She was five-foot-seven, slightly chubby, with long brown hair braided into a single ponytail. She wore a long white dress with a high neck and red and gold tunic, her style meshing a typical French Renaissance dress with modern jewelry.
“Great, besides the rumors of course. There isn't really going to be a thinning, is there?” she asked.
“I don't think so. The last thinning happened during World War Two. Right now, the mortal world is changing and growing, but in a good way. If anything, I feel a mass joining is coming, especially with the Seventh gone; we need to replenish our ranks.”
“I hope you're right.” She sighed. “Justine and I are the youngest of the Fourth, so you can understand our concern.”
I could understand; they were only a few hundred years old. If a thinning happened, their names along with possibly hundreds of others would be on the chopping block. “I wouldn't worry about it,” I said and gave her a reassuring smile despite my own concern. I had very few friends and although Alayna and Justine were the youngest among them, I valued their friendship.
She nodded, but I could still see the worry in her face. “So what's been happening with you? I heard Annora is back. You must be ecstatic.”
I scowled. “We're not together. Maybe we never were to begin with.”
“Oh, Jaden, I'm so sorry!” She hugged me.
Alexis's face filled my mind and I flashed her a radiant smile. “I'm not.”
“You're not?” she asked, releasing me.
“I've moved on,” I said.
She stared at me. “I know that look. You're in love,” her excited voice carried across the open field.
I laughed.
“Oh, my God! Tell me everything.” She clasped my hands.
Alayna listened enthusiastically as I regaled her with Alexis and my tales of passion. I left out some personal details. She was my friend, but Alayna loved to gossip and experience told me that the whole manor would be whispering a slightly embellished version of my tale within a day.
“I'm so happy for you. Annora must have been mad when she found out.”
I laughed. “No, she wasn't mad. She was infuriated.”
Alayna laughed. “When Justine and I first met, we were quickly caught up in a whirlwind of passion.”
I hadn't thought about how quickly our relationship was progressing. It had felt like an eternity before Alexis had given in to my advances. But Alayna was right. Within a few weeks, we had gone from complete strangers to passionate lovers.
“How is Justine?” I asked.
Alayna grinned like a schoolgirl. “Amazing.”
“Not what I meant.”
“We are so very happy. Thank you for everything,” she said, hugging me tightly.
“I really didn't do anything,” I said, modestly.
“If it wasn't for you, we would have never met.”
“It was just another dead end in my search for Annora.”
“Yeah. But at least that's over now, and I found Justine.”
I chuckled. “And I'm very happy for you both.”
My phone vibrated and it moved through my entire body, filling me with excitement. I knew who this caller would be. Quickly removing my phone, I gave Alayna a quick guess who look then pressed the answer button.
“Alexis,” I said, elated.
“Hi,” she replied, her voice filling me with incredible joy.
Alayna winked at me then wandered back to the party.
I crossed to the electric metal fence and scanned the field beyond. “How are you, my love?” She didn't answer, but I could hear her breathing softly on the other end. “Alexis, love?” I asked, worried.
“I'm here,” she said, her voice cracking.
“What's wrong?” I asked.
“It's nothing.” But I could hear the tears in her voice.
“Alexis,” I pressed.
She sniffed. “I didn't think you would answer.”
“Alexis, of course I would answer.”
“I thought that because you got what you wanted you were done with me,” she said.
“What!” I was shocked. “You think I told you what you wanted to hear so I could have sex with you?” I paused, my heart so heavy I thought it would fall through my feet. “And then dump you?”
“It's all that most people want from me,” she whispered.
I wanted to go to her, hold and kiss her lips. “Alexis, I am not most people. Sex with you is amazing, but I respect you as a person,” I said sincerely, suddenly regretting my hasty decision to bed her.
Slowly, I walked back to the tree. “I truly love you.”
“So many people have disappointed and hurt me. It's hard to believe you're different. I want to.”
The pain and insecurity in her voice made me reach out and steady myself against the large tree. “I would never hurt you,” I said, trying to send my love and conviction to her through the cell.
“I'm sorry. I'm trying,” her voice trembled.
“I'm here and always will be,” I said gently.
“It's just hard.”
“Well, I guess I will have to spend eternity proving it to you.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“Cross my heart,” I said and physically crossed my heart.
“Thank you for everything,” she said in earnest.
“I should be thanking you. You are looking after my favorite traveling companion. How is Sophia?” I asked, eager to change the mood.
“She misses you! She finally stopped sitting by the door and is sleeping next to me.”
Standing, I began to walk the perimeter. “I didn't know she cared. So you're in bed?” I asked.
“Yes, I have to work tonight.”
“I was just wondering...” I said, pausing.
“Yes?” she asked.
“What are you wearing?” I was unable to resist.
Alexis giggled. “Nothing!”
“So you're naked?” I pressed.
I could picture her blushing. “Yes, I'm very naked.”
I groaned at the image of her body sprawled out on my bed.
“What are you wearing?” she asked.
Looking down at my clothing, I said, “Black leather pants, matching corset, leather jacket, and combat boots,” wishing I were naked and holding her.
