The First Murder

Juliet

Well, I had my first duty as queen. Michael and I were in a room full of generals who at least knew us. He was leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. Even though I was angry with him and we had some issues, I could see he wasn't taking it well. The girl he killed in the club was the subject of the meeting. Her parents were there, and we couldn't really solve it in a courtroom. 

"We want justice." The mother shouted with a tissue in her hand. 

"If they get away with it now, they will never stop picking us off." The father said.

"Can we compensate you? He is a baby and didn't know what he was doing." I said it so they would understand. I couldn't really make it about Michael at that moment or coddle his creature side.

"Then he shouldn't have been there. Why was he in a club talking to a human woman?"

"We are all half-human. You can't exclude us from the Earth like we don't belong here. There is a reason all the worlds are connected, and he is the proof."

The parents were quietly thinking. "There is nothing you can give us that will equal the death of a child." The father said under his breath. "But… it's because you are a child! How could you ever understand." The father jumped up. "I can't talk to her… It's not right that their whole world is in the hands of a kid." 

"You don't have children… You're not a mother yet. You have no idea how we are feeling." The mother said. 

"Let me put this scenario before you… What if your daughter did sleep with him, and she got pregnant and had a baby with him. The baby would have been half-creature… And what if we were not on Earth and there was no food for aliens here… Would you let the baby starve?"

They were quiet again. "If this is about humans dying or children ruling, it's one thing. But if you're saying it's about losing someone close to you? I can warrant the same thing… He is not in control of himself."

"You should know better. He should get the death penalty… If there are consequences for humans, there should be for aliens…" Exasperated, the father threw his hands into the air. "I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

"Seriously. This is not the first time someone's child has died in the last hundred years. Us being here has made Earth better. Accidents happen."

Michael had been trying to say something for the past half-hour, but I kept him quiet with my branding power. It was an emotional feeling I had. As if he was tugging on my insides… I sat down, putting my hand on his leg. "When the news first came out. The government told everyone that it was a necessary evil. People accepted it. What is different now?"

The two parents were really done dealing with me. My gaze traveled to the generals around the table. "We need to talk alone." 

America { Kubra escort them out }

A moment later.

America { Juliet, we've discussed it and… The only thing that would make the people happy… Is if you all removed from Earth for some time }

Russia { We will still work with you, and many people are standing with you. But we have to show them how it would be when you are not here }

"That's not so bad. I had expected worse." 

Michael took my hand in his. 

China { There are a lot of people signing up for the space program who all want to see the different planets. Scientist. Biologist. Families that wish to relocate }

Spain { If you are off-planet and focus on the human population there, maybe we could change things }

UK { You have already okayed that the teleporter tech is implemented in all the neighborhoods around the Earth. The people are excited, and the environmentalists are in your corner. That means all the celebrities and rich people around the world… It is more than we had hoped for. Cars will disappear. People wouldn't have to pay to travel the world. No more airports and buses. Hell, Schools have doubled in size for foreign kids who want to study in other countries and stay at home… The possibilities are endless }

France { And you haven't even been in power that long. Yes, it was unfortunate… what happened yesterday... But the people didn't experience the battle and the werewolves. The situation on Palmyra should be straightened out. We don't know what is out there… What if other races do come into the galaxy and attack Earth }

"How will I build the teleporters if we're not here?" I asked. 

The generals glanced around the room. { It will have to go on hold. That will encourage people to let this go }

"That family will be crucified."

China { They will be protected }

"Okay, then it's settled… We will be moving. I appreciate your understanding. As I said, we were nervous that it would cause activists to rise up and sever the connection… As you know, I consider Earth my home… So when you tell us, we will come back. I'll be back in France."

Kubra entered the room. He had sat down next to Jessy, who was now the general of En-gannim. When I saw him, I thought about Charlene and Carl. Charlene still had a lot of studies left in front of her. What about Miné?

"What about Charlene? She is still human… Would you let her travel? What about the watchers? Where will they be based? They have grown in size. Every country's soldiers have now become a UN army. They need to train with us…." 

America { Give us a week. Of course, Charlene, Carl, and the watchers can come and go as they please. We will sort out the details. It's temporary… }

The four of us took our leave and traveled back to France. Michael was clutching my hand. "Kubra, will you see to everything."

