“Dead?” Jay repeated.
Will's head tilted and twisted toward the obviously hurt Jay-Jack. “We didn't know what happened to you. You were just gone and we assumed the worst after your father and I spent weeks tracking you. And then, I come down here and Kazi tells me that you're alive and…” he gave him another bear hug, shaking him back and forth. He let go of him and stepped back. “Why are you here?”
The giant stepped forward. “It’s my fault he's back here. A few months ago this little para-” he shot me a quick glance, “punk tracked us to Brazil and camped out for a while. Then he got into a bit of trouble and took off again. Looks like he returned a hero, though. Well done, kid.”
I rested my fingertips on my forehead and closed my eyes. Maybe I had hit my head harder than I thought. “A hero?”
The beast grinned at me. “You must be Camille.”
“Yes,” I said shortly. “And you must be Bigfoot.”
His grin stretched from ear to ear. “My name's Kazi. And yes, a hero. You didn't really think you could journey through the Red Jungle by yourself did you?” The smile stuck to his face as he met eyes with Jay.
“The what?” By this time it should have been obvious to this bone crusher that I didn't know a thing about this place, but I let him continue because he seemed to be enjoying my ignorance.
“C'mon man, Jack. You didn't warn her?”
Jay...ugh...Jack shrugged. “She did not care to hear what I had to say, she would have come here with or without my help. I did not learn of her condition until after we were already on our way. I thought she was here to find them not you.”
My arms folded in front of my chest. “My condition?”
Will laughed and rubbed my shoulders gently. His touch was a surprising shock. I'd forced myself to believe that he was the bad guy...a murderer in fact, out to end my family's existence, and here I was, letting him touch me. I should have shied away because I still didn’t have any idea what he was doing there if he was not trying to kill us. But I missed him. His fingers squeezed when they reached the back of my neck and a shiver shot through me and I moved away.
“What condition?” I demanded again from Jack.
He smiled. “You could say that I have a sense for such things.”
Kazi shoved his arm into the center of our circle where his bloodied arm became visible even in the darkness. “Didn't you think she was going to bite you?”
“Sorry about that.” I wanted to crawl under a rock, but he was the one who attacked me. Why should I feel guilty? And they still hadn’t answered my question.
Kazi waved me off and Jack grimaced at the sight of the drying blood on his arm.
“No, I knew she wouldn’t bite me,” he replied. “We don't bite our own kind.”
I was confused. “What did you sa– ”
He flashed a wide smile, finally revealing that he had teeth. In fact on closer inspection, he had perfect teeth. But two in particular were quite a bit longer than they should be.
“Holy crap!” I took a step back. My foot caught in the tree roots and I fell backwards, knocking the wind out when I landed.
“Well, those are new.” I heard Will say as I fell.
Jack jumped over the roots landing on his knees and skidding toward me. He leaned over me as I struggled to catch my breath.
“Just breathe, Cami,” he instructed.
“I-” gasp “am-” gasp “try-” gasp “-ing”. Each gulp was just as shallow as the last.
The image of his exaggerated teeth was burned in my mind. Was Jay a vampire? He had to be, why would his teeth be so long - genetic defect? That can happen, right? The strength of a vampire would explain how he was able to keep us both from plummeting to our deaths on that zip line. But then, couldn't vampires fly? I tried to remember some of the stereotypes that had been thrown at me as insults as a child. Does he sleep upside down ... or in a coffin? He's been in the sun all day, why didn't he turn to dust?
He patiently waited for me to regain my composure, which wasn't happening quickly. My mind was in overdrive.
“Y-You're a.”
He answered before I could actually say it, and smiled again. This new smile was much more natural than any that he tried to conceal before. A single dimple appeared under his left cheek.
“Wow,” I whispered. A real-life vampire.
“Are you afraid?”
The air finally fully returned to my lungs. “Should I be?”
