Episode Twenty-Two Part Three

Diana and Aurora made their way to the library with Gallowglass and a few guards accompanying them. Aurora felt nervous every second, afraid her biological father would try and sneak upon them again but the warmth of Diana's hand on her own made her feel less alone. They walked with their protector towards the library but the closer they came towards their destination; the more plagued Aurora's mind became with visions in her mind.

Peter Know was facing a man, a vampire, with short brown hair and bristles.

A page was in a picture frame.

"Aurora?" Diana noticed she wasn't focused. She shook her slightly, hoping they weren't attracting attention. Her eyes blinked and she was back in the real world again.

"I was doing that thing again,"

"Are you okay? Did you see something?"

"It's nothing," she said. "It's nothing. Just…just my mind acting strange," she continued on her way. Diana however remained worried for her. Since returning to her, she had been seeing so many images in her head but nothing she saw made sense at all. She exchanged worried glances with Gallowglass and they arrived at the entrance to the British Library.

The sisters gained access and instructed him to wait outside for them. They walked inside awaiting the book which had once contained the second missing page. Now they needed to contain their activities; Diana cast an illusion spell to make it look like they were studying with human eyes. She then cast another spell and the pages blurred and words moved around. But as they continued working, Aurora saw yet another vision. She saw the same vampire as before pulling a page from his book.

"Aurora?" Diana shook her again.

"I saw the person who pulled it free. Don't know if I've ever seen him before,"

"Show me the hands from which this book has passed," Diana enchanted; a letter 'H' appeared on her wrist. "Hubbard,"

"Who's Hubbard?" asked Aurora.

"The leader of the vampire coven here in London. He took care of Jack after Matthew and I left," she explained. "Sis, I know you think you're crazy but you're seeing things for a reason,"

"Sis, I think I saw this Hubbard chap pulling the page from this book. And outside I saw him in an office. And Know was there too,"

Diana's eyes widened. "We've got to get to him now,"

"But where do we find him?"

"He's here. Let's just hope we don't encounter Knox,"

"If we do, I'm gonna make him pay,"

Diana placed her hand over hers. "We both will,".

Once they left the library with Gallowglass, they made their way back along the streets of London where once again Aurora fell into a state of deep thinking. "Sis, all the things that I'm seeing in my dreams…do you think they're trying to tell me something? Like the ones that told us about this Hubbard chap?"

"They must. You're seeing them for a reason,"

"Well, I can't identify that reason because nothing I see makes sense. The only way these visions will make sense is if I try to concentrate hard like if I'm not sleeping. Maybe if I tried something like meditating, I might be able to make sense of it,"

"What if you see something that's awful?" dreaded Diana. "The last thing I ever want is for you to feel more hurt than you deserve. Try to take your mind off it,"

"Okay. But if I keep seeing things, I have to try meditating. It might actually be the only way to find out what happened to her,"

Diana patted her back, letting her know once again that she would always be there for her. With their phones, they made it to the building that said Hubbards. Gallowglass waited outside whilst they made their way up the stairs and through some large glass walls they saw Father Hubbard. He opened the door and welcomed them inside. "How surprising to see you again Diana,"

"Thank your Father Hubbard. I know it's short-noticed but we really need your help. This is my sister Aurora," Diana introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Hubbard shook her offered hand. "Cold hands,"

"Ice magic," she explained. "Sorry,"

"Don't be. Please sit down," Hubbard offered them seats. "What do I owe this pleasure?"

Aurora twiddled her thumbs nervously. "I saw a vision of you. And Peter Know. I take it you know who he is,"

"I do," said Hubbard grimly. "He came here demanding something. And I didn't give it to him. He sounded very threatening,"

"He always is to everyone who stands in his way. He killed our aunt and now that he's been expelled from the Congregation, he's become more desperate than ever,"

"That's what we're here about," Diana explained. "We believe you have something we need. We think you a page from the Book of Life,"

"And that's what Knox came here seeking the page, didn't he," assumed Aurora correctly, trusting her visions.

