We Shall Rise

by J. E. Hopkins

  Reysa bristled at that comment. She could not understand how two brothers could be filled with so much hate for each other, although she suspected that Julian was the one drowning in hatred for Kaden. Kaden cared for Julian more than he would ever admit. She could see it in the way he watched out for his younger brother without him knowing.

  “Julian, look at me. I’m not some wilting flower. I am fully capable of protecting myself. I appreciate your wish to rescue me, but I’m not that girl who needs a knight-in-shining-armor to come rescue her from a fire-breathing dragon. I don’t need to be saved. I’m more likely to kick someone’s ass, as I just did to your brother, than to have my ass kicked. I’ve been protecting myself since I was a child. I don’t need you or anyone else to come into my life and play hero. I’m not the damsel in distress. I’m my own savior.”

  “You have a point,” Julian begrudgingly acknowledged eliciting a smile from Reysa, “but please understand that I don’t want to lose anyone else who matters to me. If I can help you stay safe, I have to try. I beg you not to fall for my brother’s charms. He will use your emotions against you. No good comes from loving Kaden. Once you are stuck in his web of destruction, there’s no escape. I’ve been trapped my whole miserable life. Don’t become a prisoner of his darkness.”

  A frustrated Reysa released Julian’s hand and sat on the pile of debris. For the past few weeks, all any of her friends told her was to stay away from Kaden, Kaden is evil, Kaden will only hurt her. Even her internal buzzer rang repeatedly every time her body stirred at the sight of Kaden’s jade eyes, broad chest and devastating smile. She was tired of all the warnings. She knew there was more to him than the bad seed everyone else saw, but Kaden made it so hard to see the good in him. Some days, she struggled to remember that there was more to Kaden than the bad boy façade he presented. No matter how hard she tried, she could not force Kaden to step out from behind the shadows and welcome the light. It was ultimately his choice, but he always seemed to make the wrong ones.

  “Jules, I wish I could help him, but I can’t if he won’t help himself. I just think it’s a waste. He has so much to offer, but he refuses to see it and I can’t make him see. If he chooses willful blindness, then I have to choose to let go. I can’t get caught up in his destructiveness. I have too many people who depend on me including a very impressionable daughter. I can’t devote everything to him at the expense of everything and everyone else. Not if he’s not willing to try. I just wish you could help him, Jules. You’re brothers. Blood brothers. I would give my life, my soul, my world for my sister, Lina. We do not share blood, but we share a bond of love no blood relation could exceed. I know he’s hurt you, but I also see how much he regrets it and wants to make amends with you if you would allow it.”

  Julian’s flustered blue eyes focused on Reysa’s. “Amends? Are you serious? As soon as I let him in, he will just destroy the little life I have left. He’s spent a lifetime trying to ruin me. I’m not going to make it easy for him to strip me of everything. Kaden is a disease that spreads and continues to gnaw at you year after year until all you have left is the incurable disease and no desire to survive anymore. The disease won’t kill you, but it will make you want to die just to escape it. I’ve been infected for 164 years and I’m not sure how much longer I can survive my brother’s poison.”

  His pained words horrified a shaken Reysa. Her eyes were fighting back tears she was too proud to let escape. “Don’t feel sorry for me Reysa. I’ve spent years pitying myself and I’ve hurt myself in the process. Just do me the favor of saving yourself from Kaden. Stay strong and fight whatever feelings you think you may have for him. Please don’t allow him to infect you with this disease. Don’t end up a miserable mess like me. Do that for me.”

