Renegade's Revenge - Dark Love 2

CHAPTER 17

Zak stuck his head into the bedroom where William was staying. "Love?" A twisted lump of flesh moved on the bed, as three bodies began to separate. "Zak?" William sat up, tousle haired and sleepy-eyed. "Hi."

Zak smiled at both Jason and Amber as he sat beside William on the bed. "Did you sleep well love? Forgive me for not coming to check in on you, but we had an emergency that had to be dealt with." Would he never get accustomed to the wonderful feel of William in his arms? "Did you have any problems?"

William shook his head. "There was a moment, but I got over it. So what happened? Robyn okay?"

"First of all, the emergency had nothing to do with my Grand-Sire's new Chosen. Robyn is fine, wonderful to be exact. She is hoping that you come to terms with this soon." He squeezed him. "No, the emergency was with one of Azrael's pets."

"Who?" Both Jason and Amber sat up looking at Zak intently.

"Jenna was taken by a Renegade." Zak had to hold up his hands to get attention again. "She's fine now. Azrael along with Megel and Vincent found her and brought her home. Relax, it's over."

"How did Robyn do last night?" William found that biting Zak along the jaw line, right under the chin, caused his lover to tremble.

"Stop that, I'm trying to talk." William's aggressions went quite a ways to reassuring Zak that he was going to be all right with this.

"Don't want to talk." After last night, William needed a little solidity. "Want to ball." Fingers began to work loose the buttons of Zak's shirt.

Zak moaned softly. "What the hell did you do last night?"

"I think he decided he liked the way we live." Jason laughed as William single-handedly pinned Zak to the bed. "Maybe we should go see about Jenna, and leave these two alone."

Amber shook her head. "I think we've created a monster."

"He's a vampire, he should be able to handle it. Let's go."

* * *

The house was already up and active by the time Jason and Amber entered Azrael's nighttime chambers. Jenna was resting in Azrael's lap, listening to Torin and Robyn banter back and forth with each other.

"I just heard." Jason draped himself over Michael. "What happened?"

Michael adjusted himself so that Jason and Amber could curl up with him. "The same monster that abused my little sister tried to kidnap Jenna. It was a worrisome hour or two. But she is home now, and thanks to Torin, healed."

"Who is that?" Amber pointed to Christian who was still with David.

"That's Christian. Set killed his Sire, and abused him. Azrael brought him home to see if he could save him from himself. Though it looks like Vincent might have done the job for him.

"Davy can be quite a motivator when he wants to be. He's had been helping Lilith with relating to Selene before Azrael put her under his protection. He's really good with young ones." He grinned at Michael.

"Yes, and he has calmed down quite a bit since coming here." Michael nuzzled Jason's throat. He was hungry, had been hungry almost all the time since taking Joseph as his Childe. His two just weren't enough to keep him fed with the new demands on him. He would have to hunt out a third soon. "So where is Gabriel? He was looking for William."

Both Jason and Amber laughed. "Oh, he found him all right. They should be along in a little while." Jason lifted his chin. "Go on Master, you haven't fed from me in four days, I'm fine." He whimpered as the brief flash of pain gave way to the warming pleasure. Fingers locked in Michael's hair as his body lifted to press against his. Michael had been so good to him, so loving and understanding as he learned to live under new rules. He went to bed each morning thanking the fates for his Master, and rose every evening ready to give Michael anything he wanted to show how much he loved him.

David watched Christian as the boy took in everything around him. Eyes drinking in the sights of contentment, of Kin and Kine alike, that were, not living in hell. "You're awfully quiet Christian, what are you thinking about?"

Christian graced him with a quick look before his eyes dropped. "Nothing really. I was just watching how the others here behaved." His eyes kept being drawn to where Azrael sat. "He hasn't looked at me yet. Do you think he's forgotten I'm here?" Could he hope?

"I sort of doubt that Christian. He's still recovering from what was done to Jenna. They're linked, blood-bonded. He suffered everything she felt, you're safe with me, and he knows that. Rest, he knows you're here and will talk to you soon enough."

