When Luna awoke the next morning, she realized Yousef’s personal carrier had stopped. She slid out of bed and walked towards the open window. The sun rising lit up the master bedroom perfectly. She noticed right away that they were not in the same location anymore. There was nothing but sand for miles... She had an idea to where they were at. Deep down she was hoping it wasn’t the one place she dreaded coming to the most.

  Luna quickly completed her morning ritual, got dressed, combed her long blonde hair then headed outside. She first looked around the carrier to see if she could find Yousef but all she found was his men. The hot wind was strong, lifting the sand in the air all around them. This aggravated Luna greatly for she was not dressed or equipped for the desert terrains.

  “Where is Yousef?” Luna asked one of the nearby captains.

  “Good morning, Mistress. Yousef will be back momentarily. He mentioned you like to have tea for breakfast. There is some brewing in the food quarters.” The captain replied.

  Luna turned in the direction the captain mentioned. Morning tea was life for Luna and without it could be hell for someone... It didn’t bother her that Yousef left her bed to sleep in, what bothered her was where they decided to land. “We’re on the planet Takeaway... why?” Luna whispered to herself.

  When Luna entered the food quarters, she was alone, and she preferred it that way. The tent was small with a few tables and chairs, two small cabinets that housed supplies and a small wash area. As she slowly stirred the brown sweetener into her green tea, she questioned if she was making the right decision. Deep down she didn’t want to turn her back on her ‘family’, it was the assassinations she was tired of. For the last two hundred years, being an Angel of Death was all she knew. Luna felt in her heart it was time for something different... It was time to live, peacefully.

  A soft whisper next to Luna’s ear startled her almost spilling her tea. “Good morning, beautiful. Did I scare you?" Yousef said giggling to himself.

  “I didn’t hear you walking behind me... where were you?” asked Luna as she turned to face her lover.

  “I had a quick meeting with the rest of my captains and we’re planning to move out in a few minutes," Yousef reached over Luna and grabbed a cup of tea for himself, “So, if there’s anything super pressing you need right now from the carrier I would grab it now.” He flashed her a big quick smile.

  “We’re not staying here?” Luna asked as she looked around at her surroundings. “I mean the sand can be really peaceful.”

  Yousef laughed a loud placing his hand on his stomach. “Oh, my love... No, we’re in the middle of the largest desert on...”

  “Takeaway.” Luna finished his sentence with a stern look. “You’re walking a dangerous path, Yousef coming here.”

  The Red Banner Clan leader adjusted his black and red cloak over his shoulders. He didn’t respond right away to the comment Luna made instead he just gave her a smirk. “Why don’t you tell me just how dangerous on the way.”

  “It would help if I knew where we were going... Do you know who lives here?” Luna’s tone was starting to sound a bit nervous. Yousef kept walking and she followed right behind him. “Yousef?”

  Yousef turned around and placed both hands on his lover’s shoulders. “It’s going to be okay, Luna. I want you to tell me everything you know about Takeaway on the way. We have about a twenty-mile hike to our destination, so we have plenty of time to talk.”

  Luna gave Yousef a blank stare. She exhaled deeply while tying her long blonde silky hair into a bun before hopping on the back of the brown and white horse. She wrapped her arms around Yousef as he gave his horse the signal to start moving. At least thirty men followed behind them.

  The sun took no mercy on the Red Banner Clan as they strode through the hot desert for what felt like hours. It gave Luna time to think about to address her concerns. All she wanted was to be free... Liberty from the duties of killing and answering to the Twelve Queens. Her anxiety grew as they got closer to this ‘destination’ Yousef had in mind. Not knowing the plan was killing her privately inside. Plus, she was fully aware of what Takeaway could bring.

  “You really haven’t heard of the legends about Takeaway?” Luna asked her current chauffeur.

  “I know Takeaway is one of the most beautiful planets I’ve ever seen. There’s nothing you can’t ‘takeaway’, get it?” Joked Yousef.

  “Ha, Ha. But yes, do you know why it’s called Takeaway?” Luna’s tone got a little more serious.

  “Why don’t you tell me what you mean...” Yousef’s tone remaining calm.

  Luna sighed before answering. “Takeaway is one of the most important and protected planets in the seventh sector system. It got its name from something no one can explain. Not the Queens, not the Council members, or even the Stars we communicate with.”

  “What’s that?” asked Yousef.

