RESTLESS SOUL

Because she was pregnant?

No one would tell me anything about it, and since then all of this other stuff has come out – about her and about me. She feels so alive even though she’s dead; I know all of these things about her but not the one that matters – and I know there’s more.

Yes. It was a gruesome situation that no one deserves.

So you would have known my mother.

I did. I know all of the faces, past and present that come to this town-- your mother’s especially. There are a lot of people who die here, but her death still haunts me to this day.

Sarcasm is a sign of intelligence. A place isn’t very inviting when you’re the main course.

You’ve been around, for like… ever – right? 

You are not wrong... on either account.

Next time I’ll make sure to book an appointment with your vampire assistant.

I see you are still holding onto the strong Harley Collins sarcasm. I am curious, though-- you never come by to visit us here.

The silence was agony. Perhaps, Eloise would have preferred if he verbally responded with a raised voice or displayed his anger in any other way than he currently was. Instead, Tiberius nearly waved away the redhead’s words, exhaustion etching every muscle in his body and coating the air in the room between them. Eloise thought nothing could break their friendship, could send the pair hurdling over the cliff with as much gusto as fate allowed, but she was the one giving the final push. The council held its own sliver of responsibility, their actions pining for the destruction button to Killgrove Hills, truer than true, though her actions prompted the last straw to create this fissure between Tiberius and herself. A hunger pang for interjecting during the winding course of his spiel gripped at Ellie’s internal subconscious, yet, she remained silent even as he all but proclaimed a hiatus in their intimate relationship. Not a single tragedy on this earth had gutted the vampire the most. “The years have not been kind to me, Tibs. I did lose sight of who I am and I do not know how to bring her back for you. She’s still there somewhere, I can feel her struggling, but I’ve grappled with this identity for decades and you are one of few who could find her again.” Eloise couldn’t locate the right phrases to proclaim, shocking for a vampire who was quick on her feet with every quip in the dictionary. Instead, she crossed the room towards the bed, her hands reaching out to cease the man’s hands from packing, “The thought of watching everything we have built together, our home, our coven, the people we’ve befriended, blown to cinder and ash terrified me, Tiberius. I’m scared. And you hold the power to whisk the fear away as only a leader can. There’s a reason why I never began this coven on my own, it’s because I couldn’t do it without you. Without my best friend, who I see is still there somewhere behind the rage and a desire to forgo the fighting. No one here doubts your ability as a leader, Tibs.” Her hands lifted to cup his face in her palms, their eyes locking, “What we are is complicated and maybe hinging on toxic. If I am dragging you down, dragging our family down, then you do what is best for yourself and for them. You said yourself, I’m endangering everyone.” Eloise’s fingers traced the vampire’s jaw before she dropped them entirely, “That is how much I love you.”

Tiberius looked at the woman, his eyes softening. They’d known each other for centuries, he loved her. The way that her eyes held a mischievous glint but would show something deeper when looking at him, the way her hair glowed like fire in the sunlight-- he still loved her, but the line between duty and the line of their relationship was a crater that he couldn’t cross. “I’m afraid I can’t take your fear away, Eloise, because I am also scared-- I don’t know what I’m doing here and I doubt my ability,” Tiberius sighed, his confession leaving him exhausted. Everyone always looks to their leaders, but he hadn’t the foggiest idea of how to do anything. He looked at her, brows furrowed at what she was insinuating, “Elle... no. Your home is here with this coven, with me. All I wanted... all I needed was for you to think of your actions and consequences which you are able to do, but won’t-- I don’t want them coming after you.” He held her hands in his again as he looked at her sadly, “I will never stop loving you. That’s what makes this all more difficult when I have to protect this town, these people, our coven... and keep you safe from yourself. I can’t do all of this on my own-- I just needed you to be careful and you weren’t.”

Had I been in a council member’s shoes from what I can imagine, I’d have already made my mind up and wouldn’t likely change it, no matter the groveling. The fate of our home is not just on your shoulders, Tiberius, you forget that. If you need the help, ask.

The aqueducts, I will have to examine the town’s blueprints and seal any entrances in which either would potentially escape. We cannot place them in the same location either should they decide to make a pact of sorts, separate is safe. I have never been certain when it comes to Alec, but I know the walls are crumbling and he won’t rest until everyone knows what happens when he is away. And if I’m the one to condemn him to an immortal prison, then I shall.

And what do you suggest we do, Ravenna? Wait for other council members come who have untold power to destroy us while we take a last stand? There are innocent people here. 

