by S. J. West
Malcolm
The Redemption Series
Book 1
S.J. West
List of Watcher Books in the Watcher Series
The Watchers Trilogy
Cursed
Blessed
Forgiven
The Watcher Chronicles
Broken
Kindred
Oblivion
Ascension
Caylin’s Story
Timeless
Devoted
The Redemption Series
Malcolm
Anna
Lucifer
Redemption
Other Books by S.J. West
The Harvest of Light Trilogy
Harvester
Hope
Dawn
The Vankara Saga
Vankara
Dragon Alliance
War of Atonement
Copyright © 2014 S.J. West .All rights reserved.
PRologue
Andre Greco lifted his hand to knock on the study door, but hesitated because he knew the occupant inside the room would not welcome the sad tidings he had to report. With great reluctance, he rapped his knuckles against the dark stained wood and waited.
A minute passed. Then two. Then three. Finally, the answer Andre both dreaded and felt relief in hearing came.
“Come in, Andre.”
When he opened the door, Andre’s eyes were drawn to the lone figure of his leader and best friend standing in front of the far window in the room. Malcolm’s gaze was directed towards the broken world which lay outside his home. It was a world they had been left to guard but failed in many ways over the years.
Andre slowly closed the door behind him and stood unmoving, waiting for Malcolm to turn and acknowledge his presence.
As he waited, Andre observed his friend and noted the pained expression that was ever present on Malcolm’s face during the past few years. His friend’s shoulders were broad and held straight with a stubborn pride. Malcolm stoutly refused to show the depth of his pain, both physical and emotional, to those around him. Andre knew the news he brought this evening would add to the mountain of guilt Malcolm already held firmly on his shoulders.
“Is the child born?” Malcolm finally asked, breaking the quiet of the room but still not turning his gaze away from the city outside to face Andre.
“Yes,” Andre said, taking a slow, steadying breath before continuing. “But Amalie didn’t survive very long after giving birth. The pregnancy itself just placed too much of a strain on her body. She lacked the strength in the end to hold onto life.”
Andre watched as Malcolm slowly closed his eyes and hung his head, showing the weight of his sorrow. He waited patiently as his friend took a moment to come to terms with the death of someone they had both loved dearly.
“Did she suffer because of that thing?” Malcolm asked in a quiet, tense voice.
“Not in the end,” Andre replied. “She was able to hold the baby for a few minutes before she passed away. That, more than anything, seemed to help ease her pain.”
Malcolm sighed heavily.
“I should have seen what was happening.” Malcolm shook his head in dismay. “I should have protected Amalie better.”
Andre took a few steps closer to his friend.
“It wasn’t your fault, Malcolm. You couldn’t have stopped Amalie from following her heart. All of Caylin’s descendants have been strong-willed and hard headed. You did everything you could to warn her about what might happen.”
“But it wasn’t enough, Andre,” Malcolm said, guilt over Amalie’s death drenching each of his words.
The pain in Malcolm’s voice broke Andre’s heart, but he knew there wasn’t anything he could do or say to erase the blame Malcolm felt.
Finally, Malcolm turned to Andre to face him fully.
“Take that thing away from here before I do something to it I might regret later on, Andre,” Malcolm ordered. “Follow the plan we set into motion when we first learned of this damned pregnancy.”
“Don’t you want to see her before we leave?” Andre asked. “She’s still a descendant of Caylin and Aiden’s line.”
“She is an abomination, and I don’t want to have anything to do with her!” Malcolm roared, barely able to keep his temper in check. “Take her to Cirrus and raise her as your own like we planned. In a few generations, I’ll take back control of protecting Caylin’s heirs. Right now, I can’t even make myself look at that thing much less protect it.”
“I understand why you hate her, but…”
“No,” Malcolm said, cutting off Andre’s words before letting him finish. Andre noticed Malcolm absently begin to rub the side of his right thigh. “You don’t understand everything. I didn’t only fail Amalie by not protecting her. I failed Lilly too, and that haunts me more than anything else. I wasn’t able to keep the last promise I made to her. That is something that can never be fixed.”
“You did your best. Lilly would have understood.”
“And when I’m finally able to stand in front of her in Heaven, just how do you suggest I explain this monumental failure to her, Andre?”
Andre was silent, not having a good answer.
Malcolm turned back to face the outside world again.
“You should leave as soon as possible,” Malcolm told Andre. “Your titles have been bought and paid for. I’ve already contacted the emperor and arranged the marriage between that thing and his son. He’s expecting you to arrive in the capitol city tonight.”
“Are you sure having her marry the crown prince is the right thing to do?” Andre asked, sounding unsure of the decision Malcolm made about the child’s future.
“It will secure her children into a place of honor and safety,” Malcolm said. “We’ve discussed this before, Andre. Don’t start questioning the plan now.”
“But we’ve always let the girls choose who they married,” Andre argued.
