46. Pax
Chapter 46
Pax
Six Months Later
“ R eady?” Viggo asked, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “Hard to believe it’s already been a month since the last meeting.”
“Really?” I asked dryly. “It feels like we were just here. But I guess it’s different when you just get to sit back and watch.”
He chuckled. “Oh, come on. I’m doing as much work as you.”
We entered the building, and Viggo lit up his cigarette, nodding at a group of humans who were walking past. Most of them nodded in silent greeting before continuing on their way. I watched them go, shock flaring in my chest like it did every time we came here. Most knew my face because of these meetings. They were aware I was a Shadow, yet they didn’t show fear or hatred.
It was what Kali wanted—for all of us to live in peace.
The first couple of months after the night that changed everything had been a hellish mess. The Shadows who survived that night continued to work alongside the Clovers. Most of the vampires scattered, though a few chose to follow me and Viggo. We were still watching them closely, but so far, they hadn’t caused any trouble.
As of today, there were no more human project cities. While PARA had put up a fight, they couldn’t keep their control. It wasn’t even the Shadows who made them bow. It was the humans in those cities who fought alongside the Clovers until we stepped in to help finish it. Word had spread of cities being liberated, and that was all it took for everyone to begin resisting.
It helped that we had our father’s property. His entire armory had been equipped for a war. There were buildings scattered all over the place with endless weapons and ammo. It was impossible to be everywhere in this world, but once we were able to use the communication, that PARA had used to connect their cities, it was easier.
Was everything perfect? Not even close.
But the Shadows, humans, and even the vampires were living in a unique harmony. Coming here every month was how we kept order. How ironic that our meeting place was where Kali had started her journey. Project Hope.
Viggo pushed open the door, revealing the large room. Warner had told me that this place used to be a cafeteria. There were long tables with benches filling the room, and at least half of them were already full. In the back of the room was a raised stage. I recognized a few faces as Viggo and I strode past. We purposefully did this at night so that vampires could participate if they wanted.
“You’re late.”
I raised my eyes to see Gia giving me a warm smile. She was on the platform, sitting behind a table. Next to her was Asami. She looked completely at ease sitting between Gia and Collin. Ever since PARA fell, Collin became head of the Clovers. Warner trusted that he was one of the good ones, and so far he hadn’t disappointed us.
“We’re not late,” Viggo drawled, plopping down on the bench next to Warner and Rya. “You can’t start without Pax anyway.”
I hopped onto the platform, taking my spot next to Gia. My heart beat unevenly like it always did when I was here. My eyes cut down the table as my chest tightened.
I shouldn’t be sitting here. This was Kali’s rightful spot.
Gia. Asami. Collin. Me.
Vampire. Human. Clover. Shadow.
We were the ones who oversaw everything. When there were problems, we dealt with them. Keeping peace and protecting freedom was the priority.
Viggo snickered, and I glanced at him just in time to see Rya shove her fist into his ribs before getting up and moving to another table. Like they did with Zan, the Shadows tolerated us, but they didn’t follow me or Viggo. We weren’t their true leader and never would be. But Rya was usually good at keeping them in line. Though one of these days, Viggo might piss her off enough that she might actually try to kill him.
“Ready?” Gia asked.
I nodded. “Let’s get this done.”
Did I enjoy this? Not really. But it was a responsibility I could handle. Viggo would be terrible at it. Rya didn’t want it. Plus, it kept me busy. Growing up, all I’d wanted was to get out from under my father’s control. Now, I was finally free. Free to do what? I wasn’t sure. Viggo was living life to the fullest. Having fun bothering the Shadows. Spending time in Deadwood with his human friend, Dee, and the other vampires who came back and decided to stay. He always stayed busy when we weren’t working to keep world peace.
Collin stood up and announced that the meeting was starting. Everything we did was out in the open. No secrets. No hidden agenda.
“We need more supplies out west for structures,” Asami said, checking her notebook. “And more helping hands for agriculture in the south.”
Now that the humans weren’t trapped in the safe cities, they were rebuilding. Using land that hadn’t been touched in decades, ever since the war started. Small towns were springing up. It was slow work and would take years to grow, but the progress was nonstop. It was what the people wanted.
