After Sunset

by Nicole Renee

  “Hey, Mr. Slade,” he said nervously. The boy took a glance around the store, keeping his voice low.

  Zahir pointed to the name tag before he gestured to the main area of the bookstore. “Rashad. My brother told me that he ran into you here, but he didn’t say you worked here.”

  The teenager ran a hand over his curly, close-cropped hair before offering a crooked smile. “I wasn’t until Ms. Winny hired me days ago. She said that since I was always hanging around her store, I might as well get paid for it.”

  Zahir was amused to see, and smell, the boy’s obvious infatuation with his woman. “How long have you been doing this?”

  “Just a couple of days. But I like it here. It feels good,” he said giving as much detail as a teenager ever could.

  He smirked. “It does,” Zahir added. “Do you know where Winny is?”

  Rashad nodded. “Um, yeah. She’s upstairs. She told me that if you were to come to just go up and to the left.”

  “Thanks.” Before Zahir could step around him, Rashad blocked his way.

  When he squared his shoulders and gave a defiant look, Zahir raised a brow at the young pup. He appreciated the strength the young man exhibited and knew he would be a perfect pack leader once his father stepped down.

  “Yes, Rashad?”

  “There have been people watching this shop. Every day after football practice, I come and start my shift. They don’t pay me any attention, but I notice it. My sister, Violet says that there is a bad aura that comes from a block away. My parents asked me to walk Ms. Winny home at night, so whenever my sister is let out of her ballet classes we all walk together.”

  “Alone?”

  “I’m with her,” he said, proudly. “And anyway we literally live across the street from her.” Smirking, Rashad looked him over, eyes dancing mischievously. “We can also see who comes and goes into her apartment.”

  His look of triumph reminded Zahir of how Akachi used to look when he was younger. “Move out of the way Rashad,” he deadpanned.

  “Yes sir,” he said quickly.

  Zahir shook his head at the boy’s whistling before he heard a girl ask him for a particular book. Ascending the stairs, Zahir was surprised when he made a left, how long the hallway was. Finally, he approached the door and knocked three times.

  “Come in,” he heard a soft voice say.

  Zahir closed his eyes, took one more moment to compose himself before opening the door. He followed the sound of her heartbeat, and paused when he saw her sitting on a soft-looking white couch.

  Winny glanced up from her book. “Hi,” she said softly.

  Zahir stepped fully into the room before sitting across from her on the wooden coffee table. He watched as she closed her book, setting it beside her before he grabbed her hands and kissed them.

  “Hi,” he said just as quiet. He gazed into her pretty amber eyes, noting that she was wearing her thick hair in two french braids. He liked it because it showed off more of her pretty face.

  “I missed you today,” he started. “I was sorry that I had to leave.”

  She scooted closer before squeezing his hands. “I got your note, I understand.”

  The two stared at each other for a long while. Not saying anything, only trying to figure each other out.

  A couple minutes passed as they remained silent, basking in each other’s presence. Suddenly he heard Rashad speak lowly, on a level only a skilled dual could hear, letting Zahir know that he was leaving for the evening. The shop was officially closed.

  “Rashad just said he was leaving. He locked the store up,” Zahir said, watching her reaction.

  Her eyes widened and her grip on his hands tightened. “How do you…You could hear him from below? How far can you hear?”

  He offered a smile before answering her.

  “Everything within a mile radius.”

  She seemed to file that information away for later. “Zahir?”

  “Yes.”

  “What are you?” She finally asked, deciding to get right to the point. Winny always thought it best to just rip the band-aid off instead of gingerly peeling it off. This situation was no different.

  “I’m Zahir Slade. The firstborn to the house of Slade, and the serpent king.”

  Serpent king.

  Of all the things the man could say, she wasn’t expecting that Zahir would say he was some type of king. Now that she took in his countenance, she could see where the leader part would come in. Especially when she thought of their first meeting. But a king? And the serpent part explained the eyes, but what did all that entail? And where would she fit into all of this?

  As if Zahir could sense her thoughts, he spoke. “Winny. What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room. Do you understand? Your life could be in jeopardy should you divulge this information to the wrong people.”

  She gave a hesitant nod.

  “I need your word,” he stressed.

  She could see the urgency and agreed. “I understand. You have my word. Nothing you say will ever leave my lips.”

  His eyes seemed to bore into her own, satisfied with whatever he saw. “Good.”

  Inwardly, she gave a sigh of relief. For a moment, she felt as if she was on the chopping block. “So you’re part snake?”

  “Amongst other things, yes.” He was quiet for a second longer before he began. “Winny. There are so many creatures living amongst you. Amongst humans. Some may have a clue, but most do not.”

  “So there are other…creatures on earth besides humans?”

  “Yes.”

  “What kinds of creatures?”

  “They are called duals. That is people, or beings with two natures. The animal side, which is your dual, and the human side of you. You would know them in popular media as were-beings.”

  “Like werewolves?”

