Chapter 18: Chapter 18

REYNA

“I want you to be able to protect yourself at all times. I know now you can fight, but a gun is so much better than your fist, don’t you think? It’s both a birthday present and also for your victory,” she said, with a look I’d only seen on rare occasions.

Emotions clogged my throat, and I felt my eyes getting a little misty.

“There’s also a bow and arrow for you, but I will keep it with me until after your rose training. You surprised me. I didn’t know you had it in you, but you proved to me that the same blood that runs in my veins runs in yours. Happy birthday, Reyna, I hope you like the gift.”

By now, I was immune to Cassandra’s veiled insults or backhanded compliments. More than what she was saying, it was how uncomfortable Cassandra was that made this the best gift I’d ever received from her.

~That rare show of emotion.~

“Thank you, Mother, I will cherish it.”

“Hmm,” she said, watching the guests, back to her cold self, but I expected it.

The women’s council walked up to us, each shaking my hand and wishing me a happy birthday and congratulating me on my victory today. Even Lisa was there, looking stunning in a short red dress, leather gloves, and knee-high boots.

We smiled at each other and thanked them all politely. Then they moved on to my mother and struck up a conversation.

“Hello, Princess,” Dr. Benjamin greeted. I was standing with Olivia, drinking wine.

He nodded at Olivia, who blushed before walking away and leaving us alone.

The handsome Dr. Benjamin was standing close to me, offering his hand and waiting for mine. Just like Olivia, I blushed. He might not have affected me as the beast did, but he was still a man.

I stretched out my hand and shook his. He didn’t shake my hand; instead, he kissed behind my hand, watching me.

“Hi, Doctor,” I said.

The slight burning on the skin he’d just kissed sent my stomach roiling. I forced a smile and yanked back my hand.

I felt so nervous, looking anywhere but at him and taking a sip of my wine to give myself a little time.

I’d never talked to a man before. What should I say?

“You were really impressive today, beautiful, strong, and a little bloodthirsty.”

~What? Is that how he sees me?~

“Thanks?” All the elation I felt that a man was right in front of me, speaking to me, was…gone.

Dr. Ben was a massive disappointment. I expected more from my human counterpart.

We chatted for a few minutes. Or rather, he was talking while I answered with monosyllables.

Twice I caught Cassandra and Dr. Elizabeth watching us like hawks.

Then it was dinner time.

The long twenty-four seat dinner table was already loaded with food: roasted turkey, baby carrots, asparagus, potatoes, garlic bread, a basket of fruits, liquor, and for dessert, there was cake.

All this food was for less than twenty people. This could probably feed the whole village for an afternoon as lunch.

I promised myself to pack the leftover food from today and take it to the village tomorrow.

We ate, or rather they did, while I picked at my food. Drinks and conversation flowed between us.

It was rare that I got to drink, so I kept refilling my glass and drinking.

After dessert, we all moved to go to the meeting that was supposed to take place after my birthday dinner. Which I’d only just learned about.

This was the third time I was in my mother’s office.

It had paper clippings on the wall, maps of places that were forever lost to the plague—some parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the USA.

We all sat around a big rectangular table. There was a map spread out on the table right in front of us.

“I believe the beast might be telling us the truth, or at least part of it. From what our Roses have found out, it seems like the five kingdoms might have become allies to attack us. The first attack and the beast’s talk of alliances might be part of their ruse to lower our guards,” Lydia said, pointing at five different locations marked with red circles around them.

“We have to think of how to attack them first before they make their moves. As such, we will need to intensify our interrogations of the beasts we captured. We need answers, and I don’t know if whatever bullshit comes out of their mouths is the truth and not lies,” Cassandra said, nodding thoughtfully.

“Sabrina, what can you tell me about them? These beasts.”

“They’re called the Dhakkuth, an alien race that invaded Earth after the plague. We didn’t know where they lived as of now; they were mostly male, and Satan’s spawn.” Sabrina’s face was grim. “They’re known to rut women for days on end until they broke them, body and mind.”

My mother’s face hardened.

“Let’s make sure no woman suffers from those abominations.” They all nodded.

“They’re also at war with other monsters. I believe they’re one of the five kingdoms,” Lisa added.

“Lisa, you will continue to lead the interrogation. Use any method necessary. Dr. Elizabeth will help. I want answers, and I want them soon, before we’re all murdered or, worse, attacked and captured. Anyone have anything to add?” Cassandra asked after staring each person in the eye.

When her eyes focused on me, I felt like a fish out of water. Fortunately, she couldn’t read minds or know the traitorous thoughts in my head right then.

The women all talked about strategies and how to get the beast to talk. While I was stuck, confused, and left with so many questions burning inside me—not to mention panicking about the interrogation part.

I felt helpless, frustrated for not knowing what to even believe.

All this time, we were never told that there were actually five kingdoms of beasts?

I was suddenly so angry that I blurted out the question that was eating away at me.

“Why all the lies? Why did you hide the truth from us? It’s our right. You should have told us about the kingdoms of beasts. You should have told us they never left and that they have always been here. You should have prepared us and told us everything about them. Otherwise, how will we ever win against them? Everyone stared at me.

“We told you what you needed to know at the time. We did everything we could to prepare you, there’s no need to cause panic in the public. What did you think all the training was for?” My mother explained, her perfect brow arched.

“That’s…” I started, about to argue, then realization struck.

All the training and everything, even if they didn’t tell us the truth. They’d trained us. Made us fight. Sure, I hated being lied to like the next person.

But, in their own way, my mother and her council were preparing us for the war with the beasts.

My righteous anger deflated. Cassandra only raised a shapely eyebrow at me.

“So all the training and the fights were your way of preparing us to fight the beasts?”

She nodded, then added, “Yes, but even with our training, we were no match for the beasts, as you’ve seen. They are faster and stronger than we are. They are predators and we are their prey, but we have our guns.

We also have silver. It will give us an edge, a fighting chance so to speak, against them, but our Roses are our last line of defense.”

This made sense, and it also answered some of my questions.

“What do the beasts really want, Mother?”

“Why, women of course. They are after us. They only have a few women; they want to take and keep us as their broodmares or their pleasure mates, with or without our consent.”

“I trust you know what pleasure is? Now that you have started your training?” Cassandra asked, searching my face.

I didn’t know what she was talking about or why I was suddenly feeling uncomfortable. I didn’t want to disappoint my mother.

I shook my head and looked toward Sabrina for help, clueless.

“No, your Majesty, we’d only just begun the lesson yesterday,” Sabrina said. “I gave her a free day due to the fight, but tomorrow we’ll continue. They will all be ready in no time for the final lesson.”

“Hmm. I want them all to be ready soon, Sabrina.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Sabrina bowed her head.

I was extremely exhausted, with the fight, the party, and now this meeting, and what I’d learned.

There was just so much information and stress for one day. I just wanted to sleep; later I would think about what I’d learned and process it.

Thirty minutes later, I said good night to everyone when the meeting was over.

And went to bed.