"Thanks for helping." Zella smiled at her brother. "I wish at the time I had ordered two." She watched Xiam wipe his forehead and looked at the crib he helped assemble.
"Yep, I did pretty well," Xiam admitted, "but you should have asked Zaria. He put together two cribs already." He looked across to Zeph's room where the door was closed. "I'm guessing there's a reason you didn't ask Zeph, right?"
Zella knew he was bound to ask, but ignored the answer for now. "Thanks for your help."
Zella heard Zeph open his door but continued to stare at the crib, even as he approached.
"I've gotta go for a few days. Guard meeting," Zeph said simply as he walked away.
"That's it? Guard meeting?" Xiam walked after him.
Zella stood and stared at the crib as she overheard their conversation.
"Where you going?"
"Classified."
"Zeph? What's going on with you and Zella?"
"Nothing. Marni may come over asking for a date soon. I've looked him over. He's a good candidate. Make her accept."
Zella squinted her eyes shut. Indifferent. Cold. All my fault. After the incident a couple days ago, her and Zeph drifted apart. She knew it would happen, and it hurt every time she stole a glance his way. She had kept her feelings in, trying to convince herself it was only a crush, but everyday she was falling harder.
He was a Guard, forbidden, he'd never share those sentiments back.
Love was cruel.
Zeph strutted over to his car and tried to get it to start. "Dammit. Not now." He groaned as he tried it again. The weather was getting colder but he tried to work with it.
"Hey there," came a familiar voice.
Zeph looked out the window. Oh, his freebie client. "Zaria Furtop." Yeah, that's who he wanted to see right now.
"Need a lift?" Zaria asked.
"No. I'm going to a Guard's meeting. It'll take-" Zeph tried to start his car again. "all day-" He tried again. "Maybe even two or three days, dang it. Will you just start?"
"Perfect." Zaria grinned at him strangely.
Zeph didn't quite understand why it was perfect. "Can I borrow your car for a few days?"
"No way, are you kidding? If I tag along I can get away from Muin without sounding like I'm running away." He wiggled his tail happily. "Besides, I still owe you for helping me out. I'll be back in just a few minutes."
Yippee. Company. Just what Zeph always wanted.
Zaria came back and escorted Zeph to the passenger seat while he drove. They had only been driving about thirty minutes, in silence, when Zaria had to break the ice. Something Zeph hadn't wanted to do.
Zaria breathed on his hands and rubbed while he steered. "So, Zeph? How come the big meeting?"
"Guard Zeph," Zeph corrected him. "I don't know and it's classified anyway." He opened up his laptop and placed it firmly on his lap as he hooked his phone up with it.
"I.D. Number?" a mechanical voice spoke.
Zeph tried to turn the speaker off but it was broken. "Lousy piece of…"
"Incorrect I.D. Number. If incorrect again, enforcement shall be notified."
Zeph just groaned. "51295." He glared at Zaria, Muin's hub now knew his number. "Don't say anything."
Zaria shrugged his shoulders. "Okay."
"Official password info?"
"Zephyr Zuffel Zinfan Smilliat. 51295. The best password is just to use password with a lot of other stuff before and after the word," Zeph said clearly.
Zaria chuckled, probably at his password.
"Accepted. Coordinates being sent. Have a nice day Guardian Zephyr." The computer voice spoke once more.
Zeph closed his laptop. "Head for Watercrest."
"Aye, aye." Zaria looked over at Zeph. "So Guard, I was wondering. Is there was some reason you've been really cold lately?" Zeph tapped on the window where snow was falling outside. Maybe he could distract him? Zaria apparently didn't buy his enthusiasm at the snow. "You know what I mean, Zeph. You haven't even been following Muin's sister around like you're supposed to, so what gives?"
"That is none of your business," Zeph said firmly. He continued to stare out the window.
Zaria looked at the road again. Smart guy. "What's wrong? Did she figure out you were in love with her or something?"
Nope, dumb guy. "Will you just drive?" Zeph growled.
"I am driving," Zaria said smiling. "Is that it though?"
"I am not in love with her." Zeph turned his attention from the window to his laptop. "I am a Guard and I do not fall in love."
Zaria looked ahead at the road again. "That's not what Muin says. Although she could be wrong, but you and Zella have always been strangely close since I've known you."
