Episode Six Part Two

Everyone gathered in a map room, determined to find Diana.

"We need to start thinking like witches," Matthew said. "How they could have taken her outside vampire territory. We need to split up," he pulled out a map of the region. "Widen our search area," he peered down at particular spots. "Les Mousant, Runap, Bergonet,"

"She's nearby Mathew," Marthe said. "A thousand years ago, even the most powerful witches were only capable of flying short distances. She will have been slowed down by having to carry Diana,"

"She must still be in the oeuvre," Ysabeau clarified.

"If that's true then one of our neighbours is harbouring them…" Baldwin spoke. "If this witch worth going to war against our kind?"

"Yes!" Matthew slammed his fist on the table. "They couldn't have taken her south. It's too mountainous, too barren,"

"That's exactly why they would have taken there. It's difficult to get to," Baldwin pointed out. "They wouldn't be disturbed,"

"That's Gerbert's territory," Ysabeau said.

"Who's Gerbert?" Aurora asked.

"One of the most powerful members of the Congregation," Ysabeau answered grimly.

"It's possible Gerbert aligned himself with whoever took your witch Matthew," Baldwin estimated. "He's tried to bring the de Clairmont's down for centuries,"

"If Gerbert took her there, we know what he's capable of," Matthew said grimly.

His words made fear slither down Aurora's spine, giving her quivers. Marthe rubbed her shoulder to comfort her.

"He will destroy her so he can destroy me,"

"Let's call my aunt Em," Aurora suggested. "She might have had a vision. Perhaps that could help us," she pulled out her phone and called Em.

"Aurora! Thank goodness!" Sarah called back.

"Sarah! Diana's been taken by another witch!"

"What?"

"Em! Have you had a vision?!"

"Yes! I saw her being tortured by another witch! There was a vampire nearby!"

"Emily!" Matthew joined in. "Is there anything else you saw that can help us find her?'

"I saw a castle. Or what used to be a castle! And two figures that's all I saw. And a third one right outside the walls! I lost sight of everything after I got shocked! I'll try to get another one!"

"We don't have time for another one! Diana needs us!" Aurora was hyperventilating that she was making the room freeze.

"Make that creature stop!" Baldwin ordered.

Matthew rubbed Aurora's shoulders but she was finding it difficult to calm down when her sister was in grave danger. "Aurora, calm down," Matthew ushered her. "It's all right. It's okay,"

Aurora took in deep breaths and calmed down. I've got to get a hold of myself.

"Em…we'll call you back," Matthew shut off the phone before Aurora could stop him.

"Gerbert had a castle hidden high in the mountains," Ysabeau said. "It's in ruins now. Centuries ago, he kept a witch enthral there,"

Aurora gulped.

"La Pierre," Matthew breathed.

"The quickest way is by helicopter," Baldwin said.

"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Aurora tried to stand up but Matthew grabbed her wrist.

"No Aurora. There'll be Congregation members waiting for us. It's safer if you stay here,"

"But I wanna help save Diana too,"

"They can't see you," Matthew said. "You'll be in more grave danger than you already are," he stood up and touched her shoulders. "I promise you I will bring back Diana. Stay here so that you're safe,"

Aurora thought about it for a moment. Against her nature, she reluctantly accepted. "Okay. Just promise me you'll both come back safe,"

"I promise," Mathew and Baldwin instantly left the room. Aurora stood still, tears of worry raining down her face. Marthe went to comfort her.

They heard the helicopter blades spinning outside. Aurora peered out the window and watched desperately as they took to the air. She prayed they would find her sister. Ysabeau comforted her and Marthe brought her some tea.

They sat down on some sofas, hoping Matthew and Baldwin would find Diana soon. The room was silent with worry but Ysabeau spoke up."Aurora…the way you spoke to Baldwin was very reckless. He was ready to attack you with the way you were speaking to him,"

Aurora sighed. "I just can't stand his nature. He should be supporting his brother, not trying to take his happiness away from him. It's not right. And he called me a freak,"

"It was wrong of him greatly," Ysabeau accepted her reasons.

"Is he always like this?"

Ysabeau nodded. "He's always been determined to keep his position on the Congregation since Phillipe my late husband died,"

"And that's worth it? Even if to him it's okay to be antagonising Matthew? Or even Thomas?"

"It's the way he is," Ysabeau said remorsefully. "But he misses Phillipe. As we all do,"

"I'm sure he was a great vampire," Aurora said respectfully.

Nothing else was said after that for the next few hours. Aurora sat sipping her tea and staring at a photo of her and Diana in Oxford. Marthe brought her some food but she didn't want food. She wanted Diana.

Gerbert marched outside. To his shock, he saw Satu bruised and battered against the wall. Diana wasn't anywhere to be seen. He marched up to her, grabbed her by the throat and hauled her up. "Where is she? Where is the witch?!"

Satu was weak to answer.

"Answer me!" Gerbert squeezed her tight. "Where is she?!"

"A…vampire…." Satu croaked. "Too fast,"

"And you didn't fight back,"

"My power…was gone,"

Gerbert let go and Satu collapsed to the ground. Gerbert twisted his head and he saw footprints. He tried to make out a sniff but all he smelt was mud and leaves.

