Chris
Charlene had a strapping, healthy, cute human boy (Jaali) who manifested a few days later into a bloodthirsty vampire, honoring a proud father. Charlene, on the other hand, let a string of curse words flow. We didn't know how it would work, but it didn't matter what species you were; the father seemed to be the key. The other little shadow was a girl (Fia). A beautiful child with Romero's smooth skin and wavy, curly hair. Charlene and Juliet demanded they stay in the same house. The two didn't want the situation to end up like it was in France. The babies slept together and fed together. It was, all in all, the perfect time to get over everything that happened—well… in a way.
The boys lived in Kubra's house, and the women in Romero's. All the kids were the same age and were growing up together. Caleb enjoyed shadowing me and helping out wherever he could. We were allowed to have dinner at home for about two months with no production, just the family together. Although it was a bit crowded, it was worth it. Ira and Sylvanus made regular trips, and he made an effort with Sammy. She still asked for Warden, and I was worried about the four of them stuck on Earth. They were a part of us; just like Selena and Jamal, they would never fit into what Earth or any of the other planets had become. It was strange not to have Selena and Jamal there all the time. My mistake caused a rift in the relationship between Selena and Juliet. It had been a long time since I had spent any time with them.
Although we lived on En-gannim, we were also on Mirach as much as we could be. None of us wanted the kids on En-gannim. Liam, Cindy, and her parents had gone back to their Islands. We had heard nothing from Carl or Louis. Marcus… had come back… not the same. He and Agatha had left to live in Juliet's house, which he had built for her. Agatha would come to get Naji and bring him back after a few days. We had fought hard to become a family and were further from it than ever. I never saw Michael. We were never still enough to sit down together. Juliet was back behind her desk, and Michael and I were faithfully there in our own capacity. Juliet wanted to start at the top and work her way down, focusing on En-gannim and not Earth. Michael and I had our own duties, and it was strange that we were happy but also broken.
I had my own issues with what Soren had done and shown me. What I knew Juliet had to go through. Two mornings a month, I would go to Zoreah, and by the afternoon, I would be back. I did it to bond with Ira and talk to him about the future. The way of life did slow down those few days I could get away.
Romero and their doctor were never used again. I had no desire to lose control. I still didn't know what happened on Mirach between Juliet and Michael. Juliet and I weren't really talking, and I figured Michael was still picking up the slack or, rather, hoping he was because I had no idea what to say to her.
En-gannim finally had its long-awaited relief from overpopulation in the major cities. We were in the process of filling the other Islands with capable families who could take over all the different industries. Samuel was in charge of the court and had appointed other officials in various parts of En-gannim to spread out the work. We all felt we were finally making progress, and Samuel was happy in his old age to be able to mold En-gannim to the ideals he had held for so long.
The harem systems were banned, and the women didn't have to go into camps for a hundred years anymore. Juliet had decided not to introduce the women to more liberal ideas but to keep the traditions as they were. The conditioning was still in effect but not as harsh.
Nevin had a long discussion with us, and he decided to take his tribe to the Red Planet so we didn't pollute En-gannim any further. Juliet thought it was punishment enough for helping Lyla. He had also helped Louis and Samuel in the weeks they took over En-gannim, fighting right alongside them. Nevin was part of the court and the coup two hundred years ago, and the two older men had a lot of strategic plans we never even considered.
Ian was in a constant state of war. More of Fahan's men were sent, led by Jade. The Earth was still holding its ground. Juliet had refused to help them. She blamed it on Lyla, but I guessed fighting Soren in another war wasn't something she seemed up to.
Our army was our number one priority, although the parameters had changed. It wasn't forced, and strangely, the men wanted to join independently with the option of marriage. Enrolling generated more households with an income and an easy daily commute to the barracks, making it a worthy occupation. The vamps had embraced the one-wife policy versus the few who had multiple. The camps would empty quickly, and pregnancies were only a matter of time.
