Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

Welcome one and all to chapter 65! And on time, mind you ^-^ This chapter was a joy to write, especially near the end, and it marks one chapter closer to being done with Felix’s past. It was never meant to be this long, I swear. We’re almost done though and its gonna start getting intense. So, here is the link to my replies to the reviews and here is your new chapter.

Link to replies: http://darkness80.livejournal.com/1423.html

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Nicoli and Felix were on the move again. Even though they stood completely still, they moved through time in memories. Only this time Felix wasn’t stopping from memory to memory, they were moving right through each, pausing for a second to see the event, and then moving onto the next.

“The next few months and years were the best of my entire life,” Felix said as the memories swirled about them. “I knew happiness that I had never known before and it was as if my former life were nothing but a nightmare that I had finally awakened from and forgot about.”

Nicoli watched as a scene settled around them and he realized it was a birthday party. The entire clan was in a grand dining room, crowded around a long table. One end of the table wasn’t visible with the mountain of presents that sat atop it and at the other end was a large sheet cake adorned with thirteen lit candles. Felix stood in front of the cake, a smile plastered onto his face, with the clan standing around him, some cheering him on to blow out the candles. Felix took in a deep breath and put them all out at once, getting a loud roar of approval from the others.

Then the scene was gone. They moved onto similar scenes of happiness. Nicoli noticed that most of the time Felix was with Faith. The two would be prowling around the house, playing pranks on the others or simply exploring together. Other times Felix was mostly with Ethan, the two were seen laughing and picking on each other as they simply sat around, enjoying each other’s company. Even if Ethan and Faith weren’t with Felix, he was never alone, someone always there with him by his side.

“In time I grew close to everyone in the clan” Felix smiled. “Even the ones I vowed I would never like.”

The memories settled again and this time they were somewhere entirely new. They were on a balcony overlooking the spacious backyard. Young Felix emerged from the curtained doorway, the moonlight reflecting off his bright blond hair and he stared at something at the railing. Nicoli turned to see that it was Andre. The vampire still had both of his eyes and he was bent over, arms resting on the rail, as he leisurely puffed on his cigarette holder.

“Hey, Kitten,” he greeted, not even turning around.

Nicoli saw Felix roll his eyes as he wandered closer to Andre.

“So, are you always going to call me Kitten? Will I ever be Cat to you?” he asked.

“No, you’ll always be my stray little Kitten,” Andre said, a smile forming around his holder as he glanced at Felix out of the corner of his eyes.

Felix sighed irritably, but then seemed to forget about it as he reached out for the cigarette.

“Hey, let me have some of that.”

Before his fingers could come close, the cigarette holder levitated out of Andre’s mouth and floated just out of Felix’s reach.

“Ah, ah, ah, I don’t think so,” Andre said. “You know Faith would mentally jumble my brain if she found out I let you smoked. Even a little.”

“Come on, just one little puff. She’ll never know,” Felix said, maneuvering around Andre to try to get to the cigarette, but it just floated to Andre’s other side. “I haven’t been able to smoke in months. You’re killing me here.”

“You smoked?” Nicoli asked, never having pictured Felix as the smoker type.

Felix nodded.

“Yeah, started when I was ten, but I was never a heavy duty smoker. I just did it here and there to relieve stress. It was the only type of drug I’d allow myself to get close to. When I came to live with the clan, though, Faith forbade me to smoke because she knew how much it could shorten my lifespan and she convinced the others to never let me smoke either.”

Nicoli nodded and watched as Felix kept trying to get to the holder that was always just out of reach. At one point he leaned over too far and was pressed right up against Andre’s side. As quick as a cobra’s strike, Andre pulled Felix all the way in so that Felix was in front of him and was trapped against the railing and Andre’s body.

“Andre, the hell? Get off me,” Felix said, trying to wiggle away.

“I don’t think so, Kitten,” Andre said, leaning his elbows on the railing again, making Felix bend over with him uncomfortably. “This is your punishment for trying to be naughty.”

“You’re an ass. Now let go.”

“Or what? You’re going to go tattle on me to Faith or Ethan?” Andre asked, nuzzling Felix’s ear.

Felix jerked his head away and continued to try to escape. After a while, however, he gave up, seeing how pointless it was. The two simply stood there, Andre draped over Felix while every so often the cigarette would drift pass Felix’s ear to Andre’s mouth. Felix would look very cross at those times.

“You know, Felix,” Andre said after a stretch of time. “There’s a reason I pick on you so much.”

“Isn’t it just because you’re a prick?” Felix asked.

“Har har, no. There’s another reason.” Andre reached up to tuck a few strands of Felix’s hair behind his ear. “It’s because I see so much of myself in you.”

Felix’s brows creased and he looked back at Andre the best he could.

“See yourself? What do you mean?”

“You may not realize it, but our stories are very similar.” Andre looked out toward the backyard and rested his chin on top of Felix’s head. “I was a street rat just like you when I was human.”

“Wha-You were?”

“Yes, much like you I never knew who my father was and at the tender age of eight my mother died of some illness, I never knew what it was. From then on the street was my home, the life of a scavenger my friend. I became a very skilled thief in my day, taking what I wanted and needed with no regrets. In my eyes I deserved everything I took because Fate had been so cruel to me.”

“So, how the heck did you end up as a rich vampire?” Felix asked, now no longer trying to struggle. He just simply stood there with Andre leaned against his back as he listened intently.

“Because I was a fool that didn’t realize when to get out of the teeth of trouble,” Andre said with a smile, taking another drag from his holder. “I was always looking to up my game. Taking more risks by stealing from dangerous people and places. I guess you can say I got far too cocky for my own good. One day I heard that three powerful men were coming to visit the Lord that ruled over our town. They were the three Areli Lords and were well known amongst all of us lowly villagers. I felt that this was my chance. No more pick pocketing for me, or breaking into peoples homes for enough loot to last me a week. I had hit the big time and I was going to rob the Areli brothers and live like a king for the rest of my days. I was soon to find that Fate wasn’t quite done with me yet.

“A few nights into the Areli’s visit I made my move. Our Lord was throwing a big ball for them and I knew everyone was going to be busy for the event. I slipped in easily enough and went for the room that belonged to the brother that I was sure carried the most wealth. Isaak. He was the oldest after all, so I was certain that he would be the richest out of the three. In the middle of looting his room something I hadn’t planned on happened. He came back.”

