Change

by J. A. Smith

  It had been built on the east side of the estate, there was a track to run on, a large weight set, a dojo mat, obstacle course where bricks would be thrown at you at any given time. I winced remembering my first run in this room, there were a few things Jason wouldn’t be ready for.

  “I’ll start you with a run on the track” I instructed, Jason hadn’t moved or said a thing since we arrived, just stared forward like a good solider. I let my shields down so I could see what had him so tight lipped; I wasn’t surprised at what I found, he was looking for ways to escape.

  “Jason” I said rolling my eyes. If he thought he could climb the wall out of here he was mistaken. “You can’t escape, and that wall had heat sensors that once triggered sounds an alarm, not to mention the electric shock that will be going through your body until you fall from twitching, plus they’d probably kill me for letting you try” I stated shrugging, Emily had made it a point to tell me what would happen if I should try to escape. The thoughts of escaping fled Jason’s mind, instead he began thinking of his life without his family. I threw my shields up not wanting to witness his suffering.

  Jason began running, exerting the energy he had from the small meal. He was really slow, I had to stop and wait more than a few times. He was panting by the time we had finished one lap.

  “Out of shape” I commented, surprised when he responded.

  “Not everyone has their own gym, and kills others for entertainment” he panted as he bent half his body over trying to catch his breath.

  “I would call it self-defense”. I said as we began walking the next lap.

  “How can it be self-defense when you know what their next move will be”

  “We are to use what is available to us to survive” I said through gritted teeth.

  “How many” he asked in monotone.

  “I stopped counting the first year when I hit triple digits.” I told him knowing his reaction before he yelled out a “What”.

  “Self-defense” I said trying to convince him, it didn’t work.

  I stepped to the side as Jason kicked up his legs and began running. I stood on the sidelines to watch. I wouldn’t let my shields down since I sure he was cursing me to hell and back. After four hours and only thirty-five laps later, I called him over so he could hydrate himself.

  “Are you too tired for more?” I asked not wanting to push him too far., I received a glare in response. Shrugging, I brought him over to the weights. When he maxed out at two-hundred pounds I lifted the bar from his hands, scowling.

  “You wouldn’t last two seconds in the arena, pull your head out of your ass and realize this is your life now. You live and die by your own actions when you’re are fighting.” I told him sternly. I watched as my words took root, he began benching the weights faster and with more ease.

  Richard, Marcus and Amelia came out eventually to watch the training, I had to become harder on him when they were around, couldn’t show that I cared if he lived or died. I had him start doing push-ups, explaining to Marcus I needed him conditioned before I could teach him to fight.

  After two-hundred, Jason fell to the ground completely exhausted from the routines I had put him through this day. Jason was escorted back to his cell by one of Marcus’s men.

  “You broke him”. Robert observed as Jason staggered trying to keep his legs from giving out.

  “No he isn’t broken yet” I stated calmly knowing deep down I would never truly be able to break Jason’s spirit, the tiger in him was too dominate for that.

  “Well I am curious to see how well he fights once the arena is back in working order, but until then let us have dinner. Lana why don’t you go clean up” Richard stated. I bowed my head respectfully before taking my leave.

  I came into the great hall after bathing and dressing in the barley there mini dress that had been laid out on my bed for me. Jason was sitting on the floor at Marcus’s feet. Richard and Amelia had chosen not to sit on their thrones tonight but join Marcus at one of the tables we had for guests. I took my own seat on the pillow between Richard and Amelia, Jason was glaring at me, he had a leash attached to the collar now, he honestly looked like a rabid dog.

  “Why do you keep her around?” Jason said in a rude tone causing me to look at him wide eyed. “You do not speak unless you are spoken to” I said to Jason in a firm voice gaining control over my shocked state.

  Marcus began chuckling as Jason continued; “You are not my Pride Master” he said staring at me knowing at one point I had been. I leaned forward and lowered my voice to a growl.

  “I might not be your Pride master, but you will respect me in the same manner” I ended up snarling at him. Thankfully he decided the best thing to do was listen.

  “Very good Siberian, maybe we should have you be and instructor instead of fighting once the arena opens again” Amelia stated looking at Richard hopeful. Richard’s eyes began glowing causing Amelia to break eye contact.

  “Do you have family pet?” Marcus asked Jason out of the blue, I had to make sure I showed no signs of caring one way or the other, but I really hoped Jason didn’t say anything stupid.

  “Yes I do” he responded causing the hands I held in my lap to begin shaking, I was going to kill him if he went further.

  “Interesting, how many brothers” Richard asked curiously.

  “None of your business”

  “Any females in your family” Marcus asked but looked at me admiringly.

  “No” Jason’s response had me looking up at him. He no longer saw me as part of his family. I couldn’t fault him for that was what I had been doing for the past three years.

  “To bad, I wonder if all female tigers are as strong as Siberian here” Marcus said waving to me. A low growl started bubbling in my chest causing Amelia to place her hand gently on my head, telling me to be nice.

