Slipping out past Marcus' guards wasn't the hard part. It was getting past the people wandering the streets Jade didn't stop until she reached her truck trying to hide the bloody mess that clung to her face and hands. She really hadn't thought through killing a mundane while being blocks away from her vehicle. Getting into the truck the keys fall to the floorboard from the blood on her hands. Growling while she sought out the chain they hung on, she finally managed to get the key into the ignition. She got the old bitch started and nearly hit passing cars trying to get away from the city. It wasn't too far to the forest, but it was getting there without drawing attention. The last thing she wanted was to take some poor police man's soul in order to keep him quiet. She wasn't a monster. At least she told herself that trying not to think about her blood-caked over her hands and face.
To her luck, she was able to reach the road leading to her house with little problems. Her nerves calmed as she reached the outside of her lands but then her mind wandered. How could this be? Not one, but three from her old life were in New Orleans. She wasn't sure how to cope with it being thrown on her so quickly. A part of her deep inside wanted to run from them again, and she would have. That was if the very voice that had brought her here wasn't telling her that New Orleans needed her. As much as she hated to admit it, and as much as she wanted to be a leader she couldn't leave these people defenseless. No, she would not run, not when she was finally making a life for herself. One she never thought she would have. She wouldn't let them ruin it this time. Who knew, now that they were among a different time she could put things right. Maybe their past could remain just that and they could be close again. Maybe she could get back her best friend and the only family she had ever had. The only known home she had besides this cabin. With them, she wouldn't be lonely any longer. New Orleans had called to her for a reason, and she had answered the call. Maybe getting them back was part of the plan. Parking in the middle of the driveway she nearly ran inside the cabin and locked the door. Her keys landed on the coffee table while she stripped out of the blood-soaked clothing.
Approaching the liquor cabinet she grabbed out the most expensive bottle she had. Taking a few shots of whiskey she was at an impasse. She couldn't just pop up and say here "I am" and expect them to take her back. One they wouldn't believe, not after a thousand years. Her smell wasn't one easily copied but it wouldn't be enough. The only thing she could think to do was let them come to her. She would have to get them to notice her. They would have to believe what they were feeling and smelling was real. After everything that happened, she wasn't sure they even wanted to see her ever again. Racking her clean hand through her hair she tossed back another shoot and gave a frustrated growl. All of that would need to wait for now. At that moment she needed a shower. Standing up from the couch she headed for the bathroom. It wouldn't come for her if she stressed about it. The answer would come to her eventually she just needed to take it one step at a time.
Her first task was to take a shower and get the blood off. Then she would come up with a game plan to meet and establish a new pack. They were rebels, rogues just like she was. Runaways that needed her as much as she needed them, even if she didn't know it. Then, maybe just maybe, she gets them behind her enough to make this city home again. A home to those who truly loved it and needed an escape. The supernatural community would be strong once again and no longer divided. She could do it if she tried. No, she never wanted this, and she made it clear to Andrew she was no hero, but something had happened seeing Marcus. Suddenly she wanted to be that hero for the city. She wanted to be the answer to the prayers of those who were watching the city fall apart. She wanted it to be a place of peace again. Whatever clicked in her head was enough for her. Enough to make her do what she swore never to do, take the place of a leader and a title. But all of that could wait for the blood to wash off.