Ooooh what is Assan? Its not really dramatic because you'll find out this chapter, but hey I can pretend I'm exciting and mysterious.
-AGU-
"Uh, what do you mean? Of course I'm his son." Assan was not a convincing liar, but then Adam wondered if anyone had ever challenged him in this, given that Ramanga lorded himself over everyone before Adam had him executed. Not to mention, few had the power to specifically hypnotize by DNA, Adam forgot his powers were immensely unique at times. "Clearly not, because you aren't hypnotized. You can tell me, I'm not going to hurt you." "You'll hurt them though. And they are all I've got." The boy bit his lip, nervously shuffling his feet. "It doesn't have to be that way. Just tell me."
"No, I mean, I'm a lucky one so I can't talk about it or I'll get in trouble." Shaking his head, Adam kept his eyes on Assan's. "You know who I am, who can't I protect you from?" His brow creased in thought, weighing Adam's words. "I don't know if there's a name for me, they just call us the immune." "As in, the children immune to vampirism?" Bertrand interjected, curiousity burning in his bright eyes. Assan nodded, tilting his head to show almost invisible scars on his neck. "Wait. You mean you were kept as a... a live food source? That's sick!" The idea turned his stomach, Assan was only a boy. "Yes. Being bitten keeps us young, so we pass as untransformed vampires." "What did you mean, you're a lucky one?"
Assan shrugged, dropping his eyes. "Because I'm only used for food. There are others, they let us socialise together so we aren't found out by outsiders. My friends are used for servants too, or worse." He didn't have to spell it out, Adam's imagination was doing plenty of work. "Assan, do you know where these 'others' are?" "Kind of. I know which clans have one of us. Why?" Cringing, Adam shook his head. "Because there's no way I'm leaving them there to be... I don't even want to think about it. One second." He wasn't going to dust Shango and Adze in front of this kid. He had been through enough. Zoning was a happy medium, they weren't going anywhere but they were still alive - for now.
"They are still alive, but I can't deal with them right now ok?" Assan nodded again, taking the seat and can of fizzy drink Adam offered him with some trepidation. Bertrand seemed to have some idea of what Assan was, so he was Adam's port of call. "Dad, if you lay a fang on him you'll join my fetching crystal collection." The Count scowled at being caught edging closer to the 'immune' child, hissing angrily and flitting off. "So, what do you know about them?" "I thought they were a myth, though that's probably intentional. Rare genetic mutation, it converts the vampire virus into something that stops them aging." "So if he stops getting bitten, he will age like a normal human kid?" Bertrand nodded, keen eyes on the boy. "Assan, can you write me a list of the clans you know to have one? So I can get started on rescue plans and everything." "You're not going to... Just keep us are you?"
"I don't drink human blood, so I have zero interest in feeding on you. Or any of the others." Holding up his soya blood bottle as 'proof', Assan took the pen and paper, scrawling out an extensive list. "Suppose it's lucky you found me first, some of them have never been taught to read or write." It just got worse, vampires were keeping children as... pets, as food and even as worse things. Swallowing down nausea, the list had over two dozen names on. Bertrand ticked off clans he knew the main castle locations of, and Adam could probably find the others at the VHC. "Are there any who have more than one?" "No, its kind of a code of honour, if you can call it that to not keep more than one." It made Adam hurt to think this kid had been treated as some kind of commodity, a living drinks fountain and he considered himself lucky?
"I need to call Roque over here, he will dust me himself if I go hunting through these things without consulting him. He's a little overprotective." Hoping the telepathic message got through, Adam and Bertrand worked on an explanation for the kids. "Erika will have to wear surge spray, no way will a highly trained security guard miss her lack of pulse." "Can't we use stasis on Adrian and Emil instead? And say they don't like having a pulse? I know surge is supposed to make vampires want to bite them, I would rather mute the three of them." Bertrand nodded in agreement, Ingrid keeping a silent watch over Assan while they planned.