  “Siberian” Robert said looking over at me telling me to apologize. I glared at Marcus.

  “I am sorry for being so rude, maybe I’m just a little tired from training today” I stated standing up, I couldn’t be around this asshole right now.

  “If you will please excuse me, I will take Jason to his cell, and then get some sleep”. Robert and Amelia looked a little worried at my departure but they didn’t ask me to stay.

  I grabbed Jason by the arm, towing him down stairs forcefully.

  “See Lana, they make you apologize for being out of line” Jason said as I threw him in his cell. “They don’t think of you as one of them, your nothing more than a pet just like me” I slammed the door closed locking it, not speaking a word.

  I went upstairs to find Amelia waiting for me by my door. She followed me in my room where Robert was sitting on my bed looking casual. The tension in the room said he was anything but.

  “Who is that pet to you” Robert demanded to know confirming my suspicions. I thought about the reactions they would have if I told them the truth, but with Jason acting the way he was I didn’t want them finding out I had lied.

  “He is my cousin.” I said watching them both carefully. Amelia gasped, while Richard didn’t change his appearance at all.

  “Then he is a liability and must be killed.” Richard responded; my heart rate went into overdrive as I tried to think of a better solution.

  “Let him go instead” I suggested stuttering

  “We cannot do that Lana, he belongs to Marcus”. I took another deep breath forming a plan that might work.

  “Buy him from Marcus” I said looking at Amelia and Robert pleadingly.

  “No” Richard seethed, I knew he could do it he just wasn’t interested in keeping any part of my past alive.

  “Why not” I asked straitening my back, I would not let them kill Jason because I had made a mistake in trusting them with the truth.

  “I will put that collar around your
neck Lana if you continue to show signs of insubordination.” Robert threatened, I let the growl that had been building in my chest loose as I said “You will not” his eyes widened at my own threat.

  “You are saying I can’t put it on you?” he asked.

  “No I am saying I won’t let you put it on me, I haven’t tried to leave and I don’t want to. I have never asked you for anything since I have been here, and now I am asking you to buy my cousin whom I can train” Richard and I were nose to nose at this point causing Amelia to push us apart.

  “Lana it isn’t that simple, if Marcus finds out he is your cousin, he will go after your family to fight you. I believe he knows Jason is your kin. Maybe Marcus has been searching since you killed his lover” Amelia said sadly, my worst fears had come.

  “Marcus is leaving tomorrow night, he told us he had some business to attend to, and he trusted Jason in your hands in his absence. I am sure he has already done a background on his pet Lana, he knows where your family is by now.” Robert said placing his hand on my check mournfully.

  “I can’t kill my family” I said to no one in particular, the numbness that I had been holding onto all these years began fraying at the seams

  “If Jason escapes you will have to pay the consequences, we cannot stop that. If he leaves Marcus will track him down and kill him, or ask him what he knows in return for not killing his children. There is nothing you can do” Robert said sadly.

  I could feel the pent up rage as it started boiling my blood, I had condemned my family to die. Amelia took her leave saying Richard and I needed to talk in private, after she closed the door I looked at the man I been sleeping with for the past three years as if he was a stranger.

  “Lana, I cannot tell you what to do in this situation and believe it or not it breaks my heart to see you hurt, but I can tell you that tomorrow night, as soon as the sun goes down Marcus is leaving, most likely to search out the remaining of your family. I do not believe it would be wise for any of them to go against you, or go through the treatments you have suffered to keep them hidden. Do you understand what I am telling you” He asked with a near heartbroken look on his face. Was he telling me to free Jason? Or to kill Marcus? Either way was fine with me so with a nod I told him I understood. He kissed my forehead gently like he was telling me goodbye before he too walked out of my room.

  I woke up the next morning, knowing what I had to do, getting dressed in the pair of jeans once again I made my way to Jason’s cell, letting my shields down as I approached.

  He was already awake waiting for me, he wasn’t chained to the wall anymore for which I was grateful, I hated seeing shifters chained up. I scanned him to make sure he wasn’t going to try anything suicidal, of course he was. He planning on surprising me when the door opened by grabbing my arm, then throwing me into the cell so I could feel what it was like. I opened quickly then closed it as his hand shot out towards me, catching it between the door frames.

  “Jason stop this I have some really good news for you, but if you don’t stop trying to knock me down I’m going to rip your arms out of your socket” I snarled pissed he was doing this when I had a plan. He stopped after a minute realizing he wasn’t going to get his arm back attached unless he listened. I slowly let him go and entered the cell, while he rubbed just above his elbow where the door had caught it. “Are you my executioner, is that the good news Lana?” Jason snapped at me. I just smiled motioning with my head for him to follow me, he did reluctantly since I hadn’t told him No I wasn’t there to kill him.

  Once we were out of ears reach in the training area, I knelt down by him as he stretched.

  “I’m going to get you out of here” I said to him in almost a whisper.

  “Yeah right stop lying” he said still stretching his legs ignoring me, I grabbed his arm startling him.

  “Do I look like I’m lying to you Jason” I asked seriously.

