Episode Twenty-Two Part Two

Many weeks passed and all seemed so quiet in both London and New Orleans. The sisters remained together and Diana told Aurora everything about her time in the past and Aurora told her all that had happened in the present leading up to their aunt's death. The two of them with the assistance of Sarah and Phoebe spent every opportunity combing through old books relating to John Dee hoping they would lead to a clue for the whereabouts of the missing two pages they needed to complete the Book of Life.

Meanwhile, back in New Orleans, Thomas and Marcus were working to try and convince Ransome and the others to agree to join Matthew's scion; it was going to be quite a challenge due to his everlasting hatred towards Matthew for the culling. In the meantime, Wrolf worked as hard as he could to help Jack control his blood rage; their friendship remained as strong as ever it warmed Jack to have a good teacher like him. Everyone worried for Dani and the Wilsons, praying they were safe. They had to keep zero contact with them for their safety. It worried Thomas to the core but he was always reminded that he had done his part raising his children and they were now old enough to take on board with their conflict against the Congregation.

It was clear to de Clairmonts that Geraldine was their best way of talking to Ransome. He had refused to see either of them ever since Matthew had arrived.

"All we're asking is for Ransome to hear our father out," Marcus requested her as they visited her at work.

"You think a scion is supposed to make up for everything he did to us? What angers me is that you're both agreeing to this,"

"What choice do we have?" Marcus huffed in irritation as Geraldine tried to avoid them but they managed to catch up to her.

"This is the only way you can all come out of hiding and spend your lives living with freedom," Thomas's attempts were useful too. Geraldine stopped walking and faced them with disappointed eyes. "It hurts us that you're going along with this of all people, Tom,"

"I'm doing this for all of us, for Dani and Wrolf, for Marcus and Aurora, for Phoebe," said Thomas seriously. "Only with this scion can we stand up to the Congregation so we don't live in fear anymore. It's time for us to take a stand. But it requires all of us,"

"Please just let Matthew talk to Ransome. We're sure by now he knows what he did was wrong," Marcus kept imploring as they followed her but to their outrage, Matthew was waiting for them. They had told him that they would try to talk things out with her but he hadn't let them do this alone.

"You need to leave New Orleans, Matthew," warned Geraldine. She didn't want to order Tom or her vampire father to leave; it was more her grandfather she wanted going now more than ever.

"I am not leaving until I have spoken to him,"

"Don't…" Marcus warned him, eying him firmly.

"Ransome has made it clear. You come near him again and only one of you will walk away," warned Geraldine.

"Tell him he should know better than threaten me Geraldine," Matthew imposed on her.

"Father…" hissed Thomas, knowing this was not getting him into Geraldine's good graces. "Enough,"

"I'll tell him nothing of the sort," she glared coldly at him. "After you killed those we loved, at least Thomas was there for us. He and Ransome were here, as we found the bodies and dug the graves whilst you sat in your seven towers. No matter how grateful we are to Thomas for everything he's done for us, we'll not join your scion, not after everyone you took from us. If you know what's best for you, you go home Matthew," she marched off.

Marcus and Thomas glared furiously at their father. "Really? After everything?" the youngest was outraged at Matthew for talking to his vampire daughter like that. "I really thought you were past this but it seems like you're not," he marched off without a second thought, Thomas followed behind, then finally Matthew but a longer distance behind.

In her bedroom in London, Aurora's head was twitching and ice was slowly making its way. Everyone could feel it but her sister requested she'd approach her alone.

"Let me go!" Anna was being dragged through a dark corridor by a powerful vampire.

"You and I are going to create something powerful together," sneered her kidnapper.

"When they learn of your treachery they will kill," the voice of a Scottish vampire swore.

"Not as long as I have my secret ally," the voice of a Venetian man swore. A dark figure appeared and there was the sound of blood splashing and screaming.

"No! Stop!" Aurora sat up breathing heavily. She knew exactly who the Scottish vampire was; she had seen his face. But she couldn't see the faces of everyone else. And the voice of her mother too. It was horrifying. It tore her heart. She heard loud cracking as the ice cooled down and instantly Diana entered the room carrying a plate. She rushed to her, sitting on her bed.

