This Is Where I Want To Be

213. Love And Water

Marcus

Juliet’s breathing deepened quickly after her head hit the pillow; she was already asleep, that tired from taking over from me. I turned to her, stroking the hair out of her face. She moaned softly, complaining sweetly. I continued to caress her strands the way she liked. I had months to decide if I would leave, and as soon as she touched me, I had my answer. I had gone down that road of leaving too many times. The evidence of our relationship on her body stared back at me as she lay naked beside me. I had done this. I had started this. I will finish this. When Soren said it, “he forced you over a chair.” I was reminded of the fact that I gave her no choice; stupidly, I thought I was the one who had a choice... I told her we could learn to love again. I had forgotten for a few months, pushed to the brink by outside forces, considerations no one would ever have to make. What I saw… shocked me… rocked every foundation we had. The hatred, the anger, and the failure I had to come to terms with about how useless I was as a man had consumed me.

Juliet woke up, reached over, and patted the bed. She was searching for me. Wanted to know if I would be there. It grieved me to know how far back we had stepped. We might as well be in that house when I first joined the family. She still had no one, so used to no one there. Juliet relaxed when her hand found my waist, and it slid up and down my skin. “Chris told me Louis left. Have you found him?”

“Who, my whore?” I laughed softly. Juliet smiled quickly, “Where did my child go?”

“Your child?”

Juliet’s smile turned into a broader one, “Our child.”

“That does sound better. Servants quarters. How long before you go back?”

Juliet laughed at our role-play. Well, reversed roll play of the first time we had sex, “As long as I want.”

I instinctively reached over to touch her. The first time we slept together, I had one hour after I snuck out. Juliet stretched out her hand and ran a thumb over my smiling lips. I didn’t want to believe it. We had reenacted our first time, and I thought she had come to find out what would happen and would have to leave to go back to work after we reconciled. “It’s over?” She nodded. I pulled the pillow out from under her head and tossed it on the floor. She scooted closer and rested her head on my arm. I enveloped her in a tight embrace, “You really don’t like getting up after.”

“It breaks the whole chain. I don’t know.”

“I know.” I let her go and reached over the bed for my towel. I nudged her to get up. She stood on her knees, and I held the cloth between her legs. She laughed, “Who taught you to do that?” she playfully bit her bottom lip.

“You did,” I rewarded her with more smiling lips. “Juliet,” I looked up at her face to see if it bothered her. She didn’t react to me using her full name. It was the second time I had done it. I couldn’t call her Julie anymore. Our relationship had changed, and we needed to adjust. I guessed the endearment meant very little to her after Soren. “I… Am… So sorry.”

Juliet sat down on her heels. I moved closer, resting my thighs against hers. “I am, too. I don’t think there are words for how I hurt you. What I said and can’t take back.”

“I get it now… I didn’t understand what Soren meant to you. But I do now... Everything you went through on the compound… Why Soren even became a problem… It was my fault… I wasn’t there… and I’m so sorry.” My own words caught in my throat. “I’m so sorry that your lesson has been the worst thing I think could ever happen to you.” My grip tightened around her shoulders, “I want... I want to—”

“You will,” I looked into her eyes, searching, “I killed your father, Marcus… in a very grueling way. I think he deserves a worse death. What he did… is not family… He was never part of our family…” tears welled up and her voice was soft, “I just didn’t know.”

I leaned in and kissed her quickly, bobbing my head in acknowledgment. It was true. She had no more issues with him and would’ve killed him already. It would be a race to who gets to him first. I couldn’t stop stroking her hair, scared of what I needed to say. “Louis told me about his past… I…” my eyes closed thinking about it, “Thought it was a few women… Reading about your time… You toned it down a lot.”

“I know.”

I looked deep into her eyes to see where she was at, “How will you get over it? Not to mention his past?”

She shook her head, and her voice broke, “I… don’t know…”

“When you were so emotional with Caleb’s pregnancy, I thought you were being too dramatic…” Another thing I felt bad about. That whole time, I was there in France, but not really there. We were still looking at each other, and Juliet gave me time to say all I needed to. “Each time you had a spell and couldn’t control yourself. It really does mess with your mind on a whole other level. I wouldn’t have survived if it was the same for the men and women.”

“No,” she smiled.

“My grandfather would’ve been there—”

“When I sucked your finger.”

I laughed, thinking about it. How I had felt that morning after she was so angry about Sita. She stood on the bed, and I pointed my finger at her. Young, barely dressed. “That day… I wanted to do things to you…” Juliet laughed, “I wish I could go back and meet your challenge.” She laughed again. “The time in the car when you licked me…” I groaned. I was so desperate that day to give her what she wanted.

