The Book Waitress Series Volume One (24 page)

“So, the two of us must suffer for the sake of the one. I don’t understand your reasoning, Camille.” His hot breath washed over her in short fits as he valiantly tried to contain his anger. “But I can’t leave you. So, if we can’t go any further than this, at least I know I can hold you as I save you from this Hell of yours on Earth.”

She raised her hands and caressed his scruffy cheeks. “I’m counting on it.” She slid along the table’s edge, straightened her clothing unnecessarily, and made her way to the stairs.

He followed her up and to the table loaded with all the books and notes they’d collected. “Let’s focus on something productive, okay? Look through the journal and notes we’ve taken so far on the different creatures crossing over. If there’s anything you can add, please do so.”

“Sure.”

He sat across from her and dug into the journal first. She peered over every now and again, trying to ascertain where he was in the book. After a while, she noticed him frowning and grunting.

“Aw, shit.”

“Oh, don’t say that. Nothing good comes after that kind of remark.”

“Yeah, well, you’re right. I know many of these beasts coming over. This isn’t good. Not at all. We have a tough road ahead of us. They’re gonna be hard to kill let alone detect. Most assimilate into a human’s body, with no one the wiser. The only way to know if they’re around is by watching their behavior. When someone starts acting strangely, then you gotta suspect something. If you see a red glow in their eyes, it’s too late and you better run for your life.”

“We’ve already seen that happen. A banker and a cab driver both went on killing sprees not too long ago. Crap, I know I sent Derek and the others away, but we really need to get going and stop any more Hellish crimes from happening. I need to finish preparing the weapons. Looks like I’m gonna be making a phone call in the morning.”

Chapter Five

Creatures crossed over throughout the night. To Synn’s visible dismay, Camille felt it best if they tried a variety of ways that he could help ease the pain of her burning scars. Yielding to her wishes, they found that, in the end, all he needed to do was hold her hand and he could send a coating of frost to the affected areas. It wasn’t perfect. She still felt twinges, but it was bearable. There would no longer be a need for him to cover her body with his to achieve roughly the same desired result.

At war with her insanely strong feelings for him and the love she had for Derek, she chose to close the door on them both for now and concentrate on the dire tasks that lay ahead of them. She called Derek and asked that he and the others come back to the library for breakfast and apologies. He agreed, and by ten o’clock in the morning, the team had assembled around the dining room table.

Derek pushed his chair back and stood. “Before we start, I want to publicly apologize for the way I behaved yesterday. Camille, Synn, I hope you can forgive me.”

She got up from the table and walked over to him. She rubbed his arm and felt so ashamed. “I’m sorry, too, for making you feel threatened in any way. Unfortunately, nothing but his touch will help me deal with these scars now. But we found a way that isn’t half bad, and it won’t make you cringe.”

“No, you do what you have to do to stay well. I’ll deal. So, where are we with our plans?”

“I already dipped and wiped down the weapons and bullets that I found in Arnie’s box. Synn’s been looking over the journal and knows some of these beasts. He’ll be even more helpful to us.”

Derek opened his mouth to say something, immediately closed it, and sat back down. So did Camille.

“So, he’s now a part of the group? Just asking. Want to know where we all stand here.”

“Yes, Arnie, he is,” she said pointedly and then turned to the others. “Now, I think we ought to start planning our offensive. We should get our hands on a police scanner.”

“I’ll start on our traveling efforts overseas.” Mallory chimed in. “I brought a mess of travel books for the countries that were identified in the journal and my laptop to get the most up-to-date maps. We have passports, but you two will need them, as well.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Synn said. “I travel differently than you. And since Camille needs to stay close, she’ll travel with me.”

No one said a word, but eyebrows raised and someone coughed. “So, who’s up for a lesson on how to kill a Hell-beast?”

***

“So that’s how you use the mace. Any questions?” Arnie looked around the room. “All right, everyone pick one up and try it out. Swing it the way I showed you, but move far enough away so you don’t kill each other.”

Camille picked hers up and practiced swinging it around. She imagined slashing Victor Langdon’s face, pulverizing Melissa’s hands, and mutilating Satan. In reality, she’d ripped one of the library couches to shreds and was currently sending woody shrapnel from the arms of the couch flying everywhere.

“Whoa! Hey! I think you’ve got it! Now, put the mace down.”

“Arnie’s right, Cam. You got it. Put it down now. You’re showering us with woodchips. Cam?”

She couldn’t stop. In fact, she tuned out the pleading voices and carried on, losing herself in the cathartic experience of laying to waste those who had brought her to this point of sheer desperation.