Christian nodded, but rest wasn't going to be easy for him. He wanted to know what was going to happen to him. This vampire, who so far had not done more than acknowledge him, owned him now. His life and its continuance were, completely, up to him. He had made him promise to be patient. To give it and him a chance before he tried fading again.

Azrael was aware of the boys' eyes on him. Had been conscious of it all evening. But had chosen to ignore the looks. He wanted to allow the Childe a chance to see how others fared in his keep. But he needed to take time to see to the Childe's care. The burns and the scars still needed to be removed. The boy was probably starving and still lost, as to the, what, and the and why, of his life now. "Jenna, dearest, go play with Mark. Torin and I need to attend to Christian." David had informed the house of the boys' vampiric name the moment they gathered, and his desire to be called it.

Christian heard his name. Azrael had remembered him. Well, it was time, good or bad, he'd know now. "Did you call me Master?"

"No, but I was about to. Kiss Vincent goodbye for now and come here. You and I have things we need to take care of." He laughed as Christian hugged David with a desperate passion. "Oh really now, what are you doing. You act as if I am going to spirit you away and never allow you to see him again." Azrael wondered what it was about David that had attracted the boy so strongly.

He refused to cry. It didn't matter what happened now; he wouldn't make a fool out of himself anymore. It was bad enough that after David had made love to him, he cried himself to sleep, but to break down and blubber like a baby here in front of all these people. "Master?" He knelt by the chair.

"Come here Childe." Azrael reached for him. "You are still frightened, why? I am assuming that Vincent and you got along quiet nicely. Why are you still afraid?"

Christian tried to speak, but words just wouldn't come. How do you tell someone that for the most part, fear is all you can feel? David had gone some ways to helping him control it, but it wasn't gone. "Wh--what are you going to do with me, Master?"

"Several things. First and foremost, have Tori remove these obscenities from you. It is disgraceful what that mad thing did to you. Then I will see you fed." He nodded at Christians surprised gasp. "What did you think I was going to starve you?

"Once I have you healed and fed, I plan to see if I can save you. Your mind is not stable now, do you understand. What Set did to you, combined with the sudden death of your Sire has left you weak and unable to care for yourself."

"And if you can't make it better?" Would he kill him? Please, he prayed. Please, god let me die.

"Then I have two choices. I can give you back your life, and allow you to fade. Or I can re-make you. I was unable to offer this to Selene, who had suffered like you, but you are still young enough, your Sires mark though dead still has power in it. I could make you mine." He smiled at him. "Or if you prefer, Vincent might be willing to be talked into taking you."

Re-made. The Elder would be willing to remake him. He fought down tears again. It was the kindest thing a vampire could do for one in his situation. Offer to take him into their Line. Shiva would have done it for someone like him. He knew this. Had Shiva been the one to kill Set, any slave that he discovered, had they been orphaned Kin. Shiva would have offered them his Line and his protection.

"Cry." Azrael tightened his grip. "Go one Childe, cry. You have earned each and every tear you shed. Mourn your loss, do not ever be ashamed for the love you feel, and the pain the loss causes you."

Christian fought and lost his battle with tears. Why did these vampires have to be so understanding, so kind? Why were they so intent on convincing him to live? He had been praying for death, began the moment he watched his Sire brutally bested, tortured, and, then, killed. But now, with hope being dangled before him, a new life, a new Sire, the pain healed and forgotten. Now death was becoming less and less attractive. "I should have died with him." His, voice, little more than a tortured whisper.

"Perhaps, but you did not. Now answer me a question. Would your Sire expect or demand your life? If he were here, what would he have you do?" It was a gamble, a shot in the dark. But Azrael was willing to bet that Shiva wasn't that hide bound.

"He--He'd want me to go on." He hid his face in the fabric of Azrael's shirt, stroking the cool silk. "But I feel dead inside. How do you live like this?" The loss and confusion he felt began to overcome the pain.

"You can not pet. You are too young have, none of the training's that would enable you to heal. I am afraid you have two choices, die or have another re-make you." He lifted the boys' face, "I would grant you that Christian. Any here would. If your Sire would have wanted you to live, then grant him the wish he never had a chance to voice. Live here, with those I claim."

