Disclaimer: We own nothing but the right to fuck with Edward…and Jasper's head as we see fit.

Dark Salvation

AN: Lemon warning. Do I really need a warning on that after the last chapter?

Jasper's POV (chapter 36)

I was trapped in my memories all night. Sobbing on the table while Eleazar fucked me in front of Edward. That Edward loves me enough to sacrifice everything, to save me, is mind-blowing. I do not deserve him.

I tried to talk Elly out of it.

"N-no deal, Elly. H-he deserves to have a h-happy life."

"And you deserve a life at all, Jasper!" Edward shouted back. "That's no way to live! He'll kill you! You go back to that place and he'll kill you! At least if I stay here, and you're semi-free, you can look after Bella and live! It would be worth it!"

"My life is not worth it, Edward!" I screamed at him. He didn't understand, I'm not worthy of his devotion. He should throw my ring on the ground and walk away while he can.

Eleazar spanked me into submission. "Silence, both of you." His cock pushed further into me as he leaned over my back.

"Relax, Buster, I'm not going to hurt your Edward. I didn't call Aro. I just had to break through your walls. You know that I'll do whatever it takes to get through to you, and this was what it took. I'll lie to you about anything if it brings you back to me, Jasper."

Eleazar grunted in between many of his words, his fingers clenching my shoulders painfully. His forehead dropped down to rest on my back and his hips were grinding into me before he tensed and subsequently melted against me.

He kissed my back before withdrawing, my ass on fire from my earlier spanking and the rough treatment he'd given me at first. It was all a carefully crafted facade to break me. I was relieved that I would not be returning as a slave, but still worried of how Master would receive me as a sub once again.

I never should have called Master. I should have gone to Eleazar and let him handle it. But, I'm broken and Master will take care of everything. That's why I'm going back. I can let it all go, all the responsibility, all the worry, all the guilt. I can just be Jasper Whitlock, Master's favorite sub.

Edward and Bella will become happy again, I've given them the tools to create an amazing marriage. Their family will support them as Edward pines for me. He'll get over me soon enough, I can keep in touch with Bella and offer her ways to help him without Edward knowing. I'll make sure that he knows how much I love him when I leave, but that my life isn't for him. Perhaps I can make a new ring for him so that he knows my heart belongs to him. No one has ever been so gentle with me as he was last night.

Edward reached behind the seat and grabbed a blanket to wrap around me. The sedative Eleazar had given me was leaving me cold and shaking as it fully worked out of my system. He'd given it to me before and the shakes always came three hours after I woke up.

"Th-thank you. J-just take me home, please?" I just wanted to lie in my own bed, with Edward beside me, and pretend today didn't happen.

"I won't let him take you from me, Master." James' voice was a whisper directly into my ear. "Come home where you can see me again. I'll be waiting."

"Okay, Master. I will." Edward's voice overlapped with James'.

"N-no, no 'master' tonight. I-I need a f-friend." I need my lover to hold me.

Edward patted my leg softly and smiled. "You already have one."

How he could still consider me a friend after what he went through tonight was mind-boggling. If I hadn't snapped, he wouldn't have had someone sucking his cock. If I'd held it together, he would not have seen me like that. He'll never look at me with love again.

I opened my eyes and saw Alice sleeping on top of Edward. He was still asleep, his fingers playing with the short raven locks as he often did to my hair if I fell asleep on his chest. Her makeup was smudged, she didn't bother washing it off before bed. Mascara was on her cheeks, a trail down the side of her face. Knowing I'd caused such pain in another person ate away at me.

Seeing her lying on my other love, a part of me healed; a part of me that hadn't healed after killing Maria. This was right, the four of us in bed. My two loves and someone I know I could love if I wasn't going back to Italy in a handful of days.

Edward sighed in his sleep, his thigh muscle tensing beneath my leg that was thrown over his. Alice's breath hitched and her eyes opened, slowly focusing on me. I couldn't help but smile as she relaxed having seen my face.

Confusion marred her beautiful face, and she looked down at Edward. "Oops," she giggled. Edward mumbled something sleepily and began his soft snoring once again.