“Yowch, guess you weren’t as great of a thief as you thought, huh?” Felix said and got a tickle to his side in retaliation.

“Well, how was I supposed to know that he found parties in his honor boring and droll? He came back to his room to get away from all the guests and caught me red handed. Let’s just say his mood soared when he saw that a dirty little thief had wandered into his room while he was away. I tried to escape, but he was too fast for me. It was then that I learned the truth of the three Areli brothers. They were not human. They were monsters that walked the earth in the guise of mortal men and it was the first time I knew what true fear was.”

“So what happened? He obviously didn’t kill you.”

“No, I believe he had planned to, but, luckily for me, I peaked his interest. He liked my spunk and decided to keep me. For a while I was nothing but his feeding pet.”

“Feeding pet?” Felix asked curiously.

“Yes, a feeding pet is a human a vampire will keep to provide him blood, a little snack if you will. Sometimes a feeding pet is also used for sex and, yes, Isaak used me for both.”

“So you were nothing more than a slave,” Felix muttered, grimacing at the thought.

“You can say that, but Isaak never treated me poorly. I was fed, washed and groomed like the prized pet that I was. I could have anything I wanted if I asked for it. So in reality I was living like a king. Just a king in chains. I never lost my fiery attitude, I made sure of that. I would talk back to Isaak as much as I could and never hesitated to tell him what I thought of this or that. I think that just made him like me more and pushed him to a final decision. In the end he gave me a choice: Remain his feeding pet or become one of his children.”

“Something tells me that wasn’t a hard choice for you,” Felix said.

“Not at all. My whole life all I wanted was to gain wealth and power, since I had been born with none. To become a vampire meant I would have more strength than I could ever dream of, and being part of Isaak’s family meant that I could share in his fortune. My choice was made quickly and with no regrets.” There was another inhale of smoke before Andre continued. “I also gained something else that I hadn’t planned on when I accepted.”

“What?”

“A family. Before I just had the street urchins that I hung around with, but after my change I was truly part of a family. Isaak was a wonderful father; I had two great uncles, lots of cousins and even siblings to annoy. Before I never knew how great it would be to have an older brother and sister and I came to enjoy it very much.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait just one second here,” Nicoli, said, waving his hands as if he could stop the scene, which with one wave of Felix’s hand, it did.

“What?” Felix asked curiously.

“Andre has a brother?” Nicoli demanded, never having heard about such a thing.

“Oh, yeah, you don’t know about Samuel, huh?”

“No, I very well do not.”

“Sorry, but yeah, Isaak had three children. Aria was first, then Samuel and Andre was the youngest.”

“This Samuel guy isn’t dead too, is he? Or did he also turn evil?” Nicoli asked, thinking of the only possible reasons why he had never heard of or met Andre’s Blood Brother.

“No, no, nothing like that,” Felix said with a dismissing wave of his hand. “Samuel left the family sometime before Isaak died to start his own clan. Apparently he was really into leadership and whatever and wanted to give being clan leader a shot. He’s very good at it and has a thriving clan of his own. I’ve met him a few times. He’s really nice, though a bit on the quiet side.”

“So how come I’ve never seen this guy before? Why isn’t he helping us with the Hearts or with Dimitri?” Nicoli asked. If there was a whole other clan that could help them put Dimitri down for good he wanted to know about it.

“Well, Samuel is actually trying to distance himself from this war as much as possible. While he was just as upset over Isaak’s death he made it clear that he didn’t want to get involved. The last thing he’d do would be to put his own family at risk in a fight that he doesn’t fully believe in. He does help us out from time to time and the two clans love each other very much, but he just doesn’t want to get in further than that.”

Nicoli didn’t know what to feel about the mysterious Blood Brother. On one hand it sounded like Samuel’s reasons for staying out of the fight were justified, but on the other it made Nicoli wonder why Samuel wouldn’t help out his family put down a big threat once and for all.

“You ready to continue?” Felix asked after Nicoli had been quit for too long.

“Um, yeah, I guess.”

Felix nodded and with a flick of his wrist the memory around them started again, as if he had hit an invisible play button.

“Sounds like it turned out all right for you,” young Felix said whimsically, a little smile playing on his lips.

“It did. We’re both very lucky people to have been brought in by such amazing people,” Andre said. He had his elbow resting on the rail and now the cigarette holder was securely between his fingers, leisurely sucking on it here and there.

“For once I’m gonna have to agree with you.”

Andre chuckled and leaned the side of his head against Felix’s.

“And we are very lucky to have you in our family now. Even if I seem like I don’t, I’m glad you’re here.”

Then to Felix’s surprise, Andre held up the cigarette holder in offering. Felix smiled.

“I’m glad too and you’re an okay guy, even if you are the biggest prick I’ve ever met.” He wrapped his lips around the offered holder and took in a deep breath before pulling away and releasing a long stream of smoke.

“Oh, we’re going to get along just fine.”

The two then stood in silence, Felix still trapped between the railing and Andre, but he didn’t seem to mind as they shared what was left of the dwindling cigarette.

“Just so you know,” present Felix said, disrupting the quiet. “Faith gave both Andre and I a good whooping when she found out about our little smoking time together. Can’t hide anything from that girl.”

Nicoli laughed and shook his head.

“I didn’t know that Andre came from that kind of background. A cunning thief that took whatever he wanted. That actually does fit him, though.” Nicoli thought back to the first night he had met the clan. He pondered on the ring Andre had used to try and open the book and realized it seemed like a very thiefy item. It must have been a relic he had been keeping from his olden days.

“Yeah, Andre is just full of surprises.” The surrounding began to meld around them, Andre and Felix disappeared from the balcony as a swirl of colors circled the remaining pair. “But while I was finally starting to like him there were others that I had loved right away that made me love them more as time went on.”

When the twirling colors settled Nicoli found that they were back in the library. Young Felix came running in with an armload of books. He began going along the shelves, finding where the books belonged.

“Didn’t you just take those the other day?” a voice said.

Felix jumped and all of the books leapt out of his arms and onto the floor.

