Louis
The previous day.
Well done, Louis. Great job, giving your wife the adoration she deserved. I watched Juliet walk away after I overheard her conversation with Jacklin. And after I tried to force my way into her space. My wife had been alone for so long, in the role of hero and savior, that now… her love addiction was a little tempered… Juliet had grown up into a strong, independent woman. Maddening to know what everyone else was thinking, while no one knew what was going on in my mind. And Juliet would not beg me to tell her.
Jacklin smiled up at me as I walked to the crib and stroked Natalia's hair. She did have a conscience, even if she didn't show it. Jacklin had hopes that our time together had meant something. It did, but not the way she wanted. To change her train of thought, I said, "Did you talk to Lillian about connecting to one of the vampire girls?"
"She said on her twenty-ninth birthday."
"It's still a few years away."
"I'm sorry, Louis… I— Juliet just has a way to rile me up."
I chuckled, "Like me?"
"No, it's different… I don't mind your playful way… And thank you for helping me… I really don't know how I would've adjusted to the way of life here if it wasn't for you."
I sat down on the bed. Jacklin turned to me expectantly. It had been the two of us for so long, and I couldn't make both of them happy. "Do you want to go back to Earth?" I asked.
"No! I would never make it alone… If the humans found out about me, they'd kill me… I… just have to get used to it."
"Juliet was right about the kids… They like it here… Leo is free for the first time to be himself… And Lillian can actually trust everyone around her."
"Yes, I saw them only a few times on the way here."
"Jacklin… Romero wants to start the trek to Resha Nudi in a few days… I have to be there."
She looked away and turned to sit, dropping her feet to the floor. "How long?"
"It might take as long as three to four months with the baby on the way. If they decide to stay there for Charlene's birth, it might be even longer."
Her hands clenched around the edge of the mattress. "Do you want me to leave?" she whispered.
I wanted Juliet to be more jealous. It was the only reason I said what I said when I entered the room. I wanted her to be all over me like she used to be… Pull me into her confidence. Maybe I had been too careful not to hurt her again, and it forced her to act accordingly. What did I have to do to get a rise out of her...? She didn't once notice how much time I spent with Jacklin and the kids. At all! Juliet was also the only reason I had been helping Jacklin. I cared about her, in a way. But not really… Not since I came back home. The two kids were a different story… Jacklin could never hold my attention the way Juliet did. Why I'd do anything to get her to fight for us... Between her and Sammy, I came home to real women I had no clue how to handle… Although my seeking for attention was like throwing gasoline on a house already up in flames, once Juliet found out what happened to Michael… And my demon wasn't taking anyone into consideration or wanted to deal with all of this. Juliet and I hadn't connected like we used to… Things were different. We were all only slightly changed… Maybe a little older… I didn't know what Juliet could do or say to make me feel the way I did so long ago… And again, there was something I first had to do before I could fully work on our relationship. Guess I haven't changed much if I was still the one who pulled away.
My life was madding because of all the mistakes I made. How could I fix it? Sammy and I would probably never have the relationship I wanted with her. If I leave with everyone, I'd break down what I had built with the other two on Earth. I also couldn't not go and not be there for Basaam and Nami. Little Dauda was the greatest gift either of us could have received at a time like this. To be there when he was born, able to read all the love Basaam had for his child and wife, was the only thing keeping me sane. He wanted me in his life, and I was there to share it with him.
"I guess you do," Jacklin said to bring me to the present.
"No, sorry, I'm having as much whiplash as you with all the stuff coming at me from every angle… Of course, I don't want you to leave, but you'll have to find a way to make a life here for yourself… Mael and Soren are a genuine concern for me… If we leave them on En-gannim—alone… What will we come home to?"
A little revived, she looked at me, "Are they so bad?"
"No, not bad… They just want the old ways of vampires to thrive. And Soren—" A shudder ran through my shoulders. "Well, you know."
"Yes… I remember your spells… You ran away for weeks every time."
I needed no reminders of every excruciating change in my physiology to become more carnal, animalistic… I was convinced at some point I would've crossed over because I was a man… Completely covered in monstrous skin. Contained in a glass box. Mirach was the only reason Juliet could make it work. "Soren is ten times worse; he gave in to his demon a long time ago."
"Do you want me to go and make sure they behave?"
"No, Jacklin! I think you forgot what it was like living among real vampires… It's a room filled with heavily indoctrinated men who would make you feel the way you never wanted to again."
"So then they are bad."
I huffed a laugh.
***
I stayed the night, unable to sleep. Most of the time, when Natalia cried or needed a feed, I took her. Jacklin only had to wake up, nurse, and she could give the baby to me. With Natalia, I helped more than I had ever done before. Leo's infancy—Lyla was still there to play helpmate… During Lillian's first year, I had kept my distance and didn't want to be alone in a room with Jacklin half naked... Leo stepped up; he was the one who went into the room to fetch Lillian, and then we took care of the baby in shifts, giving Jacklin time to sleep. I didn't think Lillian would leave her mother alone so much as she did. Twenty-four was very young, and she finally had the opportunity to make friends. Learn a new language. Work and make money for herself, not only to survive.
