Episode Twenty-One Part Four

In the house, Dani served Phoebe the daemons tea but their peace and quiet was disturbed by the constant thumps of feet. "Stop pacing Aurora," she implored. They watched as she stopped in her pacing but didn't stare at them. "You're stressing yourself out like this,"

"How can I be calm?" she asked. "Someone out there is after me and he's threatening everyone here including you guys. What am I supposed to do? And now Matthew and the blood-raged killer are here and it's made the boys more tense," she slumped in her seat, burying her head in her hand.

"It's not Jack's fault," Dani said. "It's wrong to want him dead,"

"He tried to kill me," Phoebe pointed out. Dani sensed her heart racing, her breathing shallow. "And he killed my guard Joe,"

"Well, my brother doesn't blame him for what he did. The question is where did he get his blood rage?"

Aurora raised her head. "What if it was this Benjamin?"

"You must be right," said Sophie. "I mean if Matthew disavowed him and this Jack has blood rage, it must be him,"

"Then it's this Benjamin who is to blame for Jack's blood rage condition. Rather than train him to control it like Thomas did for you and everyone else. He used him to commit atrocities,"

"So, we bring Benjamin before the Congregation that's it. That's Thomas cleared of charges," Nate said.

"It won't end there," said Aurora seriously. "The Congregation will blame us for these murders. They will treat us like criminals and use their bigotry to justify their choices,"

Dani rose slowly off her feet. "What is it Dani?" asked Sophie.

"There are a group of people around the house," her guests became afraid. Sophie clutched Margeret tightly. Suddenly, the door burst open and Fergus swooped into the front room and in less than a second, Phoebe's neck was between his fingers.

"One move…and she gets it," His fingers forced some oxygen out of Phoebe's throat. Aurora stood down.

"Let. Her. Go," ordered Aurora. Dani stood in front of the daemons who cradled their daughter protectively; they were frightened. "If you kill her, Thomas will have your head,"

"I don't care what he thinks," Fergus said. "We're gonna take you to the one who sent us,"

"Who sent you?!" Nate demanded.

"None of your business!" Fergus made sure Aurora's gold eyes were laid on his. "You come with us now. Or I'll kill this whelp," he squeezed Phoebe's neck some more. "And make sure every other carrier of blood rage is put to death. And I'll take great pleasure in endangering your friends here as well,". This time Aurora was more afraid than others. She couldn't let anyone die. Not Phoebe. Not her friends. Not any of Marcus or Thomas's children.

"Okay," she gave in. "I'll go with you willingly. Just let her go,"

Fergus spun his finger. And another one of his sons appeared with cuffs. "Hands in front of you first,". She feebly raised her wrists much to the horror of her friends.

"Don't give in to him!" Phoebe begged. "Don't do anything he says!"

"Silence!" hissed her captor who squeezed her neck more; one more squeeze and her life would be snuffed out like a candle flame.

"Don't Aurora!" Sophie pleaded. "You can't!"

"I'm not letting anyone get hurt because of me," she raised her wrists. "The only thing that matters is that you all will be safe,". She was shackled and taken hold of. She looked again at Fergus. "Now let her go,"

"No," he shook his head. "I want to kill her and make Thomas suffer the way I did!'

"No!" Aurora tried to wriggle free but she was injected in the neck. Dani tried to fight back but she was suddenly captured as well. She tried to activate her blood rage to become stronger but she was suddenly tranquilised as well.

Nate tried to do something but Phoebe cried out to him to stand back, knowing he was no match for any of them. "Smart words lady," Fergus complimented, proud of how powerful he and his family were.

"Why are you doing this?" Phoebe begged.

Her captor twisted his face to meet his. "Because the days of the de Clairmonts must end. They have had enough power already. And now…time to get our killer. Keep an eye on those mental freaks. If they try to escape, kill them," he ordered. They took their captives away, leaving the daemons alone to dread with fear.

Jack had finished his drink. Wrolf was nearby, holding up a black-and-white picture of his fathers. "I'm sorry about Argus. I remember him,"

"I knew over the centuries he was forcing himself to hide something from me and Tom. And I realise now it was Matthew travelling from the past with his forbidden choice of mate. When he died, it broke my heart and Tom's,"

"So far I've seen only Marcus's children but not Tom's. Is it just you and Dani?"

"I have some children. But they're currently in other parts of Canada and America. Dani doesn't have any at all. After I lost my father, I couldn't bear to sire anyone else until I had recovered from that loss. But my heart has remained so torn for years,"

Jack felt so sorry to hear that story. "I am sorry…for fighting your father and framing him for everyone I killed,". In a way, he felt he was costing Wrolf another father.

