Sita
Liv and I left the Embassy in haste, making our way back to America. She was taking me back to Nick. I protested. She insisted. And walking into the house felt like a giant setback. The country girl didn't make it on her own.
I wanted revenge on Juliet… Nick had a soft spot for that little vamp and Chris. We were a family, but there had never been an understanding between him and me—no connection. We were too different. He was so old, and because my mother had done something stupid, he had come with her when she was banished, not wanting to be separated from his daughters. Or stuck on Palmyra to die alone. Lucky for me, all he wanted was for me to go back as soon as possible and to be happy. Blood was thicker than water, after all.
Nevertheless, Liv was right; if I wanted to get back at Juliet, I had to do it right this time, and first, I needed to convince Nicholas to help me.
"Liv…? Sita? What's going on?" I stepped up towards my grandfather and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, Nick," Liv said as she shook hands with him, "Sita got into some trouble… I think it all worked out for the best."
"What happened?" he asked, concerned.
"Nick… Sita tells me you have been on the side of this little vampire girl… Juliet?"
"Of course… She saved one of our own. How could I turn against her? Here on Earth, we have to stand together… Has the truth come out about everything… Have you told Sita?" Nick changed the subject.
Liv's eyes cast down to the ground. Seemed like there were still things I didn't know. "It's beside the point. Sita wants to come home… Are you going to let her go?"
"Yes, of course. If she gets the invitation, who am I to stand in her way…."
"The thing is, she needs training, Nick."
"She is so young, Liv… When she gets there, she can train for years… What does it matter."
"The thing is… Sita wants something in return for joining the fold."
My grandfather cast a skeptical eye on me. I guiltily looked away... He had come to enjoy the way humans operated in their relationships and mutual respect under the species. The last two hundred years of mutual understanding were about to change, and there was nothing he could do about it. Nick sat down, tired of balancing on a stick, "Tell me."
"She wants Chris away from the girl. Get a bit of revenge. Like a proper werewolf should." Nicholas sighed, resigned to the fact that he was dealing with a society controlled by women. The power I actually had over him was a new sensation—I liked it…
He watched me for a long moment. His eyes showed defeat—I would never be like my mother, who went against the system—I would never oppose the hierarchy of the werewolf society. Shaking his head, he asked, "What do you want to do?"
"All I want is for Juliet to go back to the compound." Jack and Francis wanted to say something. Nicholas lifted a hand to silence them.
"How?"
"All I need is enough leverage for her to go back all by herself. I won't do anything to anyone."
"The thing is, Nick… Sita has never even shot a gun or had anyone hit her… She needs training because Juliet is getting hers from Marcus."
He scoffed and chuckled, "Oh, so you need the previous general of the army to train his own granddaughter into a mini-warrior. In how many months?"
"Well, yes… In three if possible."
"I'll do it if you take Francis and Jack with you… Sita?"
I expectantly stood up, surprised that my two cousins were his only requirement. My fate hung in Liv's next words. "The grandsons of the great Nicholas Moore. I don't think it would be a problem."
***
Qadir had a slowness about him. A leisurely attitude. He moved around as if nothing in this world was a threat to him—and rightly so. He was the heir to a whole planet, and nothing on Earth was going to stop him. Sitting across from him in his study was nerve-racking. He would have been handsome if he didn't hate women so much. Qadir was dressed in a black shirt rolled up to his elbows—open two buttons too low. No chest hair. Black jeans and shiny black boots with a small heel. It suited him so well. His light brown hair was long and styled back. He had a rectangular face with a high forehead and a squared-off jaw area. His eyes were droopy but so light blue with dark rings around the iris that they captivated rather than put you off. Two vertical lines between his brow gave away his age. It was the only thing. His mouth was large with thin lips. It was all so symmetrical and perfect; you had to wonder why he had to be so unavailable. Always a cigarette between two fingers and a thumb resting on the bud.
