Where The River Flows Red

Nine

Timmy Trumpet & Savage- Freaks (Turn Down For What?!?!?)

    Mom was standing at the front door when we arrived. She's pissed. Dad isn't here, but he had been, he had brought Ebony with him and she's lingering in the doorway like a puppy who was told they couldn't come inside because it peed on the carpet. I know. I know that we're either going to end all that we've ever meant to one another tonight or we're going to make up once and for all. Either way, it ends tonight and it's going to hurt.

    "We have to talk," she finally said as I used the makeup remover to clean up my face. 

    "About how you ran to my dad and told on us?" I asked. Dad slapped Silas in front of Sammy and half the school because she called him.

    "The Lockwoods are extremely dangerous, Tobi. I don't think you understand just how dangerous they are," 

    "Did you see what he did to my brother? What he might have done to me if Godrick Lockwood hadn't reacted the way he did? I wasn't in any danger. The only reason you reacted as you did is because you're mad that I don't want you anywhere near me," 

    "Why? Because I kept a secret that could have gotten you killed to myself? You're my best friend and you think that you running around with the very things that destroyed my life doesn't hurt me?" she shouted.

    "Am I really your best friend? Mom told me you wanted to go to Cambridge. Silas told me you couldn't wait to get away," she stepped back. "This is a burden to you. As much as it is to everyone else and you turned away because you knew it was about to get worse. I didn't call you but you didn't call me either. It wasn't until Silas told you about Zach and Elijah Sterling that you came here and started acting the way you did. Deny it," 

    "I'm going to wait with Silas," Sammy whispered before walking out. I had forgotten she was in my closet.

    "You're my best friend, Tobi. I've been watching over you my entire life. You don't know what it's like to have the choice taken away from you. To want to be selfish but knowing that you can't because this is greater than you," 

    "Yes, I do. Did you ever consider that maybe I would need you? That we would need each other? I just found out that monsters exist. That I might be one of them and that my best friend and my entire family hunt them down for a living. That my entire fairy tale life is a f*****g lie! Two nights ago, my mind broke and I cried myself to sleep for the first time since I was five years old because I needed you. I needed someone to tell me it was going to be okay, that we'd get past this and what did you do?" 

    "I joked about Collum being the i***t who told you," she said looking down at her hands. 

    "I understand that maybe you wanted out of all of this. You should have stayed away. I don't want you here any more than you want to be here," 

    "I didn't think you needed me in the slightest," she said. "Things are different now. I owe my life to my Clan. I don't owe you anything. It's true. I'm here because your mom needs me to be here as a soldier, not a friend. Everything we've ever been through was part of my assignment. I was assigned to you to keep you safe for the amount of time you would be with us. I was told to not get attached because no matter how hard you tried or how badly I would want it. You would never be one of us. 

    "For a while, I badly wanted you to be like me. I wanted you to endure the training with me, but seeing you with them tonight. How you reacted to the b***h's touch. To that f*****g monster Lockwood's touch. I know that I was in the right to walk away from you. You're one of them and you should just go before people start dying," 

    "I want to," I nodded. "But I'm just as caged as you are," 

    "I do love you, Amelia but I love my purpose more. I rather lose you now, while you're still you than later when I can't even look the monster that you will become in the eye like this. I'll see you Monday," she turned and walked away. A knot formed in my throat. Silas and Sammy poked their heads in from the side of the door. 

    "Hey," Sammy tried, with a smile. 

    "Hi," I tried to return it I sat at the end of my bed. She came over and began to pull my braid apart. Silas handed her my brush. 

    "The Lockwoods ended a big portion of her family," Silas tried to explain. "I didn't know what bloodline you belonged to until tonight," 

    "How long have you had suspicions?" I asked. 

    "Since mom apologized. This doesn't change anything for me. Lockwood's a d**k and you may be his blood, but you're still my little sister," 

    "Why does everyone hate him?" I asked looking up at him. 

    "If dad is the king of our country. Godrick Lockwood is a king of theirs," my heart skipped a beat and for an instant, I'm light-headed now and it's not the vodka. 

