Hello Everyone and welcome back to I thought I knew you, Now I love you. It's been a very long time and I do apologize for staying away so long. Let's say I'm a procrastinator and leave it at that. But I am so happy to be back on Fanfiction and completing another chapter for you lovely people. For those of you who are newcomers; welcome and those who have been with me since the beginning; welcome back and I really do appreciate the time and effort you have given me. I think this chapter is sort of the middle, where the story actually begins to get some meat on its bones so to speak. Raven and Jagger's relationship has grown, they know each other well but not well enough that secrets and surprises aren't right around the corner. I invite you to continue to read on and hopefully enjoy this recent chapter into their lives.
Destiny and Austin were my saviors. They gave me all the necessary materials to do my spell. Raven was confused, the bond with Jagger had given her this devotion to him that even she didn't understand. I feared for her, surrounded by the Maxwells. they weren't good people, they were conniving and evil and always felt the need to hurt anyone anyway they could...
I sat in Destiny's chambers getting the rest of the ingredients. Austin had a silver chain in his hand and was swinging it around slowly so that it stayed suspended in air for at least five seconds before falling into gravity. Destiny reached into a cupboard and took out several twigs and leaves. "Cinnamon sticks to make it taste better the herbs freshen the blood, it will take a few weeks to complete, so you don't want the blood to congeal." I nodded my head and Austin reached over his sister
"Make sure you don't pour too much in or it will dilute the blood." He grabbed a bottle marked in a language I did not know and uncorked it. Green smoke puffed out and made me wrinkle my nose
"It's essence of vyne," Destiny supplied and took it from Austin. She let a drop drip out of the bottle and into the old fashioned cauldron. "It will work together with the blood to pull them apart. It will also weaken her dramatically. Be ready for that."
"So at the party I'll give this to her and they will no longer be bonded?" The siblings nodded
"Remember she'll still be a vampire, but she will be free." Destiny said and Austin tapped his chin
"How do you expect her to go back to her home if she is no longer a human?" I shrugged
"I don't know all I know is that she can't stay with him, he's evil." Destiny and Austin shared a look "what?" I demanded, angry and defensive. I've had a long night, stomping through sludge with these two for ingredients.
"Nothing its just, you say he's evil, but you are the same." my eyes turned red and I stepped forward
"I am not the same as him, he's a ruthless bloodthirsty vampire, I have feelings. He's selfish you know that for yourselves." Austin stayed still, his golden eyes focused on my face. I felt soft air pressing against my face and took a step back. It would not be wise of me to make these witches angry, no one truly knew the magic they were capable of.
"Yes but you're both undead creatures and as far as we are concerned you're all evil. For us to be helping you is a big deal. Witches and vampires do not get along, Jagger and Luna crashed our party and ruined out ceremony, for that they will pay, but you are trying to tear two people apart."
"He stole her to begin with!" Their faces didn't change and I noticed the air rushed away as quickly as it had come.
"It's all the same to us." Austin said in his cool voice.
"As long as we are paid for our services," Destiny finished and with that they went back to mixing the potion. I paced back and forth with irritation wondering what on earth Raven was doing now, I knew not to hope that our plan was still intact the way she stormed out of the factory. She made me so furious; how she stood up for Jagger after all he'd put us through; but that would all change, I would get Raven back to normal being a vampire wasn't what she wanted especially not with Jagger. All I can hope is that this potion works and she'll understand I've done this all for her.
Destiny finished stirring the liquid then spooned it out into a vial. The potion shone blood red even in the poor light and smelled of cinnamon and rosewood. She capped it then held it out to me
"It won't work in any old cup it must be inside the chalice then wherever you pour it will become magic. They both have to drink it at the same time." I nodded and took the vial. It was warm. I pulled the little ornate box I'd gotten for this occasion out of my backpack and carefully placed it inside the velvet cushion. There was no way I was going to let anything happen to this vial. It was the answer to most of my problems. Once safely again in my bag I gave the siblings a smile
"That's not a problem I'll pour it into their toast glasses. They won't be the wiser." Then curiosity got the best of this cat "You're helping me with my plan, but how will you get revenge on Jagger and Luna?" He caught the chain in mid air and smiled.
