Chapter 6

The blood rage had Jack now. He wasn't making any aggressive moves, but his eyes were solid black and he was a pure killing machine. Dad could smell the blood rage and came running down the stairs calling Jack's name in that Alpha male voice he had. Mum saw it too and from the stairs she wove a solid binding across the door to protect Tavish, Lennox, and their mom who was apparently the Liza that Jack had told us about. I guess they had a little brother they hadn't mentioned.

Jack was still frozen but it seemed like Liza either didn't know about blood rage or didn't care. She reached out to Jack and softly said his name. He flinched. She did it again, and he tilted his head like a dog trying to hear a distant whistle. She stepped towards him and Mum called out to warn her but she didn't stop. She walked right through Mum's weave and softly put her hand to Jack's face and spoke.

"Jack? Jackie? Is it really you?"

Jack's body flinched but he turned his cheek into her hand, he had a blood tear forming in his eye and she wiped it away with her thumb.

"Jack, it's OK baby, it's me, I'm here" she said.

We were all looking at this in awe. No one had ever controlled Jack in a blood rage other than Mum with her love or Dad with his discipline.

Now this woman was fearlessly caressing a mass murderer like he was some kind of house cat. Did she have any idea how dangerous he could be?

What really amazed me though, was Jack's eyes, they were changing back to golden green as she caressed him.

Dad looked at Mum, "Do you see it Mon Coeur? Just like you do to me. He's focused on her like a laser. I doubt he's heard a word any of us have said, including me."

Jack glanced his way and softly said "I heard ya Dad. She just touches me in ways no one else can. I can't explain it."

Dad smiled at this and looking at Mum said "Well, now that we're out of crisis, how about you drop your barrier and let our guest come…" Dad slowed to a stop as he realized that Liza had walked through Mum's barrier spell. He looked at Mum for answers and she just looked as confused as he was.

"Well, lower it so the boys can come in and we'll have to sort this out. I don't know about you but I think I could do with some wine."

Liza looked at Dad, "Wouldn't you prefer some pigeon blood, Mister Clairmont? Or should I say Master Roydon?"

Mum defused the tension, stepping towards Liza with a smile and her hand out "I don't think we've been introduced, I'm Diana Bishop-Clairmont. And you are?"

Liza smiled, took Mum's hand, "Liza, well, Elizabeth Sampson. We've never met but I've heard of you. It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Why don't we all go into the parlor. Charles can bring us some drinks and snacks and we can sort this all out." Mum said, turning to lead us all into the small parlor off the entrance hall. Once there, she sat herself in the central chair like a queen holding court. I'd seen this often enough that I immediately knew my role and walked to her side, standing to her side as everyone else came in and spread themselves around the room, with Dad standing behind Mum with his hand on her shoulder.

Liza walked in with Jack at her side and when she sat down, he stood behind her, almost mirroring Mum and Dad.

Once everyone was in, I looked slightly lost, as it was my job to make introductions but it seemed I was at something of a loss.

Dad saved me by speaking up "Elizabeth,"

"Oh, Liza, please."

"As you wish, Liza, you have me at a slight disadvantage. You seem to know us but we have not had the pleasure of meeting you. We've heard about your twins from ours, and they sound like perfect young gentlemen. Would you tell me which is which?"

"Actually, it's quite easy. The green eyed one with Philip is my youngest, Tavish. The one with his daddy's eyes standing by your daughter is my oldest, Lennox."

'Daddy's eyes?' What did she mean? As I thought back to my conversation with Beck I started to realize what all this meant.

Mum caught on just a second faster than Dad and she looked from Len to Jack, then to Tav. "So these twins are Jack's?

"Yes," and she looked up at Jack and smiled, "I'm sorry I never told you Jack. I had heard of the troubles you were having with Benjamin and I didn't want to make your life worse with worrying about me and the boys. By the time I heard about all that being cleared up, and that your life was going so well, I just figured we'd go on and let you go on with your life. I feel horrible for not letting you share their childhood but I did it thinking I was doing it for you. Please forgive me?"

