UB Chapter 6 - Moonlight, Firelight

Okay, no one fall over dead.  I’m updating again!  Yes, I know.  It’s a shock, but the story is speaking to me at the moment and I’m trying my damnedest to let it flow. 

That being said, I hope that my reviewers can forgive me for not replying.  I have discovered that every time I get the urge to write, I start by trying to reply to reviews, and then I get caught up in that and lose my inspiration.  So I’m not sure if I’ll get to reviewing anytime soon/at all, but I’m hoping that will keep me writing instead!  That’s a good thing, right?  But remember that I LOVE to hear your thoughts on the story.  If it’s good or bad, love it or hate it, constructive criticism, whichever.  I am just so excited so many people seem to enjoy my lil story here.  So THANK YOU to my reviewers, every single one of you!

Chapter 6 – Moonlight, Firelight

Jasper POV

I stood motionless against the wall across from the bed, staring down at the beautiful woman lying there and wondering at her dreams.  Every so often, she would mumble something under her breath.  More often than not the words were indistinguishable. 

My eyes watched as she shifted again, a soft sigh escaping before she frowned and huffed.  “No more pickles,” she muttered, the fingers of her left hand twitching where it lay on the pillow beside her head.

I had returned nearly a half an hour before with Aro and Caius, both of whom were in the next room speaking with Marcus.  I could hear their conversation, of course.  It was impossible not to; vampire senses were so heightened that it was fairly impossible not to hear them.

At Marcus’ request, I was staying with the girls in case they woke up while he was talking with his brothers in the outer room.  At first, the girls’ sleep was a bit restless, so I sent them a touch of calm.  It seemed to help and they were now sleeping peacefully.  Well, Sera was.  Bella still moved and even spoke at times, but her emotions weren’t troubled, so I assumed that may be her natural demeanor during sleep. 

“I don’t like it,” a gruff voice drifted to me from the other room.  I could hear the displeasure in the voice.  I rarely needed my gift to know Caius’ emotions, which in a sense, I greatly admired.  He was the most cautious of the three brothers, fearful of any change that may expose our race to humankind.  He could also be haughty, superior, callous even, and the most merciless of the three.  But he was also the most honest, often brutally so, which was difficult for some to appreciate.

I could understand where he was coming from, but often his solutions tended to be a bit more barbaric than diplomatic.  That is where Aro would come in, as he did now with his response.

“Caius, this is a blessing in disguise.  Truly!”  I could hear a soft brushing sound and knew it was Aro rubbing his hands together, as was his habit.  “Even I was uneasy with the delay.  But now, that is all in the past.  We need to decide how to proceed from here.”

I heard a pause and felt a slight burst of apprehension, which I assumed came from Marcus worrying over Sera’s fate.

“Do not worry, brother,” Aro said. “I, too, felt the loss of Didyme.”  He paused and I felt another wave of emotion; this time I knew it was both Aro’s and Marcus’ grief.  “I had great love for my sister and her loss was a painful one.  But here you have found a new mate…and me, if fate decrees, a new sister.”

“‘If fate decrees’?  How do you mean, brother?” Marcus asked, his worry growing more intense.

“Now, now, Marcus.  I mean nothing more than the choice is hers to decide to be with us or not.”  There was a slight pause before he continued.  “But you do know our law, Marcus.  It is for the safety of us all that no human gifted with the knowledge of our kind go free to tell the tale.  However,” Aro’s voice rose at this, cutting off what sounded like Marcus beginning to protest, “I am confident that your mate will choose to be at your side for eternity.  How could she not?”

A small frown began to twist my lips as I noticed Aro had not mentioned the other girl, Bella.  My eyes draped over her sleeping form again as I continued my unintentional eavesdropping.

“My only recourse is to hope and pray that Sera chooses to take her place in our world as my mate, but I would never force her to make such a decision.” Marcus’ torment continued as he spoke.  “Should she decide against it…I do not know how I could possibly-”

At this, Caius interrupted.  “If she has any common sense, she will see the honor she is being given and agree without delay.”

