Go With Grace ?Jasper Hale 3?

Chapter 7

It was ten minutes later when the two let themselves out. Jasper had slipped on a thin long sleeve and Rosalie sat herself down in one of the desk chairs with her expression bored.

"You moved on pretty fast." Her tone was accusatory and caused Jasper to slide his eyes back toward her with a look of warning. Rosalie decided to double down. "I wonder what Willow would think."

"Don't." Jasper's voice was sharp and the look in his eyes froze her to her seat. "Don't say her name in here." Even though the look he gave was serious she still scoffed and rose to her feet.

"Why? Don't want to deal with the consequences of your actions?" Rosalie challenged with her arms crossed over her chest. Jasper narrowed his eyes and took a step back to distance himself from her.

"Everything I'm doing. Everything I've done. Has been to protect her." Jasper snapped with his finger pointed at his sister.

"Care to explain how?" Rosalie challenged with her head tilted to the side. Jasper took a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his face.

"Six months ago, our world learned that the Soldier was alive. Not only is the Soldier alive but he has a human mate." Jasper leaned himself back against the desk with his arms crossing over his chest.

"So, you let Edward get to you?" Rosalie scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Edwards' words had some truth. You can't even deny that." Jasper grinned at the way Rosalie's face twisted into disgust. "The two who just left here are some of the biggest gossips in our world. By the end of the week everyone will know that I never had a mate. Let alone a human."

"What did you tell them?"

"What everyone assumes already about the Soldier. That I screw around with whoever and I move on."

"I just don't understand why? Why is this all so necessary?"  Rosalie's tone was softer, and her eyes pleaded with her brother for some sort of explanation. Jasper's lips pinched together in a tight line and let a rough sigh through his nose. She watched him move over to the dresser where a small wooden box rested on top.

He gripped it in his hand and before tossing it over toward her. She caught it with ease and stared at the words carved on top  "to the moon and to Saturn", it was the gift Willow gave him for valentines. Rosalie gently pried the top off and her eyes widened at the sight in front of her.

"Hawke feathers with red seals." She whispered her fingers shaking as she lifted one of them out to get a better look. The feather itself was large and the red wax was coating the bare end and her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. "A challenge to the death."

"The first one arrived two months after Alex." Jasper sat down in the chair across from her. "I have yet to answer."

"How many are in here?" Rosalie placed the feather back into the box.

"Seven. One arrived early this morning."

"You are not seriously going to answer them all?" Rosalie snapped the box shut and lifted her eyes to his face.

"It is the law of tradition. Each one must be answered." Jasper kept his eyes downcast on his hands.

"That's bullshit."  She tossed the box back at him hitting the top of his head. He fumbled to catch it before it hit the floor.  "These are death challenges. One has to die before it's over. You could die Jazz."

"Thanks for the faith." Jasper smirked.

"Because of last night and those two no one will use her against you." Rosalie seemed to be putting the piece together as she spoke out loud.  "You plan on never seeing her again."

Jasper didn't say anything. He simply rose to his feet and returned the box back to the dresser. Rosalie's mind went into overdrive as she imagined all the ways she could lose her brother. She looked at, really looking at him since the first time she walked in. He was completely deflated with dark circles under his eyes. He had no real will to live. Not since leaving Willow.

"Screw the death challenges. Don't answer them." Rosalie rose to her feet and moved to stand beside him. "Please Jasper. I'm begging you. Don't answer them."

"I can't ignore them, Rose."  Jasper turned to face her. "If I ignore them, they will come for the family. They will demand that someone in our coven answers for my disgrace. I can't let that happen."

The look in his eyes was so sincere that Rosalie couldn't stop the tears from building in her eyes. She wrapped in her arms and hugged him tightly, afraid that this might be the last chance for her to ever see him. He returned the gesture, fighting back his own tears and letting her cry in his torso.

"Remember why I asked you to come here, Rose." Jasper spoke softly as he ran his hand through her blonde hair. "Make sure she hears about what you saw here."

"It will break her heart." Rosalie spoke as she pulled back and wiped her tears from her face.

"I know." Jasper's voice cracked. "She needs to let me go and hopefully this will do it."

"You have to make me a promise." Rosalie pulled away from him completely and placed her hands on her hips. Her eyes were still glossed over with tears, but her expression was still hardened.

"Anything."

"Promise me that you will fight like they are after her. As if, if you lose, they are going straight for her next." Rosalie watched as his expression turned hard as stone. "Promise me you will fight like you will see her again."

"Why?"

"Because she is your only will to live right now. You are at your lowest. I don't want to lose you." Her tears dried against her cold cheeks. "So, fight for her safety. If you do, I know you won't lose." He stared at her for a long moment, taking in everything she said.

"I promise."

"I should go." Rosalie straightened her long hair over her shoulder. 

"One more thing." Jasper moved around her and stepped into the small closet. When he stepped back, he had a medium sized box wrapped with silver paper and a blue bow. "Can you please make sure she gets this on her birthday."

He was so in love with Willow that Rosalie could feel it. The pain of not being with her. Of having to use a middleman for a birthday gift. Of never being able to see her again. The way his fingers clutched onto the fragile box, a sliver of hope in his eyes that could still make happy.

"Of course." Rosalie took the box in her arm and turned for the door. Her hand rested on the doorknob, and she spoke without turning her head. "Please check in so I know you're still alive." She didn't wait  for a response. She simply walked out the door and didn't turn back around.