written in the scars on our hearts

Other than exhausted? Okay, I guess. Doesn’t really feel like I’m allowed to be anything other than okay.

What makes you say that, love?

[Private]

Thank you. I… Okay. I understand. Thanks, Gabriel.

Of course, love. If you need any help, let me know. Also, as I said, his blood will make you sick. Be prepared to be bed ridden for a day or two after. Have a human ready to feed.

[Private]

Yeah, I figured it would. I just… with everything that’s happened, I’m scared for him. And Maria’s still human so he has to go out alone so much now. I want to keep him safe. That’s what a claim is supposed to be for, right? To protect them.

That is exactly what a claim is for, and I think your decision is as wise as it is noble. You have my approval, darling. Just keep in mind that Jackson will likely never leave my home, not if I can help it. When the time comes for you to move on, you cannot take him with you.

Well, it works the same with wolves as it would humans. Share in one another's blood, vow to protect him and keep him as your own. His blood would certainly make you ill, though. May I ask what has you interested in claiming him?

[Private]

[Private]

You miss my point. It has nothing to do with my ability to erase Seth’s compulsion but rather the fact that the human mind wasn’t made to be undone and glued back together repeatedly. I can create a more aggressive environment but I don’t think you’d appreciate my methods. Ultimately, something needs to change. Otherwise, he’ll burn this place to the ground.

[Private]

How many times can a person’s mind be undone before you can’t fix them at all? As for Seth, nothing would make me happier than to see him gone from this place. Whether by disposing of him or letting him go, I honestly don’t care. In my opinion, the world would be a better place without his presence, but I am not responsible for the world. I am responsible for this manor, and he creates nothing but trouble. He shows you no respect, taking the things you generously provide and handing them back to you broken. 

Send the girl to me if you'd like. I'll erase whatever you wish for me to erase, make her feel whatever you wish for her to feel. As for Seth... I can speak with Antheia, and the Council. I don't think it wise to send him off into freedom yet, but perhaps there is another dwelling he could occupy. One of my many siblings, perhaps. Or maybe he'd fair better with one of Ephraim's childer. A more aggressive environment, where he'd be less likely to get away with such misbehavior.

First of all, you're at liberty to repair whatever he might have damaged. If you fear for Olivia's well-being, simply fix her. As for Seth... I am uncertain of what you want me to do. I'm not sure I understand what you might be implying. What would you like me to do? Put him in solitary confinement? Force him to drink from a bag from now on? Eliminate him? What would make you happy, Isaac?

[Private]

No, I don't know what it was like. I do know, however, what it was like to see my kin dying around me. To hold my sister in my arms and believe it would be the last time. Believe it to be the last night I would hear her voice say my name, or see her eyes glisten the way they do when we share tender moments. You, Amaranta, even my darling wolf... You have no idea what that was like, Seth. You expect to be treated special because you went through an ordeal, but I can tell you now that you are very, very wrong. You made your own bed, Seth. I have no sympathy for the fact that you have to lay in it.

[Private]

It is not up to me to decide when you can leave, Seth. You were placed here by the Council. It is their choice and theirs alone. Though if you ask me, you're nowhere near ready to leave. My opinion of you dwindles with every second you spend arguing against those above you, those who make and uphold the vampiric law. Stop arguing with me. Stop heckling Isaac. Your insolence will not be tolerated and so help me God, I will not hesitate to toss you back in a cell for your defiance. You're acting like you know nothing of respect.

Fair enough. But for a place built on rules like you always like to tell me. Being straight up forbidden to so much as feed on a human that isn’t claimed is kinda bullshit. I don’t care what human. it’s the principle. He can’t do it. Unless you are fine giving the humans special treatment now. Which, after what happened to us. I’m really not. I don’t have a problem staying away from the boy. But having him removed from the very small blood pool which I am more dependent on than anyone else is crap. 

I have absolutely no patience for your whining right now, Seth. Listen to Isaac. As the head of my Sentry, he has the authority to tell you to leave the boy alone. If his blood really means that much to you, we'll have him fill a bag for you once a week. Sounds like a perfectly square deal to me.