“Don’t stop now. Tell me.”

“I wanted to get in. Sit on my knees,” Juliet fell down and pressed her head into a pillow, “Pull down my pants and shove something else down your throat… You would’ve had nowhere to run.”

I pulled the pillow out from under her. She sighed, looking at me, and her smile fell, “We have history…”

I nodded, “Yes, we had a lot of good moments… I will never forget our fight in the sand. I…” she smiled, “Was so happy to see you. You’d changed so much, and you were so beautiful that night… I love you so much… I’m so sorry.” She came up and stroked my lips again. I figured I should change the subject, “So what do you think?”

Juliet jumped up. With her focus on something else, she was a little happier, “You… If we go back to Earth, you should become an architect. Marcus, it is breathtaking. I don’t think I ever want to leave… Do you have winter here?” I shook my head, “No!? I get it then. No rain. No, whether to break the spell.”

I laughed, “We don’t have to go back to Earth for me to build you beautiful houses… How did you do it?” I asked, looking at my wife admiring every detail I put in place only for her.

“I didn’t,” she said, clipped, her excitement gone in a second. I frowned. “Louis did,” it was as if she didn’t want to talk about him. “Before he left. When we… Anyway… After that, I made friends. Gave up on Palmyra for now… there is going to be a… lovers’ tiff between Fahan and Dimitrios.”

“You’ll wait it out?”

“No. I let it go.”

“You loved it there.”

“I loved what Brylee created there. And all the predecessors. We’re only the next generation enjoying the spoils. The branding makes me yearn for it… but… I think I can manage the desire to rule.” Juliet was walking around and letting the curtains run through her fingers, “Marcus…” she looked at me quickly, “I never wanted to rule either.” I took in a deep breath. “Can you come to grips with our future?” I couldn’t answer her. We’ve never discussed it openly and honestly. “Can you accept that we were both thrust into the succession?” I shook my head. “It’s rightfully more yours than it is mine.”

I blew out another reluctance, “Can I think about it?” she smiled and nodded. “Let’s talk about something else… I think with our branding, Romero’s galaxy moved closer. With Louis even more. Michael and Jade. Charlene and all the Dheka.”

Juliet went to a stand at the edge of the room, open to the outside elements, thinking, “It does make sense… Maybe a supernatural pull between the galaxies?” She paused before she spoke again, “I figured out what the other stone does.”

I had to get up and step toward her, “Do we need it?”

“If you think an endless supply of water is necessary. Or you want life to multiply and grow and never stop. Then yes.”

I frowned and stepped to stand behind her and looked out over the vast grasslands that lay at our doorstep. I wrapped her up and put my chin on her shoulder, “If that stone could bring this place to life… It’s why Avrio had one place that brought En-gannim drinking water.”

“The possibilities are endless. No wonder they have been scaling back.”

“Have they? It was the wrong time. Letting Soren vent might have killed any chances Ian had… You lost the Earth. You gave up Palmyra. What about your prize?”

“Soren will try to take it away. He knows I want it. All of it. What would be the point of fighting him for it… Where would you have wanted Chris to go? He said you asked.”

“I think to the week before we met on that couch. Chris could tell Liam everything. Teleport you to Zoreah and take you and the kids into the Origin City… Ira… I don’t know? It would be before Michael had any attachments for you. I would have gone on, and the Earth would have been better off than it is now. I would lead the Army and live out the life I was raised for.” She had asked me how I saw our future unfolding. When I went back, I could be the general of the army again. Kubra, Jessy, and I, together with Chris and his available men, could mean something. It would leave her in charge, and both of us would be content. I had my child. I had a home, albeit not perfect in the way I envisioned it. I still didn’t know what I would’ve become had I been an average vampire living on En-gannim.

“Louis might start a revolution, and you two would fight each other.”

“I would go home and take over. Louis and Qadir can fight it out.”

Juliet paused for a long while. It felt like she was assessing every word I said. If my grandfather had taken me home… I would’ve taken over in a heartbeat. Why, now, with her in the picture, was it such an issue? “The problem is Chris is not desperate enough to do it,” Juliet said softly.

It was quiet between us again. We both stared out into the distance of beauty. Her word ‘desperation’ reminded me of how she must have felt in that room with me. I lifted my chin and gently turned her toward me. I tried to soften my eyes, trying to understand, “Juliet… I… What you did at the end… wanting to kill yourself.”

