Where did I leave off? Oh, yes. Jasper biting me, saving my life by not killing me right away. Lets take a moment and backtrack a few minutes in this, my last day as a mortal.
I remember the spray of the Gulf, light against my face as I stepped off the ship to complete the transaction. As water lapped against the side of the ship, I found myself smiling at the soothing sound. Such a fool… At the docks, I was surprised to see no sign whatsoever of my buyer. What could I do but search? I spoke to everyone I saw, calling for my buyer and further regretting my poor language skills. Had I taken two minutes to think, I would have brought one of the crew with me, many of whom were bi-lingual. Had I done that, of course, more lives would have been claimed. As I moved down the street, my search remaining fruitless, something struck me hard in the back of the head.
When I came to, it was dark. I was dimly aware of the feel of cold stone at my back, a sensual whisper coming out of the darkness. “Enjoy your reward, Major.” The voice, female, interrupted the low growling sound that seemed to pervade the space. As a lilting laugh spun through the air, the growl continuing, I heard the creak of a door. Light appeared, revealing a small room with stone walls and a hay-strewn concrete floor. I felt thick, oily ropes biting into my wrists and ankles and gasper when I saw the figure crouched before me. Eyes black as pitch, teeth bared, the sight of Jasper sent my hair curling once again. Fool that I was, I pled with him though it was clear the man was far past understanding.
His movements were graceful, fast, and fluid, hands and body a blur as he leapt at me. His touch on my cheek was icy, the growl growing in volume as I realized it was rumbling from his chest. My mouth went dry; he meant to kill me. Hungry, feverishly mad eyes watched as my body tensed. He laughed. “I told you I’d kill you.” His whisper was almost happy, an edge of madness haunting his tone. Pale fingers played along my jawline as my fear grew, keeping me frozen to the spot. My heart pounded, racing as adrenaline flooded my system, but I couldn’t run. Again, Jasper laughed and I wished momentarily that I understood the joke. He tilted my head to one side, leaning in so close that his scent surrounded me. The woodsy, sweet scent acted as a sort of novicaine, but the fear still lingered until the moment he finally bit.
I gasped once, unable to cry out as his teeth sank into my flesh. I’d heard stories on the bayou, remembered them now that my entire wasted life was flashing before my eyes. I dimly recall saying his name, perhaps pleading with him, mentioning my children, begging him to spare me…until the burning started. It came from nowhere, fire licking its way along my entire body. Dimly aware of noises from outside, curses and growling, crackling fire, cries of pain, I let out a cry of my own as Jasper dropped me to the stone ground. My bonds were gone, removed at some point during his feast, but I couldn’t move. I heard a whoosh, the door opening, and was then left alone with my thundering heart.
The invisible fire continued to burn along my body, inhuman sounds forced between my tightly clenched teeth as I writhed. I have no idea how long Jasper was gone or how long I burned, but at some point during the burning he reappeared at my side. Holding me down, his calm voice gave me something to focus on, to listen to, as my heart beat to shatter my ribcage. He explained everything, over and over, soothing each of my pained cries. By the end, I was convinced I’d gone half mad with the pain of it. Finally, as happens with all vampires, the fire died after it engulfed my every muscle and nerve, burning away my human body and leaving a form infinitely more durable in its place. My heard died last, beating for the last time as I wept in Jasper’s arms. Three days after being taken into that small stone room, the intended meal walked out, ready to examine his new world.
I hear Charlotte calling me. I’m sure she wonders what I am doing.
Adieu for now.
- Peter Devereaux
