Chapter 11
To Be Marked
The shower that Jasper ordered her into, while super necessary, did not at all help Nandi clear her mind. But it was nice to be in fresh clothes even if it was a flowy high-neck red dress that was just too summer-night-in-Paris for Forks, offsetting her slightly damp wild russet hair nicely. If anything, the shower allowed for too much thinking.
Something wasn't right. Nandi couldn't help but think back to the whole Bella joining the Cullens thing, and things didn't add up. Bella was so very adamant on releasing Nandi, she was firm in her very true belief that you can't just take people, and then suddenly she wasn't. Bella went from yelling red faced over the horror of the Cullens' ways and then she just went with it.
Nandi wasn't blind though. She saw what the Cullens did. Attacking Bella with guilt trip after guilt trip. One after the other, not allowing the poor girl to even think about a counter argument. The big brawny one even asked rhetorically if Bella could live with killing everyone. Well damn. Now that was some well-played guilt tripping, very skillfully manipulative. If you were as gullible as the brunette.
But the Cullen's didn't just guilt their way into getting Bella to agree. No, something else had happened. But what was it? Was it like when she suddenly found herself doing things she'd never do? She knew they did something. Oh, fuck. They fucking hypnotized Bella! But could vampires hypnotize people?
Fucking Dracula did. So maybe Hollywood did have some inside information.
Whatever. She couldn't stay here forever. What about school? And clothes? And Daryl! Surely, the Cullens had to know that people would notice her absence and the last place she was known to be was Alice's house.
"No one's keeping you captive, girl." Nandi jumped so hard, her heart trying to explode out of her chest in her fright.
Edward was standing in the doorway, his face twisted in a snarl. Nandi took a slow step back. She didn't know what the hell his problem was but somehow she was to blame.
"You are to blame!" He growled out. What the fuck. She didn't say that aloud; she knew she didn't say it. They could...they could read her mind?! Oh my God, oh my god. Then how much had he heard? Did he hear how she figured out that they-SHUT UP NANDI. Think about purple elephants! Violet with long trunks and-
"I don't know what Jasper finds so fascinating about you, girl. But because of you, we had to have Jasper-" he shut up with a snap, his jaw closing harshly over his next words. Visibly he breathed out, breathing in and looking repulsed by her. "Even your scent marks you as the harlot you are. Thunderstorms and sex and now Jasper."
"Harlot?" Nandi didn't know whether she was offended or amused. Who said harlot anymore? "Look I don't care what your magic vamp nose is picking up but I haven't had sex with Jasper." Or anyone else for that matter.
"No, no you haven't. But you've wanted to and you've wrapped yourself around him, enticing him with the promise of your woman curves." He tapped his head with his fingers, eyes narrowed in disgust. "I've seen what happened when he dropped you off at your home. I've heard your thoughts, how you wanted to know him."
"And she will. You look lovely, kitten. Red is absolutely stunning on you." Jasper was back. Where the hell did he go? He blurred over to her and then over to the huge chair in his room and she was once more placed in his lap, one of his arms holding her possessively. "That's twice now Edward that I've found you haunting my kitten's steps, sniffing after her. Try for a third, brother and I'll know the taste of thunderstorms covered in freesias." Jasper ran his free hand from her neck and down, over her shoulder, the curve of her breast, ending on her thigh, and his eyes on Edward's the entire way.
Nandi sat stiffly, confused and terrified. She didn't know what the hell was going on. But Jasper was touching her and he was doing it in front of Edward and she liked it, but she didn't want to like it. Her thoughts froze when her legs were forced open, Jasper's cold hand finding its way under her dress and on her inner thigh, dangerously close to her silk clad centre. Then his hand was gone, her legs closed and he was playing in her hair like nothing happened.
Jasper sniffed before chuckling darkly. "You want her, brother. Her scent has affected even you, the infallible and virtuous Edward. Ha!" Leaning down, his lips near Nandi's ear, Jasper spoke. "You know, kitten. Edward used to play super hero. At night he would prowl the streets for the unworthy and the damned. He'd play judge, jury and executioner. Draining 'criminals,'" Jasper laughed out.
Nandi sat still, her thoughts whirring. "H-how did he choose his victims?"
Jasper smiled viciously, eyes on a still Edward. "'Victims.' What an interesting word choice, kitten and an even more pressing question. Just how did you choose your 'victims,' brother dearest?"
Glaring at Jasper for whatever game he was playing, Edward balefully grit out, "I read their minds."
Nandi's brows furrowed. "Can all vampires read minds?"
"No, kitten; only special snowflakes like Edward can. You had to have been extremely nosy when you were human to get that amazing ability."
Nandi shrugged, taking that in before she turned back to Edward. "But how did you know whose minds to read?"
Jasper's grin was really just a baring of teeth. His kitten was perfect. He placed a kiss in her hair. "Do tell, Edward. Exactly how did you know?"