"Master." David knelt by his chair. "If Christian would rather, and you permit. I will take him. I think you overwhelm him a bit. Shiva was closer to my age. You're just too much for him to absorb."

"Is that true Christian? Vincent has offered to stand in my stead if it would make you more comfortable. Would you protest? Does my allowing him to take you upset you, or would you see it as a boon?"

Christian looked at David from where he sat, half hiding in Azrael's arms. "You'd give me to him?" There was the lightest whisper of hope in his voice.

"If it would help you to heal, yes. Despite what you have seen from Set and those poor lost children who call themselves the Warlock's. Most of the Lines have no desire to kill or terrorize Rogues or orphans. You were a victim, innocent of wrong. Now answer me. Will you let one of us take you as our Childe?"

He was afraid, afraid to say yes, yet equally afraid to say no. If he chose to live, to bond himself to one of them, would he be forced to give up his love for Shiva? Would the re-making cause him to forget everything of his past? "Master?"

Azrael stroked his hair letting the boy rest against him. "Yes Childe?"

"What happens to me if I say yes? Will I be forced to give up my past? You gonna take Shiva from me?"

"Christian, answer me a few questions. How long were you with your Sire?"

"Eight years Master."

"How old were you when he took you?"

Christian 'blushed' . "Eleven. Shiva pulled me from my parent's car. They were dead. He saved my life."

David smiled nodding. "Yes, my Sire found me as an orphan as well, and raised me as her Childe, long before I was."

"How long before he told you what he was?" Azrael looked from Christian to David. Perhaps allowing Vincent to take this one as his Childe is the thing to do. Both were taken into care at such a young age. They would understand each other. Azrael contemplated. "Tell me of your life Christian. How you Sire cared for you, how old were you when he became your lover, your Sire. Help me to understand how best to help you."

Christian sighed. "He told me that night. Had to there, was no, other way he could have kept me with him. He was hurt when he pulled me from the car it blew up. He--" a soft catching of his breath as he fought to keep from breaking again. "He protected me with his own body. By the time he had me back to his lair, he was so bad off. I wanted to call an ambulance, but he wouldn't let me. He told me then so I wouldn't expose him."

Azrael could just imagine what that must have looked like. This Childe in his arms a, baby, and a young vampire trying to convince him that calling for outside help would be useless. "What happened then?"

"When he showed me what he was, I--" he looked up at Azrael, "I passed out." There was no shame, no embarrassment. He had been a kid. "When I woke up it was the next day. Shiva had locked me in this room he had in his basement. He had left food and a letter promising me that he would be back to check on me at dark. Told me not to be afraid, he wouldn't hurt me and he'd make sure I was taken care of."

"So you waited. Poor thing, so young and newly hurt." Again Azrael tightened his arms, attempting to pass some of his own strength and peace to the Fledgling now in his care.

"Yeah, and when he came down that night, I was ready to climb the walls," a ghost of a smile. "He spent the rest of the night calming me. My parents were dead, I only had one uncle and he was not anyone I wanted to live with, so Shiva said I could stay with him. He would keep me as his," now flustering just a little and a little embarrassed. "I didn't know what he meant by that at first. All I thought was that I could live with him, that he would do what ever adults did when the wanted to take care of a kid."

"So you lived with Shiva. How old were you when the temptation of having you close became to much for your Sire." Trust was so important to Kin. To have been the one to have found him, and then be forced to wait due to age to claim him and the rewards of that trust. It must have been hard.

"I don't understand. How old was I when he made love to me the first time?"

"No, how old were you when he first began to claim you. I am sure you were older than, eleven, when he became your lover. I refuse to believe that a vampire noble enough to risk death to save a child from a burning car would be so crass as to force himself on that child before he was old enough. How old were you when he first fed from you."