    "I think I just found out I'm kinda drunk," I cleared my throat, making them both laugh. I fell back on the bed.

    "Dad said we're grounded," he added. I laughed. 

    "What does he mean grounded?" I asked looking up at him. 

    "I don't know. You're nineteen. I'm already twenty-one. This is literally the first time we get into s**t together," the three of us laughed. 

~

    "This is an interesting place," I jumped up. I had just closed my eyes Sammy and Silas had both stayed here in case grounded meant my brother needed another smack to the face. I hadn't expected Godrick but I'm glad it's him. 

    "You're a lot taller than I remember," I sighed. He smiled looking down at my bare feet. 

    "No shoes," he pointed out.

    "Can all of you do this?" I asked. He looked at me questioningly. "Break into people's dreams," 

    "Someone else has done it before?" he asked, looking around my room. "That explains why it wasn't as easy as it should have been," 

    "Who are you?" I asked, getting right to the point. He smiled sitting on the chair Elijah had once taken in here. 

    "My name is Godrick Lockwood," 

    "I know that already," I smiled, shaking my head. "I forgot. Limited to my subconscious," 

    "Not me. We're blood-related. There are no limits in our form of communications. Ask and I will answer," 

    "What are you?" I basically shouted. He laughed. 

    "No hesitation. I like that. You already know what I am," 

    "You're a vampire," I stated, His nose scrunched. 

    "Yeah, that's a word that is used to describe us. It's not that simple, Amelia. I don't know what you were told..." 

    "Nothing," I sighed, cutting him short. "No one wants to tell me anything. All they do is dodge me and make me feel like all of this is my fault. Also, how do you know my name is Amelia?"

    "It's not your fault," he said his entire body tensed as if he wanted to come over to me and comfort me. He didn't and for now, I think it's best for us both. "I was there the night you were born. Your father took you from my mother shortly after. They came at us from everywhere. He told me not to look for you and eventually, I came to think maybe he..." 

    "Is she still alive?"  I asked changing the subject. He shook his head. His eyes stayed cold, his voice void of all emotion. This is something that hurts him and he doesn't want it to look like a weakness. "I'm sorry," 

    "She was your mother as well," I didn't say a word about that. My mind automatically jumped to my mom. Cassmier Bourne. "Surely you have more questions," 

    "I think I'd like to ask you in person," I answered honestly. He smiled. 

    "I'd like that. For now, I'll stay away. You aren't here by coincidence. If the Bournes took the initiative to hide you all this time then there's a lot more going on than just the execution of your father and our mother," 

    "We don't have the same dad?" I asked. He shook his head before leaning forward. 

    "Your father was an amazing man. He fell in love with our mother while she was pregnant with me. Without asking who my father was, he took responsibility for me. I wasn't his son but he named me the heir to the Clans. Everyone thinks I am the only son," 

    "So you really are the king?" I asked. He laughed looking up at me. 

    "If there was a king in our world. I would be it. By law. By blood, it all belongs to you," so many things ran through my mind. Positive and Negative. 

    "Do you know who your dad is?" I asked. 

    "Yeah, your father killed him for what he did to my mother," more to think about. 

    "Why do we spark when we come into direct contact?" 

    "You're coming into your transition soon. Do you know anything about that?" I shook my head. "Our kind of lamia doesn't feed on people. We feed on one another," 

I looked at him even more confused now. "Then why do hunters hunt you?" 

    "Mortals hate that they aren't the superior race. They'll find any excuse to fight what they don't understand," 

    "That can't be the only reason," 

    "Of course not. There was an epidemic where the elders found themselves in a situation where they went after humans. They turned them to help us fight against the Lupine. Many were infected to them and to us. By the time the hunt started we had lowered the numbers of the lupine and had the most control. Former humans who survived began to turn more and we were forced to form the clans to preserve us all. We are all bound by the treaty," 

    "Has it ever been broken?" I asked. He nodded. 

