Rayne grabbed her carry-on bag and followed Camden down the narrow aisle of the plane. He led her up the tunnel and out into the busy Seattle airport, never letting go of her hand.
She sighed to herself as the familiar scent of her home came rushing back to her. It felt like ages since she'd seen familiar territory, and she needed it. With everything the last week had brought, she should be in mental and emotional overload. There shouldn't be any energy left to spend tracking down whoever was trying to destroy her and possibly the rest of the world.
But she was surprisingly collected.
Even the news about vampires, zombies, and someone wanting to obliterate her, through it all, she was keeping an end in sight and holding onto herself and her sanity, however briefly. Somehow, she hadn't completely broken down yet, and she was hoping that a short trip would be just the thing to keep her from getting to that point.
When Camden mentioned a trip back home, she'd spent the remainder of the day in utter excitement while she packed. She'd called Layla and told her to expect a visit, and her friend had been just as ecstatic.
They made their way through the crowded airport, nothing out of the ordinary or unusual catching their eyes, and arrived at a taxi waiting for them at the curb just outside the doors. She was beyond excited to be home, even if it was just for a day or two. She had to make time to see Layla on top of their visit to Dr. Brennan. There was so much to do, and she felt as though she didn't have time to do it all. The whole trip had been quieter than she had expected, but it wasn't as awkward as she feared.
Two nights ago, when she and Camden had their movie night, she was afraid that things would get weird between them, but it really hadn't. He was his usual, flirty self, making advances that she continually fought off, and she was the same, reserved woman that she had been. She could tell that things were changing between the two of them, seemingly for the better. They had gotten much closer, and she found herself always longing for his presence. She knew that she was beginning to fall for him and had the distinct feeling that he might be doing the same, but she couldn't be sure. He didn't speak much about his feelings; he only gave small little hints and advances here and there.
There was still one problem behind it all: Camden was an immortal vampire, and she was just a normal human who one day would grow old and die. She pushed the thought from her mind as the cab turned the corner into her apartment complex.
"Home sweet home," Camden said with a smile, looking at her from across the backseat.
She laughed. "More like dump sweet dump."
He shook his head. "Come on now, it's not that bad."
Rayne gave him an incredulous look. "Really? After seeing what kind of house you live in?"
He shook his head. "A single woman doesn't need a house as big as mine."
She shook her head and climbed out of the car. "A single v..." she caught herself before the word came out of her mouth, "man like you doesn't need a house like that, either."
Camden scoffed. "Bachelor, Rayne. I'm a bachelor. Of course I need a house that big. How else am I going to impress the ladies?"
Rayne tried but failed to stop the outburst of laughter. "Trust me. You could be broke and living in a cardboard box and you still wouldn't have any trouble getting the 'ladies,'" she said, using her fingers in air quotes.
They approached the door to her home and he waited patiently for her to unlock it, that heart-stopping smirk of his in place. "Was that a compliment?"
Rayne laughed and let him inside, locking the door behind him. "Nope, just a mere observation."
They both sat their things on the floor and plopped down on the couch, allowing themselves a moment to relax.
"So what's first on the agenda?" she asked, her head reclining against her ugly, musty-smelling sofa.
Camden shrugged. "I figured you'd want to see your friend before we do anything else. Dr. Brennan doesn't know that we're coming, so there is no specific time for us to be there."
Rayne nodded and pulled out her phone. She dialed Layla's number, and it was answered on the first ring.
"Are you here? Are you home?" she asked excitedly.
"Well, hello to you too, Layla," Rayne said with a giggle.
"Well?" she asked again.
"Yes, we just made it to my apartment."
"OK, don't go anywhere. I'm on my way!" Layla hung up without another word.
Rayne shoved her phone back into her pocket and shook her head.
Camden looked around her apartment for a moment before he finally broke the silence. "Well, we're only here for tonight and headed back to Louisiana tomorrow, so if there's anything you need to take care of here, anything you want to bring back with you, now is probably the time."
