Judgment (The Alternate Earth Series, Book 3) (7 page)

Gabe’s smile looks so self-assured that I can’t help but believe in his vision.

“And we’re a go, people!” I hear Josh call out to everyone.

Mason takes my hand, and we turn to watch the holographic monitor above Josh’s workstation.

Josh turns in his chair to look at Brand. “Should I upload it now?”

Brand looks down at the Empress of China.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this, Jai Lin?” Brand’s worry for the empress is obvious by the strained expression on his face.

Jai Lin holds her head up a little higher and nods. “It’s time we stood up to them,” she declares to everyone in the room. “Please, play it now, Josh.”

Josh turns back around and hits a single button on his keyboard.

With a single stroke, a true revolution is born.

The screen turns black. The sweet notes of a flute invade the airwaves, and I know without having to be told that Chandler is the one who composed the music. I begin to feel a sense of loss until a single pinpoint of light ignites in the middle of the screen. The music slowly begins to change to a tune of hope. The light grows brighter as the camera zooms in on a solitary figure, Jai Lin. She’s wearing a simple, white, clean-cut dress and standing slightly off-center to the camera.

As she looks directly into the lens, she says, “People of the Earth. It’s time for you to stop pretending the world is not coming to an end. Open your eyes and look at what has happened to us since Ravan Draeke became President of the United States. I know many of you viewed her as our savior when the world was thrown into chaos by the Great Quake. I am here to tell you that Ravan was part of the cause of that quake, and took advantage of you when you were at your most vulnerable.

“She is not who she pretends to be, and neither are those closest to her. Deep down in your hearts, you know what I say is true. If you still doubt my words, please watch this video and see how little Ravan cares about humanity. She may be human, but she is in league with the devil himself. I implore you to keep an open mind, and consider everything that has happened since she came into power. Please, do not turn off your televisions or radios. What you are about to witness was taken by one of our operatives. I believe after you view this footage, you will see Ravan Draeke the same way I do, as an opportunist with an evil, world-ending agenda.”

The video changes to the one I took of Ravan and Lucian. I can only imagine how angry Lucian is right now. I’m sure he’s viewing this message, just like the rest of the world is. His true nature is about to be uncovered for the entire world to see. He will be identified as the villain of the story, just as he should be.

Once my part of the video ends, Jai Lin reappears on the screen.

“What you just witnessed was not staged or fabricated. All of it is true.” Jai Lin turns fully to the camera and stares deeply into its lens, connecting with her audience. The music Chandler plays in the background of the video takes on a faster beat, like a drum of war, making my heart race with anticipation. “You and I must stand together and fight against Ravan and those who help her rule this world. If we don’t do something now, it’s quite possible we won’t have a world left to live in. Think about your children and loved ones. Don’t you want to leave them a world where a tyrant isn’t telling you how you should live, where you should work, what you can buy? I refused to allow my people to be marked by President Draeke’s red dragon tattoo. It is a symbol of evil, and I have not allowed it to be flown from any building in China. Tear down these symbols of hate, and show her that humanity is stronger than she thinks. Rise up and defend the world you live in. Stand by my side and fight alongside me and my people, to retake what rightfully belongs to us. Join our cause and save our world!”

The screen goes black again. Everyone in the room begins to clap and whistle. They all turn to Jai Lin and bow in her direction. She, in turn, bows to them, showing her respect f or them as well.

“How many people do you think just saw that?” I ask Mason.

“Enough, I hope,” he replies, not sounding as confident as everyone else in the room seems.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s always dangerous to stir up a hornets’ nest,” he tells me. “And we’ve just rattled the largest one of all. If Lucian wasn’t out for our blood before, he certainly will be now. I’m not sure he’ll let any of us live if he ever catches us.”

“Then we just don’t let him catch us,” I say, thinking it’s the perfect solution to the problem.

“That might be easier said than done,” Mason counters. “First, we embarrassed him at the party for Xavier, and now this. I’m just glad he doesn’t know where we are right now.”

“Well, maybe we shouldn’t dwell on things that we can’t exactly prepare for beforehand,” I tell Mason.

