Episode 7 Part 2

Both Diana and Aurora were crestfallen once the final image dissolved in front of their eyes. Diana suddenly turned and ran off into the forest. Aurora sighed. She knew how much being spellbound had been a shock to her. She turned to Matthew. "Go after Matthew. She needs you more than I do,"

Matthew touched her shoulder in comfort before leaving. Sarah and Emily tried to speak but Aurora walked away to sit down on a bench on the other side of the house in the garden. She sat there silently looking up into the cold air. She closed her eyes. As she did, two strange people appeared in her head. Peter Knox. And the witch who came to her in the art shop.

"Aurora...was what Rebecca and Stephen were hiding. Whoever, whatever she is. She needs to be tested," Peter spat in disgust.

"If she is a freak then you can't open her the same way you did to them," Satu leaned in closer. "You've got to kill her,"

"Ahh!" Aurora gasped as she woke up from her short slumber.

"Sis!" Diana's voice rung. "Sis, it's me!" She touched her shoulders. "You're alright,"

Aurora relaxed as Diana hugged her as stood over her. "You doing okay?"

Diana nodded. "I saw mum. In the forest,"

Aurora smiled. "She must have been smiling over you and Matthew,"

Matthew next to them chuckled. "Your heartbeat accelerated," he turned concerned. "Did you have another vision?"

Aurora blinked and rubbed her eyes. "Kind of. I couldn't see very clearly though,"

"Did you see our enemies?" Diana asked sitting next to her.

Aurora pursed her lips. "I saw...Peter...and that witch...the Canadian one,"

"Satu," Diana said grimly.

"They were talking. About me. I think...I think they want to kill me,"

Diana pulled her into her arms. "That's never gonna happen. I must learn to use my magic to defend myself,"

"Then we must be prepared," Matthew said. He knelt before Aurora. "The Knights of Lazarus will come to our aid. They come to protect us,"

Aurora wasn't very afraid now. The presence of her sister and the vampire who had been very fatherly to her made her feel safe. They went back inside the house. Whilst Diana and Aurora unpacked their things, they overheard Matthew arguing with Sarah. Diana walked inside to chant spells from one of Sarah's ancient magic books whilst Matthew joined Aurora and Emily in the sitting room. Emily was having tea. Aurora made herself some toast. She offered Matthew some wine but he wasn't interested.

To their surprise, he was observing antique items around their display tables.

"Dad was quite a collector of some amazing artefacts," Aurora said proudly. "He used to show me artwork too and that's what led to my dream profession,"

"This box looks like it's from the 17th century," Matthew held up an antique wooden box.

"Lovely isn't," Emily said. "It was a present from Diana's father,"

"He was a time walker," Matthew said.

"Wow," Emily was impressed.

"What did he often do with this ability?" Aurora asked curiously. "Did he visit the past often?"

"Much less after you and your sister were born. But he would often take Rebecca to a special place for a holiday,"

Matthew started asking curious questions. "How easy is it?"

Emily hesitated. "Jumping back and forth between the present by a few minutes is easy but going back...that's a challenge. You'd need three items from a particular time,"

"Must have been a little tricky to find items with accurate datelines," Aurora said.

Soon they heard arguing between Diana and Sarah in the kitchen. They saw Sarah stomping out with a bottle of wine.

"I'm sorry!" Diana cried out.

"No!" Sarah refused to turn to her as she marched up the stairs.

Diana was mad at herself.

"Sis..." Aurora touched her just as she was throwing a fit. Suddenly they disappear in a flash of gold. The aunts and Matthew were stunned.

Diana and Aurora stumbled off their feet.

"Woah my!" Aurora was very dizzy that Diana had to catch her.

"What the hell?" Diana thought.

"What did you just do?" Aurora asked after he helped her regain her balance.

"I don't know," Diana said.

"Where did you take us?" Aurora stared around and they found themselves in a giant barn house in the middle of the forest, the forest right near their house. "You took us outside?"

"How did I...?" Diana was interrupted by the sudden appearance of her mate.

"Are you both alright?" he asked.

"We're fine," Aurora held her head. "Not sure I'll be doing that again any time soon,"

"Diana...I think you might have just time walked," Matthew breathed in admiration. "You weren't there. And you weren't here, otherwise, I would have heard your heart beating

"How? I wanted to get outside for some air and then bam.." Diana said.

"Did you know that your father was a time walker?" he said.

"Of course," Aurora said. "Dad was a time walker. You've inherited his gift sis. I'm so proud of you," he gave her a hug which Diana returned.

"Best we get back to the house before Sarah and Emily get a bit worried," Matthew suggested. The girls agreed and followed him back. Just then he heard a ding on his phone. "Ah-ha," he fished out the device from his pocket and looked.

"What is it?" Aurora asked.

"Thomas, Marcus and Miriam are catching a flight here,"

"They're all gonna be here?" She didn't know but Aurora was super excited to see Marcus again.

"They are. They've finished looking at your DNA samples,"

"Well, what have they found out?" Diana asked.

