The letter was marked with that familiar seal. It was unmistakably that of the Lebeau family. He hadn't expected news so soon. This letter that had appeared out of nowhere warranted uncertainty. Adrien sliced the dried wax with a sharp knife and took out the perfectly folded piece of parchment. He recognised Marcus' handwriting in an instant. As he read it in the darkness of his office, a pair of prying eyes watched him. It took a moment for him to read the full text, but when he did he crushed the letter in his hand.
"Does that man think I'm a miracle worker? How can he expect me to bring him now, alone?" He whispered to himself.
He sensed someone's presence. He turned to see his daughter with an expression of great concern on her face.
"I told you not to disturb me when I am working." He spoke.
She plucked up the courage. It was now or never.
"Father. Are you planning to take Jeremiah to Transylvania?"
His face froze.
"Who have you been listening to?" His voice was stern.
"I know the truth. Father, I don't believe that you could take Jeremiah away from his family. You're not a cruel man." Even as she said it, she began to doubt her own words.
"None of this concerns you. This is not a matter you should be getting involved with." He walked forward, trying to close the door but she passed him before he could.
"All my life, you've kept me isolated from the rest of the world, but now I have someone I can call a friend and you want to take him away from me!" She began to shout.
"Everything I do is to protect you. It always has been! I lost your mother, I will not lose you as well!" he stared her down.
"Against who? Humans? We have lived amongst them for over a century and no one has suspected a thing!"
He formed a fist.
"How could you understand!? It isn't Humans we should fear, it's…" He stopped mid-sentence.
"It's who?" She asked sternly.
"I owe someone a life debt. If it wasn't for him… your mother would have died much sooner than she did. He is not the sort of man you betray."
"Is it this man Vincent? You work for him, don't you?" She held up the crushed letter.
He had had enough.
"Go back to your room, Martha. Don't speak of this matter again, do you hear me? You are not to see the Constantin boy again."
"But Father, please listen to me-"
"Get out!" he roared.
She didn't dare test his temper any further. She couldn't let that be the end of it. Ideas ran through her head, plans to run away formed. Before she could act however, she felt her father's tight grip on her arm.
"Let go!" She pleaded.
"I'll do what I have to. I'm not losing you. Hate me if you must, but the Constantin boy has to leave."
He pulled her into her own room and locked the door behind her. The window slammed shut. Bars formed across them. She ran over to them and pulled with all her might but they wouldn't budge.
"Dad! Don't do this! You're not a monster!"
He heard her across the hall.
"Yes I am." He whispered, a tear running from his eye.
…
One day. That was all that remained before the Constantin's lives would change forever. They acted quickly. Everything was packed. There was so much that they would be leaving behind. To avoid suspicion, Jeremiah spent his last day at boarding school. In his absence, Dmitri showed Josephine the map that they would be following. They would travel north, away from the main roads and out into the country. They hoped that Scotland would bring safety for the time being, but they feared they would eventually have to travel further afield to slip past Vincent's spies.
Josephine stared throughout the lush garden behind their home. It would be one of the last times she would have the chance to admire the luxury they once had. Even still, she would give it all up a thousand times to protect her son.
"Thank you."
She heard the deep voice of her husband behind her.
"For what?"
"For showing me that I'm more than a devil."
She shook her head and embraced the man who was clearly distressed.
"Is that what you thought of yourself? You've never been anything less than the man I love since the moment we met."
They shared a solitary moment together, a moment where no worries or evils in the world could touch them. Jeremiah was not so lucky, for he felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He couldn't listen to a word that was said knowing what was soon to happen. On top of it all, he regretted having to push Martha away. He wanted to see her again and tell her it would be alright, be he know it wouldn't be.
The same group of boys were staring at him most of the day, as if they knew something was about to happen. At least he wouldn't miss them, but they had one last encounter in store for him. As the day drew to an end, walking out of the rusty gates, he spotted two of them across the street, waiting for him. With them blocking his usual route, Jeremiah stepped sideward to take the longer route home. Another two boys were waiting for him. Before long, he could sense six of them closing in. Knowing that this was the moment they had chosen, he sprinted away. The group chased after him with a purpose. He couldn't give himself away, but running at normal pace meant that he couldn't lose them.
He was cornered, with nowhere to go but the back of an alley. Passers-by ignored them, assuming them to be silly boys playing at chase.
"No more running away Constantin. Are you a boy, or a man?" The leader punched him. He fell to the floor, pretending to be hurt.
"Come on Constantin! Such a weakling!" He taunted.
"Get up! We're not stopping!" Another yelled.
He was spat on, kicked and treated like a ragdoll. Again they tore at his uniform. He realised that they were attempting to take his bag from him. That he couldn't allow. He pulled back, trying not to reveal his strength. He was unable to stop them without showing the truth. They poured the contents onto the wet floor, letting the drawings Martha had made for him fall and be ruined forever. They stomped on then, grinding them into the mud.
"Oh, did your girlfriend make these? Or is she your nanny?"
