33. Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

Iris

I silently watch Remus adjust his clothing from my place across the room. He's uniquely captivating as I watch him. He's fastening a clip in his hair, holding it back in his usual half-up half-down style. The clip is a jewel that I've seen him wear a few times at events. I'm assuming it is another symbol of his status. Remus's eyes shift in the mirror to take me in, and I notice the corner of his mouth twitch as he looks at me. I clench the dress in my hands tighter to my chest from his gaze.

"I don't know how to put this on... and there was no one to help me...," I murmur.

Remus doesn't say another word as he silently holds his hand out to me, and I find myself making my way into the room. His gaze falls to the gown, and he gently pulls it from my hands, helping me into it .

"I thought you might feel more at ease without the presence of slaves or Leviathan," he says.

I don't respond, but I understand now why I haven't seen any since the attack on my brother. Yet again, Remus is showing me consideration. Remus silently fastens the dress's strings, the material hugging my frame. He's very focused on his task, and I take the time to eye him in the mirror. He's easily taller than me, his powerful build making me look weak in comparison. It's just a physical reminder of the war between us.

I can no longer take the silence as my mind wanders to dark places. "Is there really no chance for my planet? Are you really not willing to give us a place in your empire?" I ask.

Remus's eyes meet mine in the mirror, and he seems to be thinking about his words before responding. He lets out a deep breath, and I see the pity in his gaze as he looks at me. "Your race is volatile and self-destructive. There is no place for them in my society, Iris."

"I'm a part of them," I say softly.

"As far as I'm concerned, you are a rare exception to them. You don't fully comprehend just how despicable your people are. You are innocent to their nature."

"But—"

"I won't discuss this with you anymore."

Silence fills the air as I study us in the reflection. Remus breathes in a deep breath, pulling the pin from his hair. He studies it for a moment before gently tucking mine behind my ear. He then places it in my hair to hold it out of my face. "They never deserved you, Iris. They will eat up everything good and innocent to please themselves. The malicious are always in power, leaving the weak to suffer their wrath. They do not do what is best for their people. They do what is in their own interest so that they will have a meaningless mark on a history that is but a speck in the eye of the universe."

"And you aren't doing the same?" I say bitterly. Remus smiles at my comment, placing a kiss atop my head.

"I am giving you a life where you will never be harmed by the selfishness of humanity." His arms gently wrap around me, and he dips his head so that he can place a soft kiss on my throat.

"I am doing the exact opposite of what humanity would offer you."

The Leviathan are celebrating. What, I haven't the slightest clue. I have yet to ask Remus, and he has yet to offer the information to me. I look around the large room in awe. The decorations and lighting are something out of a fairytale. Even the Leviathan are all dressed in extravagant gowns, seeming like fictional creatures rather than an actual race of individuals.

I watch Remus in his element, acknowledging his people with a gentle smile as they greet him. I can't understand what they are saying, but when I take in their expressions I can tell they are overjoyed by his presence. Everyone here seems overjoyed. Even Remus seems uncharacteristically at ease. Since our arrival, instead of placing me behind him as usual, Remus keeps me at his side, his hand gently placed around my waist, not like a slave but like his equal. I'm not even wearing the usual inhibitor he makes me wear at events like these. Could he be that confident that I am willing to remain by his side in exchange for my brother's life?

"Remus!" I'm pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of a familiar voice. I look up to see Zaya approaching us, her eyes shining in excitement. Remus smiles back and begins speaking to her in their native tongue. Whatever their conversation is about, Remus seems genuine in his joy.

Zaya is very conversational with Remus. Remus smiles at her as she speaks, his eyes focused on her features as he actually listens to everything she has to say instead of being polite as he is with other Leviathan. He responds to her, engaging in their conversation. As I watch the two of them interact, a dislike blooms in my chest of what I am seeing, and I hate myself for even feeling this way about the two of them. As if sensing my thoughts, Remus looks away from Zaya, his attention focusing on me for a moment, and I instantly turn away, trying to hide my feelings.

Remus releases a soft chuckle, briefly ending his conversation with Zaya as he places his hand on the small of my back to lead me away to the center of the room where most Leviathan are dancing. He doesn't miss a beat as he gently wraps his arm around my waist, gracefully lifting me so that my feet rest atop his. My gown fans out enough that it covers our feet, giving us the illusion of dancing .

"Are you alright?" Remus asks gently. I look up at him, hating the way my heart frantically beats as I take in his gentle expression—a stark contrast to our dynamic at the first Leviathan event we attended together. So much has changed since then.

My grip on his arm tightens as my thoughts bombard me.

