Jaden

Hey everyone I'm back!!!
So sorry for being away for so long, but I got the horrible flu took forever to feel better and I'm still fighting that lousy cough. Then the holidays and work, whew! and I am very tired from it all. Anyway I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a very happy and properous New Year.

Hope you like this new chapter and I am working hard on the next one, just trying to work out what will happen at the church. I have a few ideas floating around in my mind. So please enjoy and I'll try not to let too much time pass between updates.

So enjoy and please review with your thoughts or any ideas would be very helpful for me, thank you.

Chapter 32
(Get me to the Church on Time)

Jaden sat quietly in his chair as he listened to Marcus re-count the events as they happened earlier in the evening while he slept. Marcus went on to explain why he was not with him when he woke up. Of course, he left out the part about his and Victor’s tap dance that left them both sprawled on the floor laughing like silly kids.

“Um ok” Jaden answered and began to count on his fingers, “One, we got some mystery vamp snooping around the property.” Jaden shuddered; he could only imagine how powerful that one is, to be able to move about unnoticed.

“Two, because of that nosy vamp, now you have to have security run around the house. And three, your master asked that I be introduced to the house?” Jaden rubbed his nose and seemed a bit confused about how that worked.

Marcus sat in his own chair and nodded in response, he was quite pleased with how well Jaden seem to receive the news so far.

Jaden clasped his hands together on his lap, his legs swinging in front of him. He breathed in deeply as if to cleanse his lungs and let it out slowly through his mouth.

“So, who do I have to meet Marcus?”

“It will be an informal gathering, only the elites will meet with you tonight. After we go to church of course”

Jaden looked at Marcus for a few minutes; he shook his head up and down in agreement. He placed his hands on the armrest of his chair as he looked down at his feet. He was trying not to look at Marcus, and he blinked his eyes fast a couple of times as if trying to hold back tears.

Marcus noticed how Jaden’s shoulders slouched down along with the look in his face. He was afraid this would happen, he felt bad that he was not able to keep his word to Jaden. Most of all he wanted to assure him that he would be safe.

Marcus leaned forward in his own chair resting his elbows on his knees, his hands together almost as if in prayer, “Jaden I promise you that I will do everything in my power to keep you save. I am sorry my love, I promised you a quiet evening at home and now, I am forced to change our plans.”

Jaden looked up quickly in confusion, “Huh?”

Shaking his head and answering with in a small timid voice sounding like a child, “Oh no, I’m not upset about that…..I mean, I understand. It’s just that ……”

“What is it my love?” asked Marcus, he was worried that Jaden would become very frightened and he wanted so much to keep him calm.

Feeling a little silly, but he couldn’t help himself. Jaden shrugged his shoulders as he answered Marcus. He tried not to whine but he failed miserably.

“Well, when you said you had to talk to me. You didn’t let me sit on your lap. I always sit on your lap when we talk. I mean I really like it and, well ….”

His lower lip began to tremble, as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I mean it’s what we do all the time now, and I HATE not being near you. I like being with you and touching you….” He actually pouted at Marcus; he knew how he must look to Marcus, but he did not care. They started a tradition and he disliked change. Some things he will put up with, but not this.

He could see a twinkle in Marcus’s eyes and knew his mate would bust out laughing, holding his arms closer and ducking his chin down to his chest he glared at Marcus.

“Don’t you dare laugh Marcus, or else you and your hand are going to get real chummy with each other.”

A smile crept across Marcus’s lips as he tried desperately to stay serious with his mate, but Jaden was just too adorable and his lips pressed together as he fought hard not to laugh. Seeing this, Jaden threw his hands up in the air as he fell back into his chair.

“Fine! I’m so glad you think this is so funny.” He could see that Marcus’s face was starting to turn red as he tried to hold back.

“Aw go ahead and laugh, I suppose it’s so funny that I like to be close to you and you don’t? Why the hell did we blood…..”

Suddenly Jaden found himself on Marcus’s lap, strong arms wrapped around him and his mouth was open ready to protest, but soon gave up as Marcus kissed him. Marcus’s tongue pushed past his lips, tasting him and devouring him in a heart-stopping kiss. He felt dizzy and intoxicated; he moaned and returned the kiss.

