Be Still: The Chained Saga, #2

By Arianna Courson

He came back. 

It had been almost five months since Cameron left me stranded in our hotel room.  

I'd memorized how he looked so tired, hungry, in pain. And there was blood slipping off his neck and into his T-shirt.  

Almost a year ago, Cameron found me in my weakest state. He originally was the boy I made—the boy in my dreams—but I never thought he'd become real. Ten months ago, my mother was taken, and despite me pleading to save her, Cameron wouldn't let me leave his sight. 

I'm not going to deny it; I fell in love with him. 

I almost died, but he did something that I'd never think was possible. 

He bit me. 

That was when everything I once knew was gone, and I became this atrocious monster in need of blood, and even when he told me he'd save me. 

He left. 

But now he was back. 

In my senior year of high school, Cameron showed up at my birthday party. 

Little did I know that at that very moment, my life would change, once again. 

I was no longer a snow angel, I was a vampire-werewolf-angel hybrid; something impossible. And you know those sayings of vampires never drinking their own blood? 

I'm an exception. 

In fact, my blood smells so delicious to them, and I have to constantly avoid walking past beings on the streets. 

But Cameron came to take me, once more, and his craving for my blood was unimaginable. 

Little did I know that I wasn't only his victim, but he was my savior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arianna Courson
• Release date: Feb 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223008279

Arianna Courson

Arianna Courson is an author of young adult fiction, specializing in paranormal, fantasy, and romance. She lives in Colorado with her two cats and two dogs and divides her time between writing and enjoying the great outdoors.

Book preview

1

Five Months Ago

"C an you see? Be honest or you won’t like what happens."

No, Winter replied, breathing shakily as Cameron’s hands tightened the blindfold so it wouldn’t come free.

Good, he replied, smirking. Now, do you have any idea what I have planned for you?

She shook her head, breathing shakily.

He just smirked.

She reached out to him, but he just backed away a couple feet. Where are you? she demanded.

Guess, he whispered to her thoughts.

She moved her head around, searching for his breathing to indicate his direction.

It’s two in the morning, Cameron, Winter stated, getting slightly irritated. "And we... did... that last night. We’re in a hotel room, on our way to Paris tomorrow. Why did you wake me up this early to blindfold me?"

She heard his laugh from behind her and flipped around.

You sound like this isn’t fun, he stated in the same place.

She pursed her lips. I mean... it is, but....

You don’t enjoy the games, Winter? he said then.

She remained silent. I don’t like the tone you’re using.

He laughed. Tone? What tone?

She only glared through the blindfold. If you’re needy then get it over with already. I’m tired as hell right now.

But she suddenly heard a creak, and then a gentle brush on the back of her head.

She winced when the blindfold came free, and her eyes suddenly burned with light.

When her sight adjusted, she gazed up, finding Cameron standing above her, smiling as he brushed a strand of hair away from her ear.

She parted her lips when his eyes locked on hers.

He smirked then. You’re tired. I get it... but... he tipped his head to the side curiously, maybe just a kiss?

She chuckled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Sure. Fine. But then we cuddle.

He smirked, lowering his lips to hers.

Present Day

D o you see her? Danny , Cameron’s underling, uttered as they passed the bouncer and into the club.

Cameron raised on his tiptoes, eyes scanning the crowd of people as the previous grating song faded into oblivion, and the DJ announced, Alriiiiight. Who’s ready for some EDM?

The entire crowd screamed in response, and Cameron squinted his eyes, looking harder.

But all the sudden, the red lights faded to blue, drowning the people in an ocean glaze, and the song, In My Head by NeoTune! started playing in the speakers, blasting through the room.

He raised his brows.

Everyone in here started screaming and cheering, jumping in the air as the chorus started playing loudly through the room.

Where the hell was she? He’d been looking for her for ages, and now was the time he could finally find her.

Every source he had said she was here, but he couldn’t find her.

Cameron’s lashes lowered.

Well... this was karma.

Oh, well. He deserved it.

He started pulling himself through the crowd, searching for the girl of his dreams while the song kept playing.

But then he saw her... the speck of black hair glittering with the blue lights over all the matted blondes and brunettes.

Cameron stopped, mesmerized as she kept her eyes closed, tipping her head back as the final lyrics came.

And the beat dropped, and she started dancing.

Everyone around her was screaming and jumping with their hands in the air.

She was different.

Her head was tipped back, mouth slightly parted as her hips and legs moved with the beat.

She was the only one who was dancing in here.

Cameron watched in awe as she tossed her hair back, exposing her now-pale neck and chest, her dark spider-like lashes over closed eyes.

The blue danced over her skin like an ocean...

