Marcus
I had hoped for more of a fight with the wolves; if I were in charge, I would've killed them all, for the hell they put us through. The whole situation was weird in how quickly they agreed to Louis's terms… Something was off… I wouldn't have minded wiping the whole valley clean of raiders, too. Stupid of Romero to trust them… Maybe I was a bit jealous of this guy Juliet had trouble getting over… And an outlet before more endless walking and work would've made us all feel a bit better.
This new season weighed on my nerves. Enemies from all angles. Soren in The Tower. Ten years of work. And walking. And more walking. I had walked for too long, and that was the only reason I went to En-gannim every day to work on the stone. For three months, everyone had been trudging through the desert, and if I didn't figure it out, this way of life wouldn't stop. First, we were headed to Aeolie Maranee for Nami's confinement. She was beautifully pregnant. Uncomfortable on a beast and only days away from maybe giving birth on the road… Then, after her confinement, we had to travel all the way to Nisiri, where all this literally started for me.
Today was my day off from tirelessly following Louis's rigorous schedule for me. Waking up, training with the wolves and Miné, traveling to En-gannim, staying there for two days, coming back, and spending one night with Juliet. Even then, she was so tired from the long day and being six months pregnant, we spent almost no time together. And there I was, full circle around one fifth of the planet and myself, complaining about not seeing her enough… After I decided to be apart from her for a hundred years. Same old f—ing story.
What was I doing on my day off? Walking.
Juliet's legs were wrapped around my waist and holding onto me as if she was eighteen again, clinging to Chris... I lifted my head slightly, tilting my lips into her and waited. She anticipated what I wanted and kissed me. I liked having her in my arms and didn't mind carrying her for a stretch. The baby was beginning to move and liked being between us.
"So?" I asked, breaking our kiss.
"So what?" she searched my eyes.
"Tell me what you were thinking, going back in time…"
Juliet rocked her waist a little, "You were there! You know exactly what I was thinking."
"You really did all of that because I said, I didn't know why I'm here… No!" I complained. "You just wanted to prove me wrong."
Juliet chuffed like a train and laughed, "No! Same as you, I doubted… If we did the right thing, joining our lives together... All I knew was that my life wouldn't be complete if one of you weren't in it… Like Louis always says, he wouldn't have allowed it otherwise… Anyway, the only thing that went wrong with my experiment was: the wrong person sat down in that room…" She moved up and down. My hand grabbed tightly onto her ass. "I was supposed to have faith you'd figure out why you're here… I know why you're here."
"Hey, I told you it wouldn't work the other way around! And my timeline proved it. I'm the only one it never would've worked with…! I'm the only one who ever had an issue in this harem… Anyway, I'm still angry that you would've chosen one of us, and we all know who it would've been! It's… It's just— " Juliet held on tighter, hugging me. Her legs clamped around my waist. My hands strayed a bit, touching along her thigh.
"No, Marcus... I struggled too," Chris said. "It's just not simple or easy. Maybe you should see the good in the situation… She gave us all such a gift… A small little life to hold on to! How much more proof do we need that we are all connected, no matter the choices… No matter what life she lived… We would've found one another… Our relationship is spiritual! Even before the branding! And you keep going on and on about not being first in her life, but you were literally first in finding her! In the compound! Come on! You branded her first!"
"He's right, Marcus… There is a reason you're here," Romero chipped in, "You were first. Will always be, and it means more than you know!"
"Are we finally going to know what the first spot does, or can do?" Carl said.
"No! Marcus needs to embrace his position… Then only can he understand it."
"Embrace it?" I asked.
"I did," Kubra said, "We're much happier for it after Romero told me… He had to when I wanted to give Charlene a hiding… And it's different now; everything makes sense."
"What is it!" I yelled.
"What do you think it is?" Romero asked.
"I think you're all taking the piss out of me and just want me to blindly believe I have some greater purpose… And what if the orders were reversed!"
"Heaven help us if you were number two," Juliet whispered in my ear. I chuckled and kissed her neck.
"Or number three. He would've pushed anyone and everyone off." Michael said.
