Centaur Redemption (Touched Series) (17 page)

Zandra reached across the table and took my hand.  Her strong grip took me by surprise.  Her voice was equally as strong when she addressed the Barber Council Member.  “He is my guest.  I lost more than my parents that night.  We all lost a beloved leader.”  Her voice turned nostalgic, a little wispy, “I never wanted this.  I never wanted any of this.  Following in my father’s footsteps – that was Zethus’s dream.” 

Her eyes wandered to each Centaur in the room but locked hard on Cami’s, “I’ve made decisions I’m not proud of.  I’ve hurt my own granddaughter in an effort to honor Zeus’s decree.  I was power hungry.  The things I’ve done to my own family can never be undone.  You ask why do I share this with you?  Because when I was only twenty I became the Chairman.  I lost my father, my mother and my brother that night.  Believing my brother could commit such a heinous crime jaded me.  My heart turned to stone that night and no joy in my life ever softened it.  My husband died with a broken heart because I could never love him back.  My own children never found an ounce of love from me.  I tell you this not because I want your pity.  I tell you this so you understand that whoever is responsible, whether it be Centaur, Centauride, human or god, I will not rest until I find the truth.  Because I will not rest –
you
will not rest either.  We will find the truth.”

Cami took the opportunity to get her concern back on track, “There is the small matter of the Lost Herd.”

Zandra nodded, “Until we get to the bottom of my parent’s death, I, Zandra, Chairman of the Council, forbid any harm to come to members of the Lost Herd.  If any takes issue with my order, speak now.”  Nothing was said.  Zandra waited patiently until each Council member nodded their understanding.

Zandra must have been satisfied that there was no dissension among her Council.  She turned her attention to Drake, “I know you have sworn your oath to Cami, but it is my family’s magic that has transformed you.  To find the truth, I require your protection.”

Her speech had made my heart swell, but her last words confused me.  I looked to Drake, who didn't seem to know what to make of her last statement, either.  He looked between Zandra and Cami. 

Drake’s family belonged to Pierre’s herd, and it was Pierre’s order to Drake that left no indecision, “My son, this is a mission from the Chairman herself.  I would be embarrassed if you denied her request.”  Drake said nothing.  I wanted to tell Zandra his protection wasn’t necessary since she had every Centaur in the world at her disposal.  Pierre turned his attention to Camille, “I would be pleased if your family allowed my family zee honor of protecting you while your Warrior escorts zee Chairman.”

Drake’s tone was even, but he didn’t do well masking his frustration, “It doesn’t work like that.”

Pierre’s answer was sharp, “My son, your reluctance to escort zee Chairman dishonors our family.”

Drake’s tone was respectful, but clear, “Changing isn’t voluntary; it’s compulsory.  It only happens when I believe Cami is in danger.” He paused but then added, “I have no love for the Chairman and fear I would not be able to protect her with the same ferocity I am able to protect her granddaughter.  In this instance, I believe Council Enforcers would prove to be better protection for the Chairman.”

Pierre stood from his chair, walked over to the other side of the room.  “Very well.  Your concern iz noted.  Your level of enthusiasm at zis great honor iz a disappointment.”  Pierre turned his attention to Zandra, “My deepest apologies, Madame Chairman, Drake of zee Adolcio herd will be happy to provide you any protection he iz able.”

(Camille Nash – Centurion, South Africa)

Drake’s eyes widened, as his eyes fixed on Pierre.  “What?!”

“Young Nash, mind your tone.”  Pierre stood straight, looking somehow taller than he had before.  His shoulders were arched back.  “Do not embarrass me furzer in front of my bruzers.”

She had done it.  She told me she’d keep us from being together the last time I saw her in South Dakota.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  I sent a silent message to Drake, “
Can he do that?  Can he really just overrule your decision?
”

Drake’s face remained stoic.  “
Yes.  He is the head of my family.  If I wanted to appeal his decision, the only one who could overrule him is the Chairman
.”