"Don't you worry about that Alexander, Destiny and I will handle them." Destiny nodded in agreement with her brother then started to clear up her mess. I hoped they could handle Jagger and Luna they were allowed to use magic to reset events and put things back in balance but they weren't allowed to murder without bringing it to their coven and I knew that if they did that there would be a fight. Neither of our races were ready to risk that.
(Ravens P.O.V.)
Willow stood in front of all of us wearing a tight black half shirt and indigo short shorts which further explained Jax' behavior earlier. Her honey hair was clipped up in a ponytail and she was wearing heels.
"First we're going to start out one hip cocked..." We'd been at this all night, actually it's been every night for a week. As a vampire I tend to catch on to things really fast so learning the sexy dance we're gonna put on for the boys didn't take constant practice with our coordination in the bag but Willow wanted it to be perfect. Luna made a face and her blue eyes turned fiery
"Willow we've got it there is no need to keep us practicing they'll love it as long as we wear skimpy clothes and dance on them." Ember rolled her eyes and let out a loud puff of air
"I feel like we just set the woman's movement back a few decades." Luna laughed but I just frowned. Willow slammed her hands on her hips and glared at us. I saw her eyes flash red and a shiver passed over me. I gave the other girls a quick glance, Willow in a bad mood meant everyone would be in a bad mood.
"We want to all be in sync there can be no screw ups I cannot screw up around Jax he has it in his head that I'm perfect and I will not ruin that image." Charlotte tilted her head back so it touched the stone ground. She was reclining on the ground, having given up after the first twelve practices.
"Jax would think you were perfect even if you woke up on the wrong side of the coffin and didn't do your hair, he loves you." I nodded and finally Willow sat on the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees
"Alright we'll take a fifteen minute break but we have to get back to it, the party will be soon. The place looks wicked by the way Rave I love the skulls on the curtains." I beamed at her despite the feeling in my fangs. They were itching to come out. I was starving but I didn't want to disturb Jagger while he was making arrangements to open up his supernatural club in the cemetery tomb. We've been spending endless amounts of time together watching movies at home and the theaters, going to street fairs and block parties that went on till sunrise, and discovering new places to spend time. There was a dilapidated building in the workers district in town that we frequented only on special occasions. The upper floor was home to a little loft that I found adorable. It opened straight to the roof and we found ourselves spending many a hours locked in each other's arms. There was a lot about Jagger that I didn't know and stuff I had assumed. Like how bad he really wanted to play soccer. I thought it was horrible to stop him from playing soccer because he looked different. I grabbed a bottle of water from the throne and chugged it. My throat was on fire I had to have something; just a little.
"Thanks they were just a last minute idea. They matched the mood. Dark as hell." I made a horrific face at nothing as my throat burned away. Luna and Willow exchanged glances quickly and before I knew it they were stalking towards me. I took a few steps back but they had me cornered. The vampire in me wanted to lash out at them but the person in me knew that I was going to have to face them. The very thought of them ganging up on me though was scary and a little exhilarating.
"You hungry Raven?" I breathed a sigh of relief I thought they were going to ask me something I didn't want to hear. Like about Alexander. I don't think I've been acting strange, true it killed me inside to lie about him but I had no choice. If Jagger knew that Alexander was in Romania and what he offered me it would start their feud again and I didn't want to be against Alexander I still loved him and would never hurt him intentionally. I realized that I hadn't answered the girls and they were still waiting.
"Yeah just a little." Charlotte called from her perch on the ground
"Me too let's go get some drinks at the club, I have to meet my parents later, they're taking my little brother to the dentist and he wants me there. He's a baby." Luna smirked as Ember agreed and Skylar and Ivy hopped off the stone table they were playing Go fish on.
"You two are such losers when you're left together." Willow remarked snarling and for a moment she reminded me of the cheerleaders at Dullsville High, only more vicious. "And what about our practice? We haven't finished yet," I grabbed my phone and my Hello Batty backpack from the little nook beside the Kings throne
"Oh Will, we'll continue some other time, the party is a week away. We've got it down, I believe we should be focusing on selecting more music and party foods." Skylar said
"And of course what we will be doing at the after party." We followed Ember out of the ruins and onto the outcrop above the sand. The night sky had turned from blue to black with shimmering stars as small as dots thrown here and there. "No time to dally, my parents await."