"Thirteen. It had been my birthday. I was depressed, my father had promised me a dirt bike for my thirteenth birthday. And I was missing my folks all over again. Shiva, he--he planned this party for me, called several of his friends to come." Again, 'the blush' , "I was used to how vampires were by then, and knew when any of them were around that it was best if I sit in Shiva's lap and stay close. He accused me of being, too pretty, for my own good. Well he threw me this party, and as his birthday present to me he claimed me as his pet. He bit me." Christian shuddered at the memory, the pain and then. "I was mature for my age, or so he kept telling me, which was why he had such a hard time keeping himself from me. But after he bit me," Christian refused to be ashamed. "He wouldn't go all the way, said I needed a little time to get used to belonging to him, but he that's the night it began. The first time he fed from me. The first time he kissed me." He could still remember the feel of it all. The mouth on his throat hands on his body. Smiling eyes that made him want to melt right where he was. And the first kiss, Shiva had loved him. He never really believed it before that night. But as his master drank from him, and then held him so lovingly, he accepted that love. "For the rest of that night, I went no where. Shiva wouldn't even let me go to the bathroom without him," another 'blush' . "His friends made fun of him when we returned, almost an hour later." His eyes opened at Azrael's chuckled. "He didn't do it then." He was defensive. "We just, well . . .."

"Childe, there is more to love and trust that just doing it, as you put it. I am sure your Sire was careful with you. But you were young, didn't his attentions so sudden frighten you?"

Christian played over the night in his head. His standing, there, trying not to act embarrassed as he went to the bathroom. Shiva coming up behind, him hands and mouth on him again. He moaned softly with the memory. A firm grip turning him, again that wonderful kiss's a voice in his ear. "Do you trust me Kary?" And Shiva going to his knees was he afraid, no? Shiva had never frightened him not after that, first, night. "No, Shiva loved me, I loved him. I knew he would never hurt me." His head lifted, mouth-seeking Azrael's as the images played on in him. "He made me his."

Azrael kissed him softly, letting Christian hide for a moment in the memories of past pleasures. He knew it wasn't he that the boy was kissing in his mind, but his dead Sire. "Wait Childe." Azrael pushed him back gently as the boy clung to him, trying to lose himself in his memories. "Ssshh, I will hold you, allow you to feel pleasure again soon enough, but for now finish your tale."

Christian sighed resting his head against Azrael's shoulder again. "From that point on I was his. He taught me how two people could love each other without going too far. Said I would have to wait till I was fifteen before he would take me to his bed. That's the way he said it. 'I'm sorry my sweet, but I can't take what you offer until you are older.' It was so, I wanted to jump him then and there, but Shiva just laughed and told me that I would have to be content with what I had for now."

"So you became his pet. I am going to assume by your willingness to lay here that your training was gentle." The boy was almost virginal, but he was a trusting sort.

"Yeah, he only had to punish me once, and that was a couple of nights later when I wouldn't undress. I was still shy. But one spanking was enough for me. I did what I was told from then on." A slight shrug, "after a few weeks, nothing weirded me out anymore and I was happy."

"So you lived with him as a lap toy for two years before he took you to his bed. How old were you when he made you his Childe?"

"Sixteen."

"You must have been quite a temptation, the times are different now, we try to refrain from taking our children so young. But five years is quite a time to wait when you are young. So you became his Childe, was the transformation an easy one? Should we expect reactions?"

"No, I--it was real calm. Shiva was surprised how well I took it. I had a few nights of shakes, but that's all. No pain, no hives, nothing."

"Cain was like that. I kept waiting for him to react like Lilith did, but nothing. One moment he was mortal, and the next he wasn't." David was surprised to see another that the change caused no hardship to. "You know how soon he finished the change."

Azrael looked to Michael's new Childe. "Yes, Cain is rather special," then to Christian. "And it would appear that so are you. Now, I want you to think on something while Torin heals you. You will die without a new Sire. You are far too young to stand without one at the moment. You will find that any Kin here happy to offer you their protection. You must decide. I would never force a decision like this on an orphan so you must choose to welcome the change."

Christian looked to him, his face a mixture of emotions. "But, Master, you never answered my question. Will I lose the past?"

