Louis
Juliet was a little stuck in a rut of thinking she had to do everything by herself. Having to raise two kids alone had made her the head of the household overnight… Michael and the baby on the way weren't helping her come to terms with 'husbands' who had a sudden say in her life… I closed my eyes and rubbed at my brow, my feelings a little different than hers because of what Michael went through. His memories were in hidden glimpses of pain, and his dreams were sometimes filled with scenes difficult to accept. He had enough time to think—he had forgotten about it… All he wanted was for Juliet to have a few good years before she found out… Marcus wasn't who he was so many years ago. Disciplined. Determined. He had become lazy. Focused on lust and had spent so much energy on controlling himself… There was no one to tell him what to do for too long; he embraced indifference... Chris, with his constant prodding and poking, was going to get us in trouble at some point, although I couldn't blame him either; he had no idea what to do with all his suppressed feelings suddenly free. Their suffering and the constant buffeting of their spirits had lasted for too long…
The four of us waited for this paragon of a wolf to emerge from somewhere. With Caleb's invisibility, we were perfectly safe from an attack. Romero had changed his mind about killing all the dheka raiders, but if they didn't relent, he would have no grace for them. I turned to Minè and tied the pink stone around her neck. It was worth a try. "Manifest and wait until she ends her monologue before you say a word."
It wasn't long before the lady in question walked toward us, wolves at her back for protection. I pushed Minè out of Caleb's range; she stumbled and appeared in front of them. The group was a good distance away and came to an abrupt stop, seeing her with the stone, sparkling in the sun. I smiled when the men dropped to a knee.
"You have the stone? Are you Charlene?"
Miné looked back at me. Seriously? Where was the long-winded, crazy speech? Caleb brought us all out into the open.
"Louis Ahmed, is that you?"
"Yes, Dua... Nice to see you, too."
"Well, who is she? Can the girl even speak?"
"She's being a bit of a brat at the moment. I ordered her to speak only when spoken to."
The insult stirred up some complaints, and Duo had to compose herself before she said, "So what! She will fit right in!"
"What we were hoping for… She is Charlene and Ben's spawn from Earth."
"Minè?!" Minè's head came up; she didn't know everyone would know who she was. "We were waiting for you… We had no use for your mother, bound to a planet."
"Minè has been slumming it with the chadari on Palmyra for a few weeks… She could be an asset as soon as we're able to send you all home."
"She will have to fight her way to the throne like we all have to."
"Of course… Can we suggest a ceasefire for less than ten years… If you keep attacking Romero's cities, we will use the teleportation and the stone to wipe you all out."
"You know what? If the threat came from anyone else, I would not have believed you… We can give you ten years… I will send word of the agreement and tell them to come this way so we are all in one place for when the time comes."
"Thank you… And if you didn't know, Taria, Lavani, and Uzail are all dead." Her features hardened, and before she did grace me with bs, I said, "And all Lavani's people… are human… If you like, we could kill them off for you."
"No, don't! Please." Duo sounded desperate. Strange? Why would she be so eager to save them? "You, uh, know—for every cause—there is a remedy."
"Good, then you will leave the east alone and let the dheka reestablish around you."
"The valley is so large it could accommodate all of us… For ten years."
"Believe me, I hope it will be sooner."
"It was refreshing, Louis, to come to terms so swiftly—"
I cut her off, not ready for the platitudes, "Who is in charge of the dheka? Tell him about this… development."
"Romero wants to have a word; I am sure it can be arranged… Oh, and Louis… Minè has to stay."
"Take her, please." Minè's head flung my way. "Stone! Now!" Minè ripped it off and tossed it at me.
"Come, dear… we have a lot of men in need of a wife."
"Duo, she'll need proper training."
"Who did you have in mind?"
"Silvanus."
"I would love to see the guy… bring him… we will have a dinner," she chuckled, "A little joke… Too soon?"
I rolled my eyes, "If you ever want this stone again, which I think you'll need if you want to… make a comeback… you'll dispense with the jokes."
"Very well, I see your point… You know, I always believed you should have taken over from Ahasuerus… We all told him to do it."
To test my newfound ability—I had no knowledge of— and with what Romero had been teaching me, I focused on her legs and bringing them down a notch. Dua yelped as she dropped to the ground. I let her go and celebrated, "I think you're right… Behave yourself."