Juliet laughed heartily, "You would've!"
"Yes," I whispered in her ear. "I never thought about it like that… I could've had you to myself."
"I just want to say I'm very happy Louis wasn't number one because then! Then! This would've been a royal f— up!" Kubra complained.
"Argh! Now Louis knows and won't tell anyone."
Louis shrugged and shook his head because he didn't know. To figure it out, he met Kubra's eye. The two had a lengthy discussion in silence. Louis pulled a face and bobbed his head, "No wonder."
"I'm sure Chris's only teased you to create drama, because you wanted to sleep with Selena," Warden said out of the blue.
Juliet's nails dug into my body. What the hell was wrong with Warden! Why would he say something so stupid!
"Seriously!" Selena spun towards him… "I would never have had sex with the man! I knew the rules! No one thought to ask me if I even liked Marcus! Let alone come in the middle of those two." Selena's hands flung through the air, visibly upset. She was at the point of hurt and anger; Selena had many times needed an outlet, and I was there.
"She's right, Marcus. What makes you so sure she would've slept with you?" Warden kept goading.
I was going to kill him. And unfortunately for Selena, she was as stupid as Juliet sometimes. In this case, her anger gave her away. Juliet was also aware of how quickly she would've broken up a home.
Jack joined the talks, "We were there, Selena! You were glued to him all the time."
Juliet jumped off my body, too irritated. I was going to murder someone! I tried to take her hand. She flung me off. Jamal was too clever to say anything… Soma, his vampire girlfriend's lips pulled in disgust. He tried to take her hand; she flung him off, too! I wish I had never told anyone… It was a little demeaning toward Selena… Looking back, we were friends. What was I even thinking! My lust only got worse after Jamal told me what the women talked about when I wasn't around. Selena was lying through her mouth full of teeth and wanted me as much. And we did cling. I rubbed at my cheating heart.
"I don't sleep with anything that has two legs," the tall blond interjected. This drew a sardonic chuckle from Juliet… Jack cleared his throat, gesturing between the three of them. The humans? "Argh! You're going to tell everyone everything I did!"
"You slept with Jack?!" Louis asked. "And Warden and James!"
"How did she never get pregnant?" Charlene butted in.
"I need to go home," Selena whined, looking up at the sky. "On Zoreah, no one cares; here, you just look at someone and they think you're going to create an international incident."
Ira laughed, "Selena, as your king, I'm ordering you to find a mate. No more sleeping around." He took Cindy's face in his hands and kissed her while they walked.
"No!" Juliet ordered.
"Ira!" Chris complained.
"Come on! Give us some time to get used to it!" Caleb moaned.
Ira deepened the kiss, flipped her off her feet, and teleported out with her.
"My eyes! Burned into my mind. Yuck!" Juliet dug her palms into her sockets.
Naji laughed and put his arm around his mother, "You should've seen them on the island." Juliet swatted him with two hands consecutively. "Hey, when are we going to spar?"
She looked up at him, "You want to fight me?" Her hand rested on her heart on a gasp.
"Yes, and I want to feel the full force of all you are."
"Uh, no!" I said, "Your mother would have you out in a minute."
"So what? I want to… Will you?"
"I've not even fought Basaam or Caleb… for real… like that… I don't know Naji… Why?"
"After you, I'd like to go up against my father and then Ira and Kubra and—"
"Okay, I get it… So you want to test yourself?"
"Yeah, if Marcus could take out Silvanus… I'll have to train to surpass him." Juliet looked at Louis and waited for confirmation. He bobbed his head. "Why did you ask Louis's permission?" Naji asked. "It's weird to suddenly have this one guy in charge of everyone! And then you won't even tell us who you would've chosen in all your timelines!"
"Someone has to be!" Kubra exclaimed. "In our relationship, it's Romero. I've embraced that too."
"Well, yes and no!" Juliet said. "In this case, it's because he's the only one who'll be able to control me if things get out of hand in a fight! Naji… my demon isn't something to play around with… Why your father said no so quickly... He…" she took a deep breath, "Has seen what I'm capable of." Juliet looked at Silvanus, "What's this all about?"
