Any characters you recognize belong to Laurell K. Hamilton or the
members of this group. I’m just doing this for fun. It’s rated PG so far but
that may change.
Thanks to my wonderful Beta. For the editing as well as the ear. I
appreciate it.
When David Daniels got no response to his phone calls to Camden,
he decided to drive over to the apartment.
His youngest had given him a key, told him to feel free to drop by
anytime. When David pulled into the
drive, he found Camden sitting on the front steps. The elder Daniels got out of
his truck, walked over and sat down beside him.
He asked his son, “Are you alright?”
Camden shrugged. “What else can I be? What's up that you drove all the way across town? You could have
called.”
“You weren't answering your phone.”
“Oh yeah. Sorry. I just didn't feel like talking.”
The elder man nodded. “I can understand that. Have you eaten?”
Camden thought for a minute. “Not really. Had a candy bar I
think.” David shook his head so the young man continued. “I was too pissed to
eat. Okay?”
David was about to answer when the door to the next apartment
opened and a girl about Camden's age stepped out. She had long red hair and
green eyes. She was almost as tall as Camden and was wearing a blue EMT
uniform.
Camden stood up. “Hey Autumn.” She smiled and gave him a hug.
“Late shift?”
“Yeah. It's where all the action is.” She looked down at David. “Hi!”
The young man interjected. “Oh sorry. Autumn this is my dad. Dad,
Autumn.”
David stood and offered his hand. She took it as he told her,
“Pleased to meet you Autumn.”
“Same here.” She smiled before turning back to Camden. “Any news
about your truck?” He shook his head. “That's too bad. If you need anything let
me know. Okay?”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
David noticed how Camden watched Autumn as she walked away. The
older man chuckled to himself. She got into a baby blue corvette and drove
away.
David turned to his son. “Let's go have some dinner. I need to
tell you something.”
“You buyin'?”
“Of course.”
His youngest son smiled. “Cool. Let me grab my wallet and keys.”
He disappeared into his apartment. He was back in a few minutes
and they were off. They ended up at the
Outback, had a Bloomin' onion while waiting for the main course. David wasn't quite sure how to start the
conversation about Camden's real father but he knew it had to be done.
The older man took a deep breath before starting. “I want to talk
to you about your father.” Camden frowned so he added. “Your real father.”
“What brought this up?”
“I think it's time the two of you met.”
The young man frowned. “I figured he was dead or in prison. Trisha
told me that he killed a bunch of people. He was in the occult or something.”
“You can't believe any of that.”
“Then where is he? Why hasn't he written? Or called?” His son
challenged him.
“Because he doesn't want to put you in danger.” Camden shook his
head. He wasn't buying it. “Cam, Zach is a good man. He was the one who
arranged for us to adopt you. It's a long and complicated explanation, one I
think best for him to give you.”
“You're the only father I've known. Why should I turn to somebody
else?”
The man smiled sadly at his son. “Do you believe that I would just
walk away? You are just as much a part of me as Matt and Chris are but you and
Zach need time together. He's never been far from you, has a friend he trusts
watching over you.”
“If you want me to see him I will but don't ask me to welcome him
with open arms.”
“Just an open mind. That's all I ask.”
He looked at his father. “You trust him?”
“Yes. I do.”
His son sighed. “But Trisha...”
“You can't believe anything she says Cam.”
“Can't believe my mother?”
He asked incredulously.
“She isn't your mother.” Camden stared at him but he just shook
his head. “Zach will explain.”
Their food came. Camden had ordered steak with mushrooms and
fries. He got brown gravy to dip his fries in. David had steak and baked
potato. He watched Camden dip his fries into the gravy and thought Allison
would have a fit. He grinned as Camden looked up from his food.
“What's so funny?” His son asked.
“Can I try one of those?” Camden nodded. David took one of the
fries and dipped it in the gravy and tasted it. To his surprise it was very
good. He smiled at his son. “I may have to order these next time.”
“Cool.” He sighed before asking his father. “So when and where am
I supposed to meet the guy?”
“I'll let him know that you said yes. Then we'll decide.”
“Okay. I'm thinking about taking the rest of the week off. Maybe
go camping.” He told the older man.
“Alright.”
“I just need to get away.”
David nodded. “I understand. It's been hell for you the last few
days but please take your cell phone this time.”
“I will. Just in case.”
David dropped Camden off at his apartment a little after eight. He
then went home to call Zach. He sat looking at the business card. Zachary
Michael Camden. 'The Sorcerer's Keep.
Rare Books and Gifts.' Rare was right, he thought.
Zach picked up on the third ring. He apologized saying he had been
in the back working on an artifact. David proceeded to tell him that Camden had
agreed to meet with him. Zach was both elated and worried. If the others got
wind of the meeting it could go bad. He told David that he would try and find a
place that was both neutral and safe for Camden to be. David agreed. They
talked a while longer and hung up.