His eyes were fixed on me, "So all you want is for Juliet to come back here… Why?"
Our mutual dislike of Juliet had bought me some respect from the man and got me a meeting. Liv was right when she pointed out the wall surrounding Juliet. When I suggested to Qadir that he not force Marcus back but make him come willingly—and in a straightforward manner—he was intrigued.
"I… want revenge. Juliet doesn't want to be here. And it would be the easiest way of breaking up the life they have built there."
He regarded me for a long time. There was never a smile on his face. Instead, a downturned mouth or a formidable expression. "Why would Juliet do this for the little werewolf cub?"
"Because Juliet's one weakness is being altruistic when it comes to injustice. She would do anything for her family, or anyone, for that matter. Without a second thought. I can guarantee you Juliet would immediately make Marcus come back if she would be the cause of Miné's death or even worse… torture."
Qadir sat back on the oversized brown leather couch. Another man came into the room and waited to be told to sit. "Jabin, this is Sita. Sita… Jabin." I got up to shake his hand; like Qadir, he didn't deem it… necessary. I sat back down, not really perturbed about their lack of respect for me. "Did you hear what she said?" Jabin nodded. "Start making plans for when they are back at the compound." Jabin nodded again, only lowering his head slightly every time. "And? Did you bypass Kubra's feed yet? Are you seeing everything now?"
"Yes, but—"
"But what?"
"Marcus is either an outstanding actor, or he is still on the fence like Raas said."
"Then… Sita's idea has come at a good time. Now we only need an opportunity."
"Why I came," Jabin said. "It might help us... They are trying to find Rodrigo. Juliet had a setback. Louis is also getting worse. Marcus and Chris are coming here. It would probably happen over the full moon when you are not. When they know you are at the fights. The timeframe gives us a few days."
"Make sure they find him."
"Yes, Your Highness."
I had never heard the words outside of movies—so foreign—our mindsets needed to change in the governments of other worlds. Even Qadir's speech was slow with every answer, "What else?"
"Samuel was not on his estate for the months Juliet was sent away… She was there with someone else."
"Who?"
"We don't know. But there can only be one person Samuel would trust her with."
Qadir frowned. I didn't watch them the whole time and only listened intently in on their conversation. Being fully veiled had its advantages.
"You sure it wasn't Louis."
Jabin shook his head. "The recording in the house kept going and didn't stop even when Marcus and Chris went to meet Sita. Louis was at home the whole time."
"What happened to Juliet's watcher when they signed the contract."
Jabin played with the paper in his hand before he spoke, "He stayed under Samuel's discretion… He is Caleb's watcher for the time being."
"Hmm… What did Rodrigo say is happening to Juliet?"
"He says she will soon turn into one of those things in the glass boxes."
"Does he know why Louis is going through this?"
Jabin shook his head, "Rodrigo doesn't understand the branding process. Or he knows just as much as we do, and when they come, he'll do all his tests."
Slowly, Qadir stood up, pulling himself together. Jabin followed him to his feet. "Well, Sita. We will soon see if you know Juliet as well as you think you do. You will stay here for the time being." He then shooed Jabin out with the flick of his four fingers. I jumped up, taking it as my queue to leave.
They had given me a room in the main house. I couldn't get that veil off my face fast enough. Watching the world through a slit was just how I wanted Juliet to see it. The rigid ways the men were on the compound and how the women were treated were exactly what she needed to learn some manners.
***
Carl
"Hey, Charlene. Where is Miné's favorite elephant, toy thingy."
"I don't know why?" Charlene said as she came into the room.
"I want to wash it. It's getting a little... gross."
"Yeah, I saw… But you really don't need to... I'll put it in the washing machine."
"You can't put a hundred-pound teddy in the freaking washing machine."
"Why?"