"They said would be best if this was in person," Matthew said. He looked at Aurora. "Whatever it is that you learn, don't let it unsettle you. It only prolongs the pain,"

Miriam, Marcus and Thomas were at the airport awaiting their flight. They had finished all their analysing of Aurora's DNA samples and they were now heading off to meet the Bishops and Matthew at the witches' house.

Thomas noticed his brother looked rather worried. "You okay Marcus?"

"Not really if I can admit," Marcus said a little glumly.

"You know we have to tell her Marcus," Miriam looked disheartened but her rough voice expressed the value of truth-telling.

"But what about how she's gonna feel?"

"Brother...we both know how much you care for her," Thomas said. "But sometimes you have to reveal painful truths...even if your heart aches against it," As much as he respected his brother's feelings, he knew deep down that keeping a truth like that from the girl he cared about deeply would strain their relationship.

A familiar smell drifted up Thomas's nostrils. And a familiar voice spoke behind him. "What a surprise Thomas,"

Thomas turned around to see Phoebe in the queue next to them. "Oh my. Phoebe. What a surprise,"

She pulled up a goofy smile. "We need to stop meeting like this,"

Thomas chuckled at her goofiness.

Miriam cleared her throat reminding him of their presence.

"Oh Miriam, Marcus, this is Phoebe. Phoebe, this is my brother Marcus and our close friend Miriam," he introduced.

"Mmm.. you two don't look like brothers," Phoebe said.

"I'm adopted," Marcus shrugged his shoulders.

"So, what brings you here?" Thomas asked awkwardly.

"I'm heading to the Netherlands. Are you going there?"

"Oh no. We're heading to New York to see family and friends,"

"So...have your family problems been solved?" Phoebe asked.

"Yes, they have,"

"Well that's a relief," her warm smile seemed to make Thomas fluster. He tried to speak again but the queue he, Marcus and Miriam were in, started moving. "Well...guess this is where we part,"

"It was a pleasure bumping into you again," Phoebe nodded her head in affection.

"Well...it was nice seeing you too," Thomas gave a wave and Phoebe bit her lower lip and she chuckled. She watched him disappear.

Once Thomas went through security, he noticed that his brother and a close friend were giving him a goofy grin. "What?"

"You like her," Marcus teased.

Thomas frowned. "I do not,"

"Your heartbeat says otherwise," Miriam smirked.

"Come on guys. You know it wouldn't work. She's just been friendly. During my struggles, she was great to talk to and I probably won't see her as much as often. Case closed," he walked off before another rant could be spoken out. Miriam and Marcus just shared teasing grins as they followed after him to the gate for their plane.

During the waiting, Marcus fished out his phone and called Aurora.

Aurora was just finishing unpacking in her room when she heard her phone ring. She picked it up and to her joy and relief, it was Marcus. "Hello," she said.

"We're about to catch our flight. Did you guys get there safely?"

"We did. It's bit a little traumatising but we're handling it,"

The word 'traumatising' made Marcus sigh sadly and his eyelids dropped.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Yes. I'm fine,"

"You know you can always talk to me about anything?"

"I'd rather just wait till we get there. It's nearly time to board anyway,"

"Okay. How did it go with Thomas?"

"Very well. I'm really glad everything's fixed between us,"

"We're all family in the end and that's what counts. Well, I need to finish unpacking and get ready for dinner. Goodbye Marcus,'

"Goodbye Aurora,"

Aurora hung up.

The flight to New York was long and quiet. Miriam did typing. Thomas just read more of his books and Marcus stared out at the window, thinking about Aurora and the facts that he would have to tell her once arriving.

The sisters, the aunts and Matthew ate a delicious meal all together. Matthew and Diana then left the house to do some more training. Aurora had a prognostic feeling that their training would be turning into some more passionate, more intimate.

By the next morning, the sun had risen and the women and Matthew could hear the crunching of gravel and the engine of a car.

Thomas, Marcus and Miriam exited the car. Miriam had pulled her hair down from her bun and it was falling over hair in straight locks. Marcus ruffled his hair to look smart.

"You look good Marcus," Thomas said. "Now...shall we go inside?"

"Remember Thomas. Be good with them," he said.

"Don't you two forget too," he reminded carefully.

The two playfully frowned at him. Together they walked towards the door, carrying valuable information about Aurora in their briefcase. The cat Tabitha awaited them on the bars. It meowed. Miriam hissed back.

"Be nice Miriam," Thomas said. He turned to his brother. "You ready?"

Marcus pursed his lips and nodded, but he kept his eyes hidden.

"Come on," Miriam said. "Let's just get it over with," They approached the door. Before they even knocked, the door opened and Sarah and Em appeared.

"Hello. You must be Marcus and Miriam," Em said. She saw Thomas behind them. "And you must be Thomas," In an instant, she flung her hands around him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much for saving Diana!"

Miriam and Marcus blinked at her embrace. Thomas awkwardly patted her back. "It was nothing really," he assured.

