I do not own Twilight, but I bought some glow in the dark socks the other day. Pretty sure that's just as good, right?
This one goes out to my new pal bittenbadly. She randomly messaged me one day and we got to talking. People- don't be afraid to do this. I love chatting with randoms, about Twilight, life, whatever :P
This took way longer than expected… shit going on in my life, Australian equivalent of junior prom, school restarting and writer's block- all at the exact same time! :S Sorry folks! This story is like my child, and by not updating, I am locking my child in a cupboard and feeding it cardboard… Bad analogy… :S
Read now :D
-Chapter 14-
Renesmee POV
I blushed as the closing credits of To Kill A Mocking Bird appeared on the screen before me. Cameron had just excused himself to use the bathroom and I was sitting, face flushed, on the couch. I curled up into the warmth of the cushion where our body heat remained and shut my eyes contentedly, sighing deeply. There was perfect silence for a few moments before my stomach rumbled softly. I laughed, sitting up. The pancakes felt hours ago and it was getting dark outside- time for dinner.
I got up and stretched my arms over my head as I headed towards the kitchen. I hummed under my breath as I opened the refrigerator, briefly scanning the contents to see what I could make out of them. There was some tomatoes and I knew there was mince in the freezer. I did a quick check for onions and then decided to make lasagne. I took the vegetables and got out a cutting board and knife and was just about to make the first cut into a tomato when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I didn't jump that time, recognising his touch immediately.
"What are you making?" Cameron asked, wrapping his arms around me from behind and pulling me gently against him.
"I was thinking lasagne?" I said, slicing into the tomato.
"Mmm," he murmured, and I felt his lips against the side of my neck. I shivered slightly and jumped when the knife slipped through my fingers, clattering onto the countertop noisily. He chuckled and picked it up for me, laying it down on the cutting board again.
"Don't distract me, you," I scolded him jokingly, turning to face him.
"Is that what you really want?" he teased, running his hands down my arms and back up again.
"If you want dinner, then yes," I told him, smiling.
"Fine. I'd offer to help but…" he trailed off and we both laughed.
"That's probably best. You sit there," I told him, pointing to the kitchen stool on the other side of the counter to where I was working. He obliged, sitting down in the stool and drawing it close to the bench. He watched with seeming interest as I sliced the onion and tomatoes, mixing them with crushed garlic in a frying pan. My eyes didn't water from the onions, a side effect of the venom that accompanied the blood in my veins. I added the defrosted mince and then mixed some red wine into the sauce before leaving it all to simmer on the stove whilst I prepared the pastry.
"You're really good at that, you know," Cameron spoke up unexpectedly as I finished layering the pan with pastry and cheese.
"It's not hard." I smiled so he knew I was joking.
"You're talking to me remember? The pancake fail guy," he smirked as I burst into giggles at his label.
"True," I said, smiling at his ineptitude.
It didn't take long for me to finish making the lasagne, layering it all properly and placing it into the oven to cook. Soon, the smell of herbs and tomatoes was wafting tantalisingly around the kitchen and I breathed in deeply, utterly content. Cameron set the table whilst the lasagne cooked, and we said little to nothing. There was a peaceful feeling settled over us, a sense of calm after a very stressful 24 hours. So much had happened, I thought, as I glanced at the clock to find it was going on eight o'clock. That time yesterday, I had been at Sasha's house, still getting ready. I'd been oblivious to what would happen…
I hadn't been able to remember much that morning, but as the day progressed my memory had grown clearer. The vile words whispered in my ear, the hot fingers dragging along my flesh…
I shuddered involuntarily, a small whimper escaping my mouth as I realised I'd allowed myself to think about it, to re-immerse my thoughts in what I'd promised myself I would forget. Cameron was standing in front of me, a look of pure concern on his face, before I could blink.
"Are you alright?" he asked, taking my hand and smoothing circles onto my palm with his thumb.
"I… yes. I just lost it for a moment there. I'm fine," I said, wishing desperately that I was.
"Ness… You're not fine. That's not the first time I've seen you do that today. Are you sure you don't want to talk abou-"
"Yes. I mean no. I- I don't want to talk about it. If I don't think about it, it'll go away," I stammered, willing the words to be true. He sighed deeply, looking me in the eyes with his deep, penetrating stare.
"As long as you know I'm here for you if you need me. Promise me you'll talk to me if you feel you need to," he requested, placing a hand against my cheek in a wordless gesture of comfort. I smiled, touched that he cared so much. My insecurities from earlier flashed through my mind again. Was it at all possible he loved me back? Was there any hope at all for a future with him?
I sighed as I nodded, letting him know that I trusted him, that I would go to him if I needed help.
The oven timer went off then and he released my hand so I could go and shut it off. I served up the lasagne onto our plates and we carried them over to the table where we usually sat. This time, however, we both paused near the seats. Typically, we sat opposite each other, but given what had transpired between us today… I looked up at him, hesitating between sitting in my usual seat or taking the one next to him. He shrugged, sitting in his usual seat and nodding towards the seat next to him. I sat down next to him and was surprised when he took my hand again between our chairs.
