68. Proof Of Life

Juliet

For the next two weeks, I got my cabin in the woods. I got lost in the peace, nature, and just waking up and being with Chris and Caleb. We were a little family for the first time. One that would never last. The fear gnawed at me.

In the back of my mind… I waited and waited for the moment he would leave. That Caleb would go away. Chris kept getting things from somewhere. Warden wouldn’t say. The last present was a white fur blanket for Caleb. It was the warmest, softest thing I had ever felt. Smooth and expertly made into a sleep sack for a baby.

A few days after we were there, Samuel came to visit for the day. He brought cages, and we ate something new and delicious. It was fun.

Before he left, he handed me a box wrapped so beautifully. Something I had never seen before. The paper was alive and moving. Animated and glowing. Magical. When I opened it, I frowned. I took out a basic leather swatch. It appeared to be a thin, long, soft bookmark. I liked reading. It was darkly colored in browns and blacks. Embossed with strange lettering on it. Weird pictures and symbols. None of it made sense. I got up to show Chris who was playing with Caleb.

He took it from me. The lettering started to glow. It began at the top and went once over everything till it reached the bottom. Making a round seal appeared in the corner. It looked like wax… an emblem pressed onto it.

Or that’s what we thought it could be. Around the emblem, there was writing in bright red letters. Chris lifted it up and examined the corner where the mark appeared.

“What is it?” His head lifted. Gazing out over the view in front of him. Contemplating and then smiling.

“Remember this… If anything ever happened to me… That birthday before the car. I had a present for you.”

“You did… What was it?”

“Well… I still have it… It’s in a bank safety deposit box… I didn’t want Sita to find it… Take it or whatever.”

“What’s the code for the safety deposit box?”

“I’ll whisper it to you later tonight.”

“Wow, Mr. Rheed. You are really getting good at this romance thing.”

He eyeballed me. “I hate it when you call me that.”

Chris handed me back the swatch. At that moment, both our hands were on the leather. It lit up again. That time with another color. More scribblings and pictures appeared… But in the background of everything else.

“What the heck was that? Why does it feel like I just sold myself to you.”

I studied the pretty flowers and leaves in the background of the other writings. Chris was thinking but also playing with Caleb on his legs. He was sitting like I always sat with him. He didn’t like that he and Caleb weren’t as bonded as I was with him. That we couldn’t sleep in the same room making turns and raising our baby like a typical family.

I had the swatch in my hand and touched Caleb’s face with my other. The same leafy squiggles that covered the swatch ran off the leather onto his little cheek, going into his little shirt. Flowing down his skin.

I took Chris’s hand quickly and made him touch it too. His waxy patch also traveled to Caleb. We both glanced at each other. We got up and took Caleb inside to inspect his body.

There it was… glowing on his little butt. A tiny tattoo like mine.

“Not slavery contract… Birth Certificate… How lucky the Riphaths were… Having painless procedures.”

“This was sent to you… You have to keep this safe.”

“Yeah, I think it’s one of those things we should give to Marcus.” Chris nodded. “Or to my father, I’m just going to lose it.

“Take the swatch and put it over your arm. “ Chris and I jerked around, startled. Warden was in the doorway…

Chris took it from me and did what Warden said.

The same thing happened to me. All the markings that lit up when I touched it ran from the swatch to form a band tattoo around my upper arm.

“Chris you do the same.” I took it and did it for Chris. The same thing happened with all the original markings that were there from the start. It was on my left arm and on his right.

***

Sita

Liv and I left the Embassy in haste, making our way back to America. She was taking me back to Nick. I protested. She insisted.

Walking into the house felt like a giant setback. The country girl didn’t make it on her own. I wanted revenge on Juliet… Nick had a soft spot for that little vamp and Chris. We were a family, but there had never been an understanding between him and me. No connection. We were too different. He was so old and because my mother did something stupid. He had come with her when she was banished. Not wanting to be separated from his daughter. Stuck there and going to die there.

Lucky for me all he wanted was for me to go back. As soon as possible and be happy. Blood was thicker than water. After all.

But Liv was right. If I wanted to get back at her. I would have to do it right. And first, I needed to convince Nicholas.

“Liv…? Sita? What’s going on.” I stepped up towards my grandfather and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.

“Hello, Nick,” Liv said as she shook hands with him.

“Sita got into some trouble… But… it all worked out for the best.”

“What happened?” He asked, concerned.

“Nick… Sita tells me you have been on the side of this little vampire girl… Juliet?”

“Of course… She saved one of our own. How could I turn against her? Here on earth, we have to stand together… Has the truth come out about everything… have you told Sita…?” Nick changed the subject.