Malcolm snorted. “And look how well that turned out for Amalie. We are not letting that thing choose who she marries. We can’t afford another slip up. Just do what I’m ordering you to do and take that creature to Cirrus!”
Andre sighed. “Do you want me to keep you apprised of her development?”
“No,” Malcolm said, lifting his head a notch higher. “I don’t want to know anything about her unless it’s to report her death.”
“Malcolm…” Andre said reproachfully.
“I’m sorry,” Malcolm said, not really sounding sorry at all. “It’s the way I feel, and I won’t pretend otherwise. As long as she continues Caylin’s line, I don’t care what else happens to her, Andre.”
“If that’s the way you want it, then that’s the way it will be.”
Malcolm nodded. “Yes, that’s the way I want it.”
Andre fell silent for a moment trying to think of a way to change Malcolm’s mind, but no solution readily presented itself.
“I will keep in contact with you while we’re in Cirrus,” Andre said. “And I’ve picked a name for her. Would you like to know it?”
“No.”
Andre sighed again. “Then, I guess I’ll see you in a few years, my friend.”
Malcolm turned to look at Andre once more.
“I’m sorry to lay the burden of raising her on your shoulders, Andre. But, I simply can’t do it. I can’t even bring myself to look at her.”
“It will be my honor to raise her,” Andre told Malcolm. “She isn’t the monster you believe her to be, Malcolm. I think she might just surprise you.”
Andre had seen the child and knew in one glance how special she was. He also knew no matter what he told Malcolm it wouldn’t be eno
ugh to convince his oldest friend that the girl who had been born that night might be the one they had waited over a millennium for.
“I’ll send a message to you after we arrive in Cirrus,” Andre said. “So you’ll at least know we made it there safely.”
Malcolm nodded, acknowledging that he heard Andre’s words.
Andre made his way out of the house to the city street where a horse drawn carriage waited for him. The night was foggy, like it often was in New Orleans, as he climbed into the carriage. He sat opposite the child and her nanny. The carriage lurched forward as the driver headed towards only one of a few areas left on Earth where teleporters were permitted. Once there, they would be allowed to teleport up to the cloud city of Cirrus which was located above what was left of New York City.
“I guess he decided to remain as obstinate as ever,” the nanny grumbled, cradling the newborn in the crook of one of her arms like the babe she held was the most precious thing on Earth.
“You know how he can be, Millie,” Andre sighed.
Millie looked down at the child she held.
“I can’t understand why the master would shun such a sweet little nipper,” Millie said.
“He has his reasons.”
Millie looked over at Andre.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” she asked.
Andre grinned. “Yes, I have.”
“Well don’t just sit there grinning like a Cheshire cat,” Millie griped. “What is it for goodness sakes?”
Andre held his arms out to Millie indicating he wanted to hold the child before giving her his answer. Reluctantly, Millie handed the baby girl to Andre.
When Andre looked down at the child he held, he couldn’t help but smile at the little cherub tucked safely in his arms.
“Hello, Annalisse Desiraye Greco,” he said to her. “Welcome to the world.”
CHAPTER onE
As I stand on the veranda of the home I share with my father, I watch the sun rise over the horizon bringing with it the start of a brand new day, filled with unknown possibilities. Its shimmering rays glance off the transparent protective dome surrounding Cirrus, penetrating just enough to enlighten the world I live in. I watch the ever present holographic clouds glide by on an artificially created wind propagating the illusion that they’re free floating. Far off in the distance, I can see the castle of the emperor. Its white stone towers with blue tiled roofs stand out amidst the wispy white clouds like a dream from a simpler time in Earth’s history. I know it will be my home soon, but the mere thought of living within its walls tightens the ever present knot in the pit of my stomach.
I love the man I will have to marry but not in the way a wife should love a husband. Newly crowned Emperor Augustus Charles Ronaldo Amador has been my childhood friend almost since the moment I was born. I was told that on the night of my birth, we met and were betrothed to one another within hours of my entry into this world. I grew up knowing I would marry Auggie on my twenty-first birthday and eventually become Empress Annalisse Desiraye Amador. On that day, I will fulfill a long ago arrangement made to place me on the throne of Cirrus to rule by Auggie’s side.
But, it isn’t what I want to do. I don’t want to become Empress of Cirrus. I don’t want to become Auggie’s wife. Yet, what I want to do isn’t within my realm of possibilities.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
I turn around and find Auggie leaning up against one of the four white marble pillars which lead into my private chambers.
I’ve always found Auggie attractive with his wavy, shoulder length blond hair and barely there mustache and beard. His clear blue eyes hold an ever present tenderness for me and a certain amount of pity. He’s dressed in one of his white collarless suits, and I know today must be one of the few days in his life he has all to himself.
Auggie pushes his shoulder off the pillar and saunters over to me.
“Auggie,” I say, “do you think I’ll ever find someone to love me?”
“I love you,” he replies, smiling at me with unending gentleness.
“You love me like a sister,” I say, as I bow my head because I feel sad all of a sudden. “That’s not the type of love I’m talking about.”