“Oh, crap,” he muttered, scratching his head as he looked down at the fallen books. He then turned to the speaker. “Gavin, how many times have I told you not to sneak up on me?” he said.

Gavin was sitting in the chair he had been in when Felix had met him for the first time.

“How am I sneaking when I am sitting down and not moving?” Gavin asked, amusement in his eyes.

“Because you’re you. You could be standing still and sneak up on somebody.” Felix crouched down and began picking up his books. “I thought you and Aria were training.”

“We were,” Gavin said as he stood up and went over to help. “But she had prior engagements so it was a short session.” He picked up a couple of books and looked at the covers.

Nicoli saw that all the books were pretty good sized novels. It would have taken him a week or so to get through one.

“Did you not just take these from the library a couple days ago?” Gavin asked again.

“Yep,” Felix answered.

“And you have already finished them?”

“Yep, all of them are read and done,” Felix said, beaming with pride.

Gavin smiled and gave Felix’s head a pet. He looked like a proud father as he stroked Felix’s hair.

“It is good to see you are so hungry for the written word.”

Felix chuckled.

“Well, now that I can understand them I’m freakin’ starving. I just can’t help it. Once I start a book I can’t seem to put it down until I hit that last page. It helps that I have a lot of time to myself while you guys are sleeping.”

Gavin just smiled as he raised his hand and as he did all of the books on the floor and in Felix’s arms floated into the air. With one gesture the novels wedged themselves into the spots meant for them.

“I love such easy clean up,” Felix said when all the books were put away.

“Felix, I have something for you,” Gavin said as he went back to his chair and sat down.

“Something for me? You mean a present?” Felix asked, excitement clear in his voice. He walked over as Gavin lifted something up from the little table beside the chair.

“Yes, it is a reward for being a brilliant and quick student. I was going to save it for when I thought you were ready, but it seems I did not have to wait long. Here.”

He handed the item over to Felix. It appeared to be a thick package wrapped in simple brown paper. Felix was so eager it looked like he was going to tear the wrapping like a rabid beast, but he contained himself. Ever so slowly he undid the ends that were tapped and pulled the wrapping off when it was safe to. His eyes widened. In his hands was a thick book. Its cover was slightly worn and the pages appeared frail from age. Felix read the title and his mouth hung open slightly.

“‘The Odyssey’? Wow, you think I’m really ready for something like this?”

“You are bright. I have absolute faith that you can comprehend its words. Now, open the cover.”

Felix did as he was told and opened the cover as carefully as he could. He glossed over the publication date and his eyes widened.

“This came out in 1596!?” he exclaimed and his eyes widened further when he spotted something else. “W-Wait, is this…is this a first edition?” He looked up at Gavin, his eyes as big as saucers.

“Yes, it is one of the first copies translated into English for that time period. I acquired this copy just a few days after its release and have had it ever since. Now I am passing it on to you.”

Felix stared at it for a long time before closing the book and thrusting it into Gavin’s chest.

“No, that-that’s far too precious to just give away. What if I accidentally ruin it? I’d never forgive myself.”

Gavin took the book and placed it back in Felix’s hands, though Felix was reluctant to even touch it.

“Felix, this is a gift. It is a sign of great disrespect to return a gift that someone has put so much thought into.”

Felix opened his mouth to argue, but Gavin shushed him.

“I am not giving you this book on a whim. I took much thought into giving you such a gift and I know that this is right.” Gavin began stroking Felix’s hair again. “You are a great lover of books, Felix. I saw that in you the first time I laid eyes on you. I know you will truly appreciate this and I also know that you would do nothing to bring harm to this book. You will guard and treasure it for years to come and it will be safe in your possession. Now, will you accept it?”

Felix gulped as he looked from Gavin to the book. Then all hesitance drained from him and he gave a wide, bright smile to Gavin as he held the book to his chest.

“Yes, I accept it. I’ll make sure to take good care of it, I promise. Thank you so much, Gavin.”

“You are most welcome,” Gavin said with that small, warm smile of his.

“I’m gonna go start reading it right now!” Felix then announced excitedly and dashed from the room.

Gavin was about to go back to the book he had been reading when Felix abruptly sprinted back into the room. He ran to Gavin and threw his free arm around Gavin’s neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

“Thanks again, Gavin, you’re the best!” Felix said before darting out of the room.

Gavin had no words and present Felix and Nicoli finished the memory, leaving behind an embarrassed looking Gavin.

“Wow, I never thought I’d ever see someone get away with kissing Gavin,” Nicoli said with a great laugh. He’d remember Gavin’s expression for the rest of his life.

“Yeah, I can proudly say that I’m really good at getting away with that. Something useful I actually learned from Andre.”

“Do you still have that book?” Nicoli asked.

“Of course, it’s one of my most treasured possessions. I have it in a safe place still at the house, and I’ll pull it out every once in a while. Someday I’m gonna have to give it back to Gavin, though. There’s no sense in a ghost hoarding something that precious.”

Nicoli wanted to say something. He wanted to say that Felix had every right to keep the book, even if he was a ghost, but Felix didn’t give him the chance.

“I also grew close to the one person I bet you think I’d never get close to,” he said and another scene settled around them.

They were in a large, vacant room. Nicoli had just noticed that there was a large square of thick matting on the floor when a clang made him jump. He turned just in time to see two figures streak passed him. He could tell nothing of their appearance except the differences in height because the two figures were clad from head to foot in padded suits and there faces were covered with mesh masks. Nicoli quickly realized that the two strange beings were wearing fencing outfits and the clang he had heard were the two rapiers hitting together.

The taller person had the advantage, pushing the smaller one further and further back. It was clear the larger person had much mastery and finesse in the art of the sport with every movement. The smaller person cried out as the other distracted him with a jab and then his foot was swiped out from underneath him and he went tumbling to the floor.

The larger person stood over the defeated one and the sword tip pressed into the fallen padded chest in victory. A frustrated growl issued from the loser and, after releasing the sword, the mask was pulled off to reveal the defeated player was none other than Felix.

“Fine, uncle, uncle,” he said.

The other person withdrew the sword from Felix’s chest and the other mask was taken off too. Nicoli’s eyes widened to see that Felix’s opponent was Evan. He stood proud and tall, his wavy hair pulled back into a low ponytail.