I looked sideways at him and he grinned back. A few seconds passed and then he grinned, gently pulling his hand slightly away.
"Changed my mind. I need that back if I'm gonna' eat," he winked, reclaiming his fork with his now-free hand. I smiled with him and we both started eating our dinner in the comfortable silence that only good food can bring.
***
"Want me to come and tuck you in?" Cameron offered, bringing our joined hands to his lips and kissing the back of my hand sweetly. We stood just outside my doorway, and even though he would be sleeping only a few doors down from me, I still didn't want to part with him. It was ludicrous to be saying 'goodnight' to him, him being in the same house and all, but yet there we were.
I sighed. As tempting as being 'tucked in' sounded, I needed to be alone with my thoughts. There was no way I could think objectively about him or decide what to do next if he was distracting me as he surely would. His kisses left me bewildered and breathless and desperate for more- not exactly making for the best objective thought patterns.
"Mmmm, raincheck?" I murmured leaning my head against his shoulder.
"Of course, if that's what you want," he replied, pressing his lips to my hair. But it's not what I want! I longed to tell him. I didn't want him to leave my side, and truly, if I let myself do what I wanted instead of walking the rational, slow and steady path, he would be sleeping right beside me as he had done last night.
"Goodnight, Renesmee," he whispered, leaning in to kiss me farewell. His lips pressed ever-so-gently against my own, the taste that was uniquely him washing over my senses all over again. The gentle caress of his lips against mine felt so natural, so perfect. It was almost impossible to believe that, before today, I'd only dreamt of being kissed by him. In my mind, it had been a childish fantasy, an impossibility. I smiled as I pulled away at the same time as he did, completely overcome by my good luck.
"Goodnight, Cameron," I replied, clinging to his hand strongly for a second before letting him go. He walked slowly to his room and turned to face me before closing it. He winked just once before shutting the door and I smiled as I pushed my own door shut behind me.
I dressed for bed mechanically, mentally going over my day, highlighting the moments I would try and remember forever. Our first kiss had to rank in the top five moments of my entire life. I smiled as I slid into bed, recalling the experience and trying desperately to commit it to memory.
I shut my eyes and tried to let myself relax. Just then, I felt how tired I was. I yawned once, stretching my arm out to switch off my bedside light. I would think about it all tomorrow, when I was in a better frame of mind. A cold breeze blew in through my open window and I curled deeper into my blankets, feeling the chill resonate deep within me.
Cameron POV
I smiled as I shut my door behind me. The day had ended well, I thought, considering everything that had gone wrong. I was incredibly worried about her emotional well being after the night before, but she'd seemed almost panicked by the prospect of talking about it. I didn't want to push her but part of me feared what would happen if she didn't address her obvious issues.
I sighed, accepting that there wasn't much I could do to help until she would let me. I quickly pulled my shirt over my head, tossing it to the ground next to the bed as I lay down on top of my sheets. I didn't think I'd be able to fall asleep for quite some time, my thoughts going a thousand miles a minute.
How would I protect Renesmee, Carolina and the Cullens from the Volturi?
Should I tell her I loved her?
Would she say it back?
I groaned, staring at the ceiling above me as if it would yield the answers I sought if I just looked hard enough. Could I do it? Could I put myself out there, leave myself at her mercy? But wasn't that what love was about? Making that blind leap of faith and relying on the other person to stop you from falling? There was no telling what she thought of me, what her reaction would be if I said those three little words to her.
Unless….
I sat up quickly, silently getting to my feet and moving to my door. I opened it just a crack and listened intently for a sound. I could just faintly hear deep, even breathing coming from her room. Could I?
Her unguarded dreams were so close. I could be silent, I could know what she was thinking and she would be none the wiser. I let the idea play itself out in my head. Suppose she caught me, then what? I could imagine her anger, the way her eyes would flash with irritation if she caught me spying on her thoughts, her dreams.
No.
I couldn't do it. With a rueful smile, I let my feet take me back to bed. I would not degrade her like that, invade her privacy like that. It wasn't the fear of being caught that sent me back to my pillow, it was respect for her. I would not lower myself to that.
I settled myself back into the bed and felt my eyes droop. I had not realised how tired I was. Just as I floated at the fringes of sleep, a noise shattered the silence. I could hear a quiet scream coming from Renesmee's room.
I got out of bed and sprinted down the corridor, shoving her door roughly out of my way. She was lying in her bed, her feet twisted in the sheets, her hair sprawled around her head in disarray. Her eyes were shut and I saw her crying and shaking. I couldn't watch her in such pain like that without doing something, so, unthinkingly, I sat on the bed by her side and took her hand in mine. She screamed again, yanking her hand away from me and curling into a ball, her eyes still squeezed tightly shut.
"Renesmee? It's me, Cameron. Are you alright?" I asked, at a loss of how I was supposed to help her. She was having a nightmare, that much was clear. I also had a very good idea of what it would likely be about. If I was right- and something told me I was- then she would not want me touching her right then. If her dreams taunted her with memories of men doing bad things to her, then I would not reinforce that fear if I could avoid it.
A few seconds later she sat up so quickly I nearly fell backwards in surprise.
"Are you alright?" I asked, so relieved that she was awake.
