I have always loved the Twilight books and i read them like they r a drug! I had a lot of sleepless nights when i first read the series and i still do. All of the books sit on my bookshelf next to my bed and i'm so glad that they can be there beside my other favorite! (harry potter and warriors) I cant wait for the movie to come out so i can put it with my fav DVD's (HP, LOTR, and POTC)
Disclaimer: I owe Stephanie so much for the beautiful books that she created and the wonderful example that she shows for me:) thx
His life was not necessarily something that you would call happy, but complete…at least, that's what he thought… This is Jasper's story.
Yes. Everyone was safe.
Already the last few young women were entering the town, their shoulders hunched over against the rain. Slowly, the doors were pulled closed, quickly being secured by soldiers.
I glanced to the sky above, cursing the horrible weather. The sky was a dark gray color, bleak and angry. Rain pelted the ground and a gentle thunder rolled through the clouds. The ground was slick and muddy, splashing up whenever a step was taken while the houses soggy stood in the dim light. It was only noon but was already dark.
I swung my legs off of the horse and cringed slightly as the flying water seeped into my leather boots. Holding the reins tightly, I led the horse over to the stables that stood to the side. The stable master stood just under the roof, his dark figure startling me.
"I need another horse," I said gruffly. The stable master studied my face. I scowled slightly and looked down to the ground. He reached forward to take the reins from me.
"This is not the weather to be out," he said. "I don't much like the horses to be out at a time like this." My scowled deepened and I glared up at him. He turned his back on me, ignoring my open hostility, and led my horse over to an empty stall. He unhooked the reins and gently patted the mare's side, muttering under his breath. He turned and sighed, suddenly looking older and feeble.
I glared at him suspiciously, but he ignored me, walking over to the other side of the stable. He studied the horse that stood in front of him, and then reached forward, patting the creature's muzzle. I folded my arms in frustration and looked out into the center of the town.
The wind whistled through the damp houses, stirring up the paper and trash that littered the streets. The town was vacant, everyone having taken refuge from the storm. Water dripped endlessly from the roofs of the buildings and rolled lazily down the street.
I turned and dropped my arms to my side not noticing that the horse master had finished. He stood in front of me now, one of his hands at the horse's neck, and other holding the reins in silent pleading. He studied my face once more, trying to catch my eye, but I refused to look up at him and gently pulled the reins free from his grasp.
I turned and walked out into the rain, the horse following quietly from behind. The horse master followed, flinching slightly as the rain soaked through his light jacket. I stuck my foot into the stirrup and swung myself onto the horse. The rain had calmed slightly, but I was still soaked thoroughly. The horse flicked his tail in irritation but did nothing else, waiting patently for my command. The horse master now stood right in front of the horse, his eyes still trying to catch my gaze.
I could feel that he was nervous and irritated, and this annoyed me for some reason. He reached forward and gently patted the horse's muzzle once more. "He is strong and well trained. Be careful." I turned away, looking toward the exit. I jerked my head into a nod and then turned and horse away and trotted out of the village.
I feel shaken by the horse master's worry but I was not sure what was wrong. The horse master was being silly, that was all. He shared close bonds with the creatures that he worked with and so of course he would worry about them…
But he seemed to know more, like some unknown terror was out there besides the weakening storm. This confused me beyond reason and I shook my head crossly. Whatever it was, I could handle it.
I kicked the horse into a canter as we pasted under the defensive arch that guarded the town. The rain had subsided to a constant drizzle, fog seeping into the surrounding air. The weather made things difficult to see, but I refused to stop. The horse raced forward, its powerful muscles stretching under its fur.
I suddenly felt a sudden, instant longing that I wanted to be like him. The powerful creature below me was just that, powerful. He could run faster and longer and could kill a human if he wanted to. He could protect people if his desires led him thus far and he was so strong. I wanted that power, the power to be strong and fast, to help others fiercely and never worry about being defeated. But all, in the end, could be defeated. The horse for instant could be shot or killed by exhaustion. It would grow old and die as did everything. I wished for a way out, a way that I could stay strong and continue to save others with my unmistakable strength.
The horse, ever so slowly, began to slow. I knew that it was tired and I allowed it to slow to a quick trot. Even a horse grew tired, I thought bitterly. It seemed as if I could never be satisfied, never find that one thing that would interest me, that would tempt me into jealousy.
Suddenly, the horse froze, his nostrils flared and his ear stood stalk still. I glanced around but could not see or hear anything. I gently nudged the side of the horse, urging him to keep going. He ignored me and refused to move a muscle, his eyes searching through the fog. I kicked a little harder this time, but instead of ignoring me, the horse brayed. I became irritated and whipped the reins against his neck. He flicked his ears at me and slowly edged forward, his eyes never leaving the fog ahead.
I gritted my teeth with annoyance and kicked the horse again in the side. It walked slightly faster, but I could feel the shake of its body and the fear that it felt. It was not as distinct as a human feeling, but it was there, gnawing at me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, willing to calm myself. The horse stopped shaking and slowly began to move with more comfort, but its ears stayed alert and his eyes still searching.
I opened my eyes once more, cursing the fog that shrouded my sight. I had to get back and quickly. The attack would come soon and if I did not evacuate everyone, they would be killed, innocent children and women. He seemed to feel my sudden urgency and quickened his pace, his hooves making an even noise as he flung up mud and water.
Slowly, the fog began to fade, leaving behind thick, moist air that stuck to me, causing the sweat that dripped down my spine. I shivered. Suddenly everything became dark and eerie. I glanced around with wonder at the sudden change and that was when I spotted them.
