Jaded Ways
Chapter 4
A/N: I'm probably going to do my own version of the gangs visit to Yerba sometime in the next few chapters.
The next morning after Jade spent the night at Cat's house. Jade wakes up and finds that her body is far warmer than usual. She looks down to see a sleeping Cat snuggled up against her. At some point in the night Jade had pulled Cat closer to her, and Cat naturally snuggled into her. Cat's head was resting just beneath Jade's chin and was burrowed comfortably into Jade's chest. Her hands lay on Jades stomach, softly clenching Jade's shirt in her hands. Jade's arm was firmly holding Cat by the waist and didn't want to let go. Jade smiled fondly as she looked down at Cat's peaceful sleeping face. She thought Cat was so cute when she was sleeping. Of course when did Jade not find Cat cute?
Not wanting to wake Cat, Jade decided to watch her sleep for awhile. Yeah they had school today, but who cares. Jade would much rather spend her time with Cat.
After spending a good while watching Cat sleep, Jade decided to wake her by gently removing the hair out of her face, and kissing her gently on the forehead. This was all it took to get Cat to start shifting in Jades grasp, causing her to stir and slowly awaken.
*Cat's Dream*
Just before waking up Cat and Jade were walking hand in hand along the beach, all alone as the sun was setting. "Jade this was the perfect day. Thank you so much." Cat says sweetly to Jade, a huge smile plastered on her face. "I would do anything to make you happy Cat." Jade reciprocated, a smile etched on her face. The two began to press their bodies together and slowly lean their heads towards one another. Their lips connected and Cat felt an enormous warmth spread through her body, almost as if her insides were burning. But it wasn't a bad burning. It was comfortable and nice, almost familiar.
The kiss was brief before Cat slipped from her wonderful dreamland waking up.
Cat woke up to find she was incredibly warm. The same warmth she had felt in her dream covering and spreading throughout her entire body. She slowly opened her heavy eyes to see a beautiful girl holding her.
"Jade?" Cat asked groggily before the two sat up, Cat blinking then rubbing her eyes and yawning as she stretched out her entire body. "What time is it?" Cat asks as she finishes waking up. "It doesn't matter. Just get up and go take a shower. I'm gonna go make us breakfast." Jade says to a sleepy confused Cat before getting off the bed and walking towards the door. "I'll shower after we eat." Jade said before exiting the room, shutting the door on her way out.
Cat's forehead felt a bit warmer than the rest of her body and she gently placed a hand over the area Jade had kissed. The same feeling she got in her dream when Jade had…Jade had kissed her! Cat blushed as she moved her hand down to her lips. The thought of Jade actually kissing her causing her to freeze. She stayed like that for a minute before going into a fit of giggles. She liked the idea of Jade kissing her. If only Jade would actually do it.
Cat looked down at her body and noticed her night clothes. "When did I change clothes?" Cat wandered to herself. Even though Jade was downstairs she still heard Cat and smiled to herself. Cat didn't give it a second thought as she proceeded to strip and go into her bathroom connected to her room getting in the shower. The warm water gently caressing Cat's body was all she needed to wake up. She smiled as she sang and danced in the shower. All the while Jade listened to her from downstairs as she prepared breakfast. Cat didn't even realize today was a school day and took her time showering and getting ready. Even when she did realize this, she didn't really care. After all she had a beautiful girl making her breakfast downstairs. "I wander what she's making?" Cat said to herself as she proceeded to go downstairs into the kitchen.
Cat walked in just as Jade had placed the plates of food on the table. "Oooh! Pancakes!" Cat shrieked in excitement before running over to the table. "Not just pancakes, but also Strawberry syrup and look, actual strawberries." Jade said all theatrically as she presented the meal before Cat. Cat's smile grew tenfold, if that's even possible. "Dig in." Jade said before pulling a chair out for Cat and sitting down across from her.
