Jaden's Heart

by Melanie Jackson

  Lord Kayne stepped beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder, his gray eyes kind. “Ivy protected our world. Never once did she flinch at her duty to her people. None among us know the toil her visions had upon her. Ivy sacrificed herself physically, emotionally, and mentally for us—for her people. Her sacrifice is something we can never repay but one we are eternally grateful for. May Ivy and all the members of the Seventh find peace in the next life.” His deep voice carried easily across the open space.

  The council members each took a burning torch and in unison, they ignited the pyre. For a brief moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, the crowd thinned until I stood alone in front of the burning pyre. Wisps of smoke rose into the starless sky. I moved to stand closer, so close I could feel the flames searing the light hairs on my arms.

  “I think Ivy would have approved of the ceremony,” Prince Arron said from behind me. “After my wife's funeral, she told me she only wanted a simple, romantic ceremony. We tried to follow her wishes as best we could.” He moved to stand beside me.

  I had no words for him as I stared into the bright flames. Part of me could not believe she was gone. We stood in silence, two shadowed figures, as snow fell in slow large flakes around us and what was left of our friend rose in black smoke, disappearing into the night sky.

  The after ceremony was not silent and gloomy. Everyone stood in groups reminiscing about Ivy and the Seventh as soft music played. I stood in a corner of the ballroom trying to be invisible, praying I would be ignored. The last thing I wanted was to talk to people about the years I spent as Ivy's apprentice.

  “Jaden,” Alayna said mournfully as she approached me, Justine by her side.

  Alayna's hair was pulled back into tight bun. Justine wore a black suit, her short hair combed flat. Alayna hugged me and I wished once again for tears.

  “How are you holding up?” she asked, stepping back from me.

  “I'm okay,” I replied, giving her a weak smile.

  Justine grabbed three wine glasses of blood from a passing human waiter. She handed one to each of us. “To Ivy!” she said, raising her glass.

  “To Ivy,” I repeated and we tapped the glasses together and emptied them.

  “That's Jaden Hawk! Ivy's last apprentice. Rumor has it they were lovers,” I heard a red-haired youngling answer an unheard question.

  “Lovers?” asked a male youngling.

  “That's not all! Ivy put her into her will,” the woman said.

  The younglings around her gasped. “She probably orchestrated Ivy's death,” one speculated.

  “Other than the council, she is the only one who has the most to gain from Ivy's death,” the woman added.

  “Well, I heard she dumped Annora for some human,” the male chimed in.

  I glared in their direction.

  “Would you like to take a walk with us?” Justine asked, drawing my attention away from the gossipers.

  Alayna squeezed Justine's hand.

  “Yes, please,” I replied.

  We walked the electric perimeter fence. “Thanks, guys,” I said, finally breaking the silence. “I really needed to get away from their gossip.”

  “Don't listen to them, Jade,” Alayna said. “They're just jealous.”

  “Do all the younglings think I had something to do with Ivy's death?” I asked, worried.

  Alayna and Justine frowned. “For what it's worth, we don't,” Alayna said, resting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

  “Thanks,” I sighed. “I think I need to be alone now.” I left them in a blur of speed.

  I ran to the cliff's edge, just out of sight of the manor. Did Ivy see her end? If she did, why did she stay? My eyes glued to the horizon in front of me, the dim lights of a fishing village flickering in the distance.

  “You know that death comes to us all,” Ivy had said. “No one—not even we, with all our immortality—can escape it forever. It is the one constant, our inevitable fate. I have spent my whole immortal life looking into the future and death is always there, waiting.”

  It had been the middle of summer then, when she laid on her stomach, naked, a book in her hands. I sat naked as well, my back against a large tree trunk, watching the birds in its branches. The sun beat down on us.

  “It must take all the fun out of living,” I replied.

  “Finding enjoyment is hard. The thing I miss the most is the wishing and hoping. Now, I see the outcome even before I wish for it.” She set the book down and straddled me.

  “And us?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

  Her violet eyes became sad, distant. The look she always had when she was looking into the future.

  “Hey!” I said, kissing her and bringing her back to me.

  “Let's go hunt,” I said, trying to add excitement to my voice.

  She smiled.

  “It will be fun!” I added.

  “I know what will be even more fun,” she said, kissing me.

  As I stood in silence, watching the dim lights sparkle on the horizon, the pain from Ivy’s death and my anger at their words filled every facet of my body. How can they think I killed Ivy? I clenched my fists, digging my nails into the palms of my hands. I loved and respected her. She was...

  I dropped to my knees and screamed her name into the night, releasing within my anger and sadness. It returned to me as a mournful echo.

  The day after Ivy's funeral, I occupied myself with security checks. It was nearly late evening when I decided it was time to see what I remembered from Ivy's swordsmanship lessons.

  I found a quiet space in the yard, out of sight, with plenty of room. The last thing I needed was an audience. I started with a few simple swings and thrusts, and then moved into a more complex Kata. I spun, thrust, slashed and dipped. When I came to a stop, Annora stood watching.

  I frowned, breathing hard. She was leaning against the side of the manor in jeans, a pale button down green shirt and black sneakers.