So, this was checkmate.  She had won.  She wanted me miserable, alone and afraid – she had won.  It wasn’t me she was going to kill; it was the one person I couldn’t live without.  She knew my weakness, and she was going to have twenty-four hour access to him.  I started to get tunnel vision, as my head began to throb.

I heard Drake’s assurance in my head.  “
Cami, calm down.
 
It’ll be temporary.”

I could barely hear him through the pounding in my ears.  How long is
temporary
?  Days?  Weeks?  Months?  No.  She has no right.  She’s tried to separate us since the first moment we found each other.  This is just another ploy to keep us apart.

“
I didn’t see this one coming, Cami.  I don’t have a choice.  It’s my duty.  If I refuse Pierre, my life is the Blood Debt owed.”

His words drew my breath up sharp.  If I refused to let him go, dug in my heels and forced a vote for a new Chairman now, what would happen?  Would they dismiss me as a lunatic?  Would they choose Cameron?  I hated that I still didn’t know all the stupid rules, “
What if I told Pierre, no?  Remind him that I’m of the Chiron line.  Can’t I demand that you stay with me?
”

“
You aren’t the Chairman, Cami.  Pierre has already agreed.  The only one who can overrule him is the Chairman.
”

“Forgive me, Pierre.  I appreciate your offer.  I would ask that you reconsider.  The Chairman has hundreds of enforcers at her disposal. . .” my voice trailed off. 

Pierre’s features softened, “Ms. Camille, I swear on my herd, you will be given every protection I can afford you.  The Chairman has given her word that no harm will come to your family.  The Lost Herd is safe.  We must keep her safe so that she can find the truth she seeks.  Drake is our last warrior, and I believe Chiron himself is taking a stand on your family’s behalf.”

“Zandra, I’d like to accompany you.”

The vengeful expression I had seen so many times was absent from her face.  “I’m sorry, Camille.  If the truth I seek leads me to the pasture, it is an end I willingly accept.  I wronged your mother in life.  She waits for me in death.  You will not accompany me there.  You and I are the only remaining Chiron Centaurides.  My answer is no.”

My knees gave way.  The throbbing in my head, as if it were possible, grew louder.  Her words kept echoing in my head, “
My answer is no.  My answer is no.  My answer is no.”

Drake turned away from me and addressed Zandra, “Forgive me, Chairman.  It would be my honor to offer you whatever protection I am able.  I respectfully request to have a moment alone with my wife.  She is upset.”

Zandra gave a slow single nod.  Her voice rang out, “Major Rababi!”

A menacing enforcer opened the door to the chamber, stepped in the threshold from the hallway, responding loudly, “Yes, Madam Chairman.”

“Show my granddaughter and Mr. Nash to my private office.  Tell the boys to be ready to depart in five minutes.”  She turned her attention to me, “I know this is difficult for you, but you have my word that I have no ulterior motive.”

The enforcer held the door for us and motioned for us to turn right.  He opened a door at the end of the hall.  My hands were shaking, Zandra’s words still echoing in my head.  He escorted us inside:  it was a scaled-down version of the Council Chambers we had just left.  The same mahogany accents, chandeliers and red walls – the same details I had been in awe of in the chambers now repulsed me as I saw them in this room.

When he closed the door, my legs lost their strength as I collapsed into Drake’s arms.  Sobs erupted from somewhere deep within me.  My emotions were going full throttle.  She was separating us, again.  Why?  Was that some sort of a show for the others on the Council?  She had never known happiness her whole life, and she wanted to make sure I would never know it either. 

Drake’s’ muscular arms held me close as his hand smoothed my hair and his lips were at my ear, “Shhh, it’s okay.  It’s going to be okay.”  His lips found my forehead while his voice kept promising me everything was going to be fine.  I didn’t believe it. 

We had talked through what I believed to be all the possible scenarios before coming here today.  This wasn’t anything we had considered.  I could hardly make out my own words through the sobs, “It’s not going to be okay.  It’ll never be okay again.”  My fingers dug into his flesh as I tried to find the strength to remain upright.  “It’s a trap.  She’ll kill you.  She’ll accuse you of a crime. . . something. . . anything to keep you away from me.“

I nestled my face against Drake's bare chest.  His heart was much more controlled than mine.  The steady thump-thump, thump-thump beat strong and steady under my ear.  His massive hand cradled my head against him while his other arm was wrapped around my waist, not permitting me to drop to the floor.  My sobs refused to subside as my body melted into his.

