A/N: Here I am again with the next installment of "King of Dae"! I've been updating pretty frequently, but I can say with some manner of confidence that from here on out the updates will start slowing down. It may only be a few days, but it may be weeks, who knows~!
The plot slowly starts to thicken this chapter, and Harry finally meets the boys-although I'm not sure if its how anyone was expecting. Next chapter, however, is when things really get started!
This chapter has been beta'd by StarAngel Caelum SunSoar~!
If you could review after reading this chapter, I'd really appreciate it. Hope everyone enjoys it!
o0o
Luther led them to a seemingly abandoned barn deep inside the forest that was belied by the loud thump of music that seemed to shake the building's walls. Through the few windows that were open, Harry could hear the telltale sounds of partying.
Next to him, Alouran raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Not very subtle, are they?"
Luther turned to him with a shrug, a fond smile on his face. "Hey, they like to party… Who am I to deny them that?"
As soon as Luther pushed open the large doors of the barn, the sight of the party met Harry's eyes. Vampires of all shapes and sizes were either dancing proactively against one another or lazing around in various parts of the barn, booze in hand. Harry had to consciously remind himself that this was a vampire nest and not a muggle night club.
The vampires all turned as Luther entered, each one greeting him with loud cheers. One female vampire in particular was very enthusiastic in her greeting. With a shout, she launched herself across the barn and pounced onto Luther bodily, attacking the male vampire with her lips hungrily.
Luther's hands roved over her and Harry looked away, an awkward blush coloring his cheeks. The love flowing from the two made it rather obvious that they were mates.
Alouran was watching unabashedly, and with narrowed eyes, Harry elbowed the incubus in the stomach, causing him to double over with a groan. The sound reached the female vampire's ears and she reared back, her eyes snapping to them.
"I missed you too, Kate." Luther's voice sounded dazed from the kiss.
Kate flashed him a pleased smile before turning back to the two newcomers. She untangled herself from Luther and stepped around him, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Aw, honey, you got me a present. Luckily, I got you one too." She liked her lips and eyed them up and down, a grin crossing her face when Alouran leered back.
"No, Kate," Luther frowned, grabbing his mate's arm and pulling her to his chest. "These guys are, uh… my friends."
At Luther's words, someone stopped the music and all the vampires turned to regard them warily. Harry shook his head with an inaudible sigh, seeing the reluctance the vampires had from an unknown guest being invited there—even if they were their leader's friend. Something was definitely going on in America that was screwing with his powers.
Stepping forward, Harry began the introductions. "Hello. My name is Harry Potter, and this is my friend, Alouran." The incubus gave a small smile and wave. The vampires didn't give one back. "You all may not understanding what I'm saying, but I'm the King of Dae and—"
"King of whaaat?" One male vampire asked, looking to his companions in confusion. They appeared just as lost and shook their heads back at him.
A sudden snort from a shadowed wall caught Harry's attention. There, a built black man was leaning against the wall, a beer bottle in his hand. "Luther, who is this clown?" He eyed Harry up and down before shaking his head, not seeing anything more than a human.
Luther frowned and stared at all of the vampires seriously. "He's exactly who he says he is, Hank: the King of Dae."
Silence stretched for several long moments before another female vampire who Harry was pretty sure he had seen giving someone a lap dance spoke. "King of Dae…? What is that? It sounds familiar…"
"I'm not actually a king," Harry explained, once more drawing everyone's attention to himself. "I'm more of a protector of the Dark. If it helps, just think of me as…" Trailing off, Harry turned to his secretary for help.
Smiling, Alouran finished, "Just think of him as your father."
Pleased, Harry turned toward the vampires with a sunny smile. It slowly fell from his face when all of the vampires stared back, unnaturally still. Then, all of them—save Luther—began to laugh, their heads thrown back and bodies shaking from the force of their mirth.
Harry was a little peeved to find himself being laughed at. Alouran hovered at his back, a similar frown of angering crossing his handsome face.
"They're laughing at me," Harry said in disbelief, dazed. He was used to reactions of fear or respect when people recognized his title, but laughter? And from his own children, no less? Although Harry wouldn't admit it, the mocking laughs stung.
