Episode Twenty-Five Part One

The next morning, Matthew was standing in front of a clear window, staring at the watch he had found in the black jacket, Lena had brought with her. Phillipe was inscribed on it. It was his father's watch. He turned to Diana and their twins on the bed. He couldn't let anything happen to them. He had sired Benjamin and now he had to destroy him. He made his way quietly through the chateau, hearing the heartbeats of all his loved ones and friends. Through one open door, he saw Thomas and Phoebe sleeping peacefully. He smiled. Then he slipped into his pocket and pulled out a golden wing. 'My love'. Argus's wedding ring. He clutched it carefully. He glimpsed Marcus and Aurora sleeping peacefully together. He smiled seeing the glittering ring his blood-sworn daughter had failed to hide from him. His sons had come so far and he couldn't bear it if Benjamin harmed either of them as well.

He was about to leave through the front door when he saw Diana rushing to him. They embraced. They kissed. And then sorrowfully parted.

In her room, Aurora's head tilted from side to side.

"You cannot do this!" cried the voice of Argus. He was bleeding heavily as Benjamin pressed him against a wall. "If you kill me, my husband and my family will not rest until you are dead,"

"Neither he nor your husband will ever know…" approached another sinister voice. The grey-haired Venetian vampire appeared beside Benjamin. Argus could tell at once they were partners. They had been conspiring together. A poor witch was dragged before him. "With her, we will cover your murder so that we cover our plan. Be lucky they are not here to see you die,"

Painful screams cried through the air.

Aurora's eyes flashed open. Her heartbeat accelerated. She sat up again, clutching her head. Her fiancée sat with her. "You okay?" he gently turned her face.

"I saw him,"

"Who?"

"Argus," she breathed. And she couldn't say anymore.

Fergus and his accomplices were in a cell. Weeks they had spent in that cell. Weeks their hatred for Benjamin had grown. They heard clanking. They turned to see their cell door opening. Gerbert had entered inside. Accompanied by two other vampires. Fergus stood up. "If you're expecting us to work with Benjamin you might as well forget it,"

"Oh, I'm not asking you to. But someone else is. He says he'll grant you freedom if you undertake this task,"

Everyone gathered in the lobby and to their surprise, only Diana appeared.

"Where is Matthew?" asked Fernando.

"He's gone," she said. "To find Benjamin. And put a stop to him,". Her answer shocked everyone.

"Wait. He's gone alone?" questioned Jack, flabbergasted.

"Is he insane?" Jason was appalled. "He has no idea how powerful he might be,"

"He shouldn't do this alone," said Aurora.

"He blames himself for everything Benjamin has done," Thomas touched his barely visible neck burn. "But he shouldn't. After everything he's done, he doesn't want us to get involved,"

"We're not gonna stand around waiting here. We have the pages and now it's time to get the book," Diana announced.

"Can't we just send knights to help Matthew?" wondered Phoebe.

"We don't know exactly where he's gone," said Diana. "But I believe in him more than anything. We all have a role to play. He and I talked about it and the book can't wait. Knox knows that I'm his last chance to get it. So, we need to be prepared. Thomas, I'm gonna need you and your family to stay here and watch over the twins and keep the Wilsons safe,"

"You have my word," he promised. "And anyone who stays here can help surveillance any knights around Sept Tour and make sure we're in contact with Father,"

"We'll take good care of them while you're gone," Phoebe promised.

Diana turned to her sister. "We're going to Oxford together to get the book. You're coming with us Marcus," he nodded. "And Sarah and Fernando too,"

"I'll make the arrangements," said Hamish.

"And let's bring knights with us," Marcus added.

"And we'll continue our work," Miriam said on behalf of herself, her son and Chris.

"Let's do this," she declared. She and her sister went to pack their things and they made sure to keep the pages safe in a protective case. As they did, Thomas pulled out his phone and pressed his ear.

"Yes?" a knight responded.

"I have a job for you,"

As the car was being loaded, Diana noticed something was off about Aurora. "You alright?" Aurora twisted her head and saw Thomas and Phoebe coming out to say 'goodbye' along with the Wilsons.

"Not here," she whispered as quietly as she could. Diana could tell very clearly from her eyes this was something to do with Thomas and it had to be private for now.

"Good luck guys," Sophie bid. "Do be careful," she implored giving Aurora another hug.

"Whatever happens, take care of each other. The twins will be safe here," Thomas promised hugging Diana before Phoebe hugged her too.