  It felt like a tug of war for her heart, and with every passing moment, it splintered further as she struggled to balance her new, but cherished friendship with Julian and her unstoppable yearning for Kaden. She would have to fight this unwelcomed need for Kaden for the sake of all she loved and herself. She leaned into Julian resting her head on his shoulder. “I wish things could have been different for you and him. My heart breaks for you two. I will try to do as you ask, but I’m asking you to do something for me as well. Forgive him. Not for him, but for you. That’s the only way your soul will find peace. Kaden is not the disease you’re trying to survive. It’s the bitterness and resentment you feel that’s hurting you. Trust me I know this. Those negative emotions eat away at you until there’s nothing left and you can’t even see happiness when it’s staring you right in the face. The only cure for this is forgiveness. You’ll never forget what he’s done nor do you have to pretend like the past never happened, but you can’t continue to allow those past memories to destroy your present and future. Kaden can’t hurt you Jules. Only you can hurt yourself.”

  Reysa expected Julian to push her away, but he didn’t move. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder as they sat in silence. The only sounds were the crickets chirping and the other creatures of the night stirring.

  After several minutes of quiet, Julian broke the silence, “I don’t know how to let go. Will you help me?”

  Reysa sighed in relief. He was not angry as she feared he would react. His voice was so heartbreakingly saddened. He was like a lost child waiting to be found but no one ever stopped to help him. Reysa vowed to be the one to help him find his way. She gently touched Julian’s face. “We’ll help each other,” she promised as she kissed him on the cheek.

  Reysa noticed the sweat beading on Julian’s forehead before she felt her own body begin to swelter. Although it was in the mid-nineties, vampires were not typically affected by the weather.

  Suddenly Reysa was overwhelmed by a sudden intense stifling heat that made it difficult to breathe. She looked at Julian who didn’t seem to be the least surprised by the abrupt heat wave. Before she could ask, she felt him. She could feel the heat of his eyes on her. She slowly turned to face those jade eyes she normally loved to see, but now glimmered a violent shade as flames surrounded his pupils.

  The temperature started to decrease again which seemed to annoy Kaden further. Those furious eyes were now focused on Julian who no longer seemed to be bothered by the heat. He was countering the intense heat with an arctic blast that sent chills down Reysa’s right side, while her left still sweltered from the inferno Kaden had unleashed.

  Fire and ice—Kaden and Julian. Vampire brothers who were so opposite that it was hard to believe the same blood flowed through their veins.

  They were two predators ready to attack waiting for the slightest provocation. Reysa had witnessed such a scene before. The fire and ice show nearly resulted in Helena’s escape, but fortunately, her incubus brother Liam killed her before she could hurt anyone else. Another nice set of siblings, Reysa thought. Was she the only one who actually liked her sibling?

  Reysa snapped back into focus as she watched Kaden swirl a ball of fire which seemed to grow larger and larger with every spin of his hand. Julian responded in kind creating what looked like an ultra-sharp ice blade. The volcano was about to erupt in a blaze of fire and ice.

  “Enough with the testosterone display!” Reysa demanded. Both brothers looked at her curiously. “Seriously guys, are you compensating for something? This is a childish game of my balls are bigger than yours. Both of you are trying to outdo the other with your powers. It’s silly and immature. Now that you’ve both showed off your special powers, can you stop now? You’re killing me here. Part of me needs to defrost and the other part is melting. Thank God vampires don’t catch human illnesses otherwise I would have pneumonia thanks to you clowns and your supersized egos.”

  Surprisingly, Kaden withdrew the heat immediately leaving Reysa a shivering mess from Julian’s frost. “J-Jules, ssstop the bbbblizzard,” Reysa asked as her teeth chattered. Julian was too shocked from Kaden’s unexpected capitulation to respond quickly enough. Before he could act, Kaden grabbed Reysa and held her tightly in his
arms instantly warming her. She melted in his grasp partly relieved from the cold, but mostly comforted from finally being in the arms her body craved to feel.

  Julian ceased the cold, but Kaden did not let go of Reysa. He couldn’t let her go. Seeing her with his brother was worse than any torture he had suffered in his life including his father’s special brand of torment.

  He could not help but finally understand how much his affair with Helena hurt Julian. As much as he regretted causing that pain, he could not allow his brother to seek his revenge by taking Reysa from him. Kaden could not have Reysa, but he would not allow his brother to have her either. She would not become the pawn they used to best the other.

