My Mate Changed Me.

Chapter Nineteen: Jem's Way Out

        Jem's P.O.V. (Two hours before Celine speaks with Chase)

        "Your mate is quite the specimen." Christian taunted from outside of the bars and I growled then winced at the pain that exploded in my back. "I had heard wild stories of Originals and their incredible powers but I never really believed there was a chance they were still around. I mean, vampires hardly come out during the day. I figured the witches powers were wearing off, but hey, I guess I was wrong."

        "Shut...up." I snarled and he chuckled.

        "Come on." He cooed. "It's not like I have anyone else to talk to. Clara isn't exactly one for having a civil conversation, but we'll keep that between you and I, huh?" Christian spoke quickly as if he had been waiting to get all this off of his chest.

        "Why don't you go speak with Chase about it?" I asked and I'll admit a wave of hurt came with the thought of Chase betraying Celine and me.

        "Oh please, as if that mangy mutt could hold a decent conversation." Christian scoffed and I fought back a growl of annoyance.

        "Do you talk about all your lackies like that?"I questioned. Maybe if I kept him talking I'd think of a way out of this. Or at least give Celine some time without him talking her ear off. Has she even woken yet?

        "He isn't my lackie. Not exactly. I mean, threaten the mutt and he'll lick your shoes clean." Christian said and chuckled looking down at his shoes.

        "You bastard." I growled and winced again.

        "What? All is fair game here. It's only fair of me to use a kid's family against him. Oh, and the look on Celine's face." Cristian's eyes glazed over as if reliving the moment. "All that hurt scrunched up into one facial expression, nearly had me at tears, if I do say so myself." He said over dramatically. "If the pain of betrayal could kill...she'd be six feet under." He said suggestively and I growled again, ignoring the objection of my back.

        "If you touch her-" he cut me off

        "I, personally, am not going to touch a single hair on her head. No, Clara wants to take charge of that. She wants to drain your little mate dry while she's awake to witness her own defeat. In fact, if you listen closely you can hear the sound of Celine laying helplessly on the floor, moaning my name- oops, wrong fantasy." He chuckled and winked in my direction. I snarled and quickly found that I was standing and had Christian's shirt clenched in my fists through the bars. I brought him as close as I could and looked him in the eyes as mine grew dark. A flash of fear ignited in his eyes and his lip curled back to show his canines.

        "Speak about her like that, one more time." I growled out. "I fucking dare you."  I said, slamming him against the bars and his eyes began rolling to the back of his head as if he were going to faint with how hard he crashed against the bars.

        "Hey!" A female voice yelled and heels ran up to us. Christian was yanked from my grasp and Emma was standing there petting Christian's head. "It's okay my love." She cooed and I squinted my eyes. I was so close to just snapping him in half. He laid in Emma's lap and looked more than a little dazed.

        "Emma." I said and she looked at me with hatred in her eyes. "What's in this for you?" I asked, slumping to the floor.

        "He's my mate." She said, brushing her fingertips over Christian's cheek and he slowly swatted her hand away.

        "And he asked you to do this?" I asked and she huffed.

        "He doesn't have to. I know he wants me by his side. If that means that I have to go against you and Celine than I'll do it. I mean...I didn't want to..." She trailed off and I used it to my advantage.

        "I would never have asked Celine to do something like betray her pack. I wouldn't want her to and I'd make sure she knew she didn't have to." I said and she looked up at me.

        "Christian's different. He's not like you. It's hard for him to tell his feelings. I know he loves me, it's just hard for him to show it, is all." She said, looking down at Christian as he sighed against her.

        "Emma, you don't have to do this to be able to show him you love him." I said and she looked back at me with surprise in her eyes.

        "What do you mean?" She asked skeptical.

        "Unlock my cell. I will personally make sure that Celine will pardon you for what you've done. You can tell Christian I escaped when I knocked him unconscious and you arrived after the fact." I said and she seemed to be debating it. "You win both ways. You will no longer be considered my enemy and you will still be faithful and loyal in the eyes of your mate." I said and her eyes filled with tears.

        "That does sound promising." Emma said and looked down at Christian who had fully been swallowed by darkness. "But what if he doesn't believe me?" He asked and I chuckled, causing pain to burst in my back.

        "I believed you." I said and she looked guilty.

        "Okay." She whispered and slowly stood, leaving Christian on the ground. "Okay, I'll help you, but only if you pardon Christian too." She said and my eyes doubled.

        "Emm-"

        "Please, I know he doesn't mean what he does. It's just-"

        "Fine." I said and happiness entered his eyes. I could lie too, as long as it got me to Celine, I would lie to the Lord himself.

        She unlocked my cell and I rose from the floor slowly but surely and she helped me then let go and wiped the blood on the front of my shirt. I nodded at her as she sat back on the floor and brought Christian's head into her lap. She huffed dismissively and I hobbled away down the hall. Looking for Celine through the maze of cells and eventually I found something that made my insides turn and my mind reel.Lying on the floor was Chase. Only his head was at a weird angle and he was limp on the floor.

        I rushed to his side and painfully dropped down next to him. I listened closely and pressed my fingers to his neck. He was dead.