Sophia lifted her head, her face blotchy with burst blood vessels. “I don’t know what will happen if I try to teleport us into a moving vehicle,” she said, her voice hoarse.
She sat up and looked out the front of the SUV. They approached a bus stop.
She turned to Camille. “Close your eyes.”
Camille floated free of her body, then an instant later her body weight slammed back onto her bones. Camille fell to her knees, clutching an unconscious Sophia to her chest. She looked up in time to see the silver SUV speed by. She allowed herself to remain visible while the three black SUV’s sped by, then shoved her Shine out, hiding her and Sophia. She pushed herself to her feet and carried Sophia’s dead weight to the deserted bus stop.
Moments later, a black SUV screeched to a halt behind her. Jeremy jumped out and she stopped Shining.
Jeremy ran over and hauled both Camille and the unconscious Sophia into his arms. “You’re safe.” He gave her a hard kiss.
Camille met his agonized gaze. “How did you find us?”
He took Sophia from her arms and lifted Camille’s engagement ring to his lips. “I put a small tracker on the inside of the band.”
Camille gave him a wobbly smile. “I love you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Camille stared wide-eyed at her friends in the mirror. They'd all worked feverishly the last two weeks to make this day happen. In one week, her whole team except Jenni would be boarding a plane for Russia. Today, she was getting married. A lump formed in her throat. It was really happening. Her vision grew blurry. She closed her eyes and inhaled. A hand held her head still and the sound of an aerosol can filled the quiet. Camille coughed, the combination of tears and hairspray making breathing impossible.
"Sorry," Sophia mumbled around the bobby pins she held in her mouth.
Camille glanced up into the mirror to see Sophia stick another bobby-pin into the elaborate up-do she'd created. Camille ignored her burning eyes and reached up to squeeze Sophia’s arm, grateful to have the other Shine with her today. She’d come so close to losing another sister.
Sophia gave her hair a final pat and stepped back. “You’re stunning, Cam.”
Behind her, Brenna and Jenni pulled an elegant white sheath dress from its protective covering. She clenched her jaw against the swell of emotion tightening her chest. She'd dreamed of this day as a little girl, but it had been her mom behind her doing her hair. Her breathe came in short gasps. Her body temperature climbed. She squeezed her eyes shut. She missed her mother so much. A traitorous tear slid slowly down her cheek.
A soft hand gently wiped the tear from her cheek. Camille opened her eyes to see Brenna and Sophia watching her with glistening gazes.
Jenni wiped Camille's face again, sorrow swimming in her dark eyes. "There's no way your mom isn't looking down from heaven today, Cam. She'd have been so proud of the woman you've become. She'd have loved the man you've chosen."
Unsurprised that her best friend had read her mind, Camille swallowed and nodded, unable to say a word. She picked up her grandmother's diamond pendant earrings. Something old.
The door to the Castle's first floor bedroom, Camille's make-shift bridal chamber, opened and Rachel swept in, her smile turning into a scowl. "You're ruining my masterpiece," she cried.
Brenna tossed the dress's protective plastic at Rachel's feet as the other Shine hastened past. The plastic tangled around Rachel's spiked heels, tripping her. Sophia flashed to her side and caught her before she went down.
Rachel swung to face a laughing Brenna. "What are you? Five?"
Brenna arched an eyebrow. "Just using you as comedic relief, since you barreled in and totally ruined Camille's moment."
Rachel opened her mouth, but Camille held up one finger as she gingerly dabbed at the moisture around her eyes, fighting an exasperated smile. "Not today, ladies." She gestured to her face. "Fix me, please."
Rachel scowled at Brenna then took the tissue from Camille and gently blotted at her face. "Everything is ready. I was told to give you the ten minute warning."
Camille took a deep breath to calm the sudden butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She shifted on her stool.
"Hold still. Virtuoso at work here," Rachel said in a sing song voice. Camille smiled and met Rachel's laughing gaze. The other Shine reapplied mascara onto Camille's bottom lashes, then stepped back and studied her work. "Perfect. Dress?"