"All the kids are impressed with your fighting, Juliet! You and Marcus fought in the ring for hours… The kids have never even seen a fight. You took out Mael! And then mother and father sorted out their issues in the ring… with violence! No, they have to get used to the animal side of us!"
Juliet met my eye and we laughed. "We set an example!" Joy filled my heart. "Animals! Would never have seen that coming… I think it's a good idea, especially for Basaam and Nami," I said thoughtfully.
"No! Nami will kick his ass," Juliet turned to Basaam, "I'm sorry, but she will rule you."
"I will never touch her like that! We do communicate like a normal couple." The crowd quieted down, looking at the man. Everyone was deciding if now was a good time to tell him the truth. "What?" Basaam asked.
"Romero?" Juliet offered him as the sacrifice of the day.
"Charlene." He deferred it to his wife.
"Basaam… Uhm, you're a vampire… the chances that you will at some point feel like slapping her are inevitable… There will come a time when you probably will be pushed over the edge and hurt her… Fortunately, here… domestic disputes are swiftly dealt with, so you and all the creatures will have to meditate a little more… Or take it to the ring where it's controlled, refereed… Yes… Naji, I think a fight with the older folk will put you in your place… So, in two days in the arena we'll have some sport."
"I will gladly host the fight, because look, we're here. My home." Saleh pointed, and we followed his finger into the distance.
"Oh, it's beautiful… Even this far, I can feel the shift in the environment." Sammy said. "The water is creating a shimmer."
"Do you even know how to swim?" Juliet asked.
Silvanus tsked, "Of course I taught them to swim! The insult that I didn't raise them well."
"Is that why everyone crowded around me on your space station. When we were in the water." Sammy harrumphed. "However… I don't think any of us can ride a bike."
"My father never took me door dashing either," Juliet said.
Liam and I burst out laughing.
***
Strategically, the army surrounded the city and set up a temporary camp for the few months we would be there. The city's residents came to help, and we also stayed to make the place a home for them before we would wander into the city.
When the sun set, Caleb disappeared with his mother and came back a few times to help with the teleportation. Ceremoniously, we were taken to the vantage point at the entrance of the city; it was a great view of the main river line they had constructed. I had only a moment to take it in before Caleb rested his hand in the middle of my back, pushed me forward, and off the cliff. I screamed! My body submerged into the deep water. A moment later, more came running and jumping down. The stream's current instantly took your body down the long duct they had built, drifting us somewhere. Our kids enjoyed it so much. Naji and Sammy were playing in the water, standing and then diving in with the current. The two had a bond; I could sense the love between them... Our kids got along… All four of them. Caleb and Basaam quickly joined their siblings in the fun… Contented, I watched as Michael and Chris tossed Juliet through the air; every time she went up, my stomach lurched.
Embrace my role? What did they mean?
Ira had decided to teleport down and stood beside us on the ledge of the bank with Cindy in his arms. Liam came up from under the water and held out his arms. She shook her head. Ira rocked her back and forth, dramatically, while she yelled. He tossed her in—screaming. Ira then somersaulted into the water. Show off!
Louis laughed next to me. I looked to my right; he was feet in the air, drifting on his back like I was. Before I could ask, he answered, "Liam's okay… He's—no, they are both getting used to it… But they're both committed… You don't have to worry about your mom. The two men are truly in love."
"Silvanus loves her?"
"Very much."
I smiled, looking at the oddest couple in the group, also playing in the water. My mom. Enjoying life and happy. It was almost worth all we'd been through.
"Yes, she loves him just as much."
Louis answered my thoughts, "They stole glances in the beginning," he chuckled. "Like too teenagers." I smiled. "They were up all night with the babies in shifts, and the two of them were grouped together… It took him a long time to learn sign language, but again, he was determined to show her respect."
Louis laughed at my next thought, "No, she made the first move; he was too nervous to even think she would ever… Your mom was asleep, and he had to wake her up... It was a few months after they were there, maybe nine… She opened her eyes, and he was hovering over her… Agatha signed 'kiss.' Silvanus thought she wanted to sleep more." I laughed lightly, imagining my mom flirting... "Your mom laughed too, and well, she shook her head and kinda made it more suggestive with her lips… I wish you could've seen his face. Your mom will never forget it."
