50. Raas

Juliet

The following day I woke up thinking about Marcus. Everything he had said but couldn’t tell me. That night in the club when he bowed before me and apologized.

I jumped up, agitated, running down the stairs. I wanted to see if he would be reading in his usual spot. He was there. I went over and sat down across from him on the oversized three-seater couch, picking up my own book. After a moment, he lowered his book to peer over the rim at me. I pointed my finger at him and called him over.

Hesitantly he got up, glancing over to Carl and Charlene making breakfast.

“I’m not going to violate you in public… just yet.” Carl and Charlene smiled at me, and I blew them both a kiss. Charlene blew me several kisses back.

Getting up, I had to take Marcus’s hand and pull him closer. He was moving way too slow. I put him on the couch next to me, laying my head down on his lap.

I took his hand and placed it on my head. “I have wanted you to play with my hair while we read for the longest time.”

Marcus was quiet… His hand was still and hovering. I gave him a moment to decide. Slowly he started stroking, having no clue what to do.

His eyes were on my face. I looked up at him… “I’m a fool for you. I have feelings for you.” His hand stopped stroking. I smirked, having gotten the reaction I wanted.

I had decided that I would have to give him daily affirmation, even if it was just a few words. After a moment, he relaxed. Taking up his book again when I started reading mine. His hand soon found rhythm… it felt so good that my eyes closed from the pleasure. I wanted to drop the book and just enjoy the attention.

“Later, we can switch places. I will do the same.” His hand stopped again. I snickered. Carl and Charlene giggled in the kitchen.

My head tilted up so I could see his face… Marcus was blushing. You couldn’t really see the red, but the tinge was there. I turned to my book, and we sat for a while, just reading like the old times.

Chris had moved into Louis’s and my bed. Sleeping on the floor wasn’t an option. I told him to choose, and he did. When Louis came back… I didn’t know what would happen.

Later when Chris woke up, he came over to us, taking in the scene. He paused but quickly came around the couch and sat down, picking up my feet and placing them on his lap. He slid down so he could play games on his phone. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I was that happy. I sighed, relaxing. Charlene and I glanced at each other. My bottom lip happily between my teeth.

They were all really taking this too well. Not in a million years did I think Chris would be up for this nor Marcus. Charlene and Carl adjusting. I had gotten everything I wanted.

***

We spent most mornings like that while waiting for Louis to wake up unless it was our turn in the kitchen.

Benjamin and his three friends would leave over the weekend. The house was packed and lively. I enjoyed having so many people there... Out of the blue, Marcus suggested that we build Charlene a house. Just further down the road. Still on Louis’s land but that she would have her own space. Just the idea made me giddy. I clapped my hands excitedly, running over to him, hugging him, and thanking him. He flinched, watching me with interest. Marcus was slowly getting to know the new me. Childish excitement was something he ever had to witness.

“We would have to get it done before the winter. Her baby is due in September around the 24th.” Marcus said. Everyone was staring at him except Chris. He picked up the plans and made his way to the front door.

“Come on… We have to go find a spot.”

Charlene and I smiled at each other. She was just as excited as me. Locking arms like we had done a million times, we trailed behind the guys.

They were talking, gesturing about logistics. The two girls laughed and made jokes about how outrageous our lives were. It had been a long time, but it felt like I was home. She felt it too. We had discussed where both babies would have to go… Her own house was the perfect solution.

“You know what, Chars… Even if Ben flakes out, you will be set for life here… with me.” She smiled. “Is that even something you would want?” I asked nervously, eyes cast down to the ground. Hoping.

“You kidding… I had no plans. We can do online schooling if we really want to study. If not, we could just… Live… you know. Travel with the kids. Just be happy for the limited time I would have with you guys.”

I didn’t want to think about saying goodbye to her and Carl. Living for eight hundred more years.

“There isn’t some pill you can give me to make me a vampire.” I stepped around her, gripping her upper arms. I wanted to say something. She shook her head. The guys joined us, and Benjamin took her hand, leading her away to the site they had chosen.

***

That Monday, Benjamin and the guys left again. It seemed that Charlene and Ben were getting to know each other a little more, but she didn’t seem convinced about him just yet. Or like she was in love.

Chris, Carl, and Charlene had left Marcus and me alone at home. They had driven to Lyon with the guys to the train station. They would be gone the whole day. My mom was coming, and my dad was going to see Louis. Why he wasn’t awake yet. I didn’t want to miss any news about him. That was the excuse I gave.

We waved them all off at the front door. As soon as the car was out of sight. I turned to Marcus, falling on his chest with my arms next to my side, my knees buckling.

