The Succubae Seduction Bk. 02: The Twins Ch. 25

"Um..." he said, trying to come up with an answer before shaking his head again. Shlee pulled back from him and interlaced her fingers with his as Mandy did the same on his other side. "They're a little occupied," he told the doctor and started towards the door.

The goblin stopped him. He could have blown past the small creature, but he had enough respect for her profession to remain outside. "I said 'her family.' You may see her, Sheldon Lance, but the others must wait outside."

With a grimace, Eldon gave both his women a quick kiss, then let them go to see his sister.

Shelly's eyes were dark, and her hair was still stringy from her exertions, but she smiled as he walked in. The smile quickly fell, though.

"I'm sorry I ruined your wedding," she said, holding a hand out to him.

He ignored the hand and leaned in to hug her gently. Despite being careful, she still grunted as his arms moved about her neck. She patted his back, then pulled away.

"I'm just glad you're okay," he told her. Movement on the other side of the bed caught his attention, and he realized that the baby was right there. Part of him was curious to look at the little monster, but he ignored it. "Mandy and I both understand that this wasn't your choice."

She gave him a lopsided smile before saying, "True, but I still wish she would have waited a little bit longer. That was so embarrassing, having my water break in front of everyone like that."

Looked at his sister again, marveling at her mood. "I have to say, you're in better spirits than I would have expected."

She chuckled for a moment, then met his gaze. "I'm exhausted, and in a fair bit of pain, but things will get better. No more running for me. I'm going to be a better person from now on. If not for me, then for her."

"For... her?" Eldon asked, confused. He looked around and noticed that Sonia wasn't around. The android had all but been Shelly's shadow, and it seemed weird that she was absent."

"For Rain," Shelly said and glanced at the bundle next to the bed. A determined look crossed her face, and Sheldon knew his sister wasn't talking about the weather.

"Rain?" he asked, as a cold hand ran shivers down his spine. "You sound like you decided to keep it."

Shelly regarded him for a long moment before answering. "Rain. Short for Rainbow, because of her skin. And she is a she, not an it. Like I said, I'm not going to run anymore. I'm going to take care of her and make sure she is raised right. She won't be evil like her father. I'll make sure of that."

To Eldon's ears, it almost sounded like she was trying to convince herself of that, as much as him. He didn't know how to respond. Could he be that big of a person? Could he care for a child that was conceived out of such hatred and violence?

He walked over to the bundle and pulled back the fold of the cloth covering it. He barely stifled a gasp as he stared down at the creature. Red, blue, pink, yellow, black, white... He stopped paying attention to what the colors were but understood where Rain's name originated from. Solid swirls of every color filled the infant's eyes. There was no pupil that he could see and no whites. Just a mass of swirling colors. Shelly had insisted that it was a she, but he recalled Areth's pronouncement earlier that it was a hermaphrodite.

Its tiny fist pressed against its little mouth. It made small, sucking noises. It looked so fragile, lying there.

It also looked innocent.

Anger rose up in him as he continued to stare at the newborn. How dare it cause his sister so much pain. How dare it look so carefree and without guilt for its father's actions! Despite its alien appearance, despite the evil creature that had raped and molested his sister, the little baby lay there without a care in the world. It wasn't right.

"Sheldon!" his sister's voice broke through the red haze that was starting to fill his vision. He looked at her, surprised at the heat in her voice. "I've been calling your name. Look!" She pointed to the window, and Eldon turned to see what she indicated.

Ants. Ants of every size, shape, and color. Some he recognized, but most he didn't, covered the window frame, and moved about to allow more to come in.

He moved to place himself between them and his sister, inadvertently also placing himself as protecting the baby.

"I don't think they mean us any harm," Shelly spoke in a softer voice.

"How can you be sure?" he asked. Ants were always the enemy. Since they were children, they were taught to kill any ant they saw on sight. Any ant could be a spy for King Aecus...

Except Aecus was dead, and this infant behind him was supposed to be their new ruler. Were they here to take the child away?

Despite Shelly's words, he held his ground. If they wanted the baby, he would hand it over, and good riddance. Shelly acted like she was okay raising it, but she would be better off without this constant reminder of what was done to her.

