Chapter Text
As Jonathan started his shift tonight, everything felt too quiet. The last few nights, the other members of the Pembroke staff had various requests for him, ranging from a second opinion on a patient's case to help locating antiseptics and other medications—most of which Jonathan had needed to mix together himself just to meet the current demands of the hospital. The Epidemic had hit Pemboke hard, and it was definitely showing.
Tonight, however, there had been nothing. The Ekon had been awake and working for the last three hours, he’d had his office door open for two of those hours. It was an unwritten rule among the staff that if a colleague left their door open they were free to speak to. And yet if Jonathan couldn’t hear the usual hustle and bustle coming from downstairs he would have sworn that the hospital was deserted.
Reid had heard Ackroyd and Strickland arguing (which wasn’t usual). The pair had taken the conversation to their office, so as not to disturb their patients.
If he didn’t know any better, he could have sworn that the rest of the hospital was doing their best to avoid him.
A light almost hesitant knock broke Jonathan from his thoughts. He turned from the notes he had been writing at his desk to look over his shoulder, the administrator Edgar Swansea was standing in his doorway but hadn’t crossed the threshold as he usually did.
At first, the Ekon had smiled, intending to greet his colleague, that was until he noticed the expression on the other man’s face. It was almost as though Swansea knew something that they didn’t.
Edgar visibly grimaced with the Ekon’s eyes on him as he stated “Jonathan, evening. Might I have a word with you?”
Jonathan felt his nerves rise although he made sure not to let his worries consume him. The other man’s expression and body language made this seem like the sort of conversation that the vampire would rather avoid. This didn’t have to be bad news, right? It could just be news that Priwen - the vampire hunters that Reid had heard so much about lately were doubling their patrols.
He nodded his head as he said gently “Of course, Doctor Swansea. What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?”
Edgar grimaced, smelling guilty as he continued “As I said… I do have something to tell you… I just-... I’m afraid it’s not good news.” the admission was hesitant. Almost like he didn’t want to talk about this - at least that made two of them.
Jonathan found himself pausing for a moment, doing his best to work out what the administrator may want to tell him. Had Chadana saw what he did to the Skals in the hospital gardens? Even the Ekon had to admit that it had taken a lot of his newfound abilities to subdue the beasts.
“It is… It’s about your sister…” the administrator spoke, sounding forced, as though his throat was too tight.
“My sister?” Reid questioned as the images of his first moments as a vampire flashed before his eyes. It was one of the few things about his turn that he hadn’t yet been able to admit to Edgar, although for some reason Jonathan felt as though Edgar knew what really happened on some level. He was, after all, a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Paul’s Stole.
Swansea let out a sigh, his body language sagging to show sympathy as he explained, his tone showing that he genuinely did feel for his friend and colleague “She is to be buried this evening at a service in Stonebridge Cemetery… Your… Your mother published the obituary in this morning's paper.” the administrator handed the Ekon the newspaper in question.
Jonathan did his best not to visibly react as his baby sister’s final words echoed in his mind. She sounded so betrayed, all she had wanted was to find her lost brother who had promised to return and make everything right. He would never have intentionally hurt her! He would never have hurt her! Not if he’d had control. Knowing that he was responsible for her death, for the pain that he had unintentionally inflicted upon his own mother “I see…” the Ekon replied, noticing his own voice trail off.
Edgar couldn’t hide his frown this time as he bowed his head, saying gently “I am sorry, Jonathan. Please accept my condolences and of course, you have the night off.”
Reid turned and left the office, feeling as though he was unable to say goodbye to his colleague. His throat felt too tight for that. He could feel the familiar sting of tears behind his eyes but he refused to let them fall. He didn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to himself while he was still within hospital grounds.
~~~~____~~~~
Making his way across London to Stonebridge Cemetery wasn’t easy. With every street that Jonathan travelled down, he found himself cornered by more members of the Guard of Priwen - each patrol he managed to sneak past or leave shamed-faced, bruised, unconscious but alive. The fact that they were out in force felt concerning. What had gotten them so riled up tonight? Other than the obvious threat that the Skal plague posed.