Alice's eyes met mine, holding them, not allowing me to look away. "You okay?" She whispered huskily, her voice still heavy with sleep.

When I nodded, she reached for my arm and pulled herself over onto my chest. Edward rolled over and pulled Bella against his chest. Wrapping my arms around Alice, I held her tightly, willing her to feel my love. She sighed sadly, making me wonder if she didn't really want to be here.

"Alice? Are you alright?" I whispered so that I wouldn't disturb Bella and Edward.

She nodded, her teeth pulling at her lower lip. "I must look a mess…" She tried to slide off of me to the floor but I gripped her more firmly.

"Like a beautiful mess." After everything she said last night, I had to tell her. I had to let her know that she was still the holder of my heart. She was in my soul. "Alice…"

"Don't, Jasper. I was wrong, okay? It wasn't fair of me to give you an ultimatum those years ago."

I couldn't be whole for her then, just like I can't now. I'm not the man she fell in love with. "I deserved it."

"No, you didn't. There are a lot of things you don't deserve."

"I…" I don't deserve you. If I told her that, she'd just knee me in the jewels and lay into me. So, I went for putting my heart on the line. "I…love you, Alice. You know that, right?"

"Took you long enough to tell me again, Jasper." My exasperating pixie-pie. "I love you too." She still loves me?

"I'm fucked up." You shouldn't love me. I'll bring you down into my darkness, honey.

"I know, baby. Edward, Bella, and I will make you well, okay?"

They can't fix me with love. "I need Elly…"

She shook her head, her nails digging into my skin. "Elly is the reason you're still fucked up, Jasper! Don't you get it?! This Dom / Sub lifestyle has fucked you up! If you had let me…if you had…" She was sobbing to the point of making herself sick. Alice's whole body shook with her tears.

I kissed her hard, shocking the tears away. Our lips molded together as they always have, her full lips turned up at the corners. "Jasper…"

Her voice was a purr that reminded me of all the mornings she woke me up by sliding down onto my cock. Lifting my hips up to her, she whimpered out my name.

"Please, Ali? I need..." I need to be in you; I need to feel your love all around me. I need to be connected to you.

"Shhh," she whispered against my lips, lifting her hips as she reached down to lower her panties down one leg and then the other. She and Edward had stripped me last night so each movement pushed her pussy into my cock, making me even harder. Given that he was worried I'd need an IV bag of fluids to up my blood sugar since I refused to eat, he wanted me naked so that he could treat me without worry of clothing.

Alice's slim legs slid down on either side of my hips, her knees barely clearing my waist. She was tight, as snug as the first time I entered her. "Fuck," I wasn't going to last long.

Her eyes rolled back into her head as I filled her, her cunt clenching around me. Having her riding me, with nothing between us, was blowing my mind.

"You feel so damn good, baby." Her voice was a whimper as she rocked, taking me even deeper. I was going to bruise her at this rate.

I grabbed her hips and lifted her up and down. She was so light that it took no effort at all. We kissed as we hadn't kissed in years. Our lips reacquainted themselves as I slowly dragged her off of my cock and then slid her back onto me. We made love as if the rest of the world disappeared. Part of me knew Edward and Bella were next to us and that we should let them sleep, but fuck if I cared. I was where I needed to be, inside my Alice.

From our years together, I knew what she needed. Sliding a hand from her hip to her front, I cupped her sex, my finger tips ghosting over her clit in the side to side motion that would make her come unglued. "Jasper."

She whispered my name as clearly if she had yelled. Alice tightened around me, a smirk on her lips as we kissed.

"Alice... sugar, I'm going to..."

"Come with me, baby."

That was all it took. I let loose my control and snapped my hips into her, giving her everything I had. She came over the edge with me, a few last flicks of my finger setting her off. She bit her lip as she came, trying to not disturb Edward and Bella.

I breathed in her perfume and the crisp sweet scent that was just Alice. She was like a Honeycrisp apple on a September morning. Her body settled into mine and then lifted, a trickle sliding down over my balls. A trickle of come. "Shit, we didn't..." Again, I forgot to keep my lovers safe. I can't... I need to be more responsible. I'm too fucked up to bring a baby into this world, even if I wanted to, which I don't. Not right now. Not with my life in the balance, not when I can't be here to raise him or her.

