Episode Twelve Part Four

Phoebe stepped carefully down the stairs towards the kitchen. She was in her underwear vest and shorts. She knew Thomas was hiding something and she was going to find out what it was. She opened some cupboards nothing. Then she tried an uncanny suggestion. She opened the fridge and to her surprise, she found a bag of blood. She became a little scared. She put it back in. Then she noticed a large box on the bottom shelf across the dining room. She pulled it out and then lifted it onto the table. She looked inside and saw black and white photos. She pulled one out. She saw a picture of Thomas and a handsome man with blonde hair in old-fashioned suits. She became troubled. She reached for another photo and saw a man exactly like Thomas dressed in an army uniform. She pulled out another one and saw a large family photo of a man who looked exactly like Thomas with a taller man and a man roughly his size. She saw another photo and inside it another doppelganger of Thomas in front of a model of an old car with his partner. There were more photos of doppelgangers of Thomas.

"Who are you?" she wondered.

Suddenly she heard footsteps. She turned her head to see Sophie. "Phoebe?"

"Oh. Hi Sophie," Phoebe remembered her.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh uh…Thomas invited me,"

"Then why are you sneaking around his things?"

Before Phoebe could answer, they heard a pair of footsteps march down the stairs. "Phoebe?" It was Thomas. He had his shirt and pants on but his shirt was undone.

"I'll just…I'll just leave," Sophie quickly scurried off.

Thomas glanced wide-eyed at Phoebe with his box of memories. "Phoebe…"

"I'm going to get dressed," Phoebe left the box and quickly dashed upstairs.

Thomas licked his lips and pursued her up to his room. Phoebe turned the light up and started dressing up in her dress.

"I can explain," Thomas tried to say.

"I've dealt with con artists so I know when someone's hiding something," Phoebe answered back putting her coat on her. "There are photos going back to the 1800s. How do all your relations look exactly the same? Why is there a bag of blood in your fridge? Are you ill?"

"No,"

"Then what is it?"

Thomas tried to answer but no words came out. His eyes and lids dropped.

Phoebe sighed and rubbed one of her eyes, upset with his unbearable secrecy. "I like you, Thomas. I do. But nothing in your life makes sense," she grabbed her shoes and proceeded to leave.

"Phoebe wait," Thomas stopped her. She glanced desperately at him. "Can we take a walk?"

He buttoned his shirt, put on his shoes and they walked out into the dark. They walked to a nearby park and strolled under the lit lamplights.

"Whatever it is Thomas, just tell me," begged Phoebe.

Thomas pursed his lips and twiddled his fingers. "I'm…I'm a vampire,"

Phoebe scoffed. "Come on Tommy," she attempted to walk off but Thomas stopped her continually talking.

"I'm hundreds of years old," he explained. "I know it sounds crazy. But humans share this place with other creatures. Daemons, witches, and vampires. All around you,"

Phoebe wasn't convinced but she was beginning to think he was mental. "So, you're not a superhero? It's funny because I didn't see a coffin,"

"Everything you think you know about us is human propaganda, based on fear, based on half-truths of what they believed to have seen what seems impossible I swear to you that I'm telling the truth,"

"Then I feel sorry for you. I think you need help," Phoebe tried to walk off but Thomas stopped her.

"Phoebe please…"

"It's been a wonderful night. Now…let's not spoil it anymore,"

Thomas couldn't give up. "Phoebe…"

"Goodbye Thomas," Phoebe walked off into the dark. Thomas turned around and watched as she left the park. He closed his eyes and sighed. He had failed.


Marcus and Aurora arrived the next morning at Thomas's house. To their surprise, it was open. They walked inside and they saw Thomas on a goblet of wine alone at the kitchen table. The daemons were in the front room sipping tea. Marcus eyed his brother and realised he was unresponsive to their presence. He smelt his breath which stank of wine. He had drunk too much like it was one of his bad days.

Aurora tried to speak up but Marcus shook his head. This was not a good time to speak up.

"Hello…" they greeted.

"Hey," Sophie said. Aurora hugged her and sat beside her.

"How was last night?" Agatha asked.

"Amazing," she answered.

"We had to cut short though because of Domenico," Marcus forced himself to say.

"Did he see you two?" Agatha asked worriedly.

The couple nodded.

"But no fight was put up," Aurora assured.

"I strongly suggest you go to Sept Tour as soon as possible," Agatha advised.