"Incoming message." His laptop beeped again.
Zeph opened his laptop again. "What?"
"Message from King Sheward. Does anyone suspect anything yet? Another high class is now available as per your request of me."
Zeph cursed his old laptop again as he noticed Zaria's suspicious look. What was he supposed to say with Zaria right there?
"Message from King Sheward: If anyone suspects that you are the father then the other high class will be sent out at once. Please respond."
Zeph didn't get any time to respond though as Zaria slammed hard on the brake. The car swerved in a 360 before coming to a jolting halt. Looking at his severed connection between the phone and laptop, Zeph knew that wasn't the only thing wrong anymore.
The car idled for a few minutes as Zaria sat, appearing as if he was trying to piece everything together. "Zephyr, you're the dad?"
Zeph couldn't reply.
"You were the guy that night?" Zaria stared at Zeph. "Tall, lanky, strange tail….you changed your voice."
Zeph couldn't reply again, his mind trying to figure out how to get out of this one.
Zaria blinked. "Wow. I never took you as the type, Zeph."
"I'm not the type, will you just drive?" Zeph growled.
Zaria put his hands on the wheel. "You'd never mistreat Zella though, so what-"
"It's classified, just drive," Zeph yelled at him again. His heart beat fast, what could he do now? Muin's husband would tell unless he did something to him. Hurting others without warranting it though wasn't something he could do.
"And the king was involved." Zaria nodded his head. "I get it. You were used too, weren't you?"
Zeph crossed his arms. "Classified."
"You're the father of Zellaponia Cattral's children," Zaria repeated. "Stop using classified already, why won't you tell her?" He tapped on the wheel. "I mean, if you were both duped-"
"I was not duped," Zeph said as if he were rehearsing a line. "It was of my own accord."
"No it wasn't," Zaria disagreed. "You're a nice guy and you'd never hurt her like that."
"Will you stop acting like you know me?" Zeph said as he turned his attention back to the window. "I was the guy that night. I felt bad so I started protecting her, That's it."
Zaria shook his head. "No, or the king wouldn't be as concerned." He leaned back in his seat further. "Something's keeping you from telling anyone. You've helped Zella through everything and you can't even tell her the truth?" Zaria bent over and wrote on Zeph's window. "After everything you've been through…this has got to be why, isn't it?"
Zeph looked at what Zaria spelled on the fogged up window:
TREASON
Zaria shook his head sadly as he went back to placing his hands on the wheel. "The only way she could know is-"
"Is realizing I was slime who took away her good name in one night. Yeah," Zeph said bitterly. "I could never do that. She'd never forgive me."
Zaria drove off again, pulling them out of their awkward stopping position. "So you'd rather find her an unconditional and let him raise your kids and be with her? You know, I don't see a win/win either way."
Zeph rubbed off the word TREASON on the window. "No one ever said there would be."
"If you told her, you'd at least have rights," Zaria stated.
"If I told her about this, she wouldn't want me near them. I wouldn't fight her back." Zeph laid his head on the back of his seat. "Knowing how the king works, the pardon he gave me would become invalid and I'd lose everything. For what?" Zeph turned to stare out the window again. Watching the snow fall was better than dealing with the discussion in the car. "For truth? It'd be even worse."
Zaria sighed and stared ahead. "Geez. Your life sucks, Zeph."
Zeph didn't have to reply. That fact was obvious as they arrived at Watercress.
"I've got your number so go do something for awhile," Zeph said as he shut the door behind him. He had arrived in Watercress but he couldn't allow Zaria near the meeting place. "I don't know how long this will take." He watched as Zaria nodded and took off.
Zeph looked around at all the cars parked there. This was definitely an important meeting. As he went in, he was guided to a giant auditorium where he saw several other Guards. In meetings he was concerned in only A,B, and C classes would be there. As he looked around he saw Guards of almost every class. Even an old Z he barely recognized. What gives?
"I'm glad you all could make it," King Sheward said as he came into the auditorium. "Welcome."
Zeph stayed silent trying to figure out what was going on.
"I'm sure you've all heard the news of our treaty with the Evolved Kingdom," King Sheward began. "They seem to actually believe that us originals are really that dumb, and that we would actually gather the purest lineage up for them in a row for them to destroy. Saying no to the treaty would arouse suspicion of our current actions, therefore I did sign it."