"I'm… I'm…" She didn't finish her sentence, slumping forward suddenly so that her head rested on her knees. I moved slowly, carefully, so as not to alarm her further.
"Nessie? Can I hug you?" I asked timidly, anticipating a 'no'. She looked up immediately but I couldn't decipher her expression. A second passed before she reached her arms out towards me. I pulled her gently into me, resting her head securely against my shoulder and letting her know that I was there for her, just as I promised I would be.
It was simple to forget that she was nearly as strong as me, sometimes. That's why I was completely off guard when she used her unnatural strength to pull me down onto the bed. She pushed me gently to the side so I was lying next to her, much as I had last night.
"Please stay with me. I don't want to talk about it but I… I want you here with me, p-please?" she stammered the last part, her face turning uncertain as I didn't respond to her words.
"Of course," I reassured her, lying cautiously on my side, facing her. There was almost complete silence for a few minutes as we just lay on her bed, staring at each other. The only sound was her still escalated heartbeat.
"Cameron?" she whispered suddenly, breaking the silence with a timid voice.
"Yes?"
"Can I come closer?" she asked, her face flushing the adorable red color I was so fond of.
"Anything for you," I returned, smiling as I drew her into my arms. A few seconds passed before we were positioned in much the same arrangement as the night before. I smiled, secretly glad that she had been the one to suggest it. My arms had been itching to hold her but I hadn't known if it would be appropriate.
"Would it be weird if we put the blanket over us?" Nessie asked after a short moment. I knew exactly what she meant by 'weird' and had to think it over for a few seconds. Last night had been a pure accident that we'd ended up in bed together. But tonight, I was knowingly agreeing to sleep next to her. After the change in our relationship today I wasn't sure that I could trust myself with that. I knew how quickly my thoughts could take less than innocent paths and I doubted my ability to keep my hands to myself if we had a blanket over the top of us.
But, because I'm such a masochist and couldn't find it in myself to deny her anything, I quickly reached down and tugged the blanket over us.
"I'll try and behave," I whispered in her ear. She shivered suddenly and I worried for a moment that I'd frightened her.
"Good boys are no fun," she whispered back, turning her head around to smile wickedly at me. I managed to keep my breathing normal but inside my thoughts were in a frenzy. Why did she have to say that, why?! I kissed her neck softly to abate some of the longing I was feeling for her. It wasn't enough but it was as far as I was willing to push my control that night.
"Sleep now, you dangerous girl," I told her, pulling back to rest my head against the pillow.
"Goodnight, Cameron," she replied, yawning once before curling closer to me. I sighed happily once before shutting my own eyes, drifting slowly into sleep, once more, completely at ease.
***
Renesmee POV
"God you're comfortable," I said, making no move to sit up from where I was.
"I could say the same about you," Cameron replied, his voice still thick with sleep. I looked up from where I was comfortably resting my head on his chest and saw he was smiling down at me. I shut my eyes in contentment and burrowed further into the warmth that was his body. His hands absently trailed through my hair and I glanced around my room, watching as the dappled sunshine filtered lazily through my open window.
"Any more nightmares last night?" Cameron asked, and his words were a slight dampener to my mood.
"None since you came and woke me up. Thank you," I whispered. The remnants of the horrific dream felt like they were etched on the back of my eyelids, but I didn't want to go crying to Cameron every time something went wrong. I could be strong, and I would be. I wasn't exactly regretting that I'd forced him to sleep in my bed last night, but I felt weak to be admitting I needed him.
"You're welcome. I told you that I would be here if you needed me and I meant it," he promised, tightening his hold on me slightly.
"I'm so glad it's Sunday. I don't feel like school today," I yawned.
"I know exactly what you mean. Growing up I never went to school but now, after a month of it, I feel like I might just shoot myself in the foot if I have to sit through another assembly."
We both laughed and talked about nothing in particular for a few minutes.
"I suppose we should probably get up now," I sighed after a few moments of silence.
"Probably," Cameron replied, seemingly as reluctant as I was to pop our bubble of happiness and warmth. A quick kiss on the cheek and he was gone, off to shower and dress for the day the same way I was about to. I quickly pulled my blankets up and straightened my pillows before entering my bathroom to take a shower.
Ten minutes later, I emerged from the small room, wrapped in a towel and wondering what I would wear that day. I opened my closet door and was fingering the light blue material of one of my favourite blouses when, suddenly, an unfamiliar voice spoke from directly behind me.
"I think red is more your color," came the male voice in a low and almost seductive tone.
I whirled silently to face the stranger and was met by an unexpected site. Tall and lean, the midnight black of his hair gleaming darkly in the sun, was another half vampire. His eyes were a light hazel colour and my sharp sight caught flecks of green and gold around the edges of his irises. He was wearing all black; jeans and a button down shirt rolled up to the elbows.
"Who are you?" I whispered, unexpected fear gripping me as the mere sight of him caused horrible memories to resurface.
He didn't answer my question though, merely looking at me with curious eyes and a smirk on his face. I froze, not liking the predatory look in his eye. It was one I recognized, and after the events of Friday night, now feared.