***
Jacklin woke up early in the morning, and it took some convincing to get her to leave the room with me and make our way to the dining room to have breakfast with everyone. I wished she would've by now found one other connection I could entrust her to while I wasn't there. When I handed Natalia to a servant, Jacklin protested at the separation. Why was she so scared? Instead of thinking about why she didn't want to be away from the child, her thoughts focused on how to get me to allow her to eat in her room.
Leo came to the rescue and took his mother by the shoulders, leading her to a seat. "How did you get her to leave the room?" he mocked.
"Stop speaking about me like I'm not even here."
"Then start talking and tell us what you want," Leo chastised.
The people around the breakfast tables fell silent, staring at our interchange. Some thought Jacklin must be depressed. She wasn't… The only thing wrong was that she didn't belong anywhere. Like I had felt my whole life. Well, both of us… It's why I had so much sympathy with her. However, no one around the table liked her because of what she had done and caused. Of course, Jacklin could sense the distrust. And on the other hand, I couldn't blame them. Every person there was part of our mixed, weird group and had a lot to deal with—and she was directly responsible…
Well, not every person; my family wasn't there. Where were they? Juliet rarely missed her morning sweet cakes.
The chatter continued, and Jacklin took a reluctant seat. We were served, and for a few moments, we ate in silence. Sammy hurriedly plopped down next to me, where she usually stayed on the opposite side of the room. Stunned, I stared at her. Why the sudden bid for connection? Under the table, she poked my leg. I figured she had something to say—so I read her.
[ Read Saleh's thoughts ]
Like nothing had happened, I took a bite from my pancake. The man in question approached our table. "May I sit with you?"
"Yes, please, join us," I said.
Saleh's thoughts were a jumbled mess. What was going on? Sam was so beautiful. Then he focused on something else. He stared at her while she slept last night. Before his thoughts wandered to inappropriate, he focused on all the preparations for the upcoming trip. Provisions. Servants. Food. Gifts… The path we needed to take wound around in his mind—the images were beautiful and in a way I couldn't wait to see it… Saleh envisioned the two of them together hand in hand. Then he tried to figure out how to get to know her the way she wanted. He was trying hard to understand how to bridge the different mating rituals… Sam might still withdraw her consent… The next moment, his body responded to what it would feel like when they went into the room.
I cleared my throat, stabbed my fork into another helping, and stuffed it into my mouth. Sammy was a full-grown woman. How could I feel so uneasy? He connected to her. I didn't even know… Focused on my other family.
Sammy was staring at him. She liked the way he carried himself. Paid particular attention to the way he ate and compared it to how irritated she was when Omar would eat… No, Saleh had not grossed her out—yet. I chuckled… She admired his confidence. Her feelings were overwhelmed by the sudden change. Yesterday, she had no one. Now she would never be alone again. Kids. The path we needed to take scared her.. She mentally shook herself and clamped up when the end of the mating ritual came up. It took her so long to sleep with one vamp on the island, and she was terrified to get her hopes up because of it… Saleh didn't know about Omar.
I placed my hand on her leg and patted her reassuringly. Saleh's intentions were pure and honorable. He had a little slip yesterday when he joined with her in spirit, but he got himself under control and was at that moment dulling himself with an obscene amount of golden ability under the table. I repressed my laughter.
"Why are you laughing?" Jacklin asked.
I shook my head, "Nothing. Good, happy news all around." I leaned over toward Sammy, "I'll have a talk with him… If you want me to."
She grabbed my hand and held it, "Thank you."
Like a fool, I smiled at the sudden change in her attitude toward me… My ability meant something to a woman being courted. I could help all of them with their marital problems. The corner of my mouth lifted.
Just before I put my mind reader off, I caught a glimpse of someone's thoughts above the other's; loud and very far away. Strange that someone would be in so much distress. I looked about; no one seemed in turmoil… Distant anguished wails cried out and carried down the halls. Everyone abruptly stopped moving, listening; their heads turning to the sound.
The next scream was even deeper, guttural despair. The few riphaths in the room disappeared. The rest of us jumped to our feet and ran towards the non-stop screaming. Not for one second did Juliet take a breath. She knew.
I pushed a few people out of the way. Marcus met my eye. "Drug her!" I yelled.
"I have; it's not working!" Michael shouted above the sudden chaos in the room.
"Roa!" Marcus yelled.
She manifested, and a darkness filled every crevice around us. I couldn't even see the person next to me… Roa didn't let up and lasted and lasted using her golden veins. Juliet's screams would not stop; every facet of her was nothing but pure rage and pain.