“No, “ he laughed, and the dimple appeared again, more deeply imbedded in his cheek than before making me think that it may have been a scar.
“No, I'm not afraid.” A heavy déjà vu washed over me, this conversation was becoming too familiar.
He put his hand under my neck and grabbed my arm, helping me to my feet.
“He's not the one you have to worry about,” Kazi joked as I stood. Then he looked at Will, shaking his head. “Not only does she bite, she’s a runner too. I thought your girlfriend would be a little tougher, man. I do not think she would be very helpful to us in battle, bolting for the hills whenever she can.”
Will snorted and put his hands on the back of my neck once more. The warm shiver came back. “She's tougher than you think. But I do have to thank the kid here for helping her out.”
Jack's smile faded as his soon as he was in the center of attention again. He shrank backwards and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Eh, shouldn't we go now? It's getting late and I'm sure that Cami is tired.”
This would normally be the time when I'd gladly climb into my cozy bed and drift off to sleep. I was never one to turn down a chance for a good nap, but I seriously doubted that even if I was tired, I would be able to sleep. One of my missions for the day was crossed off the list. I'd found Will and, thankfully, he wasn't going to kill me. Jack turned toward the path and walked away, followed by Kazi, who smirked at us and took three large strides to catch up with him.
Will's hand slid slowly down my arm traced the top of my hand. He closed his fingers around mine and squeezed. “Let's go.”
I strolled beside him as he led us back to the path and then toward the camp. As we walked in silence, a small twinge of apprehension fluttered in my stomach. I'd trusted him before and he lied to me. After disclosing my family's nonsensical history, he had the perfect opportunity to reveal his truths. Why didn't he? Maybe he was too shocked by what I had told him. When he learned that there were more like my family in our town, he seemed dazed as if he'd just walked into the lion's den. Was it now his turn to lead me into his den?
“Why are you here?”
“I told you, to help in any way that I can.”
I shook my head. “But it doesn't make any sense. You were mad at me before. I didn’t know what I had done. And then that last night, you told me to trust you. I’m just so confused.”
“You didn’t do anything. I was more irritated with myself for not knowing. I mean, obviously I should have seen, something. My own history with vampires has been long and very – well, it hasn’t been fun. But that’s not your fault or your family’s. I was very wrong for saying what I did. I’m sorry for leaving and upsetting you, I wanted you to come with me, but then I didn’t know if I could keep you safe. I’m here now. We are here and we can help.”
“You are a vampire hunter, why would you help us? Isn’t that kind of opposite of what you do?”
He stopped walking and with one motion, slid his arm around my back and lifted me off the ground, raising me so that I met him eye to eye. “I want to help. Because you are incredibly important to me and because I love you,” he said softly, and then he kissed me in the darkness.
Was it possible for him to know what his words meant? Never in my life had anyone been able to conquer my heart until that very moment. I was convinced that it wasn’t even possible. How could anyone that knew about my family love me?
I ran my fingers through the back of his hair and held him until my arms weakened and the muscles tingled from holding
them up for so long. He gently let me back down onto my wobbly legs and waited for me to say something back. He always seemed to get a kick out of seeing how I would react to him, which didn't bother me at all – especially if he was going to say those things and kiss me like that every time he needed a good laugh.
He cleared his throat waiting for me to say something. Maybe a return of his confession, but something stopped me. I absolutely felt that same way, but there was so many things complicating us. My vision of him had been shattered by Tom, but then healed tonight. Why couldn't I just say it? My tongue stuck to the top of my mouth when I tried to speak.
“Um, we shouldn't get too far behind them.” He grabbed my hand and started walking. His pace was much faster than the nice stroll before. I could barely keep up, worrying that I had hurt him by not saying anything.
“Will, are you mad?”
He paused, taking my hand and raising it to his lips. “Why would I be mad? You’re here.”
“I just thought because, well you said and I didn't – ” Yes, I was definitely near Will, because my verbal skills were eluding me again.
