Juliet
The following day, I woke up thinking about Marcus and everything he had said but couldn't tell me. My thoughts drifted to the night in the club when he bowed before me and apologized. I jumped up, agitated, running down the stairs. I wanted to see if he would be reading in his usual spot. He was there. I went over and sat across from him on the oversized three-seater couch, picking up my book. After a moment, he lowered his book to peer over the rim at me. I pointed my finger at him and called him over.
Hesitantly, he got up, glancing at Carl and Charlene making breakfast. "I'm not going to violate you in public… just yet." Carl and Charlene smiled at me, and I blew them both a kiss. Charlene blew me several kisses back. I had to take Marcus's hand and pull him closer. He was moving way too slowly. I put him on the couch next to me and laid my head on his lap. I took his hand and placed it on my head, "I have wanted you to play with my hair while we read for the longest time."
Marcus was quiet… his hand still awkwardly hovering. I gave him a moment to decide. Slowly, he stroked, having no clue what to do. I could feel his eyes on me, so I looked up, "I'm a fool for you. I have feelings for you." His hand stopped moving. I smirked, having gotten the reaction I wanted. I had decided I would have to give him daily affirmation, even if it was only a few words. I went back to reading, and after a moment, he relaxed and took up his book again. His hand soon found rhythm… It felt so good my eyes closed from the sensations pulsing through me. I wanted to drop the book and enjoy the attention.
"Later, we can switch places. I will do the same," his hand stopped again. I snickered. Carl and Charlene giggled in the kitchen. My head tilted up so I could see his face… Marcus was blushing. You couldn't really see the red, but the tinge was there. I returned to my book, and we sat for a while, reading like the old times.
Chris had moved into Louis's and my bed. Sleeping on the floor wasn't an option. I told him to choose, and he did. When Louis came back… I didn't know what would happen.
Later, when Chris woke up, he came over and took in the scene, pausing to decide what to do. He quickly went around the couch and sat down, picking up my feet and placing them on his lap. He slid down so he could play games on his phone. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I was that happy. I sighed, relaxing. Charlene and I glanced at each other. My bottom lip happily between my teeth. They were all really taking this too well. Not in a million years did I think Chris or Marcus would be up for this. Charlene and Carl were adjusting. I had gotten everything I wanted.
We spent most mornings like that while waiting for Louis to wake up unless it was our turn in the kitchen. Benjamin and his three friends would leave over the weekend. The house was packed and lively, and I enjoyed having so many people there... Out of the blue, Marcus suggested we build Charlene a house further down the road. Still on Louis's land, but she would have her own space. Just the idea made me giddy. I clapped my hands excitedly, running over to him, hugging him, and thanking him. He flinched, watching me with interest. Marcus was slowly getting to know the new me. Childish or girly excitement was something he never got to witness.
"We would have to get it done before the winter. Her baby is due in September around the 24th," Marcus said.
Everyone was staring at him except Chris. He picked up the plans and made his way to the front door, "Come on… We have to go find a spot."
Charlene and I smiled at each other. She was as excited as I was. Locking arms like we had done a million times, we trailed behind the guys. They were talking, gesturing about logistics. The two girls laughed and made jokes about how outrageous our lives were. It had been a long time, but it felt like I was home. She felt it, too. We had discussed where both babies would have to go, and her own house was the perfect solution.
"You know what, Chars… Even if Ben flakes out, you will be set for life here… with me," She smiled, "Is that even something you would want?" I asked nervously, eyes cast down to the ground. Hoping.
"You kidding… I had no plans. We can do online schooling if we really want to study. If not, we could just… live… you know. Travel with the kids. Be happy for my limited time with you guys." I didn't want to think about saying goodbye to her and Carl. Living for eight hundred more years. "There isn't some pill you can give me to make me a vampire." I stepped around her, gripping her upper arms. I wanted to say something. She shook her head. The guys joined us, and Benjamin took her hand, leading her away to the site they had chosen.
Monday, Benjamin and the guys left again. Charlene and Ben seemed to be getting to know each other a little more, but she hadn't seemed convinced about him, or like she was in love. Chris, Carl, and Charlene had left Marcus and me alone at home. They had driven to Lyon with the guys to the train station. They would be gone the whole day. My mom was coming, and my dad was going to see why Louis wasn't awake yet. I didn't want to miss any news about him. That was the excuse I gave.
We waved them all off at the front door. As soon as the car was out of sight, I turned to Marcus, falling on his chest. My arms limp beside my body, my knees buckling. "What's wrong?" he grabbed at me and held me up. I couldn't hold back the tears. "Julie?" he tried to push my head back to get a better look at my face.
