Marcus
After Chris followed Juliet, Caleb came to stand in between Louis and me. "It's like they forgot about me." He whimpered.
"She didn't… Juliet went to see if her other babies were okay. Chris is chasing your mom…." Caleb and I waited for an explanation. "Your army was never on Earth. She increased it with all the men that wanted to join and leave the other clans on En-gannim." Ira and Silvanus were listening with interest. Jamal and Selena were still there, waiting for the king's orders. Kubra came out at the teleporter spot. He lifted his chin. I was glad that the awkwardness and formalities were over between us. We all went back into the house and sat down in the lounge. Silvanus didn't want to travel Ira back before we knew what was happening. Liam and Cindy had taken Sammy and Miné up the trail for hiking. Caleb was at the dining room table, worriedly looking towards the road. "She will be right back." I tried comforting him.
Kubra handed me the communicator. It was a play-by-play of what was happening. "It's infected werewolves coming out at the Shumaan."
Ira immediately got up again to start pacing.
There was nothing to do but wait. We couldn't go traveling around and miss Chris and Juliet.
Eventually, Liam, Cindy, and the kids came through the door. Sammy ran to Caleb. He picked her up. She was holding wildflowers in her hand. More messages came through. "It seems Juliet's army is already there, and the situation is under control," I said.
"Can I go join them?" Caleb asked from the side.
"We will have to wait some more. Try to be patient." Silvanus and I shared a look. We were the only generals in the room. So used to waiting for orders. Older than the rest, and the younger ones were constantly busy, fretting.
My phone rang. "Marcus… Riphaths are dropping down at the compound with kids."
Ira spun around. "That's enough, Silvanus! We can't sit around here while our people are fighting."
"You have a general for a reason…. Your son is there. What do you want to go and do? Seems like they have it all under control. You wanted Sung to take over. Why are you like this?"
He muttered, walking away and picked up his granddaughter.
"Sung says that they decided to evacuate everyone. But the army will stay… They expect a further attack at night from Brylee."
***
After some debate about who would go where, the seven of us traveled to Zoreah, walking out at Shumaan. Juliet was the first I saw. She was around a table, and the five generals of all the countries of Earth's armies were with her. The same men who knew me. I chuckled. She was manifested and clad in armor. She looked cute, like a little warrior. When she saw me, she waved me over. I was smiling. She pointed a finger at me. "You're late. Where the hell have you been? Drinking tea?" She glanced over my shoulder at Caleb, and they waved at each other.
"You do actually have a family back home… A daughter."
"She's with my father. No one better to protect her."
Everybody was introduced. Our gazes lifted when we saw the choppers overhead.
"Sung is waiting for you," Juliet told Silvanus. "They are fighting at the west gate. Seems like Brylee had secretly hidden wolves around Shumaan. They came out at sunset."
The four Riphaths traveled immediately.
"What's going on, Julie? It doesn't seem like you need me at all…."
"No! I do… I just needed you focused on getting us here. While you were doing most of the government work… I was busy. And now you will know what to do…"
Louis took his place next to her… I walked over to the table. The whole Zoreah was mapped and hovering in the air... Around us, soldiers were scrambling to set up tents. I didn't want to put on my work face.
America { We detect that the Origin city is where most of the werewolves are… There are vampires as well }
He paused, pressing some buttons. They understood our tech and were fluent… The display was animation after animation of aerial photos taken from above.
America { At least two million soldiers… And counting between the two species }
Juliet pushed up off the table. "Anything else? No sign of any vamps near Shumaan?" She asked.
"No, not yet. But there is something else. Creatures are protecting the city… We don't know what we are dealing with…."
"Surveillance?" She ordered.
The general held out his hand. A man walked in and waved a black tube into the air. Enormous beasts stood next to handlers.
"I need to get in there. Where is Michael?"
"No sign of him yet."
Her eyes went up to Louis. "You want to go with me." He seemed eager, his features lighting up.
Juliet was so quick in her decisions. Too fast. Her hands took off the Emblem, hanging it around my neck. "Julie! NO! Wait."
