Jade moved forward and lifted Tori's legs so she could sit and put them in her lap. Contact between them was comfortable now. At first, Jade flinched away from it while Tori gave it freely. Slowly, Jade came to realize it wasn't so bad and allowed Tori the freedom to initiate contact frequently. Rarely, Jade would be the first to do so, always managing to earn a smile for the effort. Just like the small one appearing on Tori's face, though she covered it quickly. Jade caught on when Tori thought something she did was cute or sweet and didn't appreciate those words being used to describe her.
"I thought about it. There's only one way around all this that I keep coming back to," Jade said, anxious just thinking of it. For all the time she spent with the human, she still wasn't sure what Tori would think about what she was about to say.
"And what's that?" Tori questioned, propping herself on her elbows so that she could look at Jade who avoided her gaze.
"The only way I could think of would be to have someone else make a claim to cancel out the old one," she mentioned. Tori brightened with hope.
"Okay, see? That's something. Now, explain," she replied, oblivious to just how serious the proposal was.
"It's like I said. Someone has to claim me from him by reenacting the ritual that summoned me and then making a counteroffer that I would have to accept, denouncing the offer made to me all those years ago," Jade explained, voice even. Tori sensed the seriousness in her tone and fully sat up, tucking her legs under her. Jade missed the contact, but maybe it was for the best.
"Oh, okay. What was the offer?" Tori asked, afraid of the answer. Jade glanced at her and looked away, uncomfortable. Tori hadn't seen her so uncertain before.
"Like all sacrifices at the time. A virgin. Specifically, a virgin from the family since I needed their blood for the ritual to bind me to them. The girl they offered was my master's daughter. They wrote her off as a runaway to explain her disappearance," Jade explained, cringing at the horror on Tori's face.
"He sacrificed his own child?" she whispered, stunned.
"And I took her life. I accepted her as a sacrifice," Jade continued, coming to terms with her actions but hating it all the same. She remembered how excited she had been. How anxious she was to taste blood on her tongue and hear the girl cry before tearing her apart. She was merciless and destructive. But she was different now. She only hoped Tori could see that she had changed.
"I get that. And as horrible as that is, you were acting on instinct. You were someone else then, shaped by where you came from. It was something they took advantage of to tie you down and take control of you. You've learned so much since then," Tori refuted, hands gripping at Jade's forearms. Jade stared at her, relieved that she understood.
"Look at you now. This is you. You've taken responsibility for your needs. You only kill criminals. You defend the innocent from them. You don't deserve this," Tori added, meaning every word she said. Jade closed her eyes and sighed. For so long she carried the guilt of that first kill. Of the human she devoured in cold blood and enjoyed every moment of it. Of the humans that followed. She still enjoyed it, but she tried not to get carried away. She tried to be better. To only kill those that would harm others. Tori was right. She had atoned. She wasn't perfect, and she never would be, but she was trying and that was what counted.
"You're worth protecting. Monster or not. I believe you're a good person," Tori told her, moving to hold Jade's face in her hands. Her eyes opened, the storm within them calming to a light gray. A soft breeze. And for once in her existence, a tear fell. Tori pulled her into a hug, holding her tight against her. Affection. She never felt it so strongly before. All she knew was that she never wanted to live without it now, and Tori was the key. Her hands ran down Tori's back to grip at her hips. Tori pulled back to look at her questioningly, a hand on her jaw while the other still draped over her shoulder.
"Tori," Jade mumbled, too overwhelmed to say much else. This feeling, it felt good, but it was too much. Unfamiliar and unruly. She didn't know what to do with it. Luckily, Tori did. She pulled Jade closer, stopping inches away.
"What can I give you that would negate the old claim?" she asked, determined. A growl rumbled from deep in Jade's chest when she scented the air. Her nose skimmed under Tori's neck, smelling her desire. She could feel the pull. The same as all those years ago when she accepted the daughter as a sacrifice in exchange for her servitude to their family. She had seduced her into dropping her defenses so that she could tear into her pretty throat without a struggle.
A virgin. That scent would always be the most alluring. It was the first thing that caught Jade's interest each time. It was what kept her reeled in. And now, emotions were added to it. Sickening feelings for the girl in her arms. The human trusted her. She trusted Tori too. If Tori put a new claim on her she wouldn't be a slave. She wouldn't be used. She would be given true freedom. Jade knew she would be loved. She pressed Tori back against the couch, body flush against hers.
