Episode 8 Part 2

Aurora's eyes flicked open. She saw a bright light from her ceiling. She felt her bed mattress beneath her. She turned her head and saw the vampire she had kissed smiling at her. "Hey,"

"Hey," he said. "You fell asleep so I just brought you. I slept beside you but I heard you beginning to wake so I thought..."

Aurora chuckled and he chuckled back. "I thought you didn't sleep,"

"Not much," he said. Warm smiles were shared between the two. Marcus wanted to lean down and peck her on the lips. But silent footsteps echoed from outside.

"I think you'd better go," Aurora didn't want anyone to find out about them yet. Especially her sister and his dad; she didn't want to imagine their reactions. Nor her aunts and his brother.

"You sure we should keep this secret?" Marcus asked a little uneasily.

"We will tell them. I just want the time to be right," Aurora said. "Deal?"

Marcus held out a hand. "Deal,"

Instead of shaking it, Aurora sat up and instantly kissed him. As they pulled apart, they cupped each other's cheeks and pressed their foreheads to one another. Since they met they had always felt this powerful impulsive lust between them. But yesterday it had sparked when they finally confessed their feelings. Just when he was about to step up and leave, Sarah opened the door and was befuddled to see them together. "What's going on?" she demanded.

"I was just asking Marcus to give me a check-up," Aurora quickly answered. "I couldn't sleep last night after what happened so I asked him to help real

Sarah didn't look very convinced so Marcus played his part. "She's all good. If she just keeps relaxing, she can forget she ever saw Matthew drink from Diana's neck," he blurted out.

Sarah turned back to Aurora to give her a soft glare. "Don't think you can hide anything from me,"

Aurora frowned at her and then watched Sarah walk out. Aurora got dressed in some nice blue clothes and brushed her hair. As she sat at her desk, she pulled out the book that Marcus had rented her and stroked it. She wondered how she was going to tell her family the news. She wanted to but she wanted them to be more focused on finding ways to protect their loved ones and themselves from the Congregation. Juliette's attack was just the beginning.

Her door opened again and she saw Diana all well and healed enter.

"You're awake," Aurora stood up and walked over to her sister who gave him a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry that you had to see Matthew..." Diana tried to apologise.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. The important thing is you're both alive. You both could have died. How did you finish Juliette off?"

"Witchfire. I turned it into a bow and arrow. I shot. And she was done for," She said letting go.

"You are full of surprises," Aurora said proudly.

"I hope I didn't scare you,"

"You sure did," Aurora playfully punched her shoulder and they both laughed.

"Come on Aurora. Time for some breakfast," Diana swung an arm around her shoulders and guided her downstairs. They sat down and dined on butter on toast and biscuits dipped in tea with their aunts whilst the vampires shared some wine.

Afterwards whilst Diana and her aunts were looking over magic and Matthew was on a phone call to Baldwin, Aurora shot a secret glance over Marcus and cocked his head over to a nearby room. He smiled and nodded. They walked together into the other room to be together. Inside the room were many of Aurora's paintings hung up, the ones she had painted for her aunts instead of selling them.

"They sure are a wonder," Marcus said.

"Thought I might let you see them," Aurora answered before turning around to him. "And to discuss..."

"We really should tell them about last night," he said. "I know I can't keep my brother from learning. He's a good secret finder. Thank goodness he's out hunting with Miriam to not nose in,"

"How much longer do you think Baldwin can keep the Congregation stalled?" Aurora asked him.

"Not long," Marcus confessed. "Seems like Matthew and Diana won't be the only ones in trouble. We'll be in a much dangerous position in this fight too,"

"I'm ready for any fight that might come our way," Aurora said determinedly.

"Me too," Marcus smiled a little. Their faces drifted close. They wanted to kiss again. But Marcus suddenly swerved away when footsteps came close. They saw Matthew and Diana. They were a little blown away seeing the two together alone.

"What's going on?" asked Matthew, a little hard-toned.

"I was just showing Marcus some paintings I left here," Aurora fibbed. "Thought I might show him some of my work whilst he's still here,"

"And I have to say I'm impressed with them," he said. "Now let's head to the kitchen," he led her out.

Diana and Matthew shared a dubious glance. Even Thomas and Miriam who heard from the hallway from the stairs did too. Most of everyone sat down around a large table and awaited the announcement that Diana and Matthew had yet to proclaim.

