The three landed on the coast of France. The sun was still yet to rise but at least it had stopped raining. When the rusty ship made port, Adrien, Martha and Jeremiah were already on deck. Three men waited for them, all looking menacing.
"Where are the rest?" One asked as they took their first step on French soil.
"Dead. The hunters were ahead of us." Adrien told them.
"All the more reason to hurry. Vincent is anxious to see the boy."
"I bet he is." Adrien snapped back.
Since their discussion on the coach, Adrien's temper had been shortened.
"How far can you fly?" He asked Jeremiah.
"Not far. I've not cared for being a bat." As much as he enjoyed flying, Jeremiah felt his skin crawl every time he transformed. He felt it unnatural.
"Tough. If we want to make it there before the end of the month, you fly. Transform when I tell you to and only when. If Humans are nearby they may find bats carrying luggage to be a wee bit suspicious." He ordered.
So began their journey across Europe. Martha had wanted to see the world, but not like this. She refused to waste the opportunity though and took every chance she could to draw. Days passed by as they travelled from town to town, resupplying and resting. Everywhere they went, Vincent's spies rendezvoused with them. They were beginning to realize the influence that he had. Adrien took it upon himself to continue Jeremiah's training. With each passing day his muscles and instincts increased in strength. With Martha by his side, he felt that he could control it. He had been taught to fence by his father but now he was becoming an expert. He carried a sword on his belt that he would use in training with Adrien. Slowly he felt himself taking control of his power. That urge for bloodshed was becoming weaker, but his strength only rose. He refused as much as he could to sympathise with Adrien, but his bond with Martha increased.
Adrien watched them as they whispered during the day. He could never hear what they were saying but it was the only time he ever saw the boy smile and laugh. The boy was half the enemy and yet he would never believe it from the way he treated his daughter with such kindness and devotion. Jeremiah was a very fast learner, impossibly fast. Adrien was impressed with how quickly he picked up different languages on their journey. When he spoke French to Martha she couldn't help but giggle. They both became protective of each other.
They would often notice people staring at Jeremiah's green eyes, always forcing him to cover his face with his hand.
"If I could I'd change my eye colour." He groaned.
"I wouldn't. They look great, like emeralds." Martha said before blushing.
"Oh really?" he asked back playfully.
When he turned to her, he could see her face had suddenly become filled with sadness.
"What's wrong Martha?"
"If we can't stop them. If they send you off to war. I may never see those emerald eyes of yours again."
As his training continued, Jeremiah had become more confident that he could survive. Already he was besting Adrien.
"It will take a lot more than that to take me away from you." He tried to calm her.
"I hope so. Look at you." She admired her friend and pointed to the sword on his belt. "You're a true knight. My Emerald Knight. Promise me you won't leave me."
"Never. As long as you never leave me."
There was no doubt in Adrien's mind that there was something between them. He had to admit to himself that although his duty came first and Dmitri was a stubborn git at times, they had formed a friendship of sorts over the fifteen years they had run the English branch. It was dawning on him now that he was not going to see him again. Since Jeremiah had been born, Dmitri had spent every living breath keeping his family together in safety, yet it had all been for naught. He believed he was standing dangerously on the edge, inches away from making the same mistake.
They approached the Romanian border. Adrien looked on as his daughter and Jeremiah travelled hand in hand. He saw himself with his departed wife. He would do anything to bring her back.
"Could it be true…" He thought to himself. "…A zing?"
…
Vincent heard distant howls from far across the horizon. Monsters were mobilising. He had taken his time of contemplation to his balcony above the front door. He still held the latest letter in his hand. It had been two weeks since he had received the first. He knew what had happened. Any Monsters that had no fled for dear life in London had been purged. It only increased his determination. His London branch was gone, as was Dmitri. None of that mattered to him. What concerned him now were the tales in each letter. They all documented the same thing. Jeremiah and Martha. It was just as the oracle had said in her prophecy.
"The woman or the war." He said to himself. "We may just have to play our cards close to the chest on that one…"
He thought himself alone. Marcus was busy preparing an evening drink, much to a screaming villager's displeasure. There was no concern anymore for who was taken. As he thought over the weeks ahead, he caught something in the corner of his eye. He was pushed over the balcony before he could see his attacker. He landed on his back and saw the winged figure land over him.
