Between Rubies and Opals

Alex stormed into the office of the Manor and saw Nikolai and Lukas talking quietly amongst themselves. Not even her abrupt burst through the doors made them look her way. They were too engrossed in a conversation that seemed to amuse them.

“Have you heard from Erin?” she asked after a few seconds of zero response from them.

“No.” Nikolai was wiping his smug mouth, and Lukas was busy bandaging his arm.

“What the Hell happened to you?” Alex asked, looking at the two of them.

“Erin’s new boyfriend went rabid on us,” Nikolai grimaced.

“No way. Sam would never do that.”

“You disappoint me, Alex,” Nikolai scowled. “I was not aware that your loyalties have shifted to the wrong side of the tracks.”

“They haven’t. Sam just doesn’t seem like the type that would attack you for no reason.” Alex shook her head.

“Nikolai may be exaggerating a bit,” Lukas smirked.

“You know how I like to do that, not so Alex?” Nikolai winked at her.

“You attacked him, didn’t you?”

“Attack is such a strong word,” Lukas pouted.

“We merely made him understand that we don’t support his and Erin’s relationship,” Nikolai nodded and looked at Alex.

“So you attacked him,” Alex said and cocked her head to the side. “Erin wasn’t with him, was she?”

“No, he was alone.”

Alex looked relieved for a second but then a worried expression spread across her face.

“Alex?” Nikolai asked and she looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t seem to find her, she’s not answering her phone and she’s not at the usual places. I’ve even asked Anthony and Tempest to go look for her.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Lukas exclaimed and moved towards the door.

“Don’t bother, Lukas.” Alex shook her head and pointed her finger at him. “Besides, you are the last person Erin would want to help looking for her.”

“I wonder whose fault is that.” Lukas raised an eyebrow at her.

“A momentary lapse of judgment that will haunt me for the rest of my life.” Alex rolled her eyes. “Have you even apologized to her about that?”

“Why do I need to apologize? You were the one-”

“Can the both of you stop with this pettiness?” Nikolai exclaimed and Alex and Lukas went quiet.

“Erin’s right, you are a dick.” Alex shook her head and marched out the room.

“Alex, wait!” Lucas called out after her, but Nikolai stood in front of the door.

“Let bleeding dogs die.” Nikolai shook his head, grinning wickedly.

“What about Erina?” Lukas frowned. “What if she is in trouble?”

“If there is one thing that I know about my sister, is that she can take care of herself.”

“But-”

“She’s not the defenseless little vamp that you met a century ago, Lukas. She is almost as capable as you are in defending herself. It is only her compassion that makes her weak.”

Erin frowned as she crossed the street and looked at the dodgy looking motor home in front of her. She pushed through the rusty gate and looked around her. The moon shone brightly in the sky and she felt an uneasiness in her veins. Maybe Gowan was right, that this was not the safest thing to do this time of the night. She knew this part of town was filled with wolves, and there was no telling what a whole pack would do to her, a lone little vamp. Half vamp, actually. She shook her head, dismissing those thoughts of dread and carried on walking. The light inside the motor home was flickering and she marched over to it, still being careful.

She approached the motor home and softly knocked on the door. A few seconds passed until the door opened slowly and the orange haired Madame Pelt stood in the doorway. Her eyes were dark and slivers of gold sparkled like a disco ball in the moonlight.

“Madame Pelt?”

“You must be Erin.”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“You would not be standing here otherwise, dear girl.” Madame Pelt gave her a soft smile, touching her cheek.

“Fair enough. Can I come in? Please? I need to speak with you. It’s urgent,” Erin said and looked over her shoulder into the darkness.

“Of course, my dear.” Madame Pelt nodded and Erin entered the motor home.

Madame Pelt motioned to one of the chairs by the table and Erin sat down. A few seconds later, the Madame joined her.

“You seem troubled.” Madame Pelt’s voice was light and wispy, and made Erin feel much more at ease.

“You have no idea. I don’t even know where to start. I-” Erin stuttered, fidgeting with her fingers.

