“The virus had an immunity factor. We didn’t escape it, we were immune. Anyone who thinks otherwise is ill informed,” said Snake. “We saw them coming. Big black movements that came out of nowhere.”
“Saw what?” I asked.
“Savages,” Snake said. “They couldn’t figure out what it was until reports from the ground came in. They were everywhere, black masses in every continent. The war story wasn’t exactly true, it was smoke and mirrors to keep the public calm. We actually thought we were gonna beat them. People were told to go west because that was the only place that didn’t show large masses, well, enough to be picked up by the space station. New Zealand is pretty safe from everything, from what I heard.”
“Wait. Wait. Wait.” I leaned into the table. “The hall of history, that’s fake?”
Snake shook his head. “No, those are real clippings from real news stories. No one knew. It was ugly. Very few saw the Savages invade cities.”
“We see it all the time in Angeles,” I said.
“That’s nothing,” Snake scoffed. “Imagine a wave of tar, thick and black, rolling in, that’s how many there were. Ancients may not be able to reproduce with other Ancients, but the Savages can multiply. They can turn people.”
“So China didn’t nuke us?” Burt asked.
Snake shook his head. “No, we did it to ourselves, just like they did. It was the only way to defeat the masses. They moved into a city and half of those they killed became Savages. We were praying for an act of God, a great flood. Firehouses were a good defense, busted them right up. But the flood never came and the only way to save the human race was to force people to migrate to areas with fewer Savages.”
“Wow.” Burt swiped his hand down his face. “I never knew that.”
“If they said monsters were taking over cities, how much panic would there be?” Snake said. “It was easier this way. Then the Ancients emerged and that kept the Savages partly out of the west. We’re gonna conquer the west ones, though.” He gave a nod to me. “Tanner here found their base.”
“What’s the plan?” Burt asked.
“Don’t know yet,” I replied. “There’s too many to go hand to hand. We need to draw them out in the day.”
“Then use fire,” Snake added. “Burn them down if we can find the resources.”
“I see why you fight,” Burt said. “That’s a lot more information than we had.”
“Makes me want to be a soldier,” said Brea.
“Maybe against the Ancients,” I told her. “Yeah, they can do some odd stuff and have some power, but the Savages are brutal.”
Burt shook his head once with a smile. “Man, you hate them Ancients.”
“Doesn’t everybody?”
“They have a few nasty ones,” Burt said. “Other than that though, they are a lot like you and me.”
“Why didn’t you ever come to Angeles City?” Snake asked.
Burt shrugged. “Never had the inkling. We have all we need right here. Except a seamstress. I told you that before. She was good and it would have been priceless to have here, not to mention funny.”
I was curious. “Why is that?”
“Because of who she was,” Burt said. “I spotted you guys walking from far back. Her, she just appeared and we knew. Happened twice before. One left and one works in our winery now.”
“I’m confused,” I said. “Who was she?”
‘The high princess herself, Nito.”
At first my heart sunk to my gut, and then I was hit with disbelief. He had to be wrong. “No.”
“Yeah. It was her. Recognize her anywhere. A little older, a little meatier, good breasts, and funny as hell because she didn’t know how to react.”
Snake shifted his eyes to me as he went from kicked back and relaxed to sitting perfectly upright.
“She was banished,” I said. “Banished out of the Ancient City.”
‘Yes, she was, but into human form. Must have done something pretty bad for them to do that.”
“How is that possible? How does an Ancient turn human?” I asked.
“They were human to begin with. She wasn’t purebred. So they could make her human again.”
“Oh my God,” I jumped up. “Who has the power to do that? I need to know.”
“The king, his counsel,” Burt replied.
“How do you know all this?” Snake asked.
“We get a lot of people from there.”
I started to leave and Snake grabbed me. “Where are you going?”
“I got to get back to Ancient City, I have to tell Vala. If Nito turned Sophie into an Ancient, the king can turn her back.”
“Aren’t we forgetting something?” Snake asked. “Nito is alive and around.”
“Ah, she’s harmless,” Burt said. “She has no abilities and is clueless.”
“And gone,” I added. “He said she left.”
“Okay,” Snake looked at Burt. “She still has the same personality. The same mean streak. Do you know where she went?”
“I do,” he answered. “Someplace where she couldn’t pull one over. A place where they’d figure her out right away. She went to Angeles City.”
I wanted to freak, to panic, I started to and then I realized Burt was right. Yes, Nito was in Angeles City, the enemy was on our home ground, but there was no way that Davis wouldn’t see through her and deal with her. More than likely, she was already dead.
TWENTY-FOUR – NITO
I had become quite accustomed to the clothing Burt had given me. Dungarees that bunched only when I sat too fast, but for the most part they were comfortable. I wondered what my divulging of the Ancient City location meant. Surely, they were not planning a mass invasion. There weren’t enough humans in Angeles City to do that. Maybe he was going for a visit. I know I was told they were the rebellion, but I saw nothing rebellious about anyone. They were all very congenial.
