Chapter 1
Nattie sat on the edge of the building with Matilda strapped to her bare belly in a baby carrier. Her skimpy outfit barely covered her breasts. She knew she was showing plenty of ass. Victoria sat beside her, totally naked. Matilda wore only a diaper. Even though it was after dark, the temperatures still lingered in the eighties.
Down below, they watched Rene and Ian ride by. Rene was driving the horse cart. Because it was almost pitch-black out for Rene, she was wearing night-vision goggles. The Sex Festival was well underway.
Nattie flared her nostrils as a scent wafted by in the light breeze. She recognized it and stood. Slowly she spun, looking around the rooftop, but didn’t see the person she smelled.
‘I know you’re out there,’ she said.
‘Who?,’ Victoria said.
Nattie could see her daughter was still staring down into the street and hadn’t given the scent any notice. On the rooftop across from her, on the other side of the street, she could see people dancing, unnoticed by the non-Viperian or Undent residents. To her ears, the music was noticeable with a strong beat that made anyone want to dance. She knew Undents wouldn’t be able to hear it at all. The planners of this year’s festival had added a degree of thrill by challenging everyone to enjoy the festival without any Undents figuring it out. Most of the festival was being held on the roof tops. Bridges linked the gaps that people couldn’t jump across.
A warm arm wrapped around her bare waist, giving Matilda a gentle nudge. Another hand gently brushing against a breast. Warm lips caressed her right ear.
‘I expected to keep you away. I have Matilda here,’ she said.
‘You can’t keep me away during the one time of the year I can get a way with it. A baby only makes you more desirable.’
Nattie attempted to step away from Anpu, but he moved with her and planted warm lips on hers. She let him have his kiss, but determined when it was long enough, and stepped away with more effort. Anpu’s arm lingered but a moment, then he was gone. Nattie swore he was the quietest Viperian she had ever not heard.
She completed a slow spin to make sure he was gone, only to stop at the sight of another man not far from her. He sat in a low crouch. She almost thought he was Viperian. He had the typical black hair and the same green glint to his eyes. However, the darkness of his skin told her he saw more sunshine than this city ever enjoyed. His loincloth wasn’t the usual cloth Viperian males wore during the Sex Festival. And knives weren’t allowed. She saw he wore a knife at the waist and one strapped to an ankle. He also carried what she swore was a bow with arrows.
“Are you lost?” she said in English, but received no response from the man.
He, however, stared at her. She felt more like he was ogling her, since he had a slight smile on his lips.
‘Victoria.’ Her warning made her daughter slide away from the edge of the building and move closer to her.
‘Uri,’ the man said in a faint voice that sounded more like he breathed the name rather than used his vocal chords.
Nattie felt surprised the man spoke Viperian.
‘Uri? I’ll find him.’
‘I’ll call him,’ Victoria said.
‘Why don’t you send Tail?’
‘Tail needs to stay here.’ Victoria took a deep breath, then bellowed out a single word. ‘Daddy.’
Tail was not only Victoria’s pet, but her little guard cat. The cat did anything Victoria asked of her.
‘There are dozens of daddys out there,” Nattie said.
“I’m the only one who has a daddy here,” Victoria said.
Nattie knew that was true. Children weren’t allowed at the festival. Only because this building wasn’t part of the rooftops designated for the festival was why her children could be there. They were living here until Uri had completed the remodeling at their house. She kept thinking he liked it here too much by how he kept finding more things to remodel.
A moment after Victoria called, Nattie heard Uri’s name spread through the crowd.
‘He’s coming,’ someone responded from across the way.
Nattie nodded at the voice, but kept her eye on the man. He had a dangerous look to him. His smell was very different from any thing she had known. There were hints of salt, like he had spent some time at sea, as well as earthy tones like he spent time in a green house. She could also smell that he hadn’t bathed in a while.
Whispers swelled around her, letting her know that everyone else had become aware of this man. She could hear the excitement about his presence, which made her wonder if people knew what he was all about.
Uri suddenly landed with a flying leap onto the roof top.
‘Eelon.’
Uri and the man ran at each other and embraced.