"It's not working, Marcus!" I pleaded. This is why I told him. He was the only other person who would understand.
"Uh, uh, take her there and give her a sword… Point out every last one, Michael, or she'll never recover."
This was where we found out how Michael truly felt; he would come face-to-face with what he had been avoiding. He teleported, and the room instantly cleared. A silence fell. Everyone was confused, sharing glances. "What the actual f— just happened?" Charlene asked.
"I'm going," Carl said. "Charlene, get something to cover her with! She f—ing naked!"
"Who cares!" Charlene yelled. "Where are they going?"
I moved over to her and put my hand on Carl's shoulder. "Chris is already there; he took something with him… They are going to where Michael was held. Please, Charlene, let's go."
***
Juliet's whole body was covered in snake skin as she moved under the sun; it didn't matter that she was naked. My emotions were so blasé, I thought she was overreacting… Although that was one of the reasons I didn't want to sleep with her… A body got sliced in half. As the men came for Juliet, she stabbed and turned only to decapitate another. Every punch she landed hurled them through the air, making others take a step back. She killed and killed while the rest of us didn't even have to move. The humans meant nothing to her speed and strength. Body after body she stabbed, maimed, and ended lives until death gave her a perimeter to come to a stop.
Covered in blood, dripping from her fingers, the crowd realized their defeat and gave her a wide berth. "Every last woman who touched him has to come forward, or I will kill all of you… And bring their husbands and children first."
The thousands of faces we could see covered the desert. However, no one moved. Juliet walked toward the nearest little girl. If she did it, killed only a toddler… This would be a turning point for her. An involuntary choice in the moment; pushed over what you just couldn't bear…
"Stop!" a woman yelled.
Juliet turned toward her. The wolf gave the order. Among so many souls, all we could do was wait. Chris headed for Juliet and held up the dress. She lifted her arms, only now realizing what had really happened to her body. The material soaked up the blood, blotching it with stains.
One by one, people of all shapes and sizes stepped into the clearing, different colors and ages. The rest of them had to get out of the way to make space for fifty women. I figured it was one for every year he was stuck in the city. If he hadn't killed the last one, they never would've stopped… The women, their harems and children emerged until Juliet's body visibly shook; she groaned and whimpered with the magnitude she couldn't comprehend a moment ago. Would her heart rip out of her body or break… Juliet was more mature, but this was beyond her abilities.
"Split up, women, children, and… Who of you are his children?"
Fifty made a group to the side. Juliet's knees gave out, and she dropped, taking ragged, audible breaths.
Seeing his progeny, Michael took an involuntary step forward, "Who of you are ittoqures?" All of them raised their hands. "Where are your children?" An endless row of more people of various ages stepped out of the trenches. No wonder Dua didn't want me to kill them. "Did you all lose your manifestation?" The leader nodded her head. "Why did none of you travel out? Ended up anywhere else?"
"We cut the babies, but some already have… Most of us stayed to populate."
Michael's gaze drifted to Romero; the two stared at one another. Thoughts fluctuated between them. We would never know. Where were they? How many were out there in the cosmos? How many would spawn? How fast would their numbers grow? How many wolves were already on Palmyra or other places? The teleportation was there with the chadari.
Juliet sat on her knees in the sand; her hand finally lowered, and the sword dropped from her grip. "How many of you have a branding mark?"
"No one… It never worked for anyone."
Romero sighed and said, "They had to be there to do it, Juliet." "How many over there have done it?"
"No one. It never worked."
Juliet looked at Romero and then at me. I didn't know if they were lying; I didn't understand the language. No one showed me one picture of it… Juliet's arm trembled as she rubbed her hand over her eyes, smearing the blood across her face. "Marcus!" The plea for help was quiet and desperate.
He looked at Michael for the only information that could make this even worse.
Without hesitation, he said, "I say kill them all... They're not my children."
Juliet looked at me for confirmation. What was the truth of his feelings? I nodded because he meant it. He hated them for everything. He didn't want his blood to create a future of unending cruelty… A dry, tearless sob tore from her, but softened as she dropped her chin to her chest. We all felt the relief of his choice.
Marcus took this information and closed his eyes. I couldn't keep up with him when he went through this process; his mind became a mess of organized thoughts and threads, digging into every piece of data he had until every detail evened out to a formulated plan of maps, trajectories, timelines, and numbers. He brought everything together with a foolproof plan of how to make it—all go away.
Marcus lowered his chin and opened his eyes; he then walked to Juliet and, with two hands in her armpits, lifted her to her feet. "Chris, get her cleaned up; we're on our way."
***
Sporadically, we arrived in the dining room. Everyone else was waiting for us. Sammy was pacing up and down; she came running toward me, "She's in her room."