Kade hummed his agreement, plucking the glasses from his leader and popping the cork before pouring them both a drink. Sliding a glass over toward Tiberius, he sipped at the liquid with sophistication. “I’d kill to have a face like yours kissing my boots, but I was talking along the lines of this almost relaxed vibe. Two old friends, sharing nature’s nectar.”

Tiberius took the glass that was in front of him, taking a healthy swallow and humming contently, “it’s easy to ignore the world imploding when I am talking to my best friend. And alcohol is involved, so nothing can go wrong there.”

Then I’ll be as quick as I can make this before you’re due on your trip.

“I’m a bitch. I’m a psycho maniac who’s impulsive and volatile, wild and dangerous, and extremely unapologetic sometimes. I ruin things, good things in my life I don’t deserve to have. You fell in love with that woman, Tiberius, because somehow she’s still a part of myself I carry.” Eloise stepped further into the room, eyeing the male’s entire person, “You remember what I was like when we met? Playing the flirtatious front, but untrusting. You chipped away at that little by little.” A sigh fell from her lips, “My point is, you’re the reason I knew how to love again.”

Tiberius continued to pack, seemingly ignoring the red-head. He couldn’t pinpoint the myriad of emotions he was feeling, he didn’t know exactly what he was upset about-- just that he was. As he listened to Eloise, he slowly stopped what he was doing, lifting his blue gaze to her. “I fell in love with someone that showed me who they really were and not their front, Eloise, you are more than this ‘psycho maniac’ that you claim to be. You have just lost sight of that,” Tiberius said with a sad shake of his head, placing another item in the bag, “you were my first friend after what happened to me and I moved here, you were the first to join my coven and make your home with me. I loved you after a time because I got to know you-- who you were, but right now? I don’t know who you are. Maybe I don’t exactly know who I am, myself.” Tiberius straightened up, closing the bag he was packing it and placing it on the floor. When times were simpler, he enjoyed travelling; keeping all of the travelling tags in a secure box as a memento. Now that things were imploding, he hasn’t been able to leave-- it was suffocating. “Maybe I am not fit to be a leader. I cannot be the strong hand this coven needs, nor do I want to be someone that keeps you on a leash-- you and your incessant need of doing things your way without any regard to how it reflects on yourself or your coven drive me mad at times. You willingly place yourself in danger with the council painting a target on the town-- they will have no problem going after you. I just have no idea what I am doing anymore, so I am going to have to take this a step at a time. I need to keep this town from being destroyed, and then if I get through this-- we will need to assess what we are.”

So quick placing words on my lips, old friend. I know you are struggling your head above water, but jumping down another’s throat with your sarcasm does not lessen the dangers. Pleading to the council helps none, not with some.

Dante’s resurrection is imminent and with his arrival, comes the Alec we all knew. I could use your assistance finding a permanent place to lock them both away.

Or, being one of the founding members for this town will pull the weight that we need. Sarcasm is needed when there are those that will needlessly attack me for my goings, but I am sorry for directing it at you needlessly. I have been agitated as of late.

A man who knows my every weakness. I have the perfect unopened bottle from 1943 that I hear is a delight.

I admire this look on you, Tiberius.

The only thing good that came out of that year was the alcohol. I have the glasses.

You are leaving in the middle of an apocalypse?

Typically, my business is my business to fix, but this travels beyond simply Gideon and me. I need your help.

I’m leaving to head for the council and plead with them myself, but thank you for implying that I am running away from responsibilities. Not like I haven’t done it before, so didn’t seem too far off.

As if worlds do not fall apart every day.

Beer is my current mistress tonight. Drink with me or leave.

I know I’m the last person you want to see right now, Tiberius.

But I need the listening ear of the one person who’s really seen me.

You’re right, I don’t exactly have the energy or patience right now.

You have a vast melting pot of personalities in your coven, Tiberius, clashes are bound to happen. Just take the blame with pride like I would and move forward.

Which brings me to your perspective on my conundrum. What if there was enough magic to protect the town with a barrier? A spell so strong that not even the council’s kill button could penetrate? Would that solve your problem?

It would be that simple if the ‘clashes’ you so eloquently worded did not bring the wrath of the council on us.

I’m living in a complicated situation, my friend.

It may seem so, Tiberius, but I am never safe. Besides, Raquel is here and I refuse to leave her behind, not when she is so close to finding her freedom.

I feel as though that is a price to pay to live here.

Then there’s no confusion why I wouldn’t know that either because believe me, I know the cost of war.

That is the kindness in you talking, my friend. However, now is not the moment to ponder crushed toes or feelings. I’ve marched alongside the greatest generals of the centuries and none of which I am more honored to stand by than you. Fight, lead, and the reward will be plenty.

I would hope so, you have been in so many.