Azrael tisked shaking his head, "no Christian, I would never take memories you hold so dear from you. Shiva did well with you. His Line would be proud. Did you know his Sire? Meet any of his family? That is an option I had not thought to ask you." If the boy knew his Kin, letting him return would be easier for all involved. He knew how he had felt with word that Thorne's Childe had lived.

"No." His whisper was soft. "Shiva was the last of Kali's children, she died long before I came into the picture. The rest, I don't know them at all, Shiva avoided them."

Kali's Grand-Childe, Azrael thought amazed 'I have Kali's Grand-Childe in my arms' . "I knew your Sire's, Sire. I should have known he was hers with his name. Kali was an old friend of mine, like Sharra, our Masters came from the same Line. We are cousins you and I. You're Grand-Sire and I shared the same Grand-Sire. And I know why Shiva spared you from meeting his brothers. I did not think to connect your Sire with who he really was, before now. Kali died saving your Sire. He had been on his own for such a short time when he was set upon the first time. Kali heard his cry and went to his rescue. I know because I went with her. She died saving Shiva, and I killed those that killed her. But I lost the boy, he fled thinking perhaps that I was one of those that had attacked him. I called her other children; Krishna and Vishnu but they would not seek out their little brother. They blamed him for their Sires death." This one was close enough to family by Azrael's reckoning to be entitled to blood right. "So, knowing who you are now, I am even further convinced to help you. We share the same Bloodline you and I. Thought it is by several generations. Vincent there is your Kin as well. Sharra is his sire, that would make him your cousin."

It wasn't easy for Christian to follow who was related to whom. It was the one draw back to the Vampyr, if you looked back far enough you were related to almost all the Kin. What had Shiva said there were originally only three?

David laughed. "You know I never thought of it, but you're right. We are related aren't we? You know Master, perhaps we should move to Alabama. Our kind of house keeping would be more in line with life there."

Azrael looked at him with a glint of amused disgust in his eyes. "You know Vincent, one of these days, that sense of humor you have is going to get you into a world of trouble." Then to Christian, "So there it is Childe. I want you to think on what I have said. Consider well your options. I would grieve to see any of my Kin fade, and without a new Sire you will. Allow Torin to heal you these marks must go. And think while he does, your life is in your hands now."

Torin, who had sat quietly with Robyn, stood. "Master, if he would undress, I will see to making sure that he doesn't have to carry any physical marks."

"Stand up Childe. Do as my Chosen has asked. I will not have that monsters, artwork, in my lair. Live or die, it will be free of this."

Christian didn't pause to consider the order. He had been following directions for too long. He rose and undressed quickly, ignoring all whom watched. Shiva had broken him of his shyness a long time ago, so as he returned to Azrael's lap, naked, it was without shame or embarrassment.

Torin's hands began their work, first on his back, removing the profanities and obscenities that were present. Once again angry at the obvious abuse of power that Set had displayed. "Chris, could you turn around?" He shortened his name without thinking.

"Christian." Christian's voice was soft. "My name is Christian." Shiva had called him Chris; it was almost a pet name for him. No one would ever call him that again.

"I'm sorry." Torin heard what was not said, and felt the emotions behind it. "Christian, you need to turn a little more. I will be finished soon." They would have to be careful with this one. He was even shakier than Selene had been.

Christian's hand moved up to stop his as he began to finish his work. "Don't take this one, please." He placed a protective hand on the remains of Shiva's blood-brand.

Azrael lifted Christian's hand, looking at the mark he guarded. "It is ruined Childe. There is not enough left to save the mark. Allow Tori to remove it. I will see that if you chose to live that a new mark is placed there. You're Sire's mark should not be left mutilated as it is. There is no honor in that."

Christian looked up at him, tears in his eyes. "Please Master, it's all I have left. Don't make me lose it. I'll bend, I'll obey you, become anything you ask. But please let me keep it."

Torin looked at the mark. "You know, Master, if I'm very careful, I can leave almost all of it. If you are willing, you could repair what is left."

Azrael looked at the mark again. "Are you certain of that Tori? For me to correct the mark, over half of it must remain."