"I feel strange. Ever since...," I trail off, not knowing how to broach the subject, but lucky for me, I don't have to.

"Strange?" Remus asks. I immediately look away, my cheeks burning at the thought of having to voice my emotions. Remus chuckles, speaking my thoughts.

"You don't have to be jealous of Zaya, Iris."

"I'm not jealous," I snap. Remus scoffs at my reaction, and I tense when I feel his lips hovering over the sensitive area of my neck.

"I know you, Iris. Everything about you is an open book. You don't have to lie to me," he murmurs.

"I'm not jealous," I repeat. I look at Remus with anger in my eyes.

"I would never be jealous of you. You're despicable," I hiss. Remus's smile widens, and he looks away from me.

"Of course," he says. I use the opportunity to look around the room at the inhabitants of the society, and I notice they are all very excited. There seems to be an aura in the air.

"Speak your mind," Remus says over me.

"They all look so happy," I say. Remus nods, looking at them as well.

"They have known security, peace, and a thriving society their whole lives. How could they be anything but?" he says. I don't respond, looking at his people. He's right. I've seen every part of Remus's society from the top to the bottom, and on every level, they are happy. Content . Remus has somehow given that to them.

"Not bad for a despicable ruler," he adds.

Everyone is too excited as if they are anticipating something.

"What is this celebration for?" I ask. Remus watches me momentarily, his eyes searching my expression before he gently places his hand in mine.

"How perceptive you are." He doesn't say another word as he leads me toward the balcony, away from the party. We step onto the balcony, and I can still hear the music from inside playing. I take in the scenery around me, noting that we're sitting near the ocean. So the air is warm.

"Can you see it?" Remus asks. I follow his gaze, but I can't see anything.

"See what?"

"The main port."

My eyes widen as I look ahead, but I can't see anything. This is the place I told Jude about—the one I couldn't figure out the exact location of because I didn't remember Earth's geography. And Remus is showing it to me. Remus takes in my struggling situation and chuckles softly. "Don't worry. You're human, so your eyes can't see that far, but it's there."

"What does the port have to do with this celebration?" I ask.

"It's the only reason Zaya was so excited speaking to me. She and my sister are very close. She's as excited as everyone else about her arrival tonight," Remus says .

My heart slams against my chest from his words.

"What?" I ask in a shaky whisper. His attention remains focused on the port, though.

"We're celebrating Xion's arrival."

I suddenly feel dizzy. Xion is arriving. She's coming here to Earth.

"Why? Why is she coming here?" I ask. Remus notices my tone, watching me with a strange expression. He opens his mouth to respond, suddenly tensing. I tense as well when I feel a slight tremor ripple over the land, shaking the building. Remus's expression is stone as he looks out over the ocean, and I follow his gaze, my eyes widening from the sight. It's an explosion. I couldn't see the port, but I can now see the flames and smoke. Just as I notice it, the doors to the balcony fly open, and a panicked Leviathan steps out, shouting something at Remus.

Remus tenses beside me, quipping his response, and I notice the Leviathan paling. Remus doesn't respond as he grabs ahold of my hand, pulling me back into the party. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I take in Remus's demeanor. I haven't seen him this way since our first encounter in the blight. He finds Zaya, snapping something to her quickly before looking at me.

"Do not leave her side," he snaps. That's all he offers as he speeds out of the room, leaving me with Zaya. My eyes widen, and I look at her in a panic.

"What's happening?" I ask. She doesn't respond, though. Her eyes are narrowed, and her muscles are tense as she looks around the room. Out of nowhere, a commotion happens. It's barely noticeable at first, only a few dishes crashing. But then, the screams happen. The Leviathan around me breaks out in panic just as the lights dim slightly.

Zaya pushes me behind her, looking around with a narrowed gaze. "We are being attacked."

The room is so massive that I can't see what's happening until I feel a hard pull on my arm, yanking me away from Zaya. I barely have time to register who it is when I'm looking into a pair of familiar green eyes.

"Cypress?" I shout. He doesn't respond as he steps in front of me, his weapon aimed at Zaya. She's watching him with an amused expression. The weapon he's holding illuminates from the beam of energy rushing through it. Zaya crouches slightly in a combative stance, ready to attack, but Cypress doesn't let her get that far, firing the weapon. A high-pitched wave of sound fills the air as the weapon fires, hitting Zaya straight in the chest. The force of the weapon fires her through the crowd and into the nearest column, the material collapsing from the sheer force.

My eyes are wide as I take in the rubble, waiting for her to get up. But she doesn't.