Her eyes dropped from mine. My fingers closed around her arms. “I would’ve. If you had taken one step on screen.”

“Why? I don’t understand?”

She avoided answering, “Marcus… knowing that’s how you feel and I asked you to accept it… I want to go back and fix it. For you. Even when you spoke just now… You would want to go back and not know me.”

I shook my head, “No… no… That’s not what I meant. Juliet… don’t let me make the same mistake again. I have never wanted anything more.” I let go of her and turned around. “But that’s how you feel about Chris… Not me… Sometimes… I don’t know why I’m even there… Is it all physical for you with me? Do we have any other connection?”

Ragged sobs made me spin around and close the distance, “I want to go back and not hurt anyone. Be a good girl and not have gone to the market that day. I spat in your face. Over and over.”

“It couldn’t have been easy. You were only fifteen, Juliet… I am the one that has to apologize. I left you all alone… If I could go back, I would follow you off the compound. Asked Liam to take my body, and we would’ve woken up together and figured it out... as a couple.” Juliet flung her arms around my waist. “I only said it to make it all work out for Chris because he cannot make us change our minds twelve years ago.”

I pushed her away and looked deep into her eyes, “Even if you go back and give it all to me… One of us will always be unhappy… And I’ve gotten used to it… Had time to get used to it. I don’t always feel jealous… I made my decision in France when you took me into the mountains and asked me to stay. I decided… that… this is where I want to be.” I laughed a little, “It seems it would never have worked the other way around.” Her shoulders shook as she held back tears. I was not helping, not saying what she needed to hear. “I let Damian hurt you. I let Louis hurt you. I left you over and over and over…” Juliet kept shaking her head, tears wetting her lashes. I gently closed my arms around her.

I wasn’t mature enough to help myself, let alone her. Juliet wasn’t opening up like she always did. She was stuck in the past with too many regrets and threads to manage. I held her for a long time, determined not to bring it up again. I would at least try to help her. “You better?”

Juliet pecked my cheek, “Hey, no pecking.” She ran around the room, determined to let it go. I wouldn’t force her. I was reminded of how she was this exuberant all her life. It would never go away. Juliet loved life, and that is why I was drawn to her. She reminded me to embrace the small things and not to go down a path of darkness and hatred.

She looked at everything, waved her hand at every surface, and weaved through the pillars that framed the windows at the edge of the room. I wanted to reach out and stop her before she fell. It didn’t matter; she could use her ability. After she had taken in the landscape from every vantage point, she drifted back toward me down the path in the middle of the room, moving through the many curtains that hung down the center. I took a few steps and reached out to catch her, pretending to chase her. She laughed and jumped on the bed, running over it, avoiding me. Juliet ran for the corner, teleporting to the next floor.

I heard loud swearing and mumbling, the pitter-patter of feet above me. Juliet had opened the tap to the tub but appeared in the corner a second later, “I’m going to eat,” she disappeared again.

“You left the water—” I sighed but laughed and went upstairs. I crossed the floor and sat on the rim of the bath, looking out over the horizon. It was ours. Finally, after so much, Liam and his daughter had taken over. Did it bother me? All it took was for me not to be there and another man desperate enough. Louis is an Ahmed. He could take over.

Juliet walked in, sucking a squirming little beast. Her hand gestured to the whole bathroom. I shrugged and pointed a finger at her. She cocked an eyebrow. I turned it around and called her over. She giggled. My fingers laced in the back of her neck and pulled her forward. My tongue rested on the bottom of her chin, slowly making its way up to her lips, licking up the blood dripping down. I pulled away to see where I had missed a spot and closed my lips on her soft skin, sucking and kissing until she gave me her mouth.

Juliet pushed me into the bath, abruptly breaking our kiss. I dropped into the shallow water, laughing. She held out the beast and cut his neck. I opened my lips quickly as the blood dripped into my mouth. I grabbed her wrist and sunk my teeth into the things, eating for the first time in a long time. I tossed it on the floor. Juliet climbed on top of me and got comfortable, her eyes moving over the space. “You like?”

The bathroom was also open-plan. The whole floor was one continuous, shiny surface. Every boundary wall was open, with columns holding up the roof. No glass. No windows. Just nature. The way she liked it. Between the columns, the windows arched with white-painted trees framing the stone structure. The wood formed small spaces interwoven into a pattern, rounding off each arch. The bath was large and also made of stone sunk into the ground like a Roman bath, looking out into the distance of blues, greens, and purples. Soft curtains swayed in the wind at the arches with no wooden feature. Juliet wasn’t there, deep in thought, looking out at the fantastic view. With a finger and thumb, I clamped down on her nipple. Her shoulders came forward, and it made me pull on her. I laughed, “That was stupid.”

