Shadow Coven

CW: Historically inaccurate

I would've gladly fought in the war if I weren't the only man providing for my family. With my mother growing old in age, my two older sisters married off and worrying about their own families, and my three younger sisters needing someone there to provide, it would be no question. I could fight in the revolution.

But I didn't. Because what would they have done without me? My widowed mother, my sisters, what could they do if I had lost my life?

I had to stay alive for them. So I have been adamant about not joining. Not because I didn't believe we deserved independence, but because I had a responsibility. One I needed to keep.

It broke my heart when I was talking with one of my younger sisters, blaming herself for the fact that I would not join the war.

"No," I shook my head at her, giving her a reassuring smile, "I would gladly stay with you forever, Elizabeth. If it meant you were cared for. If it meant you were safe."

"They call you a coward," She stated softly, picking at her doll's dress, "Tell you that you are a filthy loyalist."

I gave her a soft chuckle, before pulling her in my lap. I rested my chin on the top of her head, warm from the sun. "They can call me whatever they would like, Liz. That doesn't change my duty. One that I'll happily do."

She looked up at me, her eyes wide and so sad. She then looked down at her doll again. "You... promise you'll stay?"

I let out a breath, wrapping my arms around her and rubbing her arm comfortingly. "I promise. I'll be here. Always."

We stay there until mother calls us in for dinner. We hear of the casualties, the retaliations, the plans. The outrage. For weeks, months, years. The pressure to join built, but I refused to leave my child sisters, even if I manage to make it out alive.

"We need you, Caleb." A man asked me, his eyes fierce and passionate. "I've seen you. You're a big guy, strong. You could give those red coats a scare."

"No, I-" I began, but the man shakes his head, adamant on cutting me off. He waves his hand.

"Yeah, I know, your kid-sisters. I understand, I really do. But, your older sisters. They're married, aren't they?" He asked, and it causes my brows to knit.

"What are you suggesting?" I asked, a frown pulling on my lips.

"Listen, if... something were to happen to you, is there not a way they could live with their sisters? Your mother included?" The man asked, and I shook my head.

"No... no, I can't... they need me." I stated once more, and the man sighed. He then nodded, looking at me. A flash of something went across his eyes, but I am not sure what.

"Fine, Mr. Jacobson. But I hope you'll reconsider soon." He stated, almost as a warning. He then walked off, leaving me to stew on his words. I want to join. I need to join. But I also need to stay with my family.

The next night, I decided to take a walk on my own through the city streets. To mull over it. I had promised my sisters to stay with them, forever if I had to, but what if the war ends, and we lose? What if this war takes them? What if me joining means that they get to live good lives in a nation free of royalty?

"I sense your unease. Your indecision." A voice breaks me out of my thinking and startles me. I let out a breath as I whirled around to see a woman, one that I can barely see in the darkness. She stalked closer to me as I wiped debris off of myself.

"Oh, pardon me." I cleared my throat, seemingly eliciting a chuckle out of the woman. I gave her a small smile, shaking my head. "Just... thinking."

"Of?" She asked me softly, looking over at me and giving me a similar smile. I walked with her, and something about her encouraged me to keep speaking.

"Just... everything." I sighed, looking at her before glancing back at the road. "I don't think I should join the war."

"Oh?" She hummed, her arm brushing mine slightly. "Why ever not?"

"My father is dead." I stated, my brows furrowing. "My mother is getting older and weaker, especially as she continues to grieve my father. My two eldest sisters are out of the house, and I must take care of my younger sisters. But everyone wants me to join."

"I can see why they would. You're positively... massive." She chuckled, shaking her head. "You'd do well in the fight."

"But what of my sisters?" I asked, letting out a scoff, "Even if I were to make it through the fight, I'd still have to leave them on their own for major periods of time. Off fighting a war where I cannot reach them."

It was a moment before she spoke again, looking at me, "What if... what if I were to give you something? That would allow you to know you could survive the war, and also have access to your sisters during it? What then?"

I stopped walking, taking in her words. I shook my head again, looking at her. "What are you talking about? Is there... such a thing?"

She smirked, seemingly pleased with my questions. In the fact that I was interested. She stepped closer, keeping her face angled away. "I do have something. Something that you may be interested in. It will make you stronger. Faster. Help you survive the war."

I let out a breath, swallowing some saliva. "That sounds too good to be true. What's in it for you?"

She tilted her head again, and I see a flash of her face in a still burning lamppost. "Consider it... a favor. And you'll owe me one once I need it."