Clever. He remarked. He walked out of the ruins and stared into the great distance. He saw nothing but mountains. He frowned. He couldn't catch a scent. The wind had blown it away.

This will not be the last. He vowed himself.

Diana's vision was blurry. She had dreams about her mother and father. Her mother had given her hand and when she took it, she was pulled up and she returned to the land of the living. She sat up, feeling soreness everywhere in her body, particularly on her back. Satu's magic had brutally scarred her, branded her a symbol that would forever mark her as a traitor.

As she regained full consciousness, she found herself sitting on a large soft but stiff sofa with a blanket over her body. She was resting against two soft pillows. She heard a fire crackling. Twisting her head, she saw Thomas Clairmont with his back turned. He was brewing something on a small stove. He turned around slowly.

Diana would have felt scared but the comforts she was lying on made her less nervous. Thomas came forward slowly and sat on a wooden chair right near her. He offered a cup of tea. "Drink. It'll help with the pain,"

Diana looked a little distrustfully at him.

"I'm not gonna poison you,"

Diana took the handle gently and sat up. "Where are we?"

"We're in my hunting cabin. Gerbert and his witch companion won't think to find us here,"

Diana realised something. "You saved me,"

The recognition in Thomas's eyes proved her right.

"Why?"

"Because I finally see that you're not the enemy I thought you were,"

Diana sipped her tea. "I'm sorry that I caused the rift between you and Matthew. I know how much me and him together…"

"No. I'm the one who should be sorry," Thomas interjected quickly. "I was so afraid of losing another family, so afraid of losing anyone else whom I hold dear to my heart…that I never stopped for a single moment to realise narrow-minded I was becoming,"

"I understand Thomas. I honestly do. You just didn't want to lose another father. I know that witches have done awful things to you your entire life and I'm sorry for all the pain that you've been through. I don't blame you for your animosity towards me. After you lose so many loved ones like that, how can you ever trust anyone you see as an enemy?" she paused, allowing Thomas to absorb her forgiving words. "How long was I asleep?"

"A couple of hours. That witch did a lot of damage to you. I saw her brand you. That's when I finally realised how wrong I was. What did the witch want from you?"

"She and that vampire Gerbert…wanted the Book of Life. She wanted to test how powerful I was,"

"And then she tried to open you up," Thomas theorised. "I cannot believe a witch would do that to one of her own. Why were your parents killed? I heard what you were yelling to that witch,"

"I don't know," Diana shook her head.

"Whoever did it most certainly is involved with that witch who did this to you. And that's a sign that you are indeed no enemy to my family, to my father," Thomas had finally accepted his father's love for a witch. "Don't you dare break his heart,"

"I will never break his heart. You have my word on that. And I won't try to steal him from you,"

"I know now. There are many reasons why I didn't want my father concerning himself with you. The main one was because I was afraid I would lose him if he broke the Covenant. It has never been broken before and I feared the consequences of his punishment. But now his fight is mine,"

Will you take me back to Sept Tour?" Diana implored.

"First sip your tea. And then rest a bit longer. You'll feel much better. I'll take you when it's safer. Gerbert and that witch could still be out there. And we cannot know for certain. This will not be the last you hear of them,"

"How do you know they won't know it was you who saved me? They'll punish you for this,"

"I was too fast for that witch. And I have ways of keeping my scent hidden from other vampires. Rest now. I'll bring you back tonight. You have my word Diana,"

Diana nodded. "Thank you,"

Soon it turned dark outside but Aurora refused to retire to bed. Marthe and Ysabeau sat silently with her in front of a fire. They heard footsteps. They turned to see Matthew, his head hung down, his posture stiff. Baldwin walked in too by his side, emotionlessly. But there was no Diana.

Aurora stood upon instinct. "Where's Diana?"

"She wasn't there," Matthew said gravely. "We smelt Gerbert and the witch but we couldn't find much of her scent,"

"No," Aurora shook her head. "She's got to be there. You must have missed something!"

Baldwin erupted. "Your sister wasn't there!" Aurora jumped. "You might have well get used to it!" he marched right past her. "Freak," he hissed.

Aurora wanted to shout back but no words came out. She began to cry. Matthew came forward and he pulled her into his arms. She cried against his chest and he patted her back.

"All is not lost. We will find her. And when we do I will Gerbert and his witch apart,"

Aurora couldn't say anything. She sobbed and cried.

Thomas and Diana arrived in the village in the dark of the night. Thomas had successfully brought his father's new mate back safe and sound without being detected. They arrived near the chateau where he heard slow thumping hearts and crying.

Diana, feeling strong and not tired anymore turned to him. "Thank you,"

Thomas nodded, appreciating the gratitude. "I have delivered you safely back here. I will now go to my brother and Miriam and make amends with them,"

"No. Come with me,"

"Matthew…doesn't want anything to do with me. Not after how I tried to get in the way of his happiness with you," Thomas had never felt guiltier than ever. "I accused him of being a traitor to our family,"

"Please…" Diana offered her hand. "I'm not entering that chateau without you. I will not let my relationship with your father be the force that pushes you two apart any longer,"

Thomas was reluctant.