"Very clever young lady," said Hubbard. "But why should I hand it over to you both?"

"Because you know how powerful it is," said Diana. "You know that if you keep it with you, your flock will not be safe. And do you really think that Knox is going to walk away from you, knowing you have the page?"

"How can a page be dangerous?"

"It is not the page or the book that is the danger but who beholds it," Aurora clarified simply with a strong voice. "My sister and I are nothing like the bigoted, arrogant creatures who seek to gain it for power. We seek the page and the book only to ensure equality and peace, true peace amongst creatures,"

"Knox believes it will tip the power in the witches' favour. Gerbert believes it is the key to immortality and it will place vampires in the ascendent. Who do you trust? A member of the Congregation? Or a member of your own flock?"

"If you upheld Diana's wish to take care of Jack for years, then you must know you can trust her to safeguard that page," Aurora said with extreme faith.

Hubbard stepped up slowly. "I need to know that my flock will not be dragged into your conflicts and troubles. Can you give me your word?"

Diana sighed. "I can't. But I can promise you this. If we lose, any chance we creatures have to live in peace will be gone and there will be no need for Knox or Gerbert to keep up the pretence that all creatures are equal. As my sister has said, we seek equality. Not dominance,"

"They're already using the covenant as an excuse to harm anyone who stands in their way. If we don't stop them, more harm will come. And it won't be just to you and your flock," warned Aurora grimly.

Hubbard made up his mind. He led them into his office. Aurora saw a photo frame; the same one she had seen inside her head. He picked it off the wall, turned it around and pulled the hinge off. And there behind the cover was a special antique page, humming with magic, etched of two dragons, blue and red. He offered it. "I trust you Diana to have the courage what needs to be done,"

"Thank you," she said gratefully. "I won't betray that trust,"

"Be careful, both of you," he warned. "There will be many conflicts you have to face,". The sisters couldn't deny those words. But whatever they'd face, they'd all face it together.

In the gardens, Jack with his hood over his head was sketching. Wrolf had insisted they'd take a break from training and he'd do something therapeutic. His trainer came back outside with a drink and some cold meat when he froze at the sight of beautiful etches in black and grey. "That's really good,"

"Thanks," Jack didn't look at him when he answered. "These are all the people I killed. I can't stop thinking about them,"

"Does it help?" asked Wrolf.

"It does. You were right. A good distraction was what I needed,"

"They're wonderful," he complimented. "The style of the drawings of course,"

"Diana told me so much about Aurora. How much of a good artist she was. I wanted to try it out,"

"Maybe you could be an artist one day,"

"If I can just get control of what's making me so sick," he lamented.

"I know something else you need," Wrolf walked back into his house, and in a moment he came back outside carrying bagpipes. He sat down, inhaled deeply, and blew.

Matthew was busy thinking about Diana and his unborn children when he heard beautiful music playing. Joyful memories came humming into his head again and he walked into the gardens, spotting his adoptive son watching his grandson's bagpipes. In another room inside the house, Thomas blinked back tears. He hadn't heard this music in years as with a shut of his eyes, memories of Wrolf as a child came humming back to his mind. He saw himself, his late husband and his son sitting together under the sun. How he wanted to experience golden years of joy with Phoebe in the future. And any future children as well.

"Where did you learn to play that?" he asked.

"My father, Argus," Wrolf stroked the bagpipe's cedar chanting that bore an engraved message. To Argus, from Thomas. "My other father gave it to him as a wedding gift. He used to play with me all the time when I had trouble sleeping as a kid. And whenever I struggled like you during my training, he'd play it to me to remind me that I was never alone. So long as I had him and Tom. And…he taught it to me,"

"That was beautiful. I bet Dani loves hearing you play,"

"No. I haven't played the bagpipes in years not since…," he pursed his lips.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking,"

"It's okay. But I've always wanted to play it to her," Now he was the one who was so worried.

