Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Ritual
   by Nysidra
   Fantasy Romance (MF, magic, wraith)
   <->
   Vera Reynolds squinted against the rays of morning light.  She rolled
over and pulled the covers overhead.
   The bedside alarm began its screeching bleat.
   Covers back, alarm off.  She stumbled to the shower and began her
morning ritual.  The bulk of her time involved styling her hair in a way
that would cover the spreading streak of muddy black in her brown hair. 
The few strands that emerged after puberty had become a stained patch. 
Vera wouldn't have minded it so much if it wasn't so damned ugly.
   In the kitchen, her mother and father were preparing for work.  The
aroma of bacon, coffee, eggs, and biscuits filled the air.
   Vera grabbed a biscuit, some bacon and perched to the breakfast counter.
   "Matthew," her mother put the cordless phone down beside her and kept
moving.
   Composure.  Sound nice.  Hide the irritation.  "Morning, Matthew."
   "Good morning, Vera.  Did you sleep well?"
   "Yes, thank you." Vera looked around and saw her mother looking back. 
"Did you?"
   "Absolutely, I dreamed of you."
   "Cool." She hung on the phone, waiting for his next question.
   "Do you want to catch a movie this weekend?"
   "Not this weekend, Matt.  I have some studying I need to catch up on."
   "Oh, that's great.  I'll come by and we can study together.  Maybe we
can watch something in the living room during a break.  Mr.  and Mrs. 
Reynolds shouldn't mind."
   No.  They wouldn't.  "Sure, if you want, but I just want to study."
   "Studying it is.  All business.  Hitting hard early, smart."
   Vera chuckled.  When was she going to do something about this?  "I'll
see you later."
   "I love you."
   "Love you too," Vera hung the phone up and went back to her bacon
biscuit.
   "That's so sweet of him to call and say good morning to you like that."
Her mother smirked over her cup of coffee.
   Vera stared back, expression drawn.
   "He's a nice young man, kind, considerate.  I don't know why you're so
cold to him."
   "If we keep on, we'll end up married.  I don't want that."
   "Christopher!" Her mother yelled.
   Two bangs echoed through the house.  Her older brother's signal that he
was awake.
   Thoughts of having to deny a proposal soured her mood.  "I'm not waiting
on him," Vera shouldered her bag.  She pantomimed a kiss to her parents
before heading out the door.
   Cynthia stood alone at the bus stop.  She cinched her jacket against the
steady, cool autumn breeze.
   "Where's Chris?" She asked.
   Vera shrugged.  "He's slow on the uptake this morning."
   Cynthia pouted and stared in the direction of Vera's house.
   "Ugh, too cold," Felicity, Vera's friend, joined them.
   Vera smiled.  "I like this weather.  Crisp, cool."
   "Pfft."
   Christopher jogged down the block to join them.
   Cynthia hit him on the shoulder.  "You're late."
   "I made it, didn't I?"
   "I wanted to walk to the store first." Cynthia dropped her backpack and
opened her arms.  "I want my sugar before the bus gets here."
   Christopher pulled her into his embrace and they exchanged a long, deep
kiss.
   Vera made a gagging motion toward Felicity.  "Ugh, do you mind please?
There are children present."
   "Speak for yourself," Felicity craned her neck back and forth.  "I'm
taking notes."
   Christopher chuckled.  "Ah, baby sis, you want some sugar too?"
   "Ugh, as if!"
   The distinctive hum of the large yellow school bus caused the four of
them to gather their bags and line up.
   Christopher and Cynthia sat together, same seat as always: just above
the back right tire.  Felicity led the way to their typical seat, the
second to last row on the left.  They used to sit all the way in the back,
but that was before the terrible Harold and Hannah dominated that space. 
The last person dumb enough to take their seat ended up with an after
school beating.
   So the people sitting in the back seats immediately caught her
attention. Dark and mysterious did not seem so generic when applied to the
boy on the right.  The cloud cover cast him in a dim light, but his hair
was stark black, black jacket, shirt.  Deeply tanned skin.  He didn't stand
out as a hunk or pretty boy.
   Poetic sportsman.  She grinned to herself.  It was going to be seeing
his face twice a day.
   Shame for it to get bruised.
   lA girl sat on the left, but other than an initial glance, Vera didn't
focus on her.  The thought nagged: say something.  What if something
happened to him?  What if she could prevent that?
   She set her bag down in her usual seat, then sat beside him.  "Hey."
   "Hi." He gave her a full overlook, then a smile.  Charming, disarming,
friendly.
   Goodness he looked even better up close.  Those lips, his jaw line.  She
smiled, hoping it didn't read boy-crazy.
   "Listen, two bullies usually sit back here.  You should move."
   A single nod.  "Thank you.  I'll be fine."
   What else could she say?  She'd given the warning.  No reason to keep
staring.
   Vera looked across the aisle from him.  The other girl looked beautiful,
dark hair, dark clothes.  His sister?
   She read a book in her lap.
   The squeak of the air brakes signaled another stop.  Vera dashed back to
her seat with Felicity.
   "What the fuck?" Felicity whispered.
   "Someone had to warn them."
   "All the good that did."
   Harold and Hannah were a rotten pair.  A couple of kids angry at the
world and anyone near them.  They were cousins, both big and tall, muscles,
stern faced, and ready to inflict torment on the weak.
   Harold was the first to say something to the girl.  "You're in my seat,
bitch.  Move."
   "Thanks."
   "Thanks?  What the fuck for?  Kicking your ass?"
   "For allowing me to sit here."
   "Listen you cunt," Hannah cut in.
   "Take your seats!" The bus driver yelled.
   "You heard him," the girl said.
   "You're going to fucking pay for this." Harold turned and glared at Vera
and Felicity.  No words had to be spoken, the girls scattered to the
nearest empty seats.
   "Some people have to learn the hard way," said Felicity.
   "I guess," Vera worried her bottom lip.  At least she tried to warn him.
The thought of the horrible Hannah and Harold making his first day a pain
put her in a bad mood.  "Have you seen either of them before?"
   Felicity shook her head.  "Transfers?"
   "Maybe."
   From where?  Why?  What grade?  Could she sneak in a few hallway
glimpses?
   ***
   Vera spotted him in the lunch room.  The door had barely closed behind
her.  As she worked her way through the line, she stole looks at him,
sitting alone, head down, gorgeous dark locks framing his face.
   Lunch in hand, she made her way to him at a corner table.
   What was it about him?  It didn't make sense.  There wasn't anything
about his looks or attitude.  Not really.  She didn't know him, but
goodness, she wanted to.
   Now was the best time to start.
   She sat across from him.  "Hello."
   "Am I in someone's seat again?"
   Vera grinned.  "No.  My name is Vera."
   He pushed his food around on the tray.  No response.  He didn't look up.
   "What's your name?"
   "Jasper."
   "What grade are you in?"
   "I'm a junior."
   "Oh, I'm a sophomore." Another question and she'd sound like a reporter.
   Might as well eat then.
   The two of them ate their lunch in silence.  He didn't want anything to
do with her, obviously.
   "What class do you have next?" His voice sounded reserved, low.
   Vera brightened.  "Mythology."
   He hummed.  "Me too."
   "Cool.  It's a great class."
   "I have no idea where to find the building.  Can I walk with you?"
   Vera's heart skipped a beat.  "Yes, sure.  Did you transfer here?"
   He set his utensil down and looked up.  Gold topaz and storm cloud eyes
met hers.
   Vera audibly gasped.  How had she missed such beautiful eyes?  Those
dark lashes were long and almost feminine.  His hair was mainly black, but
he had a streak of rust red tucked behind his ear.  The streak reminded her
of her own loathsome problem.
   There was only the roar cafeteria background conversation as they stared
at one another.
   The bell rung and the spell broke.
   Jasper gathered his bag and stood.  She'd thought Hannah and Harold were
tall, but Jasper had a few inches over them.  He was much thinner though.
"Lead the way."
   Vera shook herself back to reality.  "So who was that other girl?  Your
sister?"
   "My sister?  You mean Soraya."
   "Yeah, on the bus." Vera found herself gravitating toward him as she
walked.  Several times she nearly collided with him.  What would it feel
like to hug him?
   They reached the classroom door all too soon.
   "Where do you sit?" He asked.
   Vera barely suppressed her giggle as she led him over to her desk.  He
selected the seat beside hers.  He had nice rounded shoulders, a slim
physique.  The more she looked at him the less she understood her
attraction, yet the stronger that attraction became.
   "Are you okay?"
   "Yeah," Vera quickly turned away from him and focused on her books. 
"I'm fine."
   Attraction.  Sex.  Could she do it with him?
   Stop being a pervert.  She redoubled her effort to focus on the teacher.
   She had to temper her enthusiasm with keeping cool.  She didn't want to
seem like some kind of fool around him.
   A bigger fool.
   "For this exercise I want you to pair up with another classmate and work
through the questions at the end of the chapter."
   No question.  Vera stood to move her desk closer to his and bumped into
him.  He'd moved his chair closer to her.
   "Sorry."
   Jasper grinned.  "Glad we feel the same way."
   Vera did an inward dance as she took her seat.
   ***
   Her voice delighted his ear.  That was the first thing he liked about
her.  Jasper stared out the window.  He could enjoy only that and no more.
   When she joined him in the cafeteria, his first thought was, she's hot.
He could spend hours in her company.
   Jasper avoided eye contact for the remainder of their meal, but her soft
persistence won him over.
   They had a class together, and her visible flush and fluster could not
be ignored.
   "Have you studied wraiths in this class?"
   "Not yet," she flipped through her book.  "I think that comes later. 
Why?"
   "My favorite."
   "No, not yet, but don't let the teacher know it.  He'll call on you for
everything."
   They worked through the lesson.  Occasionally, she stared at him with
half a smile, glazed expression.  He noticed, but pretended not to, so as
not to embarrass her.
   "What's with that red streak in your hair?  You do that in a salon?"
   Is that what she had been staring at?  "No.  My hair grows this way,
it's genetic."