"That makes better sense than risking Erika smelling of human. Particularly next to her brothers who smell like vampires to those who know. And I expect Roqueloire to know." "Yep. Don't forget, Adrian is their cousin, not their brother. I'm not ashamed of me and Ingrid, but I don't need Roque distracted or that kid traumatised." Roque arrived an hour or so later, mildly confused as he entered the school. "I thought you weren't in touch with your clan?" "We resolved things. Not important right now, I need you on side Roque." "Of course sir. How can I help?" Introducing Roque gently to Assan, they explained the situation. "I too, thought they were a myth. Don't worry young one, His Grandness would have my head if I hurt you or your kin."
"Do you have a plan? I know this building is large, but I don't think you can effectively hide some thirty children, some who may have complex issues, here without drawing attention." "We can do something short term, there's plenty of empty space and coffins down in the basement. Dad, if you hadn't invited the Ramangas here I wouldn't know about this, stop scowling." Half tempted to zone his father just for the peace and quiet while they got through this, Adam typed out a text to Jonno. "Your mother is still a trained psychotherapist right?" The message would probably be confusing, but he was fairly sure they were going to need some kind of mental health professional with some of the worst-treated ones.
"One of these is already living here in the United Kingdom, I suggest we start there?" Roque pointed out, and that sounded acceptable enough. "Bertrand, I need you to stay here." The vampire was unhappy about this fact, but Adam elaborated that they needed to watch and inform their kids, and make sure Assan didn't escape or get bitten by the Count. "Please?" "Fine. If you get yourself hurt I will come up with a suitably mind numbingly dull punishment." "I expect nothing less." Following Roque outside, Adam brought up a map on his phone and looked for the city they were aiming for. "Technology is such a strange thing." "Useful and portable, does the job." They didn't have much of a thought out plan, Adam's main goal being tearing the clan apart for trapping this innocent child and using them. And rescuing the child.
"We may lose several entire clans to this venture, I hope you don't mind Roque." "Even vampires have standards, and feeding on children is against our moral code. To keep these immune children prisoner, it's heinous even to a seasoned biter like myself." Swallowing thickly, Adam knocked on the door. A skinny, pale child with obvious bite shaped scars littering his throat opened the door, shaky and nervous even before he spoke. "Aren't you going to invite the Grand High Vampire in young man?" They entered soon after, and Adam bid Roque to keep an eye on the kid while Adam sought out the vampire energy signatures. "Three adults, soon to be dust piles." "What are you doing in my castle?" Pulling up his best 'Dracula glare', Adam turned to Count Villers. "Mind your manners, this is the Grand High Vampire you are disrespecting."
It was immediately apparent the vampire knew he was in trouble, given how Adam's personal security was only a step behind the bitten child. "It's... It's not what it looks like sir, my apologies." "Save it." Leaving three dust piles and scanning hard to ensure he hadn't missed any, Adam dropped down to eye level with the child. "What's your name?" "Ja... James sir. Would his Grandness like to feed on me?" The sad resignation in such a young face made him feel sick, but Adam kept his face neutral.
"No, I wouldn't. Nobody is ever going to do that to you again, I promise. You know Assan Ramanga, yes?" The boy nodded, big grey eyes full of confusion. "He's at the place we are going, you'll be safe I promise. Want to collect any of your things before we leave?" It took some convincing, James was clearly shaken and used to aggression and violence but Adam managed to get the boy to stand close enough to tandem transform with him, trembling hands clutching a raggedy bag of toys and clothes.
Landing back in Garside, the relief in Bertrand's face was obvious when Adam returned unharmed. "James, this is Bertrand. He's very nice and he won't bite you either. Go chat to Assan ok?" Assan wasn't exactly large, but James was diminutive by comparison and he wondered if that was down to how young they were when they were first bitten. "This is going to be difficult, that kid is traumatised. I dread to think how bad some of these kids have it." Ingrid eyed the state of the littler boy, scarred inside and out. "We have some of the boys old clothes in trunks, we should be able to find something other than what he has on." Barely stopping himself throwing himself at Ingrid in gratitude, Adam nodded and she left to get the boy clean clothes.
