Jaden

Oh boy, I am really moving on this. So here we go another update hope you like.
I would love to know what you think, so please drop me a line or two and let me know if I should go on.
I just want to thank those readers for their thoughts I enjoyed hearing from all of you, I send you all big hugs and sloppy kisses, thanks for the support and your kind words. I love them and look forward to hear from everyone.


Chapter 24
(Splendor in the Dark)

Marcus and Jaden walked hand in hand in Central Park, it was a clear night, full moon in the sky. Jaden was thankful for the light breezes and not have to deal with strong winds. Jaden was sensitive to cold weather, and tonight he was able to enjoy their evening stroll. The weather was quite pleasant and just right for a walk in the park. The path free of snow cleared up by the city earlier in the day.

Although it was dark, there was plenty of lighting along the pathways in the park. Not yet midnight, diehard New Yorkers would occasionally take a walk in the park as well, but only on the paths that could be seen from the street. Both Marcus and Jaden saw a young couple walking towards them, holding hands, talking and laughing. Suddenly another woman on the same path behind them tapped Marcus on the shoulder. She was slim and appeared to be out jogging in the cool night air. Both men stopped and looked at the woman still jogging in place.

“Excuse me; do you mind not doing that in public? It’s offensive and we shouldn’t have to be forced to see it.” The women’s face showed disgust and anger as she glared down at their clasped hands, by we she motioned to the other couple who heard and stopped in front of them.

Jaden was able to feel anger coming from Marcus; he squeezed his hand a little tighter. Jaden knew that it was impossible to reason with an unreasonable person, and he hoped Marcus would not kill her. The jogger was not worth the energy. But before Marcus could act, the young man stepped forward and addressed the jogger. Because he was taller, he deliberately looked down his nose at her.

“Excuse me; do you mind not being a cold hearted, ignorant bigoted bitch? Which is even more offensive and we (the young man indicated himself, his wife and the two vampires) should not have to be subjected to listen to your asinine intellect.

The jogger was shocked, and finding no allies here, she was wise enough to keep quiet and quickly picked up the pace of her jogging as she left.

The young man shrugged his shoulders; he bowed his head to both Marcus and Jaden, and told them to not let the few jerks in the world ruin their evening. They exchanged a few pleasantries, shook hands and each couple continued on their way, to enjoy the rest of walk in the cool crisp air. Meeting people like this young couple gave Marcus hope that the human race will eventually become more understanding, and tolerant. It was a future he gladly looked forward to.

They came across a park bench that had been cleaned and dried from the snow, and Marcus sat down resting his arms on the back support of the bench. Jaden smiled and straddled Marcus’s lap facing him. Kissing him hard on the mouth, Jaden asked. “Do you think this is offensive enough?” Then he batted long dark eyelashes at Marcus.

Marcus laughed, and put his arms around Jaden bringing him in close.

“No my love, I believe it is not offensive enough.” Marcus captured Jaden’s mouth in a hungry kiss, his lips soft and warm from having fed. He had one hand behind Jaden’s neck gently massaging and caressing, while his other hand slid down to his bottom, holding him in place. Marcus could not resist giving Jaden’s firm bottom a playful squeeze.

Both men moaned in pleasure and agreed it was offensive enough. Jaden let out a soft sigh, as he let his head rest on Marcus’s shoulder, he practically squealed with delight when he felt Marcus wrap his arms around him, holding him in a warm protective embrace. Jaden was elated, never in his life has he been made to feel so loved and safe by a man.

He slipped his hands under Marcus’s coat and touched his lower back pulling up his shirt so that his hands can caress warm flesh. A soft happy gasp of air escaped Marcus’s lips when he felt Jaden touch his skin, smiling he leaned in closer kissing the top of Jaden’s head.

Jaden pressed his face in Marcus’s neck and inhaled deeply enjoying the light fragrance of Marcus’s cologne. He could not resist letting his tongue slip out and lick the base of his neck, he could feel Marcus shudder and hold him tighter, the hand resting on his butt squeezed him again and Jaden sighed in response.

