This chapter is rated 'M' for very strong language and dark themes.
Previously:
"I can see now that you know more about the South than I originally thought. Who have I just joined forces with?"
"Major J. Whitlock, ma'am." Jasper replied, his trademark smirk still in place. Bella's smile disappeared. She went completely still except for her pulse. After a short pause, she inhaled and exhaled slowly.
Bella's P.O.V. (3298 words):
"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." ~Oscar Wilde
.:!*!:.
"You play with fire by speaking that name aloud so close to Mistress Maria's territory. I don't care how high and mighty you guys think you are. At least be cautious and wait to damn yourselves for when I'm out of range." I said softly.
I had heard the stories. Victoria had told Riley and I soon into the gig. Maria was a crazy bitch, and pissing her off would end only in death. She was smart as hell, and she had secret tricks up her sleeve that she used to train newborns. They were tricks that hadn't even been dreamed of until she created the God of War in the early 1860's. Her newborns were more vicious and feared than any others, and with good reason. Major J. Whitlock had been one scary bastard, and her newborns were molded after him. She never got close to making another like 'the Major', but she still trained superior newborns. Riley and I were getting close to 'the Maria standard' though, as we called it, which actually made me quite proud.
When it came down to it, there were two things one avoided so close to Maria's territory. First, one never said anything good about the Volturi in her presence. Second, and most importantly, one never mentioned the God of War. Major J. Whitlock was the last topic one wanted her to overhear others discuss. She was still angered by the Major's betrayal.
"I ask that you do not call her Mistress in my presence." Jasper said, his eyes darkening slightly in what I recognized as anger. I saw Edward flinch again out of the corner of my eye, but I studiously ignored it. He'd been flinching randomly ever since I woke up.
"Are you insane?" I asked, completely serious. "She'd kill anyone that called her otherwise while on her territory. For the love of all that is holy, please refrain from instigating a battle that would mean death. No one can take on her army."
"I can take her. Where is the bitch?" Jasper hissed, and my fear rose at his words. He truly was mad.
"You crazy bastard. I'm out of here." I said, getting off the bed, walking around the others, and leaving the room. No one moved to stop me. I pulled out my phone and contacted Riley. I was at the front door before he picked up.
"Boss, where the fuck are you? Victoria came back alone, I couldn't find you, and I smelled other vampires in the area. Do I need to come get you? If it requires a fight, I can bring the army. They have trained enough to be of help."
"Shut up, Ri. I'm going to wander around the first town I come across. Come find me after I call you and tell you where I am. I don't know where I am yet though, so it may take me a while." I ordered, breaking into a jog down the long driveway. Running wasn't a problem anymore, since I'd outgrown my clumsiness in the South. I could go five miles at top speeds before my lungs couldn't handle it anymore, but that was with my life in danger. "Don't you dare get the newborns involved. They are in no way ready yet, not for a rescue mission. Speaking of the newborns, have you started the rotation? Rachel and Jose have passed their year."
"I took care of those two last night while you were with Vic. What do you mean you don't know where you are, boss?" Riley demanded, and I rolled my eyes.
"Those vampires you smelled took me. Don't worry about it. I'm fine. You know this happens all the time. I'll explain in Freeport. I'll call you when I find out my location." I said, hanging up. I had a really bad feeling about where I was. Knowing the Cullens, I was most likely in some wildlife preserve. The thing that scared me was that I knew the ones in Victoria's territory like the back of my hand. I didn't recognize this one in the slightest. I was just praying the Cullens hadn't taken me any further south than Austwell, Texas. That was the start of Maria's territory. As long as I was north of the San Antonio Bay, I would be fine.
After almost two hours, I found myself on Route 77. I turned my gaze south and nearly had a panic attack. I could see smog in the sky. I was barely north of Corpus Christi, Texas, which was a good 60 miles into Maria's territory.
"Shit." I swore to myself. "Shit, shit, shit!" I pulled out my phone and dialed Riley's number before sitting on the side of the highway. He answered quickly.
"Where are you?" He said without greeting.
"I need you to send Jean for me." I replied, knowing he'd realize how grave my situation was.
