Fang-Kissed

Chapter 9

Kami returns with the berries and then she stays by me, I assume Toni and Raphael ran off to spend some Fang time together.

Kami sits next to me on the earth and gives me the basket full.

"Eat all of these and then come with me," Kami suggests.

"These are all the berries you picked?" I ask, confused.

"A gift, Clary. We are a pack at Fortitude and Toni and I wanted to lift up your spirits, so eat the berries," Kami says this seriously.

I try not to blush from embarrassment. I really was ruining the camping trip with how much of a bad mood I had been in all morning. I didn't realise they went off to find a way to cheer me up. But I don't complain about the kind act.

"Thanks," I start to eat them and Kami is happy, "Fuck, these are so good. There's so many different kinds, too?"

"Only I know which ones are edible," Kami actually smiles, "My favourites are the Blue-Byes," she points to them. I taste that one next and I screw up my face.

"That one doesn't really taste like anything," I give my take.

"I know, I love it, it almost tastes like... sweet dirt," Kami points to more, "After this, we can go swimming in the lake."

"I didn't bring swimmers."

"Just need your skin," Kami looks at me like I'm funny, "If you don't want to then you can –"

"No, I'll do it, I'll come," I change my attitude.

Kami stands up and nods, waiting for me to finish as she inspects the plants around the camp, touching everything, "You want to know my story? I was a wallower," Kami starts to laugh, "I would wallow away from the garden and get closer and closer to Fortitude, until Raze caught me staring at them train. He knew I was half human because when he approached me I almost fainted. He shifted from wolf to man. I had never seen a cock like that before... anyway... he brought me back, he realised I didn't want to leave but he had to tell the Elders I was a hostage. Then he introduced me to Toni, who was a... on a visit of a kind... with Raphael, from the city. Very bad boys. Very bad. Raphael was insufferable. But Toni was very kind to me. Since they were born into wealth, they didn't want to do their duty, they just wanted to go to all the rich parties and sleep with everyone. Until Toni said I was incomparable to every other girl – because I am a stone, half. My father was a peaceful stone wizard you know, I didn't think he ever cared about me though, until Raze showed up in our room and said my daddy got him, haha... oh no, Raze's death is probably his own fault for taking me to the wolf pack. I guess my daddy is very protective? He's just a rock, really, looks like a boulder," Kami squats on the ground and puts her hands over her head to show me what a boulder looks like, then she stands up and sees I've finished with all the berries, although I might have left the Blue-Byes in the basket.

"You left them for me?" Kami skips over, takes the basket from me and I nod vigorously.

"I would have to agree with Toni, you are incomparable to any other," I say sweetly because I didn't even realise Kami had this much depth. She was so much more than a monotone.

Kami eats the Blue-Byes and waves me over to follow her into the forest – I guess I should call it her wild garden.

"Remember Clary," Kami walks by my side, "If the forest is singing sweetly, you're safe. If it's screaming, you're probably dead. If it's quiet, you need to hide. Don't worry though, this forest is always in song. I look after this area."

"Your wild garden," I guess.

"Yes, and Clary?" Kami slyly side-eyes me, "Just in case it was not obvious. Raphael really likes you. So don't doubt your appeal."