The Gambler

Fathers

I sat awkwardly next to Grayson, watching John make small talk. The tension in the air was thick.

"You very seriously said we needed to talk, just so you could small talk me?" Grayson sounded agitated now, resting his head on his hand. John smirked, sighing. He leaned back and rubbed his hands together.

"You want to get down to it then, my apologies for trying to be.." he trailed off and Grayson smiled the fakest smile I've ever seen.

"Trying to act like a dad, yeah..little late for that" he muttered quietly and Johns eyes narrowed slightly.

This was so awkward.

They were like two caged bulls ready to fight.

"That witch that you visited, the one that bore a child. I know you don't remember, but a coven of witches took her baby. They killed it." My eyes widened at this, Grayson seemed unfazed yet fear filled me.

"They what?" I whispered, sitting up straight now.

He nodded solemnly, giving me a sympathetic look while Grayson was shooting daggers with his eyes.

"This particular coven is of the old fashioned kind. They don't believe that it's of... good nature. They don't think witches and vampires should be mixing their genes, that it's too dangerous. I have a proposition though." He smiled now and I looked at Grayson nervously.

"For the protection of your baby, I think it's best it comes to live with Katie and I. So if they come here looking-" Grayson cut him off, clearing his throat.

"The warning is enough. Since we know we can be prepared for whatever." He spoke quickly and John shook his head.

"And if that's not enough?" He gritted his teeth a little.

"It'll be enough" Grayson snapped back and John looked to me now.

"I think your child should live somewhere further away and in a safe hidden location." My eyebrows furrowed together. He really wanted to take him away..

Grayson laughed suddenly and I looked at him in surprise.

"You want to take our baby away, for its protection?" Grayson growled lowly and I leaned back. He could handle this one.
This was a big hell no from me.

John held his hands up defensively.

"You don't know what kind of power it's going to hold. It'll be strong. Very strong. I'm sure it'll have a lot of natural enemies-"

"Enemies that we will take on when the time comes. You think I don't remember this spiel, John?" Grayson spoke in a low threatening tone and I watched johns eyes widen slightly.

"This is the same shit you told mom. The same shit that made her let you take jack away and look where that got him" Grayson snapped angrily and I stared in shock.

"Don't blame-" John could only get two words in before Graysons anger filled rant continued

"I will blame you. You don't have children to love them. You have children to breed them into killing machines. You don't even acknowledge Hannah because she has no abilities. You were a shitty father to the three of us and you think I'm going to let you raise my kid? Because you think we can't handle what challenges might come?" Grayson stood up now, fists balled. I could feel his anger.

I sat quietly, watching this unfold. He was definitely letting years of pent up anger out.

John stared at him with a challenging look, standing up to match him.

Oh Jesus please don't start a physical fight.

"She is still young-" John argued back and Grayson let out a low growl.

"Don't." He cut him off harshly and I fidgeted with my hands awkwardly. Desperately wishing I could disappear into the furniture again.

"You're questioning our abilities as parents and he isn't even born yet. You get no say in his life. Unlike you I don't care what he does with his life. I don't care if he wants to study, or travel, or just live a normal fucking life I just want him to be happy and safe and we will give him both of those things." Grayson snarled fiercely, his fangs were showing.

"You're not going to be able to handle the power that comes with this child. You couldn't even handle being in Tyler's coven" John growled back and Grayson laughed suddenly.

"I was sired to him because of YOU" Grayson was shouting now and I felt bean move.

"Grayson" I whispered quietly and reached over, touching his fist.

He looked down at me for a moment, his eyes were as black as the night.

"You can continue blaming me for your weakness. It doesn't change how you are!" John's voice boomed now and I flinched, leaning back again. Graysons eyes flicked to me again, taking a step back.

"I'm blaming you for leaving and not even trying to be a part of my life or Hannah's unless it requires me killing somebody for you" Grayson whispered harshly and John laughed.

"Maybe I would've been around more if you were worth it. If I raise your child it'll actually have a chance. Instead of amounting to nothing like you have." My eyes widened at Johns words, anger filling me now.

Grayson stared back blankly, I could practically see the gears turning in his head.

He swung quickly, his fist colliding with johns face it sent him flying back.

Grayson stared, emotionless as John stood up slowly, wiping the blood off of his face.

"You think I'm so pathetic yet one punch took you down." He whispered this and John lunged forward, they became a blur of John swinging and Grayson dodging.

Grayson grabbed his fist, slamming his hand down on johns arm in a defensive move I flinched at the snap.

"I'm not pathetic. I have amounted to so much, if you'd only open your eyes and see that. I'm stronger than you and if you think of taking my child again I won't hesitate to kill you. I'd move mountains for what Elizabeth holds. Don't speak of my child or Elizabeth again." He whispered this lowly and shoved John back, shaking his head.

"Conversations over" he muttered quietly, he left the room quickly.

I stood up slowly, keeping my eyes down.
I kept my mouth shut and left without a word.
An uneasy feeling crept up on me as I left.

I considered John an enemy now.