Just inside the cemetery gate Jonathan found a couple of Skals that looked as though they had just pulled themselves out of their own graves. He managed to dispatch them quickly, keeping the cemetery safe for humans and helping to satiate his thirst.
At the back of the Cemetery where the obituary had said the funeral would be held. Reid could already see his mother and the family Butler, Avery, standing by an open grave. Jonathan’s throat somehow became even tighter just by looking at them, his eyes stinging with the threat of fresh tears. He told himself that if this was the last thing that he could do for his sister - it was the very least that she deserved from him.
But that also meant facing his family and most likely answering questions about where he had been for the last two weeks. It was a line of questioning that he did not feel comfortable answering - he couldn’t lie if his family asked him but he also knew that he couldn’t tell the truth.
Jonathan found himself looking around as he did his best to gauge if there was somewhere he could move to watch the funeral from a distance. But he couldn’t see anything. That only meant what thing, he was going to need to face his mother and any possible questions.
He took a deep breath in to steady his nerves, Jonathan made sure to approach the humans slowly, his head bowed as a sign of respect to his dear departed sister.
As he approached, he noticed the way the Vicar’s pulse quickened, the smell of fear starting to permeate the air. The Ekon looked up to see the human was watching Jonathan with undisguised horror that his family thankfully didn’t see - they were too busy looking into Mary’s grave. The Vicar reached for the silver crucifix around his neck.
Of all the things that the Ekon could have planned for, the Vicar recognising him for the monster that he was, wasn’t one of the things he had considered. All he could think to do was to look at the floor, hoping it would be enough to prove that he wasn’t here as a threat.
With a long exhale, the Vicar seemed to be able to relax when the Ekon didn’t immediately lunge for any of the humans in the area. In turn, Jonathan felt himself start to relax a little. He was so used to anyone who recognised him as a vampire viewing him as a mindless beast that he hadn’t expected the other human to back down quite this easily. Hopefully, this meant that the Vicar seemed to be able to see him as-... maybe not a person but someone who could choose who hurt. Perhaps that was the best he could hope for with what he was.
Emelyne noticed that Vicar Larabee seemed distracted by something. She followed his gaze to see a man in a long dark coat approaching them with his head bowed. The woman squinted, surprised to find that she knew who was approaching her, despite being unable to see his face properly. Her heart stuttered in her chest, words of disbelief tumbling from her lips “Jonny?” even Avery looked up and seemed surprised to see the other man approaching them.
Jonathan in turn simply nodded his head to acknowledge their greeting, although he didn’t know what to say. He knew that now that he had been spotted by his family he couldn’t back out, even if he wanted to. He came to stand next to his mother, speaking in a gentle voice, barely above a whisper as he addressed the woman “Mother I-... I’m sorry…” it was the only words that the Ekon could manage to get out in this situation.
What else could he say knowing what he had done to Mary? Knowing that he was the reason that Emelyne had lost her child?
The Reid matriarch smiled softly, although she was obviously doing her best to hide her tears as she reached up to touch her son’s face. Fraile and wrinkled fingers gently stroking the man’s cheek as she said “You are here now and that is all that matters.” she sounded like she meant it.
Although the thought only made the Ekon’s chest ache with guilt. He had selfishly avoided going home because he wasn’t sure he could face his mother, he had been plagued by what ifs, what would she think of him? What would she say? She had no idea what he had done and what he was capable of.
The Vicar did not hide his suspicions well, although he was yet to actually say anything. Jonathan knew that he was being watched. He tried not to pay too much mind to it but that was easier said than done. He wanted to believe that the human didn’t know what he was. But he was past the point of hope given how the Vicar had threatened him with a crucifix. Priwen and their chaplains could tell what he was on sight, it wasn’t such a stretch to believe that any man of faith could see through him.
Before starting the service, the Vicar asked to speak to Jonathan in private. The expression the human wore betrayed that this wasn’t going to be a light-hearted conversation. In fact, Reid knew this was probably going to be the sort of conversation that he would rather avoid. But he knew that it was best to be cooperative, if only for his mother’s sake so that he didn’t cause an unnecessary scene. All the Ekon wanted to be able to do tonight was to mourn with his family - or what was left of his family.
