead, I offered, “I’m sorry. I’d heard the two of you were close.”

  Cameron shook his head, “No, not really. Grandma more than Uncle Angelo.”

  “Regardless of how this coronation ceremony turns out, do you think we could go somewhere and talk later? There’s so much I want to know about you. There’s a lot of stuff I want to tell you about Mom, too.”

  His posture eased when he answered, “I’d like that. Roger answered a bunch of my questions about her, but I’d like to hear more. Roger’s back at the hotel. Maybe you could meet him?”

  “Roger? Yeah, I’d like to meet him. When did he get here?”

  Cameron leaned his head back and laughed, “It seems you weren’t the only one with your hands full. I needed reinforcements, too.”

  “Eris?”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s who Uncle Angelo was taking me to meet. Roger found me in a cavern in Peru. Did you know there’s a race of humans who have to guard the Lost Herd?”

  “Lapiths," I offered. "They were a race of humans who owned the mares on Thessaly back when Centaurs were created. So, you know Roger is a Lapith?”

  “Yeah, he told me. He even told me why Mom left me with him.” Cameron looked over toward the front of the room where Zandra stood. “That guy standing next to Grandma, that’s Uncle Zethus, right?”

  “Yes, with his wife Maggie. I'll introduce you to him.”

  Cameron looked interested, “I’d like that. Roger says he’s the one who told Mom she had to separate us.”

  “I hope you won’t hold that against him. He’s the one who told us to go looking for you in South Dakota.”

  Cameron smiled, “I’m done holding grudges. The way I see it, I’m pretty lucky. I went from nobody in my life to a whole lot of possibilities. Roger says he’s going to stick around for a while. I kind of missed him.”

  Despite the first civil conversation I'd had with Cameron, ever, my skin felt like hundreds of bugs were crawling all over it. The fine hair at the nape of my neck stood on end as goose bumps erupted on my flesh. I turned to see the face of the one family member I had hoped never to lay eyes on again.

  “Ah, Camille, you look exquisite this evening.” Phineas took my hand in his and brought it to his mouth in what appeared to be a chivalrous kiss. I wanted to vomit and yanked it away.

  Fury shown through Drake’s eyes. The last time he had seen Phineas was when Phineas had left him for dead in a hotel room in South Dakota and taken off with me in the process. Phineas acknowledged Drake, “You are looking well, young Nash. With all the stories I have heard of you the last weeks, you are something of a legend now.”

  “I was hoping to have a word with you before the ceremony, Camille.”

  Cameron’s face registered only curiosity for this new Centaur. I didn’t waste any pleasantries on Phineas and told him, “I’m talking to my brother. If you’ll excuse us.” I turned and kept Phineas at my back. I could see Drake out of the corner of my eye as he stood staring at Phineas, ready to respond with whatever force was necessary if he opted not to take my hint.

  Phineas was persistent, “My apologies, but what I have to say does carry a certain level of urgency.”

  Drake nodded, and, in the blink of an eye, several enforcers had appeared in a blur. I recognized each one as part of my security detail. Two of the larger enforcers went to either side of Phineas, both grabbing his arm ready to escort him away. Phineas’s formality diminished when he shouted, “You will hear me out, or it will be your demise!”

  Cameron’s eyes registered concern at the threat. He nodded in Phineas’s direction but urged me, “It’s okay. See what he has to say. It might be important.”

  The sincerity in Cameron’s eyes warmed my heart. His initial anger at me seemed to be thawing as more of our crazy relatives decided to show up and threaten us. Pouring as much contempt into my voice as it would hold, I asked, “What, Phineas?”

  Phineas pulled his arms free of the enforcers' grasps and brushed off the sleeves of his tuxedo. “Many from our family have massed here from all over the world. I have been the unofficial leader of the Lost Herd since my father left for the pasture. I felt it was my duty to inform you that our he
rd has unanimously chosen me to remain in this position now that we are being welcomed back to the other herds.”

  The little hairs on the back of my neck were still at attention. I didn’t trust him. I wouldn’t trust the fate of any in my family to him, whether they were extended family or not. Instead of arguing with him in front of a room full of Centaurs, I chose instead to poke fun at him. “I don’t remember getting a vote?” Dropping Phineas’s gaze, I looked at my brother, “Cameron, did you get a vote?”

  Cameron looked confused. “Uh, no.”

  Phineas’s expression was sour, but I didn’t drop it. “Well, at least two members of the Lost Herd were not given the opportunity to vote – I hardly think it was a unanimous decision.”

  Phineas looked from me, to Drake, to Cameron, and back to me. He clarified, “It was decided by a clear majority.”

  “Oh, well, why didn’t you say so? The Centaur have long been known for our roots planted firmly in democracy, right?”

  Now four sets of eyes stared at me, none catching my meaning. My voice went deep as I dragged out my words slowly for emphasis, “My mistake. This isn’t a democracy.” I raised my finger and poked hard on Phineas’s chest, “You, dear uncle, do not speak for my herd. You dishonored our family. You are underhanded and power-hungry. I have no intention of allowing you to speak for the Tak Herd, now or ever.”

  Phineas’s jaw slacked as my spiteful words sunk in. I nodded to the two enforcers who stood at the ready, “Please show my uncle to my father, I think he’d like a word with his brother.”

  The enforcers grabbed Phineas’s arm as if their fingers were clamps and dragged him away. Phineas shouted, “You will regret it! You need an advocate on the Council – we can rule together! I speak for our herd. I have friends in very high places!”

  A morsel of doubt entered my mind. Each herd had a dedicated leader who sat in front of their family’s portrait in the Council Chambers. The chair in front of the Tak portrait had always been empty. Who would fill that seat? I couldn’t be the Chairman and the leader of the Tak Herd. My father was a good man: he had done everything in his power to take care of me and my brothers. The problem was that I only knew my father and Phineas from the Tak Herd. Were there others who would be deserving of such a position? Someone who could be trusted?

  Phineas’s shouting didn’t diminish. It seemed to grow louder the further away from me he got: “You need me! Without me you will fail! Our family needs a leader who is willing to do anything. I can destroy you!” More enforcers gathered to subdue him. It was Cameron who reached out to my arm and asked, “Are you okay? Who was that?”

  “Long story. When Centaurs first found out about you and me, they got a little crazy. That was Will’s half-brother.”

  He grinned, “I’m starting to think you and I bring out the worst in Centaurs.”

  Smiling, I agreed, “I think you’re right.”

  Zandra had joined us after Phineas’s commotion had subsided. Her voice was measured, maybe even a little strained, when she turned to me and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Not yet. Cameron? The choice is yours. If you want the job, I'll back you."

  Cameron looked from me to Zandra. His expression was unreadable. I couldn't tell if he was happy, angry, worried, or trying to solve mysteries of the universe. "Grandma, you told me you didn't trust Camille. What changed?"

  "Cameron, I think you would be a kind leader. Centaurs everywhere would be loyal to you because of your sense of right and wrong. You are someone who purposely looks for the good in others. Your sister has a propensity to take a bull by the horns and headbutt him. However, given the circumstances the next Chairman will be faced with and the turmoil that may present itself in the coming years, Camille is the better choice."

  Cameron shook his head. "That's not what I asked. I want to know if you have selected Camille of your own free will."

  Zandra's response was gentle, "No one has forced my hand in making my decision, if that's what you're asking."

  "What changed your mind? What did Camille say to make you believe she is now trustworthy? You told me her actions were erratic and you thought she had multiple personalities."

  Zandra let out a sigh. Embarrassment shown clearly on her face. From what little I knew of her, I knew she wasn't one to say anything nice about another, but Cameron was putting her on the spot. Although answering Cameron, she looked squarely at me, "I misjudged her."

  Cameron's eyes held Zandra's, waiting for more of an answer. Zandra continued, "When I needed help, she was able to look past my previous mistakes. It is her tenacity that has won the Lost Herd their right to join the rest of the herds. It is the bond between her and the warrior touched by Chiron himself that forced Zeus to listen. Camille is every bit the warrior that Drake is. For all these reasons, she has won my trust."

  Cameron nodded respectfully to Zandra. His brown eyes were kind when they looked at me. "I only wanted the position because I believed Grandma wanted me to have it. I look forward to being the brother of the Chairman."

  I barely let him get his words out as I bounded forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. Despite all the things that had been lost in my life, in this moment, I found my brother.

  Zandra cleared her throat, "Ready?"

  Reluctantly, I let go of Cameron. "Uh, I guess so. How do I know what to do?”

