by Stone, Ciana
Knowledge of her pregnancy was secret, even to Constantine. Resa had not wanted to reveal it to him until tensions lessened between them about their daughters. She wanted him to learn of his son without anything to cast a shadow on the joy he would feel at having an heir.
Now she would have to rely on the strength of their son to help her survive and find a way to protect Constantine.
Chapter Five
Constantine acknowledge the announcement via intercom that the exiled princes from Nuria and Valia were being escorted into the conference room.
He could not stop memories from flooding his mind, memories of a time long ago on Shadallah, the day the sentence of exile was imposed.
The great hall was lit as if for a state funeral, windows covered and dim lighting that created caverns of darkness in the niches and entrances to anterooms. Emperor Athol, his father, sat on the throne, his second son, Aurelius, seated to his right. The seat to the Emperor’s left, that normally occupied by the Crown Prince was draped with a black cloth.
Before the Emperor were gathered hundreds, retinues of the heirs of Nuria and Valia, along with his own retinue. Even now, Constantine found it difficult to accept that his father was going to send him into exile. He was the heir to the throne of Shadallah.
It was clear that the Emperor did not intend to ever surrender power to Constantine. His views and Constantine’s were diametrically opposed. Constantine advocated peace between the three worlds of V’Kar, that the ruling body, the J’Zhan, be restructured so that it was a true democratic body, serving the needs of all the worlds of V’Kar with the Emperor holding the deciding vote.
The Emperor would have no part of that. His rule had been absolute for as long as could be remembered and he intended it would continue to be so. He and the Sisterhood vied for control of the J’Zhan, each holding sway for a time until the pendulum of power swung to the other.
Constantine would see that changed. The Sisterhood would be diminished. Control of the gate and many other of the technology they jealously guarded would be shared for the good of all. His vision was of a star system of peace and cooperation, a climate in which prosperity and achievement could be realized by all and not just those in power.
His father had insured that would not come to pass. Constantine now reflected back upon the events that had led them to this moment. Was it possible that he, Leonidas and Octavian had been manipulated? Had the Emperor conspired to discredit all of them so that he could, with one blow, eliminate all those who posed a risk to his power?
Constantine pulled his thoughts back to the present. He’d had countless thousands of years to reflect upon that question. It was evident by the continued disregard to his communiques that his father never intended for Constantine or any of the others to return. Their exile was intended to be permanent.
He could not accept that. Somehow, some way, he would see his people returned to V’Kar and he would see the Emperor removed from power. How, he did not yet know.
For now, there were more pressing issues at hand. As if in summons to the though, his aide appeared at the door to inform him his presence was needed.
Constantine rose and made his way to the grand meeting hall, waving away the contingent of elite guard that appeared to accompany him. For him to sue for peace, and assistance, a demonstration of strength would be counterproductive.
He made his way alone. Leonidas and Octavian were seated when he entered the room. He saw the surprise register on Leonidas’ face when he appeared alone. He also saw the slight nod of approval Octavian offered.
“Thank you for attending,” he said and crossed the room to sit. “I request your help.”
The surprise apparent on both the faces watching was obvious. He did not allow the moment to linger. “Resa has been taken by the Alliance.” He used her name, rather than her title in order to personalize it for them.
For Octavian there was no need. He and Resa had been fast friends since Octavian rescued her from a battle with the Alliance years ago, shortly after Constantine and Resa had bonded. Constantine knew that Octavian’s feelings for Resa were genuine.
Leonidas was another matter. He had fought alongside Resa. Moreover, she’d fought for him, risking her own life to insure his safety. He would never, as a warrior, forget the debt. Constantine was counting on that to win Leonidas’ assistance.
He was not, however, surprised that Leonidas responded with derision. “Why should it be of concern to me that your whore has been taken?”
“We both know the answer to that,” Constantine replied quietly.
Leonidas’ face tightened in anger then released. “She is an accomplished warrior, but she fights for the D’Harahn.”
“She fights for V’Kar,” Constantine argued and held up his hand as Leonidas opened his mouth to speak. “Please, hear me out.
“On the head of my mate, my words are true. Despite all, I remained firm in my belief that together we can overcome that which stands before us. Together we can find a way home. Together we can remove the poison that prevents our worlds from enjoying peace. Together we can institute change.
“Together.” He repeated. “The three of us. We tried once, but our efforts were undermined by the Emperor. We were manipulated to fail so that we might be branded as traitors and exiled. We were feared.
“We will be feared again, and rightly so. If we return home, united, there is no force that can stand against us.”
“Fanciful dreams,” Leonidas commented. “We will never see home.”
“Because of our own weakness,” Octavian’s voice was soft but rang with conviction. “Constantine is right. If we returned as a united front, we could sway the balance of power. It is as the old earth saying “united we stand, divided we fall.”
Leonidas scoffed. “Even if true, it is pointless to consider. We have no way home.”
“We will find a way,” Constantine said. “I pledge to you now that if you join me in quelling this common foe, I will find a way home. Once there, we will wrest power from the Emperor and establish a new Order. The J’Zhan will be overturned, restructured. Each of our worlds will have equal representation. We will establish a democracy and build a system unparalleled in the galaxy.”
Leonidas considered Constantine’s words. He knew Constantine to be a man of honor and a formidable enemy. It was not outside the realm of possibility that the Emperor had orchestrated their exile. Leonidas had never believed that he would turn the reins of power over to Constantine.
What troubled him about that scenario was that if the Emperor had orchestrated their downfall then there stood a strong possibility that his own father was an accomplice. Why else had he allowed Leonidas to be exiled without a fight?
Still, it was a moot point. They were trapped here. Unless, he considered. Unless the Priest can wrest control of the gate from the Sisterhood.
He was not convinced it could be done, or even that he would consider standing side-by-side with Constantine or Octavian. He’d spent too many years hating them to call them compatriots.
Yet, perhaps it would be to his benefit to have them think he agreed. If they did find a way to return him, he needed them. Once on home soil he would decide whether to wage war.
Yes, it would be wise to have them think he stood with them. Wise indeed.
“Very well.” He announced. “Nuria stands with you.”
“As does Valia,” Octavian said.
Constantine nodded. “Then we plan for war.”
Chapter Six
Resa did not struggle at the bite of the thick plastic ties that locked her wrists and ankles to the chair. She could not break them. She’d seen too many people try and succeed only in digging bloody trenches in their own flesh. Besides, she’d never give the Alliance the pleasure of seeing her struggle. Fear was the one emotion she could not show.
The door to the room opened. Framed in the light that spilled into the darkness from beyond the door stood a figure she recognized without bei
ng able to discern the features. Bram.
He walked to stand in front of her, his hands clasped behind him like a military general. Behind him was his aide, recording every word that would be spoken.
“You could have avoided this.” Bram said quietly. “You still can. Swear allegiance to the Alliance and I will spare your life.”
Resa’s response was quick. “Not a chance.”
“Very well,” he said and turned to pace before her. “Let it be known that the offer was extended and the traitor chose death.”
He stopped to look at her. “Before you die, however, you will know the truth.”
Resa knew he waited for her to respond, to question. She refused to play his game and sat silently, her eyes never wavering from his.
“Your life is a lie Resa Vanator. You were told that a Vampyre sired you. The truth is, your mother was a Dhampir, born of a Vampyre father and witch mother. We had her watch them both be slain on her fifth birthday.
“How she managed to get herself pregnant is still unknown, but like the whore who bore her, she managed to fill her belly before she turned eighteen. She died, being tortured the day you were born. We’d hoped she would die with honor and reveal the name of your father, but she chose a traitor’s death.”
Resa tried not to show surprise at the revelation, despite the questions that swirled in her mind. If her mother was part V’Kar and her father full blood, then that could explain why Resa was able to mate with Constantine, to have children. It might explain why her genetic makeup was more V’Kar than human.
“You would have died if not for me.” Bram interrupted her thoughts. “The Council wanted you to be left outside to die. It was only through me that your life was spared.”
He paused and stepped close to kneel down on one knee, looking straight into her eyes. “I treated you as my own.” His voice softened. “Raised you. Trained you. Made you strong.”
“You used me as a weapon.” Resa stated.
“I gave you everything!” Bram sprang to his feet, his face red with anger. “This…” He pulled something from his right pocket. “This is all your worthless parents left you whereas I gave you everything.”
He dangled the object in front of her face. A silver chain from which was suspended a violet blue gem in the shape of a teardrop. Without facets and smooth, its color was dull and unremarkable.
Bram tossed it on the floor at her feet. “You could have been my right hand, a supreme warrior. Yet you betray our people, our entire race for the love of a Vampyre. That level of treason calls for execution by torture. In two days’ time, it will begin. You will be disemboweled and dismembered, your body left for carrion. I will watch as you die and shed no tears.”
He turned for the door, barking an order at his aide. “Cut her free and remove the chair. Let the traitor lie on the cold floor.”
Resa did not respond, did not so much as move a muscle until the aide cut her bonds and shoved her from the chair so that he could remove it from the room. Not until the door slammed closed, throwing the room into blackness did she move.
She felt around on the floor. When her fingers touched the stone of the necklace Bram had discarded, a light flared. At that same moment the child within her stirred. The unique bond that exists between mother and child was solidified and communication firmly established.
With one hand on her belly, she brought the stone up before her eyes. Its light intensified the closer she held it. What was this? She looped the chain around her neck and let the stone settle on her chest. The light magnified to illuminate the entire room in a violet blue light.
Hold it.
Resa didn’t question the suggestion of her unborn son. She closed her right hand around the stone. “Help us,” she whispered.
Without warning as storm of images flooded her mind. Memories that were not her own but seemed as such stormed into her conscious mind, overwhelming her with knowledge. She struggled to make sense of it, just to comprehend but it was too much.