"It's not your fault. That Fuchs chap did this to you. He used you. You can control it. It will take time though," he looked at a window. "The question how can I do that without all my cousins making things more difficult? Don't take it as an offence when I say this…but I don't trust Matthew to be here,"

Jack felt offended but he understood completely why Wrolf was against his grandfather being here. "Wrolf…"

Wrolf raised his hand. "Something is outside. Keep calm,". Jack could hear it too. He felt the blood rage inside him, igniting very slowly. His friend turned his head slowly. "When I tell you to run, you run,"

Suddenly the door exploded with wood and a vampire shot inside, pushing Wrolf into a drawer of wood, smashing it.

"Wrolf?" cried Jack. The vampire saw him and he became paralysed with fright. But his friend got back up and pushed him.

"Run!" he shouted. But suddenly Fergus came inside and wrapped his hands around his neck. Jack lost control but two vampires came inside and restrained him, overpowering him. "Let him go!" shouted Wrolf.

Fergus sniffed him deeply. "So this is the boy my brother and Tom raised in secret from the de Clairmonts? Tell me…do you wish Matthew had killed you?"

"Let Jack go!" Wrolf begged. He tried to bite his way free but his uncle was too powerful for him.

"I don't think," said Fergus. "I'm gonna do what Matthew should have done to you. And then I'll kill you, your sister and take that wretched freak to Domenico so your father can be killed,"

Wrolf unleashed his blood rage choosing to control it as a weapon. "No!". He broke free and fought the vampires. "Get out of here!" he begged Jack. With no choice, Jack made a run for it as fast as he could whilst his dear friend fought the MacDuffs giving him time but Fergus got back up and with many of his strongest sons, restrained him too.

Jack fled into the forests, desperate to get as far away as possible so he could kill anyone else. He was petrified with fear. He couldn't believe how close he was to letting his illness overtake him again. He inhaled deeply for many minutes until he was finally in control again. He fell off his feet, calming himself down. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to come to New Orleans but right now, he couldn't do anything. He had to do something. Perhaps in a way, this would redeem him for all the killings he committed in Oxford.

"You actually think that forming a scion is going to chain anything?" Thomas demanded.

"I am here risking my life for that," Matthew said.

"Well, the scion isn't gonna work," scoffed Marcus. "You think you can just ask Ransome and everyone else to join? I mean look at that entrance you pulled off here the moment you arrived. And you brought the blood-raged killer with you when you knew he framed Thomas and tried to kill Phoebe,"

"He has a name. His name is Jack,"

"You see this is why we don't trust you!" Thomas shouted. "Because of everything you've done. The killings of your own family. The lies you claim protect us when in reality they don't keep us safe. And especially how you allowed a blood-raged vampire, Benjamin…to wander free and not think about the consequences it had on all of us. You do things you know affect other people and then you blame us whenever something happens. I can't believe I put my faith in you in the first place," he stormed off.

"Tom…" Matthew tried to reach out but he wouldn't listen. He tried to speak again when he heard a very loud heartbeat. Just then Jack stumbled into the bar. "Jack!" he rushed forward, catching him in his arms. "Jack, calm down," Thomas saw Jack and fumed. Marcus stopped him from doing everything. Their father soothed the infected vampire with gentle hushes. "There. There. It's okay. What's wrong?"

"Fergus…" panted Jack. "Got Wrolf,". His words shocked Thomas. He saw his paralysed face. "He got your girls and Dani too,". Marcus and Thomas immediately shot off in seconds. "I couldn't do anything,"

"It's not your fault," ushered Matthew. "You did the right thing. You came to me. Stay here,"

"There's too many of them," breathed Jack.

"Just leave it to me. Don't leave this place whatever you do,". After another moment, Matthew disappeared in a blur, reluctantly leaving the poor Jack behind. Again.

Fergus and his family had arrived at some abandoned docks. A fancy yacht was awaiting them. The drugged captives were taken on board and placed in a brig. To be extra cautious, they were heavily shackled in chains and they made extra caution to trap Aurora's hands in cuffs that covered her hands too. They were not going to take any chances with her.

Phoebe meanwhile was manacled to a chair in the wheelhouse. As his family prepared for them to take off, Argus swerved around her, her wet but brave eyes staring at him every second. "Comfy?"

"Yes. But pardon me for not giving up," she retorted back sarcastically.