"And!"
"Oh, he did. Immediately! No hesitation."
"No, it doesn't bother him… In fact."
"Ahhh! Enough!" I hollered.
Louis laughed, "Marcus, seeing that everyone is in human at this moment… I need to talk to you about something." Louis came up on his feet, and we were covered to about our shoulders. He swam to the edge and held on to the barrier.
"It is serious… I didn't want to tell anyone… However, I feel like I have to tell you…"
"Is it about Michael?" Louis's brow played around with my brain. "I know a guy who's been tortured… And he's been distancing himself from her, and it's only going to get worse… So yeah, I'm here."
"Good… The other thing is if she finds out."
My chest tightened and rumbled with a growl... Of course, I didn't know the scope of what he went through, but there was a reason Michael came out healthier than Chris did. In such cases, the mental conditioning can sometimes be worse. Juliet had not put two and two together yet.
"No, she's a little preoccupied… It was rough! I don't know what she's going to do. But if you're there."
I nodded, "I will be."
"There is one more thing."
"Soren?"
Louis chortled, "I thought you were not as aware as you always were…" he shook his head, "You fooled me."
"No, I'm just not a basket case anymore… My mind can actually breathe… Anyway, his relationship with Mael is concerning."
"Very! Mael is telling him everything. They spend every moment together, and you know Soren; his plans jump up out of nowhere… He doesn't premeditate at all."
"So what do we do?"
"I don't know? Question is what can he do? Maybe put that brain of yours on and put yourself in his shoes."
"Why does everyone keep telling me that?"
"Because when this thing with Michael blows up, very little else is going to consume our minds… And then there will be a gap going to the city… If Michael—" My head whipped toward Louis. "I don't know! It's like he's avoiding it completely… No, he's in complete denial. F— I don't know what he'll do if our theories are correct... And now he knows he can push us off."
Michael would never! Would he? Did they turn him in the end? I swam away to the nearest exit along the wall and was helped out by some dheka on the shore. Drenched, we walked the rest of the way. The others weren't very far ahead, also out of the water, waiting for us.
Juliet wanted us all to witness the palace's magnificence and let the group down a little street. "To all those who can't speak the language yet, Caleb and I had a year, and we were fluent…" Juliet turned again right and left past buildings and stalls. "So by now you guys must have caught on to some of the lingo… Saleh has a teacher scheduled, and everyone has to study every day." Juliet walked into a long, broad, crowded street, to the brim with busy décor and beautiful tall buildings. She turned this way and that, pointing down the road, giving us a little info about the city.
The crowd exclaimed in intervals and murmured while heading in the direction of the palace, taking in the enormity of the city and everything we'll be able to explore.
At some point, we all stood our gazes drifting up, up, and up. Saleh's palace would easily house all of us; it was built on so many very different levels and melded into the surrounding structures to make it all look like one unified golden glow oasis. The walls were constructed from cream-colored stone, but that was where his design choices ended. This was why Juliet liked it so much. Saleh had done what felt right; built and added along the way. A mix-match of walkways, gardens, decorative domed roofs, and arched windows here and there. Every floor was a different size, breaking up monotony. Columns held up structures while pretty pillars accentuated openings, doors, and patios; decorated by greenery, flowers, and curtains. A golden metal formed massive qubbas to round off the elegance and ambiance. I loved it.
I looked back the way we came, down the long road that was also the city center with shops, markets, and houses. It carried deep into the distance. I scanned the mountain range all around us, stretching, cordoning them off from any real attack. No, Saleh had the perfect spot for us to be protected and safe.
"Come, Basaam! Louis! I want to show you where you were born."
There weren't even steps up to large doors to segregate the people; only a narrow entrance on street level covered by a bridge where people looked down and talked about us. Why was no one bowing? I looked around to find Romero; he hadn't been in the water. Not one of them was… Weird.
