Blood Mates

Investigation Interrogation

 Jasper picked Alaia up early and sat with her in his truck in front of school for a minute. “So, I was thinking…why don’t we go back up to the cabin this weekend?” Alaia looked at him surprised, “Yeah?”

Jasper nodded as he admitted guilty, “Yeah we haven’t hung out with Stella and AJ for a while, and they miss us.” Alaia perked up at the idea of just normal teenage fun, “I’d love to.”

But then she deflated as her mind reminded her of something more important, “Crap but I can’t,” Jasper was immediately bummed, “Why not?”

Alaia sighed, “Old family friends are coming in.” Jasper slowly nodded, “More…vampires?” Alaia nodded and met his eye, “Is that a problem?” Jasper shook his head, “No. So what is it like a group or-?”

Giggling Alaia informed her boyfriend of the true name, “Most are called clans, vampires turned by different people and live together in high society. But the Harbinger’s are like us, a family of vampires.”

Jerking back, Jasper muttered a whoa making her nod. “Yeah, their legacy started with their grandfather and has passed down to the youngest. They’re the biggest family of vampires known and the oldest.”

Whistling Jasper asked curiously, “Damn how many are there?” Alaia shrugged, “Hundreds at least now. But the immediate mother, father, son, and daughter are coming. I’ve met them before and I’m friend’s with Rayne Harbinger, she’s sixteen and so sweet.”

Looking at her Jasper c****d an eyebrow, “And her brother?” Alaia shrugged, “Renaldo, he’s okay, I’ve never really paid him much thought. He seems nice enough.” Jasper was sure of that this Renaldo character had paid her a lot of thought though.

And that bugged him.

 Alaia looked at Jasper confused hearing his heartbeat picking up. When she looked at him, Jasper shook his head, and said, “Come on, let’s go.”

Walking the school halls, Jasper and Alaia were holding hands. Neither of them were focused on anyone else, until Olive bounced over to them. “Oh my god Jasper, what did you do?”

Jasper looked at Olive confused, “Ugh so far? Just walk in the door.” Olive gave him a look as Alaia giggled, but it dried when Oliver said, “Everyone is saying YOU did something to Donny. You know because of what he did to Paige, and because he kept trying to steal Alaia from you too.”

Not showing any expression on his face made Jasper looked around as people sent looks his way.  He wouldn’t have responded or even known how, so his girlfriend scoffed for him, “That’s ridiculous. Jasper didn’t do s**t to Donny because he's not capable of that. Besides, when that creep went missing, he wasn’t even here.”

 Olive looked at Alaia unsure as she walked away. Most likely to tell people the new information she’d just been told. Alaia hissed in disgust as she pulled Jasper along, “f**k, that asshole needs to stay dead. I didn’t think anyone would miss him.”

But someone did miss Donny.

Or was at least concerned where he was and how this was starting to look. Mayor Sebastian had at first had his deputies turning over every rock and known hangout for his son.

But so far nothing and after almost two weeks, Mayor Sebastian’s irritation and anger turned into worry. He had no clue where his son was or what happened to him.

So, after running out of options he went to the school to shake information out of the students. And he knew exactly who to start with.

He had the principal call Jasper out of class.

Him and Alaia both, and when they joined him in the office Principal Marana stood behind him shoulder to shoulder with two detectives working the case. Jasper kept relaxed as the woman looked down at them suspiciously. African American, with a petite curvy shape, her long bob falling around her chin she was beautiful.

Her name was Detective Sarah Moon, and she spoke confidently as she said, “On Dec. 19th, we have reason to believe, Donald Shamus snuck out of his house and went somewhere. Now we don’t know where, but we were hoping either of you could point us in the right direction.”

Alaia and Jasper exchanged looks, “Ma’am we weren’t friends with Donny.” Alaia told her carefully. Detective Sarah Moon’s partner Detective John Powers, the blandest looking white guy in existence, looked at Alaia with a smug smirk, “We know.”

Looking between them, Detective John told them, “We interviewed a few classmates, and they all said the same thing. You had every reason to be angry and go after Donald.”

Jasper looked at the man annoyed, “Not entirely true.”

Detective John wasn’t buying it as he sneered, “We know he stole your last girlfriend, broke into your house with her help, and then jumped you, putting you in a hospital. And then when he came home, set his sights on your new girl? What happen Jasper, you catch them together? Things get a little out of control?”

Alaia was ready to deck this tool in the mouth as she hissed, “Look neither of us liked the kid, and I had deep disgust for him personally, but we didn’t hurt him.”