The prisons were turned into housing and schools for those who had no way of generating an income and were taught skills, education, and fighting. These vamps were also keen on fulfilling the occupation of farming. With Rana and all of Ian's discarded vamps on the colony planet, I was left to find yet another planet fertile enough to farm on—a priority at the top of Juliet's to-do list. In the end we didn't know what would happen with Palmyra —so we were covering all our bases. I enjoyed having the occupation, and even if we were not talking or connecting, we regularly went out to look at other unoccupied planets and meet with those we knew were inhabited. I enjoyed working with Juliet. I couldn't understand why the guys had been so against the idea. Juliet had been nothing but easygoing and welcomed any help she could get.
It would take a long time for everything to even out. We had all decided to keep the species separated. Ira went on a very long rant, and watching it was fun. We all got very drunk that night, even Ira.
Juliet had asked Michael to stop looking for Louis and said he would come back when he was ready. She was never really the same after the whole ordeal. Marcus had left before they even saw each other, and we all wanted to take a limb on Soren's person and teleport in the opposite direction. Michael, Silvanus, and I trained together every day to get Michael fit, and at the same level, we all were on. Dismembering a beast in this way had become my favorite way to kill.
One morning, I was arriving on En-gannim and checking up on the barracks. Selena had her own platoon to lead after Juliet's women returned after their five-year stay on Zoreah. They each had as many children as they wanted and had given Ira hundreds of babies.
Selena and I had not spoken since I… almost kissed her, and I guessed as she walked over that it was time. Her demeanor towards me had changed. I could see it in the way she moved. It would've been much better if Soren was a Riphath. "Hi, Chris. Checking up on me?"
"No. Just in general."
"Everything is looking good over here. Jessy and Kubra run a tight ship."
"I know. Just doing the rounds."
"Is it okay if we sit down for a second?" Selena asked.
"Sure."
"I wanted to apologize. Or clear the air. I don't know. Relationships are hard."
"Yes, that's very true. But no, I made a mistake. Not you. And not Juliet. She was right to push it. We were always in the back of my mind. I don't think you will ever understand. I… don't love easily. Heaven knows it's not even in our nature. And we had so many years together. Good years… but I let go of the idea of you and me. It will not happen again. I think we both needed it. It would never work between us. It was one of those relationships you have to walk away from."
Selena was awfully quiet, so I waited to hear what she would say. "I don't agree with you." I turned to her, floored. I had thought her manners had changed for the better. She smiled quickly. "I… have never been so disappointed in myself. Had regret before, and to have it be about you… Chris, it's too much. I sometimes wish you would have gone back in time for me. To Zoreah. Accepted who you were and what we had. Slept with me and told Juliet she shouldn't come for you. And what I regret is that I think we could've been happy there… Juliet has a strange way about you. With you, she wouldn't have killed me. You guys would've gone on with your lives. How it should be… The species shouldn't mix and you don't make sense here. They're all vampires, and you're happy being the outsider. Constantly fighting who you should be."
It hurt to hear all the things I had thought at that moment. Louis and Marcus weren't even there anymore, and it all felt off. It felt like we had everything we wanted and more… but somehow, it would never be the same if one of us left. Selena didn't understand what we had been through. "S—!" I said, frustrated.
"What?"
"I got to go. Selena, I'm sorry you're going through what I had to grieve for years on Zoreah. Because how you feel is how I felt every time you went off with some random guy or Jamal. And me going back for you? I would never… I don't want that life... I didn't fight it for fifteen years—for nothing. How could you—"
"That is so unfair, Chris," she cut me off. "Look what she did. She went to Soren after you told her no more. How can you not be angry? Everyone is focusing on how Marcus feels… What about you?"
"Because I did exactly the same thing. And you know what is worse. You're doing the same thing with Jessy." She made a face. "Come, Selena, let's have that discussion. What is wrong with him or even Jamal? They are both waiting for you—like I did. You can't shed your Riphath attributes; I don't think you want to. Maybe that is the only reason why Juliet and I work. Because she wants me like you will never want me. Something or someone will always turn your head or your time. You will never be able to make a decision."
"F— you!"
"Excuse me!"