"We'll be alright," Aurora promised, pecking them on the cheek each.

The sisters, their aunt, Marcus, and Fernando entered the car and they drove off into the distance.

Gerbert summoned Baldwin and Domenico. He had just finished a meeting with the two daemons in the Congregation.

"I didn't think you considered daemons worthwhile of your company," said Baldwin.

"In normal circumstances no. But if we are to reform the Congregation, we need their support. They have agreed that Agatha should go. She is clearly an ally to Diana balance of power will rest with the vampires as it should,"

Baldwin tried to argue. "My father…"

Phillipe created the Congregation to serve the Congregation. But because of your brother's disregard for our laws has put us all at risk. We must seize the moment and act now. And I hope that his only remaining full-blooded son would back me in that,"

Baldwin felt threatened. "You have my support," he walked off leaving Domenico with Gerbert. "I take it you approve as well?"

"This is not what the Congregation is meant to be,"

"Well forgive me if I'm not only holding regard for the danger that the violation of the Covenant has done. Which brings me to another thing. The journey you were going on…you were looking for something. Tell me,"

Domenico could feel his dark eyes piercing him. He couldn't lie. "I was looking for Anna,"

"The woman you harboured. And why…" Gerbert rose from his seat. "…might that be?"

"I thought I had found a trace of what had happened to her,"

"Did you find it?"

"Not exactly," that was half-true.

Gerbert didn't look very convinced. "I'd like to know what kind of trace you saw,"

"Just a necklace. Nothing more. Who cares. It's been years," Domenico quickly turned and left.

Aurora had remained quiet for much of the journey. When evening came and they caught their boat, she was leaning over the railing, voices echoing in her head. Diana walked to join her. "You okay?"

"I'm fine,"

"What is it? What is it you want to talk about but couldn't do it at Sept Tour?"

"I dreamed about Argus," her words made Diana's mind churn. "I don't think he was killed by witches,"

Diana leaned forward. "What do you mean?"

"I saw two men talking. One of them I think was Benjamin. The other had dragged a witch,"

"Do you know who the other person was?"

"I don't know. But I have a feeling it was a Congregation member...someone who's sought to bring the de Clairmonts down for centuries,"

Sensing footsteps, they twisted their heads and saw that Fernando and Marcus walked out, joining them, questionable horror painted on their faces.

Thomas had sat in the lobby again thinking about things. "Phoebe, we need to talk about what happens next," she came to sit in front of him. "If my father can't stop Benjamin, and Diana can't get the book….things could go very wrong, very quickly and we need to be ready to leave,"

"I understand,"

"Marcus and I will take the twins to New Orleans. And there are places where the Congregation won't think to look,"

"Why are you saying this?"

"Because this might not be weeks. This could for decades, centuries…I don't know," Thomas hung his hand, afraid to say his next words. He didn't need to.

"And where does this leave me being sired?" Thomas's face was blank and it made her eyes tear up. "We decided,"

"If you don't make the change, then you still have the choice. You can go back to your old life,"

"You are my life, Thomas!" Phoebe clasped his hand.

"You say that but…"

"I do," her grip tightened.

Thomas sniffled. "Do you think I could live with myself if I lost you too?" Thomas was beginning to cry. "Is this really what you want?"

"Yes," Phoebe nodded, leaking her eyes out. "More than anything. I want to have a life with you Tom. And I am willing to fight and struggle if it means I'll be with you forever," he clasped his cheek. "If you push me away, I will follow you no matter what. I love you. More than anything. And I will never leave you," Their lips locked and they shared a passionate kiss.

Dani and Jack were with the twins, gently rocking them. "You make a very good nurse," he complimented proudly.

She chuckled. "I had a lot of practice with Margeret. She'd wake up so much that I'd put her back to sleep so her parents could get some shut-eye. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure,"

"Have you ever…um….wondered what life would have been like? If you hadn't become a vampire and have to live with this disease?"

Jack pursed his lips. "I think about it all the time. I never wanted to become a vampire. But if it was the only way to see Matthew and Diana again I'd take it. I didn't exactly have much of a choice. Hubbard promised her he'd protect me and when I was dying of the plague, he couldn't bear for me to suffer anymore,"

"That was with me too. I was dying from brutal wounds in a terrorist attack. He couldn't bear for me to suffer any longer when he found me,"

"Did it feel strange? Turning from a daemon into a vampire?"

