Chapter 52

There was total silence in the living room of Alex and Britney. Alex and Britney had just finished narrating everything to everyone. Their story left everyone tensed and lost in their thoughts.

Steve and Rose sat side by side whereas Maradina sat on the carpet. Alex and Britney sat on the carpet across Maradina in their werewolf forms. Akirexer on the other hand stood at the window with her back turned and hands folded.

The sound of Steve clearing his throat cut thoughts across the room. All except Akirexer, naturally turned to face him. Feeling their eyes on himself, Steve proceeded to ask Britney, "So, you have been here with him this whole time?"

"Yes I have. Alex thought that it would be best for me to live here among the werewolves. When he rescued me, I was near the point of death so he had no choice but to turn me." Britney answered with her mouth closed.

Werewolves spoke telepathically to others while in their werewolf form. Britney felt Alex's paw on hers and she rubbed her head under his jaw.

"I couldn't let her die." Alex stated. "I also couldn't risk her getting detected by the Day Walkers. Escabitha was going to come after her again."

"Everything makes sense now." Rose whispered but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Steve everything makes sense." She held Steve's shoulder.

"How did you become a darkas god Whitney?" Britney asked Akirexer.

Without turning away from the window, Akirexer answered, "Escabitha's goons left me for the dead in the woods. I was waiting to die when the queen of the darkas gods found me. She made a deal with me."

"Queen Sharaina owns your soul?" Britney raised her eyes and wagged her tail. "I have heard so many amazing stories about her. She is a powerful darkas god."

"Whitney, now that we know the whole truth of the matter, what do we do?" Steve asked Akirexer.

Akirexer turned away from the window and gazed upon everyone. With a sigh she replied, "You all do nothing. Just stay away from all of this."

Rose abruptly stood up. "What are you saying Whitney?" She asked.

"I don't want you to risk your lives any more than you already have. Only I must face Escabitha and put an end to her evil once and for all."

"No, you are wrong. You need us. We are supposed to face her together. I too lost everything because of her." Britney got up to her fours.

"Have you taken a closer look at yourself? You are pregnant. Your focus should be on your unborn child and not Escabitha." Akirexer calmly pointed out.

"I still can't agree with you." Britney held her ears up.

"Britney please listen to me." Akirexer maintained her soft tone of voice.

"No I can't Whitney. I want to avenge the deaths of mother and father. I too have a score to settle with that bitch." Britney growled with her tail held up high.

"Enough! Shut up Britney." Akirexer raised her voice at Britney and she dropped her ears. Her head bowed and her tail dropped. "You will not take part in the battle against Escabitha. You will instead stay here. This is my final word!"

"This is so like you Whitney!" Britney raised her head once more and growled at Akirexer. "You take up burdens for yourself and refuse me to help you. I hate that about you!" Britney swiftly walked away. The next thing everyone heard was the sound of a door banging shut.

An awkward moment of silence fell upon everyone. None dared to break the silence but instead chose to let someone else do it. Each of them stared at Akirexer hoping that she would say something.

"Maradina..." Akirexer's voice gave them relief. "Please escort Steve and Rose back to their homes. I have to return to the ranch. It's almost time for my training."

"No problem." Maradina answered and got off the carpet. She tore open a portal. "Come on." She said to Steve and Rose.

Steve took one last look at Akirexer before going into the portal first. Rose nervously walked over to Akirexer. She came face to face with her and blushed lightly. She leaned over to give her a hug but instead gave her a kiss on her cheek. Rose blushed when her eyes met Akirexer's eyes. She dropped her gaze and silently walked to the portal. She gave Akirexer a longing look before finally disappearing into the portal.

Alex and Akirexer were left alone. Akirexer turned to him and gave him a warm smile. Alex tilted his head in wonder.

"Thank you for saving my sister. You don't know what you have done for me." Akirexer said to him.

"Please, I was desperate to save her too. She is precious to me." Alex modestly replied.

"You're okay, Alex. Welcome to the family."

"Thank you."

"Do you think she will understand my decision?"

"Yes I do. I support your decision so you can be rest assured that I will help her understand."