Bertrand and Roque retrieved coffins from the basement, and Adam made sure the boys ate before setting them up in the room next to Adrian and Emil's. "You don't have to close the lids if you don't want to, okay? You are safe here, I promise. If you need anything, my room is just over there and one of us will be in the throne room." Assan had to help James into his coffin, and it was obvious he didn't like physical contact by the way he flinched away as soon as his body was touching lining. "Can... Can you leave the door open?" "Sure. Bathroom is round the corner, second on the left. Has a sticker on it just in case you forget." Leaving the door ajar, Adam headed back to the throne room and sat between Ingrid and Bertrand - he couldn't be obvious, but needed to be near them both right now.
"I always think vampires have run out of ways to make me feel sick to be a part of it, then this happens. That kid can't be more than what, nine?" Shuddering, Adam watched as Roque stared into the fire. "I presume we will be venturing out again tomorrow night?" "Yes. The longer we draw this out, the more we risk the vampires knowing we are after them and them just ditching the evidence. It's a tough job, just the two of us." His security guard stayed silent, contemplating something or other judging by the harsh set of his brow. Scratching one name off his list, Adam turned the paper over and noted down James' name, then Assan's. Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he realised it would be getting light fairly soon.
"Wake the kids, explain to them what's going on." Bertrand stood, knowing Adam also meant warn them about everything going on and what not to say or indicate, plus stasis spray them for protection. "We can't do anything more until the sun goes down again, you should get some rest Roqueloire. One of us should be on form, I'll keep watch on those two." It took a few minutes, but Roque eventually agreed and went down to sleep in the basement - Adam gave him directions to the blood cellar, and which shelves he could peruse at will, then warned him to try and avoid being seen in the school during daylight hours as they didn't want anyone investigating when they had two boys, one obviously abused in some way hiding up here.
"Blimey, we go to sleep for one night and suddenly there's a crusade." "Yep, so I need you guys to be good to those kids, they've had it tough. For now, get ready for school." Three teens in school uniform sat around the table quietly, and Assan led a wary looking James out into the room. "Assan, James, these are my son and daughter, Emil and Erika. And that's Adrian, Ingrid's son. Guys, this is Assan, and James. You guys hungry?" He wasn't totally sure how to be with them, James didn't look like he was used to friendly treatment or regular meals, but Assan had a knack with him and convinced the boy to at least have toast and water.
Phone vibrating, Adam had a reply from Jonno. "Yeah, she is. Why?" Trying to think how to word this, Adam typed out a reply. "Any chance you guys would take a trip here? I don't want to say too much over text. It is actually important." Waiting for the reply was anxiety inducing all by itself, but Jonno eventually sent back a "we'll be there in a couple of hours. This had better be important." Looking at little James, Adam certainly thought so. Not that the slayers were going to be thrilled by what they heard about the vampires keeping these little immune children, but Adam hoped his determination to help them would be apparent.
"We have to go to school now, but you guys are welcome to go in our room and play a game or read a book." Pride in Emil surged as he spoke softly to the spooked boy, then the three headed off to the school for class. "I can't read." "That's ok, I can. Want to help me pick a book and I'll read it to you?" James seemed to be forming a sort of attachment to Assan, which was more than Adam expected of him and showed the boy could still form an attachment - he remembered from Psychology class that abused children could struggle hugely with that. Ingrid's fingers brushed against his while the human children weren't looking, before she excused herself to her coffin for the day. "Wake me if you need to trade off for a nap." Her hard stare said Adam should absolutely get some sleep that day, but they both knew it would be unlikely.
"Will do. Thanks Ingrid." Jonno texted again to say they were in the school, but that they needed someone to come get them so they wouldn't get questioned by teachers. Bertrand volunteered to fetch them, as they had already met him and Adam didn't want to leave the humans. "What couldn't wait? Oh, hi kids. I'm Jonno, this is my husband Jake." "Boys can't marry other boys!" Jonno smiled, holding up their matching rings. "We did. So, what did you call us for?" Indicating the slayer foursome should follow him, Adam left Bertrand watching Assan read to James.
