Jaden

Chapter 31
(Emotional Rescue)

“Marcus, Marcus!”

After hearing the message from their master, Marcus in a fit of anger ripped the cell phone off its cradle and threw it across the room, smashing the phone into a thousand pieces.

He then stormed out of the office with Victor following, trying to get his attention.

“Marcus stop!”

Marcus did stop and leaned up against the wall just outside of his bedroom; he shoved his hands into his pockets and stared angrily down at the floor. He looked like an angry child, who has been told he could not go out and play.

Victor stood in front of him and just looked at his brother; then Marcus finally looked up and glared back at him. When nothing was said he growled at him in frustration.

“What?”

“Talk to me Marcus.” Victor replied calmly.

“Talk to you? What would you have me say? What would you like for me to say, that I am happy about this? This, this madness! Is it not bad enough to worry about the intruder?”

Victor remained silent, waiting for Marcus to go on and get it out of his system. Marcus was not shouting but his voice was low, filled with fury.

“But now I am being told to help solve this murder, WE are being told to help. As if that was not enough for now, Master Ami has suggested, no, he strongly suggested that I need to introduce Jaden to the house. The house! As if I am not aware of my own responsibilities to be told what to do and how to do it?”

He leaned his head back, bumping his head against the wall behind him. Closing his eyes for a minute trying to get control, opening his eyes he looked at his brother as he continued to speak.

“I wanted time Victor, time. To be alone with Jaden, to help ease him into our life and the ways of the house. Time to teach him and then and only then, will I make the proper introductions to the members of the house. You saw his reaction when he first met you and Adrian, I do not want that to happen again. As if that were not enough, to be forced to have security roam around the estate.”

Marcus moved away from the wall, he was anxious and kept moving trying to find the words he wanted to say.

“I promised him Victor that we would spend a quiet evening together as a family, I promised to take him to church this evening. It is important to him, and tomorrow evening we were to celebrate Christmas and his birthday here, just the four of us. A quiet evening with no one else around, now it is ruined, ruined!”

He waived his arms in annoyance, “I have the highest respect for Master Ami, but the message he left all comes at a very bad time, I simply do not want to over whelm Jaden with all of this!”

“Are you finished?” Asked Victor.

“Yes.” Marcus answered clearly frustrated with the current events surrounding them.

Victor took in a deep breath in the hopes that his brother would not chew off his head.

“It is important that Jaden is introduced to the house, those that are not in our blood line will know he is mated but not to whom he is mated with. You know how competitive our kind can be when there is a new challenge in the mist. Master Ami is ensuring your mate’s safety as well.”

Marcus actually made an angry sound, more like a growling wild animal low deep in his throat. Clearly this explanation did nothing to soothe his anger. Victor’s eyes widen in surprise, trying very hard not to laugh. He sighed as if in annoyance letting his brother know he had more to say.

“I know that you do not need to be told how to run our house, we are the same you and I. We hate to have our attention called, to tell us what we already know. However, he is our master and because he might be able to beat us both into hell, it is best not to argue on that point.”

This time all he got from Marcus was an angry snort, as if he was dismissing Victor’s claim of being bested by their master. He was really having a hard time trying to be serious with Marcus when he acted like a spoiled child.

“Tonight, you will introduce Jaden to the house.”

“NO!”

Victor’s eyebrow arched in surprise, this was not normal behavior for Marcus. He had always been reserved, and as much he enjoyed this new side of Marcus, he was not going to be put off by him.

“Yes”

“No Victor, I promised Jaden we take him to church in the city. We have no time for such nonsense, it will have to wait. Is it not enough that I will have to explain the security when they arrive? No, absolutely not! Do NOT insist Victor.”

Now Marcus’s eyes narrowed in anger as he stared at his brother and stood up straight, he looked hard into his eyes, daring his brother to challenge his authority. The room became dead silent as they both stood there, ice blue eyes turning a shade darker, nostrils flaring like bulls ready to charge. The minutes ticked, as both brothers puffed out their manly chest getting ready to do battle. However, nothing happened, and then…..

Victor responded by tapping him hard on his forehead between the eyes. A game of annoyance played when they were children, one or the other would constantly tap the forehead leaving a bruise until the other gave in.

Marcus retaliated by grabbing his finger and returning the taps on his brother’s forehead, suddenly they were wrestling with each other trying to control the others hand from hitting their mark. The brothers are equal in just about everything and had a very hard time trying to overpower the other.

It was as if the spirit of the three Stooges swooped in to possess the brothers, Adrian himself had followed them and listened. When he saw how childish they were behaving, he returned to the office.

As they struggled one slipped and fell dragging his brother down with him. They landed hard on the stone floor; they were breathing hard and grunted like animals. If looks could kill they would die instantly, instead they settled on a new mode of attack.

Verbal insults and pointing fingers at each other, trying to land the blame on one another.
After childish insults were exchanged they lay on the floor laughing at their own stupidity.