When at last he was pulled away so that air could get back into his lungs, he let out a satisfied sigh. With his eyes glossed and his vision blurred, he could still make out a smug look in Marcus’s eyes as he smiled at him. He wiggled his butt on Marcus’s lap trying to make himself comfortable as he looked up at ice blue eyes.

“Hummm, nice.” Was all Jaden could say, not holding back a big grin as he leaned into Marcus’s embrace.

Marcus laughed after all but not too much, “Am I forgiven?”

Nodding his head Jaden responded lazily, “Oh yeah babe.” As he continued to snuggle against his mate.

“I guess this blood bond makes us both a little crazy huh Marcus.”

Marcus hugged Jaden closer before he answered, “Yes it has been overwhelming. I had hoped we would be alone for a while, at least to allow the initial effects become controllable. However, with all that has happened tonight. I, again my love I am sorry.”

Jaden looked up and caressed his face, and gave his mate a tender kiss on the lips. He wrapped his arms around his neck burying his nose into his neck. His voice muffled as he spoke to him.

“I understand Marcus, as soon as you walked into the room I was all over you. But I’m fine as long as I can touch you, I’m fine.”

Marcus was relieved to see Jaden calm; he arched his eyebrow at him as he remembered a threat his mate made. Clearing his throat to get Jaden’s attention.

“Ah hem, what were you saying about my hand and I becoming chummy?”

All Jaden could do was groan in response, “Don’t hold it against me, it was the blood bond talking.”

Both men laughed and then sighed contently, they felt relaxed now. Once the needs of the blood bond were satisfied, they could enjoy each other’s company without their lust for one another getting out of control.

“Marcus? About security, when will they get here?”

He smoothed back Jaden’s hair and placed a small kiss on his cheek, “After we go to church, everyone will be at the penthouse in the city. A small team of security will already be there, and they will return with us tomorrow night.”

Jaden sat up straight and looked at Marcus, “We can’t come back home tonight?”

Seeing Jaden’s worried look, he touched his face and assured him all will be safe.

“We will return tomorrow night, with the security detail in tow. It is an extra precaution, just to satisfy my own piece of mind. I promise you we will be home to celebrate your birthday and Christmas together as we planned.”

Marcus was glad that he was at least able to keep that promise to Jaden. He looked at the time and helped his mate off his lap as they stood up together.

Jaden chewed on his lower lip as he looked into Marcus’s ice blue eyes, there was more and he could feel it in Marcus’s words, he could see it in his eyes.

“You’re not telling me everything are you? What else is there, please tell me.”

Marcus was surprised; he had thought he did a very good job not letting on of the other problem that has come up tonight. He was trying is his own way to protect his mate from anything horrible. Not wanting to lie and yet not wanting to discuss it.

He did his best to explain why they would have to leave for Europe after the holidays; Master Ami will be sending his private plane for them. He carefully told Jaden about the murders that have taken place in the last ten years, and how he has concluded who could possibly be responsible.

“Because of the blood bond you and I cannot be separated for any length of time, not so early in our union. I have no choice but to take you with me. I will do my best for all of us to return as soon as possible. But from this point on, we must all be on alert for anything that is out of the ordinary. I do not wish to frighten you, but we must be very careful.”

Jaden understood, “You weren’t going to tell me were you? If I didn’t ask you were going to keep quiet about this?”

Marcus confessed, “I will never lie to you Jaden, if I feel there is something that you do not need to know, I will tell you. However, I was hoping to put off this problem until after tomorrow night, I did not want to give you any more worries. I would have told you.”

“Ok” Jaden frowned in confusion, “Um you said a master and his first were killed? Are there different kinds of vampires?”

Marcus smiled as he explained the different classes of vampires, “You have average vampires they usually are the youngest and the least powerful, the longer the vampire lives the chances are they gain new powers.”

“However this does not always happen and then of course there are the ancients they are the most powerful. I have gained enough powers and lived long enough to become a master vampire, master vampires or elites usually start their own house.”

Jaden seemed to frown in confusion as he thought about it, “So let me get this straight, I’m an average vampire, and then you have elites, masters and ancients?”