"That's the one that can hide scents. The newborn you've been training to scout." Riley said, sounding confused and irritated. "What if she loses control of her blood-lust? I don't trust her at all."
"You know I don't like it when you disregard orders, Ri." I was getting desperate and fearful. Riley needed to shut his fucking trap and do what he was told before on of Maria's goons stumbled across me. "This isn't the time."
"Alright, I'll send Jean. Where am I sending her?" He asked to my great relief.
"Route 77. I'm about 40 miles south of San Antonio Bay, by the looks of it. Tell her to hurry her sparkly ass."
"Damn." Riley cursed, knowing whose territory I was in now. His voice changed to that of a commander as he called on the newborn. "Jean!"
"Sir!" She shouted back.
"You are to retrieve Boss Swan from Route 77, about 40 miles south of San Antonio Bay. Be quick. Remember what she's taught you." Riley relayed my orders, and I heard her agree. "She's on her way."
"Thank you, Ri. I want that soldier that is on leave in Baytown to be part of the deal within the week. I think he'll be an asset." I said in code, trying to calm my nerves. I felt eyes on me. 'Part of the deal' simply translated to being changed.
"Will do. I've already got the others working on the new training ideas. You were right. At this rate, we are sure to increase profit." Riley replied, also speaking in code. I had come up with some new ideas for training the newborns, and Riley had meant that they were working well. He was confident, and he thought we could increase our territory.
"Very good. I'll see for myself when I get back." I said, and the feeling of being watched increased. "See you soon."
"Bye, boss." Riley replied, ending the call. I closed my phone and lowered it into my lap. I observed the night sky for a while before a voice I didn't recognize spoke up.
"Boss Isabella M. Swan." He had a smooth Texan drawl. I spun my head to face the direction the voice had come from.
"Who are you?" I asked the tall, blond vampire. He smiled at my inquiry.
"You would have a panic attack if I told you." He replied, walking forward and taking a seat next to me. He turned to face me, and he took my hands in his. I didn't dare try to take my hands from his grip. Instead, I just stayed still and waited. "I just want you to know that I'm on your side. I also want you to know that you and that newborn will get back to safe territory unharmed and unseen. You taught her well."
"How do you know these things?" I asked, suspicious of this vampire's intentions.
"That would also freak you out." He said, and then he sighed. "My mate has an ability. She can see mate bonds."
"It is like a version of Marcus Volturi's gift?" I asked, fishing for information.
"The Volturi King can read all bonds. My mate can only read those of mates, but yes. You get the idea." He replied. "She saw that you are destined for our sire, who we care very much for. I was his second-in-command before we fled the South."
"That would explain why you are on my side, but it isn't exactly an easy story to believe." I commented, trying to keep my voice devoid of emotion.
"I feel I should warn you that Άρης has returned." He said suddenly. He spoke the name with a strong accent, but it sounded suspiciously like Ares. I felt my muscles tense. "He has been insulted by a human, and he is angered. He will not back out of your truce though. He cares too much about his honor. Plus, he has secretly always cared for you, even if it was from afar."
"Why do you tell me this?" I questioned, looking away, although I knew exactly why he was telling me the things he was. Was it possible? Was Jasper Hale in fact Major J. Whitlock? Had I actually just made a truce with the God of War before calling him an insane bastard and walking out on him?
"Yes, to all your questions, except the one you are about to ask." He spoke up, making my eyes wide.
"Are you a mind reader of some sort?" I asked, turning to look at him, but he was gone. What the fuck? It was not my day. I only had to wait another two minutes before Jean appeared next to me.
"Boss Swan." She greeted, taking a submissive pose. "Riley sent me for you, ma'am."
"You were quick, Jean. You shall be rewarded." I replied, taking on the air of the master commander that I was. I stood, and I twisted my hand as my order. She turned and bent down so that I could climb onto her back. "Do what I taught you with our scents. Return us to Freeport, Jean."
"I sense eyes." She said, leaning back to whisper it in my ear so not even nearby vampires would overhear.