Camille stood and gingerly stepped into the elegant sheath dress Brenna and Sophia held open for her. The bodice closed snuggly around her torso and hips as Sophia hooked the jeweled halter around her neck. Jenni tapped Camille's leg and she slipped her foot into matching jeweled, high heel sandals. Once she was dressed, the four other Shines stepped back, smiles on their faces.
"You're so beautiful." Jenni wheeled her chair forward. "You've got your Gran's earrings for something old, your lingerie is new, your garter is blue." She held out a jeweled cuff bracelet. "I'd like you to borrow this from me. It'll match your dress perfectly."
Rachel began fanning Camille's face. "There you go trying to mess with my masterpiece again. Seriously, enough with the water works. You're about to marry the hottest guy in the country." She lifted both eyebrows. "And that's saying something when you consider eye candy like the gorgeous Arik Sova."
Camille shook her head, Rachel's antics having the desired effect. "I'll take Jeremy over some Hollywood actor every time."
"If you'd seen the movie, Twice Accused, you might reconsider," Rachel said, wagging her eyebrows. "It's got a full frontal scene that would make any red-blooded female's heart pound."
"We are so not talking about some other man's parts right before Camille says her vows," Brenna said in a dry voice.
Rachel shrugged. "Like I said—" she gave Brenna a pointed look "—any red blooded female. Some people need to develop an imagination to go with their genius IQ."
Brenna mimed choking Rachel behind her back. Camille laughed and shook her head. "You two need to get along."
The door to the bridal chambers opened and Karen stuck her head in. "It's time."
Rachel hugged Camille, all traces of humor gone. "I'm so jealous of you right now. I hope we all get a chance to find someone to love us like Jeremy loves you."
Brenna put an arm around Rachel's waist, their animosity set aside for once. "You give other Shines hope that we can one day find the same thing."
Arms around the other's waist, both women turned and left. Sophia turned Camille to the mirror and inserted the floor length veil into her hair.
Before pulling the short piece that covered Camille's face into place, she kissed both of Camille's cheeks. "Not only are you a worthy leader for our little family, but you're also beautiful inside and out. Congratulations." This time Camille fanned her own face while Jenni rubbed her back. "I'll wait out here and give you two a moment of privacy," Sophia said before stepping out and closing the door behind her.
Jenni lifted a bouquet of pink roses from its stand on the dressing table and handed it to Camille. "Your parents may not be alive, but don't for one moment think you don't have any family left. Each of the women you brought here loves you like a sister and would do anything for you." The other Shine held Camille's gaze. "I’ve always considered you my sister."
Camille bent down and threw her arms around her best friend. They'd each been through so much and come out on the other side with much more than had been taken.
"Thank you."
Jenni wheeled over to the door. "Ready?"
Camille inhaled. "More than."
They opened the door and Sophia took her place behind Jenni's chair. They made their way to the base of the tower stairs that lead to the castle's upper music room where the ceremony was taking place. Aura's huge friend, Tank, waited for them. At least six foot tall with the build of a refrigerator/freezer, Tank looked like she could kill you with one swipe of her hand.
When they reached her, the oversized Shine smiled, transforming her face
from intimidating to kind, and bent to lift Jenni with one arm. "Careful on the steps in those fancy heels, ladies."
Jenni put her hands on Tank's shoulders. "Thanks, Madeline."
Tank shook her head with a smile. "I don't mind being called Tank."
"You have a perfectly beautiful name. Why would I replace it with one that's less so?" Jenni asked.
The larger woman grabbed the wheelchair in her other hand and hauled her charge up the stairs while Camille and Sophia followed. "Because the less beautiful name is more appropriate."
Jenni shook her head, but was stopped from responding by the appearance of the upper music room's door. Tank sat Jenni back into her chair, then gave Camille a thumbs up and opened the door.