   "Yeah.  I have one too, but yours looks so much better.  Did you always
have it?  I first noticed mine in middle school."
   It seemed like a lifetime passed between the moment she spoke and his
mind scrambled for a response.  "You have one too?"
   "Yeah, I cover it up.  It's ugly.  Nothing like yours.  Like, right in
the middle of my head.  I'm hoping my mom lets me dye it next year."
   "Interesting.  I rarely see it in others."
   "Don't get your hopes up.  It doesn't look nearly as cool as yours."
   Jasper smiled.  "Thanks.  I don't suppose you have some kind of funky
pale birthmark too?"
   She cracked a smile that belied her efforts to see if he was joking. 
"Yes," she finally said.  "Do you?"
   "Maybe." Jasper's smiled broadened.  What if the person he sought had
found him first?  "What's the rest of your schedule like?"
   ***
   Felicity caught up with Vera between classes.  "You slut."
   "What?!"
   "Amber says you were sitting next to the new kid during lunch."
   "I wanted to warn him about the bus thing.  That's all."
   Felicity smirked and propped against the locker beside her.  "We'll talk
later."
   Vera went to call after her, but caught sight of Jasper instead.  He was
easy to spot with his height and presence.  Furthermore, he was leaning
against the wall next to her last class.
   "Hey."
   "That's my class across the hall.  So, after final bell, help me get
back to the bus?"
   Vera grinned.  "No problem.  Meet you after class." She spun around and
nearly ran into Matthew.
   "Who was that?"
   "New person," Vera answered as she went to her desk.  Damn it!  What did
he see?
   "Where'd you meet him?"
   "The bus.  He's a transfer.  I helped him find classes."
   "Cool.  It's nice of you to be so kind like that."
   Vera nodded and kept her eyes on her books.  Like she needed his
approval.  If her eyes weren't on her desk, they were on the teacher.
   It was much easier than this morning, physically.  Mentally, she was
locked and a fanciful struggle with thoughts of Jasper.  Would she see more
of him tomorrow?  Maybe he just needed her to get around the school. 
That's all.  They were only friends.
   Each minute closer to the final bell, the faster Vera's heart raced. 
She had to keep cool with Matthew watching her like a hawk.  Just a friend,
just a friend, just a-
   The final bell rang and Vera gathered her books.  Matthew fell in step
beside her.  He usually walked her to the bus before heading toward his
own.
   "Hi, Jasper, this is my friend, Matthew.  Matthew, Jasper is new to the
school."
   Matthew sized Jasper up and shrugged him off.  That was a relief.
   Vera led the way, dodging through the crowds and avoiding looking at
either Matthew or Jasper.  Once they reached the bus Vera said her good
byes to Matthew as usual.
   Matthew said, "How were your classes today?"
   "They were fine.  I have a test tomorrow though." She glanced at Jasper,
then back down to her shoes.
   "All right.  Call me if you need me." He waved to Jasper.  "Nice to meet
you."
   Vera got on the bus and sat beside Felicity.  Jasper and his sister
Soraya took the back seats again.
   "Spill," said Felicity.
   Vera leaned over, cupped her hand and whispered.  "I really like him."
   "Oh my goodness, you think I didn't see those baby-making bedroom eyes
you were giving?  Does he know?"
   "I'm not sure.  He's been nice to me though."
   "I'm so happy for you.  What are you going to do about Sad Matt?"
   Vera widened her eyes and tightened her jaw.
   "No one heard me.  Chill."
   "I don't know if it's going to come to that.  Slow down.  I only met him
this morning."
   ***
   Vera fostered her growing friendship with Jasper.  They only had
mythology class together, but that was every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
They shared the same physical recreation and lunch period, and their
classes allowed for plenty of in between class chats.
   "I decided not to hide this hideous streak in my hair," Vera said Friday
as she sat down to lunch with him.  She nearly let it show yesterday, but
her hatred won out.
   "It's not as hideous as you claim."
   "It's not really red, and not really brown.  I examined it under a
microscope, it's like the follicle is mixing up the paints."
   After lunch, Jasper led her around the side of the building.  He sat
down on the aluminum bench.  "May I have a closer look at your hair?"
   Vera sat down in front of him.  He pulled her back towards his chest and
she melted.  She was leaning against his body, warm.  She eased back
slightly, but that only made the top of her head harder to see.  "Sorry."
   Jasper hooked his arm around her waist.  "For?"
   Vera's mouth opened and closed, but no words issued forth.  The feel of
his arm around her body burned into her mind.  Wait?  Friends didn't hold
each other like this.
   He took her hand and brushed his thumb over the back.  "I'm glad to have
met you."
   She grinned.  "You're a breath of fresh air yourself."
   Whether he responded, whether she said anything back, Vera only
remembered that the bell rang too soon.
   During class, Vera kept trying to sneak looks at Jasper, but each time
she got caught.  Vera blushed and spent the next few minutes failing to
concentrate on her own work.
   ***
   Vera arrived home to an empty house.  Her father was still at work, and
her mother left a note saying she was out running errands.  Her brother, as
usual, chose to do his 'homework' at Cynthia's.
   Vera went up to her room and pulled her books out of her bag.  Inside
her mythology folder was a strange sheet of paper.  She unfolded the paper
and discovered a note.
   "I wouldn't want to spend a weekend without hearing from you." Jasper
signed the note and added his phone number.
   Vera jumped to her feet and screamed.  She did a wacky little dance
holding the piece of paper like it was made of gold.  She read the single
sentence over and over before running to the phone and dialing the number.
   "Hello?"
   "Jasper?  This is Vera."
   "I'm glad you found my note." His sleepy voice had a smile to it.
   "Me too!" Vera stared at herself in the mirror.  She needed to calm
down.
   "I actually have something I want to ask you.  I know we've only known
each other for a week, but I really like you, and I want to get to know you
better.  I want you to be my girlfriend."
   Vera held her breath to resist releasing the squeal that begged to
emerge.  Play it cool.
   What about Matthew?
   Fuck him.
   "Yes."
   "I'm not familiar with this area of the city.  Is there some place we
can meet and hangout tomorrow?"
   "Um, what time?" She placed her palm to her heart.  It felt like her
whole chest was rocking.
   "Noon?  We could grab some lunch together."
   "Meet me at Georgina's.  It's easy to find.  Right on West Vale and
Main." A key rattled in the door and a different kind of adrenaline flooded
Vera's veins.  "I've got to go now.  See you then!"
   "Later," he made a kiss on the cheek noise and hung up.
   It took several seconds for Vera to do the same, too many.
   "Who was that?" asked Christopher.
   "Just Felicity."
   "How did Felicity manage to put that look on your face?"
   "What look?  I don't have any look."
   "Dipping into Felicity's garden are you?"
   Vera made a disgusted face.  "You are so gross."
   "Seriously.  Was it Felicity?"
   "Hardly." Vera whispered as she smiled.
   "I'll find out soon enough.  Might as well tell me."
   "Well, fine.  If you must know, I have a boyfriend." She stuck her
tongue out at him.
   "You finally dropped Matthew, huh?  Took you long enough."
   "Whatever," Vera snapped as she hurried upstairs to her room.
   Matthew.  What in the hell was she going to do about him?
   How could she drop something that dragged behind her?
   ***
   "Who was that?" Soraya sat on the couch beside Jasper.
   "Her name is Vera."
   "The girl from the bus?"
   "Yes, her."
   Soraya gave Jasper a look of disbelief.  "But you asked her to be your
girlfriend.  You were making kissing noises."
   "I know what I did."
   "Why?  You know why we're here.  You have a mission and only one woman
gets kissing noises."
   "Of course.  She's who I'm looking for."
   "Then why haven't you told me?"
   "Listen, there's a wraith born here, and I've met her.  She's the one."
   "Why haven't you told me before now, Jasper?"
   He buried his face in the cushion.
   "It's one thing to like a girl, another to make promises like that.  You
know this.  I'm not here for faint traces."
   "I don't think it is." Jasper rolled onto his back and stared at the
ceiling.
   "You need to be sure."
   "Here's what you don't understand--"
   Soraya placed her index finger to his nose.  "What don't I understand?"
   He sighed.  "Yes, I wanted to be friends with her, but I wouldn't have
said and done those things if I wasn't sure."
   "Oh, you were friends first?  Since when?"
   "First day."
   "The girl who warned us?"
   "Yes.  Same girl."
   "And then?"
   "She wanted to know if the streak in my hair was a dye because she had
one too.  I've seen the roots, she does have a patch and a birthmark."
   Soraya rolled her eyes.  "Whatever.  One week."
   "A week?!"
   "You didn't recognize it.  She came to you.  If she doesn't start to
show more signs within a week, we're wasting our time.  If you're right,
then this will bear itself out within days." She shook her head, chuckled.
   ***
   Vera left for the bus stop early Monday morning.  Sitting to the
breakfast counter waiting for her brother hardly left time to think.
   The Saturday lunch with Jasper had been great.  They took a cozy table
in the back and talked.  Conversation topics flowed from one to the other:
books, music, movies, games, hobbies.  It was easy being in his company. 
Sitting near him didn't make her uncomfortable.  They laughed and ate and
drank and Vera learned what it meant for time to fly.
   "What time do you need to get back home?" said Jasper.
   "By four I guess."
   "It's a half hour till then.  Let's head back."
   Somewhere along the way, he pulled her aside and kissed her.  She held
him tight and moaned while scratching down his back.  This was the wrong
action, but all the right feelings.
   When they parted her breath was labored and mind afloat.
   "I want you," he said.  "Interpret it however makes you feel best,
because that's what I want." With a final kiss to her neck, he led her back
home.
   Most of Sunday was spent in Matthew's company, reflecting on how awkward
and uncomfortable she felt around him.  It wasn't that she had a problem
with being his girlfriend, or his best female friend.  She wanted to
explore more in life, have a life outside of him.  The biggest problem was
that Matthew heard best friend and translated it to 'future wife.'
   Matthew was the closest she'd ever had to an actual boyfriend.  They had
been friends since third grade.  Friends with too many exclusive benefits.