“You have no idea what an annoying pest you are, brother.”

Victor chuckled at his brother’s remark, “And I suppose your behavior was impeccable?”

Marcus sighed deeply and sat up, “This is not me, what is wrong with me?” as he rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands, then rubbing his forehead frowning at Victor.

Victor noticed the look on his brother’s face, sitting up he pointed at him.

“Let us not start that again, because this time if I beat you, I will spank maturity into you.”

Marcus just snorted in response. Now that they were both calm Marcus stood up and offered his hand to his brother. Victor accepted and stood up with him.

“You are right Marcus, this is not you. I am the one who normally acts first and then think, you on the other hand.” Victor shrugged his shoulders, “Well you are the thinker before you act. That is why we run the house so well.”

Victor could not help but notice his brother’s hand trembling, when Marcus realized he was being watched he shoved his hands into his pockets. Daring him to say anything, Victor smiled and pulled his brother’s hands back out and held on to them. He kissed his hands and smiled.

“Marcus I love you, but right now you are useless to me. Go, be with your mate. If I am not mistaking he should awaken soon. I know Master Ami made no mention, but Adrian and I are very happy for you, we love you and Jaden. Be at peace Marcus, go to your mate. The blood bond can be hard to control if you do not allow a little time together.”

As much as Marcus appreciated his brother’s advice, he shook his head in irritation.

“I cannot; there is much to be done if I am to introduce Jaden. I am not sure where to begin; I should at least re-configure the security systems, just to be certain nothing enters the house. We need to get ready for church, and then to plan our trip to Europe and face the council about these murders, I ….have much to explain to Jaden, he will be frightened and I …”

Marcus closed his eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Victor embraced his brother and held on to him, it wasn’t like him to feel unsure and out of control. He understood what Marcus was feeling, in the beginning the blood bond is a demanding beast. When lovers are newly mated, the need to be near, even if it is just to hold hands can be quite overwhelming.

Remembering what it was like when he and Adrian were blood bonded, they constantly needed to touch, to kiss and make love. It was easier for them, at the time there were no fears of intruders, or murders. They were not being ordered into service for the council and Marcus oversaw the house, while they essentially went on a honeymoon for a month.

“Adrian and I will take care of everything Marcus, we will go together to take Jaden to church. Afterwards you can introduce Jaden into the house, a small gathering at the penthouse.”

Marcus nodded agreeing with him, “I think it would be best to stay in the city tonight. Tomorrow night we can return with security.”

“Excellent idea, the weather is much too cold tonight. I will call Moran to prepare everything for our trip into the city.”

For a minute it seemed Marcus was lost, but then he acknowledged his brother agreeing to use their private helicopter to fly into the city. He took in a deep breath to calm his nerves he did not like this feeling, he needed to be near Jaden.

“My only request is, only those that are close to us be invited to the penthouse; once I have introduced Jaden to them, they can in turn make the announcement to everyone else.
When our obligation to the council is completed, I will prepare a formal introduction for Jaden.”

“Very well brother, for now I will serve as first. You are master of the house; allow your first to take care of the details. Go and be with your mate, I am deeply happy for you.”

Victor winked and playfully slapped a surprised Marcus in the ass and shoved him towards his and Jaden’s bedroom, smiling he left to return to the office. There was much to prepare for and not enough time. He arrived to find Adrian sweeping up the remains of the broken cell phone. Adrian looked up and smiled at his mate.

“How is he?” asked Adrian concerned about his brother.

Victor shook his head, equally worried about his brother, “Fine, he has blood bonded with Jaden. With everything else that has taken place it has been overwhelming for him. The blood bond alone wrecks havoc with his emotional state, but all things considered I believe he is handling it quite well. Don’t you think so my love?”

Adrian rolled his eyes and laughed.

“Have you forgotten what it was like for us? We were so mad with desire for each other. The thought of not being near and unable to touch was infuriating. We literally acted like wild animals in heat. If anyone came near us for anything, you or I would threaten to rip off their heads.”

Victor smiled as he remembered; yes they were a bit out of control. There was one master vampire, who became so insulted with their behavior that he begged the council to lock them up for one hundred years. They both laughed when Marcus himself stepped forward to offer his apologies for the new unruly mates.

When this did not appease the snobby vampire, Marcus humbly apologized again and offered to shake his hand in an effort to gain some respect and understanding for his brother and Adrian.

The vampire was beside himself to see a master of Drakar` house humble himself before him, and he was only too happy to shake his hand.

Both Victor and Adrian broke down in fits of laughter as they held on to each other remembering what happened next.

“Oh dear god, Victor I will never forget the look on his face. When, Mar…Marcus grabbed his hand, and he….he….hehehehehe!!!!” Adrian rolled on the floor holding onto his belly as words failed him and laughed himself silly.

“Ha! How can I forget? When Marcus grabbed his hand, the poor bastard screamed like a cat whose tail has been pulled. Only in his case, it was his arm Marcus pulled clean off!!!”