Liv’s eyes cast down to the ground. Seemed like there were still things I didn’t know.

“It’s beside the point. She wants to come home… Are you going to let her go?”

“Yes, of course. If she gets the invitation, who am I to stand in her way….”

“The thing is, she needs training Nick.”

“She is so young Liv… when she gets there, she can train for years… what does it matter.”

“The thing is that Sita wants something in return for joining the fold.”

My grandfather cast a skeptical eye on me. He sat down, tired of balancing on a stick. I felt guilty... He had come to enjoy the way humans operated in their relationships and mutual respect under the species. But that was all about to change. There was nothing he could do about it.

“Tell me.”

“She wants Chris away from the girl. Get a bit of revenge.” Nicholas sighed, resigned to the fact that he was dealing with a society controlled by women. I felt the power, and I liked it…

He watched me for a long moment. His eyes showed defeat that I would never be like my mother. That I would never oppose the hierarchy of the werewolf society. Shaking his head, he asked, “What do you want to do?”

“All I want is for Juliet to go back to the compound.” Jack and Francis wanted to say something, but Nicholas silenced them.

“How?”

“All I need is enough leverage for her to go back all by herself. I won’t do anything to anyone.”

“The thing is, Nick… Sita has never even shot a gun or had anyone hit her… She needs training because Juliet is getting hers from Marcus.” He scoffed and chuckled.

“Oh, so you need the previous general of the army to train his own granddaughter into a mini warrior. In how many months?”

“Well. Yes… In three if possible.”

“I’ll do it if you take Francis and Jack with you… Sita?” I expectantly stood up, surprised that my two cousins were his only requirement. My fate hung in Liv’s next words.

“The grandsons of the great Nicholas Moore. I don’t think that would be a problem.”

***

Qadir had a slowness about him. A leisurely attitude. He moved around as if nothing in this world was a threat to him. And rightly so. He was the heir to a whole planet. And nothing on earth was going to stop him.

Sitting across from him in his study was nerve-racking. He would have been handsome if he didn’t hate women so much. Our mutual dislike in Juliet had bought me some respect from the man. And got me that meeting.

Liv was right. She pointed out the wall that surrounded Juliet. When I suggested to Qadir that he not force Marcus back. But make him come willingly. And in one simple action, he was intrigued.

“So all you want is for Juliet to come back here… Why?”

“I… just want some revenge. She doesn’t want to be here. And it would be the easiest way of breaking up the life they have built there.”

He regarded me for a long time. There was never a smile on his face. Instead, a downturned mouth or a blank expression.

“Why would Juliet do this for the little werewolf cub?”

“Because Juliet's one weakness is being altruistic when it comes to injustice. She would do anything for her family. Or anyone, for that matter. Without a second thought. And I can guarantee you that she would immediately make Marcus come back if she would be the cause of Miné’s death or even worse… torture.”

Qadir sat back on the oversized brown leather couch. Another man came into the room and waited to be told to sit.

“Jabin, this is Sita. Sita… Jabin.” I got up to shake his hand. But like Qadir, he didn’t deem it… necessary. I sat back down, not really perturbed about their lack of respect for me.

“Did you hear what she said?” Jabin nodded. “Start making plans for when they are back here.” Jabin nodded again. It was only a slight lowering of his head every time.

“And? Did you bypass Kubra’s feed yet? And are you seeing everything now?”

“Yes. But…”

“But what?”

“Marcus is either an outstanding actor. Or he is still on the fence just like Raas said.”

“Then. Sita’s idea has come at a good time. Now we just need an opportunity.”

“Why I came to see you. It might help us... They are trying to find Rodrigo. Juliet had a setback. Louis is getting worse. Marcus and Chris are coming here. It would probably happen over the full moon when you are not. When they know you are at fights. So, that gives us a few days.”

“Make sure they find him.”

“Yes, sir.”

Even Qadir’s speech was slow with every answer. “What else?”

“Samuel was not on his estate for the month’s Juliet was gone… She was there with someone else.”

“Who?”

“We don’t know. But there can only be one person Samuel would trust her with.”

Qadir frowned. I didn’t watch them but listened intently in on their conversation. Being fully veiled had its advantages.

“You sure it wasn’t Louis.”

Jabin shook his head. “The recording in the house kept going and didn’t stop even when Marcus and Chris went to meet Sita. Louis was at home the whole time.”

“What happened to Juliet’s watcher when they signed the contract.”

Jabin played with the paper in his hand before he spoke. “He stayed under Samuel’s discretion… He is Caleb’s watcher for the time being.”