  “Yes. Other cultures have different names for them but it all means the same. Shapeshifters, skin walkers, you name it. But it all comes down to a dual. That is what I am.”

  “So it’s only duals and humans?”

  At that, Zahir gave a slight chuckle. “I’m afraid not. There are duals, but there are also witches and warlocks, vampires, seers and guardians. They are mostly human, but have a special gift which they then choose to use for good or evil.”

  “So there are good witches?”

  “That’s oxymoronic. I’m afraid that in this tale, they aren’t particularly nice people. Neither are warlocks for that matter.”

  “But they are able to call on some power?” she asked.

  “Yes. Power that their leader allows them to have. That is until he is finished with them.” It all sounded so chilling, and it caused Winny to give a slight shiver. “So do you choose which dual you become?” she asked before leaning forward once more.

  Zahir was pleasantly surprised at Winny’s questioning. He thought that she would be repulsed, or inundated with fear. This curious woman in front of him was throwing him for a loop.

  “Zahir?” she questioned, dragging him back from his wandering thoughts.

  “Oh, no. You cannot choose. You are born with this. It is only in the hands of the Great One. He decides everything.”

  “The Great One?” She asked hesitantly.

  “The God we serve.”

  “Huh.” She ran her hands over his own hard ones. Listening as he continued.

  “I was born in West Africa over a thousand years ago.”

  Winny gasped at his declaration.

  “My family and I were royalty. We ruled for over a century. It was decreed by the Great One that my father and his entire lineage would oversee the entire dual race. Because it was what the Great One set in motion, there was peace and prosperity in the land. My parents were destined to lead until they were ready to step down and hand it over to me, and whoever I married.”

  “Don’t you mean until they passed?” she interrupted. At that, Zahir shook his head.

  “No. Until they stepped down. We are practically inde
structible. Like most created beings we all have a weakness, but it’s very hard to figure out. The older we become, the harder it is for us to be killed.”

  Winny was still stuck on the fact that the man had been alive for over a thousand years.

  “The things you must have seen,” she breathed. Seeing kingdoms rise and fall, wars, victories, riches, and poverty. Winny wondered if her mind could ever be able to handle everything and still be present in today’s society.

  “I bet you never thought you would see the world evolve into the place it has become,” she said with wonder in her voice.

  “No, I did not,” he acknowledged. “But I can say that people are people. There truly is nothing new under the sun, Winny,” he said with eyes that showed his true age. His smile held a tinge of sadness, and she understood there was much more that she would probably never be able to understand.

  “There are humans, and duals. Is there anything else within your world?”

  “Well, there are also different realms that duals live on.”

  “Wait, there are different realms? Is that like… alternate universes?”

  “Not exactly. We all are living at the same time. But certain creatures cannot live on the earth. That is where the evil or the ones against the Great One dwell.”

  “You have a choice?”

  “To an extent,” he said as he walked to the window. He looked out into the busy street, scoping out for anyone that appeared out of place, someone who could be watching the building. He noticed several men in a building across the way with their eyes trained on the book store.

  “When you are of age, the Great One visits you. He explains the world He created, and why you were chosen to be the person you are. He then gives you a choice. To continue to serve Him or choose Runi.”

  “Runi?” she echoed waiting for an explanation.

  “Let’s just say that it means you are serving the person who is the opposite of everything bright and shiny in the world,” he said before turning away from the window.”

  Winny’s mouth shaped into an O. “Got it. So, if you choose Runi-”

  “Then you no longer have anything to do with the Great One. You now fall into the other category.” Zahir crossed his hands across his chest. “The Great One has many names. But we call Him Abir. It means mighty.”

  “So obviously you’re father, and the one before him chose Abir.”

  “Yes. Just about every dual chooses Abir. Very few have spoken out against him, but I’ve heard the stories over the years of certain duals trying to beg for Abir to take them back after renouncing Runi.”

  Winny could see that being a hard sell.

  “When you choose Runi, you answer to Abaddon.”

  “Evil king got it,” she said easily.

  He snorted before shaking his head. “You have quite a way with words.”

  “I try,” she said tongue in cheek.

  The two were quiet for several moments before he spoke again. “I was telling the truth earlier. About how my mother died. But what I didn’t say was that she was killed by followers of King Abaddon. He was livid that my father was starting to gain more power. He was entering our people into an era of peace and prosperity. Duals of all types were flocking to us, willing to serve Abir if it meant no longer having to worry. Abaddon’s power got weaker, and the few duals he had until his rule were trying to escape. Until he contacted a warlock.”

  “How do you know of this?”

  “Because my father found the warlock and forced him to confess.”

  Winny took the force part to mean that the man was tortured as a means of extracting information.

  “So the warlock admitted to this?”

  “Yes. My father had methods of gaining information that were quite renowned,” he said smugly. She could see the reflection of his black eyes in the mirror and decided she didn’t need those particular details.

  “He explained that a man who worked for my father, I believe he handled his finances, was sick of being subservient to the family. His name was Dollion. And wherever evil lives-”

  “Abaddon has access to,” she finished for him.