"Don't go now!" Marcus ordered. "Everyone, leave her alone!" Marcus addressed the room. "Michael, if you will please fetch Jessy to prepare to connect the massive teleporter with Palmyra and tell him not to say anything to anyone… Cindy! No more visits with Mael… Once they return, the three of us will meet with Aeson."
Servants came into the room with maps and, one by one, laid them on the table to create an almost world view of Mirach's entirety. I stepped closer to see what Marcus and Juliet had tried to accomplish… It was only a miracle she found Michael. Basaam stood shoulder to shoulder with me, placing down little figures to show where the wolves were.
"Romero… in the meantime, let's go over the wolves' numbers, where they are… and how many of them need to die… Carl, you and Charlene have only one job right now, and it's to find the other ittoqures." The two headed for a little couch area, sitting down crossed-legged, and closed their eyes. Both in vamp manifestation, they focused their thoughts on finding any rivals out in the universe.
Marcus turned to Naji, "We will need you."
"Anything."
I sighed as Romero and Marcus joined us at the maps because I knew this would consume us. Every other person who wanted to make sure they knew the plans circled the table. Basaam kept moving pieces around, looking down at a page, and adjusting his decision. Romero didn't even need to look at the book and picked up several pieces to place the number of wolves and where they were.
Lastly, Marcus took a little metal dagger and laid it on a spot in the middle of nowhere. The figures were so small in comparison to the size of the land, the cities, and areas, depicting a change in nature between an endless sea of desert. "What's there?" I asked.
"It's our first attack… That branch has to die off. All of them. It will make it easier for Carl and Charlene… You all agree?"
A silent pact formed around the table.
Michael appeared in the hall, and soft chuckles resonated. Jessy was seated on a crate, which Michael held with two hands. The only reason we could find any amusement at this moment was that, since his first child appeared, most of us knew. Had processed the little information Michael had been able to give before he got too overwhelmed and before he told Juliet.
"I'll go get Chris," I said and walked toward the hallway. Voices droned behind me. Romero and Marcus spoke about lying to the wolves, and instead of sending them home, they would go to the colony planet (Deimos), where I had sent the vamps. Or killing them all to prevent another ittoqure war in a few hundred years. Only one male could impregnate a lot of women if he was willing… And in their wolf form, the queens would soon have an army… They would be unstoppable. Hundreds of thousands of ittoqure could—in a second—travel anywhere they wanted and cause as much destruction as they wanted. If their training was good, the formational strategies could be lethal for the dheka.
Even with all our changed plans and the suddenness of Michael telling Juliet, my thoughts were elsewhere. I made my way to Jacklin's room rather than going to see if my wife was okay…
My heart beat a little faster with every step. I rubbed my fingers nervously together… By the time the door to her room came into view, I couldn't breathe, hearing no thoughts from anyone. Not even one image nor dream of her mother and father's face from Natalia. My demon emerged by itself, unwilling to let me handle what came next with rational thoughts. What would I do? How angry would I be? Could I blame Juliet if she took this moment to curb her jealousy... I wanted her to be the old Juliet… And this would be the result…
Before I would round the corner, I smelled blood; lots of it. Livid, tears welled up, emotions took over my body, my demon angry on my behalf. It hurled me past my fear and took the two steps to look into the room. Jacklin lay in a pool of her own making. The others were peaceful, quietly dead with no visible distress to their bodies. A dheka had killed them… Spared to see their mother and siblings die. Who would've? Nami? Juliet's daughter; allegiance firmly displayed for others who didn't submit.
Natalia was cradled in Lillian's arms, holding the tiny body. I crossed the floor to lifeless daughters and not there anymore… It was my fault… I pushed her over the edge… "What have I done?" I dropped to my knees and pulled the two into my arms. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."
For a long time, I sat with them, touching them one last time. Wrapping the baby up and holding her… My heart broke a little more every second. Leo cruelly stared at me—as if he would move at any moment; I reached out to touch his chest and say goodbye. A striking figure walked into the room, catching my attention. Floating through the door, she said, "You talk about honor, still you have none."
"So it was you?" I stood and gently placed the baby in the crib. "You have less than me!" I yelled, my insides raging. I sped across the floor.
Roa evaded me and filled the room, swiping my feet from under me, and had me on my back. With only one large black finger, she pressed into my chest, holding me in place so I couldn't move. A beautiful jade green filled her already deep blue eyes. Slowly and with masterly control, she let the veins incrementally flow toward the tip of her finger. As the ability covered my chest and dug into my flesh, my body jerked, overwhelmed, it writhed; grunting and groaning, I tried to get loose. "You forget who your mate is… We watch you… Jacklin was never meant to be here… You got distracted."
