“And whose fault is that?”
“From what I remember, yours. Come on.” He took her hand and led her to his bedroom, where he lay down on the bed, took her in his arms and told her to go to sleep.
It was nearly lunchtime by the time they woke. He prepared a picnic for them and took her hiking, promising to have her back before four.
While they walked, they talked about Jonathon. “You need to go easier on him,” Sarah said. “As your brother he has the right to ask what’s going on in your life.”
“He’s my student,” JD countered.
“He is also your brother and you need to start treating him as such. You believe you can handle me having two roles in your life. You need to make the same effort with him. Discuss it with him. See if you can make it work.”
“I’ll think about it,” JD said. “Now can we talk about something more pleasant. Like what exactly I plan on doing with you next time you stay over.”
At four, JD watched from the balcony as the others attacked Craig. It did not last very long, but they were ruthless, especially Sarah. JD found himself wincing at some of the strikes she made. Craig’s body would be aching for a few days, but he had learned not to run his mouth off about Sarah during training. At least he hoped he had.
As soon as it was over, he called down. “Jonathon. A word. My office. Now.”
“What have I done wrong this time?” he asked as he closed the door.
“What makes you think you have done something wrong?”
“Is there any other reason I would be ordered in here?” He took a seat, but didn’t relax.
“Yes actually. I want to talk to my brother not my student.”
Jonathon raised an eyebrow in surprise. “This is the first time you have said that since you were sent away for training.”
“I know and for that I am sorry. When I came back I had to decide whether to be your trainer or your brother, I couldn’t be both. I couldn’t bear to have you sent to a different Sanctuary and I didn’t trust anyone else to train you properly, so I did what I saw as the only option. Sarah has pointed out to me that if I can separate treating her as my student and my girlfriend then I should be able to do the same for you. I can’t promise anything, but I’m going to try. But I will need your assurance that you can do the same.”
Jonathon was still tense. He wasn’t used to JD talking to him like this and he wasn’t sure how to react. He decided to push his luck. “Does this mean you will let me off punishments?”
“Oh no. You cross me in any way in my role as your trainer and I will come down on you as hard as ever. Working out where the boundaries lie between you being my student and my brother will be difficult and may take some time, so be cautious. If you do something which I believe crosses that line, then I will make you regret it.”
Jonathon did not doubt his words, but he did begin to relax and talked to him as his brother instead of his trainer for the first time in a number of years.
“It was really hard on me when you went away,” he said. “I was only sixteen. I needed you and I felt like you deserted me. Mum and Dad did their best with me, but she was always busy running the Sanctuary and you know Dad; his role as a trainer always came first. It was always you I turned to when I wanted help or advice and suddenly you weren’t there.”
“I know,” JD said. “Leaving you behind was hard, but I hope you understand that I had to do it.”
“I do. I just wish I had known how different you would be when you returned. I thought I had lost you for just a year, not for ever. Having you become my trainer was hard, really hard. It’s one of the reasons I rebel against you so much.”
“I figured. Does that mean if we can work on rebuilding our relationship you will stop?”
Jonathon smiled. “Not a hope in hell.”
They talked for hours, catching up on all of the years they had missed. They spoke about everything, including JD’s feelings for Sarah and people betting on him, as well as Jonathon’s attitude toward women.
They were interrupted at one point by a knock on the door, but it was only Sarah delivering coffee and cans of drink, as she didn’t know which they would prefer, and she immediately left them in peace.
Before they knew it, it was time for dinner. “Thank you for trying to do this,” Jonathon said. “I don’t know if it’s going to work, but it’s worth finding out.”
“Thank Sarah. She’s the one pushing me into it.”
“She’s going to be good for you.” Then for the first time since JD had been sent away for training, Jonathon hugged his brother.
As soon as Jonathon’s hands touched his back, JD winced, causing Jonathon to raise a questioning eyebrow.
“It’s nothing that concerns you,” JD said.
“I beg to differ,” Jonathon said, grinning mischievously. “As your brother, I have a right to know how you got injured.”
JD considered remaining silent, but if he didn’t confide in Jonathon, then he would ruin what had been gained over the last few hours.
“I may have a few scratches.” Jonathon grinned even wider. “If word of that leaves this office you’re a dead man,” JD said.
“Who is telling me that? My trainer or my brother?”
“Does it make a difference?”
“Of course it does. My brother would only ever threaten me with physical violence. My trainer would follow through on the threat.”
“Just keep your mouth shut.”
“My lips are sealed. Unless I’m alone with Sarah of course.” He walked out, laughing.
————————————-∞————————————-
Sarah had to go home that night, much to JD’s disappointment, and did not return to the Sanctuary until Wednesday, though they did talk on the phone for hours each night.
Wednesday could not arrive soon enough for Sarah and as soon as she arrived at the Sanctuary she raced up the stairs to dump her bag in her room and get changed for training.
