Marcus
Carl and I drove like crazy through the pitch-dark surroundings of the desert road. I checked the clock on the dash; time was passing too fast, and my chest told me every minute counted. As we sped toward the compound gates, the guards were jittery, reaching for guns and holding up hands for us to stop. What were they doing? It was a compound car… I had to roll down my window before they scrambled to open and let me through.
After the entrance, it was still a ten-minute drive to the estate. I gripped the steering wheel and floored the gas. What would I find? A broken Juliet? Or one tied down somewhere… I had never thought torture would even be an option. Why? Neither my father nor my grandfather understood how to use Juliet to their advantage. If anything happened to her, it was my grandfather who ordered it… I had listened to the two calls and what my supposed answers were. What I said to Liam about the guard hitting her and telling Juliet to behave herself. Did she really believe I cared so little… Did it matter? They couldn't ask me. I wasn't there.
I stopped outside my house, the place that was supposed to be her home—our home. A haven away from the compound. High walls so she could walk around naked if she wanted to. A swimming pool for exercise and warm days. Deck chairs to soak up the sun. Adjoining rooms so she could watch me. She loved watching me… Did she even realize how much of a guy she was… The other rooms… were for kids. I chuckled; she must have thought they were for concubines. A kitchen with an escape route so she could get out… if she ever needed to. How could I ever have been so naïve?
"Carl… can you give me a minute with her, please?"
"Yeah, I'll wait right here."
"Thank You."
I slowly pushed open the gate. A guard was seated on a chair to the right on the inside. I cringed at the thought of men in there with her. No one was supposed to be there. He jumped up, aiming a gun. I waited until he recognized me. If he would. The weapon lowered, and he dropped to the floor, but not before his eyes flickered down the corridor toward our rooms. Where the door stood open… An empty chair right outside. It was enough to make me think of ways I would kill myself if I found Juliet in any situation that I couldn't deal with. My breath caught. My feet wanted to run. But strategy, patience, and two hundred years of waiting for her… finally, finding the girl who healed me made me quietly walk up the path.
I peeked around the doorframe. My jaw clenched, although I could release the anxious breath I was holding. Who I guessed was the other guard, stood at the glass door looking into the bathroom, transfixed by what he saw. He had himself in hand, tugging away, and didn't even hear me walk up behind him. He was tall and muscled. Strong and heavy. I glanced past him into the bathroom. Juliet was in the tub. She sat up and dried her hair. Her whole body slumped together when her eyes fell on my room door. Her facial expressions gave me all I needed to know; it was not the first time. She swallowed hard, her mouth dry from fear… Steeling herself. She slowly got out of the tub and walked up to the door, oozing disgust. Shivering. The water dripping down her back left a faint red trail on the ground. My fists balled at my sides. Her shaking hand lifted, tongue pressed against her teeth. She was trying so hard. The lights in the bathroom went out. It took a moment, but her eyes were turned up, knowing the guard would be two heads taller than her. Her eyes flickered past him to me.
When he realized she saw someone behind him, he let go of himself and spun around, scrambling to put himself back in his pants. I leaned past him, opening the door slowly. It slid effortlessly. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Could you put some clothes on, please? I don't like him watching you."
Juliet turned and took one step to reach the little counter against the wall. I suspected for her clothes or at least a towel. After that, I dug deep into the side no one ever wanted to see.
***
Juliet
There had been a few moments in my life where I doubted my existence and whether it meant anything. Seeing Marcus behind Damian, I knew… I did… matter. His eyes and mouth twisted from pain to anger… He had no idea… My doubt had been unnecessary and cruel. When I reached for my clothes, the first sound was Damian's long, loud, piercing cry. The cracking from breaking bones and a low, feral roar from Marcus. Shakely, my hands gripped my clothes. Marcus's ferocity hit me over and over. How could I ever have doubted he would do anything?
Dressed, I turned back to the room; Marcus had Damian by his hair, dragging him down the cement walkway… Relieved yet fearful of what would happen, I followed. Marcus stopped at the other guard, still on the floor, bowing. He bent down, pulled out the man's gun from a holster, and shot him point-blank. I jerked and froze, every muscle tight. The blast echoed through the courtyard.
Marcus strutted out of the yard past a car. I followed and walked through the red gates. I drew in a breath when my eyes met Carl's. My doubt became crueler and crueler. They were together all this time.
It took a while for Marcus to drag Damian—still kicking and scrambling—the distance down the lane to the main gate. Marcus was manifested, bloodthirsty, and he knew how to inflict maximum pain and keep someone lucid. It took only one blow for Damian to settle down to his fate, letting his hair get ripped out of his skull.