He let go of my hand and put his arm around my shoulder, continuing to guide me in the right direction. “I didn't tell you that with the expectation you would do the same. I said it because I felt it and I have for a while, probably since the first time I saw you trip on your shoe at the Inn. I can’t explain it.” He laughed as he reminded me of our first utterly embarrassing encounter.
“But I looked horrible that day!” I said totally mortified.
He brushed my hair away from my face and kissed my forehead. “No. You didn’t.” Truthfully, I knew it then too. I snuck a peek out of the corner of my eye. Look at him, how could I not want to know him? So how could he be the monster that Tom made him out to be? Although, he didn't deny being a killer.
“I have questions, Will.”
“I know you do, and I have answers. We're almost there so let's get settled for tonight and I will tell you anything you want to know.”
Satisfied with his promise, I looked around for any sign of life besides the two of us, but didn't see any. After staying on the path for a while, Will lead us off of it and into the trees. A small light glittered in the air in front of us and as we neared it, it floated up into the leaves. I smiled and looked down, finding another light a few yards ahead of us and again when we reached it, it too, floated upward. I looked at Will questioningly. He smiled and nodded his head forward.
More lights began to appear like fireflies sprinkled in the night. Each one floated away when we neared. When we passed, I looked behind us to see them settle back into place. I let go of Will and walked faster so that I could try to catch one of the funny little things. I focused on one and slowly crept toward it holding my hand out. I bit my lip and raised my palm up underneath where it hovered. I looked closer and saw not one light, but several miniature golden orbs spiraling each around each other, glowing, giving off a honey-colored light. I held my hand underneath it, but careful not to touch the delicate light.
Will caught up to me and I turned to smile at him. “Look what I found!” I whispered. When I turned back to the light, it was floating up. “That was pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen.”
We followed the trail of faux fireflies as they continued to grow; obvious to me now, it was gradually lighting the way toward the camp. The jungle around us was getting lighter as we continued through the orb field. We stepped through a thick veil of the honey-colored light and into a fully lit encampment. The basketball sized orbs hung high in the trees like lanterns. I was awe struck. I had come from a midnight dark jungle, to a camp that was more brilliant than the setting sun.
I looked back over my shoulder to the jungle on the other side of the veil; it was dark again.
“How is this possible?” I was pretty sure that I had seen it all. I'd been camping in everything from a simple sleeping bag outside, to a full size bus for longer than I could remember. Inevitably, someone forgot something like a grill or a flashlight, which meant I'd also seen every makeshift contraption possible. When I thought about it, I probably could have been a really good boy scout. Except for the fact that it was always someone else that built those things. But I’d never seen anything like this.
The light raining from above fell over the camp, giving everything a golden tinge. Irelynn would be in heaven. She was always on the never-ending quest for the perfect sunless tan. In this place, she could toss out every spray bottle, cream, and lotion she had. Even the trees surrounding us had a shimmer on them.
Will squeezed my shoulder. “Anything is possible.”
I saw him clearly now, aided by the ambient lighting orbiting around the camp. He was more beautiful than ever. I felt like I was seeing him for the first time as he grinned down at me with his eyes more vibrant blue than ever. My heart stuttered. I didn't miss how normal my heart rate had become in his absence; this was my normal. This is what made me feel alive. Why did I ever doubt him?
“Stop leering at the poor girl and bring her here!” a voice chirped.
Will groaned and rolled his eyes. “I just got you back, but now I’m never going to get another moment alone with you.”
I smiled, and continued to gawk at my surroundings while we walked toward where the voice had called. The orbs that I'd been so enchanted by were shrinking in size the higher they rose the canopy. I wondered why they were so high up. Were people in the trees?
“They're for protection as well as illumination.”
“Oh,” I whispered.
Several tents of varying shades of green were scattered throughout the tree bases, forming a crude circle inside the protective glow of the orbs. In the center of the tents people began gathering, already greeting Jack and Kazi. There were about a dozen in total and one by one, their curious faces turned in our direction. Their eyes fixing on me making me stiffen.
