Episode Twenty-One Part One

Matthew, Diana, and Sarah arrived immediately in London. As pleased as it was to have a reunion with Fernando, they couldn't waste time.

"You really have no idea where they went next?" asked Diana desperately.

Fernando shook his head. "I honestly don't. I'm sorry Diana," he turned to Matthew. "Your sons know what they're doing,"

Miriam walked in. "I've got a lead,"

Abruptly the expecting couple stood up. "What is it?" asked Matthew quickly.

"There's a scientist at a nearby university who needs my help,"

"What's this got to do with the boys and the girls?" Diana asked, becoming confused.

"This scientist…is a friend of Thomas," It was indeed a lead.

In his lab, Christopher was on the phone. Some of his co-workers and students were with him, analysing the samples he had received. He hadn't yet told them where they came from but he would need to tell the truth later. You made it good. You know I think I know exactly where you might be.

Really?

Well, you always talk about a place you go to very occasionally.

Thomas chuckled. You know me too well Chris. No matter what happens you mustn't tell anyone.

I won't.

"Professor…" a student came over to him. "Miriam Shepard is here to speak to you. But there's a man who wants to see you. He doesn't look very friendly. And he's got a pregnant woman with him,"

Chris was a little shocked. "Thank you," the student dashed off. I think I'm about to meet your dad.

Don't worry the knights will be with you. Gotta go.

Good luck.

Chris shut it off quickly just as the doors burst open. The students were alarmed at the intruder. Matthew was outraged to learn that Thomas had yet again exposed his true self to a human. To make matters worse he had told Christopher about blood rage and already he and Miriam, who had been informed of the situation, were attempting to analyse both the samples that he and Marcus had provided to help them. He told Diana to stay with Sarah but she insisted she'd come. He decided to let her so long as she stayed close to him at all times.

Christopher wasn't prepared for this. "Everyone I'd like you all to take a break and leave me to talk with these visitors,"

All the students left slowly leaving him alone with the two vampires and the pregnant witch. "You must be Matthew Clairmont. Thomas has told me so much about you," he still received uncertain responses. "Why don't we go to my office?" he invited them. Diana was the only one who didn't show a face of distrust but she remained quiet as ever. They went inside slowly. He sat at his table and they sat in three guest chairs. "You must be Miriam Shepard," he looked at the girl whom he knew had been sent to help him. "Thomas has told me so much about you,"

"Where are they?" Matthew demanded, making him look right into his unfriendly eyes. "Tell us where they are,"

"No can-do sir," Christopher shook his head. "Thomas specifically requested that I tell either of you where he and the others have gone. I'm sorry but they don't want to be found,"

"Please, sir," Diana beseeched desperately. "My sister is in grave danger. If we don't get to her soon she's gonna be in trouble. Or worse,"

Christopher looked at Diana with sympathy. "Look I really don't like doing this. But Thomas is my friend. And as his friend, I cannot betray his loyalty,"

His answers made Matthew roll his eyes. Diana wouldn't give up. "Christopher…I said some very awful things to her. If I don't make amends with her, I'll lose her forever,"

"I did some horrible things too," Matthew confessed. "Both of us have to make amends with our loved ones. We just want them to be safe,"

"I'm sorry. And even if I could, I don't know exactly where he is. He could be anywhere,"

"Until we get an answer, you are to stop working on this cure," said Matthew.

"Look, sir…I am making this cure to help your family,"

"If our genetic information gets into the wrong hands it could get us all killed,"

"He trusts me. And so do his brother and their girls. So do all these knights that they left behind to ensure it's safeguarded,"

"Yes, I saw them right outside," Matthew still wouldn't have it. "My father Phillipe was experimented on by soldiers. Tortured. You have no idea," he marched on the scientists. "What your kind are capable of,"

Christopher was a little scared but still he wouldn't give in.