Edward blinked, confused. What the hell was Jasper getting at? He would see who looked the most suspicious-oh. So he subconsciously racially profiled them...Edward was beside himself with the realization, standing in his indignation. "Damn you, Jasper! As if you're one to talk! Does the girl know who you were before?"
Jasper, no longer amused merely blinked. "I was a soldier, Edward." Say one more word about it and upset my kitten, I'll remove a limb for every tear she cries.
Jasper looked down at a curious Nandi, her storm eyes wide. "Edward was just leaving, kitten. He won't be bothering you again." Jasper stood with Nandi in his arms before setting her down. "I'll take you home after I feed you."
"Feed me? I'm not some dog, Jasper." Her tummy chose that moment to make itself known.
Jasper smirked, "No, kitten. But you are hungry."
Edward left to hunt, killing every deer, rabbit, mountain lion and even squirrel indiscriminately.
...
"Wait. You're letting me go home?" Nandi ventured hopefully once they were outside. Jasper frowned.
"Yes, home to your brother's house. I gave you a choice, kitten. You chose to stay and I'll respect that. So I'll drop you off at home and pick you up for school. I'll also have you on weekends." She opened her mouth to protest when he pinned her with a look. "I'm willing to compromise, little Nandi. But make no mistake. You are mine and I will have you. It is this kindness I choose to extend to you, but if you wish to be unreasonable then I can just say fuck your choice and take you away with me right now. Is that what you want darlin'?"
"That's not fair, Jasper. You didn't give me much of a choice! You THREATENED my brother, what was I supposed to do?! I don't want to be here and I don't care what you vamps think," she spat, blue eyes flashing. "I don't belong to you, not now, not ever."
He was suddenly in her face, his too sweet breath washing over her as he snarled, every inch the vampire. "You are mine! You are scented! My venom a part of you. Do you wish to be Marked? Branded with my Claim so that none may deny it, not even you?"
Nandi gasped, stumbling back in her fear, tripping and falling, her voice gone and heart beating a mile a minute.
"I can sear it into your skin," he crooned softly. "There for all to see forevermore. Is that what you want, kitten?" Nandi began to cry softly, shaking in her fear. "Answer me! Is that what you want!"
"N-no!"
Jasper was crouched in front of her, his hand burying itself in her curly hair at the nape of her neck before her head was jerked up harshly. His eyes finding her tearful ones, slowly he spoke. "Who do you belong to, little Nandi Balewa?"
Storm eyes hardened, her shoulders went back and she sat up straighter, meeting his eyes, defiant.
"I belong to no one, imbongolo," she spat out. "Least of all you."
He picked her up roughly and she was blurred away to some forested area. Jasper dropped her, and once more his hand was in her hair and her head was jerked up to meet his eyes.
Jasper was visibly angry. His golden eyes were narrowed almost hatefully. And he was shaking in his anger, his hand painfully tight in her curls. When he spoke, his words were stilted and accented thickly with that Southern lilt once more, "Is that your final answer?"
Nandi only quite literally spat on him, biting out "Go fuck yourself!"
She watched Jasper change. His anger left him, his face blank. But his eyes darkened dangerously. The calm before the storm. Slowly he untangled his harsh hold in her hair. He smoothed it out, easing the pain away with his now gentle touch. He held her eyes, searching for something. Then he kissed her brow. "We'll do it your way then."
She was on her back before she could blink, her dress high neckline ripped open. His fingers found where her heart was rapidly beating and then she knew pain.
It burned like a thousand fires, hot and cold at the same time. She knew he was Marking her, searing his Claim and by God, it hurt. It was like he cut her open, flayed her. Tears streamed down her face, the only relief from the pain. She couldn't even scream, his large hand covering her mouth, all sounds muted. Right when Nandi felt she couldn't take anymore, sure she was about to pass out from the pain. It was over, Jasper's head bent over her chest and he licked it, once twice.
Slowly he sat her up, her back to his chest.
Relief. And then horror.
Just as he said he would, Jasper Marked her. She was branded on her collarbone right above her left breast. In gorgeous calligraphy, a name sat glaring at her in impossible crimson. The most terrible tattoo.
Iaspis.
She knew somehow that it was his name in some other language. What, she had no idea.
"It's Latin."
"I don't understand." She rasped out, voice hoarse from screaming. "Why me? Why choose me?"
He was silent as he stared at his handiwork, blonde curls tickling her bare shoulders. He traced his name and she flinched hard, but there was no pain. Only a strange sort of relief. "I didn't choose you, Nandi. There was no choice. No question, nor option. Not for me. You are mine, just as I am yours. You need only accept it, accept me. I will provide for you in all ways; you will never want for anything. Ever. You need only speak it and it's yours.
"I thought it only fair that I Mark you with my name since yours is already so tattooed in me. All I can think of is you, your scent in the wind, teasing me. Your skin glistening in every light, begging for my touch. Your absence leaving me with the loudest ache until I can silence it once more whenever you're near." Almost bitterly, he continued. "No, I didn't choose you. It just was."