“Ow.” The apex between her legs thrusted down on my flaccid length, but she was happy… ish. My fingers had by then rubbed, caressed, and started on another mission of exploration and tender care. “I don’t know how you did it?” Juliet was still not there with me. Her mind was a million miles away. When I left Michael with Fahan and hadn’t rescued him, something had already shifted in her toward me. Toward all of us. Now… Would I ever see my Juliet again? If we didn’t have the physical anymore? What was left? Loyalty?

“Money,” I said softly.

She smiled, “What will we do with ourselves?”

I sat up and slid my arms around her, resting my hands between her shoulder blades, and waited for her to look at me. I slowly drew her closer.

Our days melded together. We read for hours and talked about the books like we used to do on the compound. Made love for hours, falling asleep and reaching out for the other. I was always there. We spent time with our son and had all our meals together. We walked around the island every day, hand in hand. Our feet sunk into deep white sandy beaches. The island was large enough for different herds to flourish, and we kept them culled so there could be harmony. I kept training her, surprising her at random times during the day. She was getting better and better. I had finally met my match. Juliet let me use the mask on her when we fought to start with her therapy. I had witnessed the power she possessed. It was beyond anything I had ever seen, and she had yet to get the strength and speed a vampire could yield. Juliet had ripped creature-proof bondages like it was nothing while she was cut and shouldn’t have been able to manifest at all… Just so she didn’t have to see me sleep with… I couldn’t even remember the day. The place. Or the woman. All I can remember is her.

***

Romero

Charlene was strutting up to me. I pursed my lips, sighing. She would manifest, pick me up, and teleport. I had no choice in the matter. We would travel far and wide over Mirach. Every time we traveled further. Charlene wanted to map the world and have it all cataloged in her mind. She even had Michael come and take us to the island where Iku’s wife had been stranded. She used these opportunities to fight whatever there was to fight. She said I promised to train her but was doing nothing about it. She was pregnant. What was I supposed to do? Even my parents were complaining. I had work to do. Needed to attend meetings. Charlene’s behavior changed once the babies were born, and with Juliet leaving that morning to join Marcus, her female companionship was gone. It had taken Charlene a long time to explain to me what had happened to Juliet and Marcus in those tunnels and share Juliet’s history in detail. When I heard about Louis’s life… it was hard to digest. Charlene had grown up there… Not that Louis’s ways were the norm… but still, she was stuck there with me in a life so different from what she was used to.

“You know,” I came back from my musing to look at her, “Where were you just now?”

“Thinking.”

“You know. You can use me. To travel around. I can shop while you have to deal with planetary issues. No more tubes and dust.”

“If you like,” I held out my hand, and we would lace our fingers while we walked and took in an area I had not even seen. There was some benefit to having a mate who could teleport across galaxies. It wouldn’t take long, or she would stop walking. My lips welcomed her. They always would. She was as hot for me as our marriage journey. We made love, like she would say, wherever we were. Under a waterfall. On the grass. Up against a tree or in a cave. I did not mind and did not complain. Gave her everything she wanted. She was becoming spoilt. And I loved it. Our child was beautiful and would be the next queen after her father. Fia. “Romero!”

“Yes.”

“Where are you?”

“I am right here,” I said breathlessly, trying to get control of myself after spilling all I had into her, moving back and forth in a slow rhythm.

“What’s wrong?” I did not want to tell her. She was in my arms, naked, soft, and available. I had been reminiscing about our time. It was already hard sharing her with Kubra. Even if we accepted the situation, it was not easy. Whenever she went to his house, she would disappear for hours. Kubra was not there as much as I thought he would be. She had told me their relationship had changed. I had heard it. Saw it. Her laugh echoed far enough, and they never fought. He just came and went. It was all up to her. Spoilt. I had thought I would be able to accept it. I felt that a thousand years alone was worse than sharing her. I knew how Marcus felt. It would never be just me and her.

“I won’t sleep with him. If you don’t want me to.”

I pulled out of her and sat up, feeling guilty that I was thinking and not sharing like she reminded me so many times. Charlene crossed one leg and lifted her torso to look at me. I glanced down at her naked thighs. The wet crevice of her legs stared back at me. How did a small space like that hold me in the palm of her hand? I smiled. She was pinching me. I laughed and pushed her to the ground, holding her wrists down, “He’s here,” I said with frustration.