    "Several times. After all, we are all primal at heart. Lupine, vampires, and mortals alike seak conflict and self-destruction. It's in our nature," 

    "Why are you so calm and collected? How old are you?" 

    "I was fourteen when you were taken from us," he said. "I am thirty-three now," 

    "You don't look that old," he laughed. 

    "How old do I look?" 

    "No older than my brother," he flinched. "I'm sorry,"

    "It's fine. You grew up with him. I understand perfectly,"

    "Maybe one day?" I offered. He nodded. 

    "He didn't harm you did he?" 

    "He's my dad. He wouldn't. At least, I think he wouldn't," I shrugged. He sighed. 

    "I know Bruce. I've known him since before I transitioned. I know what he's capable of.  So does Silas. Be careful with what you say to him and how you say it," 

    "Okay," 

    "Anything else?" he stood up. His presence is a little dominating. Everything in me is kind of compelled to be proud. 

    "Did she name me Amelia?" I asked. He shook his head. 

    "Your birthright is Anastasia Lockwood. Amelia is your middle name,"

    "You didn't really answer my previous question," I said referring to the spark. 

    "Do you like mythology?" 

    "I love it," I nodded. He smiled almost as if he were proud. 

    "It is said that the gods created the Titans. There was one that we are supposed to be descended from. Makhai. The legend says those who have found their other halves and have not claimed what is their's suffer. Those who mean the most to them will help guide the halves whole," 

    "I don't get it. Makhai is the Titan that was split in half because Zeus thought it was too powerful," 

    "Forever damning them to find their other halves," he nodded.

    "Are we two halves a whole is that what you're saying?" I asked. He shook his head. 

    "No. It means our other halves are within reach and we have yet to take them," he didn't meet my eyes this time. I looked up at him getting it.

    "Analyse," his eyes got dark again just like they had at the frat house. 

    "If you want to keep someone out of your dreams, fall asleep thinking of someone important to you. Your mind blocks everything else," he advised.

    "Thank you," I smiled. He came over to me placing a kiss on my forehead. 

    "You're so beautiful. I'll visit you again soon. To check on you. I'd like for you to keep an eye out for transition symptoms. Headaches, lack of sleep, and most importantly hunger," 

    "Can I ask you one last question?" 

    "Of course,"

    "Are you a nightstalker or a daywalker?" 

    "I'm neither and I am both. King remember?" he smirked.

    "And me?" 

    "You're a Lockwood. Firstborn of the King himself. You have no obligation to a Clan because they all are obliged to you, princess,"

    "Is that why my mom said I was better?" I asked. He smiled. 

    "You are better, Amelia," 

    The balcony doors opened. The cold air rushed in as he backed away from me towards them. There was no light other than the light that shined from my bedside lamp. He melted away into the darkness outside. The windows closed and I sat on the bed again. 

    "Wake up," his voice thundered in the room.  

~

I jolted up taking a deep breath. 

    "Tobi?" Silas's voice came somewhere in the darkness of my room. I reached for the lamp and turned it on. 

    My eyes shot to the chair he had been in. I got up opening the curtains to see that the yard was illuminated by the moon. I pushed my hair out of my face and turned to see Silas and Sammy looking back at me from the bed. 

    "Sorry, I had a really weird dream," I whispered, going over to them. 

    "Come back to bed," Sammy urged, tapping the spot next to her. "I am known for chasing away nightmares," 

    "How?" Silas asked laughing. 

    "Look at me. I'm clearly the most beautiful thing anyone has ever seen. Hey, that rhymes," she beamed. I laughed. 

    "It wasn't a nightmare. It was just crazy," I chuckled, climbing back under the covers. 

    "I hope it was fun," she yawned when I shut off the lamp. 

    "Night, sorry I woke you," I apologized.

    "Night," they both said. 

    I closed my eyes and all I can think is, I wasn't abandoned. I have a blood relative who had been looking for me. Who thought I died. His name is Godrick. He's very handsome, very dominant, conservative, elegant. I want to know him. Know more about my birth-parents. Then I remembered I'm grounded. What the hell does that mean?