***
Marcus
Juliet wasn't there anymore. What was going on? She was holding back, waiting to get everyone out of the house because she knew something was wrong. I tried to get her attention—nothing worked. Her eyes were glossed over… almost white. She wasn't fighting me or being physical. I had lost her for a moment, a ragdoll in my arms. Her eyes returned to their normal color. I tried to comfort her. She pushed me off, running for the loo and throwing up in her shirt. I stayed with her and saw only blood come out. I had forgotten she was infected at all. "What the hell is that! What is going on! What do I do?"
She shook her head, falling down on her butt beside the loo covered in blood, "Shower, put me in there—open the water freezing cold." I did what she asked and got in with her in my arms. I put her on the wooden bench, letting the water run over her. She was sobbing.
"It's that serum you were injected with?"
She bobbed her head, rubbing her face with her hands, "I've had spells, but not like this. It hurt," her hand gripped my arm, eyes intently on mine.
"You want to throw up again?" She shook her head and pulled her hair away from her shoulder. I stepped closer, seeing a lesion on her neck. It was small, but it was there. Fear assaulted me for the second time; I was so consumed with her sending me away, I forgot I might still lose her. The water was deafening as it ran over both of us. Juliet leaned onto my stomach, gripping my shirt as she did with Chris in the club. The lesion was strange. It wasn't eating the skin, but it was there.
"Take me out." The words brought me back to the present. I picked her up and carried her to my bed. "I need to eat… We have been leaving it because of Charlene…But I need to eat."
"I can't leave you here alone!" I said while I pulled off the wet shirt I had on. I went to the bathroom, grabbing as many towels as I could.
"You will have to," she groaned. I stripped the rest of my clothes to get dry. Pulling on a new pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
Juliet was on her side, watching me. Her eyes darted to the door, "We have an audience."
I spun, "Who the hell are you?"
A man dressed in only white clothes stood at the door with placating hands in the air, "Jack. Louis's watcher. He's awake. Liam is also waiting." Confused, I waited, "The meeting and all. Raas wants both of you." The mention of the name sent an irritation through me… Raas was not friendly.
Juliet pulled on my sleeve, "I don't want to go like this!"
"You can hardly stand. We can't go!"
"I mean, you guys will have to get me dressed." There was no way in hell I was letting another stranger help me get my wife dressed. Turning around, I ushered him out of the room, "Give us ten minutes." Jack left for the lounge. After being there for a week, Chris and I learned about the Watchers. Carl had told us everything. David pitched in where he could. I knew less than a seventeen-year-old boy. My father had left out a whole lot; brandings, teleportation, watchers… Did I have one?
I walked to her and Louis's dressing room, "Why did this happen now?" She had rows of clothes. I had no idea what to put on her. I took the first thing I saw. Black jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black jacket… it was all hung up together. At the bottom of the cupboard, there were a pair of black boots and socks inside them. "Okay, convenient!?"
I went back to my room and put the stuff down next to her. "Underwear…" Jack's voice came from the hall. Juliet had a hard time breathing and groaned from pain before she doubled over.
I had to listen to him. "Right!" I turned again, going out of the room. I had to rummage through her drawers. There were rows of panties and bras. What the heck was I supposed to choose. I went for black, but the first one I picked up was a G-string that didn't cover anything. I paused, looking at the thing. Lacy with little bows. "Argh."
Jack pushed past me, "Really, now is not the time."
He grabbed two items and held them up. "Sports bra and briefs for day wear with jeans, especially if she isn't coming home for days," I growled and grabbed them.
"Thanks, now get lost."
He huffed and turned away, "Call me if you need help. I'll be in the lounge."
I finally got to Juliet, helping her sit up. I lifted her shirt over her head and removed her pants, drying her with the towel while she tried to stay upright. I had to put on her bra and shirt. I took the panties and pulled them over her feet and up to her thighs, then put her arms around my neck, making her hold on. I stood so I could pull them up all the way. When that was done, she fell down on the bed, smiling.
"You're enjoying this?!" I asked incredulously.
"You have no idea… I saw you naked," I shook my head, "If I wasn't feeling this horrible, you would have a horny teenager on your hands to deal with, not all this crap."
"It's not like we can say 'for better or worse,' right? For us, it's life or death!" Her shoulders shook as tears trickled over her temples. I was pulling up her jeans over her feet. She lifted her butt so I could finish everything. After, I pulled her up and into my arms, sitting next to her.
"I'm sorry, Marcus… Nothing is what you wanted for your life. I have ruined everything. If I die from this or if you have to kill me?" I held her even closer.