Aurora shook her head. "I'm not leaving Oxford,"

"I know you want to protect us but you must look after yourself as well," she sympathised.

"Any idea why my brother's been drinking all night?" Marcus asked.

The daemons sighed. "He wouldn't talk to us," Nate said.

"Phoebe came here last night," notified Sophie.

Large grins grew on Marcus and Aurora's faces. "Did she now?" he asked, jubilant colours spreading over his face.

"Then why he is so unresponsive?" Aurora wondered.

The daemons didn't answer. They shared sympathetic glances. Aurora and Marcus shared sorrowful glances. The silence was instantly interrupted by a chorus of loud banging at the door. Marcus rushed over to the window. "Oh great," he cursed.

"What?" Agatha asked

"It's Baldwin,"

"Everyone upstairs," ushered Aurora quickly. Quickly the three paced quickly up the stairs.

"you should go too," Marcus begged too.

"No way. I can handle Baldwin," assured Aurora. They dashed to Thomas.

"Come on Thomas. Focus," Marcus ordered but Thomas was unresponsive. He slapped his face. "Pull yourself together,"

"And let's throw these away," Aurora tossed the empty wine glass in the bin and the wine glass in the dishwasher.

Marcus made Thomas look smart and then he opened the door to allow a very pissed-off Baldwin to enter. "Would it kill you to answer the door?"

"We've been busy!" Marcus complained.

Baldwin approached Thomas, still a little drunk, and a cautious Aurora. His fiery gaze focused on her. "Never thought I'd see you around here,"

"Hello Baldwin," she greeted plainly.

"I thought you'd be hiding away with your sister and Matthew,"

"Before you so rudely call me a freak, I was welcomed to stay here in Oxford per Marcus and Thomas's request,"

"I can smell you and Marcus over each other," he said repulsively.

Marcus swerved round in a blur to clasp Aurora's hand. "We are together whether you appreciate it or not. With Matthew and Diana's blessing,"

Baldwin didn't speak back but by his stiff cheek muscles, he was beyond distasteful of their relationship. He turned his head back to Thomas who hadn't spoken a single word since his uninvited arrival. "Are you drunk?"

"What are you doing here Baldwin?" Marcus demanded.

"Have you three heard about this?" Baldwin slammed a newspaper on the table. "It's all over the internet," The title said, Vampire Killer in Oxford.

"Only that Domenico's been sniffing around," Thomas answered in a boozy manner. "Must be working for Gerbert,"

"What is up with you?!" Baldwin demanded. "Why are you so drunk?"

Thomas didn't answer. His eyes were half-closed half-wet. Marcus sensed shortness of breath and an increase in his respiration and blood pressure. He was heartbroken.

Baldwin noticed something out of the corner of his eyes. A silky scarf. He picked it up and showed it to Thomas. "Who's this? It smells of human,"

Thomas tried to answer but he was drowning in a mental sea of heartbreak.

Baldwin began to boil. "You did not…"

Aurora stepped in. "Baldwin…" she was abruptly interrupted.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" Baldwin erupted, berating Thomas.

"Just leave him be," Aurora pushed him away.

"Did you just…" Baldwin drew on her but Marcus defended her.

"You will not harm her. And leave Thomas alone! Don't make him feel worse than he's already felt for centuries. What is it that you really want?"

"I've heard Matthew has made you two grandmaster of the Knights of Lazarus. Must be a real nightmare. Let me do you both a favour and take it off your hands,"

Aurora scoffed. "Is that why you've come here?" he rolled her eyes. "Of course. It's always about you, isn't it?"

Baldwin was getting irritated every second with her. "You really think it's that simple? The Congregation wanted my head. Gerbert is frothing up out of balance. The Knights may be needed at any moment. And they needed to be experienced leaders who don't get distracted by unnatural creatures or humans and get drunk,"

"Our father made us Grandmasters because he believes in us," Thomas rubbed his eyes and stood up straight. Having regained concentration, he was ready to talk back to the head of their family and defend his brother and close friend by any means.

"I am Phillipe's only surviving blood son. Matthew is using you two to get to me,"

"You're wrong," Thomas defended. "He trusts us to make a difference,"

"Does that include breaking the Covenant by protecting daemons?" the three felt their hearts beat faster. "You two think I don't know? I could hear them from outside," Baldwin challenged.

