Not Back Yet

Juliet

The medbay room was full of vamps, cleaning and fixing all the equipment that had broken in the fight. "Caleb!" I called. 

"I'm here, mom." He came through the crowd, still holding the baby.

"Let's go upstairs."

"Don't you need to stay anymore?" He asked. 

"No. I'm fine." I couldn't speak there. We didn't know who to trust. The common room was the safest place for everyone. I glanced back a few times as we were walking. There was a woman following us. She didn't seem familiar and was wearing Riphath clothes. 

"Oh, this is Maya. The nursemaid. She's the one that raised me." 

I stopped walking. I didn't think it would hit so hard. "You lived with Chris?" I asked her. 

"Yes. I was the fourth adult with Caleb." 

I hated the fact that I had those stupid emotions to deal with. Like there wasn't enough going on… Maya was beautiful like all the Riphaths. She reminded me so much of Louis's cousin. The homely, cute, bubbly girl next door. That woman was only much older and curvy and… "Caleb, can you guys give me a minute. Take her to the common room. I'm going upstairs."

"Sure." He eyed me skeptically. I rubbed his arm but left anyway. 

***

I went up to my room. Jessy wasn't even following me anymore. Everything was out of order. I had not seen Louis or Marcus. Marcus didn't even make sure I came back after the five minutes. Or he didn't want to be near me to face the wrath I wanted to unleash on him. Did Chris even know what was going on? It was eating away at me… That he was always on Zoreah. Yes, he had come back in a larger capacity and helped save Beatrice. But while we waited for Fahan to wake up, he was gone the whole day… It made things difficult. I was coming to a point where I needed them all with me… All of the time. How could he go on with his life after everything? Selena was another problem. All day with her, drinking every night when their rounds were done. Five days there… I grabbed a glass plate. 

Me { I need you }

It wasn't a second later, or Chris was standing in front of me, smiling. The tears were already rolling down my cheeks. He wrapped his arms around my neck, and I did the same. "What's wrong?"

"They attacked us in the medbay. Ten of them." 

He pushed me away. "They what." 

"Fahan wanted his son… Michael is still there." I closed the gap he created and gripped harder, nestling in his neck. "You weren't here."

He pushed me away again and looked me over. "Where's Caleb?"

"He and Maya are in the lounge." Only saying her name sent a wave of jealousy over me. Chris was not holding me enough. "Tell me you didn't sleep with her, and you weren't lying."

He finally relaxed and pulled me in, chuckled against my neck, and kissed the exposed skin. "I never slept with Maya… Ewe."

I laughed. "She's so pretty… Selena… You guys still drinking every night? I can't, Chris." 

"Oh no." His voice pitched. 

"What?" 

"You're pregnant again."

It hit me. I was pregnant again. I pushed away from him, wiping under my eyes. "I'm pregnant. I'm going to get batty." 

He nodded. "Yes, and it seems that me being on Zoreah isn't such a good idea… Jamal and Selena disappear every night. You have nothing to worry about."

I didn't care about Selena anymore. Suddenly afraid of him coming back at all. "You can't stay here… If they take you… I'm glad it wasn't you. They would all die in an hour." 

"Although I'm flattered… Don't let Michael hear you say that. It's a bit mean."

I pressed my fingers into my eyes. It was terrible to say out loud. How could I be so out of control? "I know… I didn't mean it like that… I can't, Chris. You have to help me. Marcus is not doing anything…" 

My thoughts jumped to talking it all out on someone or taking over. Marcus had implored me to trust him. 

"If Maya doesn't leave, I might kill her. Thinking about her raising Caleb and staying with you for thirteen years… Just the idea…." Chris's lips pressed onto mine. Every time I tried to speak, he kissed me again. He didn't stop until I didn't want to talk anymore. His fingers gripped the hem of my shirt and lifted it over my head. "What are you doing?" I asked, kissing him again. 

"I'm sleeping with my wife… Juliet, I haven't seen you for months. Every night I came back, you were in that bed surrounded by people. Before that, it was two months of you sleeping… Every time I'm gone, I leave for five days." 

"That was your choice… You want to become general… Marcus might kill you if he finds out." Chris's hands were roaming every inch of me. Fingers fumbled with the strap holding up my pants.

"I wasn't thinking about… that…." He said, reaching around me to take off my bra. "You can go down on your knees, can't you." 