"Yeah and after I eat I want to go find my husband and smother him with love bites." Luna pretended to gag but she pushed me ahead of them all to Embers truck. Luna and Charlotte got in the back while I hastened myself to the passenger side. Willow got in behind me and the twins slid in the back with Luna and Charlotte. We blasted the music but didn't sing along as we usually did. We drove to the club and parked in the VIP section. I was bloodthirsty by the time we stepped through the doors. It wasn't a special night so vampires weren't prime customers. I fingered the key draped around my neck and went straight for the 'storage room' vampires met us at the door pushing their way between us as they danced and drank. We went straight for the bar and ordered tall glasses of blood. Once Luna had hers she spun to the dance floor.
"Do you wanna dance?" She had a trickle of blood running down her chin I opened my mouth to tell her when a tall man grabbed her by the shoulders and let his tongue trail over the small line. Luna gasped and hissed "hey what do you think you're doing?" He smiled brightly and stepped back
"So sorry I had to, it was the perfect moment." He then took her hand but she wrenched it away "My name is Grey Dumort what's your name?" I held my breath and watched as Luna's pretty blue eyes turned fiery red
"I'm Luna Maxwell my brother owns the club!" A look of surprise flashed across his face before it smoothed over into a smile
"Well it's very nice to meet you Luna I'm still sorry about the personal space violation I'm impulsive."
"You had no right..." She started as I stared helplessly at the two of them. He was about two whole feet taller than Luna and was wide enough that if he slid in front of me she would disappear. His arms were muscular and tattooed and his hair stuck up like electric blue fire.
"Would you like to dance with me Luna." He asked and Luna glared at me as if I was the one being asked. I shrugged and rolled my eyes. She didn't look scared or nervous just slightly pissed and rejuvenated from the blood. She crossed her arms and nodded and Grey pulled her to the dance floor. I picked my glass back up and drank most of it down. Blood wasn't like soda or water I could drink without taking a breath or having to burp forever if I wanted to. I finished the drink and set the glass down with a smile of thanks to the bartender. I looked around the club and saw all my friends dancing on the floor like they'd been there all night. Even Luna seemed to warm up to Grey and was now swaying with him, her slim arms around his neck and his around her waist. When she spun to face me I pointed to the door and waved. She pouted but waved back and continued her dance. I left the vampire room and danced my way to the front door, the moon was shining so bright I had to fumble for my sunglasses and put them on before I moved away. I walked down the ally my boots echoing against the street. I knew Jagger was in our cemetery with his workers so I took the easiest route.
When I arrived in the cemetery I made my way over to the tomb. The door was open and men were coming in and out. I walked down the stairs until I got to the huge underground room where my husband was standing talking to a vampire in Romanian. I snuck up behind him and placed my hands over his eyes
"Guess who?" I felt Jagger's shoulders shake as he chuckled and before I knew it I was in his arms. "Hey"
"Hey, what have you been up too?" I smirked nonchalantly
"Just hanging with the girls I left them at the club I wanted to see you." He smirked and kissed my lips gently
"How nice. We are almost finished with the preparations the club should be up and ready to open after we have our ceremony." At the thought of the ceremony I stroked the ring on my finger. Some workmen passed us and Jagger pulled me against the wall so we wouldn't touch. He was wearing a dress shirt and black jeans.
"Why so fancy?" I asked and felt his lips trembled against my throat.
"I had something fancy to do earlier." I looked up into his face questioningly but he only grinned and shook his head "Something fancy and secret." I pouted at him for a few seconds before schooling my features into the perfect poker face
"Ok fine don't tell me I don't mind." Since I'd been with Jagger I noticed things changing about myself. I felt more mature less mindless and hopelessly romantic. I realized I also couldn't always be right, I couldn't get people to see my way in everything just from hanging around Willow. I never thought I'd hang with someone like her. I was more flirty but not randomly. He was changing me, making me different and stronger and wiser. Being a vampire was different than what I thought too. I couldn't get Jagger and Alexander to reconcile, I couldn't get Alexander from going through with his plan. I didn't want them to be hurt. But there was little I could do about it. At least without starting the feud up again.
Jagger brought me back from my thoughts. His nose grazed my jawline making me shiver delightfully. He stood straight.