He’d never seen something more beautiful.

It was like everything was in slow motion; every person around them was jumping slowly and their screams were distant, but she...?

But she was all his attention was on.

He’d only been separated from her for a little, and she already looked older; more mature.

The girl continued tossing her hair back, arms flowing with the beat as she became lost in the music; in her own little world.

But she was always like that, wasn’t she?

Cameron watched as another girl struggled through the crowd, stopping next to the first and screaming something incoherent.

The first girl’s lashes parted, draining back into reality as she gazed over at her clear friend, tipping her head to the side curiously.

The friend told her something and caught her arm, the first girl yelping as she was dragged out from the crowd.

Cameron couldn’t help but feebly follow.

He kept weaving through the high school and college students, earning glares and incoherent shouts, but he didn’t care.

He stopped at the end of the crowd, lips parting when he saw the girl there, sipping a cola through the straw of her glass, staring off into space lazily as her friend talked to some guy there.

Cameron saw his chance.

He stepped up to the bar and slid onto the seat behind the girl, leaning lazily against the counter and the bartender glanced at him and nodded, indicating that he would be up for order next.

But there was something else poking at his mind.

Cameron smiled as the girl in front of him remained oblivious to his presence.

"Hello, Clover," he said then.

The girl stiffened, and the straw she was originally drinking out of slipped from her mouth.

Clover is the name you chose? Cameron uttered then. Seriously? Your real name is much more beautiful, Winter.

She was silent.

But Winter turned in her seat, eyes widening when she took in Cameron’s form, surprised.

He smirked in response, looking smug at finally finding her.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she slipped off her chair to leave.

But he caught her arm, making her pause.

Winter gazed back over at him in warning.

Sit, he urged, nodding to the seat.

Her lips twisted in annoyance, and a spark in her eyes lit before she raised her hand.

And cracked it across his face.

Cameron gasped at her inhuman force, feeling his skin burn as she pulled out of his grip and rushed out of the club.

How could he do this ? How could he do this to her?

Winter gasped as she ran through the rainy streets; every thought dedicated to her getting soaked dormant.

She was in pain... Too much pain.

Cameron... last time she saw him was the night of her sister’s wedding. She and him left before the vows—to a hotel room because her sister was okay with it—and he kissed her and promised her that the next day, he’d take her to Paris, and they’d live so happily.

But... when she woke the next morning... he was gone.

And it was five months later.

What excuse did he have for this? How could he have promised her that she was his—that they’d live in paradise together—and then he just ran away?

She closed her eyes as she ran, tears slipping down her cheeks.

God, he was an asshole.

The cold pain developed inside her again; the same one that formed the entire first month he left her.

She thought at first it was her fault—that she did something to scare him off—but about a month later, she tossed the thought and decided it was time to teach herself how to protect herself. She was her own savior now.

And now he came back? FIVE months later?

This was just cruel.

She sniffled, turning her fast run into a jog as she dried her tears with her damp jacket, and then slowed to a walk when the familiar phone booth came into her vision.

She still hadn’t got a phone after he left; so, she always used these to call people.

After slipping some coins into the slot, she dialed her sister, leaning lazily against the wall as she listened to the phone buzz.

But it clicked:

Yello?

Hey, Sis, Winter uttered, smiling softly.

She always loved the sound of Amelia’s voice; ever since Amil died, Winter longed to hear her speak again.

It was always so soft—assuring.

Hey, Winter, Amelia said, a smile in her tone. What’s up?

How’s your honeymoon? Winter asked, twirling the phone cord around her finger. Did you find a house yet?

Not yet, Amelia replied. But we’re close. We’ve decided to settle for Washington.

Winter nearly dropped the phone. You mean... the state?

Yeah, Amelia responded gently.

But... it was so far...

O... okay. Winter shoved the tears down. So will I see you again?

Amelia sighed. Of course, you wi—

I meant before you move, sorry, Winter interrupted.

Amelia was silent.

Winter clasped a hand over her mouth, tears burning her eyes.

Wow... her stepdad was brutally murdered by her real dad... her mother committed suicide in order to protect her children from their father, and her twin sister who she thought was dead was now alive, and she still kept making mistakes.

After all that happened, she couldn't tell how to talk to them.

Jesus... why was she so horrible socially?

Winter, she thought, just a little tip from yours truly. Stop interrupting people.

She waited patiently for Amelia’s response.

Winter... look, her sister finally said, making her heart pound again, I do... have to go? So....

All hopes drowned in darkness. Oh... she murmured, okay.

Is there anything you need other than to talk about life? Amelia said.

