Episode Twenty-One Part Two

Whilst reunions had turned to discussions in New Orleans, things were no better back in London. Though Miriam had begun to help Christopher with his work on developing a cure for blood rage…procedures were occurring at a slow pace and it pained the human scientist to tell his friend how much time and work it was taking. And with him concealing Thomas's location from Matthew and Diana, they grew more paranoid every moment, worrying for their loved ones.

Diana had constantly, constantly tried to call her sister but she would never reply back and it made her feel even more guilty for the way she had spoken to her back at Sept Tour. Matthew would hug her, and comfort her. He too felt deeply ashamed for his behaviour at the de Clairmont's ancestral family home. But where there's sadness comes a spark of happiness. After another failed attempt to extract their whereabouts from Christopher, Father Hubbard, from 1590, came to them. And to them, he had brought back their adopted human son now a vampire: Jack whom he had left behind. And how overjoyed they were to be reunited with him. Though it warmed Diana's heart so much to be reunited with him, she longed for her sister more than anything.

She sat in the living room looking at the locket pictures that she had carried around her neck for months. Jack came inside. "You still wear that?"

"Yes," she said.

"Where is your sister by the way?" Jack came to sit beside her. "I would really love to meet her,"

Diana sighed remorsefully. "I don't even know. When Matthew and I returned…I said some…really awful things to her. I blamed her…for our aunt's death. And she left with Matthew's vampire sons,"

"She will forgive you. She loves you too much," Jack comforted. "That locket proves that. You weren't in your right mind at all. Matthew told me what happened…when you came back to Sept Tour. I'm so sorry for what happened," he side-hugged her. "You'll both be back together again soon. And everything will work out,"

Diana prayed she was right.

Just when she was beginning to get better from everything that had happened, things were only getting worse. Baldwin had arrived demanding for Thomas's whereabouts but when he saw Jack, he ordered him to leave and he exploded into a rage of savageness. And when Baldwin bit he saw his memories. It was him who had attempted to attack Phoebe. It was he who had fought Thomas. It was him. He was the blood-raged killer. Diana and Matthew were appalled when they saw photos of Jack's victims. Baldwin ordered his brother to kill the out-of-control killer but Jack fled, wanting to get as far away from everything as possible. He fled into the city streets, horrified that his adoptive parents now knew the truth. If the Congregation found him, they would sentence him to death without a trial. He was ashamed of himself. Ashamed of how Benjamin, Matthew's disavowed son whom he had sired out of punishment for betraying his family, had used his blood rage as a weapon to frame the de Clairmonts for the murder of several innocent humans. And he couldn't bear to think about that poor human woman he had nearly killed and Matthew's eldest vampire son who had looked like the culprit.

Just then he heard voices from afar. He recognised them. MacDuffs. During his time with Benjamin, there were some MacDuffs with him. He never talked to them but he knew they were close associates of Father Hubbard's sire who had passed blood rage onto him through the priest who had watched over him for centuries.

"Fergus knows exactly how to get that freak to hand herself over," a scornful voice echoed against the walls. Jack's heart twitched hearing his adoptive mother's sister being called like that. She had told him so many things about Aurora. But a freak was not one of them.

"Too good-hearted she is. She'll do anything to keep her loved ones safe. Once Fergus threatens her lover's children, she'll hand herself over, we hand her to Domenico and that's it Thomas is done for,"

"Question is how we deal with Benjamin afterwards?"

"We'll handle him. He was too slow to pursue revenge but now is the time Phillipe's cursed bloodline ends. Fergus should arrive in New Orleans by tomorrow. And then Thomas will be done for,"

Jack was shocked. He had to do something. He had to warn Diana. He rushed off but he suddenly smelled the speakers behind him. Five vampires surrounded him.

"Hello Jack," sneered a Scottish girl, marching on him. "What are ou doing out here? Alone?"

"Just leave me," he begged.

"or what? Can't kill anyone?" mocked a male one.

Jack growled, feeling the disease inside his blood about to transform him into a savage killer.

"Do you feel the hunger for more blood?" goaded another one. "You wanna try and kill us?"

Jack lost control and unleashed his rage upon the vampires but they dodged him effectively. He was then pinned down unable to fight back.

