Deviant (Blendling Trilogy #1)

Chapter Nine

After seven hours of being cooped up in the car, Cam and I finally turned into the parking lot of a small hotel. We'd made it to Orange County in record time. It was very early in the morning and we were both tired. Cam suggested we caught a few hours sleep before we set out. The receptionist eyed us wearily as we approached the front desk. For a minute I was afraid we'd be carded but she just accepted payment and gave us a key to the room. Cam immediately hit the showers and I took inventory; although I wasn't in physical pain, my emotional state was a mess. I knew I had weeks left and it sucked. In a few minutes mum would wake to check on me, I sighed as I imagined her panic. She'd be calling be calling our phones but we'd made a last minute decision to leave them behind.
"You should get some sleep" Cam said as he exited the bathroom.
"Lemme freshen up too." I took a quick shower, all the while praying for a miracle.

***
I couldn't help but feel optimistic as we pulled into the driveway of a fancy house in a really swanky neighborhood: cool cars, modern houses, pools, name it. Not knowing where to find Jacqueline, I used my inner compass to find the place. Cam was scared I'd start bleeding again but nothing happened. We rang the bell twice before someone answered and we just gaped, Cameron, with his mouth open. The girl that opened the door was very beautiful but that wasn't why I was gaping. Apart from her blonde hair, she was a spitting image of Jacqueline. She cocked her hip to the side and eyed Cameron like he was a present she couldn't wait to unwrap.
"See something you like?" She asked in a mocking tone that snapped me out
"Hello" I said in my friendliest voice. Cam continued to stare. "We are looking for Jacqueline Delacour"
"Who wants to know" she asked.
"Let them in Sherry" a voice shouted from inside. She grudgingly let us in, brushing up against Cameron as he passed. He gave her his winning smile and she flushed.

She led us in and smiled at Cam. The room was small and mostly bare, although it looked comfortable. It was decorated in shades of cream and chocolate with a huge window overlooking an immaculate garden. Four cream leather chairs were arranged facing each other and one of them was occupied.
"Jacqueline" I greeted. Her eyes roamed my face and moved to Cam's
"Oh stop drooling over him and make yourself scarce" she snapped at Sherry who had indeed been drooling over Cam "I'm not to be disturbed for any reason"
"Yes mother" she said and ran from the room, closing the door behind her
"I see you're still as sweet as ever" I mocked. I didn't know why I was baiting her, maybe it's the years growing up listening to mum ridicule her. After the airport incident, mum made sure to give my all the sordid details of Jacqueline's life.
"I see you're still rude" she said. We glared at each other until Cam cleared his throat
"Good morning ma'am. Can we sit?" Cam asked. I'd forgotten we were still standing.
"I don't like the both of you but I'm curious. You may sit" she said. We did "So what brings you to my corner of California?" She asked. I cut right to the chase
"We need your help" I say. Her tinkling laugh rang out
"You've still got spunk, I like"
"Sorry for his manners" Cameron tried "But we'd really appreciate your help"
"I know what you want" she said
"You do?" I asked in surprise
"But of course. You let me read your palm once. I told you we'd meet again"
"So you know why we've come" Cam said
"Yes" she smiled in victory. "Tell me, does Charlotte know you're here?"
"No" I said.
"Ha!" She chortled in glee. "Rebellion, I like it. I rebelled in my days too" a far away look came over her face.
"We know. We've heard all about it" Cam replied
"Yes yes. I was never as meek as Charlotte" she boasted "Charlotte do-gooder"
"We don't have much time" Cameron said
"What's it to me?" She asked, walking to the window to look out. I had to admit that I was feeling despair at this point. "I cannot help you" she said
"Can't or won't?" Cam asked "How'd you feel if someone denied your daughters the way you're denying us" I could tell he had struck a nerve because she turned and stalked to him. Poking his chest, she said
"Don't you dare talk about my girls. I love them and will do everything to protect them, no matter the cost!"
"So help us! We have mothers who love us just as much" he said quietly.

Jacqueline ignored him and went back to her window watch. I let out my sense to feel her out. At first, I was met with resistance, but gradually I could see into her psyche. She'd made many sacrifices for her daughters. She'd lied and cheated, even killed to keep them safe. Regardless of my mum's feelings, I could see that Jacqueline was someone very loyal to the people she loved. She was good mother, regardless of her past. her past. Her actions were those of a scorned woman lashing out. She'd betray anyone without a blink if it would save someone she loved. I probed deeper and felt her flinch as she shoved me out of her mind.
"You bound their powers!" I shout. Suddenly she was on me, her hands covering my mouth
"Keep it down, they might hear" she whispered. She let me go after I nodded and started pacing
"They don't know" I tell Cam "They don't know what they are"
"What?" He asks without comprehending
"Jacqueline bound her daughters and they don't know anything about Odda" I explained
"Why?" He asked in confusion
"Why not!" She cried "Having powers is nothing but trouble. I'll tell them eventually, when they are old enough to handle the dangers of our world. My girls are like me, impulsive. I want them to enjoy as many years as they can without knowing what they are. Why do you think I don't want you around them? I read your palm, I saw a future where you put my daughters in peril. I'd do anything to prevent that future. Even if it means lying to them"
"So how will you explain why they don't age to them?" Cam asked
"I'll tell them eventually" she shouted. "For now they don't need to know they are witches"
"We are what now!" A shocked voice calls from the door. The three of us turn in dread to look at the shocked faces of twin girls. My senses immediately went into overload as a delicious scent I remembered from long ago wrapped around me. Clutching my head, I dropped to the ground and had a seizure, completely oblivious to the racket in the room.