"Matthew…" his wife spoke up. "What if this could help the twins? If they're born with blood rage…they might need to spend their lives hiding. When they should be living free. This cure could help us,"

"She's right Matthew. Your family are already being held responsible for the Oxford murders," Miriam pointed out. "This may be our best chance,"

"I can't agree to this. Not until I know where they've gone,"

The phone rang again. Chris took it. This time it was a call from Aurora. "I need you guys to leave,". They wouldn't. "I know you guys have heightened hearing and I won't have you overhearing my calls,".

"Let's just leave him to it," Diana insisted. Reluctantly they left and once he was notified they were out of the building, Chris took the call.

In the city of New Orleans, a taxi was taking the boys and their girls from the airport. Aurora was on the phone. Thomas had disagreed with her calling Chris but Marcus insisted she did.

Is she here in London?

She is. Chris assured. She actually agrees a cure should be made. Especially for her babies.

If she comes again, will you give her a message from me?

Why not just do it yourself?

I can't bring myself to. Tell that… she sniffled. That I'm sorry. And that I love her.

I will. Everything will be all right Aurora. Everything will work out.

She switched off the call and Marcus hugged her close. It was an early afternoon and the taxi dropped them near some old, abandoned streets.

"Any reason why we weren't dropped off at a hotel?" asked Aurora, feeling creeped out. She had always wanted loved to visit the city of jazz music but she knew it was a common place to get into all sorts of trouble.

"We're waiting,"

"For what?"

"You'll see?"

"Thomas could you at least tell us?" asked Marcus. He had been very secretive the entire journey.

"Thomas….we've let you take us halfway across the world to the middle of nowhere…with no contact with anyone back home. We don't know anyone here. What are we doing here?" Phoebe desperately asked.

"We're here because we need more samples to make a cure,"

"More samples? What are you talking about?" Marcus inquired.

Thomas pursed his lips and closed his eyes. It's time. "Marcus…now that you know why we're endangered from the Congregation, it's time you knew,"

"Knew what?" Marcus asked.

"When our father sent me to kill many of your children and their children after he made the first dozens…I couldn't go through with it," Thomas admitted. His words paralysed Marcus.

"I couldn't take it anymore. Watching him kill all those vampires who should have been given a chance to control this disease. Just like me. When Matthew sent me to finish the job, I was mortified by how he wanted me to be a killer like him. Still, I was willing to obey his commands after all he had done for me. But when I came to my first kill….I couldn't do it," As he spoke, his heart was thumping rapidly as he watched Marcus's lips part in shock. "Argus and I hid them here in New Orleans. I taught them how to control it. I wanted to tell you. But I was afraid word would get out and Matthew would finish what he started, what I couldn't do. They agreed not to have any contact with you to prevent discovery. It was the only way they would be safe,"

His brother was speechless. He had never heard of Thomas going behind Matthew's back at all, in all his years of loyalty.

"You protected them," Aurora acknowledged. Thomas nodded.

"So…all that time you and Argus were away…you were visiting them?" Marcus asked hoarsely.

Thomas pursed his lips and nodded again. "After…Argus passed away…I made my visits more frequent," Marcus felt so betrayed. All that time when Thomas had been isolating himself after Argus's death from time to time over the last few decades, he was visiting his children and grandchildren.

"Are they whom we're going to see?" Phoebe asked.

"Their samples can help us make a cure," Thomas said hopefully. "If we're successful, they can finally leave this city and never live in hiding ever again. I'm not doing it just for us. I'm doing it for them,"

"Why did you never think of this before?" Phoebe asked.

"Because we had to keep our existence secret. But you inspired me," Thomas held her hand tenderly. "You inspired me not to give into fear, to make a difference. And with that killer framing our family for the murders, a cure is needed now more than ever,"

The air turned tense. Footsteps were approaching from behind a corner. Quickly the girls were backed up against the wall. They quivered a bit. Thomas tiptoed over to the very corner of the side wall. And then he sprang like a tiger. They heard fighting and then Thomas appeared again, holding a ginger-haired vampire captive by the neck.