I shook my head, "Hand wash only." Ben came into the room, holding out the elephant to me. I pursed my lips at her, "See, was that so difficult… He understands…"
I left the room very aware of Ben's hands on her shoulders and him standing behind her, telling her to let it go. We were all just trying to keep Miné safe and healthy. Charlene followed me into the kitchen and into the laundry room. "Carl, what's going on with you? You're more at our house than up at the main house." I wasn't really listening to her. I wasn't going to leave unless she told me to leave her and Ben alone. "Carl, I'm talking to you." I glanced up at her, hoping she would let it go. "You might as well move in here… If the other house is getting too crowded."
My hands stopped washing the little teddy bear in the cold water. I peeked back over my shoulder at the door, seeing Ben leaning against the frame… willing me to make a move. "No, I'm fine with the living situation at the house… There are just not enough hands here… I like helping." I kept washing.
***
Chris
It was two days before the full moon. Marcus and l would travel back to America all the way inland. Make sure Qadir was on his way to Europe so we could safely go and come back. Juliet's warmth in my arms calmed me down. Her mouth was nestled against my neck as she nuzzled me. I didn't want to let go of her and kissed her soft skin, holding her tight. We started saying goodbye a few days ago. It wasn't helping. The time we had alone was like a honeymoon, and to leave again so soon after left a gaping hole in my chest.
I had made sure Caleb had his own watcher; Warden assured me he had the right guy for the task. That would mean, in some way, they would be protected… Right?
"I love you!" she said.
"I love you too." I kissed her one last time on the mouth, lingering. Turned around and got in the car. Her eyes were fixed on us backing out. She ran around to Marcus's side and wanted him to roll the window down.
"I can't, Chris."
"Then you'll just have to go?"
Marcus didn't even glance at her. We left her standing there. A few seconds down the lane, Marcus got a text… He chucked the phone at me, "I can't."
I clicked her name and read the two words. I smiled, "It's not bad."
"What did she say?"
"She said… 'Come back.'" He answered with a heavy sigh and tapped at the steering wheel with his fist. "You don't have to worry… that girl will wait for you."
Two Days Later…
Driving onto the compound was difficult. It was almost like an Asian city all on its own. Very clean. The guarded entrance even looked out onto a massive fountain. The size of it all was overwhelming. Well-kept roads were even picturesque to a fault. Flowers on the road lights. Pretty houses. There were even road signs and information boards to tell everyone what area was designated for what. It was a well-oiled machine. Armed guards patrolling the streets. No one manifested. An American community living by their own rules. Even the American flag was flapping on at least ten poles surrounding the fountain, proclaiming the validity of it all.
"How many?"
"Two hundred thousand strong army hidden in that valley and the mountains," My head snapped to Marcus. "Young vampires not older than two hundred. Fifty thousand women are living with fifteen thousand men and counting. You have to be at least a hundred to get married as a man. So a lot has more than one wife."
"Woman's ages ranging from?"
Clearing his throat, he said, "Not younger than fourteen."
"How old was Juliet?"
"She had just turned fifteen."
A range of emotions played around in me. Made me want to get out and kill all of them. I needed to thank Marcus for getting her out of there. We drove into a neighborhood far out of the city center. It was a small community. The lawns and gardens were well-kept. Families outside. I saw only boys. Marcus drove even further until he was almost at the outskirts. There was a little house separated from the rest. Open fields surrounded it. He stopped the car and got out. I came around and saw him leaning on his arm against the door. My first thought was that he was taking a moment to be back, so I took a look around.
I heard soft sobs and turned to him. I put a hand on his shoulder. He pushed me off. I pulled him around, seeing tears falling down his cheeks. "I don't think I can do this… This was a mistake." I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. His shoulders shook as his face buried itself in the crook of my neck. He grabbed onto me. What the hell was going on? My arms circled his neck. I held him until he was okay. "I've been holding in so much for so long… It feels like I want to burst, Chris... This is the only place I'm free. But this is the only place she's not. There in France, I'm trapped."
"Then stay!" I tried to convince him.