"Yes, I've been among those women too long. But you never loved me enough to wait for me to acclimate. You should at least give me how many years, Chris? Eighteen… And children and a history that actually means something. How could you expect me to be real in a matter of months… The only mistake I made was listening to her and not waiting till I was ready to love. It wasn't right of her to push us. And for me, no one else will make… me… fall in love. Not Jessy and not Jamal." Selena was so angry and out of control. Was she going to pull another Soren on us? She spun around, "And you know I'm disappointed in you. You're fickle. And a hypocrite. You wait for years. You come back, and then, after everything… you decide to give it all up, leaving me to remember what could've been. While what… I pass the time in Jessy's arms. Do to him what you're doing to her. Because if you could, after everything, give her up for one kiss. One I didn't even get. Maybe it's better that it wasn't you… Perhaps I will get over you."
Was I like Juliet? Maybe I always thought she would let it go. I would have Selena and her. Was I using Juliet to have intimacy while I waited for the freedom of an open relationship? No. No, no. No! "You forget one thing. In this story, she doesn't end up with me. You don't end up with me. I make my own decisions, and I went back. Can I help you went into some room? Maybe you should ask Romero if there is another one that can help you get some common sense. Or you know what, you go spend thirty years! Thirty years, Selena, on Earth! Where all the rules are out the window. Not to mention, I was living on a planet none of us belonged on. This is part of the story. I'm doing my best to not make the wrong choices."
Selena stepped up to me. She was always too tall for me. It felt weird not being able to look into her eyes without lifting my face. "You know what, Chris… tell me now that if we were on some bed in some room, it wouldn't work…" She gave me a moment. Only thinking about the dark city and a branding brought me back to Juliet, not Selena. "You know what, don't answer it. Come with me. I know it's a thing for you. You think I'm stupid and clueless and an idiot or something." She pulled me toward a stone block and pushed me on. I was finally looking down into her eyes.
"I cannot believe we have come full circle. Selena, you're insane." I had to laugh.
"Add it to the list." She stepped closer. "I want you to kiss me."
"No!" I stepped down. "You being pushy is so off-putting; it makes me want to run. You made the mistake, not Juliet. You should've waited. You knew you weren't ready, but you came anyway."
"So what? It's finally over."
"Yes. You had your chance. Your one chance, and we both know I would have taken it. I was all there."
"Chris, please give me another chance."
"No, Selena! Don't make the same mistake as Soren. Juliet and I sorted out our issues. There will be no more men. I think the gravity of the situation should be enough for you. But it's never going to be. I can not and will not choose someone that is not sure of me. I had a lot of time to think. And I mean, we all had to grow up the last few months. I remembered my first wife. I was all there, and she was not. We were not even the same species, and I wanted to make it work… I can't, Selena. I want someone who sees me. They look right into the dark depths and smile. With all I am, no matter what I do or where I am. Or who I love. They're thinking about me. They can't wait for me even when we're in the same room. It's not even about attraction or affection or connection… Juliet and I met in that way. Unfortunately, we were separated for fifteen years… You have no idea how that messed with my head… It's just right. It fits. There is no choice. It's easy to talk and sort out our issues. And you are a friend. And I want to see you happy. But you don't want to be. You're looking for me to fix you and fill some void, and I can't do it."
"And Juliet does not?" She snorted.
"No," I answered vehemently. "Her not wanting to do it alone is what I want. It is what I always wanted."
Selena turned around, flinging her arms in the air, and left. I watched her go, remembering all we had been through. Not regret but closure. I turned and left as well. I had to find Jessy. I was glad I had finished it once and for all. Learned a big lesson about ending things properly. As I rounded the corner, Jessy was already there nervously, turning a glass plate around in his hands. His eyes coldly flickered up to mine and dropped down again. In the beginning, I had my doubts about the man, but he had proven himself and I felt a little guilty. It was such a screwed-up situation. I took a seat outside the cubicle and waited to see if he would say anything. We had lived together in the same house for months. Jessy was a man of few words, and like the rest of us, our lives were boring before we met Juliet. He had grown up on the compound, knowing only service and compliance. "I don't know how to adjust to the new way of things… I either follow En-gannim rules and fall into that rat trap of work, family, and children… Or I stay with her and hopefully one day find someone out there that looks at me like she looks at you."
