Ok, so cheating is not below you, but whatever, here is the next chapter because I'm generous like that, lol. No, but really, there might not be another one in a while because this is as far as I planned for now. Once I have a few more planned out I'll post another. Thanks for all the awesome reviews so far. I'm glad everyone liked the last chapter because it was the main point of the story what with the symbolism of the cards and all. Enjoy!
~Tori~
I led Jade by the hand, elated to finally be with her again. Tomorrow would be the last night before we would have to return to school. I had to show her how important it was to control her hunger needs. As I tugged her along, my thoughts went back to the beyond touching and sweetly honest words she said to me. I had to thank my father for bringing out such a response in her. I could see why my mother called him a romantic. Jade might not have understood what it all meant at first, but it still led to the same result. My father told me before I left the house to keep my mind open to anything new. He said I would never know how special it could be so I had to cherish it. He often told me things like that.
I could only hope he would apply those teachings, if or when, he found out about Jade and I. Would he take his own words to heart, or will the power of the Council force him to choose for the good of everyone? I pulled my thoughts away from the serious subject and looked back at Jade. She was scanning the bright neon lights and surroundings distractedly; probably wondering where we were going and why she hadn't really seen this part of town. To be honest, I never wandered into the 'bad' part of town unless I was looking for a target. They often hung out over here. It was close to the outskirts of town but on the other side. Humans stayed clear, knowing for a fact and instinctually, that it was a really dangerous part of town.
"Where are we?" Jade questioned, her gruff voice almost lost in the sudden strong wind.
"The 'bad' side of town," I answered with a roll of my eyes and a raised hand to put quotes on the word. She chuckled as we slowly came to a stop.
"I like bad," she commented, giving me a confidently saucy smirk and a wink. I felt myself blush but I smiled.
"You'll fit in here like all the other vampires who like trouble," I told her with a nod, hooking her arm in mine. She let me, not knowing my true purpose for doing it, so I quickly pulled her arm behind her back and grabbed the other one to do the same. I held them behind her tightly, making her hiss.
"What are you doing?" she snarled, her teeth on display instinctively. She may look pissed but I could see her eyes pleading with me. I leaned in close to answer. We hadn't really entered the area associated heavily with danger, but we were getting close. My plan was the only way I could walk in there without looking suspicious.
"You need to look like my prisoner. I often chase targets looking for a place to hide into this area and I usually have to fight my way back out. They know I'm part of the Council's…lap dogs, as they call us. I'm like a lone cop in the middle of a city of delinquents. The only way I can waltz in here and come out in one piece is if I'm here doing what I do best. Their fear of the Council punishing them for attacking any of us on duty will do the rest. Had I walked in here and ended up in a fight off duty it would be considered my fault not theirs," I explained, forcing her forward slowly. She scowled but nodded.
"Now relax and follow my lead. If it makes it any easier, don't dwell on what happened recently and pick up your old habits of torturing me. That should be easy right?" I teased, smiling innocently at her heavy glower.
"I hate you, Vega," she growled.
"There you go," I replied with an unaffected nod. She rolled her eyes but a small smile fought through. She dug her heels in the ground suddenly and I stopped the slow pace to glare at her. I leaned over her shoulder again.
"What are you-" I whispered, but she raised her head to press a kiss to my mouth. She pulled away with a devious smile.
"Needed that before we walked into our deaths," she explained. I shook my head and groaned.
"If we do blow our cover I'm pretty sure we'll have each other's backs," I pointed out. She shrugged.
"Yeah, but just in case," she responded. I shrugged too.
"Ok, anything I do from here on out…don't take personally, ok?" I begged, my voice noticeably small. I couldn't help it. Treating Jade like a prisoner would be hard on both of us but I knew we could do it. She nodded, understanding.
"Hollywood Arts taught us to be good actors. We'll do fine," she assured, hearing my slight uncertainty. I began pushing her forward again, trying to put my mind into another mindset. Jade wasn't the beautiful human turned vampire I was Bonded with. No, she was a human who had hated fiercely and was brutally changed, making her violent and harmful to our civilization. My grip tightened on her wrists, making her arms cinch together more. She snarled, shooting a steely glare back at me. I shoved her to walk faster and she did, after flipping me off. I pushed her down the street, catching the judgmental gazes of both vampires and werewolves. I sometimes envied the crooks of the world. They teamed up no matter the race or species to meet their goals. It may have been destructive goals, but they still managed it. I found the building I was looking for and made my way up the grand neon blue lined steps. They flashed as we ascended to stand face to face with a big heavy-set wolf at the door. He raised a disgusted lip at the sight of me.