"Harry, your blood," Alouran whispered, jaw quivering in anger. "Play to their senses, their baser instincts. Once they smell your blood, they won't be able to deny what you've told them."
Harry was listening to his friend intently, and when the incubus finished he gave a brief nod of understanding. He raised his thumb to his mouth and bit down hard, unable to hide his wince of pain. Blood immediately began to bloom from the bite. There was silence throughout the barn as the single drop of blood slid down Harry's outstretched hand to touch the floor with the force of a tsunami to the vampires.
All of the vampire's eyes had shifted to a brilliant gold, their eyes locked onto him but their fangs not extended. Satisfied, Harry muttered a quick healing spell at his cut and a Scourgify to clean up the blood.
The vampires all released a collective full-bodied shiver, their eyes turning back to their natural color. While Harry was pleased that he had stopped their laughing, the blank stares were beginning to unnerve him.
"I think you may have broken them," Alouran said slowly, looking at the vampires hesitantly.
Harry frowned, secretly afraid that he had done something wrong as well. It looked as if a basilisk had come and petrified them where they stood. Harry was half tempted to walk forward and push one of them over, just to see what would happen.
Finally, as if coming from a trance, the vampires moved—slowly at first, as if they had just awoken, and then more naturally as they walked across the barn to gather around Harry who still stood at the entrance.
Kate, Luther's mate, was the first to speak. Lips quivering, she gave a light gulp. "Daddy?"
Chuckling in amusement, Harry shared a glance with Alouran before turning back to the vampire, finally able to get a clear read on her soul. She was protective and loyal, but there was a bit of a sadistic streak imparted in her as well from something that happened to her in the past. She was tainted, yes, but not beyond the point of redemption.
"Yes, Kate?" Harry smiled warmly.
With a cry, she suddenly launched herself onto him the same way she had done with Luther—minus the kissing and groping, thankfully. Harry returned the hug easily, that familiar protectiveness that was now natural filling him.
"Okay, this is freaky," one of the male vampires whispered loudly and Harry's eyes locked onto him. A quick read of his soul showed the same as Kate—capable of love and loyalty but with a hint of violence. In fact, none of the vampires in the room were beyond redemption, which relieved Harry greatly.
"Shut up, Bo," Kate snapped, sniffing and stepping away from Harry with a smile.
"It's okay," Harry said. Everyone reacted differently to him—in Kate's case, she felt as if he were a father figure.
Not one to let such a comment slide, Alouran mocked, "Don't worry, Kate. He's just jealous because you got a hug and he didn't."
Bo sputtered vehemently, and Harry knew that if vampires had been able to blush, the man would be bright red. Everyone laughed at Bo's expense, causing a smile to appear on Harry's face. A few of the vampires continued to tease Bo, but Harry wasn't paying much attention, simply basking in the comforting feeling interacting with his children brought him.
Movement in the corner of the room caught his eye.
Turning toward it fully, Harry felt himself stiffening when he saw two humans, a male and a female, tied to a support beam with gags in their mouth. The humans were staring straight at him, and the fear and helplessness in their eyes made Harry shiver.
The vampires slowly noticed Harry's distraction and turned to look at what had captured his attention.
"Oh, how rude of us!" Kate exclaimed, looking embarrassed as she bustled over to the restrained humans. "Would you like something to eat? It's fresh."
Harry barely managed to keep a grimace off his face. "No, thank you. Human blood isn't my… my thing."
Kate frowned in disappointment, her shoulders drooping. "Oh, it's not every day we order take out."
Pity filled Harry for the humans, and he found himself unable to meet their wildly screaming eyes. He knew that this was just the way things were—the way he made things. Vampires hunted humans just as a fox hunted rabbits. Unfortunately, his human heart and 'saving people thing' couldn't allow him to accept it as the way of the world and move on.
Harry wouldn't condemn the vampires for being what they were, but he would also do his best to make sure that the humans were able to leave without harm.
Luther walked over to the muggles and examined them closely. "You picked these out, honey buns?"