Cat ate happily proceeding to tell Jade all about the dreams she had last night about ponies, unicorns, rainbows, a world full of dessert food with talking pastries and finally…She blushed as she got to her last dream. "You and I were walking along the beach. No one else was there and it was sunset." Cat said calmly with a genuine smile on her face. "Then what happened?" Jade asked curiously. Cat's face reddened and she turned her head to avoid Jades gaze and hide her blushing. But nothing got past Jade. "I don't know. I woke up." Cat said in a non-convincing way. Jade simply dropped it and changed subjects to the day before them. She knew Cat was lying, but didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
"I'm gonna clean this stuff up then go take a quick shower." Jade said before standing up, taking their dishes to the kitchen. "Alright. I guess I'll go finish getting ready." Cat said as she went up stairs. Jade used her vampire speed to quickly clean up and run up stairs. She zoomed past Cat and was already in the middle of a shower when Cat got to her room. Of course Jade being the tease she is, decided to leave the bathroom door in Cat's room open. Not only that the curtain that would be hiding her body was open just enough that if looking at the right angle Cat could see her naked body. Cat noticed this when she got into her room. Her curiosity got the better of her and she took a peek. Seeing Jades glistening naked body before her caused Cat to have a massive nosebleed. The sweet innocent Cat felt like a perv for peeking at her best friend who she was in love with. She quickly cleaned her nose before getting ready for school. Jade smirked as she knew what had just happened. Jade is so evil.
After they both finished getting ready they left the house and got into Jade's car. They took their time driving to school Jade stopping for coffee on the way. Jade also had a surprise for Cat. She stopped at an ice cream parlor on the way and got Cat an ice cream cone, making Cat go into super happy mode.
They made up some Bull shit lie about Jade's car battery dying causing them to be late. This wouldn't be the first time she's done something like that. They walked in as Sikowitz was in the middle of one of his tangents. "Cat! Jade! Your late!" Sikowitz said as he threw a ball at Cat. Cat ducked down putting her arms in front of her head to shield her as she eeped. "Ahh!" Cat quietly squeaked. But the ball didn't hit her. Cat looked up to see Jades arm stretched out, the ball in her hand. Mad at Sikowitz, Jade threw the ball back at him hitting him in the stomach. Sikowitz let out a loud "Oof!" while grabbing his stomach. "Yeah not so fun is it?" Jade snapped at him clearly upset. She grabbed Cat's hand and dragged her to two empty seats near the back.
The rest of the class was pretty pointless. Beck and Tori did another stupid couples scene during class which made Jade yawn in boredom. After class however Jade went to lunch, her least hated part of school, well except for Vega. Jade had a veggie burrito. It was Tori Andre Beck and Jade sitting at the table. Robbie was off doing something Jade didn't care about and Cat was running late. "Did you guys hear? Apparently someone smashed a huge hole into a wall at that music store we went to yesterday. They have no idea who did it or even how they did it. The store manager didn't even notice until later that night, and apparently they didn't get anything on tape." Tori said to the group. "Now that's weird." Andre said. "Yeah pretty unusual." Beck chimed in. "Who cares? It's not that big of a deal. It's just a hole." Jade said annoyed. The others just looked at her before going on about something stupid. Jade wasn't paying attention as they usually talked about boring pointless crap Jade couldn't care less about.
"Hi everyone!" Cat cheered as she sat down next to Jade, placing a salad on the table. "Hey Cat." Tori happily exclaimed. "Hey little red." Andre cheerily said. "Sup." Beck simply stated as he nodded in her direction. "Hey Cat." Jade happily said.
"So why were you guys so late getting to school today?" Andre asked. "My car battery died." Jade answered annoyed. "Really? So how'd you fix it?" Andre asked in a suspicious tone. "By beating it with a hammer. Which is the same I'll do to you if you don't stop asking me pointless questions!" Jade said angrily. Cat gasped. "Whoa! Calm down, I was just asking is all. No reason to beat anyone with a hammer." Andre said with his hands up in defense. "Whatever." Jade wasn't in the mood to deal with them right now.