"He loves you, Thomas. There is nothing in this world that he would give you up for. I've seen how he truly regrets the way he treated you. When he learns what you did today, he will be proud of you. He's your father and you are his son. Don't neglect that,"

Thomas was touched. Diana kept her hand offered. He took it. Together they walked to the front of the chateau. Thomas made sure Diana didn't stumble or trip. Before they even knocked, the doors suddenly opened. Marthe was in front.

"Hey, Marthe…" Thomas greeted.

"Welcome back Thomas," Marthe greeted. "Thank goodness you are safe Diana,"

They were led inside towards the living room. Aurora was on the sofa crying silently. Matthew wasn't with her. She heard footsteps. As she turned her head, she breathed out in relief when she saw her sister. Diana opened her arms and Aurora embraced her tightly crying out in relief.

"It's okay," Diana stroked her hair. "I'm here now. I'm here now,"

Aurora let go but held her shoulders. Diana wiped her tears away. "I don't understand. Matthew said that he couldn't find you at La Pierre,"

"I know," Diana sighed in relief. "Thomas saved me," she twisted her head around to her rescuer.

Aurora stared wide-eyed at Thomas. She approached her with a narrowed expression.

Thomas felt anxious to talk. The last time they talked they were bitter enemies. "Look…I know we've had our differences. And I know that I…" Thomas was silenced when Aurora threw her arms around him.

"Thank you," she cried. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Thomas gently placed her hands against her back, accepting her surprising gesture of gratefulness.

She pulled back and said, "I'm so sorry for the way I treated you back at Marcus's house. Even though I knew your reasons, I only saw you as a rude, narrow-minded vampire. I should have tried to be more comforting,"

"I'm so sorry too Aurora. For how prejudiced I was. I hope that you and Diana can forgive me for my ruthless nature,"

"There's nothing to forgive," Diana assured. "It's time to move forward together,"

"How did you…" Aurora drifted off.

"I took out the witch that was torturing Diana. She was very weak," he turned to Diana. "Somehow when she tried to open you up, you unintentionally made her weak,"

Diana was appalled. Aurora was more shocked by what the witch had done to her. "Who was it?"

"It was Satu. That witch aligned with Knox,"

"When I get my hands on her, I'm gonna freeze her in a block of ice," Aurora vowed.

"Diana!" It was Matthew. He appeared into view in a blur. The moment he laid his eyes on Diana, he pulled her into her arms and she kissed him on the mouth.

Thomas felt a little giddy watching them do. But he kept where he was.

Ysabeau approached them, smiling. "I'm glad you're safe," she said to Diana. She saw Thomas and walked toward him taking his hands. "Well done Thomas," she praised his grandson. "I'm so proud of you," she had overheard their conversation.

"We both are," Marthe said patting her shoulder.

Thomas smiled a little.

Matthew breathed in Diana's golden hair before realising her and cupping her cheeks. "I'll never let you go again," he vowed, pressing his forehead to hers.

"Your son saved me," Diana said as he kissed her temple.

As Matthew drew his lips, he tilted his eyes towards Thomas who remained where he was staring at him and Diana together. This was the first time in many decades that he had seen Matthew romantically involved with a woman. He was a little uncomfortable but he had come to terms with it.

Thomas was quite anxious. The last time they had spoken, they were at each other throats literally.

"Father….I don't care what you think of me for what I was before," Thomas started, believing Matthew might still be disappointed in him for his earlier treatment. "But if you think that's enough to…"

Matthew whizzed right in front of him and embraced him with a tight bear hug. Thomas was trapped between them, stunned by his reaction.

"I'm so proud of you. My son," he breathed with unconditional affection.

As he spoke those words, Thomas felt a river of tears being blocked behind his eyes. Diana and Aurora smiled happily. All was forgiven now.

Matthew let his eldest son go and he clasped his shoulders. He leaned forward pressing their foreheads as a gesture of love. "I'm so sorry for how I treated,"

"No. I'm sorry," Thomas pulled back and looked into his eyes again. "I was wrong about Diana. You're both deserving of each other," he smiled at Diana who smiled back. "I want to join your fight if it means you can be with someone you love,"

"Thank you," Matthew smiled and he pressed his forehead to his son who accepted it.

"We should call Em and Sarah and let them know you're safe," Aurora said to her sister.

"We should check her brand first," Thomas suggested. "That witch Satu did an awful thing to her. I'm sorry that I didn't save her sooner. Had I not been so full of hatred at the time,"

"You saved me, Thomas. That's what matters," Diana assured him. "I'll never forget what you've done for me," They took her to her and Matthew's room and they tended to her.

Thomas has brought Diana back home, he and Matthew have made amends and now he, Diana and Aurora are now allies in the fights to come. Thank you everyone for your support. Please will you send reviews and let me know what you all thought. I would love to hear your reviews. Please can you send some ideas over? It would be most appreciated. See you all in the next chapter.