39. Juliet

I eatthe last of the food Sutton had packed for me as Silas disconnects the generator from the truck.

"I wonder if there's anything in New York," he muses out loud. "Some of the covens that were unhappy in Boston moved there."

"I went to New York once, when I was 13."

He smiles over his shoulder at me. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, my mom took me to MOMA."

"Oh, that place was amazing."

"You've been?"

"It was the first place I wanted to go when we landed in the states," he says with a laugh. "Sorry angel, I hate to tell you that you're married to a horrendous art nerd."

Our eyes meet as he seems to realize what he just said, and we both smile widely. Married. I don't care that it wasn't a proper ceremony. It doesn't matter.

"I think I can handle that." I get to my feet, and he leans back against the truck as I approach him. I drape my arms around his neck. "We can be horrendous art nerds together."

He strokes his fingers through my hair. "We can indeed." He plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. "Now, let's get going. I want to make good ground before nightfall."

We climb into the truck, leaving the unconventional location of our wedding behind us, and my hand finds Silas's on the shift as we drive. The sun is beating down, and the sky is as blue as a robin's egg. It's a perfect day, and I keep gazing across at Silas - at my husband. God, the word makes me so giddy. He keeps his eyes on the road as he lifts my hand to his lips.

"Alright, angel?"

"More than alright." I move across the seat and snuggle under his arm. "I guess this is our honeymoon, huh?"

He laughs out loud. "You want to pull over and make it official?"

My gaze wanders out the windshield as I laugh, but it's cut off quickly. I choke on thin air as I lean forward.

"What the fuck is that?"

Silas slams on the brakes. "Holy fuck."

"Silas, what the fuck?" My head whips around to look at him. "What is that? Are those-"

"Tanks. They've got fucking tanks."

We sit on the ridge, overlooking the sprawling valley below us, and watch as the caravan of tanks rolling along behind an immense herd of Afflicted throws up dust from the broken highway. The large red and blue letters - NG - are visible even from here.

"It's the National Guard." I run a hand over my mouth, feeling sweat break out over my upper lip at the sight of all those Afflicted. "They're still using the Afflicted. What the hell is wrong with them?"

"They're headed south." Silas turns to me, his face dark.

"Where do you think they're going?"

"If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say Roanoke."

I gasp, shaking my head. "No, no way, why would they attack humans?"

"They think it's vamps as well." He looks back out the windshield. "The rumor that vamps lived there had spread to Savannah, there's no reason to think it wouldn't have spread even further."

"They're going to kill them all. Oh my god, there are kids there."

Silas guns the engine, throwing the truck into reverse and executing a turn amidst a squeal of tires, before shooting back down the way we came.

"We've got to warn them," he says, reaching over to take my hand. "It'll be alright, we'll move much faster than them. We'll get there, and warn them. They'll have time to get out of there."

"Do you think they'll listen to us?"

Silas's jaw ticks. "I bloody well hope so."

I'm sure we didn't drive that far from Roanoke, but my palms itch with every passing mile, every minute that ticks over. I keep checking over my shoulder, like I'll suddenly see a cavalcade of tanks behind us, or Afflicted climbing into the bed of the truck. Silas keeps trying to reassure me, but I'm beyond panic now.

Finally, we're on the outskirts of Roanoke.

"How long do you think it'll take them to get here?" I ask, scrubbing my hands along my thighs.

"I don't know, a few hours? Maybe? It's hard to say." He gazes up at the sky, where iridescent silver clouds are starting to gather. "It almost looks like snow. That'll hold them up."

"How are 800 people going to find shelter out here in the wild when it's snowing?" My eyes begin to sting, because this whole situation feels so fucking hopeless. "And there's those bandits, what if there's more of them?"

Silas brings the truck to a sudden stop, and reaches over to me. He pulls me close, kissing me hard. His mouth is so warm, and I try to steady my wild heart rate, holding on to him with everything I've got.

"It's going to be alright," he murmurs, looking deeply into my eyes. "It's going to be alright, angel. I promise you. No matter what, I'll keep you safe."

"Don't leave me."

"Come on now, let's get in there and help these people." He lets me go, and I stay right beside him on the seat as we head for the gates of the colony. Silas starts blaring the horn, and I wind my window down, waving my arms wildly as I lean out the side of the truck.

"Open up!" I shout as loudly as I can, the cold air burning my throat and my lungs. "Open the gate!"

We come to a stop and jump out, continuing to wave and shout.

"There's danger!" Silas yells to the guard tower gesturing back the way we came. "Open the gates!"

Almost immediately, the gate begins to groan and shift, rolling open slowly. Two guards emerge, having clearly thrown their body armor on quickly, the buckles on the side dangling open.

"What's going on?" One of them asks, clutching his assault rifle across his chest. At least they're not pointed at us.