"You," Jade finally answered, voice husky with desire. To devour, yes, but she could hold back. She would do anything for the human that caught her in the best way. She nipped at Tori's neck, and she willingly tilted her head, giving Jade more room. Her tongue followed the same path. Her mouth watered. If only she could mar that beautifully tan skin. Just for a taste.
"Then do it," Tori permitted, knowing what she wanted. Jade looked up and their eyes locked. Tori pulled Jade in and kissed her hard, quick to deepen it. The taste of blood graced her tongue and Jade moaned, realizing Tori must not have been very careful with her teeth. Her tongue ran over the wound before she pulled away. She picked Tori up and her legs wrapped around her waist. Jade took them to bed, pressing Tori into the mattress. Her claws tore at her clothes, shredding them in her haste to see more skin, leaving behind thin trails of blood when her claws skimmed flesh. Jade fought to hold back, especially when the smell of blood swam through the air. Tori's blood.
Jade leaned in and claimed her mouth, kissing her with fervor while her clawed hands memorized her fragile and warm body with as much care as she could manage. Tori surprised her when she pushed Jade back and grabbed at her undershirt, tugging it. Jade complied by dragging her own claws over the flimsy cloth, removing it. Tori's hot hands ran over her torso and Jade groaned at the feeling. Tori didn't bother with being gentle, knowing that Jade wanted rough. Jade made short work of her pants when Tori's hands wandered lower. There was no going back once she made contact, once Jade gave in to her touch. She gave back in kind, and she did so with the utmost care. She made sure her claws remained smooth digits, only adding more force when Tori encouraged her to. She held Jade close when she finally unraveled, biting at her lip and whimpering. Jade breathed in their scent and pressed a kiss to Tori's jaw.
She let her body rest against Tori for a moment then she laid on her side next to her, leaving a leg twined with hers. They were sweaty and spent, breathing hard. The hollow feeling that always settled in Jade's chest felt full to bursting. She was practically vibrating with energy, power, and an unmistakable pull toward the human beside her. She didn't feel unmoored and directionless, subconsciously yearning to contact the one she was previously bound to. That person was now Tori, and she was right here with her. She never felt such power before. It was almost too much to handle. It made the world come alive with color when it once looked as gray as her skin. Tori turned to look at her with sleepy eyes, punch drunk with pleasure and happiness.
"Your eyes are beautiful," she mumbled, reaching out to brush at Jade's cheek.
"Was it too much for you and you lost your mind?" Jade joked. Tori shook her head.
"No. They're like the sea," she explained.
"They're always gray," Jade said, confused.
"Well, they aren't now. Maybe that's the color they're supposed to be," Tori remarked, eyes falling shut and a smile curling her lips. Jade smiled, happy and content. Tori eventually fell asleep, leaving Jade to her thoughts while she waited for sunrise. If this was how it felt to be bound to Tori, then it was the best decision she ever made, and she never wanted to be anywhere else in the world than by her side. But unfortunately, they had to return to reality. Beck was still out there, and she had no doubt he felt the change. If it felt this monumental forging a new bond to Tori, then he had to feel the old one crumbling to dust.
And if so, he would come for them sooner than later. But for now, they were alone. The sun was almost peaking the horizon when Tori's phone started to ring. She groaned and rolled out of Jade's hold to lazily sit up, scanning the room. She spotted her phone on the floor by the bed, sticking out of the pocket of her torn pants. She fell back with a pitiful grumble, wishing she could reach it. Jade wordlessly retrieved it for her. She held it out to Tori who gaped at her, wide awake.
"What? You wanted it, right?" Jade questioned, undaunted.
"How did you…?" Tori managed, only to lose her ability to speak. Jade smiled and lifted Tori's hand so that she could place her still ringing phone into it.
"That's the magic of the bond," Jade explained simply, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips before getting up. Tori sat there, amazed at the effortless way it already took effect. She looked at the screen and saw that her dad was trying to get a hold of her. She answered it, surprised by his question.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, why?" she asked.
"I just felt like I needed to check on you."
"A bad feeling?" Tori questioned him.
"No, but like…ugh, you're going to make fun of me."
"No, I'm not. Tell me," she replied, wondering what he would say.
"Something felt different, and you came to mind, so I just thought that maybe my dad radar picked up on something."
"Your dad radar?" Tori chuckled.