Three women, traveling towards me, huddled together and unrecognizable. I frowned with confusion. I was sure that all of my party that I led had made it safely to the town, but here were three women, alone and unprotected. With a shrug, I forced my horse forward, ignoring his now constant whinnies and brays. The women paid no mind to me, as if they had not hard me yet. I opened my mouth to call out to them, but something restrained me. Something was not right, I was sure of that.
Three women would not simply travel along a deserted road, walking as if they had no where to go in particular. No soldier would have allowed them the freedom at these dangerous times to leave alone.
My horse froze as the three women traveled closer, their eyes staring at the ground. I cursed the horse as I nudged him on but he refused to budge the shake of his body and fear returning. I glanced up at the women curiously, wondering what they could have done to make the horse act so strange. I sighed and swung off of the horse, gently patting its neck.
One thing was clear, though the horse was fast and strong, it was also a coward. I snatched up the reins and tugged the horse forward towards the women. The horse's eyes were a light with fear but he obeyed, shakily following me. I nodded in satisfaction and then walked closer to the women.
The one on the left wore a simple burgundy dress that was slightly large for her, but fitted her figure. She had a dark navy blue shawl pulled over her hunched shoulders, protecting her from the bitter rain. Her hair was wrapped up and hidden under a black bonnet. The one in the middle seemed older, although her youthfulness did show. She wore a pale brown shirt with a dark shirt. A thin, string belt was fastened around her waist and long strands of beads clung to her neck. Her hair was pulled back, tucked safely under the red shawl that she had pulled over her strong looking shoulders. The final woman, the one on the right seemed young. She let her brunette hair fall around her hidden face while she carried her black shawl rather than wear it. She wore a dress of green that was too long but not too big.
It seemed that the woman in the middle was talking to the young one on the left, arguing quietly. The one on the right stared out over the rolling hills that lined the path, her attention wandering from her two bickering companions.
I stepped forward eagerly, hoping to help the women, but the woman on the right suddenly turned her head sharply and met my gaze. I froze, forgetting who I was and how to breathe. She was so beautiful. Her beauty had come unexpected and her smile unasked for. Her skin was very pale, but it looked like silk, shimmering softly in the dim light. Her eyes were red, brimmed with black around the edges and they seemed welcoming, inviting me in. Her face was angled and sharp and reminded me of a graceful feline.
She said something that I did not catch and her two companions suddenly looked at me. The other two were just as beautiful, the same silky skin and red eyes, all reminding me of angels.
The three women approached slightly faster, their grace taking my breath away. It was as if they were floating, on clouds rather then the deep mud that surrounded the scenery. I flushed slightly as they approached, suddenly feeling embarrassed. My horse whinnied loudly but I ignored him, my mind only having room for the three beautiful women.
It was the one on the left who approached me first, her smile full and welcoming. She studied me, her smile widening slightly as she took in my full image. The other two stood slightly behind, both eyeing me with greed.
"He's speechless!" She giggled, putting her hand over her mouth with humor. Her hair had fallen down some and I could see the blond glow emitting from it. The strands looked as if they had been spun, beautiful wisps in the air.
The older looking woman stepped forward, her eyes closing as she took a deep breath.
"Mmm lovely," she sighed, leaning forward slightly. The brunette glanced at her sharply.
"Concentrate Nettie," she warned, her voice going slightly cold. The one called Nettie made a strange noise that sounded like a growl. It emitted from deep in her throat and seemed to rumble through her body. The brunette stepped closer, her eyes scanning me up and down.
"He looks right- young, strong, an officer…" she paused, her breaths deep and sincere. "And there's something more…do you sense it?" She leaned closer to me, her eyes closing until they were only slits, a smile playing at her lips. "He's compelling."
Nettie's eyes lit up at these words and she took another step towards me.
"Oh yes," she cooed. The brunette glanced at her and straightened, suddenly looking more business like. "Patience, I want to keep this one," she said.
The other woman, the one who had first spoken to me, folded her arms, studying me with curiosity. She pursed her lips and gently shook her head in, which seemed, defeat.
"You'd better do it Maria if he's important to you. I kill them twice as often as I keep them." My eyes widened at her words and I suddenly felt the urge to run, but I was frozen in place. These weren't angels; they had to be ghosts, something that I had never believed in. The brunette, or Maria, nodded her head, her gaze still watching me.
"Yes I'll do it." She sighed wearily. "I really do like this one. Take Nettie away would you? I don't want to have to protect my back while I'm trying to focus."
The first blond nodded while Nettie suddenly looked excited.
"Let's hunt," she said, her eyes glowing with anticipation. The blond nodded and took Nettie's hand. They ran towards the town, their grace still taking me by surprise. I turned back to look at Maria who was studying me with a curious stare.
"What's your name, soldier?" she asked. I swallowed hastily, trying to take control of my voice.
"Major Jasper Whitlock," I breathed. I knew that I should have been running but I didn't move. My horse yanked at the reins that was still clasped in my hand, but I hardly noticed. Maria shook her head sadly.
"I truly hope you survive Jasper. I have a good feeling about you," she said. My breath got caught in my throat as she stepped forward, coming ever closer. She leaned in as if to kiss me. Her breath washed across my face as she neared. She smelt so good, sweet and wild. I held my breath as her lips met my cheek. Frozen, I did nothing as they slowly traveled down my jaw line and then my neck. She hesitated as she came to a stop at my collar bone, then, it was all pain.
So...what did u think? the next chappie should be posted soon...i had to look back into Eclipse a lot to get everything right and the details forrect. plz review! thx!