Episode Sixteen Part Three
Warning: contains making-out scenes. Will mark it down when that happens.
(Making out 1)
Marcus and Aurora lay down in their bed, kissing, making out and making up for the time they had been apart. Marcus snaked his fingers up her arm and they laced together. Aurora breathed in and out slowly as her partner for life sucked on her neck with his lips, feeding on her romantically with passion. She felt no vulnerability from him. Only compassion, love, and devotion. Her frosty fingertips touched his back, cold as her touch.
Meanwhile, Marcus's phone buzzed very silently for the third time. Its owner took no notice. All he focused on was whom he loved most in his arms. They lay beside each other under the blankets, remembering that magical night when they shared their first kiss.
"You remember that night?" she asked.
"What night?" he fibbed.
She pulled up a playful frown. "The one where we shared our first kiss you dumbo,"
Marcus giggled hearing her calling him that. "I remembered seeing your eyes glow up in colours,"
"Are they…are they doing it again?"
Marcus peered deeper into her irises as he shuffled closer to her and he pulled up a bright smile. "They never stop being so beautiful,"
"And you never stop being so cute," she shuffled close and kiss him cupping his cheek whilst he pulled an arm over and stroked her back. "Your phone's ringing,"
(End of Making out 1)
Marcus turned his head and saw his phone vibrating on the desk. Quickly he stepped out of bed and walked over. He huffed.
"What is it?" Aurora sat up, holding up the blanket over her chest.
"It's Baldwin,"
"What does he want?"
Not needing to answer that question, Marcus pressed it to his ear. What do you want Baldwin?
I want the leadership of the knights of Lazarus. I want you and your brother to come to Venice and hand it over. If you both are not here in two days, I will come back to Oxford….
If you so much as touch a hair on Aurora…
You and your brother are in no state to lead this organisation with all your dilemmas in daemons and humans and freaks. As the head of our family, I order both to come to Venice or I will come to Oxford myself.
Marcus tried to retort back in retaliation but Baldwin shut off the phone. He lowered it down and stared worriedly at his soulmate.
(Making out 2)
Thomas without his shirt kissed Phoebe passionately in his bed. This was the first time in years he had ever truly felt so intimate with anyone. He had never felt so jubilant in his life as he had now.
Phoebe felt the coldness of his skin crawling over her as his lips touched her skin. It felt creepy but a good kind of creepy. She wondered how she could fall for such a unique creature like Thomas. It was at that moment she realised it was because he was a unique man, a man who would give anything to protect her, to cherish her, to love her. She wondered if they were the strangest but luckiest couple in the whole world.
(End of Making out 2)
Phoebe sat up and pulled on her shirt again. "Nearest supermarket is two blocks away, right?" Thomas nodded. "Okay. I fancy a salted caramel,"
"Coming right up," Thomas opened the door.
"Wait Thomas," Phoebe grabbed her phone. "I'm timing," he nodded and he sped off. She waited for a very short while then she made her way down the stairs. The moment she turned the corner she saw Thomas waiting for her with a cheesy grin holding three ice creams stacked on top of each other. "Fifty-six seconds," he stopped the clock.
"There was a queue at the till," Thomas said next. Phoebe burst out laughing. "Shall we eat?"
"I thought you said vampires don't crave food,"
"Doesn't mean we don't like to eat? I love ice cream," he led her to the living room and they sat down on the couch and took some spoonfuls of caramel and vanilla – their favourites.
"Can you change into a bat?" asked Phoebe.
"Nope. We are not vampires that children love to read. And we do not sleep in coffins either. It's all made up. And we don't wear capes either," he added in quickly.
Phoebe chortled again. "That's a shame. I would have loved a cape," Thomas laughed again. "Tell me about the Knights?" she asked. "How long have you been in charge of them?"
"A few months actually," Thomas answered. "My father gave the leadership to me and my brother before he time walked,"
"And what are the knights doing now?"
"They're protecting my new goddaughter,"
"You're a godfather? Would they happen to be these friends who you were out with earlier?"
Thomas nodded. "They're daemons. And their daughter is a witch," Phoebe frowned a little. "I know it's confusing but that child is in great danger. The knights have been charged with protecting her and our family from the Congregation," He noticed Phoebe was in some deep thought. "What is it?"
