126. Family Meeting

Sita

I was nervous when I was summoned to the palace. The last time Liv was with me. Queen Brylee was intrigued by the information about Mateo’s wife. She had made it my sole responsibility to get Louis and Juliet there on a specific day.

It had been months since Juliet almost beat me to death. I had fought and manifested. But with her new ability, she was beyond my limited training. She had knocked me out, and I had no idea what had happened that night. Why Brylee wanted to see Louis or Juliet. Fighting was mandatory for the women on Palmyra. I had to practice for two hours every day. It just didn’t matter… Juliet was more determined than I was. I just didn’t know that Mateo was checking how far I would go. He planned it well in advance. But he just eliminated another woman and girl from my list. I had been traveling and searching all that time for his family. I wanted in at the palace and was guaranteed a spot when I gave the queen more information.

That day I had dressed up to meet with Brylee again. Sure of my facts walking up the many stairs towards the palace gates. The grounds were extensive. Whoever worked there lived there. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to move in. Climbing the ladder.

Two massive werewolves stood guard. They recognized me and knew I was coming. I was ushered into the morning room slash garden, where the warmth of our star shone brightly. The queen was always veiled when she met with someone new. I had never seen her face, and I guessed I never would. Juliet and her two husbands fighting Ahasuerus were broadcast live. I have watched it many times. It had taken me a few days to get over my anger that she held the keys to her world. Everyone saw her become queen. How did she do it? The question haunted me at night, and I was determined to find out their secrets.

***

“Come sit down, Sita.”

The only thing about the veiled woman was that you knew in what direction she was looking. The tiny little rectangle cut out over her eyes was covered with a netted material, and she was staring at me.

“I hope this time you are sure. There will be no third chances.”

I put down the information file on the table in front of us. Another woman came forward and picked it up. She drew in the same breath as me when I saw the child for the first time. The woman bent down and showed it to Brylee.

She nodded. The woman left and disappeared into the building. I had just signed a death sentence for two people. I had watched them for months. They were hiding on earth with Mateo. Because their human form was Asian, he had hidden them in Japan. He had not once gone there to visit them. They always met up in Europe.

“Make sure you kill them, Sita.” My eyes snapped up. Brylee scoffed at me. I had thought she would send someone to do it. Let a wolf loose on the place like last time… “You have a week. But wait. Sit right there and don’t open your mouth.”

A werewolf ushered in Mateo. When he saw me, he smiled. “Made it without me. Not a nobody anymore.”

He bowed down. She released him with a wave of her hand. She wasn’t very motherly. Another wolf walked in. So massive that I gulped. The queen got up, and he pulled her into his embrace. She was another person entirely. After that, Mateo’s manner changed. His father was friendly, and they also embraced. The man wasn’t changing back, though. Sat on the ground with his knees in his elbows. Clutching his paws in front of him.

“Why am I here. Can I come home?”

A low growl from the wolf, and he came back to human. “Your mother had already said what she wants. You went against our ways. They will have to pay the price.”

Mateo stood up to leave.

“Will you marry Juliet… For allegiance?” Brylee’s words came out more of an order than a question. “Then I can leave your wife alone. You will be considered… emancipated or free. And we can all continue with our lives… There will have to be a baby... Doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl… Just consummation.”

Mateo’s eyes jumped to mine cruelly. He picked up something from the table, propping it into his mouth. “Or are you so in love with that nobody that you won’t be able to cheat on her?” Brylee sneered. “You always were a true wolf.”

His eyes were still on me… “I will go ask Juliet... I’m not against political marriages.”

In a way, he probably spared me. Hearing how cruel she was… I would have been that nobody with another one of his children waiting to die. When he was gone… She turned to me. “Sita, I will let you know. Prepare and stay in contact with your grandfather. If you don’t need to… don’t.”

I nodded as I left. Palmyra didn’t expect any women to bow to another.

***

Juliet

After the night we won. We all just took a few days to decompress. We had decided to put everything on hold and just think things through. But not the future. We gave ourselves a few more nights of fun. No training. Some days I sat on my bed and read. Marcus was on his bed. On other days we were together. Talking and laughing. I finally had time to start going through all the books in his room. Listen to all his ideas Marcus had of me and the rooms and the house. Finally asked him if he ever had anyone else in my room. Watching her… He was disgusted and made me pay.

Louis was with my dad and Michael next door. They all got drunk a few times, and Marcus and I played watchers… It was fun. Marcus and I actually spent time together. Holding hands and sitting around the fire. Like a regular human couple. If Louis wasn’t with them, he was with me on the bed, taking a nap, or we would talk. He would make me go take a shower. Two men on two beds watching me.

***

One afternoon Carl and Charlene were at the pool. Swimming and playing games in the water. Kubra outside watching… Charlene was very adamant that she wanted to change. That with the drugs on En-gannim… they would make the process easier. I had tried to talk to her. To convince her to forget about it. Charlene told me of their plan to get married… I didn’t know why she was pushing it… There seemed to be a misunderstanding about what would happen. He wanted her to connect to him, and she wanted to become a creature. It had driven a wedge between them.