Rayne thought for a moment, and then nodded. "I wish I knew how long I'd be away from here," she said with a sigh.
Camden glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but something about that statement made his stomach drop. He wasn't sure why. Was he secretly hoping that she would drop everything and just stay with him? No, I can't expect that.
He didn't know what he was expecting, or even what he wanted. All he did know was that he'd never felt so deeply about anyone before, and he was afraid to let her go.
"I guess I can go dig around and find some things to take back. I could always use some more clothes." She smiled and pushed herself off the couch, making her way down the hall and into her bedroom.
Camden sat on the couch and stared blankly at the wall ahead of him. There was so much left unknown, and it was anyone's guess as to how long it would take to get to the bottom of it all. He was doing everything he could to make sure Rayne was comfortable and that they worked as quickly as possible, but it didn't seem like enough.
She hadn't seemed too out of place or unhappy through it all, but seeing her back at home, he knew that she had to miss everything here, especially Layla. What a mess.
Rayne rummaged through her closet, pulling out a few articles of clothing here and there. None of them seemed appropriate, and they all looked older and dingier than she remembered. Then it hit her: Her grandfather had left her a lot of money. Maybe she could use a small portion of it to buy a better wardrobe. She heard a loud knock at the door and made a mental note to tell Layla they should have a shopping spree before she left.
Leaving the privacy of her room, where she packed a few things to take back with her, she made her way to the front door, where the knocking grew louder. "I'm coming!" she yelled.
As soon as her hand managed to unlock the deadbolt, the door was flung open, and one very excited Layla tackled Rayne into the floor of her own living room. "I'm so happy to see you!" she squealed, wrapping her arms around her neck as they rolled around on the floor.
Rayne laughed and allowed her best friend to maul her for a few minutes before she pried her vice-like grip from her body and managed to climb to her feet. She was glad to see Layla, too. The week that she had been gone felt like a lifetime away from the closest person she had left.
Camden watched in amusement as the two giggled and hugged and giggled some more. It was a relief to see Rayne smiling and being genuinely happy. That girl was the strongest person he'd ever had the privilege of meeting. How someone could go through half as much as she had and still be able to smile was incredible.
"Hi Camden!" Layla said and moved to wrap her arms around his hard body, catching him off-guard.
He smiled and gave her a quick a hug. "Hey Layla. It's nice to see you again."
She beamed a bright smile, her round cheeks causing her eyes to squint. The black-haired girl turned back to Rayne. "So how long are you here for?" she asked.
Rayne shrugged and looked to Camden. "A day. Our flight leaves tomorrow afternoon."
Layla's smile faded and her shoulders visibly sagged. "That's it?" She glanced between the two. "And how long are you going to back to Louisiana for? When will you be back for good?"
Camden saw the disappointed look pass between the girls and decided that he needed to step in and answer this one. "It's safer for her to be with me while we figure this whole thing out."
The wheels in Layla's mind seemed to turn, and what Rayne expected to be an outburst was little more than a sigh. "I guess that makes sense." She looked at Rayne. "I mean, you just met your grandfather for the first time, right? I can imagine that you would be excited to spend a little more time with him."
Rayne furrowed her eyebrows and was about to say something when she remembered that she hadn't told Layla everything. She didn't know that her grandfather was dead and that she'd never actually gotten the chance to meet him. She nodded. "Hopefully we'll have everything straightened out soon."
It took a moment, but eventually a smile broke out across her best friend's face.
Relief flooded through her. She was surprised and equally happy that her friend was being so understanding about the whole situation. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
Camden glanced at the clock. "We should be getting over to our appointment soon," he said quietly, and gave her a look that meant she should go with it.
Rayne nodded. "That's right. We have to go to the..." she stumbled over her words and desperately hoped that Layla wouldn't notice, "bank."
