by Honor James
“You wish to destroy your world, so be it. You wish to be at war with one another, so be it. You wish to live in a past fraught with war, death and disease, so fucking be it. We the people of the Races will not stand by you any longer. Any who wish to seek asylum beyond the Veil have until midnight to report to the northern portal outside of New York. At precisely midnight the Veil shall be closed. Permanently.”
He let his golden gaze rake over all of them and sneered with a low, menacing growl. “May the Gods have mercy on your miserable souls, humans.” The last word he spoke was with all the disdain and disgust any being could ever project. He said no more, merely spun on a heel, and with the other Council members, departed the Chamber.
Not a sound was heard except the eerie finality of the heavy anteroom door shutting behind the last member of the Council.
For exactly two minutes and fourteen seconds the silence held. Then the room broke into even greater chaos as everyone began to scramble for the doors.
Young Taylor James, correspondent in the field, stepped into view of the camera. His face was pale, sweat beaded on his upper lip and he looked like he might faint at any moment. “There you have it, Jonathan and Casey. From the Earthen Council Chamber, the Council has decreed all of the Races are leaving Earth. We, the human race, shall be alone once more. For those that missed this stunning announcement, the Council has stated that all the members of the Races are leaving Earth and the Veil will be shut once more. Any of the human Race who wish to seek asylum beyond the Veil are to go to the northern portal outside of New York City. You have until midnight tonight before you can no longer pass through the Veil. Once again, the Races from beyond the Veil are leaving Earth permanently. Back to you in the studio, Jonathan,” Taylor whispered.
The camera shot returned to the studio where Jonathan and Casey both sat in obvious shock. No one in the studio prompted either of them to speak. It was doubtful that anyone knew what to say at that moment.
Several long minutes later, Jonathan finally focused on the camera. “There you have it, folks. The Races from beyond the Veil are leaving Earth. At midnight tonight, they will once again seal the Veil. From what we’ve heard, there will be no more travel between our Realm and their many Realms. Any who wish to depart Earth seeking asylum are to report to the northern Veil portal just outside of New York.”
“They’re leaving,” Casey whispered. “I can’t believe they’re leaving.”
“From all of us here at the news station, good night,” Jonathan said. As soon as the station’s theme song began to play he tore off his mic, turned to Casey, and helped her up and out of her seat.
* * * *
November 12, 2035 Earth 23:59:30 hours
Staring up at the stars overhead, Drakos let out a breath. The last of the humans that wanted to join them on the other side of the Veil had already passed through to the holding areas. Until they could be vetted and proven not to be a threat to the Races, it was where they would remain.
Not that they would be suffering. It was a luxury resort in comparison to anything they knew on Earth. It would do until they were proven worthy, or returned to Earth with no memories of ever stepping through the Veil.
“It’s time to go, Father,” his son called from behind him.
Nodding, Drakos turned to look at Drake. So much like him in appearance, yet a much calmer personality. He moved to the opening and stepped through. With one last look at the New York skyline, he shook his head. “Close it down,” he said softly.
“Vi,” Drake whispered to the Spiryte Queen.
Drakos moved to the group of individuals from all the various Races, in one place, for one reason. To say good-bye to Earth.
Drake and Volos wrapped their arms around Azure. Viper and Ladon were holding their precious Spiryte Queen mate in protectively tight arms. He looked around at the other faces, all he knew so well, and had to wonder if they’d chosen right.
Taking his granddaughter from her mother, Drakos pressed a kiss to her chubby little cheek as he turned them to face the Veil as it began to seal itself once more. “Maybe one day you’ll be able to visit there, little Rain,” he whispered to the precious little girl.
Maybe one day they could open the Veil to travel.
Maybe one day they could open their hearts to the peoples of Earth again.
Maybe one day they could all live in peace.
Maybe one day…
THE END
WWW.HONORJAMES.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in the mid-seventies Honor has always had a love for the written word. Whether she is reading a book from another author or writing a story of her own, she is always letting her mind expand and delve into possibilities. It all started off as scribbles for her, then a phase of poetry before she found her true calling in the erotic paranormal genre where her imagination is the only limit.
Since beginning her journey as a published author in 2011, Honor says she has learned a great deal about herself and writing. She believes that it’s a never-ending journey, the mind always wanting to learn and to grow. With that comes a better skill and smoothness to her writing she’s discovered and begun to enjoy more with each story she creates.
Thankfully, as she puts it, she has a job that gives her plenty of opportunity to write whatever comes to mind with very few interruptions. Her biggest supporters are, as always, her family. Her two children and her husband are continuously providing her with laughter and joy, making the time she takes to write a little bit easier. Without them and their support she knows she wouldn’t be half the author she is today.
For all titles by Honor James, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/honor-james
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com