The Uprising (The Julianna Rae Chronicles)

by Aral Bereux

  ‘No. I’m not a full-blood, I can’t be.’

  He moved a strand of hair sticking stubbornly to her face. ‘The headaches will become debilitating. You’ll suffer more aggressive seizures; experience vivid hallucinations,’ their lips touched and he gave them a nip. ‘You can’t risk being alone while you go through this. It could kill you, or it could send you wild.’

  ‘I need answers. I wanna’ look for Bas in-country, the rest I’ll figure along the way.’

  He took her hands and gently pulled. He backward stepped in the direction of her bedroom doorway, taking her with him as he did.

  ‘Bas is my problem.’ He kissed her hands. ‘Find your other answers here. I’ll help with your mother.’

  ‘My mother’s dead.’

  His expression changed.

  ‘Daniel killed her in the tunnels. She was going to kill us – she killed Hensley, and then Daniel killed her.’

  ‘He mentioned nothing to me.’ He held her face, studying it with a kindly expression that she didn’t doubt.

  ‘I’m okay.’

  He studied her, unconvinced. She wasn’t convinced either, but saying the words helped. If she said them enough she’d start to believe them, and if she started to believe them, she could let it all go.

  But the swollen belly under the uniform, on her cold, dead body…

  She thought she saw the bump move under the uniform. She pushed the thought away.

  The door nudged closed with his foot. She stumbled onto the soft bed and everything was under his calculated persuasion.

  ‘Just us, J Rae. Clean room, safe and quiet,’ he pushed her back and climbed over her to brush himself against her waist. ‘How do you wanna’ do this?’ he unbuttoned his shirt, and her hands found their way to the latch on his belt.

  So this is what we’ve become, friends with the so-called benefits.

  But it wasn’t so easy, and he felt the same. Nothing was as far from the truth in their confusing world and neither knew how to deal with it.

  Supposed to be my watcher.

  ‘Undress for me,’ he said quietly, kneeling beside her, tugging at her pants until he pulled them over her bare ankles. He teased the material on her knickers. The coolness of his buckle glided against her bare thigh.

  The crisp singlet slipped over her head to join her pants and his crumpled shirt on the floor. She knelt before him in her bra, feeling exposed under his stare and playful tease of the straps resting loosely on her shoulders. He pressed her onto her back, into the thickness of the mattress and blankets – with his hand steadfast behind her back and the clasp released to expose her body to his admiring hands, while returning to her lips as he knelt over her.

  Julianna admired him, vulnerable to his touch once more.

  Why is this happening?

  ‘Tell me to stop and I will,’ he whispered between kisses against the soft skin of her neck and down to her chest, moving along to her sides.

  His tongue stroked her soft belly, teasing his way to taste her inner thighs with the caress of his lips. She shuddered. He moved lower, squeezing her tightly, digging his fingernails into her skin. Julianna shivered with anticipation, submitting to his every touch.

  He stopped to catch her biting her lip. His mischievous gaze knotted her stomach in anticipation and then he moved again, coaxing her thighs and bare belly under his caress, until his eyes reached hers to wink his sign of affection. He knelt slowly, moving his hand between her legs, absorbed in her character when she met with his eyes.

  It was his turn to bite his lip as they studied each other. His eyes were black, but she wasn’t scared – not this time. His honesty intrigued her; his ability to reveal himself without concern for her prejudice and fear reassured her.

  She lifted her head to kiss him again. He kissed back, taking the power away from her and trying desperately to control himself as he wrestled to release his belt completely.

  ‘Fuck,’ he whispered and took his glance away to focus on undressing completely. She heard his breathing hasten. Caden’s dark eyes glistened; his pants slipped away and they were naked before each other. Their eyes locked and he coaxed her to kneel before him.

  Caden lifted Julianna’s arms around his neck. ‘I don’t want to be gentle,’ he whispered. ‘I’ve been around too long for gentle.’

  The stroke of his fingertips along her uncovered back charmed her into silent consent. He kissed her again, her lips, her neck as his fingers caressed her thighs; and he lowered himself enough to find her where they rested. She hung her head and closed her eyes to his warm breath against her cheek. The feelings he stirred with his rocking motions, as he held her tight in his arms and against his chest, addicted her.

  ‘Let me see your eyes’ he said.

  She hung her head, shaking it, fighting the familiar stirrings. She didn’t want this over so quickly but he set in motion and the urge to resist him melted away. He called inside her mind to obey him, to raise her eyes. Caden’s strength snapped her face up, to meet with her appointed watcher against her will.

  We shouldn’t be doing this.

  Her eyes were round and he was intoxicating, taking every part of her into himself, emotionally, physically, mentally.

  He agreed to her thoughts with a bite to his own lip again.

  No, we shouldn’t. No one can know.

  He kissed her again, playfully pinching her bottom lip between his teeth before resting her into the thickness of the warm bed. His rhythm against her hips increased; she could feel herself against him, their sweat combining to make a damp circle on the clean blankets. He grunted as she moaned. It was a blur as they moved together, but then the silence arrived, but for their panting and the rustle of the wind outside.

