Episode 2 Part 2:
Aurora made it back to the White Hall and got herself prepped at her desk. The day passed and she had yet to see if perhaps the vampire Marcus might come back either to say thank you or perhaps to buy another painting. She could not believe that this immortal creature loved her work and that she was his favourite artist.
She had just settled a frame back in place when she heard the door ringing. She turned around but to her surprise, she saw the same witch from the library standing only a few metres in front of her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The witch whose hair was short and straight black stared at her with dark threatening eyes above a large nose.
"You were in the library spying on me,"
"And your sister too," she spoke back.
"What do you want from?"
"You interest me, Aurora Bishop," she stepped forward. "The power I see in you…you're not like anyone I've ever seen,"
"Either you're buying something or I'm gonna ask you to leave,"
"Quite a feisty one,"
"Only to those who threaten and spy on me and my loved ones,"
"Does that include your kind?"
"Yes. Now get out before I call the police," Aurora get turning her head to make sure none of the other managers noticed and saw the tense but unnoticeable scene they were making.
"Do you know what happens to those who turn their back on their kind?" the witch warned.
"I'm not afraid. And you and Peter Knox are the ones who are turning your backs by threatening us. Now leave,"
The witch turned and walked out of the shop.
Aurora fell into her seat at her desk, hyperventilating. There were times when she was scared; she just never wanted anyone she disliked highly to see. She was becoming quite afraid. Witches were threatening her and Diana. All for some book. There was so much more to it just like Matthew Clairmont said. Could it contain the power to destroy other creatures? Or something perhaps more powerful?
The ringing of a doorbell made her jump and she turned to see Marcus Whitmore approaching the desk.
"Oh hello Marcus," she greeted, straightening herself. "I take it the painting reached your house,"
"It did. I found a perfect spot for it in my bedroom,"
"Wonderful,"
"Are you okay? Your heart's beating rapidly,"
"It's...it's…it's nothing. I'm just worn out from working,"
Marcus wasn't quite swayed.
"Okay. I just had a bad time with a customer who sounded threatening,"
It appeased Marcus slightly.
"Well…anything I can get you?"
"I just wanted to say another big 'thanks' for that painting," he said politely.
"It's…no problem,"
"You know…since you've been so nice, let me give you this," Marcus flipped a card from his pocket. He handed it to Aurora, and she got it. It was a card with the name of the local Oxford hospital and Marcus's private number.
"You're a doctor. You must love helping people. Sick and injured people that is,"
"If ever you need any help, just come and find me okay?"
Aurora nodded.
Marcus gave one last big smile and then walked out of the store. Once Aurora's mind relaxed because the vampire who was being so kind to her, seemed to make her feel safe and her powers in balance.
Marcus could not stop thinking about that talented witch whose kindness touched his heart deeply. He just turned a corner when he saw Thomas waiting for him. His arms were crossed.
"What did I tell you about going near that witch?" he warned.
"I was just thanking her for a painting I bought. No need to get overprotective,"
"Marcus…you are my younger brother and I love you. But I don't want you hanging around witches,"
"Tom…" Marcus marched upon him. "All of us miss Argus. I'm sorry for those witches who caused you so much pain throughout your life. But you can't hold every witch responsible. You can't judge someone by their species before you get to know them,"
"Something Aurora Bishop said to you?"
"Yes. She knew I was a vampire the moment we met, and she has never been rude or mean behind my back,"
"She sounds nice, but I don't want any other witches to see you two together and do something horrible to you. Come on. Miriam could use an extra hand in the lab, and I need to get back to the University to teach another lecture,"
The two walked off. Behind his brother's back, Marcus could do nothing but express pity. Thomas's entire painful story had been narrated by witches and there might not be any chance of him letting go of his loathing for witches.
Aurora finished at 8 and arrived back at her room, buying some food along the way. She wanted to just forget about everything, but something told her to ring her aunts. She fished out her phone and called Em and Sarah.
Hey Em.
Hey Aurora. Darling, are you all right? Diana called a few hours ago. He mentioned Peter Knox.