He shook his head, pushing himself away from me, wiping under his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, and blowing his nose into the grass. "That's their house," he pointed.
I swung around to look at the deserted little stand. Weeds had taken over a garden and a trampoline. The windows were dusty. Some of the roof tiles were broken. The overgrown stone path up to the house was only small fragments. It was such a sad scene. They were almost secluded from the whole community. It was only one lonely road leading out into nothing. No guards patrolling.... Behind them was a mountain… Fifteen years, she was alone. Hidden. No friends. I wanted to go inside. See her room. The path she took to the gorge, where she tried to end her life and got shot. But I also didn't.
Marcus got back in the car. I joined him after a while. We had to drive all the way back to almost the other side of the whole place. The Ahmed estate was huge. A walled property all along a section of road. The guard station at the gate with three men opened without hesitation. "How do they know?"
"Kubra."
The place was a compound on its own. Gardens. Wall-offed sections split the estate into smaller parts. It echoed a Chinese royal family layout. Even the style was old Chinese… with slanted roofs and painted posts holding up ewes around the main building.
We parked in front of the main entrance and took the many stairs up into the house. If you could call the building a residence. On a mission, Marcus ignored everyone. So many servants greeted him. Young men came out of other rooms and also bowed. Brothers from another mother. Even younger boys peeked down from a staircase spiraling up at least three floors. "How many?"
"A lot."
A woman came out of the kitchen, fully veiled like all the women there. The color was the same. You didn't know who was who or how they told them apart. Marcus walked over to her. She greeted him by taking his hands. He held her eyes as they spoke… without saying anything. Juliet had told us Marcus's mother couldn't talk. I was even more disgusted with the place.
"This is Chris," Marcus paused, "I don't know your surname." A smile played on his mouth.
"Rheed," I chuckled, "At least I know who Marcus Ahmed is."
"No, don't!" he exclaimed.
All the women dropped to their knees and kowtowed in front of him. Even his mother. He quickly stepped closer and helped her up again. Our gazes met. My eyes were big and haunted. I tilted my head. I had always thought Juliet was a drama queen when she told us she could not handle all of it… The compound was not some Indian society where there was still respect for women.
Thinking back at Marcus bowing in front of Juliet to apologize… Blew my mind… Marcus didn't belong there. His mother took us into the kitchen and fed us.
The next thing on the agenda was his quarters… His part of the estate was almost a fourth of the whole mini-estate Qadir had built. We walked through two big red wooden doors. It was like stepping into another world. His tastes were not Qadir's. The doors opened onto a roofed walkway. Completely open on the left. A beautiful view out over gardens and ponds. A swimming pool. A big yard. On our right, though... So many doors. "So many rooms… For so many wives? How did you get from here to sharing Juliet with us all."
"How did you?" He slapped my shoulder, "The sun is setting soon. You ready."
"What's the plan?" We walked into a room that could only be the infamous study where he had tied her down. Kubra came out of the shadows. They shook hands. Marcus pulled him into a hug, whispering into his ear. Kubra's brow furrowed, "You know there is no watcher tech here or any surveillance."
Marcus nodded, "I wanted to make sure things have not changed since I've been gone. With your father being here and all."
"Here are the plans for the science building," Kubra laid them out on a desk in the middle of the room. He was reluctant to talk about his father.
"So you say you know everything going on… So tell us where he would be. Are there other plans we should know of that might reveal hidden areas?"
"No, it's not like I can go into Qadir's office and snoop around. So we're going to have to study these… go down there and see what doesn't belong," Kubra retorted. The guy's fuse was short and not at all like the last time we saw him in France.
"So you don't even know if Rodrigo is here?" I asked.
Kubra shook his head, "I have looked everywhere… Hoped when they saw Marcus, they would be more amenable to help."
Marcus and I studied the plans together, going through all the sheets, trying to figure out where he could be locked up. "Okay, so let's get down there. We need to find out as fast as possible if he's here."