  “Rumor has it... if you take something away from this planet, it takes away from you in return. It could be anything. A prize procession, money or wealth and sometimes a loved one. I’ve never seen it firsthand but that’s why you don’t see anyone living here. Everyone is warned with such legends that Takeaway does just that, take away.” Luna went quiet and looked at the horizon as if she had spotted something. Memories flooded her mind as she remembered the times she had punished those who thought they could control such supernatural power. She didn’t exactly tell Yousef the truth... Those who paid the price still lay to rest somewhere within these sands... Luna cleared her throat and asked, “You think I’m making this up don’t you?”

  Again, Yousef didn’t answer right away. He was a man of patience and reason. However, such legends were not going to stop what he had in mind. “Yes, to some extent. The Star Counsel doesn’t want people here to steal its resources. Takeway is beautiful and rich with all kinds of life. The Counsel just wants it for themselves. Trust me...”

  “Yousef...” Luna replied in a soft voice. She pressed her lips together trying to hold back as she looked into the horizon. The sun was setting now in the south. Red skies pierced the sky as it darkened from one side to the other. As time went by Luna continued looking remembering the times while here in this purgatory of a planet. There was so much she could tell Yousef... He doesn’t know Takeaway like she did, he didn’t come close. The last time Luna was here nearly an entire army was destroyed in one day. It was something she could have easily proven by giving her lover example after example of this majestic place stole back what was stolen from it... but she didn’t want to. Yousef will have to find out on his own this time, she thought. Or maybe there was another way to convince him... Luna cleared her throat before asking, “Have you ever heard of a queen named Nira?”

  As Yousef began to turn his head to look over his shoulder, one of his captains interrupted. “Sir, we are about to reach our destination.” Yousef nodded then tapped his horse to rush faster. Luna didn’t try to bring up the question she asked again. A feeling was beginning to brew inside her. A feeling she hasn’t been able to shake since she realized she was on Takeaway... Yousef had been avoidant before but like this. Normally they shared everything and well as upcoming plans but this plan, something was off. Luna knew almost close to nothing what Yousef had planned except to try to erase the Star gene.

  Once Yousef and his company approached their destination the terrain began to change. Lust tall trees drew a new line from the desert sand. It felt like they were walking into a different dimension... The forest began to grow thicker and fuller with wildlife and other tropical animals. To Luna’s surprise, she knew exactly where they were at, and she didn’t like it. This particular forest was considered sacred. It belonged to... “We’re here.” Yousef interrupted Luna’s thought.

  “Yousef, please heed my warning. Takeaway is more dangerous than you think...” She stumbled and tripped over shrubs trying to catch up to the Red Banner Clan leader. He only took a few steps as he approached a large cliff. Together Luna and Yousef looked down to find his army in its entirety. At least five thousand tents sat below inside the cannon. There was a large empty space that separated the tents from a set of rectangular tables. The tables sat two soldiers each and each had a different sample that laid in front of them. One soldier held the sample while the other held up an essence stone.

  Luna paid close attention to the soldiers who experimented with the sand sample. The first soldier held the sand in his hand then closed his fist tight. The second soldier then walked around the soldier to see if the stone would stop glowing. When it didn’t stop, first soldier dropped the sand while the other took notes. Luna’s eyes almost popped out of her head. “Yousef! What in the actual fuck is going on here? Are you doing experiments with the essence stones?”

  Luna reached out and pulled Yousef’s shoulder. He quickly grabbed her arm pulling it back and twisted it behind her. He pulled her close to his face almost touching her nose. “You listen to me, my love. Nothing is going to get my way to completing my mission. Not you or your stupid Counsel. I will find a way some way or another.” After he finished speaking, Yousef pushed Luna away making her almost stumble backwards. She was shocked... he had never treated her in such a way.

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  She was speechless and confused then it hit her. “You asshole! You knew about Takeaway all along. You think by taking different samples all around the planet will take away the Star gene? You’re fucking crazy, Yousef! You obviously don’t understand how this place works. You don’t get to choose what Takeaway takes away!”

  A soft tender however stern voice spoke from behind the arguing couple. “Not without Arkaminus we won’t.” A tall white slender woman appeared from the nearby trees. She was dressed in a long sheer white and gold gown that covered her toes. The dress flowed gently around her body like she was covered with foggy silk. She wore a thick halo crown around her head with long golden earrings that resembled a chandelier. “Besides, this is not how I imagined meeting the girl my son has been courting.”

  Luna immediately dropped to her knees bowing to the crowned woman. “Queen Nira? I can explain... Wait? My son?” She quickly turned around to see her lover looking back at the queen. Her mouth stayed open with shock as she tried to process this newfound information. “The rumors are true...” Luna looked up at her queen. “You’re Ephrim’s son...” All fell silent until Luna lifted her hands in the air. “Lie after lie with you! Why didn’t you tell me? You’re not a quarter Star; you’re damn near pure like me... But that’s not what you want is it.”

