She danced through the alley, kicking her skirt as she walked. Major trailed silently behind her with his hand on the wall as he wiped blood on it. They were done with hunting and Major had thought it would be to their advantage to lure some vampires into the area. They didn't frequent this town often, as it was a far run from the camp, so it was the perfect place to create a feeding frenzy.
"Do you think this will distract the Volturi from the wars?" Astrid asked, walking backwards so she could look him in the eyes.
"Sure. If enough vampires come to feed there will be enough human deaths to bring their attention. They'll most likely assume it's another coven."
Astrid hummed and turned back around. Maria had thwarted talk on the Volturi and Astrid was not bold enough to dare bring it back up. Major knew she was telling the truth, though, and he worried they would come back and get to them before they had a chance to protect themselves. He took a proactive route and planned to create enough havoc in other towns that they would be too distracted to look for Astrid or Charlotte again.
"I haven't smelled them since that night." She continued as they exited the alley. Major tucked his hands into his pockets so that the blood wouldn't be seen by the humans.
"Hopefully they found some other poor souls to torture." Major grumbled, glowering at a man that stared a bit too long at them.
"I doubt it, I left quite an impression on them. I'm sure they're drooling to get their hands on me again." Astrid rolled her eyes. She could practically see the tracker's red eyes full of vindictiveness. She knew without a doubt he would come back for her. If what he said was true about once smelling a vampire they were forever his, then he was sure in for a surprise when he realized he wouldn't be able to find Astrid.
"You're getting cocky, doll." Major said, pulling her closer to him. She happily wrapped their arms together so it looked like he was escorting her. He gave her an indulgent look.
"Can you blame me, Major? I'm untraceable and it's pissing that tracker off."
"The more pissed he is, the more he'll come at us with. That's not what we want." Major stopped and looked to his left and right before nodding towards a couple across the street. Astrid felt his intrigue and she knew what he wanted. Without another word she led him towards the couple, beaming at them as a way of introduction.
"Why hello! My husband and I were just walking and we can't seem to find our way to the local bar," Astrid giggled, shaking her head. They were completely enamored by her, dazzled by her beauty. Major oozed annoyance. He hated playing human. "Do you mind showing us?"
"Of course! We were just heading there ourselves. My name is Linda and this is Jeffrey." The woman introduced, happily leading the way.
"Astrid! This is my husband, Jasper." She gave him a delightful smile and he blinked in shock at the sound of his name. She had never used it before, had never dared when they were alone. It was something she was never supposed to know.
"What lovely names. Are you from around here?" Linda continued to chat, oblivious to the death that awaited her.
Astrid held tightly to Major's arm as they finally reached an alleyway. They moved quickly; Astrid grabbed Linda by the neck and held her against the brick wall and Major tossed Jeffrey. He hit the wall hard and immediately was knocked unconscious. Major glanced at Astrid and she snapped Linda's neck, dropping her to the floor.
Once they were dead, Major looked at Astrid.
"Jasper, huh? Where'd that name come from?" He asked.
Astrid cocked her head to the side, "Maria told me."
He frowned and grabbed Jeffrey. He tore his stomach apart and spread the entrails on the wall. He didn't speak as he did the same to Linda. When he was done he finally turned to Astrid.
"I like how my name sounds coming from you."
Astrid froze. She licked her lips and didn't break eye contact. She felt the alley fill with affection and she managed to give a little grin although her entire body was buzzing with the overstimulation of feelings. Major walked forward and caressed her cheek with a bloodied hand. She felt the stickiness drip down her neck and he wiped it away, licking it off his finger.
She sighed, "You're killing me, Major."
"Ah," He shook his finger, mischief in his eyes. "What's my name?"
Astrid couldn't believe she was actually going to use his name. She had been petrified of this man for years. He was the first vampire she saw when she woke up. Maria was still creating her original army and had yet to find the farm. Astrid had opened her eyes in the forest. The leaves had look beautiful and the bark mesmerizing. She thought she'd spent forever staring at them but it had been only seconds. She heard the foliage on the floor had crunched from a thick boot and turned to look to her left. There a man stood, hauntingly gorgeous. He had curly blonde hair and red eyes that shone in the night. He was tall, had a stiff posture, and was extremely intimidating. Her eyes were drawn to the scars that littered his arms and neck, his face was the only part untouched. Astrid wanted to touch it and didn't realize just how strong she was until she was biting his face and he was slamming her into a tree.
Astrid shook her head and stepped away from him, "Major. You're my Major."
He frowned, "No."
"Yes."