Jack looked down and smiled at her, but his gaze was going from Tav to Len and back with a look of wonder. Tav and Len were staring open mouthed at their dad. None of them seemed ready to move, or even speak.

Dad cleared his throat, "And you are Agnes Sampson's great great several greats granddaughter? Probably 10 generations?"

"No Mr. Clairmont, I am…"

"Matthew, please. It seems we're family, after all."

"Yes, Matthew, I am Agnes' great-grand-daughter."

Mum gasped.

Dad just nodded. "King James put your great-grandmother to death in 1591. Please accept my apologies that I could do nothing to prevent that. The politics of the time just wouldn't allow me to risk exposing the world of creatures by saving her. Queen Elizabeth threatened us all with exposure if I did anything to stop James and his witch hunts. I did everything I could to help the witches in Scotland, but your grandmother was dead before I could act. Please believe me when I say I wept when I heard the news."

"Matthew, I'll be honest with you. I hated you for the first 20 years of my life. I blamed you, and you alone, for grandma's death. My studies of history at St Andrews opened my eyes to the reality of those times, and Janet Gowdie spoke to me a few years ago and well, I wish you could have done something, but I realize your hands were tied. I'm assuming you were a different man then too, and the Matthew I'm looking at is not the Matthew of that time."

"Quite well put Liza. The truth of the matter is, and this is somewhat of a secret that I'm sharing so I'll trust your confidence in this, Diana and I were there in 1591 for six months. I am the Matthew that got the news. Your grandmother's death is, to me, an event of the recent past. It still pains me."

"Please, don't dwell on it Matthew. I lost too many years dwelling on it. We both should move on."

"Well, thank you. Now to more immediate issues."

Charles knocked, and came in to ask what everyone would like to drink.

Dad and Jack of course asked for a cup of blood, Mum suggested Liza try one of her herbal teas. Beck wanted black tea. I looked at Mum for a nod before I asked for some blood as well. Both boys' heads snapped in my direction before they both glanced at their mother and, after getting a nod of approval, asked for blood as well. That confirmed another suspicion that had been nagging at me since Jack had opened the door.

After Charles had brought the drinks and left, Mum said "And I'm assuming you're a weaver Liza?"

"No, actually, I'm bright born. I believe that's the proper term?"

Dad seemed surprised, but once again, Mum had seen it. "That would explain how you walked through my barrier. Only a bright born, or a very powerful weaver, could negate my weaving that easily."

Liza blushed, "Forgive me, it was rude of me to just ignore it, but Jack needed me and…"

"Say no more. Someday you may hear of the barriers I crossed to be at Matthew's side when he's needed me. I completely understand."

"Thank you Mrs…."

"Diana, just Diana."

"Thank you Diana. I'll fill in the missing details and save us all some time, but I'll warn you, this tale isn't pretty. I am not asking for pity, or to shame anyone involved, these are just the facts."

Mum and Dad nodded and she went on.

"As you may already know, grandma Agnes was a weaver. Before she was captured by King James' sheriffs, she was raped by Nicky Ben, you know him as Benjamin Fox, or Benjamin De Clermont."

Dad flinched.

"Her daughter Elizabeth was sent to Manchester when the troubles started in Edinburgh. This would have been the fall of 1591, she was 33 at the time. Elizabeth lived in Manchester for the next 70 years and, as you'll understand, people started to talk, so she moved to Portsmouth, stopped using an aging disguise, and was able to live there for another 63 years."

"I won't bore you with all the moves, but Grandma Elizabeth lived her last 50 years in Ireland and was killed when the ferry she was on sank, in 1849, She was 291 years old. Sadly, in 1830, she met her father. He didn't know she was his, and being who he was, well, I don't need to say it, but my mother, Sarah Sampson was born in 1831. Mum did the same as her mum did, and is now living in Edinburgh. I'm sure you can do the math, but I'll say it. Mum will be 190 in July. Once again, Nicky Ben travels through Scotland, luckily for his last time, but I was born in Feb of 2000."

Jack dropped his glass.

"Haha, sorry Jack. I did tell you I was a lot younger than I looked."

"But that means… you were 12 years old? And we did… OMG Dad, I'm a monster!" Jack's eyes started to blacken again.