"Birth control. Got 'cha covered, babe," Her voice was soft, almost too smooth as she slid up off of my cock. No little Jasper's or Ali-cats. I felt relieved. She'd be alright. I wouldn't doom her to being a single mother. Laurent wouldn't take her back now. Edward would take care of her, though. I know him. He and Bella would take Alice in if she needed a place to stay. That's just how they are.

Alice noticed that I was far away and nuzzled my neck. Smiling at her, I brushed my lips against hers. "I love you, Alice." It felt good to say it aloud.

She smiled around her bitten lip, and then the corners of her mouth lifted into a full smile. "I love you too, Jasper."

The bed dipped and I turned to see Edward on his knees, sliding into Bella. Their eyes were locked as if we didn't exist. Perhaps they had found the same world we had, a world just for lovers.

"Have you watched them before?"

I nodded, fighting back a laugh. I've done more than watch them, darlin'. I've fucked them. "They are beautiful."

"Then, let's not miss the show."

Edward turned to me with a cocky smirk set upon his lips. "Jasper, I don't give free shows, you know that." He tilted his head toward the basket of condoms and lube. "Just let me change position here."

I watched as he leaned over and whispered into Bella's ear, his hips stilling their movement. She looked over at Alice and then back to Edward, nodding slowly.

"You're sure?"

"Yes, Edward. But just today, for now." He kissed her gently, smiling as he sat up and withdrew from her pussy.

I rolled over and attached my lips to his cock, sucking at the skin, tasting Bella and Edward mixed together. He groaned, the shaft hardening even more in my mouth. "Shit, Jazz, I don't wanna..."

I slid him out with a pop, a trail of his pre-cum mixed with my saliva trailing from cock to lip. Alice pulled me to her and licked my lips clean. Edward turned onto his back and had Bella straddle his waist. He handed me a condom, one of the ribbed ones I noticed, and the lube. Viewing their intimacy had already hardened me, having Edward offer himself to me, turned me to stone. I needed to be inside him.

Alice watched me, mesmerized, as I rolled the condom on and lubed up. Her fingers moved to her clit, gently rubbing as I inserted one, then two, fingers into Edward's ass. He groaned, bearing down as he pushed back against my hand. Both women let out mewling sounds as they watched. Alice's wide set eyes flickered up to Bella while her hand moved towards his cock. Bella nodded with a soft smile for Alice.

I watched, contentment filling me, as Alice slowly stroked Edward, her tiny hand barely closing around him. My mind drifted unbidden to thoughts of Alice with Emmett. His overtly large frame in comparison to her tiny one is erotically amusing to ponder how they would fit together.

"Are you going to fill me or not, Master?" Edward's tone was light, teasing me to pull me from my thoughts.

I reached over and grabbed a pillow, lifting his hips to slide it beneath. Pushing his feet up so that his pelvis was tilted, I smiled down at him over Bella's shoulder. I worked a third finger into him, our eyes locked as he groaned in pleasure.

"I love you."

His voice was soft as he echoed my sentiment. "I love you, Jasper. We'll save you."

I removed my fingers and carefully pushed into him. "You already have."

He was tight around me, his muscles both pulling me deeper and trying to push me out. I thrust slowly and he dropped his head back. Alice continued to work his cock as I slowly moved within him. I reached for Bella's waist and tugged her backwards until she was sitting over his cock.

I nearly came as I watched Alice reach between the three of us. Her nails traced up Edward's length and then she kissed Bella's shoulder before gently stroking Bella's entrance. She brought her finger back to her lips and licked, smiling at the three of us. Moving to rest her head on Edward's stomach, Alice guided Edward's cock inside of Bella, and then shifted to straddle his shoulders so that she could lap at Bella's clit. Her head was tilted sideways so that she could reach.

I wasn't sure how I expected Bella to react, but wrapping her fingers in Alice's hair and pulling her harder was not what my mind concocted. Although, my mind was pretty well gone at this point.

"No, Master, I'll tell you when your mind is gone."

I saw James' face smiling at me from the mirror on the headboard. I closed my eyes, thrusting into Edward more firmly.