“I know. Why do you think I ran.”

I had to laugh, “He’s waiting for you.”

“I know. Why do you think I ran.”

“Is that all you can say?”

“Romero. You get to choose. At any moment. At any time. If you want Kubra to go back. I will let it go. I can.”

“You will channel your riphath attributes? I kinda like the vampire in you.” she giggled, “I wouldn’t want you completely letting go... of the lust.”

“You should’ve seen me when I was human. I would’ve sent you packing, dude. You wouldn’t even have made it past the door.”

“No? So if Chris goes back. Comes to get me. Delivers me on Earth. In front of your door… You would not let me in.”

She laughed. I tightened my grip on her wrists, “I would. But I would also ask you to make like a plane.”

“Make like a plane? Explain.” I let her go, and we both sat up.

“On Earth… there are big, massive, flying machines… Like the helicopters…” my eyes widened, “They carry hundreds of people across the world… But for them to get in the sky, they have to go very fast on wheels… Like your balls, but they are solid and have a rubber texture.”

“I know what a wheel is.”

“You do… Anyway, the plane has to take off to get in the air. So when you had a one-night stand and don’t feel like—”

“Cuddling.”

“Yes. You say make like a plane.”

“And take off. That is really rude.”

“Tell me about it. Not the best thing to hear when you poured out your heart and soul… That’s one of the nice ways to say it… I’ve heard some terrible ones.”

“I don’t think I would make it in a place like that.”

“No, you are very pure… virtuous... and true. It’s why I fell in love with you. There is no fear. No hurt coming. No pain or heartache. It’s why I stayed.”

“It is also why you took Kubra… Would Carl accept it? If you asked him to leave.”

“Why does my body know? Why did I call him out? Why did he come that day with the raiders?”

“It’s not about them… It’s about what you are… The power you possess… Love… it has no definition. No boundaries. No limits… You have already decided. It is that simple.”

“No regrets yet? No divorce?”

“Divorce?”

“Breaking the branding?” I turned away from her, “There is a way. Isn’t there.”

“Of course, there is a way. Everything in life has a negative aspect… It is balance… The fact that you would talk about it… I would never even mention it.”

“Hey, I mate for life,” I had to tickle her and make her beg me to stop. “So no, Carl. I’m okay with it. If there is a way to break the bond, then. I will break it.”

I shook my head, “It can only happen after you have three. It’s for the third person to decide… the sacrificial lamb who has to protect the group. In that galaxy anyway… where ittoqure’s are supposed to rain.”

Charlene leaned closer, fear edged on her features. It was a big secret. “That’s why the dheka never have to. You can’t add anyone, can you?” I shook my head. “Why you were so upset about the two men in my life, Juliet mentioned.”

I nodded, “Yes. That galaxy’s brandings are complicated because of… It becomes harder the more there are. If it is only one, it is all bundled into one harmonious, lasting death and life commitment. Our way of life.”

“So romantic, though.”

“Romantic?”

“It doesn’t matter. You tick all the boxes. So, are you scared of Carl being the third in my trio… or me sleeping with someone else?”

“Both!” I answered vehemently, “I lie in a puddle of gold with my hands over my ears every night you are with Kubra... How will he reconcile to the idea?”

“No, wait! You said it was a decision… In that room… when we made love for the first time. My branding happened the moment I decided. Why was celibacy important if it’s about the rooms… You know Juliet plans to take Chris there to add a fourth.”

Now my eyes were wide, and my mouth opened slightly, “How? Why would she think it was possible? They mate like rabbits, those two.” Charlene pressed her lips together and suppressed her laughter. “He must be her favorite.” My gaze drifted away from hers to focus on the distance. Was it possible? Could it work for her to add as many as she wanted because the brandings would co-align? “Mhhh, I do not know… Maybe? It will be an interesting experiment… But no, I meant the moment you decided, and then the act seals it.”

“Oh… What if… it’s a one-time thing. After we sleep together… Carl waits for me. You will know I won’t be alone, and I won’t mind what Carl does in the meantime. It’s a thousand years. Kubra has six hundred left.”

“Yes… Have all of you been to the origin city?”

“Hmm, let me think… Juliet and Caleb, all her men. Kubra and Carl. Not me… What are you thinking?”

“Kubra could have gone in, he could have waited... never mind me. I am trying to keep myself busy by thinking about anything else but another man touching you.”

“Do you have regret? I said I would never have, but I do.”

I turned to her, “What regret? Being bound here with me? You feel stuck… I told you, you would.”