Liza jumped to her feet and held him tight "No no Jackie, look at me. Look around you, these children are almost adults and they're 8 years old. I looked 20 because to bright born, I was 20. You're no monster Jack, you're a wonderful man."

And just like that, Jack was back. He wouldn't look us in the face, but he was there with us.

Liza sat back down but held onto Jack's hand as she continued, "That brings us up to the present, I guess. I am a third generation bright born. Mum tells me she never wanted blood as a child, but I did. When I got pregnant, she reminded me that it was a possibility. As you can see, both my boys like their blood."

She glanced back up at Jack and added, "And in case you weren't paying attention Jack, I'm 20 years old. My Grandma died in an accident at 291 years old, My mother is almost 200. We have a very long life ahead of us Jack."

Jack just smiled and kept staring at his sons.

Dad looked at Jack, then back to Liza, "If you'll forgive me, you studied Biology? May I ask any specialty?"

"Marine Biology. I got my Doctorate just this past fall."

"Forgive me for being purely clinical, but Benjamin is your biological father, and grandfather, and great grandfather, and one more generation, am I correct?"

"Yes, and if you'll forgive me for jumping ahead, I believe you're wondering about genetic breakdown due to a narrowed gene pool?"

"To be blunt, yes. I don't know if you're aware, but my son and I and our associates have been mapping the creature genome. If you would allow me, I would love to have some of your blood."

"Matthew!" Mum shouted.

"Oh Diana, she's a scientist, she knows how I meant it. But yours, and your mother's, and your sons, if you and Jack will allow it."

"I'm sure we can do that Matthew. But why don't we address the other elephant in the room, as they say."

"And that is?" Mum asked.

"I know something of vampire mating, and I know that in most cases the draw is overpowering and almost instantaneous. I think you can see that Jack has mated, whether he realizes it or not. I assure you I feel the same, but I want to discuss my sons."

My head jerked in her direction like it was on a swivel and I saw three other heads snap up when she said this.

"Liza, should we let the kids go do something else? Or should they be involved in this conversation?"

I interrupted with, "Mum, I'm staying."

Beck nodded her agreement. Tavish came to my side and grabbed my hand and Lennox did the same to Beck. It seems some things had been decided subconsciously. I wasn't going to argue tho. Somehow Tav just completed me.

Dad looked at the four of us and said, "Well, I don't think you four are anywhere near mated, but I'm not going to stand in the way of you seeing each other. We'll have to discuss several issues as time goes by, but for now, I think we're all tired of talking. Who's up for lunch?"

The four of us cheered and ran from the room. Mum stood and took Dad's hand and led him out behind us saying "Let's leave Jack and Liza to catch up, shall we? Oh, and you should make some phone calls and cancel the bloodhounds."

Dad grabbed his mobile and made a few calls as Mum turned back and had a quick talk with Liza.

As we sat down to eat lunch, Mum looked at Tav and Len and said "Boys, Becca, Pip. I talked with Liza and Jack, and they agree. It seems we're family, and as the Bishop-Clairmont motto is 'No Secrets', you all are free to be honest about things that we usually tend to keep quiet."

We all looked at her, not quite sure of her meaning, so she went on "I'll show you what I mean" and she whispered a few words and her disguising spell faded, revealing her unique tattoos."

The boys looked surprised, but not bothered. They then looked at each other, and nodding their heads, did the same, revealing a rather bright shine to their bright born skin. Beck and I did the same, and the four of us sat there enjoying being ourselves.

Now that their disguises were gone, I could see the threads flowing around them both. Tavish was just covered in air threads. Not a hint of fire to him, very little water and even less earth. Len on the other hand, was totally grounded. Again, a touch of water, but no fire or air to speak of.

That made me wonder about their familiars.

I looked to Mum and asked, "Do you mean everything Mum? Apollo, and time, and everything?"

Laughing, Mum said "Yes, well, don't flood them and scare them, but yes, you can tell them anything Pip."

Tav looked up and blushed "You mean it's OK that we're 8 today?"

We all looked at him totally shocked. "Today?" we all said together.