I heard Aro’s sigh.  “While Caius is perhaps correct to a degree, I do not see that being a factor in her decision from what I’ve seen of her in your memories.”

There was another pause before Marcus spoke again.  “And Bella?”  I held my breath as I awaited the other brothers’ responses on Bella’s fate.

“Aro can scan her memories.  If she may be of use to us, give her the option to turn,” came Caius’ blasé reply, as if Bella were of no consequence. 

I felt my own ire stir in time with Marcus’ in his response.  “Bella is not to be treated in such a manner, Caius.”

“Brothers, please.  Marcus, I understand your dilemma.  Bella is very special to you, as I’ve seen.”

“What do you mean, Aro?” Caius asked.  “Is she also his mate?  How can this be?”

“Patience, Caius.  Patience.  Marcus?  Explain, if you will?” Aro asked.

“At my first sighting of Bella, before I had had any words with her, I watched as she spoke with a statue of Didyme in Il Duomo,” Marcus began.  “I was curious about her, so I used my ability on her.”

“And?” Caius prompted, ever impatient.

“And I was already tied to her.  Very faintly, but it was there.”

“What color was the thread, Marcus?” Caius asked, his voice seeming a bit calmer as I felt a pique of curiosity flow through him.

“Yellow…and brown.”

Caius’ shock registered a moment before his verbal reaction in the other room.  “How can that be?”

“I know not, Caius.  As well as I can recall, I have no surviving legacy carrying my bloodline.  However, if you remember the time when we were human, it was not uncommon to copulate with the camp women, who could have sired children.  Another possibility would be distant relations whose lines have survived.  The thread is quite thin and pale.”

The other room was silent for a few moments as the information sank in.

“So what is to be done, brothers?” Marcus asked, his voice more steady than his swirling emotions. 

After a long pause, Aro spoke again, as I assumed he would.  While the three ruled together, it was often like this.  A situation would be discussed between them, after which time Aro would piece all the decisions into what was often a working solution for all three, or at least the majority.

“Let the women rest for now.  When they awake, Marcus, everything will need to be explained to them - what happened with Laurent, what we are, and the choice they will have to make.  Did you wish to speak to them yourself?”

“I will speak to them myself with naught but Jasper.  His ability may be useful in keeping them calm, should the need arise.”  Marcus’ words were soft as he answered.

“Very well.  Regardless, I would like to be informed when they awake.  Not only do I wish to be advised of their decisions, but I wish to meet my new sister.”  Aro’s emotions swelled briefly at his words.  I could tell he was pleased with the idea of Marcus having found a new mate. 

Even Caius did not begrudge his brother his happiness.  He was merely apprehensive about humans who knew too much.  For all his gruff exterior, Caius did have a heart.  It was difficult for most to see as it was shown only to a very select few – his brothers, Aro’s wife, Sulpicia, and especially his wife, Athenodora.  The only way I knew this was due to my empathic ability, but Caius and I had long ago silently agreed not to mention such things aloud.  I kept such things to myself; not out of fear but respect.

I mused about the brothers and their wives while listening to Aro and Caius say their goodbyes to Marcus in the other room.  It wasn’t long before I heard the outer door open and close behind them.

Marcus returned to the bedroom a moment later, his eyes immediately falling on Sera.  He crossed the room, rushing to her side as if he couldn’t bear having been apart from her.  Sitting in the chair posted beside the bed, he reached to lightly stroke her hand and take it within his own. 

“I take it you heard our discussion, Jasper?” he asked.  His voice was a soft whisper, but I heard him clearly.

“Yes, Master,” I told him, watching as he nodded, still not looking in my direction.  “May I speak, Master?” 

His head turned my direction, red eyes dark in the dim light of the room as they came to rest on me.  “You may.”

“Your mate…” I began, choosing my words carefully, “I don’t think you have anything to fear, Master.  She loves you with the same ferocity as you do her.  I cannot imagine her making any other choice but the one that allows her to stay with you.”