She needed to tell him about Jasper, but she didn't want him starting a
scene.
   Vera pulled out a book and pretended to read as the others assembled at
the bus stop.  She wanted to sit with him.  A week had passed since Harold
and Hannah got upset.  Jasper was new and he was her friend.  There was no
reason she shouldn't be able to sit by him.  As the bus doors opened, Vera
reconsidered her idea.  What would her brother do?  And what about
Felicity? How could she neglect her best friend over a boy?
   Vera boarded the bus and Jasper stood in the aisle.  That was all the
encouragement she needed.
   She flashed Felicity an apologetic look and joined Jasper in the back
seat.
   Felicity got on her knees and stared back at them.  "Wow?  Seriously?"
   "Yes."
   She flashed her a thumbs up and flopped in the seat.  "Good luck, my
beloved!"
   Vera blushed scarlet as the bus took off.  She could hear Christopher
and Cynthia chattering away.
   "Have I embarrassed you?" Jasper asked.
   "I'll live." Vera tilted her head forward and closed her eyes.  Her
heart throbbed and her hands were shaking.  Her nerves were a wreck.  Just
as she managed to calm her nerves they frazzled all over again.
   Hannah and Harold were going to board the bus soon.  They had left
Jasper and Soraya alone, but what about her?
   Vera's head snapped up once the bus reached their stop.
   Christopher turned and signaled for Vera to move forward.  Vera would
have if her legs weren't two bags of jelly.
   "Now look at this," said Harold to Hannah.  "You give these punks an
inch and they take a mile.  Get up short stack."
   Vera was just about to do that before Jasper placed a firm, warm hand on
her thigh.  That was all it took.  Vera couldn't move.
   "Did you hear me?"
   "She heard you," said Soraya.
   "Was he talking to you?" Hannah hissed, though her usual fervor wasn't
in it.
   "Was I talking to you?" Soraya retorted.
   "I need you all to get in your seats.  I don't have all morning!" The
bus driver yelled.
   Hannah turned around.
   "Listen, little one, move, or regret it."
   Jasper's hand remained firmly on Vera's thigh.  She felt rather good
with it there, even though she was trembling like washing machine on spin
cycle.
   Harold took her silence as a no.  "Watch your back, bitch." He sat in
front of them.
   Jasper leaned over and took both her hands in his.  "Don't worry.  I am
watching your back.  You just relax."
   Vera smiled at the gesture.  "You can't always be around."
   "But I can always protect you," He kissed her hands.
   Vera melted beside him.  It was complete fluff, but she liked hearing
it. "I had a really nice time Saturday."
   "As did I." Jasper leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
   Vera furtively searched to see if anyone saw him kiss her.  She'd never
felt so strongly for someone in her life.
   ***
   Felicity caught up with Vera after first period.  "What gives?"
   Vera grinned.  "Jasper asked me to be his girlfriend Friday."
   "So much for just the new kid, huh?"
   "Yeah, pretty much."
   "You totally could have called me."
   "Sorry, I didn't want my parents to hear."
   "This just gets better!  Secret lovers!  So what's he like?"
   Vera grinned.  "Comfortable, but not like ratty t-shirt comfortable. 
Luxurious dress comfort.  He so easy to talk to and every time I'm near him
I feel this hum."
   "I wish you could see yourself right now.  You're in outer space."
   "I can't stop smiling.  Really, my cheeks are killing me."
   "I hope all that comfort is worth getting your ass kicked."
   "By who, Matthew?"
   "No, silly rabbit.  How about that six foot tall ogre and his inbred
kin?"
   "Speaking of tall do you think Jasper is taller or shorter than Harold?"
   Felicity snapped her fingers in Vera's face.  "Oh no," she said gravely.
   "What?  What is it?"
   Felicity pulled her along toward the stairwell.  "I've completely lost
you.  There's no hope.  I bet he was the first thing you thought of this
morning."
   Vera blushed.  The way he wrapped his hands around her waist was in fact
the dream that led to her awakening.  "Do you think he's gorgeous?  I mean,
I didn't see it at first, but each time I look at him--"
   "Much worse than I thought.  Get that boy out of your head.  Harold will
fuck you up.  Matthew will gnaw your skin raw, and your parents aren't
going to be cool with some random stranger when Sad Matt wants to make you
his trophy wife."
   "I'll be fine."
   "Run, Vera," Felicity squealed.  She pointed to Harold and pushed Vera
up the stairs.
   Vera and Felicity scrambled to get away from him into the safety of a
classroom.  They had just reached the landing of the second floor before
Harold's pained yell got their attention.
   Vera and Felicity peaked over the side of the stairs.  Harold lay upside
down, his leg twisted beneath him.  Students formed a circle around his
body, some of them calling for teachers, others gawking at the broken leg.
Harold cried out in pain like a small child.
   "We better get to class," Felicity pulled Vera away from scene.
   ***
   Vera didn't see Jasper in the lunch room so she took her lunch outside
and sat on the steps away from most of the crowd.  She placed her head on
her knees and let herself get lost in thought.  Every moment of downtime
her mind turned toward him.  Felicity was right though.  She'd only known
him a week, but what a week!
   Jasper sat behind her with his legs on either side.  He rested his head
on her back.
   People who passed them gave a glance, but nothing more.  Jasper didn't
say anything.  No questions about what she was doing out here, why she
didn't come find him, why she walked with Felicity instead of him. 
Nothing.
   Comfortable silence.
   "Vera."
   Her eyes opened and she took a breath.  She felt heavy as if she'd been
sleeping.
   "Bell's going to ring soon."
   However long that was would be too soon.  He felt perfect, like the
moment before waking up with no where to go.  Floaty, comfortable, placid.
"That was perfect."
   "Almost," Jasper kissed the side of her neck.  "Perfect would be lying
down, nothing between us, nowhere to go."
   Vera heart sped up as he whispered his thoughts in her ear.
   "I'd show you perfect."
   The bell rang all too soon.
   ***
   The look on Matthew Wilson's face told Vera all she needed to know.  His
eyes were red, lashes clumped, and face puffy.  "I need to talk to you."
   "Go ahead."
   "You told me you were friends, that I had nothing to worry about."
   "What are you worried about?"
   Matthew sighed and shook his head.  "Are you two just friends?  Correct
me if I'm wrong."
   She put a finger to his chest.  "I don't have to explain myself to you."
   "I am the one who loves you, Vera.  Not some stranger."
   "That's nice that you love me, but I am attracted to him."
   "And not me?"
   "I didn't say that.  Don't twist my words."
   Matthew took a deep breath.  "Okay.  You're attracted to him. 
Infatuation is fleeting, newness can be exciting.  I get that, but true
love is built on a foundation of friendship.  The love I have for you is
forever, so if you think I wouldn't fight for you, you're wrong."
   Vera blinked for a second.  The hallway was thinning out, the second
bell would ring any moment.  "Calm down.  I am not the purse in a prize
fight."
   "You're right.  I'm saying I love you, and nothing, no one, can change
that.  Don't let this guy make a fool out of you.  That's all I ask.  Be
careful around him."
   "Yeah.  Okay, and I'm reminding you that we're not married."
   "Why is that?" Matthew asked.  "Who wanted to put it off?  You don't
think it's killing me to see him with you?  I know you wouldn't just throw
away our history, all of our memories.  I know you love me as much as I
love you.  I'm asking you to be careful."
   "I am telling you as I have been telling you for years.  I will not
marry you, not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow.  Get it through your
fucking skull!"
   "Miss Reynolds," her teacher called.  "Get in this classroom and mind
your language.  Mister Wilson, get to your class."
   Vera was too frazzled to pay attention to the whispers and shock of her
outburst.  Matthew frayed her patience more than ever.  Yelling at him like
that was sure to get around.  Why couldn't he get it that she didn't feel
the same?  Did she have to destroy their friendship just to get him to stop
clinging to a future that would never happen?
   ***
   Vera zipped her jacket closed as she sat down on the bus beside Jasper.
Since their confrontation, Matthew made a point to be within her line of
sight between classes or whenever she was around Jasper.  He openly stared
at her while they walked to the bus.  It took everything Vera had not to
scream in frustration.
   "Cold?" Jasper asked.
   "I'm fine."
   "Who's bothering you?"
   Vera growled his name.  "Matthew."
   "Your friend?"
   "Yeah."
   "Ah, that explains it.  He informed me that he was your boyfriend."
   "Ha!" Vera was so used to swallowing her fury that it was almost weird
to allow it to surface.  "Maybe he was at some point.  He's kinda crazy
about me.  I've always known, but he's become extra annoying.  I don't like
him like that.  He's got it in his head that one day I will.  We were best
friends.  We were close.  We were children.  I won't regret being close to
him, nor wanting to go my own way."
   He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.  "I want
you to come over to my house Saturday.  712 Stonebrook Avenue.  There's a
foot path near my house that leads to the river."
   "I know the area.  Do you have something planned?"
   "I want to spend some time with you.  In the evening we can go out."
   Vera picked at the nail of her pinky finger.  Having a boyfriend not
called 'Matt' was one thing, but going out on a real date?  Matthew was
probably going to cry to her parents the first chance he got.  That was his
idea of 'fighting.'
   "Will your parents be there?"
   "My mother.  I'm sure you'll meet her first.  I don't care what time. 
Early, late, last minute.  I want to see you."
   "I'll be there," Vera said with a smile.
   ***
   Vera woke Saturday morning with the sun.  She had a smile on her face,
hope in her heart, and flutters in her belly.  Her dreams had been good
ones.  Instead of going back to them, she got up and dressed in coal black
jeans and while turtle neck.  That morning she left the house with clothes
for the evening in a backpack.
   Along the walk other thoughts came to the forefront.  What would his
mother think about her showing up so early?  Chilly and nervous, she turned
the corner to his house.
   Her mood improved at the sight of Soraya sitting on the porch.  "Hi. 
Soraya, right?"
   "Good morning, Vera, I didn't expect to see you this early."