She bumped my nose. I grabbed her wrist. "Julie…"
She locked lips with me. "I'll be right back. He's in charge." She pointed at all the grown men watching our interchange. They saluted, and Juliet and Louis left the tent. I had not even realized the roof was overhead. Watchers were flying everywhere and not clad in white anymore, perfectly matching the red sand of Zoreah. Carl landed, and he came over. "It seems it will always be the two of us." He said.
Caleb ran out with her and Louis. "Wait!" He was trying to convince them to take him with them. "You said you would include me."
"You can't even control your manifestations."
He grabbed her hand, and they disappeared. Louis and I were equally surprised. I walked over. They came right back. Juliet was happy, and they hugged. He had her ability.
"You will have to learn to control that too. It's not something you'll master in a week."
"Please take me with you."
"Ira would kill me... Your father will kill me twice over." She paused for a second and smiled. The words sank in. Her eyes drifted from Louis to mine. "You guys are his father as much as Chris is…."
"Where is Chris?" I asked.
"I have no idea? He just… up and left."
"We are not supposed to split up." I chastised. "That should be one rule. You can't just run out and do what you want."
"But you two are so slow…."
Louis wasn't saying much. He was quietly smiling and standing around like he was happy and didn't really care what would happen. It seemed like they sorted out whatever was wrong between them. Louis's smile broadened, meeting my eye. He was reading everyone. Not at all taking a back burner. But just like me, Louis didn't want to cross that vampire line.
"I say we take him," Louis suggested.
Caleb was happy, and Louis pulled him in under his shoulder.
"Fine… I'll just stay here and be bored to death."
"You'll find something to do. It's your job to get me out of this mess."
She pointed another finger at me, and I had to laugh. "Report!" A very young vamp yelled next to my ear. Kubra hit him behind the head. He bowed and slowed his pace, moving and bowing. The three left, and I turned around. It seemed that I would have to get in there. The American general held out his hand. "The animation was of the west gate. Shumaan was vulnerable. There was no wall. No parameters, and they could easily infiltrate from every angle.
"Why did the vamps never use the flying tech on themselves?" The Chinese asked me.
"Have you ever been to En-gannim?" He shook his head. "You don't want to be flying around and it malfunctions. Our waters are deadly… And it is everywhere… But I'll take you on a tour once this mess is sorted out."
Russia { What's next? }
"If Brylee teleports those Two million soldiers here… where will they come out? We will be surrounded… We don't know how many more she has on other planets… Or who is helping her."
The generals glanced at each other.
Russia { We should be fortifying all sides… }
China { There are thousands at the west gate alone. It will scatter our defenses }
No one said anything after that, waiting for me to give the order. I glanced at Kubra. He closed his eyes slowly. Already with me in thought.
"No... Brylee wants the city… Anyone who lives there doesn't die…" The quiet in the tent went down a notch… "Shumaan is safe… I have a better idea… But we will need more manpower… See what you can do."
***
Louis
The three of us came out on a ridge overlooking a city built from red rocks. It was all on different levels. Each story was in the form of a circle, walking up the mountain like a staircase. The last one was almost at the top. Every platform was different and had its own infrastructure and buildings, boundary walls, and towers. All around the mountain base were houses as far as we could see. The paths in between lead out into the mountain.
The wall that surrounded the city was vast and spanned into the distance. So high that no one would be able to scale it. Every stone was chiseled to perfection and placed in just the right way. The rocks were smooth, and the carvings were down to the last detail.
The werewolves and beasts patrolling seemed like ants. I didn't understand the enormity of the origin city. Why Brylee wanted it, was as clear as day. She could manipulate the whole of Zoreah from there… Ahasuerus never bargained on being dead when the invasion started. It was all planned, and Ira knew.
Michael challenging Brylee a week ago must have been the trigger. Brylee… My mother probably hoped he would kill Juliet in his first fit. So, her plan was never to interfere. It didn't matter who branded Juliet in the last spot. Only that it wasn't another vampire. We still didn't know what would happen if Chris had done it.