There was a blur of motion and then Cameron's figure came into focus, blocking my view of the intruder. I looked in panic at the protective stance he took in front of me. A pair of shorts looked hastily pulled in place and his hair was wet. I could distinctly smell soap on him; clearly, he'd jumped out of the shower and come running when he heard the stranger's voice.
"Jack? What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Cameron's voice suddenly barked, breaking the tense silence.
Wait… Cameron knew him? I relaxed slightly, sighing almost imperceptibly.
"Good to see you, too, brother. I see you've been busy," the stranger, apparently named Jack, said coolly.
Wait, brothers?
I was confused. I almost opened my mouth to ask Cameron to clarify but silenced myself when I heard a low growl slip out of his mouth. I tensed again, prepared to help Cameron fight if we needed to. Even though the adrenaline and terror still flowed through my system, some higher reasoning inside me knew that I had to stop Cameron from being hurt. And from the reactionary growl that came out of Jack's mouth, I immediately knew that things could turn ugly at any second.
I stepped forward slightly, trying to step around Cameron so I could face our enemy head on, when suddenly Cameron's restraining arm pushed me back into place behind him.
"Go get dressed Renesmee," Cameron practically ordered through his clenched teeth. I frowned but quickly slipped sideways into the bathroom. I shut and locked the door behind me and sank onto the rim of the bathtub, strangely fatigued. I had no idea who Jack was or how he knew Cameron, but it was clear from the little I'd seen that they didn't exactly get on great. I listened intently to hear what they were saying but it seemed they were locked in some sort of a silent standoff. That thought had me on my feet again quickly. If it did turn into a fight, I needed to be able to help Cameron, no matter how afraid I was of the strange man.
I looked around me quickly and then realised I had no clothes in the bathroom with me. That was why I had been in my room in the towel in the first place. I frowned and that's when a piece of denim caught my eye. I quickly yanked it up to me and then almost swore aloud when I recognized it.
It was the hooker jeans from Friday night's party.
The clothes I now detested still lay bundled in the corner, waiting for me to one day be able to touch them again. I grimaced before bending down and picking up the other clothes. I had no other choice really, unless I wanted to help Cameron do battle in a towel… No way was that happening, so- hooker clothes it was.
A minute later I was dressed, and with one last grimace at my reflection, I unlocked the door and stepped out into my bedroom. Neither of them had moved and I watched as both of their gazes turned to me simultaneously. Cameron cringed and I saw Jack's eyes rake up and down my body. I flushed red and went to stand by Cameron's side.
"I don't believe I've had the chance to introduce myself. Jack Brookes," the other male said from across the room, taking a few steps forward and extending his hand to me. I looked up at Cameron uncertainly and he shook his head.
"Oh come on, I wouldn't hurt the girl," Jack complained, coming a few steps more towards us. I cringed involuntarily, but slowly extended my hand into the air between us. Jack closed the distance and gripped my hand in his, shaking it a few times, that smirk still etched on his face.
"Renesmee," I introduced myself cautiously. Cameron glared at our joined hands but didn't try to pull me back. Jack released my hand and I let it fall back to my side, strangely relieved.
"So, I don't suppose I could impose on you for some breakfast, could I?" Jack asked.
"Of course," I said agreeably, not wanting this to turn into a fight if it didn't have to.
"No way in Hell," Cameron's words, spoken over the top of mine, extinguished any hopes I had of this ending peacefully.
Jack looked at me when he spoke. "Clearly Cameron isn't happy to see me; it's been a while. But I would really appreciate something to eat, maybe some coffee?" His tone was hopeful but with a trace of darkness under it. I didn't really understand why he emphasised the word 'eat', but didn't think it was really wise to question it right then. I met his hazel eyes and took a moment to really look at him, taking in his slightly roughed up appearance. There were dark circles under his eyes that made it look like he hadn't slept in at least a few days, and his clothes had tears around the edges. He reminded me of one of the many nomadic vampires the Cullens had taken in over the years, offering them shelter and fresh clothes.
Pity had me nodding in agreement and turning to lead Jack down through the house to the kitchen. He unnerved me, but that was no reason to be impolite.
I think he made to follow me but Cameron obviously blocked his path.
"Let's just give him some food and then maybe he'll leave us alone. Please. I don't want you to fight him," I spoke to Cameron telepathically, begging him to just agree with me. I waited a few seconds and then heard him sigh in submission.
"I don't know what the Hell you think you're playing at, but I swear to God if you lay a hand on her…." Cameron left his threat unfinished and I shivered slightly as I descended the stairs. He was always so gentle and fun with me; it was surprising to realise he could be dangerous if he so chose. I didn't know what Jack had done to anger him, but I knew that with Cameron's strength and fire wielding ability, the other half vampire probably didn't stand much of a chance if it came to a fight.
I entered the kitchen and went to the fridge, opening the door to see what there was to offer our unexpected guest.
"Anything in particular you want?" I requested, turning to face Jack as he took a seat at one of the counter stools. Cameron leaned against the table nearby, a scowl marring his perfect features.
"Honey, I'm hungry enough I would eat a pair of socks if they came my way," I almost smiled and he winked back at me.
"Fruit Loops?" I offered, opening the cupboard to display the colorful box.