"Yes, Your Majesty." I gave him a look.

Michael held me back. "I know you have a lot to do… But can we take a walk?" 

"I don't think we can sort out everything going on between the two of us in five minutes." I let go of his hand and went for the house. Honestly, I didn't care if he wanted to talk. Or if he had anything to say in the meeting. The other three men were sitting in the lounge. "We are moving. Pack your bags." 

Louis stood up. "Juliet, are you not even going to tell us what's going on. Or what happened?"

"Have you decided what you want to do for the rest of your life? Because this is my work. Not yours. Isn't that what you guys chose. That we work and stay out of each other's hair… I'm not going to dump my whole day on you guys every night… Michael can tell you if he wants."

I went to our dressing room calling Charlene. There was no answer. 

Me { Hey! I'm packing your stuff. Come to En-gannim tonight. Will talk there }

Charlene { Okay, see you later. In class }

Charlene { The school is bombarding me with questions } 

I groaned. Oh, how one moment can cause such a f- ing mess.

***

Back On En-gannim.

Ahasuerus's old office had become mine. Marcus's was too small. Jessy and I were discussing a way to help the Earth with garbage mounts, plastic... and everything they needed. There was a long list. 

"What have the scientists figured out about the pink stuff that eats everything?"

"They are all on the same page. There is no way to utilize it."

"Not yet. Work with the people from Earth and come up with a plan. What happened when plastic was submerged."

"Ate it right up. But we have no idea what it would do to our environment if we start dumping Earth trash into our oceans." Jessy commented. 

"Fine… Tomorrow… We will start going to other solar systems. We need to find another planet where no one can live, and we'll begin dumping it there in the meantime." 

Jessy and I were preparing documents for banning plastic and going back to how the Earth was forty years ago when milk was delivered to your door. With the teleporters all over, things were going to change. It would create so much work for the lower classes. Hand-to-hand deliveries were going to be a big enterprise, from oil ships to a single tomato. 

"Where do you want to go first?" Jessy asked. 

"Set up a meeting in an hour with all the information you have and the mappers. I need to start studying." 

"Did we destroy all the teleporters those creeps had that helped Ahasuerus?"

"Zoreah is clean… Earth can be manned from here. Palmyra… We have no idea what's going on there."

"No contact yet?"

"None." 

"I'll go. If all fails, I can use my ability. Even if they can see me, they can't really do anything."

Jessy shifted in his seat.

"We have no choice. Someone has to go, and I'm not sending one of our men as a sacrifice. Brylee's husband has to be somewhere. We need to know who takes over after Brylee."

Jessy wanted to say more. 

"Just give me an hour." I stood up and left for my room upstairs. 

The tower was so high and had so much space that the whole court worked from one building. It was my home and my offices. It was where I would be most of the time. 

In my room, the patio was the only place I liked, staring out over the city. The door opened. I glanced over, and my dad walked in. He sat next to me. "You okay, Julie?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"When Jessy comes to me instead of one of your four husbands, you know something is wrong." 

I smiled. "Jessy has a lot to do… He's scrambling. To tell you the truth… I'm still a bit hungover."

My dad's shoulders shook. 

"How's mom?"

"She's loving it. Being with her parents. The two girls to look after. I don't think she wants to do anything else until they have to start school."

"Well, now Caleb won't be going to school for some time… But I'll tell him. He can go here. It's much better anyway." My dad was quiet. "What kind of shop did you open? I don't even know what's going on in your lives anymore."

"It's how it should be. You have to live your life. You worked your ass off to get here. Anyway… Soren's father is helping me put all Earth's books onto tubes and the information hub here… That will take us a lifetime. We haven't even started with anything from Palmyra… I will need a bigger shop and people interested in doing mundane work."

"Is he going to join his dad in the enterprise?"

"Seems like it."

"I heard you took the breakup really well." He peeked at me through his eyelashes.

"Have to grow up some or other time. Marcus has his limits… It's give and take, right?"

"You were never a real give-and-take person, Julie. How are you going to handle being alone here all day? It was never the plan. You always wanted a partner?" 