"Oh. Can I go home now?" Nandi was absolutely exhausted, just on the verge of passing out, done with it all.
"Not yet, kitten." She only nodded. "You must eat. You humans must be fed and watered." A weak smile.
"I'm not hungry."
"You will eat." And she was in his arms, he standing once more. She closed her eyes as she felt that strange vibrating sensation that came whenever he did his vampire speed thing, wind in her hair.
He sat her down gently, holding her to be sure she wasn't going to fall. And Nandi saw that they were at Forks High's parking lot. Keys in hand, Jasper headed to Nandi's Dodge. He held the door open for her and obligingly she got in. Then they were driving, pulling into a diner.
Wordlessly he held up his jacket, helping her into it. They entered and all eyes were immediately on them, Nandi ducked her head, sure she looked a sight, dry tear tracks staining her brown face and curls all over her head. She also had dirt on the edges of the dress from when she tripped and when Jasper...
"I'm gonna go to the restroom." He nodded, excusing her.
Nandi found it unoccupied. What she saw in the mirror shocked her. Her sun-kissed caramel skin was almost glowing, seriously glistening even under the dimly lit bathroom light. Her blue eyes were wide and dilated. Her hair had leaves in it. She looked high.
Quickly, she splashed her face with cold water, deigning not to look at the mark on her chest. She pat her face dry with the hard paper towels. Brushed the dirt off her dress and removed the leaves from her hair then French-braided the unruly locks into a side braid then left out to rejoin Jasper.
She found a bowl of tomato soup and grill cheese placed before Jasper who slid it over to her along with the glass of Pepsi. Wrinkling her nose, Nandi sighed before tucking in. Only to find her plate moved from her. Confused, she looked at Jasper with furrowed brows.
"You do not like what was ordered. You will tell me what it is you would like."
"Pancakes." He nodded not calling to attention that it was evening before calling the eager waitress over. The pretty redhead hung off Jasper's every word as he told her to bring him pancakes-the blueberry kind. Oh, and orange juice.
Food that she actually wanted in front of her, Nandi ate under the watchful eye of her controlling vampire. She attempted to eat only half, not having much of an appetite when she found her plate pushed closer and a firm command declaring for her to finish. When Jasper deigned her finished, he sat a fifty down, helped her up and out.
The car ride was silent. Pulling into her driveway, Nandi saw that the lights were off, Daryl still at work. Before she could finish unbuckling herself, Jasper was there, opening her door and helping her out, dexterous fingers deftly undoing the seat belt.
He walked her to the door where she reached over into the potted plant, emerging the key and letting herself in. She went to close the door when a pale hand came up quickly, halting it. Golden eyes pierced her in dark amusement, a smirk on the blonde's gorgeous face.
"Won't you let me in, kitten?" Nandi rolled her eyes before attempting to shut the door once more. And surprisingly, he let her. The lock clicking into place.
Nandi made her way upstairs on heavy legs only to freeze at the sound of the door unlocking and the knob turning before her house door opened revealing the smirking blonde.
"I let myself in. Hope you don't mind." He smiled, holding up a set of house keys that he shouldn't have had.
He set her forgotten car keys on the table. "You forgot these, darlin' and I'll pick you up for school at eight." Then he was in front of her on the stairs, his chilled fingers finding their way in his jacket and tracing that damnable name on her chest. "Good night, little Nandi."
And he was gone, almost mockingly locking her door behind him with a spare key he should not have had.
Too exhausted to even sneer, Nandi passed out dress and all the moment her head hit her pillow.
~The New Girl~
A/N: Woah dudes thanks so much for reviewing! Chapter 11 brought to you by the Letter F and the number 11 hahaha oh! And the following reviewers and of course my new favs and follows. You guys seriously encourage me to continue this unorthodox plot of mine.
Beachgirl25 I'm so glad you're liking my story plot. I've always wondered it myself; this plot has been lurking in the back of my mind for quite some time now. I agree Maria and Jasper's "relationship" was master and slave almost; no real compassion or love. As far as Nandi being a lion, well we shall see if little Nandi proves to be more than she appears.
Guest MB Thanks for reviewing and yeah, I believe that as old as the Cullens are, they're not quite the Disney family they appear, the kind family persona only a facet of their personalities. So glad you enjoyed it!
Breenieweenie Thanks for reviewing, love. Hoping you like this chapter as much as you did the last.
As always, dears share your thoughts with me. I'm sure you Edward lovers will have a thing to say or two about his methods of choosing his meals. Looking forward to hearing about it.
Poor Nandi, btw! She can't catch a break with such a domineering presence surrounding her every step. Jasper's a real ass, huh? I'm loving it (mwahaha) Darksper is so much fun.
Anyway next update should be around Wednesday maybe ..