‘You know him?,’ Nattie said.
‘Yes, this is Eelon.’
‘Eelon,’ Eelon said, gesturing at himself.
‘This is Nattie. I am her man,’ Uri said, introducing her.
Nattie almost laughed. Uri usually said that the other way around, that she was his woman.
‘What are you here for? It’s always trouble,’ Uri said.
‘Trouble,’ Eelon said. ‘Trees disappearing.’
‘Damn deforestation.’
‘What do you mean, trees disappearing?,’ Nattie said.
‘Eelon is from the homeland. Where Viperians originated.’
Uri suddenly switched to English. “We need my mother and Tia. Victoria. Call for them. You have the voice.”
“You’ll explain this, I hope?” Nattie said.
“In due time.” He switched back to Viperian. ‘When did you arrive?,’
‘Now,’ Eelon said.
‘Ship?’
‘Yes. Ship.’
‘A steamer?,’ Nattie said.
‘No, cargo,’ Uri said. ‘Steamers don’t come from South America.’
‘He’s from…’
‘Auntie. Grandma.’ Victoria’s voice echoed around them.
The festival felt like someone had hit the pause button. Nattie saw the buildings surrounding them filling up with curious faces. However, no one came over to the same building they were on. Nattie even noticed Bonnie, Mag and Zena stayed across the street from them, despite they lived here, too. She wondered why. Was Eelon dangerous? And here she stood with both her young daughters?
A strange electric crackle swept overhead. It was the warning signal that Undents were sighted and were of concern. The area planners had arranged a lights out to honor fallen veterans of past wars. This meant no one was allowed to have any outside lights on. And if they had lights on inside, drapes had to be closed so no lights were visible. So far, as of day one of the Festival, every Undent was honoring the request.
Moments after the crackle, Uri’s mother, Rayna, appeared on the building across the way. Nattie knew she couldn’t jump the gap like Uri had. She didn’t even know how he had accomplished the jump since no one could jump across an entire street. It was actually easier to jump down from the building, even though it was three storeys tall, walk across the street, and climb up the other building.
“I’m telling you this is the perfect time. Some sort of lights out. No one’s around.”
Everyone turned toward the voices. Nattie edged back over to the roof edge to peer over. Three teenage boys were walking down the street. One held a flashlight to allow them to see the road, but they walked right past the horse cart, which was now stopped so Rene could pick up some passengers. It was so dark out and everyone was being so quiet, including the horse, who had pads to soften his footsteps, that the teens hadn’t heard or seen anyone.
‘Heave ho.’
Nattie looked up in time to see two men, one was Anpu, swing Rayna between them and throw her across the street. Uri deftly caught her and gently placed her on the ground.
‘Deal with them first,’ Rayna said to Uri, motioning toward the teens. “Sit. Stay, Eelon.”
Eelon bowed, then squatted like a dog.
Uri, with bright eyes, moved over to the edge of the building and dropped down.
“You’re not supposed to be out,” Rene said, stopping the teens in their tracks. The one swung the flashlight around, but failed to flash it back far enough to see Rene.
Nattie knew Rene’s voice had echoed, making it impossible for the teens to tell from where it came from.
“It’s a free country,” one of the teens said, showing his sass.
“Do you live here?” Uri said. “You don’t look like you do. You’re interfering with a private party.”
The teens jumped at his voice, but also couldn’t identify where he was, despite he was only a few feet behind them.
‘You have my blessing to make them party of the party,’ Rayna said, causing excitement to ripple through the crowd.
Nattie watched Rene expertly command the horse to walk sideways to turn the wagon totally around. Then hundreds of Viperians dropped from the rooftops.
Nattie thought this was a little out of character for Rayna.
“I’ll explain later,” Rayna said to her questioning glance.
The teens’ flashlight disappeared, but Nattie’s eyes could still see them surrounded by Viperians. In another moment, they were stripped of their clothing. Two people each grabbed a hand of one teen, then climbed using their free hand up the building, suspending the teen between them.
The teens were silent and looked terrified. Nattie hadn’t seen anyone bite them. But she figured they had glimpsed enough of hundreds of half-naked people to be worried. The other two teens were lifted up to the rooftop in the same manner.
