“Anytime, and Merry Christmas, Jaden,” she replied.
“You too, Desiree!”
Standing statuesque outside Sal's Diner, I eagerly awaited Alexis.
“Thanks! Have a great Christmas!” she said as she exited the restaurant.
She blushed when our eyes met.
“Hi, beautiful,” I said.
“Hey,” she replied.
We fell into a steady pace. A romantic city scene slowly unfolded as we walked hand in hand, the street lamps lighting our path. I let her enter the apartment building first and was rewarded with a sharp gasp. Green garland, gold ribbon, and white Christmas lights wrapped the hall railings leading up to my apartment.
“Did you do this?” Alexis asked, climbing the stairs slowly.
“Desiree helped,” I replied.
A wreath hung on the front door, decorated with small pinecones, red berries, and a gold bow. She opened it, entered the apartment, and stood by the coat rack, mesmerized.
The apartment was tastefully decorated. A white and gold tablecloth lay across the small dining room table. At its center, a gold candle stood tall amidst brown pinecones within a crystal bowl. The table was set for two, with white gold trimmed china, crystal wine glasses, and delicate silverware.
Alexis walked over to the five-foot Christmas tree that stood by the television. White Christmas lights twinkled around the ornaments and the gold ribbon tied to the top of the tree ran down its length. She reached out her hand to touch it.
“I hope you like it,” I said as I looked about the room.
“Everything is so beautiful,” she breathed.
“I'm glad,” I replied.
“Presents?” she asked, kneeling by the tree.
She took one of the three packages and ran her fingers over the glittery pearl wrapping paper and gold ribbon tied around it. She read the name neatly written on the tag. Her eyes flicked up to look at me. “You got me gifts?”
I nodded. “This is all for you.” I sat beside her.
“But?” she said, looking at the presents as tears ran down her cheeks.
“Alexis?” I asked, worried.
“I didn't get you anything. I've only been working at the diner a little while.”
I pulled her into my arms. “Yes, you did.” I wiped away her tears. She looked at me, confused. “You have given me the only thing I have ever wanted: love. Beautiful, passionate love.” I kissed her.
Alexis returned my kiss with heated passion. When we separated, our breathing was hard and fast. I took the present from her and set it back under the tree. With gentle hands, I peeled her clothing off and tossed it to the side. I eased her naked body to the floor and she arched against my wandering hands. She closed her eyes in an all-encompassing bliss.
After, we sat on the love seat. Alexis ate pizza from the other night and I was finishing off a bottle of O-negative blood. My phone vibrated.
“Hey, Desiree,” I answered.
“We're on our way over,” she replied.
“Now?” I asked, standing.
“Yes,” came the reply.
I hung up. “We’re about to have company,” I said, frowning.
She disappeared into the bathroom to dress and I pulled on black leggings and a long cream-colored t-shirt. I heard the main door to the building open, Annora's heels on the wood floor as she made her way up the stairs. Her scent, still familiar after all these years, filled my senses: vanilla perfume and lilacs.
I could smell her blood, rich and tempting; it called to me through the bond we shared, a bond between creator and created. I remembered its flavor and texture as it ran down my throat. My mouth watered. I swallowed and straightened my clothing.
Am I dressed properly? The thought was sudden and unsettling. Why do I care? I shouldn't care, right?
She rapped on my door and I flinched visibly. The second rap brought me back to myself and I crossed and pulled it open. She strolled into my apartment, her long black hair in a loose bun. My eyes moved across the smooth pale skin at her neckline up to her rose-colored lips to settle on her angry glare. Many lifetimes ago I feared her anger, but not today. Or ever again.
“You hung up on me,” she hissed. “Why?”
I scowled. “If you're not going to be civil, then leave.”
Alexis appeared from the bathroom in my green shirt and jeans. They hung off her body.
She was so beautiful. I smiled at her. Alexis was nothing like Annora. She was calm, steady, with not a mean bone in her body.
Annora registered the gesture. “This is the human?” she said scornfully.
She looked Alexis over, her lips a thin line. “A little young.”
“I'm old enough.”
When pecked, Alexis would bite back.
Desiree and Maxwell had followed Annora in and stood by the door.
“Welcome,” I said. “Please make yourself at home. I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Alexis. Alexis, this is Annora, Desiree, and Maxwell.”
“Hello,” Alexis replied, sweetly.
“So this is the beautiful Alexis which has so captivated our Jaden,” Maxwell said, crossing the room in two quick strides. “I am overjoyed to make your acquaintance, Lady Alexis.” He bowed deeply and took her hand in his, kissing the back of it.
She blushed. Annora rolled her eyes.
“Hi,” Desiree said, and I guessed she figured Maxwell's display was enough for the both of them.
“What is she doing here?” Annora asked.
Glaring at her, I said, “She lives with me.”
“I don't know what type of fantasy you're playing here, but we have some serious business we need to discuss. Business not for the likes of her!” Annora said.
Moving to stand beside Alexis, I wrapped my arm around her. “She’s here because I want her to be. If she leaves, I will too.” My eyes were hostile.