“What did Rodrigo say is happening to Juliet?”

“He says that she will soon turn into one of those things in the glass boxes.”

“Does he know why Louis is going through this?”

Jabin shook his head. “He doesn’t understand the branding process. Or just as much as we do. He will know more when they come, and he can do tests.”

Slowly Qadir stood up, pulling himself together. Jabin followed him to his feet.

“Well. Sita. We will soon see if you know Juliet as well as you think you do. You will stay here for the time being.” He then shoed Jabin out with the flick of his four fingers. I jumped up, taking that as my queue to leave.

They had given me a room. I couldn’t get that veil off my face fast enough. Watching the world through a slit was just how I wanted Juliet to see it. Seeing the rigid ways the men were on the compound. How the women were treated. It was just what she needed to learn some manners.

***

Carl

“Hey, Charlene. Where is Miné’s favorite elephant, toy thingy.”

“I don’t know why?” Charlene said as she came into the room.

“I want to wash it. It’s getting a little... gross.”

“Yeah, I saw that… But you really don’t need to do that. I’ll put it in the washing machine.”

“You can’t put a hundred-pound teddy in the freaking washing machine.”

“Why?” I shook my head.

“Hand wash only.” Ben came into the room holding out the elephant to me. I pursed my lips at her. “See, was that so difficult… He understands…”

I left the room very aware of Ben’s hands on her shoulders and him standing behind her telling her to let it go. That we were all just trying to keep Miné safe and healthy. Charlene followed me into the kitchen and into the laundry room.

“Carl, what’s going on with you? You are more at our house than up at the main house.” I wasn’t really listening to her. I wasn’t going to leave unless she told me to leave her and Ben alone.

“Carl, I’m talking to you.”

I glanced up at her, hoping she would let it go.

“You might as well move in here. If the other house is getting crowded.”

My hands stopped washing the little teddy bear in the cold water. I peeked back over my shoulder at the door seeing Ben leaning against the frame… Willing me to make a move.

“No, I’m fine with the living situation at the house… There are just not enough hands here… I like helping.” I kept washing.

***

Chris

It was two days before the full moon. Marcus and l would travel back to America. All the way inland. Make sure Qadir was on his way to Europe so that we could go.

Juliet’s warmth calmed me down. Her mouth kissed my neck. She nuzzled me. I didn’t want to let go of her. We started saying goodbye a few days ago. It wasn’t helping. The time we had alone was like a honeymoon. To just leave again. So soon after, left a gaping hole in my chest.

I had made sure that Caleb had his own watcher. Warden assured me he had the right guy for the task. That would mean that in some way, they would be protected… Right?

“I love you!” She said.

“I love you too.” I kissed her one last time. Turned around and got in the car. Her eyes were fixed on us backing out. She ran for the car around to Marcus’s side.

Wanted him to roll the window down. “I can’t, Chris.”

“Then you’ll just have to go?” Marcus didn’t even take a peek. We left her standing there.

A few seconds down the lane, Marcus got a text… He chucked the phone at me. “I can’t.”

I clicked her name and read the few words. I smiled. “It’s not bad.”

“What did she say?”

“She said… Come back.” Heavy sigh. He tapped at the steering wheel with his fist. “You don’t have to worry… that girl will wait for you.”

***

Two Days Later…

Driving onto the compound was difficult. It was almost like an Asian city all on its own. Very clean. The guarded entrance even looked out onto a massive fountain. The size of it all was overwhelming. Well-kept roads were even picturesque to a fault. Flowers on the road lights. Pretty houses. There were even road signs and information boards to tell everyone what area was designated for what.

It was a well-oiled machine. Armed guards patrolling the streets. No one manifested. Just an American community living by their own rules. Even the American flag was flapping on at least ten poles surrounding the fountain. Proclaiming the validity of it all.

“How many…”

“Two hundred thousand strong army hidden in that valley and the mountains” My head snapped to Marcus. “Young vampires not older than a hundred. Fifty thousand women living with fifteen thousand men and counting. You have to be at least a hundred to get married as a man. So a lot has more than one wife.”

“Woman ranging from….”

Clearing his throat, “not younger than fourteen.”

“How old was Juliet.”

“She had just turned fifteen.”

The range of emotions playing around in me. Made me want to get out and kill all of them. I needed to thank Marcus for getting her out of there.

We drove into a neighborhood far out of the city center. It’s a small community. The lawns and gardens were well kept. Families outside. But I saw only boys. Marcus drove even further until he was almost at the outskirts.