“There’s no need to snarl so,” he said. “You did fine.”

Felix sat up, but continued to pout.

“I’ll never be able to beat you, Evan. You’re too good.”

Evan chuckled and Nicoli was surprised to find that it was an enjoyable sound, not the hollow laugh he had heard down in that wretched basement.

“I’ve been practicing the sport since before your mother was born. Of course I’m good, but you’re missing the point, Little One. These exercises aren’t so you can beat me, it’s so you can learn the art of fencing. Which was what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

“I wanted to learn so that I could win,” Felix told him. “What’s the point of learning if I’m just gonna lose?”

Evan smiled and shook his head. He held out his hand and helped Felix to his feet.

“The point is so you can acquire such a skill and be proud of the fact that you have such knowledge. Let me put it this way. Do you think that whenever we train with Gavin any of us actually beat him?”

“Hmm, good point,” Felix said thoughtfully.

“Indeed it is. So would you like to continue?”

“Yeah, we can do one more round and even if it seems hopeless I’ll still try to win,” he said a he bent down and picked up his sword.

“That’s a good attitude to have.”

Evan was just about to put his helmet back on when Felix looked around him and began waving.

“Oh, hey, Faith!” he called out.

Evan turned only to find that no one was behind him. Felix took the opportunity and lunged forward, firmly sticking the point of his rapier in Evan’s chest. Evan stared down at it then looked to Felix with a smile.

“Well played, Little One,” he praised, making Felix grin from ear to ear.

“Never turn your back on a conniving street punk.”

The scene faded around Nicoli and Felix and it left Nicoli’s thoughts racing. Evan had seemed happy and caring. Was it truly all an act? Was Evan just pretending to be happy while venomous hatred boiled underneath the surface? If he was then Nicoli was sure Evan had to be the greatest actor in the whole world.

“Evan didn’t only play teacher for me,” Felix said. “He was a role model that I looked up to strongly and what made me feel closer to him was that sometimes he showed his tender side to me. Not something he did often and not with just anyone.”

Nicoli and Felix came out of the haze and they were back in the large ballroom. Music was playing again and Nicoli found that it was coming from a large grand piano. The one playing the keys and making the heavenly music that poured out of the instrument was Evan. His fingers moved with great precession, hitting each note perfectly. The song he played was soft and sweet and highly soothing.

Nicoli thought all of Evan’s attention was being poured into his playing, but he seemed just as aware of his surrounding when he said,

“What are you doing up, Little One?”

Nicoli turned to see that younger Felix was making his way across the ballroom floor. His hair was ruffled and he looked tired, which was accented by the yawn he let loose.

“Aren’t you usually sleeping by this time?” Evan asked when Felix reached him, but the music never stopped.

“I was trying to, but I can’t sleep,” Felix answered. “Not sure why. I was going to take a quick walk around the house to see if that would help when I heard you playing, so I wandered down here.”

“Don’t let me keep you up. You’re a growing boy and you need rest to make sure you stay healthy.”

“Thank you, Doctor Evan,” Felix said with a tired chuckle before climbing onto the bench beside Evan. “I won’t stay long. I know you don’t like being disturbed when you’re playing.”

“Think nothing of it. Music is to be enjoyed by many ears, not one set alone. You may stay as long as you like.”

“Thanks.”

And so the two sat together as Evan continued to play. Nicoli wished he knew what Evan was playing. It was beautiful. He never imagined that someone so treacherous and coldblooded could produce something so melodic and lovely.

Felix watched Evan’s hands intently and a small smile formed on his lips followed by a soft laugh.

“What are you finding humorous?” Evan asked.

“Nothing much. It’s just that I can always tell you and Ethan apart by your hands. Even if I don’t see your hair or something, I can tell who is who by your hands.”

“Our hands? How so?”

“Because you have very pretty, elegant hands. They move so quick and gracefully, they’re amazing to watch, especially when you play. Ethan has big, clunky hands. He could never do something like this, it would be too awkward to watch. He has no, what you would call, finesse.”

Evan was quiet for a moment, even though his fingers continued to move. He then smiled.

“Thank you, Felix.”

“For what?”

“For seeing me as me. I love Ethan, even if he is such a brat, but sometimes it gets so tedious being his twin. I sometimes think no one sees me as an individual, that I’m not my own person. I wonder if all they see when they look at me is part of a pair. That if Ethan weren’t here I wouldn’t exist.”

“That’s silly,” Felix said. He released a huge yawn and, to Nicoli’s surprise, laid his head on Evan’s shoulder. “You guys may look alike, but you’re completely different people. Being a twin just gives you an added quirk. It doesn’t define who you are.”

Evan gave a smile that was soft and sweet and even rested his head against Felix’s, his hands never stopping.

“For one so young you are wise beyond your years, Little One,” he murmured.

“Eh, kids are always smarter than adults.” Felix closed his eyes and yawned again. “Most adults just don’t take the time to realize that.”

The surroundings faded away, but Evan’s song still rang in Nicoli’s ears for a time after. He was so conflicted and confused. It was as if the Evan he saw and the man Meier he had met were two completely different people. Evan was caring and kind towards Felix, but the man Nicoli had met in the basement had been encrusted in hatred and loathing. Which one was Ethan’s real brother?

“Is it hard seeing Meier like this?” Felix asked, studying Nicoli closely.

“Well, yeah. I know I’ve only met the guy once, but with just that one time I would never think that he was capable of being so…nice. What happened to him to change him so much? Did Dimitri do this?”

Felix shook his head.

“No, Dimitri was just the one to finally push Meier over the edge of the cliff he had been teetering on for decades. The hatred was always in Meier, from the very beginning, but he just hid it so well and so carefully that no one ever saw it, except for maybe glimpses from time to time.” Felix sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I always think I should have figured it out back then. Warning sign had flickered on and off for years, but I just never took the time to see them, no one did. What he said just now, about feeling like no one sees him as his own person, was a great big red flag, but I just didn’t see it.”

“Felix, you were a kid,” Nicoli argued. “How could you have possibly known?”

“I may have been a kid, but I had also been through much more than any normal kid. Living on the streets I knew how to read people in a certain way. Sometimes, when I was with Meier, I got this nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right with him, but I ignored my instincts and said nothing. I didn’t want to believe that something could be wrong with my new family. That decision to turn a blind eye was what got me killed.”

