Apparently, James has never taken a child form before, and the theoretical knowledge he has of it is kinda lacking, so Jonathan has no other choice but to give him a crash course about it.
"It's not that complicated." He clicks his tongue, unable to hide his annoyance. "Can't believe I have to explain something so basic to you… What was the point of your heir's lessons? Didn't you learn anything?"
Johnny, my dear Johnny, it's already good that James has the potential to turn into a child, unlike most vampires. Should I remind him of that tiny detail? Well, no, that's not a good idea. I'm actually quite happy with observing from a bystander's seat.
I won't meddle for my own sanity.
"I'm sorry…"
"Whatever." Jonathan waves James's apology away. "Just use your blood to destroy and rebuild yourself at the molecular level. It's not pleasant, but nothing too hard to comprehend. You see, if you…"
To be honest, I understand nothing of what comes out of his mouth next. It's gibberish that makes no sense whatsoever. In one ear it goes, and out the other it leaves.
Maybe it's gibberish to me 'cause I'm human.
Or maybe not.
James looks as lost as I. His soul seems to have left his body to go who-the-fuck-knows where.
"Just sit on the couch." Jonathan sighs as he hops onto it and pats the place beside him. "I'll show you, although I'd recommend removing your piercings first. Just a small piece of advice."
No need to tell him twice. James scrams to the bathroom to remove his dozen or so earrings.
"The children are taking their time upstairs," Jordan coughs. "I'll go see what they're doing and fetch some clothes for James while I'm at it." He turns toward me. "What about you? Are you staying to watch the shapeshifting?"
You bet I am. It's not something you see every day, and my curiosity has been piqued. So, I nod, but Jordan offers me a wry smile. I don't like that look on his face.
"You might want to reconsider," he enlightens me. "James has never done it before, and, well, it might not be a pretty sight."
He's putting it in gentle terms, but he's saying it's gonna be ugly and maybe even gory. Gotcha.
"On second thought," I spin on my heel and start to climb the stairs four at a time, "I'm worried about the kids."
A snort and a chuckle echo behind me.
No need to turn around to know which belongs to whom. Well, sorry, but if it's unnecessary, I'm not gonna add another trauma to the already long list of traumas I have, thank you very much.
***
They've fallen asleep.
Ellena and Elois are both sleeping soundly on the slime-shaped cushion in the middle of their room, cuddled against each other. They're holding onto adult clothes, most likely mine.
"Cutting their night in half to cry on Jonathan's shoulders must have tired them out," Jordan hums, entering the room without making a sound. "Maybe we should let them sleep for a little longer."
"We have time before the parade, anyway."
That's the one thing I know the kids don't want to miss, not for anything in the world. They've been overly excited about the idea of seeing giant snowmen walk down the streets. If we don't wake them up in time, all hell is going to break loose. Urgh, just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.
While I'm getting lost in thought, a ding resounds.
That's my phone.
I frown but still pull it out of my pockets. I catch a glimpse of the notification on the screen. It's a one-sentence message, so I don't even need to open it to read it.
Big Bro 08:21
Thank the kids for me.
My frown deepens. There's a foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach. Thank the kids for what? The bracelet? Surely not; he hates jewelry to the core. Then, for what?
There's something I'm missing, something obvious, but I'm unsure what. It's an annoying feeling that's about to drive me crazy. It's nudging the corner of my mind, taunting me—ah, right. The kids' advice.
I guess he opened the wooden box.
"Jordan," I hear myself say, "there's something I forgot to tell you yesterday." I was too concerned about the case, and I didn't feel like talking much after he brought up the victims' mangled bodies. "The children gave my brother strange advice, as if their sights had shown them something he had to do. Is that possible?"
There's no answer, so I lift my eyes from my phone to meet Jordan's. I freeze on the spot. There's an unfathomable emotion twirling in the depths of his eyes, an emotion akin to sorrow and resignation.
"Jordan?"
"Sorry." He awkwardly clears his throat. "It's nothing. Yes, it's possible, but what you call advice is more like guidance from fate. You could also call it a sort of prophecy."
He doesn't elaborate further, and I don't have it in me to probe. I just feel like I shouldn't. That "guidance" seems to be different from their usual "sight", but on what does it differ?
Perhaps, I fear the answer I could get. The shadow of his true form looks too distraught.
"Mind telling me what they said?"
"No, of course not." I force a smile. "They told my brother that if he saw a wooden box, he had to open it. This time and the next time, too." My grip on my phone tightens. "Bryan just told me to thank the kids, so I believe he followed their advice. Well, guidance."
Bringing a hand to his mouth, Jordan falls into contemplation. I don't interrupt his train of thought and let him think in peace.
There's another ding, and I shift my attention back to my phone. I unlock the screen this time, though.
Big Bro 08:28
If there's a chance, I'd like to thank them in person. I'm too busy this weekend, but maybe another day, if that's alright with their parents.
My heart throbs. Bro, just tell me you want to probe; don't beat around the bush, that's making me nervous. Whatever was in that box, it was of the utmost importance to my brother. That much, I can tell.
This time, and the next one, too. Elois's words pop into my mind. My fingers hover over the screen for a moment, then I let out a sigh and type a message back.
Me 08:33
I'll need to ask their parents first. Also, don't forget to open the next wooden box.
Big Bro 08:34
I won't.
I don't ask what was in the box. I doubt my brother will answer me. He has always been secretive when it comes to his work. Nothing too surprising, considering what he does.
"Alright," I turn off my phone, "we should think about waking up the kids, or we—"
A shrill scream reverberates throughout the house, interrupting me. My whole body stiffens as I stare at Jordan, who offers me a faint smile.
"I told you it wouldn't be a pretty sight."
Yeah, but you didn't tell me James would be screaming his lungs out! So, of course I'm freaking out, duh! Even when he was crucified and poison flowed through his veins, he didn't let out a single plaintive sound.
No, he'd been quiet like a mouse.
Fucking hell, I think my heart almost leaped out of my chest. Just how painful is shapeshifting into a child form for vampires…?
Actually, I'm not so sure I want to know. Jonathan did talk about destroying and rebuilding the body from the molecular level, after all—is that also how shapeshifters do it? It doesn't seem as painful for them, though.
Anyway. Good thing I'm a human, and not a pureblood vampire. I'll never have to experience that shit.