Emilio led Kass and Jett to another part of the house where they could talk about Marcus without being disturbed. He made sure they had whatever they needed before returning to his duties. Jett studied Kass for a minute; he was impressed by the man’s age, but didn’t feel too intimidated. Perhaps that was because the older man had done little to indicate he was going to act in a manner that would cause worry. It had apparently been a few minutes, because Kass spoke up.
“You were going to tell me about Marcus?”
“Right.” Jett opened the bottle of water Emilio had handed him and took a sip. “I’m guessing you’d appreciate honesty, so I’ll be as honest as I can, much as I dislike the guy for what he’s done to me.”
“Color me intrigued.” he said, taking a seat. Jett followed suit.
“Well, Marcus has always been a fixture in my life.. Except for short stints, I’ve never had him out of my life. He’d been around my family since well before I was born, emigrating with them from England to the Massachusetts colony. My understanding is that after I was born, he took a look at me and asked my father to let him educate me. My father consented, and when I was about six I spent my evening learning from Marcus. History, Geography, languages….he paced things out, but pushed me to work hard.
“During the day he’d have his ghoul, Caleb, teach me. What I learned from him was how to farm and how to hunt. Not all at once, but over the years. I was a teenager when Marcus began to look at me in a sexual light, though I didn’t realize that at the time. He moved with me to Philadelphia after I was married, and still taught me things, though I was a busier and much more exhausted individual by the time evening came, and I don’t think he liked that much.
“I participated in the Revolution, and when I came home I essentially had no home left to go to, so Marcus took me in. He ghouled me, and I think waited until I was completely blood bonded to him before asking me or initiating sex with me. I always said yes, even if I didn’t want to, because I didn’t want to disappoint him.”
Jett took another sip. He didn’t care to relive the memories, and this was rather clear to a quite observant Kass, who spoke up.
“I understand the memories are unpleasant, but I greatly appreciate anything you tell me. It will help me to understand.”
Jett sighed a little and continued. “I’ve had two domitors other than Marcus – they were people I’d begged blood from when Marcus wasn’t around. It may have taken time, in some cases, but Marcus always hunted me down and took me back. That was something I was grateful for, since they were awful, one being cruel and the other being horrific.” Jett shuddered as he thought about Derrek.
“The fact of the matter is, despite the rape over the years, Marcus has always taken care of me, and seen to it that I didn’t want for anything. So putting the rape aside, he’s not that bad of a guy. I might still be happily serving him, were it not for being repeatedly raped.”
“Thank you for telling me all of this. I appreciate your honesty as well.”
“No problem. So..uh..what do you plan on doing to Marcus?”
“Nothing at this time. I had heard rumors he was unstable and making poor choices. From what I have seen so far, this is not the case. I would like to meet some of the others around here, if possible, and get their opinions on my childe. For now though, thank you once again for your honesty.”
Kass stood up, and Jett spoke. “You came with Vince, didn’t you? Want me to lead you back to him?”
“I did, and yes, please.”
Jett took another drink and gestured for Kass to follow him back to the entertainment room, where he’d left Brandon and Vince. Kass had a fine impression of Jett, just from the talk and brief history lesson, and was rather impressed that Marcus essentially raised the boy. He may not seem like the proper material for his clan, he could still see things to appreciate about him, and idly wondered if he were up for the Embrace by someone.