The Descent
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 04
I froze for a moment as my mind raced. What a hell of a predicament this was. Then I focused on the King's face; the arched brow, the arrogant, knowing smirk, and I have to admit, it pissed me off for some reason. I wasn't that shy, sad little depressed teen any longer after all. I was now vampire and a damn hot one. Time to turn this encounter around.
Finding my panties in the seat, I quickly slipped them on and slid gracefully out of the booth. Now standing with my back directly in front of the arrogant King, I bent to retrieve my jeans.
I took my time sliding them on, up my legs and slowly over my ass as I stared into Jasper's mirth filled eyes with a smirk. He obviously knew how I was feeling. There was no hiding it from him after all. When I'd fastened them, I turned and held out a hand. "A pleasure," I said as his darkened gaze slowly slid up my body to finally meet my eyes.
He took my hand, raised it and placed a soft kiss on the back. "The pleasure is all mine, lovely Isabella," he murmured as I fought to stay composed through the amazing electric feeling that now hummed through my body from his touch.
His gaze cut over to Jasper. "May I join you?"
Jasper inclined his head. "By all means, please do."
I slid back into the booth next to Jasper as Caius pulled up a chair and sat. He signaled for the waitress and I tried desperately to figure out what had just happened between us. I'd never felt anything quite like that and I struggled to even put what I'd felt to coherent thought. Whatever it had been was instant, all-consuming and I now felt tied to him. I would have to talk to Jasper about it later.
When the waitress arrived he ordered what sounded like a bottle of wine before directing his gaze back to us. "Major Whitlock…it's been a very long time since I've had the pleasure of your company."
Jasper nodded as he slid an arm around my shoulders and I relaxed against him as he answered. "It has."
The wine came and the waitress poured a taste. When it met Caius' approval, she filled the glass and left. Caius relaxed back and smirked. "When last we met, you were living a rather tame existence with Carlisle. Are you still with his coven?"
Jasper absently toyed with his empty shot glass as he answered. "No, we've finally parted company. I went back to Washington to take care of a loose end they'd left behind and now here we are."
Caius lowered his glass and cocked a brow. "Loose end?"
Jasper reached over and poured two more shots for us as he answered. "While living in Washington, Edward had become involved with a human girl whom he later decided to leave behind. She knew what we are, so I went back to take care of the problem seein' as he wasn't willing."
Caius' expression darkened. "Is such behavior a habit with him?"
Jasper knocked back his shot and shrugged a shoulder. "He's done it twice before this 'un. At least those are the ones I know of in the years I was with 'em. I took care of one of 'em and Rosalie took care of the other."
As I listened to this, cold rage filled me. It had never occurred to me that he could have done this before, much less twice before. And took care of? Were they vampires now too, or did he mean that in an entirely different way?
"And Carlisle? What is he thinking letting his childe compromise the secret in such a way? I'm assuming, of course, he knew," Caius drawled as he took a sip from his glass.
"Oh, he knew all right, but he can't seem to deny his golden child anything." He glanced down at me. "If you ever wondered why Rosalie seemed to hate you so fiercely, it's because she had to go back and kill the one he left before you. It changed her havin' to do it since she'd never killed an innocent before. She never really got over it, so when he started messin' with you…"
I nodded as I picked up my shot and downed it. It all made perfect sense now, and I can't say I blamed her. I would have felt the same.
"So the lovely Isabella was the loose end…I had wondered." His eyes met mine and his lips quirked in a half-smile. "You seem very new to this life, although I must say, you have exceptional control for one so young."
Jasper pulled me close and played his fingers through my hair. "She is unique among newborns, there's no doubt about it."
Caius seemed to shake himself from thought as he focused back on Jasper. "Well, this is an issue that needs to be looked into and dealt with. It can't continue, especially if you're not there to clean up. Were the other two turned?"
Jasper pulled out a pack of smokes and lit one, blowing the smoke to the side before answering. "Nope. The one I dealt with was a mess when I went back. Girl could barely function. Her family was gettin' ready to have her hospitalized she was so bad. Muttered constantly about her vampire but nobody believed her. Thought she was crazy, and it's a good thing they did. I made it look like a suicide which no one questioned since she'd been so bad off."
"Hmm, yes that was fortuitous," Caius muttered before taking a drink of wine. He peered into the glass and swirled the contents before looking back up. "And the other?"
Jasper stubbed out his cigarette and poured another shot before relaxing back in the seat. "Well, as I said, Rose took care of that one. I was off helping out a friend in a fight—you remember Pete?"
