Thanks to TaFace for editing grammar and spelling. Special thanks to Willie for noting the differences between American English and Australian English. I need to pay more attention to those Outback Steakhouse commercials - "how to speak Australian." smiles....
*
Speeding across the dark skies, Alex glanced at the other passengers but focused intently on his special guest. He and his men were returning to Australia after assisting the leaders of the New Kingdom in battle against their greatest adversary. Although they had been victorious, the allies had learned of yet another enemy. One that had been created for the sole purpose of destroying the New Kingdom. One that had been created just like Joshua, who sat silently staring into the dark skies.
When Gabriel had requested the favor, Alex readily invited Joshua to accompany them. But now, he wondered what lay behind Joshua's intentions for this trip. He had appeared genuinely distressed to leave Nola but had he agreed to the separation too quickly. Maybe he was just afraid of his old man. Hell, what person would be stupid enough to cross Gabriel Philandros?
And yet, Joshua intrigued him. He had barely eaten his dinner and had declined the liquid refreshment stored on the jet for vampire guests. Joshua nervously looked up and listened intently whenever someone would exit the cockpit. He had inquired about radio contact until Alex explained that their stealth flight would not allow communication. He had appeared relieved to learn this. Strange behavior for a love sick pup.
Thinking about the object of Joshua's affection summoned the image of another's face to mind. Alex looked out the window but the dark night served as a blank canvas to hold her face. She was beautiful, a fact no one could deny. But the attraction was deeper than a mere appreciation for those big dark eyes and perfect pink lips. It was something in the way her voice trembled when she said "thank you." It was the way he felt the low currents of electricity when she was near.
"I've lost my mind," he reprimanded himself. "Now I'm getting a buzz from just thinking about her."
Unable to relax, Alex turned in his seat to find Joshua staring at him. Quickly, the boy dropped his eyes trying to look away but not before Alex had seen his face. Although no sound had been heard, Joshua had been moving his lips as though he was talking.
"Hey, man," Alex said. "You ok?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You've been quiet. Missing your girl?"
"No. I mean yeah. Yeah, sure, I miss her."
"Is something wrong?" Alex asked moving across the aisle from Josh.
"What? No. Why? What makes you think something is wrong?"
"Mixed signals. You seem nervous but you're the only kid I know who usually has grace under pressure."
"You think I'm a kid," Joshua said quietly.
"I think you look about ten years younger than me although there's more than thirty years difference between us."
"It's weird, you know. One day, your mom is buying your clothes and telling you that your human body needs vegetables but then the next day ...."
"You're fighting the devil himself," Alex finished. "Which I've been meaning to ask...How many times have you been in hand to hand combat?"
"Counting the time I tried to protect Emma, twice. And neither was very smooth."
"When was that?"
Joshua thought about that day at the maze and laughed out loud. "Maybe a couple of weeks ago. I was much smaller but still ... I'm the same guy."
"How does that work?" Alex asked motioning to Joshua. "You look older than when I met you just a few days ago."
"I'm not sure," Joshua answered avoiding Alex gaze. "We are the first of our kind."
"Do you mind if I ask about that? Cause I'm interested in ... well, it's interesting how you were made."
"Test tube babies. That's what Abby calls us. She has always appreciated this life we have," Josh replied quietly.
"And you?"
"I appreciate the life our parents gave us. No matter how much we frustrate him, Dad has always made us his first priority. Apparently, he immediately laid claim to us when we were found at the hospital."
"Does he get pissed at you?" Alex asked with a laugh. "I can't imagine surviving a battle against him."
"No," Joshua answered quietly. "At least not yet."
"You'll see her soon mate."
"I know," he quickly answered and then turned to Alex. "What? Who? Who do you mean?"
"Your girl," Alex replied and then paused as Josh squirmed in his seat. "Hey, is something going on?"
"No."
"You'd tell me?"
"If I could. Did you have other questions about us?
Not missing Joshua's swift maneuvering of the subject, Alex sat back and contemplated his next question. He liked this guy. Joshua had proved to be loyal to his family and would be a great friend. Still, Alex needed to know.
"Are you a vampire?" he asked bluntly.
"No. At least, not yet."
"Not yet? How can you be created by seven vampires and not be one yourself?"
"I was created with the egg of a human female fertilized by the DNA of six men. What they are is what I will become."
"But in the maze," Alex said with confusion. "You said that you had the blood of all seven brothers."
