Jett had been living in Boston when he got a knock on the door. He wasn’t expecting anyone, so with a sense of caution, he checked the peephole, only to find Marcus standing on the other side. He stood still, hoping Marcus would just…go away, though he knew there was a slim chance of that. Another knock, this time right next to his ear, but he still didn’t move.
“I know you’re in there.” Marcus began. “I can hear you breathing.”
With a grumble and a sigh, Jett unlocked the door and pulled it open, his expression one of anger and annoyance. “What do you want?” he growled.
“It’s been so long. Is that any way to talk to me?” he declared and stepped into the apartment, brushing past Jett while taking a look around.
“Are you going to answer me?” he demanded, shutting the door so that neighbors wouldn’t overhear.
Marcus picked up a guitar from its stand, looking it over carefully before answering. “The time for you to serve me again has come.”
“Like fuck.” he growled again.
Marcus narrowed his eyes at Jett. “All you have is because of me. All you’ve acquired. It can be gone more quickly than you can anticipate. Watch your mouth, and your temper.”
Jett swallowed a little. It seemed like a casual threat, sure. But Marcus never threatened lightly.
“Why?” he asked, fists clenched at his side.
“I have need of you.” came the simple reply. “I have a potential protégé in New York. You’re going to take me there. Moreover, you’re going to behave as a ghoul should, and serve to my requirements.”
Jett sighed. “When are we going?”
“Tonight.” Marcus stated.
“Do I at least get time to pack a go bag?”
Marcus nodded. “Make it quick.”
It had been a subtle reminder that Jett’s passions and lifestyle were allowed only by Marcus’ whim, and he felt dejected as the reality of his life set in. As he packed, he surmised that if Marcus was asking Jett to serve him directly, and not someone else for a change, that he could have a reasonable idea of what to expect.
Dragging his feet a little in some measure of defiance, he packed, and, when finished, made his way out into the living room, where he grabbed his jacket and keys. Marcus was waiting patiently, and when he saw Jett was ready, he headed for the door. They left, locked up, and made their way to Jett’s car.
“Don’t you need things?” he asked as he popped open his trunk.
Marcus said nothing as he opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. Jett shrugged and went to put his things in the trunk, when he noticed another bag. Of course. Marcus must have a spare key. Of course he did.
After closing the trunk, he headed for the driver’s side and climbed in. “I need an address for where we’re headed.”
“Give me your phone.” Marcus responded.
Jett unlocked his phone, then handed it over to Marcus and, a few moments later, had it back, with an address punched into the GPS. Setting the phone into it’s holder, he started the car, letting it roar to life and idle for a moment before taking off. It was a roughly four-hour drive on I-90 West. Probably less, if Jett drove like he typically did, which he might have to, he reasoned, as Marcus wanted to get there before sunrise.
The drive wasn’t a silent one. Marcus would ask an occasional question, and Jett would answer as briefly as possible. He didn’t want Marcus to know how he was doing or what he was thinking. Thing was, he always seemed to know anyway.
As he grew closer to the city, he had to be more careful about how he drove. Slowing down took them a little longer to get to the hotel address Marcus had punched in, but they still got there in just under four hours.
Marcus was let out of the car in order to check in, while Jett looked for parking and brought in their bags. By the time he got inside, Marcus had two key cards, which he pocketed as they headed for the elevators. The sense of dread from earlier had returned and settled into Jett’s chest, as he didn’t know what to expect from here on out.
At the fifth floor, the elevator stopped, and they headed to a room which Marcus unlocked. Once the door was opened, Jett hauled their belonging in. He stopped and swallowed as he noticed there was only the one bed. Marcus leaned over, taking his bag from Jett’s hand, and set it on the bed, unpacking while Jett stood there with shock.
“Are we…?” he began.
“Sharing?” Marcus said, looking over at Jett.
Jett could only nod.
“You have the adjoining room.” Marcus said, listening for the exhalation of breath from Jett he knew was coming.
“So where’s my key card?” he finally asked.
“In due time.” he said, pausing in his unpacking. He set his wallet, keys, and phone on the bedside table before sitting, gesturing for Jett to sit next to him.
He didn’t want to. Every thought in his head screamed for him not to, but he found himself doing it anyway. Once he was seated next to Marcus, he stared at the floor. The older man reached out with a hand for Jett’s chin, and turned his head so that he was making direct eye contact.
“You’ve nothing to worry about.” he promised. “Just relax.”
Jett nodded, but he couldn’t. His heart and mind were racing with anxiety, as he scrambled to think of something to distract Marcus with. “You said you had a student here?” he finally managed to say.
Marcus nodded. “Yes. We met six months ago. His ideals hold promise, I think.”
“His ideals?” Jett blinked, unsure of what Marcus meant.
“He’s atypical for a Brujah. We’ll leave it at that.” Marcus said.
