by Meg Ripley
“I mean it.” No one else was in the room. Cameron didn’t even hear the music anymore. It was just the two of them, his heartbeat matching hers as they held each other. His body raged at him, threatening to shift or do something crazy if he didn’t act on his instincts. They were the same instincts that had been thrashing inside him since he’d first met Samantha, and spending so much time with her hadn’t made them go away. He wanted to pull her close until her body pressed against the length of his, to kiss her as though no one was watching, to keep her in his arms and never let go.
His eyes flicked down to her mouth once again, and just as he was about to bend his head and give in to the cravings that haunted him, Cameron realized what he was doing. Samantha was beautiful, sweet, supportive, and one hell of a catch, but she was his employee. Moreover, he’d sworn to himself that he’d never be with another woman. Not after Tess.
Cameron’s arms stiffened as he pulled back, his entire body fighting against itself. “Excuse me for a moment. I see someone I need to talk to.”
Samantha looked confused, but she nodded and forced a smile. “Of course. I’m going to see what they might have on the food table that’s actually edible.”
Without a reply, Cameron rushed off to the other side of the room. He knew most of the people there, at least in passing, but he didn’t want to talk to any of them. Instead, he pushed past a cluster of young actors and made his way to the restroom.
It was quiet inside the wood-paneled room, and he leaned heavily on the sink as he looked at himself in the mirror. “What the hell are you doing?” he whispered to himself. “You can’t have her, and you know that.” Even he could see the haunted look in his eyes, and he wondered how many others had noticed.
The bathroom door opened, admitting Blane. “You okay?” he asked. “You practically ran in here.”
“Yeah, of course. I, um, I think the hors d’oeuvres don’t agree with me.” Cameron turned on the tap and splashed a little cold water on his face. But it did nothing to assuage the heat inside him.
Blane raised his eyebrows and smiled. “I don’t know. I’ve seen you sick before. Don’t forget, it takes a dragon to know a dragon.”
Cameron ripped a paper towel from the dispenser and wiped it across his face. “All right, wise guy, then you tell me what’s the matter.”
The actor’s smile stretched, like he was thrilled to be making the diagnosis. “It’s pretty simple, really. You’re in love with Samantha.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Cameron knew it was true, but those words felt so heavy as they hit his ears.
“What’s so ridiculous about it?” Blane spread his arms wide to encompass the situation. “She’s pretty. She’s smart. She’s obviously working out as a nanny or you would’ve fired her already.”
Cameron leaned against the sink once again, gripping it so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He was going to have to find some time to shift soon to relieve some of this tension. It wouldn’t fix everything, but it would help. “So what? Anyone could fit that bill.”
“Who do you think you’re kidding, dude? I’ve known you for a long time. You’re completely smitten.”
“She’s my employee,” Cameron growled.
“And? You think this is the first time someone fell for the help? Maybe you should start watching your own movies.” Blane’s smirk was beyond annoying, but mostly because he was right.
“I just can’t do it. What about Tess?”
Stepping forward, Blane set his hand firmly on Cameron’s shoulder. “It’s admirable that you were so in love with her. But you can’t mourn her forever. I didn’t know her as well as I know you, but I’m pretty sure she’d want you to be happy.”
The joy and excitement of the night had faded completely. Cameron had a new trophy to put on his shelf, and a beautiful date to spend the evening with, but the only thing he wanted to do now was go home, crawl into bed, and forget that any of it had ever happened. “I don’t have any way of knowing that.”
“She didn’t mention it before she passed?” Blane asked gently.
She had, but Cameron didn’t like to think about it. It was easier to deny the words of truth she’d tried so hard to speak to him while she was ill. Tess had sat right there in their living room and told him to move on with his life, to be happy, to make sure Andy was happy. He’d cut her off, refusing to hear her talk like that, but of course Tess wanted to prepare for the future, even if it was a future she wasn’t destined to be a part of. “Maybe, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”
“I’m sure that’s true, and I can’t say that I’d want to be in your shoes. I can’t even imagine what it would be like for me if something happened to Courtney. But I do know you have an incredible woman out there who’s probably wondering where the hell you’ve gone and what she’s supposed to do with herself. Either that, or she’s cozying up to Rob Lowe in your absence and is getting ready to run away with him.”