Matthew decided he would start, claiming it was his idea. "Diana and I have regrettably decided...that even though we'll always be running, the Congregation will always be after us. So it is with great heartbreak that I say this. We will be jumping back, to hide in time,"

The news made everyone a little startled.

"And this time you're coming with us," Diana reached over and clasped Aurora's hand. "I am not leaving you in danger again,"

Aurora was speechless. Hearing her sister say that to her made Marcus so unsettled. "You could land in the middle of a war, an epidemic..."

"Yes, yes. There are risks," Matthew agreed. "But what choice do we have? The moment Diana found the book, she became a target for the congregation,"

"And keeping Aurora safe was our parents' duty. Now it's mine. And this is the best way to protect her," Diana said determinedly. She expected Aurora to say something but her lips remained parted, no words able to emit out her mouth.

"It's not just the risk of landing in the middle of a conflict," Thomas spoke up. "You both know how forbidden it is, to mess with history. Even the slightest mistake you make could lead to a cataclysm of events. What if this makes everything worse?"

"Tom...we don't have a choice," Matthew said regrettably. "We all hate to leave you behind but we cannot risk anyone's lives for our sake,"

"But we take care of each other. That's what families do," Marcus dreads his father, his new mate and Aurora leaving the present but what gashed him was being separated from Aurora again; they hadn't even told anyone about their newfound love.

Matthew looked regrettably at his sons. "We know that. And it breaks our hearts to see you go. But we can't live with ourselves if any of you got hurt. Besides, where we go we might find the answers about the Book of Life,"

"What do you think Diana?" Em asked.

"Well, it depends on where we go," Diana answered. "And wherever...whenever it is, it has to be somewhere where I can learn about my magic,"

"Now Em...to time walk, you said that you need three items from a particular time and place," Matthew said speaking across to her.

"Yes," Em nodded slowly. "That's what Stephen told me,"

"There are items coming from my past but what concerns me is once we arrive there, how do we return to the present,"

"When it's a short way, it's not that difficult. But Stephen says the further you go back in time, the harder it is to return. You're going to need some powerful spells for that,"

"And that will require proper training," Sarah stepped up.

Diana looked at her. "You okay with this?"

"If I can be honest..." Sarah sniffled. "I'm not. But I want you both to be safe. And if this is the best way, then we must prepare for it,"

Visible to everyone, Aurora was so voiceless that she didn't move a single muscle. "I need a moment alone," she stood up and instantly fled the scene before anyone could ask her what was wrong.

Marcus was about to move when Miriam grabbed his shoulder. She gently shook her head but Marcus shrugged her hand off. "Let me see what's wrong with her," He shot off.

The others were awestruck that he would go out after her. Again. Thomas noticed that Sarah was a little off. "You should get to work Diana," he spoke up.

Matthew looked at him. "I know that me going will be difficult for you Thomas. And Marcus,"

"Don't worry about us," Thomas said. "We have your back. What's important is you, Diana and Aurora go somewhere safe. We can handle ourselves. We'll be fine," he promised.

Matthew pursed his lips and hung his head down a bit.

"Let's go," Em said. "Time to get started, Diana. We'll start with you doing it by yourself,"


Aurora sat on her lonely hill again. She couldn't go through with this.

"Aurora!" Marcus found her and sat next to her. "You okay?"

"I can't go through with this Marcus,"

"I know this seems short notice but maybe this is the better option. Not just for Diana and Matthew but for you too,"

"And leave everyone behind," Aurora shook her head. "I can't do that. Come with us," she implored. "I don't want to leave you,"

Marcus was surprised by her request. He hid his wet eyes from her and then looked at her again. "I can't Aurora. If more of us go into the past, it will be very dangerous. It would be catastrophic if we messed with time,"

"So that's it? You're gonna stay here and risk your life whilst me, my sister and dad are hiding? You can come with us,"

"I can't Aurora," Marcus regretted saying those words deeply; it was scarring him more than it was hurting her. "I can't bear to see you go. But what I can't bear is you being in trouble. You'll be safe there. Safer than you can ever be with me,"

"But I always feel safe. Whenever I'm with you,"

"Matthew and Diana can protect you,"

"We don't know where we might go. And you've seen how out of control I am. I could be putting them in danger if I draw attention and ruin everything including history,"

"Who cares what happens?" Marcus argued. "I just want you to be safe because...I love you,"

The three words made Aurora's tears fall out. "I love you too,"

Unable to speak again, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back. They stayed that way for a long time before letting go. They wanted to speak again but no words came out. Their vacant faces with tears were clear expressions of heartbreak to one another.