   "Uh, yeah.  Is it too early for me to be here?  Jasper asked me to stop
by at any time."
   Soraya waved her up the steps.  "You are welcome any time, as he said.
Jasper is sleep.  Have a seat.  I wanted to speak with you anyway."
   "Cool.  Maybe you can give me some tips for talking to his mother."
   "What about?"
   "I don't know.  We've only known each other a couple weeks."
   Soraya had on an embroidered black and gold house coat, but it made her
look so much older and regal.  "What do you think of Jasper?"
   "What do I think?" Vera echoed to herself.  "Do you want me to be deep
about it?"
   "Yes."
   She giggled.  "He's good to be around.  He makes me feel calm.  When we
talk we just go on and on.  But like, even though we talk a lot, he has
this mystery about him, like there are things I don't know.  I like that.
Makes me feel like there's so much more to know about him.  I understand
him.  Oh, and," Vera straightened and tucked her hands to her belly.  "He's
really magnetic.  I can't believe I'm gushing like this."
   Soraya grinned.  "It's understandable.  Come to me if you're
uncomfortable with him, or if you want to get away."
   Vera nodded.
   "If you change your mind about him, or think he's too much, come tell
me. I can handle him."
   "I wish I knew who could handle Matthew for me." Vera shivered at the
gust of cold wind.  She shook her head.  Sooner than later she would have
to face that problem on her own.
   "It's warm inside.  You go in there and wake him up.  His room door is
the one behind the couch.  Believe me, he won't mind."
   The ground-level house surrounded her with warmth.  She stood in front
of the door behind the couch.  A fridge hummed in the kitchen, a radio
murmured from a room down the hall, the fire from the living room crackled.
   She stepped into the bedroom and closed the door.
   Jasper was sleep on his side under a single white sheet.  His ink black
hair was even more brilliant against the backdrop of white.
   Vera set her backpack down and walked over to his side.  "Jasper?"
   He stirred, but didn't wake.
   She caressed his cheek with the backs of her fingers.  His skin was so
healthy and smooth.  His baby soft hair curled at the nape of his neck.
   Vera sat down on the bed beside him.  She leaned over and pressed her
lips to his cheek.  In doing so his warm arm blazed a path along her
breast.
   Jasper stirred again and Vera rushed to explain.  "Soraya said I could
come in here."
   Jasper grinned and stretched.  "What a lovely way to wake up."
   Vera grinned.  "Good morning."
   He looked over at his clock and patted the spot on the bed in front of
him.  "You're really early."
   Vera sat on the bed, but near his legs.  "I had to sneak out the house.
I thought you said your mother would be here."
   "I thought Soraya allowed you inside?"
   Vera opened her mouth, but then snapped it shut.  "Why ...  is she in
high school?"
   "On a bet.  After the third person assumed she was my sister.  I said
'might as well get on the bus with me.' She said, 'I will then.'"
   "Records though?"
   "A ruse that should run its course soon."
   "She looks amazing.  It doesn't weird you out to have her acting like
your sister?"
   "No one could be more awesome than my mother."
   "So lucky."
   "I am.  I can be difficult."
   Vera giggled.  "Aw, has Jasper been a bad boy?"
   "I wish." Jasper mumbled.
   "How bad?" She whispered.
   He pecked her on the cheek.  "Give me a moment in the bathroom and I'll
tell you." When he returned he frowned then nodded.  "Okay." He lay on his
back on the bed.
   "I was trying to figure out how to ask you to lie on your back."
   "And I was listening.  You can do it too."
   "Hear your thoughts?"
   "We'll make a game out of it.  I'll think of something and you guess."
   Vera huffed.  It didn't seem like much of a game to her.  "Homework?"
She was just making up something to say.  She couldn't hear his thoughts or
anything like that.
   "Right.  Try again."
   She narrowed her eyes.  "You could just be saying that."
   "I'll write it down then." He grabbed a notebook and paper out of his
desk.  He tore off the page he'd written on.  "Now?"
   Vera kept thinking about her hair, which was a terrible time to be
thinking about her hair.  She was supposed to be figuring out what he was
thinking.  "I can't do this.  Every time I try to come up with something I
keep thinking about my fucking hair."
   Jasper unfolded the paper and set it in her lap.  'Vera's hair.'
   Vera's eyes widened as she stared at the paper.  "So you can hear my
thoughts?"
   He shook his head.  "I make a point to listen if I see if you are
worried or upset.  It's one of those genetic things.  Unfortunately, I
can't use it for anything cool like acing all my tests."
   Vera laughed.
   "But for someone important, like someone I love, it works.  It's not
thought reading, but a type of empathy."
   She leaned forward and kissed him again, complete with her hands
cradling his head.  She wanted to straddle his hips and kiss him till they
couldn't breathe.  If he really knew, then he'd put her in his lap, naked,
warm.
   The door knob turned and Jasper let go of Vera's hand.  Vera tried to
look 'normal' but she couldn't remember normal or what it looked like.  She
felt feverish, crazy.  Like waking from a dream and still feeling asleep at
the same time.
   Soraya raised an eye brow in Jasper's direction.  She didn't look
anything like a teenage girl.  She looked every bit a stern mother figure,
no matter how youthful.  "What do you want for lunch?  Cold or hot?"
   "Something hot, please."
   She turned to Vera.  "Allergies?"
   "None."
   "All right.  I'm leaving this door open, so you can get comfortable. 
Jasper, give her a shirt or something.  How do you take your tea?"
   "A little cream if it's dark, nothing otherwise."
   "All right.  Relax."
   Vera stared out the open door.  Had Soraya known how much she wanted to
do more than kiss him?
   Jasper pulled a shirt from his dresser drawer.
   She thought about that day on the steps, lying in his arms, only peace
and stillness between them.  Nothing between us; nowhere to go.  She took
off her sweater; folded her pants and shirt and set them beside her bag. 
She'd picked out her best champagne colored bra and panties.  The cups had
lace over the top and the panties had lace on the sides, but he'd only see
that if she turned around.  Vera picked up the shirt and slipped it on over
her underwear.
   "There's about to be something between us."
   Vera chuckled and put her palm to her face.  He leaned forward, pausing
a hair's breadth from kissing her.  Her tongue darted out and flicked his
lips.
   She'd never kissed Matt way she kissed Jasper, but she didn't have to
think about what to do.  Her tongue slipped out and traced his bottom lip.
He practically shuddered before doing the same to her.  They started slow,
soft, taking all the time in the world.
   When he rolled on top of her, she giggled.  He fanned her hair out on
the pillow and stared down at her.  "Thank you for coming by."
   "I'm glad I did."
   "Are we going to get in trouble like this?"
   "Only if I upset you."
   She shifted her legs wider and rolled up along his thick shaft.
   "Would it upset you if I touched you?"
   "I'll be upset if you don't."
   "Well," he chuckled, "in that case."
   "Lunch!" Soraya called.
   ***
   "Did you call Felicity?" Voncille asked her son as she cradled her
second cup of coffee.
   "Yes.  Felicity hasn't seen her."
   "Did you check Cynthia's?"
   "She isn't there either."
   "Where could she be?" Voncille asked turning to her husband Ron.  "Hold
on." She answered Matthew's call.  "Did you get my message?"
   "Yes," his voice sounded thick and tired.  "I'll be over in a few
minutes."
   ***
   Jasper and Vera ate lunch in the living room sitting on the floor in
front of the television.  The movie playing didn't interest them much. 
Jasper fell asleep, so Vera gathered their plates and took them to the
kitchen.
   Soraya walked in from the back patio.  "What has he told you?"
   "About?"
   "Things you wouldn't consider normal."
   "Oh, the genetic stuff.  That it allows you to form a connection with
people.  That's why you all moved here, looking to see if there were any
like you in the area."
   "Genetic?  What else?"
   "He asked about my parents.  I'm not sure how or if I'm really anything
like you all."
   "Jasper seems to be sure.  It helps if he finds someone compatible,
genetically.  Wraith born can be unique."
   "Wraith born?  Wait.  I read about them in my class.  They're a myth. 
Partially mixed with humanoid spirits from the underworld.  Basically half
demons."
   "Well, what does the myth say about these half demons?"
   "They have special magical abilities, powers.  They were created to
explain other people's misfortune, basic creation of stories to explain
things that happen outside your control."
   Soraya nodded.  "There you have it.  We are a myth.  Jasper seems to
think you're part of that myth.  I'm sure he'll realize he was wrong."
   Vera wasn't sure whether Soraya was teasing her.  Wraith born weren't
real.  The powers they professed having weren't real.  There was only one
type of human - normal humans, born in one reality.  "If I were part of
that myth, what would that mean?"
   "It means you have to be careful, especially as a female.  Your dormant
energies will awaken and your emotions will run deeper.  You'll get
stronger, have a greater influence on others.  It will help you as much as
it helps Jasper to have someone you can turn to."
   "If..."
   Soraya nodded.  "If."
   ***
   "Where are you going?" Soraya asked.
   "Walking down to the river." Jasper answered.
   "Are you going to behave?"
   Jasper lowered his eyes.
   "You know what you risk if you're wrong.  Even if she's only a small
part wraith, taking her slow will ensure a better acclimation."
   "I can depend on you to have my back, right?"
   "Always.  You never have to ask that.  I like her.  She's a lovely young
woman, but you are my son first."
   Vera stepped into the living room with a smile.
   "You look lovely.  What time will you be back?"
   "Later." Jasper answered with a smile.
   "Be mindful that she has to return home.  Here, Vera, take my jacket."
   "I should be okay."
   "Take it just in case.  You can keep it with you and get it back to me
on Monday."
   Vera walked out of the room with Jasper leading.  The walk to the river
was a short one.  They sat on a rock and watched the water rushing by.
   He leaned to the side and took a switchblade from his back pocket.  It
had a silvery-black handle with pearly white inlays.  He pushed a button
and extended the blade.
   "There's a ritual." He took a breath and started again.  "I'm afraid
your parents are going to try and separate us.  I don't want that.  I want
to make a life with you, start a family with you, grow old with you.  If
you're not interested in that, we don't have to do this."