“We have lost too much time as it is thanks to your disappearing act. I’m done arguing with you.” She turned to address the room. “As everyone here is aware, there is to be a summit and the Seventh House's assets are to be divided among the other great Houses. More recently, however, there have been some developments. It appears whoever orchestrated the assassination is staying in the shadows. We expect an attack but without a Seer, we cannot tell where or when it will take place. So everyone has been placed on high alert and security has been intensified.”
Alexis looked up at me. “Later,” I whispered.
“I have also just learned his Royal Majesty Prince Arron has been awakened,” Annora said. “He will be at the summit.”
I exchanged a worried look with Desiree and Maxwell. “There's going to be a thinning?” Desiree asked.
“It is unclear at this time, but it is possible,” Annora replied.
“What's a thinning?” Alexis interrupted.
Annora sighed and impatiently tapped her finger onto her tablet.
“During a thinning, his majesty, Prince Arron will choose the number of Immortals that a House is allowed to have. If yours has too many, the youngest will be destroyed,” Desiree explained.
Alexis gripped my hand. “But why?”
I gently squeezed her arm. “Don't worry, love. A thinning only happens when the mortal world is in a state of flux. The economy is booming and humans are rampant.”
Annora scowled. “It's not our concern. We must abide by the law. We must focus on the safety of the council.” She set her tablet on the kitchen table and pulled out a chair. “Let's get to it.”
We worked the rest of the day and well into the evening planning and strategizing around a map of the mansion. It was on a hill with only a few points of entry. Alexis passed out on the settee shortly after the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
“So Max and Jaden will run surveillance and perimeter security outside the mansion. The Houses have placed two guards under your direct supervision and eighteen men to guard the perimeter,” Annora said.
“We will post two at the
main gate entrance to the estate. They will check each vehicle and run the occupants' identification,” Max said.
“The rest, we will evenly distribute around the estate's perimeter but concentrate on these weak areas, here and here,” I added, pointing them out on the display.
“I have personally selected ten guards to station at the interior of the mansion,” said Annora.
“In addition, each council member has their own personal bodyguards that will accompany them everywhere,” Desiree pointed out.
Annora stood. “Good. We have a plan. I will see you all at the hangar in a day's time. Do not be late. The consequences could be deadly.” She stared at me.
After they left, I lifted Alexis's sleeping body and carried her to our bed. As I watched her sleep peacefully, Sophia climbed up to join us.
Thirteen
i arranged the whole next day down to our clothing. The first thing on the list was opening presents. I watched as Alexis tore through the wrapping paper then turned the leather journal over in her hands.
“I thought you might need something to record life events in,” I said.
She smiled. “I do have a lot to write about. Hard to believe everything that has happened to me within the last few weeks.”
She unwrapped the second package. It was a digital camera, passport, ID, and birth certificate. Alexis looked over each one. “What are these for?”
“It's your new identity,” I explained.
“Is this legal?” she asked and I laughed.
“Yes, however, getting them might have been a little shady.”
“Alexis Kyla Hawk. Eighteen years old,” she read aloud.
“Is it okay?”
“I don't know what to say,” she breathed.
Taking the last present from under the tree, I handed it to her, smiling. “Last one.”
She eyed me suspiciously as she took it.
“Jasmine bath salt, body wash, and body oil?”
Alexis blushed and I grinned.
“I like my bath water hot,” she said, handing me the bath salt.
Taking it from her, excitement filled my veins. “Me, too.”
I filled the bathtub and poured the bath salt in to dissolve. Through my peripheral vision, her naked body moved past the bathroom mirror. Warm hands wrapped around my waist.
She undressed me without reservation.
Then she stepped into the water, the skin on her legs turning red from the heat. She gestured with her finger for me to join her. I stepped into the bathtub, need pulsating through me.
Alexis knelt before me, her hands tracing the curves of my body. I knelt and pulled her into my arms, the hot water rippling around us. Time was non-existent as we lay in the tub talking and touching. When the water became cold and she shivered, I lifted her into my arms and carried her to our bed. We massaged each other's bodies with the oil as we talked and kissed.
Noontime came all too quickly. We dressed and walked to a little café down the street from my apartment. Between bites of food, Alexis asked me countless questions about England, my business and places I had visited. I answered every one in detail. A little past four in the afternoon, we returned to the apartment.
Two large cloth bags hung by the interior door.
“What's in the bags?” she asked.
Retrieving them, I said, “A surprise. Come on, time to get dressed.”
A few minutes later, she sat before me in only a towel as I blow-dried and straightened her hair. I applied a thin layer of make-up to her beautiful face.
“Perfection.” I smiled.
She blushed.
“I laid out clothing for you. Go ahead and get dressed. I'm going to work on me now.”
“Okay,” she said as I entered the bathroom, taking my clothing with me.
After I had showered, I blow dried and curled my hair, applied make-up, and stepped into my black satin, knee-length V-neck dress and black heels. Donning a gold necklace with a single ruby hanging from it and matching earrings, I looked over myself one last time before stepping out of the bathroom.
