Chapter 26: Explosions
Lex leaned back in his chair as a scantily clad Sarai straddled him, a sexy smile on her face. He grinned up at her as she traced a red fingernail along his chest. As she moved to kiss him, a knock sounded at the door. "Go away," Lex shouted, smirking up at Sarai. "Please get it," she whispered. "The Queen might need me." Lex grumbled but got up anyway and opened the door to see Amber and Trudy there. "What?" he asked irritably. "We need to talk to you," Trudy said, raising an eyebrow at Sarai. "Later," Lex said, trying to shut the door. Amber groaned and stuck her foot in the doorway. "Lex, this is very important," she said. Lex started to argue, but Sarai put a restraining hand on his back. "It's okay," she told him. "I should go check on the Queen anyway."
Lex sighed heavily and walked back to his chair, throwing himself down into it lazily. Sarai pulled her dress over her head and gave him a quick kiss before she left. Amber closed the door behind her before she and Trudy took seats opposite Lex. "Well?" he asked. "What the hell do you want?" Amber restrained herself from retorting. Trudy drew in a breath. "Lex," she began, "we have something to tell you. We found Bray." Lex rolled his eyes. "I didn't know he was missing," he said. "For God's sake, Lex!" Amber cried. "We don't mean Baby Bray!" Lex looked from one girl to the other with a confused expression for several seconds before he understood.
"Where is he?" Lex asked, jumping out of the chair. "He lives in the city," Trudy told him. "But that's not . . ." Lex was already putting on his pants. "Lex!" Amber said sternly. "Sit down!" "Why?" he asked. "I want to see Bray. Does he know where Taisan is?" Amber and Trudy exchanged sad looks that weren't lost on Lex. "What?" he shouted. "What is it?" He grabbed Trudy's shoulders. "Where is she?" "Sit down and we'll tell you what's going on!" Amber ordered, shoving him down into the chair. "Lex," Trudy began again, her eyes filling with tears, "I'm sorry to tell you that Taisan . . ." She began to cry, covering her face with her hands. Lex looked from Trudy to Amber with a disbelieving expression.
"What is it?" he asked angrily. "Did she find someone else?" "She is dead, Lex," Amber said quietly. Lex shook his head. "Whatever. That's ridiculous." Amber glanced pleadingly over at Trudy. "Bray and Taisan came here to Genesis together, the same way Ved and Cloe did. They were bought from the slave traders," Trudy whispered. "Lex, Taisan died just before we got here. Bray buried her himself." Lex, his face white, shook his head again. "No," he croaked. "It's not true." "Before she died, Lex, Taisan . . . Taisan had a baby," Amber said. "Your baby. Her name is Skye. She's living with Bray." Lex stared at Amber for so long she thought he had taken leave of his senses. "Lex?" Trudy asked hesitantly, reaching out for him.
He shuddered and pulled away. "That's bullshit," he shouted as he leapt out of his chair. "Bullshit! 'San wasn't pregnant before she got taken. If she's with someone else, just tell me!" "Lex!" Trudy shouted back. "Why on earth would we make this up?" She stood up and threw her arms around him. "She's dead, Lex. We saw her grave. We saw your daughter!" Lex shoved her away. "This isn't true," he cried. "It can't be true." "Bray will come here tomorrow," Trudy said quietly. "He will bring Skye with him. He can tell you everything." "If there's anything to be said, I want to hear it now," Lex retorted. "Then you need to calm down and sit," Amber told him. He glared at her, but did as he was told. Amber then told him all that Bray had told her about his and Taisan's capture, their imprisonment, and their escape. She told him of Taisan's failing health, the birth of Skye, and Taisan's death, as quickly as she could before she broke into sobs.
Lex sat in the chair stiffly, gripping the arms until his knuckles turned white. He listened to everything Amber told him with a white face. When she finished, he remained still. "Lex?" Trudy asked after several minutes had passed. He continued to stare straight ahead. After some time had passed, he stood up and picked up his shirt. "Where is Bray's house?" he asked. "I can take you," Trudy said, standing up. "I remember the way." Lex nodded curtly and pulled his boots on. "I'll see you later, Amber," Trudy whispered as she followed Lex out the door. Amber wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself. "Well, Lex knows about his baby," she said to herself. "It's time for Jay to know about his."