The Ekon followed the Vicar towards the gateway until they were out of earshot of his mother and Avery.
Once far enough away, the Vicar turned his full attention to the vampire in question, strangely no longer looking as confident as before, perhaps he had put on a brave face for the mourning family.
Jonathan grimaced, hanging his head as he said gently “I am assuming that you know what happened to me?”
The Vicar nodded his head as he replied bluntly “One does not work as a Vicar for as long as I have without seeing what really lurks in the shadows at night. I wanted to ask what your intention was here tonight.”
“To mourn with my family.” Jonathan answered without hesitation.
A moment of silence passed between them as the Vicar looked Jonathan up and down before nodding his head and offering him a hand to shake as he said “Then allow me to offer you my sincerest condolences, sir.”
“Thank you, Mr-....”
“Larabee. Father Joseph Larabee.” the Vicar replied as Jonathan took his hand and shook it firmly.
Jonathan let out a sigh as he spoke gently “I have come to realise since this happened to me what really wanders the streets at night… I even found a few Skals on my way into the cemetery grounds… I do not blame you for being cautious.” it was understandable for the Vicar not to want to place blind trust in someone of his nature. Even if it hurt, he knew what his kind was capable of. He had saw the worst on it in dark back alleys. He knew what had happened on his first night when he had been consumed by his bloodlust.
With a gesture, Larabee lead Reid back to his family. Emelyne and Avery didn’t ask, which the Ekon was thankful for. He wasn’t entirely sure what he would have said.
~~~~____~~~~
The service was respectful. Emelyne, Avery and Jonathan laid flowers upon the top of Mary’s coffin. Vicar Larabee read out a lovely speech that was actually written by Emelyne, especially for Mary. The Vicar and a boy that Jonathan personally recognised as Rufus Kingsberry began to fill in the grave as the Reid family left.
It was instinctive the way that Jonathan kept scanning their surroundings, listening for the telltale sounds of vampires in the distance or worse close by. He didn’t want his mother or Avery to come to any harm.
The Elderly woman was holding onto Jonathan’s arm with as much strength as she had. He could smell the sickness on her but couldn’t quite place which sickness, in particular, was plaguing her. The elderly woman talked idly about things that had been happening in the West End, about their shared history and about their extended family. She was hoping that once the war officially ended; she would be able to visit her aunts and cousins in Paris.
The Ekon listened attentively, nodding where appropriate, replying back to his mother with mostly non-committal answers - especially when she suggested that he visit Paris with her. He was hoping that he could slip away once his mother was home safely. But the way she held onto him betrayed the fact that she wasn’t going to let that happen easily, nor did he know how he would explain his need to escape.
They were halfway to the West End when Reid heard a sound that right now - he didn’t want to hear. “Priwen shall prevail! Get the Leech boys.”
Jonathan may not have had many meetings with the man, but he had committed that voice to memory; mostly because it was always bad news when he heard that voice. That gruff, shout had come from none other than Geoffrey McCullum, the Leader of the Guard of Priwen.
It took a considerable amount of effort to not immediately allow himself to melt into the shadows so that he could easily slip away as he usually did when confronted with Priwen. Slipping away with the aid of his shadow manipulation wasn’t something that he could do with his family watching him so closely. So, he forced himself to remain present, despite his better judgement and his instincts screaming at him to fight or to flee.
Jonathan made a silent prayer to a god that he didn’t believe in that Priwen would stay away from him, even though he could hear them and more specifically the Skal that they must be chasing getting ever closer. Barrelling its way down back streets and narrow alleyways as its claws skittered and skimmed across brick walls. Almost as if it were using his arms to pull itself along and aid its speed.
He cleared his throat as he suggested to his mother “It is a lovely night… How about-... How about we take a small detour? I have missed you while I was at war and-... While I adjusted to life in London.” before the woman had a chance to reply, he was gently starting to lead his mother in a different direction.
Emelyn smiled, although it was very clearly half-hearted, the look in her tired blue eyes showing that she was already doing her best to find a way to politely decline her son’s request. “I would love to go for a walk with you my boy. You know that… But-... I’m tired tonight, perhaps we can go for a walk tomorrow night?”