Kate grinned at the nickname and nodded happily.
"The man isn't anything special," Luther dismissed, taking the woman's face in his hands. "But her… her I like." The woman flinched violently at Luther's touch and began to sob soundlessly, but the vampire paid her no mind,
Frowning, Harry found himself unable to put off questioning the muggles' fate. He walked over until he stopped behind Kate and Luther, the pair once more making goo-goo eyes at each other.
Harry cleared his throat pointedly, gaining their attention. With a pointed glance at the humans, he asked, "What are you going to do with them?"
Luther turned back toward the humans, a speculative look in his eyes. "Well, we'll probably kill the man and add the woman to our coven."
"What?" Harry hissed, his eyes dropping to the humans when they began struggling desperately, their cries muffled by their gags. "No, I will not allow it."
Surprised, Luther inclined his head. "And why's that?"
Harry opened his mouth to speak but closed it with a snap when he finally noticed a cage in the darkest corner of the barn. He swore he thought he saw a shadow move and—there! There was another shifting of something, causing his eyes to narrow.
"Harry?" Luther turned to look where Harry was staring. The vampire's eyes lit up before a dark grin transformed his face into something sinister. "Ah, that's our petting zoo."
"Petting zoo?" Harry echoed hollowly, having a very good idea of what he would find if he went over for a closer look.
Kate giggled and skipped over to the cages, a chuckling Luther following behind her. After hesitating for several beats, Harry too trekked over, his heart growing colder for every step he took nearer.
When he was finally close enough to see through the thick shadows, Harry raised a horrified hand to his nose. This specific corner of the barn was thick with the smell of human waste and fear. It was so pungent that Harry's eyes burned; despite the hand he had over his face to block the smell.
Even though their sense of smell was heightened, Luther and Kate appeared perfectly at ease with the smell. Kate had found a rusted prodding iron and was poking at the frightened humans inside the cage gleefully, cackling as she did so.
It was almost enough to make Harry crack. The only thing that stopped his magic from exploding violently was a calming hand on his shoulder and a familiar voice near his ear. "Harry, calm down."
When Harry blinked, he realized belatedly that he had blacked out for a second, his magic untangling from his body to lick the air violently. Kate had fallen on her backside in fear and Luther didn't appear much better, his hand clutching desperately at a nearby beam to keep from falling to the ground.
Breathing deeply, Harry reined in his magic, flashing a grateful look to Alouran over his shoulder. His secretary returned it hesitantly, concern shining in his eyes. Harry merely nodded his head to tell him that he had come back to himself.
A quick glance around the barn showed that all of the vampires had noticed his loss of magical control, all of them staring at him in varying degrees of awe and fear. Harry met each and every one of their stares evenly, feeling no sympathy when they all quailed under his fiery gaze.
"I'm disappointed in you all."
With that one simple sentence, Harry turned his back on them and walked out of the barn, not even glancing over his shoulders.
Silence reigned inside for several tense minutes before Bo gave a strained chuckle, looking at his coven in shock. "Well, s-shit."
No one had anything better to say, so they didn't say anything at all.
o0o
Harry hadn't gone far; he just needed to get his head on straight before he was able to face the vampires again without feeling overwhelming disappointment. Vampires hunted humans, that Harry could understand and accept—but caging them? Having them wallow around in their own waste and prodding them for enjoyment? That was no better than how wizards had treated Dark creatures before Harry came along and changed things.
To find beings he naturally considered his own behaving so savagely… It had almost been enough to snap the dubious control he had over his chaotic magic. From the looks on the vampire's faces, he had to have been emitting some very strong negative emotions.
The sound of foliage being trod through reached Harry's ears, but thinking it was just his friend to come find out what happened to him, he didn't pay it much mind.
"Harry?" Luther's smooth voice flitted through the trees, causing Harry to turn away from the few stars he could see through the canopy.
"Luther," Harry acknowledged when the leader of the vampires stepped into the small clearing Harry found. The man's face was hesitant and wary. With a sigh, Harry scooted over on the fallen log on which he sat and patted the empty space.