"Are you okay?" she cupped her cheek.

"It was that dream again. With my mother. And Argus," her eyes shut again. "Nothing made sense. It's just my mind going mental,"

Diana pursed her lips and touched her tender shoulders. "It's gonna be okay,". They pressed heads together.

"Thank you. I know the dreams will pass, I just…need a distraction," Aurora fell back on the bed, her eyes firmly shut. They opened wide again to the smell of bacon toast. Diana held a plate up and she sat up; they shared their favourite toasted sandwiches.

"I missed your paintings whilst I was away," her sister said.

"I missed your writing. How are the twins doing?"

"Oh, they're just lazy and sleeping as always," Diana stroked her enlarged belly bump.

"Thought of any names yet?"

"Not yet. Matthew and I never had the chance to decide with everything that's been happening,"

"Heard anything from him?"

"No luck with the scion so far,"

Aurora sighed. "No one said it was going to be easy. What was it like? Meeting Phillipe?"

Diana held the pendant around her neck which her blood-sworn father had given her. "He was strong, mysterious, brave…he was many things. Blessing me as his blood-sworn daughter was the greatest gift he could ever give. I'm glad Matthew named you and Phoebe his blood-sworn daughters,"

"It was the least he could do to try and start reconciling with Marcus and Thomas,"

"I hope Jack is okay,"

"If there's anyone who can help him, it's Wrolf. I just hope the Wilsons are okay. You would have loved to have met Dani. Her transformation from daemon to vampire shows once again how creatures are meant to live in peace with one another. But how long will it take before all this…hatred is over?"

"It will come sooner than we expect. We just have to be patient," Diana patted her shoulder. "The last thing I ever want is these twins to live a life of fear and persecution,"

"They won't sis," Aurora promised. "So long as we all stand together, there's nothing we can't do. I don't want us to anyone else. Not like Em,"

Diana, tearfully remembering their dead aunt offered her a side-hug which she gladly accepted.

The de Clairmonts came close to Wrolf's house. "We had it under control but then you had to come and mess it up," berated Thomas.

"We were really getting close on that," said Marcus. "We even told her that perhaps you had considered making amends for what you did, to give a reasonable explanation for the cull,"

"I will not apologise for doing what I had to do, what the Congregation expected me to do,"

"Honestly is it that hard to admit you were wrong and that you're sorry?" Thomas was deeply disappointed in him already. "I can't believe Marcus and I agreed to this. And after you gave our beloveds your blood vow,"

Before the argument could continue further, they saw the front lawn as a complete mess from before.

"Oh no," Thomas cursed. "Not again. Wrolf!"

Wrolf appeared. "We were getting there but then he suddenly remembered all the people he killed and lost control,"

"Where is he now?" asked Thomas, afraid this would lead to more trouble.

"Probably in the cemetery. Nobody goes there,"

"We need to get him before Ransome finds him," said Marcus afraid that Ransome, his first vampire son remained as desperate as ever to kill Jack for revenge.

"I thought your job was supposed to be helping him," berated Matthew, outraged that Jack was still showing signs of no control.

"I'm giving it my best shot," Wrolf complained. "But the training requires more time than I anticipated,"

"If you don't work harder, he will kill again and it may be too late for him,"

"Well, he wouldn't even be like this if you hadn't allowed that vampire who used him to allow free in the first place! This is exactly why I don't trust you to be the one to train him!"

"Don't lecture me," Matthew threatened. His snarls made Wrolf's fists ball up and black veins began to pop up under his skin.

"Stop! Both of you!" Thomas ordered his son and father. "Dad, Wrolf is trying as hard as he can. But it's gonna take time for Jack. It did for me when you taught me and when I taught him. At least he's trying hard with what he's doing unlike you. You haven't had the guts to face the facts that I had to raise him in secret with Argus,"

"Why didn't you and Argus trust me before?" Matthew looked hurt.

"How were either of us supposed to know you wouldn't kill him? When you sired Marcus, I thought I could but then when you began killing everyone else and expected me to do it, I knew that I couldn't trust you with that secret. And now I regret ever agreeing to the idea of this scion," he stormed off, Wrolf behind him.

Matthew sighed, feeling he had just made things worse.