“Take that! And that! Die, you mother fuckers! Die! I hate you!”

After a few minutes passed, she had nothing left in her. She stood before the unfortunate piece of now matchstick furniture, gulping in air as fast as she could, arms hanging to either side, mace still gripped tightly in one hand.

“Cam, are you all right?” Derek asked, as he approached her.

She dropped the mace to the floor. “Shit, that felt good! Pardon my language.” She swiped at the sweat from her forehead and upper lip. “Give me another weapon, Arnie. I’m feeling it.” She held out an
open hand and shook it in his face. He looked hesitantly at her and didn’t move. “Oh come on, now! Give one up. I’m far from being done. Maybe we should take it outside, though. Before long, I may not have any furniture left.” She laughed.

Everyone else laughed along with her, and Arnie eased up. He picked up a nasty looking knife. “Here, try this on for size. This is how you use it.” He showed her the different ways to hold it for offensive and defensive maneuvers. Then he passed it to her. “Now get outta here with that thing, and try not to hurt yourself.”

“I’ll do my best. Synn, come on. We’re headed outside to send a tree or a bush to Hell.”

“I’m glad I’m not one of them,” he muttered amiably as he lumbered past her to the door.

She followed, and as he rounded the corner to the back yard, they were hidden from any curious eyes by the high concrete foundation. Grabbing hold of his arm, she turned him to face her. “I am, too. Glad you’re not them, I mean. You’re never going back to Hell. Not while I’m still alive to see to it.”

She hoped her eyes and the tone of voice conveyed the depth of her sincerity. She wouldn’t give him up without a fight. Rather than smile in appreciation, though, he offered her a furrowed brow and held her face captive in his hands, lightly caressing her cheeks. “In the end, Marked One, Satan’ll have to go through me to get to
you
. There’s no way I’m letting him put one more fucking claw on you. And I’ll be damned twice if I let him bring you back.”

“Oh, Synn…. Whatever are we going to do with each other, huh?” She closed her eyes from the heartache and leaned into his palm. He brought her into his arms and held her. She could feel him kiss the top of her head as she absorbed his essence and relaxed within his powerful embrace. “We’d better get to practicing before someone sees us like this.”

“Yes,” he said, releasing her. “You’re right, of course.”

Taking knife in hand, she proceeded to the back yard to practice, and froze. The well. She hadn’t counted on it being an issue. But flashbacks tripped the wiring in her mind and she now stood paralyzed, unable to utter a sound. Over and over she re-lived her nightmarish fall and near sacrifice.

She felt her fingers peeled away from the hilt of the knife, one at a time, and someone take it from her hand. She was guided back to the side of the library and leaned against the wall.

“Camille, look at me! Look into my eyes. Come on, girl. Come on back.”

I want to come back. How do I get back? Synn, is that you? Your eyes. They’re glowing…so golden and seductive.
“I could get lost in them,” she murmured.

“What? Hey, you’re back! Holy shit, I thought I lost you there for a bit. What happened? Are you okay?”

“I…I think so.” She shook her head and ran the pads of her fingers in circle over her temples. “I can’t go back there. I flashed back to when I jumped in that well and I…I just can’t be on that part of the property right now.” She shook with fear and anger over this new development. “Give me the damn knife back, please. I need to practice. I’ll just do it here. Plenty of room.”

“You sure?” She stuck her hand out impatiently. “Okay, fine. Just be careful. And remember I’m friend not foe.”

She managed to whittle down a small bush and hack chunks out of a sapling without ripping herself to shreds. Every now and again she surprised herself with her latent abilities. Today, she displayed a real talent for wielding a knife and felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride. She may be scared by a lot due to her sheltered life, but now was the time to be fearless. This team needed a leader and by God, she would give them one.

Morning had long since gone and the afternoon sun had waned. As evening set in, a successful weapons practice ended and all gathered around the table to review the day’s accomplishments over slices of pizza. Mallory had successfully located people they knew in each of the countries where the relics were purported to be. The only thing left to do was to actually travel and collect them. Closer to home, they needed to go out and hunt the Hell-beasts down. That effort would begin in the days to come.

“It’s late, so if there’s no more to discuss, I’m gonna head out. I managed to get myself a room for super cheap. It’s over a garage, but the view is sweet and I can’t wait to try out the bed.” Arnie tossed his plate and cup in the garbage, stretched, and headed for the door.