Luther shifted from foot to foot hesitantly, causing Harry to roll his eyes. "I'm not going to bite, Luther. Back at the barn—I just reacted badly, is all."
The vampire locked gazes with him for a long moment before nodding, coming to sit beside the young King.
For several minutes the two simply sat, the only sounds being the rustling of the wind or natural wildlife in the forest. Luther was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry."
Harry sighed heavily, brushing his bangs from his face. "Do you even know what you're apologizing for?"
"Yes," Luther answered quietly, head bowed. Harry tried to look at him, but the vampire's brown locks managed to shield his face. "For the way I treat my foo—the humans. It's… cruel."
"If you know it's wrong, then why do you do it?" Harry was being neither judgmental nor chastising. He was merely trying to understand what caused someone who he knew to have humanity to treat living beings so callously.
Sighing, Luther shook his head and stared up at the sky. "Humans—no, hunters." Luther hissed the word as if it were the vilest thing on the planet. "They treat us like animals! They claim that they're purging the world of evil, but they… they're no better than us!"
Harry could see Luther's shoulders trembling with barely suppressed emotions, but Harry offered no words of comfort. If Luther wanted to elaborate on what he said, then he would, and if not… Harry would accept that as well.
Through clenched teeth, Luther continued, "Hunters… killed my first family. When I was first turned, it was by my maid. I never even knew she was a vampire until she turned me after I—after I… tried to kill myself." Luther hung his head in shame, and finally Harry allowed himself to place a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. He gave a choked cry at the touch, a shiver wracking his body that traveled all the way up Harry's hands.
"It's kind of funny, y'know?" Luther snorted, laughing brokenly. "I tried to kill myself, and what do I get for it? Immortality! At first I thought it was my punishment, but she… she took care of me. She had another girl like me, and for a while, we were a family… until, of course, the hunters came."
Luther's voice had grown hollow and Harry gave his shoulder another firm squeeze, offering what little solace he could.
"The hunter's killed my family, but I escaped." Luther stared at his hands blankly, lost in memories of days long gone. "After I escaped, I laid low for a while. I was terrified of… of having my head cut off like the others. However, it was when I found Kate when I truly began to loathe hunters.
"She was like me—on the run after her family had been killed. Unlike me, though… the ones who killed her family managed to catch up to her. They… they tortured her!" Luther suddenly shouted, his fingers clenched so tightly he drew blood. The red liquid rolled down his hands and into the grass, but the vampire paid it no mind. "They said she deserved it. That… that that's what she got for being something she couldn't control! I found them just when they were about to kill her… and I slaughtered them. I bathed in their blood and I enjoyed every second of it."
When Luther finished his tale, without hesitation, Harry pulled the other man down into a hug, whispering soothing words when the vampire choked helplessly, unable to shed the tears that so desperately wanted to fall.
"It's okay," Harry whispered quietly, stroking Luther's brown mane slowly. He felt the larger man relaxing into his embrace, the iron grip he once had on Harry's shirt slackening. "I understand. I know that feeling all too well."
Luther reared back in shock, his eyes bloodshot but completely dry. "You do?"
Chucking, Harry nodded. "Yes. Someone killed all of my friends and family, and I hated him. I wanted nothing more in the world than to torture him to the brink of insanity before sending him to hell. Unfortunately," Harry said with a snort, "his sanity was long gone."
"So what did you do…?"
"I killed him of course." Harry grinned, although it was tinged with something darker. "I had finally gotten the revenge I so desperately wanted, but…"
"It wouldn't bring them back," Luther finished, his voice low and somber.
"Yes," Harry sighed, closing his eyes as images flashed quickly through his brain. "Humans aren't to blame for what you went through, Luther. The one's who did it were human, yes, but they're only a miniscule portion of the world. You can't take your pain out on those who don't deserve it."
The two merely sat in silence, Luther's mind slowly absorbing what Harry told him. When he spoke, his voice was quiet and regretful.
"I—I can't release them. They've seen our faces—they know what we are."
Harry cracked open an eye, frowning. "Then why don't you simply erase their memories?"