Darkness claimed her.
When she woke, she had no way of knowing how much time had passed. Her first thought was of her child.
I am safe.
Hearing his thoughts in her mind slowed the pounding of her heart. Until she started to remember. The more she remembered, the faster her heart raced. Nothing in her life, in any of the lives of any V’Kar was what they had thought. They had all been misled.
Her hand when to the gem resting against her chest. Why had she been awakened to this knowledge? Was there more to be learned? If so, she had to know.
The moment her hand closed around the gem, swirling lights and tumbling colors claimed her. Time ceased. All that existed was light, color, and motion. Almost as soon as it registered in her mind, it ended and she found herself sitting on a smooth outcropping of a graceful mountain, gazing out over the peaceful community in the valley below. It was like being thrust into a fairy tale or a utopian science fiction dream.
She started to stand but was overcome with dizziness. Her vision doubled and she blinked, trying to hang onto consciousness. It was a losing battle. Within moments, unconsciousness claimed her.
Resa had lost track of time since she’d been here. She stood on a high bluff, overlooking the peaceful valley. Buildings dotted the valley, of warm cream surfaces with a slightly coarse texture, what she would have called stucco even though it would not have been an accurate comparison. None boasted of straight lines or corners, but of rounded shapes and flowing lines to create works of art on the landscape.
As far as Resa could see in any direction, there was literally no part of nature that was extreme. The temperature was mild and the land green and lush. She had never imagined a place so clean, so unspoiled. It was like the mythological gardens of the god, or gods, as the case may be.
She felt jealous. Her home was a stark contrast to this magical place. Greed, hate, prejudice, fear -- the list of negative human emotions went on and on. How would they, as a race, ever awaken to the results of their actions and energy until they were able to step beyond those negative emotions and moments and look at the bigger picture?
A presence behind her made her turn and look up.
"May I join you?” The man standing there asked.
It took a moment to find her voice, she was so caught up in looking at him. Even Constantine could not measure to this man’s sheer beauty. Like the land around her, he was too beautiful to be real. Her heart beat faster as she realized who he was.
"Please.” She turned her eyes to the peaceful scene below. “You are Adahl?”
“Yes, I am Adahl.”
“And you’re my…”
“Father. Yes, I am.”
Resa had never dreamed she would look upon the face of her father. It was unimaginable that he would turn out to be someone like Adahl.
“This stone.” She touched the gemstone on her chest. “It’s not just a decoration. It…it changed me.”
“Both of you,” he replied. “Your son shares the knowledge.”
“How?”
“You already know the answer.”
“Engrams. It imprinted us.”
“Yes.”
She looked away. “This is so beautiful, so perfect. Do you have any idea what you have here?"
"Yes, Resa, I do.”
Her face flushed. "I guess that was a stupid statement. How can you not know? I’m sorry. All I can think is how unbelievable, unimaginable, and perfect this is. And why does my world ...”
Her eyebrows pinched and her eyes narrowed, darting back and forth for a few seconds as she sought to reconcile the data flooding her mind from the engram imprint.
"Are you in distress?” Adahl put his hand on her shoulder.
She shook her head, as much to clear it as to assure him that she was fine. She had experienced a few such events since she first began what she could only call her Awakening.
At first, it was total anarchy. There was no rhyme or reason to any of it and she really
thought she was going to cease to exist because of it. But something happened inside her mind. She did not understand it all in the beginning, but now enough of the imprinted was in place and so she could draw on the knowledge the imprints provided, be it law, medicine, physics, or psychology. It was like carrying around an enormous library in your head. At least that's how she thought of it.
The flashes she experienced, when the data seemed to be bombarding her consciousness were uncomfortable, but she didn't think it was harmful because as soon as the data was organized and "uploaded" to the proper place, she felt fine.
"You were saying?” Adahl accepted her non-reply once she looked at him and smiled.
"Oh, yes. I was thinking about all the problems on the worlds I know. That sounds so -- so, I don't know -- wrong. I don't really know all the worlds I speak of because I personally have only experienced one -- well, two now. But the imprinting changes everything. Now, because Constantine remembers the Emperor’s Palace and Azarth, remembers his offices in the Emperium, I remember them too. And it feels like the memory is my own but I know it's not."
Adahl nodded his understanding. Not on a personal level, but on a scientific. Scientist himself, he had been quite interested in her genetic makeup and had run several diagnostics on her while she had been there. “How long have I been here?”
“For some time.”
“Then why don’t I remember?”
“You can, if you wish.” He laid his hand against her forehead and information flowed into her mind. It was frightening and exciting and left her with a sensation like a tingle in her mind.
Once she’d had a few minutes to absorb what he’d provided, she turned to him.
"Adahl, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, of course."
"Do you still love Pandora? You created her, and I know you loved her once, but do you still?"
"Of course I love her. I always have. Why would I stop?"
"But you --” Resa couldn't help but feel the hurt because inside her part of Pandora felt it. "But you have a wife, and children."