"Those daemons are Aurora's friends. And the Knights were created to help those who needed aid and they need aid," Marcus stated clearly, keeping a tight arm around Aurora's waist. "And as you are a Knight, you are under our command. And we are ordering you to leave this house and to stay away from Aurora and our friends,"

Baldwin with his chin bobbed down, sneered.

"What?"

"You both have no idea what you're getting into. Matthew has been lying to you your whole lives,"

Marcus frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Baldwin was about to speak but was interrupted by an outraged Thomas. "Baldwin, you are ordered to leave this horse. Whatever words you use to try and sway us into giving up this duty will not work. Now get out,"

Baldwin blew his lips. "Some grandmasters you make. I know you two don't like this responsibility at all. Give it to me and you both can go back to living amongst the humans," He grabbed the paper and pointed it at them. "Step out of Matthew's shadow. He deserves neither of your loyalties," he proceeded to walk out but he turned with a flick of his coat tail. "And another thing…Ysabeau wants you both to come to Sept Tour,"

The moment he slammed the door, Marcus and Aurora turned in a flash to Thomas.

"Thomas, please tell us what happened," Aurora implored.

Thomas slumped onto his seat again. "Phoebe kissed me before she left then she came here last night when she found out I was hiding things. She found the blood in my fridge and the photos,"

Marcus smacked his forehead. "Why couldn't you have them in a better place?"

"I didn't think she'd go snooping around. How stupid I was," Thomas wouldn't speak for a few seconds more. He felt he had already said enough. Marcus and Aurora didn't want to push him but they wouldn't leave until he told them the whole story. Suddenly the phone rang. Thomas groggily pulled it out and placed it against his ear. "Yes?"

Thomas, the van was attacked.

What?! What do you mean?!

His exclaim made Marcus and Aurora more worried than ever. Marcus tried to eavesdrop on the call when they heard the doorbell ringing. In a blur, he came over and opened it letting Miriam inside.

"Morning," she greeted. Her face creased. "Why are there waves of wine everywhere?"

Marcus pointed to Thomas talking on the phone.

"What happened?"

"Didn't get a chance to finish his story yet," Aurora said. She walked over to the stairs. "It's safe to come down now guys!"

The daemons came trampling down.

"Baldwin's gone. But he knows about you guys,"

Agatha clenched the shoulders of her son and daughter-in-law tightly.

"But he wouldn't dare give in lest he'd risk punishment from the Knights," Marcus assured. "Don't worry, you're all still safe her,"

Their conversation finished with the sound of Thomas switching off his phone. Turning to them with a serious expression, he grabbed his coat from nearby. "The Knights were attacked,"

A force of fear made everyone's eyes and mouths. widen.

"What do you mean?" Miriam asked.

"They were in France on their way to the prison fort when they were attacked by a creature,"

"Was it the blood-raged killer?" Sophie asked.

"No. Something much more powerful," he said grimly. "The others found corpses with burnt marks and a ring of ash, meaning there was fire magic. It was definitely no witch. They didn't smell any traces of witch magic,"

"Then what was it?" Miriam wondered. "Who could do such a thing?"

"I had a dream last night. About a creature who had wings," Sophie said.

"I had exactly the same dream," Aurora said looking at her. "I thought it was my mind going crazy,'

"I couldn't see his face. But I could sense some sort of connection…between you and it," Sophie's omen from last night made the others turn worriedly to Aurora. She closed her mouth trying to show little anxiety. Marcus held her hand to consult her.

"Now we need to you to get you back to Sept Tour where Ysabeau can protect you," Thomas said to her.

"No! I'm not leaving my friends," she answered stubbornly.

"Aurora, you don't understand. That creature who freed Fergus is like nothing we've ever seen. We don't know what it was, or what else it could be capable of. But Domenico and Baldwin here in Oxford and Fergus on the loose again means you are not safe here anymore,"

Aurora tried to argue but Sophie spoke up. "Please Aurora, you'll be safe there,"

"Safer than you could ever be in Oxford," Nate said. "Don't worry about us. Just go to Sept Tour so you can be protected,"

"I'll be with you the whole time," Marcus promised.

"I'm going to escort you two there. And then come back here. Miriam, you and Jason will be in charge of taking care of the Wilsons till I return,"

"We will gladly do that," vowed Miriam.

"Uh hello? I still haven't agreed to this," reminded Aurora.

