A/N-Thanks for all the reviews and sorry for the wait, but life happens. Hope you all enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 12

Awakening in a strange bed, Joey jerks up and flips into a crouch on the floor. Instinct tells him he's safe. He's the strongest threat in this place. His eyes are drawn to the brunet sprawled on the bed. His sleep isn't peaceful; in fact the mortal looks as if he's fighting a losing battle. Carefully he eases into Seto's mind just enough to implant the idea of a warm summer day with the softest of breezes. It's enough to calm the male without intruding.

It's late, going on two a.m., and he's aware that only one of his brother's is awake. He walks into the hallway and opens Mokuba's door. The newest fledgling lies asleep, so deep that he's unaware that anyone is near. He double checks the curtains to ensure that no light will enter the room to harm the boy.

Next, he follows the scents to another bedroom. Yugi and Ryou are curled up on a bed together. An armoire has been shoved in front of the window and the bed is along the wall farthest from the light. Yugi sleeps deep, undisturbed. Ryou's eyes open briefly to gaze at him with fear and uncertainty. He smiles reassuringly before closing the door. Ryou had been the one to send Seto back to him when the brunet seemed like his brain would short-circuit, and he was worried about the two of them. None of his brother's hid their thoughts from him.

Finally, he finds Malik sitting on the steps watching the front door. "The doctor will return and have to clarify that he's legally dead. We'll be forced to answer questions. Joey, we can't lose you. Yugi and I wouldn't survive without you. Ry might, he adapts easily, but you're the one that's kept us together," Malik whispers as emotion chokes him up.

"He's opening up to me. If he lets himself feel something, then I can be saved," Joey says sitting beside the platinum blond.

"It's been months already, Joey, and unless he needed information, he treated us as if we didn't exist. He calls you names and taunts you. He has his brother now, you're no longer needed. Wouldn't it be easier to separate from him?"

"I can't do that. I'll die without him; I can only be bound to him. I might develop a crush on someone else, even love him, but to be in love and truly mated to someone is impossible. The intensity of my feelings is overwhelming, but I have to stay. I can hope that one day he'll come to feel the same."

"Force him to. You're stronger than him," Malik hisses hiding the tears clinging to his lashes.

"You know I won't. I'll never become like him, forcing my way in and making him do what I want against his will."

Malik watches the blond walk away knowing he's angered him, but he can't help but be concerned. He studies the male's rigid form as he suddenly stops and tilts his head. Suddenly the blond is tense, like a giant cat right before the final pounce to take his victim down. Fangs bared, honey eyes searching, Joey's ready for a fight. Run!

Racing into his brother's room, he scrambles onto the bed shaking them away as Joey's voice echoes through his head, and he yells, "Wake up, damn it!"

Ryou's eyes shoot open, a startled hiss escaping his lips. Yugi slowly opens his eyes, but they widen as he realizes the danger they're in.

"They're here, already?"

"I don't know, but he's acting like some threat has descended. Who else could it be? No more questions. Yug, go get Mokuba and his brother up. Ry, you have to go to Joey. You're age alone gives you more strength than us, now go," Malik orders.

An unnatural scream tears through the night awakening Seto. Sapphire orbs dart around frantically.

"I suggest you get dressed. You have an option to save him; however, you will not be admitted to try in your pjs."

He whirls around to glare at the intruder. "Who the hell are you?"

The man stares coldly at him; his blue-green orbs narrow as he drags a hand through auburn hair. "You're Adamo, correct," he says answering his own question as the beautiful man nods. He doesn't understand how Joey could want him over this creature. Compared to him, he's nothing.

"We should get going. The others are going willingly. The little one fought at first, but he must have heard a warning because he ceased quite quickly. He's Joey's only fledgling; therefore, I'll do my best to keep him safe. Whether you survive isn't up to me," Adamo whispers, his voice caressing over him like some forgotten lullaby.

On auto pilot, he changes into a black turtleneck and slacks. He can't tell where they're going; only that he's crushed against the vampire that wants his blond. The wind whips around them chilling him to the bone.

Then, they stop. "It's not home, but it will serve the purpose," Adamo says setting him down in front of the brick building. "They've decided, now it's up to you and him whether you'll meet your deaths here."