I thought about her offer, worrying my lip. Am I being bamboozled? Could I really help my family and my country? What happens if, when, I accept this?

I looked at her again, this time with more determination. "Fine. Whatever I have to do."

Her smirk widened as she stepped in front of me, allowing her face to be shown in the dimming light. My skin ran cold as I saw her deep red eyes and her sharp fangs.

It's aggravating when I see Lenore in the house again, but not completely a surprise. Mateo has a big heart, one that still bleeds even as it doesn't beat.

It's always difficult to see him cope with the inevitable. People die constantly. It's bittersweet to see him grieve. To know that he's kept that love for humanity means everything to me, and is the reason he's one of the most valued in the coven. But it's hard to see the cycle over and over again.

It has to be why seeing her, Lenore, is so frustrating. Outside of her being a walking blood bag in a house full of vampires.

What troubles me, though, is that the others don't seem to be as upset about it as I am. Even Amelia, who I thought would have the biggest issue, would be upset. But she seems rather tame about it, in her own way.

"Are you bringing her over?" She scoffs, shaking her head. Mateo spills about all the interesting things about his new human friend, and I see her expression start to soften.

When I ask her about it, she lets out a long sigh, shaking her head. "You have to give the guy something. Besides, we won't see her for much longer. It all ends the same anyway." She says, and then struts off.

The others seem disinterested or fascinated by the prospect. Mateo has had many human friends, but rarely has he brought one home.

It irks me that I seem to be having such an issue with this. With her. Have I not been around humans enough? Am I losing my willpower?

This thought is what leads me to butt in on their hangouts. Perhaps I need more exposure.

"Ellis." Mateo exclaims, looking up at me from his bed and jolting a bit. The human, Lenore, looks up at me as well, my throat catching slightly. I'm not sure how we can fit in with humans when they look so different. How she doesn't immediately notice the danger in being in the same room as two vampires. It irritates my skin as she smiles at me before looking down at my hands.

"I, uhm... brought you tea." I hum, handing the cups over to the two. She wraps her hands around the mug, giving it a big whiff.

"Thank you, Ellis." She states softly, blowing the tea and taking a sip. I watch as she nods her head before setting the mug down on the nightstand.

Mateo looks at me before taking a sip, imitating Lenore as he nods. He gestures the cup over to me, "Thanks."

Before they go back to their conversation, I place my hand on Mateo's shoulder. It prompts him to look at me.

"Do you mind if we have a quick chat outside real quick?" I state, looking at him and then back at Lenore. Lenore shrugs her shoulders slightly, looking over at Mateo before he reluctantly gets up and follows me outside of the door. I softly close it, allowing it to click.

"What's up?" He asks, crossing his arms almost as if in defense. As if he's expecting me to scold him for bringing the human around more than he promised to. And maybe I should. It would maybe get rid of my whole problem. Maybe.

"Do you... mind if I... join you and your friend?" I clear my throat slightly, waiting for his reaction. His eyebrows raise, flinching a bit at my words. "Oh, um... sure, yeah." He answers after a moment, a small smile curling on his lips. He nods, turning back to the door. I stop him for a moment, making him face me again.

"I just, um..." I try to say, taking another gulp before looking in his eyes. "Need to make sure you're doing okay. You know.... around... her."

His face falls again, looking back at the door before looking back at me. He wipes his neck before nodding. "Yeah, yeah, I'm... fine... please... don't bring it up..."

I nod, holding my hands up slightly. "Okay. I just wanted to make sure." And then I leave it at that as we enter the room again.

I sit next to Mateo, away from Lenore. It's best not to sandwich her in between two vampires, I think, giving her a small nod. "Is your tea good?" I ask, watching as Mateo grabs his sketchbook again.

She looks back at her tea cup, still steaming slightly. Was it too hot? Could she not drink it yet? She then looks back at me, letting out an exhale that sounded a bit like a chuckle. I furrow my brows, looking at Mateo who now has a small smirk on his face.

"It's delicious, thank you." She states, pushing back some of her hair as she returns to her textbook. I always thought she was an art major like Mateo. What does he have to learn? I guess besides the new fad of digital forms of art...

She gives me another look, one I'm not quite able to decipher, before looking back at her scribble of notes. I notice her heart beating faster than before, and it makes me uneasy. Does she know about us? She's been here so often, have we been slipping? What is she doing here if she knows?

She continues to allude me. To frustrate me. To worry me.