"Well, today for Len. I was born after midnight so mine's tomorrow, but we always celebrate on the 19th."

I jumped up and hugged them both "Well happy birthday boys! And so ya know, we're 8 too!"

That started a conversation about the growing pains we had all gone through, the constant changing of wardrobes, the having to hide our rapid growth from those around us, including other creatures that weren't in our closest circles. It really was a pain.

Len said "I'm glad we're finally able to go to school with other kids. Mom says we should grow normally for a few years and we can go to school for the next 10 years if we want without problems."

"Mum, can they stay for dinner tonight?"

"Yes dear, I don't see why not. It's all family."

"Thanks Mum. May I be excused?"

"Of course, but do you want to wait for the boys and Becca?"

"No, and no offense guys but, I have to take care of a few things real quick. Would it be OK if Beck shows you around the house after you're done? I'll join you in like half an hour or so."

"Sure Pip, we'll be fine." Tav said, looking at me concerned.

"It's nothing, I just need to make a few calls before this evening."

Mum looked at me concerned now. A witch can't normally lie to another witch and one certainly can't lie to their mother. She knew I was up to something, but I was dancing close enough to the truth, only she could see the lies.

I left the dining room at a leisurely pace and once outside the door, broke into a run. I ran down to the kitchen and found Charles.

"Can you whip up a birthday cake by dinner tonight Charles? PLEASE?"

"Well, I think so M'lord, can I ask for whom?"

"Today is Lennox and Tavish's birthday. Please make this happen for me? Call in some help if you need to. I know you can do it Charles, you're the best!"

"Trust me Pip, I'll have something for them. Do you have anything else special in mind for their dinner?"

"Hmm… if you can get a word with Liza, I'm sure they have a blood preference. That would be nice, wouldn't it? To toast them with something they love?"

"That would be ideal. I'll do my best."

"You're the best Charles. Just don't tell Marthe I said that huh?" I laughed as I ran out to the entry hall to have some privacy for some phone calls.

I had just finished talking to Marcus when Jack and Liza came out of the sitting room. Jack came over to me and asked "Mum and Dad still in the dining room?"

"I think so. I had to run and talk to Charles a bit so they may have finished already."

"Liza and I want to have a talk with Mum and Dad, would you keep the boys busy for a bit?"

"Sure Jack, but may I ask Liza a question before we go?"

"What do you need Philip?" she said, turning to me.

"If you don't mind my asking, were the boys as worried about going to school as we have been?"

Jack looked at me surprised but Liza replied "Honestly, yes they were. The schooling didn't concern them, but having to keep their disguising spells woven on themselves and their familiars, they spent days with my mum sorting out the threads and what to disguise them as."

"Yeah, I just got Apollo looking like a dog on Friday. I totally understand what you mean. Thanks Liza, I was just curious."

Jack looked at me sideways but I didn't give him a chance. "Hey, let's go find Mum and Dad. I bet you two are hungry huh?" And I ran up the steps to the dining room.

Everyone was finishing so I said "Beck, let's take the boys up and introduce them to 'Pollo and Lucy."

Jack and Liza were coming in as we left. As we were going up the stairs, I heard Jack say "Dad, can we talk?"

"Sure Jack, what's up?"

"Well, like Liza said, I'm pretty focused on her. I mean other than Mum, I've never had anyone pull me back from a blood rage like she does. After James brought her up the other night, I've thought of no one else. Add the boys in the mix and well, I want to spend a few days with them at the hotel and get to know the boys and connect again with Liza, if that's OK with you?"

Mum smiled and started to answer but Dad cut her off "No Jack, it is NOT OK with me. You're my son and your place is here with me."

Mum's head snapped around and she almost yelled at Dad when he continued "You will get Leonard to get the Range Rover, he will take you and Liza to her hotel, and clean it out. Bring her and my grandsons back here before dinner tonight. Do you understand me son?"

About half way through this little speech Jack had the biggest smile on is face as he realized what Dad was saying. "Thanks Dad, that's really what I wanted but I was afraid to ask."

"We can put your boys in Stephen and Christopher's room for now. Monday, while the kids are testing, we can discuss future housing needs. Do we need to plan a wedding, Liza?"