“What’s wrong?”

I started crying… “Juliet…” He tried to push my head back to get a better look at my face.

***

Marcus

Juliet wasn’t there anymore. What was going on? She was holding back. Waiting to get everyone out of the house because she knew something wasn’t right. I tried to get her attention. Nothing worked. Her eyes were glossed over… almost white.

She wasn’t fighting me or being physical. I had lost her for a moment, limp in my arms. Her eyes returned to normal.

I tried to comfort her. She pushed me off, running for the loo and throwing up in her shirt. Only blood came out. I had forgotten that she was infected at all.

“What the hell is that! What is going on…! What do I do?” She shook her head, falling down on her butt next to the loo.

She was covered in blood. “Shower, just put me in there and open the water freezing cold.” I did what she asked and got in with her in my arms. I put her on the wooden bench letting the water run over her. She was sobbing.

“It’s that serum you were injected with?” She bobbed her head, rubbing her face with her hands.

“I’ve had spells but not like that. It hurt…” Her hand gripped my arm, eyes intently on mine.

“You want to throw up again?” She shook her head and pulled her hair away from her shoulder. I stepped closer, seeing a lesion on her neck.

It was small, but it was there. Fear assaulted me for the second time. I was so consumed with her sending me away that I forgot that I might still lose her. The water was deafening as it ran over both of us. Juliet leaned onto my stomach, gripping onto my shirt as she did with Chris in the club.

The lesion was leathery. It didn’t seem to be eating the skin…

“Take me out.” The words brought me back to the present. I picked her up and carried her to my bed.

“I need to eat… We have been leaving it because of Charlene…But I need to eat.”

“I can’t leave you here alone!” I said while I pulled off the wet shirt I had on.

I went to the bathroom, grabbing as many towels as I could.

“You will have to.” She groaned. I stripped the rest of my clothes to get dry. Pulling on a new pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

Juliet was on her side, watching me. Her eyes darted to the door.

“We have an audience.”

I turned around. “Who the hell are you?” There was a man dressed in just white standing at the door. His hands in the air.

“Jack… Louis’s watcher… Louis is awake… Liam is also waiting. The meeting and all. Raas wants both of you….” The mention of the name sent an irritation through me… Raas was not friendly.

“I don’t want to go like this!” Juliet pulled on my sleeve.

“You can hardly stand. We can’t go!”

“I mean, you guys will have to get me dressed.” There was no way in hell I was letting another stranger help me get my wife dressed. Turning around, I ushered him out of the room. Give us ten minutes.

Jack left for the lounge. After being there for a week, Chris and I learned about the Watchers. Carl had told us everything. David pitched in where he could. I knew less than a seventeen-year-old. It seemed that my father had left out a whole lot. Brandings, teleportation, watchers… Did I have one?

I walked to her and Louis’s dressing room. “Why did this happen now?”

She had rows of clothes. I had no idea what to put on her. I took the first thing I saw. Black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black jacket… It was all hung up together. In the bottom of the cupboard, there were a pair of black boots and socks inside them.

“Okay, convenient!?”

I went back to my room and put the stuff down next to her. “Underwear…” Jack’s voice came from the hall. Juliet had a hard time breathing. Doubled over, groaning.

I had to listen to him. “Right!” I turned again, going out of the room.

I had to rummage through her drawers. There were rows of panties and bras. What the heck was I supposed to choose. I went for black, but the first one I picked up was a G-string that didn’t cover anything.

I paused, looking at the thing. Lacy with little bows.

Jack pushed past me… “Really, now is not the time….”

He grabbed two items and held them up. “Sportsbra and briefs for day wear with jeans, especially if she isn’t coming home for days,” I growled and grabbed them.

“Thanks, now get lost.”

He huffed and turned away. “Call me if you need help. I’ll be in the lounge.”

I finally got to Juliet, helping her up and taking off her shirt and wet clothes. Drying her with the towel while she tried to stay upright.

I had to put on her bra and shirt. I took the panties and pulled them over her feet and up to her thighs. Putting her arms around my neck, making her hold on and stand up so I could pull it up all the way. When that was done, she fell down on the bed, smiling.

“You’re enjoying this….” I asked incredulously.

“You have no idea… I saw you naked.” I shook my head. “If I wasn’t feeling this horrible, you would have a horny teenager on your hands to deal with, not all this crap.”

“It’s not like we can say ‘for better or worse, ’ right…? For us, it’s life or death!” She started crying again, tears running down her temples as she lay on her back. I was pulling up her jeans over her feet. She lifted her butt so I could finish everything. I pulled her up and into my arms, sitting next to her.