She shook her head and laughed, “No, I love it here,” Charlene shook her shoulders, shuddering at a thought, “Earth… is much more binding than Mirach… It is a horrible place… I have no regret about any of my choices when it comes to you and the life I chose.”

I smiled and kissed her, “What then?

”Sleeping with Kubra. I could’ve ended it. I hate seeing you like this, and I don’t even care when I’m in his arms… The only reason I’m restless is because I want to kill everything I see… I have all this lust and power and no outlet.”

I sighed, “I understand. You are now the most powerful thing in the universe. You don’t need permission, Charlene. You had two babies and a new creature side to come to understand. It is a lot.” I placed my hand on her breast and let my purple veins flow over her, “I can at least keep you addicted to things only I can give you.”

She laughed and manifested into a Vampire, undeterred by my threat, “You can try your best. You also have to practice,” I dropped my hand, thinking about all the implications, “What? Talk to me.”

“It’s the fire… Your first is always special… It supernaturally means more.”

“Really? What do you mean… Kubra… Marcus?”

“The fact that Marcus and Juliet were so long apart after… Space for the first is never a good thing… And then he went to En-gannim… Juliet is terribly afraid of losing him… It is why you went to Kubra while you were asleep. It is a stronger bond when you give your heart away to one person. She never knew there would be anyone else. ”

“What does it mean for Chris if they do it here? And it works.”

“I guess… Michael will have no hold on him. If Michael knew he had the most power next to her… Maybe it is a good thing he did not watch whatever Soren showed them… I still do not understand completely.”

I thought again about this man Soren… He was there on Mirach, and Iku had seen him. They knew where we were… It was a possible threat to the Dheka… Charlene sniffed. I looked at her. A lonely tear rolled over her cheek, “What is wrong? Forgive me.”

She shook her head, “I was not there. It’s my fault… Miné was in trouble, and she left France for me…” I moved closer and pulled Charlene into my lap. “I was even there when Louis was… forcing her… I thought she was being dramatic. Scolded her.”

“Charlene, if that ever happens with you, I will kill them outright. I will not care. I do not have to. And for that reason, I am thankful you came to me. Our bond will protect you as long as I’m alive.”

“I will never be alone anyway… This way is better… The sooner Chris can do it, the better it will be for them. She will have what she always wanted.”

I rubbed her hair and kissed her cheek, stroking the tears away, “They will figure it out...”

“Will Carl change?”

I nodded… “All humans change. Brandings resets the natural order.”

Carlene leaned in, and her lips pushed me to the ground. “What does the second mean?” I deepened the kiss and rolled us over. I didn’t want to tell her.

After I had my fill, she traveled us back. She had put me down, and four men stepped out of my house. Sammy was in the arms of one of them. It had to be Warden. Sammy had been asking for him. Charlene had no control over her actions. I knew she would not. She ran, and Carl flung his arms around her. He was strong and caught her with little effort.

After a few moments, Kubra came out of the teleporter and took in the scene. He looked at me, and we stared at each other. Kubra and I were close. We had become brothers and had talked about it for many hours. He nodded, and I acknowledged our decision. He turned around and left. I was also going to leave, but I couldn’t go far. Do I have regret? Not one second. It was my burden to carry.

***

Carl

Charlene’s lips were on mine. I was laughing and happy. Her legs were around my waist, and she wouldn’t stop. I tried to pull away. Her hand kept my lips where they were. The full force of what it meant came crashing down. I had chosen a creature. One with a lot going on. And I had been in war for months. Stuck in a cage for months. Could she at least ask me if I was okay before we rushed into bed? Not that I ever had… I realized what the problem was. I was a virgin. Not cool. She had needs, and I felt like a fool.

She jumped off abruptly and stared at me while I took in her tanned skin and beautiful clothes that hugged every body part to perfection. The vampire baby screeched behind us from the house. “After everything. You’re still not ready.”

I covered my top lip with my bottom one. I was still a coward. Didn’t fully comprehend what it would entail. She would want to take our marriage journey. I would become what she is. If I didn’t. I would stay plain old Carl. I needed Juliet. “Where is Juliet?”

“Oh no! Not this time, mister. She is with Marcus and is on a hands-off sabbatical with no interruptions.”

“Why, what happened?”

Charlene walked past me, and I followed into the house. “Carl, I’m going to En-gannim. To talk to Michael.” Jack said, halting my progress into the house. James was also leaving.

I looked at Warden. “You? What are your plans.”

“Not going back.”

