Chapter 16

On the pavement in the city streets the two boys didn't stand out much among the sea of bodies! 

"Hmmm.. So tell me why we're not heading to your house? You said 'follow me home.' if I'm not mistaken!"

Alexiel rolled his eyes as he kept moving with wide strides, he wanted to get to his destination as soon as possible.

"And this plan… you're really willing to give up your freedom? Do you even know what's going to really happen to you?"

Alexiel had finally told Tristan his idea after they were a little more than a block from school. He had already decided he would join the vampires one way or another even before he heard what happened to Tristan. His summary of his evening was just the icing on the cake!

"I wasn't being literal when I said 'home', especially right now when my home may be under surveillance. They successfully kidnapped my dad, remember? 

Plus my mother took a leave of absence from the clinic to stay at the medical bay to watch over my fathers recovery. 

Cassandra called in a favor from a powerful mutant psychic called the White 

Queen. I'm not entirely sure of the scope of her ability, but I trust Cassandra so I'm hopeful things will work in our favor."

Although spring had already hit, the weather in Delaware was very temperamental, and today happened to be a pretty chilly spring day. Alexiel couldn't help pulling his jacket closer to himself hoping for a little more warmth, but it was mostly as a way to comfort his feelings about this unknown ally.

"Secondly… I'm going to ask my mother to adopt you. Your parents want you out of the house anyway right? Garbage shouldn't get a say about the happenings of your life!"

This was news to Tristan, something Alexiel hadn't voiced yet. 

"You want your mother to adopt me? Uh.. I don't think it'll be that easy? Plus what if she says no?"

Tristan had zero aversion to the idea! Heck, if he thought it was a possibility he would have mentioned it himself. Now he was feeling anxious as he didn' want to get his hopes up, just to be crushed later.

"Haha, listen, my mother loves me. Trust me and believe in my mother, let me explain a little bit more about your situation. There's no way she will refuse!

Plus… Honestly, there is no way I'm ready to let you go - ever! You're stuck with me hehe."

This warmed both of them up as they pushed their way through the crowds again. 

"Third, what do you mean give up on my freedom? I'm about to grab one of the most important positions in the city, servant to the master vampire that reigns over everything from the dark. Sound's pretty dope to me!"

Tristan scoffed at this.

"Be serious! When I was shut in my room last night I finally had some time to look into vampire's. The information offered by the school's are severely lacking, only giving out information on their more obvious powers and weaknesses.

We know vampire's can't come and go into places as they please, they are restricted from moving during the day, they don't leave their territories, and a whole host of other limitations on their movements. 

How is that not losing your freedom?"

Alexiel stopped in his tracks and looked at Tristan with a puzzling gaze. 

"Uh, I think you're a little confused.

I'm not going to be a vampire myself, so those restrictions from entering or operating,  within certain grounds based on ownership and such won't affect me in the least. 

Sunlight won't weaken me directly, but there will be a noticeable difference on the amplification I receive from my master during daylight hours. 

As a mutant with my own host of abilities I'm not too worried about that either."

Alexiel grabbed his chin and looked up to the sky in contemplation. 

"The last part about territories will be a slight hassle. It's not that we cannot move outside our own territory, it's just how their society works.

If we need to travel somewhere we need to give a heads up to the local ruling power, not just other vampires, whether it be witches, demons, therianthropes, or whomever. 

If not, our action could be seen as an act of disrespect and may bring about war especially for connected territories. 

In emergencies, if we have to rush to our destination without forewarning then we must immediately seek an audience with the local lord and state our intention."

Alexiel began waving his hand in front of his face in a sign of resignation and annoyance. 

"But really, That's not something I need to worry too much about seeing as any home I build for us, will have anything we'll ever need hehehe. 

If I really go out of town it will be for official business and will be taken care of by those who are tasked with it. 

I'll be more akin to one of the Vice-President's of a company. Mostly a pretty face hehe"

Although Alexiel said all of this, after what happened Friday he knew now there was a lot of muddy water that was hidden from the public eye. 

It was already Monday and he hadn't heard anything in the media about a hundred plus local bodies going missing or any declarations of war in the media from their enemies. His mind was slightly reeling, but his resolve pushed him through it.

If he wants to protect himself and his family, he needs time to grow into his own abilities. That only leaves the option of finding a powerful umbrella to stand under that will help shoulder his burden.    

"Also, it's not like I'll be alone."

He turned his head to give Tristan the full weight of his gaze as he moved to rest his hand on Tristan's shoulder. 

"You'll be there with me won't you? Will you walk this path with me? Will you fight for your own freedom?"