Her eyes immediately fell onto a small package in the middle of her bed. There was a note attached which read, ‘You may want to make use of these. Jonathon’. She ripped open the package and a set of nail clippers and nail files fell out. “Very funny,” she said to herself then got changed.
She was early for training and JD was in his office. “Hi honey,” she said as she walked in. “Do you mind if I murder your brother?”
“Of course not. May I ask why?”
“He bought me a present,” she said as she walked behind his desk and sat on his lap. She kissed him then dropped the implements for trimming her nails onto his desk. He burst out laughing.
When she eventually managed to leave his office, Sarah went to the kitchen, where she found Silvia making a start on dinner. “Do you mind if I grab some ice?” she asked.
“Help yourself,” Silvia said. Sarah took a glass from the cupboard and filled it to the brim.
Jonathon was in the games room playing a shooting game with Scott. She walked up behind him, pulled back the collar of his t-shirt, poured the ice down his back and walked out. The swearing that followed was very satisfying.
Her training with JD went well. She was worried that she wouldn’t be able to concentrate properly as it was her first one-on-one session since they had become involved, but the moment she had a weapon in her hand, she went into fighting mode and found the expected distractions did not affect her.
When their time was up, JD grabbed her around the waist, pulled her close to him and kissed her passionately. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance of you staying over tonight is there?” he asked hopefully.
“I’m sure you will be able to persuade me,” she said and he set about doing just that.
————————————-∞————————————-
During dinner, the fact that Sarah was now a qualified hunter came up and what that involved.
“I’ve already registered her with 7,” JD said.
“What does that mean?” she asked. She was curious rather than concerned.
“Sanctuary 7 are our first point of contact for everything,” Craig said. “We have to provide them with our phone numbers, both mobile and home. But don’t worry, they won’t call unless it’s an emergency. They always call the Sanctuary number first, then they try the leader and trainer of the Sanctuary they are trying to contact if they can’t get through. Calling others hunters is a last resort.”
“I also collected your fake driving licences from them yesterday,” JD continued. Sarah had been wondering why she had been asked to provide him with a photo a few days before her assessment. Now she knew. “I put them in the glove compartments of both cars.”
“They have your real name on them,” Katie said, “so you don’t have to remember a fake one. Just the address and the licence number are fictitious. We store one in each car so you always have one handy if you get pulled over.” Craig had already told her that they never carry any real ID with them when on a hunt.
Sarah didn’t ask how they got hold of fake IDs. She wasn’t sure she would like the answer.
“We need to think about getting her to give blood soon,” Doc said. “Sarah, do you know what blood type you are?”
“O neg,” she said.
“That’s not good,” Simon said. “Well, it’s good news for us, especially me, but bad news for you Sarah.”
“Why?”
As he was the scientist, everyone let Simon explain. “Rhesus positive people can accept both rhesus positive and rhesus negative blood, whereas rhesus negative people can only be given rhesus negative blood. I’m the only negative one here, so I can’t have anyone else’s blood. Now I have you as backup.”
“Alright,” she said, vaguely remembering learning this at high school. “So why is this bad news for me?”
“Anyone can accept blood type O, but blood type O can only be given type O. A, B or AB could kill them. I’m AB.”
“Which means,” Sarah worked out, “that I can’t be given anyone else’s blood.”
“Correct,” JD said. “Basically you’re what is known as a universal donor, as anyone can have your blood, but you can only be given exactly the same type and rhesus factor.”
“So we need to start taking your blood as soon as possible,” Doc said. “You didn’t have any plans for later did you?”
“I guess not,” she replied, unenthusiastically.
Sarah had never given blood before and did not enjoy the experience. JD sat with her the entire time, holding her hand, and assured her she would get used to it.
Doc took a pint and said he would take more at the weekend. She wasn’t sure if it was a threat or not.
“I have something that might cheer you up,” JD said once she had drunk some hot sweet tea. He took her to his office, where he presented her with a long rectangular box.
“Is this what I think it is?” she asked. He nodded his head.
She carefully opened it to reveal two brand new swords in their scabbards. Her hands were trembling as she took one out. The hilt was the same design as those of the other hunters, except her inlay was a deep blue.
“Craig told me blue was your favourite colour,” JD said.
“It is,” she said, not taking her eyes off her weapon. She inspected the scabbard and realised it was the complete opposite of JD’s. They had the same pattern, but while his was a black motif on white, hers was white on black.
“It’s gorgeous,” she said. “Thank you.”
“I had them make them the same weight as mine so you should not notice much difference.” He saw that there were tears in her eyes as she continued to stare at the sword in her hands. “Want to go and try them out?”
They went to the arena, where she swung them around for a while, confirming the feel of them.
“From now on, you train and hunt with only these,” JD said. “And mine, of course.” He placed them on a spare space on the wall and they both looked up at them. “They look good, don’t they.”
Sarah nodded, too happy to speak. She made sure she thanked JD properly later that night, a number of times.
————————————-∞————————————-
The following Friday, after dinner, Doc requested to see Sarah in his office. JD was also present.
“So are you ready for your first hunt?” Doc asked her.
“No,” she replied, without having to think about it.
“Nervous?”
“No, I’m just not ready.” Doc glanced at JD, who looked as surprised as he was.
“You passed the assessment,” Doc said.
“I know, but I’ve been told a lot about the way this group hunt. They work as a team, always knowing that they have each others’ backs. They have complete trust in each other. I have not earned that trust and until I do I will be a liability. I need more training, but with them not Jason.”
Doc looked at JD once more. “She’s as smart as you told me she was. Can you organise it?”
“No problem. I’ll speak with the others and get them involved in each of her sessions from now on.” He didn’t like the fact he wouldn’t have her to himself, but he saw the necessity and was pleased that Sarah had seen the need.
“Thank you,” she said. “And please don’t ask me again if I am ready. I’ll be ready when the others say I am.”
Simon you’re dead
From then on, most of Sarah’s training was done with others, though JD couldn’t resist having her to himself at least once a week. Sometimes he supervised them, sometimes he joined in, other times he left them to it.
She became used to fighting with the other hunters and they with her and it didn’t take them long to notice that she was far more skilled than they had realised. JD had pushed her a lot further than he had them and it had paid off. Soon she was holding her own against two of them attacking her together and she quickly picked up how to engage herself into coordinated attacks.
Sarah wasn’t able to increase her number of training sessions, but she did start staying over every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights, making her feel like the Sanctuary had become more of a home to her than her own house. Not that she was complaining.
One Friday night, JD asked all of the hunters if they were free on the Sunday afternoon. “I’m taking Sarah to 12,” he said. “You’re more than welcome to come with us.”
“What’s at 12?” Sarah asked.
“They have a basement under most of the house,” Scott said. “It’s where we do our training in the dark. It’s good fun.”
“Sometimes we’re called to a hunt in the open, like a park or some woods,” JD said. “You have already been training in the grounds for that with others playing the role of vampires. Often, however, we’re sent to an address where a number of vampires are living and taking their victims to. It’s rare that the lights stay on for long when we start our raid, hence the need to practice in the dark.”
“Hence the reason for making me fight blindfolded,” Sarah added.
“Correct. Hunters at 12 have already volunteered to take us on. They seem very interested in meeting you for some reason.”
“Who wouldn’t be?” Katie asked. “She beat you in her assessment and is sharing your bed. On top of that, she started out as an outsider. She’s becoming almost as much of a legend as you are.” Sarah wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
Craig took over. “There are a few other things you need to know. The entire basement is rigged with infra-red cameras so those in the control room can watch what’s going on. We use swords, not live of course, and the hunters from 12 use whatever weapons they feel like to simulate what vampires would use, baseball bats, steel piping, planks of wood etcetera.”
“One other thing he forgot to mention,” Jonathon said. “Those from 12 also wear infra-red goggles so they can see us, but we can’t see them.”
“How’s that fair?” Sarah protested.
“I
t’s not fair, but it is realistic.” Seeing the look of confusion on her face, Jonathon grew concerned. “Craig, you did tell her vampires can see in the dark, didn’t you?”
“They can what?” Sarah exclaimed.
“I’m sure I told her,” Craig said.
“I’m pretty positive I would remember something like that. So let me get this straight. You guys go out at night, in the dark, hunting killers that can see you as clear as day, but you can’t see them.”
“Calm down Sarah,” Craig said. “It isn’t as bad as it sounds.”
“Calm down,” she almost screamed at him. “I find it hard enough coping when you’re all out on a hunt as it is. Now you tell me it’s twice as dangerous as I was led to believe.”
For some reason JD was finding Sarah’s reaction amusing. He took her hands in his. “Deep breaths Sarah.” She obeyed him and began to settle down. “Yes, they can see in the dark, but not as well as if it was light. We think they can see movement rather than actual images.”
“You think? Well that’s reassuring,” she said sarcastically.
“Sarah, listen to me. We are very good at what we do. A lot of the time we’re outside so there’s enough light from street lights or the moon for us to see. Only when we’re hunting in a building do the vampires have the real advantage.”
“And we have experience on our side,” Simon said. “They don’t. They are not trained fighters. They attack using instinct rather than skill.”
“You’ll understand better once you have experienced training at 12,” Katie said. “Most of us will be going. We never pass up an opportunity to beat another Sanctuary.”
“I’m living in a mad house,” Sarah said, shaking her head as she tried to get her mind around all that was being said. “I always thought you people were partially insane, now I have proof. Is there anything else you have neglected to tell me? It would be good to know before I go on my first hunt.”
JD noted the emphasis on the word before. She had a good point. Not finding out that vampires can see in the dark until she was actually hunting them could have proven fatal.
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