"I'm looking for this one's partner in crime. She told me he's in here. I need entry. Step aside," I warned him. He growled lowly but eventually moved. The waiting line glared as I pushed Jade forward and into the loud active club inside, lights of all colors flashing everywhere. I maneuvered both Jade and myself through the crowd, aiming for the back. As I went, I pretended to scan the room as if I was searching for someone. Once in a while, Jade would try to break my grip. I had to hand it to her, she was actually doing a good job of succeeding so I slapped on the handcuffs I brought for the occasion. She glared at me but remained quiet. We reached the long bar in back and I threw Jade roughly on a stool. The bartender and owner of the joint came waltzing up with a lecherous smirk he often reserved for what he termed 'hot bitches'. He meant that literally. He was a vampire who had a thing for female wolves. It was never romantic or involved a Bond. It was just him getting off on a fetish of his. It seemed I was his favorite, which always made my skin crawl.
"Well look what we have here. Victoria Vega. You're daddy ain't goin' to be happy when he finds you here off duty. I could give you something to do though," he suggested with a grunt. I was leaning on the bar until his hand reached to feel me up. I growled at him and backed away.
"I am on duty, Nelson. This vampire got herself caught trying to hunt human children. She had an accomplice. She said he was here, gorging on the women donors as well as indulging in…other things. Now, I know you don't run nearly a respectable place as I would like, but I know you won't refuse a 'Council Lap Dog' will you?" I told him, my words hinting at a warning. He put a hand to his chin in thought, his eyes racking over Jade. I held back my instinct to beat the daylights out of him for such looks at my mate but I held back. When he wouldn't answer and continued to stare, I cleared my throat. He held up a hand at me before leaning close to Jade.
"You like eatin' children? I can't say I tried 'em but I ain't looking to get arrested just to do it. You, on the other hand, are doable and I am sure I won't be getting arrested for that," he told her in an attempt at seduction. Jade set her cold gaze on him, her eyes icy blue again. I made a mental note to set her up with a donor while we were there.
"Fuck off," she snapped, spiting in his face. He wiped it off and tried to swipe at her but I yanked her away.
"Assault on an arrested prisoner will get you a cell yourself, Nelson. Run your damn business right and I won't return to drag your sorry behind back with me," I threatened, glad to find a loop hole and keep Jade safe at the same time. He grunted and moved to push up the bar's table top. He then pulled open the black door behind the counter and let us in. I gave him a warning glare, which he avoided, and then disappeared inside. The door slammed behind us, shutting out the booming bass. I pushed Jade down the hall and came out into a room with a desk. A vampire woman sat behind it. Her eyes flicked up at me and then to Jade.
"What brings you ladies here?" she asked, her voice low and suggestive. I scoffed, shoving Jade forward. These donor rooms were known for eclectic dirty business.
"I'm looking for her accomplice. I was told he would be here. I need to search the rooms. She's here to point him out," I stated seriously. She rolled her eyes, clearly put out I ruined her fun. She held out a lazy palm, her silent agreement for me to go ahead. I nodded and grabbed Jade, steering her into the back rooms. I peeked into a few, finding some empty except for the waiting donor, and others occupied, in which I stated my business before moving on. Jade had gone oddly stiff the more rooms we visited. The last room held only a donor. I entered and shut the door behind me, making sure it was locked. All the rooms were a tantalizing red mixed with black. The seating was always soft to the touch, either velvet or leather. I pushed Jade aside and approached the woman reclined on the sofa. She looked up, surprised to see a Council wolf staring back at her perhaps. She sat up and looked around, her eyes landing on Jade.
"Did I do something wrong?" she inquired, a little shaky. I always pitied the donors. They lived for the venom a vampire leaves during feeding. Without the blood exchange, humans are drugged so that the vampire can feed without a struggle. The venom becomes addicting after a few bites, essentially making the human an addict. This was often the fate of a donor. They were used until their health deteriorates in old age and were then put to sleep. There was no function left in them besides getting high on the vampire bites. Because of their task, they were allowed certain information. It wasn't like they could tell anyways, what with them always high, no one would believe them.
"No, you did nothing wrong. I've only come to feed a prisoner. She's lashing out in hunger and it's easier for me to bring her in calm," I explained. She nodded, her deep blue eyes looking to Jade who had dropped her sharp scowl for a curious frown. I gestured to her to come forward. She walked over and I unlocked the handcuffs.
"Take it slow, and once you bite, try not to move. You'll tear through her easily," I whispered low enough that the donor couldn't pick it up. Jade nodded but I could tell she was slightly nervous.
"One more thing. The key is listening for her heart. Take enough that it slows down just a little. After that is too much. Keep calm and focused, you don't want to let blood lust take over," I advised. She moved to slide onto the couch next to the willing donor. Her hand came up to tilt the human's head to the side before leaning in close. I could hear her inhale deeply and then her mouth was open, her fangs glistening. I watched, ready to pull her away should she lose control. This was her first human after all. Jade hesitated only once and then her teeth met flesh. They sunk in with ease, drawing blood. Her lips covered the bite so that she could drink.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she groaned. Her hands steadied the human who was smiling and beginning to sway. I turned away to pull one of the small hand towels off a rack. I gathered my spit and held open the towel. I spat, coating a corner. I walked back over to Jade, who pulled away, her breath coming in shallow and her eyes wild. She turned away from the human, looking at the floor. I knelt and pressed the wet cloth to the bite, noting the many scars covering the human's neck already. My saliva healed the wound quickly and I wiped away any excess blood. The donor was passed out by now, slow and even breathing indicating deep sleep. I turned to Jade and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you ok?" I asked in concern. She nodded distractedly. Her eyes slowly dulled in icy intensity, resuming her normal eye color once more; melting ice, like spring returning to a forest to then be replaced by summer. Just like the seasons, her hunger would follow a cycle.