Davis was so smitten with me over the news about the location of Ancient City he told me he needed to get me some clothing.
“That is very sweet of you,” I told him.
“It’s not a problem.”
“Just your happiness is my reward.”
He seemed to be happy and laughed. “Good. I’ll be back.”
“I will anxiously await your return.”
After he was gone, I moved about the bunker nearly dancing, and then I recalled the dance. Perhaps it was too powerful on mortal men, but it was entrancing and I longed to perform the Awalim dance of Hathor for him. Creating my own beat in my head, I geared to practice when a woman entered.
“I’m sorry,” she said upon walking in, her arms full of items. “Was I interrupting something?”
“No. Not at all.” She was a raven haired beauty. Her skin was tanned brown and her hair was sleek and flowing. I admit to feeling a sense of jealousy. “Who are you?”
“Davis asked me to bring these.”
I cocked my head in question. “Are you his servant woman?”
“Excuse me?” she walked down the stairs.
Then it dawned on me. Maybe, in a sense of jealousy, she had brought the clothing because she didn’t want Davis any more enamored with me. “Oh, I understand. You are his mate.”
“Who, Davis?” she asked, setting the clothing down.
“Yes.”
She laughed. “No. I have my own… mate. Thank you.”
“He’s quite handsome in a rugged way, do you not think?”
“If you like the country boy type, I guess.”
“Country boy. Yes. Does he have a mate?” I asked.
“Not that I know of.”
“That is good to know. Are these for me?”
“They are, Madge. Davis asked me to pick something out for you. You’ll like these. If they don’t suit you, I can—”
“No. No, these are fine. Davis is far too generous. Such a charming man and he has no mate.”
Again, she laughed at me as if I were jesting.
“No. In fa
ct, in the ten years I have been here I have never seen him with a woman. He may be gay.”
“That is good to know. Gay is a good thing.”
“Yes.”
“A man can be gay without a woman in his life.”
“That’s usually how it works,” she said.
“I’ve no man in my life. I believe I’m gay.”
“That’s nice. I have a friend for you then. She’s a great woman.”
“Is she gay?”
“Yes.”
“Great. I would love to make more friends. We can all be gay together.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll… uh… let you change your clothing. Davis is going to be by to get you.”
“I’m leaving the dungeon?” I asked.
“Looks that way.”
Immediately, I felt giddy, I wanted to practice my dance and change my clothes. I had been conditioned, and quickly too.
The clothing woman opened the door to leave, and I remembered to ask her name. I wanted to remain friends with her as well. She was beautiful and full of information. I always surrounded myself with beautiful people.
Her name was Amanda.
She would be in my good graces, although I didn’t understand the clothing. It was more of those denim dungarees, only these were a bit snug. I was able to get into them, but had to inhale deeply to fasten them. It would take getting used to for walking, but they did firm up my body so I liked them.
Davis arrived shortly after I was dressed.
“Ready?” he asked.
“How do I look?”
“You look good.”
I lowered my head. “Thank you. So where are we going? Someplace private? I have been practicing the Awalim Dance of Hathor for you.”
“That’s really nice. I’d like to see it sometime. Maybe later.”
“Then you shall. Am I cured? Am I considered normal? Is that why I am leaving?”
“No. You’re too far gone. There’s no turning you, so we’re just gonna have to go with the hope that eventually, you’ll adjust.”
“So where are we going?”
“Tomorrow I get you settled into your new home.”
“A home? You are giving me a home? Davis, you are being far too generous. You spoil me.”
“Um… yes. That’s tomorrow. Tonight we hit the beach.”
“The beach?” My eyes widened.
“Safest place to be. Near water, in case of Savage attack. If they come you go in.”
“No. No.” I shook my head frantically. “I cannot go in water,” I stated firmly, then paused. Could I? I was in human form. “Wait. I can.”
“So you do swim?”
“Swim? No.”
“Didn’t think so. Most of you folks from the Straits don’t swim, so I have something for you.” He must have set it down before I saw him, because I didn’t notice it. Davis lifted a thick, bright orange piece of clothing. “For you.”
“What is it?”
“A life jacket. Just put it on.”
“It has no sleeves. How can it be a jacket?” I asked.
“It’s just the name. It will keep you protected in the water should you need to go in.”
“A life… jacket. Is it yours?”
“You can say so.”
“You are giving me your life… jacket?”
“Yep.”
“Then I shall wear your life jacket proudly.”
“Good. You’ll look real cute.”
I wasn’t familiar with what ‘real cute’ meant, but I assumed it was a compliment. I felt my face grow hot and I wanted to do nothing but smile at Davis. His intentions with me were becoming more apparent. First the clothing, the release, the new home, and he was sharing his life jacket with me. I was something new, but I was cured with a name like life Jacket. It definitely was symbolic and part of some sort of human commitment ritual. One I’d gladly take from Davis.