Thomas was standing patiently outside, staring into the distance; he wanted to be alone for a while. He suddenly noticed Matthew walking toward him.

"Thought I might find you out here," he said.

Thomas pursed his lips and nodded. "I needed air for a while,"

"What is troubling you?" his father asked.

"As much it hurts to let you go, I know the past is where you'll be safe. But the past is where he will be too," he paused.

Matthew knew exactly what he meant. Going back to the past meant perhaps seeing Argus again. Ever since Thomas had lost him, he would have given anything just to see him one last time. He wanted to go to the past to be with him again but he knew he was bound to the present, crestfallen forever. And he knew only a limited number of people could mess feebly with time without causing catastrophic consequences. Not only that but Argus's life couldn't be saved. History couldn't be changed for the fate of all.

The father touched his shoulder. "I'm so sorry this is a burden for you, Thomas. If it were possible, I would agree to take you. But your role in this battle in this time. You and your brother must fulfil the duties which I will no longer carry out. And I'm sorry that we can't change what has happened,"

Thomas nodded in understanding. But a tear escaped his eye.

Matthew embraced him, shedding tears of his own. Since Thomas and Argus mated he had always considered Argus his son. When he died it was like he had lost another son and seeing his eldest son was most likely more heartbreaking than anything in his entire life.

Diana and the aunts could see them through the windows. Diana felt despondent seeing them this way.

"You alright honey?" Em asked.

Diana nodded. "I just wish I could change the past. Make it as if none of our loved ones ever died. I could save my parents. I could save Anna. I could even save Phillipe and Argus if I knew how to,"

"Diana, you know that's forbidden," Em comforted.

"I know," Diana said. When she was about to speak again, they heard the crunching of gravel, a car was approaching the drive. "Who's that?" They walked to the front door.

Outside Matthew and Thomas heard. They flashed over to the front. From their hill Marcus and Aurora watched the car pull up the driveway. Marcus gently grabbed her shoulders. "Hold on tight,"

Aurora felt the pressure of the air pushing against her face and her stomach erupting right up into his throat. In even less than a second, they were right with the others. "Please don't do that," she begged, feeling queasy.

"you get used to it," Marcus said.

"Are you okay Aurora?" her sister asked.

Aurora nodded, unable to look her directly in the eye. She wanted to speak but they heard the opening of doors. They turned and saw a daemon with short brown hair and Scottish clothes.

"Hello Hamish," Matthew greeted, walking towards his daemon friend, shaking him by the hand.

"You must be Hamish," Diana greeted. "I've heard so much about you,"

"You must be Diana. And you must be Aurora," Hamish addressed the sisters.

"Nice to meet you too," Aurora greeted back kindly.

"Nice to see you again Hamish," Thomas came over and gave him a little hug. Marcus and Miriam shook hands with him. "What brings you here? How did you know where to find us?"

"I've brought some things over for Matthew and Diana on their request,"

"Thank you," Matthew said.

"And some added extras," Hamish added in as two back doors were opening revealing...

"OH my god. Sophie?!" Aurora squealed out, rushing over, her anxiety withering away completely. "It's so good to see you two again," she said giving Sophie a tight hug

"It's so wonderful to see you too," Sophie answered back happily.

Aurora hugged Nathanial. "I'm so sorry I have been in contact for a while but so much has been happening,"

"We know," Sophie explained. "Hamish told us everything," She saw Diana approaching them.

"You must be Sophie and Nathanial," she greeted kindly. "Aurora has told me so much about you two,"

"It's really wonderful to finally meet you, Diana," Nate said.

"We're so glad we came here. We have something to give you," Sophie said.

Diana frowned. "To give me?"

"I say we go inside," Aurora suggested. "You three must have had a long journey to get here. Let's talk over tea and coffee,"

The daemons were welcomed inside and hot drinks were poured for them. It was no mere coincidence that they would turn up here. Soon they got down to talk.

"So how did you guys know to come here?" Aurora asked.

"Agatha told us it was your sister whom we were seeking," Sophie said.

"Agatha Wilson. She's a daemon on the Congregation," Hamish explained.

Matthew didn't take the news well. "You have links to the Congregation?"

"Agatha is trustworthy," promised Hamish.

Matthew remained sceptical. "And we know that how?"

"Because she's my mother," Nate answered.