"The National Guard are coming." The words bubble out of me almost hysterically. "They raided our compound down in Georgia using Afflicted, and now they're going to do the same to you."

The guards glance at each other, jaws dropping.

"What the - what do you mean?" The taller one takes a step closer, looking from me to Silas and back. "We're a human colony, why would the National Guard come here?"

"When I was in Savannah, I was told there were vamps living here with you. It's more than likely the National Guard have heard that rumor too." Silas's voice is deep with worry, his hands spread in front of him. "We need to get everyone out of here now."

"What's going on?" Sutton's voice rings behind the guards, and they step aside, one of them jerking his thumb in our direction.

"These two think the National Guard are bringing Afflicted here to take us out." The guard rubs a hand over the back of his neck, shifting on his feet. "Jesus Christ."

"Don't panic just yet," Sutton says, eyeing us uncertainly. "Why are the National Guard using Afflicted? As a weapon? A diversion?"

"More like a battering ram." Silas replies. "They did it in Milledgeville, sent the Afflicted in before storming the compound themselves. It was a disaster. They didn't take out any vamps, but 20 humans died. It was a bloodbath."

Sutton's eyes widen slightly. "Oh shit."

"And as I was just telling your men here, they more than likely think there are vamps here. I'd heard there were, they probably have too."

"Where are they now?" Sutton crosses her arms over her chest, no doubt trying to disguise her trembling hands.

"About 25 miles north of here, or they were when we spotted them. They have tanks so-"

"Tanks?" Sutton cuts Silas off with an exclamation. "They have tanks?"

"Afraid so. But they're traveling behind Afflicted, so it's slow going. We have time."

"Time?" Sutton runs a hand over her head, bracing the other one against her waist. "Jesus Christ, we have 800 people in here. There are old folks, kids, pregnant folks, I mean…" She trails off, covering her face with her hands. "Oh my god."

"Let us help." I step forward and take her hands. "I know we're just two people, but we have a truck, we can take some in the back, and help you get people to safety."

"How do we know they're coming here?" She asks, clearly grasping at hope. "Maybe they're going somewhere else."

"There's nothing else around here, boss." The shorter guard's words bring Sutton's hope crashing down. I can see it in her face, as her brow furrows, her teeth clenched.

"No, I guess there isn't." She holds on to my hands, leaning on them heavily. "We worked so hard to keep everyone safe."

"Maybe we can barricade ourselves in?" The taller guard says.

Silas shakes his head. "Listen, I wouldn't recommend that. The Afflicted, they're insanely strong."

"No, he's right." Sutton nods her head slowly. "We have a better chance here than out there in the wild."

"Listen, your systems are good, but this horde is huge." Silas's voice rings with urgency. " You need to get out of here."

"And then what?" Sutton lets go of my hands, straightening her shoulders. "Then I have 800 people out there, in the woods, with no shelter, no food?"

"Please, you need to get out of here." I take a step closer to Sutton. "I don't want that to happen to you. It was awful. Please."

Her face falls with a look of defeat, and she nods. With a heavy sigh, she gestures sharply for us to follow.

"Bring in your truck, we'll send up the alarms and get folks moving."

Silas nods and turns tail, and I follow him back to the truck as Sutton barks commands to the guards.

"Thank god she listened," he mutters, driving in slowly after the guards. "I thought we were going to have a fight on our hands for a second there."

"So did I." I look over my shoulder to see Sutton talking to the gate guards. She gestures to the barrier wall, crossing her arm over her chest and casting a glance at the truck "What is she doing?"

"What do you mean?" Silas looks in the rear view, his eyes widening as the gate begins to close. "What is she doing?" He brings the truck to a stop and we both jump down as the gate rolls shut and the guards begin to chain it up. "Ey! What the hell are you doing? We need to get these people out of here!"

Sutton faces us with pursed lips. "I changed my mind."

"You what?" Silas holds his hands up."You have to listen to me, this is-"

"I don't have to do anything." Sutton interjects, one of the guards appearing at her side. "I have 800 people to think about here. Pregnant people, old folks, little babies. It's going to snow tonight. I can't keep 800 people safe in the woods."

"The Afflicted are going to tear those people apart!" I shake my head, moving towards her, a movement she mirrors exactly as she takes three steps away from me. "These people are going to die!"

"The National Guard aren't going to attack a human colony. I'll make contact with them, and they'll back down."

"They aren't going to give you time to do that!" Silas runs his hands over his head, turning away to brace a hand against his waist. At that moment three little kids run across the road, laughing and chasing a ball. Silas rounds back on Sutton, his expression pained. "Please, we have to get these people to safety. The National Guard will shoot first and ask questions afterwards. You won't stand a chance."

"I disagree." Sutton's face remains maddeningly calm as she looks at us both. "I appreciate the fact you came to warn us. I don't forget a favor like that, and I will pay my dues."