Jaden filed that bit of information in his memory; Marcus was sensitive on his neck. Both men were happy with the way they could elicit such a response from each other by a mere touch or kiss.

They sat on the bench, listening to the sounds of the city around them. They could hear music from a group of kids walking by singing along to the lasted pop tunes or hip hop beats. Every now and then police sirens would go off and the sounds of buses, brakes hissing and screeching when they slowed down to a stop. And if they really listened they can hear conversations through out the city as far as 2 miles away.

But the one sound they loved the most, was the sound of each other’s breathing, the sound of their voices as they softly spoke to each other, comforting sounds that was in tune with their heart beat. It became an endearing habit of theirs to lean their foreheads together and hold a conversation as if sharing top secret information, a conversation only meant for them to hear. In fact a perfect excuse to be in close contact without it seeming obscene.

After a few more minutes of enjoying each other’s comfort, Jaden sat up and looked into sky blue eyes. With the way the moonlight reflected in his eyes, they shined like precious gems. Jaden reached up and touched Marcus’s face, gently caressing the light scar, and Marcus also touched Jaden’s face, pushing back long bangs and hair out of his eyes. Jaden’s finger traced the scar on Marcus’s face; he smiled and leaned in to kiss his scar. He found that he liked the scar, it was a part of Marcus and it gave him a distinctive look that Jaden found interesting.

“How come you love me Marcus? I’m not trying to put myself down or anything like that; it’s just that I’m nothing like you.” He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, I’m not smart like you, there’s really not a lot I know about, that would make for an interesting conversation. And I know… I know it’s more then sex, but I just don’t get it. You can have anyone.”

Marcus tilted his head sideways, studying Jaden’s face. He smiled and embraced him again in his arms; wanting to keep him close.

“It has been too long since I have had such strong feelings for anyone, you make me laugh, you make me feel again, and you have awakened my heart. Jaden I love you.”

Jaden looked into Marcus’s eyes, his lower lip trembled and a tear slid down his cheek. He wrapped his arms around Marcus and buried his face in his neck. “God Marcus, the things you say. You make me get all mushy and, and, I love you so much. I hope it can always be like this, I don’t want to live if you’re not with me.” Jaden sniffed and rubbed his face against Marcus’s shoulder, somehow it gave him comfort as if trying to get Marcus’s scent into his skin.

What Jaden could not express with words, he expressed with his actions. Marcus smiled again; he seemed to be smiling more often then usual and held on to Jaden, letting out a content sigh. Yes Marcus said, as long as they loved each other. It can always be like this.

They got up from the bench and continued to walk deeper into the park. They walked until they came upon Central Park Pond beautifully restored in 2002. A light wind blew through the trees creating a hushed sound of whispers as branches swayed and the few remaining leaves fluttered to the ground.

The water in the pond rippled, swirls of tiny waves moved towards the center and back. Jaden never thought to walk this far into the park before, now with Marcus he was seeing it for the very first time. Marcus found a stone bench near the pond, wiping it down he sat with Jaden on his lap.

As they sat admiring the scenery, Marcus started to talk to Jaden about some rules he needed to be aware of. He spoke of how newly made vampires needed to feed when the hunger hit them and it should not be ignored. When Jaden asked what could happen, Marcus thought how best to explain.

“Have you seen a drug addict going through withdraws? Marcus asked. Jaden did remember one of the hookers on their block; she became so addicted to crystal meth. When she couldn’t score enough money she resorted to stealing, eventually she was seen one night walking out in the middle of the street screaming and crying that she was in pain, only to be taken away by medical rescue unit and committed to Bellevue’s psychiatric ward. Jaden shook his head, yes he said, he has seen it.

“With a newly made vampire, if he waits too long to feed, the urge is far more urgent then that of a drug addict. The ability to reason is lost, you will become like an animal only looking to quench the pain of hunger. It is a madness that you may never come out of, even if you do feed. It is important that you feed within a reasonable time, otherwise you will suffer and risk exposure by the mortal world.”

