Cam bristled, and Dahlia ran a calming hand down his arm, keeping hold of his hand. She could hold him back with that small touch.
"The feeling was entirely mutual," she responded.
Jace's jaw clenched. "It was worth it only to watch Cam burn," he gritted out.
"That and to get hold of your sister."
"It wasn't worth anything to me," she said, aware she fanned the flames. "You know what's funny? I planned to turn you myself."
Jace's eyes flared.
"As devoted as you are to Aster," Dahlia continued, "you would have been equally devoted to me. Now that might have been worth the horror of being with you, watching you follow me around like a puppy dog, as you've been followed around all these years."
Jace roared with anger and lunged at her. Dahlia was stronger than Jace and knew he couldn't hurt her. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to tell Cam, and, as she let go his hand to take Jace down, Cam stepped in front of her. Jace, unable or unwilling to stop his progress grasped Cam and tore into his neck, fighting with his new instinct rather than any kind of sense. In moments, Dahlia was on Jace and had thrown him across the room. He stared at her, stunned.
"Get out before I rip your head off," Dahlia growled. Then she saw the blood on his chin and turned to Cam, terror ripping through her. He lay on the floor, bleeding.
"Cam!" she screamed, dropping next to him.
She felt movement behind her and turned to see Jace had stepped closer.
"I'm sorry," Jace said. "I didn't mean . . . ." He didn't finish as his eyes fastened ravenously on Cam's bleeding neck.
Having heard the commotion, Aster burst into the room. One look around was all she needed to figure out what had happened.
"Get him out," Dahlia commanded. Aster grabbed Jace's hand and dragged him from the room. Moments later, the front door slammed.
Dahlia turned back to Cam. He was gasping for air. As someone very familiar with blood, Dahlia immediately recognized the difference between arterial blood and venous blood—and there was far too much arterial blood. She grabbed a nearby sweatshirt and pressed the cloth against his neck with a moan, knowing how futile her efforts were.
"Cam, please, you have to hold on." Tears streamed down her face.
Wet warmth reached her fingers through the sweatshirt as Cam stared at her with desperate eyes.
"Cam, I can't . . . I can save you, Cam. But there's only one way. Do you know what I'm saying?"
Cam's hand came up to grasp hers. He squeezed weakly.
"I don't know what that means," she cried. "I love you, Cam. I don't want to lose you, but I won't change you against your will. Squeeze again if you want me to try."
He squeezed once more before his hand slid away. With a cry, she began the process.
* * * * *
Dahlia was leaving. She'd submitted to the ceremony, but that was where her loyalty to her people ended. She was ready to be her own person—if a monster could be considered a person. She felt she'd fulfilled her duty, and no longer felt any obligation.
She closed her suitcase, looking at the spot where Cam had lay dying, and her heart lurched. If she never returned to this house, it would be too soon. She swung the suitcase off the bed and walked out. Her family waited in the parlor. Jace had managed to recover nicely from any residual guilt he might have felt over attacking Cam. In fact, he managed to act as if it hadn't happened at all.
"Well," she said. "I'm off."
"I wish you wouldn't go, darling," her mother purred.
Dahlia wished her mother meant what she said. If only wishes could come true . .
. .
"Be happy, my dear," her father said, hugging her and dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Dahlia thought she would probably miss him. If only he had been the father she needed throughout her whole childhood, rather than only recently, she might not have felt the need to go away.
Aster stepped forward. "You're still a freak," she said. Then she pulled Dahlia into a hug. "Still, if I had to have a big sister, you were a good one to have. I probably wouldn't be as nice as I am if not for you."
Dahlia bit her tongue against the retort that sprang to her lips and hugged Aster back. Jace simply saluted her mockingly, and Dahlia backed away toward the door.
"Will you ever call, do you think?" her mother suddenly asked.
Dahlia thought about her answer.
"Maybe." It was the most she could promise.
With a final wave, she turned away and exited the house. The sunshine hit her full force, and she stood still for one moment, basking, breathing in the scent of freedom.
"Are you coming, or do I need to come up there and get you?" Cam called teasingly.
Dahlia opened her eyes, drinking in the sight of him. She would never get tired of looking at him. She smiled widely and stumbled down the front steps into his waiting arms.
Cam's mouth closed over hers, pulling her close against himself. Dahlia tightened her arms around his neck, reveling in the fact she could hold him with all her strength without breaking him.
"Hi." Cam grinned, pulling back slightly.
"Hi," Dahlia answered breathlessly. Her eyes dropped to his neck, marred by a hideous scar, which was fading daily, though not fast enough for her liking. She hated any reminder of how close she had come to losing him.
He tipped his head up, exposing the scar. "How does it look?" he asked.
"Alive," she answered, pulling his mouth to hers once more.
~The End~
About the Author
Cindy C Bennett was born and raised in Salt Lake City, where she still happily resides.
She is the YA author of Geek Girl, Heart on a Chain, and Immortal Mine. Her favorite things (besides writing) are spending time with her family, reading, or riding her Harley through the beautiful canyons near her home. Dark chocolate ranks somewhere up there near the tops of her favorite things as well. She also hosts a geek podcast with her son once a week.
Learn more about Cindy C. Bennett online at http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/
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