  “Ivy made a good choice. Leaving the swords to you. You are very talented,” Annora said, giving me a soft smile.

  “Can I help you?” I asked coldly, sheathing the swords.

  “No need to be so hostile,” she said.

  I crossed my arms.

  “A few of us are going hunting. I was wondering if you wanted to join us?”

  Her reminder brought the familiar burning need to the forefront of my mind along with the beast’s clawing. I hadn’t fed since my arrival and it was long overdue. Besides, it had been years since I hunted in a large group. It would be a nice change of pace.

  “Sure, thanks. Where are we going?”

  “The fishing village. Perfect for catching succulent flesh,” Annora said.

  I laughed at her crude humor; it had been too long since I had seen this side of her.

  Annora will never accept Alexis and I as a couple, but does that mean we can’t be friends? I don’t want to lose her, like Ivy. Would she accept my friendship?

  We met five other Immortals by the entrance of the estate. I had seen them around but had never personally met any of them. Two were from François's House, the Third, and the rest were from the First. Annora and I followed their lead. I watched her as we made our way to the village, my mind wandering, to the past.

  Shivering in the sleeting rain, I stood, my hands bound to a large post with the other captive children. The slaver's caravan had stopped near a small village. I watched their children run through the camp, laughing and playing. My heart ached but I had no more tears to cry.

  “These are the only children we have, Lady,” the slave master said.

  He stood in the rain in a large wool coat and brim hat. She stood beside him on wooden platform shoes, keeping her feet out of the mud. Two male servants held large umbrellas over her head. She wore a large dark red brim hat and the most beautiful matching dress I had ever seen.

  “Let me see the girls.”

  The slave master bowed deeply. “Yes, Lady.”

  He waved his hand at
the two barrel-chested men. They unchained me from the post along with three other girls and lined us up in front of the woman. She examined each of them before stepping in front of me. I looked up into her light brown eyes.

  She leaned in closer, smelling me. “Your name?” she asked harshly.

  I did not reply, just stared into her beautiful face.

  The slave master brought his whip down hard on my naked back. “Answer her, slave!”

  I flinched but remained silent. He raised the whip to strike me again, but the woman grabbed his wrist.

  “I will take her,” she said, holding out a purse of coins.

  The slave master took it with a pleased expression. “We will deliver her to your estate, Lady.”

  “I will take her now,” she commanded.

  “Are you sure, Lady?”

  “Remove her shackles.” Her voice was cold.

  The slave master waved at one of the large men, who removed my heavy chains.

  The woman then leaned in so her face was inches from mine. “Follow.” Her breath was ice on my already cold face.

  I nodding somberly and trailed her through the icy, muddy streets, my short legs trying to keep up with her brisk pace.

  As I returned to the present we came to a stop on the edge of the village, which laid in quiet slumber. The moon and stars cast soft light upon us as we descended upon its inhabitants.

  Annora and I left the group behind, walking through the small village in silence, assessing the houses and the scents emanating from within.

  She stopped and smiled. “This one?” she asked, looking over a darkened building.

  I scowled, looking at the large sign. “This is a children's home!”

  “Exactly. No one will care if a few orphans end up in shallow graves,” she replied, eying me.

  “I don't do kids,” I said sternly.

  Annora raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

  “We don't feed on children,” I repeated, crossing my arms.

  “I thought it's what you're into now,” Annora said seriously.

  “Fuck you,” I said, turning away from her.

  “There's nothing wrong with liking them young. Their blood is sweeter and they are easier to control. But I'm sure you're aware.” She grinned.

  I growled at her.

  She raised her hands defensively. “Sorry, my mistake.”

  “Alexis is seventeen—more than old enough to make her own decisions.”

  “I'm sure she is very skilled,” Annora said before she turned and continued walking down the street.

  I followed her. “You don't know anything about us.”

  “Clearly,” Annora replied.

  I stopped next to a large stone town house; seven separate scents came from within: four adults, two teenagers, and a single adolescent. “This one!” I said, and Annora nodded her agreement.

  We easily gained access through an open bedroom window on the second floor. The room's occupants were a young married couple. We each took one, their blood delicious syrup.

  “Forget,” I whispered into his ear.

  Annora whispered the same. We then split up, moving through the home, feeding off its other inhabitants. After wiping me from the mind of an old man, I went to find her.

  Annora sat next to a toddler's bed. The girl slept peacefully. I quietly moved to stand next to them.

  “I had a daughter once,” Annora whispered, gently brushing her cool fingers over the sleeping child's head.

  “Really?” I asked, surprised, looking from the child to her.

  “She was seven years old. Human raiders attacked my village in four forty B.C. They murdered everyone.” Annora still watched the sleeping child.

  I frowned. For some reason, I could not picture her as a mother. She was so cruel to me and the other humans she kept as slaves.

  “Her name was Mariam. She was such a good little girl. I was working in a field when I saw the smoke rising from the trees. With every ounce of strength I possessed I ran back to the village, but I could do nothing. It was aflame, my home included. My precious daughter Mariam lay feet in front of our door. She had two arrows in her small body. I sat among the dead, holding her, crying for her. I was pathetic.” Now there was anger in her brown eyes.

