Jack opened the door with difficulty, because his arms were laden with packages. He stopped, however, as soon as he saw that Aradia was gone.
"What the hell?" He cried as he dropped the packages and stepped into the room.
Suddenly, Aradia appeared from behind the bathroom door. She grabbed Jack from behind, wrapped her left arm around his neck, and pressed it against his windpipe.
"What the hell?" he repeated before Aradia created a ball of fire in her hands.
"Here's how I see it," she snapped, "unless you want to spend the rest of your immortal life with third degree burns on your face you will kick away the rune stone and let me go!"
Jack chuckled before saying, "Like you would really do something like that."
Aradia scowled and without another moment's hesitation, she pressed the ball of fire against his shoulder.
He cried out in anguish as he dropped to his knees, clutching his shoulder.
He then looked up at Aradia who smirked at him. "Any other questions?"
Breathing heavily, he shook his head before standing up. Aradia readied herself for another attack by creating another ball of fire. This didn't seem to faze Jack, however, who just walked past Aradia. He stopped though after kicking away the rune, merely inches away from the door.
"What?" Aradia asked as the fireball vanished.
Jack smirked before turning around and pushing Aradia to the ground.
She barely had anytime to gasp before he was on top of her.
"Didn't your boyfriend ever teach you not to trust me?" Jack taunted.
Aradia twisted and turned, struggling to break free. "Let go of me!"
"Never!" Jack stated.
Glaring at him ferociously, Aradia gripped her fist and tried to make another fireball. Using every ounce of strength she had, she broke her arm free of his grasp and tried to throw the fireball straight into Jack's face. Jack almost instantly realized this, jumped up to the ceiling, and clung there. Taking advantage of this, Aradia shot to her feet and raced out.
"Aradia!" Jack yelled out after her.
She ran down the stairs of the hotel as fast as lightening and as soon as she reached the ground floor, she dashed out side into the raining street. She couldn't tell if Jack was following her, but she didn't look back. She kept running as if the fires of hell itself were snapping at her heels. Eventually, she had no choice but to stop and gasp for air. She pressed her back against the cold brick wall of the building and peered around the corner to make sure Jack was not following her. Her eyes dashed left and right as she observed the darkened crowd walking amidst the cold rain and sounds of honking cars. Several seconds passed before Aradia straightened up, leaned her head against the wet bricks, and started breathing heavily in relief.
"Nothing in life is ever easy sweetie, not even escape attempts. You should know that by now."
Aradia's eyes shot up and saw Jack standing on the roof of the next building. His grin resembling that of a jackal. She barely had any time to run before Jack jumped down, landed on his feet, and grabbed her by the waist. Aradia started struggling again, but instead of enduring it Jack swiftly threw her back and hit her head on the wall of the building slipping Aradia into the cold embrace of unconsciousness.
When she awoke, she found herself in a candle lit room, on a sofa, dressed in a white wedding dress. In her hand, she clutched a wedding bouquet of blood red roses and her head pounding like a whole orchestra of drums.
"What happened?" Aradia said groggily.
Her head may have hurt like no tomorrow, but she still heard and recognized Jack's dark chuckle. He was leaning against the wall and staring at her.
"How do you like the dress?" he asked, "I had to guess the size."
"I hate it," Aradia snapped firmly.
He shrugged, indifferently. "We are still going through with this and for the sake of your physical health you had best behave."
Aradia glared at him with a deadly glint in her eyes. "Listen to me you little prick, the world will burst in to flames and George W. Bush will be reelected as president of the United States before I ever marry you. Do you understand? I do not want to be your wife. I will never be your wife! I will never be yours! Do you hear me? Never!"
Jack didn't move nor did he reply and for a few tension-filled seconds he just stood staring at her icily. Aradia then gasped in surprise as he sped towards her and grabbed her by the wrist.
His own icy black eyes bore into her's as he hoisted her up and said, "Girl, you make it sound as if you have a choice."
He didn't even wait for her to say anything before he dragged out of the chamber, and slammed the door shut.
"What is this place?" Aradia asked as she gazed around the darkened hallways.
"These catacombs were built by the first vampires of New Orleans. They run all over the city and we have used these for centuries to travel or to escape the sun," Jack explained.
Aradia dug her heels in the ground, trying to dissuade Jack's efforts to drag her. His grip was firm on her arm when they went into the elevator and he pressed the "going up" button. They exited and stepped into the lobby of another fancy building.
"Is this a hotel?" Aradia asked.
"No. This is leading to the sacred altar," Jack smiled as he turned to her, "Where we will soon become man and wife."
He didn't even give her a chance to reply before he started dragging her again. They reached the end of the corridor and Jack pushed the doors open. There standing at the head of the room was a vampire wearing black robes.
Aradia gulped loudly. Dax, she thought, where are you?