  Kaden was unaccustomed to such feelings of jealousy and possessiveness, but his mind instinctively knew to protect what was his even if he wasn’t willing to be with her. Julian might be the better choice for her and he should graciously step aside and allow them to find happiness together, but the very thought incensed him as he tightened his hold on Reysa.

  Mine.

  Logically, Kaden knew that Reysa had not shown any interest in Julian other than friendship. There was never a hint of arousal when she was with Julian. Only he evoked that reaction from her yet he still felt this intense need to keep them apart. That’s why he had to continue to work with them to find Yasmine. He could not allow them to be alone. His mind would imagine intimacies shared between them and he knew he would succumb to the evil he fought so hard to suppress. Madness would overtake him. He would kill Julian if he touched her just as Julian should have killed him for taking Helena. Julian was too moral and righteous to give Kaden the punishment he deserved. Kaden would not be so kind to his little brother.

  “Ah, Kaden, thanks for warming me up, but now you’re starting to break my ribs. I need to breathe.” Reysa shoved him lightly.

  Kaden loosened his grip, but did not let her go. He needed more time as he may not have another opportunity to hold her so closely. He finally felt like he was where he belonged.

  “Look guys, I think we need a break,” Reysa admitted as she eased herself from Kaden’s grasp immediately missing his warmth. “We haven’t found anything yet and although I’m not giving up, I think we need to regroup and come up with new, credible leads. I’m going back home to stay. I’ve been in and out too much over the last few weeks. I need to be home. No offense to you boys, but I miss my family of Misfits. Let’s take a few days to clear our heads so we can think and come up with something that makes sense. Right now, we are no closer to finding Yasmine and I fear we are too stressed to think straight.”

  “You’re right,” Julian admitted. “We need to start fresh. We’re running around in circles and that’s not helping Yasmine.”

  “Well, I could use a trip to Vegas,” Kaden chimed in, surprising Reysa.

  “I thought you might want to spend your time elsewhere like with your mother,” Reysa hoped Kaden would take her not so subtle hint. She needed time away from him. He was too much of a distraction. Time away was the only way to squelch this agonizing need for him.

  “My mother’s in Italy with stepdaddy Lucian,” Kaden acknowledged bitterly. “I think she’s busy enough making up for lost time with him. She doesn’t need me around now. I would rather let loose in Vegas for a few days and get to know your fellow Misfits some more. I’m kind of fascinated by your collection of immortal mutts.”

  “Don’t talk about them like that,” Reysa defended. “They’re my family. If you attack them, then you attack me.”

  “I meant no harm. I’m just curious about them and I would like to get to know them better. It’s not like you see that kind of thing every day. I’ve been around a long time but I never saw so many other races of immortals. The little time I spent at The Lore, I didn’t pay attention to all the different species around me. I plan to make up for that now. It’s time I learn about my fellow monsters.”

  “They prefer to remain hidden. They don’t have to worry about the reactions of ignorant humans nor do they have to face discrimination from other elitist immortals who assume their full blood equals superiority.”

  “We full bloods are a bunch of elitist SOB’s, are we?” Kaden smiled at Reysa. Once he flashed that dimple, she forgot how mad she was at him. That quickly, her body was beckoning him once again.

  “Not all of you, but too many are and I fear the consequences of such prejudice.”

  “I promise to treat your fellow Misfits the same as I would treat anyone else. I don’t discriminate. I’m a universal equal opportunity jerk. I pretty much hate everyone.”

  “Liar. Just keep in mind Kaden that my friends are not toys for your amusement. Some of them are considerably powerful just like you and they would not hesitate to destroy you if they felt threatened. This isn’t a game. For your own safety, you better play nice.”

  “I’m always nice, sweetheart,” Kaden winked at a frustrated Reysa who could only roll her eyes.

  II

  “Welcome to my home, boys.” Reysa had dematerialized Kaden and Julian back to her house in the desert near her club in Vegas. Kaden still marveled at her ability to travel to any location she desired in a matter of mere minutes. Many vampires could dematerialize themselves, but to travel with others was one of Reysa’s special gifts. Overuse of her ability drained her considerably, but a drained Reysa could still defeat most beings with her blade skills.