"You okay?" I nodded quickly my grin widening. He blinked and pulled me towards the back. "Good, now come along I want to show you the dance floor. I think I did a hella good job." Already the slang had changed. He practically dragged me to the back. The hall was dark and long. Graffiti littered the walls in black and white large tags and controversial religious signs hung on the ceiling which had to be dug out over 100 years ago. We came out into a large room filled with workers and Dj equipment. There was a clear little dug out big enough for said equipment that was covered by a long black curtain. The ceiling was high enough to realize how far underground we were. "I wanted to dig out a balcony I got some new furniture in..." He sounded so casual, so happy that I laughed. He looked at me with a small grin.
"What?" I took his hands and brought them both up to my lips
"You really love this." There was an echoing boom! from behind us but Jagger paid it no mind.
"Yeah, I do. It's what I do." I allowed him to kiss my fingers a few more times before I spoke
"So are you doing anything next week?" I looked up at him curiously which made him grin
"I'll probably be here getting the club in order. I estimate this will not take as long as The Coffin Club so it should be ready by the time of the party."
"Which is like a month away right? You still have a present to give." I reminded him casually as he continued staring out at the workers. He grinned and put his arm around my shoulder.
"Be patient Raven." I nodded because I wasn't too concerned about it.
"Well do you think you can leave your people in charge for one night. I have a surprise for you." There was another boom and a cloud of dust lifted up in front of us.
"I suppose I could, what are we doing." I shook my head and began walking away from him, mostly because the dust was screwing with my sensitive nose. I heard Jagger following me and resisted the urge to smile.
"The girls and I found this place along the shore. It's really cool. I thought maybe we'd host a party, invite other vampires. Are there others from a royal blood line?" I knew when we got back above ground because the air got lighter.
"Oh yeah, plenty of others with titles. They live everyday like royal vampires. There are only a few families including mine and Sterlings' that chose to live in the human world. You want to invite them." I nodded. Luna told me how as soon as she was turned she started getting more involved with that part of her life and I was eager to do so as well.
"Just the teens if I get in good with them I'll be solid." I stopped walking and turned to face him "so you'll come?"
"Yes I'll be there." He leaned into me and kissed me. When we broke apart my hand went to his shoulder
"Thank you, I know you'll like it." He walked me to the entrance of the tomb so we were standing back in the cemetery. The stars shone bright against the lapis sky in a flash of lightning. It was truly beautiful
"When is it?" He asked suddenly and I took his hand
"Next Friday at sunset." A smile lit up his features
"Perfect. Hey I want to show you something." He turned back to the tomb and called out something in Romanian. When one of his workers responded he nodded and beckoned me forward. We took off through the cemetery fingers twined together. The cemetery was beautiful this time of night. The stars shone their brightest in the cemetery, it was as of they knew only the dead could truly appreciate their beauty. I reveled in it. He led me out of the gate to his car which was parked up the street. Once inside he drove us about ten minutes from the cemetery. I watched the scenery as he drove wondering at the statues and street names. Some were long others only four letters, we passed taverns and clothing stores until we reached what had to be the center of town. He parked and slipped out of his seat to open the door for me.
"What's here?" He took my hand and pulled me up. His lips curved up in a devilish smile and he wrapped his arms around my waist
"The Center of Hell" I blinked twice, once quickly the second slower.
"What?" He stepped away and turned pointing to something down the cobblestoned street. I looked too and felt my eyes widen. In front of us was a large fountain with a stone angel at its center. The fountain itself looked as if it were made of silver. My sharp eyes picked up a soft shimmer around the angel, as if the air around it was deteriorating. "What is that?" He knew what I was talking about but he didn't answer just pushed me towards it. I moved like an automaton half scared of what I might stumble upon. The closer I drew to the fountain, the sharper my vision became, the sparkling edges of the fountain reflected off the angel bending and curving till it became a full circle. And then something amazing happened; the angel moved. At least I think it moved the lights were bending and shaking so much it could have been my imagination. "Why are you showing this? I mean, what is it exactly? My voice came out soft and almost hesitant. I jumped when I felt his hand on the small of my back.
"I told you already, The Center of Hell, or at least that's what us kids call it. The adult Vampires call it Shadow Falls. We all just call it home. Beautiful isn't it?" I nodded still staring at the light, it was ebbing and flowing like the rushing current of the ocean
"Why do you call it Shadow Falls, the name doesn't seem befitting to vampires." We'd stopped in front of the fountain, and I watched as the angel shimmied like a hologram.
