Page 67 of Twins for the Barbarians

They’re worried that the Sky Tribe might come for them any day now. That’s the general feeling, and it’s a hard feeling to shake, given the Kreek clan’s abrupt invasion when they came solely for the purpose of saving us after Kingo managed to alert them to what Solomon was doing.

“Opal City would make a fine diversion in that sense, but you’re right,” Jewel concedes, nodding slowly. “It would also make us the same as the monsters we’ve been fighting for the past five years.”

“What do you suggest?” Sarin asks her. “You’re from another world, and your military expertise seems to have already helped the Fire Tribe come much farther along.”

“We should focus most of our resources on finding those last two starships,” Jewel says, “and destroy them before they’re launched because once they’re out in space, we can’t do a thing about it until they return with more human women. And it’ll be hard to keep them safe while we fight the Sky Tribe for dominance. It’ll only make matters worse. We need to try to keep Opal City’s success a secret for as long as possible.”

Kai seems to agree. “We’ll keep eyes on Opal City as well, but we’re hoping you can support our war efforts however you can. I understand your granaries are full and that you have military equipment and weaponry you’re not using.”

“Yes,” Sarin says. “We’ll provide you with whatever we can spare as long as you keep us safe until this war is over.” She looks at me and Cynthia. “And we will gather all the information we have from Solomon’s archives. We’ll find every step he took in developing the virus and the cure. We don’t have his knowledge, so we cannot help you recreate the cure, but hopefully, you’ll be able to do that yourselves.”

“Once we have a cure for the plague and a solid strategy for disseminating the truth about Solomon’s plans, the people of Sunna will have no choice but to listen to us,” I say, gazing at everyone around the table. “We’ll have to work on multiple fronts at once because time isn’t on our side. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I consider this to be our last push. Sapphire City must be protected at all costs while Cynthia works on the cure. We’ll bring back as much of Sunna’s fire as we can carry for that endeavor as well, every file Solomon kept, every test and note, every memo.”

Cynthia is totally on board. “I’m close already. Solomon’s work should help me bridge the gap that’s left, and if Sunna’s fire proves effective, though I’m already sure it will, we may have a cure by the end of the year, too. Shaytan Hull will have to sit down and talk to us.”

“And while he does that, we’ll hopefully be busy blowing up the last of his starships,” Jewel says.

“With Solomon dead and unable to devise a new strain that would target the humans, the Sky Tribe’s belief that hybrid children are the key to Sunna’s survival stands stronger than ever,” Izzo says. “We’ll have to come at them from every angle to make sure they don’t succeed in bringing more women here.”

“We will tell Solomon’s story,” I reply. “But we’ll have to do it in a way that keeps Opal City safe.”

Jewel is right. Our main focus needs to be on the starships and on developing the cure for the plague. That alone should be enough to keep the Sky Tribe busy and away from this place. There’s always the chance that Diamond City marauders might follow any Kreek convoy coming in and out of Opal City.

They may track their movements until they reach the labyrinth. The first round of mercenaries may not survive getting in, but others might. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world finds out about this place, yet we owe it to these people that such a revelation happens later rather than sooner.

In the meantime, I’ve got twins to worry about.

I have a future to save and a life to build alongside Helios and Kharo. They’ve proven themselves more than worthy as my men and as my soulmates. I cannot distinguish that once-hard line between my existence as an anthropologist and my womanly needs. I love them more than I thought possible, and I need them by my side for what comes next.

Helios leans in and gives me a soft look. “We’ll get through this, Alicia, I promise. Opal City will not be embroiled in the war.”

“God, I hope not,” I whisper.

Opal City is a kind place. It is wary of strangers, and understandably so, but it is kind and welcoming. The residents have made the most of their little haven, and they are unanimously in favor of staying off the radar for as long as possible.

Several days later, at noon, those of us from the Fire Tribe are invited to the city’s main square for an official announcement. Sarin, Neya, and Leela insisted we be present since their speech would involve us and our contribution to Opal City’s future.

The Square is packed with almost seven thousand Sunnaites, a rare sight for these weary eyes and an even more exhilarating sight for the Fire Tribe warriors. It’s been ages since they’ve seen so many women gathered in one place, clad in colorful silks and smiling.

I stay close to Helios and Kharo as we join Solomon’s widows on the grand podium erected earlier this morning in front of the palace. The city’s black towers rise proudly against the gleam of Sunna’s twin suns, a blue sky smiling down upon us.

Kaos Volcano rumbles just behind us, its activity causing concern but not panic. Not yet, anyway. According to the Kreek experts, it’ll be another decade before it erupts, during which time we’re all hoping the war will be over so we can safely relocate Opal City elsewhere. I only hope I’ll live to see that day.

“Are you doing okay?” Helios asks me, one hand resting on the small of my back.

“I’m tired, but I’m okay,” I tell him with a soft smile.

“We’ll need to be careful from now on,” Kharo says, lovingly gazing down at my belly.

“Whoa, there, I’m pregnant, not incapacitated,” I gently protest. “Besides, Cynthia will watch me like a hawk, whether I like it or not.”

Cynthia puts on a most confident grin. “You bet your sweet ass, sister. It’s not going to be easy, I’ll tell you that much. It wasn’t easy carrying one to a healthy term. I don’t yet know what it’ll be like with two.”

“You’ve got to stop scaring me,” I mumble.

“The stress won’t help her,” Amber cuts in. “We’ll cross every milestone when we get to it,” she adds, looking at Helios and Kharo, “but rest assured, it will be okay. I’ve got a feeling deep in my bones; I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be okay.”

Binzen and Izzo exchange brief smiles, both placing their hands on Amber’s tanned shoulders. “And our children can grow up with yours.”

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