Caius smirked and nodded. "I do."
"I can only tell ya what Rose told me later. One thing ya need to know is Rose hates this life. Consequently, she'd rather see someone dead than turned, so that's what she did."
I tensed and looked up at Jasper. "She didn't even give her a choice? Was the girl in her right mind?"
Jasper shrugged and drank his shot. "From what Rose said, yeah, the girl was fine and wanted nothing more than to be turned. Rose snapped her neck and staged a car accident." He met my eyes and shrugged. "Like I said, Rose hates what she is and would never turn someone."
Caius smirked into his glass. "A bit harsh, that, although still within the law."
A shiver ran up my spine. "I suppose I should be thankful it was you who came for me and not Rose," I muttered as I lifted the shot glass and drained it.
Jasper chuckled. "You don't know the half of it darlin'. I had to get Emmett to watch her every minute. She was hell bent to take care of you. You pissed her off worse than any human ever has since you wanted to be turned so badly." He nodded. "Yep, she'd a' killed you with pleasure."
I smirked as I poured another shot. "Well, now I don't feel bad for the bitch. Back to pure hate it is." I raised my glass in a mock toast and drained it as Jasper chuckled. Caius merely smirked as he watched me through hooded eyes.
I had to admit, his steady stare was getting to me; he affected me and I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was just the damn tequila? Still, it was as though I could feel a caress wherever his gaze touched on me. It was a bit maddening and I tucked myself closer to Jasper as a slow grin curved Caius' crimson lips, I'm assuming, at my obvious discomfort.
Slowly sliding his glass onto the table, he rose and held out a hand to me. "Would you care to dance, beautiful Isabella?"
I glanced at Jasper and he nodded. "Go ahead if you want darlin'. You're your own woman and I ain't gonna stop ya."
Sliding my feet into my shoes, I stood and took Caius' hand, once again amazed at the feeling that coursed through me at his touch.
He led me down a short course of stairs and into the center of the floor where he turned me to him and pulled me close. I circled my arms around his neck as his hands glided down my sides where they came to rest at the small of my back.
As we started to sway, his eyes stared into mine and I found that I couldn't look away from that heated red gaze. "What is this?" I questioned in quiet wonder and he cupped the back of my head with one hand and brushed his lips over mine in a whisper of a kiss.
"What does it feel like?" he answered with a question against my parted lips.
My eyes closed completely as I kissed him, keeping it light and soft as we moved and breathed together. "Like nothing I've ever felt before," I breathed.
He smiled against my cheek as he moved to whisper in my ear. "That is because it is a rare thing to find one's mate lovely Isabella."
I drew back and stared at him, stunned at what he'd just said but it was obvious to me, as he stared back, he was serious. "What does this mean?" I asked as our slow dance continued.
His lips trailed down to my neck where he placed light kisses as I leaned into him. "What do you want it to mean?" he murmured.
I closed my eyes and savored the feel of him against me as I thought on his question. "I don't know," I finally admitted aloud.
A soft laugh was his reply as his lips found mine again. I could taste the wine he'd had but under that, I could taste him and he was intoxicating.
With a slight tilt of his head, he deepened the kiss and I moaned into his mouth as his tongue entwined with mine. He was pulling me closer now and I could feel every dip and plane of his body against mine as he sucked gently on my lower lip. "Isabella," he murmured against my cheek between kisses. "Will you accompany me back to the castle?"
I couldn't have said no even if I'd wanted to. Something had flared to life within me, something tied directly to him and I just couldn't deny him. "Yes," I whispered. "I will."
I felt a smile curve his lips a second before he kissed me again. "Good," he whispered as he straightened and took my hand. He turned and looked back at me with a gentle tug to my hand. "Let's be on our way then."
We walked back up the stairs and to the table where Jasper still reclined. He watched us approach with a knowing smirk. "Leavin' already?" he questioned when we stopped at the table.
"Isabella is coming back to the castle with me. You are welcome to join us. I'm sure Dora would be happy to see you again."
Jasper waved the hand that rested by his glass. "You go ahead. I'll catch up with ya tomorrow."
I felt a moment of panic and his eyes met mine. "This is fine darlin'. I'll see ya tomorrow, don't worry."
Feeling reassured by that, I smiled and nodded. "If you're sure…"
He smiled. "I'm sure sugar. I know y'all have a lot to talk about and I intend to enjoy the rest of the evening." He looked to Caius and inclined his head. "Caius, until tomorrow…"
Caius placed his arm around my waist. "Until tomorrow, Major…"
We walked out of the bar and over to a waiting limo where he helped me in and slid in beside me. "I'm done for the evening Felix," he said as he kissed my hand. The driver said nothing but pulled smoothly out of the lot.
