Mother of Darkwaters: Book one of the Vessel series (90 page)

   “Yes ma’am.”

   “It says here that you have graduated sniper training.”

   “Yes ma’am – graduated top of my class.”

   “Impressive,” Julianna replies while moving her gaze to the Sergeant, “From my understanding, they put you guys through a lot over there.”

   “That is correct, ma’am.”

   “I am curious, Sergeant. What are your aspirations?”

   “To be the best, ma’am.”

   “At what?”

   “At everything, ma’am.”

   “No one can be the best at everything, Sergeant. If they could, there would be no need for places like sniper training. Anyone could just think of something and be an expert at it – no specialization needed. Do you believe you could perform your own surgery if sent to the emergency room with a heart attack?”

   “No ma’am. I am not a doctor.”

   “Do you wish to become a doctor?”

   “No ma’am.”

   “Then
what
are your aspirations, Sergeant.”

   “To be a great soldier, ma’am.”

   “Oh, I see. You’re one of
those
guys,” Julianna replies. She shuts the man’s file and pushes it forward.

   “Ma’am?”, the Sergeant nervously asks for clarification.

   “You want to blow stuff up,” Julianna’s response sounds as though she is disinterested in anything further.

   “No ma’am. Yes ma’am,” the man’s answer reflects his nerves, “I mean, no ma’am.”

   “No-yes-no,” Julianna throws her arms outward, “Is that how your soldier monkey brain processes information?” She lowers her palms to the table.

   The man remains silent.

   “Has your broken processing center shut itself down, Sergeant?”

   “Uh - No ma’am,” Sergeant Shepherd answers nervously, “My soldier monkey brain is up and running.”

   Caroline giggles.

   Julianna glances over at Caroline. Her cousin is staring at her with her right hand over her mouth.

  
Sorry.

   Julianna pushes Sergeant Shepherd’s file in front of Caroline. She slides Lieutenant Witherspoon’s folder in front of Jennifer. She looks at the two men.

   “Do you two gentlemen know why you are here?”

   “No ma’am,” the two men answer. Their synchronized timing reminds Julianna of Gale and Alexandria.

   “Do you know who I am?”

   “No ma’am,” Lieutenant Witherspoon answers.

   “Yes ma’am.”

   Julianna looks at the Sergeant, “Oh?”

   The man responds, “You are a Master Interrogator, ma’am.”

   “And what makes you say that, Sergeant?”

   “You must be, ma’am. My training did not prepare me well enough.”

   The Sergeant grins nervously, “You are the best of the best, ma’am.”

   “Thank you, Sergeant,” Julianna replies while making a mental note to order some changes within the realm of mental interrogations.

   Julianna stands up. The two men across the table immediately follow suit. Caroline and Jennifer stand – glancing at each other. The cheerleaders thought these interviews would take much longer than this.

   “I do have one further inquiry’, Julianna speaks, “What were you two boys planning on doing with Captain Woods?”

   Both men look at one another. Sergeant Shepherd nods.

   “I believe I am speaking for the both of us, ma’am,” Lieutenant Witherspoon says while looking at Julianna, “Our intentions were to break every bone in his body, ma’am.”

   “Hmm,” Julianna ponders their response, “I can’t say that I wouldn’t have wanted to do the same thing – superior or otherwise.”

   Julianna stares at the men while she speaks loudly “Send in the Captain.”  She observes both men slightly tense as she hears Captain Wood’s entry into the room. Her eyes remain on the two men while footsteps walk up behind her. She hears Brian stop. Julianna turns around.

   She barely smiles while Captain Woods hands her a box. She flips open the lid, takes out the Lilith diamond, and hands the box back to Brian. When Julianna slips the necklace over her head, Captain Brian Woods and the four men standing near the wall behind him all kneel.

  
Should we…?

  
No.

   Julianna glances at her cousin while she turns around to face the other two men.

   “Mother,” Lieutenant Witherspoon panics as he sees the Lilith diamond for the first time. He can’t believe he is actually seeing it. Until now, he has only seen it portrayed in books – a constant reminder of one of the many ways to recognize the
Mother
.