"It did. I didn't know how to adapt to the changes at first. I needed both my father and brother to help me,"

"You are so lucky to have Wrolf for a brother,"

"And you are so lucky to have Matthew and Diana as your parents," they exchanged sweet smiles.

Wrolf was playing the bagpipes in the garden in front of the stone marker of his parents. His music could be heard all over the chateau. And it kept everyone calm. He finished playing and stared once again at his father's name.

"That's beautiful,"

Wrolf turned his head to see that Jason had observed him from an archway opening. "Are you gonna keep watching me play?"

"What else can I do? I'm taking a break and your music is easing everyone while we wait for Matthew," he offered a cup of wine. "Drink?"

"Thanks," Wrolf offered a toast and they clinked glasses.

It was a cold, grey day in Oxford. Shaken they were by the true circumstances of Argus's death from Aurora's dream, their determination to complete and retrieve the Book of Life remained dominant.

"How do you suggest we tell Tom?" asked Marcus.

"I don't see what difference it would make," Sarah replied.

"He deserves to know," said Diana. "There's been enough secrecy between all of us. We tell him when we return,"

"How we tell him is the big question," Aurora acknowledged. Her sister pursed her lips and nodded. "All this time, my visions were telling me something. But for now, let's focus on what we came here to do," They began making their way towards the Bodleian Library. When under the famous bridge that connected two colleges they saw Gallowglass awaiting them.

Diana was overjoyed. She came to embrace him. "You've been missed,"

"It's so wonderful to see you again Gallowglass," Aurora hugged him too.

"What brings you here?" Fernando asked.

"Thomas called. Said I was still needed. If you'll accept,"

"It would mean so much," Diana accepted gladly.

"Let's finish what we started," they continued to make their way. The sisters glimpsed at every street, every building, every shop they would often pass by together.

"It doesn't feel like a year since we were last here," Aurora wondered. "After everything we've been through and now we're getting the book this time for real,"

"Let's just be glad that discovering that book is what started it all," her sister smiled.

They arrived at the square near the library. "We'll stay here and keep guard," Marcus said. "Be careful," he held his secret fiancé's and she clasped it back nodding.

"We will," Aurora promised. She, Diana, and Sarah (with an entry card) entered the grand library where Ashmole 782 awaited them. Diana went to the new book person and gave her a request. They waited a long while and heard ding.

"I'm sorry but the book isn't missing," the woman said.

"Not it can't be,"

"I'll check the system,"

The witches waited anxiously. They had to get the book. Before anyone else did. But then something magical was felt close by. Diana could hear the screams of witches, vampires, and daemons.

"I can feel it too," Aurora whispered.

Diana knew it was here. "Check the lift,"

"I just did," the operator said.

"Please?"

"Alright," the hefty woman checked again and to her alarm, the book was there. As if it had appeared like magic. She handed the book to Diana and the witch and her family sat down in a corner.

"Masking spell," Sarah whispered. Diana waved her hands and created a spell to mask them.

Aurora pulled out the pages. "Are you ready for this?"

Diana nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this,"

She opened the book, revealing their father's message in pencil which made their eyes glisten. She then found the daemon page: the tree. As she aligned it carefully with the shredded line of paper down the spine, magic sealed the page with a zap of red. A surge of energy was felt, shaking the library slightly. Lights flickered on and off making people's heads turn.

Outside, Gallowglass, Marcus and Fernando felt their blood reacting to the book. And inside they could hear the thumping hearts of every creature.

Diana flipped over the page. She pulled out the vampire page. It sealed itself again. There was no quake. Only one page left.

"You've already come so far," Sarah said.

"You can do this sis," encouraged Aurora. "I believe in you. This is your destiny," Inhaling her courage again, Diana attached the final page and the book was complete. Aurora felt her head compressing in on itself and nearly fell into a state of seizures but Sarah kept her balance.

Marcus heard her from outside. He tried to move but Fernando stopped him. "You'll draw attention" he whispered. "She's with Diana," Marcus could do nothing but eye the entrance apprehensively.

Magic roamed the hallways. All creatures felt it. Still keeping the masking spell in place, Diana checked on Aurora. "I'm okay," she promised. "I'm okay,". Suddenly the pages started flying around. Diana slammed her hands over them. As she did, words and pictures started flowing into her skin,"

"Diana," Aurora came close to her but as she did, her hands turned to ice. And her hair started radiating with rainbow energy and light. She eyed her sister intently. "Sis?"