A Skal roared - an angry and vicious sound - Jonathan didn’t need to be a vampire to know that the creature was now only two streets away.
Avery and Emelyne looked up when that horrid sound echoed its way onto the streets they were walking down, they scanned the area, clearly trying to locate the source of the ‘strange’ inhuman noise. If the Ekon’s heart still beat he knew that it would have missed a beat. With his mother asking not to take a detour, Jonathan was trying to think of a way to get his mother away from here as quickly as possible.
As it seemed was always the case, luck was not on Jonathan’s side.
The Skal that he was hoping to avoid leapt out of an alleyway into the open street. The Ekon pulled his service weapon from his overcoat's inside pocket, aiming for the beast's head as he snapped at the two humans, his tone stern more than it was aggressive “Avery, get mother home, now!” it was amazing that Jonathan was able to keep the protective growl he could feel rumbling from his throat from coming out as he spoke.
Avery stumbled back when he saw the Skal. But Jonathan could remember his reaction when he first saw a Skal. Surprise was understandable so he did his best to draw the creature's attention away from the human’s - keeping its attention on himself instead. According to Edgar Swansea’s research Skals were more likely to go for Ekon blood over human blood.
He could easily hear the chorus of Priwen shouts as they followed the path that the Skal had taken, they were unfortunately getting dangerously close. It was a risk to remain in the middle of the street but it was necessary if he wanted to give his mother and Avery time to flee and but distance between themselves and the Skal.
Unfortunately for him and his family, Emelyne was an elderly woman in ill health - in layman’s terms she was easy prey for a famished Skal, for any vampire really. And any vampire would always go for the easier target.
He fired at the Skal, the bullet lodging in its shoulder. It made one of the few times that Jonathan was thankful for his impeccable aim.
It howled, a long, pained, drawn-out sound. Jonathan knew that he had only managed to piss the beast off more than Priwen already had. The long slashes of sword strokes and the multiple bullet wounds that were oozing fresh blood showed that this had not been an easy fight for the Guard. It must be stronger than the malformed Skals that were currently populating the streets.
The Butler placed himself between Emelyne and the-... the man that Jonathan had chosen to engage with? It almost looked like a man, only his skin seemed to be melting in places, his clothing torn and dirtied. The sound it let out was the most inhuman thing that Avery had ever heard in his life and yet Jonathan was facing the man head-on - seemingly without fear. Avery wanted to tell the younger man to flee with them. He had always viewed Jonathan as if he were his own flesh and blood.
Even as Avery thought about making the young Doctor come with him, it was almost as though he could hear his thoughts.
Reid turned his head to look over his shoulder only briefly, shouting “I said leave! I will follow soon. Get mother to safety!”
The Skal lunged for the Ekon, snarling with fangs bared and spit flying from its mouth.
Jonathan managed to jump back, avoiding the creature’s attack and also avoiding using his abilities. Avery and his mother may have retreated a little and were thankfully out of plain view. They were still not out of earshot and they were still able to see him and by extension anything he did.
The Priwen squad that had been following the Skal emerged from the alleyway. Upon seeing Reid a woman threw something as she shouted, a warning to her crew and not the two sparring vampires “Uv grenade!”
Reid had nowhere he could go and very little time to react. He managed to shield his eyes and get a kick in against the Skal, which sent the beast flying backwards.
As the grenade landed on the floor in the space between himself and the Skal. Both Jonathan and the Skal cried out in pain, skin blistering and burning from the burst of artificial sunlight.
A different Guardsman, a male this time laughed as he cheered “We’ve got ‘em now boss!”
“And the infamous Leech Doctor Reid to boot.” McCullum’s voice added with amusement.
The Ekon blinked hard and fast as he tried to clear his vision as quickly as possible. The light had been disorientating, paralysing, blinding and burning but it was thankfully short-lived lived and he was already starting to heal - no thanks to the blood of the infected Skals that he had killed on his way into the Cemetery.
Somehow Jonathan suppressed his urge to growl as he seethed at the Priwen leader, doing his best to divide his attention between the vampire hunters and the Skal “Was that absolutely necessary?”
