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Stephanie Meyer owns all.
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Chapter 1
There was once a time when Jasper belived that killing another human being was against everything he was taught while growing up as a child. His ma would always tell him that it was wrong and that it wasn't his decision on whether the person should live or die, despite the crimes that they had committed. Killing is one of the most unholiest of acts any human being could commit.
He believed her with his entire being and cherished the life he was given, He appreciated all that he received in life. He believed that things happened for a reason and that sooner or later everything would turn out for the better.
When he opened his eyes for the first time after his change ended and felt the fierce burn in his throat, and the indescribable clenching within his throat that soon had him doubled over, he believed that everything he was taught was a lie.
And he still believed it as the feelings of agony and pain washed over him as his hands slowly wrapped around the throat of the newborn. The pair of red eyes met; one wide with fear and another slitted with malice. He could feel his mouth curl slightly into a cruel sneer as he swiftly tore off the newborn's head and other appendages. He assembled them into a small pile and swiftly set it on fire. A small feeling curled in the base of his stomach as the sound of metal being torn rang through the air and the smell of burning rubber spread throughout the field. He paused for a moment, considering, but quickly dismissed the feeling.
He finished his work for the day and he felt the sting on his shoulder of his fresh wound the newborn had inflicted on him. He felt the clashing of their venom fester before slowly sealing the hole closed, leaving a crescent shaped scar that added to his ever growing collection. He turned towards the group still standing in the corner of the field.
"The rest of you are to go back to your campsites. Refrain from fighting or you will have to deal with me. Do I make myself clear?" He spoke softly, adding a tinge of authority into his voice knowing that the message came across the way it was supposed to. He could see some defiance in some of their eyes but they aquiesced to his demands. No one stood up to the Major and lived.
Jasper watched as they scurried into the woods, making their way back from the training grounds. He inwardly sighed as he realized that he had to report to Maria and tell her of the loss of one of her gifted newborns.
His feet slowly started making their way across the field. He opted to take his time, knowing the inevitable outcome of the conversation. He wasn't afraid but he didn't like the idea that someone could control him. He answered to one person and one person only.
His maker was a fierce leader and was cruel in her actions. She would make no exception for Jasper, her own. He mentally sighed and sped up, bluring past trees as he came upon three wooden buildings. He immediately stopped in front of the cabin to the far left. The cherry wood was slowly starting to weaken over time, if the tell-tale creaking of his weight was any indicator.
He knocked on the door and a heavy mexican accented voice echoed from within. "Come in, Jasper. You've better got some good news for me." He stood tall and pushed open the wooden door.
The room was dimly lit, with expensive silk curtains hanging from every wall. The scent of pomegranites and vanilla wafted throughout the air, their origins coming from candles littered throughout the room. In the center of the room a large wooden desk stood proudly on it's elegantly carved legs. Upon it laid piles and piles of future battle plans and maps strewn about, disorganized. Jasper casually glanced at it, before facing Maria, who was currently lounging on the bed located in the back of the room.
She peered at him through heavy lids. Her red eyes gleamed, as she purred. "Major, how is the progress coming along with the new recruits?" She stood up gracefully, the blanket she was wrapped in fell off of her leaving her bare. She smiled sweetly at him. "Will they be ready for the battle at Tampico?" She walked over to her desk and bent over her plans, sliding her finger across one of her maps. "Or will you disappoint me with another victory won by Benito?" She snarled.
Jasper allowed the Major to fully come out as he barked out, "Maria, the group is well prepared. Do not doubt me." He was taking a risk, talking back to her. "They understand whats at stake and I have pushed them to their limits. Their talents are now finely tuned and they will now obey orders without disobedience." He leaned in close, and saw her tense up. He took brief notice of her strange behavior before continuing on. "There was one minor incident today, however, and it was swiftly dealt with."
Maria turned her head to look at him, her coarse black hair falling over her tan shoulder. She studied him through narrow eyes before casually raising her eyebrow. Seeing this, the Major explained. "Rico was being disobedient and threatened to rally up the newborns in leaving to pledge themselves to Benito's cause. His talent as a telekinesis made him an extremely important asset to our side but also made him a dangerous enemy if he were to ever be on the other side of the battle. We couldn't take the chance of him escaping, so I destroyed him." He finished.