“I’m sorry, Marcus… Nothing is what you wanted for your life. I have ruined everything. If I die from this or if you have to kill me?” I held her even closer.

“This is where I want to be….” Ragged sobs escaped her lips. She gripped onto my shirt, her fist clenching the material, burying her face in my chest.

A voice from the door chastised, “You’re obviously not helping.”

I looked up at the guy. “We got to go.” He walked past me and gave her a shot in the neck. Startled, her hand shot up. I glared at him.

“Give her a second.”

Juliet opened her eyes. Wide and sparkly blue. She was breathing normally and nodded. “I feel better.”

I looked at him in question.

“Pain meds… It won’t last long… We need to go!” Jack said again.

***

Louis’s Two Weeks.

The first thing I wanted to do when I woke up was check my phone.

My heart was still on fire. It left a constant pain in my chest. An uncomfortable pressure that was winding tighter and tighter. I went in and out of consciousness like that for the first week. I couldn’t speak or ask anyone what had happened but be patient with the process. I let images of Juliet and me fill my mind. Sooth me so I could get through it.

Remembering why I did it.

***

A few days later, I could keep my eyes open for more than a minute. I turned around in my bed and onto my side…

Picking up my phone that morning was nerve-racking. I wondered if she would have left me any messages. If she didn’t… it would be worse than pushing that hot iron into her. Searing her flesh…

She was never good with messaging me. She did send Chris that one long voice note…

Lifting my phone, I held my breath. The notifications screen lit up like a Christmas tree. A hundred messages from Juliet made me fall back onto the bed, holding the phone tightly at my chest.

A tear escaped and slowly rolled down my temple.

For a long moment… I tried to process the attachment that had formed between us. I tried to work through the years of hurt Juliet must have felt… Marcus did all that to her… And then she was separated from him for so long. Not knowing where he was… Subconsciously aware of a person out there that loved you…

I had an odd sense of Marcus... He had become a part of me… An awareness that he was… somewhere. I hoped he would be with Juliet. That he had listened to me. That he did not leave her again. I fell asleep with my phone in my hands, wondering what silly things she said in every message.

***

The first day I could sit up and focus, they brought me two tied-up humans to eat. Even finishing off both of them did nothing for the energy depletion I felt. Nothing wanted to restore it. A few more days went on like that.

I just sat in bed listening to Juliet’s messages. Sleeping the rest of the time… I was coming up on the two-week mark. Getting excited to going home.

Juliet {Baby, I’m awake… You must see my butt. Your Lotus flowers are placed so well… that it complements Marcus’s eagle. All around its feet… I’m fine and almost able to get up.]

Next message:

{Sigh, I’m thinking about you and miss you.}

Next message:

{I’m sorry about everything… Thinking about it now… I rather pushed you into it… But it’s a bit too late now… Love you.}

I cried when I read the first few messages.

A few messages later:

Juliet {Louis, I’m going to have to message you about everything, or else I will go crazy. Marcus says you won’t even wake up after two weeks. I don’t know what I will do…]

More messages later:

Juliet {Babe, you have to come home… Marcus and Chris are making me exercise, swim, and do self-defense training.}

That made me laugh and worry at the same time. Chris was there. But it also meant he got through the 26th and that he and Marcus could protect her.

I wanted to call her, but I also wanted to only talk to her when I could see her. We had been through so much that it was still not sinking in what this meant for my life.

I remember being with Samuel and denying his niece. Denying women. Then I saw her, followed her, and fell in love with her. I remembered her falling in love with me. For a time, there was a fear of losing her. But then she did this thing for me. She had given herself to me in every possible way. She had begged me to cover her. I knew how Chris must have felt being pushed into the back seat of that car.

***

On my last day, I was getting dressed. Liam walked into the room.

I was in a medical wing or something. It was the French embassy for vampires in Paris. When he saw me, he had a massive smile on his face. I couldn’t help to shrug. I wasn’t in the mood… Or had any strength to be my happy self. He drew me into an embrace and hugged me for a long time.

“Louis, I can’t tell you how relieved I am. How happy we are about what happened.” I sat down on the bed behind me.

He frowned. “You still tired?”

I nodded, “I can’t seem to get my strength back.”

“Well, it is the first time this has happened. Maybe it has something to do with Marcus, I don’t know?”

“It doesn’t signify. Is Juliet okay? And Cindy, is she here?”

“Cindy is already on her way to your house. She wanted to see Juliet. Louis… Juliet is pregnant.”

I nodded again. I already knew. I had a visitor. A secret one.

“I kinda figured… It could go both ways. I was prepared. Don’t worry about it.” I said, holding onto his arm while I tried to catch my breath. “I think I will be fine if I could just get closer to her.”