"Sure, why not?" Jack said in a sardonic voice, glancing sideways at Cameron and grinning for some reason. I pursed my lips as I poured him a bowl of loops and got out the milk so he could add it himself. I didn't know who he was or what he was doing here, but I just wanted him to eat his breakfast and get the Hell out of here.
"Nice place you have here. Do you live here, just the two of you?" Jack asked in between mouthfuls, looking between us quizzically.
"We travel here and there, but yes, sometimes we stay in this place," Cameron answered before I could. I bit my tongue at the contradiction I nearly voiced when he threw a sharp, but still subtle, look in my direction. I understood that look as well as I would have if he had spoken to me out loud: Listen to what I am saying and play along, please.
Jack simply nodded and we remained in silence, except for the sounds of him eating his breakfast. When he was done, he pushed his bowl across the counter to me, looking at me expectantly. I took the bowl and spoon, rinsed them and then bent to put them in the dishwasher. It was awfully presumptuous to assume I would clean up his meal for him, but I swallowed any words I might have said, anxious for him to just leave us alone.
"Jack, if you'll excuse us, Renesmee and I were just going to take a walk," Cameron announced, walking over to me and putting a possessive arm around my shoulders. I leaned into his side, surprisingly grateful for his suggestion.
"Walk? When you've got a Reventon in the driveway? You've done well, Cameron," Jack murmured appreciatively.
"It's my car," I spoke up unthinkingly.
"A beautiful girl who's into cars? Seems like you hit the jackpot, bro," Jack laughed, eyeing me with that same look from before. I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling the need to cover up from his stare.
"Indeed I have," Cameron actually smiled at me and I managed a small smile in return, pleased he was somewhat calmer.
"Come on, flattery will get you nowhere," I laughed half heartedly, taking Cameron's hand and pulling him towards the front door. "Help yourself to any food in the kitchen. The living room is just through there. You can watch the TV if you get bored," I called over my shoulder before shutting the door.
Neither of us spoke as we started to run in the same direction as the day before. There was no joking and laughter today. We ran a few feet apart, not really looking at one another, for almost ten minutes before Cameron suddenly stopped.
"This is far enough."
"And he hasn't followed?" I half whispered, just in case he had.
"No, I didn't hear anything," Cameron assured me, sighing heavily before leaning against a tree. I mimicked him, choosing a tall, wide oak opposite his tree to lean against.
"Who is he, and what is he doing here?" I asked after a few moments of silence.
"I can answer the first, but as for the second… Well, I'm curious about that myself." The way he said curious, he made it sound like a dirty word.
"He called you 'brother'? I don't understand-"
"Nessie? You remember how I told you about..." he sighed deeply once before continuing. "That coven I used to be in? Full of other half vampires?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
"Oh," I exclaimed, relieved when it finally slid into place how Cameron and Jack knew each other. "So, he was what, in charge of them?" I asked.
"Hardly. Jack was my… apprentice," he finished his sentence bitterly, looking at the ground, frowning at some memory I couldn't see.
"Oh…" I said lamely.
"Zacharias was the leader. He put me in charge of looking after Jack when he first joined us. It was my job to train him how to avoid humans, how to obtain food without getting caught and the like. But… Jack was never happy with the human food the coven was sometimes forced to eat. Me, I never drank human blood, but I was the outlier, the exception, not the rule. That's the reason Zack put me in charge of the human 'liaison'. I was good at fitting in with them," Cameron explained, still frowning at the dirt.
"So then why did you stay with them if you weren't eating what they were, if you were the outsider?" I wondered aloud.
"Because I had no one else. Zack found me after I reached full growth and he took me under his wing, showed me the ropes, really. I already told you how they taught me to fear the Volturi. Sometimes the others weren't very good at finding humans to… you know," he looked up at me, looking almost ashamed of himself. I understood why he might feel that way, for being a part of a gang of vampires that slaughtered humans. But he hadn't helped them kill them. Surely travelling with a band of murderous vampires, but not being one of them yourself, made it okay?
I could tell from looking at his expression that he obviously didn't think it was okay, that he thought he was far from innocent.
I frowned, desperately wanting to go to him, but knowing I needed to let him finish his story.
"So Jack was your apprentice. Then what happened?" I asked gently.
"Then... I managed to keep him in order for about a year, but then one day, he went too far. We were upstate at the time and Jack, me and one of the other new kids, Jamie, had been sent to do recon, to see if there were humans in the area. We came across this Mom, she had two little babies with her. Jack hadn't eaten in a few days, but that was no excuse for how he acted that day…."
My stomach plummeted at the knowledge of what I knew must have come next.
"I tried to stop him, to call him off, but… He wouldn't listen and so he attacked and ended those three human's lives. I couldn't do a thing to stop it. Sometimes, when I shut my eyes, I can still hear her screaming, 'Take me, please don't hurt my children'…
"But that's not the worst part of what Jack did…" Cameron continued after a moment of heavy silence. "Jamie, the other one with us at the time, he was only three or four years old, still growing. He was kind of like me. He did drink blood, but at least he seemed to have some misgivings about it. He took it really hard, what Jack did, really hard. I think he might have known that family that Jack murdered. Later that night, when almost everyone had gone to sleep, Jamie tried to confront Jack about what he'd done, tried to make him see why he shouldn't have killed them and…" Cameron trailed off again, clenching his eyes shut tight, as if he could somehow force the memory to go away if he did so.
