CH.7 – The Beginning
Rule five. When a declaration of war is announced all able bodied Vampires must meet to defend the clan. United, we shall remain…
Safely inside the apartment Jessica had calmed down and was fast asleep. Jean watched her. She was dirty form all the running and from the alley. But although she was asleep she looked strong, courageous. He liked her. She accepted him, which was different. She stirred.
"What time is it?" She asked, still half asleep.
"Early, morning. Go back to sleep." Jean placed a hand on her head to sooth her.
She ignored his request and sat up. "You look tiered, you should sleep."
He shrugged, "I'm fine."
She looked concerned, "No, no you don't. You look exhausted. What's wrong?" Jessica leaned over and leaned against him
"The running too a lot out of me. And I've been thinking hard." He squinted with thought.
"About what the hunter said?" Jess asked, now fully awake.
"Yeah, he said master, and the council. I…" Looking down he trailed off.
"You what?" She asked concerned. He isn't leaving is he? She didn't want his to leave. She liked him to much. She couldn't let him go. Jessica slid her arm around his
"The council is having an early meeting, everyone has to attend." Jean trailed off again.
Her eyes widened, "You leaving me?"
His head snapped up, "No, I wouldn't… but I just…I don't know what to do."
Jessica looked down; her brown hair fell in her face. "Take me with you." She finally said, "Take me to this Vampire council. I'd love to see your side of the world."
"What?" Jean asked, astonished, "You couldn't come. There'd be tons of other Vampires and you're a human and-"
She cut him off, "So. What better way for me to get to know you. And your kind of course."
"But…" He made a face.
"But what?" Jess asked, so innocent.
"Well, you don't…smell…half bad. And I wouldn't be the only one who would… try to get close to you. And I don't think the others would be able to control themselves." He looked her straight in the eyes. "It would be very dangerous for you."
She pondered that for a moment, "Then change me." She stated.
Jena's jaw dropped.
"What?" She asked, so cavalier.
He stared at her a moment, then bowed his head. "Would you so willingly give your human life away? Is there no one you'd miss or worry about? You wouldn't be able to see them again. The turning changes everything about you. Physically I mean. And it adds on to the mental side as well. But Jess…"
She placed her fingers to his mouth. "I didn't mean right now. In time. When we're ready. There are a few…" She searched for the right words, "Things I want to do while I'm human." Smiling Jean leaned in and kissed her.
Her breath disappeared as their lips met and she melted to him. He was so sweet and warm. When it was over she laid in his lap. She wanted to say something, something that would express what she felt. She tried it.
"I love you." Jessica whispered.
Jean stayed silent. Pondering on what she meant by that. He hugged her close. "I'm sorry."
The moment broke. "Why?" Jess got up.
"I need to leave soon. Tonight if at all possible. The council if forming already."
"So soon," She murmured, "How do you know?"
"Instinct. Or at least that's what I call it." He stood and wrapped his arm around her. "We just get this feeling. That the best way to describe it."
She stood there, mesmerized by his touch. She whispered, "Take me with you…please. I can't live without you."
He pulled them apart and gazed down to her. Jean knew she meant it and he couldn't leave her. Not even if he wanted to. "Okay. We'll leave tomorrow?"
"Okay," Jess looked to the clock, then groaned, "I'm tired."
Smiling Jean laid them both down and curled up behind her. He kissed Jessica on the cheek and whispered goodnight.
Waking alone Jess panicked. Had he left? No, he never would leave me. You're overreacting, relax. She thought to herself as she pulled off the blanket. The next thing she knew he was beside her
"Good morning," Jean smiled and kissed her.
"Good morning," Jess replied. "How did you know I was awake?"
He stood and pulled her with him, "Your breathing picked up, it sounded like you were worried. You sleep well?" He began to walk towards the kitchen.
"Yes, very good thanks." She looked to the kitchen. Then grimaced, "You're hungry huh?"
Grinning Jean shrugged, "Maybe." He stuck out his tongue.
Laughing Jessica took his hand and went to the fridge. Taking out some assortments for breakfast she began the meal. "So where is this council meeting?"
Leaning up against the counter Jean began, "It is held every one hundred years at In the Alps. Deep inside one of the mountains is a series of cavern. It the heart of our Clan. If anyone ever needed help you could just go there. But you couldn't be chased. Like me. I was being hunted. I wouldn't have been able to have come to the mountain. It's one of our laws."
"I see," She started chopping up a carrot.
"Yeah, so we'll get a plain to France. And move on from there. It should only take," Jean thought a moment, "About three days."
She stopped chopping and stared at him, "Three days? To find a certain mountain in the alps?"
"It's not hard to find. I was only twenty three years old and I found it first shot."
"Twenty three as a Vampire you mean?" Jessica restarted on the food.
"Of course." He smiled.
"The plane, how will we get the money?"
He chuckled, "Jessica, Jessica. Money is never a problem. If I can sneak up on you so easily," He moved form one side of her to the other so fast and quiet she barley noticed. "I can do it to anyone." He looked up to the ceiling, then laughed. "I wonder how many wallets I could swipe in a minute."
She smacked him lightly in the stomach and threw her concoction in the oven. "Almost ready, ten minutes." She looked to him, "I wonder…" She raised her eye brows a couple times. Seeing if he would take the hint.
Jean grinned. The next instant Jessica was lying atop him on the couch.
"Wow, your fast." She smiled
"I try." He countered. Then mimicked her eye brow movement.
Laughing Jessica leaned in and they kissed. But Jean surprised her, he slipped his tongue in. She followed his lead. The passionate kiss turned to a make-out scene and they squirmed on the couch for a few minutes. Finally she broke it off, panting.
Jean smiled up at her. "Too strong for you?"
Speaking in between breaths Jessica replied, "No…just…very good." She leaned in again and pecked him on the lips. He closed his eyes and kissed her back. He was so at peace. Then reality came back, they had to move out.
Smiling Jean said, "Yes, very." Picking her up he placed her on the couch and went into the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Jessica asked, puzzled.
"You'll see." Jean replied over his shoulder. After a moment He came out with a large wrapped box. He put it on the couch next to her and said, "Here, it's a going away present. Since I'm partially taking you away with me." He smirked.
Dumbfounded Jessica began to tear at the paper. As it unfolded she gasped, it was a painting. But it was huge. And the picture, a perfect sun-set behind a grassy hill. Next top the hill was a crystal lake, an amazing reflection of the sun in it.
"Is…is this the place we were at?"
"Yes, I new you like it."
Looking up to him she asked, "Where did you get it done? It's so perfect."
Shifting his weight he looked down, then blushed, "I did it."
She was shocked, speechless. "You?"
"Yeah, I can paint pretty good. We Vampires have superb motor skills. So it's easy for us to get detailed things right. Most of us can paint, draw, or do something artistic."
"Wow." She whispered.
"Yeah it's nothing to special." Changing the subject Jean stood up. "Let's get going, it's almost dark."
Nodding Jessica headed for her bedroom to start packing her clothes. Jean walked to the door and headed down to the car with some of his bags.