The room had been transformed with white tulle and pink roses. The guests sat in white chairs, along an isle that led to the stage. A tulle wrapped arbor threaded with pink roses and leafy vines stood in the stage's center, Michael presided as the officiant and Jeremy waiting by his side.
Sophia pushed Jenni's chair inside the door, then arranged Camille's short train behind her. When finished, she signaled to Aura who sat waiting at the old organ. The intro to the traditional wedding march cut through the chattering voices. The gathered Shines stood and turned to face her, blocking her view of Jeremy. She wiped her sweaty palms on the handkerchief Jenni had wrapped around the bouquet’s stem. Inhaling deeply, she took Jenni's bent arm and moved to the beginning of the rose petal strewn isle. Jeremy's eyes widened when she came into view, his gaze slowly sliding down her body. He smiled, his love and desire for her written on his face for everyone to see.
The butterflies disappeared. Her eyes locked on him, she took Jenni's bent arm and moved down the isle, barely feeling her feet hit the floor. The world around her blurred, Michael's words piercing her heart as she promised to love Jeremy forever. The room held its breath when he slid the sapphire and diamond ring on her finger, then erupted with applause when he bent her over his arm and kissed her breathless.
The cutting of the cake, champagne toasts, and photos passed in a blur, her death grip on Jeremy's arm her only anchor. Finally, it was time to throw the bouquet and leave. A group of women, Jenni in the center, gathered on the first floor patio under the walkway that connected the second floors of the main house and its annex. Camille stood on the walkway, her back to the group. The women counted down. 3-2-1. Camille tossed the bouquet over her shoulder, then she turned around.
The bouquet arched through the air, the group of women laughing as they climbed over each other to get it first. It ricocheted off a tall blond Shine's hand, hit Karen in the head, and landed in Jenni's lap. The other ladies, seeing where it had landed, clapped and whistled. Lewd catcalls and laughter erupted as everyone gave Jenni and Michael a hard time. Jenni met Camille's gaze, a wide smile on her face, the bouquet clutched tightly in her lap.
Camille moved to the stairs where Jeremy waited and they descended together. Bird seed showered them as they moved to the east gate. Waving at their friends, they passed through the gate to find Jeremy's truck waiting, decked out with a just married banner and white painted cans on the back.
Before putting the truck into drive, Jeremy pulled her close and covered her mouth with his. When he they came up for air, they both sat breathless.
Jeremy smiled and kissed her nose. "Let's go home, Mrs. Walker."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Camille shifted in the cramped airplane seat, dislodging Rachel’s head from her shoulder. Ignoring the movie playing on her seat screen, Camille slid a finger across her tablet and pulled up the last picture she'd taken of Jeremy before Brenna dragged her toward their plane's gate in Las Vegas. Devastatingly sexy in distressed jeans that hung low on his hips, slightly mussed curly hair, and a clinging t-shirt, she'd been unable to resist lifting her tablet. His lips had curved in a secretive smile as he gave her a knowing look that had made her toes curl as she snapped the photo.
"It's been, what, like eighteen hours since you said goodbye?" Rachel asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Camille didn't look up from the photo. "Can it, Magneto. Green is so not your color."
The other Shine sighed. "I know. It's making me sick of myself." And Rachel said those words with so much sincerity that Camille had to close her eyes and bite back her laughter. "Just ignore me, Cam. I'll get over it." The other Shine's voice lowered to a mutter. "Maybe."
Laughter bubbled despite her best efforts to restrain it.
She slung an arm around Rachel's neck and pulled her close. "You're too much. You know that, right?" The other Shine scowled, despite the humor dancing in her dark brown eyes. "I'm so glad I have you to watch my back. It means more than you'll ever know."
Rachel pulled away, mock horror twisting her face. "Now don't go getting all mushy on me, Cam. We're a family. We're just doing what families do."
Brenna leaned forward, eyebrows raised. "Wow, that is so heartwarming, princess. I mean, you get any mushier you'll make Cam and I, both, tear right up."
Rachel's brows lowered and she opened her mouth to, no doubt, blast Brenna with a scathing remark of her own.