"This is where I want to be," ragged sobs escaped her lips. She gripped my shirt, her fist clenching the material, burying her face in my chest.
A voice from the door chastised, "You're obviously not helping." I looked up at the guy. "We got to go," he walked past me and stabbed her in the neck with what looked like a vile. Startled, her hand shot up. I glared at him. "Give her a second."
Juliet opened her eyes—wide and sparkly blue. She was breathing normally and nodded, "I feel better. Wow, what is that? More!"
I looked at him in question, "Pain meds… It won't last long. We need to go!" Jack said again. Everyone was always in a rush.
***
Louis's Two Weeks.
The first thing I wanted to do when I woke up was check my phone. My heart was still on fire. It left a constant pain in my chest. An uncomfortable pressure, winding tighter and tighter. I went in and out of consciousness like that for the first week. I couldn't speak or ask anyone what had happened, but be patient with the process. I let images of Juliet and me fill my mind. Sooth me so I could get through it, reminding me why I had done it.
A few days later, I could keep my eyes open for over a minute and turned around in my bed and onto my side. Picking up my phone that morning was nerve-racking. I wondered if she would have left me any messages. If she didn't… it would be worse than pushing that hot iron onto her skin—searing her flesh. She was never good with messaging me. She did send Chris that one long voice note… Lifting my phone, I held my breath. The notifications screen lit up like a Christmas tree. A hundred messages from Juliet made me fall back onto the bed, holding the phone tightly to my chest. A tear escaped and slowly rolled down my temple. For a long moment… I tried to process the attachment that had formed between us. I tried to work through the years of hurt Juliet must have felt… Marcus did all that to her… and then she was separated from him for so long. Not knowing where he was, subconsciously aware of a person out there you loved.
I had an odd sense of Marcus... He had become a part of me, an awareness that he was—somewhere. I hoped he had listened to me and did not leave her again. I fell asleep with my phone in my hands, wondering what silly things she said in every message.
The first day I could sit up and focus, they brought me two tied-up humans to eat; even finishing off both did nothing for the energy depletion I felt. Nothing wanted to restore it. A few more days went on like that. I just sat in bed listening to Juliet's messages, sleeping the rest of the time… I was coming up on the two-week mark, getting excited about going home.
Juliet { Baby, I'm awake… You must see my butt. Your Lotus flowers are placed so well. They complement Marcus's eagle. All around its feet… I'm fine and almost able to get up }
Next message { Sigh, I'm thinking about you and miss you. }
Next message { I'm sorry about everything… Thinking about it now… I rather pushed you into it… But it's a bit too late now… Love you.}
I cried when I read the first few messages.
A few messages later:
Juliet { Louis, I will have to message you about everything, or else I'll go crazy. Marcus says you might not even wake up after two weeks. I don't know what I'll do. }
More messages later:
Juliet { Babe, you have to come home! Marcus and Chris are making me exercise, swim, and do self-defense training. }
That made me laugh and worry at the same time. Chris was there. It meant he got through the 26th, and he and Marcus could protect her. Before I passed out, it was all I could think about. Scared, Qadir would force them back to the compound.
I wanted to call her, but I also wanted to talk to her only when I could see her. We had been through so much that it was still not sinking in what this meant for my life. I remember being with Samuel and denying his niece. Denying women. Then I saw her, followed her, and fell in love with her. I remembered her falling in love with me. For a time, there was a fear of losing her. Then she did this thing for me. She had given herself to me in every possible way. She had begged me to cover her. I knew how Chris must have felt being pushed into the back seat of his car.
On my last day, I was getting dressed when Liam walked into the room. I was in a medical wing or something at the French embassy for vampires in Paris. When he saw me, he had a massive smile on his face. I couldn't help but shrug; I wasn't in the mood or had any strength to be my happy self. He drew me into an embrace and hugged me for a long time. "Louis, I can't tell you how relieved I am. How happy we are about what happened." I sat down on the bed behind me. He frowned, "You still tired?"
I nodded, "I can't seem to regain my strength."
"Well, it is the first time this has happened. Maybe it has something to do with Marcus, I don't know?"
"It doesn't signify. Is Juliet okay? And Cindy, is she here?"
"Cindy is already on her way to your house. She wanted to see Juliet. Louis… Juliet is pregnant."
I nodded again. I already knew. I had a visitor who told me but couldn't tell Liam. "I kinda figured… It could go both ways. I was prepared. Don't worry about it," I said, holding onto his arm while I tried to catch my breath. "I think I would be fine if I could get closer to her."