And Shadows? They were right beside the humans, helping them every step of the way. For the most part. There were a few Shadows who wanted their solitude, which was perfectly fine as long as they didn’t harm anyone. There were many humans still learning to trust Shadows and vampires, and that would take time.
But when it came to the Shadows, it was easier. A lot of the Shadows came from safe cities. They’d been ripped from their family or friends and were now reunited. It helped bridge the gap between everyone.
We got blood from humans who donated, and from animals if it was running low. Humans were compensated when they donated blood, but many did it because they realized it helped keep the peace. If there was an abundance of blood, then there would be less bloodlust.
Someone stood up, and I recognized him as a Shadow. Gia gave him a comforting smile as he shifted uneasily on his feet.
“There’s an area about three hours from here they aren’t allowing Shadows,” he said quietly. “My family is there, and I want to see them.”
Viggo’s face grew serious as his eyes darted to the Shadow. He pressed his lips together, knowing it wasn’t his place to say anything. He didn’t want this seat, so it was my job.
“Has there been any violence?” I asked.
The Shadow shook his head. “I haven’t done anything. I came here instead.”
“Good,” Gia said gently. “We’ll handle it.”
Asami was scribbling in her book. She made all the notes during our meetings. It looked like Viggo and I would be traveling even more this month. We expected things to go wrong. There was so much animosity from all sides that it was impossible for it to run smoothly. It was understandable for humans to be untrusting. We expected vampires to attack. Nothing would be solved in a day—or even a decade. It was a painstakingly slow process. One I hoped would succeed like Kali wanted.
“It’s expected for some humans to act like that,” Gia spoke loudly for all to hear. “But it’s also expected that they will learn to trust. We will travel there next week and sort it out.”
This new world that we created had rules. A society would fail if it was lawless. But these laws were for everyone across the board. Humans. Vampires. And Shadows. There were no exceptions. Murder was on the top of that list. If anyone committed the crime, there were consequences.
The Clovers helped with keeping order, but the Shadows stepped up when needed. Though, they never did anything without confirming it with us.
“There’s a rogue vampire or Shadow near us,” someone else spoke up. Two women were standing up, and the blonde continued. “We’ve had three people drained of blood in the last month. We think it’s a vampire because it only happens at night.”
That wasn’t fucking good. I exchanged a look with Gia, and she frowned. That would take priority over anything else on our list.
The meeting continued, and once Asami’s page was full of things we needed to fix or complete, the crowd began to disperse. All of this would get sent over the radio to other areas so we could keep in contact.
I sagged in my chair, rubbing my temples.
“You look sad, Pax.”
Cracking open my eyes, I saw Gia staring at me with pity in her eyes. Straightening up, I forced out a chuckle.
“I’m fine. Just tired.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she chastised like she used to when I was a child. “I thought you wanted this life. One where humans were free. Sure, there are challenges, but this is happening even better than I could have imagined.”
“I did—I do.” I muttered a curse before clearing my throat. “It’s exactly what I want.”
“Then enjoy it,” she ordered, giving me her cheery smile. “She would have wanted that.”
She . The girl I loved. The human who was killed in front of me all those years ago. This world that I was helping to build? It had been all I wanted. For her. But she was gone, and I was fucking hollow like I’d been ever since she died.
My jaw clenched, and I stood up, refusing to drown in the past again. Part of the reason I was sitting at this table was to stay busy. To occupy myself enough that I never needed to think of it.
“Come on, Pax,” Viggo called. “We have places to be.”
I was very aware that he’d heard Gia’s words, but my twin wouldn’t speak about it. He never did unless I did first. He felt my pain, there was no reason for him to bring it up.
“I’m coming with you,” Warner announced. “Things are calm here. I can spend a couple days away.”
Viggo side-eyed him before shrugging and striding toward the exit. Gia had warned Viggo to be nice to Warner, and just the sight of Viggo’s face when she told him that, had me chuckling. She didn’t need to threaten or raise her voice. Her word was law, and Viggo knew better than to make her mad. She liked Warner for some fucking reason and wanted to make sure his life here was easy.
“See you later, Gia,” I muttered. “We have a radio in case anything happens.”
“Take your time,” she replied. “I’ll handle things here.”