Chapter 54.-5

“Cameron, wait---” I whispered. “I was so worried about you…” His face buried in my hair and his body was shaking. “No, stop…” I whispered but I didn’t stop hugging him. I didn’t move away from him. I could feel Eli trying to fight his way back up to the surface but I was stronger. Cameron pulled back and put his hands either side of my face. “You’re back now. I’m not letting you go.” He surprised me by what he did next. His lips landed on mine. I was stunned. Absolutely shocked. I was still going through emotional trauma to respond or stop him. I was doing so many things at once: I was holding the family in place; I was stopping Eli from breaking down the barriers I had built around the family and myself. His lips placed small kisses on the corner of my own and finally putting more pressure on them. It was different. It was… his kiss. Everything he did was different. I remember when I tested the kiss after he saved me. I remembered feeling something… but saying it wasn’t as strong as what I felt for Gabriel. Was that true? I flinched when I felt a pang a pain from the emotions I’d held back earlier. I’d gasped which gave Cam the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss. I couldn’t--- Why---? I groaned in frustration. Why now!? WHY?! My body responded. I slid my hands up his chest and into his hair. I tugged on his short hair. He reacted by tightening his grip around my waist and bringing me closer. His tongue exploring my mouth in different ways than Gabriel would…  His lips brining my bottom one into his mouth… I couldn’t do this now. I had too little time… I broke away gasping for breath. “I… I don’t have much time…” He stared down at me in disbelief. “What do you mean you don’t have much time? Lonny---” I shook my head and tried breaking out of his embrace but he wouldn’t let me go. “I’m going to show you images of where I am… This side… this power Eli has shown me is wonderful.” He scowled deeply. “Don’t even say that. You’re not like them.” “Yes I am.” I said. “And before I lose all of my humanity, I’m going to show you where the cave is.” I moved my hands from his hair to the cheeks and showed him everything that has happened in the past week. He gasped and nodded. “My change is between the transitions of 2010 to 2011. You know how to control a flame. You can get rid of this fire." He looked to the forest. “Not one this big, Lon!” I patted his cheek to get his attention. “You…” I squeezed my eyes shut as Eli screamed through my head and Joseph broke free from my hold. “You have to. My time is up. Joseph will help you. It is only midday. Do not tell them what has happened here until three. I need time.” “Time for what? The longer we wait, the more influenced you are.” He argued. “I’m already influenced, Cam.” I had to hide my emotions before I changed my mind. It was easier to do a second time and I could tell Cam knew I’d locked them up. “Oh no,” “Good luck,” I said. I looked toward the burning forest and realized what this was… This was from my dream. This is the burning wood. I’d been expecting this moment for months… Odd. Cam reluctantly let go of me and I ran off. I’d released the family from their hold just as I took off. I let Eli back in and I could feel his fury. I didn’t care anymore. I was stronger. As I stopped in front of the cave I found Eli and Grigori waiting. Jay was panicking. I could see he had been watching the show. “What the hell happened?” Eli yelled. I crossed my arms under my breasts and stared at him. “What ever do you mean?” “What did you do?! You were doing so well. You hurt that damn family and I loved it. Especially Genevieve’s. That was sick.” He said with a laugh. Jay put his head in his hands. “But then you had to push me out! What did you do in those five minutes you blocked me out for, Lonny?” “That’s none of your concern.” I said as I walked toward Jay. He stepped toward me and came up to my face. “I have every right to know you ungrateful, heartless, demonic soul,” I sighed. And then I grabbed him by the neck and lifted. Grigori tried moving but I took control of his limbs. “Listen to me, Elijah. You no longer control what I do. You’re energy is weak compared to mine. You listen to what I say now.” “I will never,” He gritted. “You may be stronger than me but there is one thing that will always be your weakness." “What’s that then?” He must have taken my hold off Grigori because the next thing I knew a chain was wrapped around my neck. I screamed out in pain as it tightened. Platinum. More chains wrapped around my arms and wrists. I tried pulling out of them but it burnt. My skin was starting to grow hot. My vision was blurring… “You’re becoming stronger with every hour. We’re going to have to keep you locked up until your change.” His voice was becoming an echo in my head and soon enough I blacked out. Those harsh whispers returned. Being unconscious made my mind relax into nothing. It made my caged emotions seep through the holes. So the only images that came into my mind before I blacked out were the faces of the ones I love. My Friends… My family… Gabriel’s family… Gabriel… …And Cameron.