He looks down at me and nods. “You’re right. We probably shouldn’t. We seem to have our own problems to work out at the moment.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a problem. It’s just an awkward situation that we need to find the solution to.”

“Solution?” Malcolm says to us, obviously overhearing our conversation. “What do you need help with?”

“It’s really not something you can help with, Malcolm,” Mason replies, looking uncomfortable talking about my possible cure.

“Try me,” Malcolm challenges. “I’ve never met a problem I couldn’t find a solution to. What do you need?”

“Matches,” I say with a sigh, confident Malcolm won’t understand what I’m talking about.

Malcolm looks at me in shock, causing me to laugh out loud.

Apparently, our super-secret code word isn’t entirely secret; at least not to our friends. For that, I’m silently grateful because I really didn’t want to have to spell it out for him.

Thank God, I didn’t have to mime it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“So you and Jess need to have sex,” Malcolm says matter-of-factly without lowering the timbre of his voice. Of course, his choice of words draws the attention of those around us. “What’s the problem? It’s not like the two of you don’t go at it like rabbits every chance you get.”

“Malcolm,” Mason says, like a warning of imminent bodily harm, “Jess doesn’t exactly remember who she is, much less who I am. Not within context of our…habits, anyway.”

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Gabe pipes in, making my humiliation complete, “how exactly is sex supposed to help Jess recover her memories?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Mason admits.

“Hey, Rafe!” Malcolm yells across the room to our resident doctor, who is standing quietly in a corner of the room speaking with Nina. When Rafe lifts his head to look in our direction, Malcolm says, “We need a doctor’s opinion about something!”

Rafe nods his head, letting Malcolm know he heard him and is on his way.

I notice Rafe take Nina’s hand into his as they walk through the crowd towards us. It was such a natural gesture, that I immediately assume the two of them must be a couple. I’m sure that piece of knowledge is locked up inside my brain somewhere. It’s obvious neither of them is trying to hide the way they feel about one another.

“What do you need my opinion about?” Rafe asks Malcolm, after he and Nina join us.

“Michael thinks Jess needs to have sex with Mason in order to get her memories back,” Malcolm tells Rafe. “I’m assuming there has to be some sort of physiological reason behind it. What do you think?”

Rafe doesn’t laugh at the theory like I thought he would. He considers it seriously before answering.

“Well,” Rafe begins, “it could be that when Ravan tried to phase Jess into Heaven, her brain completely shut down during that time to protect her. Since our brains are a bit like computers, it could be that Jess needs something similar to a reboot.”

“But how will having sex do that for me?” I ask, curious to know the answer.

“When people have sex,” Rafe begins to explain to me, “the lateral orbitofrontal cortex in the brain shuts down. It’s the part of the brain that controls self-evaluation, reason, and control. With all of that disabled, you also shut down all of your fear and anxiety. If you’re able to have an orgasm while having sex with Mason, the activity in your amygdala and hippocampus will slow down to a point that you will enter into a trance-like state. A large amount of dopamine and a chemical called oxytocin will also be released into your system, which is believed to stimulate the love felt between lovers. There are a lot of other chemical reactions which occur during an orgasm, of course, but I think those two chemicals are the ones that might help reboot your brain and recover your memories. The closeness you share with Mason has always had the ability to open up your mind, Jess.”

“Oh, yeah,” Gabe says, “I remember Chandler telling me he helped Jess when you were still trying to find all us vessels. He said the closer you got to Mason, the easier it became to connect with us.”

Malcolm slaps Mason on the back. “Think you’re up for the challenge?”

Mason lifts one eyebrow as he looks over at Malcolm. “What do you think?”

Malcolm shrugs. “Considering the way you two go on and on about matches and marshmallows, I have to assume Jess has always liked your style.”

Marshmallows? I’m scared to even ask what
that’s
a code word for.

I begin to bite the inside of my bottom lip, and quietly scan the room to see if there’s a table I can go hide underneath for the rest of my life.