  Caden kissed her again and she kissed him back while they made their way into each other’s arms, beneath the inviting blankets. His touch made her realize how much she had missed him as they slipped in beside each other. Caden held her close to his side.

  You’re right. No one can know about us.

  * * *

  Caden slept soundly beside her while she watched the moon through the glass doors. From where she sat, with knees tucked under her chin, beneath the sheets, she watched the sway of the weak trees dance with the wind in the false garden. The moon was full and orange, the stars were bright, and then she glanced over to Caden on his back, with a hand resting heavily over his tattooed chest. It rose and fell evenly. He slept deeply in his peaceful state.

  A foot escaped the tangle of sheet, and her other followed over the edge of the bed, pressing firmly into the rug sprawled beneath her. Julianna released the sheets to quietly dress into the uniform, piece by scattered piece, which she hunted for across the room.

  She admired him while she laced her boots and strapped her knife against her wrist, wondering if he woke would he stop her. Caden stirred in his slumber and rolled onto his side. She froze, waiting for his reaction. She didn’t presume to know how he’d respond to her leaving and didn’t want the argument. She left a note instead.

  Wanted to say bye, but I expect you’d throw me in a cell just to teach me a lesson.

  J Rae.

  They were the only words she left, propped in the corner against his watch and name badge, on a scrap piece of paper.

  Julianna didn’t see him raise on his elbows as she left the room, didn’t see him shake his head and smile in the dark, while she opened the front door leading into the low lit hallway.

  All was quiet in the Rebellion Head Quarters. A few night-shift workers sat at their desks, lazily monitoring cameras. Two officers unlocked the exit into the area where her bike waited.

  The night air was comfortable in her lungs. Her ride was where she’d left it. The keys rattled in her pocket under her grasp and she pulled them out.

  The engine purred

  ‘Julianna Elizbeth Rae.’

  She hung her head and waited for Caden to stroll from the elevator entrance.

  He stood with his
hands in his pockets and glanced down at the bike. ‘You’re breaking my heart girl.’

  ‘No I’m not, C Mads, can see right through you.’

  He agreed with a reluctant nod. ‘I ought to throw you in the cells. I really should, but I get what you’re doing. Just be careful out there, okay? The war’s only getting started now.’

  The hint of a smile on his face didn’t reach his brown eyes. Words failed. The awkward moment she’d expected wasn’t there, just shame in loving and leaving him, and she wondered if anyone had made him suffer similar in the past.

  He pressed a container into her hand. ‘You’ll feel the seizures before they hit. Take a couple each time, and they’ll lessen the impact.’

  She popped the lid with her thumb. The container brimmed full of brown capsules. She gave them a rattle before tucking them into her jacket pocket.

  ‘And use the comms.’ He handed her a new one. ‘Let Isis in on your movements wherever you are. He does worry about you.’

  She revved the bike gently and kicked the stand into its place. The roller gate invited the cool night breeze which Caden folded his arms against.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said.

  ‘Don’t do anything stupid.’ He glanced over her shoulder, the gate was fully up. ‘Don’t wanna’ go rescuing your sorry ass anytime soon.’

  She didn’t have the chance to respond, he was quickly heading for the elevator. They were good. She knew that. If she did something stupid, well that was another issue.

  The guards were in a rush for her to leave. They wanted to close up for the evening and go back to their nightshift conversation.

  She wheeled quietly into the streets. The world was how she left it. The gate hit the ground with a low clang behind her and Caden was probably heading to his own bed for more sleep.

  She revved her bike and looked up at the tall building covered in Militia propaganda. Its false façade gave a sense of abandonment. The sentries were dressed as bums, and it veiled as nothing more than an empty, broken down warehouse in the New World Order, Sector One.

  The thought was difficult to contemplate in the midst of the night with a heavy heart and a tired mind. Enough time had been wasted feeling self-pity this week, and knowing Caden was playing General with his own army, she could safely move on. Yet…Caden’s secrets about her father haunted her.

  She felt the container rattle deep in her pocket. She’d find somewhere to bunk down again, but for tonight, sleep would wait once more while she rode for the Sector Eight perimeters. From there she would scamper the camps.

  After that...

  Well, anything was possible in her unexplained world.

  END OF BOOK TWO

  Follow Julianna’s journey deeper into the New World Order in the sequel of The Julianna Rae Chronicles, Chronicle #3, The Forbidden.

  INDEX OF TERMS

  A

  Abilities

  An “ability” is possessed by a watcher, more than any other preternatural. All watchers are different and some remain dormant, where they possess no ability at all due to cross breeding with normals. Abilities can vary from the more common whisper to the least common shape-shifter, and levitation and manipulation of objects. See also Levitation; Normals; Reading; Shape-shifter; Watcher; Whisper

  Adam Weishaupt (First General, Rebellion)

  Born long before his recorded “birth” of 1748 (which he faked to give himself credulity), Weishaupt otherwise, is an elusive figure in his community. He is noted to have founded several philosophical communities around the time of his “birth”, in Germany, and played a large role in founding the New World Order while he was agreeable to the Old Council and Senate stance. Post Militia take over, Weishaupt went on to unify the Rebellion into a more structured organization with the help of brothers, Caden and Bastiaan Madison, and close friend, Peter Rae. See also, Bastiaan Madison; Caden Madison; Old Council; Peter Rae; Rebellion, The; New Council; Senate, The.