“You found out something, something that could change the world you live in. Something that will make you question everything you thought you once knew?”

“Yes,” Erin nodded.

Madame Pelt closed her eyes for a few seconds and Erin could feel the air around her mystify. Madame Pelt opened her eyes and looked sharply at Erin. “Your grandmother frolicked in the grass and produced your father.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Erin nodded, tears in her eyes. “It makes so much sense. I should have known. That is why I am the way I am.”

“I know, dear child.” Madame Pelt took Erin’s hands in hers. “Being a hybrid is not for everyone. Most vamps are despised by you.”

“Exactly. My own mother does not even know of what I am.”

“Your father is very understanding. He’s open-minded, as you are.”

“He is,” Erin nodded with a small smile. “Madame Pelt?”

“Yes dear?”

“My grandmother. Who killed her?”

Madame Pelt’s eyes flashed bright purple and Erin frowned. “An ancient clan.”

“I know that, but I want to know who they are?”

Erin felt Madame Pelt’s fingers stiffen and she looked up at the paw-reader. Her eyes were glazed over and the feathers in her hair glided through the air.

“What is it? What do you see?” Erin asked.

“A seed has been planted…” she muttered.

“A seed? What seed?” Erin frowned.

“A seed will grow…”

“I…I don’t understand.”

“Inside you.”

“Madame Pelt…” Erin shook her head.

“A seed has been planted in you. A Morton pup is coming,” Madame Pelt answered and pointed down to Erin’s stomach.

“What? A pup?” Erin exclaimed and Madame Pelt’s eyes returned back to their normal deep plum-violet color. “I’m pregnant?”

“Yes, you carry the Morton blood inside you.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be a hybrid?” Erin shook her head and whispered to herself, “How is that even possible?”

“Because you are a hybrid, both vamp and wolf, and Sam is a wolf, the two wolves phased the vamp out entirely.”

“Oh Hell,” Erin gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “I didn’t think about it like that.” Erin looked over at Madame Pelt, who stared at her in disbelief. “What do I do?”

“I suggest you tell Sam.”

“When-”

“When the moon is at its next end.”

“That soon?”

“Yes, Erin. Vamps’ pregnancies normally last about four lunar cycles, but wolves’ are much shorter, lasting only one and a half lunar cycles.”

“That could be a slight problem,” Erin whispered as she pressed the palms of her hands against each cheek.

“You want my advice?”

Erin lowered her hands and nodded. “Yes.”

“I suggest you tell him as speedily as possible.”

“No shit,” Erin nodded and crossed her arms.

“Sam is a noble boy, forgiveness comes easily for him.”

“I know that, but it’s not Sam that I’m worried about. My family will not be as forgiving. They will surely put an end to my life, and Sam’s,” Erin said and stood up slowly.

“Do not fret. Sam will not let anything happen to you.” Madam Pelt stood up as well and took Erin’s hands, squeezing it lightly.

“Thank you, for everything.”

“All will be well, my dear. Now go, Sam is almost awake.”

Erin nodded with a frown, and swiftly exited the motor home. As she walked to her car, she looked down at her stomach and shook her head in disapproval. “Oh hell.”

“Something has to be done about Erin’s behavior.” Cassandra crossed her arms and looked over at Arjen.

Arjen, Cassandra and Nikolai were gathered in the office, having a family discussion regarding Erin.

“Our conversation has been going on for the last two days, Cassandra.”

“And neither one of you has come up with a suitable resolution for the problem that we find ourselves in,” Nikolai pointed out.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Lukas asked as he strolled casually into the room.

“This is a family discussion. This does not concern you,” Arjen said calmly.

“Whatever involves Erina is of concern to me,” Lukas stated flatly, without backing down.

“Father, if I may-”

“You may certainly not.” Arjen shook his head at Nikolai and glared at Lukas. “Whatever suggestion you want to make, we are not interested.”

“Oh hush, Arjen. Let us hear what Lukas has to say,” Cassandra fobbed him off and motioned for Lukas to enter.

“Thank you, Countess Lewandowski,” Lukas said and smirked at Arjen.