“Very funny.” Blane was just joking, but the idea was enough to make Cameron straighten up again. He didn’t have any claim to Samantha, but he didn’t like the thought of another man moving in on her.
“I’m just kidding,” Blane admitted. “I introduced her to Courtney before I came in here. They’re probably talking about all sorts of girly stuff. But I suppose if Rob Lowe happens to come by, well then…”
“All right, all right. I guess even if I’m not sure what I want to do about my feelings for Samantha, I can still be a good date.” He adjusted his tie and straightened his tux jacket, taking a deep breath as he tried to convince himself this was going to be okay.
“Atta boy.” His friend patted him on the shoulder once more and smiled into the mirror. “It’s a start, anyway. And congratulations, by the way. You deserved that Oscar.”
Cameron headed for the door, turning on his heel to look at his friend. “I’ve earned one for producing, now let’s see if I can earn one for acting.”
Chapter Eight
“Not again.”
Samantha’s thoughts echoed in her mind, but she couldn’t say them out loud. It was like her body wasn’t her own anymore. She’d been able to control some of what she did in these visions, and at least she was no longer a part of the fighting, but she was still caught up in the battle. The army extended out on all sides of her, shields and helmets and swords as far as the eye could see. Samantha could no longer tell who was fighting on what side, and she had to wonder if that mattered. The fighting raged, the clashing of spears and swords thundering in her ears.
The one thing she felt she could be grateful for was that she was on her horse again. It wasn’t really hers, but she’d come to think of it as such. It was like an island in an ocean of chaos, and even though the horse didn’t quite keep her safe, riding on its back was much better than being down on the ground.
Samantha turned around, looking for the shadow creature, even though she didn’t truly want to find him. It was more of a sense of curiosity. Maybe if she figured out who this creature was, she could also figure out why he kept bringing her back there.
He was there behind the saddle, just as she knew he would be, but she couldn’t see his face. Nothing but a blurry shadow, and yet he had this much power over her. The skin on her back jerked and twitched, her body’s way of trying to get away from him. But Samantha knew she was trapped.
An outcry rose in the distance. Samantha turned her head, but the cold fingers of the shadow turned her face away. His touch startled and disgusted her. She didn’t want him anywhere near her, but she knew she couldn’t get away. Gritting her teeth, Samantha put up her hand and shoved his arm away so she could look.
Someone was making their way through the crowd. Samantha couldn’t see who it was at first, but the rest of the crowd was having a reaction to this presence. They lowered their swords and stepped back, opening a bloody path.
The feet of the newcomer’s mount squished into the stained and trampled grass as it approached. Samantha drew in
a breath as she studied the beast of burden, which was far different from her horse. With the shaggy body of a large wolf, it held its antlered head high as it strode toward Samantha. Its sleek face held bright blue eyes with a spark in them that suggested self-awareness. It wore no bridle, marching proudly along on its own volition.
Finally bringing her gaze back up to its riders, Samantha was startled to see the graceful woman who sat astride the deer-wolf hybrid. Her dark auburn hair tumbled down past her shoulders, and she kept her deep brown eyes focused directly on Samantha. Her skin was pure white, and she wore a gauzy red dress that spread out around her on the fur of the animal she rode.
The shadow was growing extremely agitated. It gave a strangling hiss in Samantha’s ear and tried to turn her away from the stranger once again. Samantha shoved her elbow backwards. She didn’t know if this thing was anything like a human, but it was worth trying. He gave an agitated cry, but the movement didn’t really deter him. Instead, he reached forward and grabbed the right rein of Samantha’s horse, yanking hard to turn it away from what was happening.