"You should have taken my warning and stayed away from Thomas,"

"As if I would ever do that. Why? Why are you doing all this to him? To his family? What have they ever done to you?"

"Because all Phillipe has ever cared about was the position of his family over everyone else. Always thought that he could control our ways of life. Force us to intermingle among humans. And worst of all we've had to tolerate warm-blooded witches and revolting daemons. Then to make matters worse, his repulsive grandson drags my brother into their affairs,"

"No. Your brother and Thomas fell in love. And Tommy had nothing to do with his death,"

Fergus's fingers clawed around her throat; all she could see was his cold eyes. "He has everything…to do with his death! The de Clairmonts caused his death! And if that means I have to team up with Benjamin Fuchs to bring them down, so be it,"

"Listen to yourself," Phoebe challenged. "You think you want justice for your brother but you've become just like the people you hate so much,"

"I suggest you save your breath. Because it will be your last,". Fergus slowly retracted his fingers from her throat and walked out of the wheelhouse, locking the door behind him. Phoebe wiggled a clip in her mouth.

In the brig, Aurora, Wrolf and Dani groaned as they woke up, the effects of the drug beginning to wear off. The ice girl became consumed by fear as she felt chains tied all around her body including her handcuffs that covered her hands.

Dani witnessed the cruelty of her captivity. Then she saw her brother. "Wrolf?"

"Jack managed to get away," he said. "Hopefully he's got help. I only hope our father doesn't kill him,"

"He wouldn't," Aurora said.

"You saw the look in his eyes. He hates him. He nearly killed his human girl and framed him for the murders,"

"If you gonna mention Phoebe, at least address her by her name," his sister retorted.

At the mention of Phoebe, Aurora frantically looked around but didn't see her. "Where is she? Smell anything?"

"What are we? Dogs?" complained Wrolf.

Dani sniffled as highly as she could. "She's above us. Alone,"

"We have to get out of here," Aurora tried to break free. She even tried using her ice powers but they were contained in her cuffs. "Can't you guys break out?"

"I can't," Wrolf panted, sounding out of breath. "Whatever's inside this drug, it's making me so tired,"

"Me too," strained Dani.

Aurora realised it was up to her. She scrunched her eyes and tried again and again. "It's no use," Dani said. "You're gonna strain yourself,".

"I'm not giving up,"

"Prepare to cast off!" ordered Fergus.

"Halt!" boomed a voice from the docks. "You witless worm!"

Thomas stood strong on the port. He saw his brother-in-law's back-turned posture slowly rotate around until he was in his sight. "Give me back my family!"

Fergus leapt from the ship and landed right in front of him with a loud thud on the wood. Phoebe in the wheelhouse could hear it too. Two vampires moved inside locking the door behind them. They were not going to let Thomas easily take her.

"You threaten my brother and his true love," Thomas seethed. "And now you dare to take my children and Phoebe from me,"

"I want to make you suffer the same way you made me suffer,"

"Argus would be ashamed of you. You've become just like the people you hate so much. I am going to give you one more chance. Let my family go,". He received no answer. "Then you leave me no choice,"

A dozen MacDuffs stood ready. "You're all alone now Tommy,"

"Who said he's alone?" said a voice. Behind Fergus was Marcus twenty paces away, red-faced at him for kidnapping Aurora. "Let her go,"

"Forget it pretty boy. She belongs to the one who sent us,"

Marcus roared and leapt into action. And so did Thomas. But more vampires kept attacking.

Phoebe tried to wriggle free but it was no use. Her guards didn't even bother stopping her because they knew she couldn't break out. They mocked at her failed attempts. She growled and their insulting cackles made her hope fade away. Just then…the air around turned icy. Her breath became visible. She sat at her feet and the floor was turning to ice.

"What is this?" one of the guards asked.

Phoebe knew exactly who it was.

Wrolf and Dani felt the cold air touch their skins but they didn't freeze. Ice crawled across the floor and chains like snakes. It was a virus spreading everywhere. Aurora's eyes were scrunching, her breathing was shallow.

"Enough Aurora," Dani pleaded. "You cannot do it anymore. You'll kill yourself,"

Matthew was rushing as fast as he could to aim his sons when he detected something. He ran to the edge of a port and in the distance, he could see the ship turning icy. "Aurora," he realised.

Marcus struggled to fight a vampire that sensed the eyes. Everyone became distracted by the ice spreading to the sea.

"Drug that freak again!" Fergus ordered. A vampire sprinted on board, holding a vial.