A lightly tanned woman with long, silky blonde hair lying across her bare shoulders greeted me. Long eyelashes framed her deep, shining emeralds. Her full lips formed a gentle smile. She stood gracefully in a rose-colored formal strapless dress.
“How do I look?” Alexis asked.
Wetting my lips, I smiled, unable to speak.
“You look amazing,” she commented as she came closer. “So where are we going?” she asked.
I did not answer, just stared dumbly at her.
“Jade?” she asked, worried.
Gently touching her face, I finally breathed. “Beautiful.”
Her cheeks turned the most beautiful red and I kissed her, unable to resist. She melted into me, our kiss deepening.
We parted, breathless. “I have something else for you.”
Crossing the room, I pulled a small box out of the bag on the dining room table. “Turn around.”
She did and I gently fastened the diamond necklace around her soft neck. “Jaden, this is...”
“Just right.”
Below us, a car honked. “The car is here.” I took her hand in mine.
The driver stood in his black tuxedo, holding the door open to the shiny black limousine. She gaped at the limo as I guided her over.
“Can you play this?” I asked the driver, handing him a thumb drive.
“Yes, Ma'am,” he said as he took it.
I climbed in and the door closed behind me.
“This is incredible,” Alexis said, running her hands over the cream leather seats.
The cabin filled with the sound of a violin as the limo pulled into traffic. “Do you like the music?” I asked.
She explored the limo's interior. “It's beautiful! Who's playing?”
“I am.”
She gaped at me.
I laughed. “This recording is my favorite. It was made in two thousand three. A man named James Ehnes let me use his recording studio. The last song we did together. Nice guy.”
“Who’s he?” she asked.
“A famous violinist.”
“Wow, you're really good.” She sounded a bit jealous.
“You can learn a lot in nine hundred years.”
“I'm sure.” She frowned.
“What?”
“I used to play the piano in school, but it's been years.”
“You will have to play for me sometime,” I said.
“Nah, I'm not very good,” she admitted.
Taking her into my arms, I kissed her. “I would still love to hear you play.”
The limousine dropped us off in front of the L.A. Theater. I basked in Alexis's beautiful form in the glowing lights as she took in the amazing stone architecture. We entered the theater and climbed the stairs to our box overlooking the stage.
After we were seated, the curtain slowly raised and the orchestra began to play, filling the theater with life. I watched as she soaked everything in as The Phantom of the Opera was artfully performed before us.
After the play, the driver was waiting by the door to drop us off at our next destination. During the ride, Alexis entertained me with questions about plays I had seen and actors I had met over the years. I did manage to sneak in a few questions myself.
The limousine stopped in front of the Flowing Desire. I helped Alexis from the limo and smiled. Desiree had gone all out when I told her to spare no expense. A dark red carpet with white rose petals and lit tea lights on both sides spread from the limo to the entryway. Sam stood just inside the door. He looked handsome in his black tuxedo.
“This way, my ladies,” he said, bowing at the waist.
We followed him through the roses and candles that beautifully decorated room to the only table. It was draped in a white silk tablecloth and more red roses sat in a beautiful crystal vase. It was set with hand cut crystal wine glasses and white china plates, both decorated with hand painted gold trim. I held
the chair out for Alexis and gently pushed her in when she sat. The dim light of the candles and romantic violin duet piping in through the speakers set the mood.
“Wow, everything is so beautiful,” Alexis said, smiling at Max, who served her Chicken Marsala.
“I wanted a night that would stand out in our memories forever,” I said, still captivated by her beauty.
James poured fresh blood into my crystal wine glass. “Enjoy,” they said in unison before disappearing into the kitchen.
Her face lit up as she bit into the chicken. “This is fantastic!”
I smiled. “I'm glad you like it. I debated serving you a cheese burger, but I think King Louis XIV would object to his fine china having such food served on it,” I said then sipped the blood.
“These are King Louis XIV's dishes?” she asked.
I laughed. “Desiree stole them from his castle on a dare.”
Alexis shook her head. “How did you meet her?”
“I was running naked through the woods. She—”
“Wait, why were you running naked through the woods?”
“I was being chased by werewolves,” I replied.
“Werewolves?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“I was bathing in a lake and yes, werewolves. Anyway, Desiree was passing through and heard the commotion. She came to my rescue.”
“Ok. What about Max and James? How did you meet them?” She took another bite of her food.
“It was in London at a local brothel. I was...” I paused. “Anyway, every now and then we ran into each other.”
“Do you meet all your friends naked?” Alexis asked.
“I find it gets everything out and in the open. Literally.” I winked at her.
She laughed. “You are so weird.”
I laughed too.
“So what did Annora mean about an assassination?” Her voice was serious, but her eyes still sparkled with amusement.
“Ivy and the entire Seventh House were murdered. We have not yet discovered who is responsible for this atrocity but it's only a matter of time.”
“If they were able to kill all those Immortals, what’s going to stop them from attacking the summit?” she asked.
Jaden's Heart Page 11