Zach went back to the storage area at the rear of the shop. This
is where he worked on cataloging and restoring rare finds that were brought to
him. He was working on a scepter from the fourteen hundreds. It was silver,
about a foot in length with a cross at the top, which was encrusted with
sapphires. A courier had brought it from the airport. The owner wanted the
scepter to be authenticated and returned. Zach could do that. The man was
willing to pay for the information.
He felt someone behind him and turned to find a man in a blue silk
shirt, tucked into black pants which in turn were tucked into knee high black
boots that Zach knew were real leather. The man's hair was black and grew past
his shoulders. His eyes were deep blue.
Zach greeted his visitor. “Don't you ever knock Jean Claude?”
The man smiled. “That would defeat the whole purpose of stealth
Mon Ami but I am certain that my presence was felt.”
“Jason you can come in.” The owner called out. A young blond stuck
his head around the doorframe. The twenty something was dressed in jeans and a
red tee shirt. “It's okay. I promise that Tiffany is gone for the night.” The
young man grinned and entered the room. Zach turned back to the vampire. “So
what brings you here?”
“Have you talked to your son?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. These things take time.”
Jean Claude sighed. “We may not have that luxury much longer.”
The owner nodded. “I know.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I'm
concerned about his safety. It has to be a place I am sure of.”
“Bring him to the Circus.” The Master Vampire offered as Jason
busied himself looking at different books. “Be careful my wolf. Some of those
are one of a kind.” Jason nodded.
Zach shook his head. “Cam is only nineteen. I'm not sure he's
ready for that.”
Jean Claude explained. “I did not mean to watch a performance. I
meant below where he would be safer than most places. Think on this point. My
offer stands.” Zach nodded and turned back to the scepter. The vampire chided
him. “You are too serious. What is it
that has so much of your attention?”
“A scepter from the early fourteen hundreds.” The man explained.
Jean Claude started to move closer as Zach turned with the scepter
in his hands. The cross glowed, white hot. Jean Claude backed away hastily
covering his eyes. Zach turned away, laying the cross back on his workbench.
He apologized to his visitor. “Sorry Jean I forgot for a moment.
Crosses affect you differently.” Jason snickered. “Seriously though, I'll keep
the Circus in mind.”
Jason told him. “He's right you know. The Circus is a lot more
secure than most places. We could keep him safe. I'd like to meet him.”
The man laughed. “At least you didn't say eat him.”
“Not until I get to know him.” The werewolf winked.
Zach laughed. “Well with that kind of logic what can I say? I'll
talk to David.”
“Very good.” Jean Claude nodded.
Jason picked up a book with a red leather cover. He opened it to
tattered pages. It was in some foreign language.
He walked over to the Zach asking him, “What language is this?”
The man smiled. “It's Greek. It's a book on Greek myth.”
The werewolf smiled. “This would be cool in English.”
“You want to read it?” Zach asked, surprised.
The young man frowned. “Don't speak Greek.”
Zach walked over to a shelf of books and pulled one out. Coming
back he handed it to Jason. It was the same book but black leather and in
English. “This one isn't as old and can stand the wear.”
Jason grinned. “Thanks.”
Jean Claude interrupted. “Let me know when you have made a
decision.”
The man nodded. “I will. Thank you Jean, for the help. I hope I
can repay you some day.”
The Master smiled. “Some day I may call upon you but for now I
shall take my leave. Adieu.”
“Good night Jean.” The man nodded in reply.
Jason stopped to tell him. “Thanks again Zach.”
“No problem.” The man smiled.
Jean Claude and Jason left the shop. Zach put the scepter in one
of the safes and finished up for the night. He locked up the shop, setting the
alarm system before leaving.
He walked over to a black Honda Valkyrie, started the motorcycle
up and drove off. He drove through the city and up into the hills He did his
best thinking here, away from all the noise. He didn't mind the people. He just
didn’t like the noise, unless it was constructive noise like rock music.
He was tempted to go and see Taylor's band play but he knew that
it would be a risk, especially since Trisha had turned Taylor against him.
There had to be a way to change that.
He sensed movement behind him and turned just as a huge shape
sprang at him. The she wolf knocked Zach to the ground before trying to lick
his face off. He laughed so much that he was breathless. The wolf backed off
and in one shudder changed from a silver wolf to a five foot six red headed
woman. Zach lay there looking at her naked form. She smiled and offered him
help up.
“You keep doing this and you'll end up with pneumonia.” He scolded
as she helped him up.
“And you know we don't get sick.” He pulled up the seat of the
Valkyrie and took out a sweatshirt and a pair of sweats. “Thanks.” She told him
as she pulled the clothes on. She kissed his cheek. “Did you go shopping? I'm
starved.”
The man smiled. “Fridge is stocked.”
“Oh good. Let's go home.”
Zach got on the bike and she climbed on behind him, putting her
arms around his waist. He kicked the bike into gear and they headed back to
town.