Marcus's heart elevated. "No!" Like a ruthless panther, he pounced on him and leapt onto the boat determined to save her. But a vampire up above on the wheelhouse had already dashed down. He tried to follow but other vampires on board wouldn't let him.

Thomas managed to fight off the other vampire but Fergus started to gain the upper hand on him. He was tempted to unleash his dark side. "What's the matter? Scared you'll kill me?" he jeered.

Suddenly Matthew appeared out of nowhere and knocked Fergus down before he could hurt Thomas but Fergus got back up.

"Come on," Aurora tried wiggling out of her chains. Wrolf and Dani tried too. Crack. The chains were coming undone. SNAP! The two children broke the chains apart and they were free. Aurora was temporarily too weak to use too much of her power to break them free.

"Get her up. Dani help," Wrolf hoisted one arm around his neck and Dani the other. But when they stood up, vampires blocked their path holding drugs.

When suddenly…there was a savage yowl and Jack took them down from the shadows.

"Jack?" Wrolf couldn't believe he was here to help them. Jack hurt many vampires but some managed to defend themselves. Dani kept hold of Aurora whilst Wrolf helped him up. "Get Aurora out of here!"

Dani blurred taking Aurora with her whilst the two old friends took them down but Jack was becoming so savage, that he shot off afraid he would lose control again and hurt Wrolf.

Matthew helped Thomas before leaping onto the boat to help Marcus. But more vampire allies appeared, outnumbering them but the Knights charged into action, the boys having summoned them to their cause. Marcus kicked one into the water and when he turned, his heart lifted when he saw his niece helping Aurora out. She regained strength again and opened her eyes to see Marcus flying towards her. She fell into his arms, embracing him tightly. Dani helped her father and grandfather but Fergus was not done yet. "This is not over!".

Wrolf emerged outside but couldn't find Jack. "Jack! JACK!" Matthew was sacred for Jack. He sensed him and now Wrolf's cries for him held him worried.

The de Clairmonts and the Knights took down every soldier. Thoams smelt Phoebe in danger and tried to rush to her but when everyone joined him they saw Fergus hold Phoebe, her neck engaged behind his sharp fingers. "One more step and she dies,"

"Don't hurt her," begged Thomas. "Just let her go," he was begging for her. "Let her go,"

"Look at him," Fergus hissed into her ear. "So afraid. So fragile,"

"Harm her and you will answer to the de Clairmonts," warned Matthew. "I always knew you hated us Fergus…but I never thought you would go so far as to join up with Benjamin,"

"It's your fault, Matthew. You created him. And now you're answering for it," Suddenly Jack appeared in a blur and bit into Fergus's neck, causing him to cry out in pain. But his fingers wouldn't release Phoebe. Quickly Aurora cast a blue ice ball in her hand and…

Crack! Fergus was stunned and Phoebe fled into Thomas's arms.

"Nobody hurts my friends," Aurora declared. Then holding out her palm again, she started to freeze the blood of the crazy vampire. Jack let go but remained most lost of control. Quickly Wrolf rushed to him and held him tenderly.

"It's alright. Just calm down," he ushered. "Calm down. It's over. It's over,"

Jack, breathed in and out, managing to calm down. He had wanted to hurt that vampire. But now that he had done it, he felt so frightened of himself. He regained most of his control and collapsed to his knees. Thomas and Phoebe stared at him. Even though he had nearly killed them before, he had helped them.

Fergus growled in pain. Aurora's scrunching hand caused him to nearly freeze up in ice. Marcus' stare at her filled him with horror. She was not this person. "Stop it. There's no need,"

"Why shouldn't I?!" she shouted, not taking her sight of the cruel vampire. "He threatened us! Threatened Phoebe! Threatened our friends!"

"But he's done for now," Phoebe ushered desperately. "We're safe now. You can let him go. Let the knights deal with him,"

"She's right. Aurora…this isn't you. So stop it," But she wouldn't. "Stop it!" ordered Thomas.

Aurora realised what she was doing and immediately stopped. Fergus still frozen fell with a clatter on the deck. She panted heavily looking at her palms in horror. Marcus's hands held her shoulders but she wouldn't respond.

The MacDuffs were chained again by the Knights that evening. The other vampires guardiing the daemons were apprehended and they were safe once again. Thomas embraced his children tearfully and they hugged back. He was overwhelmed with joy. If he had lost any of them, he couldn't live another moment of happiness. "Did they hurt you?" he asked frantically.