"I think you should ask Jack that one Matthew. It might be difficult for you though. Since Benjamin's dead, you're the next in my male line so you have to walk me down the aisle, and the way he talks about you, I'm thinking you'll be Jack's best man, so I'm wondering how you're going to manage that!"

Mum broke up laughing at that one and even Matthew laughed at the silly image.

"While I'd be honored to be my son's best man, I can think of a certain young man who would make an incredible best man for his favorite big brother."

Jack thought for a moment and then "Yeah Dad, I think you're right. When we get to that, but not tomorrow, OK?"

Mum jumped in with "Liza, how about you and I discuss wedding ideas and we send these two to the study for cigars, or blood, or whatever men do in their studies."

As everyone was laughing at Mum's joke, I was walking into my bedroom to introduce the boys to Apollo. He was curled up on my bed and as we walked in he jumped off and came running up to me, licking my hands. Tavish looked to me and smiled "What is he? Is that a Komondor? He's HUGE!"

"Well, yeah, he's a Komondor. I mean, now he is, but watch." and I grabbed at a few of the threads in Apollo's disguising weave and it fell apart. His wings unfolded and his long tail whipped out behind him.

Tavish let out a whoop of joy "DUDE, did you weave that? I had NO idea he wasn't a dog. Honest, that was awesome!"

Just then, Beck walked in with Lucy on her shoulder and Tav looked at me with a question on his face. I nodded and held my finger to my lips as Beck did a similar trick and the African Grey on her shoulder grew to ten times its size and started spouting fire.

Len was so surprised he fell backwards onto his butt! We all got a huge laugh out of that.

About that time, a small golden eagle came flying in my window and landed on the bed. Apollo turned quickly and stared at it and started to growl. I jumped up and backed up against the wall, not sure what to do. Should I weave a spell, run, or call for help. Apollo suddenly pounced on the thing and they were rolling around on the bed for a few seconds before I heard Tav yelling "Stop him! Stop him!" then it dawned on me.

I quickly yelled for Apollo to stop and to his credit he did. He ended up standing over the eagle with its wings pinned to my bed in his talons. He looked at me and asked 'Why did you want us to quit playing? We were having fun!"

The look on Tav's face said he had just had a similar conversation because we both started laughing hysterically. 'Pollo pounced me and pecked at my ear for revenge, then went back to wrestling his new friend.

"What's his name?"

"Tarroo"

"Wait, you're sitting there with a straight face telling me you have an eagle as a familiar?"

"Yes, but my face isn't straight. None of me is."

I blew a raspberry at him. "And you're telling me this eagle is named Bull, in the Manx language."

"OH, I'm impressed, but yes, my eagle is Bull."

I just looked at him.

"I was 6 months old when he showed up, HE told me his name, I didn't name him. Geesh, I would've called him Goldie or something."

"Mo Leannan I'm just teasing you. I was 8 months old when Apollo showed up. He was the size of a kitten and Dad was scared of him. I couldn't say 'Apollo' so it got shortened to 'Pollo' and the nickname stuck. Tarroo is as beautiful as you are."

Tavish sat there frozen. "What did you say?"

"Ah.. which part? I said a lot."

"Did you call me Mo Leannan?"

I blushed and looked away, "Yeah, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. I'll stop"

"Don't you EVER" I felt his hand on my cheek turning my face towards his "ever say you're sorry for speaking your heart to me, Mo Gradh. I was just shocked that you said it, and that you spoke Gaelic."

"I'll tell you about my godfather, Gallowglass one day. But first, I know that Mo Leannan means 'my lover' but I've not heard 'Mo Gradh'. What's that one?"

"It means 'my love' or 'my soul'. To me it means my life." and he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

I was lost in the magic of his kiss when my world got knocked upside down.

My evil twin and her evil twin cohort had tackled us.

Those rats!

We all had a good laugh and I turned to Lennox "Well, we've seen three familiars. Is yours wandering around here somewhere?" And I felt something pelt me in the back of the head.

"Stop it Beck I'm talkin to Len."

"Stop what?"