As if to prove his point, Geoffrey was quick to shoot Reid with his crossbow, most likely because he had recovered quickly knowing how the minds of members of Priwen seemed to work. As Reid used a blood shield to deflect the hunter’s stake. Geoffrey used the moment of distraction to close some of the distance, shooting at Reid once again as he said firmly “Always is with monsters like you, Leech .”
Jonathan picked up one of the discarded stakes, and used the butt of the weapon to try and stun the Irishman, hitting him in his ribs, enough to wind him without breaking anything.
As McCullum stumbled, he shouted an order to his men “Boys! Take the Skal, I can handle our dear old Doctor.”
“Honestly, ‘old’ feels like more of an insult than ‘monster’ at this point.” Jonathan quipped, if only to keep the fight light. Making a joke out of the situation always made it easier to not harm Priwen. Even when they were determined to kill him.
The Leader of the Guard of Priwen bared his teeth in what was an impressive snarl for a human. He drew his sword. Jonathan was forced to react quickly, using the shadows to grab the hunter’s ankles and pull him back.
Geoffrey fell to the floor and found himself covered in stale rainwater. His legs and arms that made harsh contact with the cobblestone path were likely to be bruised or at worst grazed but he would live. It annoyed the hunter to be bested.
As the Ekon used his shadow abilities to force the hunter back, he heard a frightened gasp. Jonathan turned to see that Avery was watching him from behind a building but his mother appeared to be nowhere in sight. In fact, he couldn’t even see Emelyne with his blood sight.
Jonathan wanted to curse himself for forgetting about his family. He had just been confronted by the Leader of the Guard and Geoffrey was always a formidable opponent. The Ekon felt his eyes widen, shadow stepping across the distance until he was in front of Avery. He saw the man stumble and made a mental note to apologise properly later, right now he just wanted to make sure that his mother was alright before the Irishman had another chance to attack him again.
Reid held his palms up, doing his best to be as gentle as he could as he asked “Avery, where is mother?”
The Butler’s mouth was open as though he wanted to answer. All he managed to do was make a few choked-off strangled noises.
The Ekon wanted to tell the Butler that it was okay, he hadn’t meant to scare Avery and he would never harm him. He was just concerned for his mother's safety given the close proximity to a hungry Skal. Emelyne’s safety was his highest priority.
Focusing on the Butler had been Reid’s fatal flaw. Jonathan felt it before he saw it. A sharp stabbing pain entered his back and as he looked down, the Ekon could see the blade of McCullum’s sword coming out of his stomach, covered in his own blood. He wanted to tear the blade out but that wouldn’t work.
His next movements were instinctive, the way that the Ekon turned around, grabbing the Irishman by the shoulder before throwing him back. As Geoffrey hit a wall and fell to the floor with a graceless thud. Jonathan took the opportunity to remove the sword from his stomach, feeling the way the wound started to slowly but surely stitch itself together.
Dropping the sword to the floor with a metallic clatter, Jonathan growled, more pained than angry as he snapped “Really? In the back? And your men claim to be honourable?”
Geoffrey sounded winded as he managed to stand himself up, a little wobbly but otherwise unharmed, surprising considering how hard the Ekon had thrown him. In all honesty, were it not for the gaping wound in his stomach Jonathan may have been impressed with the Irishman’s resilience “You talk about honour when you were going to attack two innocent elderly humans.”
“Attack?” Reid questioned, breathing in shallowed breaths as he did his best to not wince in pain “Why would I? I told Avery to take my mother and run when I heard that Skal approaching… When I realised that Avery was still here, I was worried about my mother.”
It was at this point that Jonathan noticed the rest of the Priwen patrol coming up behind him, weapons drawn, the Skal had gone silent. He could make an educated guess as to why. As he scanned the surrounding area he could see what was left of the Skal laid in a heap on the floor.
In the meantime, McCullum had picked up his sword, levelling it at Jonathan, his eyes narrowed as he stated firmly “The woman in the black dress was escorted back to an address in the West End by a rookie and their mentor.”
“My mother…” Jonathan stated, matching the hunter's tone “Is she hurt? Is she safe?”