Jade quickly finished her food and got up to throw it away. By the trashcans was a clear area, part of it covered in shadows. Jade noticed something and turned to look at the shadows. "Come out." She simply stated. A tall well built yet thin man with short straight black hair, a black trench coat, a black top hat, black circle shaped shades, black gloves, pants, shirt, belt and shoes, holding a black cane walked out of the shadows. No ordinary person could have seen this person as he was one with the shadows. "Yo." He simply stated. "Theo, what the hell are you wearing?" Jade asked annoyed. "What? You don't like it? I saw some celebrity wearing something similar and liked it so I got my own. I think its rad." He says. "Rad? Really Theo?" Jade says while putting a hand to her forehead. Theo, a vampire Jade created. Like the others, Theo was once human. Theo has the ability to manipulate shadows and use them however he sees fit. For example hiding in shadows unseen, unheard, unfelt, and unable to smell. Very few can sense him. He also uses shadows to kill his targets. Theo is a guardian, an information gatherer, and an assassin. He usually follows Jade, hidden in the shadows, except when Jade sends him on other missions or tasks.
"Enough about your ridiculous look. So how did the mission go? Did you complete the task?" Jade asks in all seriousness. "I wouldn't be standing here if I hadn't." He simply states before continuing. "There were some difficulties which is why I was late to return. I'm sorry I wasn't there yesterday. I heard from Andre Cat was attacked?" Theo asks. "Yeah. I took care of it." Jade says. "What happened?" He asked. "I'll tell you later." Jade states annoyed. "Jade, the others are angry. They say you blew them off again to go 'Bang your Human Pet.' As one guy put it." Theo says in an equally annoyed tone. "Yeah well I'm having a meeting with Andre Beck and the other main members tonight. The others can just go to hell." Jade says angrily. "Jade the others feel you're constantly putting the pack second and Cat first and their tired of it." Theo explains. "And what about you? How do you feel? What do you think?" Jade asks with a serious yet annoyed tone. "I think it's true that you are putting the pack second and Cat first. But I understand how much she means to you, and know you will always take care of your own. My loyalties are not to the pack, but to you Jade." Jade is happy to hear him say this.
"Any word from Evan?" Jade asks changing the subject. "Things have gotten complicated. It will take him a few more days then expected to complete his mission. He also wanted me to ask if he could take a few extra days after his mission for some personal business." The explains. "I see. That's fine. Now that you're here we don't need him here right away. Tell him to take his time, but be prepared if needed to come back early for any reason." Jade orders. "By the way, where's Garth?" Jade asks. "Oh. Right. Well, Garth is off on another one of his reckless drunkin killing sprees. He's somewhere in London right now, I believe." The says. "Damnit. When's he going to get his head out his ass?" Jade says angrily. "I don't know Jade. Hopefully soon. Especially with the bad news I bring. Things have gotten worse. It won't be long now. We need to make preparations soon. And I suggest adding some new members to the pack. We aren't strong enough for what's coming." Theo says in a worried voice. "Yeah. We'll talk more about all this at the meeting tonight." Jade says as Theo literally disappears in the shadows behind him.
Annoyed Jade walks back over to the table. "I'm leaving early. I have something I need to take care of." Jade says to the group before walking away. They all look after her puzzled before Cat gets up and goes after her. "Jade wait. What's wrong?" Cat stops Jade by grabbing her arm. Jade turns to look at Cat. "Nothing Cat. There's just something important I need to take care of." Jade says sincerely. Cat reluctantly lets Jade's arm go and walks back over to the table sad.
Andre and Tori are back to talking about something stupid. Beck looks down at a sad Cat. "Cat? What's wrong?" He asks with curiosity and concern in his voice. "Jade says nothing. But clearly something's going on. I saw her talking to Theo when she was throwing away her garbage." Cat says sadly. "Theo? He's back?" Beck says surprised by this news. "Yeah. And he seemed to be worried about something. He usually doesn't get worried about anything Beck. What if something bad happened?" Cat says quietly with a sad expression on her face. "I'm sure everything's fine Cat." Beck says while squeezing her shoulder comfortingly. "How come you didn't hear them talking?" Cat asks not understanding how Beck or Andre didn't even notice. "I wasn't really paying attention. I was listening to Andre and Tori about something they plan on doing. They were asking if I wanted to join, so I wasn't really paying attention to Jade." He explains. "Oh." Cat says sadly. She had hoped he had heard them speak. "Don't worry, Cat. Everything's gonna be fine." Beck reassures her. "Thanks Beck." Cat says with a small smile. Though really she's still worried, and has every right to be.