"Benjamin says you're not useful anymore," said one. "Might as well just end you now. Easy your passing,"

"Do it," begged Jack in tears. "I have no one. Not anymore,"

The vampires smirked and the main one pinning him prepared to end his life. When all a sudden, they were all shoved off and flung to the side, knocked out instantly. Jack saw that his rescuer was Matthew. He offered his hand and he took it. He was pulled up. "Are you alright?" his adoptive father asked. He nodded. Matthew embraced him. "There. There. It's alright,"

"You should have let them kill me," said Jack.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because of everything I've done. Please just kill me,"

"No. You're our son," Matthew was sincere with his words.

"Matthew…Diana's sister…she's in danger,"

Matthew paused. "What?"

"Those vampires…their leader Fergus…they…were with him. With Benjamin. I just heard them talking," Jack didn't realise how much horror they were bringing to his dad. "And now Fergus, he's after her,"

"Jack, did they say a location?" asked Matthew.

"New Orleans," Jack panted. "Matthew was appalled. If she was there, then that meant Thomas, Marcus and Phoebe were there too. "They said something about giving her to a vampire named…"

"Domenico," Matthew finished.

Jack was stunned. "How do you know?"

Matthew couldn't answer. "We have to get you back,"

"No," Jack shook his head. "I can't. It'll ruin everything. And Baldwin…"

"I don't care what he said," Matthew shook his head. "You're our son, Jack. That will never change. And I don't blame you at all. This was Benjamin's doing. Not yours,". Jack was touched. His parents still loved him. "Come on. Let's take you home,".

"What about them?" Jack pointed to the vampires.

"I know just what to do," Matthew pulled out his phone and dialled a number. "Thank goodness not every Knight left England,"

Diana was sitting on the stairs as the sun rose the next day. And when she saw her husband and their adoptive son, she rushed to Jack and embraced him tightly. "I'm so glad you came back. We would never let anyone kill you,"

"Really?" he asked, shedding tears of joy.

Diana cupped his cheek and nodded.

"Diana, I know where they are," Matthew alerted her, making her smile. "But we've got to there quickly. Aurora's in grave danger,"

Diana's smile dropped. They went back inside and Jack instantly gave out the full details to everyone of everything he had overheard.

"So it was him," Sarah breathed.

"What are you talking about Sarah?" asked Diana.

"The MacDuffs came to Oxford and they attempted to kidnap your sister. And now I think I know why. This Benjamin chap must have hired them to capture her," her words horrified Matthew and Diana even more. "So that creature that broke them out and came to Sept Tour must have been an associate of Benjamin as well," said Miriam who had returned back from work.

"There's more," said Jack. "When he mentioned Domenico to his adoptive mother, she was appalled. How did he find out?

She paced in circles. "We have to get to them,"

"Fergus is already ahead of us," said Matthew. "The only chance I have is to get the next flight to New Orleans and hope that somehow we're not too late to stop them. Jack you're coming with me,"

"What? No!" Jack shook his head.

"Jack, you need to get away from England. Let me take you somewhere you can learn to control yourself. You'll be safe from Baldwin as well,"

"No. You don't understand. I attacked Thomas," Jack confessed. "I tried to kill his human girl. If he sees me, he'll try and kill me,"

"Not if I have anything to say about it," said Matthew. "You need to get away from here,"

"I should come with you too," Diana was desperate to leave.

"No, you need to stay here where you're safe," implored Matthew. "For the babies. You need to start searching for the other pages from the Book of Life. And you and Miriam need to keep Christopher in the dark. If he knows, he will warn the others and they'll leave before I get there and we may not have another chance to get them soon,"

"But shouldn't they know?" Sarah questioned. "If Aurora's in danger, that science dude has to warn them,". Diana agreed with her.