"You know what that does for me… We will end up having sex anyway." I whispered over his lips. "That's why you're going first." He lifted me up onto his waist. "I think you need it more than me."

"We can't, Chris! Not with everything going on."

He placed his hand over my mouth. "Shhh… I know what I'm doing. You're actually asking for help, Juliet."

***

I was in his arms, quiet and thankful. We only nodded off for a while. 

"Where is your other half? He asked, playing with strands of my hair. 

"I don't know? When Jessy isn't with me… You know it's serious." Our voices were low, and our eyes were conveying more than words ever could. 

"Are you sure you can trust him?"

"You don't think he…." My voice trailed off as I burrowed into his chest.

"Okay. Please don't cry again. Come with me." Chris said, helping me get dressed. He led me to the common room. 

"Caleb, what happened?" He asked. 

"Louis, Marcus, and Jessy immediately went to that planet where the factories are. They will wait for Raas there until he comes back and kill him… Oh, I forgot that I needed to get someone to kill that Avrio guy… But the only one is Kubra, and after he woke up, he and Carl have been MIA. I don't really know what to do."

Chris clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm staying for a while." 

"Have you checked my office?" I asked. 

Caleb smiled and shook his head. "I didn't think about it. Only had this guy on my mind." 

The baby was in Maya's arms. "I'm glad they don't have teeth this young." She said, nursing him. 

"Yeah, I remember with Sam…." Chris squeezed my hand in his. I had forgotten that I could not tell anyone he had another child. It seemed that she wasn't going to ask any questions. A real loyal subject. 

We went up The Tower to my office. Sure enough, Kubra and Carl were there sleeping on our couches. They had been doing so much research on where Charlene might be. They had even traveled to some other planets.

Kubra sat up when he heard the door open. "You guys missed a show… You were right… Fahan came."

"Did anyone get hurt?"

"No, not yet, anyway." 

"Juliet… Some or other time, your luck is going to run out." 

I laughed, feeling a lot better after my release and a hand clutching mine. "I have the worst luck… Every morning, I wake up, and everything is great. I get a little nervous. This way, I'm one step ahead of the universe." 

Kubra's eyes drifted over my shoulder. "Where is Jessy?"

"He's with Louis and Marcus…" 

Kubra frowned, thinking. 

"Before you say it… It was Raas and Avrio."

"That doesn't explain why they know what's going on in The Tower. Beatrice… If the Riphaths knew the vamps that came for her… How could you explain it?" 

I didn't want to think about it… I trusted Jessy with my life… "Warden also lives here, and we've suspected him many times… He takes care of… Sammy." 

"If he gives Sammy to Fahan…." Chris chimed in. "And the Riphaths said there was some kind of diversion."

"It's not Warden… He has proven himself over the years… How long have you even known Jessy." Carl said, irritated. His eyes were still closed on the couch. "It's not the watchers… We know what happens to us when we break allegiance."

"Carl… Will you please go check on her?" Chris asked. "Take her and Miné to Cindy and tell Warden he needs to join us… Having our suspects close at hand will give me peace of mind."

Carl left the room after hugging me. "Have you found her?" He stroked my hair and left. His silence was enough. Oh, Charlene, I hope you are okay.

"Kubra, we need you to sort out Avrio's Island. He might even have come and gone already since the attack." 

"I can't leave you, Juliet. Chris, you will have to do it. If Jessy isn't with you… I'll stay with you."

"I don't even know what he looks like," Chris said.

"I do," Caleb said. "We can go." 

Chris was considering it. He turned to me. "Do you want me to stay or Kubra? What about the baby. What if they come again. We don't have another bargaining chip up our sleeve… If I were Avrio, I wouldn't come back. Why don't you send your hundred women soldiers? There has to be one of them that can take charge." 

"Where are Jamal and Selena when you need them? Why aren't they coming back with you? Or trailing you like you said they would. We need more people we can trust."

"After the club… they have been reluctant… Fighting… And making up…" Chris smiled. "You really did a number on Jamal… And the other thing is being on Earth is safe for us… But the pink ocean is just too dangerous. Ira is a bit skeptical for us to be here." 

"You leave Caleb here." 

"We did fight about it," Caleb said. "I went against Chris and Ira… And Silvanus."

"You did? Why didn't you say anything?"

"He wants to be with his mom. I can't stop him, but Jamal and Selena still have to follow Sung's orders."