"Fucking Cullen isn't going to make me go away. You killed me, Master, and all I ever did was want to protect you. He'll leave you one day, and then you'll join Maria and me. We'll be waiting."

James' voice faded away and I opened one eye cautiously. He wasn't there anymore.

Bella began to moan in time with Edward's thrusts. I lifted my hands from Edward's hips to Bella's breasts, rolling her nipples between my fingers and tracing circles around the sensitive flesh. Her head fell back onto my shoulder, panting for breath. I sucked on the hollow behind her ear and worked down her neck.

Alice let out a moan and I looked down to see Edward fucking her with his tongue. The four of us together was just right. Edward's eyes met mine and lowered before raising again. He felt it too, or was reading my mind. This was it. This was the healing I needed. Sadly, it came too late for me. But, I will take the memory of this morning with me to Italy. Aro can't take this moment away from me.

Alice's cries set off Bella's orgasm and she rocked hard against Edward. I growled out that he could not release yet and he nodded, his legs tensing as he fought for control. Alice sat up, Edward using the change in position to reach up and tease her clit while his tongue fluttered around her entrance, dipping inside and back out again.

Bella leaned forward, reaching for the back of Alice's head. Pulling her into a kiss, I groaned watching them. Bella peppered soft chaste kisses across Alice's face before her tongue crept out and began to lick up the remaining taste of her fluids that were around Alice's lips.

"Fuck. If the two of you do that, there's no way I'm gonna last."

Bella turned to look at me and they both smiled devilishly. They looked back at one another and then began to kiss in earnest. I watched as Alice's tongue swept across Bella's lips and then was gone from sight, their lips moving across one another. Now and then, I saw a glimmer of tongue as the kiss passed from mouth to mouth.

In synchronized movements, their hands came up and gently cupped one another's breasts, thumbs brushing across hardened peaks. Alice began to writhe on Edward's face, moaning into Bella's mouth. She was close and it was going to be explosive. I slid my hand down to Bella's clit and began teasing her to another crest while I lengthened my strokes into Edward.

I was suddenly glad that I'd already come once. I was barely holding on as it was. Alice let go with a sharp cry, her hips bucking wildly against Edward as he fought to hold onto her. She slid off of him with shaking legs and collapsed beside us, her hand idly trailing on all three of us.

Bella began to whine in between her moans, she was almost there. "Come for us, Bella. Show us how good we make you feel."

I bit down on her shoulder while I let my thumb roll across her clit harder. Within a few passes, she fell forward against Edward's chest, his hand stroking her hair back as she came. His eyes pleaded with me to let him come and I nodded, his hips lifting with me still attached as he began to move Bella on top of him.

His face tensed, jaw muscles popping near his ears as he got closer. When he began to squint his eyes, I pumped faster, wanting to follow soon after. Then the moment happened. He tightened around me, impossibly tight. Edward's whole body stilled, and then his face went slack as he groaned in pleasure. The sight of him coming was enough and I let go, my thrusts hard and short as I came.

I withdrew quickly after, sliding off the bed to dispose the condom. I washed up at the sink and then looked up at the shattered mirror. It all came back to me. The delusions, the pain, the wrongs I've done, they all hit me at once and I fell to the ground.

Bella was the first to reach me and she pulled me into her lap. "It's going to be okay, Jasper. We're here."

"I just want to get better."

She shushed me, rocking me like I was a small child. "You will be. Let us help you. We'll find a way to bring you back. I'm not going to let you go now that we have you. You're a part of us. We need you."

She kissed my cheek. "We love you." Her words were barely audible, no more than breathed against me.

~*~

The next few days were spent mostly in bed. Edward refused to let me do anything more than walk to the porch swing. He said that we could resume our routine on Monday, but he wanted me to rest. Bella cooked in the kitchen for us all. Alice moved some of her clothing back in, making Edward take all of my clothes to the closet in the playroom.

Then Monday came. Edward and I returned to work, with the promise that I'd come to their house as normal for therapy. Only this time it was going to be the three of us each working. They were no longer the only patients during our group session.

