6. JASPER

The soldier dismounted his white horse and approached the three women. His intention was to offer them aid and to see if they needed any assistance but when he saw their faces in the dim light of the moon, he was stunned into silence. They were, without question, the three most beautiful women he had ever seen.

"He's speechless." Lucy said, as she mused at his astonishment.

Nettie leaned towards him with her eyes half closed and inhaled deeply. "Mmm," she sighed, "lovely."

Maria put her hand on Nettie's arm and said, too quickly for the soldier to hear, "You're not going to have this one. I know how you get once you smell someone who particularly appeals to you but you'll have to refrain. He may be exactly what we are looking for."

Nettie licked her lips and was still imagining sinking her teeth into his flesh and tasting his sweet blood.

"Concentrate, Nettie." Maria said. Then she turned back to the soldier to look him over. "He looks right- young, strong, an officer…. And there's something more… do you sense it? He's… compelling."

"Oh, yes." Nettie quickly agreed, leaning towards him again.

"Patience," Maria cautioned her, "I want to keep this one."

Nettie frowned and seemed annoyed.

"You'd better do it, Maria," said Lucy, "If he's important to you. I kill them twice as often as I keep them."

"Yes, I'll do it." Maria agreed. "I really do like this one. Take Nettie away, will you? I don't want to have to protect my back while I'm trying to focus." The soldier looked frightened yet he did not run.

"Let's hunt." Nettie agreed enthusiastically. She reached for Lucy's hand they wheeled to face the city and sprinted away.

The soldier watched them in amazement as they quickly disappeared. Then he turned to stare at Maria who was watching him curiously.

"What is your name, soldier?" she asked him.

"Major Jasper Whitlock, ma'am." He stammered.

"I truly hope you survive, Jasper," she said in a gentle voice, "I have a good feeling about you." She took a step closer and inclined her head as if she were going to kiss him. Jasper stood, frozen in place though his instincts were telling him to run.

Maria grazed her lips over his neck, feeling his warmth and the pulse of his blood, vibrating in his veins. He shivered at her touch, yet he still did not move. Maria wished there was a way to do this to him without causing him pain but she knew that was impossible. She tried to be gentle when her sharp teeth pierced his skin but he still cried out.

His warm, sweet blood filled her mouth and she began gulping as each of his heart beats would spill out another surge of blood. He fell to the ground and she fell with him, her lips still refusing to leave is throat. His muscles contracted under her touch as he tried to escape the pain. His cries grew louder as her venom began to make its way through him, giving him the sensation that he was on fire. When he began to go limp Maria knew that it was time to stop.

She forced herself away from him but never took her eyes off of his beautiful face. She sat a few feet away and admired him. He continued to writhe in agony and all she could do was watch. She wondered what it was about him that was so compelling. Perhaps he would be a gifted vampire. This would make him very useful to her. Perhaps she could begin to make her own talented guard, like the one that Aro has.

She knew that the sun would be rising soon and that she needed to get him off the path. She lifted him in her arms as if she were only carrying a small child. His horse had already run off and she knew that once his comrades found it that they would begin looking for him. She began running through the woods until she found a secluded place by a small, trickling waterfall. She gently placed him on the ground and caressed her hand against his cheek. He felt like he was burning up so she ripped a strip of fabric from her black dress and moistened it with the cool water from the stream, and then gently placed it on his forehead.

He seemed to relax but only slightly. Maria was so drawn to him; she couldn't help herself from feeling a powerful attraction towards him. Could this be it? She thought to herself. Is this what it feels like when you've met your mate? She decided that when they were reunited with Nettie, she would have to ask her if Jasper was her mate. She hoped that that was the case.

Two more days went by until Jasper's change was complete. When he opened his eyes they were a bright crimson red. Maria regretted not being able to admire his human eyes longer. Jasper was very calm and allowed Maria to explain everything to him. He seemed taken by her beauty and enjoyed listening to her musical voice. When she had finished filling him in on what had happened to him and what purpose he was to serve, she left him to go round up Nettie and Lucy.

She followed their scent back into the town. They were still there, feeding on any unsuspecting human that happened to cross their path.

"Girls, it's time to get that other candidate here in Galveston and then head back to the cabin." Maria said. They began walking towards the home of the man they had stalked for the past several months. Maria pulled on Nettie's wrist so that the two girls were walking side by side with Lucy in the lead.

"Nettie, I have to ask you something…" Maria started.

Nettie smiled at her and said "Of course, ask away."

Maria tried to think of a tactful way to ask but then just blurted out the question that had been on her mind for the past three days. "Is Jasper my mate?"

Nettie was surprised by the question and it showed on her face. She was hesitant to answer. "Maria, I… I'm sorry. I did not see the bond between the two of you that I see in mates."

Maria was overcome with disappointment but tried to hide it. "Oh, I was just wondering, that's all. It's no big deal." She let go of Nettie's hand and walked more quickly so that she passed Lucy. They went into the house of the new recruit and Lucy changed him while Maria supervised.

As she and Nettie leaned back against the wall watching Lucy go to work, Maria asked Nettie for one more favor.

"Nettie, I need you to promise me something."

"Sure Maria, what do you need?" Nettie asked, hopeful to help her leader in any way.

"I need you to promise me that you'll never tell Jasper that I'm not his mate. I'm not asking you to lie- just don't tell the truth."

Nettie weighed the favor that was being asked of her and then responded, "Okay Maria, you've got it."