Title: Child Bride
Disclaimer: I own Jason and Isabella Castanza, no one else.
Rated: R
Couples: Julian/Isabella, Cash/Sasha, Julian/Caitlyn, etc.
Author's Note: There will be A LOT of things going on in this chapter. Secrets will be revealed thatb will change many lives.
From Chapter 3: Julian's eyes widened as he began to truely grasp what Jason was saying.
"I still don't believe that you are Cain, himself," said Archon.
"You're right Archon. I am not Cain. My brother is dead in evry since of the word. I made sure of it!"
Julian shook his head in amazement as Jason confirmed his thoughts. "Archon, Cain was not the Father of us at all. It was Able. Jason is Able."
Chapter 4
"I knew I had made the right choice in a protector! Archon it stll amazes me that you've raised such an intelligent Childer", Jason said.
"This is rediculous! I'll grant that you may be an ancient, but there is no way in Hell that you are Abel or Cain," yelled Archon.
"Archon..."
"No Julian! Jason is up to something, as always. I won't stand for these games not in this house!"
By this time Archon and Jason were nose to nose, and the hosility in the room was over-whelming.
While Julian was convined that Jason was being truthful, he was not going to allow Archon blood to be shed.
"Enough! Jason you are an Ancient, and Archon you were Prince for many years. I'm sure we can settles these differences in a more constructive matter!"
The two older Ventrue continued to size each other up, but every one in the room knew that Justicar or not, Jason Castanza had enough power to snap Archon like a twig.
"I don't trust him, Julian! Why is he here and what could he, an Ancient want with us?"
"I don't want anything from you, pup. It's Julian that I require!"
Again Julian tried to diffuse the situation. Jason and Archon had never gotten along. Some said it was because Jason considered Archon's rein as Prince to be way too barbaric, while others believed their feud was sparked because of a woman. Julian had serious doubts about the later. "What can I do, for you?"
"I need for you to look after my daughter after I'm gone."
Whatever Julian and Archon had been expecting, it was not this.
"What do you mean, Jason?"
Jason sighed. "Despite what your Sire believes, the Kindred line began with me. I'm old Julian. And I haven't the time to raise my little girl properly. See to her happiness, education, and health. I need someone I can trust to be there for her. To protect her innocense for as our world allows it."
"My God! You expect Julian, a Kindred Prince to raise a a human child!"
"That is exactly what I expect. I have a fortune set aside for Isabella when she becomes old enough to manage her on funds.
What is left will go to her husband on the day of her wedding."
Julian was speechless for several moments. "Jason I'm honored that you trust me this much, but I must ask whayt you've chosen me?"
Before Archon could interupt again Jason layed out all his cards, or so the thought. "I've been watching you for some time Julian. In fact It was I who first pointed you out after the death of your beloved wife."
Julian looked at Archon who for the first time could not meet his childer's eyes. "Archon, what is he saying?"
"Before your wife died, Julian I noticed you. Ached to embrace you but I would not take you away from your family. When Evelyn died I decided that it was time for you to become kindred. I spoke of you to everyone who would listen, for I could since your potential. I asked Archon to watch over you while I prepared a place in my home for you, and arrananged protection for your family. Archon had also been watching you, and embraced you knowing iw was my right!"
"You were supposed to be mine Julian. But right now I need to find out if you are willing to do as I ask. But let me be clear, as much as I admire you, Isabella is my top priority. I will have her protected, no matter waht I have to do."
This time both Julian and Archon stiffened. "Is that a threat?"
"I can make it one if you'd like. I'm a very sick kindred Julian, a care for nothing now except my daughter and her future. I would prefer to have you agree without forcing you, but I can and will should it become necessary. I want you to raise my daughter when I am gone, and embrace her when she turns 18 years old."
"Jason, what you are asking..."
"She won't understand Julian! Why I can't tuck her in at night, whay she can never go back to our home. Why the very kindred she has grown to love and trust can no longer be trusted. She needs someone to help her to greive and then to move on. She is no ordinary child, and when I'm gone every rotten son-of-a-bitch that I've tried to protect her from will come out of the woodwork. I'm Justicar, but do you really think that every kindred that kissed my hand is trully loyal to me? You are Prince Julian, so I know that you know better. Too many know who she is and what she can do, for her to be safe after my death. She's a Pheonix Julian."
Archon and Julian gaped at him. "I thought the Pheonix was just a myth, Jason."
"Well she's not."
Suddenly, Archon's temper flared up again. "Wait a minute! That girl said that Julain was going to make her his princess!
You want Julian to marry her? Raise her, embrace her, then marry her? You really have lost your mind!"
Julian was to stunned by this new turn of events on top of everything else reavealed in this meeting, to catch the look of fury on Jason's face. By the time he did it was too late.
Jason had tried to be patient and had let Archon's disrepect go unchecked, but he had his limits. How dare this young pup treat him in such a matter! After this last comment, Jason was across the room with a hand arround Archon throught before anyone could react.
The movement and the smell of hatred broke Julian out of his stupor, and he made move to stop the fighting in his home.
However a little blond child beat him to it.
Isabella had been playing hide-and-seek with Lorraina and Cash when she scensed her father. She decided that he needed her and she had to go to him. Her daddy was very angry at somebody, she could tell.
She could always tell.
Archon cared little if Jason was the Justicar, he hated him and would never reveal the source of that hatred. But he did understand that as an Ancient, Jason posed a real threat to his life. He was wrong however in thinking that the man attacking him was the biggest threat in the room. He was unprepared when a strong blast of power tossed him from one corner of the room into a glass display case clear across the room.
Everyone turned and stared in shock at the angry little girl who stood glaring at Archon.
"DON'T HURT MY DADDY," she yelled with tears in her eyes.
Archon made the mistake of moving and with a flick of her wrist Isabella tossed him into a wall.
"Enough sweetheart. He didn't hurt me, I promise. Come here to me."
Isabella did as her father asked but she continue to glare at Archon. He was to big and he looked and felt like a threat. She felt something else too. He didn't like her daddy, so she didn't like him. It was that simple. She decided to keep an eye on him as she burroed closer to her father's comforting arms.
Archon allowed Julian to assist him in getting up, and they both turned towards the child and her father.
"How,..?" Archon began.
"I told you she is a Pheonix", Jason snapped. "Archon, you don't listen. You never did, and you continue to miss what is right in front of you. It's why you could never be Justicar and why you will die before your time. Mark my words son, your sins will catch up with you sooner than you think."
to be continued...
