Jaspers pov past tense.
I hadn't thought running after her would have led me to where it did. Hell like that was anything new. Simply knowing Fate has led me down paths I'd never thought. I sat in the blacked-out sedan that seemed too fancy for the likes of Peter. A matte black fully tinted Mercedes' Benz from what I could tell.
"You work for her."
It had been an accusation. My oldest friend knew, he had known of her existence. Not only of that but of her history. Of her pain. With the rage that came over me, I grabbed the wheel and wrecked the car. We veered off the road and into a tree. We both just sat in the wreckage, a tree limb fell onto the car, its branches had broken the windshield. Had we been human, we'd both be dead. He lifted the tree and the roof off the body of the car and drug me out, I had been pinned under.
"You could have simply asked to pull over. Yes. I do work for her. Excuse me." He ran to the trunk of the car and sighed with relief. "You don't know how lucky you are. If any one of these bottles had been broken... look. Hold these."
Peter handed me a box full of those tiny vials. They bore a resemblance to the one Fate pulled out of her cleavage. I held one up to see the green murky fluid had small flecks inside... what was this?
"She's sick, it's her medication. She gets it from this witch, she's known him for some time I believe. Possibly before she was ever bitten. It would have been your responsibility to explain why I couldn't deliver them to her."
"Where is she?" I pocketed the vial and then made sure to close the box again.
"I was given instructions to wait. I was taking you home."
"That's not necessary." I began walking back in the direction my house. He followed after me bemoaning about his car. "I saw Charlotte."
"I heard. She warned me of possible contact. We still speak from time to time."
"What happened?"
"Time. Too much of it, I suppose. We had spent years with each other after leaving. I loved her. She began to change. Wanting more and I was comfortable. So we split."
"So you went back to what you knew?"
"Not exactly. She hasn't changed much but Fates not Maria. "
"I beg to differ, that woman is not the one I married. I don't know who the hell she is but I'm going to get to the bottom of it."
"Don't go searching for what you aren't ready to find. She's... she's got skeletons. Always did. I just do as I'm told."
"So you have no idea about her past?"
Peter couldn't meet my eyes. We just both kept on walking. The silence stretched indicating just how much he knew.
"I know about as much as you do now. Enough to know what questions to ask. What do you want to know? I imagine it's worth wrecking my car for."
"I've been dealing with her, excuse me for being high strung. I had forgotten how much she affected me. Tell me what you know of her father."
"Ah. I see what's got you bent out of shape. You found those journals. She obsessively writes. She has a fear of forgetting. A while back she began having these spells, her thoughts were foggy and hard to order. She began writing and it just took a life of its own."
"How long has she been dying?"
"I'm not sure but things took a turn for the worst a little bit before Victoria arrived.
She has these fits, it started small, she couldn't cast a spell correctly. Her hands would malfunction the tendons began contorting, stiffening like stone. For at least a month her right hand had been paralyzed then suddenly it was gone but what was left was nerve damage.
Now she has chronic pain flairs, during them, her magic destabilizes and creates all-out destruction. She's an atom bomb waiting to go off."
"She tried to kill me today. It was strange, we were talking and everything was fine. Well fine by Fates standards. She was being herself and then suddenly she wasn't. She was relentless. She held on in a vice, I couldn't get her to release no matter how hard I tried. Alice. It was Alice that stopped her. Killed her, snapped her neck... she laid there twitching like a fish. It was the second time someone hurt her and I didn't do a thing."
"Hey man. Stop blaming yourself for Maria. She made her decisions and Fate... she's always been strange. Her coming back from the dead is the least of her quirks. It was you or her. "
"She's my Mate!"
"And Alice is your wife!"
"Not for much longer. She left me."
"My god. Please tell me you aren't still holding out for her? Fate will never be what you want."
" How? How do I just let her go? Please enlighten me. It's not like I haven't tried! I convinced myself with great effort that she had been the villain."
"She was! Fate is a bitch!"
"Do not speak of her like that. She's, I don't know what she is. All I know is I knew nothing. Nothing! Her pain, she's been hurting all this time and I couldn't see it because it was easier to believe the lies. Now stop evading and tell me what you know."