Marcus was silent as he stared at me, but I could feel his elation as hope grew within him; hope that she would choose him and not blame him for what had happened or for what he was.  “Thank you, Jasper.  Although I will continue to worry for her wellbeing until a decision is made and executed, I do appreciate your efforts in attempting to soothe my…nerves.”  He turned his gaze to rest on Bella.  “Nevertheless, while I worry over Sera’s welfare, I have the same worries for Bella.  She may be some very distant relative, but I have no notion of how far that tiny thread connecting us will stand against our laws should she choose not to become one of us.  In some ways, I fear more for her than do I for my mate.”

With a final glance at me, he turned back to Sera.  We both fell into a thoughtful silence as we waited for the girls to awake.

We didn’t have long to wait.  No more than half an hour later, Sera began to stir.  I paid close attention to her emotions, ready to calm her if it became necessary.  While I could easily mask the room in a fog of calm, I have discovered that it is often better for people to work through their issues on their own.  As such, I was generally loathe to alter their feelings unless it was truly unavoidable.  Even then, I usually just gave a touch of calm to help them work through their issues, whatever they may be.  Earlier I had soothed the women while they slept so they could rest, but it was no more than a light touch, which I now pulled back from them in small paces, gauging if or when I should cease.

As the last remnants of the calm I had sent the women receded, I kept my stance against the wall, silent and observing the scene that played out before me.

“Sera?”  Marcus’ voice was soft and gentle, the tips of his fingers caressing her cheek. 

At the sound of his voice, Sera smiled and opened her eyes.  “Marcus,” she said, her accent making the name sound almost foreign to my ears.  It had been a long while since I’d been in Cajun country.

“Cara, you are well?  Rested?” Marcus asked.

Sera nodded as she looked past and around Marcus, her eyes taking in the darkened room lit only by a fire in the hearth along the wall to my right.  It was flanked by two high-backed chairs and a small table.  The walls surrounding the fireplace were filled with large, floor-to-ceiling windows through which shone the moon, whose silvery light mixed with the orange glow from the fire, making the room seem dark and mysterious. 

Along the wall behind me were shelves filled mostly with books, separated only by two doors - one which led to a walkway with a large closet and bathroom, the other leading out to the living area in which Marcus had spoken to his brothers.  The rest of the room was much the same; simple but elegant hardwood furnishings, made more for longevity than décor.  As such, there wasn’t much decoration at all in the room.  What little fabrics there were on the chairs, bed and curtains were solid shades of gold and white.

“Where am I, sug?” she asked him.  Her eyes, which had been glancing around the room, now turned toward the large four poster bed in which she lay.  As she saw Bella sleeping beside her, she gasped.  “Is she okay?”

“Of course, Sera.  She is merely sleeping.  We will wake her in a moment,” Marcus informed her.  “Do you have need of anything?  The facilities, perhaps?”

Sera raised a brow at Marcus and giggled.  “You and your facilities.”  She patted his hand and sat up slowly, keeping her voice low and trying not to wake Bella as she got up.  She looked at the two doors.  “Which one is it, or is this a treasure hunt?  If it is, I expect a prize at the end, cher,” she said, glancing at Marcus and smiling, and then giving him a saucy wink that nearly made me laugh out loud. 

I pressed my lips together and contained my mirth, enjoying the fact that Marcus also felt the same as he gave Sera a tight smile in return.  “Of course, my dear.  The door to the left will take you to the facilities.  Take as long as you need.”

Sera started for the door but then stopped and turned back.  She walked to Marcus and kneeled in front of the chair where he still sat.  Reaching one hand up to cup his cheek, she spoke.  “Marcus?  We’re gonna have to talk, y’know.”  He stiffened just slightly, but I could tell she noticed.  She just held her smile and caressed his cheek with her hand.  “Don’t worry, sugar.  You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”  Winking, she stood and left the room to use the ‘facilities’.

I said nothing as he stared after her, waiting anxiously for her return while I made a mental note to introduce Sera to Charlotte as soon as possible.  I had a feeling those two would fast become friends.

To her credit, Sera didn’t waste time.  She was back in the room two minutes later.  As she re-entered the room, she smiled at Marcus and then turned and walked to me, her eyes squinting slightly as she looked up into my face.  I felt her mirth and satisfaction, which confused me, before she put her hand out to shake mine.  “Jasper, right?”