   The Lieutenant takes a step back with his right closed fist over his heart. The man kneels on his right leg with a bowed head.

   Sergeant Shepherd joins Lieutenant Witherspoon, “I apologize, Mother. We did not know.”

   “You were not supposed to know,” Julianna answers, “Captain Woods was part of your test. He would never harm a lady like you were led to believe. Everyone rise.”

   Julianna hears shuffling behind her while the two men under light interrogation both stand. She places her right hand on Jennifer’s back while staring at the Lieutenant.

   “
Captain
Shane Witherstone’, Julianna speaks, “Meet Jennifer Hammond.”

   The newly ranked captain looks at the tall girl and nods one time – his eyes immediately return to view the Mother.

   Julianna places her left hand on the small of Caroline’s back. She looks at the Sergeant.

   “
Captain
William Shepherd,” Julianna addresses the nervous-looking twenty-three-year-old, “Meet Caroline Reynolds.”

   Captain Shepherd looks at Caroline, “Ma’am.”

   Julianna removes her hands from her friends’ backs. She points at the two men with her left hand, “You two are responsible for their lives. You did not see them kneel because they are my family. You will protect them in the same way as you would protect me. I will not tolerate slip-ups. If they get hurt, you die. There will be no mercy given.”

   Caroline and Jennifer steal nervous glances from one another.

   “Yes Mother,” the two captains reply in unison.

   “Ma’am will be fine,” Julianna corrects them.

   “Your pay will reflect your new ranks,” Julianna continues, “Your lifespans will be entirely based upon you competence as leaders. Keep them safe.”

   “Yes ma’am,” the two men speak in unison once again.

   “Whatever they need
or
want – you will do it without question. There will be no objections. You belong to them. It is not the other way around. The only exception will be when their decision might lead to their death. Then –
and only then
– are you to disobey and intervene. Do we understand one another?”

   “Yes ma’am,” both men answer together.

   Julianna turns and lifts the Lilith diamond from her neck. She places it in the open box held by Captain Woods. The man closes it. Julianna heads for the double-doors.

  
Say goodbye, ladies.

   “Captain,” Jennifer nods.

   “Ma’am,” Captain Shane Witherstone replies with a respectful nod. Jennifer turns and walks towards Julianna – her eyes wide with anxiety.

   Caroline grins uncomfortably, “Captain.”

   “Ma’am,” the twenty-three year-old man answers.

   Caroline’s hands sweat as she turns and finds her friends by the door. She forces herself to walk at a normal pace. It is everything she can do not to run off screaming. Her life has been a whirlwind since her blood oath. And since Julianna’s arrival, that whirlwind has seemed all-consuming. It feels as though she is riding the top of a hurricane. She secretly wonders how far she will fall if the winds ever decide to lower in their strength.

   Caroline and Jennifer follow Julianna out into the grand hallway where Jennifer’s and Danny’s statues stand erect. The two cheerleaders turn and grab each other. They let out quite yelps as they jump and down with smiles on their faces. Julianna hears the commotion behind her and turns. She tilts her head curiously as she watches her excited friends. When they finish, they both look at her. Caroline uses her left hand to beckon Julianna over.

   Julianna walks up to her cousin and Jennifer. Caroline wraps her arm around her cousin’s back and gently pulls. Jennifer’s right arm joins Caroline as Julianna steps into their tri-hug.

   “Aww,” Caroline coos, “I love you guys.”

   “Heh,” Jennifer enjoys the moment, “You’re not so bad yourself…
shrimp
. That goes for you, too –
mommy
.”

   Julianna remains silent as her ears take in the sounds of love given from real friends. She, slowly, closes her eyes and smiles.

   After going upstairs, Julianna checks the text message on her phone, “Hmm.”

   “Tamara wants to come over.”

   Julianna looks over at the bar. Jennifer sits on one of her bar stools with a phone in her hand. The right corner of her upper-lip is lifted slightly.

   Caroline announces her new text while sitting on the couch, “Becca needs help setting up.”

   Julianna slips her phone back into her purse, “Okay, Caroline – you help Rebecca. A security team will be close behind. They’re for the party. Use them as you see fit. But some of them will already be assigned to stage duty.”