***
Two Days Later
Early in the morning, when it was still dark outside, I walked through the city to enter a long, narrow passage; only a soft golden glow from stones showed me where to go. The walls on either side were tall, arched in sections, and connected with glass between each pillar to give cover from the elements. Creepers grew up every second column, across the beams, leaving the leaves to hang down from above, creating curtains of suspense as you made your way to the arena... Nearing the end, cold air drifted through, swaying the strands of the plants. The sound of rushing water hit against a barrier in the distance.
The last vines were tied aside, announcing your arrival through the entrance; white, extravagant flowers bloomed along the branches. My chest rose and fell as I stepped out into the open air and took in the sight of the whole stadium. Turbulent water rushed and growled around a circular structure in the middle, secluding it from the stands and any interference. Everything was under a roof, domed and pitched. I took steady breaths to prepare myself for the day. Romero and I would be opening the long line of fights scheduled. I chuckled at the pressure of nervousness in my stomach. Had I ever been scared of a fight? No… Not until we were reunited. My training sessions had been a humbling struggle, whereas Silvanus had only gotten better over the years. If I won, I would insult the dheka. If I didn't, I would feel like a fool.
Juliet and Naji would be fighting right after us. Michael was convinced she and the baby would be okay. Naji was going to get his ass handed to him… A smile tugged on my lips. Too cocky for his own good.
At dawn, the men's room filled with fighters. Spectators flooded the arena, creating a constant buzz above us. Thousands and thousands of dheka had come to spend the day with us. Saleh and Caleb stepped through the doors in an amicable conversation about their fight. The guy was always laughing, joking; I couldn't see him getting serious and winning his fight—at all. Saleh still had a few shorter, wayward dreads that stood away from his head; the rest was coarse, long, and needed some attention. He immediately ripped off his shirt and hit his chest with two fists, flexing his pecks. I laughed lightly, looking around at the others in the room. Naji sat by himself meditating. Impressed, my lips pulled down.
Beside him, Romero stood so his servants could dress him. One tied a multi-stranded belt around his waist, fastening it with a large girdle. From one strap hung his sheathed sword; a broad blade nestled on the inside, only waiting to be used. His other servant tied plated wrist guards around his arms. They continued to add more up to his elbow. Romero wasn't a big guy, but neither was I. He had finally tamed his afro and shaven the sides of his head, created dreaded rows of the rest, and bound it together in a large bun on the crown of his head. He did paint an impressive picture.
Was my hair done? No. What was I wearing? I had on pants and that was that.
After Saleh talked to some of the contestants, he went up to Romero and reached for his belt. He undid one strap, unburdening him of his sword, and tossed it at Tasallah, who constantly followed and protected Romero. The guy reminded me of Kubra and Jessy… Holding out the same hand into the air, Saleh waited. Tasallah came towards the two brothers with two long sticks in his hands. Romero grabbed it before Shaleh could; I caught mine mid-air.
Saleh lifted his arms, "Sa'a fada!"
"Farin!" the rest of the dheka replied.
He left to announce the start of the tournaments; I waited till I could hear his voice boom out into the crowd before I got to my feet. Saleh gave the rules and said, 'The first person to hit water would lose.'
Romero and I walked out side-by-side. The stands went crazy; it was the one place where the dheka probably felt they could show their enthusiasm. At the edge of the river, Romero manifested and floated over the water, appearing on the other side human again. It was too far to jump. Looking about, I searched for a solution to my problem.
The next moment I was there, laughing. Caleb saluted me from the other side. Before I could turn, the swish of the stick came at me. I ducked in time, and it went over my head. A little ticked off, I scrambled out of the way to face Romero, who twirled the stick through his hands and leaped manifested at me, striking me on the thigh. When he materialized again, I swung to catch him but struck violently through thin air; only for him to solidify, circle me with agile feet, and hit me on the back, sending me reeling forward.