"It's the story of us. All lies. The lineage of an ancient tribe known as the bright born. Their power was boundless as the night. Their love began with absence and desire. Two hearts. Becoming one. When fear overcame them,"

"It's all in you, isn't it," Sarah breathed.

Aurora tried to touch her face but she heard voices echoing from inside her. "Are you…okay?"

"I'm alright," Diana still looked dozy. She twisted her head and stared blankly at her sister. "I can feel your power,"

"I feel too. Our magic is stronger than it ever was before. We need to get out of here. Now. I know just how to get the book out,"

The vampires saw the witches abruptly leaving the library, Aurora carrying a blue book. "Aurora!" Marcus rushed to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright,"

"Where's the book?" Fernando asked.

"It's here," Aurora showed the book. "We need to go now,"

"Diana…" Gallowglass raised her wrist. He saw words. "It's all in you,"

"We've got to go," Sarah urged. Quickly they made their way back to the car and once they were out of sight, Aurora waved her hands and the blue book became Ashmole 782 again. She had created an illusion.

"How did you do that?' Gallowglass asked.

"My magic's capability increased. It feels more powerful than before," she explained. "I can bend light now. Like my mother," She opened the book. "There's nothing in here No words," she stared at her sister. "It's all in you. We've got to get you out of here now," she gently pushed her sister into the car and instantly they drove off. Not realising they had been watched by a witch.

Called once again to Gerbert, Domenico could not refuse. His host offered wine. "Have some wine,"

"Not sure what there is to celebrate. What you set in motion..."

The arrogant Gerbert only cheered. "Glorious isn't it,"

Domenico glared at him. "if you enjoy the prospect of war,"

"What I enjoy is bringing the de Clairmonts down and their superiority," he offered wine. "Phillipe's been dead for decades. And yet his diseased riddle family use him like a shield. Baldwin has capitulated. The family's authority is compromised. So forgive my jubilant mood but it has taken centuries to put together the pieces on the game board,"

"Centuries?"

Ever since I met Benjamin Fuchs. Phillipe thought Matthew killed him when he actually….weaponised him Imagine the sheer poetry of Benjamin being the last thing he saw before Phillipe saw before he lost his mind. Never it let be said that I capitalise on opportunities as they present themselves You played your part well Domenico. I couldn't have done it without you. Now back again to what we were discussing…" he sat up straight. "When I learnt about Aurora Bishop…a strange creature…" he stood up before darkly circling the room. "…who possessed powers unlike any other, it made me wonder…what if…that creature was…your progeny,"

Domenico froze again.

He chuckled. "Oh, Domenico…you really thought she'd want anything to do with you? She must know by now how you sold her mother out. And I bet you're still wondering what happened to her,"

His guest slammed the wine on the table, anger filling his heart. "Tell me what you did,"

"Let's just say…" Gerbert placed his glass down. "Benjamin provided use for her to make a creature of his own. One he could use against the de Clairmonts as a weapon. Now all that's left to do is for his progeny to kill Aurora…and anyone who dares to make a stand against me. Just be glad you remained useful. And now I have no use for you anymore,"

Domenico charged at him but Gerbert whooshed out of the way. He tried to attack again but he was too quick for him. The older vampire fought back striking him. There was nothing Aurora's birth father wanted to do but tear him apart. But to do so would mean branding himself a criminal unable to expose his treachery to the Congregation. He threw Gerbert into a wall and fled getting as far away as he could. Gerbert growled and tried to catch him. He pursued him through the streets of Venice but lost him.

He fished out his phone. "You strike Sept Tour. Now. If you fail, I will have your entire family killed,"

In the forests of Poland, Matthew approached an abandoned hospital. He heard growls, roars, and rattles…he heard two heartbeats. One was very strong. The other…extremely weak. Along with panting and weeping. Jonathon was somewhere here too. And he was going to set him free from years of imprisonment. But one question remained. Would Jonathon spare him? Or try to kill him? He made his way carefully through the hallway of cold stone with dimming lights and ruined rooms. It had been a place of torture, cruelty, and imprisonment. And this was where Phillipe had been held captive. He looked in each room and under every bed he saw blood and clothes. He came to the final room. He saw equipment, used recently. A frightening chair of torture. But still no sign of either Jonathon or Benjamin.

That's another chapter done. Only a few chapters to go and that's the story done. Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought of this episode so far. See you all tomorrow or the day after.