  Queen Nira reached out and placed her hand on Luna’s shoulder. “Come child, we have much to explain.” Her crystal-clear blue eyes were comforting to Luna as her anger seemed to split away. “There’s much you don’t understand about this Star gene.”

  Later on, that evening Luna was invited to freshen up inside the luxurious home of the second oldest queen among the Twelve. She laid on her large puffy king size bed looking up not sure what to do. The feelings she once had a few weeks ago was hot and intense. But now? What else was Yousef lying about? She thought. Luna took her bun tie that held her hair intact and allowed her hair to flow. She slowly undressed and decided to have a date with large pink marble bathtub that was calling her name. Skipping out on dinner wasn’t planned, of course, however she felt like she needed space to think... Was it too late to go back? Back to her sisters?

  While soaking in the tub surrounding by lit candles and bubbles up to her chin, Luna felt in she was in heaven. Until she heard a soft knock at the door. At first, she thought she was hearing things until she heard it again. Sitting up and covering her lady parts with bubbles, she replied, "Come in.”

  She was expecting Yousef to turn the corner and enter the bathroom, but it wasn’t. It was Queen Nira... “I’m sorry darling,” she said as she sat down in the chair nearest to the tub. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your time alone however I feel like I need to explain a little more.”

  Luna sat up just enough to not reveal anything. “My queen, please. I appreciate your hospitality.”

  “But you have questions, right?" Queen Nira crossed her long skinny legs after slipping off her sandals. “It’s ok. I would have a lot of questions you see. I’ve known you Luna since you were a small child. Exquisite and the leader among the four. You always stood out and not because you are the Child of Chaos. You stopped using your powers after the last time you were here. I also remember that day, my dear.”

  Luna opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead, she exhaled deeply and let Queen Nira continue. “That was the day my Ephrim died, you see. That was the day I also died too. Luna, you don’t understand how ruthless the politics can be among the Counsel. Especially among the Ancients. Arkaminus took Ephrim away from me... I have no choice but to do the same...”

  This really perked Luna’s attention. Sitting up all the way she said softly, “I don’t understand. Ephrim died in a battle against the Barbarians. My father was there that day also. How is Arkaminus be responsible?”

  Queen Nira smiled and shook her head. She stood straightening her dress and began to walk closer to the tub. “My dear child. Your beloved Ancient Arkaminus commanded Takeaway to take Ephrim from me after he found out about our affair. It was against the rules you see, to have any relations with a subordinate. Ephrim wasn’t just any advisor; he was special and chose to be my advisor.”

  “Arkaminus has the power to command this planet? He’s not the Creator... just another being that works for the Creator, like the rest of us.” Luna began shaking her head upset. “That means something big had to have been taken from here in order for Arkaminus to command such things, right?”

  “One day you’ll understand. Well, I hope not personally. He set up Ephrim that day just as he set up everyone else.” Queen Nira’s voice started to raise louder. “I know this, Luna. Arkaminus killed my Ephrim.”

  Luna grabbed her towel trying to stand up out of the tub. “My queen...”

  “You told my son you wanted to help him take down the Star Counsel. Was that true?” The queen interrupted her guest.

  Still standing in the tub, Luna wiped the water streaming down her cheek. One leg at a time, she stepped out of the while holding on to her white towel. She stood tall, looked her queen in the eyes and replied, "I did.”

  “Good, because we need to you. I gave the rebels the tools and resources to kidnap him. And now I need your help to get Arkaminus back...”

  Luna’s face turned from stern to confused. “Get him back?”

  ***

  On Stella

  Esio sat up in his hospital bed when the nurse came inside his room. “Ok sir, let’s change your dressings one more time before your departure.”

  “Thank you, Agatha.” He moaned as she unwrapped the white bandages from around his chest. “You have been a godsend to me since I’ve arrived.”

  “It’s been my pleasure sir. You almost didn’t make it, you see.” The nurse walked over to the counter and picked up a glass jar. She lifted the jar to the light showing the Councilman the deadly glowing rock pieces. “Your advisor tried to get most of the pieces out but there were still some fragments. The doctor had to be very careful when he was looking for all the pieces. You’re going to be weak for a few days also sir. You lost a lot of blood.”

  Esio bent over slightly as he recalled what had happened. “I’m glad we have the best medical team in all of Stella.” He lifted his head and winked at Agatha. “On your way out, can you send in the guard standing in the hallway, please?"

  The Stellan guard that was stationed outside walked into the private medical room. The Councilman grabbed the tin tray and began eating his afternoon meal. “Sir, you requested my assistance?”