He felt his hand hold onto the gas lamppost beside him.
"Pathetic little suckling baby!"
The boys were silenced when they heard the sound of crushing metal forced in on itself by his grip. There were mutterings amongst them, all dumbfounded by what had just happened. Standing up, Jeremiah felt nothing but hate. His eyes glared at them, red a soulless. There was no hiding what he was, for the boys had doomed themselves. Forcing the leader against the wall, he tore deep into the weak flesh of his neck, hearing the screams of the boys around him. The life faded from his victim's eyes. Letting him drop to the ground, he went after another. None of them were able to escape.
One tried to fight back by kicking at his gut, but Jeremiah grabbed his leg with one hand and twisted it, savouring the crack. Kicking a third into the wall, he heard his back break. The two remaining ran into the street. Onlookers now realised what was happening. With unnatural speed, the duo found him in front of them. He punched one hard enough in the nose to split his skull. One remained, pleading to keep his life.
"Please! We were forced to do it! It was-"Two hands took hold of his head and twisted in unison.
Covered in blood, the boy stood amongst the dead. Humans ran all around him, horrified by the creature he had become. Above them, watching on from the roof above, Adrien saw the sight and was pleased. The Constantin boy had unleashed his inner strength.
"You're ready."
When the world came back to him, when his eyes returned to their natural green, he saw what he had done and wailed. Immediately he shook, feeling physically sick. He could still taste the boy's blood, it was disgusting and yet empowering at the same time. His secret was out. He felt he had failed his family. Everything they had tried to do was undone. Before anyone else could see his face, he fled the scene, tormented by the pain he knew his parents would feel when they found out.
…
The time had come. With the Constantin boy experiencing his first taste of those that opposed him, Adrien arrived at the agreed rendezvous point. The abandoned building, ugly to the eyes and irrelevant was perfect for them. Adrien knew that Dmitri would not let him take his son without a fight. That was why he didn't plan to go alone. He knocked on the door, awaiting a response. A request for the password did not come. He knocked again whilst checking that no one was watching him. He was met with silence.
The door was still locked. He cursed his partners for their foolishness. Slowly he could hear the sound of bolts and cogs turning. The door was opened slightly.
"Finally."
He pushed his way in and saw the decrepit hall. The whole place smelt of damp wood and mildew. He looked forward to having the whole affair finished with. Vincent had promised him that once his duty with the Constantin's was done with, he and his daughter could live in peace. Adrien was simply another piece on his chessboard.
He was surprised when he couldn't hear the chatter of Vincent's spies. Even stranger still, he could smell something else. He shoved open the door to the meeting room, ready for anything. Inside, he saw the bodies of his brethren, either lying in heaps on the floor or hanging from the ceiling. The sight was unthinkable. No less than seven dead Vampires were in front of him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadowy figure, cloaked and smiling.
"I think I just ruined your game."
Adrien cowered away as soon as he saw the pistol pointed at him. Rotten wood broke apart beside him as the musket ball was let loose. Realising he was alone, Adrien felt the fear of death and total abandonment. Vincent would not accept any excuses for his own life now rested with the fate of the boy. Outside the ruined building, Adrien was surrounded by soldiers.
"On the ground, demon!" One called out.
Baring his fangs, Adrien fled up the wall, followed close behind by musket fire. The cloaked man pulled down his hood, revealing the face of Van Helsing.
"Send that thing to hell." He ordered the men.
The hunter looked on as the people of the city rallied together. Pitchforks and torches stretched out as far as the eye could see. The hunters had been one step ahead of Vincent around every corner. Now was the time that London rose up against them. The rooftops were Adrien's only route of escape. He couldn't comprehend how it had all gone so wrong. None of his spies had seen this. The army of soldiers and citizens marched through the streets of London. Carriages and passers-by were struck down as Van Helsing showed them for what they were. In one hand he bore a golden crystal, its power showing the true nature of those that hid amongst them. In the other he brandished a pistol, freshly fired at a werewolf that had attempted to kill him in the onslaught.
The army didn't stop until it reached the steps of Lebeau Investments.
"This is your reckoning, Constantin." The hunter shouted before leading the force inside.
The staff saw their unwelcome guests, all knowing why they were there. With the crystal grasped in his hand, Van Helsing released a shockwave, shattering the stones hanging round their necks.
"There is no shadow that can hide you from us."
The Sun's rays did their work. With nothing to hold them back, every Vampire in the building felt their skin burn like ash. Putting his weapon away, Van Helsing dragged one Vampire to the ground and stood on his face.
"Where is the Constantin boy?"
The Monster snarled at him. The bones in his face began to crack under the pressure, weakened by the sun.
"The Mansion!" It gestured to the large house across the hill, visible from the window.
"Smart. A quick death is a reward that should suffice." He took his pistol out again and split the Monsters head open with it.
…
Three bags were resting by the door. They waited for their son. When the knock on the door came, Josephine answered it with haste. She was horrified to find her boy covered in blood, tears down his face and looking like hell churned up.