"We don't doubt your capability to protect yourself," Miriam uttered. "But sometimes protecting others means leaving them behind. If you stay here, they will come back and try to kill us all to get to you. Going to Sept Tour wouldn't be abandoning them. It would be steering our enemies to stay clear of Oxford,"

Her wise words coxswained Aurora's perception. She was right. Staying with her friends would put them in danger. Whether she liked it or not, she had to leave them. "I promise you two I will come back for your baby's birth. Without failure," she swore to them.

"Don't worry about us," Sophie begged as she hugged. "Just focus on taking care of yourself,"

"We'll take her back," said Thomas. "We know how important this is to her,"

"We'll be back before you know it," said Marcus.

"You'd better protect her," warned Nate as he hugged Aurora before his mother did much to her surprise.

The couple left the house back for Marcus's. They packed up suitcases and loaded their small car. Thomas prepared his car. He saw Jason's car arrive and Miriam came out of the house to greet him. Thomas greeted him too before giving the key to his house to his close friends. He bid goodbye to them and drove over to his brother's house where he saw they were already packed. They then set off.

Marcus and Aurora overtook him on the motorway. As they closed in towards Portsmouth, Thomas turned on his phone and called his grandmother.

Hello.

Ah Grand'Mere.

Is everything all right?

Yes. But I've got bad news. A creature attacked the knights and broke Fergus and the MacDuffs free. I'm bringing Aurora over to Sept Tour.

Good. Gerbert came last night and mentioned the vampire murders in Oxford. He knows about Sarah and Em and he threatened our family unless I chose to side with him. I refused.

Good on you. We must be prepared. Thomas was silent for a long second. Then his grandmother spoke up again and asked him why he was so quiet. It's time to Marcus the truth.

No Thomas. We made Matthew a promise to never reveal anything to him.

We've waited long enough. If these murders are threatening our family, then he has a right to know.

No Tom. We can't break Matthew's word.

Thomas was silent for a second. We'll see you by tomorrow. Tell Aurora's aunts. Before Ysabeau could say another word, she shut her off. They arrived at the port town and they boarded the ferry. As the ship set off for Calais, Thomas once again distanced himself from Marcus and Aurora when they tried to ask him what had happened when Phoebe came over. Aurora felt an uncanny feeling stirring in her chest. She felt great sadness and longing. She told this to Marcus who looked sorrowfully out for his brother. His instinctive thinking told me why. "I never should have pushed him like that,"

"We both wanted him to go out to see her. We're both to blame," said Aurora sorrowfully. "We can't let him be like this. He can't give up,"

"That's easier said than done. He'll want us to focus on keeping you safe,"

Aurora stared out the window at the English Mainland disappearing out of sight below the line where the sky met the sea. Marcus rubbed her back in comfort. "Miriam and Jason will protect them. And I made a promise to protect you and get you back in time for their baby's birth,"

Aurora clenched his hand on her shoulder tightly. She turned to him. "I don't know where I'd be without you Marcus," he smiled back. They arrived in France and drove through the countryside safely. Knights popped in texts and calls to make sure they took safe roads and luckily they did. After a long needful rest, Aurora opened her eyes and marvelled at seeing the benevolent chateau in plain sight. How she couldn't wait to see her aunts. Thomas's car pulled up ahead of her and Marcus's.

Thomas exited his car and he warmly embraced Marthe. He then moved on to Ysabeau.

"I'm glad you arrived safely," she said. "I did not like being shut off,"

"I've just got a lot on my mind right now," he said.

Ysabeau detected how troubled he was. She was about to ask but Thomas heard the steps of Sarah and Emily parading out the front door. "Hi, Sarah and Emily. Enjoying the chateau?"

"We're enjoying it," said Sarah plainly.

"She's just a bit mad because I've refused to let them outside," said Ysabeau.

"I hate being stuck inside," Sarah groaned.

"Aurora!" Emily cried out. Marcus had pulled his car and Aurora eagerly stepped out, rushing to her aunts and hugging them tightly. "Oh thank goodness. We were so scared. We heard what happened…"

"Don't worry Em. I'm fine," she promised.

"Come here you!" Sarah gave her another hug. She glanced over at Marcus. "Never thought I'd say this…but thank you,"

"No problem," he answered quickly. "Let us go inside. It's been a long journey,"

"How are the daemons?" Emily asked.