"Oh my God," I whisper. More rebels storm the room, firing their weapons at unsuspecting Leviathan to create more chaos. Cypress still doesn't speak as he kneels, pulling a blade from his ankle holster. He then turns to me and begins cutting the bottom of my dress away. I note that the commotion surrounding us grows impossibly loud as some Leviathan remain and fight while others clear out into halls .

"What's happening?" I ask in a panic.

Cypress tosses the remains of my dress, standing to his full height.

"We're getting you out," he says. He clasps my hand in his, pulling me out of the room and into the fray with other Leviathan. I look around, my heart fluttering as hope courses through me. Then, I remember Remus. But as I look at Cypress, he isn't concerned with the leader of the Leviathan race. He only seems concerned with getting me out.

He finds his way easily through the building, leading me up several flights of stairs, and it dawns on me that we're heading to the rooftop. Cypress kicks open the door, and the wind whips around me from the altitude of the building. More rebels fan out from behind us, and as I look over the rooftop, I notice near the edge that they've created a zip line, some already making their escape down it to the ground.

Cypress pulls me along with him, barking off orders that the surrounding rebels immediately adhere to. I watch Cypress in his element, joy filling me when I see he has no scars from the rebel attack at Remus's home. I have so many questions for him but now doesn't seem like the time to ask.

"Is hers ready?" he shouts gruffly to the rebel manning the zip line. He nods in response, tossing a belt to Cypress, who immediately turns to me and begins fastening it around my waist.

"How did you do that?" I ask, referring to the weapon. Cypress chuckles gruffly, roughly pulling at the ties around my waist before looking at me. He pulls me toward the zip line as he speaks .

"That was a weapon curated for the Leviathan scum. Worked beautifully, huh?" he asks. I slowly nod as I think of the rubble with Zaya's body in it. Zaya was one of the generals Remus chose to serve him during his time on Earth, meaning she was insanely strong, and Cypress took her out with a single blow.

"Are the charges set?" Cypress shouts, pulling me out of my thoughts. The rebels confirm their places with Cypress just as the doors to the rooftop are blasted open. Leviathan come charging out of the stairwell with weapons firing, and the rebels start screaming orders. The rebel Cypress spoke to only seconds ago starts shouting at us.

"Go, go, go! We'll detonate as soon as you hit the ground!" he shouts.

My eyes widen, but Cypress wastes no time.

"Hold on!" he shouts. I notice that he doesn't have anything attached to the line as he jumps with me, holding onto my equipment as we make our way down the building. Gravity pulls us fast to the bottom. It only takes a few seconds, but it feels like hours as my mind shifts to Remus. He's not going to be happy, especially after the compromise I made with him. I scream as the explosion from the rooftop sounds behind us. When I turn to look, the explosion sends a blue wave of energy through the sky, and the zip line grows lax just as we're a few feet from the bottom.

We crash into the street, rolling uncontrollably from the speed that we came in. Other rebels immediately surround us, helping me out of the belt, and as I stand to look at the building, it occurs to me that everyone up there is now dead .

They sacrificed themselves.

Hands are around my face, pulling me into focus. "Are you okay? You're not hurt?" Cypress shouts at me, but I can't manage to form a sentence. I slowly nod, and he takes that for what it is, pulling me toward the hidden alley full of motorbikes. There are already humans strapping on their weapons and gear to prepare for their departure. The bikes are made for two people. One place for someone to drive and the other for someone to shoot. These have clearly been modified for combat, as I notice more rebels locking their weapons to the front of some.

I follow Cypress to his waiting bike as he pulls the weapon he used on Zaya from his back, prepping for his departure.

"The information you gave Jude was great, Iris. Without you, we never would have been able to coordinate an attack on their main port. And when we figured out one of the siblings was coming to our planet, we had the perfect opportunity to implement that attack," Cypress says.

"You did that?" I ask, referring to the giant plume of smoke that was enough to pull Remus's attention away from the party.

"Yeah. We destroyed the whole damn port with his sister in it. There's no way she survived," Cypress says as he pulls a pulsing canister from his bike's bag, attaching it to the weapon he used on Zaya.

Against my wishes, my mind shifts to Remus, and I push down the fear in my chest from the wrath he'll execute on this planet once he finds out .

Cypress smiles, patting the pulsing canister lightly as he speaks. "After our little encounter, we made some major modifications to our weapons. This releases a concentrated blast that breaks down its target on a molecular level. If he comes, we'll be ready." Cypress quickly straps his weapon to the front of his bike, grabbing a simpler one from his passing comrades.

"Ready to rollout?" he shouts.