Layla nodded. "I should be getting to work, too." She gave Rayne a playful tap on the shoulder. "Karla's got us working double shifts while you're out."
She laughed, but in the back of her mind, she wondered if she should speak to Camden about all that. Did it really make sense to keep her job here and her apartment if she had no idea how long she would be gone? It seemed like a waste of money, and her job could go to someone else who really needed it.
They hugged one last time, and Layla turned for the door.
"How about a shopping trip tomorrow before we go?" Rayne asked.
Layla's face lit up and she smiled as she stood in the door frame. "Of course!" she nearly yelled, and then she closed the door behind her.
Rayne ran her hands through her long auburn hair and sighed.
Camden stood with his arms crossed over his chest and smiled that cocky smirk of his.
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "What?"
He shook his head and took a seat on the couch. "Nothing. It's just good to see you smiling like that."
She moved to sit beside him. "You make it sound like I'm depressed or something."
He put his arm behind her like he had the other night. "With everything you've been through, no one would blame you if you were."
Rayne swatted him playfully. "That's not my thing."
She grew quiet for a moment, and a memory of her mother flashed through her mind.
"There's a bright side to every situation," she said quietly. "You just have to look for the good instead of the bad."
Camden looked down at her, and he felt that familiar warmth spreading through his chest. Smiling, he slowly leaned forward, his hand coming up to cup the side of her jaw, and he gently placed his lips against hers.
Rayne wasn't quite sure how to respond. She was so confused. Half the time it was like they were close friends, family even, and others it was as if he were truly interested in her for more than just friendship. Reluctantly, she closed her eyes and leaned into his kiss. Whatever this was, whatever his intentions were, it obviously was going to happen anyway.
Camden's hand slid around to the back of her neck, and he pulled her closer to him. He wasn't quite sure what it was either, but he did know that he had to have her. One way or another, he wanted her with him always.
A small moan escaped through her slightly parted lips and she gently pulled away from him. She wanted him, no doubt, but there was too much on the line at the moment to let herself get too carried away. She looked at him through half-lidded eyes and smiled. "I better go change," she said quietly, and pushed herself up from the sofa.
Camden nodded and watched as she nearly sprinted down the short hall to her bedroom. He knew that she was scared and worried about what was to come and what would happen between them. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and comfort her, to tell her that it would be ok; one way or another, he would make sure that they made it through everything together.
But it wasn't the right time for that.
He scrubbed his hands over his face, sighed, and let his head fall back against the couch. Things were getting worse and more complicated by the day.
*****
Rayne sat in the front of the rental car, Camden in the driver seat, both staring at the modest little white house across the street from their location. It was around six PM, just before dusk, and there was an awkward silence filling the vehicle.
They'd been watching the scientist's house for nearly an hour, and nothing exciting had happened. It was a quaint little home with a finely manicured front lawn, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Rayne was beginning to wonder if they were at the right place.
If this guy has anything to do with it, there would be some kind of shady activity going on, wouldn't there?
She sighed and glanced to Camden, who looked just at bored as she felt. "What now?" she asked.
He pressed his lips into a thin line and shrugged. "I guess all we can do is go introduce ourselves and see what happens."
Rayne blew out a forceful breath. "Probably not a good idea, but what choice do we have?"
Camden gave her his signature cocky smirk. "What are you worried about? You have the best bodyguard around!"
She laughed and opened the car door to climb out. "All right, bodyguard. Let's do this."
He laughed and followed her out of the car.
Both glanced around nervous and cautiously, checking to make sure they were not being followed.
Once across the street, Rayne gently knocked on the front door and waited as she heard shuffling inside.
The door opened and there stood a greying man with large glasses. He smiled warmly. "Can I help you?"
Rayne swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded. "Dr. Brennan, my name is Rayne Slade."
The older gentleman's eyes widened, and he quickly glanced between the two. He took a step back and began to close the door.