“Wipe that smirk off your face, boy, or I will do it for you,” Arjen snarled at Lukas.

“I meant no disrespect, sir.” Lukas held his hands up in the air in surrender.

“What is your suggestion, Lukas?” Cassandra asked.

“A marriage,” Lukas said confidently. “Between Erina and I.”

“Under no circumstances!” Arjen shook his head in deep disapproval. “I would never let my daughter marry someone like you!”

“Hold on a moment, Arjen. That is not a bad idea.”

“Well, it certainly is not a good one!” Arjen exclaimed and turned away from Lukas. “She will never agree to this.”

“With the right type of motivation, she will,” Nikolai muttered.

“You will not brainwash my child into doing something that I know she would never agree to!”

“The terms of our marriage, with your consent of course, will be between me and Erina,” Lukas said, raising an eyebrow at Arjen.

“Arjen, you must admit, it is a reasonable request.”

“Reasonable? How can you possibly think this is what is best for our daughter, Cassandra?”

“Count Lewandowksi, with all due respect, Erin needs to be with one of her own kind, someone that knows her, someone strong, supportive and that can control her when it is needed.”

“Someone like you,” Cassandra said with a nod and glanced at Lukas.

“Your view of yourself is somewhat distorted, boy,” Arjen scowled with a raised eyebrow.

“Would you two excuse us while we discuss this in private?” Cassandra asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Of course,” Nikolai and Lukas said simultaneously and they speedily left the room.

Cassandra turned to Arjen and placed her hands on her hips, but he shook his head in disapproval and firmly said, “There is nothing to discuss.”

“It will be a good match, Arjen. The Wasilewskis have been friends of the family for centuries.”

“Do you not hear me? There is no possible way that Erin is going to marry that boy! He is a liar and disloyal-”

“When has he ever shown any disloyalty towards us?” she frowned at him.

“It is not with us that I am talking about, Cassandra! He deceived Erin. He broke her heart, and now you want him to break her spirit as well? I refuse to let my daughter follow in my footsteps. She will not live with such a decision for the rest of her life, wishing that it never happened!” Arjen bellowed.

Cassandra’s jaw dropped and her face paled even more than it already was. Her eyes were wide and she looked as if she was going to burst out into tears. Only she did not, and would never. She merely stood there, staring at Arjen.

“I am sorry you feel that way,” she said, her voice fragile.

“I was talking about Erin, not me,” Arjen stated simply.

“I’m sure,” Cassandra pouted. “I’ve made my decision, whether you support it or not, is your own concern. Erina is to move back to the manor, and she will marry Lukas. End of discussion.”

Arjen knew that arguing with his wife at this point was futile and nodded simply.

Erin ran up the steps, with her overnight bag flung over her shoulder, and when she reached the top of the staircase, she hurried to Sam’s door, anxious to get to him.

Inside, Gowan was stretched out on the couch, watching an old black and white movie. She slid her bag off her shoulder and walked over to him.

“Hey, you’re back,” he said and looked at her over his shoulder.

“Yeah, sorry I took so long,” she said in a hushed voice, knowing Sam was still asleep in the bedroom.

“And?”

Erin sat down next to him and nodded. “You were right. She knows her stuff.”

“What happened?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“You have no idea what you’re saying, Gowan.”

“Try me.”

Erin took a deep breath and let loose, hoping it would put things a bit more into perspective for her, as the muddle in her mind was beyond chaotic. “My grandmother had a fling with a wolf, making my dad a hybrid, and me as well. The government found out about my grandmother and an ancient secret coven killed her, making it look like a suicide. My brother, who turned out not to be my real brother, but an Originalus Offspring, attacked my boyfriend and now he’s fighting for his life in the next room and…”

“He’s fine, Erin.”

Erin exhaled loudly and ran her fingers through her hair.

“So, you’re a hybrid?”

“Pretty crazy, right?”

“No, everything actually makes sense now, you not being like them.”

“Believe it or not, I actually feel like less of a freak now. The clarification helped a great deal.”

