Black Roses

Chapter Seven - Blackwood Siblings

The Blackwood manor is the two story masterpiece started by hand by their parents, Alcide and Josephine, and through time has been added to by each of the siblings. It was a family effort, making it the unused, dusty artifact it is today. A large, thick, iron-barred, gate covers the front of the property and trees line the nature-strip, keeping the house in solitude – but keeping enough space for the Blackwood's to spy on their neighbours. Old brown bricks and a dark green tiled roof make up the sturdy foundation. The manor is a mixture of the old and the new. The old life their parents dreamed for themselves and the additional renovations put in to aid the shifter lifestyle they all live now. The entrance way leading to the large, double door entrance into the house, is undercover so the siblings can get to a blacked out vehicle during the day, and never once having to touch the sun. All the windows in the house are covered with thick, black curtains to block out the day. The siblings have the house decked out to satisfy their every need and have eliminated the chances of human survival within its walls.

Walking through the gates, up the curved driveway and through the front door, William enters and finds his siblings gathered around the candlelit dining table. Instantly he can see that something is wrong. Phillip is consoling Samuel…again, Marcus is wearing his business face and Iris looks ready for battle.

"What have I missed?"

One by one, they each contribute their parts of the story. Marcus begins, his voice drowning in frustration and impatience, "Samuel has killed yet another one."

Phillip, feeling the need to stand up for Samuel, speaks with the intention of plucking at Marcus's nerves, "Nik slaughtered the contents of Andy's bar…again."

Rolling her eyes, Iris can feel the testosterone competition escalating far enough that someone – or all of them – will get hurt, "Miss Tate has given me a mission."

"The crazy, old witch lady?"

"She's the elder of the coven and this lands high priestess."

"You take orders from her, but not your creator?"

Standing tall, Iris growls and clenches her fists, ready to fight William. Iris has never willingly given into Katherine's authority, refusing her at every turn. For as long as she can remember she has despised the thing that created the virus, the monstrosity that keeps them alive and burning but William has never understood. Katherine has mothered the boy, blinded him from the true meaning of family. This argument is a regularly visited discussion, not only between these two, but between them all.

"I do not take orders from anyone. I'm doing a favour for Miss Tate. And trying to earn the covens trust."

"Whatever way you justify it, you are still choosing a bunch of hippie witches over your own blood."

"Enough William. Iris has asked for help on this mission," Marcus throws his voice into the air, trying his best to defuse his siblings. Keeping the peace within the manor has fallen on him while Nik is away. Many days he finds himself trying to convince them all that Katherine is the enemy, not the people bound by the blood in their veins. Sometimes it cools things down. Other times, he himself struggles to remember the fact. As hard as he tries, Marcus lacks the natural instinct to lead this family, unlike the way that Nik does. The oldest of them merely has to speak and he commands over everything and everyone. From everything Marcus has read, nothing gives him the knowledge to be on the same superior level.

Without second guessing the decision, Samuel raises his hand in the air, knowing he needs some time away from town to recharge. It can take him days to recuperate from an episode, being away from the manor will speed up the recovery time.

William shakes his head in refusal, "Not it."

Phillip stands and proclaims, "I cannot leave town now. I have the festival dance this week and I have to clean up after slobs."

Thinking he's amusing, William clicks his fingers and looks at Phillip, "Oh, heads up, there's a small…medium mess down on Longdales Street. Sweet Tooth was kinda in a shambles when I left."

Unable to contain his annoyance, Phillip huffs. The sound catches William's attention, causing him to quickly shoot Phillip a look, "What's your issue?"

Rather than bottle it up like he usually does, Phillip unleashes his emotions, "Can't you just not kill people for once? Why must you destroy things everywhere you go? You keep tormenting and slaughtering these poor humans. No wonder those who know the truth, fear us. It's because of you they think we're monsters."

Phillip breaths in deeply and feels Beatrice's hand on his shoulder, her voice sounded like wind against his ears, Well done Phillip, well done.

He begins to walk off, but William isn't finished with the banter, "Last time I checked, we are monsters. And who else is going to do the hard work around here? I do the messy stuff so you don't have to get your delicate hands dirty. So either man up and take responsibility for what you are or quit your complaining."

Feeling the anger boiling up inside, Phillip steps forward and towers over William. The situation is heating up and everyone in the room can feel the friendly fire about to be thrown. Usually when two of the siblings collide, Nik shuts it down and intervenes. But Nik isn't here, it's only Marcus. Doing his best to be Nik while Nik can't, he sets the rules, "That's enough. William, you shall accompany Iris and Samuel on her witch crusade."