“How long are we staying?” he asked.
“I have not decided yet. Until my task is complete, at the very least.” he responded.
“That could be a while, and if that’s the case, a short-term rental would be better than a hotel room. Cheaper, too.” he pointed out.
“Perhaps you are correct. Something for you to look into during the day, then.” Marcus said, subtly enforcing the statement so that Jett understood it wasn’t up for debate.
Jett grumbled half-heartedly under his breath, but Marcus only looked bemused. After a moment, he pulled the room cards out of his pocket, handing one to Jett. “Our rooms are connected. The doors connecting our rooms are to remain open, unless I tell you otherwise.” he handed the card out, but when Jett reached for it, Marcus pulled it away. “Take the supplies and sunproof both rooms. Start with mine.”
He nodded and took the key card after Marcus held it out again. He got up, and grabbed the third bag they had brought. Contractor bags and duct tape were primarily it’s contents, and he set about securing the windows and door as best he could, using a practiced hand. It was not the first time he had had to do something like this, and certainly wouldn’t be the last. He first made absolutely sure things were secure before leaving Marcus’ room, and heading to his own to do the same.
The last thing he did after securing his room, was to u block and open the door between the two rooms. Marcus was just tucking his empty luggage into the closet when Jett entered.
“I finished proofing the other room.” he said.
“Good.” Marcus said, looking at him with momentary concern, but it quickly vanished.
“Anything else?” Jett asked.
“Just you, after I send this message.” Marcus said, sitting down before picking up his phone. Jett sat next to him, idle curiosity causing him to glance over, before he looked away again. The sound of Marcus typing and Jett’s own breathing were all that filled the room, until Marcus finally set the phone down, and turned attentions to Jett.
“You need to relax, Jett.”
“I can’t help it.” he said, his hands clutching at his jeans so that Marcus wouldn’t see them shake.
Marcus turned Jett to face him. “I would never hurt you.” he murmured, leaning in to kiss Jett.
Jett whimpered slightly. “Don’t…” he said, fighting instinct enough to say that. Damn it all — why could he be defiant in every way but this?
But you aren’t a little voice whispered. You’re only lip-service defiant. You always do what he wants.
It wasn’t wrong, and he knew it. He could just never admit it to himself. So he didn’t stop him when Marcus kissed him again. Didn’t stop him when he went further. Didn’t stop as he pulled Jett into him as they both lie on the bed, and the day sleep claimed him.
Jett waited until he was sure Marcus was dead to the world before he extracted himself from Marcus. He took enough time to make sure Marcus was covered before he searched the room for his clothes, and headed into his room. His first order of business, was to shower. After, he needed a few hours sleep of his own.
~
It was lunchtime when he woke and redressed. He didn’t want to be at the hotel any longer than necessary. A thought had occurred to him the previous night, however, so he stole into Marcus’ room, and took his phone. Remembering Marcus’ code from his observance the previous evening, Jett unlocked it, scrolling through the contacts and text messages to find out who this student was.
He came across an entry simply labeled ‘Casey’, and copied the information over to his phone, before placing Marcus’ phone back. He didn’t know what he was going to do yet, but he wanted the information, just in case.
~
The next several days were spent trying to find more semi-permanent accommodations, and avoiding the Kindred populace for the time being. Marcus was out, doing who knew what, but all Jett cared about was that he was left alone.
When Marcus decided he was ready to present himself, he had Jett drop him off at what he said was the Elysium. He directed Jett to do his own thing for the remainder of the night, until Marcus reached back out to him. He watched as he entered the building, then took off. Thinking a little bit, he headed for the nearest bodega, and picked up a burner phone, paying in cash.
Once back in his car, he activated it. From there, he pulled up the number he had taken from Marcus’ phone, and sent a text:
He’s bad news, He’s not what he appears to be, don’t get involved with him. Don’t let him sink his hooks into you, you’ll never be free
And then he waited. A few minutes later, he got a response:
Who is this?
He smiled slightly and sighed, taking another moment to respond:
His previous victim
And a minute later, he had a response:
… I’m sorry. I’ll bear that in mind
This guy didn’t deserve the treatment Jett got. Or girl. Casey could be a girl’s name, he reminded himself. Then again, knowing Marcus, this Casey was likely a guy. He turned off the burner phone, and drove off. He didn’t know where he was going, only that he had the chance to be alone, and an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Finally stopping somewhere to grab a bite to eat, he ticked the phone into a picket under the driver’s seat before heading in. Hopefully this guy would take the warning seriously, and Marcus wouldn’t end up with another victim. Marcus was old though, and with the old ones came trickiness.
A though creeped in, and it made him freeze.
If Marcus took to the new guy…would Jett finally be free?
He doubted it. But for a moment, he was willing to throw someone under the bus in order to gain that freedom. When the moment passed, he resigned himself simply to keep Marcus from gaining another victim.