What was going on with me? There was no room to maneuver with my speed; the circle was tight, throwing me within striking distance with every blow. The broad river was a constant thundering distraction. Romero pivoted the stick, hitting first left and right, forcing me to the edge while I had to keep up to block each strike with mine. Dangerously close to keeping my balance, he jumped high into the air, flipped, and came hurling at my chest with both feet stretched out. Could I be this lucky? I had only a second to fall down onto my ass and watch him drive himself into the water. I hoped. And waited for the splash to come; it didn't. Romero had at the last moment joined with the air, and his black particles hovered over me and coalesced again; his feet manifested solidly beside my body. He dropped his weight, straddling me. I wacked him against the head, or I wanted to; it was like hitting a brick wall of combined steel. In some way, he had hardened his manifestation. He grabbed my weapon, leaped up, flipping again, and yanked it from my grasp, tossing it across the water where a runner caught it mid air. I was so out of my depth, lying helplessly on the ground, rather resigned to my fate.
The crowd went wild for him to finish it. There was no chance I would be able to get to my feet, so I could dive him into the water or take hold of him to throw him in. I couldn't fight my way out of this one or submit him. Tiring him out would take too long. I would take too many blows.
Romero stampeded toward me. As if I was not humbled enough, when I tried to get up, he used his branding power of dominance and kept me plastered to the hard stone surface. My body vividly watched as the stick came down toward my face. I couldn't even close my eyes. Inwardly, I braced for the pain; my helpless past struck me against my head. All the feelings and torture jumped out to mock me. The searing pain stung into my ears and spine, burning to a ringing madness. Another blow landed against my chest, cracking several ribs. I couldn't even grunt.
The pressure subsided, and in doing so, my body could focus on what had just happened. From every injury, the pain multiplied. I gasped and sat up too fast without a plan. Romero roundhouse kicked me into the gurgling hands of the water.
My body heavily submerged, and blood colored my surroundings. The current didn't care and rolled me over and over into deeper and deeper darkness. I was in a f—ing tunnel, dragged away from any air; my body hit the sides and then the bottom.
Just before there was no more breath left and I would die, the stream pushed me onto a bank, depositing me in a soft heap of humiliation; the thundering applause outside was a deafening reminder. I gasped for air, crawling out of the waves, continuing to roll over me—they had somewhere to be.
On dry land, I fell down, holding my middle, aimlessly trying to relieve the pressure inside. I could see nothing around me. Only blackness, the sound of the water, and stuffy air. Dust fell into my eyes and face as the crowd shook the very foundation… How the hell did I get out of here? I coughed and turned to get out of the debris. Where did this tunnel end? Would there be no dheka to heal my aching head? Did I need to crawl around to find a hole for a door? I rubbed at my eyes to get the irritating dirt out. The crowd finally stopped their chanting.
Another punishment. I would miss Juliet and Naji's fight. The drums beat, loudly, menacingly, to announce their match. I groaned and wailed. Maybe I should wait. Naji would join me soon. Would Juliet really let him be dragged down here? Into all of this? Yes, of course she would.
After an eternity of the crowd exclaiming at whatever happened and no loud declaration of the end, I decided to move around to find my way out of there. What if they fought for hours? Why was Juliet not winning? Argh!
Like a blind person, I moved around with one hand stretched out to feel where the boundary wall was. There was no exit! I was on the tiniest little half-moon crescent of sand. My only other option was—the water— again. I crawled and felt my way to the edge. The water protested at even thinking about it.
I took a deep breath and released it through pouted lips. And another. I rolled right in, surrendering to my fate.
For another century, I was alone in the dark, holding my breath until I could finally gasp for air in the cool morning sunlight.
However, my body was still being driven downstream with no escape from the high banks that could handle that magnitude of water. My head bobbed up and down, and I was back on Palmyra with Caleb in the fish-invested water. Naji had almost died twice, come to think about it…
The desert spanned around me while all I could do was wait for the current to slow down, even out to a more subtle approach. For stretches in the calmer water, I drifted on my back, able to catch my breath.
It soon became so docile I had to swim to stay afloat, groaning every now and again. The bank subtly lowered more and more; the river heading into a little town.