“If you hadn’t gotten your own place, I would’ve made you do it. During our last mission, you snored so badly I walked around like a zombie for days. I need to get going, too. I’m bushed! Derek, toss me your keys and I’ll wait for you in the car.” Mallory got up and slung her laptop bag over her shoulder. “Camille, glad you’re okay, or at least on this side of the world. See ya bright and early tomorrow.”

“I’ll be out in a few, okay?” Derek pushed his chair back, walked over to Camille and knelt beside her chair.

Mallory rolled her eyes, lit up a cigarette, and walked out.

He looked over at Synn and asked, “Can you give us a minute?”

“Sure, I’ll just clear this stuff away.” Picking up the remains of the late night dinner, he headed to the kitchen.

“She’s only staying with me because she hates rooming alone, and as you can see, can’t room with Arnie.”

“Okay.” She paused, a bit confused as to why he would mention it. And then it dawned on her. “I don’t have a problem with it, if that’s what you’re getting at. I know you’ve been friends for years. Why would I be jealous?”

“No reason. No reason. I just wanted you to know. I could drop her off and come back here, if you want. I could stay over. I mean, I’d like to stay over.” The poor man was stumbling over his words.

She chose her words carefully and rested a hand on his. “I love you, Derek, so don’t take this the wrong way. I think you should go back to your place. Things are…complicated at the moment. I’ve so much to contend with, I just need to go back to simple for now. Besides, with Synn needing to be so close, I think it would make things uncomfortable for you, and I wouldn’t ever want to do that to you. Please understand.”

“I love you, too. That’s why I want to be here. Things were complicated before, and I don’t see them getting any easier for us. What I think’s happened is Synn’s gotten to you. Don’t say anything. You don’t have to. Just remember that he’s a demon. From Hell. I don’t trust him. Even if he’s choosing to work with us, he’ll always be thinking about the bottom line, what’s in it for him. And what if things don’t go as planned? Whose neck will he be saving first? It’s hard enough knowing he’s the only one who can help you right now. Just, don’t get too attached to him. All right?”

What could she say that wouldn’t stick her foot in it? “You’re entitled to your opinions. And I have mine. Suffice it to say they differ. But I hear you and appreciate your concern. I do. I’ll do my best to keep myself grounded and focused on the mission. After all, once we succeed, my reliance on him will be non-existent. Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” She smiled and grabbed his hand to lead him out.

“No, stay inside. What if another creature crosses over? I don’t want you too far from help.” He leaned down, kissed her tenderly, and his eyes pierced her soul. “I’m so glad you’re alive and back where you belong, even if it’s not in my arms all night long.”

The visual sent shivers across her skin and ripples of guilt across her heart. “Good night, Derek.” She closed the door gently behind him and returned to the dining room to finish cleaning up.

Thoughts weighed heavily on her mind. There were so many pieces to juggle emotionally and practically, it made her dizzy. Today, she’d been counting. Two more crossings to endure and she could get a few hours of sleep. Synn could sleep or rest or whatever he did at night on the living room couch. While she scurried around getting sheets and a pillow for him, he kept out of her way and didn’t try to engage her in conversation, but he did watch her like a hawk. Maybe he sensed she needed space. Smart demon!

“Okay, here’s bedding you can use. I’m sorry I haven’t created a guest bedroom in here yet. I’d only just moved in before I, uh, you know. Anyhow, my bedroom is just past the dining room on the left. It has a door, but I’ll leave it open. The bathroom is further down the hall. There are towels and soap, and if you want to shower, you’ll have to go in the Ladies room. This was a house before it was converted into a library so some of its original bones still exist. Ho
iHoHop
pe you sleep well. I’ll call you if I need you. Good night.”

Handing off the linens, she wouldn’t meet his glance, and made a speedy exit to her room. She didn’t want to see his reaction, nor did she want to deliberate the positives and negatives of not having him in her room, in her bed, next to her. She just needed to be left alone.

Teeth brushed, hair tamed, and pajamas donned, Camille settled into her bed, grateful to be alive. A ticking time bomb, she knew that as soon as she drifted off another beast would probably cross through the portal and brutally wake her. But she made the best of a shitty situation, punched her pillow and fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

Synn tossed the bedding absently on the oversized chair. It had taken all of his energy not to laugh when she handed them to him. He never slept. Not since Satan turned him from Jax Denton, human street urchin to Synn, Satan’s pawn. Instead, he chose to walk the library, checking windows and doors, making sure everything was locked up tight. He knew it was a fruitless endeavor. When Satan wanted something, he found a way to get it. If he wanted to get to Camille, he would, and laugh at any efforts to keep him at bay.