Elemental Goddess by wizardtho
Chapter 3: The Original Mark
When the silence was finally broken, it was Jasper's voice asking, “Darlin', where did you get that elemental earth mark on your back?”
I knew he would ask, due to his reaction while we made love. “Actually, I was born with it. I know it looks like a tattoo, but both Renee and Charlie swear it was there when I was born. I always thought it was kind of cool, so I never tried to have it removed.”
He traced his fingertips over the mark several times before he spoke again. “It's gonna sound insane, but I was born with a mark very similar on my back, Darlin'. Mine is the elemental air mark. This is just another sign that we were meant to be, Sugar. I love you.”
He moved my hair off my neck to kiss the juncture between my neck and shoulder. Then my stomach decided to make its presence known... loudly.
I groaned, then heard Jasper chuckling into my neck. “Let's get you something to eat and get cleaned up. Then we need to figure out what we're gonna do about Charlie, along with me being in town still.”
I groaned when he pulled out, so he looked at me in worry, “Are you sore? Did I hurt you?”
I smiled as I shook my head, “You didn't hurt me, Cowboy. I promise. I just wish you could've stayed.”
I blushed, so he kissed my forehead. “We can get back to that thought later... after you've had nourishment.”
We dressed, heading for the kitchen with Jasper holding my hand the whole way. He sat on one of the kitchen chairs as I rummaged through the cupboards for my breakfast.
As I gathered my cereal, bowl, and milk, he came up behind me to whisper seductively in my ear, “Watching you just now, hunting through the cupboards, it makes me long to see how sexy you would be hunting alongside me.”
I melted back into his embrace, then I really caught what he said. “You... you think I... would be sexy hunting as a vampire?”
I stumbled over the words, hoping he really meant them. “Of course I do, Darlin'. I know we haven't talked about it yet, but... I want you with me... when I hunt, when I relax with a book, every moment of every day... I want you. Whether you choose to stay human, or you wish to be changed, I want you for as long as you'll have me.”
He placed several small kisses at the juncture of my neck and shoulder, then sat back down in the chair looking as relaxed as I've ever seen him. I brought my breakfast to the table, making ready to eat. Just before the spoon entered my mouth, I looked up at Jasper to whisper, “Thank you... you don't know how much it means to me to know that you want me forever. And just so you know, I want you that, too... forever with you.”
As soon as the last word came out of my mouth, Jasper had me up in his arms kissing all over my face while whispering his love for me. I giggled, then he sat me back down in my chair. “While I eat, why don't you tell me what the public story is, so we can figure everything out. Charlie won't be home until around dinner, so we should have enough time to go over most of it.”
He leaned back in his chair and started, “Alright, Darlin'. The public story is that Carlisle got a huge opportunity at a hospital in California. Of course, they just couldn't pass it up. I guess the easiest thing would be to say that Edward didn't want to try the long-distance thing, so you agreed to go your separate ways. I was supposed to be off at college anyway. I can say that I missed the area, so I decided to transfer and take classes in Port Angeles. I'm staying at the house because I don't want to worry about finding a room on campus so late. As far as what we really do, what would you say to graduating early?”
I laughed, “I would love it, but how?”
That sly smile was back. Let me tell you, it was a panty-dropper. “Well your grades are well above average, so it wouldn't be a far stretch for you to get your GED... test out early. I checked this morning before you woke. You can take the test this coming Friday. All you have to do is do a few online tests between now and then, plus fill out a form. Then you can go take the test Friday. I'll have a rush put on the results, and we should have your GED in hand by next Tuesday at the latest. All legal, all 100% genuine. How does that sound, Sugar?”
Well that sounded like just about the best thing ever... and I told him that. I liked that it would be legal, so I wouldn't have to lie to Charlie about it. I have withheld so many things from him, I just didn't want to have to lie about early graduation too.
I thought about what I wanted to do after I got my GED while I finished my breakfast. Jasper must have sensed this, because he left me to my thoughts, choosing to read the paper instead. I loved Charlie, but I didn't want to stay in Forks if I didn't need to. I wanted to be somewhere warm and dry again. I missed Phoenix, but I didn't want to go back there either.
Hmm... where to go. Would Jasper be able to go somewhere like that? If he could, where would he want to go? The only way to find out is to ask, right?
“Jazz? Do we need to be in a place like Forks? I mean, it's damp and cold. I was just wondering if we had to stick to that climate wherever we go.”
He smiled, laid down the paper, then said, “I was turned in Texas, where I was born. I don't really like the weather here, so no... we don't have to stick to this climate. Is there somewhere you would like to go, Darlin'?”
I smiled widely. “Nowhere specific, but somewhere warm and dry. I don't wanna go back to Phoenix, though.”
He sat back in his chair for a second before he spoke again, I guess thinking of possibilities. “Darlin', do you know my story?”
I shook my head, “Edward always said that it wasn't his place to tell other people's stories. Plus, I figured that if you wanted me to know, you would tell me.”