"A guy came to the auction house last night, asking questions about the portraits. He said that he knew about me and you socialising," Thomas felt his heart jump. "I think he was the vampire who didn't want you to tell me what happened to Joe," Phoebe noticed a pale change in his face. "What?"
"Was this vampire Venetian?"
"Yes. Why?"
Thomas opened his mouth to speak but he heard the doorbell ringing loudly. "Wait here," he implored, fearing it to be a Congregation member, let alone Domenico. He walked slowly over but smelt the familiar scent from under the doors. He opened it.
"I've been calling you for hours," ranted Marcus.
"I was distracted," Thomas simply answered.
"She believed you," smiled Aurora.
Thomas nodded. "Yes,"
"Yes!" Aurora hugged Thomas in delight. "I'm so happy for you Tom,"
"Me too," said Marcus. He was half happy but his expression was stiff.
"What's with the look on your face?" Thomas asked.
"We need to talk," Marcus pulled Aurora inside with him, through the hallway. "Baldwin called. He's ordered us to come to Venice to hand over the knights or he'll come to Oxford himself,"
"Does he dare to threaten our friends?" Thomas asked.
"I don't what he'll do but if we stay here, he'll come back and it won't turn out pleasantly," said Marcus.
"Thomas…" Phoebe called from the living room. "Who is that?"
Thomas silently signalled for his brother and Aurora to stay put and they did. He tiptoed quietly back into the living room to Phoebe. "I want you to meet my brother and his partner,"
"Oh. Okay," Phoebe stood up taking his offered hand. "Are they gonna…be mad…that I'm a human? Will your brother try to…"
"I can hear from where I am and I don't attack anyone unless provoked," Marcus's voice rang; his brother rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Classic Marcus," he mumbled loudly. He lead Phoebe to the hallway and Marcus and Aurora awaited them, expressing friendly smiles.
"You must be Phoebe," Marcus offered a hand. "He's told us so much about you," Phoebe hesitantly took it but with Thomas's encouraging smile, he shook it and felt only a pleasant welcome from the vampire.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you," Aurora greeted kindly offering her hand too. Phoebe shook it but immediately drew back when she felt suddenly frozen. "Oh my. Sorry. Cold hands. That's my magic,"
"Are you a witch?" asked Phoebe curiously.
"Not exactly. Let's just say I'm a bit of a mystery,"
"Wait a minute," Phoebe peered closer. "Are you Aurora Bishop?"
"That would be me,"
The name made Phoebe glance at her with excitement and surprise. "Like Aurora Bishop the famous artist, the famous author of 'Arts and Mysteries' 'Colour and Meanings'…" she listened to Aurora's five famous books and even fished out her most recent book from her bag on the porch table. Aurora nodded, quite surprised by her new-found fan. "Can I get your autograph?" she squealed out the question.
"Um. Sure," Aurora took the book and did her fancy signature on the front.
"Even you make handwriting so amazing," she squealed out the compliment. She then suddenly hugged her. "I've always wanted to meet you," She realised what she was doing and instantly stood back in embarrassment. "Sorry. I forgot myself…"
"Don't worry. Anyone who loves art and Thomas is a friend of mine," the ice-magic artist guaranteed. "Since you know about the creature world now, I'd like to give you this," she waved her hands and a rose of ice appeared between her hands.
Phoebe's lips dropped. She offered it to her and she took it slowly. "Wow. That's so cool. My art hero is magic,"
"Aurora is many things," Marcus side-hugged her.
"I'm loving this new world," Phoebe looked at Thomas so joyfully.
"I'm so happy for you Tom," spoke Marcus, sunny at his brother. "I wish I could say more but we need to discuss what we're gonna do,"
"You know as well as I. do, we need to go to Venice," said Thomas. "Before Baldwin comes here and does something,"
"Who's Baldwin?" Phoebe asked.
"Our uncle and the head of our family," answered Marcus.
"And a rather arrogant and short-tempered one if I should say," Aurora added abhorrently.
"Aurora, you need to stay here with your friends," spoke Marcus decisively.
