Chapter Five – Marco/Jade POV

Marco POV

I put out my cigarette and walked back into the hospital, popping a mint into my mouth. I knew Jade knew, but we just had a mutual mental agreement to not talk about it. I’d quit for her. Just, maybe not today.

A nurse greeted me, holding out her hand, which I shook. “Mr. Lew! Right on time. Jade has made excellent strides, as I’m sure you know. We just gave her the discharge papers. She will need to be in therapy for awhile, and she’s appointed you as her mental caregiver. That means that if you detect any type of panic attack or PTSD episode, follow the procedure indicated in the booklet we gave her for you. If you choose to accept this role, you may also sign the papers. If you don’t, we will appoint a caregiver for her. Not to pressure you, but our patients have a far larger preference for a caregiver they know.”

I nodded. “Of course. Thank you.”

I made my way into her room, standing in the doorway playfully.

“Well hello there.”

She laughed. “Mmm, my gorgeous hubby, blocking my way out, huh?”

I grinned. “Nah. Just waiting. Definitely don’t want to keep you here any longer.” I chuckled. “Do you need help packing up?”

She nodded, and I helped her. I signed the caregiver form without hesitation and brought it to the front desk, looping my arms around Jade’s as we stepped out.

“I owe you a vacation,” I said with a smile.

She also smiled. “Where to?”

“Sulani,” I replied.

And so, we planned it immediately and made our way to our beach house rental. We got there late, so we set down our bags and immediately went to bed.

I was surprised by how affectionate she was the following morning. Like so many times prior to her loss, I woke up to her soft kisses and light brushes of her fingertips on my skin. It has been awhile since I felt that. My sensitivity was high and gave me feelings I’m sure she didn’t mean to give.

“What are you doing?” I asked with a smile.

“I don’t know,” she laughed quietly. “I’ve just missed this.”

I held her close and kissed her forehead. “Me too. I’m glad you’re alright.”

“I’m sorry for the hell I’ve put you through.”

I sat up. “Hell?” I shook my head as she also sat up. “Jade, if anyone has gone through hell, it’s you. It’s understandable that you were upset.”

“But you didn’t deserve it.”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re better, and this vacation is here to give us some normalcy again.”

She smiled. “Normalcy.”

I nodded as she moved closer. “Mhm.”

She caressed my cheek, moving toward me slowly with parted lips. As she did, she gazed into my eyes as if she was nervous.

Was she…seducing me? It was a shock if that was the case, because I certainly wasn’t used to it.

But, my theory was confirmed when she kissed me slowly, far more intimately than just a simple, loving kiss. It felt foreign, yet indescribable to be like this again, after so long of being apart. It was uncharted territory, but I loved it. So damn much.

She sat back and gazed at me as she took off the tank top she wore to bed. Then, her underwear. She kissed me again, hooking her fingers into my underwear and pulling them down, revealing me.

I watched her, a serious look on my face. God, I needed her. I needed her so badly. I kissed her and slowly laid her down again. 

“I don’t want to stop this time,” she said. “But if I do, I hope you’ll understand.”

“I will, mi amor.” I nuzzled her forehead, making her giggle.

We teased a little more before she guided me into her. That’s what I was waiting for. I didn’t want to make any moves she wasn’t ready for.

It was almost like visual sparks could fly. Being with her again wasn’t even about the pleasure. It was about the intimacy between us, and the closeness we both missed. She didn’t stop this time. She didn’t even seem like she wanted to. Of course, neither did I. If I had my way, it would last forever.

But alas, as we both became breathless and crept up to our climaxes, I knew it would eventually end. Not that there wouldn’t be more encounters on this trip, but this one was truly meaningful.

It was like our first time all over again. And that was pure magic.

We climaxed and laid together under the covers, holding each other and enjoying the afterglow. I was so glad she was back in my arms. I missed her terribly. Even if she had never been ready again, just being with her was enough.

Our vacation was starting out absolutely perfectly. Our first day brought us closer, maybe closer than we had ever been. She was almost always smiling, and it really made me happy to see her truly living again.

That night, after a nice dinner, we decided to explore the nearby waterfall. There were rumors that there was a cave behind it, and we wanted to explore. But of course, we did it at night, because we still didn’t always think clearly. We did, in fact, find the hidden cave, and quickly crawled into it to explore.

What could have led to fear, though, led to romance. She giggled as I playfully kissed her neck. The sound of the rushing waterfall that hid us masked any sound to other lodges and homes nearby. It was a quiet, secluded and private place.

