*“The key was important because it protected my family, a proof that a family to protect even existed.” ― Kinoko Nasu*
***Asim***
“Papa, are we going to be okay? Why do we have to go to America?”
I looked down at my daughter clutching her stuffed cat toy in one hand and holding onto her mother’s wrap dress with the other. Nefertiti waited for my answer, the violet eyes she inherited from me shining with fear. Nailah, my beloved, combed her fingers through her silky black hair.
“Trust your father, *dapdoop*.” She said, offering her best smile to our little girl. Nailah clutched the handle of Nefertiti’s bright pink suitcase. She spared a glance at me, her smile slowly sinking into a frown. Her concern dripped into her rich, natural perfume, slowly igniting the worry I pushed down for the sake of my family.
Horus, my firstborn son, loitered beside me in silence, waiting for the attendant to hand us our boarding passes. His face was stony, but his vein bulging out of his wrist as he grasped onto his suitcase handle told me all I needed to know. My son doesn’t speak his emotions as openly as his sister, but I know him well enough to read how he’s feeling through his body language. His hair was black as midnight, but I spotted his white roots growing in—just one of the few things about his vampire heritage he hid from the world.
I cleaned out roughly half of my savings to purchase last-minute plane tickets for us to travel to the United States, more precisely, California.
Nefertiti had a large bandaid sitting against the dark skin on her upper arm. An injury that shouldn’t have happened. An injury that turned me feral against the monsters who attacked us in the middle of the night a few days ago.
After my brother passed away three years ago, the darkness had retired to the recesses of where it came from. Peace had prospered. Leaving my family behind to hunt Asir and stop him was the toughest thing I had to do, but returning home to the loving arms of my wife and children was worth it. Without my brother’s darkness, threatening to advance beyond the Americas, I could breathe again.
Years of not knowing whether he’d survived ended when my lord, the Mighty Ra, came to me in a dream to inform me of his misdealings. My lord never lies. I knew then that I had to act. I had to stop him because he was the only family I had left after the deaths of our parents. Thanks to the support of strangers turned friends, we were triumphant.
But the attack on my family leveled our peace. My family was asleep in the safety of our home when we were ambushed by beings cloaked in black. Nefertiti’s screaming spurred me into action as I defended my household and family from the trespassers.
However, I knew they weren’t ordinary trespassers by other acrid scents and snake effigies etched into flesh.
Somehow, *someway*, the mad god responsible for Asir’s lust for destruction walked the land of the living. He’s gained a new link to the mortal realm. The earth shook in fear. My blood was spilled during the battle of dark magic and weaponry. Apophis was sending a message.
*He will get his revenge*.
“Your boarding passes are ready.” The attendant chirped with a smile. “Enjoy your flight!”
My family and I went through the hassle of security checkpoints and gate searching. Nailah purchased food for the kids as we waited for our first flight to Germany. It was one of the three flights we must take to the Americas. Nefertiti kicked her legs as she played Candy Crush on her iPad, while Horus dabbled on his phone. I stood at the windows and stared out into the plane docks, deep in my own thoughts.
Chaos was on the horizon.
By the grace of Ra, I’m grateful my family was unharmed, but it was too close of a call. Whoever Apophis or his link had sent wanted to kill me. They wanted to harm my wife and children. I blew out a sigh and stuffed my hands inside my pockets, brushing up the telltale metal of my cellphone.
California was home to the Garnet Moon Pack, a refuge for wolves and other beings seeking safety. Alpha Anthony extended his graces and said I was welcome in his home if I was in the Americas again. The last I heard of Alpha Neron after we recovered his mate was that he was in the process of moving packs.
I wonder how he was doing.
“*Habibi*.” I turned my head to Nailah, walking toward me, placing a hand on my bicep. Thirteen years of marriage and her touch still soothed my heart. Pharaoh, my wolf, rumbled in satisfaction deep in my chest. “Our attackers, will they follow us to America?”
“I know they will,” I answered. The sun broke through the clouds, its light stretching over f us. “Ra had warned me about the arrival of chaos a week prior. I had expected an attack, however, I did not expect it to be against you or our children. I was asleep; thus, I wasn’t alert. They attacked me at my weakness.”