"We can trust Agatha Matthew," Aurora promised. "I may not have met her before but I know we can rely on her. She believes in equality and knows why the Book of Life can't fall into our enemies' hands,"

Sophie held up her little statue. "This has been passed down through the Norman family. My father told me when the time comes to give it to the witch who is in need of it,"

"What is it?" Diana asked taking it.

"It's Diana, the goddess of the Hunter," Aurora correctly answered seeing the statue was a silver huntress with a bow and deer.

"It's a chess piece," Matthew said. "The White queen. I lost that in a wager on all Soul's Night a very long time ago,"

"How did it end up in my family?" wondered Sophie.

"I have no idea," Matthew said.

"Soph...we should go," Nate said. "We shouldn't stay here,"

"Please stay here," Aurora implored. "You've come a long way,"

"She's right Nate. I mean look at us here. Vampires, witches and daemons under the same roof. We're on the same side. We can tell them,"

"Tell us what?' Diana asked.

"Soph..." Nate implored.

"Guys...whatever it is that you're keeping secret, you can trust us," Aurora promised.

Sophie thought for a moment and then spoke out. "My parents were witches,"

Everyone stared at her.

"Cross-species. That's impossible," Miriam breathed.

The silence was amidst them again.

Aurora decided Sophie and Nathanial were looking too nervous. "I'll take you two to a room," she stood up and picked up their bags. Her friends followed after her. Once reaching the first floor, Aurora turned left and to her grateful expectation, there was a large room for them at the far end.

They went inside and she rested the bags on a bag just in front of the double bed. "There you go," she said. "I hope you two will feel comfortable,"

"How did your house..." Nathanial paused. "Magic house right?"

"Got that right Nate," she said proudly.

Sophie twiddled her fingers. "We're sorry we didn't tell you about my family," she apologised.

"Don't be," Aurora excused quickly. "You had to keep it secret and it was the right thing to do. Does Agatha know?"

Nate nodded.

"How did she take it when you told her?"

"She was a little shocked and hurt at first," Nate confessed. Aurora could tell he looked really guilty for keeping such a secret from his mother for years. "I didn't want to lie to her but I was afraid of putting her in a difficult position. If the truth came out, we never would have been allowed to be together,"

"But she has your back nevertheless," Aurora knew at heart. "It's great to know that we have a member of the Congregation on our side. Do you think the baby could be a witch?"

"I've got a very strong feeling that she is," Sophie confessed.

Aurora saw she looked quite scared. "I promise you, Sophie. Nothing is going to happen to your child. Not if I have anything to say about it,"

"What's happened since we last spoke?" Sophie asked. "We've had feelings you've been through some very rough times,"

Aurora pursed her lips and nodded. "I found out a few days ago that I'm actually adopted,"

Her friends were shocked. "Is this to do with a creature not like any of our races?" Nathanial asked. "I had a vision about a woman with a child. It felt like it was so far back,"

"That child was me," Aurora said glumly. "That woman was my birth mother. She came here to give birth to me and then left me here with my adoptive family,"

"We're so sorry that you feel so upset," Sophie held her hand with comfort. "Please let us know if there's anything we can do,"

"I don't think you both can," Aurora said regrettably. "This is something I need to heal by myself,"

"Please let us help you," Nate implored. "You've always been there for us so we want to be there for you,"

"It means a lot from you two," Aurora gratefully answered. "I'm so glad you two came here. Especially because..."

"Because what...?" Sophie drifted off. "Is this to do with Diana and Matthew needing to hide in the past?"

Aurora sighed. Her muscles twisted themselves into knots as she nervously realised she had to tell them what was going to happen. "Diana and Matthew are going to hide in the past from the Congregation. That statue you brought Soph will play an important key in helping them get to the time it came from. And Diana doesn't want to leave me behind this time,"

"Because you were attacked," Nate said mortified.

"Twice," Aurora added in. "My birth mother left me here because she feared what the Congregation would do to me. My existence has already been found out by Peter Knox. He may have notified the Congregation,"

"Then you must go with her," Sophie said. "You'll be safe there,"

"To be honest, I don't think I can," Aurora confessed.

"But you must!"

"I can't leave you two at this time. I dread to think of what the witches would do to your child if they found out,"

"Don't concern yourself with us," Nate implored. "Be concerned about yourself and your sister,"

"Just because your mother's keeping it secret from the Congregation does not mean that they won't find out. Even though my existence was kept hidden for years, it still managed to find its way out. The Congregation could have spies everywhere regarding recent events,"

"Aurora, we're both warmed by how much you want to protect us but...what if you got hurt?" Sophie was beginning to panic with worry but she remained calm. "We could never live with ourselves if anything happened to you,"

Aurora tried to speak but the words remained stuck in her throat.