No words would leave Nicoli’s throat. He had no idea what he could say to stress to Felix how none of it could have been his fault. If none of the clan could have seen what was coming, how could a young boy that had only been with the family for a short time?

“While I loved the clan and saw them as my gentle, caring family,” Felix said, changing the subject so abruptly that it made Nicoli do a double take. “There were instances in my life that made me remember that these people that I considered my family were vampires. Vampires that fought and killed with no remorse that a human should have. The first time I saw the clan use their primal, killer instincts was the night my past came back to haunt me, one last time.”

The swirling colors returned and piece by piece the scenery created an image around them. They were back in Ethan’s room. Nicoli found that three people occupied Ethan’s bed. There was Ethan himself, his back propped up by a mound of pillows, and cuddle on either side of him was Felix and Faith. The two “youngsters” had their heads resting on Ethan’s chest as they pressed into his sides and Ethan’s arms were around both of them. The three of them were watching some sort of movie in companionable silence.

“Wow, now that is way too cute. Kodiak moment, anyone?” Nicoli said teasingly.

“Hey, knock it all you want, but it was my favorite way to spend a night with them,” Felix said, not ruffled in the least. “But the peaceful moment wasn’t going to last.”

Before Nicoli could ask why Faith sat up, her brow was furrowed worryingly and she stared off into a corner of the room.

“What’s up, Faith?” Felix asked, but was jostled out of his comfortable position when Ethan sat up fully too.

“Something’s wrong,” Faith muttered.

“Someone’s in the house,” Ethan added.

Just then a scream pierced through the house. It sent shudders down Nicoli’s spine, but he realized the scream didn’t sound like anyone from the clan. Faith was the first to spring from the bed, Ethan following closely behind.

“Hey, wait up!” Felix yelled as he scrambled out of the bed and followed the two vampires out of them room. Nicoli and present Felix went too and soon enough they found themselves in the entry room.

The entire clan was there and they were all circled around three men that were entirely out of place. Gavin had two by the back of the neck, his tight grip preventing them from struggling and Evan had the other man’s arm twisted behind his back in a very painful manner.

“Just what the hell is going on here?” Ethan asked as he and the other two joined the group.

“We caught these three men breaking into the house,” Gavin said, his voice level and cool.

“Of course, they didn’t get far,” Evan said, twisting the man’s arm further. His prisoner cursed and spit at him for it.

Conrad stepped forward, his mere presence making the three men still in fear and stare at him with wide eyes.

“Tell me, Gentlemen,” he said, his voice low and rumbling and made even Nicoli’s skin crawl with how dangerous it sounded. “Just what did you think you were doing breaking into my house? That is an offense I don’t take lightly.”

The man in Evan’s grip stared at Conrad hatefully, but then his eyes looked passed Conrad and locked on Felix.

“We’re here for that little fucker,” he said, gesturing with his head.

Everyone turned to look at Felix, who had gone pale and began to shake. Ethan was quick to put his arm around Felix and held him protectively.

“Felix? What the hell do you want with Felix?” Ethan growled.

“Th-They work for the man my mom sold me to,” Felix stuttered and everyone went eerily quiet.

“You have got to be kidding,” Andre said, first to break the silence.

“It has almost been a year,” Aria spoke up, fixing the man who had spoken with an icy gaze. “And that man is still after Felix?”

“Of course, his cred pretty much went down the shitter the night that little punk ass stabbed him. He wants revenge, so we’ve been looking for that fucker nonstop. Finally spotted him the other day with goldilocks over there,” he said, jerking his head at Ethan.

“Just give us the kid and we’ll go,” one of the other men choked out, talking difficult with Gavin’s crushing hand on him.

“Give him to you?” Stephen said in disbelief. “I believe not enough air is getting to your puny brain if you expect us to comply with such a request.”

“He’s just some little punk,” said the man in Evan’s grasp. “Trust me, the Boss will reward you if you hand him over.”

“Look around, you idiots,” Faith piped up, gesturing to the grand entry room. “Do you really think we need anything your stupid boss can give us?”

“Fine, don’t take his money, but if you don’t give us that punk you’ll be making one powerful enemy. He’ll put a hit out on all of you if you don't give him what he wants.”

“Terrifying. Truly terrifying,” Conrad said, unimpressed. “I think you better run along back to your boss and tell him we’re not interested. Oh, and also relay to him that if he ever sends someone to my house again, I’ll send that person back to him in pieces. And know that I stand by my threats.”

The man glowered at Conrad and seemed the type not to be talked down to by anyone but the person that hired him.

“I stand by my threats too.”

Even with one arm painfully twisted behind his back he wrenched his other elbow back, catching Evan in the face. Evan was caught by surprise and stumbled back, losing his grip on the man. With his arm free the intruder took out a gun and a deafening shot blasted through the air.

Conrad jerked back, the bullet burrowing into his shoulder. He clenched the wound, his face twisted in pain. Such shock overtook everyone that no one moved. That was until Conrad’s face of pain turned into that of fury and he fixed his attacker with grey eyes that began to glow in his rage.

The man’s look of triumph turned into one of terror as Conrad was on him in a second. Conrad’s hands grabbed the man by his throat and twisted. There was a loud, sickening crack and the man crumbled to the floor in a lifeless heap.

Nicoli felt the color drain from his face and he began to shake. His stomach clenched and roiled as he stared at the fallen man. His neck was at such an odd angle and his eyes stared unseeingly at everyone, glossy and hollow. Nicoli couldn’t believe that he had just witnessed Conrad kill someone. He had seen plenty of people die in movies, but the man had been a real person and Conrad had snuffed out his existence in an instant.

Nicoli looked to all the other members of the clan. They stared in either mild curiosity or indifference, but there was not a shred of remorse in any of them for the life that had just been taken. The only one that shared in Nicoli’s horror was young Felix, who clung to Ethan tightly and stared at the dead man just like Nicoli had done.

Conrad snarled at the collapsed man, his fangs bared and eyes still aglow. He turned his sights on the two men in Gavin’s grasp and they immediately began to struggle and scream. Conrad roughly took hold of one and was about to do away with him in the same manor as the first.