Reaching the entrance to the estate… Marcus stood a while, just staring down at the groaning figure. Other guards stood at attention near the gate… Compound soldiers… Those were Marcus's men. A few moments passed before he had some control of himself. Only then did he turn to me, "What did he do, Julie?"
My voice quivered, "He watched me."
He straddled Damian. His long black nails gouged then plucked. He tossed the eye at the other men's feet. He did the same on the other side. "What else?" My whole body was shaking… I was too slow to answer. "What else?" he yelled.
"He… touched me," I stuttered.
Marcus's head snapped up at me, his eyes contorting in pain. It really didn't matter how he touched me. Whether a beating or violating me when I was asleep.
Marcus stood and called over a guard to hold up Damian's arm in the air. Without a command the man stepped down on his elbow. Marcus kicked through his forearm, breaking the offending limb in half and twisting it on itself. The two repeated the ritual on the other side. Damian passed out with an agonizing cry.
Marcus stood away from him, coming back to his human form, shaking his shoulders. His eyes were fixed on the other soldiers. What was he going to do? He reached out for my hand. I shook my head. Using his power of persuasion, he forced me forward, not saying a word. My body obeyed him immediately, forever spiritually connected. He took my hand, and the pain went away. He gripped onto me as if he was scared I would leave. Looking at the other guards, he spoke with authority, "Bow!"
"Marcus, I don't want…"
"Shh…" Carl put his hands on my shoulders to quiet me down.
The guards hesitated. "Had I not put you in charge of my house. My wife was molested, and you did nothing. The last time I checked, no man was allowed anywhere near another man's wife. How could you just stand there?" he yelled loudly. "You will apologize to her. You will apologize for not valuing her more than your own lives. How can I ever trust you again?" One by one, the guards fell down with every word. "Who gave you the order?"
"Qadir left Jabin in charge… When he left—" the one guard pointed at Damian.
"Where is Jessy!?"
"Everyone at the barracks wasn't allowed to change shifts."
***
Marcus
I ran my hand over my face, tightening my hold on her. I felt a little better when the guys bowed down in front of Juliet. The first obstacle was over. My gaze drifted to the stairs leading into the house I grew up in and lived in for… too many years. The woman standing at the top took in the scene. My mom, who I couldn't protect at five. The woman lost her speech because she tried to speak up for me when the abuse got too bad... Beatings. Dark rooms for days. Sleep deprivation and drug-induced states of pain and suffering. Starvation and more cruelty. I didn't have time to make everything right at that moment. It would take—time. But it was going to start right there… I was done.
"Get up." They all stood at attention. "Go to the Furrow house. All three have to come here…Now!" I took a breath. "Carl, please stay with Juliet until Louis is here." He nodded with his hands on her shoulders, comforting her. "You... Hang this guy up there." I pointed to the pillar. "You have to watch him. If it seems like he wants to die, revive him." They obeyed quickly.
There was something I had to do. It vexed my soul. It meant I had to leave again. I swore loudly… "Would it ever end?" I muttered. What I needed to do had to happen right away... Walking past Juliet, I was going to ignore her focus on the task and keep moving forward. The words "I'm sorry, Marcus" bore into my soul. Horrified me. She actually felt this was her fault. Facing her was even harder than just leaving. I slowly turned to her. Carl moved down the lane towards our house. She took my hand, and we walked behind him. I had planted all those trees for her so there was someplace she could stroll in the shade. Everything was ruined.
We were all alone when we reached the car I needed to get into. I didn't know what to say. I shook my head, thinking of something. Anything. I love you. I'm the one who should be sorry. Can you forgive me? Juliet stepped closer and picked up my hands, pulling them towards her face. Instinctively, they cupped her neck and pulled her lips onto mine. My body remembered what happened the last time we kissed; every muscle tensed in anticipation for the same flame to ignite. I moaned as I pressed into her, whispering and complaining against her mouth. Her hands slipped around my body. Softly, I kissed her… pushing her away to meet her eyes… Her lips parted, waiting. Another tender, longer kiss… Moving her away, tilting up her chin with my thumbs, caressing her mouth—apologizing.
Juliet's hand reached for my hair, fisted a handful, and dragged my mouth onto hers. My whole world spun when her tongue slid over my lips… I had to hold on to her, feeling her inside me. All I wanted was to make love to her. Make it better. Comfort her. Show her how much this all meant to me… Not now... One day…
Her grip had loosened when I gave her what she wanted. When I met her halfway, sucking on her, making a mess of our mouths. Soon, we were breathless, panting. Gazes fixed, desire etched in our parted lips, coming in for one last kiss… Again and again as I tried to leave.