Yes. He wanted the book she summoned. He wants to use it against other creatures. She refused to cooperate.
She told me that you threatened him.
He restrained her. What did you expect me to do?
Aurora, I admire your courage and your commitment but sometimes you can be a bit reckless.
Aurora sighed. She had to agree. Something's happened. There was this strange witch who looked either Canadian or Finnish. She came to the gallery shop that I'm working at. She looked like she was going to threaten me.
Did she harm you?
No. She just said something about me being unlike anything she had ever seen. I know that I'm different from you and Em and other witches but…I didn't think I'd be that different. Em…is something wrong with me?
No darling! You've nothing to be ashamed of.
Well, I think I do. Ever since Diana opened that book, strange things have been happening to me. My magic sometimes gets out of control. I keep getting visions in my head.
Whatever it is, please consider coming back home. We can help you.
I can't just leave Oxford. I have a life here. There's something else I need to talk to you about. Peter Knox said he didn't know that my mother had a second child. How is it that he knew about Diana's birth but not mine? Aurora waited for an answer but Em didn't respond. Em? Em?
I'm sorry darling. But I've gotta go
Wait!
Em shut down the call. Aurora sighed and collapsed in her seat. What was her aunt hiding from her? With little to do, she cooked some chicken and vegetables. She had just about finished when she heard the door opening revealing a panting Diana.
"Diana," Aurora stumbled towards her. "What happened?"
Diana allowed her to take her into her arms and settle her down. "Peter Knox was at the party,"
"What?!" Aurora was becoming very angry that ice was beginning to form.
"Aurora!" Diana gasped. "Calm down! You're freezing the room!"
Aurora saw that her ice powers were freezing the room. She calmed down and the room was warm again. "What's happening to me? Why do I feel like my ice powers are suddenly more powerful than before?"
"I don't know," Diana wished she could answer. "It's my fault. This all started happening the moment I opened the book. It's my fault you're like this,"
"Don't you dare blame yourself, Diana. Now tell me what happened at the party?"
"Peter Knox knows about Matthew following us,"
"Has he been spying on us?"
"It seems like it. Once again I refused to cooperate. When I did, he tried to get inside my head. And then…whoosh. I made the glass of the window he was standing behind explode,'
Aurora was flabbergasted. "What? I thought you lacked aptitude?"
"So did I. I think something's happened to both of us,"
"You're not the only one who had a bad encounter. I was working in the White Halls when this witch came up. It was the same one we saw on the higher level in the library, and she was in the same café where Knox took us,"
"I saw her too. After you left, I went for a run, and I bumped into her. She's working with Knox,"
"I know. I'm becoming scared now Diana. For both of us,"
"We can't let them scare us Aurora. We have to be strong. We have lives here and we are not going to let those witches scare us. What's important is we stick together," she clasped her hand tightly and Aurora rubbed her. Her hands though cold were warming up.
"Diana, Em told me you phoned up earlier today,"
"I did. Mum and Peter Knox were friends but then he got into dark magic,"
"That kind of magic should be illegal. Anyways, I called her and I asked her why Peter Knox never knew about me but you. She didn't answer. She just hung up on me,"
Diana was surprised. "Whatever it is she's hiding, she can't keep it from you. Let's give her and Sarah some time first,"
They ate dinner, then went to bed. They woke up early that morning. Diana decided to phone Gillian, thinking perhaps she could give them some advice. She phoned twice but there was no response.
"Mmm…wonder why she isn't answering," she said. "I think we should just go over to her house," She saw the reluctance in her sister's eyes. "What?"
"I'm not sure this is a good idea,"
"Who else can we turn to?"
"You heard what she said yesterday. She told us that we should give into Peter's demands. How can she think such a thing?"
"We need to at least try. She might reconsider when she realises what Peter's been posing on us,"
Reluctantly Aurora escorted Diana to Gillian's home. They rang the doorbell. Gillian opened the door.
"Thank god you're here. You haven't been answering your phone," Diana said relieved.