I nodded and took her hand gently.  “Yes, ma’am.”

She shook my hand before releasing it and turning back to Marcus.  “Shall we wake Bella and get this show on the road?”  Without missing a beat, she turned back to me and said, “By the way, Bella’s bad influence?  That’s all me, cher.  You can thank me later.”  She winked at me before continuing to Marcus’ side.

I just shook my head and had to laugh, looking over at Marcus to gauge his reaction.  He had a smile on his face and his mood had lightened considerably just in the presence of her enchanting personality.  Looking over at me, he said, “You grow accustomed to her, so Felix tells me.”

Sera laughed and rolled her eyes.  Turning to Marcus, she looked up at him, her expression and emotions now serious.  “You’re going to tell me now, right, sug?”

The smile fell from Marcus’ lips as he nodded.  “Yes, I am.  We will wake Bella so I may inform you both together.”  Sera nodded and turned to wake Bella, but he stopped her.  “Sera,” he began.  He seemed to search for words as she stared up at him, her concern for him pouring from her.  “Do you recall our previous conversation?  At dinner last night?”

“Yes, of course, Marcus.  You wanted me to decide if I wanted to be with you; that you wanted eternity with me.  I remember.”

“This is not the way in which I would have informed you of this.  I did not want you to feel pressured.  It is for that reason that I wished for us to bond as humans do so that you may get to know me…as much of me as I am able to show outside these walls.”  He cut off the words she began to say by placing his thumb over her lips.  “I know you do not yet understand, but it will all come to light very soon.  I merely wished that you know I wanted this decision to be yours entirely.  Had you decided against…” he paused slightly and I felt his pang of pain at the idea that Sera may not want him, “Had you decided against continuing our relationship, I would have disappeared from your life and left you to enjoy the rest of it as you wished, wanting for nothing.”

I felt exasperation from Sera as she grabbed his hand and pulled it from her lips so she could speak.  “You are such a stubborn man, Marcus.  Can’t you see?”  She stepped closer to him, both hands now raised to cup his cheeks.  “The only thing I ever didn’t want was the lies, Marcus.  You.  I’ve always wanted you since the moment I saw you.  No…since I saw your picture.”  She grinned up at him.  “I don’t care what it takes, Marcus.  You’re stuck with me, forever.”

A flood of relief, mixed with the enormity of their love, swept through the room, making me sway for a brief second before I controlled it.  My own chest tightened as I listened to them whisper back and forth, trying not to hear their private talk, but I was again an unintentional eavesdropper.

Marcus’ head bent to Sera’s, capturing her lips with his.  The kiss was so intense and full of emotion that I turned my head so I wouldn’t see, so I wouldn’t intrude any more than I already was. 

As I looked away, my eyes were caught by the woman lying on the bed.  She had turned to her side, one arm under her head, the hand of the other tucked under her chin as she smiled up at the couple.  She turned from them not a moment later and caught my own red gaze in her dark chocolate one. 

I felt her surprise - similar to Sera’s earlier, which again made me curious and confused - but it was followed closely by a wave of embarrassment as her cheeks pinkened in a blush and she looked down at her hand on the bed.

UB Chapter 5 - The Rescue

I know.  I know.  It’s been forever.  I am so sorry I’m such a slow writer and updater.  2010 has been a fairly shit year.  *prays for 2011 to be better*  However, I am hopeful to get working on this more often and just spent quite a while sorting out some details with my fuckawesome beta.  I am anxious to write more, which I was going to work on tonight, but thought I’d edit this lil baby and put her out first.  But I’m already mulling over what happens next.  *grins*

Chapter 5 – The Rescue

Jasper POV

I cursed again as I snapped the phone shut while sprinting at human speed down the street until I reached the corner.  Ducking down one alley and then another, I mapped my way through them in my mind and choose the fastest route to the women and Laurent.  I was not far, but it would still take a few minutes to get to them, especially since I had to occasionally slow to human speeds to avoid suspicion. 