McCullum sneered as he snapped, his tone disbelieving bordering on cruel “No Leech ever cares if a human lives or dies.”
Somehow Reid managed not to roll his eyes as he asked “Humour me, please… Is… She… Hurt?”
“No… Mrs Reid is not hurt and she didn’t see any of this…” Avery replied as gently as he could. He still smelt like fear. Jonathan however could only let out a sigh of relief, his body language softening as he whispered “Then all is well…” In all honesty, Jonathan felt as though he could manage whatever Priwen threw his way so long as he knew that his mother was safe and sound at home.
Geoffrey gave a simple hand gesture, the rest of the Priwen patrol backing away at his say-so and lowering their weapons. The Leader of the Guard took a step forwards, the point of his sword blade resting against the skin of the Ekon’s throat. Jonathan, not one to let the hunter intimidate him, held the human’s gaze, refusing to swallow thickly the way he reflexively wanted to “Why would you care?”
At that, Jonathan actually scoffed “Do you need to ask? I told you she is my mother! No matter what happens to me, all I want is for her to be safe.”
“How did you come across her tonight? Why tonight of any night?” McCullum demanded.
Reid felt the ache of guilt and mourning that had been present in his chest all night suddenly swell, of course, he was going to be asked but tonight of all night? He let out a long sigh as he admitted “If you must know. I attended my sister’s funeral… Vicar Larabee saw me there and can attest to the fact that I was there as a mourner and nothing more.”
Surprising Jonathan, Avery carefully pushed the hunter's sword away and stood in front of the Ekon. He opened his mouth to object but Geoffrey was already addressing the Butler, his tone softening to confusion as he spoke to a human “Why are you defending the Leech Doctor?”
The Butler licked his lips to wet them, looking between the Irishman and the boy he had known for more than twenty-five years “I may not understand all of this… Or what you mean by calling Jonathan a-... a ‘Leech Doctor’... But… You cannot-... Will not harm him, so long as I have anything to say about it.”
The sentiment truly touched the Ekon, he found himself smiling despite himself, placing a gentle hand on the older human’s shoulder “Avery… You don’t need to defend me… Please… Go look after my mother. I can handle myself.”
In all honesty, Jonathan wasn’t sure what he could expect. If he could actually walk away from this in one piece or without having to concuss more members of the Guard.
Surprising the Ekon once again, Avery shook his head no and actually took Reid’s hand as he said firmly, almost as if it were a warning to the Guardsmen “No… We will return to your mother together. She needs us both after tonight.” Jonathan allowed the Butler to lead him, watching as Priwen just let him leave, visibly confused, most likely a little angry that a ‘Leech’ was walking away but they didn’t try to stop him.
Avery only let go of the Doctor’s hand when Priwen where three streets away.
Jonathan knew that they hadn’t been followed considering he was using his blood sense. When they stopped walking and Avery finally let go of his hand, he did his best to place distance between them, watching the Ekon with wary eyes.
In all honesty, after everything that Avery must have seen tonight that was understandable and in a show of good faith, Jonathan too took a few steps back. He cleared his throat as he said, feeling just a little awkward now “I suppose that you have questions for me, Avery.” the questions that he had hoped he could avoid at least for a week or so. If only Priwen hadn’t been so close then perhaps he wouldn’t have been forced to reveal himself… To be fair, if the Guard hadn’t thrown that ultraviolet grenade then he may have been able to defend his family without exposing himself.
The Butler watched him like he was staring at a stranger and honestly, that felt as though it hurt more than actual rejection, ever since this happened to him the Ekon had strived to not be seen as a monster. To retain some part of his humanity, however small that may be. And yet the man he had looked up to the most was now watching him as if Jonathan were some animal waiting for the opportune moment to claim its prey.
The tension between them weighed on both men. Whatever courage the Butler had found to confront Priwen and get the Doctor away from them was dissipating fast. Reid let out a sigh taking another step back, hoping that it would help the other man “This is a lot… I know…”
“Do you?” the older man snapped, terror lining his tone.