"As do I. Outrun them." I ordered, increasing my grip on her neck as she took off at the rugged speed only a newborn could ever achieve. We didn't get far before I began to feel a growing fear that was not my own. I recognized it as Jasper's gift. Jean stumbled and gasped out two words.
"He's gaining." Her voice was terrified.
"Listen to me exactly, and you will live." I spat between my teeth, fighting against the fear as it increased in power. "Stop, let me down, and get into a submissive pose." She did as I said right away, but her submissive pose was the one she used for Riley. It was not respectful enough. I glared at her, and I looked down at her through my lashes. Jean automatically dropped her posture and gaze, turning her hands out and bringing her feet together. I rotated so that she was flanking me and whispered a question as calmly as possible. Jean was already shaking, and I couldn't have her losing her fragile control around me. "¿Donde está, Jean?"
"Está a la izquierda." Her voice wavered, but the fact that she could still speak coherently was comforting. I looked to the left, where she said he was, and waited. I didn't need to wait long. Jean whimpered and flinched.
"Jean..." I said in warning, letting a bit of an angry hiss into my voice. "Permanecer allí." Telling her to 'stay there' like a dog was not something I normally did, but Jean was one of the newborns that might survive her first year. I planned on her to take my place when Victoria finally killed me. If she lost it now, she would not survive the day. I knew now that Jasper had been telling the truth when he told me he was the Major, so I understood the precariousness of the situation. I had insulted the God of War, and I doubted he would take it well.
He was suddenly twenty feet in front of us, shirtless. Jean's body tensed at the sight of his scars in the moonlight. I raised my hand to keep her from attacking or running stupidly. I let out a small warning growl, and I saw her relax her defensive flexing slightly.
"You left before answerin' my question, Isabella." Jasper said, seemingly at ease, but I could see the hint of anger in his eyes. I tensed and glared at his use of my name. Surely he knew that second-in-commands never used their real first names. Well, if he wanted to play that game...
"She spreads from Mexico City to the San Antonio Bay area, but she is still stationed in Monterrey, Jasper." The anger in his eyes flashed, and he allowed a glance to Jean, who flinched under his black gaze.
"You dare?" Jasper questioned, his stare returning to me. "Knowin' who I am, you dare antagonize me, and before a newborn no less?"
"I could ask the same thing." I spat back. "Not knowing what I am capable of, you dare to belittle me before one of my own." He regarded me for a moment, and I did not break eye contact.
"You make a point. Pardon me, Swan." Jasper said, surprising me. I hadn't thought that Jasper Hale had been one to say sorry, so I was shocked that the God of War had no qualms doing it.
"I apologize for my words back at the house." I said after nodding in acceptance to his own apology. He nodded in return.
"This is not Riley." Jasper commented, and I felt him send a huge burst of rage out randomly with his gift. Jean gritted her teeth, but she did not make noise or move. I felt a surge of pride swell up within me. I hadn't thought she would listen to me under such extreme circumstances.
"Good job, Captain Obvious." I replied sarcastically with a smile. Jasper rolled his eyes, but he couldn't keep the humor off his face. "Riley's back with the army."
"I see." He said, using his gift again and sending out so much fear that my heart nearly skipped a beat. Jean simply took in a shaky breath.
"She's not going to break, Major. Now let it up before you give me a heart attack." I snapped, rubbing my chest lightly with my right hand.
"What stage are you in, newborn?" Jasper demanded.
"We don't use stages anymore, old timer." I let him know with a chuckle. He raised an eyebrow at me before turning back to Jean.
"How long since the burn?" Jasper rephrased. Jean twitched the fingers of her left hand slightly, asking if she should answer.
"Granted." I allowed. Jasper's eyes widened at me for a millisecond before he retook control of his facial expression.
"Not yet five months, don." She replied in a soft, servile voice. Pride grew within me again. I had only mentioned for her to call allied second-in-commands by don and to use a completely modest tone once or twice. Don was a Spanish way of calling one sir. The fact that she had the insight to put these things into practice in this situation told me that she was on her way to taking my place, just like I wanted her to be able to.
"I don't say it often, but I'm impressed, Swan." Jasper praised, still appraising Jean in a way that made me feel oddly possessive. That emotion caught his attention, and he grinned at me. "You ever thought about having a third?"