"What if I go to Zoreah with Caleb and Maya. You and Kubra take over here. Will Silvanus protecting me be enough for the both of you." 

Kubra and Chris considered this. Kubra nodded. Chris came over, picked me up, and put me on his shoulders. "Come, staying here is too dangerous. Yes, you on Zoreah is the best idea. Thank You."

"No… Thank You."

My mind was a little clearer, and more help put me at ease. If we stopped Avrio and Raas, sorting out Fahan would be easy. "Caleb, send Fahan a message. If he touches Michael. I want to know."

***

Chris 

Kubra and I traveled to Avrio's islands. The village was grand and screamed money. It was a mini version of Nahrima. A small coastal city with high buildings. Houses spanning out inland. Juliet's hundred soldiers came with us. "How did they go through the process so easily?"

"Rodrigo and Juliet were working on fine-tuning the injections."

We exited the main building and traveled to Avrio's house. All we could do was wait.

"Kubra, send a message to Juliet's army. The men anyway… They have to infiltrate the teleporter station and take everyone into custody. The Tower will become a fortress. We have to start sifting vamps." 

A woman opened the door, not speaking. She still wore a veil. Her eyes were large, scanning the sea of soldiers behind us. "Why are you still wearing a veil? Have you not seen the news." I asked her.

She didn't speak. "Answer me."

"No outside information. No reading… I don't know what you are talking about."

I blew out a heavy breath through open lips. "You can still hear… Can't you. You must know what's going on."

"Women are not allowed anywhere near the city. Have to stay at home. All I hear has to do with household matters."

Seemed like Juliet had left a lot of things unchecked, searching for me. She hadn't gotten around to changing anything she wanted. And there I was, living the life again.

"Juliet and the guys were supposed to fight Avrio for the water rights… They never got that far." Kubra said behind me. 

I remember her telling Ahasuerus that. And then, when I was back, we had our meeting, and everything was put on hold because the guys were still deciding what they wanted to do. We should never have had that stupid meeting. I told her I would be there for her. And I failed. "How many places are still like this?"

"A lot…"

"How many teleporters are there?" I asked Kubra.

"Thousands. Rich neighborhoods have one in every home." 

"There is your problem." I turned to the sea of manifested women behind us. They did not care about looking like that. "Go into every house and take out every one of them. There should be only one on the Island. That would make them squirm. Getting things too easily and not paying for them."

The woman listened and dispersed. "Do you mind if we come in? We have to wait for Avrio."

"He lives in the city most of the time."

"I left people there. Show me to his study… Search the house." I said to the few women who had stayed. They were not going to leave Kubra's side. We quickly emptied his office of all the papers and documents needed. His wife trailed us. "Is there anywhere else he stores valuables… Where is the family emblem?"

She led us to a safe in a bedroom. We opened it and took out everything. I put it in her hands. "You're in charge of the water on En-gannim." I didn't think her big eyes could become any rounder, but they did. "Will you be able to run the household and the finances?"

"I've been doing it for hundreds of years… The reading and the business would be challenging." 

"That won't be a problem. We will send you someone…." Soren came to mind, but he hated us at that moment. I felt guilty asking him for anything… Let alone a favor. Liam and Cindy were already raising my daughter… I couldn't ask him, could I?

"Another thing… Your husband will probably die."

Small lines formed around the outside of her eyes… I didn't know she was smiling or frowning. Where the hell was Louis when you needed him. Sitting on that freaking red planet… they might as well be doing nothing. 

***

We waited for another hour. "Nothing is going to happen. He's not coming back. We need to figure out where they are hiding."

"Any coms from Louis or Marcus?"

"Nothing."

"Send Liam a message… He needs to come. We need to go see where they are. I'm getting worried."

***

Liam, Samuel, and Soren came through the teleporter. There was a woman with them. She was pretty… Really pretty. I stared for a moment too long. 

"What's going on? I brought Soren. Hope it's okay." Liam asked when he saw my eyes resting on the boy. I greeted them all with a handshake. 

"Hi, my name is Chris." She reluctantly took my hand after staring at it for a bit.

"Isla, nice to meet you. I'm Soren's sister." 

Soren was quiet but still taking in his environment. He was sharp. Too sharp.

"How is Sammy?" I asked Liam. "I haven't seen her much."