"No. They just drugged us," Dani kissed his cheek. He embraced them again, having been scared to death that he had nearly lost another loved one. As he held them, he turned slowly to Jack who was still with their father. "Thank you,". He couldn't believe that he was saying that but he owed the blood-raged killer for saving his children and his beloved. He would no longer blame him for nearly killing Phoebe and framing him for the murders. All Jack did was simply nod, not sure what words he would say to them.

Marcus and Aurora sat at the front. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"No. I'm not. I can't believe I did that,"

"It doesn't matter now,"

"Yes, it does. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to make him pay for threatening our family, threatening Thomas, threatening Phoebe, threatening you, everyone but now that I nearly did I feel…different. Like…" her voice broke. "Like I'm not the same person I once was,"

"We've all changed Aurora. We're not the same people we were before. But that doesn't mean you're not the same girl I fell in love with," she remained frozen with emotions. He placed his hand over hers. "You of all people should know you are nothing like Fergus or Benjamin or any of our enemies. You're just you,"

Wiping away a tear, she embraced him tearfully and he held her closely. Matthew and Jack observed them, the former conflicted about what he needed to say.

"You have to tell her," encouraged Jack.

"Now?"

"It's better you do it now before something else happens,"

"You disobeyed my orders and left when you weren't supposed to,"

"I know I did but I couldn't just…"

"I'm proud of you,"

Jack twisted his head in shock. "You are?"

"You saved Thomas's children and his love? He would have suffered more loss in his life if it wasn't for you," Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing from him. "Go and spend time with Wrolf and Dani. It'll do you good,". He gave Jack a side hug and he walked off. He saw his youngest sired son and his beloved and walked over to them. They turned to him. "I'd like to talk to Aurora if you'll allow me,"

"I'll be okay Marcus," she assured. Marcus nodded and kissed her cheek and then walked off, not glimpsing at Matthew who shut his eyes knowing he still hadn't forgiven him for the lies and the killing. And neither had Aurora. "I know you might not want to talk to me," he sat with her. "But Diana wanted me to tell you something very important, what we both wanted to tell you the moment we arrived back from the past,". Aurora wasn't sure whether to trust him or not. But if this was from Diana too, it meant she had to try and listen.

Wrolf and Dani, after having a quick check-up from their uncle, chattered happily to Jack.

"We owe you our lives buddy," said the former. "You were very brave,"

"It was nothing really,"

"It wasn't nothing. You saved us, Aurora, and our father's beloved from Fergus. And for that, we'll do whatever we can to help you to control your blood rage,"

His eyes enlarged. "Really?"

They nodded. "If our father can, we can," Wrolf promised. "But I won't lie Jack. It will take time and trial. But we're gonna get through this together,"

"Thank you guys. It really means a lot,"

"And don't you worry about Ransome and the others either. If they give you any trouble, we'll take care of them," Dani promised. "You're one of us now Jack,"

"Really?"

"Of course," promised his childhood friend. "And family means we take care of each other,"

Aurora was struck with shock. "You and Diana met my mother?" She couldn't believe it. It was at that moment that she realised she had wanted to go into the past with them before. That had been her only chance to see her mother, to speak to her about the many questions that had plagued her mind for months.

"She had time travelled with Stephen to find the Book of Life with him. What I tell you is truthful and not lies. You have my word. I know I've lied for decades. Especially to my sons. But I've come to realise that my lies have done more than good. From now on, no more secrets will be kept, not from either of you,". Aurora found it difficult to trust his words. Still, she was willing to listen if it was about her mother. "Your mother wouldn't tell us who she was because she was it would have been too dangerous for you,". His answer made her sigh. She didn't believe him. "I promise you I am telling the truth. She said it would be too dangerous for us as well. Whatever creature she is, it means that she left you in Rebecca and Stephen's care for a reason. There is something she did mention,"

She raised her head. "What?". She needed an answer. And if it was only a simple fact then she would take it. She needed it so desperately. "Tell me,"

"Whatever it is that I say, it was too painful of her to speak of. I wish Diana was with me telling you this, but I won't break my sons' trust further by keeping this from you,"

"What do you mean?"

Matthew braced himself, picturing Anna's painful face in his mind as he remembered asking her who was the one who conceived the child she had carried in her womb for months. "The man who sent Fergus after you…was your father,"

And that's the next chapter of this made-up episode. I hope you all enjoyed it. now that I've done Avatar 2's story and the first Dragon Prince book, I will be able to finish it this term before Christmas. Please review and let me know what you all think. See you all soon.