Tia appeared on the rooftop across from them. Anpu and another did the same as they did with Rayna and threw her across. She didn’t need to be caught and landed gracefully.
‘Eelon.’
‘Tia.’ He bowed his head toward her.
‘Looks like we are on for a trip,’ Tia said.
Nattie noticed her voice was neutral, but she had turned away from Eelon and looked more concerned.
“Always trouble when Eelon shows up,” Rayna said.
“Do we have to leave now?” Tia said.
“His ship just came in. There’s a turnaround time,” Nattie said, having learned a lot about ships in the past years.
“Tomorrow at earliest. Where’s Grazie, Tia?” Rayna watched the crowd with the teens.
“Last I knew he was challenging Mina and her sister, Char, to a knife throwing contest.”
“Glutton for punishment.”
Tia shrugged, but smiled.
Nattie knew Tia and Grazie were a tight couple, very much in love. They were planning on having another child together, but Tia hadn’t liked the timing of things yet. They had a house full of kids since Grazie had inherited five of Sherri’s children. Adding their own son, Grazon, and Tia’s daughter, Theresa, from a previous relationship, resulted in seven children at home. Considering Viperians had a preference for more the merrier, Nattie didn’t know why Tia was hesitant.
“You have to travel to South America?” Nattie said.
Rayna eyed her. “You don’t know about this, yet, but you’ll have to go too. Since Uri has a woman, you have to go with him.”
“She’ll have to know what to do with Eelon and when we get there,” Tia said.
“We have lots of time to talk on the ship.”
Tia grimaced. “Can’t we fly?”
“We have to travel back with Eelon. He can’t fly commercial. Besides, we’ll be lucky enough to get him into the helicopter.”
“I can’t leave my business and the children,” Nattie said.
“You’ll bring the children. It’s required.”
Nattie noted Rayna had a very authoritative tone to her voice. Rayna wasn’t on the Council and had no political aspirations. However, this event told her something was very different. She knew better than to question any more.
“I can’t bring Grazie,” Tia said. “He has too much to do here.”
“No. He can stay,” Rayna said. “At least you have enough clout to be without him.”
Nattie spied the three teens surrounded by Viperian women. “They’ll be sore by the end of the night.”
“No biting,” Rayna said. “They’ll wear out quickly.”
Biting was also prohibited during festival.
“So who all has to go?” Nattie said.
“Me, Tia, you, and Uri. The girls.” Rayna gestured at Victoria and Matilda.
“Uri can use some clout,” Tia said with a grin. “He’ll need all three of his women.”
“Yeah. It was always annoying the last time we had to go. Uri had to formally ask my permission every time he needed to do something. Now, he can just ask or drag along Nattie.”
“Once you’ve introduced her.”
“Yes, once she’s introduced.”
“I don’t know if I should be intrigued or worried,” Nattie said.
“It’s a delicate dance,” Rayna said. “I’ll explain later. This isn’t something that can be discussed out in the open.”
Uri appeared at the edge of the roof, where he climbed up the wall. He gave Victoria’s foot a gentle tug, before he hauled himself onto the roof. “They’ll dance them until they’re tired. Get them drunk, then deposit them near the police station at dawn.”
“Excellent,” Rayna said.
‘Leopard.’
Nattie turned at Eelon’s voice, then followed his eyes. He was staring at Tail.
‘Her name is Tail,’ Nattie said.
‘Victoria rules her,’ Rayna said, then switched to English. “That will keep him from killing her.”
Nattie looked concerned. “Killing my daughter or the cat?”
“The cat,” Rayna said. “Leopards or cats are considered dangerous and are usually avoided or killed, but only if necessary. It’s usually considered bad luck… with Eelon’s people.”
“We’ll definitely not bring Tail with us,” Nattie said.
“There is so much she needs to know,” Tia said with a shake of her head.
“We have time. We have to teach Victoria as well. You really should bring Theresa. She’s only been down there once. And that was years ago. I wonder if she even remembers,” Rayna said.