“I hear you.”

“If they’ll have me. I probably should go talk to the boss.” Warden said, asking Sammy if she wanted to go on a trip.

I quickly walked into the house, “Hey, Charlene. I’m going to En-gannim.” As I rounded the corner, she put another baby on her breast, and more realizations hit me. I was there with Miné when she was born. It was different back then. At that moment, looking at her, she had three kids, and I was running away.

“Yeah, okay. We’ll catch up later.” She was still happy and smiled at me. “I am so happy you’re safe, Carl.”

The four of us left.

Michael, Chris, Fahan, and Jade were in Juliet’s office. It felt like walking into the twilight zone. We had been fighting them for months, and there they were, best friends.

“Carl!”

Michael and Chris shot up and came over.

“What happened?”

“Where were you?”

“What are you doing here?”

Their questions kept coming as we embraced. Chris shook Warden’s hand, “Man, I’m glad to see you guys. We’ve been looking for you. Just missed you the morning you guys escaped.”

“You were there?” I asked.

“Yes, followed your trail until you got picked up. We would’ve gotten you.”

“Everything works out for the best, I suppose.” We sat down and told them everything about Louis and that he didn’t want to come back. About the war and what we knew.

“Hey, did you go to see Charlene?” Chris asked. “She was in a panic about you being there. Almost sent in the wolves.”

“Really?” I felt even worse about coming back and leaving right away. I nervously ruffled the hair at the back of my head, not able to look him in the eye.

Warden laughed, “Boy choked. Big time.”

The room burst into laughter, “He sits there and nudges her… like he calls it for months. And then the girl is in his arms. Kissing him.”

“And he?”

“He says nothing. Doesn’t even kiss back… Takes the escape and comes here.”

They kept laughing at me. Michael came to sit next to me and shook my hand, “It’s okay, Carl. At twenty-three… I don’t think any of us would’ve been able to handle all… that. Three kids stuck on a planet with one woman for the rest of our lives.”

They laughed again, “Warden? You see, Sammy. Was she happy to see you?” Chris asked.

The man blushed bright red, “Yes, I did. She’s downstairs.”

“We should take her back. Juliet doesn’t want the kids here,” Warden seemed worried, “I’ll tell you later.”

“Oh no. Warden and Jacklin.” I said. The man didn’t want to answer one question about the vamp when we were stuck there. They had spent so much time together. It was time he was cornered about his intentions.

“NO! You can’t,” Michael exclaimed.

Warden’s features clouded, “Why not?”

“Louis and Jacklin.”

“What do you mean? Louis never slept with Jacklin,” Warden retorted.

“Yes, he did… Juliet saw it. Samuel got slapped for it,” I watched the two men to try and figure out what was going on with all of them. Why was Juliet not there?

“How? When? Louis told us some of what happened. But not that.” Jack looked guiltily away as Warden corned him with a stare. I was with him there. I had heard Jacklin and Lyla talking about it. We didn’t share everything with everyone.

“Where is Jacklin? We have another issue with her?” Chris said coldly, not ready to deal with Warden becoming a problem.

“She is one of Ahasuerus’s wives,” Michael explained when no one answered the question.

“No!” All of us were amazed. It would create a problem, and we left them there. “We let them go.”

“You didn’t kill Lyla?” Michael asked incredulously.

“Hey, Louis almost did. When he was there, we deferred to him to make any decisions. He could’ve done it.”

“What if she helps Soren.”

“I don’t think so. Soren is stuck in Europe. We left Lyla and Jacklin on American soil.”

“Well, Louis has been traveling incognito for months. We need him back to put a stop to this piggybacking nonsense.”

“Our scientists have already figured out how to make it even more controlled. We just need the whore to come home.”

“Oh Chris… He is not doing well. I wish she would go to him.”

“Well, Juliet is not doing too well herself. And we still have to work through everything here. I think it’s best if he stays away for a while. You should’ve left him somewhere so we know where he is and bring the plate back. Even Louis should realize all the implications of him leaving a door open like that.” Chris stood to leave the room, “I’m taking Sammy back. Fahan, you coming? If you want to talk to Yazen.”

Louis didn’t want to come back… because of the men, not Juliet.

“Don’t worry,” Michael rubbed my shoulder, “So, what are your plans. You guys want houses. Islands or what?”

“No food for us here. This is like a raw meat keto farm. So we have no idea what to do,” Jack answered.

“When is Juliet coming back?” I asked. I needed to talk to her.

“No, Carl. You have to stay away. She will see you when she comes home. Please give her some time.”