Zeph crossed his arms. This didn't sound too good.
"I've no idea when they will strike, but every year the evolved get more powerful against us," the King continued. "We must start to make a stand soon or I fear what will become of us." He opened up a treaty his royal guard handed to him. "As of next month, the kingdom will be informed of all the extensions to the treaty. The most important is our black spray." The King rubbed the hair on his head and Zeph watched it change from black to red. "The manufacturing of our hair spray, covetall, has been ceased and outlawed."
Muttering, comments and anger could be heard from the crowd.
"Anyone caught wearing or storing covetall will be sentenced to a maximum of three years in jail," the king sighed. "The evolved proclaim they have a right to know who is who. I fear it is the first step of our destruction." Even more bitter comments could be heard. "Silence. I had no choice but to sign," the king yelled. "If I had not signed, a war we were not ready for would be forced upon us immediately! I signed so we would have more time to gather our forces." He gestured to the crowd. "You are but a small sample of originals who know and are willing to fight back."
Zeph didn't move an inch. He knew they didn't have much time left, but it didn't look like they would even have a whole year.
"Three weeks from now, all Guards of the past and present will gather in different locations and discuss strategies," King Sheward explained. "We will not give in without a fight."
"Stop here," Zeph said abruptly as Zaria drove on an old dirt road.
Zaria stopped and looked around. "There's nothing here though."
"Just stay here, I'll be right back." Zeph shut the door and walked deeper into the forest. He marched intently knowing what he must do. He hadn't been blind like a lot of others. In fact, he was very prepared for the day the evolved attacked. His planning was logical and without flaw.
Well, that's what he hoped at least. He marched forward until he came to a wall. It was the wall separating the kingdoms. He followed alongside it for a few minutes until he found what he was looking for: A hidden panel.
He placed in a code and the wall trembled. He watched as parts of the wall moved inward, separating from each other until they were each opened like gates . He proceeded to run up to a house that was sunken into a hilly depression and looked around for his keys to open it up.
Really bare. Zeph walked across the flooring. He needed to get some furnishings for it. If anything bad happens I could take… He stopped. Forget the feelings, if anything bad happens Zella and the rest of them have to come here. He went upstairs and looked around the place. Nothing here either? I wasn't as prepared as I thought. He dialed up some numbers placing in large orders of assorted furniture and appliances. If they had to stay there for some safety for a month, or maybe even a year, he had to get ready.
Zaria watched as Zeph headed back. "What took so long?"
"Nothing," Zeph said as he got in the car. "Just drive."
Zaria drove away again. "Hey Zeph, can I ask you something?"
Zeph rolled his eyes. "What."
"I understand your whole family deal has got you messed up." Zaria looked over at Zeph. "Why are you being so cold now of all times? If you aren't in love with Zella, then what's the problem?"
Zeph looked out the window. "You're not gonna leave this be, are you?"
"Hey, you're already getting to know me well," Zaria said laughing.
"Zella thinks she's in love with me," Zeph told him.
Zaria grinned from ear to ear. "That's great."
"She's confused," Zeph disagreed. "I have been around her twenty four seven and a shoulder to lean on. Clients are known to think they are in love with Guards because of this," he explained. "So, I have to follow procedure and remove myself from the situation."
Zaria blinked. "She told you she loves you. She's carrying your children and she says she loves you?" He stared at Zeph with his jaw hanging down. "Are you insane? Sure you can't tell her they are yours, but if you become her unconditional then you can stay with them and her."
"There are more important things to worry about right now," Zeph said stopping Zaria's reasoning. "I want you to watch Muin and Xiam real close when I leave."
Zaria rolled his eyes and groaned. "You are in denial so much you're giving me a headache."
"Look," Zeph let out a soft sigh. "Just call me if anything bad seems to be happening. All right?"
"You just can't leave." Zaria disagreed. "You can't leave your kids all alone, Zeph."
Zeph stared out the window.
Zaria cleared his throat. "You know…wouldn't it be funny if your kids first word was say…Marni?"
Zeph clenched his fists tighter, Zaria had better not aggravate him.