"Don't laugh!"
"I'm not! I swear!" she said, fighting back more laughter. Well, as ridiculous as it sounded, he was on to something.
"You better not be. So, you're okay then?"
"Yeah, dad. I'm okay," she assured him. He let out a sigh.
"Oh, good. Then I was right."
"You were. I'll see you soon," she told him.
"Okay. See you soon. Stay safe."
"Of course. I always am. Bye," she said.
"Bye."
"That was your father?" Jade asked while searching for some clothes to wear. She was already trying to come up with a good excuse for why she needed a new uniform. She thought maybe a stray dog getting a hold of her could be an acceptable cover, because sex definitely wouldn't be. She chuckled to herself, drawing Tori's attention. She smiled at the ease of Jade's movements. For once she wasn't stiff or tense.
"Yeah. He was checking on me. He said he felt like something was different and thought of me. Was that the bond?" she checked.
"Yes. It affects your whole family, remember? I just have stronger ties to you," Jade replied, finding a shirt and sweats from the dresser.
"Right. Does that mean Trina can order you around?" Tori asked, apprehensive.
"Technically, but I can refuse her with only minor pain. You made the claim so it would be a thousand times harder to deny you. It was the reason it almost killed me to escape when I did. It was Beck's great grandfather that I agreed to a deal with. He offered me the sacrifice and I pledged myself to him. He was still the lord of the house when I left so running away became a pain that physically hurt me. I've denied Beck's pull all this time just fine because he's the furthest removed from his great grandfather. It was the perfect time to forge a new one, when the old one was so weak. He's most likely dead by now," Jade explained, sitting on the bed.
"So should I have kids just to keep you in the family?" Tori teased. Jade growled.
"No. I only respond to you and you alone. When you grow old and pass on, I won't stick around, and I won't let anyone else bind me. I'd rather return to the Otherworld," Jade said, taking Tori by the hand.
"Really? You feel that strongly?" she inquired, touched.
"A demon is nothing if not loyal to the deal they agree to until that deal runs its course. Besides, I think you were growing on me before the bond," Jade admitted, playfully reluctant. Tori scoffed, just as playfully offended.
"True happiness wasn't something I experienced until I met you, crazy human," Jade said, brushing at her cheek. Tori smiled. Jade pulled away, looking to the window. She hesitated, glancing back at Tori.
"I don't know if the sun will affect me now," she admitted. Tori shrugged.
"Let's find out," she replied. Jade laid down and Tori got comfortable next to her. Together they waited, but nothing happened.
"I'm not stone," Jade breathed out, eyes wide. Tori held her tight and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"Congrats," she said, laughing at Jade's shocked expression.
"What are you going to do now?" Tori inquired.
"I want…to sleep," Jade decided. Tori stared at her, a brow raised questioningly.
"When I turn to stone, I don't necessarily get to rest or fall asleep. I have the choice now and I want to sleep," Jade explained. Tori nodded, a soft smile on her lips.
"Okay," she accepted. Jade returned her smile and closed her eyes, feeling the sun loom over them but having no effect. Tori sighed and got up. She needed a shower, something to eat, and a change of clothes. With one last look at Jade, she began to start her day. It was early, but she was already up, so she might as well get something done. When she was ready, she left Jade to the silence of her room. Tori was hopeful that she would get a good sleep.
Jade was acutely aware of Tori's absence the moment she woke up. She jumped to her feet and looked around. Empty, just as she thought. She was alone. Jade inhaled, noting that Tori's scent was old. She tried not to jump to conclusions. After all, Tori had classes and people she probably had to meet with. Jade took a quick shower, hoping to see Tori when she got out of her last class, but no luck. She slipped from the dorm and jumped the balcony, heading home to prepare for work. It was the only thing she could do. Hopefully she would sense if something was wrong.
Tori wasn't waiting for her when she arrived at the office. Nor was she around while Jade carried out her shift, anxiously waiting to see her. Something had to be wrong. After her shift ended, she made her way to the roof of the main building. She hadn't flown aimlessly in some time. Maybe that would relax her. She pulled off her new button-up and set it aside, taking off her shoes and socks to add to the pile. She had to apologize for the last uniform, but at least they didn't question her story. The cost of it just came out of her paycheck and it was settled.