   "Are you serious?  Like, asking to marry me?"
   "I'm serious, and I know I sound crazy." He scraped the edge of the
blade over his palm.
   "I think we should wait before we do something rash."
   Jasper sheathed the dagger.  "Okay."
   Vera stared at the rushing water.  Just like that, no pleading, whining,
nor bargaining.  That almost made her want to change her mind.
   ***
   Soraya sat in the swing of the front porch and hummed a lullaby.  It was
early evening.  The sun was due to set in an hour.  She had to hum just to
focus on the book in her lap.  She worried deeply about her son and whether
he would heed her advice.  Once he got a goal in mind, his iron
concentration allowed for nothing else.
   She heard his footsteps along the sidewalk and looked up.
   "Hello, Matthew.  What can I do for you?"
   "Tell me where Vera is."
   "She's out with Jasper.  What else?"
   The immediate answer caught Matthew off guard, but not for long.  "Where
does Jasper get off taking Vera from me?"
   Soraya chuckled.  "Vera never belonged to you Matthew, and if you care
so much, then leave her alone.  There are forces at work here greater than
you.  Don't risk your life.  You're too young for that."
   "I would never give Vera up, especially not to some freak."
   "Freak?" She chuckled softly.  "Don't fuck with a wraith, Matthew. 
You're smart enough to know better."
   "Has he done something to her?  Did you force her to be with him?"
   "No, but you're welcome to believe that if it gives you comfort.  Go
away, Matthew, and be glad that I am a patient woman."
   "I know what happens if she rejects your sick rituals.  I won't just go
away, because Vera means the world to me."
   "Yes, the penalty is often death, but death happens."
   Matthew ran off the porch and back down the street.
   "I doubt that will be the case," Soraya whispered.  She resumed humming.
   ***
   Vera rested on Jasper's chest and as the pound of her heart subsided. 
They watched the sunset through the trees.  "I better get home," she
whispered.
   Jasper pulled his hand from between her legs.  "You could always run
away with me."
   "The thought has crossed my mind." She turned and kissed him.
   "Will I see you Sunday?"
   "If I can help it, you will."
   "I love you, Vera."
   "I love you, Jasper." Vera hugged him and memorized his smell.  She had
butterflies in her stomach, goose bumps on her arms, sweat on her forehead,
and moisture between her thighs.
   Despite the cool breeze billowing her borrowed jacket open she was quite
hot.
   On the walk back home, Vera snuggled her hands into the pockets of
Soraya's jacket and felt a letter.  She decided to read it on the front
porch of her house before anyone knew she was home.
   'Given my son's attitude, I think a warning is in fair order.  He
probably wants you to do some ritual with him.  At least, I hope that was
his intention.  The world changes after that.  He'll treat you like his
most precious jewel, defend you like his home land.  Also, there will be
changes in you.  Things you won't immediately understand.  If you have
questions, know that I am always here.  Don't let any of this scare you.  I
regret you did not have your own people to ask these questions, but you
have a family in me.  I hope you had fun, and that your punishment is not
too severe.'
   Vera placed the letter in her pocket and entered the house.
   "Hi, I know I'm home a little late, but--"
   "Vera!" shouted her father.  "Do you realize what you have done?  You've
distressed your mother.  You've sent Matthew around half of Raven Bay
looking for you.  Look at you!  Who do you think you are young lady?"
   "Not your daughter," Vera quipped.
   "The hell!" said Christopher.
   "Get up to your room," her mother said.  "You are restricted to this
house until Monday morning.  At that time, I will drive you to school."
   "All Sunday?" Vera shrieked.
   "Lower your voice, young lady," her father said.
   "No, please."
   "Go," Ron said.  "And don't think about running away.  Chris will watch
you tonight, and I will be watching you on Sunday."
   Vera turned and bolted out the front door.  She only got a block down
the street before her brother snatched her up and drug her back into the
house kicking and screaming.
   "This is going to be fun," he remarked.
   "What is wrong with you Vera?" asked her mother.
   "Nothing." Vera calmed down immediately.  "Nothing," she repeated as she
headed to her room with her brother close behind.
   ***
   Vera's fever spiked Sunday morning along with a deep ache in her chest.
She woke with a tear-stained pillow and swollen eyes.  She remained buried
under her covers and let the tears flow.  She'd never felt such a profound
heartache.
   A sound disturbed her misery.  She snatched the covers back and
screamed. "What are you doing in here?  Mom!"
   "She knows I'm in here." Matthew got up and returned with a damp cloth.
"Do you understand what wraith born means?"
   "What business is it of yours?" She wiped her face, but kept her scowl
on Matthew.
   "Wraiths are a violent, selfish, deviant, and inhumane race.  They have
a brutish culture, killing members of the race they consider inferior."
   "Inferior?"
   "If the wraith genes do not take control, then they kill their own
people under the guise of doing that person a favor.  That's with their
own, Vera.  You and me, we're forever.  That's a promise.  Did you honestly
think I'd sit by and watch while you endangered your life?"
   "I was hoping you'd go away."
   "Do you want something to eat?"
   "I want you to go away."
   "I'm not going to do that." Matthew sat down on her bed.  "What do I
have to do to show you how much I love you?  You don't know how much this
is killing me, watching you so upset.  Think back on our bond, all the
memories we've created."
   Vera got out of bed and locked herself in her bathroom.  She started the
shower and let the spray wash away her tears.  She couldn't even be sad in
peace.  Oh, they had a problem with a guy she liked, but a boy they liked?
They'd just leave her with him in her room?
   Hypocrites.
   After a long, indulgent shower Vera wiped down the bathroom mirror.  She
bowed her head forward and looked at the streak growing from the crown of
her head.  The color was no where near as distinct as Soraya and Jasper's,
but it was there, showing a larger patch of roots too.
   She brushed her head back and her puffy face smiled.  There was
something else different.  Her eyes looked a bit lighter.
   From the other side of the door, Matthew spoke, "I don't know what lies
they've told you, but your mother and father nor your grandparents are
anything less that fully normal.  Therefore, you cannot be anything more."
   Vera swung open the bathroom door and beat her fists to his chest.  She
attacked him until he fell backwards on her bed.
   "Stop." He grabbed her wrists, but he wasn't in any hurry to push her
off him.
   Vera snatched herself away from him and picked up her towel.  "Fuck you,
Matthew.  I fucking hate you."
   "That's not true and we both know it."
   "Haven't you heard, if you love something let it go?"
   "I gave you that freedom, and look what happened.  I'm serious about
your life being in danger.  You know I am."
   "I don't want you to care about me."
   Matthew walked over to Vera and embraced her from behind.  She stiffened
in his embrace.  "Vera, I love you.  Once upon a time, you loved me too. 
Whatever he's done to you to confuse you, I'll find a way to undo it."
   "Matthew, I don't want to be with you anymore."
   "Love isn't something you toss aside."
   "Then I never loved you." She shrugged out of his hold and pulled on her
pants.  "Let me call him.  I need to tell him that I'm under punishment
like some kind of child."
   "I love you enough to know that I need to keep you away from him.  He'll
move on once he realizes you aren't an easy target."
   "Fucking prick," Vera shoved Matthew away from her.  "Love is about
seeing a person happy!"
   "What about my happiness?"
   "I don't love you!"
   "Did you kiss him?"
   Vera collapsed onto her bean bag chair and closed her eyes, "Did I
ever."
   "What else?" Matthew paced the floor at the foot of her bed.  He looked
livid.
   "Not satisfied with pretending to be my boyfriend?  You want to play
father too?"
   "What else!  Did you, have you had sex with him?"
   "No."
   "Good.  Just remember that wasn't your first."
   Vera's expression turned sour.  "You're so afraid for my life.  Have you
thought about what's going to happen when I tell him you were the one
guarding me?"
   "You won't.  If you do, I'll tell him about our first time.  I'll tell
him how you promised me forever, told me you loved me."
   "You're a fucking asshole!"
   "I remember that day like it was yesterday, and when you're over this,
you'll remember who was there, protecting you, loving you, and who made an
attempt on your life." Matthew walked over to the door to avoid the hateful
look in Vera's eyes.  "I'll make you lunch."
   ***
   Soraya grabbed Jasper's hand before he could walk out the door.  "I'll
call.  You stay right here."
   "I want to listen."
   "Get the other phone.  I don't know how you actually expect her not to
be in trouble."
   "I know she's in trouble with her parents, but it's more than that. 
She's hurting."
   "Jasper, there's no way you can know that.  It doesn't have to do with
your powers, she has to be able to hold up her end of the connection."
   "I am right," Jasper insisted.  "Call."
   "I hope that you aren't," Soraya muttered as she dialed the number. 
"What's her last name?"
   "Reynolds."
   "Hello, Mrs.  Reynolds.  May I speak to Vera please?"
   "Who is speaking?"
   "Sera, I have to ask Vera about a..."
   "Mythology," Jasper mouthed.
   "...mythology assignment."
   "One moment."
   "Vera," Mrs Reynolds said in the background.  "There's a Sera on the
phone for you."
   "No," said Matthew.
   "What's wrong with that?" Her voice sounded strained and higher pitched.
   "Sera as in Soraya, Jasper's sister.  Give me the phone." A moment
later. "Hello, Soraya."
   "Matthew, I'd like to speak to Vera."
   "No.  Vera isn't available to be Jasper's toy anymore.  She is where she
belongs, with me.  Your freak child lost, and I won.  She's starting to
learn that."
   "You're a liar!" Vera yelled followed by a string of obscenities just
before the line disconnected.
   Jasper breaths came fast and deep.  His face turned a shade of crimson.
She felt her son's wrath and love for Vera like a gale force.
   His fury fueled her own.  Her 'parents' were not ready for the hell
about to rain down on them.  "Jasper, calm down.  Talk to me.  They are not
wraith born.  They don't understand."
   He continued to stare straight ahead, breathing fierce and deep like a
bull.  "What is Matthew doing?  How does he know about us?" He released his
vice grip on the couch and flexed his wrists.  "Mother, she's hurting.  I
need to go to her, and Matthew, that smug asshole.  I'll deal with that
too."