Jaden assured Marcus that he will not let that happen, just the thought of acting like a rabid dog gave him the creeps.

“As you become older, you will be better able to control it. Until then you must take care to feed when the need arises.” Marcus said as he leaned in closer to Jaden and kissed his face.

“Marcus? What happens to a vampire if he goes crazy with hunger and can’t snap out of it?”

Marcus looked away from Jaden and just stared out, not looking at anything in particular.

“The council will order his death; it is done only if the young one is unable to be saved.” Marcus answered sadly, looking down at his hand on Jaden’s lap. “Such a vampire, who has lost all reason, puts our kind at risk. We are so few, and if the mortal world became aware of our existence they will seek to destroy us all, some will try to control us or take our blood.” Jaden understood that very clearly. He has dealt with very selfish men in the past, the thought of them wanting to live forever made him shiver with fear.

“Marcus did you know of any vampire that had to be destroyed?”

Marcus felt a stab of pain in his heart, not wanting to lie to Jaden he nodded in response and whispered in a voice that even Jaden almost didn’t hear.

“Yes, I knew of someone.” Marcus closed his eyes, remembering that sad day when Celio’s life had to end. “Yes” Marcus said again.

Jaden could see how sad it made Marcus to admit he knew of someone, perhaps Jaden thought it happened to a good friend of his. Marcus did not want to have any secrets hidden from Jaden, but he wondered how Jaden would take it if he told him about Celio. But he also needed for Jaden to clearly understand how important it was that the rules for feeding were taken seriously. In fact most rules created by the council needed to be taken very seriously.
~~*~~
Celio was a young man in his 20th birth year, a face of an angel with golden blond hair, he was promised by his family to the priesthood to serve in the temple of their gods.

Celio did not grow big and muscled like his brothers, instead he was small for his age and had a delicate appearance for a boy; his father decided that the priesthood was best for him. It was all Celio knew while he grew up that his life will be spent in the temples, he was trained all his life to serve the gods and if he served well his soul will sit side by side with his god.

Celio’s world was brutally taken away when enemy forces came and overtook his village. His father killed, and his brothers sold into slavery and the women raped, murdered or sold to the brothels. As for Celio his life was spared when he caught the eye of the king.

As in war to the victor goes the spoils, Celio became one of the spoils the king claimed for himself. And he was forced into a life of slavery, and had to cater to the whims of his master. Celio became depressed and missed his life within the temples, a life he was happy to serve. Now under the rule of his master, his mind and heart refused to let go of his past, and every night he cried for a life forever lost to him.

Against his will he soon became the king’s favorite, and wanting to see Celio happy his master commissioned the finest temple ever built, so that he could still serve his gods. With the understanding that he must never forget his place and serve his master willingly, no more begging not to be touched by his master.

Although Celio had lived a life in chastity before he was captured, this one indiscretion he agreed to. The hypocrisy weighed heavy in his mind, and he found it difficult to reconcile his feelings with the vows of his priesthood and the demands of his lust for a master he found not so hard to please.

Soon afterward Celio became obsessed with wanting to serve his gods; he made animal sacrifices and placed flowers and fruits at the feet of the statues of his gods. He was given slaves to help maintain the temple and bring offerings. He gave more of his time to the care of his gods to try and make up for the lust he soon learned to enjoy in the bed of his master.

Celio’s mind and heart was always in constant turmoil. One night while he prayed and silently cried to his gods, he met Marcus. While traveling through out the country Marcus, a hundred year old vampire and still considered a young fledging came upon a prostate Celio crying and praying silently to his Gods.

Believing that Marcus was a god, who had come to cleanse his sins latched on to him. Marcus found Celio to be quite endearing and liked him from the start. He never told him of his true origin in the hopes of not frightening the young man, and he did not understand Celio’s misunderstanding of seeing him as a god. Marcus at the time was not really paying too much attention as to how he was seen by Celio.