My chest compressed my breathing to an uncontrollable jealousy of what Jacklin had done. How much hurt she had caused. A clarity of what she had stolen from us… All that was left was a hatred for the people dead all around me. My feelings were forced to remember who I belonged to. It wasn't them. People come and go. Live and die. But what was most important was all that mattered. I nodded desperately for her to let me breathe…
Roa's eyes turned from green to a deep blood red. Knowing what was coming, I thrashed about to ward off the next feelings; nevertheless, I screamed as the anger hit me. My hands flailed aimlessly at the shadow above me.
"That is how she feels right now… Do you understand?" Emphatically, I tried to convince her. She didn't let up. Roa thought of the war with the ittoqures thousands of years ago. How many children and weaker members they killed only to watch the rest disappear… Her children were slaughtered with swords and spears. They laughed when they separated Iku and her; to live alone, unable to reunite. "I will not let them take over again… And we will make sure no one survives… It was her right for vengeance! You took that and forgave her!"
I nodded helplessly.
Roa tilted her head, the red subtly turned orange, and then a beautiful yellow… A bright burning sun sprang from her eyes and penetrated my soul. My body gave in to a heaviness of grief I'd never experienced before… A bottomless anguish and sorrow in every part of my being. Tears streamed from my eyes. My body sank against the floor in despair.
Roa lifted her finger, leaving me to stare up at her. She floated and came back from her manifestation next to me, looking down. "That is how you will feel when you lose her… Your bond is more than you realize." Roa walked toward the door. "You need Marcus, or the four of you will never make it."
Iku was waiting, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe, watching his wife and me. In his hand was a short blade stained with blood. It wasn't even Juliet… He met my eye, "I follow orders… Romero asked. I do what I am told… Here we listen and you obey… I like you, Louis, but it is time you grow up… With all the power you possess, you could have done something… Your past is ruling your life."
Shakely, I stood unable to get the sorrow to let me go. Sobbing, I didn't look back and struggled to navigate toward our room.
***
Inside, Chris was struggling with an invisible Juliet in his arms; his body moving strangely, holding onto nothing, "I'm sorry, Juliet. I'm sooo sorry," he kept whispering, "Please don't leave… I need you. I want you."
Juliet wanted nothing, no one; she wanted to die every second. Leave. Hide. Isolate and never see anyone again. Her mind was too adept at creating scenarios, and they pounded through her brain of how they forced him to sleep with other women. The worst for her was that she could do nothing about it. Didn't save him in time. Left him to get captured.
We were so strong together, but once we're split up, we mean nothing! I focused my new ability on her and brought her forcefully back from her invisibility. Juliet groaned, her knees buckled, and she ended up on the floor with her head stuck to it.
"Stop, Louis! Leave her…" Juliet whimpered. "Don't, Louis! She did nothing wrong."
"You want her to kill herself?" His head flung to me. "It's all she can think about… Get out, Chris… Go with Marcus and Michael and kill them all… Every last one… I have her… Take Roa and Iku… You'll need them with the chadari." Chris faltered between deciding what he had to do and what he wanted to do. When he headed for the door, he mumbled about me being too cruel. "Close the door!" I yelled. He slammed it.
I went on my knees beside her; my own pain still so draining in my core; I wiped my own tears away. "Will you behave?" She nodded, sniffling. Slowly, I let her go, apprehensive and aware of what she would do once she was free. She sat up, taking deep breaths, weeping aimlessly for a relief that would only come later.
"No, only some of us knew… The rest found out a few weeks ago. The man with Sammy was one of them."
Her tears subsided a little, thinking about her daughter who might be in danger. It lasted a second, and she was back to where she couldn't get out of.
"Because, Michael was hoping nothing came of it; he blindly believed all of them were in the city you turned… Trying to work through it himself… He's riddled with shame. Can you try to understand how he feels?"
She couldn't at that moment.
"They… they waited… until he was able to cum at the slightest contact… Yes, they tied him down so he couldn't jerk off, and yes, they straddled him."
"No, not once… He fought every time until he was too tired to move… The women manipulated the situation… trying to get him to change his way of thinking… Other times, they drugged him with what Brylee gave Chris… He wasn't himself or in control… Sometimes for months at a time."
"They stopped when he killed one after faking his submission…"
"Brutally beat her to death."
Juliet touched her belly and rubbed over the baby. "She's fine."
Juliet turned to me. I nodded and opened my arms. All she had to do was fall forward. "No, I don't think you're ugly or gross… I won't care if all wrinkly and blotchy or snaky… Or even if you're really bloody." Juliet sobbed anew and clutched desperately onto me.
I picked her up and carried her to the bath. We both went in and were soaked in the cool water, which turned a bright red. "Yes, you'll get to kill all the women… No, Roa will kill the kids." She looked over her shoulder, questioning why I'd bring her up. "No, I do not like Roa… Right now I'm a bit upset with her… Because she killed Lillian, Leo, and Natalia."