This ability was different than manipulating Juliet's body. One was rooted in love and silliness or help and connection; the other a deadly submission.
The three of us teleported and ended up in front of the family group where we had left them. "And how did it go?" Juliet asked nervously.
Caleb slapped me on the shoulder, "Nice work, Dad."
"Thank you… All done, my dear… We can go now. Your people are safe…" Juliet bounced toward me and flung her arms around my neck. "Now… I want to remind you about what happened when you didn't behave."
Juliet giggled, "I'm pregnant, remember."
"Oh, that won't stop me."
"You're serious."
"Dead serious."
"Fine, I'll behave…"
"And you will not be going to En-gannim."
"Only if—."
"Yes, Marcus has already begun with my cure; he has it all stored up there."
Basaam laughed. Juliet and I looked at him. I read his thoughts: I was the first person who could tell her to do anything—manage her—and still keep her happy. He didn't know how the hierarchy worked in our harem. It was clear why… He was glad I was there; everyone would be more at ease this way... He'd never seen her like this.
"Like what?" I asked.
"A woman." I laughed out loud. "Guess it takes a man to make a woman be one."
"I wouldn't try it with yours… She won't allow it unless—" I looked down into Juliet's eyes, waiting for her to tell her son why I could 'manage her'.
"She… gives him the right to."
"Do you regret it?" I asked, tucking some hair behind an ear.
Juliet shook her head and thought about the vows I made one day in a field.
***
We returned to the army's front lines, where we waited to see if Duo would honor the arrangement. One by one, the wolves walked in different directions from atop the wall, leaving the dheka all alone. Some altercation ensued.
"It will take them a few minutes," Caleb said, "Nothing happens quickly around here."
Romero waved his hand. A row of dheka came in to toss the burning logs with sand. It was over. As soon as the first tunnel was cleared of the hindrance, the dheka moved through. We had to go in to stock up on supplies and would be staying a few days before the three-month trek back to Saleh's home. I looked forward to seeing the city. From Juliet's thoughts alone, it was truly the most beautiful place we'd ever been. Basaam was born there. I needed to see it for myself. My emotions still overwhelmed me in those moments, she would reminisce, and I was reminded about how much I lost. It was also Marcus's problem; he wanted a child more than anything, and he missed it all… Although the years alone had given him time to honestly figure out who he wanted to be, he would, in a heartbeat, exchange them to go back in time.
The men marched through the tunnel, only a few at a time and in tight rows, and once on the other side, the dheka kept moving deep into the valley. My gaze drifted over the entire scene multiple times. Magnificent…
The canyon was as steep and deep as a hundred stories. Its valley had to have been at least half a mile wide. Into the distance, the terrain sloped slightly downhill and gave us a view of its beauty to a misty horizon. In some places in the middle of the floor, other gorges formed into the abyss of the crust. A river snaked around these crevices, feeding pools which let the water fall into the depths with a gentle, soft spray. Wouldn't want to end up falling in. Easy to murder someone.
Every inch of the ground was covered with soft grass, green forests, and lush trees, leaving the air smelling clean and crisp. Beasts in herds moved about, making strange noises. More watched us from branches while smaller ones scurried across the path we walked.
The valley itself had formed smaller mountains around the edges, narrowing the space between high cliffs, just to show you how small you were in there… These rock formations connected overhead and created natural bridges from one side to another. The dheka's homes were built against and along the wall, and some used these walkways across.
"Do you like it?"
"I do… Baby, I can't believe you came here pregnant. Alone. I really feel like tying you up."
"I wasn't—"
A horn blew to tell the frontlines the whole army had made it to this side of the wall. There was no more escape for the wolves.
At what looked like the city center, a man met us and took a knee before Romero. They spoke in their language. I hated that I didn't understand them. Ten years was enough to learn it. Instead, I pulled her close as she quietly translated for us.
"Who are you?"
"Vittore's first-born son, I was made king." The boy's gaze drifted over all the faces and finally rested on Juliet. Blatantly, he stared at her. I wished I could read his thoughts.
"Very well, have you been made aware of the new arrangement?"
"Yes."