His tension grew as the ants moved to the floor, then climbed one upon another, forming into a humanoid shape. It towered over him, there were so many different ants. Its head, with its protruding, multi-colored mandibles, bowed as it pressed against the ceiling.

"We come in peace," the giant myrmidon said. Its voice was distinctly feminine. He'd rarely ever faced one of these, but he'd never heard of a female myrmidon. If it breathed out fire at him, there was nothing he'd be able to do to protect his sister. The monster was just too giant. "We have come to pay homage to our new queen."

"Who are you?" Shelly asked, her voice sounding calmer than Eldon felt.

"We are the queens of all the queens," the creature said. "There is one of us for every type of ant in each world."

"Have you come to avenge your last king... um, queen?" Eldon asked.

The thing regarded him for the briefest of moments before turning to face Shelly.

"We mean you no harm, Queen's Mother." That sounded as much as a title as anything Eldon had ever heard. "We are aware of the feud between Queen Aecus and your father, but there is no feud between us. Our only concern is for our new queen."

Eldon relaxed, but Shelly's voice rose an octave as she spoke. "You're not taking my baby!"

Eldon turned to her in shock. He had no idea that she was so adamant about the child.

"Please, be at ease, Queen's Mother," the ant being said, and bowed low. "We would not separate the newborn from its mother. We are not monsters. We have come only to pay homage, and to offer our services as a nanny."

"Nanny?" Eldon and Shelly asked at the same time.

Again, the creature barely even noticed Eldon's presence, as it spoke to Shelly. "Our queen will need guidance as she grows to understand our ways. And while we are sure that the Pillar of Earth and the family of the mighty Lyden Snow are very capable, we would prefer to have one of our own around to protect our new queen."

Eldon's first thought was to reject its offer, but he stopped himself. This wasn't his decision to make. And he knew that Myrmidon's were fierce and mighty warriors. Having them on their side would be a great benefit to their cause.

The large mass of roiling ants finally turned and faced him. "No, brother to the Queen's Mother. We will not fight for your cause unless commanded to by our queen. We will, however, ensure that she is kept safe, no matter the danger."

Why does it seem like most females can read minds? Eldon wondered to himself. He also wondered if it was all queen ants or only some that could see into his thoughts. If she was still digging through his mind, she didn't respond to his musings.

The baby started to fuss, and before anyone could react, the giant ant-creature scooped it up and handed it to Shelly. She looked as shocked as Eldon felt, but she recovered faster than he did.

She pulled aside a flap in her blouse, and he caught a quick glimpse of nipple before the baby latched onto it. He also noticed what looked like welts, and didn't miss the way Shelly grimaced at first.

"She has small pinchers," she responded to his concerned look. "She also tends to be a little aggressive when she first starts but calms as soon as the milk starts flowing. Now, do you mind giving me some privacy as I feed my little Rain?"

He glanced at the sizeable shimmering creature in the room with them, unsure if he should leave, or just turn his back.

"Shoo," Shelly insisted, using one hand to wave him away. "If she meant us any harm, I'm sure we'd already be dead."

He didn't necessarily agree with that statement, but he wasn't in the mood to argue. He also had to admit that part of his issue was his ego, and not wanting to admit that this thing might be able to take him out quickly.

"Do you want me to send Sonia in if I see her?" he asked before slipping back out.

The way she grimaced told him volumes more than her words did. "No, I'm good."

Apparently, Sonia and Shelly were having issues. Knowing that he was the last person to try and offer her relationship advice, he left the room.

"How was she?" Shlee asked as she stepped up to him, Mandy right behind. The two women were holding hands, and despite everything, that made him feel warm inside. Knowing that his wife and girlfriend were still close reminded him that he was acting selfishly for feeling rejected by the werewolf. She had her reasons, and he understood them. She hadn't rejected him, but rather the idea of marriage at this time. After what that prick vampire did to her, he should be grateful that she stayed with him, instead of shutting her heart down altogether.

"She's..." he trailed off, trying to figure out how to explain the Queen Myrmidon. "She has a new companion."

"That's a weird way to describe a baby," Megan said.

"Not the baby," he corrected her, giving her a frown. Why was that woman still here? "The ant queens have all come to honor the baby as their new ruler." He spent the next few minutes describing the queen and recounting the conversation.