"So he… He- Killed him?" I stammered, but was cut off.
"Yes… and he tasted delicious.," came a dark whisper from behind me. I gasped and a scream nearly escaped me but I managed to stop it in time. I could feel Jack right behind me, his body was almost touching mine. My heart thudded loudly and I knew that all of us could hear it. Cameron had opened his eyes and was glaring at Jack, something close to fear in his eyes.
"Cameron, you know what they say about gossiping…" Jack trailed off, and I felt him lay a hand against my bare arm. I shivered and it didn't go unnoticed. Jack chuckled menacingly under his breath and took his hand away from me.
"Are you afraid, girl?" he asked quietly and I could feel his heavy breathing against my neck.
I couldn't answer him, I'd frozen up and couldn't make my lips move to form words. Nor could I make my legs respond to the desperate urges I had to push myself away from him. A horrible feeling of déjà vu came over me. This was exactly like Friday night… I'd been unable to protect myself then, and I was unable to protect myself now. I clenched my eyes shut, cringing in the silence.
"Are you afraid of me!?" Jack's voice demanded again. Before I realised I had moved I had turned to face him. I took a deep breath and what happened next I think surprised both of us…
Cameron POV
I watched in frozen horror as Jack practically shouted in Renesmee's ear. The second he'd appeared behind her everything in me had started protesting. I had to forcibly restrain myself from throwing myself at him and punching the crap out of him.
But I'd managed to stop myself for two reasons.
The first, I was worried that in my anger, I would miss and Renesmee would somehow be hurt. The very thought of that made me sick.
And the second was because I remembered all too clearly what had happened the last time I had seen Jack face off against another half vampire. The sickening image of walking in on Jack draining Jamie's lifeless body of blood popped into my consciousness again and suddenly it was all I could see.
Every fibre of my being wanted nothing more than to jump in between them and pry Renesmee's soft, vulnerable body away from the monster that was Jack, but because I knew he was fast, I didn't move. He was a few years younger than me, but still older than Renesmee. He was more than capable of snapping her neck, more than capable of doing it before I could cover half of the distance between myself and them.
Renesmee was so gentle and even if she wasn't a human like Carolina, she almost felt that way to me. So pure and innocent, her youth….
That's why I did nothing more than stare as she whirled quickly and popped Jack square in the jaw. Her fist came into contact with his face with a loud crunching sound and I knew instantly that she'd cracked his jaw- at the very least. I knew it would only take him an hour or two to heal, but the fact that she'd lashed out at him, stuck up for herself like that…
"Don't fucking touch me," she growled menacingly at his doubled over form. Without another word she turned and walked slowly and calmly toward me, reaching out and taking my numb hand as she did so. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she frowned at the ground in front of her. She bit her lip, her brow creasing further, as if she was figuring out something complicated.
Finally, she looked up at me, something close to incredulity on her features. She almost seemed worried I would reprimand her for what she'd done.
I pulled her to me so quickly she only had time for a quick gasp before I was covering her mouth with mine. My timing couldn't have been worse, really, but some side of me I always repressed around her showed itself, bringing with it the urges and desires my body craved. I was too stunned to do anything to stop myself from acting on them. Watching her let go of her fear, her restraint, like that had been one of the sexiest goddamn things I'd ever seen.
And I'd finally heard her curse. The word 'fuck' never sounded so good as when it fell from her lips in the heat of the moment.
I smashed my lips down on hers, forcefully backing her towards the tree and pushing her almost roughly against it. I held back a growl as I forced my tongue between her parted lips, tasting her properly for the first time. So sweet, like jasmine and sweet honey.
She froze for a second and in that small space of time, I was able to quickly revaluate my surroundings. I stepped backwards immediately, shame filling me as I realised what I'd just done. I felt a wave of guilt crash down upon me as I recognized what had just happened. I'd taken away her choice in the matter, I'd proven to both of us that I was out of control.
I looked up to meet her eyes and was surprised when I saw nothing even close to anger or disgust there. Her eyes were dark and fiery, the most seductive half smile on her lips. I groaned slightly and stepped closer again, this time wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her gently to me as we both rested against the tree.
"Wow… Just, wow…" she murmured.
I kissed her hair and whispered, "Sorry about that." She wasn't mad at me, in fact, she seemed almost glad, but I didn't feel right until I apologized. She was incredible like that- so easily able to make me forget everything else.
"Don't be sorry," she whispered alluringly in my ear.
Her simple words slowed everything down around me. The very center of the universe was the way her lips moved so close to mine. She had some kind of spell on me, she could make me think of nothing but her. Everything else was sideline when it came to the girl I loved. Every thought in my head turned immediately to my girl, even when….
Crap.
I growled angrily and turned back around, facing a smirking Jack. He leaned against the tree that Nessie had been leaning against earlier and mischief was alight in his eyes. He rubbed his jaw tenderly with his hand and I inwardly smiled.