“You couldn’t have predicted something like that.” Nailah sighed, relaxing her head on my shoulder. “Horus and Nefertiti are safe. Are you sure this pack in California they can prevent another attack from happening? Wouldn’t we be burdening them with our troubles?”
“Trouble may already have eyes on them.” I thought about my three fellow avatars who helped me defeat Asir. Apophis might target them as well. We killed the serpent’s original link; thus, he’s acting on revenge, echoing his desire of death and destruction.
This battle is going to be the hardest one any of us have fought in. However, there is a silver lining in all of this. I get to see *and* work with them again. Living on a different continent doesn’t exactly ensure the possibilities of reunions.
I removed a hand from my pocket, took my wife’s into mine, and planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Her lavender scented lotion tickled my nose. My eyes found Nailah’s shimmering browns and her equally dazzling smile. “This will be our children’s first time in America.”
“If only the circumstances were different.” Nailah’s melodious chuckle caressed my ears. “Nefertiti seems to be doing fine, but I wish Horus would talk more. I like to know what he’s thinking.”
“Give him time.” I said, rubbing her back. “A change of scenery might do him some good, and maybe push him to make new friends.”
“Ah, I hope so.” My wife sighed. “You know how much I hate running from my problems. I could’ve helped fight that night.”
“Your powers aren’t as strong as mine. I couldn’t risk it, *habibty*.”
“You didn’t let me try.”
“You protected our babies. That was more than enough for me.”
Nailah closed her mouth and sighed inwardly. She reached for my face and cupped my cheek, ghosting her thumb over my lips. “I’m no avatar, but I’d like to protect you as well.”
“By being here, you are.” I leaned in and smooched her cute button nose. “And it is my job as your husband, your mate, and the father of our children, to protect you three at all times.”
“One of these days, Asim, you’re going to eat your words when I take out an army for you.” Nailah shot me a wink, and I chuckled.
“Am I supposed to be impressed?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because the image of you sweating, angry, and stained with the blood of your enemies is rather…”
She scoffed, slapping my shoulder playfully. “All of you men are the same; with brains in between your legs.”
“And whose fault is that for stimulating that brain?”
“That brain is the reason we have two children.”
“Would you like another?”
Nailah fell into my arms in a fit of laughter, rising on her toes to kiss the cusp of my jaw. This is what I love. I could’ve lost everything that night.
*Apophis and his demonic lackies will die, even if it is by my own hands*.
Twenty minutes later, the four of us boarded our flight to Frankfurt Airport. My heart soared at Nefertiti’s excitement as she buckled her seat in. Horus remained silent, but I spotted a hint of his smile as he took his seat beside the window. We were heading far away from the home we’ve known for so long, but it is for the greater good. I couldn’t leave my wife and children behind when the threat could target them.
And I hope Nailah would be right. This could be a chance for both our babies to make new friends.
---------------------------------------------------
***Neron***
“Is there a reason you’ve brought two children from the gathering?”
“Val, it’s quite simple. They needed help, and we rescued them. There isn’t much else.”
“Right, and was this your idea or Kiya’s?”
“It was both of our ideas, actually.”
Valerian and I walked out of the garage while Kiya and the girls walked ahead of us toward the pack house. Slinging my bag over one shoulder and holding my suitcase in another, I breathed in the familiar maple scent of my land.
*It felt good to be home*.
My Beta arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “And what is your game plan from here on out? Taking care of two children is hard work, Neron. I’m glad you got them out of a dangerous situation, but their health and wellbeing are now your responsibility.”
“I’m in charge of the wellbeing and safety of almost three-hundred wolves; two more won’t be an issue.” I retorted. “Kiya and I are going to discuss next steps for the girls after we get them settled in. Has Luli set up their room yet?”
“The one with the two beds? Yes.” Valerian nodded, brushing his auburn fringe from his eyes. “Wait, you and Kiya are going to be taking care of them?”
“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”
“No, no problem…” Valerian expelled a sigh. “I just think…”
“Out with it, Val.”
“So, what *exactly* is your relationship with Kiya now?”