He wasn't prepared for when a hand flew through the air and crashed against his face. He felt a burning pain as her nails dug into the side of his face, leaving jagged cuts across his cheek. He felt the venom slowly pool out of the wounds but he didn't react. He turned his head back towards his maker and saw her all the way across the room, far away from him.
"That is for your insubordination. Next time, when dealing with one of his caliber, let me decide on the decisions of MY army. Do not think, that just because you are the commander, it gives you the right to make a decision like that without my council." She looked out the window noting the setting sun in the distance, and calmed her nerves that were always frazzled while in his presence. "Take the group out. Make sure they are well fed and ready. We march tomorrow at dawn." She turned her back to him, dismissing him.
Jasper stared at her for a moment, before slipping through the door. He could feel her nervousness after she slapped him. Her recent reactions puzzled him, but he didn't have the time to dissect her emotions and the reasons behind each one at the moment. He had an army to prepare and one group in particular needed to feed.
He sped towards where the camps were located, nearly five miles away from the main base. He smelled the musty odor of the dirt as his feet kicked it up while he ran. He absently noticed the lack of animals as he dodged the trees.
He stopped at the edge of the woods, observing the newborns surrounding the fire. They were all on edge. None of them were saying anything except for the occasional derisive remark to a younger newborn.
Jasper touched his cheek feeling the smoothness of his healed skin before stalking towards the group. They sensed his presence before seeing him, and they all stood to attention, turning in his general direction. Their eyes were on the floor in front of them, showing their submission. "We will feed tonight," He started. He took notice of the obvious enthusiasm as the feelings of relief and bloodlust washed over him, turning his own eyes from a burning red to an etheral black. "We'll head up north to El Paso. We can no longer feed in the neighboring cities. It is no longer safe with the recent attacks, so we will head to new territory. Stick to the shadows and don't feed from any humans until our destination. Understood?" He acknowledged their nods of acceptance and continued on. "This will also be a test of your resistance to giving in to the basic instincts of a vampire. Any vampire that disobeys my direct order will be dealt with." They visibly shrunk back but quickly formed into their hunting formation.
Jasper stood at the head of the pack before immediately taking off towards the southern border of Texas, to El Paso.
The refreshing smells hit their noses as they came upon the untouched territory. The city was heavily populated and many people were already indoors. This left only the less tasteful morsels on the streets.
Jasper already let the newborns loose, with strict orders on being tactful, and to keep their presence hidden. They were to meet up well before dawn and that left them with quite a while to do as they pleased. WIthin good reason, of course.
Jasper could feel the beast within him react to the heady smell of the blood swiftly pumping through the veins of the minimal people walking along the streets. His heavy boots made audible thuds as he walked down one of the old alleys.
He was disrupted as a door that lead to the alleyway suddenly opened. Jasper was forcibly held back as a strong smell of strawberries and something he couldn't describe assaulted his senses. His vision went blurry and he would of went down if he didn't support himself against the nearest building. His mouth filled with venom and his body was on sensory overload. For the first time as a vampire, he was actually starving.
His vision cleared and he watched as a petite brunette in a blue dress carried out a garbarge can and set it outside the door. A little of the southern wind blew through the alley and her scent was knocked into him once more, causing him to audibly gasp.
The girl's head whipped towards the sound, peering into the darkness. "Is anybody there? My father's the Chief of police, so don't start any t-trouble!" Her voice wavered towards the end, and she made up for her show of weakness by stalking forward a few steps, head held high.
He was still breathing heavily, unaware of what was truly happening to him. He was helpless as she walked closer and couldn't move to get away. He slid to the ground, suddenly feeling weak, and he heard her gasp.
"Oh my goodness! Sir, are you okay?" Her slippered feet came closer and her hands wrapped around his arm. "Oh, darlin' you're freezing! Let's get you inside." She tugged gently on his arm.
When Jasper felt the heat of her hands seep through the fabric of his uniform, he did something that no vampire had ever done. Jasper Whitlock, with the amplified feelings surging through his body and the added presence of his talent, fainted.
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~False