"You still have so many things to do here. You must attend that insane information meeting about how everything works from here on out. You know we did something that was banished…. And they don't know, you know."
"I don't care… What could they possibly tell us?" I didn't have the strength to deal with any drama. All I wanted to do was go home to my wife.
"I haven't talked to Marcus, so I don't know. Let's go."
Liam and I made our way through long, dark corridors. The whole place was underground in the heart of Paris. Entering an elevator took us up a tall building. We exited into an open space on the top floor, with one large table in the center surrounded by chairs. The room was surrounded by windows with a view of the entire city. I was still tired, staggering forward. A man came towards us, fully manifested and dressed in all black. A full-length coat with a high collar standing stiff around his neck. Somehow, he was different, with bleak, grey skin and snow-white hair styled straight, hanging long over his shoulders. He wasn't from Earth... His eyes were expressionless not only because they were all black, but there were no emotions on his features. We had different ethnicities in every species, so it would be logical if our home planet had some other types I had not seen yet. For some reason, his face was smooth and sophisticated like Chris's. He walked like he had a spoon up his ass. It made me nervous. He held his hands together in a triangle in front of his midsection, "I am Ambassador Raas for Earth," he looked at Liam, and they shook hands, "Hello, Liam. Haven't seen you in a while."
"Raas."
He stuck out his hand to me. His manner was cold. I held my stomach, leaning towards him, wincing in pain. "Nice to meet you, Louis." I nodded. Raas slid a stack of papers over towards me as I went to sit down. I didn't feel like reading all of it. Another man appeared in the corner of my eye— in the corner of the room. My gaze drifted over to him. I couldn't help but see him; he was dressed all in white: a white shirt, open at least two buttons too low, a white sports jacket, white pants, and a brown belt with brown shoes. His full beard wasn't trimmed. Body ripped with muscles. He didn't move or speak... just stood there like a soldier at ease would with his feet apart and his hands behind his back, waiting. Shocked, I took a good look. I had seen him before.
Raas spoke, "Jack, we need the girl. We need Marcus. Will you see to it?"
He bowed to Raas and didn't salute like a soldier. What was going on? He disappeared again out from the corner into thin air. My head jerked towards Liam, "How in the world? What is going on? Why is Juliet coming here?" I tried reading Raas. He wasn't thinking about anything unnecessary. Having her there wasn't standard procedure. I stiffened. Raas sat down, closing his eyes, his back so straight and tight. He had to be uncomfortable.
A half-hour later, Juliet and Marcus stood in front of us. My jaw dropped. I stood, holding out my arms, but Juliet was already in them, hugging me, burying her face in my chest, crying. I kissed the top of her head, putting my arms around her, "Hi, baby."
Her arms squeezed tighter. A small groan escaped from the pain. She pulled back, concern on her face.
"What's wrong?" "Why are you crying?" We had asked at the same time and smiled at each other.
"Well, Juliet. You are the one who caused all of this," Raas said from the side. The sarcasm was strange.
She stood away from me, "Sorry, did I hurt you? Are you still not okay?"
"That's not what I meant!" Raas addressed her again. "You made him brand you without knowing if there would be any consequences!"
Juliet spun around; he didn't even look up at her. He was being deliberately disrespectful and lying. They had no idea why I was still feeling sickly. Thank You, Raas... You are the idiot I hoped you would be.
"It's not like anybody told me... Anything! Ever! My whole life... I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me what I should've known without giving me the knowledge to know it."
His dark eyes jumped up at her. Marcus moved in closer to both of us. Reading his mind, I pulled Juliet in behind me. Raas smirked. Two more men appeared in the corner of the room one dressed in white, just like Jack, who was still standing at attention. My gaze flickered to the other, dressed in black and in the same style as Raas. There were three of us and three men. Three watchers... Liam didn't have a person because he was not a 'compliant,' not a child born on Earth.
Marcus stood staring at one of the men, dumbfounded, just like I had been. I saw this man in Juliet's mind sometimes. His face just flashed. He was also manifested. It was the guy who held her down. Was he a watcher? "Kubra?!" Juliet said loudly. Her eyes darted from him to the other guy. She froze as her gaze locked with the last unknown man. They stared at each other. Her mouth was open as if she wanted to say something, then her eyes narrowed, and she swallowed hard. Her thoughts were a mess. Michael, not a stranger like my watcher.
Raas clapped his hands together, getting everybody's attention, "Let's get the ball rolling." Raas's gaze locked with Juliet's, "If you think it was tough at the compound, I advise you not to take option A." He pulled out a chair and sat down. I kept trying to read him, read everyone... but they kept a tight lid on their thoughts. He slid a document over to her.