Turning, I brushed my finger along the fence, the electricity slightly soothing me. “Sounds very dominatrix. Are you carrying a leather whip and handcuffs too?” she asked, laughing.
“I'm not into whips, but I did leave my handcuffs under the bed. We can take them out once I get back,” I teased.
She laughed.
“No, really. They're under the bed.”
She laughed harder.
“Alexis!” I giggled.
I heard her get up, a brief silence, and then she gasped. “You use this stuff?” she whispered, embarrassed.
“Why else would I have it?” I grinned.
She was quiet for a long moment. “Alexis?” I asked worriedly.
“What's the metal balls for?” she asked.
I groaned again at the thought of her naked, holding them. “I'll demonstrate their proper usage when I get back.”
“Not on me, you won't. Not if they go where I think they go!”
“And where exactly do you think they go?” I asked seductively.
She was silent for a long moment and I could almost feel her blush through the phone. I laughed.
“Jade?” she asked softly.
“Yeah?” I replied, desire coursing through every part of me.
“You're bi?”
“If you mean do I like guys and girls, then yes, I'm bi,” I replied, nodding to Nathaniel as I passed him. He bowed slightly.
“Do you only like girls?” I asked.
“I'm not sure. You're the only person I've been with...” she paused. “Willingly,” she whispered.
“I would be happy to fix that,” I said gently.
“You wouldn't be mad if I had sex with oth
er people?” She sounded shocked.
“Not as long as I was able to participate,” I said, I know she was blushing again.
“I don't know,” she said reluctantly.
“What you've experienced isn't how it's supposed to be, Alexis,” I said. “With the right partner, either male or female, sex could be as good, if not better, than with me.”
“I don't think it's possible.”
“You have no idea how much your words mean to me,” I said, every part of me aching to be near her.
“I love you,” she said, yawning.
“Sleep, love.”
“I don't want to be alone.” She yawned again.
“I'll tell you a story until you fall asleep,” I offered.
“Okay.” I could hear her roll over.
From memory, I recited the first four chapters of Under the Greenwood Tree until I could hear her breathing softly in her sleep.
Sixteen
loud, insistent buzzing woke Alexis. Groaning, she rolled over and swung at the alarm clock several times before finally quieting the thing. Stretching, she sat up, jostling the cat.
“Sorry, Sophia. Time for work,” she said and the cat meowed at her.
“I know, but it keeps my mind off Jaden.”
The cat stared at her, blinking her large blue eyes.
Alexis laughed and opened the small closet. She pulled a pair of Jaden's blue jeans and blue button down silk shirt out. She hugged them against her body and breathed deeply.
“I never noticed before, Sophia. Jade smells like vanilla and jasmine,” she said, then pulled on the pants.
“She's so much taller than me,” Alexis said, rolling up the pant legs.
After she put the shirt on and pulled her yellow work shirt over it, she wrapped her arms around herself, smiling. It’s like Jaden is still here, holding me.
The cat sat by the kitchen sink and meowed. “Hungry?” she asked, walking over to the staring cat.
Alexis fed Sophia then donned one of Jaden's light jackets before stepping into the windy night. The walk to Sal's Diner was long and lonely without Jaden.
Annie smiled at her as she entered. “Ready for a crazy night?” She held out a notepad and pen.
Alexis took them. “I'm going to waitress?” she asked, glowing with excitement.
Annie nodded. “Tonight is going to be crazy busy. The college kids, out for Christmas break, pile in here like cattle.” She smiled.
“You think I'm ready?” she asked, a little worried.
“You're ready. Just remember: don't let them give you crap.” She gave Alexis a quick hug. “Let's get ready!”
Alexis set tables and refilled the condiments. Loud laughter drew her attention from her work as four male college students entered Sal's, clearly drunk. They slid into a corner booth. She picked up four menus and walked over to the table.
“Welcome to Sal's! Our special is chili cheese dogs, fries and a coke for eight bucks plus tax,” she said, handing them the menus.
They laughed.
“Can I start you off with something to drink? Water, perhaps?” Alexis continued, giving them a smile.
“You can start me off and finish me, doll!” one said and smacked her bottom.
She flinched. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
They laughed again.
“What do you want to eat?” she repeated.
“We will take the special, all the way around!” a blond man said.
“Sure,” she gave him a forced smile then stalked into the kitchen, frowning. “Four specials!” she said, setting the order onto the counter.
“You okay, hon?” Annie asked, walking in from out back.
“Those guys. One hit me on my bottom.” She glared behind her at the rowdy table.
“It happens sometimes,” she said then took the cup Alexis was holding.
“Why don't you go on break? I'll give them their order.”
“Thanks, Annie,” she replied.
“You hang in there, babe. Things will get better. You'll see,” Annie smiled reassuringly.
“I know.”
She sat down on a window ledge next to the dumpster. Pulling the phone out of her pocket, she quickly opened the contact list and picked out Jaden.
It rang repeatedly.
“My love,” Jaden said, her voice ecstatic.
“Hi.”
“You at work?” Jaden asked.
“Yeah!” she replied, irritated.
“Did something happen?”
