Woven Fates - The War

The Promise

Sabrina sat in her favourite armchair, watching as Carlos doted on their children. He still insisted on returning to his own people in the human world when he was able but for now, he was content to be there with Sabrina and his children.

It was unavoidable that their children would be hybrids, born part vampire and part sorcerer and sorceress, but Sabrina had insisted, and Carlos had agreed that she would not be turned. Carlos had had to acknowledge that Sabrina had also infected his children with Demon blood, and this was a fact he found hard to reconcile.

Carlos had tried to be a calming influence with Sabrina, but he knew bitterness still bubbled under the surface and that Laura and her children would never be safe while Sabrina drew breath.

As Carlos watched, Sabrina’s eyes glazed over. He had come to know that meant she was in contact with Francesca, something he certainly didn’t approve of. He turned his attention back to Elijah and Clara who had set up a complex system of train tracks that had once belonged to Wyatt.

“Are Mummy’s eyes white again? I don’t like it, can we go see Uncle Serge?” Clara asked.

Carlos nodded and they stood up, walking out the front door without Sabrina even noticing. They walked next door and knocked quietly. Carlos knew Isabella was pregnant again and didn’t want to wake her.

“Carlos, nice to see you.” Olive smiled as she walked out of her front door and over to Sergio and Isabella’s house. “I was just coming to check on Bella.”

“The children wanted to see Uncle Serge.” Carlos smiled. He had come to like Olive and William.

Sergio answered the door with a smile, Oscar and Hazel milling around his legs excited to see their friends.

“Come in, I have just finished baking some cookies.” Sergio smiled.

“Daddy, why don’t we bake cookies?” Clara asked Carlos.

“Well, because I don’t know how but I bet we could learn.” Carlos smiled.

“I would be happy to teach you. We rely on Wyatt and Will to bring us ingredients, but they are really good with stocking our cupboards.” Sergio smiled.

“And how are you, Miss Bella?” Olive asked, walking towards Isabella who was laying on the lounge with her feet up on pillows. “Feet still hurting?”

Isabella nodded, wincing in pain.

“She’s struggling to walk.” Sergio said seriously, walking over to the lounge.

Olive looked at Isabella and smiled.

“You must learn to ask for help Bella.” She chided gently.

“I know, I know.” Isabella smiled.

“I have brought you a tea and some oil Sergio can rub on them for you.” Olive told her, handing the tea to Sergio to make Isabella a cup.

Olive sat at the end of the lounge, moving Isabella’s feet off the pillows and on to her lap. She took the oil and began to rub it into Isabella’s feet.

“That’s nice, thank you Olive.” Isabella smiled.

“Do you have news of our nephew?” Sergio asked quietly.

“Joseph is doing well, he has begun training as a werewolf and Will and Wyatt are training him to bring out what skills he might have as a magician or sorcerer. Jonas visits when he can but please feel assured that he is loved beyond measure and safe.” Olive smiled.

“It makes me sad I am not part of the child’s life.” Sergio admitted.

“We could arrange a visit Serge, we will do it soon. Will is currently with the men but once he returns, we will see to it.” Olive promised.

Sergio nodded.

“How is that going?” Isabella asked. She stopped when she remembered Carlos was there.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask.” Isabella sighed.

“It’s ok, there is no news to share.” Olive replied.

“How is my sister and those little ones of hers?” Isabella asked.

“They are simply gorgeous but they are from good stock.” Olive winked. “I promise you we will organise a reunion soon.”

“Might I ask Olive if maybe my children might see their sisters one day? Sabrina wont ask but if anything should happen to us, I would not want them raised by my kind. Rose is simply legendary in some parts and I think she would be best to raise my children if I couldn’t.” Carlos asked quietly while Sergio distracted the children.

“It may not happen until everything is opened up again but I promise you I will see to it. I hear she is an extraordinary young woman.” Olive promised.

“I hear the same and I thank you for your kindness.” Carlos nodded.

“Carlos, where do you sit in this war? If I was to hazard a guess, I would say not in the same place as Sabrina?” Olive ventured quietly.

“There are two sides to Sabrina, and I fear I only like one of them.” Carlos murmured. “I had hoped she might change, especially after the children came along but she still connects with Francesca, and I can not support that.”

“It is that connection that makes her the way she is. Without it she is very different.” Isabella smiled sadly. “My mother is toxic and so is anyone who supports her.”

“It’s that damned demon blood and it also runs through my children’s veins. It sickens me.” Carlos spat. “To answer your question, my people have lived as vampires do for many years. We were quiet and relatively peaceful. We did not turn humans indiscriminately. You may not have noticed but I have never turned Sabrina. It was her desire to stay as she was and I can respect that.”

“I always wondered about that to be honest.” Isabella replied thoughtfully.

“Well, if we are being honest, I will not drink Demon blood, I do not wish to have any part of it. I long for Sabrina to give that up but she will not.” Carlos shrugged.

“Carlos, did you know that came from me? It could be removed from your children to. I do believe between us we could banish it from your children’s bodies,” Isabella offered.

Carlos looked at them, considering the offer. “I can not go against their mother so easily, but will you promise me, when the time comes, you will do this thing. I do not wish for them to live with that foul blood in them.”

“We promise Carlos and we will look after them and see they go to Rose. You know, if Sabrina still sees Rose as a daughter there is hope for her yet. She took Rose in out of love, not because they shared blood. That shows she still has the capacity to love.” Olive pointed out.

Carlos nodded sadly. “I hope you are right.”