"Sophie's doing really well," said Aurora happily. "I'll be heading back in a few months when her baby's nearly due,"

"Aurora…how can you even think of wanting to go back to Oxford? You were nearly kidnapped by vampires,"

"She took care of herself," Marcus stood up, slinging an arm around her shoulders beholding at her romantically. "And she did it pretty well,"

"Don't you two think about it," Sarah warned.

The vampires, witches and Aurora entered the house, carrying the suitcases. Aurora marvelled at seeing all the brilliant artwork. "It's good to be back here. Would it be okay if I looked at your artwork and some art books,"

"Of course," Ysabeau approved.

Marcus and Aurora got settled into his room and they all sat together in the living room. Marthe poured them wine and tea.

"So the Knights have no idea who attacked them," Sarah clarified from everything Thomas and Marcus had said.

"No clue. But whoever it was, it was no vampire, witch, daemon, or human. They said the scent was very hot,"

"What if it could be another creature? Like me?" Aurora wondered.

"Don't think that this is a good sign," the dramatic Sarah said again. "That creature is working for Peter Knox or Gerbert. And with Fergus on the loose again, he'll be coming after you,"

"Fergus will know better than to step on our territory," said Ysabeau.

"The Knights are already hunting them down as we speak," Thomas assured, taking another long sip of wine to drown his sorrows which he had yet to reveal to his family. Marthe was quite stunned by his drinking habit.

"Why are you carrying a human's scarf in your pocket?" Ysabeau asked.

Thomas was getting drunk again that he didn't concentrate. "Thomas!" she rose her voice.

"Hmm.." he replayed the question in his head and he looked down to see Phoebe's scarf sticking out of his pocket. He had carried it with him everywhere, unable to let it go as it smelt of her. He cursed himself for not hiding it. He stood wanting to walk away from the scene but he felt his grandmother's cold eyes sending tingles down his spine.

Marcus braced himself for Ysabeau's rage. She was not going to be happy. Aurora held his hand.

Thomas walked over to the dining table; his back turned. "I went out with a human named Phoebe Tayler. And I told her who I was,"

Ysabeau and the witches were flabbergasted. Marcus and Aurora weren't as such. They hinted this happened. "Why would you reveal your true self to a human?" though her temper was low, she was very outraged.

"I had," Thomas flashed to her. "I wanted,"

"But why?" she questioned again.

Thomas turned his head away, unable to answer.

"Because he loves her," Aurora said solemnly.

"Doesn't matter," he lamented downheartedly. "She didn't believe me. There's no future for us at all,"

Ysabeau's anger dissolved and her heart sank seeing him so upset like this. Marcus approached him and gave him a back hug to comfort him. He accepted it.

Aurora shared careful glances with her aunts. They nodded and they left. She took one last glance over at Marcus and he expressed a small smile. They disappeared down the corridor toward the aunts' rooms.

"Would be nice to go outside if we were just allowed," groaned Sarah.

"Ysabeau's only protecting us," said Aurora. "And if Gerbert came here, it means it's not to be out in the open at all," Thomas had told Marcus everything from his phone call and she had become quite scared for her aunts. "I can't believe he threatened Ysabeau and the de Clairmonts like that. They're not responsible for the murders that have been going on in Oxford. What proof does he have anyway?"

Ysabeau observed her grandsons. She felt guilty for being angry at her eldest. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, Thomas. But you need to focus on what's happened. Matthew made you and your brother grandmasters to protect our family's position, not to undermine it,"

"We didn't ask for any of this," Marcus said. "I don't like being grandmaster one bit. It's so much responsibility,"

"None of us are leaders," said Thomas. "I'm a scientist. Marcus is a doctor,"

"You both need to understand your duties. And you both need each other more than ever," Ysabeau stood up and led them over to a doorless section in the dining room where there were shelves and a large antique roman desk. Above the archway, there were artefacts including shields and swords. "There are artefacts dating back to the late hundreds,"

"The knights did some amazing things," observed Marcus.