"I'm not just removing marks, I'm targeting just his power. So the only parts I'm going to lose are here," he pointed to ragged scar, "and here. The rest should be whole."

Azrael nodded, impressed with the finesse that Torin was displaying. "Yes, go on, I see what you intend." He brushed his lips across Christian's forehead. "Relax, little one. My boy here will be able to save the mark, and I will see it returned to its proper glory." He felt the tension melt from Christian's body as the boy relaxed again. "There, see, you must believe me Childe. No one here will harm you. Once Tori is finished, and I have restored that which is precious to you, I will have you fed."

Torin worked silently, carefully manipulating the powers that Azrael had been so diligent in training him in over the last two years. His Master wanted this one healed, saved from the hell that awaited him in his own mind. To do that, trust, had to be assured and by helping to save the brand that was obviously so precious to him, Torin had made his offering to Azrael's mission. "Master, I need to touch you." Torin looked at Christian. "It will only take a minute and the last of the marks will be gone."

Christian bit his lip as he nodded. The boy was mortal. He couldn't hurt him, but the gentleness of his touch, and the warming effect of the energy brought feelings he hadn't expected. He closed his eyes, trying hard not to enjoy what was happening to him.

"Master?" Torin looked up as Azrael repositioned Christian in his lap. "May I?" Healings always left him a little over-friendly.

Azrael pulled his hair aside, exposing his throat. "Go on Childe, feed. I can feel your hunger. You too Tori, I am sure that my little cousin here will not begrudge you your reward." The shocked and confused look on Christian's face was almost comical. "What is wrong Childe? Is my Chosen's request not to your liking?"

"To my liking?" Christian's voice cracked. "Master, I don't understand. Why? You offer me your throat, he's your Chosen and, he's, why?"

The room erupted in laughter. "Christian," Azrael cupped his chin. "I have offered my throat to every Kin in this room when they have needed it. You are family your blood and mine are the same. You would never dream of asking one of my pets, you are too shy, so I have taken that problem from you. As for Tori's request." Azrael's voice took on the same amused quality as his laughter had. "I am afraid that my love is something of an attention slut. He has healed you, shares a brief link with you. Allow him to enjoy the rewards of his efforts."

Christian nodded his consent, eyes glancing at Torin, curiosity out weighing fear. "I--I'm hungry Master." He gave in Azrael had won. He would entrust his life to another Kin. He only hoped that he wouldn't later regret this action.

Azrael held his head in place as the boy drank. It was the first time he had ever seen a Kin so beat down in spirit as to almost refuse the blood even as it filled his mouth. The respect he felt for his newest, adopted, Childe Selene grew. Knowing what she had been forced to bear, and the extents of his madness, he could only be impressed with her ability to still stand at all.

Christian was torn between the wonderful brightness of the blood that filled his mouth and the pain that living would bring him. He had been ready to die, to fade away and join his Sire, but now, with life being thrust back to him, promise and hope his for the taking. Death no longer looked so appealing, and Torin's loving, play, only added the icing to the cake.

Azrael allowed Christian to drink his fill. The Childe, no matter who he went to, would need an extra amount of blood for a while. Even re-made, the pain and trauma of the last two days would take time to heal. "Full precious?" He welcomed Christian's mouth on his as Torin brought him to his end.

"Thank you Master. You are kinder than I deserve." The Elders complete attention humbled Christian. It was then that he realized why he would never be comfortable with a Sire such as the Kin that held him.

"Nonsense a beautiful Childe such as yourself? Only a fool would sit back and let you fade from us without making at least some attempt to save you." He reached down and slipped the knife from his boot. "Will you allow Vincent to join us? I will repair Shiva's mark, but would just as soon avoid the pain. With his help the brands I must make will be painless." Azrael traced the scars lightly with the knife. "Afterwards, if you ask him sweetly, I am sure Vincent will be thrilled to gift you his protection. He is right. I do overwhelm you."

Torin pulled away, returning to Robyn as David knelt beside them again. "Hi." He smiled hugging her.

