Chapter Text
Raizel's eyes remaing glowing.
Billy swallowed, forced his voice. "Who… who are you?"
Raizel answered without hesitation. "Raizel."
He didn't move. The space between them stayed wide. The wolves hadn't gotten up; Jacob was on his knees, breathing hard, face twisted in confusion and anger.
Billy tried again, voice catching. "Where's my girl? Where's Rachel?"
"She's asleep," Raizel replied, tone flat. "She's safe. I kept her out of this, so you'd have some peace in you."
For a second, Billy wanted to doubt him, but didn't. Some part of him believed it, even though every sense screamed not to.
Jacob didn't have that calm. He fought, body straining, breath ragged. Sweat darkened his collar, his skin hot as if burning up.
Billy noticed, worried. "Son! Jacob, you alright?"
Jacob forced out, "He..he's… it's like I'm stuck. Can't move right...can't...."
Raizel watched without care "It's your blood. You'll adjust," he said.
Billy turned back, hands gripping the arms of his chair. "What do you want from us?" His tone was hard, tired, holding all the pride and worry of a father.
Raizel shook his head. "I don't want anything from you." He paused, gaze flicking to the group, then back to Billy. "If anything.....I'd help, if you'd let me."
That earned a look of pure confusion from Billy. He couldn't help but squint. "Help us?" He looked at his son, then back at the stranger.
Raizel raised a hand to his ear. "I heard your people's blood wakes up when it faces a real threat." He unfastened the earring, slow and careful. The instant it left his ear, the pressure around him crashed down, air thick, ground buzzing, like the world had gotten heavier.
Billy's eyes went wide, hands white-knuckled on the chair. Jacob gasped, the heat under his skin suddenly wild.
Even the wolves twitched, half-changing, caught between fight and flight.
Raizel didn't flinch. He held out the earring, then let it go. It floated slowly, until it landed in Billy's open palm.
"My Lord gave me that. It keeps my power in check. You keep it safe." Raizel's voice didn't rise "If your bloodline keeps it close, they will get stronger. That's a promise."
Billy's hand shook. He could feel heat pulsing in him, fear and something else, running through his veins. "What… what are you?"
Raizel met his gaze. "Don't fear me. I'm not the monster you're thinking of."
Before Billy could answer, a gust of wind whipped the leaves up around them, wild and sudden. The pack ducked. Billy shielded his eyes. When the leaves settled, Raizel was gone, no trace left on the porch but the feeling in the air and the weight in Billy's hand.
Billy sat frozen for a moment, then looked down at the earring, feeling his heart beat wild and uncertain in his chest.
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By the time Raizel stepped up the drive, Frankenstein was already outside.
He didn't speak, not right away. But he didn't look away, either.
Raizel paused at the threshold, then quietly entered. Frankenstein followed, shutting the door behind them.
Inside, the house felt too silent, as if waiting for something to break.
Frankenstein didn't start with questions. Instead, he moved to the kitchen. In a few moments, the kettle was on, teacups set out. It was his habit, offer calm, even if the world felt anything but.
Raizel sat, still quiet. He let his gaze drift to the table, where a thick file waited- Antigen, by the look of it.
He picked it up, turned a page or two, and set it back down with a nod. "I'm not late, then."
Frankenstein watched him, eyes narrowed in that way that meant he was searching for clue, or worse. When the tea was poured, he brought a cup to Raizel, then stood, as if waiting for an answer to a question he hadn't asked.
Finally, he spoke in low, "Your seal… it broke?"
Raizel set the cup down, rolling the earlobe between his fingers as if missing the familiar weight. "Yes. The earring..gone."
For a heartbeat, Frankenstein's composure flickered. He masked it with a short nod, but his voice tightened. "I see. Are you, does it trouble you, Master?"
"No," Raizel replied, calm. "But it needed to happen."
Frankenstein exhaled, half in relief, half in thought. "Very well. I will make another. Something more suited to you, perhaps."
Raizel gave a slight nod, acknowledging both the concern and the promise.
Silence stretched between them, not quite comfortable but not bad. Raizel sipped his tea, letting the quiet settle.
Frankenstein finally broke it, tone returning to that careful, respectful stance. "If you wish to discuss anything, Master, I am here."
Raizel didn't answer. Not right away.
Instead, he watched the rain through the window, thoughtful. For now, that was all either of them needed.