Soon afterwards the men became lovers. Every night Celio would sneak away to the temple to enjoy a few moments of stolen pleasures with Marcus. Because Celio was a favorite of the king, it was not surprising that his other slaves became envious, even more so when they had to help Celio in the temple.

One night while Celio waited patiently for Marcus, Emus, a previous favorite of the king hid behind the pillars and waited as Celio walked past him.

When Marcus arrived he found Celio lying on the alter, blood pooled underneath his back. Upon further inspection he saw that Celio had been stabbed in his lower back.

Marcus did not want him to die, so he offered Celio eternal life with him. Because Celio believed Marcus to be a god, he begged to be with him, and on that night Marcus made his first childe of the dark kiss and his first mistake as a vampire.

Marcus took Celio away from the temples and the mortal life he once knew, at first Celio was happy. But was soon disappointed when he fully realized what he and Marcus truly are, it saddened Celio to know that his soul will not go to the paradise once promised by many years of lessons ingrained in his mind.

Marcus was not aware that Celio was truly a religious fanatic in the teachings of his gods. In time Celio became uncontrollable, and the madness that festered in his mortal life began to grow and grow. Celio would strike out against the younger, weaker vampires.

Eventually both Marcus and Celio parted and went their own way. It wasn’t until Marcus found out that Celio started his own temple hidden in the deep forest, he would sacrifice young vampires made by him to his gods. Celio would bury the young ones in heavy stone coffins and if they rose up unharmed they became his disciples, if not they remain forever buried in the ground with only more stones to mark the graves.

Humans would soon become bloody sacrifices to quench the need in Celio’s mind in the hopes he would be forgiven for all his sins and be allowed to die to free his tormented soul. Believing he had somehow cheated the gods by not dying when he should have.

Because Celio became such a risk to the safety of their kind, a group of older vampires all agreed that Celio must be destroyed. It was Marcus who took the responsibility to put an end to Celio’s madness.

For years he felt responsible, and knew it all had to end. Marcus found him in his makeshift temple, his temple deep in darken woods of a country with its natives dying of famine, and diseases not yet discovered for many centuries later.

It was a cave dwelling deep in the mountain, dark and foreboding. Marcus and the others entered through an opening covered by trees, had it not been for his ability to sense other vampires, the entrance would have been missed.

Celio sat on a stone bench, a fire pit in the middle of the chamber. The chamber itself a large cavern light by torches casting dark shadows of agitated shapes, giving off the illusion like spirits dancing on the stone walls.

He was surrounded by humans and vampires alike chained by their ankles and being led as sacrificial lambs to the stone faced gods. When he looked into cerulean eyes, he found madness staring back at him. Celio had become an empty vessel with only one purpose in mind; destroy all sinners, undead and the living alike.

He pointed an accusatory finger at Marcus and blamed him for misleading an innocent priest away from his gods, away from his true purpose in life.

“Because of you Marcus!” Celio would cry out. “I have been denied, and if my soul cannot find its place with our gods. Then no one will.”

Marcus had insisted on finding Celio alone to deal with him, but he was glad that his brother Victor ignored his request and made the trip with him, they made the trip together, followed with a small band of warriors.

When Celio was confronted, his followers surrounded him to protect their precious priest. The vampires fought a bloody battle, but in the end Marcus was victorious. In the end, a defeated Celio tried to appeal to Marcus’s emotional tie with him.

“Will you claim me Marcus? Will you give me peace and free my soul?”

In the span of a few minutes, it seemed that Marcus could see the Celio he had known. Celio’s face was serene and his eyes shined with love, in sympathy Marcus reached out to him and actually believed Celio could be helped, when suddenly he rushed Marcus and stabbed him in the heart with a dagger he had hidden in his robes.

Since Celio was made, Marcus was a vampire 100 years older. 150 years later Celio would try to kill Marcus with his dagger, as the years passed Marcus only became stronger. The wound made by the dagger quickly healed, and the pain Marcus felt was emotional which hurt him more then the physical pain from the wound. Although with the passing years Celio also gained in strength and power, but he was never equaled to Marcus.