A man crouched beside the water, drinking. He abruptly stood when he saw me. He chuckled at my defeat. Resigned, he walked into the water to catch me; as he came closer to grab my wrist and pull me to shore, I nervously looked him up and down. The first thing was his hands. Three sizes larger than normal. Thick, straight, long claws grew from his fingers and struggled to take hold. He was strong, too. I grabbed onto his arms, and he pulled me up with ease. Rested me against his massively built, extraordinarily muscled body; almost popping from his seams. Even his head was too small for his enormity. His presence so close sent a so strange vibe through my senses. Why wouldn't he be in the army… In the city? Moreover, what was wrong with him? He didn't look dheka, although he was black.
"Waraka?" I begged. He frowned. "Kuzari a kaina."
The stranger shook his head, "A'a."
Denying me! Just a no… No explanation. Was healing not allowed if you got tossed into the water? He did help me to keep me on my feet with one arm, walking with me to the outskirts of the few buildings. It was offly quiet out there. The smallest little place I'd seen in all the time I'd been on Mirach. Only three structures. He pointed to one. I struggled through the door by myself; we wouldn't both have fit.
Inside were a lot of mattresses lying on the floor. A hospital. Great. A self-healing one for a dheka. I wasn't dheka!
Wet and tired, I lay down on the closest one... His heavy tread disappeared again. I guessed he had to go fish out the next victim.
Too much anticipation to see who it would be kept me awake. A lady had come in to offer me a plate of food. I had already eaten, waited, and drank a strong glass of alcohol before two voices finally resonated outside. Two males. Another smile spread over my lips; it was not a good day to be an Ahmed. My grandfather would be so proud.
The big guy came in carrying someone in his arms. White. Caleb! Where was Naji? His body hung limply. I couldn't think Juliet would allow it. Was he okay? Caleb coughed, lifting his head to look around. I winced at his bruised face. His body was hammered. The man placed him down next to me. Caleb groaned and cried out. I had to look away so I didn't laugh. "Why is it us in the water again?"
"Did you have flashbacks, too?" I asked.
"I think this was worse… How could they?!"
"The dheka don't mess around with honor… Where is your mother?"
"Oh, she had Naji out in like three minutes. Choked him out. He did ask for it… Came at her pretty hard… She didn't toss him into the water, though. She hurled him across for Michael to catch."
I laughed, "So it was your fight that went on so long… You lasted longer than I did."
"Jessy is recording the fights… You can watch my defeat later."
"Ah man! Who's next?"
"Charlene and Sammy."
"Ohh… This is not going to end well."
"My sister is going to be a nightmare when she gets here… So we're not even allowed healing?"
"No doctor."
"Great!" Caleb lowered his voice, "What's with the guy? Who is he?"
"Strange, right… He almost doesn't look human."
Caleb groaned, "Don't make me laugh, I think four of my ribs are broken…"
"Who's Silvanus fighting?"
"Saleh's general Adelya."
"This sucks! I shouldn't have gone first! Now we're missing everything."
Caleb was sleeping when the guy carried in our daughter. His long, dirty hair hung loosely around his face while he stared unashamedly down at her. Sammy's clothes were torn and stuck to her, accentuating every curve. A frown formed on my brow; not common for a dheka to give in to lust so openly… I cleared my throat. The guy's head jerked up, pretending nothing happened. Sammy was out cold. Juliet was not at all the mother I thought she'd be. What if she drowned! He gently placed her down next in line as the losers gathered in the pity-tent.
Sammy's head cautiously came up, staring at the door where the guy was leaving. She grabbed a sheet and pulled it over herself.
"You're awake?"
"Did you see that guy! I'm mortified. I was so scared; who knows where raiders are lurking." A lot of feelings bombarded me. Violation. Fear. Disgust. Indignation. I shook my shoulders. It was hard being a woman, especially one who couldn't protect themselves. "None of the other dheka has ever done what he just did. None of them even looks at me for a second too long… It's as if he's not—"
"Dheka."
"Yes. He ran into the water to help me and couldn't keep his eyes off my… uhh…" I laughed. "It's not funny!"
"No, it's not! But we have to trust Saleh… There must be a reason he was banished to this menial work whenever they have matches."