"My master is impatient, banker." It snarled.
"Bela. I thought there was a familiar stench in the air tonight." Vincent quipped.
"Vlad has been more than patient. Agreeing to wait two more weeks is more than you deserve."
Vincent felt the creature's spittle land on his cheek. If he had the disposition of a Human he may have thrown up.
"One more day, you overbearing bat. That's all I need. You can tell your master the boy will be here as promised."
Bela reluctantly stepped back, allowing Vincent to rise to his feet.
"I bet your begging inside for me to fail, aren't you? What did Vlad tell you? Did he promise you the glory I rightly deserve?" He taunted him, believing he wouldn't have to fear the Vampire Lord for much longer.
"The boy, tomorrow before midnight. Or else I will tear out that clever little brain of yours myself."
Bela took off, raising the enormous wings needed to lift his weight.
"Give my regards to the great Vlad." Vincent bowed mockingly.
The front door opened up behind him.
"He didn't give you any trouble, did he sir?" Marcus was there with his master's drink.
Vincent downed the glasses contents and approached the mansion.
"Where is that prisoner of ours? I feel like draining someone."
Marcus took a glimpse at the bat creature flying away. A smile formed across his face.
…
Night fell over the group. They were close to Transylvania and as they drew closer to their destiny, Martha's heartbeat increased. Sadness and fear began to take over her. She didn't know what would happen to them once Vincent was in their presence but she could bet that it wouldn't be good for any of them. Adrien still seemed adamant at bringing them to him through fear of reprisal. Many a time Jeremiah had monitored his surroundings, finding any way to grab Martha and escape, but he knew that this country was strange to both of them and they had nowhere to go.
They could see lights in the distance. A city was nearby. Four men were waiting for them on the road. No doubt men of Vincent's. Their journey seemed to have come to an end. Martha held on to Jeremiah's arm so hard that he felt like she was becoming a part of him. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She was his reason to live now and he would do anything to protect her. One man came forth.
"Just in time Adrien. Tonight is the night when our fortunes turn. This must be Master Constantin. You have nothing to worry about now. As long as we all stand together, we can end the Human's reign and be free."
Jeremiah wasn't interested. Still, he humoured him by offering a smile. Adrien walked forward to be amongst the four men.
"Vincent is preparing everyone. Soon, the city behind us will be the spring board into Romania and beyond. I trust the boy is ready." Vincent's henchman continued.
"Oh, he is ready." Adrien turned to look the boy in the eyes. "Just like me, he is ready to do whatever has to be done to keep my daughter safe."
He winked at Jeremiah. The boy had a split second to react to this. Adrien grasped his sword hilt and thrust it through the man's heart. Martha and the other men were in a state of shock. Not hesitating in the slightest, Jeremiah took out his own weapon and lunged it through the second man's chest.
"Traitor!" Another shouted before moving to attack Adrien.
Both Adrien and Jeremiah worked as a team to overwhelm the remainders. It was the first true fight Jeremiah had experienced and unbeknownst to the others, he liked it. Soon, only one Vampire remained, but it didn't take long for Adrien to grab hold of his neck. They were alone again.
"What have you done!?" Martha shouted.
"I've made a choice." Her father replied. "Follow me, both of you!"
Grabbing their luggage, the three of them sped off towards the woods on the city outskirts.
"Did you think this through, Adrien?" Jeremiah reprimanded him. "As soon as Vincent finds out what we have done, he'll see us all dead!"
Adrien tutted.
"A doubter like your father. You think me stupid enough to not have a plan?"
They journeyed for an hour through the dark forest. Though they were all Monsters, Martha couldn't help but feel anxious. Having Jeremiah nearby comforted her. Not only that, but now she saw her father in a new light. Why had he done such a thing? The trees levelled out before revealing an open plane. A town was ahead.
"This is your plan?" Jeremiah asked him with scepticism.
"For now."