"Have you kept to the agreement Vittore and I had?"
"Yes. And no one has left our clan for a long time."
"Who were the raiders close to the Nisiri?"
"My brothers and their men who disagreed with Vittore about staying here. He felt—"
"Enough! There was another group close to Vussa-Allon. Why did Vittore not tell us you had defectors?"
The young man said nothing and lowered his head; there would be no point in justifying what his father did. Vittore let them go because they were his sons, and he had done the same thing. How could he blame his own children for following his example?
"We need to resupply our provisions and stay for a few days… The wolves will leave in ten years… I think you all have grown large enough to be self-sustainable without taking any more women from the outside… It is what Vittore said and agreed to."
"Yes, Your Excellency… But—"
"But what?"
The boy looked at Juliet… "My father was granted his honor for a woman even after everything he'd done… It had created friction within the city… Created contradictions in our ways… Many have decided to return to the way… Some never indulged in the city's beliefs… They would want—with your permission—to be allowed to leave and wander like so many do."
Romero looked to Charlene and held out his hand, "What do you think?"
"They are allowed if they put down their names after the census and communicate where they are… They also need to check into major cities first, so we can keep track of them at all times and know where they plan to travel next. If one does not, he will be hunted down." Romero smiled, impressed by her decision.
"Thank You… Your Excellency, what about the newcomers to our world? Will we be allowed to meet with them?"
"One year!" Charlene said. "After one year, if everyone, including the wolves, behaves. If I have to come back here, you will all be given a choice in how you want to die."
"Thank You… Juliet, if you will allow it, I would want to speak to you."
Chris, Michael, and Marcus stepped forward and surrounded us. The boy's gaze flickered to each face.
"Okay," she said.
The boy stood and gave orders for the dheka to help the army set up camp in open areas.
We followed him up a lot of stairs to a house. The view from the open glass window was breathtaking, reminiscent of France with its panoramic view of nature.
"Please sit, I will only be a moment."
He came out of a room with two boxes balancing on his arm; one long and large, the other broad and deep. He went on his knees and put them in front of her. "We heard of what happened in the arena that morning. The tale of how you killed the wolf and your fighting skills have left us sad to have missed your display of courage... The men said you and Vittore fought… I would like you to take his sword," he opened the box, "He would've wanted you to have it."
Juliet's mind vividly recalled the scene of him on his knees, and I was right there. She stroked the leather around the hilt his hands had clasped. Two gems on leather strings hung off the sheath; she let the straps run through her fingers. "These contents are some of Imani's things she gave him when he left Nisiri," he opened the other box and handed it to her, and said, "The other things are his… Some of his books and writings… Letters, journals… It's his personal effects."
"Won't his wife want these things?"
I looked inside: Jewelry, woodwork, craft statues, and illustrations of himself and others.
"No one is joined here… The men take what they want… the women are slaves… If the men choose someone, she is allowed to live with him." Juliet's lip pulled up. "He never connected with anyone."
"A true vamp," Juliet slammed the box and stood. Unfortunately, she thought about my past. How men only manipulate and use women. I sighed. Her jealousy took over and not in a good way... Michael reached out to touch her. She lifted both her hands in the air, evading his person altogether, "Don't—I need a minute."
I held out my arms for the things. She would want it… Maybe later… Vittore wasn't much different than me… What would've happened to me if I kept going the way I did? At one point, I would've gotten tired of waiting for her… We all could've been much worse off. Aimless and wandering the Earth for someone to save us.
On our way out of the home, we decided to take the stairs. It was the first time the four of us were together again and alone; it was a good time to check in. I fleetingly read all their minds. Michael was concerned about Soren and Mael on En-gannim and wanted to get out of there. Marcus was trying to process how Juliet felt about Vittore, and his jealousy was going to rip Soren to pieces. Chris was the only one thinking about Juliet. If she was okay? And how he could make this up to her. He could take her anywhere on Mirach he had been before. There were a few places they could be alone if she needed some space.
"Marcus, for the foreseeable future, while we walk back to Saleh's city, you will be here with Silvanus to train Minè and get yourself back into shape. During the day, you'll be on En-gannim working on the teleportation. I'll be there to check up on Soren and Mael and go through my treatment... I want to take Sammy with us every day… The two of us need to be locked up together."