She took my hand. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Very. All the worlds have their unique signature."
I pointed down. On our right, a river ran through the wall into the city. A half-circle gate was built to accommodate the water and the river bank. Guarded on both sides… It ran down low in a canyon. The walls were so high and carved out. No one would get out of the valley once they were in the water. And by the time you reached the city walls, the scouts would've seen you.
Our interlaced fingers had my attention. My mind was a little preoccupied since our talk. It was the first time we were on a mission together. I liked the feeling. I would read minds, and she would follow suspects without anyone knowing. "Hey, if all else fails. We could go work for the police as consultants." She smiled and liked the idea. "Cracking cases…"
"Don't crack me…." She joked. "Or… we could rob banks. They would never be able to catch us." She suggested.
Caleb laughed at us. Caleb there rounded off the contentment that had settled my heart. "I'm too rich and lazy for that."
"Now you know why I prefer Marcus." I laughed out loud. I turned to her and pushed some hair in behind her ear. "You ready?" I asked. My gaze traveled to Caleb. "How good a swimmer are you?"
"Strong. Don't worry about me." He jumped in.
"Ca..leb!" Juliet yelled.
I picked her up. "One… Don't let go… Two… Three!"
"Never." We both went into the water. Caleb had used his ability, and I hoped it lasted. The current wasn't strong, but it did move fast. The gravity on Zoreah that made the time slip possible drove the water downhill in a strong current. It wasn't long, or we were moving underground, entering the mountain like a slide. Hollowed out and traveling even faster. It finally dropped us into a big pool at the base, and our heads bobbed out of the water.
"What is that?" Caleb asked as we swam closer to him.
"It's a waterfall," I said.
"Where the hell can it go? We've dropped down so far already."
"This stretch of the river seems long. We have to get out."
Lights were shining along the wall. Hydraulic wheels stuck to the side as the water moved faster and faster through each one we passed.
"So they do have energy. You want to swim for the side?"
"How would we get down there?"
"We don't have a choice. We don't know where the water ends up after the waterfall."
We tried, but the pull of the turbines was intense. It was everyone for themselves. I neared the first one, my heart beating faster. Juliet was having a hard time dodging the blades, trying to get a hold of the frame or somewhere safe she could grab onto. I let go of mine and drifted towards her. She clutched onto me, and together, we found a good spot. Caleb was already out of the water on the ridge. Teleporting did help, even if it was only a meter… He was trying to get to us.
"You need some help?"
Michael startled us, and we had both jolted in each other's arms. Our heads jerked up. "Frak. Michael. What the hell!?" Juliet admonished.
He smiled. "I could see you two a mile away."
Juliet and I laughed... "I didn't think about that."
"Neither did I."
"The whole city knows you're here. Why did you bring Caleb?"
I passed Juliet up to him. Michael grabbed her with one hand. It was effortless, and her feet planted on the ground. I was relieved to see Michael, and she was as well. I held out my own, and he lifted me up.
"Brylee isn't here… She is also not in her garden at home. I tried to find her for some time, but she must be hidden somewhere."
"Who is in charge… What does she want?"
"I have been impersonating a werewolf. So I have seen Nicholas and a werewolf general held up in a room… With vampires..."
We were walking as he was talking. "Ahasuerus and Rodrigo had been building one of those massive machines here in the city. It's in the back, but it works. From here, they can travel five hundred thousand or so at a time… She wants the city. That's what I gathered. But she also needs the Riphaths destroyed."
"How did we miss this? Rodrigo and Ahasuerus had to have been really busy."
"I don't know. Not my area. Ask your boyfriend." Michael chirped at her.
Juliet tilted her head, frowning at his tone… "Oh… I haven't told you two yet… Chris said, NO, Soren."
Michael and I stopped dead in our tracks. She and Caleb kept walking and, after a moment, glanced back… "Come on, you guys. Now's not the time."
"What are we doing here anyway if you know what's going on. Why didn't you check in?"