"I'm going to hunt," Mei said, pulling away from the wall. "Let me know when it's time to leave for the other world."

"You're coming with us?" he asked his half-sister. As far as he knew, she rarely ever left this world. Only to act as protection when they were expecting violence. He thought it would be just him, his dad, and Shlee going on the diplomatic mission to try and stop whatever legislation the Paladonic Knights were trying to enact. She didn't answer before rounding a corner.

"As am I," Megan cut into the conversation again.

He turned with a sigh to ask her why, but Mei spoke before he could. "After your last encounter with the American government and the Paladonic Knights, I decided I needed to be around to protect Dad."

Eldon remembered that night with a shudder. That was the night the P.K.'s bombed the Whitehouse, and that Becky died. He took it as a slight that his half-sibling didn't think he could protect their father, but then he recalled that his body was no longer permanent. He could be killed, and every bit of help he had should be welcomed.

Except for Megan. He turned back to the redhead and tried to look calm as he asked, "And why are you coming along? Shouldn't you be getting back to your ranch, or whatever?"

Elbows from both sides poked into him, making him grunt, but he ignored them, keeping his eyes on the other woman.

To his surprise, she smiled at him. "Curiosity? Boredom? Maybe I just want to spend some more time with a man who is rude, but blunt. Or maybe I think that I can help make a difference in the world in a way that I never could in Texas. Or maybe a hot, half-dragon/half-human woman with a shred of courtesy invited me along to help." She stepped up close to him, her face inches away from his, her chocolate brown eyes challenging as she stared at him. "Or perhaps I want to see if you're worth the time to get another taste of my pussy."

He stared at her, wondering if she realized what she'd just said. He was used to people speaking more than they meant to when Mandy was around. She met his gaze, not flinching.

"Huh," she said after the moment started to grow uncomfortable. She turned to look at Mandy, and then Shlee as she asked, "Does he often go quiet when challenged like that? I at least expected him to come back with a snide remark when I commented on my pussy."

Shlee was the first to burst out laughing, soon followed by the rest in the room, excepting Eldon. He couldn't understand this woman. At first, she acted like a stalker, but then challenged him as though he wasn't good enough for her.

Why couldn't she get the hint that he wasn't looking for another woman? He loved Shlee and Mandy, and they were enough for him. Sure, he still had feelings for Gloria, but she'd rejected him.

And besides all that, he was working to save the entire freaking universe from Jessica destroying it! He didn't have time to consider convincing her of anything.

"Do what you want," he finally told her. "I now know you can look after yourself, and I don't think you'll be slowing us down. Just..." he trailed off as her smile grew wider. With a shake of his head, he left his thoughts unsaid. He was about to ask her to leave him alone, but if she were going to be watching his back, he decided it was best not to do so. Besides, she might take it as a return challenge, and chase him even harder.

"Glad to see you're paying attention," Megan said, then surprised him by stepping up and giving his cheek a soft peck.

Of all the brazen... Right in front of Eldon's girlfriend and new wife! He didn't feel guilty for the other woman's actions, but it still felt weird to him.

"He's finally learning," Mandy said and kissed his other cheek.

"Marriage seems to agree with him," Shlee grinned and kissed a spot lower than Megan had.

Women are nuts! he thought. All of them!

"No, Mr. Lance," the Myrmidon said from the other room, "we just think a little differently than men do."

He realized that he was surrounded by only women, and they were all giving him an odd look. Before he had a chance to respond, or even think up a response, Gaia formed up out of the ground, looking a lot better than she had when she left. His dad and mom came down the hall a bit later, looking disheveled with Areth humming happily after.

"Good. You're all here," Gaia said as Sheila tried to fix her master's rumpled hair. Eldon did his best not to think about what they'd obviously been doing.

"What's going on?" Mandy asked.

"It's time for those heading to Earth to leave," Gaia said without any further preamble. "It's been over two months since you were last in that world, and the Paladonic Knights haven't wasted any time. If you're going to reach the summit in time, you need to leave sooner rather than later."

Eldon realized that he hadn't taken any time to prepare. He wasn't confident what awaited them, though he had to admit that he was a little trepidatious about seeing the President of the United States again. Hopefully, she wouldn't be looking for a tryst with him. Unbidden, his eyes went to Megan, and then his dad. How did he manage so many women in his life?