"What if she teleports out?" Marcus asked.
Michael dug in his pocket and threw Juliet's switchblade at me. "We cut her."
"Thanks, but no. I want to work on the relationship, not make it worse. I think she knows how dangerous it is… We should rather use it on him when Soren has served his purpose. Marcus, taking away his creature side and leaving him on Roa's island with all the beasts, is an excellent way he could die… Michael, you and Chris will stay with Juliet during the day and alternate… Chris, you can take her anywhere on Mirach that's safe… Michael, you can take her anywhere you can remember, as long as you know you'll be able to come back… Marcus and I will alternate nights and spend time with her; this way, she's never alone, and we can mix it up a few times so she doesn't think we're coddling her... Marcus, you can't work twenty-four seven."
"Louis, can't we just steal Palmyra's power?" Michael asked.
"That's our backup plan; we need the sustainability of the stone," Marcus answered him. "When we come back from the dark city, and we're nowhere near figuring it out, we can revisit. Your baby needs to take precedence."
"Aww…" Michael said, "Thank you. She will have to give birth on En-gannim in the confinement room. If we can't deliver there, we might need to cut the baby, too."
"You're scared the baby would be pulled out? Teleport?"
"F— I don't know, but will we take the chance?"
"No… I'll cut him or her whenever the time comes. The smallest nick will do."
"I don't want Juliet anywhere near Soren… I'm already upset you guys lied to me and Chris about it."
"What about lovely Pharea?"
"If it works… Where will she end up?"
"She'll come here… Everyone is here… I'll read Soren when the wedding will be, and we can all be together."
"I think Soren will have tech implanted to stop you from reading him."
"Then we'll fry it without him knowing and get a jump on them."
By this time, we were at the bottom of the stairs, walking back through the city toward our camp. We looked around to see where Juliet was. She couldn't be so far in front of us. "Chris?"
"Yeah, on it." He didn't leave. "She's invisible."
I turned my thought reader on to find her in the crowd.
"Louis?" Marcus asked.
"Too many people."
"Boo! You guys suck… I agree with all your plans, thanks for including me this time! Same old, same old."
"You're a bit smarter this time around," Marcus joked. Juliet lifted Marcus's arm and pulled it around her shoulders. "Have I been chosen by the queen for the night?"
"I suddenly feel very old," Juliet said. Marcus didn't think so, and his thoughts drifted to his blow job in the bathroom. Images of her looking up at him on her knees, working her way up and down his shaft. The sensations of how she had him begging. I wanted to shut it out of my mind, but couldn't. My demon was still very alive, and now that I was close to the object of my lust, I wanted to say f—it and have her anyway.
"Michael, now."
We were gone, and he dropped me into a pool of icy water. I gasped and sputtered; the cold hit every nerve; I yelped and screamed to get out. I crawled onto the bank, shivering already, and fell down on the familiar smell of brown earth and grass. He teleported and left me in France. At least my lust was gone. I rolled around to look up at the snow-covered peaks. I missed this. I was close to Chris's cabin. It was a good way for me to force myself to behave. I nudged, scared he would leave me there. He was back immediately. "Where did you go?!"
"Had to remind you of why you left in the first place." He sat and handed me a packet of cigarettes, "I can't even imagine what you're going through… So long apart and to abstain must be difficult."
"It doesn't help when everyone is thinking about sex all the time."
"Everyone?"
"Literally everyone… I want to blab everyone's filthy fantasies just to get it out of my system."
"Even Agatha?"
"Especially Agatha!"
Michael lit a cigarette with me and drew in the smoke. It was unlike him to indulge the way I did… "You've been in your riphath form most of the time."
He looked at the stick, "Yeah, I know… It's better than my vamp manifestation."
"Michael."
"Louis."
"What happened to you—."
"You know?!" He sighed, "I didn't even know I still had flashbacks."
"I'm sorry, man."
"I was drugged most of the time… So, I'm on the verge of shame and guilt for the other times I was very lucid."
"I don't want to sound patronizing, but even those times were not your fault."
"I know… It's why I'm walking around like this… Rather than her finding out."
"Are you ready? For when she does."
"F— she's going to lose it… I don't know what we do then? Even if she does survive it."