"Thank you." Akirexer smiled faintly at Alex. "Well, I must be leaving now." She tore opened a portal. "See you later."

****

Queen Sharaina sat straight on a bed in a dimly lit room. In her hand was a soft bigger hand. The owner was lying face up and in a deep sleep. Sharaina pressed her pink plump lips and tucked his long dark brown hair behind his ear. She smiled warmly at him and brought his knuckles to a kiss.

"Happy birthday, Light... my love." She softly said.

Sharaina didn't move a muscle at the sudden knock on the door. She didn't even peel off her loving stare from her husband when the door opened. Wadose got in and chose to remain standing at the door.

He cleared his throat before saying, "Your highness, Prince Dawn has awakened from his hibernation."

"That's good." She got up and swept her dress across the room, all the way to the door. Wadose closed the door and followed her down the hall. "How is he?" She asked as they walked passed bowing guards.

"He is alright. He just has a headache."

"It's expected, considering that a blow to his head is what knocked him out in the first place." Sharaina made a turn for a flight of stairs.

"Of course, your highness."

They walked down a few halls until they finally came to a door. Sitting upright in a king sized bed was Prince Dawn. His long dark brown hair ran down his shoulders. His strong and fit body was in a white loose short sleeved shirt. He appeared to be at least 23 years old. Just at the first glance, one could easily tell that he was Sharaina's.

He flashed a dimpled smile at Sharaina and smiled faintly back at him. She lovingly cupped his beardless face and he set his hand on hers. For a moment, they just communicated with their eyes.

Sharaina was first to break eye contact. Her sharp eyes set on another pair just like hers. The bearer brushed his sky blue hair off his face before tucking his lips in thought. His dimples popped out more when he smiled faintly at her. Even he bared a resemblance to Sharaina. He appeared to be at least 24.

"Good morning, aunt." He said.

"Hello, Nalvin. I'm glad you're here." Sharaina replied and turned back to Dawn. "I have questions that need to be answered."

"Of course, mama."

"Where's Precious? She should be here too."

"I'm here." Precious rushed into the room.

She tucked her dark long hair with both her hands before sitting down on the bed. Sharaina observed her tap her forehead with the seer's star birthmark on it. She looked 26 years old.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had to drop off mama in the Green Realm." She sincerely apologized to Sharaina.

Sharaina crossed her legs. "How is Emelinia?"

"She is alright. She said she'll come and see you soon." Precious smiled only to stretch her lips at Nalvin. "And that you're in trouble."

"What?" Nalvin asked back puzzled.

"You know what you did." Precious snarled.

"Save the brother and sister talk for later. Like I said before, I have questions that need answers." Sharaina admonished and they submissively nodded. "What happened exactly?"

Dawn cleared his throat. "Well, Nalvin was looking to hire a bounty hunter to capture a criminal he has been chasing for a while now. He told me he found one and I agreed to escort him to Vanimaq."

"Who was this bounty hunter?" Sharaina asked and Dawn glanced towards Nalvin.

"Waxx Sevilon." Nalvin quickly answered and Sharaina parted her lips surprised. "We were supposed to agree on the price that day."

"We didn't get the chance to meet up with him because suddenly, from nowhere, a bright light appeared." Nalvin continued to explain.

"I tried to shield us from it but the impact was so strong that it hit me hard. I don't know what happened after that." Dawn added.

Sharaina got up dazed. She thought back to how Waxx explained that a vampire blew him away with the Infinite medallion. Her eyes widened at the realization that Akirexer's sister was the very vampire who attacked Dawn and Nalvin. She balled up her fists in rage and scowled at the open window.

"So that vampire thinks that it can not only invade my kingdom but fuck with my family too?" Sharaina breathed out smoke from her nose.

"The Infinite Medallion gained it access here, aunt." Precious spoke up.

"All the more reason to kill it." Sharaina darkly said.

****

NEXT MORNING ON EARTH

Waxx sat on the bed in only his boxers as he watched Melonina dress up. When she was done, he pulled her and made her sit on his lap. He held her close and slid his hand under her bum. Melonina kissed him on his forehead.

