Ok, more info here in this chapter. Not much action so probably one of my more boring ones, but it must be done! Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen

"So what exactly does this necklace do?"

Jaiden and I were sitting in the garden inn the grass. As he lay back with his hands folded beneath his head, he looked content. More than I have ever seen him.

"About a hundred years ago, a woman created that to stop her husband from controlling her. She had the same problem you had, but he could control her every move. She created it to stop his affects on her mind. Once she did, she was free of him."

"Did she leave him finally?"

"No. She killed him."

I flinched. "Ok… not what I was expecting. But how did she create it?"

"I guess some witches helped her."

I blinked. "Witches? You mean real magical witches?"

"Yes. They exist as well."

"Oh wow. So, basically this necklace makes sure we can't see into each others minds and he cant try and control me."

"Basically."

"I'm surprised she just gave it to you."

"Well, she understood your problem and since her husband is dead, she didn't need it anymore. She was more than happy to help."

"I owe her one. Maybe we can visit her someday. Where was she?"

"Scotland. She moved there after her husband died. I guess she loves a man in a kilt."

I giggled. "Ok I get the necklace thing. But I have some more questions for you."

He raised an eyebrow. "More? Jesus Christ, woman, how much more do you want to know?"

"Well, if were getting to know each other, everything about you. I want to hear more about you before you were turned. You know, what was your parents like, your sister, Andrew, why did you join the army, blah blah blah."

He rolled his eyes. "You ask the questions and I'll answer them."

"What was your family like?"

"My father was tough as nails and my mother was always kind and caring. I believe their marriage was arranged because I never saw two more opposite people married. He was the reason we joined the army. Said he had to or he would throw us out and we didn't have a penny to our name at the time. So we felt like we didn't have a choice. I was alright with it, but Andrew hated him for it."

I winced. "No offence, but your dad sounds like a jerk."

"He was. I never even heard him tell my mother that he loved her."

I was silent so he continued.

"My sister was just like my mother, thank God. Kind, caring, and loved being outside. She always wanted to marry someone who loved her and wanted lot of children. She had a lot of love to go around. We were very close as children. Actually, all three of us were until the war started and we were forced to join."

"I'm liking you father less and less here."

"I don't blame you. But he was honorable. Never cheated on my mother and took care of us. He was a man of honor."

"Alright. I take it as you and Andrew are still close?"

"Maybe not as close as we were as children, but we are still."

"So why is Andrew a little more care-free than you are?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "You… can't see it, but there are plenty of times when he can be just as hard as I am. He hasn't been thru some of the things I have and I hope to keep it that way."

"I guess I can understand that. So when you were human, did you have a girlfriend?"

He rolled his eyes. "No, I told you. We entered the army. I wasn't going to join then try and quickly find someone. I wouldn't do that to her, anyway."

"Do what to her?"

"Make her worry over me all that time until I either came home or died. That would be stupid and cruel. Andrew was the one who had the fiancée."

"Had?"

"She passed away from a sever illness shortly after the war started. Poor thing never took to well with being sick."

"Oh… Poor Andrew."

"It was sad. She was a nice girl. Andrew always seemed a little depressed after that. But now, he seems to hide it well enough."

"So… have you ever had a girlfriend after your change?"

"Lovers. But nothing serious."

"Why haven't you tried a relationship before?"

"When you're doing something like this, you can't risk it. The Dark King will use anyone to get what he wants and I wouldn't risk any woman's safety. Were taking a huge risk already being together."

"Yeah well, were not exactly 'together' yet."

"Well how long do I have to do this dating bullshit before we get married."

I finally snapped. "Jaiden, what the hell is your problem? Did you expect me to just say 'I love you, lets just get married right away, have some kids, and ride off into the sunset'? It doesn't work that way for me! I can only say it if I mean it."

He sighed but said nothing.

"Jaiden, why are you pushing the whole marriage thing?"

"Because, where I'm from, we never 'dated' or anything like that. If it worked, you married because who knew how long you were going to live. It was a time of war. Sure we might court for a month but that was it."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, understanding.

"Jaiden, I see what you mean. But I just can't do that. Besides, I can't just marry someone who doesn't know anything about me."

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I know plenty about you!"

"Oh really? What's my favorite color?"

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"What's my favorite food? Flower? Where do I want to travel to one day? Favorite movie? Favorite-"

"ALRIGHT! I get the point!"

I giggled. "Hence, the point of dating."

He snorted. "Alright, I'll do this your way. But I swear, the moment you tell me you love me, I'm calling a priest."

"Then I'll be sure to wait five years before I say it."

"FIVE YEARS?"

I laughed at his expression.

….

A little later after lunch, we were back in the sitting room. Everyone else seemed to disappear, giving us out privacy.

"So where did you meet Christian?"

"It was in an ally way one night. We were feeding and he was getting ready to kill us. But he saw we were leaving the humans alive and introduced himself to us. We listened to him and followed him, knowing he would help us."

"Ok. So something else I'm curious about. What does it feel like to be 'called' by your sire?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"It's like… when you getting a buzzing in your ear when someone it talking about you. But a million times worse. After a while, it can become painful but we managed to fight t off."

"Ok. I get that. So why was he so desperate to get at you and not Andrew? Didn't you both betray him in that sense?"

He shrugged. "My only guess is because I pretty much stepped up as a leader after we became an official group. Before my capture, he tried to call me to him several times. Eventually, the call stopped. I'm the one who decides where we move, when we move, and all that stuff."

"Have they tried to capture the others?"

"Several times, but I guess I'm just the lucky one who gets most of the attention."

I laughed. "Lucky you."

"Yeah, lucky me."

The next thing I knew, I was sitting on his lap on the couch. I tensed up, not use to the contact yet. I watched his eyes as he stroked my hair and looked at me adoringly.

"Jaiden… I have one more question."

"Ask away." He said, stroking my hair.

"…Why me? When did you fall in love with me?"

He continued stroking my hair for a moment.

"I don't know… maybe I started to feel for you after you threw me thru that wall. Actually, I think it was when you snapped at those two men who tried to get you to follow them."

I laughed and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss. Before I could reach his lips, a small noise caught my attention. I turned to see and froze.

It was Andrew.

He stood there, wide eyed, for a moment. Then, turned and stomped out the door.

Panicking, I quickly jumped off Jaiden's lap and hurried after him.

"ANDREW! WAIT!"

As soon as I burst into the hallway, he was gone. I couldn't find him.

A chill swept thru me as a tear fell down my face.

…..

DADADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! More to come as soon as I am able!

BTW, I want to apologize for not updating sooner. A lot has been going on (and still is going on) I just got some bad news from home so updates might be scarce for a while. My goal is to update at least once a week, if not more. Please hang in there with me! I'll update soon! I hope…