Rayne's hand shot out and stopped it from shutting completely. "Please, just listen to us. I know you don't want anything to do with us, and I wish we had any other choice than to bother you, but we don't. You're our last hope."
Her eyebrows furrowed in the worry that he would deny them and send them away. He stared for a moment, studying the two. Eventually, he glanced around suspiciously and opened the door wider for them to enter.
Checking one last time, he shut the door and turned three separate deadbolts before closing all the blinds and finally turning to face them. His aged face creased in worry and apprehension as he stared. "What do you want?"
Rayne glanced to Camden. "We just want some answers."
Dr. Brennan watched as if he expected them to continue. "How did you find out about me? Why now, after so long?" He nervously paced the length of the short living space, shaking his head in what she could only assume was disbelief.
Rayne held out her hands in an attempt to calm him. "Look, Dr. Brennan," she began. "I don't know what you know, or why my grandfather wanted me to find you, but I do know that he wouldn't have led me here if it wasn't crucial to our mission."
Camden studied the doctor's movements and knew that their presence had set him into some kind of panic. "Were you the one supplying Martin Slade with treated blood?" he asked, his brows furrowed in question.
The older gentleman turned a questioning look to him. "What do you mean, supplying him with treated blood?" He stared for a moment, confusion written on his face. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about, but I know who you are. And to be clear, I removed myself from the project weeks before Dr. Schultz took over and made a mockery of my hard work and dedication. He was the one who gave Martin the serum twenty years ago. That's what your here for isn't it?"
He eyed Camden suspiciously for a moment, and his face twisted into morbid realization. "You... You're one of them!" he pointed a finger at Camden and backed away in fear. "It's impossible. How are you not burning?" He continued to back away until his legs hit the recliner and he fell into it.
Both Rayne and Camden looked at each other in confusion.
"You know what, it doesn't matter. You need to leave."
If Dr. Brennan wasn't sending the blood, who was?
Rayne opened her mouth to speak, and as if he could read her thoughts, Camden spoke instead. "Tell us about the formula. What do you know?"
Dr. Brennan leaned forward in his seat and propped his elbows on his knees. He looked reluctant to share his knowledge, but after a few long moments of deep contemplation, he finally sighed, never letting his eyes leave the vampire standing in his living room.
"I'll tell you what I know, but then you leave. You never repeat this information, and you NEVER come back. Do I make myself clear?" he stated sternly. "I don't want any part of whatever it is you two have going on. Nothing good will come of it."
Rayne nodded. "All we want is answers."
Dr. Brennan stared at her and took a deep breath. "Imagine this. What if you could take a super cell," his eyes darted to Camden and his voice cracked. Sweat rolled from the top of his bald head, down his forehead, and plummeted from the end of his nose onto the carpet. His hands were visibly shaking, and it was all too obvious he was scared beyond all else.
"A super cell similar to one we would take from him," he continued, and refused to look Camden in the eyes. "The supercells from his kind's blood."
"It's OK, Dr. Brennan, you can say it. If you use the blood of a v...."
Dr. Brennan's hand shot up to stop her before the word could come out. "Do not say that word in my home. If you want answers, I suggest you listen, because I'm only going to say this once."
Rayne shut her gaping mouth and straightened her back. She wasn't quite sure if she should be offended or not.
"Imagine taking a super cell," he began again, "a cell that can jump-start the healing process and expedite it to unforeseen levels."
Rayne nodded. She'd never seen it in action, but she'd heard of what just one drop could do for a human.
"Now, imagine a virus cell. A cell that reproduces by commandeering any and all surrounding cells and replicating itself into those cells. Any cell that it touches, diseased or healthy, becomes another virus cell."
Both Rayne's and Camden's eyebrows furrowed in question, and they stole a sideways glance at each other.
"What if you could genetically cross that supercell and a virus cell?" he asked, and shifted slightly in the armchair. He leaned forward and used his hands to aid in his explanation. "Think about it: A cell that has all the healing properties of the supercell, but the replicating capability of the virus." A smile found its way across the doctor's face, and a spark lit in his eyes. It was easy to see that even after all these years, his passion for his work still burned brightly.