“Some drunken loser smacked me on the bottom,” she replied.
“What!” Jaden's voice was angry, worried.
“I'm okay. Annie's handling them. So what's been happening at the summit?”
Jaden sighed. “Nothing, I've been stuck walking the perimeter since we talked last.”
“But it's been hours?” Alexis said, looking at the time on the phone.
“I'm aware!” Jaden said, frustrated. “And now it's raining.” Alexis laughed. “It's not funny! I'm getting all wet.”
“I like you wet!” she said then bit her bottom lip.
“Alexis!”
“What?” she asked innocently.
“When I get back there, I'm going to—”
“Rip my clothes off and kiss every part of me?” she interrupted.
Jaden groaned. “I need you.”
Alexis sighed. “I know the feeling.” Her need was overwhelming
She kicked a bottle by her feet and it rolled across the ally.
“Alexis!” Annie called.
She looked behind her into the kitchen where Annie balanced three plates on each arm. “I have to go!”
“I'll call you when you get home,” Jaden said.
“I can't wait,” she said excitedly.
“Love you!”
“Love you more,” Jaden replied.
She hung up and walked back into the diner. Annie greeted her with a large smile and nodded at a clean-shaven, pudgy man in a police uniform.
“Alexis, I want you to meet Officer Billy Mills. He works this side of the upper east. He's a regular, chili cheese fries and a chocolate milkshake.”
Her heart thudded against her ribs. Stay cool, he’s just another customer. She gathered her strength and smiled at him. “Hi.”
“Annie says you're a hard worker,” he said, sliding onto a barstool.
“I try, sir,” she said, thrilled by the compliment even though she was now on edge.
“Sir? No, it's just Billy or Officer Mills,” the officer said with a hearty laugh.
Alexis grinned.
“Why don't you get Billy his shake and I'll have the cook drop his fries while I serve these?” Annie said.
“Yes, ma'am.”
She could feel Officer Mills watching her as she made his drink.
“Annie said you're visiting from outta state,” he said.
She nodded.
“Your parents must be very proud. You working through 'till New Years?”
“I hope so,” she lied.
In truth, she did not think her parents gave a single thought about her wellbeing. Pain tugged at her heart; she had tried so hard to make them happy. It took her a long time to realize her parents were bad people and should never have been parents in the first place.
She set the milkshake down in front of Officer Mills. “You got college plans?” he asked, sipping the shake.
“I want to go to Brown University,” Alexis replied, wishing, not the first time, that her parents had given a shit.
“In Rhode Island, right?” he said as Annie returned with his fries.
“Yeah, I want to major in ancient history and culture.” She smiled at the possibility of actually getting to attend.
“Quite the dream,” Annabelle said.
“I'm sure she'll get there,” Officer Mills said.
“Someday,” Alexis agreed.
Loud music and laughter soon filled the diner as young college students filled every seat. Ale
xis ran here and there, taking orders and delivering food.
Sal’s diner was still a buzz of activity as the morning shift arrived and she collected her pay.
Alexis slowly made her way down the sidewalk, the sun just barely peering over the horizon.
She covered a yawn, then jumped when a cop cruiser pulled up beside her.
It was Officer Mills. “Alexis?”
“Hi again,” she said, slightly relieved.
“Do you live around here?” he asked, clearly worried.
She nodded. “I'm staying with a family friend.”
“Why don't you climb in? I'll give you a ride. It's not safe to walk around here.”
“Thanks, but I'm not supposed to ride with strangers. Even police officers,” she stated.
He laughed. “Smart. Then let me walk you home.” He pulled the squad car over to the side of the road and shut it off.
“Okay,” Alexis agreed, reluctantly. She was glad she actually had a home to return to.
He climbed out of the vehicle and they fell into a steady pace. “Your friend shouldn't let you walk alone in this neighborhood,” Mills commented.
“I'm fine. She usually walks with me but she's working right now,” she said, trying to reassure the man.
“Listen, I don't know where you're from, but around here it isn't safe for either of you to be walking, especially alone. Just yesterday, we found three men's bodies ten blocks from here. We still don't know what killed them.”
“You mean whom,” she corrected.
“No, I mean what. An ATM camera across the street from where the bodies were found caught them running into the side street,” he said, adjusting his hat. “The creepy part is that no one followed them in and no one left. There was no blood at the scene, in or around the bodies. And they had no wounds, other than two tiny punctures on their necks.”
Alexis's heart raced. Were they the same men who had attacked her weeks ago in the metro station? Had Jaden killed them? Would Jaden kill for her? The questions raced through her mind and the phone in her pocket vibrated.
“Do you have any suspects?” she asked, chills running down her spine as the phone continued to vibrate.
Officer Mills shook his head. “No. We're thinking others were waiting for them, possibly members of a cult. Their still investigating, but it shows you can never be too careful.”
The phone quieted and her mind filled with images of Jaden being hauled off in handcuffs. I love Jaden but am I feel okay with her killing people? Jaden must have killed people, after all she is a nine hundred year old vampire. Besides, those men did try to rape me. But did it give Jaden the right to kill them?
Jaden's Heart Page 13