"No Marcus. I'm coming with you. I'm not going to spend another moment apart from you,"
"Aurora, this isn't Sept Tour. This isn't Oxford. This is the headquarters of the Congregation. If you go there, things could get worse," said Marcus seriously, fear caging his heart in his chest. He held her hands protectively. "I can't let anything happen to you,"
"He's right Rora," Thomas supported. As much as he didn't want to see them part again, they had to do what was best. "You need to stay and help the knights protect our goddaughter. And I need you to protect Phoebe,"
"Uh…Thomas…she doesn't need to do that," Phoebe tried to say.
"Please Phoebe," Thomas held her hands and drew her to face him. "I'm worried about what Domenico will do to you, let alone the other members. If they find out about you, they will kill you. And I couldn't bear it. And I'm worried about what Fergus will do if he comes back here,"
"He won't risk coming back here again," Marcus pointed out.
"Wait, what do you mean?" asked Phoebe confusedly.
"He was apprehended for trying to capture me but then he escaped and no one has seen him since," said Aurora. "If he knows about your acquaintance with Thomas, it means you will need protection from the Knights too,"
"It'll be up to you to look over the knight's activities until we return," said Thomas seriously to her.
Realising there was no other choice, Aurora nodded. "I won't let anything happen to her," she vowed.
Thomas hugged her tightly. "Thank you,"
"Just take care of Marcus," she implored.
"I will,"
Aurora hugged Marcus a long tearful goodbye as Thomas in less than a minute packed his bags. Marcus had already packed some himself. Phoebe stayed standing where she was just outside the car whilst the brothers loaded up the car. Once it was loaded, Thomas stood up to her, gently holding her quivering hands. "I'll be back soon Phoebe. Aurora is the most selfless person I've ever met. She'll take care of you. And the knights will protect you,"
Phoebe hadn't realised how overwhelming and nerve-wracking it would be to embrace this new world. But now that she was under the protection of her artist hero and a powerful organisation of vampire knights, she was beginning to feel a little scared now that her new partner was leaving Oxford for a few days. She threw her arms around him, sucking in all the protection his warmth could give her. "Just please come back,"
"I will come back," he promised.
Aurora gave Marcus one last hug. "Come back to me,"
"I will,"
"And Marcus…" she cupped his cheek. "Do what you know is right. Not what's easy," She turned to look at Thomas. "Both of you. You both have already done great things with the Knights. Don't give it to someone who isn't worthy of that mantle," She kissed Marcus goodbye and then gave Thomas a quick embrace, promising him once again that she would protect Phoebe.
The brothers entered the car. Aurora wrapped an arm around a worried Phoebe in comfort as they drove away out of Oxford. She led her through the streets towards her and Marcus's house and they entered through. She invited Phoebe to sit down at the table whilst she made some hot chocolate hoping it would calm her nerves. She made sure not to freeze it with her hands.
"Thank you," she said.
Aurora sat down. "l can see that Thomas made an excellent choice. I promise you, Phoebe I'll protect you,"
"You don't have to,"
"I do. I've been protecting my loved ones for a long time. And now that you're an important part of Thomas's life, that makes you important to the de Clairmonts. And that means we look after each other,"
Phoebe was. Touched. They had only just met and now her art hero was being kind and generous to her, not because she was a fan but because she was considered an official member of the de Clairmont family.
"How does it feel knowing about a whole new world that's been hidden in plain sight?"
"Overwhelming," Phoebe said awkwardly. "If I can be honest,"
"The vampire Domenico…he didn't threaten you did he?"
"No. But when he asked me about what Thomas and I were doing together, he had this creepy effect on me,"
"All vampires do that. Bad ones of course. Thomas and Marcus are nothing like that,"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure,"
Pulling out her phone, Phoebe showed Aurora the portraits. "Is Diana Bishop, your sister?"
"Yep,"
"So if that guy's Matthew and he's her mate, and Marcus being Thomas's brother is your soulmate… how come…"
"I know it sounds confusing like that. Me dating the son of the vampire who's officially my brother-in-law now but…I'm really Aurora's adopted sister. And it's not like Marcus was born of Matthew. He was just sired by him,"
"Wait, if you're adopted, who you are and where you came from?"
Aurora sighed. "I don't know. My birth mother left me with the Bishop family after I was born. I don't know why but…all I knew is that it was to protect me and my parents never found out what became of her afterwards," she clutched the pendant protectively. "This pendant is all I have of her,"
"What was she protecting you from?"