  “No you weren't. You had just lost someone you loved. You were grieving,” I said sympathetically.

  “I think it was then that my heart froze, long before I ever became immortal. I had heard the stories just like everyone else. The white city with its towering alabaster walls and the beautiful people within who lived forever. I went looking for them and after they turned me, I got my revenge,” she said, a sinister grin spreading across her face. “I killed the men who burned my village, killed my daughter. But, not just them—their families and even their friends.” Her smile faded into a thin line. “Then I was alone with no more anger or hatred, just a cold, bitter heart.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She looked at me but her eyes were distant. “Then I found you and thought I could for once have something good, pure.”

  A twinge of empathy moved through me.

  “Now I understand why you dislike humans so much,” I said, my voice low.

  “I have seen what they're capable of. Humans are greedy, vile creatures,” Annora spat.

  “Some humans are good and useful. Besides, it's not like our kind hasn't committed our own atrocities,” I pointed out.

  Annora rolled her eyes. “But we are already evil, soulless. Tell me, what excuse do they have?”

  I had no answer for her. In my nine hundred years, I found it had become increasingly hard to tolerate humans. At a very low point in my existence, I killed a family—including the children. When I stood over their dead bodies, I came to realize I had lost my humanity and it frightened me to the core. So, I forced myself to tolerate them. Even before the council had enacted the no kill policy. I tried to stop killing my victims but it did not always work. It had been the hardest thing I had ever tried to overcome. I still struggled daily.

  “Does this conversation have something to do with Alexis?” I asked.

  “No. Maybe. I'm not sure why I am even telling you this. Knowing will not change anything between us,” Annora said as she stood and crossed to the window.

  “It doesn't change anything, but it does help me understand you better,” I replied gently.

  Annora dropped to the street below and I followed. “You don't need to understand me. I don't want or need your friendship.” Once again distancing herself from me.

  “Why do you always push me away?” I asked, hurt by her words.

  “Don't,” Annora said.

  “Yeah. I almost forgot. I'm just your fucking slave.”

  “I invested in you. I deserve your obedience,” she demanded.

  “Of course, Master! Anything you say, Master!” I said with a mocking bow.

  “You can be a real ass, Elysian,” she said coldly.

  “Jaden!” I corrected sternly.

  “Whatever.” She turned away from me.

  “Annora?” I said.

  “What?”

  “My name is Jaden. I suggest you learn it.”

  Annora looked at me. “I remember when I named you. Has your hatred for me grown so much you'd strip away all my gifts?” Her tone was softer now.

  “Elysian was the name of a slave. I'm no one's slave and I will never be again,” I said coldly.

  “I did not just slap some slave name onto you. Great care and thought was put into it. Do you realize that I named you after the Elysian Fields?” I was silent and she continued, “The final resting place of heroic and the virtuous souls. It is a place where only the blessed may reside. A place of beauty and peace,” she explained. “And to me you will always be my Elysian.”

  I was touched by this new information. “I didn't know, and I'm sorry, but it's not my name,” I said. “You stripped everything from me. My name was all I had left, my only connection to my family and the
life I once had. A life you tried so hard to take away from me.”

  “A dead life,” Annora retorted.

  I scowled. “Your name, no matter how beautiful or well meant, has no history. It is an empty name with no meaning.”

  “It has history and meaning.”

  “Not to me,” I replied.

  She turned away.

  “Although, I should thank you.”

  She turned back to me. “See, the night you turned me, I was ready to give up everything for you. And, if you had stayed, I would have been your perfect servant. Given into your every whim and desire,” I said, and smiled. “But because you left I was able to become my own person and I will never again grovel to anyone.”

  “You've changed and I'm not sure if it has been for the better,” Annora replied.

  “I am.”

  I watched her go, disappearing into the shadows.

  Annora walked slowly back to the mansion. Elysian had clearly changed but in other ways, she was the same, still unhealthily attaching herself to things and people. She frowned. Her leaving had not taught Elysian anything.

  Annora sighed. Since Elysian was intent on attaching herself to this human, she would have to eliminate her from the equation. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket, quickly dialing.

  “Hello?” Wesley answered.

  “It's Annora. I have a favor to ask.”

  “Anything,” he replied eagerly.

  “I need you to check police reports over the last two years for a missing girl. Start in the states surrounding California and work your way out from there. She’ll be around seventeen years old, blonde hair, dark green eyes. The report would have been filed within the last three years. The first name is Alexis.”

  “It's not much to go on, but I'll see what I can do,” Wesley replied. “It may take a while, but I'll call you if I get anything.”

  “Good,” Annora said, and hung up.

  If Elysian would not listen to reason, she would have to save her from herself. Annora knew humans. Alexis was a parasite feeding on Elysian. One she would rip out and destroy.

  Twenty

  alexis climbed the stairs to the apartment, feeling drained after her ride with Officer Mills. She locked the door behind her then pulled her phone from her pocket. She pushed Jaden's name on the screen and the phone rang.