"Give him time," Marcus sympathised. "I'm going to find Ransome tonight myself. And this time, I want to do it alone,"

"Do what you have to," his father instructed. "I'm going to find Jack," he shot off.

Phoebe and Sarah had worked hard and tirelessly all morning. Diana and Aurora joined them moments later and they assured everyone that all was well from before.

"Is this the first time you've accidentally frozen a room?" asked Gallowglass to Aurora, hoping it wasn't offensive.

"No. I've done it so many times before but…I feel like ever since I first saw that book, my powers have amplified or something,"

"Sis, when we get the book, I don't want you anywhere near it," said Diana seriously. "I don't want to risk it doing any harm on you. Any luck, Phoebe?"

"Been scouring through the collection for ages but I think I'm on track of where it could be," Phoebe offered a page and the sisters took it.

"The book of Soygor," Diana tapped a book.

"That could be where the next page is,"

"It isn't," said Phoebe. "But I do know where the book is. It's at the British Library,"

"So, if we find that book, we can use magic to figure out who took that page," said Diana. "I'm going to the British Library now,"

"That's not a good idea," disagreed Gallowglass. "It's not safe,"

"I'm not sitting in here cooped up like a helpless creature while Matthew is away. Although pregnant, this wouldn't stop her from doing anything.

"So long as you let me come with you. I hate being cooped up inside and we both can use fresh air," Aurora volunteered. "And after what I went through this morning, I really need it to clear my head,"

"I don't like the thought of either of you going out there," disagreed Sarah.

"Sarah, we can't stay here doing nothing," said Diana.

"The Knights will be with us always," Aurora promised. "And perhaps Gallowglass could come with us," she decided, sending a simple beseeching face to the vampire.

"It would be my pleasure," he said. "We'll be back soon," he promised.

Sarah had no choice but to give in.

"In the meantime, I'll keep searching for page 3," said Phoebe, already getting back to work.

"No. You need a break," Aurora patted her hand. "And a good hot chocolate," she walked into the kitchen to make one. She made extra cups for everyone else; even Gallowglass and Fernando couldn't resist the soothing smell of marshmallows melting into the simmering liquid of molten chocolate.

"This is so good," Gallowglass was impressed. "And I thought your bacon sandwiches were the best,"

"I've missed these," Diana sipped again. "I can't wait for the twins to start enjoying your hot chocolates when they're old enough,"

"Just wait till you see what I have in store for them with my ice magic," Aurora waved her hand a little creating little twinkles of snow.

"What are you thinking about?" Sarah asked, eying her concerned face.

"I can't stop thinking about that fire creature who came to Sept Tour. When he attacked Marcus and I fought him, he just looked at me…and I saw he was scared. Benjamin and his allies enslaved him, they forced him to do these things…". Diana became concerned. "All my life I thought I was the only creature who was different from everyone else, but now that I've met him, I feel it's my responsibility to try and help him. I know that he could have…"

"It's okay," Her sister patted her back. "I don't blame you for feeling that way. But we need to be careful. And I don't want you to get hurt,"

"I know. And I know that our mission comes first,"

Wrolf was busy fixing stuff up when he saw Jack arriving back. "Jack," he rushed forward. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm sorry Wrolf. I was just…"

"No, I'm sorry. I feel like I'm failing you a lot. I said I could help you but I feel like I've let you down,"

"You're doing your best Wrolfie," comforted Jack, holding no anger or impatience towards him at all. "It's not you…it's just me. I'm just…different. But I'm not giving up. And neither should you,"

"He's right," Matthew approached from the sideways. "You're doing your best. I'd like a moment with my grandson, Jack,"

Wrolf felt something twitch in his heart. He had never been called 'grandson' by anyone before. Jack left silently, giving him an encouraging face to give Matthew a chance. He wondered if perhaps he should; would he be talking to the same Matthew who had come to 1590? Matthew invited him to sit down and he hesitantly accepted.

They sat in the dining room. "Well?" Wrolf demanded after a moment of silence.

"The first thing I want to do is owe you an apology. I appreciate you're trying very hard to help Jack. I was wrong to snap at you like that,"

"Why'd you do it?" Wrolf demanded, not caring about his apology. "Why'd you cull all my infected cousins but not Marcus or my father?"