Finally, I had to just step away from her, leaving her hanging in the air. Murder in her eyes. Jaw flexing. I had to chuckle. It was the biggest compliment, the want in her eyes next to longing for it. My smile broadened, and she relaxed—happily indignant—turning her head away from me. "You can be really happy you're so handsome when you smile." I made it even wider and let the mirth into my bones. "Argh!" she gasped with an open mouth.
We stared at one another… until we both knew it was time for me to leave. "Go… I love you," she said, looking away.
I got in the car, watching her, waiting for her to wave at me. Juliet gestured for me to roll down the window. I had to stop. I did what she asked. I didn't need to pretend anymore or hold back. If she wanted a lengthy goodbye or wanted to say something, I was going to give it to her. "I just wanted to see if you would." I laughed again and left before I could change my mind.
Carl was right behind her. She winced when he touched the small of her back. He moved away, apologizing, helping her inside as she gripped onto him, her knees faltering. She was holding out… for me… I still hadn't seen or knew what else she had to go through. And I didn't think I would. "F—!" I slammed the steering wheel. I had let her down. No one was ever supposed to hurt her again… How could I have left without making sure someone was watching her?
Half an hour later, I parked at the barracks where I had spent most of my adult life. The guards stopped me again. I was getting sick of it. No one thought I would be there. Everyone thought I wouldn't come back. My grandfather had all the time in the world to slowly break her. Jabin had to have been desperate to make a move.
I got out and walked into the spotlight aimed at the gates. Jesse jumped down the tall tower. It had a good view down the road in both directions. He saluted. "Get the troops in the field." He looked down at his watch, not to question me but to organize his thoughts. Three men were already awaiting orders.
Ten minutes later, two hundred thousand men were standing in their squads, not moving an inch. I stood on a stage faced with an obedient, deadly silence. "I have something to tell you all." The loudspeaker's sound traveled past the crowd in a weird resonance. A hand lifted, signaling even the last vamp could hear me.
I went on to tell them all about En-gannim. As kids born there, they may go home if they choose to. Qadir didn't tell them because of what was happening in the world. They were there so he could control the humans. I showed them every interview on monitors so they had the proof. I shared the secrets of the older generations and why we were on Earth in the first place. And how the generation after were criminals, using the younger ones. No, they were using us to create this new world for them. There were so many rules for these young men, and none of them liked the regime. It wasn't only the women who were pressed down by the despotism.
"Tonight. I have declared war against my father. The proof is hanging on the pillar outside his house… You all have three choices… One. You could go home to En-gannim... I would even make it happen for those who want to, but honestly, I don't know how you will be treated there.
Secondly, you could stay and help Qadir take over the Earth and live your life among the humans.
Thirdly, you can choose to align with me—who is next in line for the throne on En-gannim… My plan is to first take over everything he built. Put him in his place unless the army in front of me split. Then there will be war. Demons running around eating everyone. Sickness and suffering… The humans will side with me… But I will not force you. Decide between now and tomorrow. If you sit on my right, you are with me. If you sit on my left, you're not. May your loyalties bring you peace… Dismissed."
It was a good feeling to have finally said the words out loud. Even before I could turn… Two loud commands from the majors standing in front of the troops made the whole army move to my right. Emotions stirred in my chest. I stood speechless as they gave another command. Every last man saluted me. My father was going to freak out. I released them, and the army dispersed. The murmurings created a drumming sound amongst the men.
I ambled down the steps, taking in everything. Jessy followed closely; he knew me as much as Kubra. Same rank. Trustworthy. As the administrator, when Kubra was not on site, Jessy would have a rough few days.
"First order. Move back to the compound. Join your families. Reinforce and sort out the logistics in whatever way you deem fit. Stay close. Armed. The next shift releases the current protection around the compound." I looked him in the eye, "Fill them in. Give them the same choice. Do not coerce one man in my army. I don't want anyone serving me whom I can't trust… Go get me, Carl Bertram. At my house. Brings him to me unharmed.
Sort out my freaking phone and get the communications running. Set up the office in the compound. I'll be gone for a while. Hopefully, I will be able to arrange for food… You guys seem starved…Has anyone eaten?" Jessy shook his head.
I grasped at the chain around my neck and pulled the emblem over my head. It controlled the army; every man would listen to whoever had it. Sighing, I put it in his hand, "This is to go to Louis du Pont until I'm back… Jessy, things will change. Go with the flow. Women… Leave them alone and defer to Louis. For all intents and purposes… He is an extension of my arms and my hands. We are one. Dismissed."
With every order… Jessy's eyes had grown about twice the size. Someone behind him was fiddling with a device. It didn't even look earthly… A scrambler for our communications… Another was delving into a cupboard for a phone, and Jessy was on his way to get Carl.