Hearing that one of the women was Marcus’ mate was a shock to me.  I had never heard of someone having more than one mate during their existence; even from human to vampire, the bond was carried over.  But it must be possible if Marcus had found another mate in one of these women.

I had no doubt of his feelings for the woman, and I didn’t need my gift to figure that out.  It was more than evident in his voice.  I had great respect for Marcus, and I didn’t want to see him suffer through losing another mate.  I felt the pain of his loss even now after so many centuries of Didyme being gone.  There was no way in hell I was going to let that pussy, Laurent, kill her. 

Flipping the phone open again as I continued running, I dialed a number quickly.  It picked up on the first ring.

“Jasper,” I heard the voice on the other end growl.  It was deeper than my own, but it had the same southern accent.  Even after all these decades, neither Peter nor I had lost our Texan drawl.  “We got about two miles down the road before my fuckhot wife started rippin’ at my clothes and made me pull off the road for a quickie.  This better be important ‘cause she’s staring at me like I’m her last meal…and I can’t wait to be eaten.”

“Laurent is still in Florence and has Marcus’ mate and her friend as we speak,” I said, ignoring his lewd comments and cutting right to the chase.

“Mate?  Nevermind.  We’ll talk about it later.  Do we know where?” Peter said, his tone turning serious.  I could hear the quick rustle of clothes before the sound of air whispered across the line as they started running.

I gave him the address quickly and then said, “I’ll be there in about thirty seconds.  Marcus and Demetri are running from the castle.  How far are you and Char?”

“Two minutes, less if we can avoid crowds.  See you there.”

The phone went dead as he hang up.  I snapped it shut and thrust it into my pocket before slowing as I caught Laurent’s scent.  I followed it easily along a deserted side street until I heard his voice and the sound of crying coming from an alley ahead. 

Inhaling, I was relieved at the absence of the scent of blood in the air.  I moved forward more cautiously, listening as I came to the corner, and I glanced quickly around it to assess the situation.  I heard the whoosh of air a second before the sound of a loud thud.  What I saw was even more of a shock – more than one, in fact.

Laurent’s back was to me and he was focused on the girls before him.  He was half doubled over and I could sense his surprise and pain.  From this angle, I could see what looked like a piece of pipe disconnect from his body and fall to the ground, falling from the hands of a petite but curvy brunette standing in front of him.  Shock number one.

It only took me half a second to recognize her as the woman from the airport.  Shock number two. 

When I left two months ago to investigate the newborn sightings in the Americas, I had flown out of Pisa, where I encountered the most beguiling human.  She had seemed a bit travel-worn, but she had still drawn me in - curvy body, ample breasts, a beautiful face…and hips begging for my hands to grab them and pull her to me while I thrust into her.  But what had really drawn me in were her eyes.  They were deep, intelligent, and full of emotion. 

I shook my head to bring myself back to the present.  I noted that she was currently fine, she was just shaking out her hands as if the pipe had burned her.  But that didn’t last long because Laurent recovered enough to roar out a curse at her before grabbing her throat in his hand and tossing her across the alley. Her small body slammed hard against the wall before slumping down to the ground.

I barely noted the other woman, who was slightly taller, thinner, and blonde, running toward the brunette before I flashed into the alley and grabbed Laurent from behind.  Before he knew it, I had him in a one-handed headlock.  My other hand grabbed his arm, securing it in a firm grip, and I wrenched hard.  A vicious smile played over my lips as I heard it tear from his body at the shoulder.

He screamed and twisted out of my grasp, coming to a halt about ten feet from me.  I just stood my ground, casually tossing his dislocated arm aside.

“Jasper,” he spat my name as he recognized me, venom seeping from the wound where I had removed his arm.

An instant later, he flew back across the alley to me, but he didn’t make it to me because that same piece of pipe flew from behind me like a javelin and embedded itself in his chest.  Laurent screamed his rage a moment before he was grabbed by the shoulder and slammed to the ground.  Before he knew it a petite, blonde woman, who was no more than five foot one, was perched on his chest, one hand on his neck and holding him down. 