"It's a very short ride," Caius said as his fingers traced my temple and cheek. "Have you seen the castle?"
"Only from a distance," I answered.
He ducked down just a bit and pointed out the window. "Well, there it is. We'll be entering from the underground garage. You won't see much of the interior tonight as we'll be going straight up to my quarters."
Nerves gripped me as I studied his regal profile. "All right," I murmured as I wondered what he was expecting of me. Did he think we'd have sex? I sighed and looked out the darkened window. He most likely did. We were mates or so he'd said…why wouldn't he expect that? Still, I couldn't help but feel reluctant to take such a step with him. We'd only just met after all, and to top that, his first glimpse of me had been while Jasper and I… God, what he must think of me!
"Caius?"
"Hmm?" he answered as he stared straight ahead.
"What was your purpose for inviting me back to the castle this evening?"
He turned his head and looked into my eyes. "I intend you claim you Isabella," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
I gasped. "But…"
He smirked. "But what?"
My brow pinched. "What about what you saw between Jasper and I?"
"What about it?"
I had to admit, I was shocked by his nonchalant attitude. "We were…we…" I stuttered and he laughed.
"Having sex Isabella? Yes, I know. It was quite the show. Very enticing," he ended with a smile.
"I don't do that…I mean…I never," I rushed out and he smirked at me.
"Just what is troubling you about this situation Isabella?"
I glared at him. "Fine. I'm not a whore. Jasper was my first and that was the day he turned me."
"Good," he said baldly. "I can't stand breaking in virgins and as far as Major Whitlock goes, well, we've shared in the past. We live very long lives Isabella…too long to be as puritanical as the humans are. You'll get used to it."
I know I probably resembled a fish as I stared. "You two have…shared?"
He chuckled. "Oh yes. Dora just loves Major Whitlock."
The limo pulled into the garage and stopped and he moved to open the door. Before he could step out, I stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Dora?" I questioned.
"Yes," he said as he stood and held out his hand.
I took it and stood from the car. "Who is Dora?"
He looked down at me and cupped my cheek as he answered. "My wife."
I froze for a moment as my mind raced. What a hell of a predicament this was. Then I focused on the King's face; the arched brow, the arrogant, knowing smirk, and I have to admit, it pissed me off for some reason. I wasn't that shy, sad little depressed teen any longer after all. I was now vampire and a damn hot one. Time to turn this encounter around.
Finding my panties in the seat, I quickly slipped them on and slid gracefully out of the booth. Now standing with my back directly in front of the arrogant King, I bent to retrieve my jeans.
I took my time sliding them on, up my legs and slowly over my ass as I stared into Jasper's mirth filled eyes with a smirk. He obviously knew how I was feeling. There was no hiding it from him after all. When I'd fastened them, I turned and held out a hand. "A pleasure," I said as his darkened gaze slowly slid up my body to finally meet my eyes.
He took my hand, raised it and placed a soft kiss on the back. "The pleasure is all mine, lovely Isabella," he murmured as I fought to stay composed through the amazing electric feeling that now hummed through my body from his touch.
His gaze cut over to Jasper. "May I join you?"
Jasper inclined his head. "By all means, please do."
I slid back into the booth next to Jasper as Caius pulled up a chair and sat. He signaled for the waitress and I tried desperately to figure out what had just happened between us. I'd never felt anything quite like that and I struggled to even put what I'd felt to coherent thought. Whatever it had been was instant, all-consuming and I now felt tied to him. I would have to talk to Jasper about it later.
When the waitress arrived he ordered what sounded like a bottle of wine before directing his gaze back to us. "Major Whitlock…it's been a very long time since I've had the pleasure of your company."
Jasper nodded as he slid an arm around my shoulders and I relaxed against him as he answered. "It has."
The wine came and the waitress poured a taste. When it met Caius' approval, she filled the glass and left. Caius relaxed back and smirked. "When last we met, you were living a rather tame existence with Carlisle. Are you still with his coven?"
Jasper absently toyed with his empty shot glass as he answered. "No, we've finally parted company. I went back to Washington to take care of a loose end they'd left behind and now here we are."
Caius lowered his glass and cocked a brow. "Loose end?"
Jasper reached over and poured two more shots for us as he answered. "While living in Washington, Edward had become involved with a human girl whom he later decided to leave behind. She knew what we are, so I went back to take care of the problem seein' as he wasn't willing."