I laid her down, kissing her deeply as my hand began to wander. I pressed my body against hers, my cravings quickly getting stronger. Our desire made us crazy for each other, like so many times in our past, and we breathlessly began to tease.

That is until I saw something out of the corner of my eye. 

“Wait, wait, hold on,” I said, sitting up. I glanced around. “Did you see that?”

She looked around as well. “No? What did you see?”

I shrugged, still glancing around nervously. “A shadow of a person. Just for a second.”

“Legend says there are island spirits,” Jade explained. “Maybe you saw one of them?” She pushed herself up, softly kissing my neck. “How rude of them to interrupt.”

I grinned, playfully pinning her and teasing her skin. Her hand rested on my cheek, and I bit her finger lightly.

“How it all began,” I joked, my words muffled by her finger. Of course I was referring to our playful banter before confessing our feelings. There was a lot of playful finger bites and gentle shoves as we had begun to flirt.

I nibbled her neck softly, and she bit her lip. “Marco the vampire.”

I laughed. “I’d make a badass vampire, wouldn’t I?”

She nodded. “Mhm. You with those red eyes. Yum.”

I grinned flirtatiously, in return, as I laid her down again, pinning her hands again as we kissed, over and over.

“Maybe I’ll keep being that vampire you seem to enjoy.” I spoke softly against her neck as I began to nibble it again.

She squirmed. “God, you’re making me crazy.” Her words came out with a small giggle. “But I feel really uneasy. Maybe we should head back?”

I stopped and sat up. “Good idea. Don’t need any island spirits spying on us.”

She opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak. She was cut off.

“You don’t like an audience?” We heard.

I looked over and saw a vampire. One Jade seemed to recognize. She froze in place and gasped. “Hell.”

The vampire grinned menacingly. “Yes, you know my name, and I know yours. Jade, or Ruby, whatever you go by now.”

We are separate now,” Jade growled. “You know this. Now leave us in peace.”

Hell laughed. “You think I came to Sunlani for fun?” She scowled. “I hate this place.”

I scrambled in front of Jade. “What do you want?”

“I want to grant your wish of being a vampire.” She grinned, but it was twisted and distorted. 

I grabbed Jade’s hand, attempting to run. Hell bolted in front of us and grabbed me. “Just kidding. I’m just thirsty. I can’t be bothered with actually turning you.”

She bit my neck, immediately drinking from me..

“Wha- no! Stop! Take me instead!” Jade begged, pushing Hell.

“No,” I whispered, fading in and out of consciousness.

Hell laughed, wiping her mouth. “A sacrifice? Oh, this is too perfect.” She grabbed Jade quickly, letting me fall. I tried to get up, but was quite weak, my neck throbbing from the bite, while stinging at the same time. I couldn’t dwell on this for long, though. Hell had Jade. She sank her teeth deeply into Jade’s neck, before I could stop her. Jade shut her eyes tightly, but let it happen, much to my horror. I got up, struggling to get Hell away from her, but to no avail. As Hell finished her sadistic meal, she dropped Jade, who gazed at me with heavy eyes.

“I’m sorry, Marco.” Her body went limp, falling into the water. I quickly rested her up on the rock.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” Hell said with a laugh, before taking on a mocking tone. “If you want your little ‘love’ saved, call Caleb. That softy knows what to do. I just hope he gets here before it’s too late.” She laughed again as she stood up, dashing off into the night with supernatural speed.

I looked back at Jade. “Oh god, Jade, reina, please, wake up!” I shook her a little, forcing a few drops of blood to fall onto the rock. I couldn’t help but feel like once again, I failed her.

“Call Caleb,” I said out loud. “But my phone…” I looked back at the lodge. It seemed like it was a mile away. I didn’t have enough time to get to my phone, call Caleb and expect him to save her. I looked back at her and furrowed my brow, feeling a newfound strength coursing through me. I dove into the deep part of the lagoon and swam to the lodge as fast as I could.

I immediately rushed in and grabbed my phone, frantically calling Caleb. 

“Marco?” He asked as he answered.

“Caleb! Help! Sulani at the waterfall. Jade has been attacked by a vampire! She said to call you to fix it. I don’t know what she meant! Please come quickly!”

Without hesitation, Caleb responded, “I’ll be right there.”