Out of everyone, I knew what he meant. Jessy had it even worse because he had been with Marcus for more than a hundred years. Marcus had shown him how one other person could change you forever. Show you how life should really be lived. What she had awakened in me. Normal was not something we would ever want. Ordinary lives and going through the motions. Jessy sat and laid the plate next to him. I wondered why he was there. "Are you in a hurry? Do you feel like it has to happen now? You… we are still very young… I have to tell you, when I think about the future and grasping the concept of living for so long… it doesn't compute—not yet. Maybe you have a better understanding of how it will feel. I can't imagine living so long and shoved into a box… Juliet and I fought it from the start. We are like all her army. I call us misfits to our races… But you… I don't know Jessy. I can't really distinguish what your personality is like."
"Personality?" he scoffed, "No… I have no idea who I am. It's maybe why… Selena can't really picture a life with me. Jamal doesn't really care. And she doesn't care that he doesn't. It's why their relationship is so… so…"
"F—ing irritating." I ventured.
He chuckled, "Yes… You never know when you're going to walk into a room, and they will be going at it and then not talk for months on end, and then when they see each other, they can't help themselves," Jessy ended on a heavy sigh.
"Charlene told me the only thing that made her fall in love with Kubra was his unwavering commitment to her. She knew he would always be there for her no matter what."
Jessy took a moment to think about what I said. It would be his choice if he could wait for Selena in that way. "Kubra… I don't know… He's like a mixture of Marcus and Louis."
I laughed lightly, "No… Kubra isn't jealous and totally devoted because he is so old."
"I can't do it," Jessy said frankly. I met his eyes and smiled. "What?"
"No, not for Selena… But maybe for someone else. A person who gives you what you need."
"Do you mean… What does Kubra get from Charlene? I heard what you said about Juliet and you."
"Yes… Juliet is open and fights for me till her last breath. She shows me how she feels all the time. Her intensity spills over into her relationships, and it makes me hold on… I screwed up in the cave. So badly because it's that indifference in Selena's manner that makes me want to gauge my eyes out."
"What is it about her that made you fall in love with her?" Jessy asked softly.
"She… I… I don't know? I want to say she's funny and sweet… But that's hardly reasons to fall in love with someone… And you?"
"I also don't know. She is so beautiful. You remember what she looked like that night." I lifted my eyebrows and conjured up the memory. "She is fun and… easy to be around… The only difference between the two is that—" I smiled, comparing the two, something I had done too many times. "You always know where you stand with Juliet."
I chuckled, "Yes, Selena will push but then give up at one point." Jessy agreed with me. "That's what Kubra sees in Charlene. Once they bite down—"
"You can never get them off…" Jessy finished my sentence, laughing. "How do you find someone to bite down?"
"You wait fifteen years and not sleep with anyone else."
Jessy laughed, "So you're saying I have to wait."
"It's either that or," I gestured with my thumb toward the wall, "Crap, Jessy, I wanted to talk. Remembering that night… It's why I came to find you… We forgot Juliet's birthday—again. Where was she that day?"
He picked up his plate, "She was out the whole day."
"You didn't go with her?"
"Liam told me to back off… So when the father speaks, the children listen."
"Yeah, look, none of us will ever take Liam on," I got up to leave, "Look, if you want to be a misfit, you have to take the consequences. Take a card from her playbook. If you want something… do whatever you have to get it. Trust me… being married is not the solution."
Jessy got up and shook my hand, "Thanks, Chris. I'm happy you guys finally sorted it out."
"I hope so. If she drugs me or kidnaps me. Come and kill me."
Jessy laughed. I didn't want to use the swatch, rocking up when she and Michael were in the middle of coitus—no, I would wait and not manipulate my power. I traveled a few times—the normal way—to look for her. Juliet was nowhere.
***
Juliet
I was on Palmyra with Jade. I had dropped off toys and things that I thought Aries could handle with his chubby fingers and nails. She wanted him to grow up differently, and I understood that. "Don't you have Chadari who are scholars or ancient and do rituals or anything? How did you learn to read?"
"A vamp. But no. We never had the opportunity to. This…" she looked around, "Is a first for us. And Aries will lead the people into a new era."