Luther stared at Harry blankly. "Because I… can't?"
"You can't?" Harry frowned, sitting up straight. "But… all vampires can. What about the lure, can you use that?"
"Lure?" Luther asked blankly. "Harry, what are you talking about?"
"Bloody hell! No wonder things are so bad in America!" Sighing, Harry ran a hand through his hair. "All vampires can use an ability called a 'lure' which is a low-pitched frequency that can only be made by vampires. When heard by a human, they become entranced by the sound and will follow it."
"And... we can erase memories as well?"
"Hey, I created you by proxy," Harry argued, sensing that Luther didn't believe him. "I think I'd know what you were capable of."
That seemed to ease a bit of the doubt, but Harry could tell that the vampire still didn't believe him. "Okay, how about this? If you promise you'll clean up the cages and not kill any of the humans, I'll teach you how to use both—but afterwards, you'll have to let the humans go with their memories wiped."
Seeing how much knowing those two abilities could benefit the survival of his coven, Luther agreed, albeit reluctantly.
o0o
The next morning, Harry awoke from his asleep with a yawn, secretly pleased that it had been nightmare free. Even after all this time, the weight of his failures in the wizarding world sometimes returned to him in his dreams.
After Harry's little outburst, the vampire's party mood had been snuffed. Not wanting to be a party pooper, Harry tried his best to once more get it started, but it was Alouran's natural charisma that brought the party back from the grave. At 2 AM, Harry decided he had enough and told everyone he was going back to the motel to sleep.
Alouran had offered to come with him, but Harry saw how much fun the incubus was having and didn't want to ruin his good time.
Now, the incubus was probably regretting that decision because as soon as Harry slid off his bed, a deep groan of pain sounded from the other side of the room. Apparently, sometime in the early morning, Alouran had snuck back inside and was now trying to sleep off the effects of too much partying.
"Be quiet," the incubus grouched, the thick motel duvet he wrapped himself in shifting slightly. "Hangover plus super hearing equals pain."
Harry snorted but tiptoed softly to the bathroom, only to shut the door loudly behind him. Alouran released a high shriek and Harry laughed, the man on the other side of the door throwing insults and empty threats before he slunk once more into an alcohol-induced slumber.
Still chuckling, Harry showered and changed and got ready for the day. He dressed simply in a pair of black low riding jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket that Al had got for him after insulting Harry's fashion sense. After a quick breakfast, he was out the door and into the cool morning air, back on his way toward the vampire nest.
He still found himself hard pressed to sense them with his magic, but it was a step up from yesterday when he hadn't been able to sense them at all. As Harry walked toward where he felt the vampires, he wondered what he was going to do.
Firstly, he needed to figure out what was screwing with his powers. It obviously had something to do with America and something to do with creatures of the Dark. Whatever it was, it was as if Harry was cloaked in a suffocating blanket, his abilities unable to penetrate it.
What was more, he had to do something about hunters killing everything. There were no magical communities in America to go to for help—the hunters chased them all away. Going to the muggle government would do no good either as hunters were no more than vigilantes.
To stop them… what would it take? Would it take an all out war, or could Harry find some way to solve this diplomatically? Every day he dillydallied was another possible chance for the hunters to attack one of his creatures.
Huffing in frustration, he shook his head. He needed more information, and until he got it, he was relatively at an impasse.
Harry paused suddenly as he came across a car—a sleek black thing that glinted from the light allowed by the canopy. When Harry passed through last night, he was pretty sure there hadn't been a car there… but maybe it belonged to one of the vampires.
Shrugging, Harry stepped around the contraption and continued on his journey. In no time at all he was back outside the barn house, only this time it was quiet, no sounds of partying evident. Harry mused that they were probably still asleep… or just now going to sleep. They were nocturnal after all.
A quick peek through an open window showed him what he already suspected. The vampires had set up hammocks all throughout the barn and they released soft snores as they slept. Harry watched with a fond small before turning to walk away, wishing to leave them to their rest.
The sound of shuffling footsteps and hushed voices made him pause.
