Not a lot happens here I guess but the story is still progressing so that's good. Also, I'm beyond happy to see this hitting the same amount of reviews as GSU at its conclusion. Seriously, that's awesome. Maybe I could thank you guys by including something you might want to see happen later in the story. I can't guarantee that it will happen but if it fits I could include it. Suggestions are welcome and thanks again for the support! Right now, I'm crazy tired, but I had to get this up before going to bed. Hopefully I'll actually get a good sleep...yeah right. Enjoy!
~Jade~
I sauntered down the hall after leaving Tori gawking in my wake. I glanced at the human who was checking me out but didn't give him my attention. I knew Tori would do something about it though. I almost laughed out loud when I heard a pained grunt. I pulled out my only protection from the sun and put them on as I walked out. A short drive home and I was happy to be back under the cover of a roof. I headed straight for my room, shutting my door as I entered and tossing my bag aside. I set my keys on my desk and got comfortable. When I was dressed in my standard undershirt and sweats I settled on finishing homework. It was weird to be doing something so normal for once. It occurred to me that some vampires and wolves probably wanted to be normal, but then again, they lived that way so long it would be nice to do something that was simple. I was still pretty much new to this so it was understandable that I thought it was interesting.
When I was finished with all my work I laid back on my bed, spread out with my eyes closed. I sighed and then glanced over at my surprise gift to Tori that sat on my desk. It was pretty sappy of me to make such a thing but it was Tori so I knew she would love it. As much as I would never admit it, I was just as eager to make her happy. When it started getting late I could practically feel the atmosphere change. I relaxed more now that I was in my element. Fuck you sun, I'll see you tomorrow you annoying bastard. I sneered and rolled over, my thoughts going to what could happen tonight. I was just about to think up ways to get Tori to spill when I heard tapping on the window above me. I smiled and got up to remove the towel. Tori pushed open the window and I held it so she could get in. As soon as the window was closed she was on me. She knocked me over on the bed and proceeded to kiss me senseless. When she pulled away she was grinning at me.
"I missed you," she whispered sincerely.
"I can see that," I replied. She laughed and rolled off me so that she lied next to me.
"Hey Tor?" I called to her. I could see the big grin that spread across her face when I said her name. I felt like being affectionate in a way I hadn't felt since Beck. I mean, I only showed a little affection for him but not to the extant I did for Tori.
"Yeah?" she replied, a smile in her tone. I sat up and tugged on her arm before getting off the bed and walking over to my desk. Being nervous was not something that happened to me often but even when I knew she would like what I made her I couldn't help but get nervous anyway.
"I made this for you," I told her, gesturing to the display box I took apart. I had a set of butterflies pinned in there but with a little rearranging I managed to add them to another box and used this one to make my gift. Inside our initials were spelled out with a deck of cards. The aces were shaped into a heart between the initials. It took a lot of cutting and reshaping and gluing but it was all well worth it. Tori got up and walked over to it slowly, marveling at it. A big smile spread over her face.
"I used my favorite deck of cards. I figured, you know, when you explained how our fate is like a deck of cards and what not I wanted to make something with them. Do you like it?" I mumbled, unsure of what she would say. I was acting like a love struck idiot, but it felt good. She laughed happily and nodded, running a finger over the glass.
"I love it," she replied. She pulled me into her arms and I held on to her. When we parted she grinned and playfully began poking me in the stomach.
"Guess what?" she said gleefully, waiting for my reply. I gripped her finger in my hand to stop her and rolled my eyes.
"What?" I responded, a little of my amusement slipping through as a small smile.
"Remember when you said you knew a group of street racers?" she continued.
"Yeah," I answered, wondering why this was brought up.
"Well, let's say I know some racers too," she implied illusively. I eyed her curiously.
"Go on," I told her, intrigued.
"There are some nomads that stopped by the woods on their way out to some big party miles from here. I ran into them on patrol and asked them if I could join them in their games. They happily accepted and told me to bring whoever else I wanted," she explained, eyebrow raised in a casual smirk I had yet to see from her.
"Where does the racing come in?" I inquired, excited to have some fun for the first time in this hidden world, but I was still unclear on what it all meant.
"They race each other. You know, on foot; among other games. There are both wolves and vampires. They get along well enough because they share the same lifestyle. It's the closest to tolerance between the species that we have," she answered. I grinned in anticipation.
"Sounds exciting. Let's stop by your place to drop off your gift and then head out," I told her hastily, rushing to change into something I didn't mind tearing up. I threw on my boots and gestured to Tori. She had been too busy checking me out, and as a result, she visibly jumped when I called to her. I rolled my eyes and waited for her to grab her gift and then exit through the window with me. We stole away into the night and ran to her house. She climbed through her window effortlessly and set the gift inside then jumped back down, landing nimbly. She set the pace out into a another part of the woods I hadn't ventured into yet. I obediently followed her lead even though I didn't have a clue where we were going. The trees and plant life were dense here. I was just about to question her when I heard snarling in the distance. It sounded like two wolves fighting. We came upon a firelight along with cheering. We pushed our way through some shrubs to see that two wolves were fighting. A crowd surrounded them, cheering and yelling bets.