"Oh get a room, you two," he called sardonically towards us.
"Nessie, sweetheart, go home. I think my 'good friend' Jack and I need to have a conversation," I stated.
"But Cameron," she began to protest and I turned swiftly to press my lips against hers for a short moment. Gently this time…
"Shhh, don't worry about a thing. We'll be back soon, I just need to speak to him in private for a minute," I reassured her as I pulled away a second later.
"Be careful," she whispered softly in my ear, soft enough that Jack wouldn't be able to hear it. I leaned down and rested my forehead against hers for a second, closing my eyes and clasping one of her hands in mine. It wasn't likely that Jack would be able to hurt me with my superior age and special ability, but I knew she meant what she said and I wouldn't laugh at her concerns. I was actually kind of touched that she cared enough to say the words she had.
Did she say them like she would to a friend, or did I mean something more to her? Again, the big question flashed through my head.
"Of course," I told her sincerely as I stood up straight again.
She took one more look at me and shot a glare at Jack over her shoulder before sprinting off in the direction of home.
I scowled and turned to face Jack, motioning for him to walk with me, further into the forest and away from the house.
"Why are you here?" I asked crisply, shoving my hands deep in my pockets as I strode forward.
"Next question," he replied, grinning at me rebelliously. I sighed and decided to play it his way to begin with, hoping the more agreeable I was, the more answers I would get out of him.
"Where's the rest of them?" I asked. He knew from my tone that I was talking about the rest of the coven. I was anxious that they could be nearby, anxious that they were anywhere close to Renesmee, but I knew Zack. I knew if he were here, he would come and see me directly and not send Jack in to do his dirty work. I had a certain amount of respect for my past coven leader; he was not one to bother with underhand trickery when there was the option of being blunt and getting what he wanted immediately.
"I came alone. I've actually been nomadic for about the past month or so now," Jack replied, not looking up from the ground as we continued walking.
There was silence between us a for a few minutes while I processed that.
To my knowledge, I was the first person that Zacharias ever allowed to leave his coven. For him to let Jack out of the brotherhood, too, was definitely out of character. Zack's loyalty oaths and words about commitment were still stuck in my head from when he'd first told them to me almost a decade ago. It wasn't possible that he'd so easily allowed Jack to detach.
"How did Zack let you leave?" I asked, feeling like I had slipped back into my mentoring role again.
"He didn't really have much of a choice in it. He was overruled," Jack answered, abruptly stopping and looking up at me. He seemed smug for some reason and I felt my feeling of unease grow as I processed his words.
"Overruled…. You must be mistaken, Zack was… He was in charge," I contradicted lamely, not wanting to hear what I was being told. Zack was reasonable, he was a strong and focused leader. To hear that someone else had taken over the coven of powerful half vampires was more than troubling.
"You're not the only one with foreign connections…" he trailed off.
The Volturi.
Jack was with the Volturi.
And I'd just sent Renesmee off on her own…
"You…" was all I managed to say before he started nodding again. His smug grin widened when he noticed my reaction.
I gulped down my sudden terror for Renesmee, trying to hide my eyes from him while I tried to process what he was telling me.
"Are they here now? I was told I had a week?" I half whispered, terrified that they'd lied and were here early. I wasn't ready….
"No, I was just ordered here to evaluate your progress. And from what I saw, you're doing far better than they thought," he smiled arrogantly at me.
If he was telling the truth, and some part of me knew he was, that meant that he would be telling Aro everything he had seen of mine and Renesmee's relationship. The kiss earlier… Oh God, I'd ruined everything.
"Pretty sweet deal you've got here. Get to bed a pretty girl while you earn favour with the Volturi," Jack commented with an almost rueful smile. He looked like he wished to be in my place. I laughed harshly once while I considered his words, grateful for the first time that it had been me assigned to hurt Renesmee and not someone else, someone like Jack.
He appeared to be under the impression I was seducing Renesmee during my time here, trying to get her into bed as an added 'bonus' while I double crossed her. The idea of it made my chest tighten, the way any thought of hurting her always did.
But Jack had a point.
Well, not a point as such, but he had given me an idea.
He knew that I had a physical relationship with Renesmee from my idiotic moment earlier against the tree. But he didn't know how deep my feelings were for her, he wasn't aware how completely in love with her I was. If he, or the Volturi, knew that, I knew I wouldn't survive long enough to rescue Carolina or Renesmee.
So it was almost simple, the solution.
Until Jack left, I would have to pretend I was only interested in getting Renesmee into bed.
That wouldn't be difficult on the physical level, her body already drove me wild. But emotionally, I was already in pain at the idea of having to lie to her again, having to treat her like an object.
I was not Kyle.
I was not a monster like Jack.
I sighed imperceptibly as I realised that, at least until Jack was gone, I would have to pretend to be.
"So what's she like in bed? I bet she's feisty… She has a good arm on her," Jack admired crudely. I mentally apologized to Renesmee and anyone else listening as I answered.
"Feisty would be an understatement. The girl's amazing in the sack. And who said the Volturi were all bad?" I laughed, forcing the air out as I filled with shame. In that moment, I was just as bad as Kyle and his vile human friends.