"You love that vampire Marcus, don't you," Nate implied correctly.

Aurora looked at him. "How did..."

"I saw the connection between you two and I had a strange feeling. It could only have meant one thing. Why not take him with you?"

"We can't. Too many people in past could have drastic consequences. And Marcus has a life here in this time. How could I ever take that away from him?" Aurora had begun to reflect on the emotional impact of taking Marcus with her into hiding.

"Do you think he wouldn't give all that up just to be with you?"

"It's not as simple as it sounds. My instincts are telling me, I must remain here at this time but I know that if I choose to stay, Diana may yet too and that would put her in so much danger. What should I do?"

Sophie and Nate shared worried glances. They didn't know what to say. They loved Aurora so much that they wished she wouldn't feel so reluctant to go into the past to be safe with her sister, but on the other hand, they could see how guilt-stricken she'd feel if she left them behind. And Marcus too.

"Talk to Matthew," Sophie suggested. "He'll help you decide what to do. As the bridge between Marcus and Diana, he'll know what choice you must make,"

Aurora thought about it for a while. "I'll leave you two to get settled in," She turned and left the room. She walked back towards the stairs and descended to the main hall where Diana and Matthew were discussing time walking with the earring from Ysabeau and Sophie's statue.

"Sis..." Diana stood up. "Is everything alright? Are they settled nicely?"

Aurora nodded. "Can I talk to you for a while Matthew?" she requested.

"Of course," Matthew answered. "I'll be back in a bit love," he kissed Diana on the cheek and he departed with Aurora outside the door. They walked to a nearby tree a far enough distance from the house so no one would overhear them.

"I know why you want to talk privately," Matthew said. "I heard everything you were saying to your friends upstairs. That is something I know I can't agree with. And you know your sister can't too. I know that you and Marcus love each other,"

Aurora was surprised. "We were...we were going to tell you all but then you and Diana brought up the news..."

"You know he can't come with us. It would be catastrophic for time interacting and there are duties which I must bequeath to him and his brother before it is time. Duties which I cannot perform which they must for the great fight we have ahead,"

"I know he can't. But I can't leave him. And it's not just that," Aurora confessed. "I can't abandon my friends. If their child turns out to be a witch, she'll be in danger and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her. It would feel like abandoning them and even Agatha wouldn't be able to keep Sophie's family history a secret no matter how much she remained silent,"

Matthew understood her reasons for reluctance. "Aurora...I understand how you feel about leaving with us but you know that this time is not safe for you anymore,"

"I don't want to be separated from Diana again but...I just can't leave Marcus or my friends. I love your son Matthew. And as much as I love Diana and you too, I couldn't bear to be without him. And I couldn't go a single day without worrying about my friends. Besides...maybe the answers to figuring out what I really lie more in this time. And a creature like me could easily be persecuted in the time you and Diana are aiming to go to. I just...I just don't know what to do Matthew. My daemon instincts are telling me I must stay here but I don't know how to do what I think is right without making Diana feel so scared,"

Matthew absorbed everything she had said and in an instant understood exactly where her thoughts were coming from. He came forward and clasped her shoulders gently. "I will talk to Diana if it makes you feel better,"

"Thank you," she said gratefully.

"But that doesn't mean I fully agree. I worry for you just as much as Diana does. The fact that you're willing to give your life to protect others doesn't mean you are without concern and importance to the ones who love you. I always knew there was a spark between you and my youngest son since you gave him such a passionate goodbye when we left Oxford. And now I am proud he has found happiness with you the same way I did your sister. Before I talk with Marcus, I want to say that I give your blessing to love him," he smiled proudly.

Aurora was very happy. "Thank you, Matthew. I hope I can make him happy the same way Diana does to you,"

Matthew's beam brightened. "You already have. Remember this Aurora...there can be no love with anyone without sacrifice. And there can be no path without making hard decisions. But know this...you are not alone," he gave Aurora a gentle fatherly hug which she accepted. "Thank you for talking to me about it. Your friend was right,"

"Thank you for listening," Aurora sniffled.


And that's part two done. What did you guys think? I would love to hear your reviews. Please let me know what you all think. And please, please send ideas too. I am very open. See you all soon.