An image of Cameron flashed before her eyes, but she shook it off. No, I’m good.

Okay, Amelia responded then, something odd in her voice. Bye.

And the phone line clicked.

Winter stared down at the receiver for a moment, whole body completely numb.

Well... her emotions would catch up sooner or later. Hopefully, she’d be ready for it this time.

She looked behind her, finding an old, frail lady standing behind her, patiently waiting for her to be done.

Oh, Winter uttered, stepping down while holding the receiver to her, here you are, Ma’am.

Thank you, Child, she uttered, stepping shakily onto the phone booth.

Winter just spared her a small glance before she continued down her previous path to her café.

The streets were barely empty; the rain had stopped, but the clouds were still covering the sun that started rising, and it looked so grey everywhere.

It was four in the morning while she was dancing; not that she really needed sleep every night.

Ever since Cameron turned her, she’d been different, and she was still adjusting to her new body.

She could still sleep, but she could stay up one or two nights without needing rest, but she preferred to sleep every night anyway; to regain her strength.

She stared up at the sky, still feeling the water dampening her black hoodie.

Wow... why was everything so grey today? This was sad. It was like the weather was revolving around her emotions.

She knew that was impossible—even in this world.

She was a hybrid, not some weird witch-warlock thing that could control the forecast.

Although it would be fun to rain on people’s parade.

Literally and figuratively.

But right as she crossed an alleyway, something caught her arm, and she yelled out when she was thrown against the wall and pinned to the brick.

When she stared down at the attacker, she recognized his light, blue eyes and dark hair from anywhere.

Cameron.

2

Tears burned down Winter’s cheeks despite the anger rising inside her. I thought I made it clear that you should leave me alone, Cameron.

His eyes reflected anger in them, and she could see the red handprint burned into his cheek.

Winter, he said too calmly, you said nothing about leaving you alone. In fact, you said nothing in general.

She gave him a bored look. You’re not stupid. It was implied.

I’m not, he uttered, still holding her to the wall.

She sighed, closing her eyes tightly as tears started to burn her again.

God... the cold hands were coming back, tightening around her throat.

She didn’t want to suffocate again.

Winter, Cameron uttered gently, I can explain, I swear.

She closed her eyes tighter when the cold hands tightened, threatening to close off her airways.

That night... he told her, things happened. Things... things that I can’t explain. And I had to leave because... because I needed to.

She shot up then. "I TRUSTED you, you asshole! You told me you were going to take me to Paris? She waved her hands around them. Then this? Her eyes blazed with anger. You’ve been gone for FIVE MONTHS after you left me at the HOTEL!"

She was practically crying now, throat burning as the hands tightened.

He was silent for too long, but he gazed up, blue eyes soft as he kept her to the wall. I know you’re angry, he whispered.

I TRUSTED YOU! she screamed.

I know, he responded, grip still gentle. I know you did. And you can now, too, okay? I know you’re angry, he stated as her eyes blazed, but I need you to listen.

She just shoved him away, making him grunt in surprise, and she activated her super speed, dashing through the streets as everyone around her blurred until she stopped at their local café.

At least this place never changed.

After quickly drying her tears, she stepped in, sniffling as she made her way to a booth and settled inside it.

A waitress skipped over to her then, stopping at her table with her pigtails falling over her shoulders.

Hello, there, she uttered, making Winter blink in surprise at her Texan accent. What can I get fo’ you.

Uhm... Winter uttered, I’ll get a chai. The pumpkin spice one.

The waitress laughed gently. Yeah, that’s popular at this time of year. Anything else?

Winter shook her head.

Alright. It’ll be right out.

Winter watched in confusion as she bounced away in her pink apron.

Well... she’d never get that image out of her head.

She stared off then, thinking.

It was nice, honestly.

She was a vampire, and she needed blood to survive, but... honestly? She could still taste foods she really liked. Blood was the only thing that could fill her and such but everything else she could still taste.

Before she turned into this thing, Cameron told her every food he ate was bland.

Her lashes lowered.

Cameron.

He’d find her again, wouldn’t he? He was good about that.

She sighed and leaned on the table, waiting patiently for her food to come out.

But her ears caught on a breath, and she stiffened.

A breath that wasn’t hers.

It was a man... she could hear a husky tone to it as if he were huffing dramatically.

But she felt a cold finger slide down the length of her neck, and she stilled, entire body freezing over.

Cameron was a hybrid; his body was warm.

This wasn’t Cameron.

Acid swarmed through her veins as the man leaned over her booth and inhaled her scent as if she was wearing flower perfume.

Mmm... he whispered in her ear, her hairs standing on end, your blood smells good, Princess. Mind if I take a little bite?