"Trust? Like Vittore! Their siblings… Any man can change and turn out to be—
"Scum!"
"Worse than scum."
"Women can also go… let's say bad."
"Like Minè?" I sighed. "Well, she's here… She's supposed to fight Selena eventually."
At the mention of Selena's name, I had no reaction. Mmm. No—first thing that popped into my mind was Juliet on her knees. Involuntarily, my cock reacted, pulsing to life. After Juliet and I connected, Selena was like a distant memory; you never know if it even happened. Distorted. I grabbed the sheet and pulled it over my lap.
Sammy lifted her chin, questioning my sudden need to cover up. "You can't tell me you like Selena so much."
I had completely forgotten where I was. Juliet's lips around my length sent me spiraling most days… Sheepishly, I looked at my daughter, feeling all sorts of wrong. "I… wasn't thinking about Selena."
A smile spread across her mouth. "Mom?"
"Talking about this with you… is so inappropriate! But yes… And don't worry… I won't let anything happen to you."
"Your fight would prove otherwise."
I covered my face with two hands, "What did they say? Juliet is probably disappointed. Ashamed."
"Mom dug her nails into her palms not to jump in there and make it even worse… Nami had to heal her before she and Naji even went into the ring… She thought you'd be angry if she came to save you."
I laughed, "No, the one thing about Romero… He never does anything without a reason."
"What was the reason?" Caleb asked.
"It's about this first place thing in the brandings… I… At the start of our relationship, I had a reason to fight… Even before her, I felt I had to stay alive… It was as if I knew I was preparing for something… Training… After I met your mother, she was my only reason to get up… To change my outlook on life… I had a goal when I met her… Misguided at first… It evened out, and she became the only thing to work towards… Now that we're together—
"It has to change."
I bobbed my head, "I don't need to win her anymore. Wait any longer… Keep her safe… But what's left?"
"Presence," Sammy whispered.
Caleb and I locked astonished gazes and looked her way. The young woman had a lot of depth. Emotions. Sensitive. Loving. Ahh… She was like her mother… Sammy needed an outlet! A Louis… It was what Liam and Cindy figured out with Juliet, although their motives were also a little double-sided.
The next figure to come through the door was Jaali after losing his fight against Kubra. Caleb and I laughed outright. He was not impressed. Quietly sulking.
Basaam hobbled in, laughing at himself, and fell down on Caleb's bed beside him. The older brother patted the younger one's shoulder. "Silvanus won. The dheka don't go into the water; they float to the other side in defeat."
The room went very quiet as the big guy walked in with Selena in his arms. However, he was not looking at her; again, he was riveted on Sammy. Every time he did enter, his eyes darted her way. My hackles bristled as he placed Selena next to another female, only to get close to Sammy. Completely unable to keep his eyes off the prettier of the two.
I nudged on Michael. Four times the size, he landed in the middle of the room. The guard spun around. "Will you please go find out who this guy is? He's staring at our daughter, and I can't take it anymore. He might be one of the raiders who took a gap and left with us." Michael's hand sprang out and closed around his throat. He spoke fluently, demanding an explanation. When the man didn't reply, Michael closed his grip around the thick neck, slowly sinking his claws into skin. Visible hatred clouded the stranger's features; he hit Michael's hand away and—teleported.
The silence remained among the occupants. Michael's chest rose and fell as he looked out the door, as if the guy would still be there somewhere.
"I told you he wasn't human. Who was that?" Sammy asked.
Michael looked my way, and I knew; it was so clearly written on his features. Pain. Shame. He shook his head slightly, and his gaze drifted to Sammy. He wouldn't be able to keep it a secret any longer. "I don't know. I have to go speak to Romero. Don't say anything," he pleaded softly.
He also disappeared.
"Don't say anything! Michael has been weird for months!"
Caleb put his hand on her arm, "Let's do what he says. For mom."
My gaze drifted to the other faces; everyone avoided me.
"For mom? What does he— No. No, no, no," her hands covered her face.
I met Selena's eye. She looked away quickly. I guessed Francis, Jack, and Ben thought it was okay to tell.