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“I can’t believe you went, I told you that we would go in the summer.”

“I know, I just needed to know where I came from.” I could see her sitting on the hood of her car surrounded by the desert all around her. Her skin burned from the sun with her blonde hair pulled back. Her hands shielding her dark eyes from the sun. I remembered I had fallen in love with her smile when we met. It was like staring into the sun when I was around her. She had a really warm quality to her,

“I’ll be there as soon as I can get away from here. I love you, Yasmine. You just have to be careful around those people. It could be very dangerous – don’t trust them.” She had promised me she would keep to herself. I knew it was next to impossible once they had met her.

“Rent, is that the road to the camp?” I was pulled from my thoughts as Marc pounded on the cab of the truck. I slowed as I turned down the newly paved road. I could see where the sand had gathered along the road. I wondered if the development would really mean an end to Klaus and his people.

The sun had dropped as I pulled to a stop at the edge of the camp. I could hear the door to the truck already opening as I got out. I could see Octavius in the rearview mirror with his hands on his hips,

“What sort of creature lives out here?” He looked around at the development being built all around the camp.

“Well, the guy at the gas station said it was a card house.”

“A casino? How original…looks like Klaus will definitely have to move now. Amazing that he’s lasted this long without someone hauling his camp out of here.” Marc kicked around a tumbleweed as he looked at us,

“So are we going to stake him or what?” I felt my insides sink as I saw Klaus step out from around the truck,

“I knew you were up to something.” He stood with his cane at his side. His dark hair was slicked back against his skull. His skin was pale as it glowed in the dark. He wore a long black robe that dragged in the sand. I looked to Marc as he shook his head,

“You should have known it was coming.”

“Those rules were not cemented in stone. Are you really going to let it end this way?” I managed a smile as I looked to Octavius; he nodded.

“You know there is no such thing as forever.” He laughed as he leaned on his cane then shook his head,

“Of course you would know well enough about that considering that you just won’t die.” I narrowed my eyes as he held his grin.

“Klaus, you committed a crime against a living person.”

“She was hardly living – I believe the woman was dipped in nicotine and slowly rotting away.” Octavius stood silent until now,

“We have rules Klaus. We hunt criminals – the blood banks are in place for a reason. You set up those very rules and for you not to obey them is a crime. You left a body in Rent’s home like discarded waste.”

“She was vial – I don’t bother with such things.” I watched as Marc pulled the wooden stake from his waistband as he stepped around behind Klaus. Octavius nodded to his son as the boy raised the stake. Klaus shut his eyes as he let out a growl and whipped around tossing his cane aside, he reached out and grabbed Marc by the throat. He let out a cry as he was slammed against the moving truck. Octavius shot forward,

“Touch me and I rip his head off!” I grabbed Octavius by the arm pulling him back. Marc struggled against his grip, I cursed as Klaus looked back at us both.

“You see how fast the tables turned here?” Marc growled as he bared his fangs to Klaus, his eyes were dark now as he fought against his grip.

“Let him go, Klaus.” Octavius’ voice was steady as he stepped closer to him now. I watched as Klaus loosened his grip on Marc as he held onto him.

“We’re family, Octavius and you come here with your son to kill me. Tell me why feel you have to do this. Are we not brothers?” He looked to me as he said this as I shook my head.

“No we’re not.” His grip had loosened enough for Marc to pull away from him. I watched as Octavius rushed forward and raised his fist high and brought it down on his chest. Klaus’ eyes widened as he opened his mouth to protest, I watched as Octavius’ fist sat within Klaus’ body,

“Am I really going to do this?” I nodded as he pulled his fist out all the while holding Klaus’ heart. It had stopped beating and sat silent in his hand. I watched as Klaus’ body fell to the sandy floor and dissipate into nothing. Octavius still held onto his heart as he turned to his son and handed it to him,

“Be done with it.” Marc nodded as he took the organ and smashed it to the ground as well. We stood silently knowing full well that the camp was coming to life and that we would have to take our leave. I rocked back on my heels as I looked to them,

“Are you ready to go home?” Marc nodded as he said,

“Yeah, but you think its enough to send Carter packing?” I shrugged as I looked to Marc,

“Well let’s just say if he’s not satisfied he can join Klaus here.”

“Here, here,” said Octavius as he made his way to the truck. I could hear someone call out for Klaus as I got into the truck with Marc. I looked out the rearview as I started the engine and headed for the road. I could see a small gathering standing in the road watching us speed off. We rode in silence back to the highway. I wasn’t sure what would come of Klaus’ death or even what the others would think once they learned who had killed him.

“You know the lot of them will look to us for guidance now. Is it even something you had thought about?” I glared at him as I replied,

“No but I figured you would be great at leading.” I could hear Marc laughing from his seat behind us as he shook his head,

“Do you really think anyone needs you to tell them what to do? I think we’ve been doing just fine until now. Who ran things before Klaus stepped up and called himself master?”

“No one really but then those were the days when humans were hunted in large numbers. Those days were very tense – we still are sought after even now.”

“How come I’ve never heard of this?”

“We’ve made sure to keep you well guarded,” said Octavius with a wink as he looked at me, “I really think we should keep things the way they are now and let the others know that killing an unwilling human is cause for death.” Marc sat silent as we headed for the airport in Ontario. I couldn’t stand to sit in a truck for another minute, I knew the desert airport could land us a small plane to return home.

“I will not sit in this truck again,” I announced as I parked it in a lot and left the keys inside. Marc looked to Octavius as he shrugged,

“I thought it was a real bonding experience to travel that way.”

“We can be home in a couple of hours if we take a plane.” I didn’t need to say anything more.