"I do. Now." When he saw the confusion on Alex face, Josh shook his head and laughed. "How convenient it must be for human children to have a mother and a father. No explanations. No extraordinary developments."
"Sorry. I'm just confused."
"Abby found out and tried to explain it to me. To tell the truth, I don't think my parents wanted us to know and I still didn't care enough to ask. But according to Abs, we were created and then basically existed to produce a blood that would be toxic to other vampires. When Dad found us, he and Mom were mated but something had delayed her change. He had drained her blood and fed her his but she was stuck in the transition. Not vampire but definitely not human."
"Is that how you are now? In transition?"
"Not exactly like her but I guess it's similar. Anyway, she had fed from Dad so she had his blood. When he brought us to the American Court, she fed us and gave us the part of him we were missing."
"When you say 'we' you are referring to just you and Abigail," Alex stated. "What about this other guy? The one the Panthralges called his son?"
"He must be missing the part from my dad. I wonder if that will help us..."
"Help us with what? I'm sure he's none of our concern. Not with your dad on the job."
Joshua looked at Alex and opened his mouth to say something. Suddenly his snapped his jaws shut and turned to look out the window. Sensing an internal conflict within his friend, Alex tried to return the conversation to their previous subject.
"So your mum basically saved your life?"
"Yeah," Joshua answered turning to face Alex. "The things that Panthralges said..."
"Forget about it," Alex interrupted. "It's the oldest trick to get a bloke off his game. "
"I miss her," Josh said quietly. "Is that weird?"
"Which her are we talking about?"
"My mom," he answered. "She always worries about us. She will be scared. Dad will be angry."
"Why?"
"Oh, nothing. We've never been separated."
"But she has Abigail," Alex countered. "And why would Gabriel be pissed? He sent you on this trip."
"Yeah, that's what he thinks. God, when he finds out the truth ..." Joshua stopped and added with a grin, "I hope Mom comes with him."
"You really miss her."
"Oh yeah but she's also the only one who can talk to him when he's angry."
"Doesn't she get angry?"
"You know, I never considered that," Joshua said with a nervous laugh.
Alex sat back wondering why his friend was so anxious in regard to Gabriel. He had watched the father and son interact several times during his visit and had never witnessed any signs of conflict between the two. Even when Lola had been found hiding in Joshua's room, Gabriel had been quiet and somewhat disappointed.
Alex could hardly disagree with the man. Bringing a human to secluded area crawling with vampires had not been a smart move on the boy's part. While Alex was a trained warrior, Lola was viewed as nothing more than a tasty morsel. Joshua will understand that one day. When his transition was complete.
Closing his eyes, Alex tried to avoid the memory of that beautiful face continually haunting him. Joshua would change and so would she. And when she did, she would become that creature he hated so much. She would be a vampire.
***
Antony walked around the makeshift bed never leaving his mate more than a few feet away. If he was this anxious after a few hours, he wondered if he could survive the next three days. He constantly touched her face, looked at her body and marveled at the true beauty her transformation unveiled. Each strand of hair glistened in the sun as threads of gold. Her face was calm with no signs of worry or insecurity marring her brow. Although he had mostly refrained from jostling her during her rest, he had not been able to resist those red lips. Forming a natural pout, they had begged for attention. He had not disappointed.
Letting his gaze travel over her body, he gently traced the path following his eyes. The ivory skin was flawless, soft and radiant. He placed his hand between her breasts to feel the heartbeat that reassured him of their eternal love. As their hearts raced together in perfect precision, he finally understood what his brothers had always known. One heart beat for two.
How he could have thought he had found this with another amazed him even now. The memory of acknowledging Elise as his mate now continually mocked him. They had found an easy understanding with each other. She had forgiven his indiscretions with the condition that he allowed hers. So many years wasted in a hedonistic life. If Gabriel could change then he could too.
Thinking of his siblings reminded Antony of their sudden departure. He hesitated about communicating with them only because he had wanted to keep everything and everyone outside of this time with his mate. Walking away from the bed, he turned toward the water and opened his mind to his brothers.
"Edward," he said. "Any news?"
"Not yet," Edward quickly answered. "God I hope Conlaoch can find her. Gabriel is about to tear this plane apart. If we land and she's not there...."
"So Conlaoch knows. What happens to Alex? He's a hell of ally and a better warrior. Better than most vampires but he won't stand a chance against Gabriel."