Alexiel's gaze lit up brightly in the middle of the day. His golden eyes were all that Tristant could focus on. For him there was no heaviness in its weight at all, instead it felt springy, full of hope and promise of their future together.

Tristan's eyes began to shine as well, the blood vessels could even be seen crystallizing. Damn, he felt kind of foolish and lacking in will, yet this friend of his never, ever, gave up on fighting to find a solution for them both! 

How could he, someone who spent his whole life wishing to be valued and loved by his family, reject the first person to stand by him hand in hand that shared in his adversities. 

Their display of power unfortunately didn't go unnoticed by the passer-byers and soon the streets were being filled with whispers.

"Are those two boy's mutants?"

"One of them is wearing a veil, do you think he's hiding something under there?"

"Probably a laser beam that eats your brain, we should get outta here. The streets aren't even safe during the day anymore…"

Tristan teared up lightly and gave his nod of agreement. They noticed the commotion they were causing and withdrew their aura's. 

Seeing that the mood was finally as it should be, Alexiel continued leading them on their journey.

Soon enough they reached what looked like a club that was housed out of an old industrial building. Tristan recognized it as it wasn't located in a secluded or obscure spot in their city. 

His family rode past it often enough, it's just that it was not a place they would ever have a need to stop at.

"This is where you're taking me to? It's not even open, how are we supposed to get in?"

Alexiel nodded and chuckled. He continued to lead Tristan around to the back entrance of the club where surprisingly enough they spotted a few degenerates loitering about. 

Tristan had zero experiences with shady dealings and after the matter with his sister last night he was even more sure he didn't want to get caught up with the wrong kind of people. Right as he was ready to voice his concerns, one of the degenerates approached them with a smug smile on his face.

"Ah, young master! You're here so soon! Shouldn't boy's your age be running the streets and only racing home when the street lights are coming on? Hehehe, is this Sir Tristan?"

With his farmer's tan, tree bark brown hair, green eyes, and devilish smile he greeted both boys with much jubilee! He seemed very happy to see them. 

"Hello, I wasn't expecting to get the chance to meet you before my day shift ended. I heard you and the young master make a super cool combo."

He said that last part with a wink. 

Alexiel matched the mood with his own large grin! 

"Kevin! It's been a while since the last time I saw you. I think you were getting ready to go on stage last time. hehehe that was a sight to behold!"

Kevin didn't shy away from his young master's teasing and instead went around to his side and threw his arm over Alexiels shoulders!

"Tell me, doesn't being an adult seem so much more fun than having to go to school everyday? Hehe young master i have a lot of fans just so you know."

Alexiel grabbed Kevins wrist and used his free hand to throw a few play jabs into his side.

"Don't be cheeky with me! But I will say I did peep a little half way through the show, and I can definitely tell why your fans love you haha."

This made Kevin grin large enough to take up his whole face! 

"Actually Kevin before I head in, is it possible I can ask you a really personal question. you can refuse to answer after you hear it, I'm just curious."

"OOOO, The young master has use for me? Please, shoot your shot! I'll do my best not to be to shy, hehehe"

Alexiel just rolled his eyes at the comment. He actually squirmed around a bit before figuring out how he wanted to word his question in the best way.

"Uh… so sister and the others sleep during the day and you guys all play guard during these hours. So… you guys are clearly not vampires. 

Like I've said, since I've seen a part of your show, I know that you're not human. 

So what are you exactly? Wererat, a mutant, a witch, maybe a demon of some flavor?"

Alexiel knew how inappropriate his question was even before Kevin's entire demeanor changed. His back straightened, chin up, and his hair flowed with the wind. Any air of his degenerate nature seemed to fade away like mist. 

The sudden change was actually a bit scary in contrast to his usual sunny personality. Even though his whole mood and aura changed it didn't seem like he was upset or offended with this little master of his.

There was an evergreen light that filled the back alley. 

"Little Master of mine, hehehe

You've put me in a tight spot, if i was anyone else they would willingly tell you about themselves.

Unfortunately my situation is a little complicated so I can't answer the root of your question.

But since you were kind enough to spare me your attention, I'll give you some hints. 

I can turn into a bear, panther, or fox at will. Death whispers softly into my ears. The most comfortable bed is the soil below our feet. Lastly, I'm much older than my appearance would have you believe.

No, I am not any of those things you listed above, but doesn't that make finding out all the more exciting? hehe we live in a huge world young master. Try not to blink or you'll miss some important details."

The forest glow in Kevins eyes lured the boy's into a semi conscious state, they were easily enthralled by him. his laughter began to fill their minds, like the rustling of the trees in an overgrown forest.

and in a flash it ended!