"Honestly… I'm waiting." 

My dad chuckled. "Who do you think it will be?"

"Does it really matter? Maybe Caleb would join me in four years." I sighed heavily. Not wanting to think about how I was still lonely. "I'm going on a recon mission tonight… Don't tell anyone." 

My dad stood up. "Hey, I'm on your side. But I'm kinda rooting for… No, I won't tell you who my favorite is…." My eyebrows raised slightly. "Come on, give me a hug. Don't know when I'll see you again."

We embraced, and he left. I stared at the bed. In France, I slept with Louis and one other person every night. There I got to choose… The idea appealed to me. Louis wasn't in charge anymore; I had some control. A real queen giving out cards to who I wanted in my bed-chamber… I chuckled and checked the time. Half an hour left before my study session started.

The day before, Marcus and Chris had come back from hunting, and I was too upset to continue our date. I had time to let everything that happened settle, and I was pissed off. Michael had separated himself from us the whole night. Chris had danced with Selena most of the time because I was with Louis and Marcus. To say the least, Marcus was upset and had thrown the comment out there, "You let one relationship that is not going well influence the others, and you're not capable of managing us."

Marcus was trying, and I felt terrible, but he had also been on Zoreah and had overruled me. Pushed Soren out and didn't even want to fight with Michael about the baby. I shook myself; there was too much to do.

***

I waved at Jessy on my way to Palmyra. 

"I don't like this." He said as I stepped into the teleporter. 

"I'm the queen. You don't really have a choice."

"I'm supposed to be with you all the time…." His eyes were pleading… "You can make me disappear with you." 

"Tsk! Fine, get in." 

He was stunned. I laughed lightly, holding out my arm. "Who will teleport us and take point on the mission?"

Jessy thought for a second. He sent a communication. Kubra came through the teleporter. 

I smiled. "Fine. Let's go." 

"I'm still upset that you promoted Jessy above me." Kubra chirped. 

"You are?" 

I held out my hand. Jessy took off the emblem, and I tossed it at Kubra. "Till we're back. You're in charge."

"Gee, thanks."

Jessy and I laughed. 

Kubra sent us, and we came out hand in hand on the platform. It was empty. Quiet. We walked around, making sure there really was no one at the embassy. "Okay, this is weird. I know we killed their soldiers and some of the harems, but we didn't kill all of them… Right?"

"Do you think they don't know what to do without a queen? Don't they have a court system? Did she really run every little detail," Jessy commented. 

We were gazing down into the harbor. "How the hell do we get on a ship? Do you know how to sail?"

We both laughed. "Let's go down to the loading bay… You should have brought Chris or Michael. They could have teleported you in."

"The guys are figuring out what they want to do. I'm not asking anyone to come on missions with me." 

We walked out at the loading bay. The water wasn't still and quiet like on En-gannim. There were waves, and they were crashing into the mountain. The spray hit both our faces. "How the heck do they get anything done. With the moons, it must be like this all the time." 

"We could ask Silvanus?" Jessy suggested.

My eyes widened in excitement, and I patted his arm. "Let's do it. I don't want to go in the water." Glad that I had someone impartial to ask for help. Although Ira had used us terribly to get rid of their most significant competition, in the end, it didn't matter. They had welcomed our help and would never sever the connection with the vamps, and because the Earth stood with us, Ira had allowed the borders to open up again. 

Jessy and I traveled to Zoreah. We waited at the soft spot on Shumaan. A whole squad was patrolling the area since the invasion. Ira had also decided to put small bases at the five sites. Other Riphaths were busy rebuilding what they had lost.

Silvanus soon appeared before us. "Hello, Queen Ahmed." 

"Hey, Silvanus. How bored are you?"

"I'll basically do anything." Silvanus bowed dramatically. 

We traveled to Palmyra. 

"Do you think you'll be able to carry us both and teleport down to the entrance?"

Silvanus was looking down from the platform to the usually busy harbor. "Where is everyone?"

"We don't know. It's like the planet is deserted."

"Hey, did you ever figure out what she was doing on her other planets?" Silvanus asked.

"No. Was too busy getting Zoreah's last coordinates."

"How long are you going to throw that in our faces."