“I can imagine,” Gowan chuckled. “At least you’re not breaking the law, you know, dating Sam, because technically, you’re not just a vamp.”

“Why is it that after talking to you about problems in my life that I feel so much better afterwards?”

“I have no idea, but it helps to talk about it. Apparently.”

“Thanks Gowan. You’re awesome.” Erin smiled at him.

“What else did she say?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re deliberating something in your mind. Something important, otherwise you wouldn’t be repeating it over and over in your mind.”

Erin looked at him, narrowing her eyes at him slightly and crossed her arms. “You know, it’s rude to read someone’s thoughts without their permission.”

“A phrase I hear way too often, but never gets old,” he laughed, but his smiled faded quickly. “What is it, Erin?”

“I have to talk to Sam about it first.”

“Fair enough. He is your boyfriend,” Gowan nodded.

“Another phrase that will never get old,” Erin smiled.

The two of them heard a loud groan from the bedroom and Erin looked down the hallway.

“Can I go to him?”

“Yeah, he’s all cleaned up, and his cuts have all closed, so there’s no more blood, I promise.”

“I’m fine now, actually. It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be,” Erin nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Gowan.”

“Any time.”

Erin flashed him a smile, patted him lightly on the shoulder and walked towards Sam’s bedroom.

Inside, Sam was lying flat on his back, with bandages on his torso and over his left shoulder, as well as on his left arm. Erin stood by the door and pursed her lips, trying to stop the tears from rapidly forming in her eyes.

“Hey baby.”

She walked over to him and sat beside him on the bed, taking his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Better, just a bit tired.”

“Vamp venom does that to you, so I’ve heard,” she said and scanned over the bandages.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. The blood was a little too much, so I went for a bit of a drive. But don’t worry, I’ve gotten used to the smell now.”

“So no more ripping Sam to shreds?”

“No, you’re safe,” she said, her voice cracking.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I can’t believe they did this to you,” she whispered.

“Hey, like I said, I’ll be fine.”

“I was so scared, Sam. I didn’t know what to do. The first thing that came to mind was to call Gowan-”

Without any hesitation, Sam squeezed her hand and shook his head. “Erin, you don’t have to be afraid of anything. I’m here.”

“There are some things you can’t protect me from, Sam.”

“Like?”

“Like them, doing this to you. I’m so scared that I’m going to lose you.”

“You will never lose me. I’m right here.” Sam winced as he sat up and gently touched her cheek.

She smiled slightly and looked down at his hand. “I have something to tell you.”

“Please let it be good news.”

“Well, I was with Madame Pelt-”

“You were at the harbor? By yourself?”

“Yeah, I-”

“It’s not safe down there.”

“But you went there with Gowan-”

“You shouldn’t ever go back there, Erin. It’s too dangerous.”

“But-”

“But nothing,” Sam frowned. “Why would you want to go to her anyway? She’s a complete fraud-”

“She’s not. She knew about everything. About me being a hybrid, my father, his mother. She even knew about the ancient coven that killed her, making it look like a suicide,” Erin explained.

“Erin, that’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?”

“No, Sam. Vamps can’t commit suicide. It’s impossible for even the eldest and most skilled vamp,” Erin frowned. “The coven found out about my dad, what she had been hiding all these years and they killed her.”

“Because it was forbidden for vamps and wolves to procreate?”

“Yes, exactly.” Erin raised her eyebrows and sighed slightly.

“What is it?”

“That’s another thing that I have to tell you, but honestly, I don’t even know where to start, I-”

“Erin, tell me,” Sam said slowly, carefully.

“I don’t really know how…”

“Just say it. It can’t be that hard.”

“It is, I think. I don’t know.”

“Baby, a week ago you told me that you’re a hybrid, and a few seconds ago you told me that your grandmother was killed by a secret coven because she had sex with a wolf and had his hybrid son.”

“That’s true. Nothing can shock you any more than you already are, right?”

“Right.”

Erin hesitated for another second and shook her head.

“Just tell me.”

“I’m kind of pregnant,” Erin whispered.