TWENTY-FIVE – VALA
My knowledge of conception was limited to the act that Marie described to me. There was nothing about what she told me that was appealing. Yet, if I wanted to be safe, to have the upper hand, I had to conceive a child with Iry.
There were no guarantees that the Savages were indeed gathering under the leadership of Anubis and the queen. My only assurance would be to see for myself, and the only way to do that would to be with child.
It was another means of entrapment. Again, I was drawn in and captured by the Ancient world. I spent most of my life living under their thumb, absorbing the knowledge they wanted us to know, dreaming one day of making my escape and defeating them. However, it seemed the only way to save mankind was to be a part of the Ancients. It was something I was not ready for.
As a Mare I learned I had unbelievable gifts. The ability to see, to travel from my body, to fight like no other warrior. My advantage was my mind. Anubis was stronger and was controlling that. I hated that I was not in control of anything anymore.
My sister was out of my control, and I was now wed to an Ancient.
Twice Anubis had pulled me from my world into his. Whether it was to taunt or mislead me, the fact remained he did accomplish it.
Real war with the Savages or not, the first battle stone was cast the moment he drew me in.
Actually, it was before that: when they took my blood. If the queen went from Savage to upright with one taste, it sickened me to think what would become of her if she had a second dose.
I had to be prepared for the fight.
Unfortunately, the best armor for me was a child I neither wanted, nor was ready for.
How to even go about it was the question. Iry seemed content to find another option. Run, escape, and get somewhere far. But we were dealing with Anubis reaching to me from a different plane, it didn’t matter where I went, he would find me.
I needed advice. Before I embarked on the mating ritual with my husband, I needed to speak to someone. With my mother and Marie both dead, and Susan now unequivocally an enemy, I sought out a wise soul to speak with. Someone human.
She looked full of wisdom like Marie, although she wasn’t quite as old as most elders in the elder home. I had seen her many times and she always was pleasant.
“Thank you so much for making the time to talk to me,” I told her. “I know you are busy with your work. So you know now what my dilemma is?”
“Let me see if I got this right. You want to have a child with your husband but you don’t know what to do?”
“No.”
“Has anyone talked to you?”
“My friend Marie told me things about the… the act.”
“So you haven’t consummated your marriage yet?”
“What is that?”
“The act.”
My eyes widened. “No.”
“You need to do so to conceive a child,” she said. “You obviously love your husband if you married him. Intimacy should not be a problem.”
I wanted to tell her that there was more to the story.
“Making love and being intimate can be a wonderful experience when it is with someone you care about. Think about when he kisses you. How does that make you feel?”
My mind went back to the time Iry did kiss me. It was my first kiss, and I hated to admit that I enjoyed it. There was something about it that made me feel as if I were on route to some sort of better plateau.
“I ... like it.”
“Then that’s a start. I know how you feel. I was married once and I was innocent too when I got married. I didn’t know anything.”
“How did you learn?”
“My husband was patient, he talked to me. I watched movies. And… wine helps.”
“Oh, I’ll remember that, thank you,” I said.
“You do know, married to an Ancient, a bond was placed on you by the court, chances are, one time and you will conceive.”
“Oh, I can deal with one time. You have been so helpful.” I leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll let you get back to work.”<
br />
“No problem, any time. What was your name again?”
“Vala. And you are Maggie, the fruit drink street vendor.”
“Just Maggie will be fine and here…” She handed me a tall, orange beverage. “This will help you relax.”
Maggie was a kind and generous woman who not only gave me great advice, she gave me a beverage that I knew would calm my nerves. Conceiving a child was a serious commitment, but if the Savages indeed were invading in masses, then it was a commitment I had to make.
My fruit drink in hand, I headed back home. I had a lot to think about.
TWENTY-SIX – TANNER
“Are you always so angry?” Brea asked while we gathered our things preparing to leave. “You seem like you’re always upset about something.”
“He is,” Snake answered before I could.
“Snake,” I snapped. “No. I mean, I have a lot on my mind,” I told her.
“Did you want to talk about it?”
“That…” Snake said, “is a good idea. I’m gonna go get some coffee.”
I grunted.
“There you go again,” she said. “Now, tell me what’s up?”
My hand dropped to the bag in frustration. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, okay, short version of the story. Vala, a girl from the Straits, arrived in Angeles City. She wanted to be part of the rebellion.”
“So you like this Vala?”
“No, yes, I mean… she has this gift. She is something called a Mare.”
“That’s a myth.”
“No, it’s real,” I said. “She can do things like you wouldn’t believe. Travel with her mind, see things, fight Savage after Savage without breaking a sweat.”
“Wow. Sounds like the perfect girl.”
“Yeah, the perfect girl decided the best way to beat the Ancients was to infiltrate them. Plus, she was threatened by Nito. Nito said she’d kill me if Vala didn’t return to be chosen. You know what that is?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Her educator had a thing for her and told her if she returned he’d choose her before Nito could.”
“Of course, because Nito wants a Mare.”
The War for Mare (The Fall of Man Book 3) Page 7