Detective John was laughing mockingly as Detective Sarah asked them unsure, “Are you two positive on that?” Alaia shrugged as she told him sassily, “For the first three nights of Christmas vacation we left with my family to go skiing. I got sick so we had to come home early, I was laid up in bed the majority of the time. And Jasper went to surprise his mom down on the reservation.”

Jasper agreed when the three adults looked at him.

 Mayor Sebastian coughed as he levelly said, “Jasper, I know my son was an ass to you. He hurt you and he wasn’t…he did something disgusting and I’m so sorry. But please if you know anything about where he is.”

Jasper felt bad about lying but he didn’t hold back, “That’s the thing Mayor Sebastian, I haven’t even seen Donny before school let out. I don’t know where he is or who he’s with. He and I didn’t exactly run in the same circles.”

Mayor Sebastian looked Jasper over, “I know that. But I also know you’ve threatened and hit him a couple times.” Jasper didn’t care how that sounded or looked, “He was a prick, he kept trying to get close too my girl.”

Principal Marana scowled, “But that’s no excuse to put your hands on him Jasper! You’re taking this too far!” Jasper looked at Mayor Sebastian seriously, “Look Mayor Sebastian, I have nothing but respect for you. But you and I both know whoever your son touched, he poisoned them.”

Not even surprised by the harsh words, Mayor Sebastian watched Jasper look at Alaia adoring. “He had a target on my girlfriend and I don’t know why. But I wasn’t going to sit back and let him do it again, not with the girl I love. But I don’t know s**t about him vanishing.”

Detective Sarah perked up, “Enough to fight him for her?” Alaia’s face scrunched up in disgust, “There was never a fight for me! I never paid Donny any interest and that’s what bothered him. We just thought he’d get bored eventually.”

Not buying the innocent expressions, Detective Sarah suddenly laid down drawings, paintings, and sketches. All of Alaia, and all of them by the same person. Donny.

“We found these in his room and about a dozen more.” Detective Sarah told Alaia as her narrowed eyes tried to see through her calm expression. “Know anything about this?” Alaia looked at the woman incredulously, “What? No, how would I?”

Detective John c****d an eyebrow as he mockingly asked, “Oh so he didn’t ask you to model for him?” Alaia shot to her feet, red in the face as Jasper let loose a few choice words.

Mayor Sebastian held up his hand and said, “Enough, enough! This isn’t helping, we just need to know if you two know or have seen anything.” Jasper shook his head, “No.” Alaia shook her head, “No.”

And since no one had hardcore evidence they did, Jasper and Alaia were released back to class. By lunch, everyone was gossiping saying they were being looked at for suspects.

Jasper started to be nervous until Alaia told him casually, “Don’t worry. I’ll tell my dad and he’ll handle it.” Jasper nodded as they sat in the cafeteria for a change. They didn’t want to draw more attention by sneaking off somewhere like they were guilty.

But they were being gawked at fiercely like they were. Which didn’t help considering they knew they were guilty. 

After school was over, Jasper took Alaia home and when he went inside with her, he smiled at Sophia. “Your father is in his study.” She told them as she added some new touches to the house.

While she prepped the house for the Harbinger’s, Eric had to deal with their bad news. “I’d hoped it wouldn’t be noticed since he was so unpleasant.” Eric grumbled, “But I’m sure we can right this. Have his body show up somewhere inconspicuous and tell the M.E what to say.”

After he finished plotting, Eric sent them away and Alaia took Jasper to her room. As they laid side by side in bed, Alaia whispered, “I heard from Ms. Sammuels, apparently she’s crazy about your dad. But she’s scared he’s going to be upset when he finds out the truth.”

Alaia met Jasper’s eye, “Mostly because we all thought you would.” Jasper snorted, “Me telling my dad we’re both dating vampires? I think he’d explode and have us both checked into an asylum.”

Alaia giggled, “Probably. But he deserves to know, I felt sick lying to you about who and what I was. And I know you don’t like doing it to your dad and AJ.”

Jasper nodded, “Yeah and now I have to keep lying to them, and now add my mom and her family along with it too.” Sighing Jasper thought about his dad, a baby boomer with no patience to entertain the thought of stuff like this.

But then again if he’d known it was all real, who knows how he’d deal?

“I don’t honestly know how my dad’s going to react, but I know if she’s serious about him, he’s right along there with her. So, there’s hope.” Alaia breathed in Jasper’s scent and as her throat burned unpleasantly from hunger, she reminded herself she needed to feed.

As her fangs throbbed painfully, the dull ache reminded Alaia how hungry she really was. And how badly she wanted the blood of the boy laying underneath her.