Jared Whitlock; Daughter of Jasper Hale

Chapter 53: Distractions

"Right, first things first," Caius starts as we walk down the corridor. "You will not pester me, you will leave me be when I am painting or reading. I will protect you only in a dire emergency. You will speak to me with respect. Do you understand?" He stops walking to peer into my eyes.

"Yes, sir. I understand completely." I say, which pleases him, I think. "Good. We will head to my room," He decides. "Is it big? Do you have a four poster bed with curtains around it? Do you have ceiling height windows? Do you have-"

"Quiet!" He shouts. I step back. "Sor-ry." I draw out the word. He tuts and we come to stop, outside a brown door with his name engraved. "Cover your eyes." He orders. "Why?" I ask. He sighs as he did when I asked him questions just now. "Because I keep my key in a specific place and I don't want you to see the location." He orders. "Why would I care? Why would I go in your room? There'll be nothing interesting in there. Full of dodgy paintings and crap poetry books." I drone on.

"The lack of enthusiasm for books in the modern world. It does warm my heart." He snarks back. I pull faces behind his back as he grabs the key and slots it in the door. We walk in. There's a desk on the right hand side, tidy, with paper and quills. A cabinet on the left, with photographs and swords, from his human days. There's another door at the end of the room. I open it to reveal a mini library. Stacks and shelves bursting with books. "Get out of there!" He growls. "Why would you want to go in there?" He swats me away.

"Alright, chill. I was only looking." I protest. "Ha! In my day, children were reading everyday. Books were the best toy. The best shiny new gadget." He goes on. "Yeah, no wonder you're so depressed, that sounds like a dull life." I comment. He turns. "Do not disrespect my era. If you were not Reeve's plaything, I'd kill you now. It would save so much more space." He groans. "Sit down, I have more to teach you." He commands.

I drag myself over, sitting opposite him at his desk. I lean my arms on the desk. "Another quick rule," He says softly. "TAKE YOUR ARMS OFF MY DESK!" I jump back and fall off the chair at his unexpected tone. "Damn, I'm having a heart attack." I groan. He remains sitting, no intention of helping me stand. "Jesus, there was no need for that!" I shout. "Oh sit down, you fool." He snaps. I obey quickly. I go to lean on the desk again and his eyes widen. I hastily place them in my lap.

"It is not safe to be in the sun. Stay out of the city when the weather is at it's best." He's treating me like a newborn. "I'm not stupid, Caius." His eyes widen again. "Have the decency to call me Master or at least Sir." He orders. "Yeah, ok blondie." I use my nickname for Rose. "You digust me!" He growls. "Not only are you a lesbian, you have awful manners."

"Homophobic bastard." I grunt. He flies at me just as the door opens. We both turn to look at the same time. Reeve.
She runs to me. "JARED!" She jumps on my lap and kisses me while Caius is in the background, complaining.
"Ah yes, don't mind me. Just sitting here trying to go through the rules. That's it, slobber all over each others faces. Disgusting!" He sasses. "Don't be so mean!" Reeve squeals and jumps on him. "I missed you Uncle Caius!"

He pushes her away. "Don't you come near me!" She backs away, nervous. "Why? What's wrong?" She whispers, upset. "That!" He growls, pointing at me. "That is where you have gone wrong! A woman! Your mind is wired wrong. First Lily says she's a boy and now you are dating a girl!" He growls.

"Don't you dare speak about Lucifer or Reeve like that!" I pipe up, standing up for us all. Reeve's arm slips through mine. "Hold your tongue!" He shouts. I feel tears pricking my eyes. "Please." Reeve whispers to him. "I apologise. But this is how I feel about these things. I cannot accept your relationship yet." Caius says.

"Don't cry." He says firmly. "More on the rules later."
He turns to Reeve. "You're such a distraction." Then he leaves.
"Welcome to the family." Reeve says.