Camden took a seat on the couch and leaned forward. He clasped his hands in front of him. "In that case, the possibilities would be endless."
Dr. Brennan's smile broadened and he proudly leaned back into the chair. "Exactly." He looked exponentially calmer than before, and maybe even a little arrogant. "And we did it."
Camden rested his elbows on his knees and leaned a little further forward, mimicking the doctor's pose. "But how? There has to be something else in the formula that it made it so special? Just regular v-" he caught himself before he could say it. "It doesn't make sense that simply crossing our blood with a virus is what this is all about. If it were that easy, then why couldn't it be easily remade?"
Dr. Brennan turned his gaze to Camden and gave him a serious look. "The Petonukili Tribe, South Africa," he said matter-of-factly.
Rayne listened intently as she too took a seat in a straight backed armchair. "Petonukili?"
He nodded. "They were an ancient, witch-doctor tribe that was said to have magical powers, holy even, contained in their blood. Their people were never sick; even when disease and famine wiped out entire civilizations, theirs remained." He shrugged. "Harry and I did some research, found the last two living members, both knocking on one hundred years old, and traveled to Africa. The things they could do, it was amazing. Anything they touched seemed to prosper: plants, animals, people."
Rayne titled her head slightly. "People?"
His smile widened. "Even those who suffered from the most horrible ailments, diseases, sickness..." he paused, and his face lost all expression. "Cancer."
Her eyebrows furrowed and she looked to Camden. His mind was churning just as fast as hers, taking it all in.
Dr. Brennan continued. "We took samples and brought them back for research. The blood on a cellular level was even more remarkable than the people themselves. Anything combined with it, chemicals, the blood of another species even, the cells would bond to it and change the genetic makeup. It was unbelievable!"
Camden shook his head and gave a questioning look. "So why didn't you stay on the project? What made you leave?"
Dr. Brennan's mouth pressed into a thin line and his gaze became distant, as if he were looking off into space. He became quiet and shook his head. "Because I realized we were playing God. Something like this could change the world, and possibly not for the better. I couldn't live with myself if my name were on something that we were all damned to Hell for. Every time we duplicated the cells, they lost some of their power. Four replications, and it had little more effect than your everyday antibiotics."
He clasped his hands yet again and stared down at them. "If we could only make five usable doses from the samples we took, who were we to make the decision which five should be cured? That's not for man to decide." He shook his head and refrained from looking at the two strangers in his home.
Rayne understood what he was thinking and feeling. She couldn't agree more, and wasn't in the least offended by his statement. She wouldn't have been able to make a decision like that, either. Who was to say a five-year-old's life was more important than the mother of a newborn child's, a father supporting a family of small children on his own, or a brilliant scientist with a mind that could change the world? Who was to say that those five were chosen to live, and the rest were not good enough? Not her, and she wouldn't blame anyone else who wouldn't make that decision, either.
Dr. Brennan finally glanced up long enough to make eye contact with her. "I am glad that at least one person benefitted from it," he said quietly. "I was very disappointed to hear that it had all been destroyed; that is, until Harry called me and explained what happened."
Rayne's eyes widened. "So you knew that he'd given my grandfather the formula?" she asked.
He nodded. "A few days before he was killed, he contacted me and said that it had worked and that he'd found a buyer willing to pay a high price for it, and said that I should rightfully get part of it." He shook his head. "I told him that I didn't want any part of it, and within a few days, he was murdered."
They sat in silence for a moment, letting it all sink in. Finally, Dr. Brennan spoke. "Would you be willing to give a blood sample? It would be interesting to see how it has affected you on a cellular level after all these years."
Rayne immediately nodded. "Of course. It's the least I could do after all the information you've given us."
A faint smile played at his lips. "Thank you."