“What?” Sam looked at her with wide eyes. “How are you kind of pregnant?”

“Okay, bad choice of words,” Erin shrugged and took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant, Sam.”

“You’re pregnant,” he stuttered.

“Yes,” she said, her voice a little steadier.

“Are you sure?”

“That’s what Madame Pelt said.”

“Whoa.” Sam sat up slowly and looked at Erin, who nodded at him.

After a few seconds, he took hold of her hand and squeezed her fingers. “Are you scared?”

“About the pregnancy?” she asked and Sam nodded. “Not at all. Knowing you’re here, I could never be scared. I feel like I’m in the safest place in the world.”

“You are.” Sam smiled slightly and she looked at him with slight concern.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she whispered. “Please?”

“I think that I’ve never loved you as much as I ever have than right now,” Sam whispered to her, touching her chin with his other hand.

“Really?”

“Do you doubt me?”

“Never,” Erin whispered and leaned forward, kissing him softly on the lips.

The next morning, Erin marches angrily into Nikolai’s bedroom and finds him behind his desk, glaring at a thick book in front of him.

“How dare you?” she exclaimed.

“Is that a question, or an accusation?” he asked as he looked up from his book.

“Both!” Erin snarled at him, baring her fangs at him.

“You’re the poster child for irony, dear sister,” he answered calmly.

“You attacked him for no reason!”

“I had a pretty good reason. He has no business with you, and I made sure that he fully understands his place.”

“You had no right!” Erin growled, her fangs showing.

Nikolai narrowed his eyes at her, his amber eyes glowing ominously. “You defend the inbreed mongrel?”

“He is not an inbreed mongrel! He’s kind and not at all the monster that you make him out to be. None of them are!” Erin frowned and crossed her arms. “You’re the only monster around here.”

“And how do you come to that conclusion?”

“You also murdered his mother.”

“Ah yes, I wondered when that card was to be played.” He nodded, dropping his hands onto the counter, leaning forward slightly.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“She deserved to die, Erina, they all do!”

“Who are you to say something like that? You don’t get to decide who deserves death and who doesn’t.”

“They all deserve death.”

“You’re wrong.”

“His mother and her mutt friends slaughtered my whole family! Their rogue warriors ripped my parents apart, limb from limb, and I saw the whole thing. I was an innocent little bite-let that was scared to death, and they left me to die surrounded by my dead family,” Nikolai hissed through his teeth.

“That does not justify or excuse you from acting with the same insolent disregard as they showed towards you.” Erin shook her head, refusing to stand down.

Nikolai looked at her and crossed his arms. “You are in love with him.”

“Yes, I love him, and I’m not ashamed to say it.”

“You’re an ignorant fool, Erina. Mother will be utterly displeased with you.”

“You know what, Niko? I actually don’t care what Mother, or anyone else thinks of me. I’m done with trying to please her, because no matter what I do, or how hard I try, she’s never satisfied!”

“You betray your own kind, Erina.”

“I never considered myself a vamp anyway,” Erin snapped, removing her ruby necklace from her pocket and threw it at him. It skid across the floor and ended up at his feet.

His eyes flashed violently and he glared at her in disbelief. “You can wipe the blood from your face, but it will never leave your soul!”

“As usual, you speak of things as if you know everything, but this time you don’t.” Erin turned on her heel and briskly left the room.

The heels of her boots clicked on the marble floor as she entered the foyer, and she pushed through the heavy wooden doors, stepping out into the sunlight. As she descended the steps, she heard the doors open again.

“Fuck, Niko, I am not-” She whirled around and stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Lukas, making his way towards her. “Oh my hell! What the hell are you still doing here?” she exclaimed.

“You seem upset,” Lukas stated and walked closer to her.

“You’re so observant,” Erin muttered, sarcastically.

“He deserved it, you know.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“Erina-”

“You attacked Sam, without any reason and you want to tell me that he deserved it.”

“He forgot his place in the world.”

“And where exactly is that place?”

“He should be with his own kind, on the other side of the fence. He has no business here. He has no business with you.”