  Kaden looked at the huge three story lavender house enclosed in a lavender and white picket fence. Large bay windows adorned the front allowing plenty of natural light to brighten the house. The front yard included a basketball court and swing set. The ideal play yard for a modern family.

  Parked in the driveway were a scorching red Ferrari, deep purple Hummer and three black Porsche Boxsters. This could have been a house of a very successful human family with an odd fixation on purple. There was no hint of the darkness and gothic beauty that many vampires chose.

  Kaden and Julian followed Reysa inside and gaped at the opulence displayed in the home. It wasn’t the lead bit gauche. Every detail was elegantly constructed and decorated with earth tones that made this house feel welcoming. This was nothing like what Kaden had expected. Reysa somehow always managed to surprise him.

  “What?” Reysa asked Kaden. He arched his eyebrow in surprise. “That baffled expression is written all over your face. Why are you so surprised? Did you assume I was poor?”

  “Not poor necessarily, but not living like this. This house is amazing even though it is purple.”

  “Heavenly Lilac is the shade,” Reysa corrected.

  Kaden wanted to tease her about the color, but she looked so pleased that he didn’t want to disappoint her even as a joke. That was a first for him. He never cared about hurting feelings before. “It seems like a lot for one person or two.”

  “Well, that’s because about five people live here regularly and hundreds visit all the time. We need this much space.”

  “Five?”

  “Alejandro occupies the entire basement level. My sister, Lina, has several rooms on the second floor and there are a bunch of guest rooms there as well. The third floor belongs to me, Christian, and Tatiana. It’s like a separate apartment, but there’s plenty of space for Tatiana to play and draw. She’s an artist.”

  “Let’s go see your apartment.” Kaden could accept Lina living with Reysa and Alejandro, her pet cat shifter, but he was unsettled by the thought of the half-breed lycan Christian living with her. He shouldn’t have been surprised, considering they shared a child and were disgustingly close. He wanted to believe they were just friends but something about that relationship bugged him. Maybe it was the way Christian acted as if Reysa was his. That proprietary hold he had on Reysa whenever they were together. Reysa never seemed to mind either which annoyed Kaden even more. No doubt she would beat the crap out of any other man who acted like he owned her, but she allowed Christian this liberty.

  Reysa walked up the winding staircase pointing out Lina’s roo
ms and describing all the artwork displayed. Reysa was a huge Salvador Dali fan and somehow purchased several original works and many more reproductions that mirrored originals. Each room had its own theme reflecting the cultures of the inhabitants and their friends: there was an Asian tea room, a Moroccan styled meditation room, a Latin dance room, a Venetian masquerade room filled with the city’s infamous glamorous masks and a Brazilian carnivale room that included amazing costumes and pictures of Reysa and her friends celebrating the festivities. This was clearly a house that embraced levity and peace. Misery did not belong within these hallowed walls.

  They continued to Reysa’s rooms on the third floor. This apartment was filled with kid toys. It was like a slightly smaller version of Toys 'R Us. There were a combination of very girlie toys like Barbie and princess furniture but there were also cars, trucks, train sets and every other toy a boy would love.

  “This is not all my fault,” Reysa grinned sheepishly a little embarrassed by the barrage of toys.

  “She can’t possibly play with all these toys,” Kaden surmised. He could not fathom all of this for one child. He and Julian barely had any toys with which to play as their father never believed in play. Life was about labor and sacrifice. There was no fun or pleasure in their home.

  He reached for the toy train that was so perfectly hand painted and carved with the finest of wood. Kaden always had a passion for woodwork, a passion he turned into a profession years ago, but no one in his family knew. He had earned a small fortune with his talent, as he created some of the finest handcrafted wood furniture in the country. He doubted anyone would believe him if he told them. It was easier to imagine him destroying beauty rather than creating it.