   "You will do no such thing.  I have your back.  Let me get to her."
   Jasper was shaking his head in defiance.
   "Jasper."
   "I'm going with you."
   "No you will not."
   "Mother!"
   "What did I say to you Jasper?  Don't get me angry with you."
   "Yes, ma'am.  I apologize."
   "You are forgiven.  Now, I will go over there, and I will use my
impeccable charm to get your princess back.  I have less chance of hurting
anyone.  It is the best way."
   Jasper's anger did not lessen but he relented.
   "Do not leave this house until I return."
   ***
   Vera's brother answered the door when Soraya arrived.  She hadn't
interacted with him much, but she shared two classes with his girlfriend.
"Hello Chris, may I enter?"
   Christopher shrugged and opened the door.
   Vera was curled in the corner of the couch with a blank and vacant
stare. Soraya recognized that withdrawal.  All of her discontent and rage
were kept within, festering and deepening.  Vera briefly focused on Soraya,
but was soon lost.
   Jasper's absence was a true blessing.  If Vera was a bomb, then Jasper
would have been the detonator.
   "What are you doing here?" Matthew asked.
   "I'd like to speak with Vera a moment.  Jasper has a message for her."
   "She doesn't need any message from anyone." Mr.  Reynolds said.  "Vera
caused all of us a great amount of stress.  She could have called,
something, anything.  She deceived us, and as far as I'm concerned you and
your family are the cause of this bad behavior."
   "I understand your position, sir.  But please understand that Jasper and
I had no idea that Vera left home without permission."
   "That's a lie!" Matthew said.
   "I believe Vera's parents make the decisions around here.  Please let me
speak with them?"
   "Matthew, take a walk," said Voncille.  She gestured for Soraya to speak
with Vera.
   Soraya took a good look at Vera's parents as she kneeled before Vera. 
"How are you?"
   "I don't feel good," she whispered.
   Vera radiated heat.  Her arms were covered in bruises and a fat whelps
marked her ruddy cheek.
   "I pulled a knife on Matthew," she explained.  "They had to pull me off
him."
   Soraya shuddered to think what would have happened if she'd managed to
sink a blade into him.  There were few releases as viscerally satisfying as
the spilling of blood.  "You will see him Monday."
   Vera shook her head.  "What if they don't let me go to school?"
   "Suck up.  Do as they say.  No more pulling knives."
   "It hurts," her voice cracked and eyes shimmered.
   "Less than a day, that's all.  Now, you'll need to give me some kind of
message, because Jasper isn't in much better condition."
   Vera picked up the notepad beside her.
   "Your eyes are changing."
   "I'm not seeing things?" She smiled while writing her message.
   "Not at all.  Your genes are fighting for dominance and winning."
   Vera gave her the letter.  "I don't want to be here anymore."
   "You won't be for long."
   ***
   Jasper leaned over the porch railing and gave his mother his best 'why
the fuck are you alone' look.
   Soraya handed him the letter.
   "What is this?  Where's Vera?  Is she okay?"
   "Read it."
   Jasper stood straighter as he read the letter.  After a few moments, he
grinned.  "I'll be in my room." Jasper flopped onto his bed and read the
letter over again.
   'I knew I was going to get into trouble, but I didn't know how much
being apart from you would hurt.  When it becomes too much I think back to
the river, the pure ecstasy you made me feel.  I long to feel that with you
again.  I haven't been feeling too well.  I know you said there would be
side effects from using my abilities, but I have a terrible fever and even
my bones hurt.  My skin is sensitive, muscles.  Ugh.  Maybe it's from
crying too much.  But hey!  I have new roots and Soraya said my eyes were
changing.  Remember that birthmark you mentioned?  It's a few shades
lighter now.  Not sure if that's connected.  Enough of the bad stuff.
   'I want to lay in your arms, our thoughts as one, our bodies connected.
Thoughts of me with you are the only way I'm going to make it to Monday. 
If I could tear down these walls and break free of this prison, I would. 
Soraya says to wait, so I will.  Until then, I long for you.  I literally
burn for you.  I love you.'
   "Mom!" Jasper clenched his jaw and tucked the folded note to his chest.
   "What?"
   He handed her the note.
   Soraya read the first few lines then looked up.  "You didn't?"
   "No." He huffed.  "Neither one of the things you're thinking.  Keep
reading please."
   "Fuck," Soraya whispered.  "There's no way those are her parents.  No
fucking way." She tossed the letter back to him.  "When she said she wasn't
feeling well I never imagined.  Listen to me and you listen close.  You
know how I never wanted a full wraith born for you.  All those things I
said about them?"
   "Yeah, you without responsibilities."
   "Be serious, please.  She's lost without you.  I don't mean in some
adolescent, puppy love kind of way.  If she discovers violence can fill the
void she will murder everyone in that house."
   "Vera would never."
   Soraya bit her lip and looked down to the ground.  "The thrill of power
can lead down dark roads.  She's on her way."
   "How?"
   "She tried to kill Matthew before I got over there.  They had to pull
her off him.  Vera would.  It's on her mother's side, that's as much as I
could see.  You need to calm her down.  I don't care how much effort it
takes.  If you want her, help me save her."
   ***
   "Vera, I am glad you've come to understand why we're doing this," Ron
said as he drove Vera to school.
   "Yes sir," she answered.
   "Good.  How do you feel?"
   "I feel fine." Vera lied.
   The fever continued unabated.  She had a deeper hole in her soul, a
gnawing need she couldn't identify, a profound lack of sleep, and waves of
mental confusion.  She felt on the cusp of some kind of insanity, swinging
from angry to despondent to miserable.  The thought of Jasper was the only
anchor that kept her facade in place.
   "Your mother will check you out, so don't bother getting on the bus."
   "Yes, sir." Vera got out the car and eased it shut to avoid slamming the
door.  She focused on putting one foot in front of the other all the way
inside the building.
   "Vera." Jasper grabbed her and pulled her out of the flow of people
coming in the building.
   She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his clothes. 
The smell of him calmed her fractured mind.  She felt crazy for finding so
much comfort in a smell, but crazy felt good at this moment.
   "Meet me in the lobby after first bell."
   She had to let go of him?  Vera held him tighter.
   "It's hard for me too, but we're not going to make much of a getaway
without Soraya."
   "Okay." Vera loosened her grip and finally let go.  "Okay."
   "Hey?" He put his hand to her cheek, coolness seeped into her body. 
"I'm going to be thinking of you the whole time."
   ***
   "Did you see that?" Matthew asked Felicity.
   "They're just talking to each other."
   "You need to watch her.  Did you know she tried to kill me yesterday?"
   "Pity." Felicity closed her locker.
   "Do you want Vera to end up dead?"
   Felicity sighed.  "No, but I think you're just making up shit because
you're a jealous psychopath.  She has a right to make her own decisions. 
You need to let her go."
   "I don't care what you think about me.  I'm asking you to be her friend.
Protect her." Matthew insisted.  "I'm right about him.  He's dangerous."
   "All right, all right.  Go away in case that crazy of yours is
catching."
   ***
   After first period Felicity stood in Vera's way.  "Where are you headed?
Your next class is in the other direction."
   "The front."
   "You know damn well that Sad Matt is watching." She took her hand. 
"We'll take the side staircase."
   "You're helping me?" Vera didn't know how much patience she had left.
   "Matthew said he wanted me to be your friend.  My friend needs help
getting out of here, so yeah."
   "Say that you tried to stop me, okay?"
   "Nope.  I never saw you." They reached the first floor.  "Use the
breezeway.  I'll go find Matt."
   Vera jogged all the way to the front of the building as soon as she
spotted Soraya's car, she ran and hopped into the backseat.  Jasper joined
her seconds later.
   Soraya handed them two bags.  "I know neither one of you have eaten."
   "Where are we going?" Vera asked once she realized that they were headed
away from their neighborhood.
   "To our house," Soraya answered.  "Where we really live."
   Vera set her food aside and crawled into Jasper's lap.  "I need you,"
she whispered.
   "You have me."
   She buried her face in his neck.  Her tongue traced a line up to his ear
and back down to his shoulder.  She bit and sucked along his neck, all the
while grinding her hip into his lap.
   Jasper focused on calming her.  It was harder than normal, he was
already exerted from trying to do the same from a distance.  He held her
tight to him and calmed the writhing ball of lust in his lap rather than
give into her.
   "Listen," he whispered.  Jasper spoke the enchantment several times,
bringing them both down to sleep.
   ***
   After an hour and a half drive, Soraya arrived at her cozy two-story
home.  Unlike the small house she had rented, this one had all of their
creature comforts in place.
   Jasper and Vera were asleep, food untouched.
   Soraya tapped Jasper on his shoulder.  "I'll take her inside."
   "No," Jasper croaked as he came awake.  "I put her to sleep."
   "You think you did."
   "I did.  I had to."
   She ran her hand through Jasper's hair.
   "What are you doing?"
   "Testing," she leaned in to kiss him on the forehead.
   Vera reached out, still asleep, and slashed at Soraya.
   "Fucking bullshit," she hissed in disbelief.
   "Mom, what's wrong?" He didn't have to wait, he could see the blood
oozing from between her fingers.
   "I expected her to flinch or react, but bleeding?  Get her inside.  I'll
need you to empty the car and get the rest of the boxes at the other
place."
   "I didn't make her scratch you.  You should have believed me."
   "Can't lift shit with this hand.  The faster you do as I say, the faster
you'll get back."
   "I liked you better when you were pretending to be my sister." Jasper
grumbled as he carried Vera inside.
   "Tough shit.  Games are over."
   ***
   Vera woke the moment Jasper pulled out of the driveway.  "Where's
Jasper?"
   "I hurt my hand, so he went to get the last few boxes from Raven Bay."
   "What happened?"
   "I tested you."
   "Did I pass?"
   "You bet.  Your mother never mentioned you were adopted?"
   "No.  Never.  It was never a question."