After lunch they all go their separate ways, and Beck decides to go find Robbie and Rex. "Robbie. I need to talk to you a minute." Beck casually says. "Alright." Robbie simply says before walking with Beck to a secluded area. "What's this about?" Robbie asks with a bit of fear in his voice. "I need to connect to Jade." Beck explains. "Why don't you just call her?" Robbie asks a bit confused. "She went off somewhere. She won't answer her phone, and Cat said she saw Jade talking to Theo before Jade took off. She said Theo looked worried about something." Beck explains. "Theo's back? Wait did you say 'Theo' looked worried? He never worries about anything!" Robbie exclaims in surprise. "Yeah, well, that's what Cat said. Now I need you to connect us. I need to talk to her." Beck says with a serious tone.
"Alright. Just give me a second." Robbie says, and then shuts his eyes. "Alright you're connected now." Robbie says then opens his eyes. "Thanks Rob." Beck says thankfully. "Jade. I need to talk to you." Beck thinks. "Not now Beck. I'm busy." Jade says annoyingly. "Jade this is important. I need you to tell me what's going on. Cat saw you talking to you Theo, and said he seemed worried about something. Theo never seems worried. And then you suddenly take off blowing off school? What is going on Jade?" Beck thinks or says. He thinks it, but it's like the two are talking directly to one another without anyone else hearing. Jade sighs exasperatedly then responds. "Look Theo says things are getting worse. It won't be long now. I'll explain everything when I get back tonight. Right now I'm going to London to get Garth." Jade explains with clear annoyance in her voice. "Garth? You're going after Garth? Why on earth would you do that?" Beck exclaims utterly shocked. "Like I said. Things are getting worse. We're going to need him. I'll explain everything tonight. Just do me a favor and keep you're god damn mouth shut or I won't hesitate to break both you're knee caps the second I get back! Got it?" Jade yells at Beck. "Yeah I get it Jade. Just be careful." He says understandingly.
Beck walks away from Robbie without a word. Robbie didn't hear any of the conversation so he's just staring at Beck confused. The entire day Cat is upset, worried about Jade, thinking something isn't right. And the way Beck acts the next time she sees him only deepens this feeling. "Yeah. I had Robbie connect us. I'm not sure what's going on. She'll be back tonight and she said she'd explain at the meeting." Beck explains to Andre as Cat is walking towards them. "I want to go to the meeting." Cat simply states as she approaches them. The two guys just look at her dumbfounded. "Cat you can't go to the meeting. It's a pack thing only." Beck says. "Sorry little red, but he's right." Andre confirms. "A pack thing? I've known Jade longer than anyone else! I should be the first to know! Why is it that she tells you guys everything and never includes me in anything anymore? I thought she cared about me!" Cat exclaims with evident hurt in her voice. "Cat she does care about you." Andre says. "That's why she doesn't tell you everything. She doesn't want you to worry." He tries to explain. "Well I am! And it's worse not knowing! Why won't you just tell me what's going on?" Cat is getting very upset at this point causing a lot of people to stare.
The two guys guide her to a more private area. "Look Cat. We're under strict orders from Jade. You know what she'd do to us if we disobey her." Beck explains. "Oh please! Jade would never hurt either of you!" Cat exclaims, knowing that Jade wouldn't. The most she'd do is yell at them and threaten them. Beck sighs then continues. "I'm sorry Cat. We can't say anything." Beck says before the two pat her on the arm and leave. Cat stands there clearly hurt at all the secrecy.
London. Jade is walking up to a guy wearing dark blue jeans, a dark shirt, and a dark jacket. He has messy light brown surfer hair and sun glasses on. He's wearing black boots and a large belt. "Garth." Jade says. Without turning around the guy responds in a deep manly yet romantic voice. "Jade. Long time no see." He says as he stares at the scene going on before him. Jade walks up to him standing by his side, her arms crossed as she watches the scene play out before her. "I see you're still up to your dirty tricks." Jade says in an annoyed voice. Garth simply laughs. "Yeah, and I see you're still the same old buzz kill Jade." Garth has either a British or Australian accent.