“Conrad!” Ethan said sharply. When Conrad looked to him, he gestured down to Felix, who was still staring at the body in numb shock.

Conrad studied Felix for a second, his eyes returning to normal and his fangs ascending. He snorted in disgust and tossed the man back to Gavin, who was quick to restrain him again.

“I’m putting an end to this foolishness tonight,” Conrad growled. He turned to his clan. “Aria, Ethan, Evan, Andre, I want you to find where this “Boss” is hiding out right now. You know what to do.”

The four mentioned nodded in understanding. Ethan had to pry little Felix off him and Cora was quick to take hold of him. When Felix was secure with Cora, Ethan whispered reassuring words to him before leaving with his brother and their two cousins.

“Gavin,” Conrad said once they were gone. “Take those two away. I will deal with them in a moment.”

“Yes, sir, but, sir, you are also hurt,” Gavin said.

Conrad touched his shoulder that was seeping blood onto his clothes. His fingers were stained crimson, but he sniffed indifferently.

“It’s nothing. I’ll pull the bullet out in a minute. Now go.”

Gavin nodded and dragged away the two flailing, helpless men.

Conrad glanced back at Felix then looked down to the dead man. He motioned to Stephen.

“Stephen, will you take care of this? It’s unsightly,” he asked.

Stephen nodded and bowed.

“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“Thank you,” Conrad said before following after Gavin.

There was only silence left. Silence of death. Stephen went to the body, but stopped when he saw that Felix was still staring.

“Felix, don’t look,” he said softly. “You should take him somewhere else,” he told Cora and Faith.

“Right,” Cora said with a nod, still hugging Felix to her.

“Come on, Felix, its okay,” Faith said, helping lead him away.

It took a great amount of strength for Felix to tear his eyes off the dead body, but finally he let himself be pulled away by the two women. As they left Stephen grabbed the dead man’s feet and pulled him away in a different direction, making Nicoli wonder where he was taking it.

Nicoli and present Felix followed after the trio. Felix was taken to his room and Cora had him sit on his bed.

“Felix, are you all right, Sweetie?” she asked.

“Is that the first time you’ve seen someone die?” Faith asked directly. Her sweet, child-like features were serious, making her seem years older than her body portrayed.

Felix slowly nodded.

“Y-Yeah. I mean, I’ve seen a lot of horrible stuff before. I’ve seen dead bodies before, but…I’ve never actually seen someone kill another person. He didn’t hesitate or anything. He just…did it.”

Faith sighed and sat beside him, taking his hand in hers.

“Well, it’s kinda the law of the jungle. Only the strong survive. Felix, those guys were going to take you back to that creep and who knows what he would have done to you.”

“I know. I know. I’m okay with who Conrad killed. It’s just the fact that he killed him just like that and was okay with it. He acted like it was…normal.”

“That’s the thing, Felix, it is normal for us,” Faith said. “We’re vampires; killing is part of our nature. We don’t feel regret for it, especially for a sleaze ball like that.”

“So you can kill anyone without remorse? Even me?”

“Oh, God, Felix, no,” Cora said, moving down to her knees in front of him. “There are special cases. We can’t kill friends or anyone close to use without feeling something. We’re not monsters.”

“I-I know you’re not. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s just-I don’t know. It freaked me out seeing Conrad do that. It was just so sudden and everything.”

“It’s going to be okay. It’s just another part of us you have to accept. You didn’t care that we were vampires, now you just have to be okay with that nonchalant killing part,” Faith told him.

“Right, I can try,” Felix said, taking in a big breath and letting it out slowly.

“It doesn’t mean we’ll be killing in front of you again,” Cora assured him, placing a hand on his knee. “Hopefully tonight will be a one time thing.”

Felix nodded, squeezing Faith’s hand and taking Cora’s hand with his other one.

“Even if its not, I’m okay. Everything will be okay.”

Nicoli glanced about as everything trickled into nothing.

“That night,” present Felix said, his eyes distant and voice quiet. “There was a slaughter. Ethan and the others killed the pimp and everyone that worked for him. By morning all that was left were dead bodies and blood splatter in the place the pimp considered his castle. With no one left I was never bothered again by the demons of my past. But Cora was wrong. That night wasn’t going to be a one time thing.”

Nicoli blinked as everything settled, but this time they were not anywhere in the clans house. This time they were in a dark alley, much like the one Nicoli had first found himself in when the memories started. Only this time it wasn’t raining and the pitter patter of feet came from Felix and Faith coming down the alley. They were both carrying grocery bags and laughing as they went along.

“What are you two doing?” Nicoli asked, wondering why the two would be in an alleyway of all places.

“We had gone shopping for food. Conrad was willing to provide me with everything I needed, food, clothing, entertainment, but he told me that I had to go get it for myself. I was a big boy and didn’t need to be catered to hand and foot, he would say. Faith would often go with me, or Ethan would. They were nice outings for us, though this one would end much differently than all the others.”

The two children went through the alley merrily. That was until Faith stopped dead in her tracks and her face turned from laughter to alarm.

“What is it?” Felix asked, stopping and staring at her curiously.

“Felix, get behind me now!” Faith ordered as her fangs appeared and she hissed at something in the dark.

Felix jumped in fright, looked around, then did as he was told and ran behind Faith. When he was safe Faith dropped her bags and began to growl.

“I know you’re there. Come out now!” she ordered.

Nicoli looked about the alley, but could see no kind of threat that Faith apparently could see. Then the laughter came. There were cackles from the shadows and seven figures materialized before them. There were three women and four men and Nicoli had the feeling that these people weren’t human. They were another clan of vampires and they didn’t look too friendly.

“Oooh look at the little girl telling us what to do,” one of the men said. “Isn’t she just a little peach, Cassie?”

One of the women stepped forward and just by her presence Nicoli could tell that she was the leader.

“Yes, I could just tear her face off, she’s so sweet,” the woman Cassie said, getting snickers from her clan.

“What do you want?” Faith asked and her voice was hard and icy, not like the Faith Nicoli knew at all.

Cassie looked Faith up and down, twirling a gaudy pearl necklace that was around her neck.

“I just wanted to ask you one little, teeny question,” she purred. “You’re Conrad’s little girl, right?”

“And if I am?”

The laughter from the new clan came again and rose to a crescendo.