“What is this place, Will? Is my family here?” I whispered.
“No, they aren’t here. But these are the people that are going to help us find them.”
These must be Will's friends, the other hunters. I swallowed hard. I am the descendant of a vampire and they were assassins. Why would they want to help me?
“Everyone, this is Cami.”
“We know who she is, now stop being her body guard and let us introduce ourselves,” the high-pitched voice said. I looked down the line of strangers and met eyes with a woman as she pushed her way by Kazi. Kazi...the cook from the village! Now that I could see him in the light, I felt extremely stupid for not realizing the connection sooner.
She stepped toward me with the most bewitching face I'd ever seen, her white-blonde hair was streaked with lavender and cascaded down perfectly framing her statuesque body. Her deep purple irises contrasted her milky white skin.
“Welcome, Cami. I'm Serena.” She smiled again and I could feel her warmth; there was no need to worry. “You've met my husband, Kazi.” She shot him a warning glance, to which he simply shrugged.
I nodded slowly, “Yes.”
“I apologize for him not speaking to you at the restaurant, Kazi didn't know it was you that Jack was helping.”
Kazi grunted, “Yeah I just thought it was some poor girl that had fallen for him.”
The group shared a collective laugh at poor Jack's expense causing him to become even more introverted. He walked to the nearest chair and sat.
“I'm Emery!” a girl nearly Serena's image chimed in. She grasped my hand and smiled. “I am Serena's little sister, but only by 4 minutes.”
“Little.” Kazi snorted.
“Hey! You watch yourself, Jumbo!” she snapped back.
Kazi put his hands up, faking terror. “Don't hurt me Mini, I'm just saying-”
“Enough!” Serena's operatic voice hushed the squabble immediately. “I apologize. It has been a long day, and is it too much for me to assume that it has been a long day for you as well?”
“Um no, I mean yes, it
has been a very long day.” I said trying to focus on her eyes, but the faces that were still unfamiliar and still staring at me were very distracting. I knew that I was safe with them, I felt that, but I couldn't relax.
“If you would like, there is a soft bed for you to rest, just there,” she offered, pointing to one of the green tents in the distance. “We can finish the introductions after you've had a chance to rest.”
More than half of me wanted to get it all over with now because I was never great at meeting new people, and I didn't want these people that were going to help me think that I was being rude. Luckily for me though, some of the crowd had promptly dispersed after Serena's offering of the tent. I realized that I was only still standing because Will was propping me up. I was exhausted. “I would like that, thank you very much.”
The Cami Show would have to continue later.
At Serena's request, a small girl with stick-straight black hair and freckles escorted me, followed closely by Will, to the tent where I would be sleeping. Inside, a single cot sat in the middle of the room with a folded blanket and pillow in the center. The freckled girl immediately began tugging at the large white net that hung from the ceiling of the tent draping around the cot. When it broke free from the ceiling, she quickly rolled it up and stuffed it under her arm.
“I guess you will not need this, I doubt the mosquitoes will be biting you all night,” she grinned exposing a slight gap between her perfectly straight teeth. “I'm Kie.” She stepped toward me with her tiny hand extended.
“It's nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her delicate hand. Her bony fingers felt as if they might break if I were to squeeze with any more pressure.
She giggled and backed away, then turned to Will and hugged him, her slender arms not able to reach around him. “Good to have you back, brother!” She vanished out of the opening in the tent.
Serena stepped through the opening and begun unfolding the blanket, preparing to lay it out on the cot. “Oh, you don't have to do that,” I said.
“It is my pleasure, Cami. We want you to feel as welcome as possible, it's been a long time since we've had a new addition. And to meet us under these circumstances, well-this must be a very difficult time for you,” she finished, gently laying the blanket down and placed the pillow at the top.
The Valley Page 22