   “Got it,” Caroline says while standing up.

   “Looks like our play date is over,” Julianna says.

   “But we’re going to see
Amy Lee
,” Jennifer counters excitedly. Her broad smile inspires the smallest of grins from her new friend Julianna.

Chapter 19

   Confessions

   Julianna enters the presidential suite of the hotel. A beautiful woman with pale skin rivaling her own, sits in a chair facing a large window.

   “It took you long enough,” Amy speaks while looking at the California sun through the auto-tint viewing window.

   Julianna closes the room’s door, “Wanna get some lunch?” 

   “I could go for that,” Amy answers.

   “I thought your family would be here,” Julianna observes the absence of their presence. She walks over and sits in the adjacent chair to Amy’s left.

   Amy smiles, “I am
only
here because you asked for a favor.”

   “And I am going to owe you big time.”

   “Damn right you are.”

   Amy looks back out of the enormous window, “You know I love the chance to inspire, but did you really have to tell them I was going on tour with EV? It’s common knowledge I’m stretching out my arms. You
do
realize I am a classically trained pianist, right? I’m an artist – I’ve told you this. I will not end this life without expressing it either.”

   Julianna turns her head and looks at her friend. Amy has her black hair pulled back into a comfortable ponytail. She wears a pair of black jeans and a blue tee. Julianna feels overdressed with the black evening gown she wears.

   “It was spur of the moment. The head cheerleader, Rebecca, cornered me as to why you were going to be in California. I went blank.”

   Amy turns her head to the left, “The band isn’t with me. So if it’s a requirement, I’m out.”

   “It’s not.”

   “There better not be any videos of this popping up on the internet.”

   “It’s already taken care of,” Julianna answers, “The security will confiscate all electronics as a condition for entry. A wall will be built around the area.”

   “Didn’t you say there were flyers made?”

   “That can always be chalked off as a hoax if I have to.”

   Amy looks back out of the window. Julianna does the same.

   “You have to.”

   Julianna grins. She speaks, “How’s your family?”

   “They’re great,” Amy replies. She, slowly, turns her head and waits. Her silence causes Julianna to look at her.

   “They’re
in
New York.”

   “I know this is a sacrifice. And I’ll do whatever you want.”

   “You can start by taking that red carpet crap off.”

   Julianna laughs.

   Amy smiles, “I hope you brought something else to wear.  I’m not going anywhere with a flashing red light over my head.” The woman pauses for a moment before continuing.

   “Thanks for the double at the airport,” Amy says, “Where’d you find her? It was like looking into a mirror.”

   “She was on a long list of impersonators,” Julianna answers.

   “Fan impersonators, I’m used to. But she looked
exactly
like me – like a damn doppelganger.”

   Julianna chuckles, “Yeah, she got me, too. The Network guys had fun with me. I walked up and gave her a hug and everything.”

   “Ha-ha-ha,” Amy laughs, “She’s something else alright. It serves your lying ass right.”

   “People at that school still think I’m Mandie.”

   Amy holds up her left hand, “Not a problem, I already told you that.”

   She points at her friend adorned with red-tinge side bangs, “But if anything comes of this, you’re ending our friendship. You’ll be forcing my hand. No texts or anything.”

   “I know,” Julianna replies, “I’ve been warned. And if I absolutely didn’t have to do this, I wouldn’t even consider it. Our friendship means everything to me.”

   Amy glances back out of her top story window, “It’s the reason I came, Julie. I know it must be very important to you. And thank you for leaving out the details. I just don’t want to know.”

  “Your welcome.”

   Amy stands up, “Well, I’m ready to get something to eat after you get some real people clothes on.”

   Julianna laughs, “I wasn’t sure
what
to wear.”

   Amy watches Julianna stand up. The rock star speaks, “You find the most unnerving look-alike ever; and then, you come dressed for paparazzi heaven.”

   Julianna rolls her eyes, “I know. This is new to me.”

   Amy hugs her guest, “You’re plan better be good. If it’s like what I’ve seen so far, you’re going to crash and burn – just some friendly advice.”