Chapter 19

With only Tristan and Alexiel's family present it took a while for everyone to settle their emotions.  

On the outside Angelica didn't have much of a change to her demeanor but the shadows fluctuating and swimming at her feet told a different story!

How could such a young girl not be anxious about being taken from her home, from her family? Not only that, her father was floating in a pod only a few meters away from her, and her youngest sister's episodes seem to be getting worse right after as things were in a pretty solid state at home.

Euria Just checked on Star and held Angelica tight in her arms to reassure the girl. Angelica's abilities came with side effects that took a lot out of her everyday. 

Situations that were taxing on the mind could easily cause her to lose control of her powers and that was not something they wanted to see being that they were so deep underground.

When Alexiel finally felt like his mind had settled he moved to the main topic and told his mom about his plan about adopting Tristan into their family.

"Mother, Tristan needs our help…"

Euria gasped at the atrocities Tristan was facing. Working in a clinic gave her a lot of insight into the many faces of society. She's seen how ugly family and lovers could be to the ones they were supposed to or care about.

Tristan's situation wasn't easy, too young to really live alone, and having such a manipulative asshole living in the same house pulling strings in the background… the thought of it all disturbed her greatly. 

But it also won over her sympathy as she had once been a naive child, so much so she had been willing to turn a deaf ear to the warnings all around her, she had even sacrificed pieces of herself in hopes that things would maybe get better.

Now she was still suffering the consequences of her foolishness and the selfishness of others. one such person being incapacitated not that far from where she stood.

Now when she looked at Tristan her heart could only bleed greatly knowing that his back was really up against the proverbial wall and that he was just trying his best to survive.

She felt strongly in her heart that children were meant to be protected, loved, nurtured and guided on the right path into adulthood. She lamented her own actions as of late knowing that she needed to get a hold of herself and take care of the real underlying issues instead of drinking them away.

She suddenly had the feeling that her whole family was in a bus accident! the ground beneath her feet seemed malleable and soft right now. Slight insecurity crept its way up her spine. 

Angelica' slight movement in her arms was the thing that woke her from this momentary delusion she was falling into. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then took a firm look at this beautiful son in front of her. Her hug around Angelic grew the smallest bit tighter.

 "Things have to be done cleanly!"

She was certainly concerned about how Tristan's family would handle the news, but Alexiel knew his mother well, and without any problem she told him it would be fine as long as the paperwork was official.

She didn't want anyone saying they kidnapped the boy, they already had enough issues in the supernatural world. Having the state looking into their family's dealings was less than ideal, so nothing that would bring major investigation to them could be allowed to transpire! 

Alexiel and Tristan were elated! Tristan even teared up a bit, but with how heavy the atmosphere was not too long ago it was hard to revel in the moment. He clenched his fists and promised himself that he would truly celebrate after the paperwork was official! 

Realistically Tristan was terrified of getting his hopes up or putting the cart before the horse. Before everything was finalized he would have to stay strong and deal with life as it came at him.

Seeing how happy the boys were but taking note of their maturity in the situation she let go of Angelica and the three of them were brought into a hug! At least this didn't seem inappropriate at the moment with the children's father recovering in one corner and their youngest daughter still passed out on the bed.

When the moment passed Euria brought up Alexiel's earlier remarks, she held a slight frown but it was mostly to cover up her own anxiety and worry. Alexiel just let out a small sigh before he answered.

"I know things have been pretty intense after this weekend. Seeing me and father in such unsightly conditions and now having this woman here who blatantly just tried to buy our family… 

which felt disgusting by the way! 

Mother, I don't think things will be any easier going forward. The werewolves were definitely after me. 

Look at what they did to father, and this was what they did, not knowing the full scale of our relationship! 

I've decided to move forward with our relationship with the vampires!" 

Euria had many concerns regarding this matter. What Alexiel didn't know is that it was his mother who had convinced Karlito to keep Alexiel from getting too involved with any supernatural group period. 

Unfortunately in recent years she let her guard slip while she was suffocating under her own issues and things progressed too smoothly now that she had become aware how close everyone had gotten to her son.