He wasn't Jasper to Astrid. He was Major - he forced her to fight for her life. One night he had torn her leg off and hit her with it. Another time he had used her as bait during a battle and let three newborns surround her while he went after another. For her first years as a vampire Major never treated her like anything and now he wanted her to call him Jasper? It was normalizing him. He was anything but normal.
He cocked his head to the side, feeling what she was. He sighed and shook his head before nodding for them to leave. She allowed him to go first before falling into step with him. They had grown close over the past eight weeks but that wasn't enough for her to call him by his first name. She still had a level of respect and fear for him. She knew joking aside he would kill her in an instant just as she had killed Harriet and Charles.
Astrid reached the yard first. She walked past the fence and eyed the mess that had happened in their absence. There was only one newborn death, who was currently being burned, and that was good considering the usual three. Major eyed the forty before heading to the barn where Robert was still chained. It'd been two weeks since his capture and he was well starved. He was ready to crack soon.
Astrid went to follow him when Maria appeared. She looked as starved as Robert, her eyes pitch black.
"I want to change patrols." She stated.
Astrid bowed her head, "Of course, Maria. How would you like it?"
"Every newborn is to go out now. They need experience for when we fight Benito," She clasped her hands. "I want everyone in partner's."
"Right away. I will divide them personally."
Maria entered the barn and Astrid controlled herself from listening in to their conversation. She walked to the newborns and held her hand up, commanding their attention. Instantly they fell silent and directed their wild eyes onto her. She surveyed the forty, noticing how the eight stood far in the back. Peter stood at the helm of their group, frown in place. He scoffed when they made eye contact. He was still upset over being left out of Major and Astrid's hunting trips.
"I will divide you into pairs so we can begin patrols. You know each other best, pair up with someone who compliments your abilities. If you are a fast runner get someone who can fight well and vice versa. I will give you areas to watch over so visit me before you leave the farm. Dismissed."
She observed the disheveled bloodsuckers as they grouped together. Astrid hadn't taken the time to get to know them by name and could only distinguish them by their attitudes. They were a haughty group, definitely how a vampire army was supposed to be. She looked up at the sound of the barn opening and watched as Major walked towards her. He reeked of Robert.
"You're with me." He stated, coming to stand beside her. He overlooked the group as they evenly divided themselves, snickering amongst each other.
"That's not fair to pair up my strongest soldiers," Maria pouted, sauntering to Major. She played with his curls and rested her head on his shoulder. "Astrid, I want you to take on a newborn that I see great potential in. She's quite terrible, I love it."
Maria turned to stare at a young woman in the center of the group. She stood next to a chunky man with a bowl cut, scowl prominent on her pale skin. She was taller than Astrid with short brown hair and pointed features, only dirtied pants and bra on.
Astrid nodded and without a look at Major she walked towards the newborn. She saw her coming and cocked an eyebrow, hands on her hips as she eyed Astrid, squaring her up. Astrid felt her skin prickle and her own attitude rise at the negative reaction. She could already tell this was going to be a battle of dominance. Oh joy.
"You're with me." Astrid said in lai of greeting.
The girl snorted, "No shit."
Astrid had little patience for disrespect. She worked her ass off to be on top and she wasn't going to let some cranky little bitch act like she was better because Maria liked her. Astrid snarled and grabbed her by the hair, slamming her face first into the floor. She crouched over her body, ignoring the way she flung her arms out to try and hit Astrid. The newborns laughed and gave them space, loving a good shame show.
"What's your name?" Astrid asked, keeping the snarl from her voice.
"Marietta."
"Listen, Marietta. When I say you're with me, you say yes ma'am. When I say let's go, you say yes ma'am. When I say to rip your own fucking head off, you say yes ma'am. Do you understand?" She rubbed her face into the dirt to show just how low she really was.
Astrid could see her pride fighting over her survival. Her body shook as she finally spat out, "Yes ma'am."
Astrid ripped her arms off and tossed them over the fence. The group roared and Marietta shrieked with anger and pain, using her feet to sit up. She spat and hissed at Astrid and the older vampire ignored her. She really wanted to yank her head off for the disrespect and send her into the fire but Maria was watching, and if her look was anything to go by, she didn't enjoy the show. Astrid snarled and kicked Marietta once more, just to get her anger out.
She turned to meet Maria's gaze. She was frowning but said nothing, returning to her room. Major smirked and gave Astrid a nod before walking towards a newborn to take with him. Astrid watched as Marietta crawled on her knees to her arms, begging someone to help her reattach them. Bethany took pity and helped her, ignoring Astrid's venomous look.
This was going to be fun.