  “Yes.” Esio sat down his tin tray beside him. “Have you seen my advisor Jaca? I have not seen him for a few days now. Can you tell me his whereabouts?"

  The young Stellan guard cleared his throat before answering. “Your advisor has been detained, Councilman Esio.”

  This information was shocking to the Councilman. “On what grounds?”

  “That sir is above my pay grade,” the guard shuffled his feet from side to side, “The Mother Queen has requested your presence as soon as you were well enough.”

  The Councilman slowly put both feet down on the ground then stood up. “Tell Mother Queen I am well enough to meet this evening.”

  The guard nodded his head acknowledging his orders then dashed out the door. Esio sighed deeply as he slowly put his fresh pair of clothes. Before evening came, the Councilman managed to return to the sanctuary. It was literally the last place he’d thought the queens would want to meet him. Business as usual, he thought. Walking through the long-marbled floor hallways gave him plenty of time to think. He had to make sure he treaded carefully for what he was about to disclose. Such accusations could get him detained as well.

  As he approached the large double wooden doors, the Stellan guards opened them at the same time. When he entered only six out of the twelve sat in the appointed seats. The dome room echoed when the doors closed behind him. To Esio’s surprise, he was expecting more of an audience than just six queens. The sanctuary held at least one hundred individuals if all of the seats were filled. He quickly brushed that notion aside as he approached the center. The less the better, he thought.

  “Councilman Esio! Son of the late Mother Queen Meredith, may she rest in peace. Come please have a seat. We are delighted to see you are healing well.” Shouted the newly appointed Mother Queen, Trina. She was standing on her feet in front of the main center seat. With her arms raised, Esio took his bow. When the Mother Queen took her seat, Esio followed behind her. He didn’t sit in his usual seat which faced the small table he currently sat at. It felt a bit odd to be on the other end of the investigation. “My apologies for getting right to business, Councilman Esio. It has been brought to our attention that your daughters, our Angels of Death have left the Grand Hall without authorization. They were aided by your advisor, Jaca. Do you have an explanation for this?”

  Esio sat straight with his hands crossed on the table. He carefully examined each queen as they sat waiting for their answer. His blue eyes finished his scan then stopped directly on the Mother Queen. He cleared his throat before speaking, “I have reason to believe that someone in our house is aiding the enemy.” The room filled with gasps and whispers. “I ordered my advisor to immediately get the girls away from Stella. As you all may know by now, our beloved Star and leader of the Ancients, Arkaminus has been kidnapped. I believe the rebels had help.”

  The dome sanctuary exploded with overlapping shouts from the queens. The Mother Queen was the only one who sat still never taking her eyes off the Councilman. Their eyes stayed locked while the others shouted demanding more answers. When the Mother Queen put her right hand in the air, the shouting stopped. “I am sorry my sisters, but I need to talk to the Councilman alone please." She ignored the destains of her decision. Queen Trina sat still with her eyes locked on the Councilman’s as her sister’s slowly exited the sanctuary.

  When the last queen exited, Trina made her way down to the Councilman. She lifted her long ceremonial robes off the ground and slowly made her way down the three wooden stairs. The new Mother Queen had a medium build and stood about five-four inches tall. Her short brown curly shoulder length hair bounced as she walked on the main floor. Her beauty was astonishing as her superior knowledge and wisdom. Her soft green eyes met his blue eyes once more... both didn’t say anything right away but instead took in one another’s presence. Esio towered over his queen, he preferred it that way. He took her small hands compared to his and kissed them softly. “You might be in danger...”

  Trina sighed deeply before saying, “That’s nothing new... I hate it when you call me mother by the way. We are the same age...” She smirked trying to make light of the situation.

  “Trina, this is serious. I’ve had my suspicions for a while now and I know my girls will come through. If Arkaminus dies, we all die. Or at least the ones loyal to him.”

  “I know... I trust you Esio with my life. I will give you what you ask for while I try to find a way to regather my sister especially after sending them away. Do you have an idea on who it might be?”

  “I do.” Esio inched closer once more. “However, I’ll need to do this discreetly. I believe that attack the other day was a calculated distraction.”

  “From what?” asked Trina.

  “The attack here happened the same time and day Arkaminus was kidnapped. Only a few members in this house including the Ancients knew he was going to be one of the Fallen. Trina, you need to make plans and leave Stella for a while. I don’t know what I’ll do if...”

  The Mother Queen placed her index finger on her Councilman’s lips. “Do what you feel you must do. For all of our sakes...” She leaned upward towards Esio’s face, and he followed her lead leaning downward. Together they locked lips briefly but passionately. “It’s up to you and your girls now...”