"Well look at the way the angel moves; how it reflects off the water," I watched it curiously aware of his hand on me, squeezing giving off warmth. The edges of the angel began to move, and dip downward. It looked like shadows...diving into the rushing water...
"Oh I get it. The shadows and the falling, gosh that's beautiful." I turned to face him suddenly "but is this it? Just the fountain how do you guys live in a fountain." He stared at me blankly then burst into laughter.
"You're a riot Raven, the shadows you see are a result of a glamour. If you hadn't noticed the fountain is in the center of the human city. Our home, Shadow Falls is inside the fountain, think of it as a portal to another dimension. If I ever were to go into Vampire politics I'd live here, at court." I opened my mouth to speak then shut it. I didn't know what to say. All of this was real, vampire politics, royal bloodlines, magic portals. It was all so much to take in. I didn't know there was such extensive background when it came to vampires. "I had the brilliant idea earlier to show you this."
"Why, not that I don't appreciate you showing me it's amazing but why?" He moved beside me and crossed his arms over his chest
"Well you did say you wanted to get into the royal vampire scene. I figured this would be the best way to go about befriending them. In the future." I glanced at him with an impish smile
"Are they all as nice as you?" He made a face and before I knew it I was dangling over the fountain, the ends of my hair barely skimming the water. Jagger leaned over me and placed his lips against my jugular. I could feel the vein there pulsing till it was easily visible.
"I'm not so nice Raven." His breath was hot and sent electric shocks through all my veins.
"I think you are," I whispered and shuddered when his mouth descended on my skin. My hands came up to grab his white hair and tug him closer but before I could, he pulled away. And not just away from my neck, the jerk took a full step away from my entire being, leaving me to flail helplessly on the air for a few seconds before I plunged straight into the fountain. Water rushed up around me bleeding through my thin clothes easily and chilling me to the bone. I sat, in shock as the water poured down from the angels arms onto my head, while Jagger busted his sides laughing
"I I told you... I wasn't...nnniii..." He collapsed into full laughter, even slapping his knee for full effect. I tilted my head and felt thirty tons of water hit the back of my neck. I wasn't so cold, but it was still uncomfortable. I let him have his two minutes before standing. "Whoo," he wiped his eyes and let out one last chuckle. "I'm not nice Raven, I'm a jerk." I pushed my hair to the side and began to ring it out. He held his hand out for me "but you love me anyway don't you?" I raised a brow incredulously and sloshed to the side.
"I'll take the fifth." He frowned
"The fifth what?" Despite my soaking wet attire I shook my head with a smile.
"Nothing, I'll tell you later but first..." I took his outstretched hand and tugged him as hard as I could. Which was pretty hard. He grunted loudly as he toppled over stone and into the water. What I didn't account for was him falling on me, which he did. I screamed as we crashed back down soaking me again. Jagger caught himself before he could sink any deeper in the fountain. Water seeped over the knees of his jeans and up the arms of his dress shirt. We lay there, breathing heavily against each other.
"I'm not so nice either." I said with a laugh and he winked
"No, you aren't." Jagger reached out to push my hair from my face and kissed me. I kissed him back because, what else could I do, sitting in a fountain to another world with him on top of me. I felt his hands on my cheeks his white hair tickling my nose. This time I clutched it and pulled at his roots hard. He hissed between his teeth and pulled away to catch his balance. Suddenly, a sharp sound rang through the air shifting our attention from each other. A middle aged man in a grey outfit and matching hat stood at least five feet from the fountain, he held a whistle between his thumb and forefinger. He did not look happy. "I think it's time we take our leave." Jagger said as he rose. He grabbed my hand and together we hopped out of the fountain, the man; whom I assume is a policeman; started toward us. With a giggle I broke out in a run after Jagger. I could hear the policeman puffing after us shouting in Romanian. We raced at an equal pace, faster than the police but not to fast that he'd suspect something supernatural. We slowed down eventually, when we were a few blocks away. We were soaking wet but happy. Jagger's lips still trembled with laughter and I couldn't get my heartbeat to slow. "That was fun don't you think?" I nodded, my hair flinging droplets of water all over the cobbled street. I looked back my perfect eyes able to see the fountain clearly even from such a distance.