"Forever." 

"Did you see Chris when you came to fetch me?" He asked.

The look on my face must have told him what he wanted to know. "So he hasn't told you what his plans are." He held open his arms. "We will have to do this in stages. Our first object is that boat." I was a little nervous, remembering those giant fish that could be hiding below the surface. The platform was so high up, and instead of going to the loading dock, Silvanus said he would take us from there. Even though I was used to teleporting, that was a little different. Our weight wasn't a problem for Silvanus; it was rather easy hosting me up onto his shoulder, grasping around Jessy's waist, and tugging him closer. He slightly bent his knees, and we were in the closest boat down in the water. The landing made the ship rock violently, and Silvanus closed his grip on my legs but had to put me down to find his own footing. Coupled with the waves, it wasn't stable at all, and we had to grab onto masts to steady ourselves. 

"I don't like the water," I whispered.

"Neither do I," Silvanus added. 

We all gazed up at the entrance. It was a sight to see. Massive statues on either side of the opening between two mountains. "I thought we would be closer… I can't see inside…" 

Jessy sprang into action and was searching to see how they moved the boats. "There is an anchor here." He tugged on the rope hanging over the side, and something moved under the boat. "Woah." I was helplessly clinging to the wooden post in the middle of the deck.

"What's it anchored to?" 

The boat started moving. "That wasn't me," Jessy said, lifting his hands in the air.

Dark silver scales came up out of the water in front of the vessel. A massive fish blasted water into the air. Its heavy tail splashed down. But it didn't move and kept bobbing on the water's surface in front of the boat. Spike-like Finns grew up out of its back. From large to small, it gradually descended to its tail. 

Silvanus walked over to the rope Jessy had pulled on. He followed it to the front and lifted it up. The movement was too jerky, and the fish jolted up its head from being pulled in the mouth. 

"No way."

The fish didn't like it and leaped forward with so much force we fell on our backsides. The vessel was strong. Even with Silvanus's manifested weight, none of the wood so much as splintered.

Jessy had grabbed onto me to stabilize me. I didn't mind and clung to him; there was no way I wanted to fall into that water. 

The beast was going nuts for a while but swam in the direction we wanted. Its speed was incredible. "It seems that there are more creatures here that are trainable."

"I still don't see anyone," Silvanus said as we traveled down the river into the city. As we got deeper into a residential area, the water evened out. As if it knew, the fish stopped at a little alcove into the land. 

"That's why they don't need energy. Or communications. They get everything done by beasts." Jessy said.

The three of us stepped out of the vessel. The fish submerged itself again, waiting. 

"What now? Have you ever been to the palace?" I asked Silvanus. His eyes were canvassing the area. 

Silvanus shook his head. "Only Ira was allowed on Palmyra. Strictly followed. Never in the palace."

Seemed like I should have brought Michael. But I didn't want him to travel me everywhere just because he could. It was a little unfair… Although if he was at my beck and call, it would be so much easier without the plates and the challenges on Palmyra. 

"Well, we won't die. Let's walk. The roads must lead up into the mountain. If anything, the palace would be on high ground." Silvanus said. 

Jessy and I nodded, following him through the city. The roads were paved with stone. Chiseled dark cobalt. There was water coming out of openings all over the city. The mountains and ground leaked it, and the people utilized it for energy.

We continued to canvass the city, but there was not one single Werewolf. The houses were empty, the streets deserted. "Maybe they go somewhere for a winter like on Zoreah?" Jessy said. 

We walked for a long time, following minor roads. Got lost. Eventually, we made it into the palace, only to find it as desolate as the city. We had made ourselves home in Brylee's quarters for the evening. It was getting late, and there was no point in trying to go back. Although Silvanus was enormous, strong, and an excellent fighter, his teleportation was limited.

"Okay! Jessy, it's your job to find that teleporter. I have no clue where it is."

"Yeah, this place is a maze. We can be glad we found her rooms."

It had taken me some time to recognize anything. 

"I'll go find us some dinner," Silvanus said. 

I took a bath in the pool Brylee, and I had been in, wondering what had happened to all the servants she had and the boy who had helped me that night. All her clothes were still in her room. Her husband's room was as is.