Juliet turned in the tub, searching my face. "No, it's not why I'm crying." I reached for her dress and gathered the material together to pull it over her head. I smiled at how the skin covered her breasts. "I'm okay… It had to be done… Yes, I'm sure… Jacklin didn't belong—like Sita… It was wrong to bring them… Cruel… Maybe we could've taken them to Deimos, but poor Lillian… No, there was no other way… I'll mourn like everyone else… If Michael can kill all his kids, I don't know… I'll have to change my way of thinking… You guys went through things while I sat and stared out at the sea… And in the end, Jacklin didn't care about me… If anyone died as a result of her fault, what then? I should've killed her a hundred—"
"No, I don't know why I didn't… Maybe because I was using them too. I didn't want to be alone again… I thought about safety in numbers and the futility of them dying after the fact… Just to get it out of my system."
Juliet finally calmed down and lay her head on my chest.
I took a deep breath and sighed, "Did you know they can do yellow? The dheka? Yes, Roa let me experience grief, and I have to tell you I never want to know what it will feel like to lose you… And when she did, I got to feel real loss… If Naji and Sammy died, Juliet, we wouldn't have made it. And it would've been Jacklin's fault… Marcus would've taken out all his anger on her…"
Servants came in and we transferred to another bath with clean water. "Now we both have to get the cure… Once you and Chris change, your demon won't be needed anymore… Yes, we can do the skin first… if it doesn't work, but Juliet, I'm sure it will. Carl changed. No, celibacy has nothing to do with it. That's a dheka thing."
"Yes, he's very cool…"
Juliet turned toward me and quickly kissed me and lingered, moving against me, touching me. The new skin on my chest was extremely sensitive, evoking the wrong feelings in this moment. She was desperate to feel anything else and lifted my shirt, continuing to slowly slide her touch over me. Her fingertips stopped at my nipples, hidden away yet still very pointed. Every sensation hit the right nerve of tension in my starved cock. I groaned, let go of my reluctance, and kissed her back, pulling her into my arms, fusing our bodies. Behind her, a servant opened the door only a smidge and closed it again. The sound made Juliet break our kiss suddenly and lay her head on my shoulder. Her body went limp. "Finally." She passed out. My breath was hot in her neck as I held her for a moment, coming to terms with everything that had happened. I loved her so much. Roa had done me a favor and helped my heart beat again. "I will never leave you again."
I lifted her out of the tub and carried her to the bed. While she slept I softly dried her with a towel covered her with a sheet, and gave her the first drugs to cure her of this thing that possessed both of us. Then I dosed myself, determined to get rid of it… Be free to love her like I should.
***
Much later, Chris, Marcus, and Michael came into the room. They headed my way and each took a chair, looking over to the bed. "She passed out… Drugs kicked in eventually." We all sat quietly for a while, although Michael was a fidgety mess, rubbing his fingers over his lips.
"She's much stronger; did you see her out there?" Marcus was the first to speak.
"I gave her the first dose today—"
"Do you think that's wise? Now? Before we know if all the ittoqures are accounted for," Michael asked. His language kept detaching himself from them and the situation. I didn't want to read him the whole time. Felt wrong.
"Wolves lie," Chris added, "We can't trust a word they're saying… Charlene and Carl have been busy for hours and have found none. They also went to the dark city to check if any other dots are visible in the universe… If there are branded harems of ittoqures, they're here."
"So it might be contained to the group who lost their manifestations."
"Let's hope. Is everything ready on Palmyra?" I asked.
"Yes… Aeson said the chadari hasn't seen anyone in the last hundred years besides Miné."
"You'll have to spend some time with her, Louis. To figure out if Dua knew about this. I had a feeling they acquiesced way too quickly."
Michael and I shared a hidden moment. There was a lot everyone else didn't know. I asked if it was time to tell them. He changed the subject, "Romero is still adamant to leave in six days."
Marcus had noticed. Our old, ever-vigilant, stoic husband had returned. He sighed and asked, "Can we get it done?"
***
Two months later.
At first, we traveled South in the balls as far as we could and had to ride the rest of the way to bridge the gap of where there were no tunnels. Charlene and Juliet were on a giwa. The couple had taken her under their wing, as if they were seventeen again, and the world was ending. Carl was walking beside the pair, keeping them safe. Faithfully behind them rode Basaam and Caleb with their wives.
Juliet's legs were knee-high, cleared of skin. My entire lower body was clean, and every day, I calmed down more and more; very little set me off like it used to. However, Juliet had not spoken to anyone for two months, and that made me want to put my foot down again. On the other hand, it didn't bother me as much as it did the other three; to me, she spoke the whole time in her mind. An open book to see into her soul. When she felt like talking, she would just think, and I would answer. At the start of our journey, her mind was in turmoil, constantly buffeted by the pain and hatred. On a long loop all day long… Slowly but surely, she regained her mental strength and emotional balance. Today was a good day, and she sang softly to the baby. I smiled as the other two joined her with dheka lullabies.
