The New World

“You’re late.” Mariana stepped off the plane and walked over to the waiting person, her brow lifted in a silent question. On the flight back from Russia, her thoughts couldn’t stop as to why the God wanted to talk to her. The questions were obvious, he was quite concerned about the children and Mariana did her best to steer him off course, although she was pretty sure she failed.

“Blame the flights, too many layovers, and too many malfunctions. Don’t you wish we could actually be like the stories that people tell of us? That we could really fly or turn into bats?” Mariana asked but stopped before the person whose lips were curling into a smile. “Although some of us do have special powers that allow us to transform ourselves.”

“Only one person can do that, you know. And the power to turn into mist is very consuming.” Mariana nodded. She had heard the stories but yet had to see if they were true. Of course, that was a secret best kept so she was sure she wouldn’t see it until less the time called for it. “How was Russia?” Mariana laughed at the Russian dialect and shook her head.

“It was fine. Russia is beautiful, as you know.” The conversation was simple, vague, as it needed to be while out in the open. But the moment the duo got in the car, Mariana shook her head. “He’s asking about things and I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t start there. Tell me what you saw. Let’s begin there first and then work into why he called you over.”

“Demons, so many demons. When I first stayed there, years ago, it was quiet. You know The General, even if you don’t want to know him, he would always scare off his coven, so there was hardly anyone there. But it looked like a mass army of demons. But just wolves and vampires.”

“So, no witches yet. Which means Demonio doesn’t have his witch family as of yet.”

“At least not that I saw. So that means his army isn’t done, right?”

“No, Mariana, I don’t think it is. If you saw hordes already, I can only imagine what it would like when he adds those on as well.” Mariana sighed and rubbed her head, confused by all of this.

“Just to take over the world?”

“Demonio is all about power, the power to control, to manipulate, to seduce even; that’s why he has his realm, he can control you there. That hasn’t changed. This war is just on a much grander scale than picking off a few vampires, witches, or wolves at a time.” I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat, and glanced at her. “What did he ask? What did he want to know?”

“Your kids. He wanted to know if they were real if they existed.” My anger flared up and my eyes turned black, causing Mariana to lean back against the door. My fangs extended and I fought with every fiber within me not to leap out of the car nor to attack her. She wasn’t the one who wanted to harm my kids, I knew that, but that didn’t mean I liked it.

“Forgive me,” I said, being careful of the fangs still protruding.

“I hadn’t seen them, they are real?” she questioned.

“They are. Hybrids if you will, with witches’ powers to add on. What did you tell him?”

“He had asked if I had seen them, which I had not, so I didn’t lie. But I made it sound like it was a rumor that I didn’t believe and that I didn’t think they could have come from you, that they wouldn’t have shared your bloodline.” I finally managed to ease my fangs and my lips, once more, curled up into a smile. Mariana and I were far from friends, but she proved useful in her knowledge and in her willingness to help. It was a dangerous game playing both sides and playing a spy, but it’s one I knew Mariana loved and that she was good at. Very few people would think her smart enough to do something so devious, but I knew better than that. I had already been proven how sneaky she could be and how she could turn on a dime. But still knowing that I was willing to trust her because of that reason, I knew her better than anyone.

“He knows, no matter how I want to fight it. You might have made him doubt what he was hearing, but he knows. What scares me, for you, is that he might know you’re lying. You’re going to need help and protection.”

“I’m a vampire, I can take care of myself.”

“I’m older, Mariana, and I had trouble fighting a demon with Grayson’s DNA. Do not underestimate those guys, or that God, because the moment you do, is the moment you will die.” I watched her, watched the change on her face, and nodded as she finally understood. These weren’t little wolves or fellow vampires we were fighting, this was a God whose soul power was based on manipulation; he would have our asses if we weren’t careful.

“Okay, so what do you suggest? I’m the one who knows him and has talked to him; he would come after me before anyone. What could you possibly have that would be strong enough to protect me from a God?” I looked at her, tilting my head slightly. I trusted her to do what I needed her to but to answer her question; I had to make sure she was one hundred percent on our side.

“I know of something, do you trust me?” I started the car and glanced at her. She snickered and looked at the window for a moment before turning her gaze back to me.

“I don’t think I would have done any of this if I didn’t Fire. And given our history that rather scares me. I’m still not sure why you asked me to be this informant but it’s obvious you needed me. So my question in response to you, is do you really trust me?” She had me there and I had to smile again. I sent her there, without anyone knowing what I was doing or what I was planning. And I’m sure that when she walked back in, I would hear about it.

“Probably more than I should be given my past of course. What I can share, for the moment,” as I backed the car out and headed to the hotel, “is that once you see this, you will not be talking to the God anymore. And I will make sure you have the protection you need.” I knew she would be confused by that, but I couldn’t say anymore. I also had no real certain idea how the twins could do this, but I know they would do what I asked, for however long or strong they could make it.

The conversation came to a halt on the 15-minute drive to the hotel. I had been careful in dealing with Mariana for a reason; I wanted no one to give her away. Whatever she heard, could piece back together, and use to give Demonio, I wanted her to do without too many lies piling up at her feet and something happening. And I know that everyone would probably be confused, but I also did not doubt that Mariana would be able to give us more information, like how was the demons even being created? Since that was something we seemed to be stuck on. There were no bites, nor marks, so was it all done by some type of medical procedure? Did Demonio really make these one by one?

I had her follow me up to the room and opened the door, Grayson glancing at me before his eyes narrowed on her. He walked over, ready to fight but I laid my hand on his chest and shook my head, trying to soothe what I could. “She’s safe and with me,” I told him. “I will explain everything but please, for now, just trust me.” His eyes narrowed and I knew it would be a long night of talking but he finally nodded. “Thank you.” I kissed his cheek and then called for Rayne and Rosemina, who ran out of their rooms.

“Mommy,” Rosemina said, smiling at me. Looking at them, there was no denying they were produced by both Grayson and me. I watched as Mariana stared at the two kids and then slowly sunk to her knees, her eyes wide. Hybrids weren’t around and she had heard what was to become of me and Grayson, so she knew who also stood before her.

“I don’t believe it,” she said, her hands reaching out to take Rayne’s hand. He smiled, his little hand holding hers.

“Be....bel....believe it. We are....um...real,” he told her and I placed my hand on her shoulder.

“They are ours, Mariana. They will rule after we are gone. Demonio wants them as badly as he wants us. And they will help you in payment for helping us.”

----

“I don’t trust her.” I rolled my eyes at Grayson’s comment that filtered through my mind. That was about the 16th time I heard that in the last two hours. I know he didn’t and though I tried explaining it, and he understood, he still didn’t like it.

“I know you don’t. And I know I pissed off Midnight and I know he needed a run,” I replied. And that’s exactly what we were doing in the woods in the middle of the night, letting Midnight run off his agitation. Midnight finally stopped right beside me, his black nose nudging my shoulder and I rubbed it. “I’m sorry but I needed to. And you would have done the same thing.” He whimpered which quickly turned into a growl and he quickly shifted as the presence stepped out from behind a tree.

“My, what an impressive wolf my niece seemed to have captured as her beloved.” My eyes blazed as I stared at the God who stood before us.