"It really is beautiful, I can't believe that's where you come from. I always thought you guys just sat up in mansions on hills." He took my hand and we proceeded to walk
"Well most of the time we do, but vampire royalty and politics has to be run away from
the human world. It it's safe. Our world is fairly new ever since the revolt our council decided that we should have our own world to go to for safety. I've only been there on special occasions; royal weddings, council meetings, to buy a house." We turned down the road leading to our mansion. "But enough about that, what were you doing before you decided to grace me with your presence?"
"Hanging with the girls, you are gonna love the ruins by the shore. We did them up nice." We stopped at the gate and Jagger pushed it open then let me go first.
"I can't wait to see what you've done to the place. We had better hurry in the sun will be up soon."
"You know your car is still in town right?" He shrugged and gave me a little grin
"I'll get it later, now come on." Together Jagger and I quickened our pace to the front door and I couldn't help but sigh in relief when it shut behind us. Finally, we were home, not that i didn't love roaming around Romania i just prefer not to do it while soaking wet. I turned to face the inside of our castle and gasped immediately. The place was a wreck! And not the good kind of wreck, but the disaster kind. Pewter vases were shattered, leaving wicked shards of glass pointed in every direction and dirt in a pile. The once fine tapestries that hung on the wall of the hall were torn to shreds and end tables were crushed. I withdrew from the sharp wood afraid it would pierce my heart as the sight pierced my soul. Our home was destroyed; from the china and silverware in the kitchen to the overstuffed couches in the parlor. Every painting, every chandelier; was ripped from the wall and thrown in a pile at our feet. Jagger swore loudly as his boots crunched over broken glass turning it to dust
"Who could have done this? Why would anyone do this?" A quick flash of guilt and alarm went through my mind just as Jagger growled
"Sterling." I shook my head, unwilling to believe that "He must have come back to Romania, to look for you."
"No, I'm sure it's not him." Now he turned to me, his mismatched eyes fiery red
"Then who? He's the only one who would like his revenge and not just on me." Anger poured down my back like the fountain water of earlier
"No Jagger, Alexander might have been upset but there's no way he would come to Romania just to trash our home."
"Oh so he's still in Dullsville, pouting it out with his butler? Is that what you think?" I bit my lip. I was afraid, not for Alexander but for myself. If I told Jagger that Alexander was back he'd be certain that he did this and want to fight. And I believed in my whole heart that he didn't. Sure he was angry, but this was petty. Too petty for Alexander. He would meet Jagger face to face not destroy things and leave. But on the off chance that he did in fact come here and make a mess; then Jagger would have every right to confront him. Or at least I would.
"Yes that is what I think, Jagger we can't assume it was Alexander, I'm sure you have an enemy or two, knowing you, you've probably pissed off a lot of people." He opened his mouth to retort then stopped. Slowly his eyes widened and faded back to blue and green. I stared at him with eyebrows raised "what, have you thought of someone else?"
"Damn it!" Then he promptly turned on his heel and raced for the staircase. I followed
"Jagger, what is it?" I raced after him down the mile long hall to our bedroom. The door was open and the room was a mess. Our four posters hangings were shredded into jagged lines as if someone had taken a knife to them, the sheets and blankets were tossed on the floor and drawers hung open. My ears picked up a small mewling noise and I turned to the closet. Jagger was rummaging through the dresser, cursing under his breath in a language I had never heard before. I went toward the closet my heart in my throat. When I had the doors safely open I cocked my head to the side and listened. There it was again, coming from the very back underneath the mountain of Jagger's combat boots and Timberlands. I pushed them aside to reveal my little kitten. Her lime green eyes were shut in terror and her paws covered most of her head "oh Nightmare," I scooped her up and held her close. I could feel her small body shivering and squeezed her tight. In the bedroom Jagger let out a loud long growl followed by a few words even I would never dream of saying. I carried my shaking kitty out to him "what is it? Do you know who did this."
"Well I haven't ruled out Sterling just yet, but I have added someone to the list." I stepped closer
"Who?" Slowly Jagger turned to me and his eyes held barely leashed anger. They smoldered like flames so hot, I felt I was burning. He held his left hand out to me. In it was a piece of white stone. It reflected off his eyes turning it momentarily red.
"Witches,"