"You read some of the books I gave you. Do the plates work better now that they are bigger?"
"Yes, thank you. And I did. And Aries loves the kid's books. Did you take it from Earth? How do they make them so soft."
I bobbed my head and chuckled, "Plastic." I played with Aries and some blocks while we talked. "How are your campaigns going on Earth? You changed your mind."
"Mine is always a success… Ian's numbers are dwindling. I wanted to be in some fights. It is what we are there for. Mercenaries. Our armies are not only men. I traded two more coordinates for food and water, and Fahan wants to come home. He is not so angry with me anymore." I had to smile. There was no mistaking the bond there had to be. "But he is restless because he is not in control."
"That is a good thing, believe me. It would be best if you guys ruled together. Like you said. A new era. Without you, none of this would've been possible. I'm glad his men listened to you. It could've gone both ways."
"They don't know. The few in the palace listen to Dimitrios and—"
"He listens to you."
"Yes. I think he is coming around… Is Marcus well?"
"I don't know. He's quiet again. Even more than he was. I don't think he knows how much it would take for us to come together again if it goes on any longer. One of us will have to give in. There is an even stubbornness between us."
She growled, " I know what you mean… Are your other husbands filling the void?"
I laughed, "The one told me that his queen had not summoned him, so he didn't come."
She laughed as well, "You have a great life… I thought Fahan and I had that bond. But the wide open spaces and possibilities… Is there any way to take it back?"
"Oh, Jade, no. It doesn't work like that. The branding wouldn't have worked if both of you did not care deeply for each other. And I mean forever and second lives searching for each other kind of love."
"Really?"
"Yes. It does change things hearing it like that."
"Why is it not easy? I want him… but I also… do not."
I had to chuckle, "So well put… I don't know? If you figure it out, will you tell me?"
"Fahan told me to tell you; Soren does not know that it has to be a branded mate that kills me."
"Well, that counts in our favor. If they kill either one of us, everyone else will be protected…" She nodded. I got to my feet, "I have to go. I have a meeting. Maybe we will meet on the battlefield… Charlene gave birth. So she will be ready soon."
"Are you going to help Earth?" She asked, surprised.
"Yes. It's time."
"Good luck."
"You too." I turned to leave but stopped before I reached the door. She regarded me, "Your mind is working."
***
Soren
For a few days, I sat on the deck chairs as Juliet had done. With all the battles and time that had passed since I sent Juliet home, I had gotten over the worst. I hoped. I was beginning to feel a little like myself again. I had to make peace with my parents passing, and being more sane, thinking about them brought me down to a point of depression. Louis and Juliet did not even see each other when I sent her back, and it had sent me spiraling; I didn't really do any damage. Although it had kept them busy, they had not come to Earth's aid.
Ian had to accept that En-gannim's troops and people were dead. I had asked him where Isla was several times, but not once did he want to tell me. Ian said his wives and children were very important to him, and I had another bout of jealousy. Once we attacked Earth, Ian had emptied his house and hidden them away. I felt terrible about how I left Rana… I had given up on the marriage altogether—if she was still alive. Ian didn't care if his sister and mother were dead. The female familial relationship meant nothing to the men. All his brothers were there, fighting with us, and their wives were safe somewhere. En-gannim was now Juliet's, and our way of life there was over, for now.
My choices were not bringing me peace. I was desperate to get hold of myself because I had nothing left to fight for. Ian wasn't really upset about Marcus getting out. Once I told him I figured out what the stone does, none of it really mattered. We had a sure way of wiping them out, even the Dheka. We were so busy planning how to use the stone to our advantage. I didn't know how Ian proposed to keep the species going on Earth. If we were only men and we wiped out En-gannim, we would be worse off than Zoreah.
I glanced over as Lyla came out of her room. She was a weird little woman. It had taken her a month and a half to not be terrified of me. I could smell it on her in the beginning. I didn't care, really. It was amusing when the Chadari came back. Lyla stayed in her room for days.
"May I sit down?" She asked.
"Yes."
"Why is Jacklin not back yet?"