“You still have so many things to do here. You have to attend that insane information meeting about how everything works from here on out. You know we did something that was banished….”

“I don’t care… What could they possibly tell us?” I didn’t have the strength to deal with any drama. All I wanted was to go back to my house and be with my wife.

“I haven’t talked to Marcus, so I don’t know. Let’s go.”

Liam and I made our way through long, dark corridors. The whole place was underground in the heart of Paris. Entering an elevator took us up a tall building. The entire city came into view.

We exited into an open space on the top floor, with just a table in the center surrounded by chairs. I was still tired, staggering forward when a man came towards us fully manifested. He was dressed in all black. A full-length coat with a high collar standing stiff around his neck.

Somehow, he was different, skin bleak and his snow-white hair styled straight, hanging long over his shoulders. He wasn’t from earth... His eyes were expressionless. Not only because they were all black, but there were no emotions on his features.

We had different ethnicities in every species, so it would be logical if the mother planet had some other types I had not seen yet. For some reason... his face was smooth and sophisticated like Chris’s was.

He walked like he had a spoon up his ass. It made me nervous, holding his hands together in a triangle in front of his midsection.

“I am ambassador Raas for Earth.” He looked at Liam. They shook hands.

“Hello, Liam. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Raas.”

He stuck out his hand to me. I held my stomach leaning towards him. Wincing in pain. His manner was cold.

“Nice to meet you, Louis.”

I nodded. Raas slid a stack of papers over towards me as I went to sit down. I didn't feel like reading all of that.

Another man appeared in the corner of my eye. In the corner of the room. My gaze drifted over to him. I couldn't help it... He was dressed all in white... White shirt, open at least two buttons too low. A white jacket, white pants, and brown belt with brown shoes. His full beard wasn’t trimmed. Body ripped with muscles.

He didn’t move or speak... Just stood there like a soldier at ease would. Feet apart and his hands behind his back... waiting.

Shocked, I took a good look... I had seen him before...

Raas spoke... “Jack, we need the girl. We need Marcus. Will you see to it?”

He bowed to Raas... Not saluted like a soldier. He disappeared again out from the corner into thin air. My head jerked towards Liam.

“What was that... What is going on? Why is Juliet coming here?” I tried reading Raas. He wasn’t thinking about anything unnecessary. It wasn’t standard procedure having her there... I stiffened. Raas sat down, closing his eyes sitting stiffly in his chair.

***

A half-hour later, Juliet and Marcus stood in front of us.

My jaw dropped. I stood up, holding out my arms, but Juliet was already in them hugging me. Burying her face in my chest, crying. I kissed the top of her head, putting my arms around her. “Hi, baby.”

Her arms squeezed tighter. A small groan escaped from the pain.

She pulled back, concern on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Why are you crying?”

We had asked at the same time and smiled at each other.

“Well Juliet. You are the one that caused all of this,” Raas said sarcastically from the side. She stood away from me.

“Sorry, did I hurt you? Are you still not well?”

“That’s not what I meant....” Raas addressed her again. “You made him brand you without knowing if there would be any consequences.”

Juliet spun around at Raas. He didn’t even look up at her. He was being deliberately disrespectful. Lying. They had no idea why I was still feeling sickly. Thank You, Raas...

“It’s not like anybody told me... Anything! Ever! My whole life... I’m sick and tired of everyone telling me what I should have known without giving me the knowledge to know it.” His dark bloodshot eyes jumped up at her.

Marcus moved in closer to both of us. Reading his mind, I pulled Juliet in behind me. Raas smirked.

Two more men appeared in the corner of the room. Dressed in white just like Jack, who was still standing on attention against the wall... waiting. One dressed in black. The same style as Raas.

There were three of us and three men. Three watchers...

Liam didn't have a person... Because Liam was not a… compliant. Not a child born on earth…

Marcus stood staring at one of the men. Dumbfounded, just like I had been. I saw this man in Juliet’s mind sometimes. His face just flashed. He was also manifested. It was the guy that held her down.

Was he a watcher?

“Kubra?!” Juliet said loudly. Her eyes darted from him to the other guy.

She froze as her gaze locked with the last unknown man. They stared at each other. Her mouth was open as if she wanted to say something, then her eyes narrowed, and she swallowed hard. Her thoughts were a mess.

Michael... Not a stranger like my watcher.

Raas clapped his hands together, getting everybody’s attention.

“Let's get the ball rolling.” Raas’s gaze locked with Juliet’s... “If you think it was tough at the compound, I advise you not to take option A.” He pulled out a chair and sat down. I kept trying to read him. Read everyone... but they were all keeping a tight lid on their thoughts.