The slow travel plans had given us all time to think, quiet our souls and prepare for the marital journey, after the short week of turmoil. Marcus and Romero were adamant, and all the wolves were dead. Every last one. It had taken them only four days to make it all go away. With the stone and the teleporter that could move Romero's army in seconds, it was over quickly.
Miné, Jack, Francis, and Ben were now the only wolves left and were dropped off somewhere on Palmyra to figure out what they wanted to do.
Our small group was intimate and ready to reach Nisiri. Juliet was eight months pregnant, and Charlene wasn't far behind her. The plan was to stay for two more months after both girls delivered. We would leave the babies with Juliet's women and the three human men in Saleh's city when we traveled to the dark city. He rode up next to me, falling in step with my own beast swaying underneath us. "Hello. Do you mind?"
"No, what's up?"
"I have made no progress."
I smiled. Saleh had; he just didn't know it. Sammy liked him. To her, he was a breath of fresh, handsome air who found joy wherever he was and lived for peace… Even at that moment, Sammy looked over her shoulder to check where Saleh was in the procession. He didn't notice the many womanly ques she had for him. Not used to stolen looks, flirting, and body language… So used to being respectful.
"Saleh, she mated with one of the vampire men when they were on the island."
"I know…" I looked at him to read him. It was unnecessary. "She's not dheka," he continued. "Chris told me the first day and laid it all on the table as he put it... He said I had to be sure before I approached her."
"Then you need to tell her because she thinks you'll run off the first chance you get."
"Run off? Why? Where?"
I laughed. Pretty good questions for a man courting your daughter.
"There was no one to teach her that constance comes from character… She doesn't know you—"
"I have been trying," he interrupted.
"Sammy is not the easiest woman… And even the most amenable of women need to be courted and won over continually—like when you're in a battle… There is no magic to tell her the two of you belong together. A harrowing walk to a room isn't enough… Sammy doesn't understand that your life together only starts after the joining ceremony. And then only will you guys get to know one another… In normal circumstances, the woman holds the key to a relationship… It's your job to nurture her intuition and safety."
"You are not helping!" I chuckled. "I still do not understand, and with Juliet not talking to anyone, I can not ask her to help me."
***
After another month, I waited on the platform in Nisiri for Juliet to arrive with her ball. It had been two hours, and she was only a little behind me, although she could've gone into labor at any moment. I paced back and forth, angry that she wouldn't let Michael take her from our last stop.
The familiar resonance pulsated and whistled the ball down the tunnel. I turned away at the sudden dust storm and braced against the wall. I closed my eyes tightly and waited for the net to capture her. The guards moved, and so did I. On my knees, I waited for them to open the canopy. Juliet lifted her arms, and I picked her up, placing her on her feet in front of me. For a second, the scene of me tying Jacklin's shoes played in my mind. Lillian's sweet laughter echoed in my memories.
Mentally, I chastised myself… They were not family after all; only people I spent a century with. In a year or two, I wouldn't remember them. I wrapped my arms around her middle and kissed her belly. Focusing on her. It wasn't easy to do the honorable thing, and of all the people I compared myself with, Vittore's actions were at the forefront of my mind. How he must have felt in that moment, giving it all up for her…
I stood and led her out of the tunnel, helping her waddle all the way to the stairs. Without her asking, I lifted her into my arms and carried her up. If my face was good for something, and it was the last time I would use it, this was a good send-off to the strength we were both saying goodbye to.
"Jeez, you're normal vampiric strength could carry my weight. Am I so fat? And heavy?"
I put her down and hugged her, "Baby, it's so good to hear your voice… I've missed you so much… And I'm sorry for your grief… It's been agonizing for me."
Juliet lifted her face and kissed me, immediately ardent and vigorously touching me. She grabbed my wrist and placed it on her boob. I caressed her roughly, igniting every need in her core. I kissed her back with fervor and suddenly stepped away. "Argh!" I complained and led her up the rest of the stairs. She chuckled all the way, complaining about my fortitude to only sleep with her when I was rid of this thing. By now, it seemed stupid even to me.
At the top, we entered the communal hall; Charlene and her men were waiting for us. Yazen, Imani, and all of Romero's siblings were with them, hoping to see Saleh soon. Romero would only later, when he could speak to his parents alone, tell them about Vittore and return Imani's things to her.
Juliet was thinking about giving the sword to Yazen. I stroked her back as she finally uttered a word in public. She didn't want to be disrespectful to the elders.
"She speaks!" Carl joked. Charlene cheered and clapped.
"Congratulations, Juliet, a new little one on the way."
"Thank you. Yes. It has been too long for me to remember the pains of childbirth." The couple welcomed me again, happy to see us all around.
Servants brought refreshments, and we made ourselves comfortable in a large waiting area. One by one, our group arrived; Michael would be the last when Silvanus got into a ball behind Agatha.