I placed my phone down and swam back to Jade in a hurry. Reaching her, I collected her in my arms and stroked her hair, catching my breath from my frantic swim. Caleb joined us in record time, dashing through the shallow water to us.

“I’ve got her,” he said quietly. I moved away and watched as he bit his own wrist. He looked at me as his blood began to drip down his arm. “This will turn her, Marco. She will be like me. And she will be incredibly thirsty when she wakes.”

I knew what Caleb was saying, but I was stunned. She would be a vampire? “I-I don’t care. She needs to be saved.”

Caleb nodded and held his arm up to Jade’s mouth, feeding her his tainted vampire blood in order to give her a new life. I braced myself. I knew what would come, but I trusted Caleb to keep her from draining me completely. 

Sure enough, her eyes snapped open, glowing a fierce red. She lunged at me, pinning me and sinking her teeth into my neck. Caleb immediately ran to our side, monitoring how much she was drinking before stopping her. He pulled her off of me and she sat back, wiping her mouth.

“Are you alright?” He asked me.

I nodded, sitting up. “Hurt like a bitch, and I’m a bit dizzy, but I’m alright.”

“I’m s-sorry,” Jade said quietly, moving toward me. I held her close. Her skin was like ice, her color drained.

“The deed is done,” Caleb said apologetically. “I wish the outcome had been different, but…” he stopped and sighed. “I’m sorry.”

I waved my hand. “As far as I’m concerned, you saved her life. I don’t care how. Thank you.”

He gave a solemn nod. “Of course.” He stood up. “I’ll leave you two.”

I nodded, picking her up as Caleb dashed off. “Let’s go back. You need rest.” 

We didn’t make it far before I collapsed in the water, weakened by Jade’s feeding. Alarmed, she grabbed me, holding my head above the water. She swam under me, allowing me to rest on her back as her newfound strength carried both of us to the lodge. She helped me into the bedroom. We undressed into bedtime attire and laid in the bed, under the blankets. 

“God, I’m so sorry, Marco,” she said, stroking the bite, lightly. “I lost control, I couldn’t help it. I wish I still had magic! I’d give you power or, or, or something!” 

I smiled, rubbing her back. “Right now, you can give me cuddles. Even magic wouldn’t replenish my blood. And hey, if it saved your life, I don’t care. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

She sighed and rested her head on my chest. “I di-“

“Ah.” I held up my hand. She fell silent. “Just rest, mi reina.”

I had no idea just how much our lives were about to change.

The following morning, I felt well rested, but any feelings of euphoria from a decent, restful night faded when I saw Jade. She was gazing into a mirror, studying her face.

“I thought vampires couldn’t see themselves in the mirror,” I said softly with a smirk.

Jade shrugged. “I can see myself. I guess others can’t see me.”

I sat up. “Are you okay?”

Jade sighed in frustration. “I’m pale. And I have these strange…cracks on my face?” She asked it like a question.

I continued to watch her. “I think you’re still beautiful.”

She laughed quietly. “Well, thanks, but I hate it.” She stepped away from the mirror and picked up her phone, focusing intently on the screen as she dialed a number. Something about her shifted demeanor just made me feel differently about her. It was like desire, but different. As if, when I thought I couldn’t fall deeper for her, this sudden change made exactly that happen.

She put her phone up to her ear, gazing up at the ceiling as she waited for an answer. My eyes traced those cracks on her face on her pale, almost gray skin. I didn’t care what she said, she was still beautiful.

“Hey Caleb!” She exclaimed. “Listen, I have a question for you. Actually, a few.” She sat on the end of the bed. I leaned in and massaged her shoulders as she spoke. I felt like I needed to. Like I needed to touch her to know she was still real. Still…alive. “Yeah, so, is there a way to get rid of this?” She paused. “Not really? So there is a way?” She looked disappointed. “Okay, okay, fine. I look different. How do I make that go away?” 

I heard Caleb laugh on the other end. I could see how this was amusing. She was more concerned about vanity than her current state of being undead.

They stayed on the phone for about an hour, during which Caleb explained vampirism, the powers she could train herself to hold, how she could make herself return to normal, at least in looks, and just how difficult it was to change from vampire to human. I watched her take notes about everything he said, and I had a better understanding of her condition, as did she. He offered to help train her when we were back in town, to which she agreed. I shook my head in disbelief. She wanted her magical abilities to stop the chaos in her life, and yet, here she was, needing to conquer another obstacle. It hardly seemed fair. I was sure she was feeling the same way. 