The two stand there watching as a crowd of about twenty or so people are killing one another in some sort of psychotic rage. Within minutes everyone is dead. Garth, a vampire that Jade turned. Just like the others he was once human. Except Garth isn't like the others. He doesn't care about humanity. He's the same way Jade was before she met Cat. Treating humans as toys to entertain yourself with. Garth has the ability to make people or supernatural beings go insane and either kills themselves or others. He enjoys traveling the world and inflicting his sick powers on innocent people. Jade can't stand him. "Things have gotten worse. I need you to come back with me." She says in a dead serious tone. Garth just looks at her then laughs walking away. This isn't going to be easy.
Jade goes after him. "Look Garth. You've had your fun. Now it's time to come back." Jade says while walking beside him. "Yeah, I don't think so. I'm not done yet, and besides you're all about seriousness and me. I'm about fun baby." He says while quickening his pace. Jade has no problem keeping up. After all she is much faster than him.
"I was giving you a choice only to be polite." Jade grabs Garth by the throat and slams him into a brick wall nearby, putting a huge dent in the wall. Jade bears her fangs and her eyes change. She hisses loudly at him. "Oh fuck." Is all Garth says as Jade slams a fist into his stomach causing him to instantly cough up blood. "C'mon Jade. Be reasonable. Why would you want someone like me anyways?" He tries reasoning with her, but she won't have it. Not this time. "You're powers are useful when used properly." She says as she throws him through a building. She quickly goes to his side and picks him up by the back of the neck. She then proceeds to consistently slam him into the ground beneath them multiple times. After she releases him and kicks him about fifty feet away, then sprints and punches him in the back slaming him into the ground creating a small crater.
She picks up his now bloodied deformed body as it slowly regenerates. She drops him and he falls to his knees, puking gallons of blood into the new formed crater. "Now then. What do you say now Garth?" Jade asks as her fangs retract and her eyes return to normal. "Bloody hell!" is all he shouts as he pukes more blood. Jade grabs him and quickly vanishes.
They are now on a grassy hill as the breeze gently flows against their skin. Jade hands Garth an ounce of blood and he takes it aggressively and drinks out of it. "Fuck Jade!" He shouts at her while she sits there with a scowl on her face. "I had to knock some sense into you." She says, the scowl remaining. "Don't you think you went a bit too far? I mean, fucking hell!" He shouts again as he holds his side in pain. "That second personality of yours is a real bitch." She says with a frown.
Allow me to explain. Garth has two personalities. His kinder side which is more alike to the others of her pack, and his psycho side, which loves carnage. The only way to get him back to normal is to beat him senseless.
"Now that you're back to your old self, I need you to come back with me." She says with a serious tone as she watches the sky before her. "Jade I would, but I can't. You know that." He says begrudgingly. "Garth things have changed. It's getting worse. I need you to come back. We're going to need you. We don't have much time." Garth sighs exasperatedly and shakes his head. "Jade, I was banished. You know that. No matter what's going on, I can't go back." He says sadly. "The order's falling." Jade says simply. "What? The order's falling? What are you talking about? I thought you just said things were getting worse! Now you're telling me the bloody order is actually falling? How's that even possible?" He exclaims in pure shock.
"Like I said. Things are getting worse. More and more vampire species are being created. Purebloods are dying out. The order is losing power and control. Once they fall, we'll be on our own. We need to be prepared for whatever may happen. I'm assembling a small army, and I need you to come back with me. We can't do this alone." She explains in a sad and angry voice. "What of your father? Isn't there anything he can do?" Garth asks. Jade sighs. "He still believes in the order. He's going to die with the order. There's no hope for him. He won't give. You know my dad. He's all about tradition and custom." She says with a sad look. "Well, maybe the order can pull through somehow. I mean there's got to be a way, right?" He asks hopefully. "Perhaps. But we need to be prepared in case. Once we're done preparing, if the order is still around, we'll try and help them out anyway we can. But until then, we have a lot of work to do." She explains. "I see. If that's how it is, then count me in, princess West." Garth says as he kneels before her.
"Get up." She says annoyed. She hates when people do that. Not that she hates the submission. It's the whole 'princess' thing she hates. Yes technically, Jade West is indeed the princess of the West Vampire Coven. Which includes all pureblood vampires of the western part of the world. But as far as she's concerned, she's just Jade, the badass vampire.