"Nothing!" she pulled back. "Without you, she would have been killed but you saved her!"

"All right Em. That's enough lollygagging," Sarah said a little repulsively. "Let's just go inside,"

"I'm Em and this is Sarah," Em introduced. "Come in you three,"

The three vampires went inside. Matthew, Diana and Aurora awaited.

"It's good to see you three arrived safely," Matthew said proudly, giving both his sons a group hug before Miriam gave him a friendly shoulder clutch.

"Hi..." Aurora said awkwardly. The presence of Marcus had already made her blush and she was unsuccessfully trying to hide it.

"Your heart's pumping faster," Marcus said.

"It's just really wonderful to see all of you again," Aurora was too afraid to admit who she was particular overjoyed to see.

"It's good to see you too Aurora," Marcus said proudly. They were lost in each other's eyes for a moment which everyone was noticing but they didn't care too much.

Nothing their situation, Diana gently touched her sister's shoulders. "It's good to see you three again. Why don't we sit down in the living room? Remember Sarah. Be nice,"

"I will. If they are," Sarah pointed at them.

The vampires weren't too offended. They were expecting this.

"This isn't the dark ages Sarah Bishop," Thomas said. "We should be moving forward. Just like they have shown us," he gestured to Matthew and Diana.

The witches and Aurora sat on one large couch and a chair whilst the vampires sat on a couch opposite them.

"So...this is a little awkward," Aurora said.

"How can anyone think you're human?" Sarah questioned the vampires.

"Sarah," Diana criticised.

"We look human. And we do very well to keep our senses and blood cravings hidden," Thomas answered as politely as he could.

"You're not so conspicuous yourself," Miriam spoke up. "The smell of henbane is coming off you in waves,"

Sarah noticed Marcus staring at him. "You got a problem junior?"

"Oh no," Marcus shook his head. "It's just you look a lot like your namesake, like Sarah Bishop. She taught me how to

"See Sarah. That proves we can get along with each other," Aurora said proudly, smiling at Marcus.

"Excuse me, are we going get to business? This isn't a social call," Sarah said.

"She's right. We need to show what we brought," Thomas shared a look with his son.

Pursing his lips, Marcus lifted the briefcase, opened it and pulled out sheets of DNA analysis and Aurora's DNA samples safely kept.

"Whilst you were staying in Sept Tour Aurora, we looked over your blood samples," Miriam said to Aurora. "I'm afraid we've discovered some very shocking outcomes which we know will very...discomforting to you,"

Aurora stared at them. She felt Diana's hand over hers.

"You have the genes of every single creature. Human, witch, vampire, and daemon," Marcus said grimly. "It's not just that. None of your genes matches Diana's. Both of you are entirely different. Your witch genes carry no similarity. I hate to say this but...you're not related to her,"

"No. That can't be true," Aurora shook her head. "I can't be that different. We're sisters!"

"Aurora. I know this is difficult to accept..." Thomas tried to speak up.

"No! It's not true!" Aurora stopped up and marched out of the room.

"Aurora wait!" Marcus followed after her. He grabbed her hand just as they were in the dining room together. "I'm sorry that this is a shock to you but..."

"No," Aurora didn't turn to him nor did she pull her hand away. "It's not,"

Inside the sitting room, Diana stared at her aunts. "You two know about this don't you,"

Em and Sarah shared glances. They stood up and walked to the pair outside.

"Darling..." Em spoke up. "I think it's time for you to learn,"

Aurora flashed around to her. "Learn what?"

"You might have been kind of...a...a...adopted,"

"I knew it," Aurora hissed.

"Who told you?" Sarah asked.

"No one!"

"Why didn't you say anything honey?" Emily asked.

"Why didn't you two say anything?!" Aurora demanded. There was silence between them for a moment. "How did I get here? Where did I come from?"

Emily and Sarah shared nervous glances.

"Tell me," Aurora begged.

Sarah and Emily suddenly felt they had made a big mistake. "We can't. We made a promise not to tell you. Not until you're ready,"

"But I am ready now. Just tell me please!" Aurora was crying uncontrollably. Her tears were turning to ice as they fell.

Still, Sarah and Emily kept their mouths shut.

Aurora turned and stomped up the stairs.

A tearful Diana looked at her aunts. "Why won't you tell her?"

"Because she's..." Emily tried to speak.

"A what? A freak?" Diana spat repulsively.

"Diana please..."

"She has a right to know who she is," Matthew spoke up.

Just then, Aurora found herself outside in the dark. She knew it was a mirage just like before with her adopted family. But what did this mean? What was it about to show her?

Before she could make out where she was, she saw a hooded figure running along a long narrow road. This was the road that would lead up to the Bishop's house. Hearing panting, she recognised the figure to be a female. She sounded desperate, determined to reach her home. She watched as the figure made it to the house and began knocking constantly.

Oh my. So Aurora is different. Oh, dear. How very heartbreaking for her. I hope you all enjoyed this. Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought.