Possessed by Him

by Jacey Holbrand

  Chapter Seven

  The roar of a distant motorcycle permeated Cameron’s dream and changed its direction, bringing it around to an event several years past.

  There’d been the floating sensation as if he lounged on a bed of thick fog. He remembered thinking wherever the fog happened to be was so different than the chaotic, surreal moments preceding it. Now there was quiet. No pain. Just a pleasantness about everything.

  Then had come the smell. Familiar. Pine and spices. A flash of gorgeous eyes. Green.

  He’d thought he must be dreaming. There was no way his dream man had been with him in person. The man had told him to remember. Remember what?

  Sirens. Flashing lights. People shouting.

  He couldn’t take the noise and had slipped into a different state of consciousness, not exactly sleep. Definitely not awake.

  People carved from wood had paraded around in his mind. Those joined together had been forcefully broken apart. He’d been tossed away from his other half. Away from the immortal life they could have shared had they stayed together. Only one of them would be able to run wild until the end of time, and it wouldn’t be him. His other half would see the end of eternity. Heartbreak and hopelessness slashed through his spirit. A plaintive wolf’s howl rent the air, seeming to cut through the fabric of space and time.

  The scene morphed, swirling and blending until the image came into focus.

  A city built into the side of a red mountain. He and his love together. He couldn’t wait to tell him how he felt, though he wasn’t sure how his tribe would react to them being together. Both of them being male. His love being an outsider. They’d been hungry. He’d left to gather food for him and his love. Rocks had shifted under his footing. Caught in an avalanche.

  He’d woken from those visions and found himself in a hospital. Crying. Jarrod asked if he was in pain, if he needed help.

  He’d questioned where his man was.

  Jarrod said something about him not making it.

  At a loss for words, he could only stare at his brother. Then it’d hit him. There’d been an accident. He and his boyfriend, Oliver, had been cut off by a biker on the highway. Sadness filled him, not only because Oliver was gone, but he hadn’t meant him when he’d asked about his man. He meant the guy who’d helped him at the scene, and if it weren’t for the man’s eyes and smell, he might have thought it was an EMT saving him. But no, he’d been the one who’d been invading his dreams for years, and the visions he’d had moments ago.

  How could he tell Jarrod about it all? His parents? Even he was having a hard time reconciling what was going on in his head. Immortals? Past lives? Some dream guy coming to life and pulling him from the wreckage?

  None of it could be true, be real, of course.

  But he missed the man from his dreams as if he had been a physical presence.

  He’d gazed at his brother through watery vision. He had so much to say, but couldn’t tell him anything of sense. All he could do was apologize, blame the drugs and cry over missing some guy he’d never met and the passing of his friend.

  Cameron woke in the tent in the canyon from the string of old dreams and memories feeling as disjointed as the sleep visions were. Odd that they’d reoccur so many years later. But then he realized the common thread.

  Gabe.

  He’d met him yesterday and remembered how it seemed like his dream guy had walked straight out of his imagination to appear in person. He needed to find Gabe, to make sure he still wasn’t dreaming the whole thing.

  Cameron quickly dressed, left his tent and glanced around the area.

  Jarrod strolled up to him. “Ah, sleeping beauty is finally awake. Food’s hot and good. Better grab some before it’s all gone.”

  “Sure.” Cameron continued scanning the campground for his man. “You see Gabe?”

  “I believe he went for a run. Emma might know how long he’ll be.”

  With a nod, he thanked his brother and headed over to the table where Emma cooked eggs, bacon and grits on a portable gas grill. As he picked up a plate and waited for the food, he asked her when Gabe planned on returning.

  “Not sure. He didn’t tell me how far he planned on running today. It probably won’t be much longer since he’s been gone a while now.”

  “All right. Thanks.”

  As she filled up the plate he held out for her, Ken strolled up.

  “Hey, I noticed you’re here for your first plate of food, so I brought you some orange juice. The gallon was running low, and I didn’t want you to miss out on having some.”

  “Um, thanks, Ken.” Cameron couldn’t help but wonder why Ken seemed to be playing nice when he’d barely said two words the day before.

  “I’ve been thinking about going for a hike. Want to come along?”

  Cameron gave the man a once over. Did he feel like traipsing around the desert wilderness right now? Might not be a bad idea to go for a short hike. It would kill some time until Gabe got back from his run. And then Jarrod would see that he was trying to make an effort to enjoy the trip and play nice with others. After all, he hated being angry for too long and would rather expend his energy on more positive pursuits. Might as well make the best out of the situation. He drank down most of the juice. “Sure. I’ll go on a quick hike. Let me grab some gear.”

  Backpacks and hiking boots on, Ken led him over to the start of a trail that curved and disappeared behind a large hill.

  Cameron loved the exercise, feeling his muscles exert themselves as he strode up the small hill, his lungs fill with crisp, morning air. Compared to the day before, this happened to be an easy hike. He’d have to figure out how to incorporate some high intensity interval training workouts when he returned home. If he went home. If things progressed with Gabe as he hoped they would, the desert would most likely become his new address.

  He and Ken chatted along the way, and though he liked being with a bad boy on occasion, Cameron’s interest in him dwindled with every word. It didn’t seem like they had much in common, save for keeping their bodies in shape. Ken tended toward drinking, playing pool, riding his hog and raising hell. Pursuits Cameron had slowly been getting away from over the years.

  At the crest, the view opened up to a wash below and a mine shaft cave-like entrance a little further up.

  Huh, wonder if it’s the same cave Jarrod and I had snuck off to explore as kids. The thought chilled him. He didn’t want another stroll down memory lane.

  Ken hadn’t paused when Cameron had stopped to take in the view, so Cameron hurried to follow him down the backside of the hill.

  They continued on in silence, which didn’t bother him one bit, especially when he started feeling off. His arm itched and his head grew fuzzy. Dizziness threatened to overtake him. Cameron turned to look at the way they came. Part of him had hoped to cross paths with Gabe, and seeing as how that didn’t seem to be happening, he wondered if he should head back before he passed out.

  As he tried to come to a decision, Ken grabbed him from behind and put him in a choke hold.

  He attempted to fight off the man and keep him from cutting off his air supply, but to no avail. None of his combat or self-defense maneuvers seemed to be working. Ken had a super strong grip on him and anticipated all his moves. As the oxygen in his lungs waned, Cameron suddenly felt like he was falling through the earth. Darkness he’d only seen once before in his life, during his first visit in the canyon, claimed his vision.

  He wasn’t sure how much later it was when he woke up in a truck, bound and kept in place by ropes and a seatbelt, feeling like his head and mouth were filled with cotton. Ken drove, never once sparing him a glance.

  “Crazy ass. Where the fuck are you taking me, Ken?” Despite the dryness in his mouth, Cameron hoped his words came out as angry as he meant them to.

  “Never you mind. And the name’s Kane by the way. Ken was somethin’ my boss came up with to keep our cousins from knowin’ me too soon.”

  “Boss?” Ken’s
bad boy aura and appearance. A motorcycle’s rumble. Stuff Gabe had said. All the bits and pieces lined up in Cameron’s mind. He was with a Helldorado Mongrels gang member. “You don’t happen to mean Inferno, do you?”

  “I see ya know about him. Guess his reputation’s gotten around.”

  Cameron wanted to give Kane an earful about kidnapping him, but his head swam from whatever had been affecting him and the realizations it’d just processed. Once again, he blacked out.

  A slap to the face brought him around. “Wake up, Sunshine. Your new digs await.” Kane laughed, but it wasn’t a pleasant sound.

  Kane drove along a rutted road toward what looked to be a deserted town surrounded by barbed wire fencing. The faded wood buildings and packed dirt streets reminded Cameron of the other ghost towns his parents had dragged them to on family vacations. A couple of newer buildings, tall and narrow, sat at each end of the town.

  At a dilapidated metal gate, Kane stopped and spoke with two burly men in dusty jeans, battered white t-shirts, and leather vests covered in different patches. After the bikers swung the gate open, Kane directed the vehicle to a renovated barn behind a building with a faded saloon sign on it. He parked and picked up a handgun that’d been hiding between his legs. “Thumbs, our mechanic, is gonna come over and help you get out of the truck. You don’t try anything funny.”

  “Sure. Right. Whatever you say,” Cameron answered. Shit. What is it with trouble always finding me? I’ll just do what they want for now. It’ll give me a chance to clear my mind and come up with a plan to escape easier and faster if I’m not busy fighting.

  Another beefy fellow dressed like the others came over and opened the passenger side door. He unlatched Cameron then swept him up in his arms. Cradling Cameron, the man turned and looked at Kane.

  “Get moving, Thumbs. Take him into the garage and secure him to the engine lift.”

  Kane followed, keeping the weapon trained on them, as Thumbs placed Cameron on the raised platform of the lift, pushing his back up against the frame. Cameron’s feet barely touched the ground.

  Seeing Cameron secured, Kane put his gun in the back of his jeans and produced a small aerosol can out of his pocket. He sprayed himself, then Thumbs and Cameron. It wasn’t a bad cologne, but one Cameron wouldn’t go out of his way to buy.

  “Why are you doing this, Kane?”

  “The spray is to mask our scents so we’re not easy to track.”

  “What?” Cameron had no clue what the guy was trying to say. “No. Not the spray. Why’d you come after me? I don’t even know you. I couldn’t have ever done anything to you.”

  “You’re a Tabu’s pup. Tabus have to pay. One way to do that is to torture them through their partners. Plus, you were supposed to be my first kill, and you’ve been hard prey to catch.”

  Cameron swallowed hard. “Kill? But I have no idea who you are or what a Tabu pup is. I have no idea what’s going on here.”

  “Like hell you don’t.” Kane checked the ropes keeping Cameron in place. “You realized who he was the first time you were here. I tried to take care of you then, in that mine when you were a kid, but failed. I got Mozart to go after you years later. He almost died for the cause. Drove us crazy when you disappeared, but when Snout tracked you down again, we knew it was only a matter of time. Like Inferno’s said, if it wasn’t for Physic’s idea of sending your brother a pamphlet about the camping tours—” His dark eyes narrowed and flashed red. The corner of Kane’s mouth turned up into a sneer. “Fuck. You got me sayin’ too much. It boils down to how you two have been connected from the beginning. We won’t have it anymore. The Tabu has to pay.”

  Kane’s crimson eyes concerned Cameron. He swallowed back his fear in an attempt to get more answers. “Me and who connected? What the fuck are you talking about? I’m traveling with my brother, and like I told you, I’m single.”

  “Sure. Everyone at the camp knows you and Gabe have paired up.” Kane chuckled, a sinister sound that made the air around them grow cold. “So, have you seen it yet?”

  “Seen what? His dick? It’s really none of your business.”

  Kane huffed. “No, you fucking ape. I don’t care if you suck each other dry. I’m talking about his change. The shift.”

  “Shift?”

  “Oh?” Kane’s eyes widened. “Oh,” he dragged out the small word, then grinned. “He hasn’t told his soul twin what he is yet. This is great.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not sayin’ a word. Far be it from me to reveal his secret. But to be a fly on the wall when he does.” Kane rubbed his chin. “Maybe that can be part of the festivities when Inferno’s ready to deal with you two. Gabriel can tell you who he really is, and we’ll be able to watch the fireworks and have a good laugh.” He tapped Cameron’s cheek a few times. “Sit tight. Once the rest of the gang gets here, and we’ve partied some, all this—as in you—will be over before you know it.” He cackled as he left the garage.

  Cameron was stuck, left with his thoughts about being kidnapped, about his brother, Gabe, and the rest of the gang, but now he had this weird information Ken, or rather Kane, had given him.

  What the hell did he mean by change? By shift?

  * * * *

  As Gabe’s feet pounded the ground, he still couldn’t believe his luck in having his mate on the tour. Years ago Cameron had been too young. Then there’d been the accident.

  God, he never wanted to go through such torture again, seeing his love’s body beat up and broken. At least his love had survived the vehicular calamity.

  Memories as if they’d happened yesterday came to the forefront of Gabe’s mind. He’d been tracking his mate, trying to find a good way to cross paths with him and start a relationship when the accident had occurred. A reckless biker had swung in and out of traffic, changing lanes without much regard for other vehicles on the road, except when he cut in front of Cameron’s car, he’d slammed on his breaks. It’d caused a chain reaction amongst surrounding vehicles, creating a pile up. Or so he’d heard witnesses say after he arrived at the back of the pile up.

  Frantic with worry, Gabe had dashed into the craziness to see if he could find Mate and the guy Mate’d been driving with. He’d dodged screaming people, people in shock, and bits of rubble, but eventually he came upon his mate and pulled him away from the wreckage. He sat on the ground with Mate resting part way on his lap.

  “You. You smell good,” Mate had said.

  “Keep still and quiet. You need to stay calm,” he’d replied.

  “But… But I know you. Don’t I?” Mate’s voice had sounded anxious. His body shook.

  “Please, relax. Try not to stress yourself further.”

  “I’m cold.”

  “You’re probably going into shock.”

  Voices had shouted back and forth over the area of the highway. Gabe had known he hadn’t much time. He’d wanted a chance to talk to Mate first, hang out together, have him remember his past lives, have him fall in love with him.

  Bright colored lights had flashed and spun, masking the scene in an eerie, colorful glow.

  “You can’t be leaving me. Not when I just found you again. I still have to finish claiming you.” Gabe had kissed his cheek. “Death isn’t going to separate us this time. You’re mine. You’ll always be mine. Remember me. Remember me so we can find each other again. Then we’ll travel and see the world.”

  He’d needed to help the young man the only way he could. As he bent his head, he let his canines lengthen into sharp fangs. He’d bite him and then keep tabs on his love while he recouped at the hospital. Once his mate was out, he’d finally be able to be with him.

  “Forgive me,” he’d whispered to the man in his arms, who’d appeared to have dropped out of consciousness.

  “Hey! You two. Go over there and check who needs help.”

  Gabe had glanced up to see a fireman motion to a couple of EMTs to head in his and Mate’s direction.

  Out of t
ime. All Gabe could do had been to scrape his teeth along his mate’s neck as he’d done a handful of years before. He’d hoped the booster scratches would be enough to assist the young man in his healing. Maybe even strengthen their mental connection as well.

  “Remember me,” he’d said to his mate as he gently laid him on the ground and stood. “Great spirit in the sky, please let him remember me.”

  Gabe had slipped away and disappeared into the shadows of the chaos just before the EMTs reached his love’s side.

  Now, Cameron was well and safe, and Gabe believed Cameron was remembering him. That pleased him.

  Today’s going to be a great day.

  He planned on telling Ken to go back to the ’pound, that he didn’t want him sniffing around his business, and once his cousin was gone, he’d take Cameron on another hike during the morning free time. They’d get back to what they started yesterday. He’d tell Cameron the story and all about himself. Then they’d finally be together. For good this time.

  As he jogged back into camp, he noticed the group was hanging out in the social area eating. But something seemed wrong. Kane wasn’t there. Neither was Cameron. His stomach dropped, a sensation much like he’d experienced on the downward slope of a super-fast and tall rollercoaster. He rushed over to Emma. “Do you know where Cameron went?”

  “I saw him talking with Kane. The two might have gone off together.” A look of shock crossed her face. “Oh, no. Gabe, we can ask Jarrod, Cameron’s brother, if he knows where they went.”

  Gabe followed Emma over to Jarrod. “Do you know where your brother and Kane went?” he asked, not able to control the gruffness in his voice.

  “I believe the two went on a hike.”

  “Do you know which direction they went?”

  Jarrod pointed to a trail head that led to an unmarked road. “Think that way.”

  “Thanks. I want to go get them before they get in trouble out in the wilderness. Emma, tell everyone to stay here at camp until I send word otherwise.”

  Fearing what might have already happened, or was about to happen, to his mate at the hands of the Helldorado Mongrels, he ran to the trail and jogged along it looking for clues. Down the hill after the first crest, he found a backpack. He drew it to his nose and sniffed. Cameron’s. That his mate had dropped it could only mean trouble.