"Like your Charlotte?" I questioned, wondering where he was going with this.
"This newborn would work in that position." He spoke seriously. "She is obedient, loyal, respectful, and resilient. If she can fight, I'd put her on your flank permanently."
"It's an idea." I whispered, mostly to myself. "You busy, Major?"
"Depends on why you're askin'." He replied with a smirk.
"Jean and I desperately need to get back to safe territory. If you'd come with us and do me the great honor of testing out her combat skills personally, I'd be grateful." I said, finding myself hopefully excited.
"Sounds great." He agreed with a wink. "I'm goin' to go around to diffuse my scent."
"No need." I stated, causing Jasper to raise an eyebrow and Jean to pull her hands into fists. "Excuse me, Major."
"Sure, sure." He said, watching Jean with curiosity. I knew it was because she was feeling huge amounts of distrust and secrecy.
"Attention." I ordered in a very militant fashion. She straightened and looked ahead faster than I could see. "You've witnessed some of the crazy shit I pull, Jean. I'm going to tell you right now that this isn't like that. This is for you just as much as it is for me. No human would be a fitting reward at this point for the things you have done today, although you are going to get that as well. If you can pull this off, Danny won't be able to lay a hand on you again. Riley, Vic, and I are the only ones you will have to take orders from anymore. Get the picture?"
"Yes, ma'am." Jean replied strongly, but I sensed hesitance in her words.
"What's bothering you? Speak freely to answer my question as simply as possible." I ordered, pursing my lips.
"I don't trust him or his ability to know what I feel and make me feel things." Jean admitted, stopping me in my tracks. How the hell had she figured out Jasper's gift that fast? I burst out laughing before clapping Jean on the shoulder.
"You'll just have to trust me then. Deal?" I asked, and she nodded right away. "Good."
"I do not mean to question your authority, boss." She whispered.
"I know, and as long as that doesn't change, we'll be just fine." I replied before turning my attention back to Jasper, who was staring at Jean in concentration with his nostrils flared. "Major?"
"She has no scent." He noticed with amazement.
"Jean, show him what you can do." I commanded, smirking slightly. Suddenly, I couldn't smell anything. Jasper flinched. "She can hide the scent of anything. It's why she's here to pick me up and not Riley. She can make it seem as if we were never on you-know-who's land."
"Do you know what she's be amazin' at?" Jasper asked excitedly.
"Scouting?" I wondered, knowing it was most likely what he was thinking.
"Exactly." He agreed.
"It's what I'm training her for." I said with a shrug and a smile.
"Only scouts can train scouts, Swan." He replied, and I just continued smiling. Jasper's eyes widened. "But you're human."
"I'll explain when we get somewhere that I don't feel eyes." I answered, and I heard Jean let out a breath I didn't know she was holding. I knew she felt just as nervous being here as I did. Turning, I climbed onto Jean's back without preamble. "Take care of the three of us with your gift, Jean, and we'll get out of here."
She took off right away, and Jasper followed at our side. It didn't take long to reach the outskirts of Freeport. I slid from Jean's back and let loose a high pitched screech that most vampires couldn't even reproduce. Jasper leaned back and raised an eyebrow at me while he massaged his ears. I just smiled in response.
Without warning, I was swept through the air. Riley was crouched in front of me and growling at Jasper the way I'd only ever seen him do to protect me from the newborns when they lost control. Jasper stood tall and relaxed as he hit us with a cocktail of emotions that was obviously meant to intimidate and coax one into battle all at once.
"That's enough!" I shouted. "Stand down, Riley. That is no way to treat our ally."
"Sorry, boss. I didn't realize." Riley replied, standing up straight and calming down right away. Riley acted as if he hadn't felt Jasper concoction at all. He took a slow step forward and offered Jasper his hand. Jasper took it right away. They both kept contact as they introduced themselves. "Riley Biers, and you are?"
A.N.: Huge shout out to hannahperry85 for being the first reviewer of this story! Thanks to everyone that has reviewed, favorited, and alerted. It means the world to me.
Please review and tell me what you think. Any guesses on the mystery vamp?