"Nice work. I wouldn't have figured her for an easy pin, but hey, you obviously know her better than I do," he smiled, seeming almost pleased with his little observation. I laughed along with him and forced out a reasonably genuine looking smile as we turned back to head for the house.
"So, you've evaluated my progress. Are you going back to Italy now?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. I hoped he would leave before we made it back to the house- maybe that way, I wouldn't have to behave badly in front of Renesmee at all.
"I think I'll stick around long enough to say goodbye to the girl. Maybe there's a lost human somewhere out here on the way…" he trailed off and actually began scanning the trees around us. I reached over and roughly punched his arm, sending him crashing into one of the trees he'd been near.
"Hey!" he called back in protest, getting to his feet quickly and laughing at my expression.
"Don't even think about it. The Cullens have been keeping a low profile around here for years and it's not up to you to wreck it for them," I scolded him. He grinned at me unabashed.
"Who's to say there's going to be anyone coming back?" he mused aloud. I held back a gasp.
"I thought Aro just wanted them in his guard… I didn't think he had plans to kill any of them," I said.
"Oh, he wants them in his guard, but they're not the most co-operative of prisoners."
"They're putting up a fight?"
"Oh, yes. Especially the girl's parents. Neither of them are submitting very well to Aro's will," Jack explained.
Inwardly, I was immediately cheered. They were still fighting, still trying to escape. That would make my plan so much easier to carry out once we were all in Italy. Part of me had feared they would give up and there could be no hope of escape if they had no free will left. I was counting on their defiance.
I faintly heard running footsteps and froze for a short moment. I motioned to Jack that we needed to return our conversation to neutral. He nodded and we both simultaneously slowed our pace.
"Cameron?" Renesmee called, appearing in a clearing in front of us. I'd sent her to the house and was puzzled why she had come out here, but I found myself pleased she had, nonetheless. Her expression was excited and badly concealed relief marked her face. I barely repressed an answering smile as we slowed to a human walking pace to approach her. Instead, I treated her to an arrogant smirk.
"Babe," I replied, walking forward and scooping her into my arms. That in itself wasn't too bad, but after my false bravado with Jack, I knew he was expecting more from me. I smirked and pulled her face to mine, kissing her much as I had earlier- passionately and far more ardently than I would have preferred to do in front of company. If we had been alone…. I didn't have to fake the groan that came from my lips as I pulled away a few seconds later.
Nessie looked bewildered, but strangely thrilled, and her cheeks were flushed that delightful rose color that I so loved. I glanced quickly at Jack and when I was positioned in a way that Renesmee couldn't see, I winked once at him. He grinned back and made an obscene gesture with his hand. I pretended to laugh at it and then released Nessie.
"Are you leaving now, Jack?" Renesmee asked, her tone not masking her eagerness for his departure very well at all.
"I think I will. Cereal isn't exactly…. fulfilling," he grinned suggestively at me, casting a sidelong look at her that I understood perfectly. Mine, my subconscious growled at the way he was looking at my girl. He was undressing her with his eyes and I felt my hand curl into an involuntary fist as the urge to hit him arose again. It was more than a protective feeling this time, I almost felt possessive, territorial… I had noticed this trait was strong amongst both human males and vampires, but I had never thought I would be susceptible to it.
"Nessie, I'll meet you at home in a minute. I just forgot something I needed to say to Jack," I mumbled unconvincingly. She appraised me with worried eyes for a second before nodding and turning towards home again.
"Goodbye Jack. It was… No, it wasn't nice meeting you," she laughed sarcastically over her shoulder before sprinting away. I watched her retreating figure for a few seconds before I snapped myself out of my brief haze and turned back to Jack.
"You're really leaving?
"Yes, I meant what I said about being hungry. Human food just doesn't cut it… And unless you want to share that delicious smelling girl of yours, I think I need to go and get a real meal," he mocked, splitting off from me and backing away in a different direction than the house.
"Yes, her blood does smell good. But I'm not after her blood," I was unable to stop a little anger showing in my voice. He wouldn't guess I was angry because he was talking about drinking the blood of my beloved, no. He would know I still carried a grudge against him from killing Jamie.
"Oh let it go, man. That happened years ago," he sneered dismissively. I held back a growl at his dismissal of his murder and instead cast my eyes downward.
"When do I bring her?" I asked, trying not to let my defeat sound in my voice.
"You don't. They're coming. Saturday, noon. I'll see you in Italy, Cameron," he said, and he was gone. There was a faintest rustling sound and the quiet thud of his retreating footsteps, and then there was nothing.
Nothing but the heavy truth of his parting words.
The Volturi were coming.
There we go!
That was Jack, my new little creation that somehow appeared in my head while I was panning this one. Thoughts on him?
So… I left it up to the readers what degree of lemon we would be having… Plan totally backfired with 100% of votes going to FULL ON EPIC LEMON. I'm leaving the 'voting lines' open again for this chapter, so anyone out there at all that doesn't wanna read the sexy times, speak now or forever hold your peace. Feel free/you are encouraged to vote again you horny bastards :P
Review for good karma and all that jazz