With great sorrow and regret Marcus cut Celio’s head off with his sword, his heart had to be cut out from his body and thrown into the fiery pit in the middle of the temple. The rest of Celio’s remains were burned into ashes. A cold wind seemed to flow through the cavern halls and took away the last remaining residue of Celio’s existence.

The few remaining vampires that could be saved were taken away, the humans who have not lost their minds to madness were also taken away to live out their lives in seclusion unharmed. The temple of bloody gods destroyed and long forgotten, since Celio, Marcus would not make another for over 200 years, and for centuries he carried the guilt of so many innocent lives lost, he blamed himself, he believed due to his carelessness.
~~*~~
After hearing how Marcus had to destroy a past lover, Jaden held on to Marcus to offer comfort and understanding.

“You can’t blame yourself Marcus, how could you know? I don’t think anyone caught on that this Celo was loosing his mind, in fact is sounds like he was lost to begin with.”

Jaden looked into Marcus’s eyes and kissed him shyly on the lips.

“Do you still love him? Jaden asked.

Marcus smiled sadly and shook his head in shame.

“I loved him once, but I do not believe I was truly in love with him.” He took Jaden’s hand in his, kissed his fingers. Holding the smaller hand against his face, Marcus whispered, “I should have paid attention to him, I should have not gone back after the first night we met.” He sighed as if in pain, embracing Jaden closer to him, afraid to see disappointment in the beautiful green he has come to love. “I failed Celio, he believed I was something more, I could not be what he wanted.” Burying his face into Jaden’s hair, he inhaled deeply, a hint of vanilla giving him comfort. “I should have seen how ill he had become.”

Jaden moved back so he could see into Marcus’s eyes.

“Marcus you have spent years learning everything you could, at the time you met Celio did you have a degree in psychiatry?”

Marcus blinked and let out a small laugh, hugging Jaden close to him again, he said.

“Oh Jaden, and you ask why I love you.” He kissed Jaden’s lips tenderly; Jaden smiled and looked down at his hands. With the light from a near by lamp post, Marcus could see him blush.

“Aw hell, Marcus you’re making me all mushy again.” Then he pressed his face into Marcus neck.

The council of elders was created at a time when the vampires were in constant chaos among themselves. The stronger master vampires would wage war, take away the younger and weaker as slaves. In essence the life they lived as mortals did not change much as vampires.

For the most part they were divided and fought among themselves and not realizing that they were putting themselves in danger of being exposed. Like the world of mortals it was agreed to have some form of government, rules and laws to protect their anonymity.

The council was made up of eight members of the oldest and powerful vampires. This council served as a court to help resolves issues among their kind. The rules or laws were upheld by enforcers or executioners appointed by council members.

Marcus and Victor, having long-established reputations as fierce warriors, were appointed to serve the court, and sometimes called in to enforce some of the more controversial decisions of the body.

Marcus went on to explain that due to what had happened with Celio, he requested a new rule. A new vampire could not be created without prior approval from a council member. This rule caught Jaden’s attention; he sat there mulling it over in his mind.

“Um… Marcus? You didn’t exactly have time to ask them about me. What’s gonna happen when they do find out that you broke your own rule?” worried green eyes looked up at Marcus like a deer in the headlights frightened look.

Not wanting Jaden to worry, Marcus’s hand touched Jaden’s face. He loved it when Jaden would lean into the caress, like a flower leaning towards sunlight.

“Do not worry my love; I expect I will have to make restitutions. But nothing grave, considering the circumstances.” Marcus then leaned in closer to Jaden so that their noses were touching. “You not only have my protection, but Victor has pledged his protection as well. The council members will also be reminded of our service, they are indebted to us.” Jaden sighed happily, when Marcus would touch him like this, or move closer to him, Jaden could not think.

