Smiling Jessica Monroe stepped out of the club into the dark night

CH.8 – The Trip

Handing Jean her bags Jessica shut off the lights. The apartment was virtually empty of her belongings. Is this the last time I will see it?

“It is okay, we can always come back after.” Jean said.

She turned into his arms, “How do you always know what I’m thinking?” Jess asked, as she hugged him.

“Your breathing, and your pulse, and your body expressions.” He smiled, “You are so readable.”

She smiled back and locked the door. “Shall we?” She asked.

Chuckling Jean took her hand and they walked to the elevator. The trip down was silent. Jean had time to examine her, and he wondered, Is she so desperate to be with me that she’d give it all up? Can I really protect her for long? If she stayed I will have to blood her. And I want her with me. The elevator stopped and the doors opened. They stepped off.

Then Jessica remembered the theater, and how her car got demolished. “What car are we using?”

Smiling Jean said, “I rented a car. I hope you like it.”

She looked around for the car he might have chosen. What kind of car would he get? Then she saw it parked in the corner. The red Mustang was brilliant. The dim lights made the outline of the car stand out and it was magnificent.

She sighed, “Where did you get this?”

He shrugged.

Shaking her head she grinned, “You have to return it.”

“Oh I will, I am no thief. I will call the police when we are out of the country and report the stolen car. A shame though.” He stroked the top, “It is really nice.”

“Yeah, you can say that again.” She opened the trunk. Inside was a few of her bags, and one large black case.

She’d never seen it before. It was roughly five feet in length, and one foot wide. It was steel black with a small red ribbon tied to the handle.

“What’s this?” Jessica asked, puzzled.

Poking his head around Jean answered, “Oh, that is mien. It is my sword. Never come unprepared.” He smiled at the childish narration.

“Sword? Like the nights have?”

Jean frowned. “Vampires cannot use guns, we only fight with swords, daggers, bows. But not often.” He pointed to the case. “That sword is very valuable.”

She smiled, “I don’t doubt it. Can I see it?”

He grinned, “Not now, we need to get moving.” She agreed and they piled into the hotrod.

Starting up the engine Jean revved it and felt the car vibrate beneath them. He grinned a huge grin. Then he put it into reverse and drove out of the parking structure to the highway. As they drove down the fast lain Jessica began questioning him again.

“So what is this mountain like?”

“Rocky.” He smiled at the sarcasm.

She pouted, “I mean inside.”

“I know,” He took an exit and started for the airport. “It is very large. There are many caverns, we call them halls.” Jean began to accelerate, “They are all lit with torches, so we never need to use electricity. It is all very old. And traditional. But in many ways it is new as well.”

“How was it build?” She was so wrapped up in the imagining she scarcely noticed how fast they were going.

He shrugged “No one really knows. The oldest Vampire was blooded after it, and he is over seven hundred years old. But we do know it was hand made.”

“How?”

“Chisel marks.”

“There are chisel marks?” Jessica asked, astonished.

“Oh yeah.” He rolled down the window. The sudden gush of wind caused Jess’s hair to swirl around and she fought with it to stay down.

Jean took a short moment to watch her, she was so beautiful. He couldn’t imagine her as a Vampire. He rolled the window back up.

“Sorry about that. It was too hot in here.” He looked back to the road.

She smiled, No he wasn’t. “So how will you find it?”

Bringing his finger up to his nose Jean tapped it. “Scent.”

She looked uncertain. “That’s it?”

Smiling Jean took another exit into the airport. “You have got to trust me Jess. A large group of Vampires has a,” He searched for the right word, “Unique smell. It will be no problem.”

She didn’t quite understand but she nodded in response. Looking around Jessica realized where they were. The airport was very close and Jean was driving into an underground parking lot.

He found a good spot, out of the way, and parked the Mustang. Getting out Jean once again ran his hand across the car. “It really is nice. I think I will get one.” He grinned.

Smiling Jessica agreed. “Yeah, I think it looks good.” Walking to the back of the car Jean removed their bags and headed towards an elevator. The trip up was silent, as was the walk through customs and the baggage delivery.

Once they had sat down in the waiting lobby in front of their gate Jessica asked, “When’d you buy the tickets?”

Smiling his crooked smile Jean answered, “While you were asleep, I called up the airport and made reservations.”

Nodding she agreed. Then a young lady stepped up onto the pedestal in front of the gate. “Ladies and gentleman,” she announced over a loudspeaker, “Flight three, three, seven will now commence boarding. Have your tickets ready please.”

Getting up and digging out their tickets they got onto the plain and were lead to their seat. After a short amount of time Jean was all situated and comfortable. As was Jess. Then the captain came on and announced all the flights information. After he was done they began take off and Jean went to sleep. As did Jessica, who found herself wrapping her arms around Jean in an attempt to get warm.

Jean was awakened by a cute flight attendant. “Excuse me Sir, but the flight is almost over, we’ll need you and the young miss to sit up please.”

“Oh,” he leaned up and rubbed his eyes. “Sorry bout that. Must have dozed off.” He smiled.

The flight attendant smiled back and turned to leave. As she walked away she tried to accent her butt. Smiling to himself jean thought, I will never understand women. Then he looked down to Jess, she was awake and fuming at the flight attendant. Nope, never.

“Good morning.”

Looking up to him Jessica smiled and leaned in for a kiss.

They kissed, and it took Jess’s breath away again. She melted into him and they kissed longer. Finally when Jean thought she could no longer hold her breath he pulled her away. “Breath Jess.”

Gasping for air she placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. “We’re here?”

“Yup,” He said standing. “Come on, France is beautiful.”

“I imagine.” She gave him a glare and stood up. Then yawned.

Jean put one arm around her and with the other picked up their bags, “You are tired, it is still night where you are from. You can sleep in the car.” Turning they headed out of the plane. Outside the Airport the sun was up and it was nice and warm, Jessica was having trouble staying awake.

Jean hailed a taxi and told him to drive them to the nearest car rental dealership. After all, they needed a car to drive in the Alps.

Hello everyone!! Sorry for the wait, I’ve been overly busy these past few months and haven’t had any time to write. Once again I apologize and hope you’re enjoying the story. Please review 

- Jean Havoc