  Ancients

  An Ancient is someone considered to be of invaluable knowledge and status. They have reached a Master level, or equivalent, in the Rites of Passage, and most are no younger than four centuries. Most Ancients are watchers, and then followed in lesser degree, walkers, nocturnes, and incubus/succubus. See also Rites of passage.

  Ancients High Order

  Select few of each preternatural culture are appointed to the High Order, to oversee the masses. It is a group associated with the Guild – a secret society only few have knowledge of. It is in charge of overseeing powers, ensuring that a specific code of conduct in adhered to at all times for the watcher and walker community, and preternaturals in general.

  Articles, The

  The Articles are a law, written by the Senate for the New World Order, with each Article having its own punishment if breached in any way. For example, Article 0005 pertains to music and any art related action, which is forbidden by the New World Order. If breached, and discovered by the Militia, the said offender would be punished in one of the many camps, and reprogrammed to join the Militia initiative. The Articles can be found on any newsstand as a free read, and anything additional is sent to every resident within the Militia control.

  B

  Bastiaan Madison

  Also known as “Bas.” Bastiaan Madison (ancient name, Seban Marat) is the older brother of Caden, (Cain Marat), who is a watcher and a member of the Ancients High Order. Bastiaan is cousin to Tarisos Madison, and was a High Priest to The Family, when Julianna Rae was a child, being her mentor until she was seven. See also Ancients; Ancients High Order; Guild; High Priest; Old Council; New Council; Walker; Watcher.

  Binding

  Binding occurs between two watchers who are embarking on marriage or partnership – such as a student/teacher, during Rites training. It is a traditional view that occurs during a mutual bloodletting ritual, where each drinks the others blood. The more one drinks, the stronger the bond. Binding oneself to another allows for the dominant partnership to sense what the other senses, feels, and even allows for the ability to locate each other, if the bond is strong enough. A bond between two is very difficult to break, with only few permitted or capable of doing it. Those permitted usually reside on the Senate, or higher positions. See also Bloodletting; Passage of Rites; Rites Training; Watcher.

  Bloodletting

  Bloodletting is a term widely used over the preternatural community, meaning a variety of things to each culture. Succubus/incubus will engage in the act of bloodletting, in order to survive. Watchers will engage in it, to bind themselves to either a student, or life partner, and feeding when the need arises, to strengthen oneself. See also Binding; Incubus/Succubus; Watcher.

  C

  Caden Madison

  Also known as Cain Seth Marat (ancient name). Caden is a full-blood watcher, and appointed member of the Ancients High Order, to guide and train Seers. Cain was a member of the Old Council, and served as Head of the Council between 1995 and 2013. In 2014, Cain established a New Council, in hope of regaining what the Old Council lost during the War of Rebellion. Caden’s reputation as Cain is one of notoriety over the centuries as someone who bestows vengeance, punishment, and terror, quickly and harshly. He is younger brother to Bastiaan Madison (also known as Seban Marat in ancient circles) and cousin to Tarisos Madison. He is Master watcher to Daniel Rae. See also Ancients; Ancients High Order; Old Council; New Council; Watcher.

  Camp 4.5.2

  Camp 4.5.2 is where Caden and Julianna meet and escaped together, from Lieutenant Taris Madison. Camp 4.5.2 is considered to be poorly designed, where many breakouts occurred, until the camp was decommissioned upon the opening of Camp 2.2.1, in 2013. Camp 4.5.2 is now a military camp specifically for HSD training purposes. See High Security Division

  Camps, The

  The Camps, both on the East and West coast, are designed to support the reprogramming agenda. See also Reprogramming.

  Central Command

  Central Command Head Quarters is located centrally, within Se
ctor One. It consists of three levels: the basement for all intelligence servers; level one for processing; and level two is the officer quarters, where Taris frequents often as his place of residence, in the city. Central Command also boasts a large section for detainment and interrogation, and is rumored to be a place where no one ever escapes. If a prisoner is to be released, they are released as a reprogrammed and successfully inducted soldier, of the Militia. See also Militia; Reprogramming; Sectors, The.

  Club Star

  Located in Sector Six of the city sectors, Club Star is a place of meeting, as well as illicit entertainment, run by an incubus called Boss Man. It is a known Rebel location used to seek new recruits and Intelligence from informants, where Julianna Rae is the star performer of the site, featuring in her own exclusive show, as a solo exotic performer. She is also the main contact in the club for those seeking Rebel help, or for those seeking a courier, to move Intelligence between Sectors.

  Comms Plate

  The Communiqué plate allows for communications between linked in camps on secure lines. It is also a form of data base, where intelligence can be stored and retrieved via passwords, and is used as a way of delivering secure information via courier. Its appearance is that of a thin plate of glass, until activated.

  Council, the New

  The New Council was formed in late 2014 by Isis, Cain Madison, and Bastiaan Madison, with the permission of the Ancients High Order and Guild.