“Listen.  She decreed no harm would come to your family.  They’re safe for now.  That’s what we came here for.  Remember?”

My family.  Will, Gretchen, Beau and Lacey, Bruce and Hannah, Brent, Ben and Bart were upstairs right now.  We had all been prepared to sacrifice our lives today.  We were all prepared to do whatever it took to make the Centaur Council listen to us.  Not one drop of blood had spilled.  Drake was right:  she had told the entire Council no harm would come to my family. 

I took three rapid breaths, trying to make the sobs go away.  Drake’s fingers slid through my hair.  His voice was strong, “I’m going to be fine.  I promise.  I need for you to stay here.  Pierre is a respected Centaur.  You’ll be safe with him.”

My eye muscles flexed, “What?!”

Drake’s forehead nuzzled mine.  “I need to know that you’re safe.  I can take out anything the Chairman, any enforcer, even a god can dish out, so long as I know you’re okay.  The safest place on the planet is here in Centurion with you surrounded by every enforcer available.”

“No, the safest place on the planet is with you.”

Drake shook his head, “Promise me you’ll stay here.”

My voice sounded weak, “I can go.  I can help.  I can move objects. . . I can read minds. . . I can . . . “ I trailed off when I saw his eyes.  He didn’t want me to go. 

Drake’s hand held my head against his chest.  “If anything were to happen to Zandra and me, the Centaur Council needs a Chiron.  Cameron may have the right blood,” Drake tapped his finger to my chest, “but he doesn’t have your heart.  They need you.  Promise me you’ll stay until I return for you.”

A fresh wave of tears streamed down my cheeks.  Did he believe there was a chance he wasn’t coming back from wherever they were going?

I found my voice, not the little meek one that had just pleaded with him like a child, but
my
voice.  I all but screamed at him, “You can’t leave me!”  I struggled free from his embrace and stuck my ring in front of his eye.  “You remember?  You remember what your mom said.  This belonged to your grandmother.  She couldn’t live without your grandfather – she died a few days after he did from a broken heart.  If you don’t think you’re coming back, then don’t leave.”  Unwavering eyes looked back at me.  A single tear fell from his eye, down his cheek and dripped off his chin.  My whisper barely audible, “Don’t leave me.”

“Cami, be reasonable.  I’m coming back.”  His words sounded empty.  Images began crashing in on me from all directions; I couldn’t control them:  Mom in her hospital bed as I held her hand and watched the life drain out of her body, seeing the blood on Zandra’s walls that I believed belonged to Drake, the emptiness that consumed me as I walked in the freezing cold searching for him in South Dakota. 

The two people I loved with all my heart were lost to me for a time, and I knew I couldn’t survive the emptiness if I lost him, really lost him this time.  I would be an empty shell of a person.  I didn’t try to wall up my memories from him, or hide the fact that I’d never breathe again if he didn’t return.

His fingertip and thumb angled my chin up, forcing me to look up into his icy blue eyes just as his eyelids began to close and his lips found mine.  His strong arms lifted me off the floor and held me tightly against him.  His chest radiated so much heat I could feel it through my shirt.  We stood there wrapped up without words for a full minute before he set me back on my feet.

“Hold on.  I can’t go like this.”  He gestured to his warrior form.  Drake closed his eyes and took a couple steps away from me.  I saw a couple spots of light pepper his skin.  I used our connection to try to push an image of the two of us to him, the way I had helped him change from his warrior form in Cancun.  When our connection opened, a vibrant image of the two of us in the shower last night cascaded in my mind.  But it wasn’t my image – it was Drake’s.  It was strange to relive the shower from his perspective.  The memory of his hands caressing me through the too hot water was more erotic from his memory than I remembered it myself.