Chapter 21 #3
“They were identical twins. When the plague hit, Benjamin didn’t survive.
I couldn’t risk losing Theo or Tobias, so I spoke to who I thought was a doctor.
I was scared for my other sons. I would have done anything for them.
We weren’t aware that Tobias could change us back then.
We didn’t realize because him being a werewolf was shocking enough and we were still learning about what he was.
” She stares off absentmindedly like she has been thrown back in time.
“So, I met this man," she continues, her eyes dark. "He claimed to be some form of witch doctor. He was strikingly handsome and a little mad, very eccentric. But he said he could help. If I had known back then what he would do, I never would have agreed. But, I brought Theo and Josiah to him. He gave us some wine and we gave him a hefty sum of cash, literally everything we had. Tobias didn’t agree; he said something smelt off about him. It all happened so fast. Tobias was in shock and didn’t have time to react. Vampires are a lot quicker than werewolves, which I’m sure you know that already.
” I nod having witnessed it myself. Theo always got to me faster.
“So, we accepted the wine which at the time we didn’t know was actually laced with his blood, next, we saw darkness.
Tobias said he snapped our necks and started laughing like a madman.
We woke up, not even realizing what it was we were.
Well, that was until the hunger took over.
Tobias dragged some drunk man in, and we couldn’t help ourselves; we killed him draining him of his blood.
We became monsters and for a long time Tobias had to cover up for us, until we found the watchers, that was, and they introduced us to the council.
We made an agreement with the watcher after saving one of their family members' lives. He was one of Tom’s ancestors.
In exchange for helping us they get to live long lives, free of illness.
In exchange they help cover our tracks when needed which is rare with the council nowadays. ”
“So, Tom's family helped you back then and because you saved a family member made the treaty that you still have today?”
“Yes, exactly, Tom’s family are called watchers.
They originally worked under the council, but after Tom’s ancestor became ill and we found our blood had healing properties, we saved her and Richard.
Tom’s ancestor asked to be permanently assigned to our family, which was granted and in return if someone falls ill, we help ensuring they only die from old age and not before their time.
Even with medical technology advancing over the years and we not being required much, the treaty still stands. ”
“So, what happened to the vampire who changed you?” I ask.
“We never saw him again. Tobias tried to catch him, but he thought the madman killed us and panicked. When we woke up Tobias was beside himself and we didn’t understand until Tobias explained what he did.
It wasn’t long after we killed the drunk man and Theo was no longer human, that Tobias felt drawn to Theo like a moth to flame.
Theo was the same. Back then it was frowned upon for a man to love another man.
They fought their own desires for years, until Tobias accidently lost control and marked Theo, making their bond stronger till they no longer cared what others thought. ”
I glanced at Theo before getting up and going over to him.
“So, Tobias didn’t feel the bond until after Theo had been changed?”
“Correct, that’s why the council is wondering if there is more to you than meets the eye. No werewolf has ever had a bond with a human; they have fooled around with humans even got a few pregnant but never an established bond. It is unheard of. Did you know your father, Imogen?”
I shake my head. I know nothing of the man, don't even know what he looks like and from what I gather, he isn’t worth knowing.
I know my grandfather hated him for I am assuming abandoning my mother.
Mom never really spoke of him and if she did, it was when she was extremely drunk.
I know they knew each other for a while before she fell pregnant but that is it.
“Not to worry, I’m sure we will find some answers somehow.”
“So, werewolves who mate with humans, they can fall pregnant, so it creates a half human half werewolf, correct?”
“Sort of. They won’t be able to shift but they do get some of the benefits like longer life span, most will have short temper and are stronger.
For a werewolf child to be born, only two werewolves can bring a full werewolf into the world.
Same with vampires, they can create a hybrid with a werewolf but with a human the child comes out more or less human.
We aren’t sure why that is. I think it’s a safety mechanism; humans’ bodies have to stop the world becoming overrun with supernatural creatures though their DNA is slightly different and what humans consider rare blood types.
Whereas a vampire and werewolf or hybrid child will crave blood and be able to shift.
It is all very confusing, I will try and explain more later but for now, we really need to see what we can find amongst your things,” she says standing.
Tobias and Josiah walk back out heading toward the front door.
I grab my joggers that are near the front door and slip my feet into them.
Tobias waits while Josiah and Caroline head to the shed.
Tobias moves closer and takes my hand before kissing my fingertips.
I brush my thumb over his lip, and he relaxes slightly before keeping a strong grip on my hand and pulling me with him toward the shed.
Caroline lifts the roller door, just as I get there, and we all make our way to the back of the shed which has an office behind the glass door.
I noticed it the few times I have been in here, yet never actually went in.
Not needing the reminder that my mother isn’t here any longer.
That I’m already painfully aware. But I must admit after talking to Caroline, I’m a little curious to see if there is actually anything hidden amongst my mother’s things.
As soon as I step in, the first thing I smell is the old table my Grandfather made for my mother.
I love the smell of lacquered wood. I run my hand along the top of it, the wood smooth and familiar under my hand.
My family spent many Christmases around this table, and it holds a lot of memories.
It is my mother’s favorite possession and now mine knowing what it always meant to her.
Tobias starts opening boxes and Caroline waits along with Josiah, obviously feeling awkward about going through my things.
“You can start opening boxes, I don’t mind.
It will be faster if we are all looking,” I tell them.
They look relieved but I can tell they don’t want to overstep.
I grab the first box I lay my hands on, pulling it off the shelf and placing it on the table.
Caroline does the same next to me and we rummage through the boxes.
I continue opening boxes, until we find every document stored in the room, my birth certificate and even an old phone and address book of my mother’s.
When we finish stacking the boxes and putting them away, we stand around the old table flicking through the various documents.
Like I thought, my birth certificate holds no answer, just my mother’s name.
Josiah turns page after page of a small hardcover notebook.
It has a floral design on the front. Josiah suddenly drops the book and gasps, it lands on the table facedown.
I pick it up and a photo falls from between the pages.
“What?” I ask. Grabbing the photo, I stare down at it.
I don’t see anything wrong with the photo at all, it’s just a photo of my mother with me, and some man I don’t recognize.
I must admit the resemblance between him, and me was uncanny, with his blond hair and blue eyes we even have the same nose and lips.
Wait a minute... I gaze at him a moment.
Is he some relative of mine? Did mom have a brother she never told me about?
Josiah shakes his head. “Do you know this man?” He points at the photo.
I shake my head and Tobias strides over, peering over my shoulder and staring at the photo.
I hear him growl and I glance over my shoulder at him.
His eyes are narrowed and have turned to pitch black orbs.
Fear courses through me. His anger isn't directed at me this time, but I can't help the shivers work their way through my body.
Caroline comes over and takes the photo from my hand wanting to see what they are so bothered by.
She drops the photo, her hands going to her mouth.
“It can’t be him,” she whispers. I’m completely baffled,; obviously, they recognize the man in the photo.
But I have no recollection of this photo even being taken and I’m around ten years old in it.
I know if I had seen this man before I would have recognized him.
“Can’t be who? Who is he?” I ask. They don’t answer and just stare.
My unease grows. Why can't I remember this? And more importantly, what is with their reactions? Josiah picks up the photo and puts it in his pocket. Tobias ushers me out of the shed, his father having my birth certificate, not that it is going to do any good with the lack of my father’s name. He also takes the floral notebook.
“Who is the man, Tobias?” Tobias moves closer putting his arm over my shoulder before turning to his parents, ignoring my question.