"We do that, they'll disappear again, leave no trace and the MacDuffs will find another way to get to them. Marcus and Thomas will keep her safe," he cupped his wife's cheek. "I will bring Aurora safely to you. I promise,"

Diana didn't like the idea of not asking Christopher to warn Aurora but as long as she was with Thomas and Marcus, she would be safe until Matthew could arrive to help them. And if this was the only chance they had to get to them, then they couldn't waste this opportunity. She embraced her husband. "Just be safe,"

"I will,"

"And look after Jack,"

Jack was frightened. "I still don't know about this. I nearly killed that helpless human. And it's because of me, Thomas is wanted by the Congregation,"

"That was not your fault," said Diana. "This was Benjamin's doing. Thomas will understand,"

"More like he'll say it's my fault," lamented Matthew. "He resents me for lying to him about Benjamin. And he'll say it's my fault that Phoebe was in danger in the first place,"

"You only wanted to protect him from the truth," Diana tried to comfort him. "And Marcus will see as well,"

Matthew remained uncertain. He glimpsed at Jack. "I truly am sorry for everything Benjamin put through," Jack felt he had no need to apologise but nevertheless offered him a warm hug. Instantly they packed and to their luck, they were able to book the next flight to New Orleans. They only hoped that once they arrived, they weren't too late.

Diana hugged Matthew 'goodbye' tightly. "Just promise me you'll all come back safely,"

"We will," he said. "And I know a way we can forge our own path," he pulled back. "We form a scion. A separate branch of the family. If we truly are to keep Jack and our future children safe, we need to cut off from Baldwin's control,"

She hugged Jack tightly. "I'll be here waiting," she promised. "No matter what,"

"You just take care of the babies," Matthew kissed her head and he and Jack got into the taxi and headed off. Sarah was beside Diana, both exchanging agitated faces as they feared for Aurora. They only prayed that they didn't make the big mistake of letting Matthew go ahead and not have Christopher warn them. What they hoped for was no one, especially those who had sent the MacDuffs would get their hands on Aurora.

The next day, whilst Marcus and Thomas were talking with Ransome and Geraldine about things, Aurora, and Phoebe were talking with Wrolf, Dani and the daemons.

"So, Phoebe…tell us how you met our father," Dani requested.

"Well…" Phoebe pursed her lips, becoming suddenly nervous. Since arriving and meeting them, she had been coping with the awkwardness with herself and the children of the vampire she loved. "Uh?" she cleared her throat. "I was on my way to work in Oxford when I got lost. That's when I met your father and well…it just started from there. Over time we just started bumping into each other. And then we officially had our first proper talk when he wanted to purchase two little portraits from the Oxford Auction House,"

"So, this must be all new to you. Blood-sucking hunters. Magic beings. Uncanny soothsayers," said Wrolf trying to sound funny but Dani elbowed him.

"You are terrible with talking to humans,"

"I'm just using descriptions," he shrugged.

"You gotta admit they kind of make sense," said Sophie, finding humour, exchanging a high-five with him.

"How long and you and Marcus been together?" Wrolf asked Aurora.

"These last few months actually," she said.

"The blood flow to your heart has decreased," Wrolf sniffed. "You are feeling sad,"

"Wrolf, you do not do that with guests," criticised Dani.

"It's okay," Aurora assured. "And he's right," she couldn't hide her negative emotions.

"Are you still upset about what happened between you and your sister?" asked Nate. She didn't need to answer that question. "Have you tried calling her?"

"No. But she's been calling constantly,"

"Then just pick up the phone," he said.

"I can't. I don't even know what to say to her,"

"Come on Rora," Sophie said. "If you don't say something you'll regret it for the rest of your

life,".

Aurora pursed her lips. Could she?

"I truly am sorry that there was nothing I could do to stop Matthew from killing everyone else," Marcus said sincerely to Ransome and Geraldine. "Especially Jaqueline,"

Ransome touched the ring on his finger, missing his beloved mate. "For years I wondered if I was ever gonna forgive you for that…but Thomas and Argus over the years eventually convinced us to have a chance to reconnect with you,"

"They took a lot of risks keeping us hidden. Like they did their beloved Wrolf," said Geraldine. "We all miss Argus as much as you do Tom. But he would happy, you've found love again," she glanced at Phoebe. "I can see clearly how you were drawn to her. Which brings me to another thing," she glanced at Aurora who was feeding Margeret some milk. "What attracted you to your lady, Marcus?"

"So many things," said Marcus. "Her kindness. Her compassion for things that are different. She's unlike any girl I have ever seen. And even though she learnt I was a carrier of blood rage, she never turned me away or anything. She strongly believes in equality for all creatures. And she wouldn't hesitate to protect any of our family if we were in danger,"

Ransome was about to say something when they heard a loud trill. Thomas's phone. He pulled it out. "Yes?" he listened extremely intently. "Oh no,"

"What is it?" asked Marcus.