Mason casually grabs my hand. “If you would all excuse us for a moment, I think Jess and I should have a talk in private.”

Mason doesn’t wait for any responses from our friends. He simply phases us up to our room.

“You looked like you needed a minute away from all of that,” he tells me, standing still and letting me come to terms with the conversation we just had with the others.

“It’s just weird,” I start to confess, “to think sex might be able to bring my memories back.”

Mason rubs the tips of his fingers against the back of my hand. It brings me a sense of comfort, but doesn’t completely take away my anxiety.

“Well, this is never going to work if you’re uncomfortable,” Mason sighs. I know he doesn’t blame me for the situation we find ourselves in, but I can’t deny the guilt I feel either.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him.

“Don’t be, Jess. None of this is your fault. I promise I’ll find a way to help you.” He sounds so confident in his pledge to me, that all I can do is believe in him.

“In fact,” he says, lowering his head as he considers something, “after hearing what Rafe just said, I think I might have an idea that will help.”

“Which is,” I say as I let out an unintentional yawn. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I’m just feeling a little tired.”

“Why don’t you lie down and try to take a nap?” Mason suggests. “It’ll give me some time to set things up.”

“So are you going to tell me what you’re up to, or is it supposed to be a surprise?”

Mason smiles. “Why don’t we let it be a surprise for now?”

“Do I like surprises?”

Mason shrugs. “Depends. I think you’ll like this one, though. Just put a little faith in me, Jess.”

“I trust you,” I tell him earnestly. “I may not remember a lot about our life together, but trusting you comes naturally, just like loving you.”

Mason brings me into his arms and holds me close. It’s a hug that expects nothing, but conveys everything. I feel loved and protected. A welling of love for Mason bubbles to the surface again, making me tear up with emotions. When I sniff, Mason tries to pull away, but I fiercely grab his shirt with both hands and keep him close as I rest my head on his chest.

“No,” I tell him, snuggling my head against him, “don’t move. I’m all right.”

Mason rubs my back in a comforting up and down motion. “Then why are you crying, Jess?”

I shake my head a little. “It’s not because I’m sad,” I reassure him. “I’m just enjoying the feeling of being loved, so just keep holding me.”

“I can do that,” Mason tells me, sounding pleased by my request.

I’m not sure how long we just stand there. I feel too comfortable to want to move a muscle. Finally, I feel Mason pick me up in his arms, like I’m as light as a feather. He lays me on the bed and takes my shoes off before covering me with a blanket. He leans over and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.

“Why don’t you rest for a little while?” he suggests. “I’m going to go get your surprise ready.”

“Don’t let me oversleep,” I say, even as my eyelids close of their own accord.

“I won’t. I promise.”

I’m not sure how long I sleep, but I do dream this time. I dream about a red dragon chasing me down a dark city street. At one point, the road comes to an abrupt end, like a cliff. I look over the edge and see an ocean of black water, crashing in waves against the rock face. Breathing hard, I spin around and find that the dragon is so close I can feel and smell its acrid breath wash across my face.

As I stare into its soulless eyes, my hatred for the creature standing in front of me overcomes my fear.

“You won’t beat us!” I yell defiantly. “I’m stronger than you think. I know who I am. Do you?”

The dragon rears back and lets out a furious roar. It lunges towards me, its open mouth filled with fire. I purposely lean backwards off the cliff and fall, waking up with a jerk.

“Oh! She is awake!”

Startled, I instantly sit up and look around to find JoJo, Leah, and Nina in the bedroom with me.

“Umm, why are you all in here?” I ask, confused by their presence and Mason’s absence. For some reason, I expected him to be waiting for me to awaken.

“We are here to help you get ready!” JoJo says happily as she comes to sit on my side of the bed. Leah and Nina gather behind her.

“Ready for what?” I ask. “Mason’s surprise for me?”

“
Oui
,
mon
ami
,” JoJo says with a nod of her head.

“Do you know what the surprise is?”

“
Oui
,” JoJo says, but leaves it at that.