"One day I'll get you, Thomas Clairmont," grunted the defeated opponent.

"Not today Mr," Thomas said back. His sneer turned into a goofy grin. He laughed. So did the ginger-haired vampire who he released. "Good to see you, Wolfie," He embraced the vampire.

His brother and the girls stared at him and his opponent as they let go and pressed their heads against each other. "I'm so glad you're here Father," said Wrolf.

"He's your son?" Aurora breathed out.

Marcus and Phoebe stared at Thomas. "You have a son?" Phoebe was quite flabbergasted.

Thomas nervously nodded. He had meant to tell Phoebe that but he wasn't quite sure yet. "And a daughter. I was going to tell you. I just never found the right time,"

"You protected the children I sired and theirs and sired two of your own?" Marcus asked. "How many more surprises do you have waiting in store?"

"I know this is a lot to take in Marcus. I'll explain everything once we get to Ransome's club," Thomas assured, letting go of Wrolf. They pressed their foreheads together affectionately. "I'm so glad to be here,"

"I'm so glad you're here too," Wrolf turned his head to glance at the trio standing before him. His hard curious stare made the girls a little uncomfortable. "You must be Marcus. My father's told me all about you," Wrolf then glanced carefully at Aurora and Phoebe who was a little nervous. "Never thought I'd see the day I'd meet a strange creature and human who knows of our existence,"

"Wrolf…Aurora and Phoebe are to be treated with respect," his father ordered softly. "They are our friends and Phoebe and I…"

"I know," Wrolf said. "I know everything. I smell you on her,"

Thomas frowned. "We'll talk about this later. But right now…we need to get to the club,"

"Yes we do," Wrolf approved. He looked at Marcus. "You've got many children and grandchildren waiting to see you, Marcus. It'll be quite a reunion. Follow me," he walked them down the streets carefully. Phoebe kept her distance because she was a little nervous around Wrolf. For some reason, she felt he disapproved of her relationship with his father. He missed Argus his other father greatly and she knew he could never see her as a replacement for him.

Marcus and Aurora fell behind everyone else. Aurora could see that Marcus looked quite nervous. "You doing okay?"

Marcus was more pale than usual. "All these centuries I thought they were dead…when they've been alive here. This whole time. And Thomas never thought to tell me or take me to them,"

Aurora saw anger and pain in his face again. Like before. "Don't be mad at Thomas. He did what he thought was right. To protect them,"

"How will they react when they see me?"

"I think they will be overjoyed,"

"They'll be mad that I couldn't stop their loved ones from getting killed,"

"Don't say that," Aurora made him stop and look at her. "They know that avoiding contact with you was the only way to remain safe. Your brother risked so much to protect them. When you walk into that club, you're going to find yourself feeling so happy. And that's what I want you to feel,"

Marcus took a step forward and cupped her cheek. "I just want you to be okay with this,"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"They're going to be flabbergasted when they see us,"

"They will," Aurora agreed. "And it will be the same with Thomas and Phoebe. But we'll make them understand. I love you, Marcus. No matter what anyone says, I want to spend the rest of my life with you,"

He smiled and she embraced him tightly. They continued to follow Wrolf through the streets of New Orleans.

Diana sat at home with Sarah, feeling disheartened she had failed to reach her sister in time. She pulled out a letter that her biological mother had written for her. She felt like already she had let her done.

"Where did you get that?" asked her aunt.

"I met him, Sarah," she sobbed.

"Who?" she asked.

"Dad…" her words made Sarah's eyes glisten. "And Anna. They had time travelled to 1590 to search for the Book of life. To find answers about her. And she gave this to me. In return, I promised her I wouldn't let anything happen to her. But I've let her down,"

"No," Sarah shuffled closer and hugged her. "You haven't failed her. We're gonna find her and everything between you two will be all right again. You'll see," to her dismay, her words did little effort. "Did you ask Anna, who Aurora's father is?"

Diana nodded.

"Who is it?"