The two boys unclench their fists and relax. Phillip wants to push further, to force his thoughts into Will for once but his mind is foggy with the image of trembling Sam, struggling to move. Retreating back to his corner, he returns to his chair where he leans against Sam's arm, letting the contact ease the both of them. William looks at Marcus and his jaw drops, "Come on, man. Last witch thing I went on, I almost lost a leg."

"There is no more discussing it. Get ready to leave." Marcus barked, attempting to deliver orders as well as Nik does.

Storming up the stairs in defeat, stomping like a hurt child having a tantrum, William packs a travel bag in his gloomy bedroom. For William, his bedroom is barely used and has stayed the same since his human years. It's plain, holding only a single bed, a small wooden desk and a closet for his clothing. It's the smallest room in the house, besides from the bathroom and laundry. As the youngest, he never needed much. He wasn't old enough to gather any belongings or travel far enough that he needed to bring home souvenirs. So his room remains bare, containing only the necessary items for his lifestyle – which isn't much.

Iris is already packed and pumped to prove herself to the coven superiors, especially to Victor. He seems to be the last one to come to terms with her involvement. Iris believes, if she can earn his trust, then she will be welcomed fully. This isn't the first time she's helped the witches out with an issue. Usually the tasks stay in town and involve flirting with a person or two for information. Or fetch ingredients for Miss Tate's shop. This time, it involves a trip and maybe even a brawl or two. Iris isn't certain of what awaits her but she knows the coven is desperate and she's feeling eager to earn a place within the circle.

Phillip turns slightly in his chair to face Samuel, puts his hand on his shoulder and asks, "Are you sure you want to go?"

"Yes. I have to go. This town is too much sometimes. I need space to get out of my head. I'll come back better, and more myself. These attacks have been happening more frequently and they need to stop."

"As long as you're sure."

Before Phillip has a chance to get up and leave, Samuel pulls him back to the conversation, "What about you? Are you okay?"

For a moment, Phillip isn't sure what he's referring to, but then something clicks when Nathaniel runs circles around the dining room table, laughing, seemingly at Phillip's expense.

"It's happening again, isn't it?"

Ashamed and slightly embarrassed, Phillip nods his head and looks to his feet.

"How long have you seen them for?"

"A few weeks, I suppose. They haven't gone away like last time. It's like they're stuck in my head," Phillip knocks a finger to his temple.

"Oh Phillip. They'll always be in your head."

Samuel looks over Phillip's tired features, his weepy eyes and drooped corners of his mouth. There is no getting used to the sight of a grieving brother, whose pain is both unbearable and unstoppable. Feeling thankful for all the help he's giving, Samuel tries to return the favour with a smile and a familiar little saying, "What are you?"

Letting himself laugh as he exhales, Phillip replies, "A strong, capable nightwalker," and the focus on Samuel disperses the child's laugh and the usual presence of Beatrice's hand on his shoulder. It was a small gesture, but overwhelmingly significant to Phillip.

"Damn straight you are."

Getting to his feet, Samuel reaches up, standing on the tips of his toes, and pats Phillip on the head before leaving to pack his own bags.

Ever since Victoria, Samuel has depended on Phillip for guidance. He was the one who found Samuel after the accident. Looking at them from the outside, it appears to be a one sided relationship. People assume Phillip does everything for his little brother, cradling him back to full health in his weakest moments. What people fail to see, is how much Phillip needs and relies on Samuel as well.

Marcus watches Phillip stand – assumedly alone – in the dining room, watching the cogs in his head turn. Of the six of them, Marcus feels the most sorrow for Phillip. He watches him blow out the candles and head for the door.

"Phillip, the sun is rising soon."

"I know, I'll be quick."

Marcus is fully aware of where he's travelling to, the cemetery. After a long night, as the one they've just had, Phillip needs time to unwind.

"I'll have Andy clean up the Longdales Street mess. Say hi to them for me."

"I will. Thank you."

When Phillip struggles with his family, he runs away. When life feels too heavy on his hollow, immortal heart, Phillip escapes to his safe place. With his wife and son. While the pain he carries around in a trailer behind him, remains silent and unheard, everyone can see the grief written in the lines of his face. While he's never spoken about his loses, he holds them in his hands every day. Every once in a while, the pain manifests into physical visions of Beatrice and Nathaniel and they haunt him, play tricks on his mind, until he believes they're alive and well, only to be torn apart discovering the truth all over again.

With his siblings all busy, caught up in their own lives, Marcus has a few free hours to waste before Nik is due home. Taking this time to sooth his own foggy mess of thoughts, he sits in the quiet of the library and reads his well-used, well-loved books. After changing into his pyjamas and slippers, he takes his time getting comfortable. Sipping from a mug full of steaming coffee, Marcus turns his business face off and allows himself to slide into his own make-believe reality.