The horse rolled its eyes, pulling back against the bit as it tried bringing its dark gray face back around to see what was happening. It couldn’t have gone anywhere anyway, since the soldiers were packed in on all sides.
The elegant woman was now about ten feet away and her mount came to a halt. The fighting had stopped completely now, and every soldier had turned to stare. Even the shadow had locked his gaze on the woman, and Samantha could sense the fear that arose like a foul stench from his ashy gray skin.
With a small, knowing smile, the woman opened her mouth to speak. Samantha leaned slightly off the left side of her horse, still afraid of being on the ground, but desperate to hear what she had to say.
All hell broke loose. The shadow creature stood up on the horse’s rump and screamed, and it rallied the soldiers. They hefted their weapons as they echoed his call, turning to anyone who was in arm’s length and resumed fighting once again. The pathway that had been open between Samantha and the woman closed instantly as it filled with warring troops.
The woman’s lips were moving, and Samantha knew she was speaking directly to her. It was impossible to hear above the din, but Samantha was desperate for whatever information she could get. She gathered the reins in her own hands and tried to guide her horse toward the deer-wolf. While her mount seemed to want to go in that direction earlier, the resumed war had changed its mind. It hopped and leapt underneath her. The shadow clapped and screeched, encouraging the antics. In one final movement of desperation, the steed thrust its head down between its front legs and launched its back end into the air.
Samantha awoke, her breathing heavy and her hands clutching the blankets around her. Tears had leaked down onto her cheeks and dampened her pillow and sweat soaked the sheets. She tried to pull in a deep breath, but her body was shaking so badly, it was barely more than a gasp.
Looking at the clock, Samantha shoved herself out of bed. Her alarm wouldn’t go off for another twenty minutes, but that wasn’t enough time to try to get back to sleep. It wouldn’t be worth it anyway if she was going to be launched back into that same vision. It was better to just get up and focus on the real world.
But the real world was growing harder by the day. Samantha dragged herself across the room and into the bathroom for a shower, but her body was exhausted. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in at least a week. Neither aromatherapy nor meditation helped, and she’d even resorted to trying a glass of warm milk. Whatever this spirit wanted from her, it was relentless.
Her shower did nothing to wake her up, and Samantha slumped downstairs to get breakfast started before Andy got up. She nearly burned his toast when she dozed as she leaned against the edge of the counter. Her hands were weak, and the carton of milk felt far too heavy. This was getting bad. Somehow, she managed to get through the morning, making sure Andy was dressed, fed, and ready for the day.
Cameron strolled through the kitchen long enough to grab a muffin on his way out the door, and Samantha was glad they didn’t have a chance to talk. She didn’t want him to see just how miserable she was. Their night at the Oscars had been magical. Never having been to such an exclusive event, she hadn’t been sure what to expect. But it was just a lavish, fantastic party, and Samantha had to admit it was a lot of fun to meet so many big names in the entertainment industry.
The best part was being with Cameron. He was such a polite and courteous date, and she knew something was sparking between them. She didn’t dare to call it a flame yet, but Samantha knew it had the potential to build into a blazing fire. Cameron sensed it, too; she could tell. That soft, burning look in his eyes had been unmistakable. But by the end of the night, he’d pulled back to a polite distance, and Samantha knew it was for the best. He was her boss, and there were too many complications.
Still, it was hard not to think of what could have been their first kiss. It’d been so close to happening, and there was nothing in that moment that Samantha wanted more. Her stomach clenched every time she so much as thought about it, and that only made it more difficult to be around Cameron day in and day out. If he was avoiding her, then that was best for both of them.
“Can we go to de p-pawk today?” Andy asked enthusiastically when he’d returned downstairs after brushing his teeth.
“There’s a chance of rain. I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” It was true, but Samantha was grateful for a good excuse. She didn’t want to tell Andy that she just didn’t have the energy.
“Aw, okay. Wet’s pway a b-boawd game!”