"I'm sure she's safe. She's looking after Aurora's friends. And we'll see them again soon," Jack stopped drawing. "What are you really thinking about?"

"All my life being raised by my fathers, I wanted to get to know everyone else in our family. I didn't want to believe that Fergus was such a bigot and that Matthew would kill me just for being a blood-raged vampire. I hated living in hiding all the time. But after what's happened I just…I can't bear to imagine what Argus would think of his own brother for what he's done. How he helped Benjamin do this to you,"

Jack felt deeply sorry for him. "We don't get to choose who our families are or who sires us,"

"But we can choose where our loyalties lie," spoke a solemn voice. Matthew joined them.

"That was wonderful playing, Wrolf. Your father used to play all the time at Sept Tour," He sat beside Jack. "Scottish Music was Phillipe's favourite. You would have loved to have heard him at Christmas. Perhaps one day you could entertain everyone at Sept Tour if you wanted to,"

"Not sure if I'd have the guts to," said Wrolf. "And I wouldn't want to hurt my dad. Not even sure he'd wanna hear it now that he's moved on,"

Matthew could clearly tell how uncomfortable Wrolf was about his father loving a human. "I might not know Phoebe much. But I do know that she makes your father happy. He will always love your other father but after everything he's done for you, your sister and Marcus's family…he deserves happiness. I'm sure if you got to know her you'd really like her,"

There was a moment of silence before Jack finally decided to tell him how all was going. "I feel like I'm getting better than before. I just need something to distract me. How's Diana?"

"She's doing well. They're doing so much research but they should be getting closer to finding the Book of Life,"

"So, you both really think this book of life is gonna repeal everything the Covenant represents?" Wrolf asked, still uncertain.

"We're both risking our lives for that belief," Matthew said. "And we have to stay true to it,"

Marcus found his way back to the club. Ransome didn't feel like seeing him but he was not going to give up on his first vampire son too easily. He was willing to talk to him but he was not certain about discussing the subject of the scion.

"How do you with this scion, we're not gonna be Matthew's sacrificial lambs?"

"That is not his intention. Neither is it mine or Thomas's,"

"I still don't get it. How can you and Thomas trust him? After everything he did to us?"

"I haven't forgiven him for what he's done. And Thomas for one wishes he was regretful for everything as well. But we're both risking our lives to form this scion for the girls we love, for all of you. There are elements that the Congregation want to use to grab power, to force us into submission. Baldwin ordered Matthew to kill a blood-raged vampire but he refused,"

"And so, like that's we're supposed to be cool?"

"He can't change what's happened,"

"But he can own it. He may have found his consciousness. But I can't help but feel it's a couple of centuries too late," he sneered unforgivably. "He killed Jacqueline. And he hasn't had the guts to admit how wrong he was,"

Diana, Aurora and Gallowglass and the elder sister held up the page bringing smiles to Sarah, Fernando and Phoebe's faces.

"Two pages down. Just one to go," praised Aurora.

"I'll get to work right away," said Phoebe already sitting at the desk again.

"No. you should take the rest of the day off," insisted Diana. "You'll work better with a fresh mind,"

"I'll make us some coffee. And you have got little ones to feed," sniggered Aurora making Diana chuckle back too. She walked into the kitchen and started making some snacks for everyone.

Marcus was not giving up at all. He didn't want to bring his brother up but he felt there was no other choice. "If you won't listen to me, listen to Thomas. You owe him. Repay him by joining this scion to help us,"

"I won't repay him by joining this war,"

"You've already joined it. After the threat Fergus posed, it won't be long until another threat comes. It'll only stop unless we all stop the Congregation together,". After giving his son a long lecture, Marcus pulled out his phone as he waited for a cab.

"Your bacon sandwiches are the best," Gallowglass praised Aurora.