“Laurent…tsk tsk.  You’ve been a bad boy,” she said, her voice low and gravelly.  Lifting one hand, she spun her finger in a circle over the pipe, causing it to twist and making Laurent howl his pain as it dug further into his chest.

I smirked and shook my head at Charlotte.  “Just keep him quiet, Char,” I told her.

She glanced my way and grinned at me.  “Of course, Major.”  She winked before turning back to Laurent.  “You’re going to be a good boy and keep quiet now, aren’t you?”  I could see her fingers around his neck squeeze tighter, digging into the hard flesh there and crushing his windpipe.  It’s not like it wouldn’t regenerate.

Laurent just lay there in pain, nodding his agreement since he had no other way to communicate.  Charlotte stopped twisting the pipe and patted his cheek.  “Good boy.”

Turning my head to the alley entrance, I smirked as I saw Peter strolling toward us.  He had his hands in his pockets, looking like he hadn’t a care in the world.  He was even whistling.  I almost laughed. 

Peter was an impressive man, attractive and intelligent.  He stood tall - at six feet he was only slightly shorter than me - but he was a little stockier in build.  His hair was a dark and light mix of browns and it hung to his shoulders.  His ready wit and charm made him seem unthreatening, but it was the furthest thing from the truth.  Peter and his wife, Charlotte, were two of the deadliest vampires known, second only to myself in fact.  If you crossed any of us, we would retaliate with deadly force.  I was honored to call them brother and sister even though they never had been by blood.  They were my closest friends, and I treasured them as both friends and family.

“Late to the party, aren’t you?” I asked him as I turned toward the women across the alley.

Peter shrugged as he followed me to the women, secure in the knowledge that Charlotte could keep a handle on Laurent.  “Char wanted to play.”

I nodded to Peter before bending down on one knee next to the girls.  The blonde held tight to the brunette, trying to protect her while staring at me, tears falling down her cheeks.  She was very pretty, beautiful in fact, but it was the brunette who held my interest.

“What…who are you?” she asked, her voice shaking.

I smiled at her and sent her a soothing vibe as I reached out my hand, trying to put her at ease.  “Jasper Whitlock, ma’am.  You’re safe now.  Promise.”

Peter squatted down next to me and flashed her a smile.  “Peter Whitlock, ma’am.  And that,” he crooked his thumb over his shoulder at Charlotte, “is my sexy wife, Charlotte.  The one on the ground is Laurent, but don’t worry about him.  We’ll take care of him.”  He gave her a sly wink that seemed to make her apprehension diminish slightly.

Her eyes darted quickly from me to the others in the alley before flying back to my face.  I could feel she was still afraid and in shock, so I sent her a touch more of that soothing vibe to help keep her calm.  Still stroking the brunette’s hair and holding her close, she answered quietly.  She had a light accent I remembered from my travels in the southern states of the U.S., which I recognized as Cajun.  “I’m Sera Bonvillain and this is Bella Swan.”  She looked down at her friend and frowned, concerned. 

Peter reached out to Sera with a charming smile.  “Sera, it’s nice to meet you.  You’re both friends of Marcus, right?” he asked.

I heard the beat of her heart speed up at the mention of Marcus, and then I felt her emotions surge.  It was a feeling of fierce, overwhelming love and it made me smile.  I felt a rush of relief myself that it was Sera and not the beautiful Bella who was Marcus’ mate. 

“Yes, he said he was coming.  But that man, Laurent…he took my phone and destroyed it after talking to Marcus.” A fresh set of tears fell down her cheeks, but she was holding strong.  She was determined to be strong.

Peter placed a gentle hand on Sera’s arm.  “Would you let Jasper take a look at Bella?” he urged.

Sera looked from Peter to me and nodded, passing Bella into my arms as she leaned back against the wall behind her.  “Will she be okay?” she asked.

I tried to be professional as I gave Bella a cursory exam.  There were no visible injuries to her back, and her heartbeat was strong, so I suspected she had hit her head when she’d connected with the wall.  Running my fingers gently through her hair, I felt the beginnings of a large lump forming at the back, so I left my hand there, knowing my cold skin would offer some comfort and help the swelling.