“Ooh that’s too bad for you,” Cassie said. “It looks like we have to kill you then. You see, we’re the new big bads in town and we’re going to go usurp your old man and all of his little kiddies, starting with you.”

Felix quivered in fright, taking the woman’s threat to heart, but Faith began to laugh. Her serious demeanor melted away as she laughed and laughed.

“You? You’re going to take on me and my Father? You must be as stupid as you look.” Faith grinned viciously. “I could crush you with my pinky.”

Cassie frowned and the laughter from her clan died.

“Oh, you think so, you pampered little bitch?”

“I do, you’re nothing but gutter trash little bloodlings, aren’t you? Filthy little street urchins that have about as much power as a light bulb. You think you stand even a chance against a real vampire like me?”

“Real vampire? What does she mean?” Nicoli asked, his voice hushed, as if he could disturb the scene before him.

Felix waved his hand and the people around them froze on the spot.

“It may seem weird, but there are actually different ranks of vampires,” Felix said. “You know how humans have high class, middle class, and poor people?”

“Yeah,” Nicoli said with an understanding nod.

“Well, the same works in the vampire society. There are high class and low class people. Conrad and Dimitri’s clans are considered the upper crust along with a few other clans, but there are other clans that are deemed as low class vampires. They aren’t as powerful, have hardly any influence in vampire society and are more than likely not to be made up of actual families.”

“Wait, not of actual families? What do you mean?”

“Everyone in the clan, besides Gavin, is related to Conrad in one way or another, so they’re an actual family, but take these guys for instance.” He pointed at the hostile vampires. “I bet you anything not one of these vampires is related in any way. Low class vampires have the habit of seeking out other vampires like them and making clans that way because for some reason or another they don’t have a vampire family to be with. While this Cassie woman was deemed the leader, she is nowhere near an actual clan leader in strength because I doubt she went through the proper ancient rituals.”

“There are ancient rituals in becoming a clan leader?” Nicoli asked, beginning to realize how complex the social life of a vampire was.

“Yeah, but I’m not going to get into that because, not being a vampire myself, I wouldn’t be able to explain it properly. You’d have to ask one of the others about it. But, anyways, that’s what Faith meant about being a “real” vampire. You know how there’s always animosity between high class and low class people; it was Faith’s way of looking down on this clan since they’re not as strong as her.”

“I get’cha,” Nicoli said, but still wondered how much of a difference there was between a clan like Conrad’s and a clan like the one he saw now. He guessed he would just have to wait and see.

Felix waved his hand once Nicoli was ready and the frozen people became mobile again.

Cassie bristled and her pretty, makeup covered face twisted in anger.

“I’m just as much vampire as you are. I’m a hundred times more vampire than you are!” she screeched.

“Then prove it,” Faith said simply.

“Faith, what the hell are you doing?” Felix said in a low voice. “There’s seven of them and only one of you and you’re half their size.”

Faith gave her sweet laugh and waved her hand, brushing the warning away.

“Felix, you’re a man, you should know that size doesn’t matter.” She then returned her attention to the clan. “So, are you gonna show me what you got?”

“Oh, you’ll see plenty of what we’ve got and after we’re done I’m going to give your little human pet to my friends over here, so they can have some fun with him,” Cassie said and the other vampires leered at Felix, who shrunk back.

“You won’t lay a hand on him,” Faith said, hissing again. “I’ll rip you all to shreds first.”

“We’ll see about that. Tex, why don’t you show the little princess bitch how powerful we are.”

One of the men moved away from the group and he was nothing but muscles. Nicoli was sure the man’s bicep was as big as his head, if not bigger. To anyone viewing the opponents it seemed like a completely unfair fight, a small, ten year old girl against Mr. Universe. Nicoli really hoped Faith wasn’t biting off more than she could chew.

Faith looked the man up and down then quirked a brow.

“You’re going to fight me one on one?” Faith asked Cassie. “Um, not that I want to help you or anything, but I suggest you throw a couple more people into the mix.”

“Trust me, Tex is going to be more than enough for you. Isn’t that right, Tex?” Cassie said.

“I’ll pound her into the ground,” Tex said, hitting one fist into the other.

Faith simply sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Fine, whatever.” She turned back to Felix. “You better take cover, I don’t want you getting caught in the crossfire.”

Felix nodded and was about to do as she said, but Faith stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.

“Listen, you know what I’m going to have to do, right? Whatever happens, I don’t want you to see me any differently, okay? I’m still Faith, but I have to do this.”

Felix nodded, his shaking still evident, but his expression was stern and understanding.

“It’s us or them. I know that. Give them hell.”

“Awe, you two are so sweet I could hurl,” Cassie drawled.

“Oh, shut up. No one asked you,” Faith snapped, pushing Felix towards a dumpster to hide behind. “Come on, Muscles, time to put you to bed.”

“I’m not scared of a little pipsqueak like you,” Tex rumbled.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re not and you’re going to die before you have the chance to feel fear. Call it a gift.”

Trash and paper began to rustle and blow away as an eerie wind picked up. It was an unnatural shift in the air and Nicoli’s skin prickled. He had no idea where it was coming from. That was until he caught a look at Faith. The wind was coming from her. Her dress began to flap and lash and her hair whipped this way and that.

It wasn’t the air disturbance that caused Nicoli’s breath to still and made him step back. It was her eyes. They had gone completely white, much like Van’s had when he lost control. Only her pure white eyes were glowing with an inner strength.

Nicoli jumped back when a near invisible force shot out from Faith. It streaked through the air at Tex. The giant vampire had no time to move and the swift energy passed over him.

The air stilled and everyone stood immobile, holding breath that didn’t exist. Nothing happened.

Cassie laughed wildly, her clan joining in.

“That’s it? That’s all you’ve got? What were you trying to do with that little wind show? Blow us away?”

Faith shrugged as her eyes returned to normal, but she said nothing.

“Come on, Tex. Show her how it’s done.” Cassie’s taunting grin when Tex didn’t move. “Tex? What’s wrong, Baby?”

The laughter from the clan died as all the attention focused on Tex. He was statuesque, not a muscle moving. His eyes were wide as he stared forward blankly.