All he could manage was enough thought to know that he wanted to be closer, to be loved and held. He closed his eyes and breathed out slowly and breathed in Marcus’s scent. If he were a hound dog, he would follow that scent to the end of the world. Council members, master vampires, rules and laws no longer mattered to him.

All he wanted at this moment was to be close to Marcus, and it seemed that Marcus read his mind as he smiled and pulled Jaden as close as he possibly could without cutting his air flow, not that a vampire needed to breathe anymore, but it was still a human trait they never lost, no matter how old they become. The love and feelings they shared so new, and raw. It was more then physical, their heart and soul forever connected.

“Marcus?” Jaden sighed, “This may sound weird, but you are the man I have always loved. It’s just that I haven’t met you till now.” Looking up into clear blue gems, he smiled. “Does that make any sense? It’s like I always knew you. Like I’ve been waiting for you to find me, am I crazy?” Marcus could not help but smile in return nodding his head back and forth. Looking deep into Jaden’s eyes, he spoke in a soft sincere voice.

“The more I think about it, the more I believe in soul mates. What we have between us, feels perfect as if we have known each other for centuries.”

Jaden smiled and looked up at Marcus with wide eyes, placing a hand on his chest he asked, “Are you sure it will be worked out with the council, I mean about me being here?”

As Marcus caressed Jaden’s face he re-assured him that it will be worked out.

“In the end a sum of money is agreed upon, a penalty fee is paid, and everyone is satisfied the offender is justly punished.”

Jaden let out a small laugh, agreeing that when it is all said and done most settlements begin and end with money. “The almighty dollar can be a great peace maker.” As he sighed in relief.

“I hope they don’t make you pay too much.” Worried Jaden.

Marcus merely shrugged and hugged Jaden back to him, “No amount of money is too much to keep you safe with me.” and to put Jaden at ease, “They cannot take you away from me, I made you, so therefore you are my responsibility to care for you.”

“Good” Jaden breathed a sigh of relief, “Cause only you know how to care for me in the right way.”

The night air became cooler, and Jaden shook as cold wind blew in their direction. Leaning in close to whisper in Marcus’s ear, he asked to go home. Marcus agreed, he let Jaden stand up and stood up himself. Looking around to ensure no mortal eyes were near, he lifted Jaden up in his arms and slowly floated up into the sky.

Cold black eyes watched them, as he stepped out into the open. He did not hear their whole conversation, but he heard enough hiding behind a small building near the pond.

While he walked around the city he sensed their presence and quickly made his way into the park to find out who they are, he was so pleased when Marcus or his young companion did not detect his presence.

He’s old, very old. He has existed for centuries, and one of the powers he has obtained, is the power of stealth. Even the most powerful and older vampires would not be able to detect him if he did not allow it. He stood by the pond, watching the lovers fly away until they disappeared from sight.

He stood there, still like a cold stone statue. Watching the sky as if he could still see them, he thought about the younger vampire, [This one is young, newly made. He is an exquisite tasty little morsel, so much like Adrian.]The thought of Adrian made his coal black eyes bleed red, a blinding rage overwhelmed him as he thought about him.

“That little bitch!” he hissed into the air. “When I am finished with your master, his soul will rot in hell!”

Not having anyone near to vent his rage on, he kicked a rock the size of a basketball into the pond, some of the water splashed onto his face shocking him into silence. He stood there, eyes blinking back to black.

Staring into the water, his shoulders began to shake with fits of laughter. He thought of Adrian again, but this time with no anger. He whispered into the air as if Adrian were there to hear him.

“Soon, very soon you will belong to me, as it should have been from the beginning. Will they not be surprised to find out that I have come for a little visit.”

His eyes scanned the area in a paranoid frenzy, darting left to right, up and down. At last he seemed to calm, then a cold smile pulled at his lips as the winds picked up again blowing damp silvery black hair from his face.

Holding his arms away from his body, leaning his head back to look up at the stars, he slowly floated up into the sky and flew away to plan his next move.