"I did. But you're so impatient. You keep running off. Marcus told me to come and help you." Michael's voice was raised as he chastised her.
"Why are you guys fighting?" Caleb asked, concerned.
"Because Michael doesn't know how to communicate or work as a team. You guys would be best of friends. Oh, you were until Michael and I slept together." Juliet's tone went further into sarcasm.
Chris dropped down next to us. I swore loudly.
"What the hell? How does everyone know where we are?" She yelled.
We all laughed… Chris pulled Caleb into an embrace. "What are you doing here, boy?"
"Why does everyone think it's a bad idea that I'm here?" Caleb sulked.
"Okay, she has about a thousand harems settling in the city. Teleporting in all sorts of stuff … It won't be long until they send those two million to destroy Shumaan and everyone in it." Chris said.
The three of us were staring at him… "What?"
Juliet fell into his arms… "What's wrong? Are they bullying you again?" She nodded against his chest.
"So much for keeping them in line." She said to me and turned to Michael… "But you know what…. From now on… You work for it… I'm tired of you talking when you feel like it." She poked him with a finger against the chest.
Michaels's massive creature mouth fell open.
Chris picked her up and held her up high on his chest. She liked sitting like that. "You ready to have some fun?" Juliet was keen. "Marcus is busy setting explosives. Get us here." Chris tossed us a locator. "You wait here. I'm taking you home." Caleb was trying to argue, pleading with Juliet to help him.
"I'm sorry... I have to listen to Chris." They were gone… Caleb swore and sat down.
Michael and I stared at each other. He opened his arms, and I jumped in. "How do you do it?" He asked me.
"It doesn't really matter. She's right, and you know it." He growled.
Michael had a lot of creature feelings to catch up on. "Wait for your… other father," I ordered Caleb. "And hide. Don't go looking for trouble."
***
We dropped down into a cave with a very busy Marcus. Chris and Juliet were helping. Or rather trying, he was playing with her… Complimenting her armor and how badass she looked. He twirled her… pushing her forward so he could admire how good her ass looked in those pants… He was flirting with her. "Go get your son. Now's, not the time." Chris kissed her and disappeared.
I took out my packet of cigarettes, but they were all mush, and my lighter was toast. Michael held out his packet to me... "I could get used to this. Thanks. What are we using?" Marcus came over and held out a flame for me.
"Some explosive form En-gannim," Marcus said… With too much enthusiasm. "Okay, before I light it… Where are we meeting up?"
Chris was back.
"I can take you and Juliet," Michael said. "Chris can take Louis?"
"I think we should go meet these men in charge… Where are they? Maybe give them an ultimatum of getting the girls out first."
I suggested. Marcus seemed disappointed.
"If we do this, they will be stuck here…" Juliet agreed.
"Ira won't like that," Chris added. "We have to get them out of here, or he will kill all of them. If it's harem women… they are most likely pregnant. Chosen to live here for a long time."
We heard the familiar droning of a teleporter. With the small ones, it was faint. But on that magnitude, the mountain rumbled. They were bringing more people. "We needed to move." Michael picked up Juliet and Marcus.
***
There was a big commotion in the room when we all landed, but we were all carrying guns, and they didn't do much else except point their spears at us. We were so high up in the air, probably on the last circle up the mountain. The room almost felt like the platform on En-gannim: clean, open all around, and with lots of windows. Although that space was decorated, the high ceiling was held up by columns, and massive doors led out onto a balcony.
Nicholas came back from his manifested state. He was seated next to the werewolf general. Juliet didn't like it… She had trusted him. We all did. But in the end, we all had our moral code. I killed his last thread… He never once left us in doubt of where his loyalty lay. It was Juliet's warped sense of believing the best until they show you their worst.
"So what now?" Juliet whispered. We were all waiting… It was Marcus's area.
"I think we should bargain with something worthwhile… Michael, would you go pick up Brylee's husband…." Nicholas stood up. The general stood up. "And take one of those nets… We can hang him over the water on En-gannim. Let's see how they feel when we start playing games."