I agreed and felt terrible that I had not been there. I was the odd one out. Charlene had a life. Juliet was queen. I decided to stay on Earth all by myself for fear of repercussions, and look where it got us. It was the biggest mistake of my life. All those months ago, I was ready to take the step with her. I could’ve been her first branding, and we both would’ve changed together.

Jade stepped forward, “We have fish? And Alcohol.”

The four of us looked at each other in turn, “I could go fishing.”

“Sounds good to me. On a boat for a few weeks.”

***

Charlene

Romero’s gentle treads from his sandals on the floor stepped through the house. I had a hungry vampire on my breast. I couldn’t stop looking at the boy; he was so cute. I was deliriously happy because the pregnancy was over. I would have more kids if I didn’t need to be pregnant and forced to sit still and keep the babies safe. But really, nine months… in a thousand years. Nine months would mean nothing. I would have more kids later. Romero stuck his head past the doorframe. “Can I come in?” he looked around, “Where is Carl?”

I sighed, “He left.”

“I will kill him,” Romero turned around and walked out. I laughed. He kept forgetting that we were bound to the planet. Then I heard Kubra’s voice. Romero had called his getaround. The two men were talking and yelling, “I’ll go get him right now. Bastard.”

I saw Romero pacing outside the station. It was rather comical. Poor Carl. I felt for him. They didn’t know him or understood him. But he did nudge. He shouldn’t have nudged. He forced me to think about it. Pushed in.

Kubra came out with a cigarette hanging from his lips, “Hey! Bring me that cigarette right now!”

Kubra guiltily took it out of his mouth. Carl was pushed down, bent at the waist, under one of Kubra’s hands. He was so tall, and it looked uncomfortable. “Here, take the boy,” Romero took over, manifested, and let Carl have it. Every feeling. A rainbow of color. Jolts of black pain as the two went into a full-blown fight. My toes curled. My hero was avenging me.

Kubra came in and handed me the cigarette, “Hey,” he sighed, taking in the scene.

“Hi.” Kubra always calmed down when he was with me, and he sat down with a wistful expression on his face. I missed our road trip in France. Kubra had also given up a lot. No, I had taken away a lot. He would never be able to be anywhere with me alone. No vacations. No honeymoon.

“I can’t believe we have a kid.”

“No. Me neither. I was thinking about our road trip. Where you grabbed the towel.”

Kubra groaned, “Romantic, isn’t it… I could’ve handled it better.” I laughed. It was good to have one husband who could talk to me about Earth and what it was like. Understood my references.

Carl yelled outside, going after Romero. He had given him green. Kubra followed my gaze out the window, “The boy has not changed at all.”

I had to giggle, changing the baby to the other breast. Fia stirred and complained in the background in her cute little voice. Kubra jumped up. “Oh… hello, little lady. You are so pretty.”

“She is… isn’t she. Both of them. Do you think we’ll have trouble with them?”

“Oh yes. Tight leash for this little one. She is going to be a looker.”

“Kubra. I’m on birth control.”

“I know.”

“You do. How?”

“I am four hundred years old. So yeah, I know what’s what.”

“I can’t even try to get away with something stupid.”

“Oh no. Sorry, my dear. I am too alert. Won’t be fooling me like Juliet fooled Louis.”

“The good old days. Of cage fighting and beatings.”

“Girls in nightgowns.”

“You did say I was pretty.”

“You are! A little fat—” Kubra dodged the pillow that went flying. He walked out of the room, “Your kid needs to eat,” he yelled at Romero.

“Take her to my mother. I’m busy,” Romero grunted, taking a punch to the gut.

Kubra looked back at me before he left, “Thank You,” I closed my eyes slowly, “Heard you regret sleeping with me.”

“What? Did you tech me? You did not.”

“I won’t take it personally. I knew what you meant. But you going out into dangerous situations, will take me a while to get used to.”

“Okay... Hey… do you regret it?”

Kubra avoided the question, “You’ve never asked me to train you.”

My lip quirked, “I would love that.”

His smile reached his eyes, “You were waiting for me to ask.”

I nodded, “You have a life… I don’t want to interfere.”

“I love you. I’m still in love with you,” Kubra said and left when Fia’s voice broke through with gentle determination.

Did I regret any of it? No… I don’t. None of it. I was a little antsy, but mastering my skills and abilities would help. I needed to learn, anyway. Romero and Kubra wouldn’t always be there. Neither would Juliet. The death of all my loved ones was my only regret. The fear of losing them and my children because they would die long before me.