"I can't."
"What do you mean?"He stopped walking and turned towards me.
"I'm forbidden. She has strict orders, you are not to be involved in her affairs."
"I just want to know what happened to her. I need to know what started it. Why she changed. She wasn't always like this."
"Louis, that what you want to know about? That's it?"
"Yes."
"I can tell you two things about Louis Dubois. First, Fate is terrified of him. The second, he's still up and kicking. She refuses to step foot into New Orleans."
"How?"
"That part I don't know, I do know however is that she tried to kill him."
"She tried? Interesting, she's never had a problem killing anything. Thank you." I handed the box back to him and turned away to leave.
"Wait. Jasper, you should think about this first. If you go down this path you won't be able to get off. Are you sure that it's truly over between you and Alice?"
"Is there a reason you're so invested in my marriage?"
"I'm just trying to make sure you really want to throw away something good for something you may never get."
"You love her don't you?"
"I care for her yes."
"Does she 'care' for you?"
"Just doesn't know and she never will."
"How long?"
"Not long. Fate has only ever been in love with you. Up until she became sick I was held at arm's length. I helped her, nursed her back to health secretly of course. The ice queen must never show weakness."
"I'm just about sick of hearing that word."
"Take care of her."
Peter walked off first. His head held strongly in the air. Yet I could feel the emotions radiating off of him. Regret. Sadness. Shame. Anger. And lastly Envy. My brother in arms was envious of me!
I decided it would be best to do some research before leaving. I'd like to get a full picture of the hell I'm walking into. The house was quiet. Thankfully no one was around to question me about where I've been. Once upstairs I went straight for my office.
"Did you find her?" Rosalie had been lying in wait. She sat firmly in my leather chair.
"Please leave Rose. I'm not in the mood for an interrogation." She refused to move from the chair. Her eyes slow blinked waiting for a response.
"No. I didn't find Fate."
"I meant Alice, you remember her? Your Wife!"
"Alice wants to be left alone. You can read it for yourself if you like."
"You're not going to fight for her? No wonder she lost faith in you."
"Get out!"
Rosalie stood toe to toe with me, her eyes glaring into mine. An accusation just sitting on her tongue waiting to be hurled at me. Edward opened the door.
"lay off. He's been kicked enough today. "
For a moment I didn't think she would leave. After continuing to stare me down for a second longer with her nose twitched in defiance. She left but only after knocking into me. The love has seemed to have dried up between my sister and me.
Rosalie and I didn't get along well at first. She didn't trust me. However, she took to Alice fairly quickly. Her judgment hadn't been off. Edward made sure to get out of her way as she stormed past him.
"She's worried about her sister. You know Rose and how she gets about family. Eventually, she will simmer down. Are you ok?"
"No. Were you ever able to get past her defenses? Is there anything you can tell me?"
"About Fate? No, nothing you don't already know anyway. Why?"
"No reason. Shut the door on your way out."
As soon as the door clicked I placed headphones on and got down to business. I sent a few emails to some contacts to stick a few feelers out for this Louis Dubois. I got sent an address. The Pointe Dubois plantation still stood. It's located just outside of New Orleans. I grabbed my keys this time but before leaving I made sure to drop off the vial to Carlisle. He had been pouring over the samples since I left.
The entire drive I spent contemplating what I would see when I meet him. The man that helped bring her into this world. The very reason why my mate was so fucked up. I hadn't sweat this much about what to say since having to speak to my own father.
Many plantations after emancipation had been torn to rubble. While others hadn't changed at all, this one seems to be both. Many parts had still been intact while others were in ruins. A fire tore through what seems to be a second smaller house on the property. This building had been in the worst condition while the big house was the best.
If my heart could beat it would have been out of my chest right now. The door had a gaudy knocker, I made three taps onto the large ornate wood door. To my surprise, it opened on its own. The stench inside left much to be desired. An infestation of mold and feces of animals spread about. As you move further up the house you can see the ruin. Someone had destroyed the inside manually by smashing holes everywhere, furniture broken and tattered,
blood crusted the walls . Bones! Bones had been all over the place. The aged skeletons of who I can only assume were slaves.