After he arrived, our family was complete. These people were all that mattered. Juliet headed Michael's way and led him out the door, ready to talk. They would need some time, and the rest of us got settled.
***
Two weeks later, Juliet still had not gone into labor. We were on shifts, sitting vigil over the two women sleeping together in one bed. Romero and I were on the couches in his living room, listening quietly, waiting for any painful cry or grunt from a first contraction.
Both our heads went to the door. Charlene had gotten up and was making her way to us. I gripped Romero's arm and squeezed. "My water broke," she said sleepily.
"Oh, no! You're not having your baby before I have mine!" Juliet said behind her.
Charlene chuckled, "I've not even had one pain… It's only the beginning."
"Okay, let's go to the tent." Juliet ambled out. Romero wanted to help. "I've got her." She put her arm around Charlene, and she did the same with Juliet, and the two struggled together the rest of the way. "This long walk will help both of us."
The sand was deep, making every step difficult. We faithfully followed, not far behind, reaching out every time they almost fell and giggled, making jokes. "Two beached whales," Charlene laughed.
"Who will roll us into the water?"
Carl appeared, "Hey, why didn't you tell me!"
"You don't even know whose baby this is."
"I don't know about the other guys, but I made sure it will be mine."
"Gross."
"It's going to get a little grosser in a minute."
Juliet fell to her knees, hands in the sand, after she didn't lift a foot high enough. She laughed out loud. Romero shook his head. Juliet groaned and clutched her stomach.
"What, did you hurt yourself?"
"Arrgghhh!" she cried out.
"Contraction," I said with a smile. "You guys will be delivering at the same time."
"Ow, ow, ow!" Charlene complained, arching her back and taking deep breaths. She waved a searching hand in the air for a solid body.
Carl was there ready. "Okay! Can we step in now? These independent attitudes of you guys have to stop in one century or another."
Juliet fell on her side, laughing. "Ahhh, oh no, again." Her knees moved in the sand to ease the pain. I stepped forward and lifted her up in the air. "I…" breathing, "should," breathing "walk."
"Assisted on a solid surface. My baby will not be born in the dirt."
Carl did the same, and we had them in the tent.
Servants came out of the darkness to join us. The midwife and doctor appeared from the tent, lifting the flap.
As we laid them down, both screamed in pain. Nami and Kaia burst inside, pushing the men out of the tent. "Leave!"
"Outside."
"I hate this."
"I'll call you soon."
The tent flap separated us from them just as Michael appeared with Marcus, rubbing sleepy eyes. "We heard them scream."
Michael pushed inside, and we shrugged, following him.
"It is not the way!" Kaia bellowed.
"Woman! You better get out of the way, or I will take you far, far into the desert."
Romero placed a hand on Kaia's shoulder. She immediately quieted down. He had decided to stay this time. Witness the miracle and forgo the customs. Although no one knew where to go or what to do with so many bodies in the room.
The midwife checked Charlene first. "Close! Very close." She washed her hands in a streaming flow of water from a pitcher and lifted the sheet over Juliet's legs. "Oh, my! They will come at the same time. Michael."
"I'm here, you take Charlene. Nami! If I need you." She hunkered down, ready to help.
"What's going on?" Basaam asked from outside.
"Almost. Only a few minutes." I took my place at her side. The two women held hands and squeezed with every contraction.
"Chris! Marcus!" Both came in with giant smiles. Chris went behind her, and Carl took his usual place for Charlene. Marcus sat beside me, and we rotated, letting her hurt our limbs every time. Kubra, unfortunately, had to take the brunt alone on Charlene's other side.
"Marcus! Kubra! Are you ready?" Michael asked.
The girls pushed one last time, and the babies slid into hands. Marcus waited, "Chris, what do the riphaths do in this case?"
"The babies don't leave arms for the first two years."
"What?!"
"Yes! Chest to chest, four adults to a child."
"Should we nick them anyway?"
"No! We need to know? Carl, take the baby and be ready!" He scrambled, and both ittoqure fathers waited with a bundle in their arms. The babies cried and protested at the sudden shift in environment.
"Ah! Vampire." Carl yelled. Kubra stood closer, hoping it was his.
"Ours too," Marcus smiled.
"F—! Werewolf!" Kubra lifted his hand and cut a tiny sliver on the baby's arm."
"Ours isn't changing!" Chris complained.
"Marcus!"
"Hey, if it's mine, you guys had ample time to—" He lifted his hand and cut. The baby was a tiny riphath."
"Now they'll be stuck like this!"
The crowd laughed. "A werewolf and riphath? We can't cut them indefinitely. How far is Jessy with those containment cribs?"
"Ours is a girl. What's yours?"
"A girl."
"Two girls!" Charlene and Juliet both burst into tears.
"Come on! We want to meet them!" Caleb complained.
Michael and Carl walked out, the proudest fathers anyone has ever seen.