I stopped in my tracks; the question hitting me like a ton of bricks. How the hell am I supposed to answer that when I don’t even *know*? The night of the supermoon changed the dynamics between us, especially when we made out in the hotel bathroom. Something snapped. We’ve crossed the boundary of friends and entered unknown territory. I bit my lip, relishing in her fading taste on my lips.
Are we even friends? If not, then what the hell are we? Friends don’t kiss or touch each other the way we had. We’ve slept in the same bed for most of our trip and rescued two kids together. Hell, we even *held hands* when we left our aircraft.
“I can’t answer that.” I told Valerian.
“You don’t even know, do you?” He shook his head. “What happened between you two in Miami? You both seemed pretty close when I picked you up from the airport.”
“Valerian, is there a point to this line of questioning?” I asked, feigning annoyance in my voice.
“All I’m saying is you and Kiya have to sit down and figure out what you actually want from each other. I know you’ve loved her for a very long time—”
“I still do.”
“Okay, but you’ve both been stuck in this runner and chaser stage for over three years at this point. She’s always running and you’re always chasing. When will that stop? I don’t know how Kiya truly feels about you, but what I know is now you two have to get that shit sorted out, especially since you both *apparently* have two kids now.”
Valerian gave me a farewell salute and departed toward the other side of the land. I ruminated on his statements for a minute, swiping my tongue over my teeth. I looked ahead to see Kiya smiling as she spoke to Alana and Aiyana, patting their shoulders while approaching the front steps.
Her shoulders were relaxed, her smile was genuine, and she looked like she was in her natural element. Kiya would make a fantastic mother one day. However, I couldn’t help but think that Val might be correct with some of his points. Kiya and I need to figure out what our relationship is because it sure as hell isn’t friendship.
I didn’t want us to be friends. It was good for some time, but now, I can’t stomach the thought. We’ve shared a kiss that changed everything for us. How she had me sinking in a pool of blistering passion wasn’t something friends can do. Now, we’ve brought two children into our lives. We have a godly threat breathing down our necks. We promised to sort out this chaos together.
Above it all, my heart has claimed Kiya as mine. *Has her heart claimed me*?
“Hey! Took you long enough.” Kiya laughed as I approached. The girls looked up at me and grinned, rocking on their heels.
“Is it true that you have a pool, Neron?” Alana asked. “Can you teach us how to swim?”
“You don’t know how to swim?”
“No.” Aiyana shook her head. “We were never taught how. We weren’t allowed to do anything besides clean and serve.”
“Well, you two won’t do any of that from now on.” Kiya declared, resting her fists on her hips. “As long as Neron allows it, we can teach you how to swim.”
“Can we? Please!” Both girls said in perfect harmony. I couldn’t hold in my laughter. I reached down and rubbed the top of their heads, earning their giggles as my award.
“I don’t see why not.” I smiled. “But first, we need to get you two settled in. That means we have to go shopping later for clothes, shoes, and you have to meet the people of my pack, too.”
The girls gave each other a look before Aiyana raised her hand. “Kiya said that you have a sister. Is she nice?”
As if the devil himself called upon her, the front door slammed open. “Ah, Bigfoot and Midget have finally come back!” The four of us turned our heads to see Nuria standing in her flannel pajamas paired with fluffy, red slippers.
*Someone took a lazy day*.
“What happened? Did you kick some ass? Did you kiss? I bet you two fuc—!” Her eyes fell on the two girls in front of us. “Whose goddamn children are those?”
“Nuria!” Kiya yelled. “Watch your language!”
“Or what, *mother*?” She snickered before facing me. “You misunderstood the assignment. You were supposed to come back with alliances, not two ten-year-olds.”
“We’re eleven!” Alana and Aiyana complained.
“It’s a long story, Nuria.” I spoke.
“I got time.”
“I’ll tell you later.” I relaxed my palms on the girls’ shoulders. “Nuria, this is Alana and Aiyana. Girls, this is Nuria, my crazy sister.”
The girls shuffled backward when Nuria approached. She noticed their reluctance and kneeled down to their height, extending her hands. “Hi! I promise I don’t bite. I don’t know what Neron has told you, but I’m the coolest person you’ll ever meet.”
*I beg to differ, you little shit*.
Alana and Aiyana turned their heads to Kiya, and I and we gave them the go-ahead by nodding. Inhaling deep, the girls reached out and shook Nuria’s hands. My sister grinned and patted their shoulders, rising to full height.