“You’re just like the rest of them,” Erin exclaimed, pointing towards the manor.

“You don’t belong with him.”

“Oh, really? And who do I belong with? You?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. You belong with me.”

“You’re insane!” Erin exclaimed again. “You think that you’re simply going to snap those filthy fingers of yours and I’ll come running back to you?”

“I can only hope.”

“Well stop hoping altogether, because it’s not going to happen!” Erin growled. “If you think for one second that I want to be with you, then you must have me confused with one of your other vamp-whores.”

“She never meant anything to me, nor did any of them.”

“That makes me feel so much better, thank you Lukas,” Erin retorted sarcastically and shook her head at him.

“You know, your brother was only trying to protect you,” Lukas said suddenly.

“Hell, I’m so sick and tired of hearing that. I don’t need him to pretend that he has my best interest at heart. I’m an adult, and I can take care of myself.”

“It’s not about taking care of yourself, Erina, but that secret that you’re carrying inside you.”

Erin glared at him wordlessly, narrowing her eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Lukas smirked. “I know what you’re hiding.”

The words stung her like holy water and she shook her head, still keeping her composure, not saying a word.

“Your parents will be disgusted, to say the least, if they were to find out about this.”

“Your threats don’t scare me, Lukas.”

“Don’t they?”

“No, they don’t.”

“You should be careful when you’re with that animal. You never know when someone might see you.”

“Stop threatening me.”

“Or what?”

“Or you’ll get to experience Hell sooner than you think,” Erin growled and Lukas had a smug look on his face.

“Who’s threatening whom now?”

“Go fuck yourself,” Erin frowned and opened the door of her car. She climbed inside and sped off.

As Gowan entered the living room of Morton Manor, he found Sam pacing slowly around the room, with a slight limp.

“Hey Sammy, how are you feeling?”

Sam stopped abruptly and looked up at Gowan, a look of slight panic on his face.

“Why were you pacing?” Gowan asked with a frown. “What’s wrong, Sam? You look-”

“Something up, Gow.”

“What’s going on?”

Sam ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. “Erin told me something last night.”

“What is it?”

“She told me a few things actually, but the most important one kind of shocked the living daylights out of me. It didn’t at the time, but now, the more I think about it, the more I’m freaking out.”

“Okay.”

Sam took a deep breath, as if testing his own strength and glanced at Gowan. “Erin’s pregnant.”

“What?”

“Yeah.” Sam nodded and crossed his arms.

“I didn’t see that coming. I thought you were going to tell me that she’s a hybrid.”

“How did you know-”

“Oh, she told me, when you were asleep. She was pretty upset, deliberating in her mind. I just didn’t know it was because she was pregnant.”

Sam nodded and wiped his face with his one hand, clenching his jaw. “I’m freaking out here, Gow. I don’t know what to do.”

“You love the girl, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“And you want to be with her forever, right?”

“What’s your point?”

“Answer the damn question.”

“Of course I do, Gowan,” Sam answered with a slight irritation in his voice.

“Then marry her.”

Sam frowned and stared wordlessly at Gowan.

“Marry her, Sammy. Not because it’s the right thing to do, but because you love her.”

“I do love her, Gowan. I love her more than anything.”

“Well, there you have your answer.”

“But-”

“No buts. Technically, it’s not illegal. She’s not a vamp anymore, Sam.”

“You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” Gowan exclaimed.

“For a change.” Vikki entered the room and Sam and Gowan looked at her with wide eyes. “Don’t look so bewildered, I heard the whole thing.”

“Vik…”

Vikki walked over to Sam and pulled him in for a hug. “Congratulations, Sam.”

“Thank you.” He pulled away slowly and looked at Vikki and Gowan. “Will you guys help me?”

“Of course,” Gowan nodded.

“Consider it done,” Vikki smiled at him, excitedly clapping her hands. “I love weddings.”

“Don’t get too ahead of yourselves. She hasn’t even said yes yet,” Sam said with a frown.

“Trust me, there is no possible way that she won’t say yes,” Vikki said with a wink, her eyes sparkling with excitement.