"Thank you,"

"Man, have I missed these whilst living at Ysabeau's," said Sarah. Ringing echoed around the room and Aurora pulled out her phone, excusing herself to the kitchen again. "Hey honey,"

"How's it going?"

"I'm missing you a lot. But the good news is we have page number two,"

"Brilliant,"

"Phoebe deserves a lot of the credit,"

"How are you doing?"

"All good,"

"Please tell me,"

"My mind has just been a puzzle of images. But I'm getting well. Any luck with the scion?"

"Nope. But I'm hoping Thomas will be about to get through to Ransome. But it all depends on Matthew regretting everyone he killed. We both really hoped he might have changed but what if this was a mistake? What if we can't form a scion?"

"The scion has to be formed for the good of everyone. And if anyone can help Ransome see that, it's Thomas. He practically owes him,"

"Well, he doesn't like the fact that Jack is sticking around,"

"At least he's got Wrolf to help him,"

"My cabs here. I'll call you later. I love you,"

"I love you too, Marcus,"

"I'm always here for you,"

"I know,"

Marcus ended the call on the other side and hopped into his cab before he was escorted back to the house.

Phoebe walked inside carrying dirty cups and plates. "Everything alright with Marcus?"

"Yep. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the scion. But he's been able to have a needed lecture with Ransome,"

"Let's hope luck turns their way soon," Phoebe said. "You're concerned about something,"

"It's something I haven't been able to tell Diana,"

"You can tell me if that's easier,"

"I just…" she leaned on the table. "I can't help but think…what if my life would have been like if I wasn't adopted? If my parents had stayed together and I wasn't adopted by Stephen and Rebecca, would my life have been so different? Would I have become a bigoted person like him? Would I never have met you, or Thomas, or Marcus?"

"We don't get to choose our beginnings. And that doesn't matter. Who you are now is all that should matter. Do you think that…you'd ever want to get to know him?"

"In all honesty, I don't think I could find it in my heart too. I could never replace my true dad in my heart,"

Phoebe patted her back with a smile. "Then you've nothing to worry about,"

She smiled. "Thank you," she hugged her. "Talked to Thomas?"

"He's doing alright. It's just as difficult for him as it is for Marcus. He and I are gonna discuss how I'm gonna become a vampire once this is all done,"

Aurora was surprised, nevertheless overjoyed by the news. "That's wonderful,"

"I feel like Thomas isn't so sure about it,"

"It is a big change you want to make. But I know for certain he'd do anything to make you happy,"

Along the eastern coastline of Canada in a rental house, Dani kept on watch whilst Sophie and Nathanial fed Margeret inside. She came inside and sat with them, drinking some wine. "You guys okay?" Though their answers were nods, she could tell by their worried faces how deeply scared they were. "I know you guys are scared, but you both must be strong for your daughter,"

"We really wish we could repay you for everything you've done for us," Sophie wished.

"Your friendship is more than enough. I've never been so far away from home before. Or my family," she couldn't hide her fear as well. "And I know it's worrying my father and brother that we can't call them,"

"You really didn't have to come and protect us," said Nathanial, hoping he wasn't sounding ungrateful in any way. "You haven't known us that long,"

"I did. You're both my dad's friends. And if Margeret is his goddaughter that makes her family to me too. We all have to look out for one another,"

"I just wish there was a way to contact my mum," Nathaniel wiped his eye. "I'm so worried for her,".

Sophie cried a little, pursing her lips. "Aurora said she'd check in on her whenever she could," she remembered. "I just hope she's doing okay as well. After everything she's been through, it's not right she has to suffer,"

"No one deserves to suffer at all in any way," agreed Dani. "This will all be over soon and when it is, you'll both be back home before you know it,"

That's the next chapter done. After this episode is done, it's only four more to go and then that's the story done. Hope you all have enjoyed Season 3 so far. Please send reviews and let me know what you all think.