Her niece turned to her. "Someone who we need to keep her away from,"

Wrolf led his father, uncle, and girls to a nightclub. They looked around making sure no one was there. And entered inside. Marcus was the last one to enter. He was so nervous to enter.

"They will be very happy to see you Marcus," said Thomas. "I've told them how you are and everything,"

"Will they even want to speak to me?"

"Of course, they will," encouraged Wrolf. "You've no idea how much Dani and I have wanted to talk to you. Let me go inside and announce myself," he entered through another door and walked upstairs to the first floor. To the top, he approached over twenty of Marcus's sires and their sires.

The one who led them was Ransome. "They are here," he acknowledged.

Marcus heard his voice. Then the voice of his second sire Geraldine. And everyone else who was inside. He felt his heart drop. A tear left his eye.

"They are," said Wrolf. "But remember, treat the two ladies that are with them with the utmost respect,". Still, he sensed a pinch of disgust from some of the others. "So, are we gonna stand here or what?"

Hearing his words was the single for Thomas to push the door open. Phoebe went inside, still nervous from being in a large building of vampires. She was afraid they wouldn't accept. She still wondered what Wrolf would think of her. Would he ever accept her love for his father? Who would he always see her as a total stranger who would think her love for him would compare to Argus's? She wondered how his boyfriend's daughter would react if they'd meet.

Aurora held Marcus's hand, assuring him that she was always still with him. With her encouragement, he looked up and saw many children and grandchildren. Alive and well. And on their faces, he saw relief. And that is exactly what he felt too.

A long moment passed and it seemed like the evening was moving so slowly. Marcus shared tearful hugs with all his sires and their sires. He shared his final hug with his first sire. Thomas was snivelling a little at the sight. He had always dreamed of the day when his vampire brother would be embracing his vampire children and grandchildren. How he dreaded keeping it all a secret from him with only Argus knowing. Phoebe clasped his hand. "I'm so proud of you Tommy,"

"As am I," Aurora patted his back. Their appearance was a bit discomforting to the vampires but all they cared about was that they were finally reunited with their sire whom they hadn't seen for years.

"It's good to see you, Marcus," Ransome said as they let go. "We're sorry that for centuries you've thought we were dead,"

"Thomas and Argus told us not to contact you. It was the only way to avoid discovery from Matthew and Phillipe," Geraldine added in.

Marcus looked at his brother. "You did the right thing,"

His children stared over at Phoebe. The eyes of Ransome made Aurora shudder a little. He approached her slowly and spelt her, sensing her unique genes and powers. "Who is this strange creature and this human?" he asked.

"This is Aurora Bishop…my girlfriend," Marcus walked over and they held hands.

His vampire children stared at his love quite sinisterly. "I assure you that I love Marcus with all my heart and that I bear him and all of you no harm," Aurora promised.

"What kind of creature are you? If I may ask," Geraldine questioned, approaching closer to her and sniffing her. "Such unusual blood you have in your veins," Marcus gave her a soft glance to back off.

"And this is Phoebe…my new true love," Thomas spoke up.

Once again the vampires were quite surprised. "So…you've finally moved on," Ransome wasn't impressed. "I wasn't expecting it to be a warm-blooded human,"

"As much as I love Phoebe, I will always love Argus," Thomas said passionately. "He would have wanted me to move on and be happy again. And I have,"

"And you had better not get in the way of their happiness nor mine with Aurora," Marcus advised.

"This is no time for drama about our relationships. As much as it is a relief for this reunion, we have more pressing matters to attend to," Thomas softened the tension.

"But first you'll be wondering about your friends," said Wrolf. He pointed his finger over to an approaching family being escorted into the big dining room by his sister.

"Sophie! Nate! Margaret!" Aurora rushed over to them and embraced Sophie. "You're safe!"