  Zahir told her she was correct. “Abaddon promised the man wealth beyond his wildest dreams if he could kill our mother. He knew how much my father loved her, and knew that her death would break him. So he had his son, Raven assist. After that pact was made, and blood was exchanged, Raven appeared. They killed my mother two nights later.” Even now, thinking about his innocent mother being slaughtered caused his chest to tighten.

  “I’ll say it again, but I’m so sorry your mother was killed in such a brutal way.”

  He turned, leaning against the wall and studied her.

  “Not as sorry as Dollion was when my father killed him.”

  “There was one other person who helped with the murder of your mother though, right?”

  He nodded. “Raven. He was in the house waiting below. I saw it all.”

  Akachi was crying hysterically as their mother bled on the hallway floor. Zahir ran over to stand beside his father who was kneeling over his mother’s body. She was gasping for breath, and tears were in her eyes as she looked at Soli, his father.

  “The boys,” she muttered aloud. Tears in his eyes, Soli looked down at the woman who would always have his heart. He saw that she was impaled with a sword filled with poison. It was already spreading to her neck, and he could hear her heart trying, but failing to pump the toxins from her system.

  “They are fine, my Calista. You did good calling for me,” he spoke brokenly. He ran his hand over her flushed face as she offered him a painful smile.

  “I knew you would come for me, Soli… You always do... Protect our boys,” she whispered. He clutched at her hand, holding it to his cheek.

  “I swear it on my life.”

  As she coughed up blood, her grip went slack in his hand. “I love you.”

  “Not as much as I love you,” he whispered back. Soli was torn because he could sense the presence hovering around his house, and he knew what he had to do. No more time could be wasted.

  Akachi was hysterically calling out for their mother until a maid appeared. She quickly took in the situation, grabbed Akachi, and ran down the opposite hall, shouting for help. Zahir saw his mother glance over at him and offer a kind smile. It was one of the last ones she would ever give him, he knew it.

  “My son. I love you. Make sure Akachi knows too.”

  “I will,” Zahir bit out.

  They both watched the life leave her eyes and the moment she was gone, Soli cleared his throat, turning to his son. Zahir saw the battle-hardened man that everyone else feared.

  “Let’s go.”

  Zahir was pulled from his memories by Winny’s hand on his lower back.

  “Zahir,” she breathed.

  He looked down at her before continuing. “I watched my father take Raven by surprise and completely break him down. He staked him to the floor and set him on fire. When you kill a disciple under the house of Runi, they are sent to purgatory for eternity. He had already bled out, and there was no way that he could ever return. My father knew this and rejoiced as he watched the life drain out of his eyes. However, when my father turned his back on him, Raven, in a last-ditch effort used his claws to penetrate my father’s leg. He instantly flooded his body with poison. My father and his physicians were able to keep him alive for several weeks, but in the end, he passed on to the next world.”

  Zahir remembered the pain his father tried to hide from his sons. His strong will was what kept him alive until that point. He made sure to tell Zahir all he needed to know before he met his mother in the next life.

  “My father, Soli, got his revenge. He killed the men responsible for murdering his wife, sending them to an eternity of suffering.”

  “So Raven can never return? Him or his father?”

  Zahir so badly wanted to tell her that she was correct and that he could never return. “It’s no secret as to why the kin
g and his son have a disdain for me and my people. They have somehow found a way to return here.”

  Winny read between the lines, though. She could see what he wasn’t saying. “Is he the reason why Akachi was attacked in my shop weeks ago?”

  “Yes. Well, a follower of his orchestrated it, but yes.”

  “And he’s back? And he wants you dead?”

  “Yes,” he said again, deciding to be brutally honest.

  Suddenly Winny felt sick. Sitting down, she took several deep breaths.

  Zahir frowned before kneeling at her feet. “Winny, breathe with me. Come on,” he said softly. He grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest, just now noticing that his heartbeat seemed to freeze, then start back up again. She closed her eyes and followed his heart, finding herself calming after several rounds of breathing. Her body loosened up, and when she blinked her eyes open, she saw his concerned gaze locked on her.

  “Are you alright?” he asked quietly.

  She sighed before letting her second hand join the first one around his neck. “I am. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. To you or your brother. You mean a lot to me, Zahir,” she said passionately. She could see the flicker of emotion in his eyes, and she knew he understood what she meant.

  “I will try my hardest to make sure no harm comes to me or my brother. You have my word.” He paused before continuing his thought. “I know this is a lot of information to take in, but whatever you need to know, just ask, and I’ll tell you. What are you thinking?” he said watching the different emotions flit across her face.

  She tried for light-heartedness. “I just thought I would spend the time trying to convince you that I’m not some harlot… You know, what we did the other night, and for us to take it slow. But this definitely takes precedence,” she stated.

  He barked out a laugh as he ran his hands up and down her jean clad thighs. “Tell me.”

  “Tell you what?” she asked before scooting to the edge of the couch and into his hand.