Auggie places a gentle hand under my chin and makes me look back up at him.
“He’s out there somewhere, longing to meet you as much as you are him,” he says to me. “And when you finally find one another, God help anyone who tries to come between the two of you.”
I tilt my head to the side as I continue to look up at my best friend. “Why would you say that?”
“Because, I know you,” Auggie says with a proud smile. “You would tear them to pieces if it meant protecting someone you love.”
“I would do anything for him,” I say, completely meaning my words with all my heart, “and everything.”
“Keep your faith, Anna,” Auggie tells me. “Keep believing he’s out there. Don’t give up on him just yet. Maybe he’ll sweep you off your feet and your father will have no other option but to break our marriage contract.”
“Do you think he would?” I ask, sounding overly hopeful even to myself.
Auggie raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow at me. “Well, that’s a fine how do you do, Lady Anna. Do you want to cast your betrothed to the side so quickly? I am Emperor you know. Being my wife does come with some perks.”
“But not true love,” I say to him, not in argument but sorrow.
My heart feels incomplete, and Auggie isn’t the man who is supposed to fill the gaping hole within its chambers. No man I’ve met during my years in Cirrus has been a match to my soul. I know without a shadow of a doubt that if I had crossed paths with my soul mate I would have felt it instantly. The earth beneath my feet would have moved, and my heart would have quaked from just being in his mere presence.
I run my hands up Auggie’s chest and behind his neck.
“Kiss me, Auggie,” I almost beg.
Auggie smiles at me and wordlessly relents to my request.
When our lips meet, I feel comfort in the warmth of my best friend’s mouth against mine but little else. Auggie eventually pulls away causing me to sigh my disappointment yet again, not feeling an ounce of passion or excitement from the joining of our lips.
“Nothing I take it?” Auggie asks, already knowing what it is I’m hoping to feel because we’ve tried this little experiment at least a hundred times now.
“Nothing,” I confirm. “How about you?”
“Nothing I’m afraid.” Auggie sighs his own regret. “Who would believe the two most attractive people in Cirrus feel absolutely no passion for one another?”
“Well, if people knew where your true predilections lie, they would understand,” I tease. “How is Gladson by the way?”
“He’s fine,” Auggie answers with a hint of a blush at the mention of the man who holds his heart in secret. “I wish we didn’t have to hide behind closed doors though. It just seems ridiculous to be emperor yet have to hide the fact that I love someone of the same sex from the rest of the world.”
“I’m sorry, Auggie. Maybe one day you won’t have to hide your love for one another.”
“Well, it won’t be while my mother still lives. That much I know for sure. I don't suppose you have a message for me from him?”
The look of hope on Auggie's face makes my answer even harder to give.
“No, he hasn't sent a message for you to me. I'm sorry.”
With the mention of the dowager empress, the knot in my stomach tightens even further.
“I have my lesson with your mother this morning after breakfast,” I tell Auggie, sounding about as enthusiastic as I feel. “Not exactly the highlight of my day.”
Auggie chuckles.
“She likes you,” he reassures me. “Or, she can at least stand you, which is a lot more than I can say for anyone else in Cirrus besides myself. If she didn’t like you just a little, she wouldn’t be spending so much time to prepare you to take her plac
e after we’re married.”
“I can’t believe the wedding is only a few days away. It seems like it’s too soon. I don’t feel ready.”
Auggie places his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes.
“You are ready,” he tells me, filled with more confidence than I feel. “You will be the greatest empress Cirrus has ever known. We were both born to rule, Anna. And maybe together we can change things for the better.”
“Is Gladson filling your head with propaganda again?” I whisper, never quite trusting that the dowager empress doesn’t have us under constant surveillance.
“Do you disagree with his propaganda?” Auggie whispers back, telling me that he’s not quite sure if our conversation is being listened to either.
“You know I don’t,” I say. “I see no reason for us to keep the down-worlders in the dark anymore. It’s not right that we should have free reign over so much technology while we keep them living in a world only run by steam powered engines. It’s barbaric.”
“Yet, it’s the law,” Auggie reminds me. “It’s been the law for over two-hundred years. And Cirrus isn’t the only monarchy who does it. Every cloud city in the world does it.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” I point out. “It’s the 31st century, Auggie. We should be more civilized than this. Yet, we’ve basically enslaved the down-worlders to make them grow our crops, raise our livestock, and harvest what few natural resources we have left on this planet. It’s no wonder so many of them enter their names into the lottery to go off-world to work. At least on the other planets, they have access to our advancements. I still don’t understand how we got to this point.”
“You know the history as well as I,” Auggie says. “After the great war, those who could afford it built the cloud cities and brought up only those who were the best and brightest of the down-worlders. Then, when the down-worlders almost annihilated each other and destroyed every city on the surface with their class wars, we helped them pick up the pieces. In a way, by keeping their access to technology to a minimum, we’re protecting them from themselves.”