"Ya hit me in the back of the head with something, come on, stop it." as I got smacked again with something like a small rock

"I'm not doing anything."

"Yeah you are, you just did it again, knock it off."

"Pip? Did you say the back of your head?"

"Yeah"

"Pip dear… I'm sitting in front of you…"

That got my attention. "Um...OK, so what just 'OUCH' there it is again."

This was really getting on my nerves but it seemed to be entertaining Tav and Len. They both had suddenly developed a case of the giggles. I smelled a rat, and it wasn't a female.

I turned back to Len "OK there buddy, what's the game?"

Len pointed over my shoulder. I turned and saw a Capuchin monkey about to throw another peanut at me. He froze and smiled at me. I turned back to Len and said "Are you kidding me? He's so cool!"

"He's a pain in the butt is what he is. He's my friend and he helps me but he's got an evil sense of humor. Don't turn your back on him, like you found out..haha."

"What's his name?

"Peanut"

I just stared at him.

"Seriously, Peanut"

I couldn't help myself, I just started giggling again.

They all sat and looked at me like I had cracked but I couldn't stop.

"Don't you see it? NO… You don't or you'd be laughing with me!"

I literally fell over laughing and they still didn't get it…

"Lucy… Peanut… don't you get it?"

Still nothing. Boy they're dense huh?

About this time Lucy let out a screech and we turned to see Peanut holding onto her talons as she flew around the room.

"Lucy… Peanut… the cartoon! Come on guys, it's funny!"

This time I was tackled by two boys, my sister and dive bombed by an eagle, a griffin and a drake as a monkey dropped peanuts on me. But I didn't care, I was in heaven!

We spent the next few hours playing games with our familiars and telling stories of our earliest adventures weaving spells. The afternoon just flew by.

About 5:30, Jack knocked and stuck his head around the door "Can we come in?" as he and Liza walked in.

"Sure Jack, what's up?"

"We'd like to talk to Tavish and Lennox a bit."

"Sure, Beck and I can just…"

"Nah, you two can stay. This'll affect the two of you anyway."

"OK" and the four of us gathered on my bed.

"So we've all had quite a wild ride the last few days huh? I don't really know how to start."

"Boys, Jack and I are getting married."

"Well, we could start there." Jack looked at Liza.

"Jack, you know I'm just direct and cut to the chase. Don't expect any different. My boys don't."

"Our boys."

"Yeah, our boys."

"Anyway, like your mom said, we're getting married. Not today or anything, but we... meaning the three of us, need to get to know each other. We talked with Mum and Dad and while you have been up here playing zoo, your mom and I went and cleaned out your stuff from the hotel."

Tav looked at Liza "We're going home?"

"No sweetie, let Jack finish."

"Sorry Jack, er um Dad?"

"You don't have to call me that Tavish. I'll never force you to call me that. I'll be happy to hear it but neither of you have to ever use that name for me until you want to, OK? Both of you?"

Tav and Len both nodded and Jack smiled and went on "So we cleaned out the hotel room and brought all your stuff here. Your mom's gonna be in my room upstairs, and you boys can…"

"Stay in my room" I jumped in.

Jack looked at me and grinned "No little buddy, they can't sleep in your room. They're gonna sleep in the boys' room. Stevie and Chris aren't here so there's two empty beds in there. All your stuff has already been put in there. Pip and Becca can show you where the room is and give you the grand tour. We're going up to get ready, it's almost 6, dinner's at 8 and we should be down by 7:30. We'll see you down there OK?"

Jack got up and turned to go.

Tav said "Thanks Dad."

"I said you don't have to…"

"I know what you said, and I said what I meant. Thanks Dad."

Jack rushed over and wrapped Tav in a tight hug. Len looked at them and tears filled his eyes. "Can I get some of that Dad?"

So the showers were delayed another 5 minutes as Jack, Len and Tav exchanged heartfelt hugs and a few blood tears dropped onto the boys' shirts.

After Jack and Liza were gone, I pointed to Tav's shoulder and said "You should get some cold water on those blood spots."

He looked down and smiled "Nah, I think I want to keep this shirt for the memories." We hugged and Beck showed them out to their room so we all could get ready.