"Fighting? Bets and fighting, Tori, are you sure you want to get caught up in this shit?" I asked her, suddenly protective of her well-being. In a rare show of cocky confidence she smirked and gestured for me to follow. A built wolf caught her eye and he smiled, pushing through the crowd to greet her.
"Vega, I see you're back. And with a friend too," he welcomed with a heavy accent, glancing at me. I stood tall, rigid and unapproachable as ever. I wanted him to know I wasn't to be taken lightly. I also didn't like him calling her by her last name. That was my thing. He seemed to notice my obvious behavior because he laughed.
"Fiery aren't you? Hey Vega, you didn't tell me you hung out with a vamp," he teased, a look in his eyes suggesting he knew we were more than just friends. Tori shyly nodded and laid a hand on my arm. Before she could reply I reached up to grab her hand in my own and held it. His eyes briefly followed the motion, staring thoughtfully, before flicking to me.
"Got any races or fights I could try my hand at hot shot? If you have cards I'm sure I can beat you all at poker," I challenged him. He raised a thick dark eyebrow and laughed again.
"We have all that and more. You know, I like you already. Very bold. I'm Mason. Nice to meet you," he said with an open and playful grin. He held out a wide hand and I took it. I felt him trying to squeeze tightly so I added pressure, making him yelp. I released his hand and he brought it back to massage feeling back into it.
"Hell, you're a newborn. No one could take a hand shake from me without flinching let alone hurting me," he commented, eyeing me suspiciously.
"I'm not here to cause trouble if that's what you think," I shot back.
"Mason, we came to join the games like everyone else. That's all," Tori added. He looked at her with a grimace.
"Why are you even willing to hang out with rogues like us anyway, Vega? Doesn't your daddy not approve of such conduct?" he half joked half sneered. Tori growled low and stepped forward to shove him in the chest. He bared his teeth and advanced on her but I was already between them. I wasn't comfortable with his burly frame getting anywhere near her slight one. The full moon was toying with Tori again and probably him as well. I hadn't ever seen her more willing to pick a fight than those occasional moments she was affected by the moon. I just didn't know it was the moon's fault in the past. Now I knew and I was ready to back her up should she get herself into any trouble.
"Back off," I warned, my fangs on display and my body ready to pounce. I didn't like the vibes I was getting from him at all. He was a threat. The tension seemed to attract the other's attention because they grouped around us yelling a chant for us to fight.
"How about we loosen up with a race first shall we? Then I challenge you to a fight," he proposed with a confident one sided smile. I scoffed at him and straightened. The crowd dispersed at the mention of no fight occurring at the moment, grumbling in disappointment.
"I say we race, play a game of poker, and then end with a fight. Best two out of three wins," I bargained. He hummed in thought and then shrugged.
"Fine by me. What about you, Vega?" he questioned, looking at Tori. I snarled at his use of her last name. I had enough of that. Tori opened her mouth to answer but I cut her off.
"First of all, you don't call her Vega, or anything at all for that manner. Second, I'm your opponent so there isn't anyone else you need to worry about," I spat at him. He raised his hands and shrugged casually.
"No need to get defensive," he assured me.
"Whatever," I tossed at him dismissively. He only smiled in an arrogant manner before walking away. Tori slipped her hand from mine. I looked over at her worried expression.
"What?" I asked, concerned but downplaying it.
"We just got here and already we're picking a fight. I had hoped we could have fun with the games and that's it," she remarked, clearly unhappy with the way things had gone so far.
"Fighting is fun. Besides, I'm just getting started. You're right. I'm going to like it here," I told her. She shook her head and sighed.
"I didn't realize you were this confrontational," she responded. I laughed and pulled her in for a short but firm kiss.
"I can be when I want to. Now, are you joining the race?" I asked her, completely at ease despite the sort of deal I initiated. She shook her head half-heartedly and then tugged me in the direction the other racers were going in. As we walked she began warning me about taking things too far, her worry wart tendencies and protective instinct kicking in. Charming.
"You know, I've gotten into things like this when I was still human and I got out fine on my own. I wouldn't pick fights if I didn't know how to handle them. I'm not stupid, Tori," I responded easily, remembering the few times I actually raised alarms when showing up at home bruised and bloody. I did a good job covering the mess when I returned to school but I was still sore. It was a fun way to let my famous temper loose as well as earn some money on the side. Those were the days I was lost in rebellion. The days when I acquired my tattoo and piercings just to spite my parents. I had learned from those experiences to be the more controlled individual I was today. Needless to say, I still knew how to fight.