“You two are cute.” She spoke.
The girls blushed. “Thank you.”
“Is Mom around, by any chance?” I asked.
Nuria nodded. “Yeah, she is in the common room with a couple of… guests.” She shot me a wink, and I furrowed my eyebrows. Guests? I wasn’t expecting anyone. “They want to see you.”
“Strange, but alright.” I mind-linked Lead Omega Luli to come to the door. When she arrived, she smiled fondly at the small girls, prepared to take them to their joined room.
“Are you coming with us?” Alana asked the both of us.
“I actually have to go with my sister for a bit, but I’ll be back to see you two when I’m done.” I answered, turning my head to Kiya. “Do you mind going with them to their room? I want to know how they like it.”
“Sure. It’s on the way to mine, anyway.” Kiya replied with a smile. She turned to the girls. “Let’s see your new room!”
The girls cheered, hopping their way behind Luli as Kiya tailed behind them. Nuria and I followed their path inside the house.
“So….” She bounced her eyebrows, nudging my elbow. “Anything interesting happened in Miami that I should know about?”
“Absolutely not.” I rolled my eyes. Goddess knows if I tell Nuria the truth, she’ll *never* leave me in peace. She’s been rooting for something to happen between us since the day she came back to life.
“Oh, come on! I know something happened!” She whined. “Why else would you two decide to bring kids back here? Oh, and the way Kiya was looking at you? You can’t fool me!”
“You know…” I paused, placing a fist on my hip. “Something *did happen* between us.”
Nuria’s blues lit up like fireworks. “Really?! Tell me!”
“None of your business.”
She frowned. “Fuck you.”
I guffawed, ignoring her obvious death glares when we reached the door to the common room. The two new scents that tickled my nose gave me a feeling of déjà vu. I curled my lips into a half-frown, setting my bag on the floor along and my suitcase against the wall. “Who are the guests?”
Laughter echoed from behind the door. Nuria grinned and nudged the doors open. “See for yourself.”
All chatter stopped when I entered the room. Three heads turned toward Nuria and I. Mom shared her award-winning grin, but the two people sitting on either side of her were both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Yet, I felt nothing but peace and warmth from them. An older couple with grey hairs encompassing most of their hairs both shared Mom’s pale skin and blue eyes, but age hadn’t done its due diligence to their skin.
In fact, both looked as strong and healthy as they can be.
“Ah, our *barnebarn* has finally arrived!” The older woman hailed, setting her teacup on the table.
*Grandson*. Oh…
“*Mormor*! *Morfar*!” Mom was true to her word when contacting my grandparents, but I didn’t think they’d fly out here. “You’re a long way from Norway.”
“Oh, nonsense, boy.” Grandpa waved his hand, downing the last of his tea. “It wasn’t like you could’ve *predicted* our arrival, after all.”
Mom groaned. “*Pappa*, your puns age faster than you.”
“It is a shame you haven’t inherited my sense of humor, blomst min.” Grandpa threw his head back and laughed while Mom rolled her eyes. I haven’t seen my grandparents in years. The last time I saw them was when I was ten, three years before Mom and Nuria passed away. Selene reviving them brought my extended family back together.
“Your grandparents arrived yesterday evening.” Mom mentioned as Nuria slumped in a loveseat. “I told them about yours and Nuria’s Foresight ability and they caught the first flight out of Norway. They still haven’t told me where they got the money to do so.”
“A magician never reveals their secrets.” Grandma shook her finger.
“Can you really help us understand our new powers better, mormor?” Nuria asked, her earlier mischievousness gone.
“Well, I can’t, but your *morfar* can.” The older woman leaned against the cushions of the couch, her lips curling into a smile. “But I’d like to hear more about you two. Where are your mates?”
“*Mamma*.” Mom groaned, slapping her palm against her face. “I’ve already told you that—”
“This is mine!” Nuria swiped her phone from her pajama pocket and showed our grandparents her mobile background photo of her and Phoebe smiling. Grandma took out her glasses from her purse, put them on her face and took the phone. Her pursed lips curved into a smile.