"I remembered the times when they fought battles and ended wars," Thomas remembered. "I wonder what their purpose today is,"

"You're both grandmasters. That's for you two to decide," said Ysabeau. "Matthew chose you two because he knew together you two could make a difference. Already the Knights are protecting your friends and they prevented Fergus from apprehending Aurora,"

"That was mainly her," corrected Marcus. "And some of the Knights are dead because we weren't there with them,"

"You both would have been killed," said Ysabeau gravely. "We all would have been very broken,"

"Baldwin wants the knights so badly," said Thomas. "He came over yesterday and thought he could brag us into giving it up,"

"He always has," Ysabeau said. "He wants to feel close to his father,"

"He's very agitated about the murders in Oxford," Thomas said. "He thought he should be grandmaster because he's had more experience with leadership,"

"Being grandmaster isn't about leadership. It's about doing what is right and just. Both of you together have already achieved some accomplishments. Don't ever neglect that," Ysabeau's tender words expressed the strong brotherly bond between Thomas and Marcus. Though both missed their human families and would never truly replace them, their love and devotion for one another was a strong weapon which they would wield together against all foes.

"Hey, Ysabeau!" Aurora called over from the corridor. The vampires turned to see her in the corridor. "Can I talk to you for a while? Something about Sarah going cranky being stuck inside all the time,"

"Of course," Ysabeau walked over to her. As she did, she sent Thomas a firm glare before disappearing.

Marcus furrowed his eyebrows. "What's that about?"

Thomas didn't answer. He focused on hearing out. He heard their grandmother, Aurora and the aunts talking together. Their conversation soon turned into a noisy argument. A perfect cover. "Let's go hunting together," he suddenly suggested. "Race ya!"

In a blur, he disappeared. Marcus rolled his eyes and followed out after him. He chased him to the forest just beyond the chateau's walls. Thomas stopped at a perfect hilltop.

"You mind telling me what this is about?" Marcus questioned after he caught up to him. "I know this isn't about hunting,"

Thomas turned around slowly. In his eyes, Marcus saw guilt. "There's something I need to tell you,"

Marcus glanced carefully at him.

"Gerbert threatened our family with the murders because he thinks we're involved in them,"

"What have they got to do with us?" Marcus was becoming confused.

Thomas felt his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, trying to tell him to stop but remembering all the conflict Aurora felt from being lied to her whole life, made him feel otherwise. "Phillipe formed the Congregation and the Knights to ensure the safety of species. But it also had a purpose to protect Ysabeau," Swallowing his guilt for breaking a promise, Thomas expressed the truth to Marcus. "The disease is in our grandmother's bloodline,"

Marcus's lips parted. He stepped back a bit. "No,"

"She's asymptomatic but…others weren't so fortunate,"

Marcus struggled to breathe. "But that means that Matthew…,"

"Our father is fully afflicted," Thomas said gravely.

"And you?" Marcus questioned his brother despondently, the shades of painful betrayal colouring his face.

Thomas sighed; guilt painted all over his face. "I'm fully infected too," his answer made Marcus's face shrivel in fear. "When I was sired, he taught me to control that disease until I was able to control it myself. He thought turning to genetics would help us find a cure,"

Marcus's low voice squeezed out his tight throat. "But he sired me,"

"You're a carrier. Just like Ysabeau. It lives in our blood brother. That's why the children you sired were culled,"

Marcus's heart dropped. "But father said I was siring irresponsibly,"

"You had passed on the disease. He was ordered by Phillipe to wipe it out,"

Marcus's pain turned to rage. "You knew," he raised a sharp finger at his brother. "You all knew…and you kept it from me,"

"It was father's decision," Thomas answered, roughly. "He wanted to protect you from the truth. I didn't want to keep it secret. Neither did Ysabeau. But we promised Matthew we wouldn't tell you. But I've wanted to tell you for a long time,"

Marcus scoffed. "Protect me?"

"Don't you get it? Gerbert is using this opportunity to take our family down. If we're linked to the murders, if our secret is uncovered….the Congregation will come for us. They'll kill you. Me. Our father. Ysabeau. Every one of us," Thomas said sharply. "It will be the end of our family,"

Marcus was silent, unresponsive.

Thomas swallowed the large lump in his throat. It had taken so many guts to finally reveal the truth to Marcus. He pictured the anger he would see in his father once he knew he had broken his promise. "Marcus…" he tried to approach him but Marcus stood back.

"You lied to me," he pressed his lips. "You all did," Then with a cold face, he turned and fled in a blur.

Ysabeau was walking over to the chateau for her grandsons. They weren't in the dining room where she left them. "You had better not Thomas. You had better not," she muttered to herself. She arrived at the archway leading out to the green fields. To her shock, she saw a frustrated and heartbroken Marcus. She instantly knew what had happened. "Marcus…"

He ignored her and swerved past her. When she turned back around, she saw Thomas. "Why did you do it?" she demanded slowly.