   Soraya hummed.  "That woman is not your mother.  This is your home and
we are your family.  Explore, relax, and please eat.  You don't need
anymore stress."
   ***
   Jasper closed the trunk of the car and locked up the house.  The sun
would be setting soon and he was anxious to get back to Vera.
   "Where is she?" Matthew asked as he stepped between Jasper and the
vehicle.
   "Not handcuffed to you anymore?"
   "Don't give me that.  I saw the two of you talking this morning.  You
kidnapped her from school."
   "My mother checked me out."
   "Your mother?  You mean that bitch, Soraya?"
   "Who the fuck else, boy genius?  I have somewhere to be." Jasper pushed
Matthew into the lawn.  "Stay out of my way."
   Matthew jumped to his feet and tackled Jasper.  "I'm not letting go of
her that easy."
   Jasper wrestled Matthew off him.  "She doesn't want you, man.  Even
locked in her house with me no where in sight, she wanted you dead, and
still longed for me." He chuckled and walked toward the driver side of the
car.
   "You know why she's with you?  Because I gave her permission."
   Jasper looked back to Matthew.
   "That's right.  You're just a fling, an appetizer.  Vera promised me
forever, and our love is forever.  Whatever you've done to confuse her
won't last.  Whatever you've been drugging her with will fade, and when it
does, she'll want me." Matthew grabbed the back of Jasper's jacket, spun
him around, and then shoved him into the side of the car.
   Jasper took a steadying breath for calm.  He was lying.  He had to be.
"Walk away."
   "She's mine.  She loves me."
   "You can't be half as smart as they say you are." Jasper removed his
jacket.  "Last warning."
   Matthew took a step back.  "One day, Vera will miss me.  She will miss
my morning calls.  She will miss the love and affection I have constantly
shown her.  She'll miss how well I know her and understand her.  Your hold
on her will fade.  She'll dream of me when she sleeps, just watch."
   Matthew took another step back.  The hurt in Jasper's eyes was lucid,
and Matthew was about to deal the final blow.  The blow that would
hopefully make Jasper act out of anger.  If Matthew had read correctly,
that would weaken him.
   "She will never touch you with the passion she has for me.  One thing
that I have, and you don't, is the honor being able to love Vera first, to
have her love me first.  We used to imagine what our children would look
like.  You will never know how if feels to be the first to touch your lips
to hers.  The feeling of breaking down that first, tender barrier.  First
kiss, first love.  She--"
   Jasper's right fist interrupted him.  The left followed close behind. 
Matthew staggered back, but Jasper snatched him closer and delivered
another blow to his gut and another glanced his nose.
   Matthew broke free and returned with a solid punch to Jasper's jaw. 
They circled each other for a moment and Matthew attacked with several fast
blows.  Jasper regained the upper hand and dealt several body shots,
sending Matthew to the asphalt.  He kicked him in the stomach and again
just inside his thigh.  Matthew screamed and curled into a ball.
   Jasper kneeled beside Matthew and spoke as if they were close friends.
"Move before I run you over, golden boy."
   He got in the car, backed up, and revved the engine a few times.  He
wanted to run him over, back up, and flatten him.  The urge flare bright
enough to make him see red.  He put the car into gear and pulled along side
Matthew.  "You put up a good fight, but you underestimated my control. 
Don't underestimate my threat.  Stay the fuck away from Vera." Jasper
peeled out leaving Matthew to choke on blood and exhaust.
   ***
   "Like wrangling a feral cat," Soraya muttered as she tended to Jasper's
face.  "I told you that boy knew about us.  I warned you about your fucking
temper."
   "He was talking shit about her."
   "Talking?  Damn it.  You should have just walked away, Jasper."
   "I tried." Jasper hissed as Soraya applied disinfectant to his cheek.
   "You didn't kill him, so thank you for that.  You won't have to worry
about him anymore."
   "They won't stop.  He won't stop." The muscle of his jaw bulged.  "I
wouldn't.  Where is she?"
   "She ate, had a walk along the beach, then went to your room."
   "That's where I'll be."
   "The hell you will."
   "Mom."
   "Vera should not see you like this."
   "Like what?"
   "Angry and hurt.  I see it in your eyes.  He got to you.  Don't say
something that you would regret.  Take a walk.  Get some food in you."
   Jasper picked up a few bandages.  "I'm going to shower, bandage my damn
self, and go to bed."
   Soraya sighed.  "Good night then."
   ***
   Jasper found Vera sleeping in his bed.  He spent his shower trying to
forget what Matthew said, but the words nagged at him, tore at him. 
Afterward, he was so wrapped up in his anger that he didn't see Vera
sitting up in the bed.
   "Matthew has been my boyfriend since I was ten years old." Vera
whispered.  "I've wanted to leave him, but it's hard."
   "You promised him forever?"
   "Forever was like, 'best friends forever.' We were kids."
   Jasper leaned against his dresser and looked an her.  She was in a gray
sports bra that hugged her breasts tight.  She was beautiful.
   "What happened to you?"
   "I got in a fight with Matthew."
   Vera got out the bed and kissed him just under the bandage on his cheek.
"Does he look worse?"
   "Much.  I wanted to kill him."
   "I'm glad you didn't."
   "Are you?" Jasper walked away from her.  "Glad you'll have someone to go
back to?"
   "What are you talking about?"
   "He said he allowed you to date me.  That you promised to marry him. 
You think what we have is so temporary you can just walk away?  When I ask
for forever, do you think I mean a couple years?"
   "Why would I be here if I thought that?  Matthew said all those things
to make himself feel better.  I will never be with him."
   "Damn right," Jasper dropped into a folded leg position on the floor,
closed his eyes, and chanted just under his breath.
   Vera could see the violence for Matthew in Jasper's mind.  Whether or
not he could actually harm Matthew wasn't a question.  She remembered what
happened to Harold just for attempting to harm her.
   "Stop Jasper."
   He looked at her.  "Why?"
   "Don't."
   "Now you want to protect him.  Hmph."
   "You would get blamed for it if he were to die.  You were just in a
fight with him."
   Jasper narrowed his eyes and gave her such a menacing look that she
didn't want to know what he was thinking.  He got to his feet and walked
over to the bedroom door.  "Good night, Vera."
   "Jasper.  Wait."
   "Go to sleep."
   Vera sat awake in his bed for several hours staring in the darkness,
tears streaming down her face.
   ***
   Soraya silently cursed over her morning coffee.  When she found Vera
swimming laps in their pool, she sent all that anger to her bullheaded son.
His only saving grace was that Vera didn't know her own power as a wraith.
   "Vera."
   The girl propped herself up on the side of the pool.
   "Take a break."
   "No."
   "And why not?"
   She shook her head.  "I can't.  I'm too wound up.  I couldn't sleep, and
now I'm too hot and can't cool off.  I feel like my whole body is one huge
trap waiting to spring.  Like something needs to break and I can't find
it." Vera pulled herself out the pool and walked toward the diving board.
"I want to feel different.  I think I need to go back home."
   "Why would you say something like that?"
   "I don't think Jasper wants me any more.  Matthew said something to him.
Fucking psycho.  In a few years I'll probably have to file a restraining
order.  Now his lies are going to ruin the only good thing I have." She
sniffled as she stood at the end of the platform.  "It's like knives in my
heart, and I can't tear them out."
   Soraya caught Jasper ducking back into the house.  She caught up with
him and jacked him against the wall by his throat.  "You better fucking fix
it.  I'm not killing her.  Do you understand me, young man?"
   "Yes," he croaked.
   "Yes, what, damn it?"
   "Yes, mother.  I'll fix it.  I'm sorry.  I should have listened to you."
   ***
   Jasper dove into the pool and pulled Vera up with him.  "I need you."
   Vera sputtered as tears streamed from her eyes.
   He kissed her tears and hugged her close.  "I love you.  I never want to
be without you."
   "I love you too.  That ritual?  I want to do it."
   "Why?  You don't have to."
   "I want you forever.  That's why.  I don't want it to be about words."
   Jasper pulled Vera along to his room, dripping water onto the floor the
entire way.
   "He told you I'm not a virgin, didn't he?"
   "Not in so many words.  I don't want to think about what he said."
   She grinned and toweled off.  "You're the only person other than myself
that's brought me to orgasm.  I bet you could do it in other ways too."
   He smirked at her and opened the blade.  "Want to make this ritual more
interesting?"
   She set the towel down over his bed and sat on it.  "Yes."
   ***
   Soraya answered the door and groaned.  Just when she thought she could
celebrate.  "Good evening officers.  How may I help you?"
   "My name is Officer Davis and this is my partner Officer Fuller.  I'm
here on behalf of Mr.  and Mrs.  Reynolds.  They are looking for their
daughter and have reason to believe that she is here."
   With a deep sigh Soraya took a step back and allowed them to enter. 
"She is, but I was not aware her visit ran contrary to her parents'
approval." Soraya flashed her best smile to both the men.  "Teenagers."
   Officer Davis looked Soraya over.  "They can be a hassle."
   "Indeed." She led them to the den where Jasper and Vera had the past
several hours asleep.
   Officer Fuller immediately sauntered over to wake her up.
   "No," Soraya suddenly warned.  She hadn't noticed it before but she
could see the way Jasper and Vera were breathing in unison.  Jasper had a
bandage on his chest.  An unwelcome touch would prove fatal.  "Let me wake
them," she rushed to explain.  "My son tends to lash out in his sleep, and
I don't need him assaulting an officer." Soraya tamped down her nerves.  No
wonder they'd found harmony so quickly.  If he'd completed the ritual they
were as good as joined.
   Office Fuller took a step back and put a hand to his hips, "By all
means. These Romeo-Juliet calls are more of a nuisance."
   "Jasper," Soraya firmly called into his mind.  "Jasper, wake up right
now."
   Slowly, with a smile on his face, Jasper's eyes came open and looked to
his mother.
   "Wow.  I need to learn that trick."
   Jasper's eyes cut to the officers.
   "Wake her," Soraya mouthed to him.
