The Plan
Jade was instantly in the basement, stopping short behind Carrie; who had streaks of blood on her cheeks. She had been crying. Even without the bond, Jade knew she’d be terrified and it broke her heart to see her torn up inside over that asshole. It had taken Carrie a while to open up about the horrors she faced under captivity by Marcus. Right before she let Carrie go, she gave some of her blood to heal her. And Jade knew very well that would send him into a rage.
His weakness always was and is Carrie. As much as Jade hated it, she could dangle her right before his eyes and make him lose his shit. A vampire filled with fury is a vampire not thinking clearly. This made her feel equal parts amused and guilty, because she hated using Carrie that way. After all, this was how she was able to lure him out his brothel/nest, letting all the girls go and burning the place down. She felt glee and satisfaction while she watched flames engulf the entire building.
Carrie stood there in shock, watching as the whorehouse burned down. She felt this wave of relief overcome her, knowing this horrible place was gone for good. She turned her attention to Jade, who was staring at the disaster with glee. She could see the reflection of the flames in her eyes, and it made her shudder a little. Obviously, this woman meant what she said when she told her she could help her. Jade Valentine was not to be trifled with. This thought bought comfort to Carrie. Although, her fear returned instantly when Marcus was suddenly dangling in the air, held up by Jade.
Jade smirked as she watched the flames. She used Carrie to drive him away, and now she is using the flames to draw him back. She felt him before he showed up. In a move too fast for Carrie to see, she suddenly had her hand wrapped around his neck dangling him in the air. Her eyes were red, and fangs were out. This was something Carrie had not seen on a vampire before. Do all vampire’s eyes glow red? Or was there something more to this woman than she knew?
Marcus filled with fury, growled at Jade; ready to tear her limb from limb. “You fucking bitch! What have done?! What have you done to my business?!” He growled. Jade gave him a smug smile.
“Oh, you know, burn down your whorehouse of horrors and set all your “women” free. The usual thing I do when I run into assholes like you.” She retorted with humor.
“Fucking bitch.” He hissed.
“You said that already.” She mocked.
“Laugh all you want, bitch. You will pay for this, I swear it!” Jade laughed again at his words.
“Awww, did I make the mean man angwy? Oh! I’m so sowwy!” Jade says, feigning remorse. He tries to pry her hand from his neck, but he can’t. She’s stronger than him. “Heed my words, little man: Stay away from Carrie. She’s mine now. If you at all come any where near her, I will end you. That,” she says, gesturing to the fire, “is nothing compared to what I can do to you. That’s a punishment you’ll want to avoid at all costs. Make myself clear?” Marcus only glared at her, remaining silent. Jade rolls her eyes, obviously her words not sinking into his puny little brain.
“I will not take orders from…” Jade loses her patience, interrupting him.
“It’s quite clear you’re not hearing me, because you haven’t answered me.” She growls, squeezing his neck harder. “DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!” She hisses, her eyes glowing red again, her fangs making an appearance. He looks at her with both shock and fear, nodding his head.
“I’m sorry I can’t hear you!” She says, leaning her head closer.
“Okay. I will stay away from the girl…” he grumbles, then laughs. “You can have the bitch; I was getting bored with her anyway.” He says smugly as Carrie eyes fills with unshed tears. Fury filled Jade, and she squeezed his neck hard enough to snap his neck. She drops him to the ground and leaves him there. Disgust fills her as she looks at this man; this pathetic whelp of a man, who had no honor. She’s going to enjoy ending him when the time comes.
He’ll be back. They always come back.
The rest they say is history. She knew he’d be back sooner or later. A man with his mindset does not take loss well, and especially from a female. Jade laughs internally at this. And this is why she was able to manipulate and predict his actions; any of her enemies really. With Appius, Eric was his weakness, with Sophie Ann it was her greed and need to have the finest things available to her, and lastly, Marcus…it was his pride, ego and Carrie that was his very doom.
Yes, you could argue that Eric and Carrie are Jade’s weaknesses…and it’s true. But there was one tiny problem with this theory…Jade never loses her cool, and she never acts without a plan in place. She has always been able to remain objective and calm in times of crisis. Another lesson her father taught her as a child, and one she’d never forget.
Jade raised her hand reaching out to place a hand on Carrie’s shoulder, letting her know she’s here for her. Carrie instantly tenses.
“Don’t touch me.” She says in cold voice. Jade lowers her hand.
“Are you okay, Carrie?”
“No, I’m not okay. That…monster is coming back into my life for revenge. Am I supposed to be okay?” She says, incredulous, feeling a little angry. Jade only looked at her, her own face completely blank. “How can you be calm about all this?!” She asks, raising her voice.
“Because Marcus is no match for me. Plain and simple.” Carrie scoffs.
“Hello?! He’s the Magister!” Jade laughs.
“And you think this is going to stop me from protecting you?! Oh, ye of little faith!” Jade retorts with sarcasm.
“It’s not that I don’t have faith in you…its just…I’m scared.” Carrie says the last part in a small voice. Her maker sighs, letting down her walls. She gives her progeny a hug, pressing her head against her shoulder.
“It’s okay to be scared Carrie. You don’t have to hide from me. I may have taught you to be strong, but that doesn’t mean you have to be like me. If you wanna cry, you cry. If your scared, then be scared. Those release of emotions means you have been strong all along and are letting them go. Let me be the strong one for both of us.” Carrie nodded her head, taking a step back.
“You have a plan?”
“Did you forget who you were talking to? Of course, I have a plan!” Jade says with humor, raising an eyebrow. Carrie laughs at her.
“We’re going to do this like we did it the last time, except this time we’re going to play along with his little game; let him think he’s winning this time…then, we make our move.”
“What if he brings Eric and Sookie in this?”
“He won’t. All he wants is to humiliate you, get you back and definitely end me. But either way I’ve prepared for that as well. Bringing Eric along might not be a smart move for Marcus, especially knowing how protective he is of you.” Carrie looked at her maker, mother and sister.
“Thank you for everything, Jade. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be here.” Jade gave her a smile.
“You never have to thank me for saving you.”