  “No you don’t.” He said as he looked at me hopeful

  “It might not be until tomorrow, but i promise you you’ll see your family really soon.” I said whispering. Jason nodded his head and smiled brightly.

  I brought Jason back to his cell thirty minutes before the sun set. I smiled at him and told him not to worried, and that I would see him tomorrow. He just nodded seeming deep in thought, I didn’t intrude I was sure he was wondering why I had changed my ways all of a sudden.

  I met up with Marcus as I came upstairs.

  “Hello Siberian” he said in a ragged tone.

  “Hello Marcus” I said nodding in his direction. I looked down at his bag.

  “Going somewhere” I asked since I was sure Richard hadn’t told him I knew.

  “Yes, I have some urgent business I must attend to. I have already asked Richard if you would watch over Jason, I wouldn’t want to impend on his training since it seems to be going so well “Marcus commented as he watched me calculating. I bowed as I was supposed to not saying a word.

  “can I bring your things downstairs for you” I asked in a sweet voice, changing my plans I had a better one forming.

  “No, I don’t have much and I wouldn’t want the King and Queen’s prized possession to do servants work” He comment with a hint of jealousy. I smiled not remarking and began walking back down stairs; Marcus had to say his farewells to Richard and Amelia giving me the perfect opportunity.

  The big chain and lock were off the front door, slowly opening it I ran outside to the black limo that was waiting for Marcus. I didn’t know the driver since it was one of Marcus’s henchmen. I knew I didn’t have much time now, walking up to the driver who leaning up against the limo with his back to me. I was silent as I clamped my hand around his mouth so he couldn’t scream for help. With a quick hank I detached his head from his body like popping the top from a soda bottle. Just like that he began to ash, I had to move him a little more in front of the limo so it wouldn’t get on the car and give me away. I was always amazed when their clothing burned up with the body; no evidence was a great thing. Dusting myself off, I turned and got into the driver side. Vampires were rarely given more than one chore, so the vampire I had killed was literally only a driver. Marcus eventually came out, having the limo door opened by one of house staff. Once inside he instructed for me to take him to the airport.

  I began to pull the car down the driveway, since I had never been to the airport before I didn’t know which direction it was, but Marcus wasn’t paying any attention as he sat in the back anyways.

  I drove for about twenty minutes, just long enough to be out of view from the estate before I pulled the car over.

  “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked sounding irritated I had stopped. The partition was as dark as the rest of the windows so he couldn’t make out who I was or where we were for that matter. Got to love Vampires who were paranoid they would burn to a crisp with the rising sun. I dropped my voice so that it sounded more male, and told him we had a flat tire, he huffed a little but sat back, waiting for me to fix it.

  Waiting by the passenger door I thought about all the things this man would do to my family if I let him, the rage I held such control of shattered, yanking the door open I had the blessing of seeing a vampire pale to paper white before screaming for his life.

  I was so pissed it took me a few seconds to realize I had only partially shifted, my finger nails had sharp claws, and I had fangs that went passed my lower lip.

  I grabbed his arm to keep him from scurrying away, but apparently my strength had also increased; my claws dug in his arm severed from his body at the elbow. I didn’t waste time as I tossed the offending piece of shit away, as I went after him again snarling.

  Strip by strip I tore him apart until finally he was nothing more than a screaming torso, which would be remedied after I had said my peace. “How does it feel to be at the bottom of the food chain for once, to know that death is staring at
you in the face and you have no control over your impending doom” My voice was raspy with the partial shift, I didn’t even sound a little like myself.

  “Please don’t kill me, I’ll let him go, I’ll leave your family alone” he pleaded pathetically. Staring at the screaming vampire I decided to add to his suffering, I dug into his chest until my claws clamped around his dead heart, squeezing until I felt it pop like a water balloon in my hands. He had screamed until the life that animated him fled from his eyes.

  I felt no remorse for what I had done, it felt justified, but I knew I had just sealed my own fate. So be it.

  Dusting my hands off from the ash; that was now all that was left of Marcus, I climbed out of the limo planning my next move. I knew the limo was actually Richards and it needed to be returned before anyone became suspicious, with that thought in mind I began airing it out by opening all the doors.

  While I waited I took in my surroundings. I was on a main road that would have led me to a town. I could see the jeweled lights coming from the East; freedom was but a mile in front of me. I could leave now if I wanted to, I had already escaped, but Jason would end up dead unless I returned. With a heavy sigh I closed all the doors and began to drive back to the estate.

  I parked the limo along with the others, hung the keys in the lock box, then walked in to the house; Richard was waiting for me in the kitchen when I opened the door, leaning against the island in the middle of the room.

  “How did it go” Robert asked conversationally. He didn’t seem upset but I wasn’t about to confess this early in the game, he knew something had happened.

  “The night was wonderful for a run” I said as I walked over to the sink to get a drink of water, my mouth felt like the desert in July. When he didn’t say anything I looked over, he was looking at me intensely before he nodded his head indicating for me to follow him.