"The Congregation," said Aurora bitterly.
"Are they really that bad?"
"They are. Many of them don't care about creating equality between creatures. They only care about the privileges of their positions. And they threatened my sister and Matthew just because of the stupid Covenant,"
"Thomas told me all about that. How did this all happen?"
"It's quite a story,"
"Tell me," Phoebe insisted. "I'd love to know every detail,"
"It all began when Diana and I were at the Bodleian Library…" Aurora described every detail of her story from unravelling the Book of Life to her sister and Matthew leaping into the past.
Domenico sat in his quarters on the Congregation Island in Venice. After that search in Oxford, he still hadn't come close to finding the killer. But what dwelled in his head was that image of that unique creature with ice magic who bore a necklace he hadn't seen for many, many years. And her hair and eyes. Every memory of her sparked a deeper memory which had haunted his thoughts for years. He looked again at the resemblance of Aurora Bishop. He stood up, packed his bags and made his way through the corridor, encountering Gerbert.
"See you're setting off for Oxford again," the white-haired, older vampire said.
"No Oxford," his fellow councilman replied.
"l gave you a task to find that killer, to find its connection to the de Clairmonts,"
"I'm searching for something," said Domenico.
"Searching for what?"
"Something I hadn't found for years," he said.
"Which is what?"
"Nothing that needs concern you," Domenico marched off. "I'll be back to do what you paid me for once I get my lead,"
"Care to enlighten me with what this 'something' is?" Gerbert called out after him.
"Not a threat to our plans," was all Domenico answered. As he disappeared, Gerbert eyed him warily.
"And so while we're here keeping the Congregation at bay and protecting my new baby's goddaughter…Matthew and Diana are searching for the book of life in the past and hopefully any clue to the whereabouts of the three missing pages," finished Aurora. She had it emotional to speak of their tearful departure she found it embarrassing to speak in front of her fan like that but she didn't mind one bit. She felt sorry for her and gave her a tissue to wipe away her eye.
"Wow. Your sister is lucky that she's seeing actual history," said Phoebe in wonder.
"I only hope they have not messed with history or caused any changes. What worries me more is what's happening out there…"
"Yes. Thomas told me everything. About a vampire murdering humans. Like my guard Joe,"
"This was why he wanted me to protect you. The Congregation has become more paranoid since Phillipe's death, more prejudiced than ever. Many members such as Baldwin have only sought to use it for their benefit of themselves. And to make matters worse, if the de Clairmonts are linked to these murders, they'll be culled just for carrying something they didn't ask to be infected with,"
"It's not right," agreed Phoebe.
"You're very brave to love Thomas," spoke Aurora admirably. "He would do anything to keep you safe,"
"I know he would. He protected me from some mean men. When you're in a relationship with a vampire, do you become possessive of them?" Phoebe had wondered about that question for a while now.
"You do. But the good kind of possessiveness. It symbolises how important you are to them. I'm important to Marcus and you're important to Thomas," Phoebe smiled as Aurora uttered how she had become romantically precious to Thomas. "Love is the greatest gift of all. Something my mum told me a lot. Has Thomas told you everything about vampires?"
"Not everything,"
"Want me to enlighten you?"
"I'd rather he tell me,"
"Good answer," Aurora chuckled and Phoebe joined in.
"Please tell me you do ice art like that flower you made me,"
"I wish I could but I can't. I'd be exposing myself and the creature world,"
"Imagine the business you could make if you did that,"
"That's one amazing dream still. Let me help you get settled in the guest room," Aurora stood up.
"Shouldn't I get clothes from my house?"
"Don't worry. You can borrow some of my clothes," insisted Aurora. "Come on," she led Phoebe to the stairs.
"You're very kind Aurora," the human complimented. "You know loads of people say never meet your heroes. But I've met you…and I'm really glad you're my hero,"
Aurora looked at her fan who expressed a friendly smile. "I'll take that as a compliment. And thanks, friend. Now come. Let's get you settled in,"
Phoebe put up a cheesy face, jubilant that she was now friends with her favourite hero and followed after her.
That's another chapter done. I hope you all enjoyed it. And what did you think of Aurora and Phoebe's fast friendship? And Domenico thinking about her? Why? Looks like we'll need to find out. See you all soon, hopefully, this weekend.