Tia grimaced again. “Yes, you might be right. She is eldest daughter. Victoria and Matilda aren’t really in line.”
“No,” Rayna said with a shake of her head.
“In line for what?” Nattie said.
“Later,” Rayna said. “No more. Can we get some meat over here for Eelon?”
“I’ll see to it,” Tia said.
Nattie watched her dash off down the row of buildings.
“Smells like Anpu got his yearly kiss in,” Rayna said.
“Yes. Is he going to do that forever?” Nattie noted that Uri seemed to ignore the conversation.
“Probably. He’ll be the first one courting you should Uri die.”
“As long as he doesn’t hurry Uri’s demise.”
Rayna chuckled. “No. He’d never do that. He knows you wouldn’t like that. No one wants to get on your bad side.”
Victoria bounced and clapped at the edge of the roof.
‘What’s going on?’ Nattie edged over by her.
‘Lady walking her dog. She can’t see and ran into the light post.’
‘Oh, dear. Now she’s seeing stars,’ Nattie said.
Victoria giggled.
Nattie could see the dog with its tail between its legs. It could sense the party and probably hear the music.
‘She’s going in now,’ Victoria said.
There was a brief flash of light when the woman opened the door to her apartment building. Then it was dark again.
Noises behind them caused everyone to turn. Grazie appeared, carrying a tray. He had come up the stairs to the roof.
‘Eelon. Good to see you.’
Eelon nodded, but didn’t greet him like he had with Uri. In fact, he never even stood from his squatting position
Grazie set the tray down on the ground by him.
‘Eat. Drink.’ Rayna said, gesturing at Eelon.
Nattie saw raw meat and a bottle of beer on the tray.
“Beer?”
“A treat. He doesn’t drink sanguine tea. Blood, yes. But we can’t offer that to him. Not proper.”
“Tia will be back soon,” Grazie said. “When do you have to leave?”
“Depends on the ship,” Rayna said.
“I’ll go find that out.”
“Please.”
Grazie disappeared the way he had come. Eelon chugged the beer and snarfed up all the meat.
Nattie squatted down and joined Victoria on the edge of the roof.
‘Anyone else?’
‘No, momma. Can we have some meat?’
‘Tell daddy you need some.’
‘Daddy?’
‘Sorry, I’m at the festival,’ Uri said.
Nattie knew he was kidding, however, Victoria responded like he wasn’t.
‘Daddy. Meat.’ Victoria said in a demanding voice as if she was ordering a servant.
Uri bowed at her, causing her to giggle. ‘Yes, ma’am. I’m on it.’
He left the same way Grazie had gone.
Rayna chuckled. ‘You tell him, Victoria.’
‘Girls rule,’ Victoria said.
‘What have Bonnie, Mag, and Zena been teaching you?,’ Nattie said.
‘That girls rule,’ Victoria said matter of fact.
Rayna joined them to sit on the edge of the roof. ‘It is nice here.’
‘I don’t think Uri wants to go live in a big empty house. He likes it here too much.’
‘You, two children, three employees, and Bonnie’s daughter don’t make an empty house.’
‘I think he’s envious of Grazie and his busy household.’
Tia reappeared and joined them.
Nattie almost felt rude that they sat with their backs to Eelon, but Rayna and Tia didn’t seem concerned.
‘Grazie is getting the ship schedule,’ Rayna said to Tia.
“That’s a long trip,” Tia said in a quiet voice. “You know there probably isn’t a rat left on that ship. I’m betting Eelon ate them all. He looks awfully hungry.”
“Rats?” Nattie said.
“We’ll bring supplies. Uri will love to fish,” Rayna said.
“Fresh seafood would be nice,” Tia said with a lick of her lips.
“How long a trip is it?” Nattie said, noticing her question on rats was ignored.
“The last time we went we hit a storm and it took about three weeks.”
“Three weeks?” Nattie thought of the supplies she needed for two children.
“This is a good time of year to travel,” Tia said. “More like seven to ten days.”
“And we can get tickets that quickly? I didn’t know they allowed passengers on a cargo ship.” Nattie didn’t like the look Rayna gave her.
“There are no tickets. They don’t take passengers.”