Camille slapped a palm over each of their faces. "Enough, you two."
The Captain's voice, in Russian, interrupted their antics, the English translation flashing across each of the seat screens. Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please turn off all electronic devices until we are safely parked at the gate. Thank you.
"Finally," Rachel said after shoving Camille's hand away from her face. "First class is looking less and less like a waste of money for the flight back to the States."
"Yeah, because there wasn't that stop at Heathrow and a two hour layover to break things up, or anything," Brenna growled.
"It's been a long couple of days, ladies. Let's focus on getting through customs and migration rather than your ongoing feud," Camille said dryly. She tucked her tablet into her backpack, then shoved the bag under the seat in front of her. The plane banked. She leaned toward Rachel and looked out the window, catching her first glimpse of Russia. The patchwork quilt of trees, buildings, and fields was disappointingly ordinary. She shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts and sat back. The plane landed at Domodedovo International Airport, the time and temperature flashing in English and Russian on her seat screen.
All seven women disembarked into the busy airport. The overly warm building was crowded with people hurrying to their terminals. Camille's heart pounded hard in her chest when they found the custom and migration counter. After handing over their passports, they were given migration cards to fill out. The stoic faced woman studied each passport and visa, then looked at each woman, carefully comparing their faces to the image in the passport. Camille resisted the urge to wipe her damp palms on her pants as first Karen and then the rest of them were finally given their documents and waved through to baggage claim.
Camille's luggage still hadn't come around on the conveyor belt when a hand tugged on her shirt. Annoyed at the delay, Camille cast an impatient look behind her then swung around.
An old woman, her wild eyes on Sophia, stood behind their group, her boney fingers tangled in Camille's t-shirt. "Go home, special ones. This place is dangerous for you."
Sophia gave the woman a wobbly smile and answered the woman's garbled Russian. "Don't worry about me, Grandmother. I have friends to help me stay safe on Moscow's streets."
The woman's faded gaze swung to Camille. "You must listen. I couldn't save her. They took her and they'll take you."
Camille gently pried the woman's fingers from her clothing. "We are just tourists, grandmother. We will be careful."
The old woman's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "This place is not what it seems." The woman's voice broke. "I could not save her."
A tall young woman with long white blonde hair and piercing pale blue eyes appeared at the old woman's elbow. "Come, Grandmother. They do not listen. We must go," she said, her eyes darting around the baggage claim area.
Camille stepped forward. "Wait. How do you know?"
The younger woman's intelligent gaze landed on Sophia. "You should have stayed away. Did your parents not tell you why they left?"
Sophia's face paled. "They only wanted a better life for me."
"Nyet," the woman spat, blue eyes glacial. "You lie to yourself." The woman backed away, pulling the old woman with her. "Go back to the U.S. and stay there."
"It's no longer safe there for us," Sophia said.
"Better an enemy you can see than one that takes you unawares," the woman said before disappearing with the old woman into the crowded airport.
Daisy pointed toward the conveyor belt peppered with saran wrapped suitcases. "Your luggage, Cam."
Camille chewed the inside of her cheek and stared at the spot where the woman had stood. Had she led her team into a worse situation than what they'd left?
Karen put a hand on her arm. "We have to be sure, Cam."
She caught Karen's pleading gaze then glanced toward Rachel and Brenna. Both of her closest friends shrugged. Unable to ignore the hope on Karen's face, she shoved aside her unease and grabbed her suitcase. She led her team away from the baggage claim area, a shiver of foreboding lifting the hairs on her arms. Camille couldn't help but wonder who had taken the girl the old woman had been unable to save and what they'd done with her.
CHAPTER NINE
Camille carefully scanned the sea of people holding signs, looking for the representative from GEIV that was supposed to meet them.
Rachel pointed at an older woman in a knee length, black skirt and matching jacket. Camille sighed at the first friendly smile they'd seen since leaving the airplane.
Shine: Season One (Shine Season Book 1) Page 102