Two humans stood by the main gate. Both held spears and looked more than a little threatening. Adrien revealed his fangs to them. Both Jeremiah and Martha expected them to brandish their weapons at him but instead they stood aside and opened the gate. They followed him inside, dumbfounded as to why they had done such a thing. Inside the archway to the courtyard they saw bustling Human activity. Jeremiah honestly thought he was walking them into a trap. He took hold of Martha's arm, ready for anything. That was, except for what did happen.
As soon as they left the archway, the town's true nature came to light. Every Human became a Monster.
"What…" Martha whispered.
"Our kind has found more… creative methods of hiding out here."
The entire town was covered by an enchantment. To the outside world the place was perfectly normal.
"Vincent wouldn't dare attack his own kind. He needs them."
It was a spectacle. Never before had Jeremiah see a thriving Monster community. People of all shapes and sizes lived together. He had grown up being taught that Monsters were ravenous, soulless creatures. What he saw was in stark contrast to those teachings. It was proof to him that Monsters could live as a society after all.
"You see?" he heard Martha's voice next to him. "We're just like Humans."
"I know. Humans and Monsters are identical. Just on opposite sides of the wall." Jeremiah said.
"Except there side is a lot larger and more suppressive." Adrien added.
"Except some Monsters go around killing innocents." Jeremiah answered him.
"And some Humans don't?"
Jeremiah knew Adrien was right. The question was, could Humans and Monsters ever been shown how similar they were? Could that wall be torn down? They had barely made it to the inn when a nearby werewolf sniffed the air around him. His head turned round sharply and with cold eyes he saw Jeremiah. Other Monsters followed suit. Before long, Werewolves, Vampires and all manner of Monsters surrounded him.
"A Human!" One shouted.
"Oh…" Adrien whispered.
A werewolf charged him. Martha gasped before stepping in front of him. The Monster refused to stop. Jeremiah pushed her out of the way of the attack and clutched onto the creature's arm as it reached out to claw him. With impressive strength he swung it right over his shoulder. Cracking the brick floor, the wolf rolled along the courtyard. The other Monsters stopped dead in their tracks. They saw his green eyes and sharp fangs.
"What devilry is this? It's a trick!" A Vampire roared.
"We should know!" Adrien stood next to the boy. "You have no need to fear the boy. This is Jeremiah Constantin."
The Werewolf picked himself up and licked his wounds.
"Are we supposed to know that name?" It barked.
"Who knows? One day maybe every Monster will know his name. He is the hybrid the oracle spoke of."
The crowd muttered amongst itself.
"The hybrid? This is the one that Lebeau believes will crush the Humans!?" The Werewolf didn't sound impressed.
"No he won't!" Martha spoke up.
"Martha, be quite." Adrien warned her.
"No father. Jeremiah isn't like that. You might think because he's half Human, you can't trust him. But he is like us as well. He is one of us. He saw his family die because of Vincent's desire for war."
The Werewolf stood over them. They could smell his stench.
"So he is a Human sympathiser!?"
"No! If I'm honest, I see you as the same."
The crowd were outraged.
"You would compare us to them!? Those snivelling, self-righteous cowards!?" Now the Monster was inches from his face.
Jeremiah gulped.
"We just want to be safe. You don't have to trust me if you don't want to, but I'm not about to lead a Human army through your gate either."
"Young man."
They heard a woman's voice. The Werewolf backed off.
"I have my eyes on you." It warned him before leaving the courtyard.
With the Werewolf gone, the woman approached them. She wore a brown cloak and appeared to be struggling, yet she took no help from anyone. Only when she was a couple of yards away could Jeremiah see that see was aged.
"Is it true?" She stretched out her hand to him.
"Yes…" he answered nervously.
Her hand came to his cheek. When it did, her hood lowered and her eyes glowed green just as his did. They stared into each other's eyes as visions flooded her mind. It was fragmented. No coherent future could be made out of it. She saw both love and pain, victory and sorrow. She saw a man clad in weaponry, a little girl terrified before him with a pistol to her head. Yet she also saw a hero, a man that brought about the end of the struggle between Humans and Monsters. She shook violently before letting go of him. Her eyes changed back to their natural colour.
"You are an extraordinary individual…"