Winter shot up then at an instant, making him yelp when the next second passed, and he was shoved against the wall, and she was in front of him, a dagger pinned against his throat.

He threw up his hands. Woah—woah. Let’s not get physical.

She pushed the angelic dagger harder against him, splitting the skin. Tell me one reason why I shouldn’t slit your air-pipe open right now, genius.

I would originally say ‘because I can’t die,’ he uttered honestly. But that was before I realized what type of dagger you have there, Princess.

Her lashes lowered. Back off. Never come near me again unless you want me to slit your throat and feed you your trachea. And she shoved off him, making him exhale gasps as the spot where she held the sword reddened on his skin.

He then nodded and walked casually out of the café.

Winter spun her dagger around before slipping the blade back into the hilt with magic and pushed it into her pocket.

Right as she sat back down onto the booth, the pink waitress came waltzing out with her chai and set it kindly in front of her.

Thanks, Winter uttered.

Mm—hmm! she responded, walking back off.

Yeah... vampires were considered immortal. But the dagger Cameron gave Winter was angelic; it would kill anything that it pierced—immortal or not.

Winter stared forward as she took a sip of her chai.

He trained her well; she had to admit it.

3

Winter stared lazily at the mirror of her apartment bathroom as she brushed her teeth.

There was still fog melting off the glass from her previous shower; her hoodie hanging loosely over the pole holding the curtain, along with her leggings, shirt, and socks.

Right now, she just wore a loose white tank-top and light grey shorts.

Her usual sleep attire.

When she was done brushing her teeth, she leaned over to spit into the sink, rinsing her mouth with water.

But she stiffened, an odd feeling casting over her as the entire house seemed to chill.

She stared down at the sink, finding the necklace Cameron gave her so long ago beating red next to the faucet.

There was danger nearby.

Winter carefully slid the hilt of her dagger out from her shoe on her right and stared up at the mirror while it activated with her touch, forming a white, glowing blade.

When a shadow rushed across the darkness behind the doorway, she spun around, gripping the dagger harshly as she carefully crept out from the bathroom.

She flipped to the right, watching the shadows carefully as she held the dagger out from in front of her, and then spun around to check the left.

Wow... this seriously reminded her of those cop shows.

The next thing she would say would be clear.

But really, she knew it wasn’t.

Her snow angel as well as her other races could tell when something was off; hence the odd feeling earlier, and she eventually learned to listen to them.

She didn’t have Cameron anymore; it was only her now.

She walked carefully out in the open, scanning the shadows for movement.

I know someone’s in here, Winter called into the darkness. Come out now.

But a sudden force slammed against her wrist, and she cried out, the dagger slipping from her hand and clattering to the ground.

Right as she gained her composure, she was shoved against the wall by two cold hands, and a figure stood in front of her, his familiar black eyes glowing.

The vampire from the café.

Goddamn it. She should’ve killed him.

She struggled against his grip, finding it only tightening like a burning rope, so she threw her head forward in hopes to smash his skull, but he dodged her.

But he slammed her harder to the wall, earning a choked cry as he inhaled the scent from her neck again.

Shhh... he cooed darkly as she tried to fight him, but he was too strong. It won’t take long. Just a little bite, and you’ll feel nothing after.

His teeth extended past his lips, and she cried out, struggling harder as the sharp tips brushed against her skin.

He was clearly teasing her like some psycho.

But right as he pushed them slightly into her skin, his presence suddenly left her.

Winter shot up, gasping as she stared forward, finding the vampire on the ground on her living room, attempting to sit up.

But when she gazed up to see what threw him off, she stilled as another man loomed over him, blue eyes dangerously dark as he eyed the intruder.

Goddamn it.

It was Cameron again.

She stared as he hauled the vampire to his feet and struck his fist across his face, throwing him to the ground again.

The vampire only growled and hopped to his feet, dashing straight for Cameron but Cam only shoved his fist into his stomach, and as he doubled over, Winter watched his teeth extend past his lips, and he grabbed the intruder’s T-shirt, hauling him up and sank his teeth into the front of his throat.

Winter watched in horror as Cameron tore his fangs out, ripping out his throat, and the intruder collapsed on the ground, deceased.

Vampires had a weird kind of immortality. They could heal themselves faster than humans, but if they were low on blood and were brutally injured, then killing them would be easy.

Not only that, but Cameron and Winter’s fangs had angel blood in them, so biting them was basically the same as stabbing a vampire with an angelic dagger.

She stared up at Cam then, the vampire disintegrating as if they were burning from the inside-out.

When Cam stared back up at her, blood slipping down his chin, she slowly stepped forward and picked up her dagger, then backed up while pointing it at him threateningly.