Zaria chuckled, "If you can't even take that, then how do you really suspect you'll-
"T-R-E-A-S-O-N!" Zeph yelled at him angrily no longer able to contain himself. "I may A class, but one less Guard will not matter in the grand scheme of things." He looked back out the window. "The last original accused of treason was injected with viruses that made his body do things that, if I repeated, would make you vomit. Treason is not exactly heartwarming."
Zaria didn't say anything to him after that.
Zella was downstairs, a good place to be as Zeph gathered his things. The new Guard would be coming soon. He looked briefly at Understanding and Ignoring Female Attraction. Later he'd pitch it in the castle's fireplace, where it belonged.
"Ow!"
Zeph's instinct overran him as he heard Zella's yelp. He dropped the book and ran downstairs as fast as he could. When he reached the bottom he saw Zella on the phone and figured it out.
Zella was feeling her tummy and chatting with Xiam on the phone. "It is, it really is. I can't believe they're kicking. I've felt flutters before, but they are finally giving me a real good wallop in the tummy."
Kicking? They're kicking? Zeph let his focus rest on her tummy. If there hadn't been so much dissonance he could have gone over and felt it too. His tail lowered as he heard her excitement on the phone. Just the first of everything I'll miss. He turned around firmly. No. I'm a Guard, not a dad. I need to forget about it. "Zella, I'm leaving now," He announced firmly. "You're new Guard should be coming soon."
As soon as he spoke, her happy smile had faded away. He knew it'd be hard, but it was for the best. As he heard a knock on the door, he answered it expecting to see the new Guard taking his place. Instead?
It was the moron Marni, grinning like a doofus at the door. "Hello."
Zeph gestured over to Zella, not saying a word.
Zella smiled as Marni came over toward her. "Hey."
"How are you doing? I was visiting Xiam when you called and I heard the news," Marni grinned. "Is Marni and Caress kicking?"
"What?" Zeph said instinctively. "What did you call Tigyr?"
"Marni." Marni commented casually. "You said yourself I would probably be her unconditional." He smiled at Zella and felt her tummy. "So we've decided to name the boy after me since I'll be his father."
Zeph stayed still but in his mind he envisioned himself leaping over the couch and strangling Marni, wiping that damn smug grin off his face. He blinked. Imagination could be powerful sometimes.
Marni continued smiled at Zella as he felt her tummy. "Oh, I think I felt one too."
Zeph watched her smile back at her new unconditional idiot.
"This is really wonderful," Marni said as she stared like a goofy dork at Zella. "Ending up with you, it's like a dream come true." Marni turned his attention back to Zeph. "When am I supposed to sign the agreement?"
Zeph couldn't help but glare at him. "Don't know. The other Guard will decide." He stared at the door again, hoping his replacement would be coming soon. Really soon.
"I promise one day I'll become more than just a waiter for this family Zella," Marni said in a proud manner. "One day I'll find a really nice job and we'll get out of here too."
"Get out?" Zella seemed to have a confused expression on her face.
"Well, for one person this little place is nice, but for two people and soon-to-be growing babies, it's a bit cramped." Marni pointed out to her, "I'll find us a place that's really nice, fit for the whole family."
That damn replacement needed to get there soon. Zeph didn't know how much more he could take. He watched Zella nod to the idiot.
"Yep! Just me and you and them," Marni said chuckling as he moved in for a little kiss. Zella tried to be polite and accept his kiss, but the door had slammed aggressively
Zeph stood by the door and pointed at it. "Wind," he said bluntly.
Marni shrugged his shoulders. "Anyhow, I promise I'll take great care of them when their babies."
"And kids," Zella reminded him.
"Kids?" Marni just chuckled. "Oh, by that time they'll be in a den somewhere."
"With. You." Zeph couldn't help but interrupt. Originals under fifty were unaffected by inhibitors and were unstable. Parents moved in with other parents with the guidance of Ancients, old and wise people over two thousand years old. They would remain living in a Den until the children were old enough to be able to function outside, usually around 150. Some parents though, were not caring enough to stay with their children, and it sounded like moron Marni might be one of them. "With you and Zella," he repeated.
Zella also looked at Marni. "With us."
"Move in with them?" Marni seemed unsure about that. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
Zella and Zeph were both nodding their heads. Insistently.
"Well, we'll see when the time comes," Marni said.
Not the answer Zeph or Zella was looking for.