I was sitting down to lunch when my cellphone rang. It came from an unknown number, so I assumed it was just Edward calling from a hospital extension somewhere.

"Hello?"

"Oh good, my pet. You are around. Come get me at the airport. Ciao."

Aro POV

Very little surprises me any more. I've seen it all, done it all, or paid to have it done for me. In my three conversations with Jasper, it was easy to see that he was hiding something. I made my travel arrangements after that first call.

The intercom buzzed, interrupting me from enjoying Leo's mouth. Caius and Marcus were discussing a new slave they'd had picked up in Egypt, a promising young lad with silky smooth skin. My hand tightened on Leo's neck and he held still, my cock nudging his throat while he struggled to breathe around me.

I pressed the button. "Yes, Gianna?"

"Master Aro, Jasper Whitlock is on line two for you." Ahh, my Jasper. I miss him already. Perhaps I should call him home over the summer for a holiday, just the two of us.

I let him wait as I counted to six and then connected through his call. "Jasper, what is the meaning of this? I was in a meeting."

"I'm sorry, Master, but this was too important to wait. James needs to go now. He attacked my friends and employer while out to dinner. He is jeopardizing my entire future in Seattle."

Did he finally introduce James to the Cullens? How marvelous. I pushed Leo down to the ground, Jasper was more interesting than my cock being serviced.

"I trust that you've punished your sub for his behavior?" Please tell me you've learned well from me over the years. No one can punish like I do.

"Yes, Master." Good. Good.

"He's your problem until I choose to take him back. He is a sub and you are the master. Prove it. I will put some additional funds in your account to pay for any damages and to properly apologize to your friends in his stead. Break his will. Until you do, you are stuck with him. Ciao."

I called back to Gianna's desk. "Gi-gi, get me a flight to Seattle in about a week, please. I feel I will have business to attend to."

My Jasper is loyal to a fault. If James attacked this Edward fellow, James can kiss his own ass goodbye. Even I know better than to push Jasper to the breaking point. My Jasper is deadly. I prefer having my head attached. I will need to make arrangements to have James' body retrieved from whatever Jasper does to it. Farewell, James. You will be missed.

When I called back the following morning and heard both Jasper and Edward, I was confused. Surely, they hadn't done something to James, together? Perhaps I should "invite" this friend back for a visit. If he's special enough to capture my Jasper's attention, he would most certain garner mine.

I promised him that I'd come next month, not letting Jasper know that I was aware of any disturbances in our power balance. I even gave him an order to fill. I'd hoped to use James as one of the subs, but perhaps I can send Leo instead. I think he would do well with a Domme for a while.

Then the police called me. I'd been waiting for that one. James apparently had slipped on the wet dock, hit his head and the blow managed to kill him. He subsequently fell into the small lake and lost all chance of survival. I have to admit, Jasper works fast. Perhaps I should utilize those skills instead of keeping him on his knees.

If only I'd been there to witness it. I would love to see my pet in action. One day, I'll hand this all over to Jasper. He understands the needs of a sub better than anyone. Keeping him partially broken has been an asset. When he asked to come home with me, after that third call, I finalized my plans. I'd re-break him, and build him back up, the right way. I'd find a way to give him back his natural strength and self-assurance that Maria had taken away.

Then he'll be ready to rule by my side. Marcus and Caius are expendable. The moment Jasper sets foot on Italian soil, regardless of circumstances, the paperwork will be finalized. Gianna has it all coded to him scanning into our system upon arrival. No signature necessary, his identification number is linked as his approval of my demands. Felix and Demetri have their orders, my brothers will die within the hour of Jasper's arrival. Then, I'll turn over the keys to the castle when I'm ready.

They'll all learn soon enough. My legacy is fleeting, it was all too perfect, and now I'm dying. The doctors say I have a year, that will be enough. Jasper will take over, my perfect protegee.

My brothers are useless, my children are a bust. Oh, she thought I didn't know she bore them in secret, but they will come into their own power on their eighteenth birthday. But they will not have my power, that will go to my pet. If I must leave this world I created, I'll go out with a bang. They'll be talking of me for years.