"Having the time of her life. Don't worry… She and Mine are in school and loving it. Cindy knows what's going on and won't leave them for a second." 

I had to tell them everything that had happened. 

"Go, Chris. We will take charge here with the soldiers." My gaze traveled to Soren. He still had to say one word. I didn't know who we could trust. If it wasn't anyone in the tower… It might be someone who was holding a grudge. Leaving Liam there in the lion's den felt like a bad idea. 

"I… won't do anything to hurt her," Soren said. Able to read my reluctance. 

My shoulders slumped. My eyes drifted up to the sky. "Would you take offense if I told Liam to keep a closer eye on you?"

Soren smiled and shook his head. 

I didn't want to worsen it, so Kubra and I left. Not really knowing what to say to help them figure it out on their end. I was going with my gut.

I did turn to the woman of the house one last time… "Isla… Seeing that Soren is your brother… You have to be able to read?"

The woman in the veil seemed surprised.

Isla nodded. "Can I ask you a favor? This is Avrio's wife… Can you stay here and help her with whatever she needs… And teach her to read."

"Yes, of course," Isla said. The two women left. Juliet wasn't using the people in her life. She could have allocated better the year she was looking for me… Was it really that hard getting new coordinates? Running a planet and delegating. 

***

"Chris?!" I heard Louis say before we could see him. 

"Why are you still here? You just left Juliet on En-gannim."

"We didn't really have time to wait… Is she okay?" Marcus asked.

"No! You had time. You're running away. You told us you would handle getting Michael back." I glared at Marcus, who couldn't even look at me. "You guys could have split up, and one of you went to Avrio Island. I had to sort out the mess you left my son with."

"If you want to have a say, Chris! You can't disappear whenever you want. You weren't even there when they came… Where is she?"

"Now you care! Why don't you just read me?" Louis scowled. "She is with Silvanus," I said. Irritated but unwilling to waste more time. They seemed relieved. "Any sign of Raas?"

"No."

I told them everything that had happened. "We need to make a plan for this exchange. They won't be communicating anymore. If they are not already hurting Michael or whatever they were doing to Beatrice. I think we should travel Fahan and Michael out to the other side of the planet… The watchers can do recon to check the area… One of us goes in with the baby, and it's a simple exchange." I said. 

Marcus took the glass plate and sent the first message. Why was Marcus not taking charge?

Fahan { We will not be trading. Extraction has begun } 

Marcus read the words, and we were all deafly quiet. 

"I told her we could handle this. We waited too long. We should have gone that first three days when they were both asleep." Marcus said.

"What the hell is going on?" I met Louis's eye. He had to know every thought running rampant in my mind. It was like they… I left my train of thought. "Jessy, go get men willing to stay here and guard the place for a few weeks," I said. As soon as I said it, I remembered that Jessy was also under suspicion. Giving him the power to choose men willing to help Raas… 

Louis laughed lightly. "Chris thinks you might be a mole."

Jessy's face was incredulous. Marcus snorted. But Kubra was serious next to me… And I trusted Kubra more than I did a vamp that grew up on the compound. "Put a watcher on me…." Jessy said flatly. "Kubra, you're the one that assigned me to her." 

"Yes… when Marcus was still in charge. I know where your loyalties lie… But you could have changed your mind in the meantime. It had to be someone very close to her."

"No!" Louis bellowed. "It wouldn't have been… Do you think I sit around and do nothing?" He spat out. "You have no idea how hard it is to read everyone all the time. And I'm telling you now. It's not Jessy!" His voice was raised.

"Are you willing to put Sammy or Caleb's life on your ability? Everyone knows how to get you out of their minds by now."

Louis scoffed. "No, they don't. And Yes! I'm willing to bet my daughter's life on that." He said, holding my gaze. I didn't like the words. But I had not embraced Sammy as I should've. 

"Fine… Jessy… You take over here… We're not telling Juliet… She is already… Anyway… I will take a group of Riphaths and Watchers and go get Michael."

Louis grabbed my arm, clearly aware of where my thoughts trailed off to for a second too long. Guessed he was very aware of everything. He manifested and smelled me. His grip became a lot tighter. "Come, we have to go back to The Tower… It's time for a family meeting." Louis's tone was condescending.

I pulled out of his grip. "You don't know what you're doing. She needs you… Where are you?!" I spat out. I had to shake myself. "There's no time for this… I'm going to Juliet."