Victor sat down on the floor with Adrian trying so hard not to laugh, “Then he slapped the idiot in the face with his own arm.” They both rolled on the floor laughing, “It took him fifty years for his arm to heal!”

Adrian reached out and tugged on Victor’s sleeve, “Do you, do you remember what Marcus told him afterwards?”

“Yes, he looked him in the eyes and said”

Victor stopped, wiping tears from his eyes as he tried to sound like Marcus.

“Rordan, do we understand each other?”

He smiled proudly as he pictured his brother, “Then he handed back his arm and walked away.” Unable to hold back anymore Victor lay on the floor laughing with Adrian.

“Victor we are so horrible, we really should not make fun of the poor creature.” Adrian wiped his own tears from his eyes and pushed his hair back with his hands trying to look remorseful and serious.

Victor rolled his eyes at the statement, “Oh please, once he experienced his own blood bond. He was found in the council’s library humping madly away with his mate, completely oblivious of the council members standing there. You know how strong ancients are, even they could not stop it without killing him.”

Adrian giggled and nodded his head, “What a pity film was not invented at that time.”

“Oh my darling and you say I am horrible? My sneaky little tart.” As he pulled Adrian closer to his body to kiss him on the forehead.

Adrian smiled contently and sighed, “Even after all these years together, you still take my breath away.”

Victor stood, and picked up the trash can to finish cleaning up the broken pieces of the phone. He looked at his love and wrapped his arms around him, holding him, kissing him, touching his hair, “I am always happy to leave you breathless my sweet. Blood bond or not, you make me burn for you, you are my soul, my only reason to exist.”

Adrian hugged Victor back, “We were very fortunate to have Marcus take care of everything, while you and I were free to enjoy our union. I feel for Marcus, all that has happened has come at a very bad time”

They held onto each other, breathing in deeply of each other’s scent and kissed sweetly, the need for comfort. After what has taken place so far they needed to joke and share a little tenderness. Kissing his love one more time, Victor pulled away smiling.

“I regret that we cannot steal away to the privacy of our rooms; with everything that has happened here tonight there is much to be done.” Victor held on to Adrian for a few minutes more and then he sadly had to get to work.

Adrian agreed, he kissed Victor one more time and went back to the computers. Victor stood behind Adrian’s chair placing his hands on his shoulders, “What are you doing, should you not get ready for tonight?”

Adrian turned towards his mate flipping his long hair out of the way, “I take longer, since you will not let me cut my hair. And you are quicker than I am, you go ahead. I would like to run the security codes one more time.”

“Very well my love, by the way do we have another cell phone available?”

Adrian laughed opening a lower draw and taking out a new cell phone, “Here, it is all set.”

Victor leaned down towards Adrian and kissed his lips, smiling he said, “One more for the road?” and kissed him again, taking the phone from his hand, “Tonight we will stay in the city; I will call Battista to gather the Elites at the penthouse. Marcus will do a small impromptu introduction. That should appease Master Ami for now.”

As Victor dialed the number he looked at Adrian, letting him know that they can take a shower together to help save time. Adrian smiled at his mate when he saw Victor wiggle his eyebrows at him suggesting more than a shower.

Adrian laughed as he waived him away, “Go on, I will be there shortly. Keep the water hot for me.”

Victor nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Adrian as he typed in codes and ran another sweep of the property. When he finished he started to shut everything down and put away some items that he had been using. Wanting to secure the codes away he unlocked one of the draws, it was there he noticed the disc.

Adrian was very familiar with the items in this draw and he wondered where this disc came from, taking it out he could see a tiny smudge of blood on the corner. Bringing it closer to inspect he picked up a scent, he wrinkled his nose as he found a peculiar scent unpleasant. Sniffing again like a little puppy, he recognized another scent.

“Marcus?”

“Victor?”

Adrian is not a nosy person, he never was. Along with Marcus and Victor, Adrian also has top security clearance to all house issues and he knew Marcus was working on writing new codes for a computer game. When it came to computers he and Marcus shared the same interest, especially games.

They were in fact challenging each other to come up with a new game, together they were writing up a new program. Marcus would start and then leave it for Adrian to pick up and add his own ideas, and then he would have Marcus follow up with new codes and ideas of his own. They have been working on it for almost a year now, adding and deleting codes.

It seemed that the game was the game of who could come up with a better idea. It had gotten to the point that they would put in codes to see if the other could decipher it and change or add a new program. It became a game of cat and mouse, teasing each other with new and complicated codes to break.

Thinking that Marcus was trying to throw him off by using a different disc he smiled and decided to see what new trap Marcus left him. Already in his mind he was coming up with a new code to tease Marcus’s mind, he was excited to see what he came up with as he slid the disc into the computer.

Sadly Adrian’s smile quickly faded as he realized, this disc revealed a very different kind of game.