Marcus tapped Jaden on the nose; he loved how his mate wiggled it and giggled.

“Actually, vampires as young as you are called fledglings. This means you are very young and inexperienced vampire, a small little babe.”

Jaden rolled his eyes at the statement. Marcus smiled as he continued to explain why some master vampires start their own houses, or a covenant where the younger less powerful seek the protection of the master vampire’s house and pledge loyalty to the house and it’s master.

“In the house there are vampires that are part of the same bloodline, for example you are my bloodline and Victor’s, Adrian belongs to another bloodline. It is mixed but all belong to the same house.”

“I get it now, so each house has a leader that’s the master, and then there’s the second in command that’s the first?” asked Jaden, understanding showing in his bright green eyes.

“You understand very well my love.” As he smiled and kissed Jaden on the nose, making him giggle again.

“The master and first are almost equal in powers, and they are the most powerful within the house.”

As they talked, Marcus went to the amour and took out what they needed to wear to brave the cold weather outside.

“So who is the master and first here, I mean in your house, yours and Victor’s house.”

Marcus chuckled, “Victor and I refused to run two separate houses since we both agree and protect the same people, together we are masters of the house.”

“Then that leaves Adrian as the first?” Jaden liked that idea and he smiled at the thought.

“No my love, a first is not needed. Depending on the situation and the needs of the house, I am master and Victor will stand by my side as first or vice a versa. Victor and I are equally powerful and we are so close to each other that we are able to read each other’s thoughts when needed.”

The last statement caught Jaden’s attention, “No way! I thought you said that you couldn’t read my mind?”

“I cannot, and it is very rare to hear of other vampires with the same ability. I suppose it is because we are twins, were it not for the scar on my face many would not be able to tell us apart.”

“Sooo, you really can’t read my mind?” asked Jaden, only because he remembered cursing in his mind when they first made love and he did not want Marcus to be disappointed in him.

Marcus stopped what he was doing and looked intently at Jaden, it made him feel that Marcus was reading his mind and he could not help but cover his head with his hands. He turned red when his mate laughed; he knew it was silly to cover his head as if that would keep mind readers out.

“Oh my darling, you are so sweet. No, I cannot read your thoughts or hear them I wish that I could. However, on occasions if I really tried, I am able to pick up or sense your emotions. They way you look and say things clue me into what you may be thinking or feeling. You yourself have become quite good at it, you knew there was more for me to tell you, you sensed it and that is why you asked me.”

Jaden nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, the more he thought about it though he really would not have minded it. He would have loved to know all of Marcus’s thoughts; he looked up when he heard Marcus clear his throat.

“I believe I may have an idea what you are thinking, as I said I would never lie to you and you need only to ask me anything you want. If I can I will answer and if I cannot or do not want to, I will tell you.”

“Hey I thought you said you couldn’t read my mind?” Jaden smiled at him.

He walked over to Marcus and looked deeply into his eyes, winking at his mate he asked, “Do you know what I’m thinking now?”

Marcus placed his hands on Jaden’s waist and lifted him up so that they were eye to eye, they stared into each other’s eyes and then he kissed Jaden.

Jaden sighed into the kiss and then Marcus gently put him back down to stand on his own two feet. Wrapping his arms around Marcus’s waist and resting his head against his chest he took in a deep breath, how he loved his mate’s scent. He could not get enough of him.

“Mmmm, I’m so glad you knew what I was thinking.”


“Can I ask you one more thing?” as Jaden hugged his mate tighter.

“Yes, ask me anything, my love.”

“If Adrian isn’t first, then what is he?”

“He is my family, my little brother, and he is Victor’s mate for life. The same as you, my mate and Victor’s little brother, family.”

Marcus looked down at Jaden, kissing the top of his head. He tilted his chin up to look into his eyes.

“You may not think it important, but it is. He is the mate of a master vampire, but he has earned the trust of all our people. Many come to him as if he were the master of the house to seek his advice. He is highly respected, loved and all will protect him with their lives. That is why it is imperative that you are introduced into the house, so that all will know who you are and with whom you are with.”