“She should be fine.  She has a bump on her head, so we will have to be careful that she doesn’t have a concussion.”  I smiled at Sera, who seemed relieved.  “Don’t worry; we’ll take you back to the castle.  Marcus should be here soon.”

She was about to say something, but before she made a sound, a shout sounded from down the alley.

“Sera!”  I turned and watched as Marcus sped to the girl’s side, kneeling down beside her and taking her into his arms. “Have you been harmed?”

“Marcus!” she cried, leaning into him and using one hand to hold tight to his coat.  Her tears fell in earnest now.  “Mon Dieu, Marcus.  That man,” she started, nodding her head toward Laurent, “he pulled us here and started saying something about relishing taking the Volturi down a notch, or something.”  She sniffled and looked over at Bella.  “Bella sassed him a bit and grabbed a pipe, smacking him hard between the legs.  He got so mad and hit her.  She hit the wall and passed out.  Pauvre cherie.”

Leaning down, Marcus looked over Bella quickly, inspecting her for any wounds.  I spoke quickly and quietly to Marcus, letting him know the extent of what had happened and her wounds.  He gave me a tiny nod but was focused on Sera.

“She seems merely to slumber, cara.  Do not worry for her.  Were you hurt?” Marcus asked Sera, cupping her face gently and staring down at her with a look I’d never seen covering his face. 

Sera shook her head and sniffled again.  “No, I’m fine; just scared and confused.  Marcus-” she began, but he stopped her with a soft kiss.

Not wanting to intrude on an intimate moment, I cleared my throat and spoke.  “Master, we should go before we are seen.”  He turned to me and nodded.

Marcus looked back at Sera and stroked her cheek.  “Jasper will see to Bella.  We must depart and return to the castle.”  When she started to protest again, he continued.  “I will answer your questions when we get to the castle, cara mia.  Let us now get you and Bella safe.”

Sera nodded and let Marcus help her stand.  He lifted her into his arms and held her close to his chest.  She put her arms around his neck as he made his way to the car now parked at the alley’s entrance, where Felix was waiting.

Reaching down, I lifted the petite brunette, Bella, easily into my arms.  She weighed next to nothing to me.  I paused for a moment to look down at her, and I caught her scent.  She smelled sweet and musky. Delicious.   

“Peter, Charlotte, I trust you are able to take care of our unwanted guest and see him to the castle?” Marcus said as he walked by them.

Charlotte smirked and looked at Peter.  “Oh, yes, Master.  Our pleasure.”

Peter stood behind Charlotte, his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face, as he watched his wife.  “My wife is so bloodthirsty.”  Turning to Marcus, he nodded his head respectfully.  “We got it, Master.”

Marcus merely nodded at them as he went by before diverting his attention once more to the woman in his arms. 

Glancing again to the woman in my own arms, I followed Marcus to the car and tried not to wonder at my reaction to her.

Demetri opened the door to the car, waiting for Marcus to enter and get situated with Sera on his lap before closing it behind him.  I nodded my thanks to Demetri as he opened the other door for me to gently place Bella on the seat beside Marcus and Sera. 

“Did she really hit him?” Demetri asked as he closed the door. 

I had to smile as I remembered.  “Yeah, with a piece of pipe…in the balls.”  I laughed as Demetri cringed slightly at the thought. 

“I think I will stay and help Peter and Charlotte,” he said after a thoughtful pause. 

I nodded.  “Good idea.  Don’t forget his arm,” I called out to Demetri as he started down the alley.  He lifted an arm and waved in acknowledgement, but he didn’t reply. 

Opening the passenger door, I slid in next to Felix.  He took off almost before I had my door closed, speeding through the deserted streets of Florence and beyond en route to Volterra. 

As we drove, I heard Marcus and Sera in the back seat.  Sera was assuring him that she was alright while Marcus was insisting she rest.  Eventually we heard the soft huffs of breath as she drifted off to sleep.

“Jasper,” Marcus called quietly, so as not to wake the women.