“Ah, she’s beautiful!” She proclaimed. “And you tell me she is a witch? May Ulf and Alva blessed your union with prosperity. Men are, very much, a headache.”
“Hey!” Grandpa tapped his wife on the shoulder, sulking. “I know I’m a headache but be kind on my old heart.”
“I will in my grave.” Grandma rolled her eyes, laughing at Grandpa’s downtrodden frown. “Is she around?”
Nuria’s smile deflated. “No, she’s in California. She’s not comfortable coming up to Oregon, yet.”
“Ah, I understand. One day, we’ll meet her. You will marry her, ey?”
Nuria blushed hard, red painting her entire face when she nodded. I'd poke fun at her, but she'd bite my hand off. Grandma turned to me. “Now, I cannot forget this big guy! Where’s yours?”
My cheeks flared with heat. “W-Well…”
“Neron! The girls love their room!” I heard Kiya from the hallway. A second later, she pranced into the common room. “I don’t know about the mounted television they have in there, but Raina was kind enough to leave stuffed animals and—” Her voice died down when she noticed the two additional bodies in the room, now fidgeting in her spot. “Am I interrupting a family reunion?”
Grandma and Grandpa instantly lit up when they saw Kiya, their grins stretching so far I was afraid they might hurt. They both rose out of their seats, and Grandpa pointed. “Is she yours?”
“I-I…”
“Oh, blessed Selene, she’s absolutely lovely!” Grandma scampered over, her dress flailing behind her, and grabbed both of Kiya’s hands. Kiya shyly looked up, shrinking under her eyes. “*Du ser praktfull ut*! What is your name, *kjære*?”
“Kiya?”
“A beautiful name to match the lady!” Grandma reached for her face and affectionally squeezed her cheeks. Kiya’s muffled distress only made her cuter.
“*Mormor*, please.” I snorted, batting her hands away. Kiya rubbed her sore, red cheeks, blushing impossibly harder by the minute. “Kiya shies away from compliments.”
“I do not!” She snapped. “Just a couple.”
“And when will you two marry?” She asked the both of us. Kiya and I shot each other a look before looking away. My cheeks continued to be touched by fire. Grandpa took Grandma away just in time before she got to asking too many questions. The reunion turned into one giant talking fest, with Nuria prattling on and on about Phoebe and Mom talking about Ezekiel.
I admit, it was cute to see the love in Nuria’s eyes when she spoke about her mate. Not so much when she let it slip that she stole my car to go see her. The milage is going to *bite me in the ass*.
After a while, Grandpa pulled me aside and lightly punched me in my shoulder. He was also a big man, towering over me by a couple of inches. Despite his age, there were curves and grooves of his muscles on his biceps. If only I’d look as good as him when I reach his age.
“Women talk deep into the night when they get together.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “How have you been, Neron? Life treating you well?”
I nodded. “It has. Can’t complain.”
“Excellent. Now, listen…” He gripped a shoulder. “I know having Foresight is difficult to manage at first. Your grandmother and I will be here for a few days, and I’ll teach Nuria and you all that I know. However, wanting a small vacation away from the cold country isn’t the only reason I’m here.”
I held my breath, the anticipation pricking at my skin like needles. “What’s the other reason?”
“I want you to have this.” He fished out a thick folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed to me. It’s aged and wrinkled, once white, now a pale yellow. “I know you’re in danger and the devil himself is coming after you. I don’t know when or how, but this can help you defeat him.”
“What is it?”
“A map.”
I arched an eyebrow. “A map of what?”
“You’ll know when the time is right.” He replied, patting my shoulder. “I know you don’t need me to say this, but don’t you ever stop protecting your mate. I understand your hesitation in mating with her, but you want to know what I think?”
I gulped, nodding. “What is it?”
“She’s worth it.” He looks in Kiya’s direction. “And I know what she is, along with Nuria’s woman, Phoebe. Selene has blessed you both with powerful mates, but even *they* need to be protected.”
I stuffed the map in my pocket, letting my grandfather’s words sink in.
*Kiya is worth it*. *She’s worth **everything***.
I don’t know what this map does nor what it is for, but if it is a step closer to defeating Apophis and his link, then I’m all for it.
Because I cannot let **him** get to Kiya or my family.
I’ll die before that happens.