This time more cautiously, Harry once more looked through the window and sucked in air through his teeth. Humans—for he could feel no Darkness from them—were conversing amongst themselves quietly as they wandered around, appearing to be searching for something.
With a quick disillusionment charm, Harry snuck inside the barn and hid behind the nearest stack of old boxes, peering at the intruders warily. There were three of them: a short one who appeared to have found the caged humans, a tall one who was speaking to the tied up couple in whispered tones, and an older looking one who wandered over to where Kate and Luther slept.
Harry barely held in a curse as his mind raced. The tall one and the short one was going to release the humans! Did that mean they were hunters? Or maybe muggle police that thought they were dealing with kidnappers?
A sleek black vehicle flashed through Harry's mind. No… that was no police car. Then did that mean these men were hunters…?
Still reluctant, Harry removed his wand from a holster strapped to his leg. The human's all had their minds blanked previously courtesy of Harry, so they wouldn't be a liability if they were released. But the three humans… they had found Luther's coven.
Who's to say they wouldn't come back later once the prisoners were secured? If they were hunters, it could be dangerous to let them get away. And, well… if it turned out they were just normal muggles, Harry could always give them a good Obliviate and set them free.
Mind made up, Harry stepped out of his hiding spot just as the tall one got the ropes free of the couple and the short one managed to break the lock to the cage. Aiming his wand, Harry launched a stunning spell at the tall man.
The man looked up just in time to see the red light connect with his face, knocking him out instantly. The woman who he had been helping yelled in fright, drawing the short one's attention.
"Sam! Sammy!" The short one was at 'Sam's' side instantly, checking him for a pulse and breathing a sigh of relief when he found one. Eyes narrowed, he rose to his feet and pulled a gun from behind his back.
"Go," he said to the freed humans, jerking his head toward the door. They all eyed him warily until he snapped again. "Go! Now!"
Finally obeying, Harry watched impassively as the humans ran through the barn doors and disappeared from his sights.
Mr. Shorty had his gun pointed in Harry's general direction, but he knew the man couldn't see him.
"Where are you?" Mr. Shorty snarled angrily, searching feebly for his partner's assailant.
Growing tired of seeing the man squirm, Harry fired another stunner at his exposed back. He was caught completely off guard when the man rolled smoothly, avoiding the spell before he righted himself on one knee and fired a shot that literally brushed past Harry's ear.
It took all of Harry's restraint not to curse loudly. Heart hammering, he quickly scuttled from where he stood and hid behind another support beam, firing another hex that was dodged easily. The man reacted like a fully-trained Auror—he had to be a hunter!
"Dean!"
The old one came from Kate and Luther's part of the barn, holding something in his hands that Harry couldn't see. He apparently heard the gunshot and was looking at the vampires warily, wondering if they would wake up.
One snorted and rolled over, but they all remained sleeping.
"Dad," 'Dean' acknowledge, his gun still pointed at where Harry's spell had come from, although he seemed to relax now that his 'father' was near him. "We need to get outta here. There's something here and it knocked out Sammy."
Harry couldn't let them escape, but he didn't know if he'd be able to catch them off guard now that they knew something was targeting them.
Dean's father picked up Sam and slung the tall body over his shoulder easily. "I got the Colt," the older man nodded, patting his chest with his free hand that wasn't around Sam's waist.
Returning the nod, Dean covered his father's back as they hastily made their way toward the barn entrance.
Deciding to go for the easy target, Harry leveled his wand with the man carrying Sam and began shooting off different hexes, hoping at least one found its mark.
"Dad, look out!"
The man turned just in time to avoid the first stunner Harry had sent him, and then avoided a disarming hex by jumping suddenly to the side. Harry's cutting hex him got him right in the back of the leg, tearing open a deep wound on his left thigh. With only a cry of pain the men continued running, escaping through the barn doors.
Growling, Harry stood in the open doorway and fired hex after hex at their retreating backs, but was forced to give up when they disappeared into the cover of the forest. He yearned to chase after them, but he couldn't leave the nest unprotected in case there were more of them.
So those were hunters…
Harry was slowly beginning to understand why they were so feared.