Caius' expression darkened. "Is such behavior a habit with him?"
Jasper knocked back his shot and shrugged a shoulder. "He's done it twice before this 'un. At least those are the ones I know of in the years I was with 'em. I took care of one of 'em and Rosalie took care of the other."
As I listened to this, cold rage filled me. It had never occurred to me that he could have done this before, much less twice before. And took care of? Were they vampires now too, or did he mean that in an entirely different way?
"And Carlisle? What is he thinking letting his childe compromise the secret in such a way? I'm assuming, of course, he knew," Caius drawled as he took a sip from his glass.
"Oh, he knew all right, but he can't seem to deny his golden child anything." He glanced down at me. "If you ever wondered why Rosalie seemed to hate you so fiercely, it's because she had to go back and kill the one he left before you. It changed her havin' to do it since she'd never killed an innocent before. She never really got over it, so when he started messin' with you…"
I nodded as I picked up my shot and downed it. It all made perfect sense now, and I can't say I blamed her. I would have felt the same.
"So the lovely Isabella was the loose end…I had wondered." His eyes met mine and his lips quirked in a half-smile. "You seem very new to this life, although I must say, you have exceptional control for one so young."
Jasper pulled me close and played his fingers through my hair. "She is unique among newborns, there's no doubt about it."
Caius seemed to shake himself from thought as he focused back on Jasper. "Well, this is an issue that needs to be looked into and dealt with. It can't continue, especially if you're not there to clean up. Were the other two turned?"
Jasper pulled out a pack of smokes and lit one, blowing the smoke to the side before answering. "Nope. The one I dealt with was a mess when I went back. Girl could barely function. Her family was gettin' ready to have her hospitalized she was so bad. Muttered constantly about her vampire but nobody believed her. Thought she was crazy, and it's a good thing they did. I made it look like a suicide which no one questioned since she'd been so bad off."
"Hmm, yes that was fortuitous," Caius muttered before taking a drink of wine. He peered into the glass and swirled the contents before looking back up. "And the other?"
Jasper stubbed out his cigarette and poured another shot before relaxing back in the seat. "Well, as I said, Rose took care of that one. I was off helping out a friend in a fight—you remember Pete?"
Caius smirked and nodded. "I do."
"I can only tell ya what Rose told me later. One thing ya need to know is Rose hates this life. Consequently, she'd rather see someone dead than turned, so that's what she did."
I tensed and looked up at Jasper. "She didn't even give her a choice? Was the girl in her right mind?"
Jasper shrugged and drank his shot. "From what Rose said, yeah, the girl was fine and wanted nothing more than to be turned. Rose snapped her neck and staged a car accident." He met my eyes and shrugged. "Like I said, Rose hates what she is and would never turn someone."
Caius smirked into his glass. "A bit harsh, that, although still within the law."
A shiver ran up my spine. "I suppose I should be thankful it was you who came for me and not Rose," I muttered as I lifted the shot glass and drained it.
Jasper chuckled. "You don't know the half of it darlin'. I had to get Emmett to watch her every minute. She was hell bent to take care of you. You pissed her off worse than any human ever has since you wanted to be turned so badly." He nodded. "Yep, she'd a' killed you with pleasure."
I smirked as I poured another shot. "Well, now I don't feel bad for the bitch. Back to pure hate it is." I raised my glass in a mock toast and drained it as Jasper chuckled. Caius merely smirked as he watched me through hooded eyes.
I had to admit, his steady stare was getting to me; he affected me and I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was just the damn tequila? Still, it was as though I could feel a caress wherever his gaze touched on me. It was a bit maddening and I tucked myself closer to Jasper as a slow grin curved Caius' crimson lips, I'm assuming, at my obvious discomfort.
Slowly sliding his glass onto the table, he rose and held out a hand to me. "Would you care to dance, beautiful Isabella?"
I glanced at Jasper and he nodded. "Go ahead if you want darlin'. You're your own woman and I ain't gonna stop ya."
Sliding my feet into my shoes, I stood and took Caius' hand, once again amazed at the feeling that coursed through me at his touch.
He led me down a short course of stairs and into the center of the floor where he turned me to him and pulled me close. I circled my arms around his neck as his hands glided down my sides where they came to rest at the small of my back.
As we started to sway, his eyes stared into mine and I found that I couldn't look away from that heated red gaze. "What is this?" I questioned in quiet wonder and he cupped the back of my head with one hand and brushed his lips over mine in a whisper of a kiss.