“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me what it is…”

“I am allowed to tell you that Gabe and I will be joining you for supper,” JoJo says happily. “We are to have a double date. But beyond that, you will just have to wait and see.”

I sigh, knowing it’s the most I will probably get out of JoJo.

I look up at Nina and have to ask, “You and Rafe won’t be joining us for supper?”

“I wish,” Nina says with a roll of her eyes, looking rather annoyed. “Rafe made me promise I would take him out so he can help heal people. I love him for the way he cares about others, but sometimes he scares me with his determination to help everyone all the time.”

“So why do I need help getting ready?” I ask the trio. “Am I that bad at cleaning myself up?”

Leah giggles. “No, Jess. Mason just didn’t want you to be alone, is all. He’s still working on your surprise. It’s taking him longer than he thought because he needs to get something from Xavier.”

“What does he need to get from him?”

Leah smiles. “You’ll just have to wait and see…”

I sigh, knowing I won’t get any answers from my friends.

“Well, I guess we’d better get started,” I tell them. “What do you need me to do first?”

“Not to sound rude,” JoJo says, “but you need to shower yourself first. After that, we will handle the rest!”

I didn’t take offense to JoJo’s suggestion. I was fully aware of my disheveled appearance.

I take my time in the shower, feeling no need to rush through it. If this evening ends the way I hope it will, I definitely want Mason to find me thoroughly clean. Just the thought of making love with Mason instantly makes my heart begin to race, and my body feel a few degrees warmer. I turn up the cold water in the shower to help cool my skin off before hopping out.

Even though I understand Mason and I have made love hundreds of times in the past, if not more, just thinking about his hands caressing my body and teasing certain parts expertly makes me feel flushed. The only problem with tonight is that everyone knows exactly what Mason and I are going to attempt. It is a little…no…a lot… embarrassing.

The ladies do, indeed, help me get ready for my big night with Mason. Leah applies a little makeup to my face, but keeps it light and natural. I can only assume that it’s the way I normally wear it. Nina dries my hair with a towel and brushes it out straight for me, only using a flat iron to smooth out the ends.

“I feel kind of silly sitting here and letting the three of you doll me up,” I confess.

“Nonsense,” JoJo says with a wave of her hand in my direction. She continues to study three dresses I saw her lay out on the bed earlier. “Now, which one of these will be the easiest for Mason to remove…?”

Involuntarily, I cough because I just choked on my own spit after hearing JoJo’s words.

“Hey,” Nina tells me, “at least she’s not trying to decide which one he can rip off the fastest.”

“Yeah,” Leah looks over at JoJo, “how come, JoJo? You’re normally all for the ripping off of dresses.”

“Psshh,” JoJo says with another wave of her hand at us. “Mason will be a gentle lover tonight. I can tell by the way he looks at Jess.”

“How is he looking at me?” I ask, embarrassed. “Like a wounded animal?”

“Like he loves you more than anything else in this world,” JoJo says, as if correcting me. “And that is
exactly
the way he feels about you. If you had your memories, you would know that without question,
mon
cheri
.”

I sigh, wishing for the hundredth time that I could remember my life.

“I’m going to get them back,” I say confidently. “I know I will.”

It doesn’t take long to get ready after that. JoJo decides I should wear a sleeveless blue dress that is simple and elegant in design. She chooses to wear a white floral dress from the ones on the bed.

I soon learn that I love being around JoJo. Her love for life is so infectious you don’t even realize when it is you started to smile while you’re with her. As she spins around, showing me how the skirt she designed flares out, I find myself giggling along with her.

“I won’t be able to wear such pretty things for too much longer,” JoJo tells me, covering her belly protectively with both hands.

“Are you pregnant?” I ask, understanding the universal signal of a new mother.

“
Oui
,” JoJo says happily. “It’s so strange to break the news to you twice.”

“Congratulations!” I tell her, giving her a hug. It just seems like the natural thing to do with JoJo.

“Thank you,
mon
ami
,” JoJo says, hugging me back.

“Ok, well, I hate to brush hair and run,” Nina says to us, “but the longer I make my man wait, the grumpier he’s likely to get.”