"I don't need your favors, lady, I need these people, these kids, to fucking survive." Silas points behind him towards the buildings. "All these people-"

"Are my responsibility, and they're safe here."

"Well, we're not staying here." I meet Silas's gaze and jerk my thumb towards the truck. "Let's get out of here."

"That gate isn't opening."

Silas and I both gape at Sutton. "You're locking us up?" I ask incredulously.

"I'm keeping you both safe for the night. You'll be free to leave in the morning." Sutton waves to the guard. "Take them to lock-up. They"re our guests til morning, then they're free to do what they like." She walks away, leaving us staring at her back.

"We are in lockdown until dawn," a staccato voice says. "I repeat, lockdown conditions until dawn."

The guard holds out his hands for the truck keys. "I'll be taking those for now."

Silas and I exchange a glance. We're powerless here. Locked in with armed guards, and innocent civilians. Fighting back is futile. With a sigh, Silas drops the truck keys in the guard's hand.

"Any firearms?" The guard asks, jerking his chin in the direction of the truck.

"Three, but no ammunition," Silas replies. "There is a bag in there I"d like to get out, if it's all the same to you."

The guard's eyes narrow. "What's in it?"

"Just some clothes, a cassette tape, notebook and a locket. Nothing that can be used as a weapon."

The guard scoffs. "No, you got those right in your mouth there."

Silas squares his shoulders. "I'm not a danger to you."

"Good." The guard nods. "Go on ahead and get your bag. Then you gotta come in here with me." He points to a building beside us with bars lining the windows. "It's the isolation wing."

"You're going to lock us up?" I ask. "You didn't lock me up when I was here."

"Well, you weren't here with a feeder then, were you?" The guard's hands flex around the barrel of his rifle. "We're not going to take any chances. Don't worry. You'll be plenty comfortable."

"Fine." Silas turns on his heel and takes the bag from the back seat, putting it over his shoulder before we follow the guard into the building. We walk through wide double doors, into the lobby of what appears to have once been a bank. The patterned carpet underfoot is threadbare but clean, the strange blue and yellow pattern faded.

We're taken through a large room and up a set of stairs. Down a long corridor, the guard stops and opens a door, staying outside as he waves us in. The room looks like a motel room, with a double bed, a lamp and a door that I'm guessing leads to the bathroom.

"Towels are in there," the guard says, pointing at the door. "Stay put and behave yourselves, you might even have a nice night here. I'll have food brought to you, but it's going to be quiet with a lockdown in place." He moves to close the door, then stops. "Oh, and don't turn the light on after sundown." He regards Silas with a cocked eyebrow. "I guess with your freaky eyes that won't be a problem."

"Hey!" I snap, but he's already closing the door. "Jesus, what an asshole."

"Can't blame him," Silas replies quietly, taking the bag from his shoulder and placing it at the end of the bed. "Not like vamps have done a whole lot to gain anyone's trust."

"He still doesn't have to be an asshole," I grumble, and Silas gives me a smile.

"So defensive, angel. Anyone would think you liked me."

"Ha, ha." I put my arms around his waist and give him a weak smile. "So, what was that about a honeymoon?"

"Locked up in an old bank while World War Three is about to break out. Truly the stuff of dreams."

I hate the feeling of dread that creeps up on me, the sick sensation of my stomach dropping as I take in what Silas just said.

"You think there's even a chance that Sutton is right? That they'll be able to contact them and stop an attack?

"Sure." Silas sweeps my hair over my shoulders, dropping his gaze from mine. "Absolutely. If they send someone out, or put up signals, anything. It could work. If they find the frequency the Guard is on, they might be able to communicate what this place really is. It could all be fine. And maybe we really are in the safest place we can be."

He doesn't sound convinced, and I chew my lip, mulling over all the possibilities. Maybe we will be safe here. Maybe we won't be. If it ends up like Milledgeville…

"Hey."

I look up at Silas, and he smiles softly.

"It's going to be OK."

I scoff out a shaky laugh. "Yeah, of course it is."

He pulls me down onto the bed with him, and I settle my head on his chest with a heavy sigh.

"Where are we going first, ey?"

"First?" I frown at him. "What do you mean?"

"When this is all over. When the world's back to normal." His fingertips stroke my cheek. "You get first pick. Where are we going?"

Indulging in the fantasy hurts more than I thought it would. Like spinning a globe in my mind, I lie there thinking of all the places I want to go, all the things I wanted to see, before. Before.

"Paris."

Silas raises his eyebrows. "Oh, yeah? You ever been?"

"Yeah, when I was a kid. It was amazing."

"Paris it is then." He wraps his arms around me, holding me close, kissing the top of my head. "Perfect location for a honeymoon."

A siren drones softly in the distance, and I hold on to Silas, quietly praying. Please let this all pass. Let the world go back to normal. I don't even need Paris. I just need him. Please, let us get out of this alive.