She stood at the edge of the roof and allowed her body to assume its natural form. She made sure to stretch a bit before jumping off and into the sky. She tried to relax but she was still subconsciously searching for some sign of Tori. She passed over her house, but no one was home. Her scent was even older there. So, then she never went home. Now Jade was more worried than she already was. Where else could she have gone? She spent some time combing neighborhoods then moved on to searching the city.
She steered back in that direction when something caught her eye on a building she passed. Someone or something was perched up there. The musky scent of an animal reached her nose along with a sickly-sweet smell, but before she could get a better look, the shadows shifted, and something slammed into her from the side. She cried out as claws raked her back, arms, and wings. They didn't cause too much damage on her skin, but they did manage to tear holes in her wings. She was pulled into a tight curve that flung her down into the trees of a park. Not just any park. The same one where she first met Tori.
She hit the ground hard, unable to land properly with the added weight. She was thrown against a tree before she could recover her footing, the trunk cracking under the force. It hung to the side but didn't fall over until Jade was grabbed and thrown into it again. Wood shards shattered around her as she tumbled through the branches sticking up from the grass. She pushed herself up to see a vampire lunging at her, glowing eyes locked on her and fangs bared. She swung out before she could be thrown off balance again, sending her flying into the dirt.
"Enough, kitten," a familiar voice commanded. Jade froze at the tone, taking a claw to the face when the vampire charged again. The shallow cuts healed quickly, and she caught the next blow. She yanked hard, breaking bone. Her own claw latched onto the vampire's neck and squeezed.
"I said, enough!" the command came again. The vampire hissed and Jade snarled, but she listened and let go, allowing the vampire to pull away and return to his side where they were joined by a hulking werewolf.
"Took you long enough to catch up, Ryder," the vampire complained, glaring at the beast. He growled quietly but ignored her.
"Jade, we never formally met, but by the way my family always spoke about you, I feel like we already have," Beck greeted, stepping into the light. Jade's claws flexed, waiting for a chance to end him. He reminded her too much of his great grandfather. Her first master. He was almost the same in appearance and even sounded like him, except he was leaner and had hair like his father. She looked from his bodyguards and back to him, calculating her chances.
"We don't have to fight. I just want to talk," he calmed her. Unlikely. He finally found her, and it wasn't a coincidence that she was brought to this park. He had to know. He had to have been there, watching her, watching them, this whole time.
"Where is she?" Jade demanded. Beck smiled.
"You're just going to assume that I have-" he began to say, but a loud growl from her cut him off. He rolled his eyes.
"You don't have to throw a tantrum," he admonished, like a parent to a child.
"I'm not going to ask you again, Oliver," she threatened.
"Neither am I," he countered.
"I'm not going with you. I'm no longer under orders from you or your family," she refused.
"Right. I felt that. Your absence. Allying yourself with her is useless. What will you gain from it? How will she serve you? She's no one. Do you really think she'll help you take a life just to feed you?" he questioned, bringing up many points Jade herself had thought of. But it didn't matter. She could take care of herself. She didn't need a constant supply of prey. She was doing fine on whatever she was allowed. Tori wouldn't ever have to get involved.
"None of that is your business anymore," she dismissed, advancing on him. The werewolf and vampire shifted, changing their stance to ready an attack.
"Jade, come on," Beck said, almost playful. Condescending. He wasn't worried. He wasn't afraid. Even in the face of danger. He was just as confident as every Oliver before him. Jade ignored his last attempt at a peaceful agreement and lunged. Instantly, the vampire was on her. They tumbled across the grass, biting and clawing at each other. Most attacks only nicked her tough skin, but her claws tore furrows through flesh. She managed to get the upper hand and raked her claws across the vampire's stomach. She stumbled to the ground, defenses down, and Jade moved in for the kill, tearing her head from her body. She dropped it just as the body fell and began breaking down into ash. The werewolf howled and jumped into the fray.
Jade dodged the first few swings and returned them, landing every blow. But unlike the vampire, the werewolf didn't even flinch. He tackled her to the ground, large teeth attempting to tear into her shoulder. She could feel her flesh give under the force, but it still wasn't enough to cause lasting damage. She forced back his jaws and struck. He cringed in pain at the arcing swipe to his side and staggered back, releasing her. She took advantage and launched off the ground feet first, kicking him yards away. He hit a tree, skidded through dirt, and landed with a splash in the pond. Ducks and geese scattered and took off into the sky. Jade landed and pivoted to face Beck, charging at him again. This time, nothing would stop her.