Once off the phone, she closed the notebook and set her phone down, turning her attention to me. “Yes, I’ll give you what you want.” She smirked.

“What I wa-mmmph!” I exclaimed as she eagerly shoved me back, her weight pressing me harder against the bed than she ever had the capacity to do before. I couldn’t speak, but I don’t mind. Her lips were on mine. Aggressively. Very aggressively. 

Jade POV

I needed him. It was such a powerful feeling of lust that I had ever experienced. Marco seemed to love it. His fingers curled into my back, his nails dragging across my skin as I kissed him with more passion than I ever had. Well this was something Caleb neglected to tell me. Guess I had to navigate it on my own. Not that I minded that. Nor did Marco. In fact, as the clothes came off, then the blankets, and as I claimed him instead of the other way around, he actually seemed to love it. He made more sounds. Sexy, intense sounds that I had never heard from him. His nails dug deeper, which fueled me to drive him even more wild. I felt powerful, dominant, and almost crazed. 

My lips left his and trailed down his neck, but the scent made me unexpectedly thirsty. This made me more aggressive, as I attempted to hold back the urge to drink from him. Not again. Instead, I focused on the task at hand. Driving him to madness in one, intense and passionate session.

This seemed to work. Through gasps and heavy, panting breaths, Marco clung to the sheets, finally speaking. “Ah f…fuck, jade…slow down baby…” 

His breathless begging only drove me crazier, but I relented, sitting up on him and gazing down at his face as I moved much, much slower. He let out a breathless laugh as he looked up at me. 

“You’re crazy,” he said with a hoarse voice. I smirked back. It wasn’t a complaint, but a very prominent compliment. He set up, trailing kisses along my chest. “I love it,” he murmured against my skin. I cradled his head, moving a bit faster as he teased me. 

“You and me both,” I responded, determined to give him the best damn morning of his life. Maybe being a vampire wasn’t so bad after all. 

Despite our latest session being intense and passionate, I made sure to draw it out for a long time. The longer we remained like this, the more aggressive I felt Marco get, until finally, he took control. With me underneath him, I truly saw, and felt, a side of him I never had. Now it was my turn to cling to the sheets, my body on fire as he pulled out all the stops. For hours. 

Even when we finally came to an explosive finish, we couldn’t keep our hands off of each other, leading to several more encounters as the day passed us by. By night, and after a much needed nap, we took on the night. 

We stepped into the beach, ready to spend the night in the water, and hopefully not back to the activity that stole our day. 

Marco laughed as we waded into the warm water of the Sulani Ocean. “Guess we are both nocturnal now.”

I giggled with him as I splashed water on myself, feeling more refreshed than I had in months. No, years, even. It was like the events that sent me spiraling never happened. Yes, of course I missed my son, but I had a better understanding that what I did was necessary. I had made peace with my past, and now, I was looking forward to my immortal future. 

However, just as soon as that refreshed feeling had filled every nerve ending of my body, it left, leaving me with a sharp pang. I was immortal, but Marco no longer was. He was going to grow old, while I stayed the way I was. 

Marco watched my smile fade. “What’s wrong?”

I dished what was on my mind. He also grew sadder the more I spoke. “I could go back to the realm.”

I shook my head, my icy hand caressing his cheek. “Marco, we left that for a reason.”

His hazel eyes pierced my red eyes. “Then turn me.”

My eyes widened. “M…Marco, no. I can’t do that. Not yet. I don’t even know how to navigate this, yet. How could I do it to you?”

He nodded sadly. “I see. Then, after you’ve learned?”

I watched his expression. I needed to know he was serious. After confirming to myself that he was, in fact, serious, I agreed.” Yes. After I’ve learned, and if you still want it.” I took his hands under the water. “I will turn you.”

He smiled, as if I had just told him we won the lottery. I hugged him tight. “I’ve never seen someone so happy to die,” I joked. 

“I don’t see it as death,” he whispered against my hair. “I see it as eternal life with you.”

I couldn’t help but blushed. Together for all these years, and yet he still knew how to make me red. 

The rest of our vacation was just as fun and necessary as we had planned it to be. I would have loved to see Hell’s reaction to that. Despite our fun and, well, quite sexually active vacation, I had a vendetta toward the one who turned me. She said she hated Sulani, yet she rushed here for a meal? Something wasn’t right. Were we targeted? If we were, why?

I had a mission, and as soon as we were back in the city, I was getting Caleb on board with it.

Chapter Six coming soon!