"It's Fergus," said Thomas. The girls overheard and stepped over. "He's here. In New Orleans,"

"What? How?" Aurora demanded.

"I don't know. But I'm going to find out," he stepped out.

Marcus grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"

"This is my problem. I have to deal with him,"

"Not alone you're not," said his brother. He turned to the girls. "Stay here. Don't leave this place," he glanced at Ransome and Geraldine. "Promise me you'll watch over them,". They nodded.

"Father…" Wrolf stood up, coming to him. He had never before in his life met his uncles from Argus's side of the family and Thomas had always told him that Fergus was dangerous and that he shouldn't learn of his existence.

"Wrolf, you and Dani stay here with them," said Tom. "I will not lose any of you,". Dani moved to Wrolf and pulled him back.

"Please be careful," Phoebe implored. Thomas walked to her and cupped her cheek. Wrolf felt tense seeing them like this.

"I will be alright," he promised, kissing her head.

Marcus gave Aurora a quick kiss as well and together the boys left through the door. Phoebe saw how unsettled Wrolf was. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he rudely pushed her attempts to assure him away and walked off.

"Wrolf," Dani called, irritated by his behaviour towards Phoebe. "Please forgive him," she said to her. "Ever since Argus died, he's been so broken for years. He's just never imagined our dad would end up with anyone else,"

"I can imagine," Phoebe said in understanding. "And I don't blame him for being tense with me and Thomas. I mean I'm not really part of this world,"

"Of course, you are," said Aurora. "You're one of us. The truth is all creatures are more alike than they think," she glimpsed at all the vampires and daemons and Phoebe. "The Congregation are just too wrapped up in their own interests to consider the inequalities that divided all creatures apart,"

"Does being many creatures in one help you believe that?" asked Ransome sceptically.

"It does," said Aurora proudly. "And we shouldn't be defined by what we are but by how we treat others. And if open-minded humans like Phoebe can come to know us, they'll realise just how unique our hidden world is and how by coming together, we'll no longer have to be divided by fear and hatred and bigotry. Once this cure is done, we have to make a stand against the Congregation,"

Marcus and Thomas walked towards the docks, using the directions the knights had sent them. Soon they were joined by a few other knights and just when they turned a corner they saw Fergus and a few members of his family approaching them as if they had been expecting them. Thomas could tell by the arrogant look on his former brother-in-law's face that he knew they would learn of his presence in this city and come to him. "You shouldn't have come here," he warned bitterly.

"You should have known better than to be unaware," Fergus said. "Did you really after escaping custody, we'd just give up?"

"If you touch a hair on her head, I will tear you apart," warned Marcus, baring his teeth.

"We haven't even begun to even talk about the terms of our agreement," Fergus cackled. 'Here's the point. I know that you have been hiding Marcus's children here Thomas. You hid carriers of blood rage here for years and yet you didn't realise we were on your trail,'

The brothers were shocked. "We wanted to expose your family's long-buried secrets but our master insisted we'd hold back and use definitive methods to expose blood rage to the Congregation,"

"I take it your master is Benjamin," said Thomas sinisterly.

"So the truth comes out," Fergus smirked. "Bet you're very disappointed in Matthew,"

"What do you want?" Marcus demanded.

Fergus rolled his eyes. "We want that girl. And you're going to hand her over to us, or we will expose the existence of all these blood rage carriers to the Congregation and they will be culled till there is not a single one left. I will also have the greatest pleasure in killing your children Tommy,"

Thomas's heart shuddered in fright. He thought he had protected them for years but in fact, the MacDuffs knew the entire time of their existence and in doing so this had put them in ultimate danger.

"Bring her here tomorrow at this time. And no one else has to get hurt,"

"What does Benjamin want with her?" Marcus demanded.

"You'll find out soon enough," said Fergus. "Try and arrest us with your so-called Knights, and we won't hesitate to make sure you're hung for the blood-rage murders," he turned and left. The brothers were stunned. They shared paralysed looks. What were they going to do?

I apologise profusely for taking a long time to update. I hope this chapter makes up for it. What did you guys think? Please let me know and thank you very much for your support. See you all soon.