"In a few years time you'll be a full grown man…"

She paused and thought about the ordeal Alexiel had been through this weekend.

"But it seems like you are already deeply involved in things, I didn't want this kind of life for you, for any of our children, but it seems like there isn't much I can do to keep you out of all of this either.

I know we need protection. We aren't going to be able to keep the status quo as is for much longer just dealing with small time clinic's and the local vamp population. 

Outsiders have begun to take notice of your value, and not just yours, all of your siblings and apparently even your father. I know what I have to do during this time, you have to do what you feel is right as well.

Just remember to stay true to who you are and don't let this lifestyle change you. Value your heart!"

The conversation continued with some lite banter between everyone. Tristan was mostly just enjoying seeing the dynamic of this family in contrast to his own experiences. He always wondered if the scenes he'd seen in movies and television held any truth.

Tristan wanted this, he wanted to not feel like an outsider looking in but wanted to belong to all of this, the good, the bad, and the ugly! He knew he didn't get to do much when it came to fending off the attack of the werewolves, but the resolve in his heart to grow stronger began to take root deeper in his psyche. 

At first he agreed to be by Alexiels side just off of the strength of their friendship. In hindsight he could see how caught up in the moment he was and how rash the descion came across to an outsider looking in. 

Being that he spent most of his time as an outsider he would let his mind wonder from time to time to keep him distracted from his own mental demons. But he knew he could be useful, He knew he could be strong! He wanted another chance to prove himself. 

Like a Godsend, his opportunity to stand out had just presented itself as a light knock came from the room's door.

Everyone had been caught up in the conversation or their own thoughts and hadn't realized how much time had passed. A breathtaking beauty strode into the room without waiting for anyone to answer.

"Little brother, I heard you had an unpleasant conversation with our guest. It seems, I've brought some trouble to our doorsteps, I hope you won't take it out on this honest sister of yours!"

Cassandra walked in the room with one hand covering her heart. Showing a very soft side to everyone present. Her usual seductive but intimidating look was nowhere to be found. 

When Alexiel heard her plea, he smiled reluctantly and reliped.

"I think its a little too late to be acting sweet now. I am wondering how between the werewolves and now this Dr. or vice dean, or whatever title she's going by, all of a sudden I've caught the eye of so many big wigs. 

Have you been able to find anything out?"

Cassandra came over to Alexiel and gave him a hug, and then proceeded to hug Tristan as well which threw him way off guard! He had very little experience with positive interaction. Luckily he hadn't developed any aversions and was still a pretty healthy young boy! 

After a few years of counseling and putting himself in a healthier environment he believed he would soon be able to open up much more and even reciprocate the positive and nurturing feelings of those around him. 

Alexiel wasn't rushing an answer out of Cassandra and spoke out again as everyone was greeting this facade of a Master of the City vampire. 

"I've already told my mother my plans to join you guys. After meeting Dr. Grace and hearing her spiel we all have a deeper understanding of the position we're in. It would be best if we had a united front against these outside forces that are clearly trying to make a move on us. 

We're more than assets and I've gained a new level of respect for you after seeing the lengths others will go to get what they want. I'm not so naive as to not understand my value towards vampire kind alike, but to know that even those in the science and research field want to get their hands on me and my family has brought me a greater degree of clarity and again I feel the depth of my consciousness expand. 

My mind still has much room for growth and I'd rather not be hindered by those with nasty motives."

Cassandra was moved and relieved hearing Alexiel's words. It wasn't exactly hard watching him grow up and build a positive relationship with him as she loved how genuine he was with his feelings and all the questions he wanted answered. 

What was a struggle was keeping everything else underwraps from prying eyes. Unfortunately there were many hunters in the dark and she knew eventually others would grow suspicious of the vampire activity in their territory. 

This dark cloud was something that could be held off but not avoided indefinitely. It's timely though, as Alexiel is still young and there are many things that were put off until he was ready to make the decision himself to join.

Now that everything was coming to a head many plans could be put into motion!