Aurora noticed something in Gillian's facial expression. Her eyes shifted to her hallway and down the corridor in the kitchen was Peter Knox. "Diana,"
Diana saw what she was seeing, then she turned back to Gillian with utter betrayal. She stalked away.
It was at that moment that Aurora knew exactly how Peter Knox had known about the book. It was Gillian.
"You traitor!" Aurora shouted. Then in a flash, she punched Gillian right in the nose, and she fell backwards. "Diana trusted you!" She slammed the door right in Gillian's face and then froze the doorknob. She followed her sister around the corner. Diana was deeply upset. She hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry Diana,"
"You were right," Diana muffled into her shoulder. "We never should have come here,"
"I can't believe it," Aurora said, anger building up inside it. "I never thought Gillian would betray you like this,"
"I pulled you into this from the start and now it's you as well that she's put in danger as well,"
"This isn't your fault Diana. It's that no-good backstabber,"
"What can we do?"
Diana pulled back. "There's only one thing we can do," she pulled out Matthew's card. "We have to see Matthew,"
Thomas was typing an article at his desk in his room. He was typing about biology. He was a biology professor at the university. Stopping for a second, he twisted his head to look at a picture of himself and a young man with blond hair and dark eyes. His beloved Argus.
"I miss Argus," he said, shedding a tear.
His phone rang. He answered. "Hello Christopher," he answered.
"Hello, Tom. Just thought I might call in. How's your new article coming along?"
"Very well. It's almost done,"
"My dear Thomas…when are you ever going to get back into writing novels and poems? You used to love doing that,"
"I know but that time has long passed," Thomas said sadly. "Besides I have no inspiration. Anyways how about you?"
"Alright. I'm enjoying it here at Yale. I hope one day you'll attend the conference of biology, and we could meet for a coffee,"
"That would be wonderful. I'll see if I have the time. You know how busy it gets at the lab I'm working at,"
"Well…I do hope to see you soon Tom,"
"I hope we can catch up soon Chris. See you soon. Bye,"
"Bye mate,"
Thomas ended then got back to the type, falling once again under a cloud of misery. He used to write all the time when he was a kid growing up under his adoptive father's wing. He then became one of the best know writers in history. But when Argus died, so did his creativity. He later turned to biology instead.
The phone rang again. Thomas answered.
"Ahh, father…I see you're back. Are you sure you're completely under control?"
"Yes. I am assertive. Now I need to help Miriam down at the lab,'
"I'm on it. And dad…please promise me you'll stay away from them,"
"You know I can't do that,"
"I'm just trying to protect you,"
"I know you are. I'll see you at the lab in a few hours," Matthew hung up. Thomas walked up to his mirror, pulled out a brush and brushed his black hair back. He then gave himself a little shave so there was only a thin layer of bristles on his chin. He walked out the door of his house.
Linking hands, Diana and Aurora walked to the address to a building of rooms like their own.
"Could you tell us where Professor Clairmont's rooms are?" Diana requested the man of the desk. The man nodded and he directed them.
They walked up the stairs to Matthew's rooms. "Okay," Aurora prepared herself. They never really planned to go and see a vampire but regarding consequences, they needed Matthew's help more than ever. "Ready?"
Diana nodded. "Ready," She knocked. There was no answer. She knocked again. Again nothing.
Aurora sighed. "He must be away somewhere. Let's try again later,"
They turned around. To their surprise, Matthew was standing right there at the bottom of the stairs. He had a suitcase with him. He had gone away but now he was back. He stared at them with complete surprise.
Another chapter is done. So what is Em hiding from Aurora? We'll have to wait and find out. What do you all think of Thomas Clairmont too? Please send review ideas for any of these characters if you'd like. I would love to see your opinions. Anyways part 3 of episode 2 should arrive at some point next week. Warning: The next sentence is a spoiler alert for those who haven't watched episode 1 of Season 3. Anyways, for those of you who have watched the first episode of Season 3, Christopher will be Thomas's friend at Yale University instead of Diana's.