Nicoli wondered if Faith had put him in a trance. Then something happened. Blood began to trickle from the corners of his mouth. Long crimson lines then appeared on various parts of his body, tearing through cloth and skin.

“Run.”

The word gurgled from his lips. Then, before everyone's eyes, he fell apart limb by limb.

The rest of the clan scrambled back, releasing shrieks of horror. Cassie screamed as she stare at the dismembered corpse of her clansman.

“Tex!!!”

Nicoli’s eyes couldn’t leave the remains of the vampire and he was filled with the same amount of terror as the clan.

“Wha…what did she do?” he asked, not able to hold back the disturbed waver in his voice.

“What you saw was Faith unleashing her pure mental energy,” Felix said. “Now you know how fearsome her power is. Besides Conrad and Gavin she is the strongest member of the clan. Her physical strength is meager because of her small size. To compensate for that weakness her mental powers have grown increasingly powerful over the years, making her mind a wicked weapon the likes which hardly anyone can match. This clan was stupid enough to target het because of her childlike appearance. It was the last mistake they ever made.”

Screams punctured the night air as Faith advanced on the clan. They all tried to run, pushing and crashing into each other because of the small space.

That terrible wind came again and Nicoli watched as Faith cut down the clan one by one in the same gruesome manner. Soon the walls were painted red and the ground was littered with fragments of bodies.

All that was left was the leader Cassie, who scrambled over the pieces of her fallen clansmen. Faith held out her hand and flexed her fingers, as if grabbing something in the air.

Cassie stopped in mid-run and stayed in place, even though she flailed wildly.

“No! No! Let me go!” she yelled.

Faith didn’t listen and Cassie was lifted into the air and levitated back to Faith.

“Please, don’t hurt me!” Cassie pleaded. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She was crying and her make-up ran down her face in red and black rivers.

“You’re sorry?” Faith repeated. “Would you have been sorry if you had actually hurt us?” she asked and Cassie just sobbed and sniffled. “That’s what I thought.”

Faith began to slowly clench her hand and Cassie screamed.

“Stop! Stop please!”

Nicoli had no idea what was going on, but then he noticed that the vampire’s chest was becoming constricted by invisible bonds. Faith was applying bruising pressure to Cassie’s chest cavity.

“I am so sick of lowlife scum like you,” Faith snarled. “You attack me and threaten my family so you can try and claw your way up a few ranks. Do you think that’s how true power is acquired? You disgust me.”

“Please, let me go,” Cassie begged. “I’ll never bother you again.”

Faith shook her head.

“You know I can’t show you mercy. You could come back with more friends or it will give other lowlifes ideas. I won’t have anyone else try to bring harm to my family.”

Nicoli jerked his head away as Faith clenched her hand completely. The horrible sound of bones breaking and organs rupturing cut through the air, accompanied by a short, guttural scream.

Cassie’s death rang in Nicoli’s ears and he still refused to look at what Faith had done. Instead he focused on her as she walked over to where Felix was hiding.

“Felix?” she called out softly.

He didn’t reply. He sat against the dumpster, knees drawn up and all color had drained from his face. He stared at the carnage, unable to break away.

“I had to do it,” Faith told him. “Any of them could have come back for revenge if I let them go. I had to kill them. You understand that, right?”

Felix blinked, breaking his trance like state, and he nodded.

“Y-Yeah, I understand,” he said. “You were protecting the family. They would have done the same to us if you didn’t stop them.” Even though his words were reasonable he was still shaking.

“That’s right. I just want to make sure you know that.” Her face clouded with sadness. “The last thing I want is for you to be scared of me.”

Felix tore his eyes away from the massacre for the first time and looked at her. His eyes held hers before he got up on his knees and hugged her.

“I could never be scared of you, Faith.” He held her tighter. “You’re my best friend.”

Faith smiled and hugged him back. They stayed in the embrace for a moment before she pulled back.

“Come on, let’s go home.”

Nicoli watched them gather their things before turning to Felix.

“Why did you show me this?” he asked, still feeling sick to his stomach. “I understand why you showed me what happened to the pimps guys, but why this?”

“Because I wanted you to understand something,” Felix told him. “You are getting deeper and deeper into this. You have to understand that this is how our world works. Sooner or later you’re going to see something like this happen. You will see the clan kill someone to protect themselves or you. I wanted you to get comfortable with the idea now. I don’t want you to see the clan kill someone and then you become terrified of them because of it. You have to know that this is how it has to be. Because if we show restraint our enemies will not do the same and we will be the ones that get killed.”

Nicoli was quiet as he gazed upon what was left of the corpses. A part of him understood what Felix meant. He knew far too well that Dimitri or anyone in his clan would have killed him in an instant. He would expect that Conrad’s clan would do the same to anyone that threatened them, which Faith had just proved.

It was then Nicoli realized that the path to finding the Hearts was going to be littered in death that he would have to be a part of. The thought scared him, but he knew it had to be done to reach their goal, which was to destroy the Crystal Hearts once and for all. He made a promise to himself, however, that he would never find it morally right to kill anyone, enemy or no, and he would never be the one to carry it out. He would leave that to the clan.

“So, are you going to be okay with this?” Felix asked.

Nicoli took in a deep breath and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m gonna have to be, right?” he said. “It’s kill or be killed and even if it's the clan doing the killing that doesn’t make them different from the people I’ve come to see them as. It’s an unpleasant thought, but this journey isn’t meant to be pleasant, is it?”

“Nope,” Felix said with a small smile. “Glad to see you’re on board. Now come on.” The alleyway began to melt away to nothing. “We’re almost to the end.”

Nicoli nodded and braced for what was to come. He knew what the end meant and he wasn’t looking forward to it one bit.

=============================Ch. 65 End

O_o yeah, don’t ever mess with Faith. You’ve seen her use her powers to threaten Van, but now you get to see her mental powers in all of their destructive glory. And you saw Conrad get a bit violent too, though his was less messy. You also got to see a different side to Meier. He actually does have a sweet side and was even affectionate to Felix. Too bad that all went to hell. So, like Felix said, we’re nearing the end of this little saga. It won’t be in the next chapter, but it’s soon. Hope you all enjoyed! Oh! And the next discussion is up. Huggies and lickies to all!

Favorite Bad Guy Poll: http://darkness80.livejournal.com/1622.html