Second Nature

My head snapped to the side when I heard the name. “Frankie here has drawn my attention to a hearing that I wasn’t invited too.” The irritating click of her heels rang out as I saw her take Frank’s hand and walk down the middle of the rows. I could feel eyes burning into me and as I turned to look away from the past and what I had hoped would have been my future I noticed Gerard and Anna staring at me.
“Are you ok?” Anna mouthed to me as I shook my head to dismiss her.
“Did you know?” I mouthed back this time at Gerard as he shook his head.
“Juliet.” One of the men on the council spoke out clearly surprised. “What a surprise to see you here.” He continued.
“Well when Frank came to find me how could I say no?” She smiled between Frank and the councilman.
“Well to save this from dragging out allow me to catch you up to speed Ms Birch.” Linda spoke out harshly.
“Oh no need. Frank provided me with the files on our journey here. I must say I think it is an utter disgrace that this youngster is on the stand in such a way. If I were the rest of you I would be giving her an automatic right, the same as any of us.” Juliet carried on, walking up and down the long table hosting the council, as Linda scoffed.
“She is a murderer. A cold, calculated and manipulative murderer.” Linda spoke out quickly.
“A murderer who saved your son’s life. A murderer who saved 23 members of the council from an imminent threat that this Zachary Quinn posed. A threat that completely bypassed you all completely.” She stood directly in front of Linda almost daring her to speak.
“How will you vote councilwomen?” Linda snarled out.
“I vote for immediate release without further action. Traitor.” Juliet smirked, as the escort at the side of me opened the door to the barred container.
“Just one moment.” Spoke a further council member. “Miss Darling before you are free to go, please take the time to answer one question for the board. You spoke of double dealings and an imposter. Please tell me who you are accusing of that.” The elderly gentlemen who voted for my release stood up slowly, staring intently at me.
“I wish I could give you the name councilmen but I’ve had a target on my head for too long now because of this person. My hopes and aims are to just be left alone to try and salvage my life that has been destroyed.” I spoke honestly too him. Even if they did know she could still hurt me in many ways.
“I assure you young one that no harm will come to you. I will personally promise this too you. I read your file Miss Darling and what happened to you was truly no coincidence. What it was was an intricate set up that involved a higher power to make sure everything went according to plan. Whilst this person is still in a power of position you are never truly safe.” He tried to reason with me. I looked over at Frank.
“What are you waiting for do it?” I heard but it wasn’t spoken out louder, that’s when I noticed Frank staring at me. The same way he did when he read my thoughts.
“I can’t I want to be free.” I pleaded with him, staring at him through my tear filled eyes.
“We can be. Just tell them.”
“It will destroy you! It will destroy your family!” I screamed at him. The silence in the room was deafening, all eyes fixed on us.
“Mr Iero do you know of this person?” Spoke the councilman who looked down at Frank.
“I do sir.” Frank spoke before looking over at me as I shook my head. “It’s my mother.” He spat out as the room filled with audible gasps as I stood there sobbing.

It finally quietened down, I was escorted out of my containment and to the end of the aisle, in the middle of the rows.
“Councilwoman what do you have to say for yourself.” Spoke the same older man.
“I have nothing to say except for the fact it is bad enough that she has been manipulating my son, but now the council? She is a skilled assassin for goodness sake!” She shouted out, venom dripping my way as I flinched. Feeling ultimately exposed, ultimately betrayed.
“Linda is this true?” Frank’s father looked up at his angry wife slowly.
“Yes! Ok it’s true! I forced her change! I tried to have her killed! I tried to do what was best for my son and this stupid bitch didn’t bow down.” Screamed Linda as she appeared at floor level. “I tried my hardest to save you some dignity Miss Darling! To make it appear as a tragedy for the sake of your best friend but you just wouldn’t cave! So now I am forced to take matters into my own hands!” She appeared right in front of me grabbing me by my throat and raising me off the ground as I gripped her wrist. There were screams coming from the room as well as security running forward, which she quickly dismissed with a wave of her hand and the power that that brought. “You see you’re nothing more than a glitch Blake. A true member of our nature would have seen that coming. Would have stopped that from happening. You’re a killer so kill me now!” She screamed in my face as I could feel the human half of me shutting down from the lack of oxygen.
“You’re showing the true monster you are.” I spat out, coughing and trying to gasp for air but to no avail.
“I am a saviour, you’re the monster.” She squeezed tighter, as I could see the familiar blackness. Just like how this story started. The noises started to fade, the colours started to drain and the sight of Frank was slowly lost. Suddenly there was a rush of air for me to breathe in and that’s when I saw it. Anna stood there with a gun pointing forward at the same spot where Linda once stood.


Several months later

“You sure this is what you want to do?” He asked as I sat facing him on the bed, crossed legged. “I mean you’re going to become a true Iero, the Iero women don’t necessarily have the best history.” He laughed as I took his hands in mine.
“I am 100% positive this is what I want to do.” I laughed kissing his knuckles.
“And you’re sure that you want it in a place so visible?” He chewed on his lip.
“What’s the point in having it if people can’t see it? Now will you stop playing this game of 20 questions and bite me already.” I laughed pulling his face to me in order to peck him on the lips, before kissing down to his jaw and down to his neck, as he did the same. There was no nervousness when I felt his lips open and the scratch of his fangs as I did the same. We pulled away from each other slowly and reluctantly. We spent what felt like hours staring at each, stupid grins on our face.
“You know most couples celebrate their marriage vows by having sexy time, not normally sucking the blood of the other.” I laughed as I kept kissing him, moaning softly when he stroked the spot where he had just punctured.
“Most married couples always have champagne as a toast, not blood.” He laughed, “Let’s face it we’re not most couples.” He laughed as he kissed the gold ring that sat comfortably on my left ring finger whilst I mused about finally getting my bond. He sat laughing at my dazed look before pulling me off the bed kissing me deeply.

Notes