Jaden nodded numbly and hugged Marcus back. “I love you Marcus.” he whispered into his chest. Marcus felt so humbled and held on to his mate as they slowly rocked side to side.

“And I love you Jaden.” He sighed as he looked at the time; they had to leave if they wanted to get into the city for midnight mass.

Jaden stepped away and helped Marcus find his wallet, while Jaden brushed his hair once more. Marcus looked around for his cell phone and then remembered that he would need to get a new one.

“What happened to your cell phone?”

Marcus actually blushed; he prayed Jaden would not ask for details, hoping he would not have to explain his unreasonable attitude earlier in the evening.

“I am afraid I broke it. I will ask Adrian to get me a new phone.”

Jaden laughed knowing there was more to it, “Ok, I won’t ask what really happened. Come on Marcus; get me to the church on time.”

Marcus reached for Jaden’s hand and kissed his fingers, caressing his face he said.

“But first, you need to feed, and then we will go to church. I am sure that Victor and Adrian are ready and waiting for us.”

As they gathered their coats, gloves and scarves. Jaden touched Marcus’s arm.

“Um, Marcus. What if they don’t like me?”

Marcus picked up on Jaden’s emotions, he sensed a little fear. Holding him close and running his hands around in circles on his mates back hoping to erase any doubts he may have.

“Are you referring to the elites my love?”

Jaden just nodded his head against Marcus’s chest as his own arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

“Yeah, what if they don’t like me, and then they go to the council to complain and have me taken away from you. I mean they might think that I’m not good enough for you.”

Marcus stood back holding Jaden at arms length, as he looked seriously into his eyes.

“Jaden you are not being introduced into the house to be liked, this is a warning, a notice to let all know that you are my mate and no one, absolutely no one is to harm you or allow anyone else to harm you.”

His face softened as did his voice, “And as they get to know you, they will love you. You are very special my love, you will win them over with your gentle and caring heart.”

Now it was Jaden’s turn to blush, he took Marcus’s hand as they both walked over to the door. Marcus held the door open for Jaden and said.

“Do not worry my love; the introduction will be kept short. I promise it will be painless.”

Jaden sighed he could do this. It won’t be so bad he thought to himself and he wanted to show them that he was worthy of Marcus. He was going to have to get used to the idea that his life will not be just Marcus and his brothers. They were responsible for the lives of other vampires and he wondered just how big Drakar` House really was.

He also worried about the murders, and having to travel so far for Marcus and Victor to help find out who was responsible. He knew the brothers were very old and powerful vampires, but he feared the ancient vampire Marcus suspected. How safe would his mate be if he came out and accused him?

“Marcus, do we really have to go to Europe? Can’t they ask someone else to do it?”

Marcus touched Jaden’s cheek; he knew he would ask, and as much as he wanted to please Jaden, he would have made the trip even if Master Ami did not summon him.

“Jaden, this time a good friend of mine was destroyed and his house is left without a strong leader. His first, Elsa was a remarkable warrior in her time. I have known Master Storka for so many years and out of respect for him, Elsa and the members of his house. I feel I need to be there, to do what I can.”

Jaden had a feeling Marcus would say that, nevertheless, deep in his heart he hoped Marcus would not go. He was afraid for his mate’s safety and the safety of his brothers. However, he also did not want to add to the list of problems already on Marcus’s mind, he could tell he was sad with the loss of his friend.

He smiled weakly at his mate and took his hand as they both stepped out of the room.

“I understand if this happened to Lizzie, if someone had killed her, I’d want to go after the prick and make him or her hurt ten times more. Can you at least promise me one thing?”

Marcus did not answer; instead, he nodded his acknowledgment, not knowing for sure what he would have to promise Jaden.

“Please don’t go anywhere alone, keep your security guards with you and Victor at all times. Please Marcus, do it for me? If anything happens to you, if I loose you. I….I…. I’m done, I’m checking out for good.”

In his chest, Marcus could feel as if a fist squeezed his heart. The thought of Jaden dying was unendurable to him. Standing outside of their bedroom while both Victor and Adrian watched, Marcus pulled Jaden towards him and held him tight against his body; he inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla filling his soul with Jaden. Trying to control the sound of his voice as he spoke softly into his ear.

“I promise.”