What happened here? The entire property seemed to be a time capsule of a horrific massacre. I eventually found the master bedroom. This room had been the most untouched in the house. I found a portrait of a woman that held some resemblance to Fate. I searched the room for clues but I only came across personal items. Jewelry and clothing are still left untouched. Whoever did this hadn't been looters.
I moved further out from the big house just trying to find anything that could lead me to Louis. Otherwise, I will have no option other than aimlessly wandering New Orleans hoping to run into the man.
The homes of the souls that died on this land still stood. Most of them rotting and on their last thread but still, they stand looming over the big house. They stand in spite. Only one was maintained. I could see repairs and mending's of the exterior. A patch of lilies stood tall around the building, along with a beautiful mix of wildflowers and roses.
The door was stuck. I tried jiggling it open but before I could I heard a familiar sound. The click of a rifle. I slowly raised my hands above my head. I hadn't heard them sneak up behind me... in fact, I don't hear anything.
"Turn around." A thick French accent spoke loud and clear. The man was tall, surprisingly so for how short Fate was. She came about an inch or two taller than Alice. Alice... he also most shockingly had blue eyes.
"That won't work on me, sir. "
"It will. I'm not packing regular ammunition."
"My name is Jasper Whitlock."
"I don't care who you are. I suggest you leave my property before I blow you to pieces."
" I know your daughter." He got quiet for a second and then pointed the weapon to the ground.
"Follow me."
He pulled a key out of his pocket and motioned for me to move out the way. Once the door was opened I could see he lived here. A burnt portrait hung on the wall. I almost jumped out of my skin there she was. Magnolia. I'm sure of it.
"Her mother. Sit."
"I was saying I'm Jasper Whitlock."
"I told you I don't care who you are. Tell me about her."
"Who is the other woman? The portrait upstairs?"
"Her grandmother, Elisabeth Dubois. What's her name?"
"You don't know your child's name?"
He dressed plainly. A pair of slacks with a white sweater and loafers. The clothes were contrasted against the rustic wooden walls. The rifle rested at his side as he glared at me expecting an answer and quickly.
"Destina. Her name is Destina Plieus."
"What do you want?"
"What do I want? Answers. Now I'm afraid I made this trip for nothing. How can you not know your kids' name?"
"I know about Fate."
"What are you? Your eyes, they're like hers."
"I don't know. We're just different."
"She thinks it's because of Magnolia."
The gun moved from its spot at his side and was firmly placed between my eyebrows.
"What do you know of her?"
"I know she hated you. I know what you did to her." My tone was calm and unwavering.
"Tell me what you know!"
"Why is she afraid of you? What did you do to her?"
"I could ask you the same. Is that Whitlock of the Houston Whitlocks? I knew your daddy boy. The terrible thing that happened to him. Just Terrible." He took his seat back.
"Luther got what he deserved."
"That he did. As did I. So did you it seems. I've heard about every one of her lovers. There's been many over the years, mere playthings. I've never heard of you."
"How many?"
"A man in the 50s came and went since then it's just been women. She meets them, toys with them, and then tosses them aside."
"She always did have a soft spot for the ladies. I'm the one that bit her."
"Ah. I did wonder who kicked her bucket. The apple never falls too far from the tree. Magnolia is rolling in her grave. Her freedom child gallivanting with the likes of my kind. Tragic."
"You say that as if she isn't yours."
"She's not. Never was. Her mother made sure of that. Stole my child right from under my nose, I didn't know she existed until the home I shared with Magnolia was a tinderbox. Ever since, that girl has done as she pleased."
"Did Fate get angry? Fire spark from nowhere?"
"I've seen it before. Her grandmother, Magnolia's mother, Delphine. My mother hated her. Hated her more than any other and I never knew why.
It was Christmas, I had been no older than six. Elisabeth was cruel, more so during holidays especially if her mother was attending. She went in on one of the serving girls, let me tell you I've never seen that woman so afraid before. What happened next clued me in on how strange her people were.