"He had a right to know," Thomas justified his actions. "How could you just expect me to keep it secret when Gerbert just threatened our family? This secret has done more harm than good,"

"And now Marcus will never speak to us again," Ysabeau turned her back and walked away leaving Thomas crestfallen over his decision. Had he made a big mistake?

Aurora was trying to calm down Sarah in her and Em's room when she heard loud marching from outside. She rushed over and she saw an upset Marcus entering their room just down the hallway. "Marcus.." She walked over slowly. "Marcus!" Marcus appeared gain carrying his bag. "Marcus…what's…" he swerved past her much to her heartbreak. "Marcus wait!" she chased him to the entrance hall and grabbed his hand. "Marcus, what happened?"

Marcus stopped. He sniffled and turned to her with wet eyes. "We can't be together,"

Aurora was heart-struck. "What?"

"The disease blood rage. It's in our family. I'm a carrier.

She shook her head. "No.."

"I'm sorry," he wept. "But we can't be together. It's too dangerous for you now," He tried to walk away but she grabbed his hand.

"No Marcus. Don't let this come between us,"

"Don't you get it Aurora?!" he roared, shaking her. "Our family is being threatened because those murders are being done by a vampire who's infected with our disease. If our secret is uncovered, the congregation will kill us all. And they'll kill you too. And I couldn't live with myself," Marcus's tears rained from his eyes. "I'm sorry," He turned around and left through the door, leaving Aurora alone and shaken.

Emily and Sarah stood from across the hallway shocked. They heard sniffles. Pressing her lips together, Emily came forward to comfort her. She touched her shoulders but Aurora fled out the door.

Aurora rushed out but she was too late. She saw Marcus pull his car out, driving away from Sept Tour, away from her. "No," her icy tears clattered on the ground. She fell to her knees. Sarah and Emily watched her grieve for her lost love. But as they watched, they heard a powerful swirl high above them. They suddenly felt cold. A blizzard was blowing over Sept Tour. Before the witches could even react, the air became cold and emotionless. Like Aurora. Without Marcus, she felt nothing. Snow rained down like severe rain over their heads.

Ysabeau stumbled outside. "Oh my god," Marthe joined her, shocked to see Aurora in this state and what she was inadvertently causing. "She's doing this,"

"We must get her inside," her housekeeper said.

No sooner had she said, the wind blew harder and everyone felt their hair flying and their legs losing balance.

"Get to her before she blows us away!" she screamed.

Emily the closest to the stairs stumbled down, struggling to reach her. She cried out to her. "Aurora! You've got to stop this!"

But the grieving girl couldn't hear her.

"I know you can hear me! But you must calm down! You'll expose us to the humans if you keep making this happen! You can control it! I know you can!"

Her words reached Aurora and she felt the fury of the blizzard her grief had conjured. She took in deep breaths. She calmed down. The blizzard died. Snow was laden everywhere over the chateau and the estate. She fell to her side exhausted. Emily rushed over to her along with Sarah. She was barely conscious. Such power had exhausted her. "Let's get her inside," said Sarah.

"Go! I'll find a way to clear this story up," Ysabeau stumbled down and into town. There were going to be questions about this and she had to cover it up before it could get out and reach the MacDuffs and whoever out there had freed them.

Thomas behind the bars of a garden gate watched her grandmother squelch through the deep layer of snow to the entrance. The aunts carried Aurora inside and Marthe managed to close the doors, which had frozen as solid as ice. He dropped his head. He felt so guilt-ridden that it was a mountain crushing down on him, punishing him for his actions. He walked into the now snowy gardens and approached his partner's grave. He fell on his knees and he broke down. He had finally found happiness again with a human but had blown it. He had confessed the long-buried truth of their bloodline to Marcus but he refused to speak to him ever again. And his brother had now left Aurora believing they couldn't have a future together because of everything that threatened their relationship. Thomas felt he had torn their love apart. Again.

"What do I do Argus?" he grieved. "What do I do?"

No answer came. He stayed where he was for many hours, grief and guilt tormenting him in his thoughts.


Sorry for the wait. I hope you all have enjoyed reading this. So Thomas is infected with blood rage. His brother is mad. And he's left Aurora because he thinks they can't have a future together. Will that come between them? We'll have to wait and find out. Please let me know what you all thought. See you next week when we're finally going to see Argus alive and in the past. With Thomas too.