He got up from his chair, placed my empty bowl in the sink, then grabbed my hand. I followed him up to my room before we laid on the bed facing each other. “I won't get into all the gory details, but I would like to tell you my story now.”
“I was a Major in the army when I was turned. I had stopped to help what I thought were a few stragglers. The leader of the three women was Maria. She turned me, and when I woke from the change, she explained to me what my new life was. She was the leader of a vampire army. I was to help her train her soldiers. When my gift made itself known, that helped to keep them in line. We were fighting for blood, meaning the more territory we had, the more food we had access to. When I did well, I got rewarded with blood and sex. When I didn't... well it wasn't a trip to Disneyland. I had to turn and dispose on a regular basis, because after the first year, a vampire's initial strength wanes.”
At my nod of understanding, he said, “One that I turned -Peter- was set to help me dispose of a batch of yearlings one night, but his mate was one of them. I caught his feelings when she was sent in, and he begged me to let them flee... to find a life outside of the fighting. I let them go. Several hellish years later, they came back for me. They told me it wasn't like what Maria led us to believe. We could live in peace. By that time, I hated feeding at all, because I could feel everything the person felt as I fed. But that was my life for almost my first hundred years as a vampire. Feeding, fighting, and fucking. They helped me flee from Maria, the army, all the constant war. That's where all my scars come from. Every vampire other than Maria that placed a scar on me is no more. It was kill or be killed. I stayed with Peter and his mate Charlotte for a while, but the depression from feeding didn't get any better. I traveled for a while, and that's when I met Alice.”
I winced, but he cupped my cheek tenderly as he said, “She told me about another way to feed, then she talked to me about Carlisle and the rest of the family. We left to find them, but she helped me acclimate to hunting animals in the time we searched. The reason I'm telling you this is because Peter and Charlotte live on my property in Texas. It would be nice to see them again. Alice never let me... said it was too dangerous. She was sure I would slip. They don't feed on animals, but they are very selective. They only feed on certain people... rapists, murderers, and occasionally the terminally ill. I know I won't change my diet though, so if you want...”
I was floored by what he just told me. OMG... I pushed his shoulder gently so that he would lie back. Once he did, I climbed on top of him, wrapping myself fully around him. “You are so strong, Jasper. You pulled yourself out of that life with help, but you had to take the steps to do that. You wanted a better life than what you had, so you did what you had to, to give yourself some resemblance of peace. I'm grateful for Peter and Charlotte, and I'm grateful for you meeting Alice. If none of that would have happened, I wouldn't be in your arms right now. I hate what that bitch Maria did to you, though. You are my strong cowboy, no matter what anyone tries to say. If you believe I will be safe around Peter and Charlotte, I say we go for it. I would like to meet them.”
I sat up to look at him, so he would know that I was sure. He smiled widely, placing his hands on my hips. A jolt of arousal shot straight through me, making me bite my lip to suppress a moan. Christ, the feelings this man inspired in me at the slightest touch.
I ground my center down on him, then winked and shot out of bed. Luckily I landed on my feet, without falling flat on my face. He growled playfully, then whispered as he licked the shell of my ear, “I think we should get showered. Why don't I run to the house, shower there? By the time you get done with your human moments, I should be back and waiting for you on the bed. Then we can get some more things talked about. Plus, I want to go to Port Angeles sometime soon to get a vehicle. The only one I have is my Ducati, and I want a truck for the trip to Texas.”
He... OMG! “Shit, Jazz! You have a Ducati?!? Can I ride with you sometime?”
I loved motorcycles. I haven't ridden in a long time, though. Mine was left in Phoenix, but it was nowhere near a Ducati. “Sure, Darlin'. I can feel your excitement. We will probably take that to go look for a truck, anyway.”
I hugged him to me, placing soft kisses on his chest, right above his still heart. He placed a kiss on the top of my forehead, then said he would be back in no more than 45 minutes.
I went downstairs, cleaned up from breakfast quickly, then went back to my room for my bathroom bag and short maroon robe. In the bathroom, I brushed out my hair, washed my face, then brushed my teeth. I took my time in the shower, shaving all necessities, washing, and just enjoying the fall of the hot water. I thought about all that has happened to bring me to where I am now. I knew for a fact that this was what was meant to be. It just felt right.
I feel complete when I am with Jasper. My Jasper.
I finished my shower, dried off before wrapping in my silk robe, dried and braided my hair, then walked back to my room. I looked at the clock, noticing it hadn't quite been 45 minutes yet, so I walked to my dresser to find something to wear.
I found a cute bra and thong set, my distressed skinny jeans, as well as a daggered heart hip-length tee. Then I went to my closet to find my cropped black leather jacket, as well as my calf-length black leather boots with the low heel. I placed it all on the bed, then smirked at knowing that Alice wouldn't be dressing me anymore. God, I hated those preppy boring clothes she put me in.
I dropped my robe, then suddenly heard a gasp behind me. Jasper stood in my window, mouth open in shock. I looked down to make sure I hadn't cut myself shaving, then looked at him in confusion. “Jazz, what's wrong?”