The Daylighter Apprentice

Chapter 23 - Collateral Damage

The last person I expected to greet me and Matt at the top of the stairs was Chris.
“I thought I heard voices.” He says, a torch in his hand now pointing away from our faces. Matt’s hand is still in mine and upon noticing Chris is staring at our interlocked fingers, we spring apart. Chris shakes his head.
“The last concern I have right now is what goes on between you two.” He says softly, throwing us a weary smile.
“I can already tell from the bite on your neck, Dom, that something was going on but there’s more important things to worry about right now.” My heart is pounding in my chest and likely sensing my fear, Matt grabs my hand again. He squeezes it once before letting it go as we walk into the lab.
 
The lab is carnage. Paper is strewn everywhere, tables are flipped over and all our hard work has been smashed. Chris goes to join 3 other men in the far corner of the lab - they’re putting evidence in clear bags and labelling the room as though it’s a crime scene. Katherine stands in the centre of the room, surveying the damage. Tears fill my eyes. All our hard work was for nothing - everything Matt had worked hard on to save the health of the vampires was now in ruins.
Matt is managing to hold himself together well but through our bond, I can feel the pain and anger that he’s holding back.
“We’ve found some hair and some clothing scraps.” Katherine says dryly, her lips pursed.
“That’s a good thing, right?” I ask and Katherine looks directly at me. I worry I’ve spoke out of turn but she just sighs.
“In theory, yes. If any DNA remains, the Hunters can hopefully identify who did this.” She gestures to Chris and the other men.
“I’m guessing it’s likely Ashton?” Given the current circumstances, it doesn’t seem like a bad guess. Katherine nods.
“It will almost certainly be him or someone associated to him. But then we have to work out how he knows. Only the council members and apprentices know about the elixir and the work you’re doing.”
“The work we did.” Matt says, sounding completely defeated.
“So we have to start again? It’ll delay us but we can do it.” I try to be upbeat but Matt doesn’t seem convinced. He turns to start a conversation with Katherine and I walk along the side wall to a pile of books which has been only slightly disturbed. Behind the books, sits a small alcove which can only be accessed by pulling the bench out slightly. I reach down and relief soothes me as my fingers close around Matt’s old bottle of lime water. It’s small enough to fit in the inside pocket of my coat so I tuck it away safe but I notice a small pile of papers and photos. I pick them up and one of the photos is of a man who looks like Matt but the writing underneath is Italian so I can’t decipher it. I tuck those away safe too and hide the alcove once more.
 
I’m heading back to Matt when I notice something wet on the top of one of the benches. In the light, it looks slightly purple and also seems to be not just a splatter but a letter of sorts.
“Chris?” I call and my house mate comes to stand by me.
“What have you found?” He asks and I point to the bench.
“Don’t suppose you have a back light do you?” I ask and one of the other Hunters produces a small torch from his pocket. I take it and Matt looks at me quizzically but flips the lights off all the same. I turn on the black light and shine it on the bench. My eyes widen.
“Holy fuck.” Chris mutters beside me. Written on the bench in elixir are the words:
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
 
“You can’t stay here.” Katherine is the first to break the silence as the lights come back on. Matt is paralysed, staring at the bench in horror. Fear has once again washed over our bond and I long to wrap him up in my arms and comfort him.
“Matthew!” Katherine snaps and Matt finally looks at her.
“Where else am I going to go?” He whispers.
“The lab is all I have.”
“You can stay with us.” The words leave my mouth before I even have time to think it over. Chris shoots me a look of confusion but I ignore it.
“I’m guessing the last place Ashton would think to find you is in a house full of humans.” I add and Katherine considers this.
“The Daylighter has a point, Matthew.”
“Dominic, the rest of your household would likely not approve.” Matt counters. To my relief, Chris pipes up.
“As a Hunter, I protect humans and vampires. You’ll be safe under our roof but start any funny business and I will make sure I protect the humans too.” There’s a definite threat to Chris’ tone but I know he means well. Tom will be less than thrilled but right now, I don’t care. I just need Matt safe.
 