There was a little house separated from the rest. Open fields surrounded it. He stopped the car and got out. I came around seeing him leaning on his arm against the door. My first thought was that he was taking a moment being back.

I left him for a minute. But I thought I heard him crying. I put a hand on his shoulder. He pushed me off. I pulled him around. Tears were falling down his cheeks.

“I don’t think I can do this… This was a mistake.” I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. His shoulders shook as his face buried itself in the crook of my neck. He grabbed onto me. What the hell was going on? My arms circled his neck. I held him until he was okay.

“I’ve been holding in so much for so long that it feels like I want to burst, Chris... This is the only place I’m free. But this is the only place she’s not. There in France, I’m trapped.”

“Then stay!” I tried to convince him.

He shook his head. Pushing himself away from me, wiping under his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. Blowing his nose into the grass.

“That’s their house.” He pointed.

I swung around to look at the deserted little stand.

Weeds had taken over a garden and a trampoline. The windows were dusty. Some of the roof tiles were broken. An overgrown stone path up to the house were just small fragments.

It was such a sad scene. They were almost secluded from the whole community. Out there on that street, there were no guards. It was only one road leading out into nothing ... Behind them was just a mountain… Fifteen years she was alone. Secluded. No friends.

I wanted to go inside. See her room. The path she took to the gorge where she tried to end her life and got shot. But I also didn’t.

Marcus got back in the car. I joined him after a while. We had to drive back. All the way to almost the other side of the whole place.

The Ahmed estate was huge. A walled property all along a section of road. Guard station at the gate with three men opening without hesitation.

“How do they know?”

“Kubra.”

The place was a compound on its own. Gardens. Wall-offed sections split the estate into smaller parts. It echoed a Chinese royal family layout. Even the style was old Chinese… with its slanted roofs, painted posts holding up ewes around the main building.

We parked in front of the main entrance and took the many stairs up into the house. If you could call it that. On a mission, Marcus ignored everyone.

So many servants greeted him. Young men came out of other rooms and also greeted him. Brother from another mother. Even younger boys peeked down from a staircase that spiraled up at least three floors. “How many…?”

“A lot.”

A woman came out of the kitchen. Fully veiled like all the women there. The color was the same. You didn’t know who was who. Or how they told them apart.

He walked over to her. She greeted him by taking his hands. He held her eyes as they spoke… without saying anything. Juliet had told us what happened that day and that Marcus’s mother couldn’t talk.

“This is Chris.” Marcus paused. “I don’t know you’re surname.”

A smile played on his mouth. “Rheed.” I chuckled. “At least I know who Marcus Ahmed is.”

“No, don’t….” He exclaimed.

All the women dropped to their knees and kowtowed in front of him. Even his mother. He quickly stepped closer to her and helped her up again. Our gazes met. My eyes were big and haunted. I tilted my head.

I had always thought that Juliet was a drama queen when she told us she could not handle all of it… But it was not some Indian society where there was still respect for women.

Thinking back at him bowing before Juliet… Blows my mind… Marcus didn’t belong there. His mother took us into the kitchen and fed us.

The next thing on the agenda was his quarters… His part of the estate was almost a fourth of the whole mini-estate Qadir had built. We walked through two big red wooden doors. It was like walking into another world. His tastes were not Qadir’s. The doors opened onto a roofed walkway. Completely open on the left. A beautiful view out over gardens and ponds on our left. A swimming pool. A big yard. On our right, though... So many doors.

“So many rooms… For so many wives? How did you get from here to sharing Juliet with us all.”

“How did you?” He slapped my shoulder. “The sun is setting soon. You ready.”

“What’s the plan?” We walked into a room that could only be the infamous study where he had to tie her down. Kubra came out of the shadows. They shook hands. Marcus pulled him into a hug. Whispering into his ear.

Kubra’s brow furrowed. “You know there is no watcher tech hear or any surveillance.”

Marcus nodded. “Just checking if things have changed since I’ve been gone. With your father being here and all.”

“Here are the plans for the science building.” Kubra laid them out on a desk in the middle of the room.

“So you say you know everything going on… So tell us where he would be. Are there other plans we should know of that reveals hidden areas?”

“Not that I know of. It’s not like I can go into Qadir’s office and snoop around. So we’re going to have to study these… Go down there and see what doesn’t belong.”

“So you don’t even know if Rodrigo is here?” I asked.

Kubra shook his head. “I have looked everywhere.”

Marcus and I studied the plans together. Going through all the sheets. Trying to figure out where he could be locked up in.

“Okay, so let's get down there. We need to find out as fast as possible if he’s here.”