Samantha pulled in a deep breath. She’d run along after Andy ever since she’d started. She enjoyed playing with him and teaching him, but she needed a day that didn’t require much thinking or physical movement. “Maybe later. I was thinking it would be fun to give ourselves a break and watch a little TV.” She finished washing his orange juice glass and set it in the rack to dry.
The boy frowned. “Dat sounds bowing.”
“It won’t be so boring. I think Fraggle Rock is on. You like that one.” Truth be told, Samantha didn’t really mind the cute little puppets herself.
His frown deepened as he turned those big brown eyes on her. “Don’t you w-w-wike pwaying wit m-me anymowe?”
Guilt squeezed at her heart, and she knelt in front of Andy. “Of course I do, sweetheart. I just don’t have a lot of energy, today.” She could easily have gone upstairs and headed back to bed, and she didn’t usually like to nap during the day.
“Awe you s-s-sick?” He pressed his cool little hand against her forehead. “Wewda was sick once, and I took cawe of her.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’m not sick.” At least, not really. Her body was just exhausted, but Samantha wasn’t sure what was going on with her mind. “Let’s just go see what we can find on TV for now, and then we can figure out what we’ll do after that.”
The idea was good enough for Andy, and he followed her into the living room. He curled up next to Samantha as she picked up the remote to find something to watch, laying his fringe of brown hair on her leg and snuggling close.
Samantha smiled sleepily, comforted by the warm weight of him. He was such a sweet boy, and a little time for them to just relax wouldn’t hurt either of them. She stroked her fingers through his hair as she tipped her head back and closed her eyes, feeling more relaxed than she had in several days…
Her eyes flew open knowing something was wrong. Samantha blinked, wondering for a moment why she’d slept in the living room and how long she’d been there. The TV had changed over to a kids’ movie she didn’t recognize, and Andy was gone. Samantha clicked off the television and looked around. “Andy?”
There was no answer, but an odd smell hung in the air. Her heart pounded as she inhaled deeply, hoping she wasn’t right, but it was definitely smoke. “Andy! Where are you?” Samantha was on her feet, charging through the house.
It didn’t take long the find the sourc
e of the smoke, considering that it crept in wisps along the ceiling. Samantha traced these down the hallway and around the corner to the kitchen, where she was afraid to open the door.
Andy stood in the middle of the kitchen—or at least Samantha assumed it was Andy. What she was actually looking at was a small dragon, snorting as he stomped the black crumbs under his feet. Every couple of seconds, a small stream of fire shot out one nostril. The smoke was much thicker in here, but it was obvious after one quick look that there were no active flames other than the ones coming from his dragon.
“Andy! What on earth is going on in here?” Samantha curled her fists at her sides, not even sure where to begin. The one thing she did know was that she was more awake than she’d been in a week.
He ceased his stomping to look up at her. A startled dragon might have been amusing if it weren’t for the situation, his mouth slack and his eyes wide. “I was h-h-hungwy, and you weh asweep.”
“You could have woken me up!” Samantha waved her hands in front of her face as she approached him, grimacing at all the smoke. “And you could have burned the house down!”
Andy slowly melted back down into his human form. His wings tucked into his back, and his head rolled uncannily as his neck shortened and straightened. It wasn’t long before the sulking face focused on her was incredibly human.
Just when she thought things couldn’t get worse, the door to the garage opened and Cameron stepped through. After one look at the kitchen, he dropped his briefcase and shot forward to his son and nanny. “What’s going on? Is everyone okay?”
Samantha pressed her lips together. “Everyone’s fine, but I’m still trying to figure out what happened. Andy was just about to tell me.”
Cameron turned to his son expectantly.
The waterworks began instantly, tears gushing down his cheeks. “I w-was h-hungwy, and Ms. P-P-Pawkah was asweep. I tawt I c-could make de t-t-toast mysewf, but aw it did was b-b-b…” He kept trying with the last word, but he couldn’t seem to get it out.