Matt finally caves and I help him pack some things into some cardboard boxes. Chris has headed off to brief Tom and Katherine has gone back to the town hall, leaving us under the supervision of the 3 other Hunters. Matt is clearly on edge but once we’re alone in his bedroom, I gather him into a hug. He buries his head into my chest and I stroke his hair.
“I’ll protect you.” I murmur and Matt laughs weakly.
“I’m supposed to be the one protecting you. You’re my apprentice and I bonded with you.” He says and I just shush him.
“The role works both ways. We protect each other.” I end the conversation by kissing him softly, lips barely brushing against his. We finish packing just as Chris returns to the lab. Me and Matt take the 2 boxes out to meet him.
 
“Tom and Morgan are briefed. Tom is not happy but has agreed that this is the only option. We’ll take the tunnels back - you are not going anywhere alone now. Either of you. It’s not safe.” Chris is more blunt than usual but I know he’s tired from constantly protecting the town from the dangers of a vampire out for blood and revenge. We follow him into the tunnels and begin the walk back to the house.
“I really am grateful for this.” Matt says.
“You’re welcome, but like I said, do not do anything to hurt me or my friends. Especially Dom. Whatever is going on between you two, you need to be careful. You should especially know the risks this carries - does Katherine know?”
Matt hesitates.
“No.”
Chris stops.
“You mean, you’ve started seeing a human, put him under your protection and not informed Katherine?” Chris now sounds angry.
“Now is not the best time for this.” I try to ease the situation but Chris holds up a hand to hush me.
“Dom, stay out of this.”
“Christopher, this is different. Somewhat unconventional. Dom is not just under my protection. It’s not the standard protection that needs approval from the council.” Matt has gone quiet and something changes in Chris’s expression. He looks shocked and almost scared.
“No… it’s not possible.”
Matt nods slowly.
“Apparently it is.”
Chris turns and starts walking again.
 
We finish the journey in silence and reach the house around 20 minutes later. Chris holds the utility room door open for us and we pile into the kitchen. Tom is holding a mug and leaning against the sink, eyeing us warily but never saying a word. As me and Matt head to my room, I hear Chris tell Tom that he’s spoken to Matt and that nothing more needs to be said about the situation. Matt puts his box down underneath the window and I close the door behind him. I  put my box on top of the other and sit down on my bed, head in my hands.
“Sorry you have to stay with us. I know it’s not ideal and you’ve not exactly had the warmest welcome.” I grumble but Matt chuckles.
“I semi expected it. But I’m here and we have each other.” He sits beside me and I suddenly remember the bottle in my pocket. I pull it out and his face lights up.
“It’s safe!” He exclaims, taking it from me and gently cradling it. I smile and fish around for the photos and letters.
“Yes. I managed to find it safe in the alcove behind the benches. Also found these. It’s a miracle this was all kept safe - you hid them well.” Matt puts down the bottle and holds the pile of paper in his hands. His eyes well up as his thumb runs over the string holding the pile together.
 
“These are photos and letters from my parents before they died. It’s all I have left of my family. I don’t know what I’d have done if they’d have been destroyed…” He tails off.
“Thank you for saving them.” I can feel that he’s happy and grateful. Relieved. I take his hands and hold them tight.
“I knew they’d mean a lot to you. I also knew that the bottle meant a lot. I couldn’t leave it there and risk whoever did this coming back and finding it.” I lean in to kiss him and he reciprocates, lips cool against mine. The bottle and pile of photos fall onto the bed beside us as Matt cradles my face, kissing me deeper. I pull him into my lap, hands on his waist pulling him close to me. He leans into the kiss, moaning softly as his fingers knot in my hair. My tongue pries his lips open and I slip into his warm, soft mouth. The kiss becomes more passionate, our hands roaming each other’s body. I stop briefly to move the papers and bottle onto my bedside cabinet, and then pull Matt down onto the bed with me. He giggles, shifting around to get comfortable.
 
We kiss again, my leg wrapped over Matt’s hips and our bodies pressed together. I can feel how hard he is against my thigh and in my own trousers, my dick is straining to be free. Matt senses this and his hand wanders to my crotch. I gasp but shake my head.
“Not now! Tea will be ready shortly.” I admonish and Matt pouts. I kiss him quickly and the pout turns into a sly smile.
“Later?”
“Maybe.” I smirk. His hand tightens and I whimper.
“Promise?” Matt’s eyes flash with lust.
“When you put it like that, how can I say no?”