“Rodrigo was kidnapped, Carl. It’s different.” I sat up, peeking out the door at the threesome. I didn’t want to talk about it because it meant we would have to make decisions. I would have to decide Charlene’s fate. I wasn’t ready.

At that moment. There were the soldiers that stayed. There were the few vamps that came from the prisons Marcus sent. There were the werewolves that moved there for safety. According to us and the compound and the world… There were no aliens unaccounted for. No one was outside except Mateo’s wife and child. He didn’t take us into his confidence. Scared, and I didn’t blame him.

Bertram was fired, and the position wasn’t filled. We trusted so many humans that would be ideal for the job. Just a promotion and go on with even a better relationship with me… Even a vamp like Kubra… if the world would allow it.

I heard the familiar walking of the cane on the walkway. I got up and glanced down the corridor. Jessy was ushering in Nicholas, Mateo, and Ben. I waved. He lifted his chin. Miné ran for her daddy. Ben had changed a lot since the threat was gone. Just not enough. There was something in his manner. He didn’t want to conform to the werewolf way of things. Since we found out who Mateo was. He had told Charlene that many of his actions resulted from having to stay with Mateo. That he was sent with Francesco to guard the queen’s son. Confessed that he had wished with Miné that the queen would let him go back. All three of them. Force the situation.

Nicholas went directly for the study. I thought he wanted to talk to Marcus or Louis, so I fell onto the bed. Closing my eyes for a second. Someone sat down next to me. I smelled him before anything else.

“What do you want?”

“Nicholas is asking your husband if we can form… some sort of an alliance.”

I swore loudly. It was the last thing I wanted to think about. “That was the first thing your Mother asked me. I didn’t think she had you in mind, though.”

“You guys have been sitting around for two weeks. I know you don’t have to care because you own a whole planet… But there are a lot of us here… So many women are pregnant. We are still not allowed back, and my mother doesn’t care what earth does with us….”

“So you want me to take you in. Or? You want to go live on En-gannim… There’s lots of space. Sure we can carve out a spot.”

“Earth is a lot like home, Juliet.”

“So you want me to pay for you to stay?”

“Well, if the army goes back… It’s not like we would be taking up more space… Earth would know where we are. It’s not like we can teleport. The tech hasn’t been made available to anyone.”

“No… It is very controlled.”

I could feel Mateo lie back on the bed. He was resting on his elbows. My curtains were open, and the window looked out over the yard. I was still facing away from him. My eyes were on the waterfall that ran into my koi pond. I was on my stomach, and my arm was hanging off the bed, rubbing Katty.

“I don’t know what you want from me? Do you want to marry me, or do you want us to arrange with earth for you to stay? Because it’s two separate matters.”

“Both…” He said hesitantly.

“Well, then you’re talking to the wrong person. And I don’t know if marriage without a baby would be acceptable to your mother… So how would you get past that? What will your wife say?” I snorted. “One big happy family?”

“Would you believe me if I said it was my mother’s idea? She said that if we would have a child… My other wife would be safe… You would never be able to take over, but it would mean peace between the two worlds.”

“You’re not answering my question….”

He was quiet for a while… “I’m a guy… You’re a girl. I’m sure I can muster up the courage.” He was joking. I laughed lightly. But he didn’t answer about what his wife would say.

“Still, I don’t know why you are talking to me… You’re in the wrong room. Go open that door. Mateo walked over and slid open the door between my room and Marcus’s. I ventured a peek. Marcus was standing on the threshold. Fuming. Lips white on his dark skin. Fists clenched. Mateo held up his hand… “No marriage, it seems.”

I laughed at Mateo... “At least I will reap the benefits.”

I turned around and rested on my elbows. Marcus’s eyes darted past Mateo to me. At least I got his attention. My one leg was dangling in the air seductively. I was forcing Marcus not to speak. So that was helpful and fun to see. Mateo stepped back and sat down on a little chair where I was supposed to have tea with Agatha when she visited.

I lifted my chin at Marcus. He smiled. Oh, Frak. I was losing control. He made it more significant, and I let go completely, digging my head into the pillows.

“GET OUT!” Marcus’s voice boomed out. Mateo jumped up and almost fell over the bridge. “I told you! Never Again! You had your chance… Bunch of dogs.”

Mateo was rushing over the bridge back to my side… He stopped at the door glancing at me. “The question is…Juliet.” He prepared himself to run… “Would you be able to sleep with me?”

Marcus darted for his door. I laughed as he chased Mateo down the corridor and out the gates. I fell back, my eyes aimlessly fixed on the roof. I knew it. The time had come for a Family Meeting. I just hoped it was going to go better than conjugal rights.

***

Louis

I didn’t trust the werewolves. Just as far and as long as I could see them. They were so changeable. Nick and I watched Marcus chase Mateo out the yard. I smiled. Nick grunted and sat down again. “Well, you have your answer about that.”

“Are we going to keep the Compound open, Louis?” Nick asked me.