That's it.He wants to leave them in a Den somewhere, alone, so he can have Zella to himself. It doesn't work that way. Zeph couldn't help but make his hands into fists. There's no way he'll be her unconditional, I don't care how much time is left. The next Guard is gonna have to go out and find someone-? Zeph was interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it to see a messenger. "Yes?"
"Guardian Zephyr Smilliat?" A messenger handed him an envelope, "I am sorry to announce that, due to weather and other upcoming situations, a suitable Guard has not been located to take your place yet. Details are inside."
Zeph ripped open the envelope. Weather my ass. He read the details inside. Unless Zella herself knew the true situation, a Guard would not be wasted so urgently at the time? When things with the evolved settled down a suitable candidate would be chosen. One month minimum.
Marni the moron smiled at him. He was really starting to hate that guy. "Guard? Is everything alright?"
"Guard. Zephyr. Smilliat." Zeph corrected him as he dropped the note. "Frankly, no, I'm not."
"Oh. Longer wait?" Marni continued to grin like a moron.
"That's it. If I'm stuck here, there's one thing I'm going to do right now." Zeph went over to Marni and grabbed him roughly by the collar. Strange how good it felt to have this unworthy conditional in his grasp right now. He lifted him off the floor with a single hand. "I was wrong, you aren't going to be her unconditional."
"What?" Marni whined like a kid as he kicked his legs. "Why?"
"You're too pushy, and you clearly have no intentions of taking care of kids, just babies. That is unacceptable." Zeph kept Marni up in the air as he headed to the door. As casually as one would throw out trash to the dumpster, he launched Marni out into the snow. "You are not going to throw them in a Den alone and leave them like orphans until they grow up. Your candidacy is null and void."
"But…" Marni stood in the snow staring like a perplexed idiot as Zeph closed the door.
Zella looked at him in shock. Zeph looked back at her and coughed slightly. "He wasn't the right fit."
Zella nodded her head slowly. "I'm getting further along."
"Well then, I'll find someone else," Zeph said, his voice stronger than he meant it to be. "Sorry."
Zella turned her attention toward the couch. "…how long are you going to do this?"
"Do what?" Zeph asked.
Zella looked forlorn. "I know you can't risk your entire career," She nodded her head. "You studied so hard here, and I know it meant a lot to you. I know I don't fit in your plans, Guard, I understand, but have I pushed for it? Do you think I ever would have told you? I would never expect that of you. Zeph...Zephyr, I know you. I'm not going to get in the way because I have feelings for you."
Zeph stared at Zella. She wouldn't even try to budge him? "I can't. If things were different-"
"Different schmifferent," Zella insisted. "We're good friends and things would always stay that wa-ay!"
Zeph nodded his head. "The baby again?" His eyes fell toward her tummy again. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Zella beamed with pride as she felt her tummy. "Do you want to feel? Asking if you want to feel my tummy isn't stepping over the friend line, is it?"
Zeph shook his head at that. He had wanted to feel her tummy, how could he miss the opportunity? He was heading over to her until he heard a knock on the door. Zeph headed over toward the door first, surely Marni wasn't that stupid? Oh good, it was someone better. "Xiam."
Xiam smiled with Iri, Muin and Zaria. "Hi there. Still here?"
"Yeah, my replacement won't come for at least a month." Zeph shrugged it off. Now that he knew Zella wasn't pushing for anything, maybe it would be easier now.
Iri, Muin and Xiam went over to Zella buzzing over the news.
Zella placed Xiam's hand on her tummy. "I can't believe how much they are moving around now."
"Wow," Xiam said laughing, "that was a good one."
"Yeah, as much as Zella's been moving they must be Re-EAl KiCkErS?!" Zeph stopped talking as he felt his throat. He needed to take a lozenge for his voice, but he hadn't figured he'd need it since a Guard would be coming. Oh hell.
"Zeph?" Zella seemed concerned. "What's wrong?"
Iri was also looking at him a bit strangely. Oh, that isn't good.
"Do you have a frog in your throat?" Xiam said with a chuckle.
Muin didn't look too pleased. "You need to watch what you eat then."
Xiam laughed. Zeph on the other hand, didn't. He tried edging up the stairs carefully, but Iri was watching him closely now. She couldn't have caught that… Zeph stopped waving his tail nervously as he caught Iri's stare. Don't say a word, just go up, up, up. He headed to his room as fast as he could and took a lozenge. He tried to move fast to avoid Iri, but she had shown up at his bedroom door.
