Deviant (Blendling Trilogy #1)

Chapter Three

I woke to the sound of shouting. Bolting out of bed, I dashed into the hallway to listen. The shout came again from Cameron's room. I could hear my mum and Gerry getting out of bed and they joined me in the hall. The sun was rising, bathing the hallway with beautiful colours and the birds outside chirped their good morning songs. This time of the day was often my favourite. I'm an early riser and when I woke, I'd either go for a run to enjoy the morning air while I plan my day or I'd compose lyrics to songs only my family ever heard. But this morning, I didn't pause to admire the beauty of nature. I strode with purpose to Cam's room, mum and Gerry on my heels. I could taste the dread in the air, like a physical presence I could reach out to touch. I opened the door and froze at the sight before me. Behind me, mum gave a horrified gasp and Gerry fainted. My quick reflexes saved her from falling to the floor.

"Mum" Cameron said, taking a step forward. We took a step back "Please" he croaked
"Cammy?" Gerry said, straightening herself. I kept a hold on her because she was unsteady on her feet "We, heard you shout" she stuttered
"Mum look at me, I'm not right!" He cried

Cameron had changed. When he slept off last night, he looked like a regular teenager: sandy blond hair cropped short without particular style, aqua eyes, above average height, slim with a swimmer's muscles. But this Cam was different. It wasn't just that he was taller, putting him at above six feet; or the shoulder length gold hair on his head and forget me not blue of his eyes. It wasn't even the huge pecks and hard abs. It was the huge wings at his back! The left wing was fiery red and the right was ice blue. Both wings ended with deadly sharp tips. He looked like some avenging angel. He watched us silently taking him in. I spotted a few drops of blood on the floor and traced them to his thigh. There was a blood soaked slash on his left trouser leg but I could see the skin behind it had knit together. I pointed to it

"I mistakenly cut myself, that's why I cried out" he said, pointing to the end of his left wing. It had blood on it
"Oh" mum answered, as if it was the most logical thing in the world
"Oh?" Gerry cried "look at him!"
"I'm looking!" Mum replied flustered. I could tell she hadn't expected this but she knew was going on.
"Can someone explain please." I said. Mum took charge
"I will explain but first, Cam wear something without blood. Gerry go make coffee. Ace, help your cousin, I'll start breakfast" everyone rushed to obey.

I was careful to avoid his wings. They fluttered each time I got too close to them and Cam apologised each time. I got out a loose sweat pant from his closet as he forced himself out of the jeans he was wearing, the same jeans that had been a perfect fit yesterday. After changing, we went in search of answers. Our mothers had been whispering when we came in but they immediately shut up. Mum eyed Cam's wings as he approached the table. He carefully sat down and we watched fascinated as he manoeuvred the wings as if he'd always had them. I sat opposite him and eyed him curiously. Now that I'd gotten over my initial shock I was fascinated, and somewhat jealous. I watched mum nervously puttering about making breakfast even though she knew we weren't interested in food. Gerry looked everywhere but at her son.

"Please stop" Cam whispered and she did. She sighed and took a seat beside Gerry
"I didn't know, I swear" Gerry began, tears running down her face
"Hush" mum said "What we have to say must not leave this kitchen" she cautioned
"Get on with it already. The suspense is killing me" Cam said. Gerry nodded and started
"When I realized I was pregnant, I was scared. I was single and irresponsible" she smiled "I wanted to have an abortion but Char was against it. She convinced me that she'd take you away if I decided I didn't want a baby anymore"
"Of course I just said that to calm her" mum said fondly, a small smile on her face. Jealous gripped my heart and I felt my old insecurities trying to surface but I squelched the urge.
"When I had you" Gerry looked at Cameron "I felt complete. For the first time in my life, I had a purpose outside my selfishness. I called Charlotte and she was happy for me. She told me I'd be the best mother in the world and I believed her. I knew I'd done the right thing"
"How does this explain my wings" Cam said angrily, said wings fluttered as if in answer.
"Everything." She whispered "Please don't hate me."
"I'd never hate you, but please get on with the story" he replied
"Cam, your wings came from your father. He's a Whingon"
"Whats a wengun?" I asked

"Whingon" mum corrected "a being with wings. Believed to be descended from angels. They are warriors and protectors of the Odda, all paranormal creatures whether Blended or Changeling"
"That's the wiki definition" I said sarcastically "What's it to do with Cam"
"I believe Cam's father was one" mum said
"I don't understand. I thought you didn't know who my father was" Cam asked
"I was being reckless as usual and I got drunk. It takes considerable effort to get our kind drunk but I was determined to reach my limit. It wasn't a human bar so I didn't have to bother about exposing my powers. I woke in a motel room the next morning. It was one of those rent by the hour motels. The receptionist rudely informed me that my partner had checked out and she refused to tell me who he was. She thought I was a prostitute" Gerry said, looking constipated. I could tell this was a difficult subject for her
"This explains nothing, especially not the wings" I said
"But it does! Don't you get it, if the Council found out about you, they'd have us all killed" Gerry cried
"But why!" Cam said, shoving off the table. His wing tip scratched the kitchen floor, letting out a screeching sound
"Your father, it appears, is a Channeling" mum replied softly