My laughter turned into a cough and I downed more of my pills. The doctors gave me the option of more invasive treatment, or staying out of pain and working to keep the mass from spreading. I preferred that option. Becoming weak would cost me everything. This way, I could pass on the torch while it blazed brilliantly.

My plane landed with just a small bump to alert me we'd touched down. I tucked my newspaper into my briefcase and stretched my legs out. After we came to a stop, I crossed to my coat rack and slid my suit jacket back on. I released Leo's chain and told him he was free to roam in the cabin as he wished, could even take a nap or shower if so desired, but was not allowed off the plane. I keyed in the code to his collar, if he tried to cross the threshold without the emergency alarm overriding the system, he would be shocked into unconsciousness.

My cellphone did not have reception here so I went into the terminal and grabbed the phone from the desk, dialing my pet's number. He answered after the second ring.

"Hello?" Jasper sounded confused, but then he wasn't expecting me to call.

"Oh good, my pet. You are around. Come get me at the airport. Ciao."

I hung up the phone and then went out to sit on the bench. I watched the people coming and going from the airport, their loved ones clinging to them out of desperation, the ones going, or out of happiness, the ones arriving. It was almost charming in the way that no one noticed me. I was invisible to them, just another man in an expensive suit.

Jasper arrived within a half hour. Given that I had called him, most likely from a patient, I was more than pleased with his arrival time. He had not kept me waiting, and it was a fair day, if not more cloudy that I was accustomed to.

His eyes were hollow as he came to greet me, taking my brief case from the bench. I had an extra shirt and pants neatly folded inside, and could undoubtedly buy a new set from anywhere in the city should I have need. Jasper was dressed in a black dress shirt and cream slacks. I liked seeing him so well dressed.

"Greet your master, Jasper. I've missed you."

I held out my arms and he stepped into them, already beginning to cry. Jasper pressed his lips against my cheek and then began to shake while he tried to get his emotions under control. I held still as he fought against himself, waiting until he took a deep shuddering breath. I kissed him softly and he sighed.

"I'll make it all better, Jasper. I know you're sorry. No need to tell me anything. It doesn't matter. He would have snapped eventually, you just saved me the paperwork. I was planning a visit here anyways."

His eyes widened in shock and I chuckled. "Oh yes, Master knows everything, my pet. I know all about this Emmett and what he did to James. Maria had coaxed the tale from him. I wish to meet these friends of yours. I want to see the man who sent James into my ranks and find out what makes him so special.

"I also want to meet his brother, the one who has won your heart. I could hear it in your voice, my pet. Your 'special friend' may as well have ruined you for me."

Jasper stiffened and I realized that I was pushing him too hard on a sensitive subject. "I just want to make sure that he's good enough for my pet. If he's a good boy, and you behave well when we go home, I may let him visit. You'd like that, wouldn't you pet? Answer me."

"If it pleases you, Master."

I laughed and ran my fingers through his wavy hair. "And what of your pleasure, Jasper?"

"I live to please you, Master."

I smiled and kissed his temple. "Take me to your house, Jasper. We can determine which pieces of your implement collection will come with us. I'll stay with Eleazar and Carmen tonight. Tomorrow, we can tour the dormitory and fill the order. I have one with me, staying on the plane, and I haven't decided yet if he'll stay here with Eleazar, stay in the castle, or if he'll be sent out. He's almost ready. Are you good to drive or do you wish me to?"

"As you wish, Master." I waved him on to the driver's side and I climbed into the passenger seat.

Jasper's hands trembled as we drove, his hand barely able to grasp the gear shift. "Relax, my pet. Master is not angry with you. I am disappointed in your lack of control, but I know that you are loyal to your loved ones. If James had hurt you, I never would forgive myself."

~*~

Later, many hours later, I helped Jasper to forgive himself. He had lifted his arms so gently into position, waiting for me to cuff him. I kissed my way down each arm after locking him into place, spreading his legs wide and slightly bent so that I could easily take him if or when I chose.

Snapping the whip against him, I watched as the blood rushed to the surface of his skin, the line of red turning white and raising into a welt before tinging pink again. He did not so much as whimper. I brought it down again, this time letting the edge double over the first hit. His groan was sweet, the best music for my soul.