"That should hold you longer than the animal blood," I told her, walking over to grab another towel. I handed it to her and she wiped off her mouth.
"I didn't know if I could stop," she finally spoke softly. I stared at her, understanding. I knew it was a possibility.
"I know, but that's why I'm here, to make sure you could," I replied. She stood and ran a hand over her face. The towel fell from her slack grip.
"I have a new appreciation for your work. Let's go, Vega," she stated, her familiar gruff tone returning. I chuckled and made a spinning motion with my finger. She rolled her eyes and turned, bringing her arms up behind her back. I cuffed them and we exited the room. We marched past the woman behind the desk and back out into the flashing lights of the club.
"Didn't find him, eh? Some guard dog you are," Nelson readily taunted with a sneer.
"Shut up. I'll find him," I shot back. He laughed mockingly and turned away. I shook my head and steered Jade towards the exit, dodging moving bodies as I went. Now we just had to get out without making a scene. I was more than certain we could pull it off. We were almost to the door when a strong arm hooked around my waist and dragged me back into the dancing crowd. The sudden change in direction made Jade stagger and then have to redirect her steps. The wolf who had snagged me gripped Jade by the arm and shoved her away.
"How about you take a break officer and dance a little?" his rough voice questioned me. Jade shot him a look that could kill. I hastily removed his searching hands and growled a warning.
"I would step down if I were you. You wouldn't want the Council to hear of this," I threatened calmly. He seemed to think about it for a moment before shrugging.
"Who said you would get out of here to tell them? She isn't going to give a shit if something happens to you and you don't seem to have a partner with you," he disagreed, his hands gripping my waist and forcing me towards a wall. I felt utterly violated when his hips already tried grinding into me. His mouth was going to my neck. I clenched the front of his shirt in my hands and was just about to throw him back when Jade snarled. She strained at the handcuffs, slowly bending the metal out of shape. They eventually shattered from the force, scattering pieces in all directions.
She wasted no time tackling him to the floor, her claws cutting into his face and sides. He grabbed her by the neck and slammed a fist in her stomach. She pulled out of his grasp and managed to sink her teeth in his arm before I could successfully get her off. She struggled as soon as I parted them, her fighting rage still going strong. The wolf stood quickly and roared at her, his transformation appearing in the form of sharp teeth, gold eyes, claws, and fur beginning to grow. I held Jade's arms behind her, tugging back on her every time she tried to dart forward for another round.
"I smell human on him. I don't know if it's only blood or not but I can smell it," Jade informed me, panting at the knowledge of tasting human blood again. She may have attacked him for other reasons, but I was internally relieved she found a legitimate excuse for why she attacked him. To cover the relief I displayed a hard mask of anger.
"Control your hunger," I ordered, holding both of her hands with one of mine so that I could reach around and grip under her neck. A rolling snarl slid out from between clenched teeth. The sound was feral and made me wonder how much of it was Jade acting and how much of it was real. The wolf wiped at his spilled blood and took a few steps forward but I sent him a cautionary glare.
"Now that you've properly riled my prisoner with information I believe will only get you detained, I suggest you step away. Eating humans or hunting them, for any purpose, is against the law," I informed him. Jade huffed out a frustrated breath and glared coldly at him. He raised his hands and brought them down in a manner suggesting the situation wasn't worth his time before stalking off. I let out my held breath and quickly pushed Jade to the door.
"No more distractions. We're causing too much of a scene," I warned her. She scoffed and snapped tauntingly at a passing human who had come in for his shift in the back. He skittered away, wide eyes on Jade. It was an expression I had already seen often even before she was a vampire.
"Fine by me, but I'll kill them if I find a good enough reason to," she responded, hinting that she was not happy someone other than herself touched me. I wanted to smile at the hidden meaning but turned it into a grimace at the last minute.
"Just keep walking and no more fighting," I commanded, forcing her out the door with a little more force than necessary. I need to make sure I stayed in character. Jade shoved me away once we were walking back down the suspicious street and took off back in the direction of the 'good' side of town. I growled and darted after her, purposefully letting her get away so that we could flee the scene in a more expected way. I caught up to her around the imaginary border splitting our quiet neighborhood with the mess we just left behind. We waited until it was completely out of our sight before Jade and I exchanged looks and burst out laughing. The situation certainly wasn't funny but we were glad to be out of there with no serious injuries. Things could have gone far worse.