I turned and looked back at him.  “Yes, Master?”

“You have my undying gratitude for this, son.  I do not think I could have survived losing her.”  He looked down at Sera.  I could feel the depth of love he felt for the woman and I could barely respond.  I wondered what it would be like to feel that depth of emotion directed at me, or to feel it myself for someone, rather than secondhand through my power.  I could not even fathom the idea, but even so, the dark hair and eyes of the woman seated behind me flashed through my mind.  I pushed the thought aside and continued to address Marcus.

“I’m glad I was able to get to them in time, Master.”  I paused for a moment.  “Does she know?”  I asked.

Marcus knew what I meant.  “Not as yet.  I had intended to tell her in a few days’ time, but alas, our circumstances have changed.  I do wish she could have made this discovery in a less violent manner.”  He looked over at the other girl on the seat.  “Bella, as well.”

I turned so I could see Bella.  Her dark hair had fallen over her face in such a way that it made me want to reach out and push it back.  I glanced back at Marcus as he spoke. 

“Your gift may be useful in the task of seeing to them, as well as informing Sera and Bella of our existence.”

“Of course, Master.”  I nodded, smiling at the thought of learning more about these women who had so intrigued Marcus.

“I think that would be best, and it would be much appreciated as well.  For tonight, we shall allow them to rest and recover.”

The rest of the ride to the castle was silent.  Felix pushed the car to its limits on the long stretch of road before pulling to the side entrance of the castle, near the living quarters.  Marcus exited with a still-sleeping Sera in his arms while I again took hold of Bella.  Felix took off toward the garage and I followed Marcus with the unconscious woman in my arms, again attempting to ignore the temptation she presented.

We made our way through the corridors and up the grand staircase to the Masters’ rooms with only the sounds of the girls’ breathing and their heartbeats.  As we approached Marcus’ chambers, I jostled Bella slightly in my arms, reaching to turn the knob to the door.  As I did so, she shifted and murmured, mumbling something nearly unintelligible.  It sounded like “Mr. Hottie”.  I raised an eyebrow and wondered at that as the door swung open.

I heard Marcus chuckle softly, so I looked over at him.  “She talks during her sleep,” he said.  “Sera has entertained me numerous times over such occurrences, including a man she seems to have encountered on her journey to Italy and refers to as ‘Mr. Hottie’.”  Marcus said the name in a somewhat stilted tone, the modern colloquialisms seeming foreign to him with his old world speech patterns.

My eyes swung down to the girl in my arms in surprise and wonder.  Was I “Mr. Hottie”? 

Marcus also glanced at Bella and smiled at her.  I could feel his emotions shifting to something akin to sibling adoration for the girl.  “Bella is a very special woman, Jasper.” 

I nodded.  “She is…beguiling,” I said, using the same word I had thought of earlier.  It just seemed like the best word to describe her effect on me.

Marcus looked up at me and I could feel his curiosity, but he said nothing.  Instead, he turned and led the way into his private bedchamber.  “Please lay her on the bed,” he said as he gently lowered Sera to the bedcovers.  “They will worry for each other upon waking.”

I followed suit, lowering Bella to the bed, careful of her injured head, and I brushed her hair back gently as my gaze traveled over her once again.  I found myself reluctant to leave for some reason, and I wondered at my bizarre reaction to this woman. 

Sensing a jolt of shock followed by indecision and then determination, I looked over at Marcus.  He was watching me intently, his eyes on my hand that had yet to move from Bella’s hair.  I said nothing to him, but I was curious about his emotions.  It was as if he was pleased about something beneath his worry and fears for Sera and Bella.

Before I could ask him about it, he spoke.  “Jasper, if you would, please inform my brothers of our guests and request that they join me at their leisure.  When you are done, return here.  I would like for you to stay with Sera and Bella while I speak with my brothers.  I do not wish for them to wake alone in a strange place.” 

I inclined my head in a respectful nod.  “Of course, Master.”  With one last look at the sleeping woman who was beginning to dominate my thoughts, I turned and left the room to carry out my errand.