There was a communicator on the table. I was reading the room and stepped forward quickly to pick it up. A distress signal wasn't what we needed.
Michael wasn't moving. "Why are you not going?" Marcus asked.
"Oh, you were serious… Will you be able to handle them?"
Marcus snorted… "You're joking right… The three of us alone killed like five in water… How long will it take you anyway?"
"I have no idea..."
Juliet was still in Chris's arms.
{ I don't know if we are using tactics here or if you really want me to get this guy } Michael thought to me… Marcus was dead serious. I nodded. He tilted his head with pouted lips. But he left.
As soon as he did. The room was a war zone. Chris was so quick, and he didn't need a gun. The four of us worked well together, and no one touched her. It was over when only two men were staring at us. Nicholas chuckling.
***
Michael
They had a little bit more faith in me than I had in myself. What net was he talking about? I stopped at the front lines, searching for Jessy. They were in the midst of an attack. Ira, Silvanus, and Jessy were together giving orders. I slapped him on the shoulder. He was glad to see me. "I need a net? Does that mean anything to you?"
They laughed, and Jessy tossed me a gun-like contraption. "Aim and press the trigger. It will do the rest."
I glanced out over the sand in front of us. It was a sea of wolves waiting for more orders to come in. "What will you do when they send the vamps and the other wolves. This is a small diversion."
"Earth is sending backup."
***
First, I traveled to the compound, landing directly in front of Mateo. He was in his garden of the tiny house in Juliet's old street, sitting and drinking… I felt bad asking him for help. Regardless, I was hoping… Hate would be enough.
He glanced up at me. "What do you want?"
"I was tasked to capture your father."
He jumped up. "Take me with you. Please. I'll help you." He was stumbling. Not steady on his feet. Desperate. A risk… I picked him up and took him to Marcus's house, plopping him down on a chair in the kitchen.
I walked to a cabinet and took out a little black tube. He didn't even ask. After I stabbed him… he held his neck, rubbing the spot.
"I'm sorry about what happened." I tried to say.
He didn't reply. I gave it a few minutes. The whites of his eyes cleared up. The red of the alcohol disappeared. It was almost like adrenalin but much better and controlled. It shot him into a standing position. I picked him up again. We traveled to Palmyra. I made sure we landed somewhere in the garden. I didn't think she would be having tea at that moment. There was a guard who I had to kill. I was a little smaller in my werewolf form and would fit into his armor. Mateo had manifested and was walking with me… It wasn't far. The garden was private for the bedrooms of the Queen and her harem. Mateo led the way. My PTSD came back to haunt me at that moment. Scared he would stab me in the back. I was terrified they would surprise me before I could change and teleport out of there. My heart was pounding unnecessarily. Mateo's eyes flickered back at me just before he opened a door. It was a study. A massive room, bright in the daylight. Minimal furniture and werewolf sat in the middle of the floor, meditating.
"What are you doing here, Mateo?" He asked without opening his eyes. The young man walked in. He was only a few years older than Juliet… They were really too young to be dealing with all they had to. We all were in some way. "Who is with you?" He asked.
I wasn't going to ask. I pointed and shot. Not knowing what the hell would happen. It was so quick, and he was stuck… Nifty. I didn't hesitate. Picked him up. "Stay here. Tell your mother to check her coms."
I only relaxed when I dropped him in front of Juliet. My eyes couldn't meet hers. I changed back to human, not really wanting to do anything anymore. Everyone had their talk with Juliet except me. I didn't want to talk and was avoiding her. Anger made me stand to the back so Marcus could take over. He had sent me in there without a care in the world. Louis and Chris were watching me, penetrating eyes scrutinizing me… I felt like exploding at that moment… "You need to eat, Michael," Louis said. "You need blood." All I could think about was Juliet… "Get out of here… Go to Earth… You know what to do." Louis yelled.
I was immobilized for a second, wanting to turn into a vampire. I was probably the worst person we could've chosen for her. Unstable. Human. What did I know… Nothing.