"Jade, you could have been killed!" Tori exclaimed in slight panic.
"I've only ever been in five fist fights and turned out the winner three times with a bruised body and a broken arm once before. Nothing to worry about," I helpfully shared. She looked at me with wide eyes and a gaping mouth but said nothing more.
"So, Jade is it? The name's Nathan," a lithe purebred vampire standing next to us greeted us suddenly. His voice sounded casual and amiable. I turned to analyze him. He looked like a rough and hardy adventurer, confident but not of the asshole variety. His plain white shirt and jeans were flecked with dirt, fitting in a setting like this. He had dark brown hair that stuck up a little in the front and might have looked unkempt but it worked for him. His kind hazel eyes were sincere and calm. He held out a hand patiently, a friendly smile on his face.
"What are you doing here, Indie? Isn't this crowd a little too rowdy for you?" I shot at him, crossing my arms and ignoring his hand.
"Nah, I come here all the time. My friend and I love to play cards here. The races are ok and the fights are horrible but we can rake in a good pile of dough in cards," he explained.
"We should play then," I offered.
"You play? It's great to meet someone else who appreciates a game of cards. Hey look, there she is. Emily!" he called to a girl walking over to us. She looked like she could be in a private boarding school but there was something about her that screamed Northridge. The blonde had her long hair half up and half down, held up by braids. Her eyes were blue and calculative. She had a small but appreciative smile directed at Nathan.
"We found ourselves a fellow gambler," he told her when she stopped by his side.
"Jade West. I know you," she greeted, eyeing me up and down. Her confident gaze made me feel uneasy for unknown reasons and I unconsciously blocked Tori somewhat with my body.
"Yeah, I recognize you too. You go to Hollywood Arts don't you?" I responded warily. She nodded and held out a hand.
"Emily, from your creative writing class," she introduced herself, but just like Nathan I ignored the gesture. Tori was oddly quiet behind me so I glanced over at her to see she was pinning the couple down with a thoughtful gaze. I wondered if she was studying them in the same manner I was. I looked from one purebred vampire to the other and then scented the air curiously. They were comfortable around each other but they certainly weren't Bonded. That chick seriously needed to learn how to keep her eye fucking to a minimum though. I was sure Tori didn't like her looking at me like that and I sure as hell didn't like it when she looked at Tori like that. It was like she found something incredibly attractive and interesting to set her sights on. Something she wanted to own. Almost like a collector who just found a rare item. And everyone called me a freak.
"I would challenge you to a fight but I'm sure a priss like you would default and ask for something fair like playing cards. It figures," I taunted, showing her I wasn't going to put up with her. I saw her bristle and knew I got her. Nathan glanced at her and imperceptibly shook his head, warning her to back down. Oh, so we did have a fighter after all.
"Jade, don't," Tori whispered, gripping my forearm. I couldn't tell if she was worried or just reacting from the strange vibe we both felt from this wack job.
"Challenge accepted. I'll take you on after the race," she shot back confidently.
"Deal," I agreed without hesitation. She glared at me sharply before turning on her heel and walking away, Nathan tagging along after her.
"Jade, you still have a fight with Mason," Tori reminded me. I nodded.
"I know. She'll think twice about messing with me when I kick her ass after I kick his," I replied, continuing our walk to the starting line. Tori shook her head but sighed in defeat.
"I'm glad you're enjoying this but I wish you would take care of yourself more often. You're too self-destructive for my nerves," she commented. I laughed and pulled her close. I looked up and caught Emily eyeing us, already gathered among the crowd with Nathan by her side. The bitch probably flaunted around with him like she owned him; just a piece of jewelry. She wanted it and got it just to have it to show off. Poor dude probably goes along with it because he didn't have anyone else. I waited until we fell into a staring contest of sorts and then broke it by pulling Tori to me and kissing her. She was caught off guard for a second but responded just as eagerly.
I grinned at her before I kissed her one last time; tucking her under my arm comfortably. She reached up to hold my hand resting on her shoulder. We had stopped to stand on the other side of the crowd but I didn't miss the way Emily looked like she wanted to kill someone. What was her problem anyway? I chalked it up to her need to collect everything of value because she was a stuck up punk who wanted everything for herself. I gave her one last purposefully innocent smile and then turned my attention to a purebred wolf who had separated from the crowd. He walked over and stood on a tree stump, waving his hands for silence. The rules of the race were about to begin.
Emily is one weird chick, I know. Funny thing is, she just happened. I wasn't even planning her at all. I think I subconsciously wanted more people to piss Jade off. Nathan on the other hand was planned because I also wanted an ally or friend for the two who is already a part of the supernatural side of things. Ok, now that this is out of the way I'm going to go pass out.