So there I was... trapped alone in a cage, Vanessa and my daughter near me, unable to talk to me or hear me. I pushed at the bars, but they were unmoving. Of course, without touch, I could not bless myself free, so I was uncertain of how to proceed.
But then something odd happened. Instead of remaining in the cage, I found myself standing next to Vanessa and Alera and Dog almost as if in the blink of an eye. And then I worked out it -- Alera had summoned me, just like she had with the stuffed toy. Cool. Without a word, Vanessa scooped my hand within hers and whispered something softly to our daughter. I blinked in shock when Luna and Lara vanished. Stepping around the cage together, we faced Leo, who began to grow irate at the absence of his sisters.
"What did you do to them?" He crossed his arms, making no motion that would be considered a blessing. Very wise of the man as if he had, I would have attacked him without thinking anything of it.
"My little girl, Alera is her name, has sent them just a few blocks away. She could have killed them, but did not. She could kill you without any words spoken, but will not. Do you really want to hurt this child?" Vanessa spoke boldly, lifting Alera up so that the man could stare into the gold and green eyes. He sighed, still not convinced. But when Luna and Lara dashed back inside of the warehouse, eyes wide in wonder, he relented.
"Fine. But it will have to be put before the councils of the sections." Leo's voice was one of resignation, but I trusted him.
"I have little doubt they will do the right thing." I did not voice the rest of what I thought -- that they would not have a choice as long as I was alive to help Alera remain unharmed and unfettered. I looked to Vanessa, who smiled brightly at me as we began to follow Leo and his sisters to their shuttle nearby, Dog with us, and felt a huge measure of relief that I did not have to kill her, that I could keep my daughter's mind intact and sharp. As long as Vanessa and I could keep the girl from hurting anyone, then perhaps she could remain free. I vowed silently to the toddler that I would do everything in my power to see that she remained that way and was not controlled by anyone.
However, at the council section's meeting, of which Vanessa, Alera and I were a part of, the situation got out of control fast. The elders of each section, selected by family members to put into the position, were shouting and insulting each other in regards to allowing Alera to even remain alive. I knew they couldn't kill her but if they tried, it could be painful for the girl. And that, I would never allow to happen.
"Alex, son," The man who had led the Stone section when I had lived in Sky City stood and faced the three of us, but addressed me. "Tell us in your own words how you were able to produce an offspring with a Curser?" Oh boy. Did they want details? All the gory details?
"Honorable father," I addressed him formally, "We are uncertain of how we were able to produce Alera. Our union was apparently fruitful." I felt my face heat up and glanced to Vanessa, who was turning a few shades of pink under her dark skin. I shook my head and addressed the council members. "This child is harmless. She is well behaved and very under control. All fears of the death of the world are unfounded. In fact, I have a feeling she will come to greatness." I looked down at the little girl, who was patting Dog's head softly, grinning an adorable little smile as she did. How could anyone think of her as a monster? How could they think of her as anything but simply sweet and wonderful? I shook my head again and sighed. She had me wrapped around her little tiny perfect pinky. That much was certain.
"You may rest now. Once we come to a conclusion to this, we will summon you all again." The senior of the council, a wizened old man who hunched over as if he were permanently searching for something he dropped upon the floor, dismissed us with a wave of his gnarled hand. I knew that he had not reached such an advanced age by making reckless decisions -- the council would be deliberating for hours. My main concern was for Alera, of course, and since I had already been banished for losing my Blesser skills, I did not have to worry about being punished for having sex with Vanessa.
"Come," I took Vanessa's hand within mine and we exited the open door to find Luna and Leo waiting for us.
"Alex, I'll take you to your room. The Curser will follow Luna." Leo's words were soft, but hard around the edges and I could see how tense he was. But I refused.
"No." I put an arm around Vanessa and Alera, ignoring the unhappy glare Luna gave me as I did. "I stay with them."
"That's not possible. The Council—"
I cut him off. "I don't care what the Council said. I will not part with them." I felt a measure of safety when I was with Vanessa and our daughter; no way would I give that up. When Leo stepped forward as if he were going to manhandle me, Dog began to growl under his breath. Of course all wounds had been blessed into healing, but that didn't mean that either of us wanted to get injured again so he backed off.
"Fine." We followed him to the same room I had used before and gave the request for a crib for Alera, who had fallen asleep from such a long day of waiting, waiting, waiting. Once the crib had been brought to the room, we put her down for the night. Vanessa and I stood side by side, hands clasped together, staring down at the beautiful little girl.
"I don't know how I could survive without her, Alex." Vanessa said so softly I could barely register the words. I pulled her in, wrapping my arms around her and kissed her forehead gently.
"I don't know how I have survived without both of you." I told her warmly, reaching down to press my lips against hers. When our kiss deepened, I felt a jolt of electricity weave itself into my bones and sighed in delight when her tongue found entrance to my mouth. Without a word, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the bed, depositing her gently upon it. I had her borrowed dress pulled off and her underclothing tossed aside before I could think to stop myself. I was so hard! And this time, it was a normal erection caused by my extreme attraction to the woman before me.