"Thomas sent us here," Nate said. "These vampires and his children have been protecting us," he saw Thomas. "This was a safe place to come. Thank you,"

Thomas felt good to see his efforts appreciated. "I hope Dani has grown accustomed to you two,"

"She has," Sophie said. "It's easy to interact with someone who used to be a daemon before,"

Dani approached everyone. Thomas smiled and opened his arms to embrace her. She embraced her back. "Welcome Father," she said.

Phoebe glanced at them. A part of her felt hurt that he had vampire children. She wondered if they would have a future together as parents. How would they turn out? Thomas glanced at his children with a warm smile. "You've made me so proud you two," he looked at them with admiration.

"We're really glad you're here," Dani said. "You've no idea how lonely it's been here without you these last few months,"

"I wish it could have been under better circumstances. It would be great to catch up but there are events in motion back in England,"

"We know. Your friends informed us of what's been going on," Wrolf said. "Let's all sit,"

They all sat around tables on wooden chairs. Sophie allowed Aurora to hold onto her goddaughter. "We've here to collect blood samples," Thomas spoke up. "I have a human friend who is developing a cure for blood rage,"

"Another human knows of our existence?" another vampire son of Marcus questioned sceptically.

"Yes. He is a biochemist. But I assure you he is a dear friend and has promised to keep this secret. We need blood samples from each of you to make this cure quicker,"

"How do we know that there even is a cure?" a vampire daughter: Celine asked. "What if we're stuck in this life forever? Forced to scurry like rats from our own grandfather and family?"

"Guys…if we do this..." Aurora interjected. "You all will never have to go into hiding ever again. You can be free from oppression and those who are blinded by fear,"

"And it's not just that," Marcus added. "A vampire infected with blood rage has murdered humans in Oxford. If these continue to happen, we'll be exposed to the humans," His words made everyone unsettled. Margaret was beginning to whinge a bit so Aurora hummed her mother's lullaby to comfort her.

"Do you guys have any idea who this killer is?" Geraldine asked.

"I fought him," Thomas answered. "I don't recognise him. He tried to kill Phoebe. I fought back but in doing so I unleashed my blood rage. He was so uncontrollable. And I hate to mention this but Domenico, a member of the Congregation…has footage of me attacking the killer,"

The news made all the vampire children paralysed especially Thomas.

"So the Congregation think you're the one behind the murders?" his daughter was pale. So was his son.

"It's possible that Domenico might have revealed it to Gerbert. And Baldwin has been informed too," Thomas forced himself to speak. "He was prepared to take me to the Congregation. But we escaped,"

The news angered the vampires. The daemons were unsettled. They became extremely terrified of their daughter's godfather. Wrolf was already scared as ever. He was not prepared to lose another father. Dani shed a tear. She couldn't bear to lose another father. Not again. Losing her family had been the hardest thing that had ever happened to her.

"You're telling us that you threatened our entire existence because you couldn't allow one simple human to get killed?" Ransome demanded.

"Don't speak like that Ransome," Marcus ordered.

"You'd want Thomas, your uncle who risked his life to keep you and your loved ones safe, to be heartbroken again?" Aurora challenged.

Ransome stood up in a flash. "Who are you to lecture me on who can be killed?"

"As your sire, I compel you to keep your temper," Marcus warned. "She is my love and I will not see you threaten her like that,"

"Come on. You're scaring poor Margaret," Phoebe tried to quell the anxiety which was making the poor baby witch more scared than ever.

"What happened, happened," Nate spoke up. "It was no coincidence with the congregation become more power-hungry than ever. But our friends are trying to fix everything and they can't do that without your help,"

"If you all don't do this, the Congregation will hunt Thomas down and he will be sentenced to death for crimes which he did not commit. And the rest of the family will be killed too. Once he's gone, who will protect you all?" Sophie asked, trying to persuade them to agree with their protector's idea. Her words seemed to silence. Though they remained outraged by the chain of events that had led to this moment.

That's another chapter done. What did you all think? I hoped you all enjoyed the new dialogue and this new change to the story. Please send reviews and let me know what you all think. See you all soon