He slid a document over to her. Juliet picked it up and read it... her eyes growing wider.

“What the hell is this?” She sneered.

Raas looked at Marcus, “Are you going to tell her? Or do I have permission?”

Marcus’s jaw flexed, fists clenched. He feels that he is always the one that needs to disappoint her. Be the bearer of bad news. I felt sorry for him. They have had no time together. Always separated... Taking his shoulder in my hand, I squeezed it, making him relax. It was my first act as a family ambassador. He sighed. We all sat down, and Marcus pulled his chair closer towards hers taking her hands in his.

“That bad, huh?” She asked nervously.

***

Marcus

Juliet running into Louis’s arms... just after she was in mine. Naked on my bed. Just a few minutes ago... was difficult. It was going to be a tough day. That was the first time I saw them together and the look in her eye... I thought she was in love with Chris... She and Louis was something else entirely...

Raas was already up in my face. Ugly with her. Prodding and jabbing.

“I was in a room like this after... I did that to you. They asked if I wanted you to be there. They said I could make you be there. But... I didn’t think bringing you back anywhere near the compound was such a good idea.

So, they gave me two options... I could take you and leave earth, go back to our mother planet. Or option two, I could stay... I chose the latter... But that meant that I could never go back. It’s a one-time deal.” I knew I was lying, but I couldn’t tell her. My eyes imploring... pleading Louis not to say.

Juliet squeezed my hand. “Did you want to go back?”

Raas wanted to interrupt me, but I held up a hand. It silenced him. I hated that vampire. All he represented... he likes to forget his place.

“Julie, the home planet is a hundred times worse when it comes to women.” Her brow furrowed to take in what I was saying.

“How can any place be worse?” I darted a gaze at Liam narrowing my eyes at him. They could have told her in the meantime.

“Our planet is ruled by kings... Royal families with hundreds of kids having territory all over the world there. I will tell you in detail later, but... I will never go back. The werewolf planet is the total opposite, ruled by a queen. There the men are nothing.” I changed the subject, trying to stop the questions.

Raas spoke again, “Because you let two men cover you... The three of you have this one-time chance to go back.”

Liam, Louis, and I said simultaneously, “No!”

“No! Wait!” Juliet said... “That is not our final decision... If you are pushing them... to not take me back, I want to know why?” She was glaring at Raas.

That time he met her challenge. “There are consequences to this course... So I will leave you. Let you read all of this. You have a few days... It is the first time this had happened….” He looked between the three of us. “How it all got out… Needs to be investigated. So, I have to go back and report to the king.” Everybody’s heads shot up.

That unreal sentence was a kick to the gut. We were actually under the rule of a man... that had our lives in his hand. I knew because I heard all of it... years ago when Qadir told me everything. This king could just tell us what’s going to happen.

Looking at the papers, I hoped that we had some options... I wished that I had some possibilities because of Louis.

“Why do I feel like this...?” Louis asked Raas.

“Tsk tsk... Didn't think it through. Just listened to a woman.” Louis growled at him... “First husband for life and death. The second husband to share all pain and ailments. Good luck for the birth.” Raas said.

“I thought you said this was the first time this had happened.” Juliet smart-mouthed him.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “It’s a guess. Tests we ran on Louis while he was sleeping... It’s the stuff that the infected vampire pumped into you. Louis feels what you feel... Let’s hope you are as strong as she is... Or else you will soon turn into a... whatever it is she is turning into.” He chuckled sardonically.

Stress was building in the room.

My decisions in the future had two other people’s lives in the balance.

“Why haven’t you found him?” Juliet admonished Raas.

He didn’t like her tone and was getting fed up with her challenging him. Getting up, he hit the table, wanting to walk around the table towards her.

One of the men in white stepped forward. Raas stopped and sighed heavily, fist clenched. He hit the table again and swore, but the silver vamp stood and bowed his head.

All eyes were on the source of Raas’s deferment.

“Michael.”

“Liam.” All our heads turned to Liam.

“Dad, we are going to have a very long discussion when we get home. You tell me nothing.”

“I would have... if I was allowed. I'm a convict, remember....”

“You didn’t even tell me about that... Louis had to fill me in.”

Liam’s eyes were cast down... “Juliet, this is Michael, your Watcher.” Juliet sighed. She only glanced up at the three men and then back at Louis.

“The guy in the corner is mine. I have seen him a few times throughout my life.” She looked at both of us.

“You guys are two hundred years old. I thought they were all human? And Kubra isn’t human at all... What’s going on?”

***