Jonathan nodded his head as he replied “It is why I could not bring myself to return home… Why-... Why I avoided Reid Manor.” he had been terrified about what he could do. The danger he posed to other humans and he had latched onto Edgar’s promise of knowledge and understanding. “Not only was I afraid of what I could do. I saw what other vampires did on the streets! I saw the bodies left on street corners completely exsanguinated.”
Avery shook his head “So… How long have you been in London? You do realise that your mother believed you had died on your journey home!”
“I have been in London for just a little over a month.” Reid admitted guiltily. At the time, as much as it pained him, he had assumed that it would be best for his mother to assume him dead. If she thought he was no longer alive, she had no reason to look for him. He missed her, of course he had, Emelyne Reid was such an important part of him - he had always been close to her.
The Butler shook his head as he snapped back, tears in his eyes “Your mother mourned for you! She wept, she sobbed, she howled in agony believing that she had outlived her entire family!”
Reid hung his head, knowing that if Avery wasn’t still reeling from what he had saw, this would be more akin to a fatherly lecture “I knew the possibility that my absence would upset her or worse but-... Until I knew more about my… ‘condition’... Then…Then I could not return…”
Avery scoffed “Your condition? And what exactly is that.”
“You saw…” Jonathan said, as if that were supposed to be answer enough.
“I don’t know what I saw… I can’t explain it…” Avery replied, his intentions clear. He wanted Jonathan to say it aloud. Something that the Doctor still struggled with.
Reid opened his mouth to speak but the words wouldn’t come. After a moment or two of trying he shook his head, instead replying “I think the fact that the vampire hunters attacked myself and that Skal answers the question.”
Out of all the reactions that Jonathan had been anticipating, he hadn’t expected the Butler to grab him by the lapels of his coat and pull him closer until they were practically nose to nose as he yelled “Don’t bullshit me, Jonathan! You owe me the truth.”
Instincts still close to the surface after his brief tussle with the Guard. The Ekon snarled, baring fangs, a reaction born of surprise more than the need to intimidate. However, he was quick to correct the action, shaking his head and pushing away from the Butler with a quick but sincere apology “I didn’t mean it, Avery! I swear… You surprised me. I am sorry…”
The Butler flinched and brought his arms up to protect his face. An action that Jonathan understood no matter how guilty it made him feel. However, with the apology, the older man lowered his arms and let out a relieved sigh, a sound that the Ekon wasn’t sure he was meant to hear “If you want to come home with your mother, then you will tell me what you are, no games!”
“I-... I-...” The Doctor stuttered struggling with his words.
Avery levelled him with a disapproving glare, a look that Jonathan was familiar with from his youth. In a way, it made him want to smile from the familiarity of that look, in another he knew that look meant that the Butler was serious. He knew he needed to be honest. He WANTED to be honest but that was easier said than done.
“I’m… I’m a vampire… An Ekon actually…” Jonathan admitted no longer able to hold the other man’s gaze.
Silence. In fact, if Jonathan hadn't looked up to make sure that Avery hadn’t died on the spot with the admission, he could have sworn that the man wasn’t even breathing. Thankfully he was.
Reid knew he needed to break the silence, for his own sake. He turned away from the other man, hanging his head as he admitted “I understand… Tell mother that Priwen caught me or that the ‘flu incensed man’ killed me… It will… It will be better for her not to know what really happened…” it would hurt that he could never see his mother again. That he could never return to his family. But perhaps things were better that way.
He should just walk away. He should walk away and leave his family where they will be safe. Safe from him.
Just when he thought that he was going to be allowed to leave, he felt a warm hand take hold of his own. He turned to face Avery, knowing he was the only man close enough to intercept him. The man was shaking and still wrecked of fear but he had stopped Jonathan from leaving for a reason.
The Ekon watched, waiting for the human to work through his thoughts.
Eventually, the older man spoke, his tone calmer than Reid had expected of him “You can’t leave your mother… Not again.”
“What do you propose I do?” he asked gently. Jonathan wanted to return home but he didn’t want to seem overeager. If Avery felt that it was better that he only visit the Reid manor to see his mother now and again then that was what he would do.
The Butler licked his lips to wet them as he said slowly “Come home… At least for tonight… We will… We will work out what to do next from there…”