Juliet picked it up and read it... her eyes growing wider. "What the hell is this?" she sneered.
Raas looked at Marcus, "Are you going to tell her? Or do I have permission?"
Marcus's jaw flexed, fists clenched on the table. He felt he was always the one who needed to disappoint her, be the bearer of bad news. I felt sorry for him. They have had no time together, always separated. Taking his shoulder in my hand, I squeezed it, making him relax. It was my first act as a family ambassador. He sighed, and we all sat down. Marcus pulled his chair closer towards hers, taking her hands in his. "That bad, huh?" she asked nervously.
***
Marcus
Juliet running into Louis's arms... just after she was in mine and naked on my bed only a few minutes ago… was difficult. It was going to be a tough day. It was the first time I saw them together, and the look in her eye... I thought she was in love with Chris... She and Louis were something else entirely. Raas was already up in my face and ugly with her, prodding and jabbing at every turn. I was in over my head, "I was in a room like this after... I did that to you. They asked if I wanted you to be there. They said I could make you be there. But... I didn't think bringing you back anywhere near the compound was such a good idea."
"So, they gave me two options... I could take you and leave Earth and return to our home planet, or option two, I could stay... I chose the latter... But that meant I could never go back. It's a one-time deal." I knew I was lying, but I couldn't tell her. My eyes were imploring, pleading with Louis not to say.
Juliet squeezed my hand, "Did you want to go back?"
Raas wanted to interrupt me; I held up a hand and silenced him. I hated that vampire and all he represented for my future... He likes to forget his place. "Julie, the home planet is a hundred times worse regarding women."
Her brow furrowed to take in what I was saying, "How can any place be worse?" I darted a gaze at Liam, narrowing my eyes at him. They could have told her in the meantime.
"Our planet is ruled by kings... Royal families with hundreds of kids who have territory all over the planet. I don't know much. The first time I found out we were aliens… was that day," I chuckled nervously, "I will tell you in detail later, but... I will never go back. The werewolf planet is the total opposite, ruled by a queen. There, the men are nothing." I changed the subject, trying to stop the questions.
Raas spoke again, "Because you let two men cover you... The three of you have this one-time chance to go back."
Liam, Louis, and I said simultaneously, "No!"
"No! Wait!" Juliet said... "That is not our final decision... If you are pushing them... to not take me back, I want to know why?" she was glaring at Raas.
He met her challenge, "There are consequences to this course... So I will leave you. Let you read all of this. You have a few days... It is the first time this has happened…." He looked between the three of us. "How it all got out… Needs to be investigated. So, I have to go back and report to the king." Everybody's heads shot up, I guessed, for different reasons. That unreal sentence was a kick to the gut. We were under the rule of a man who had our lives in his hands. I knew because I heard all of it... Years ago when Qadir told me some of it. This king could tell us what's going to happen. Looking at the papers, I hoped we had some options... I wished I had some possibilities because of Louis.
"Why do I feel like this...?" Louis asked Raas.
"Tsk tsk... Didn't think it through. Just listened to a woman," Louis groaned. He was as fed up with the man as I was. "First husband for life and death. The second husband shares all pain and ailments. Good luck with the birth."
"I thought you said this was the first time," Juliet smart-mouthed him.
He narrowed his eyes at her, "It's a guess. We ran tests on Louis while he was sleeping. It's the formula the infected vampire injected you with. Louis feels what you feel... Let's hope you are as strong as she is... Or else you will soon become a... whatever it is she is turning into," he chuckled sardonically.
Stress was building in the room. My decisions in the future had two other people's lives in the balance. "Why haven't you found him?" Juliet admonished Raas.
He didn't like her tone and was getting fed up with her challenging him. Getting up, he hit the table, wanting to walk around towards her. One of the men in white stepped forward. Raas stopped and sighed heavily, fist clenched. He hit the table again and swore, but the silver vamp stood and slightly bowed his head. All eyes were on the source of Raas's deferment.
"Michael."
"Liam," all our heads turned to Liam.
"Dad, we will have a very long discussion when we get home. You tell me nothing."
"I would have... If I was allowed. I'm a convict, remember."
"You didn't even tell me about that... Louis had to fill me in."
Liam's eyes were cast down, "Juliet, this is Michael, your Watcher."
Juliet sighed and only glanced up at the three men and then back at Louis, "The guy in the corner is mine. I have seen him a few times throughout my life."
She looked at both of us, "You guys are two hundred years old. I thought they were all human? And Kubra isn't human at all... What's going on?"