We both got a message at the same time. “Guess the queen has spoken. You will have your answer. Come on. Let’s get you outside.”

Juliet directed Jessy and the men to make a bigger circle around the fire pit. I left Nick for a moment, helping with who we needed to invite. After a half-hour, more people were coming into the gate. No one on the compound really had anything to do. Everyone was in limbo. So when we sent out invitations, they came for the fellowship. Marcus was walking back with his mom and sat down with Agatha. He was forced to keep the conversation going. They were learning sign language. After a while, Mateo ventured inside. Juliet didn’t even glance at him. She wasn’t thinking about it. I hated that she could control her thoughts and keep me out. She had been practicing… Focus on something completely off-topic. It wasn’t like I could go searching for answers.

***

Juliet

When all the chairs were filled. And I thought that everyone was there that should have a say. I started the meeting. “The question has been raised, and it’s time we decide what will happen?”

I scanned the crowd. I was searching for Nicholas. He was the oldest werewolf on earth. It was strange to me that he wouldn’t have stayed. Coming all that way just for a marriage proposal and left when we’re about to discuss their future. My gaze drifted to the gate. “Jessy, where is Nicholas?”

“He left when Mateo came back.”

For the first time that day, my gaze landed on Mateo. Nicholas left when he saw there would be no alliance. How long had it been since that night with Brylee?

“Four months…” Louis answered… “Baby, what’s going on?”

“Was there anyone with your mother that day?” I asked Mateo.

“Sita.”

I swore loudly. “Who is at the Embassy?”

“Carl…” Jessy said. “He left an hour ago.”

I almost fell over the chairs and people. I was running, trying to get out. “Mateo… With me!” How could they leave a twenty-one-year-old in charge of the station? I smiled, thinking that I was in charge of a whole planet.

I didn’t really care if anyone was following but Mateo. “What’s going on?” He asked as we jumped into a car and sped out. I looked back, making sure more cars were following.

“Where is she?”

“Juliet, I’m not saying.”

“Then their blood is on your hands.”

“You’re not even telling me what’s going on.”

We ran and nodded at the operator. Jessy with me all the way. We came out at Washington. Carl was on his phone at the booth. My gaze traveled over the room. Warden and Jack were there. Carl’s head came up. “Jules? Are you guys eloping?”

My hand rested on my heart. I walked over to him and pulled him into an embrace. “Didn’t you get my freaking message? When did she come through?”

“About an hour ago. Told me that I should not go home because there might be trouble.”

I turned to Mateo. Everyone was behind us already, listening to Carl and me. My eyes met Louis. “How is it that you keep anything from Louis?”

“I just make sure I am nowhere near h….” Mateo’s voice trailed off.

“Didn’t you think it suspicious at all? Sita is here, Mateo... There are no deliveries scheduled. Nicholas left after we denied the offer… She is on her way to your wife… Your mother had given you one chance… If you told me what had happened, we could have lied.”

He walked to the teleporter. I wanted to go with him. Marcus pulled me back and jumped in with Mateo. They traveled. Louis and I followed. When we came out, it was in an alley. They were running… It was dark and noisy. The gunshots rang through the neighborhood. It jolted us all. One followed by another. My arms were covered in gooseflesh. We were too late!

Louis and I stayed to catch Sita on her way back.

I got a text.

Nicholas {Don’t kill her! She is my granddaughter.}

Louis pulled me into the shadows. Holding my hand.

I heard the footfalls coming closer. I smelled Sita. Her eyes were nervously flickering everywhere. Her hands clutched her jacket in front of her. When her gaze came back from glancing back over her shoulder, I was in front of her.

“You won’t kill me, Juliet. Get out of the way. You had ample opportunity. Your sentiment is what killed that little girl tonight.”

I didn’t have time to say anything. Louis was behind me, and the gun came up next to my face. He didn’t ask. He didn’t hesitate. It was in one motion, and the gun popped. For all that I was used to, it made me jump back. Louis caught me. I grabbed my ear. He had shot her in the head. She fell down. The ringing drowned out the rest of the busy Tokyo neighborhood.

We walked forward into the street, looking toward the direction Marcus and Mateo had gone. I couldn’t see Mateo, but Marcus was outside on the road. Leaning over onto his knees. His eyes closed. I passed him and took the small flight of stairs. It led up to a dingy little apartment building located above several takeout stands. There were three doors. Two were open.

Scared, I pushed at the first one. There was a bullet hole right through the door. Chest hight. The door was stuck. Louis came up behind me and pushed it open all the way. David was on the floor. He was dead.

I heard the yelping and a whimper… When Louis pushed open the other door. I followed. He peeked around the door frame. I wanted to see, but he pulled me back. I ripped my arm out of his grip and turned the corner. Both the woman and the daughter were in Mateo’s arms. He sat manifested to be able to hold both of them. The bed was full of blood. If he had branded her. He would have died instantly. Louis grabbed my hand, pulling me in under his shoulder. Tears rolled down my cheeks…