"Yes, sir!" The echo of compliance fills the air, and as I look around, I notice Cypress is the only one with this updated weapon. It looks like the production of it isn't where it should be for them to bring more than one. Cypress presses the simpler weapon against me, and I grab it out of reaction.

"We'll be sitting ducks if we can't defend ourselves. Can I trust you?" he asks.

He's watching me cautiously, and I know what he's truly asking. Am I with him? The last time I saw him, I tried convincing him to give up this fight. And now, he's risked everything in coming back for me. Even if we can't win, Remus can't hold his life over my head any longer. Not if I'm with him. Not if I can fight and die alongside him. Remus was right. I only lost my drive. But not my will. I clench the weapon to my chest, smiling.

"Hell yeah," I say.

Cypress smiles, jumping on his bike. It comes to life with a roar, and everyone else follows suit. I quickly strap myself in, pulling my helmet on. The bike jerks and takes off through the streets of Leviathan City with the other rebels in tow. I feel excitement blooming in my chest. I feel hope and joy, and along with the people around me, I release a battle cry of excitement. Remus was wrong. He was wrong about it all.

Cypress came back for me. Me.

The rebels all fan out in a planned formation on their bikes as we speed through the city. They all know the way, no doubt, from their infiltration of the society. I note that the rebels who aren't driving are holding their weapons as they wait for an attack, and I follow suit, my finger hovering over the trigger.

"We're almost to the edge of the city." I hear Cypress's voice through the mic of the helmet. But I don't respond as the rebels next to us seem to have lost control. I look at them with wide eyes, my chest squeezing in fear as something unnatural happens. The bike and its inhabitants are crushed.

"Shit!" Cypress screams just as another one of the rebels is pulled at an inhuman speed ahead of us, their bike never reaching our attacker as it shatters into splinters of blood and debris. I shift my attention ahead of us to see a figure standing in the center of the road. His white hair billows menacingly around him as he glares at us with a sinister glint in his glowing purple gaze. Their plan of distracting him with the port has backfired. He is here, and he is out for blood.

"Cypress?" I scream.

The other rebels have noticed our situation and have begun firing their weapons at Remus, none of which are doing anything to harm him. They've also slowed their advances. I take in the failing situation, as whole explosives are fired at Remus and do nothing to him. It's like the attack at his home. He only deflected it, the weapon destroying the area around him but leaving him with not even a scratch. There are so many weapons firing at him that it illuminates the area surrounding him like a beam of light.

"Shoot, Iris, shoot!" I hear Cypress screaming at me, but my brain is working faster than I can process. Remus isn't someone you can fight head-on. We've seen this on many occasions. I wrack my brain for a solution as the rebels halt their bikes, Cypress as well, and continue firing at Remus.

"Iris, shoot!" Cypress screams. I lift the weapon, eyeing Remus as my finger hovers over the trigger. It won't work. Remus can deflect any attack or just stop it. And that's if he doesn't kill us first from this distance. Remus's eyes shift in my direction, looking at me directly through the scope. I release a gasp, lowering my weapon.

"Dammit, Iris!" Cypress yanks his weapon from me, walking toward Remus with it aimed, and Remus's eyes glow brightly in excitement at the prospect of killing my brother in front of me. I sprint toward Cypress, ready to sacrifice myself to save him, and my mind immediately shifts to my earlier conversation with Remus.

"You would do anything to protect those you care about. You care about what happens to them more than what happens to yourself... It is a trait we both share."

I take off toward Cypress, pulling my helmet off so that I can have better aim.

"Cypress, stop!" I scream as I reach him. I use all my weight to wrench his arm at an uncomfortable angle, using his momentum to flip us just as I saw Zaya do that day during training. Cypress cries out in pain, but I manage to get the weapon from him, using my foot to hold myself up on the ground. I look through the lens, aiming at Remus just as he begins his terrifying stride toward us. His smile widens as he takes me in, shaking his head at my decision.

I suck in a deep breath, feeling my last piece of innocence dissolve as I shift my weapon away from Remus, aiming it at a building. A building filled with life. Leviathan life. Tears brim my eyes as the reality of what I'm about to do hits me, making me no better than the alien who approaches me with the intent to kill.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Shock crosses Remus's features as I fire the weapon past him, and he realizes the direction of my aim. A beam of light shoots from the weapon, firing toward the building. Remus doesn't hesitate as he turns in that direction, his features filled with rage as he holds his hand out to stop the projectile from hitting innocent Leviathan.

I throw Cypress's weapon down, reaching for his bike to find the newest weapon he bragged about. I hold it up, locking onto Remus through the scope, and I release a calming breath to steady myself as I fire.