She had been unmercilessly beating the girl in front of the guests. Blood had been pouring from a cut across her cheek. Delphine stopped her from laying her hands any more than she already had. Her eyes held fire in them, had you told me that woman had been the devil ready to drag that evil witch to hell id believe it.
Something about that family line. The beginnings of it are unclear. I got as far as the Congo. Her family had been held by my mothers for centuries. I later discovered that Delphine had been her wet nurse.
The picture didn't clear up until I was much older. The last child Delphine birthed, the same girl I played with as a young boy grew up. We were close, I was nearly a man then and something sparked.
I was sent away to France by my mother. By this time my father had long since passed. I think she killed him. I never had proof but even then I knew to be wary of Elisabeth. Once in France, I finished out my last years of boyhood at a military preparatory school. After I met the most darling of women, Claudia. She was bright and courageous. Unlike any girl, I ever met here.
That was until I brought her home. Four children perished within her womb before the love was lost between us. It took only two for her sanity to leave. And there she was.
Magnolia. All grown up and sour from life. She too had experienced the loss of a child, she had been thought barren after. Her son Andrè, was a strong boy. The son of my father's carpenter, Jacques. The union of Magnolia and Jacques had been fixed by my mother. André worked the indigo fields, pounding the plant into mush. After Elisabeth found out we had resumed our affair, she sent him to a plantation in the Carolina's.
I had tried to buy him back but I had been too late. The damage was already done. By then the word had gotten around and Jacques had been found hanging from a tree. Now, it was said he did it himself. I think Elisabeth struck again. Her rage for him not being able to keep his woman in check. Keep her hands off her son.
Geneviève my grandmother hated her slaves. So did Elisabeth. Eventually, Claudia did too. What do these women have in common? Men. Men that couldn't keep to their vows. It wasn't odd to see mulatto children running around plantations, especially here. Passé Blanc children have been around these parts for some time. There was a boy not much older than me.
A coachman. Julien was his name. He too had strange blue eyes. I counted three of them. Three illegitimate Dubois children.
You asked what I did to make my child fear me? I gave her mother my seed.
Magnolia never forgave me for what I did. Fate was no different. She got her revenge by filling our daughter with her hatred. I watched the reincarnation of my love waltz into her ancestral home and set it ablaze. Magnolias vengeance taken at last. I hear she takes after Elisabeth cunning and ruthless to a fault."
"She can be."
"Does my tale answer your questions?"
"She's dying you know?"
"Yes. We're tied. Linked to one another, I feel her waning even now."
"It's something in her blood. It calls to me ."
"I'm familiar with the siren song of her people. I became a beast, an animal. I will forever repent for the evil I've brought into this world."
"She's not evil."
"I don't know what she is. All I know is my blood runs in her veins."
"So does hers." I pointed to the portrait. The fear that crippled the shell of a man before me. He couldn't even bring himself to look into the eyes of her image.
"You don't think I know that? It's why I pity you. Get a good look at your life boy. This will be you. It will be wonderful, the love will be bliss. Inevitably it will end and you will lose your mind. The cravings will begin. The violent outbursts. You'll do anything to have her. To possess her. Even if that means losing your soul."
"I know. I've experienced it." He cackled with wretched glee.
"You poor bastard. She already took it. No wonder you're here begging for scraps. Have you felt the emptiness yet?"
"For nearly fifty years I wandered without her. The other I spent with a woman. One I love deeply. Fate showed up, just out of the blue. I watched her burn. I can still hear her shrill shrieks of agony. Did you know how powerful she is? Her ability to resurrect?"
"Blood magic. A nasty piece of work. I wonder when she got her hands on a spell like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Diablerie, magick of the dark arts. She spelled her blood. It's why she can't be killed. What had she gotten into where she would need a spell like that?"
"I don't know."
For a long while, we just sat staring at one another. I finally stood up I could feel his eyes watching my every movement. I opened the door and left him to rot alone just as she had. The words Peter said to me replaying on a loop. She would never love me. If what he says is true then she's cursed. Our love is cursed to bring us nothing but pain and heartache.