"Why must you leave now?" He whined.

"I was only given a day off from work. You of all people should know how busy vice commanders are." Melonina teased him.

"Do you have any idea of when you might be free again?"

"There's no telling with this upcoming war." Melonina sighed.

"I'll see if I can visit you instead. It'll all depend on how quick it will take Akirexer to complete her training."

Melonina's eyes brightened. "Speaking of which, I can sense her outside." Melonina got up. "I must say goodbye to her. At least she is awake this early. I don't want to wake up the rest."

"Alright, I'll join you as soon as I get dressed."

****

Akirexer sat deep in thought on the roof top. The wind blew her maroon hair in one direction. She didn't mind that some of it was getting in her face. She took out a cigarette and placed it loosely between her lips. Akirexer was so lost in thought that she didn't sense Melonina at all. She was just about to light her cigarette when she heard Melonina call out her name.

"Oh good morning. I didn't see you there." Akirexer gave a faint smile. Melonina saw right through it.

"Is everything okay? You seem a tad bit distraught." Melonina asked concerned.

Akirexer lit her cigarette and puffed out smoke. "I am okay. I just didn't sleep a wink last night."

"Oh I see. Anyway I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm heading back to Tokyo. Commander Naraygeous only gave me one day off."

"Oh that's too bad. When will you visit us again?" Akirexer asked.

"I have no idea. Waxx said that he will visit me when he finds the time. It's all up to you now." Melonina winked at Akirexer.

Akirexer felt confused. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"You have to complete your training soon so that he has time to see me." Melonina chuckled with her hand covering her mouth.

"I'll do my best." Akirexer laughed.

"That's my girl." Melonina gave her a thumbs up. "I hope we will be sisters in law one day after the war is over."

Melonina looked around as if to check if anyone was listening to them. In a whisper she continued. "I think Quix likes you. He asked me about you after our previous vice commander meeting."

"Oh really?" Akirexer raised her eyebrows. "I don't think I'm his type." Akirexer chuckled before taking another pull.

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you." Melonina laughed softly.

Waxx joined Melonina. He took one look at Akirexer smoking on the roof and whispered into Melonina's ear. Melonina kissed him on his cheek and opened a portal. She waved goodbye to Akirexer and disappeared into it. Waxx put his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts and looked back at Akirexer.

"Are you ready to get started?" He asked her.

"Yeah I am." Akirexer put out her cigarette and jumped off the roof.

****

Maradina left Steve at Rose's house as per request. Rose poured some scotch for herself and Steve. Rose handed Steve his glass and he took it from her with a nod. Both of them were so tensed that they couldn't utter a word.

This was not because they had nothing to say but because they literally didn't know what to say. The long awaited secret of the mystery that kept them dying with curiosity was finally revealed to them. They completely didn't know what to do with the truth.

"Who would have thought that Whitney and Britney had a third vampire sister who is the root cause of all their problems?" Rose broke the silence.

Steve took the scotch in one gulp and cringed at the taste of it. He cleared his throat and looked at his wrist watch.

"I at least now know why she attacked me." He remarked.

"It is so sad that they had their lives turned upside down."

"Yes it is." Steve agreed. "Whitney now has to face Escabitha and make the ultimate decision."

"What decision is that?" Rose leaned over to him.

"The decision of whether to kill Escabitha or not. Despite everything, she is still her sister. Knowing Whitney, she is probably stressing over this." Steve explained.

"It is for this reason that she asked Britney to stay away from this. She doesn't want her to bear the burden of having taken the life of a sister." Steve concluded.

"You seem to know Whitney better than I do." Rose took a sip of her scotch.

"I don't really know her but I can relate to her." Steve clarified and got up. "I must be heading home now. Asher must be worried."

Steve placed his empty glass on the coffee table. "Later on today Asher and I will be signing our marriage certificate at the civic center. I would like it if you came as one of our witnesses."

"It will be my pleasure. Just make sure Asher will be okay with me been there." Rose smirked.

"Don't worry about her." Steve laughed.