The sun was already rising as Octavius covered his head with a heavy blanket as he ran toward the awaiting town car with blacked out windows. Marc walked calmly with his jacket over his arm, he had become handy with the special sunscreen that Octavius had created in his home lab. I looked back at the sun shining down on my face. I wanted to believe that Klaus’ death would solve all problems. I climbed into the back of the car and sat beside Marc, I looked to Octavius as he folded the blanket in his lap,

“If you don’t mind dropping me off last, the car will have to park in the garage at my house.”

“You do know you are capable of walking in the sun.”

“I don’t intend to attempt that considering that my blood is not the same as yours.” I raised an eyebrow as I replied,

“You know the woman that made you was more than likely my sire. I mean we never really did follow your lineage.”

“I think some things are meant to be a mystery don’t you agree?” I laughed as I nodded,

“Suit yourself.”

I awoke in my bed staring at the ceiling. I had moved into the guest room since Nina’s death. It felt wrong sleeping in a room that smelled of death. It didn’t matter that the room had been cleaned or that the bed had been replaced. Dead was dead. I looked to the window where rain was beating against the glass. The sky was dark with clouds as I got to my feet and headed for the window. I looked to my phone as it blinked with a message. I picked up the phone and scrolled through my messages from Matthieu,

“Please call me when you get this…everyone knows Octavius was responsible for Klaus’ death…Carter wants to meet with you all.” I let out a sigh as I sat on the edge of the bed and tossed the phone aside. I thought of Octavius as I picked up the phone and call him.

“Yes Rent, I know about our meeting with Carter.” He sounded resigned to whatever may happen at our meeting. I shook my head as I replied,

“I don’t believe anyone is furious with us. I think Carter wants to know what will happen now. He knows that you pretty much will take Klaus’ place.”

“Carter can rest assured that I want nothing to do with him. As far as I’m concerned I would like him far from us.”

“I’ll be over later today, after you’ve rested.” He agreed and I hung up the phone. I headed for the bathroom as I got ready for the day. I stared into the mirror at my reflection and had to hand it to myself. Despite the possibility of losing our heads to Carter I still was holding up pretty well. I pulled off my black t-shirt as I turned slightly and stared at my back in the mirror. I had never paid attention to the long thin scars that were the length of my back. The faded welts that crossed my back had never been a cause for thought. I tossed the shirt aside as I placed my hands over the counter and lowered my head,

“Forgive me father…”

I took off the tracksuit jacket I wore and dropped it on the sofa as I turned for Octavius to view the scars. He sucked in his breath as he shook his head,

“That is beautiful.” I looked back to see Marc sitting with his mouth open.

“Don’t look so shocked.”

“I really believed it was a lie. It does answer a lot of questions. I mean you have a way with woman that I’ll never understand. You eat their food.”

“I do drink their blood on occasion,” I interrupted him as he shook his head.

“You barely drink their blood Rent. I think you almost are disgusted by the fact that you drink it.” I leaned over and pulled my jacket on as Marc got to his feet,

“Wait so does this mean we’re still his creatures?”

“Who?” He raised his eyes to the ceiling as Octavius burst into laughter.

“I think we’re some sort of bad parody of a zombie to be honest. The only thing that separates us is the fact we don’t feast on brains.” I nodded as I zipped up my jacket and took a seat before them.

“So what’s the plan when we meet with Carter tonight.” Marc sat silently as Octavius said,

“Well I wouldn’t take off your jacket tonight – that might set everyone off. Keep it on and we’ll tell him everything remains the same. I just want him gone from my city.” I felt the air suddenly grow thick all around me. I looked to Marc as he nodded slowly,

“Yeah I think that’s a good idea too.”

“Then lets get over to his place.”

We arrived at my old home to find it aglow and cars lined in front. I walked alongside Octavius and Marc as we both stopped for a moment.

“I don’t believe this…” We went up the walk passing a couple in a deep conversation, they stopped to stare at Octavius. He nodded to them as the woman smiled his way. She had long dark hair that was as straight as Octavius’ hair. She wore a short black dress that stopped mid-thigh. Already she had caught Octavius’ interest as well as my own. Her skin was almost as pale as Chloe liked to be. She moved away from her partner as she followed us up to the house,

“You’re going to get a lot of that,” whispered Marc. I laughed as we climbed the steps and headed inside. The woman touched Octavius lightly on the shoulder, he stopped to chat with her. Already her date had floated off with another woman. I looked back as she smiled my way then returned her attention to Octavius.

“Well are we getting our little meeting started or what?” I looked to Carter and remembered what brought us here to begin with. I noticed the house was devoid of furniture save for a chair here and there. I spied an old sofa of mine as I looked to Carter,

“What is it with everyone wanting my castoffs?” He shrugged and replied,

“I guess it means you have good taste.”

“Octavius…it’s time.” He stopped talking to the girl as he nodded to us then headed inside the foyer. I looked to Marc who had already settled into a chair and sat quietly.

“We’re all gathered here today to congratulate you, Octavius. You took what was rightfully yours.” Carter applauded Octavius as everyone stood cautious. Again, we were unclear why he had brought us here. I looked around the room and noticed that I didn’t know the people present. They were of our kind but I couldn’t say anything more. I didn’t see Matthieu amongst the people gathered. I caught the scent in the air and knew these were the ones he made along his journey.

“Thank you Carter, everyone,” said Octavius as he stood and looked around the room, “I want you to know that you will have my word in saying that I will keep you all safe.” They applauded at this as well as he looked to Carter and nodded. Carter smiled as he looked to the others and said,

“You see, I told you he was not so bad.” They all laughed as Octavius looked to the dark haired woman and smiled. She returned his smile and soon he had disappeared from my view. I rolled my eyes as I looked to Marc,