"I summoned my car earlier, just in case," Lyden said. "It should be here by now."

Eldon had forgotten that the Orange Bubble was in this world. It would make traveling a lot quicker.

"I also have news," came the Myrmidon's voice as it entered the hallway. Of course, Lyden took one look at the giant, multi-hued ant creature and started looking for a weapon that wasn't there. He stepped in front of Sheila at the same time Areth began gathering water between her palms.

"Whoa!" Eldon stepped between them before any actual violence could break out. "She's on our side. Well, on the baby's side at any rate. Dad, Mom, meet the new... um... nanny for Rainbow."

"Rainbow?" He heard Mandy ask behind him. It occurred to him that few had seen the new baby, or knew much about it.

"Oh, poo!" Areth grumped as she dropped her hands. She giggled a moment later as the water that she'd gathered fell on Lyden's head, soaking him. "Ha! I think you're wetter now than you were after Gaia and I—"

"Not now, Areth," Lyden growled. The fairy closed her mouth, but it is evident that she continued to laugh.

At the very least, her antics defused the tension in the room.

"You said you had news?" Eldon turned to ask the creature. Despite his words, it still felt odd to calmly converse with a being that not long ago was a mortal enemy.

"Yes," the thing nodded her head. "Some flying ants have spotted Jessica in the Pillar of Air's domain. They are uncertain of her intentions, but from what we've gathered from your minds, she might be after the Pillar of Air. Though we do not know how she would attack her."

"She's after Lysa?" Lyden growled. "We have to stop her!"

"No," Gaia said. Even though her voice was calm and level, it cut Lyden off and drew all attention to her. "Others will go and protect your daughter, but you must go to the summit and defeat the Paladonic Knight's plans."

Lyden looked around, ready to argue until his eyes landed on Eldon. "Eldon can go in my place. He can change into my form and pretend to be me."

"Again, no," Gaia rebuffed him. "While your son is a capable man, he does not have your wisdom, nor your time and experience as an ambassador. It must be you. Eldon is too much of a hothead."

Eldon heard Megan and Areth snicker at that, but ignored them.

Mei returned then, gnawing on the remains of some small, furry animal. She swallowed what was in her mouth before speaking. "Lysa and I are good friends," she said. "Mom and my siblings will go to protect her, Dad. We're the best suited to do so in Lysa's Air domain.

Eldon had to agree with her. He'd visited there a couple times when he was younger, and the Pillar of Air's demesne was no place for land-bound creatures.

"Keep her safe," Lyden stepped up and pulled his daughter by Blue into a hug. The draconic woman seemed uncomfortable by public affection.

"Wait!" Shelly called from her room. "I'm coming with you."

"Like hell, you are!" Sheila shouted, surprising everyone with her vehemence. "You just gave birth! You're in no shape to..." She trailed off as Shelly limped out of the room, fully clothed. She was pale and had to lean against the doorway to remain upright.

Eldon saw the steely determination in her eyes and knew she was impossible to argue with when she had that look.

"But what about Rain?" Sheila asked, knowing that look as well. "You can't just leave her." Apparently, Shelly had told their parents that she was keeping the baby. He still didn't understand her reasoning for changing her mind, but he also didn't like the idea of his sister going to face off against Jessica.

"Rain needs her mother," Eldon reinforced their mother's argument. Logic rarely worked when Shelly grew stubborn, but perhaps her emotional attachment to the little one would sway her.

"We can accompany her with our new queen, and keep them both safe," the Myrmidon announced.

Eldon tried to come up with another argument, but all eyes turned as a new voice spoke up.

"I agree with your family, Shelly, but if you insist on this foolishness, then I will go as well." No one had seen or heard Sonia enter the hallway, but from her stance, she wasn't willing to accept any further arguments, one way or another.

"No more running," Eldon heard his sister mutter, before nodding and giving the android an appreciative smile. Once again, he wondered what was going on between the two, and once again, he decided to keep his nose out of it.

"Well, I still don't like it," Lyden said. "If you think for one minute that I'm going to—" He was cut off as Gaia waved her hand and the ground lifted to swallow him whole. Before anyone could react, Eldon felt the ground beneath his feet soften, then rise up and swallow him in darkness.