Cameron only watched her with dark eyes, face stained a hideous red—even in the darkness—signifying his demonic nature.

Winter, he warned, stepping to her.

She shot at him, yelling out as she brought the dagger to his shoulder, but he was too fast, slipping out of the way and behind her.

She spun around, about to strike again, but he instead blocked her attacks with his wrists and ankles, only making her fight harder but the blade never even touched skin.

She started screaming, bringing the dagger down onto him but he used his ankle and slammed it into her wrist, making her cry out when she lost balance, but wasn’t hurt.

And the next thing she knew, she was pinned to the wall again.

She stared down at him, struggling against his grip as her hands were held against the brick above her, the dagger still in her hand but it was useless now.

Winter brought up her legs to kick him in the stomach, but he pressed himself to her, eliminating the use of her legs.

Winter, Cameron warned as she fought him. "Winter, stop."

She continued struggling, hoping to slip out from his grip like soap, but it clearly wasn’t working.

He let go of her hand that didn’t hold a weapon and pressed it to her forehead.

She shoved her now free arm against his face, trying to push him away, but he wasn’t giving in.

His eyes only darkened as he whispered, "Intrabit in Mentum."

She stilled as she gazed up at him, entire body growing rigid and cold as the veins on her forehead glowed a bright red, the skin a soft white.

Tears welled up in her eyes as Cameron looked at her solemnly, murmuring, Go to sleep.

Black framed her vision then, and her legs weakened from under her.

She tried to fight the exhaustion, but it only made it worse.

But the next thing she knew, black slammed in her vision, and she collapsed, falling into darkness.

Cameron caught Winter as she collapsed, holding under her armpits as he slipped a hand under her legs and swung her up.

She was limp in his grip; calm.

He knew she would be pissed that he forced this on her, but she would understand in time.

He then stared down at her softly. You’re safe now. I swear.

And he carried her out of the apartment.

4

Winter’s lashes parted as she stared off into the darkness of this bedroom, squinting her tired eyes as she scanned the unfamiliar furniture.

She sat up on the bed then, putting her face in her hands as the exhaustion slowly depleted from her system.

When she was more aware, she gazed up drowsily.

Yeah... this wasn’t her bedroom.

She let out some kind of quiet irritated groan as she slid off the bed, partly annoyed, and also very tired.

Goddamn it, Cameron.

Winter lazily searched the room then, wrapping an arm around herself as she nudged his things with a finger.

There were weird sculptures in here; lions, seals, horses.

Since when was he into this stuff?

Winter picked one up and eyed it curiously before setting it back down, looking around the room after.

Wait.

She pulled down her arms and patted her jeans, searching for...

Crap.

He took it.

Her dagger was gone.

Cameron... she muttered, I’m going to slaughter you, I swear.

Her head shot up when she heard footsteps outside of the room, and as her exhaustion depleted, she silently crept over to a nightstand and picked up a ceramic lamp.

After unplugging it, she silently tip-toed to the door, hiding on the wall next to it as she held the lamp close to her chest.

She kept her breathing quiet in hopes to not alert them of her presence.

But the doorknob rattled, and her breath caught as she stiffened her stance, preparing herself.

When the door fully opened, and a figure entered, she hauled the lamp at it.

But it ducked and it shattered against the wall, ripping open her fingers.

She wasn’t planning on hurting him anyway.

While he was distracted, she dashed out from the bedroom door...

Only to find her arm being caught, and she yelled out when the figure jerked it, and she was sent airborne.

Her breath came out in a huff when she landed on the bed, rolling over and sitting up immediately as the figure entered the room and closed the door behind him.

She narrowed her eyes.

Cameron.

Again.

Wow, he would never quit, would he?

Where am I? she demanded shakily, tipping her chin up as he stepped over to the bed.

He stopped at the nightstand, brushing some ceramic shards away from the foot of the bed. Somewhere safe.

Her face broke slightly, but she regained her composure. What do you want from me?

He stepped closer to the bed until he was in front of her, blue eyes soft as they locked on hers. I don’t want anything from you, Winter.

She let out an impatient noise and scrambled back, planning to get off the bed on the other side.

But her arm was caught—again—and she cried out when she was dragged back to the center of the bed.

And Cameron rolled on top of her, keeping her still.

She shoved a hand to his chest, earning a pained grunt, but he kept his place.

"Why can’t you leave me alone! she cried, fighting him as he tried to keep her under him. You BROKE me! Why can’t you stop? Why can’t you STOP?"

Cameron sighed, struggling to keep her still as she squirmed from under him, letting her hands free