"What am I!?" He screamed.
She hurried him in, closing the door behind before anyone could see.
"What has happened to you!? She knelt down to him.
He was unable to speak. In his silence, she called for Dmitri who, upon seeing him, knew exactly what had happened. It was a sight he had hoped never to see.
"Oh, my boy. No."
He hugged him, not caring that it would ruin his suit.
"It was the bullies, wasn't it?" He asked.
He nodded his head once.
"I've let you down." He whimpered.
"No. You are what you are Jeremiah. This is not your fault."
They heard the rumbling of an explosion. Crockery shook in the kitchen. It surprised the whole family. For a moment, they forgot what had happened that day. Taking a look outside the front door, Dmitri saw a heart-breaking sight. The bank was aflame. He could hear screams echoing throughout the city and could smell the blood of Monsters being spilt. Surely this could not have been because of Jeremiah? Was it Adrien's plan all along to begin the war in London? Such thoughts all ran through his head. Dmitri turned to his family. One thing had to be done first.
"I have to find out what is happening. If my kind are in danger, I have to help them. Stay here and wait for me. I won't be long."
He shot off in a flash. He didn't want to leave his family alone in such a time but he felt a need to protect his own kind unlike any he had felt for a long time. He had worked with the staff of Lebeau Investments for fifteen years. Many of them were good people. When he was close enough to make out the carnage, he could see people chanting and holding blood stained weaponry. Bodies were dragged towards the bank and tossed into the flames. It didn't take long for the hunter to spot him.
"Constantin!" he shouted to him. "You're judgement day has come."
"What are you doing!?" He answered. "These are good people!"
"You are all heathens! Monsters!" One woman called out.
"No! We've lived amongst you. We are a part of London! We've never meant you any harm!" He tried to plead to their humanity, but it was futile.
"Tell that to the six boys who lost their lives today to your kind." Van Helsing spoke, almost mockingly.
Before Dmitri could answer, Van Helsing took a shot. Dmitri felt his stomach tear. The crowd were charging him. He felt an arrow rip into his arm. Further shots rang out. Bones began to break as he tried to escape. He crawled along the floor, never taking his eyes off of his mansion.
"Kill the creature!" The crowd chanted.
Four men now stood over him with pitchforks, ready to bury them into his back. Before they could, they were lifted off their feet. Another figure now stood with his back to Dmitri. Looking up, he could see Adrien.
"Get the boy out." Was all Adrien said to him.
With them distracted, Monsters of all kind pounced from the surrounding homes and tore into the crowd. Dmitri took it as his chance to escape.
In her room, Martha sat alone with her thoughts. She cried thinking that she would never see Jeremiah again, that he would be forced to fight in a war he wanted nothing to do with. She had tried to escape but there was no way out. She had rarely felt love between herself and her father but even she didn't think he could be so cruel. It was when she heard the lock on the door turn that she stood up, ready to push her way out. When the door did open, she saw her father in a ruined, red stained suit. He didn't say so much as a word as he walked to her and embraced her like he had never done before.
"I love you more than life, my Martha."
"Father…"
"Not a word. We have to leave, now."
He began to pack her things, knowing the reckoning that was about to full upon them. For the first time, Martha could see the flicker of fire outside her window. London was at war.
With little strength left, Dmitri dragged himself to the gates of Constantin Mansion. He knocked once, praying that they would hear. Josephine's heart broke when she saw him. With tears down her face she helped him inside. She felt powerless seeing her husband on the brink of death, and her son sitting on the stairs in a tortured trance. She hurried to retrieve bandages to stop the bleeding, but in her absence, something awoke in her husband. As he lay dying, the will to survive took over. When she returned, he wasn't the man she knew. Holding his wounds, he stared at her, a hunger in his eyes. She had never been afraid of Dmitri until that moment.
"Dmitri…"
With no strength left in him to hold back, the blood that ran through Josephine's veins was too enticing.
"Please, this isn't you. Listen to me!"
Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Her screams ran through the mansion, snapping Jeremiah out of his trance as her beloved sank his teeth into her neck. Jeremiah watched on, a witness to the creature that resided in all Vampires. The hatred for it spawned in him at that moment. He did not say a word as bit by bit, the life drained away from his mother. The strength of her hand failed and it fell to her side. Her eyes were dead to the world. Loosening his grip, Dmitri let her body fall to his feet. With his own life returning, he took in the sight of his broken world. Petrified in place, the blood that remained flowed around his shoes.
In front of him, his own son stood in the doorway to the kitchen, a knife brandished in his hand.
"Son."
With red eyes and a swift toss, Jeremiah aimed for his heart. Taking a step back and grunting from the impact, Dmitri felt the perfect throw pierce his heart. He stood over his dead wife and murderous son and knew that he had failed them. Jeremiah was alone. He watched his father fall and join his wife. He covered his mouth, believing that he had destroyed all hope. They had given their lives to keep him save and now they were gone because of him.
There was only one who remained in his life now. Martha.