  She shot a frustrated look in Zethus’s direction, “I had planned to do a couple practice runs with you this morning, but my brother insisted you would prefer we leave the pomp and circumstance at the door in favor of a more informal ceremony.”

  Zethus winked at me from where we had all been standing. I shot him a silent, “Thank you.”

  Zandra made her way to the raised platform by Zethus and stepped up behind a single podium with the Chiron insignia embossed on the front. A hush fell over the room as all eyes were fixed on her. When all chatter had stopped, Zandra said, “It has been my pleasure to be your Chairman for more than forty years. I have celebrated your victories, I have agonized over your disputes, and I have come to respect and admire many of you in the room.”

  “Each of us has a finite amount of time in this life. We learn to overcome our adversities. We learn to savor our achievements. And if we are lucky, we are given the opportunity to teach our children so that they may not repeat our failures.”

  “Imagine my surprise to learn that my granddaughter, Camille, was the better teacher. She is still new to the Centaur way, but she is Angela’s legacy. Many of you in this room never had the privilege to meet Angela in person, so I would like to take a moment and tell you about her.”

  “Angela learned to love unconditionally. This is not a lesson I taught her. She sacrificed the future I had laid out for her in favor of making her own way in the world. Angela disguised herself as an ordinary human and lived this life for more than twenty-five years. At the time, I thought she was selfish and headstrong; what I didn’t realize was that she was the brave one. She left the Centaur a gift,” she scanned the room and saw Cameron watching her and corrected, “two gifts actually.”

  “You see, Angela could have come to me at any time and returned to her life of privilege. In fact, I searched for her right up until her death to bring her back to the life she left behind. She could have breezed through life and been your Chairman. Angela could have done anything she wanted, and do you know what she chose? She chose to be a mother. She had been pursued by me, by the Lost Herd hoping for advocacy, by gods and goddesses, and I’m sure by others we are not even aware of. To each of her pursuers she was a ghost, remaining just out of their reach.”

  “The choices Angela made in life were never the easy road. In each instance, choices she made were done out of love for her children. In doing so, she has given each of us two gifts we will forever be in her debt for. I look forward to the pasture, as this is where I will be able to thank Angela for her bravery, for not taking the future I had planned for her.”

  Zandra motioned
for me to join her on the podium, “Centaurides and Centaurs of the world, I would like to introduce you to my granddaughter, your new Chairman, Camille Chiron.”

  Chapter 27

  (Camille Nash – Coronation Ceremony, Centurion, South Africa)

  Loud applause, cheers, and even a couple wolf whistles echoed in the building. No one quieted for several minutes. Zandra’s kind words about Mom took me by surprise. The two of us were on our way to mending our dysfunctional relationship. “Thank you,” I paused, unsure if the word would be okay in public. I took a breath, “Grandma.” Zandra’s eyes grew glossy – I had chosen the right word.

  A hush fell over the crowd. I should have written something down because I felt like a buffoon following such an eloquent speech. I smiled at her, “So is it official now? Am I the Chairman?”

  She nodded with a broad smile.

  My voice nervously shook when I leaned in on the microphone, “So here is what I know. I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to be a disappointment for some of you. For others, you may question my decisions, but you have my promise that I will always try to do the right thing for the right reason.”

  I saw Cameron clapping more loudly than anybody. All the talk of evil twins, curses, blood debts: when I looked at him, none of that was my reality anymore. I had a twin brother who had been through as much of a wringer as I had, yet he didn’t begrudge my selection as Chairman. He was happy for me. Cameron could easily have arrived tonight with a chip on his shoulder or a desire to see me fail – he didn’t.

  I motioned for Cameron to join me and Zandra at the podium. His eye muscles flexed as he shook his head “no” and planted his feet. “Everyone,” I addressed the crowd around Cameron, “could you help me convince my brother to come up here for a minute?”

  Centaurs around Cameron patted him on the back and prodded him toward the podium. Cameron reluctantly obliged. When he took his place beside me, I leaned into the microphone, “For those of you here who are part of the Lost Herd, I’d like to be the first to tell you, ‘Welcome.’ In addition to the Chairman granting clemency for the Lost Herd, I heard from Zeus himself that all is forgiven. I look forward to meeting all of you in the coming months and years.”