David held Christian down as the bloodied knife cut into the first scar. He could feel the youngster under him tense, as if he were waiting for the pain. "Relax, Christian." He whispered in his ear. "I won't let anything happen. If I am to be your Sire, then you must believe that I will take my responsibility to you quite seriously."

Christian could do little more that nod his head as he watched the Elder vampire replace that which Set had purposely cut out, the sealing points of the mark. He was surprised almost to the point of silence that the older Kin would replace the marks, but as he felt Azrael's power upon him, he was given an added shock. Azrael had reset the power of the mark. Dead though it was, it was now no longer a broken tie, but whole in its silence. If he had doubted Azrael's claim to Blood Kinship before, this settled it.

"I believe that should do the trick. There is still some slight scarring, here within the mark, but no one should be able to say whether it was there before or after the mark was placed. I am sorry that I was unable to fully activate it for you, but Shiva is dead, and so is his mark."

Christian's mind reeled; the Elder had gone to such great lengths to completely repair all the damage. "You--you didn't have to do that Master. I would have been happy just to have the remains of the mark. I can't, how can I ever repay you?"

"Repay me?" Azrael slowly shook his head. "Christian, what is there to repay? Your Sire was of my blood. There is no one here of your direct Line. You have the right to appeal to the secondary Lines of your blood for help. Now go; allow Vincent to offer you his line and protection, as well as his training. He is young, but you will find that, as Sires go, he is fair and wields a light hand."

Christian allowed himself to take comfort in the security of David's arms. This was to be his new Sire. He would not have to scrape to live, or carry a Rogues mark. He would live, and if last night was any indication, learn to love again.

David helped Christian to his feet. The boy clung to him, seeking support for the first time. Azrael had won, they both had. Christian didn't seek death anymore, and David would be able to replace the empty spot that Shiva's loss had left in him.

Anna smiled at them both as David pulled Christian into his lap as he sat beside her. "So, I'm getting a little brother again." She tried to let her feelings of welcome and support blend with David's to help settle the last of Christian's fears.

"Yes," David brushed Christian's hair away from his throat. "And unless Christian say's otherwise, no one will ever know that I was not his only Sire. If he lets me, I will make his adoption total."

Christian gave up trying to understand why these Kin were so willing to go out of their way for him. It didn't make any sense, but he couldn't come up with an answer that did. They couldn't be after something from him, he had nothing. If they were going to enslave him, they would have done as Set had done, and forbid him fading and left if at that. So Christian did the only thing left to him, he accepted the offer as David had meant it, as Kin helping Kin. "Please, Master." He lifted his chin.

"Remember, you must hold on to life. When I drain you to the point before death, you must focus on your life, refuse to slip away."

"I will." Christian remembered his first Gift, and how Shiva had prepared him for weeks for the trial that would take place in him. That brief second or two that lasted a lifetime as his soul hung over the abyss.

David opened himself to the boy as he fed, more careful than he had been with either Anna or Joseph. They had wanted him, had freely accepted and actively sought this life out. Christian, though he had accepted his new life, and would call him, Sire, was still too close to fading for David's comfort. So unlike feedings or his other two, he kept his mind fully on what he was doing, and the life of the Fledgling in his arms.

The room was darker as Christian felt David pull away. There was a shadow to everything. Peace was just a heartbeat away and called to him. He could die now, easily. But there was another force that tugged at his soul. His new Sire and Master, he could feel his desires, and was pulled towards them. And as David's teeth broke the skin of his neck again, and the blood returned Christian's soul welcomed it.

Christian didn't know how long he lay there, locked in David's arms, his Master's blood flowing back into him. Time had little to no meaning. But as he came to himself again, he was greeted by David's smiling eyes. "Christian?"

The pain wasn't completely gone. And as that which had been taken from him, that solidity in his soul, restored, once again there. He was whole again, and he had this man to thank for it. Death would have denied him this. He would spend the rest of his life thanking both Azrael and David for helping him to heal. "Sire?"

Arms crushed him in their grasp as David rocked him. "That's right Christian, Sire, now and forever. You have a home."