"My name is Iridescent and I'll be your waitress for this evening. Would you like a drink to start off with?"
Zeph paused as he heard her. "What?" Good, his pill kicked in fast.
"Anything plain?" Iridescent crossed her arms and glared right through him. "Right?"
"Iri?" Xiam came to his wife's side. "What's wrong?" He looked over at Zeph. "Zeph, what's wrong?" Xiam looked back at Iridescent. "Iri?"
Iri held her hands up. "I'm ready to go home," she said as she turned her attention away from Zeph. "We need to have a talk, Xiamipoc."
Zeph watched as the two headed out. It's over? Iri knew. Once she talked to Xiam, he would come over, confirm it, and he couldn't lie. It was against the Guard code.
Zella soon came up with Muin by her side. "Zeph?"
Seeing the look on Zeph's face, Zaria must have understood. "Busted, huh?"
Zeph turned his attention away.
"Yep, busted." Zaria grabbed Muin's hand. "Come on Muin, let's go home. Zella and Zeph are going to have to talk."
Muin wasn't happy, but what else was new. "Talk about what? What's wrong now?"
Zella watched Zaria and Muin head downstairs, then turned to Zeph. "What's going on, Zeph?" Zeph just stood there. "Zeph?" Zella asked again, worry creeping into her voice. "Are you okay?"
Zeph looked out his window. Once Iridescent tells Xiam, I don't have much time. He took a deep breath. "It's probably best you hear it from me instead of Xiam."
"Hear what?" Zella asked. "What is so wrong?"
"Iridescent found the guy from Vallencio's that night," Zeph confessed. "She just now realized it."
"She found him?" Zella repeated. "Why didn't she tell me?"
Zeph slowly pointed to himself. This sounded a thousand times better during rehearsal. It was a thousand times easier with no one else in the room. "I'm him."
Zella blinked. "I don't understand. What do you mean?"
"I'm him," Zeph said firmer. "I'm him, Caressela and Tigyr are mine."
Zella looked at him, disbelief shone through her eyes. "You're? But…" She looked down at the ground. "You tricked me?"
Zeph slowly nodded his head. His throat tightened and his heart beat became rapid. He could feel sweat forming on himself but didn't make a move.
"You tricked me for the king?" Zella said shakily, yet somehow more firmly.
"It was of my own accord," Zeph said in a strange tempo. "We are two pure lineages, together we could help the kingdom. I acted on my own."
"No," Zella said as she shook her head. "You wouldn't. Not you, y-you would never risk this much!"
"Why not?" Zeph demanded. "I always swore I'd bring the evolved down no matter what." He briefly took a moment before he said some of the worst words Zella had ever heard. Words he knew would hurt, would sting right through to her soul. "What is ruining one life compared to saving our whole kingdom?"
"What? What did you say?" Xiam hadn't even bothered knocking as he appeared by Zeph's doorway. After the talk with Iri, he must have come back to fetch the truth. Xiam growled at him. "What did you say to my sister?"
A fight with Xiam. Something Zeph had never dreamed of, but it looked like there was little choice. "I know it was wrong, but I had no choice. That's why I'm protecting her now."
"You think that makes up for what you did?" Xiam yelled, "You used her, you used her. All these years you acted like a friend."
Zeph easily missed Xiam's swing. "Xiam. Don't do this," he pleaded. "I don't want to fight you."
"Well you should have thought of that beforehand," Xiam shouted as he tried to take another swing. "How could you? Then come back here acting like it was her fault? How could the king let you stay a Guard after that?
"I'm of the highest class, it was a one night thing in honor of my kingdom," Zeph said back steadily. "He understood."
"He would understand. He's a monster, like you." Xiam yelled with a fiery roar, "get out of here!"
"I can't and will not." Zeph couldn't back down, "I am Zellaponia Cattral's Guard."
"Get out!" Xiam demanded again. "Get out, get out, get out!"
"Those babies are of pure lineage," Zeph reminded him. "You can't leave her vulnerable. If anyone finds out, they'll swoop in and kill her. You know that." He glanced around knowing Zella had already left. "I need her back, Xiam."
"I'll never give her back to you." Xiam pulled out his phone and dialed enforcement.