"She has been. Jacklin had a way for us to piggyback off En-gannim. She had to wait for the power to be back on. Marcus moved it to another planet, and I guess they moved it back."
"Just for one travel. So, not really a way to change everything."
"Oh no, it will. We are… pretending for Fahan's sake." Lyla stared at me, not saying anything. I looked her way, "What?" Lyla was nervously playing with a pendant on her chest. She had tried to cut her own fringe again. Her hair was thick and braided in pigtails. Lyla only had one set of clothes. "You're bored, Lyla… I'll talk with you for a few minutes."
Her shoulders relaxed, "I was wondering… what happened between you."
I looked away from her and closed my eyes, "Why?"
"On the feed… What you guys went through… It didn't look like a—" she trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Fling," I finished her sentence. She laughed and sat back. "People don't know how much power they have over others. Words hurt. Action and inaction over too long periods of time can break a person. They will never be the same."
"Who broke who?" I looked at her, cocking an eyebrow. We both laughed. I was so broken. I could still not look at myself in the mirror. "You don't believe in restoration?"
"I did… believe in a lot of things," I answered in a hushed tone, "It didn't get me anywhere."
"Yeah, my limits were tested, and I failed miserably."
"Failed? I rather think you succeeded."
"I guess," she said hesitantly.
"Lyla, we would've invaded anyway. The fact that Juliet has not come to help just shows me how fickle she is. She says one thing and doesn't really mean it."
"Unless it suits her," Lyla sneered.
"Yes. She's a vampire, and there is nothing she can do about it. Our nature will always make everything about ourselves. Juliet can try and fight it all her life… She will, at one point, end up on her knees, and I… want to be there when it happens."
Lyla met my eye, "You guys are leaving."
"What will you do?"
"I have no idea."
Lyla was rather clever; we were leaving the compound that day. Jade had not allowed us access to En-gannim or Palmyra. All the information we got was from scouts we sent to do recon with the help of Jacklin. The plan was to kill either Jade or Fahan in the next attack. We needed them out of the equation. Ian had to give Jade two more coordinates to send us food and water. The distribution system still worked efficiently, but without the teleportation, none of it made sense. Fahan had six coordinates, only four more, and they would be independent. Both of us were more than happy to settle on Palmyra and have the Earth too. We would slowly kill the Humans, even if it took us hundreds of years. They would eventually die out. If we got our numbers up, we would attack En-gannim again. We would go all over the galaxy if we had to and pay like Ahasuerus did.
We had given the Earth two months for the economy to crash completely. They could not go on with everyday life. The major cities were destroyed, and that day, we were going to launch a surprise attack on Europe. It was one of those areas you needed to control. Ian wanted to exterminate them first and have the center for ourselves.
A guard appeared at the gate to tell me it was time. I stood and looked down at her. Lyla had big, round eyes and a chubby little face. She was cute in a very, very innocent way. Lyla looked up at me. There was no pleading in her eyes. "You'll wait for Jacklin?" Lyla nodded. "What are your plans from here on out?"
She frowned and dropped my gaze, and whispered, "Surviving."
I turned around to leave. I didn't want to take her with us. A war scene would only break down the little confidence she had left.
After Juliet had helped the Earth, they were too afraid to keep all its people in one place and scattered. We had already changed our tactics and worked from the outside in. It was going to be a difficult battle. We planned to start in the North and move slowly down south. Without the tech, we only had the coordinates we accumulated before we launched our attacks, and we had to travel thirty at a time. Still, it didn't matter if no one was watching random fields. We had been traveling the whole night, and Fahan, Ian, and I were next. Our forces would split into three. We would not be going back to America because there was really no one left. Ian would go after Fahan, and I would go after Jade.
Fahan had approached me to cut Ian out altogether. Although it was tempting, I needed Ian. I would have nowhere to go if we didn't have the teleporting power. If Ian did become a problem later, I would flush him out. We had the stone, and the vamps on his side would bend the knee for it.
I stood ready to teleport, closing my eyes. My life had changed so drastically, but for the first time, I felt alive. Jacklin and Lyla would catch up eventually. Isla was safe, and my father made his choice. I would keep making my own.