"They were different,"

"No. They weren't. They were all family and still you killed them like animals,"

"I know you or your father might not believe but…blood rage in that time wasn't easy to control like it is now. I hadn't mastered myself and neither had your father. There were times when your father…lost control and he'd kill without thought,". Wrolf shuddered. His father hadn't told him that at all. "I was tempted many times to kill him, to end his suffering. But I couldn't. I loved him too much. I knew he and Marcus would feel the same way as well. I thought I was doing everyone else a favour by taking their suffering away. Times in the past were so different to what they were today. Your great-grandfather wanted me to protect your great-grandmother's secret and ensure our kind wouldn't be exposed to the humans. You have to understand what would have happened if they did find out,"

Wrolf could understand in a way why he felt like he had no choice. "I can understand why you thought you were doing them a good deed, that you were trying to help the world by cleansing it of blood rage, but why does it have to involve killing?"

"Times have changed so much. But in the past, there weren't so many solutions for curing people like today. That's why I believe in the idea of a scion and using our genetic traits to cure people. If times can change, so can people. I really am trying to change. And. I know Phillipe would agree that instead of culling carriers of blood rage, we should be helping one another. I regret that we didn't do it before. I regret I missed how much it was for your fathers to raise you, to love you. And I regret that Argus isn't here to see how hard your father and I are working to forge a better future for everyone. And that includes you and your sister,". Wrolf wiped his eyes thinking of his late father. "I know he would have been very proud of the person you've become. And that you're helping Jack,"

"That…means a lot coming from you. I can see now why Jack thinks so highly of you, how much he missed you over the centuries. I promise you I won't stop trying to help him,"

"Thank you. And in return, I give you my word that I won't stop fighting for a better future for all of you,"

"I guess you're not as a bad as I thought you were,"

Matthew chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment,". He smiled a little. Already he was beginning to bond.

Thomas and Marcus were outside waiting for Marcus's cab. They heard everything from outside.

"It's nice to see Matthew's having some bonding experience," said Marcus.

"Yeah," Thomas's voice was numb. Since Wrolf was a child, he had always wanted to introduce him to Matthew. But since taking him into hiding for centuries, he never imagined his father would actually be having a proper conversation with his son.

"At least he's trying to change," said Marcus. The cab pulled along the driveway.

"You sure you don't want me to come?"

"It's better if I speak to Ransome alone. You've done all you could for them and I don't want him to see you and act ungrateful," he patted his shoulder. "Call Phoebe…ask her how she's doing. It'll make you feel better,". He boarded his car and left, leaving Tom to fish out his phone from his pocket.

Back at the house, Phoebe had already laid on her bed for hours, relaxing, taking her mind off things. But nothing could ignore the blood humming on her forehead, Matthew's blood vow. Buzz! Buzz!

She reached for the phone and pressed the tick button. "Tommy?"

"How are you?"

"Really tried. All that searching is harder than I expected,"

"Any luck on the pages?"

"Yep. Aurora and Diana have just gone to find out who has it now,"

"Wonderful. I'm proud of you,"

"How are things going?"

"Not as well as I hoped. But I just heard my father and son talking with one another like grandfather and grandson. I never imagined this would happen,"

"Try and take it as a sign your father's trying to make amends. I know Argus would have,"

Thomas chuckled. "How does it feel? Being blessed by a vampire?"

"It feels like a privilege. Which reminds me. We need to discuss who's gonna sire me,"

"That conversation can wait. And I don't want you to think about changing. I love you just the way you are,"

"I know. And I love being human. But…I want to experience being a vampire with you. When this is over, please can we talk about it?"

"Of course. I just want you to be careful with what you're deciding,"

"I am careful. And I am certain of it," Phoebe yawned. "I'm gonna have a nap now. I'm so tired. Call again soon and please Tom…try to talk to your father. If you did before, you can do it again,"

"I love you,"

"I love you too," Phoebe blew a kiss and collapsed on her pillow, dreaming about the possibility of becoming a vampire like her beloved, to have eternal life with him.

That's the next chapter done. What did you all think? Please send reviews and let me know what you all think. See you all soon.