   With a soft giggle Vera awoke as well, but the smile on her face quickly
faded.  The two of them sat up.
   "Veronica Reynolds?" The officer questioned.
   "Yes sir?"
   "We're here on behalf of your parents to take you home."
   "She doesn't have to leave," Jasper stated, the edge lucid in his voice.
   "She's underage, and therefore, she does," Officer Fuller signaled for
Vera to get up.
   Vera looked over to Jasper.  It must have taken all he had to remain
quiet.  She smiled and looked to Soraya.
   "Go on," she whispered.  "You will be back soon enough.  Nothing can
separate the two of you for long."
   ***
   Vera said nothing when she left with the officers.  Her ride home was
also quiet.  The moment Vera walked in the door her mother threw her arms
around her.
   "Are you okay?" she asked.
   "Can I go to my room?" Vera inquired flatly.
   "Yes, sure."
   Vera backed away from her mother and trotted up to her room.
   "Dinner will in a little while," Voncille reminded.
   "FUCK dinner!" Vera yelled before her bedroom door slammed shut.
   Ron emerged from the kitchen with a scowl on his face.  "She is not
going to be disrespectful in the house.  I don't care what hormonal problem
she has."
   Voncille shook her head and held a hand up to her husband.  "Just let
her vent.  We'll have her back under control soon enough."
   The statement was punctuated by a loud boom against the wall.  A few
minutes later the house filled with harsh music.
   Ron climbed the stairs two at a time.  He pounded on his daughter's
door. "Vera!  Open this door!"
   Vera slung something against the door large enough to create a splinter
in the wood.
   Ron pounded again.  "Vera.  Open this door, and do it now!" He stood at
the door waiting, but he didn't hear anything else being thrown at the
door. After about a minute all he heard was the sound of crying beneath the
deafening music.  With a sigh of resolve and defeat, Ron turned and headed
back downstairs.  "Tomorrow, we'll set up for her to see someone.  This
can't continue.  She'll just runaway again."
   "I called Matthew," Voncille informed.  "He's going to join us for
dinner.  Maybe he can talk some sense into her."
   With a nod Ron returned to the kitchen.
   Ten minutes later Matthew arrived to a house with the ambient music of
speed metal.  "How long has she been doing that?"
   "An hour, I think," Voncille winced at the sound of Vera throwing
another object against the wall.
   "Maybe I should go see her."
   Voncille shook her head.  "Not just yet.  Let her vent.  Come on and eat
with us and tell me more about what you think you know about these people."
   ***
   Soraya pulled in front of the Reynolds' residence that next morning. 
She toyed with the idea of giving them another day, but a night without
sleep was enough to put them in the right frame of mind.  Besides, Soraya
needed answers, and Jasper was going to drive her crazy otherwise.
   Vera's mother had dark patches under her eyes.  "Soraya?"
   "Yes.  May I come in?"
   Voncille Reynolds stepped back.  "My husband is out back and Matthew
went to school today.  So, you won't have anyone to speak with but me."
Voncille sat on the couch and cradled her head in her hand.
   Loud thumps of bass rattled the dishes.  The house sounded like a party
in mid-swing.
   "She's been locked in her room since we got her back.  Ron threw the
breaker last night so we could get some sleep." Voncille shook her head. 
"So she must have been kicking the walls or something until then.  The
radio didn't start up again until an hour ago.  That's probably when she
woke up."
   Voncille frowned at Soraya's accusing expression.  "What?"
   "Who are her parents?  It must be a relative since she resembles you,
and there's no way she would have been up for adoption."
   "Nearly." Voncille wiped her eyes.  "My sister died in childbirth when
Christopher was only a toddler.  I hadn't had much contact with her, but
Ron and I agreed to pass Vera off as our own.  As for the father," Voncille
shrugged.  "I never knew him or heard anything about him.  Matthew, poor
child, he's been going off on all these wild tangents, but it makes me
think of my sister and they way she acted.  I have no information about him
or who he may have been."
   "Were you half sisters?"
   She nodded.  "What do I do?  I don't know what she's becoming."
   Soraya leaned forward.  "I know Vera is young, but she needs to be with
her own kind.  It's rare for the female or our kind to find a healthy
environment.  Your sister must have found another like us.  I'm sorry that
she passed while bringing Vera into the world.  That's why I am here. 
That's why we found her.  Wraith born have a way of finding each other,
that her father didn't means that he didn't know or was dead."
   "I don't know what to do.  Matthew said that he would kill her."
   "Matthew," Soraya measuredly began.  "Also implied that he owns Vera."
   Voncille's eyes went wide.  "He can be a bit dramatic, but I'm sure he
didn't mean it that way."
   "The stress that this is causing our children will make them sick.  I
can care for her and can finish the great job you started.  Jasper is a
gentleman and loves Vera with all his heart.  Vera will continue with her
education.  She will be loved, cared for, and most of all, by someone who
understands her."
   "You're asking me to give up my baby.  Do you understand that?"
   An inhumane growl rose from up stairs.
   Soraya lifted a single brow.  "I'm asking you to help me save her."
   "I want to meet him."
   "Not a problem."
   "When I meet him, then I will decide."
   Vera released a shrill scream followed by deep sobs.
   "Hopefully, your decision will not kill your daughter." Soraya spoke
softly.  "What time should we return?"
   "This evening, four?"
   "See you then."
   ***
   Soraya arrived home and found Jasper lying in his bed.  She sat down
beside him and pulled the covers back.  "Vera's mother wants to meet you
this evening." She traced the white bandage on his chest.  "Clean up."
   "I'm sorry, Mom."
   "For what?"
   "I didn't listen to your advice and wait." He glanced down at the
bandage.  "I used the ritual.  I slept with her.  I bonded us.  I didn't
think she'd ever leave again."
   "You followed your instinct.  Like you said, you're bonded." Soraya
smoothed her son's hair back.  "Nothing is going to change that, not
distance nor another person."
   "But if she isn't ready then I might have killed her."
   "She's wraith born on the side of an unknown father and possibly her
mother, who died in labor.  She's probably half to full blood.  That's not
what I'm worried about."
   "What are worried about?"
   "You're bonded.  If she turns to violence, so will you.  If she becomes
lost, she'll take you with her.  You kept your tie with her, didn't you?"
   He nodded.
   "You know how to mess up good, don't you?" Soraya's grin was a
bittersweet one.  "She doesn't know her own power.  You know yours.  Use
it. Be the calming force.  Take control.  I taught you how."
   Jasper shook his head.  "I can hear her calling me.  I don't know how
much longer I can fight."
   "You'll see her soon.  Go on.  Make me proud."
   ***
   "Matthew," Voncille began.  "If you are going to stay, then you need to
know that Jasper and Soraya will be over here shortly."
   "Why?" Christopher and Matthew questioned simultaneously.
   "Because I want to see this boy for myself." Voncille held her hand up.
"Not another word.  You want to stay?  That's fine, but you respect that
you're a visitor in my house.
   Voncille didn't know what to expect from the person that would turn her
daughter boy crazy, but Jasper was not it.  He was tall, but thin,
unassuming.  He had a shy look to him that made you want to take him in
your arms and shelter him.
   He appeared the furthest from the kind of person Voncille would imagine
beating Matthew the way he had, but he had the bruises and cuts that proved
he had been in a fight.
   "Jasper?" Voncille offered the boy her hand.  "It's nice to finally meet
you."
   He shook her hand, but remained quiet.  His eyes, however, bored daggers
into Matthew.
   "Dinner should be ready soon.  I've tried to get Vera to come out of her
room, but I don't think she'll be joining us."
   The muscles in Matthew's jaw bulged.
   "I've set up an appointment with a psychologist.  I know you and my
daughter have become fast friends, but I think she has some issues she
needs to work out."
   Jasper grinned and nodded.  "Vera will be down in a moment."
   "We've been trying all--"
   Wood groaned and a lock turned.  Vera bounded down the stairs dressed in
a long cotton shirt.  Her hair was wet and skin pale.
   Voncille looked closely at the young woman coming down the steps.  She
had only a passing resemblance to her daughter.  Her hair was much darker
than she remembered, eyes brighter, and her demeanor seemed like a woman
possessed by something sinister.
   "Mrs.  Reynolds, I told you he's taken control of her.  The only way to
help Vera--" Matthew's back slammed to the wall and slid upward.
   Vera held her arm outstretched, several feet away, and her hand rose
along with Matthew.
   "Hey," Jasper caressed her cheek.  "If you did that to everyone who
annoyed you, your arms would get pretty sore."
   Vera's cheek twitched.  She dropped her arm and returned Jasper's
caress. Matthew collapsed to the floor.  "Jasper," she whispered as she
hugged him to her.  "I missed you."
   "I missed you too.  Forget them, okay?"
   "You're mine," she hissed, "forever."
   "Absolutely."
   "I need you," she kissed him as if they were the only two people in the
room.
   Soraya whispered to Voncille.  "I know Matthew has spent plenty time
explaining how violent and evil a wraith can be.  The females carry most of
the blame for that.  We are unholy terrors when pushed to that limit. 
Goodness knows I'd never want that for my son, but Jasper wants Vera, and
Vera wants Jasper.  If we leave Vera behind, you'll learn what happens
without his calming force in her life."
   "Calming force?  He caused all this.  She was fine before she met him."
   Soraya shook her head and pointed to Matthew.  "She was going to create
a long string of love sick men whom she wanted nothing from.  Have that
happen enough and violence will not be the worse of your problems."
   "What's your calming force then?"
   "My son, and one day, my grandchildren.  You'd like to see your
grandchildren, wouldn't you?"
   Voncille nodded.  "Just go.  I'll explain everything, but I want to see
my daughter on occasion.  No matter what, I've raised and loved Vera as my
own, and I've only ever wanted the best for her."
   "I know that."
   <->
   Epilogue: This story was so 'high school' that I hated reading it.  It
took me a long time, but I've cleaned it up to a point that I can
appreciate an old story of mine without cringing.
Written: 1999 - 2000, best I can remember.
   Contact: nysidra at hot mail dot com
  
Ritual