DIANE had been hoping for a call from her brother, but when she received his message, she became conflicted. She wanted to go with him. She wanted to help out in any way that she could, why wouldn't he let her?
She contemplated taking a cab back to the mansion, but seeing how dark it was and how tired she felt, she decided to just get out of her workplace and go home. Thankfully, she didn't take the night till day shift.
She sighed, cozy in the big jacket, scarf and cap she wore. Going home to a warm bed and hot food didn't seem so bad.
Walking to the direction of the bus stop, she took out her phone to text her roommate, Lisa that she was on her way, and asked whether she made any food. Getting a quick response and an affirmative answer made her all the more happy. Maybe letting her brother do his thing wasn't all that bad. She was still worried though.
While walking, she suddenly quickened her pace because she started feeling a bit suspicious. And nervous. Because she just noticed that someone was following her.
She held her breath, telling herself that her ears and her side eye were decieving her. She walked faster. It was a bit dark and not much people were on the road walking, not much were paying attention to her either.
Nope. She did not want to die.
Her mind flashed quickly to her brother and wanted to cry out when she realized that the person was getting closer. It would take her just a few steps to reach the bus stop, where there was bright light, where anyone could see her.
She wasn't able to reach it though. She felt fear grip her as a gloved hand went over her nose and a few seconds later, she blacked out.
Before she did though, all she thought about was, Timothy.
***
"Do you think I should call her?"
Sapphire shook her head. "You don't want her to go with us. What if she decides to come if tell her we're going now?"
Timothy nodded at her words. He was right. He didn't call his sister because he didn't want to hear her voice. If he'd spoken to her, he'd probably just give in to her. He just wanted to protect her for once in his life, even if this was the only way.
"Then when we arrive at our destination, I'll call her then."
"At least when we conclude that they're not going to kill us," Sapphire added to which her mate agreed.
They'd just finished dinner and were getting dressed up in warm clothing since the weather decided to be cold for some reason. Dr. Holloway had said their journey was going to be quite long and adviced them to get a snack or two in case they get hungry on the way.
Master Vanity had taken Sapphire into his study to talk to her. When she'd gotten back, since she said nothing, Timothy thought it inappropriate to ask. He wasn't meant to know everything anyway. It's not like the man spoke to him. He didn't want him to either, he'd started to feel weird around the man. He simply unsettled him.
"Are you comfortable?" Timothy whispered to his mate when they got into the backseat of the doctor's car. It was a black SUV that Timothy has never noticed parked in front of the building.
"I'm alright," Sapphire answered. "Just didn't expect inside the car to be cold too."
"Oh, I apologize," Dr. Holloway said from the driver's seat. Turns out, he'd switched on the heater.
Timothy didn't feel cold and he noticed that neither did the one at the driver's seat. Must be the vampire blood.
Sapphire didn't seem nervous as he watched her lay in his arms. Instead, she seemed to be very calm. Timothy hoped it would remain like this and that she'd experience no hurt or fear when they'd arrive at the vampires' home.
He saw the doctor take a route he'd never seen before and didn't question it. The man did say it was going to be a long journey with lots of turns. There were trees everywhere, and Timothy had a feeling that that's all they were going to see till they reached their destination.
He glanced at the driver's seat, then the mirror in front and was immediately spooked at Dr. Holloway's eyes staring right at him.
***
He fell asleep; they both did, actually. Timothy knew this because he was the first to be shaken awake by Dr. Holloway.
The door was open and cold breeze filled the car, hitting Sapphire right in the face.
When they were able to see clearly, they were able to take in the mansion that was in front of them. It was dark despite all the lamps everywhere. There was a light fog and Timothy could almost swear that he saw bats flying into the trees that were around.
The mansion was nothing like the Mavericks nor the Vanitys' own. It was very different. It felt very ominous, maybe because of it's structure and the silence.
"Is everyone inside?" Timothy asked, shutting the car door.
Dr. Holloway smiled. "It's night. Night is like daytime to vampires, you should know. Not everyone is going to be inside, but the most important people are. If you want to see everyone you'll have to wait till tomorrow for that."
Timothy had no interest in meeting the vampires. He'd have no choice since he needed their help, but he'd have preferred if he only had to meet their leader. But, oh, well.
Following Dr. Holloway to the door, Timothy's mind went to his sister. He didn't want to worry her, he'd reach out as quickly as he could.
"Does every single person know we're coming?"
Dr. Holloway didn't turn as he pushed the large door open, but he answered. "Yes. Well, they know Timothy's coming. Not you though, I apologize."
Sapphire shrugged. "It's okay."
The inside was beautiful. Still dark, but beautiful. Timothy had a brief thought that if he were alive for more than a hundred years and he hadn't acquired wealth somehow, then he might as well just kill himself. His existence would be very useless. It would be a shame.
"Lord Clementine."
Timothy was surprised at the sudden appearance of a pale individual standing before them. How did he not notice him?
The individual standing before them was bald. He was dressed in all black and he had his hands behind his back, looking like a proper gentleman. He had no other hair on his face and that made him look so weird. His lips and eyes seemed to have been painted to give him a little color though.
"Timothy..." He stepped forward, ignoring the bowing Dr. Holloway. "... Bishop."
"Uh...good evening?" Timothy said awkwardly. He really didn't want to bow to some stranger.
"Good evening," Lord Clementine said, expressionless but with eyes of interest focused on him. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you."
Timothy internally sighed. He remembered that he was 'famous'.
He looked at the pale and long fingers stretched towards him in contemplation. He didn't want to be rude, so he accepted it. It was just a handshake. "Nice to meet you, too."
"And you are?" The Lord said, addressing Sapphire who was by his side.
"Sapphire Vanity. His girlfriend."
"Oh. Girlfriend, are you? It's a pleasure."
He didn't stretch his hand out to her but gave her a simple nod. Timothy raised a brow at that. Wasn't that...rude?
"Well...A few people are expecting you."
They followed him silently, looking around the dark building. Well, mostly Timothy, since he had sharp sight. Sapphire simply held his hand as he led her.
Lord Clementine suddenly turned to face them. "I know why you're here. I hope you have something tangible to give me as a compensation for my help. Even if this whole fight will benefit me somehow, I still want something in case any of my people end up as casualties... Meaning, in case they die. A werewolf bite is annoying to heal."
"What would you like?" Sapphire asked.
Lord Clementine shrugged. "Timothy Bishop... Lord Timothy Bishop is very, very valuable. I don't think anything would compare to him."
Timothy wasn't even fazed by the words. He expected it.
"Is there nothing else you want?" He asked, having no intention of giving himself over to strangers.
"Hm." Lord Clementine tapped his chin as if in deep thought. "I have something I want. If you get it for me after all these, then nothing will happen to you or anyone close to you. We'll have to do a whole swearing ritual for that. But that's for later."
"What's the thing that you want?" Timothy asked, curious.
"You'll know soon enough."
He led them to another large door, different from the entrance door. He pushed it open, making a nod at Dr. Holloway who faced the two, gave them a nod and a smile as he walked away.
They walked into what looked like a meeting room. There was a round table where vampires sat. The room was well lit and so they could see every pale face. How they looked drinking blood straight from the veins of standing and seated humans, and making no movements to leave.
Timothy felt himself gulp. Not because he wanted to throw up. But because he suddenly felt hungry.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lord Clementine announced. "Let me introduce someone we've all been curious to see." Pointing at Timothy he said, "This is Lady Victoria's only child and son, Timothy Bishop; the hybrid."