A/N: Alright, I apologize profusely for the immense delay. I've had school and been sick. *sulks* Plus, I've had a bit of a writer's block on almost all my fics so... ^^' Please have mercy.

Anywho, there are some important points in this chappy, even though it may not seem like it. I also apologize for the length. But then again, I am on a rather tight schedual (what with homework, studying for an exam, and being sick). You do get to meet Hector's other innocent devils. Their names are kinda important, too. Just FYI. ;)

Chapter 8

I made my way down the walkway connecting the part of the castle where my quarters are with the royal tower. I passed several statues along the way. A few used to be human, until they were turned into stone effigies. I always stopped to admire them. They were beautiful, in their own unique sort of way.

Especially the woman in the center. He'd heard that she was a vampire slayer with magic powers sent to kill Lord Dracula. He'd never heard why exactly. He'd asked once, but the question was avoided through a rather…solid, distraction method.

I blushed at the memory and hurried away.

I made my way to a small side hallway and from there, straight to a small window that was just large enough for me to slip through. Finally, I was on the roof. I crawled out onto the black surface until I was on the edge and summoned Gurgle. The winged innocent devil appeared fluttering around in the air. I reached out and we caught each other's hands and I leapt.

The brief glory of flying, soaring through the air then the abrupt jerk as Gurgle's powerful wings caught the wind and we glided across the open expanse to the adjacent tower roof. We landed somewhat less then gracefully, but that was only to be expected. I released Gurgle who proceeded to curl himself around my neck.

I sat down and quietly settled down. A sparkle of light flickered in my peripheral vision and Fee appeared. She curled her knees up and pressed herself against my skin between my collar and my neck. She twittered something to me, then my other innocent devils appeared. I didn't see them appear, but I could feel their presence around me.

Ares was crouched behind me, his great wings arched above and around me, encompassing me with his protective presence. Osiris, my mage type innocent devil, bounced over to my side and cuddled up under my right arm just as Horace, my battle type innocent devil, settled down under Ares left wing.

Me, Gurgle, Fee, Ares, Osiris, and Horace. We, the six of us, were my new family. Plus Isaac and my Lord Dracula.

But they weren't here.

It was just me and my companions. We were together, here and now. Me and my gods of old.

Ares, the great god of war, and my personal friend and winged warrior. Osiris, the mage god of death, associated with the night and my personal friend and astral sorcerer. Horace, the falcon warrior related to the sun, my personal friend and crystallic golum.

And then there's Fee, my mother figure in the form of a small, winged pixie from…hell? And of course, Gurgle. My winged gargoyle and personal glider. Both are my friends.

And all of them, fiends. Just like me. Me and my family of fiends. A Devil Forge Master and his devils. We are together. Strange that. All you have to do is remove the 'r' from the word 'friends' and you get the word 'fiends.' How true that simple statement is, in every respect.

The sky began to lighten as the dawn neared. I could sense the air beginning to warm. There were no birds in the nearby vicinity to hear chirping, but I imagine they would be if…

The horizon turned grey, then purple, then red, then a large golden globe began to peek over the horizon. I squinted at the unusual but not altogether unwelcome brightness. The globe rose higher, tinting the clouds brilliant pink and orange and my eyes began to water.

So bright. So…beautiful.

My eyes struggled to remain open as the brilliance began to burn my eyes causing them to tear up.

Brilliant.

The light was shining. The golden globe was…hypnotizing. I could hardly believe how beautiful it was. I had been so long…so…long since I had seen it.

I missed it.

…so bright…so…

…beautiful…

I could hear voices in the background calling me. No, not voices…a single voice and a chorus of music.

…no…not music…

…my friends…

…my innocent devils…

…my fiends…

Then the other voice…who…?

"…ctor…"

A speaking voice. I know that voice. Adrian.

"..'m here…"

So beautiful.

"…Hector!"

Gold. Brilliant…gold…

XxX

Adrian had only been walking passed the window my mere happenstance when he saw Hector sitting on the roof surrounded by his innocent devils and watching the sunrise.

The fool!

As fast as he could, Adrian transformed into his bat for and flew to Hector retaking his form once he reached the roof. Ares had practically encased his master in a feathery cage protecting him from the sunlight.

Speaking of which…

Adrian began to feel his temperature begin to rise as the sun's rays beat down on his vampiric flesh. Since he was a dhampir, he could still stand the sunlight, but that didn't mean it didn't give him sunburn.

Hector was almost completely out of it when he arrived. The poor boy was muttering something about "brilliant" and "beautiful." The poor boy.

"Hector!" he called. "I'm here. Wake up, Hector!"

Gurgle was flying around frantically while Fee brushed her tiny hands across Hector's skin desperately trying to wake him up from his stupor. Osiris gazed up at Adrian with knowing eyes, and Horace simply vanished, returning to his plane of existence.

Ares seemed to be the only one in reletive control of himself. His eyes were fierce but controled, protective. He was holding Hector close, hiding him from the sunlight. Although some of the golden rays filtered in through the gray-black feathers.

Adrian met the summon's eyes as he reached out to feel Hector's life beat. It was there, if a bit faint. A side affect of Dracula's magic working within the Devil Forge Master, he was suseptable to sunlight. If anything, it was an assurance that betrayal would be difficult.

If Hector, or Isaac for that matter, betrayed Dracula in any form they would suffer. As for sunlight, it had been years since Hector had been out in full sunlight, plus he was looking directly at it, so naturally he would suffer. But lack of sunlight for years, and suddenly forcing it on himself would naturally hurt his eyes.

But to fall unconscious like this...this wasn't natural. This was an affect of Dracula's Curse. The power boost he'd given to the two Devil Forge Masters both increased their natural power, but it also made them more suseptable to Dracula's power and control.

Adrian shook his head as he and Ares carried the silver haired summoner back to his bedroom. He needed to live. He was the only true friend Adrian had left. He couldn't loose him.

Not now when things were just beginning to go his way. Soon he would be free of these fetters his father created to hold him. But to do that, he needed Hector to live.

Isaac couldn't be trusted, he was too rash. But Hector thought things through. He would need an ally like Hector when he betrayed his father.

When he did the right thing.


A/B: Well, there you have it. Once again, I apologize for the delay in writing/posting this. I hope you'll forgive me and leave reviews for me. After all, reviews encourage me to post more. ;)

Rate and Review! ;)