"What does it feel like?" he answered with a question against my parted lips.
My eyes closed completely as I kissed him, keeping it light and soft as we moved and breathed together. "Like nothing I've ever felt before," I breathed.
He smiled against my cheek as he moved to whisper in my ear. "That is because it is a rare thing to find one's mate lovely Isabella."
I drew back and stared at him, stunned at what he'd just said but it was obvious to me, as he stared back, he was serious. "What does this mean?" I asked as our slow dance continued.
His lips trailed down to my neck where he placed light kisses as I leaned into him. "What do you want it to mean?" he murmured.
I closed my eyes and savored the feel of him against me as I thought on his question. "I don't know," I finally admitted aloud.
A soft laugh was his reply as his lips found mine again. I could taste the wine he'd had but under that, I could taste him and he was intoxicating.
With a slight tilt of his head, he deepened the kiss and I moaned into his mouth as his tongue entwined with mine. He was pulling me closer now and I could feel every dip and plane of his body against mine as he sucked gently on my lower lip. "Isabella," he murmured against my cheek between kisses. "Will you accompany me back to the castle?"
I couldn't have said no even if I'd wanted to. Something had flared to life within me, something tied directly to him and I just couldn't deny him. "Yes," I whispered. "I will."
I felt a smile curve his lips a second before he kissed me again. "Good," he whispered as he straightened and took my hand. He turned and looked back at me with a gentle tug to my hand. "Let's be on our way then."
We walked back up the stairs and to the table where Jasper still reclined. He watched us approach with a knowing smirk. "Leavin' already?" he questioned when we stopped at the table.
"Isabella is coming back to the castle with me. You are welcome to join us. I'm sure Dora would be happy to see you again."
Jasper waved the hand that rested by his glass. "You go ahead. I'll catch up with ya tomorrow."
I felt a moment of panic and his eyes met mine. "This is fine darlin'. I'll see ya tomorrow, don't worry."
Feeling reassured by that, I smiled and nodded. "If you're sure…"
He smiled. "I'm sure sugar. I know y'all have a lot to talk about and I intend to enjoy the rest of the evening." He looked to Caius and inclined his head. "Caius, until tomorrow…"
Caius placed his arm around my waist. "Until tomorrow, Major…"
We walked out of the bar and over to a waiting limo where he helped me in and slid in beside me. "I'm done for the evening Felix," he said as he kissed my hand. The driver said nothing but pulled smoothly out of the lot.
"It's a very short ride," Caius said as his fingers traced my temple and cheek. "Have you seen the castle?"
"Only from a distance," I answered.
He ducked down just a bit and pointed out the window. "Well, there it is. We'll be entering from the underground garage. You won't see much of the interior tonight as we'll be going straight up to my quarters."
Nerves gripped me as I studied his regal profile. "All right," I murmured as I wondered what he was expecting of me. Did he think we'd have sex? I sighed and looked out the darkened window. He most likely did. We were mates or so he'd said…why wouldn't he expect that? Still, I couldn't help but feel reluctant to take such a step with him. We'd only just met after all, and to top that, his first glimpse of me had been while Jasper and I… God, what he must think of me!
"Caius?"
"Hmm?" he answered as he stared straight ahead.
"What was your purpose for inviting me back to the castle this evening?"
He turned his head and looked into my eyes. "I intend you claim you Isabella," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
I gasped. "But…"
He smirked. "But what?"
My brow pinched. "What about what you saw between Jasper and I?"
"What about it?"
I had to admit, I was shocked by his nonchalant attitude. "We were…we…" I stuttered and he laughed.
"Having sex Isabella? Yes, I know. It was quite the show. Very enticing," he ended with a smile.
"I don't do that…I mean…I never," I rushed out and he smirked at me.
"Just what is troubling you about this situation Isabella?"
I glared at him. "Fine. I'm not a whore. Jasper was my first and that was the day he turned me."
"Good," he said baldly. "I can't stand breaking in virgins and as far as Major Whitlock goes, well, we've shared in the past. We live very long lives Isabella…too long to be as puritanical as the humans are. You'll get used to it."
I know I probably resembled a fish as I stared. "You two have…shared?"
He chuckled. "Oh yes. Dora just loves Major Whitlock."
The limo pulled into the garage and stopped and he moved to open the door. Before he could step out, I stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Dora?" I questioned.
"Yes," he said as he stood and held out his hand.
I took it and stood from the car. "Who is Dora?"
He looked down at me and cupped my cheek as he answered. "My wife."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.