"Hear me out, I only found out this was even a thing eight hours ago." "Why is that boy covered in bite marks?" Well, they had noticed then. "They are... they are human. But different - they are immune to vampirism, and I only just found out there are vampire clans keeping these immune kids as... Ugh, living food and garlic only knows what else. Assan was already here, and I got James today. Basically, I don't know what to do, they need someone to talk to but I can hardly take them to a normal therapist. So I thought of you." The last was aimed at Mina, who looked surprised. "The older one is Assan, and the little boy is called James. Could you try talking to them?"
"How many more?" "Assan gave me a list of nearly thirty. I haven't asked if James knows more, since he can't read or write. This goes against even vampire principles, every clan who has one of these immune children is being executed as we go. They need help, and protection. Will you help me?" Hoping they could read the truth in his face, Adam waited. "Alright, I'll talk to them. Do you have paper, and crayons? Drawing is a good outlet for children, especially if they can't read or write." "I'll raid the school, two minutes." Feeling a little daft as he ducked around sunlit windows, Adam hurried back up to the attic and gave the supplies to Mina Van Helsing.
Heading back out, Adam introduced the boys to Mina. "She knows about vampires and things, so you can talk to her and she won't think you're making anything up, alright?" "O-o-ok." The others adjourned over to the dining table, Bertrand taking the proferred soya bottle from Adam as they sat a little away from where Mina was getting the boys to draw themselves. "So, who else is here? In the school I mean." "Me, Bertrand, Ingrid, Count Dracula. Then Emil and Erika, and Ingrid's son Adrian. Oh, and my personal security vamp, Roqueloire. He won't do anything without my say so, just don't wave stakes at him - his job is to protect me." "Sounds reasonable enough."
The teens were back from school before Roque was up for the night, but they didn't disturb the humans with Mina, staying in their rooms quietly for a while until dinner. After a concerted effort from Assan, James agreed to eat a small amount of food, and the long night and day caught up with them as they went back to bed/coffin. "Well? What's the verdict?" Mina had a few drawings, one an almost elegant sketching style - Assan, the other a chaotic mash of childlike scribbles and angry scrawls of colour. "Aside from the obvious, the older one seems fairly... normal I suppose. I would still recommend he sees either me or another understanding therapist. James... He's scared, terrified and absolutely waiting for this to all disappear and he'll be back in that place."
"Not happening, I dusted all three vampires there. We do need a better contingency plan than just keeping them all here as we collect them though, but I can hardly just drop them at a foster home." Jonno and Jake were sharing a look for a moment, then turning back to Adam. "We'll take them, those two. We were talking about adoption, this would be a good place to start. At least until you can come up with a plan? Means they can both see my mum, and you can get on with finding these others?" It was a little sudden, but Adam didn't really have any other ideas. "Alright. But they don't really have anything, like clothes and James is going to be tough to get to open up, even I can see that."
"It's worth a shot, like you said, they can't just go anywhere. We know about vampires, and how to protect them from biters. What do you think?" Looking over at the door to the temporary boys room, Adam nodded. "Alright. But that doesn't solve what to do with the other twenty or so I have to retrieve." "There are nearly 100,000 slayers in the UK alone. I'm sure we can find some who want to protect human children from vampires. You focus on getting them out of there, we'll work out how to help them after. Vampire law is your thing, humans is ours. Hey, this peace thing definitely came at the right time eh?" Adam agreed, then greeted his teenage children as they peered out. "Emil, you've met. That's my daughter Erika, and Ingrid's son Adrian." Who thankfully weren't joined at the hip, or hands.
"The other thing is, you have to keep this quiet. If the vampires keeping these kids hear I am after them, I fear they will just get rid of them. I don't want that." "Neither do we. It's getting dark, we should get going. They can stay here tonight, and we will sort out their room and clothes and stuff. Then we'll come get them tomorrow?" Drumming his fingers on the table, Adam nodded. "Leave it til evening, I don't want the teachers seeing four strangers taking away two kids, especially one with scars all over his neck." "Makes sense. We will see you then." The slayers were gone just in time to miss Roque returning to the attic, and while he could clearly smell slayer on the air, he wisely didn't ask. "Where to next?" Adam pulled out the list, looking for the closest options. This was going to take a while.
-AGU-
See, I promised it wasn't all going to be relationship drama!