"It wasn't your place to act against another of my subs, Jasper. But I'll forgive you. For each lash that breaks your skin, I'll take a month off of the time you will be kenneled. You do want your own room, don't you Jasper? I could give you the room next to mine."

I already had Gianna ordering new décor that was more fitting of Jasper's tastes and removing James' personal effects. Jasper would be my personal attendant until I was ready to hand over my crown. Perhaps I could fly in Sakura. Jasper would like to see her again. I would as well. I would very much like to claim her one last time. Then I will give her leash to Jasper. He's longed for her sweet depths since the first time she tied him up.

Eleazar will be more problematic. He will not like what I'm doing to Jasper's back, at all. I had made a crisscross of lines, leaving a diamond pattern across his flesh. At the intersections of the lines, small beads of blood were welling up.

One began to drip and I couldn't stop myself as I leaned in. My tongue caught the crimson drop, the metallic salt of it sweet and heavy on my tongue. I wanted more. I grabbed my briefcase and unrolled the small kit. A number of instruments were in there, my favorite being the larger lancet.

Jasper shuddered as he realized what was about to happen, but then hung his head, accepting his punishment. I went to his bathroom and grabbed the peroxide as well as a candle. I heated the lancet over the flame once lit and then let it sit on a sterile sheet of gauze atop a blanket on the mattresses. I folded the lid under the kit, raising up the instruments for my grasp if I needed more. I'd sterilized them all after my last use. Leo would never again ask for a different Master. His cock had bled for hours that night, but my name was etched upon it forever. The scars were only just visible, I had barely touched the sharpened blade to his skin, creating a fine line. I had even numbed him first with a spray anesthetic.

Jasper however, loved the pain. He craved my approval and would seek out further ways to appease me. I wiped down his back quickly with a cotton pad soaked in peroxide and then found a scar free space on the shoulder opposite the A from last time.

I scratched in the V without much pressure, watching the skin split around the blade. I didn't carve nearly as deep as last time. The scar would be superficial, not noticeable in most lighting. But he would know it was there.

I examined the A more closely after I finished the T. Someone had stitched the A closed. It was not scarred like I had hoped for. I quickly cut it again. Blood was dripping onto the floor by now. Eleazar would have to send someone over to clean it up.

"I'm almost done, my pet. Then the whole world will know that you belong to me."

Jasper whimpered, he must have passed out from the pain during the first cuts. I finished carving an R and O beside the A and then moved back to complete V O L T U R I where I'd started it. The front door rattled and I heard a panicked male voice.

"Jasper, love, are you here?"

Jasper's head tried to lift from its limp angle but he hung it back down in frustration, or weakness. He was losing a bit more blood than I had anticipated. My feet were now standing in a sticky mess.

"Ed...ward." Jasper's voice was a hoarse whisper. "Ed...ward." A little louder.

Footsteps echoed through the hallway, feet slapping against the floor before the door to our sanctuary burst open, slamming against the wall. A tall, slim, red haired, god stood there, panting. By appearance, he was in his mid-thirties and I began to appraise him. If he's Jasper's friend, and was trained properly, I could sell him off for more than Jasper could ever dream of earning.

Green eyes searched out Jasper and when the god before me saw my sub's beautiful bloodied form, they darkened in anguish for his lover.

"You're Aro." It was a statement, not question, from a voice dripping with venom and hate.

"That would make you Edward, I suppose. I'm very pleased to meet you." I paused to set my lancet down and wiped my hands off on the towel. "I am glad that my Jasper has been speaking of me if you are as important to him as James has led me to believe. When I take Jasper back with me, please come visit him. It will make his stay in the kennel more bearable."

Edward moved toward Jasper, his fingers going to Jasper's face and then to his neck, no doubt searching out the carotid pulse at the same time his other hand went to the radial artery in Jasper's wrist. "It's okay now, Jasper. I'm here. I can sew them all shut tonight and you won't scar."

"I want him to scar. Jasper needs to know who he belongs to."

A growl erupted from his chest, rousing Jasper from his pain-induced fog. Edward crouched and sprung. His hands went around my neck as I fumbled for one of my blades.

"He belongs to himself, you sick son of a bitch."