Yes, I am back, and determined to write much more regularly! I told you I would not abandon this story and I won't, it will be finished if it kills me.

I won't keep you long here. Squeenix owns the bits of hot stuff I've made into vampires, I own the angst. Oh, were you wanting angst from dependable Amarissia? Far be it from me to disappoint. Let us begin.

WITH THE DEAD
Chapter 5

Much as Zack had enjoyed being cooed over, he quickly left the inhabited part of the house behind, wanting to look at its grand splendor. There was a fountain of wine mixed with blood in a sparsely-populated room, but Zack remembered his promise to drink only from his parents and didn't touch it. There was no knowing, after all, who the blood had come from.

One large hall was completely lined with mirrors, reminding Zack of a carnival funhouse. He laughed and twirled as he watched an endless procession of reflections do the same. There was a solarium full of flowers under a glass ceiling, and Zack happily inhaled the floral scents of the warm room, was amazed again by how brighter colors had become. He found a library larger than his family's own, with books bound in ancient leather and even a few vellum scrolls written in languages the boy didn't recognize.

Angeal would like this room.

The chamber he wandered into next was strangely the most fascinating of all, long and rectangular and decorated with portraits of distinguished-looking men and a few women. Zack read the elegant names and examined the faces, wondering who they were, if they were vampires, if they were relatives of Garrett. He got so lost in one haunting set of eyes that it took Zack a moment to sense someone behind him.

He whirled around, and the stranger smiled. He was very tall, a medium build but very sturdy-looking, with long black hair and piercing red eyes. His expression was gentle, even affectionate, but there was a coldness all through it like a draft in an old house. Zack wanted to get out of there, but didn't want to leave an impression of rudeness. What if this was a friend of Angeal and Genesis?

"Um, hello."

"Good evening, Zack."

"You know me?"

"Our world is always well aware when a new baby is born to a prominent house. Also, I know your sires and try to keep up with what they're doing."

Would it be rude to ask his name?

"Are you tired yet of being fussed over?" The stranger's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"It is getting old, but everyone's so nice. I like being – "

"Touched, yes. Newborns crave it. Mine did, except one who only wanted his brother. Well, the experience is a little different for everyone. How are you adjusting?"

"Okay, I think. It's still a little strange…everything's so vivid."

"I've heard you're only drinking from your parents."

"Yeah. They don't want me to have to kill, even bad people like they do."

"Hmm," the stranger said thoughtfully. "Do you think one man is capable of judging another man? Sentencing him to death?"

"Well…no…but…"

"But our kind have to, right? So, yes, why not dispose of lives that are worthless?"

"It's not that a life is worthless. It's just…"

"Your parents need to feed to live, so that makes it okay."

Zack's head was starting to ache. "No, it's just…I mean…"

"I'm sorry, child, I'm confusing you. You're much too young to be burdening with philosophy. You should be carefree during your infant years, feel, play." A smile. "Are Angeal and Genesis good to you?"

"Oh, they're amazing! I mean, they hover like crazy, and uh-oh, how long have I been gone? Genesis is gonna worry, I have to get back – "

The stranger raised arms to block him. "Oh, not just yet, please. I'd really like to get to know you, Zack."

"I don't even know your name."

"It's Dagan. You can call me that, though I'd prefer Grand-sire."

Oh, Gaia. No, don't panic, don't worry Gen and Angeal.

"Nice to meet you, but I really – "

Dagan caught Zack by his arms and gently backed him up into the wall. The touch immediately made Zack harden, increasing his desire to get far away from here. The blood-colored eyes undressing him only added to this.

"Don't fight. I'm not going to hurt you."

"You hurt Gen," the teenager whispered.

"Is that what he told you? You've never disagreed with your parents? They've never known what's best for you, better than you do?"

"You forced him! He told me!"

"He wanted it. He begged for it when Angeal couldn't satisfy him."

Zack tried to shrug off the hands on him, but they only tightened, enough to keep him still but not to cause pain. Dagan moved closer to trap the boy against the wall, to push his own hardness against Zack's. His lips neared Zack's, the boy dodged, and Dagan gripped both wrists with one strong hand.

"Let go!"

"You're not signaling your parents. What a thoughtful child, trying not to worry them. Ssh, be still."

Dagan began to unbutton the purple dress shirt, adjusting Zack back into place every time he shifted. Despite the struggling, the elder managed to get the garment open all the way, and began to run his hand up and down the chest. More than the physical touch, Zack flinched from a mental pressure he was feeling, like Dagan was burning into his mind and reading all his secrets. The assailant smiled, and began to rub an already tender nipple.

"Stop! S-Stop…"

"Why? I know it feels good."

"P-Please."

"You're so close, I can smell it. I'm going to make you come and lick you clean. And then…how far will you let me go, little one?"

Zack tried to hold back a moan but couldn't. As much as he hated this, it did feel good, was sending shocks of warmth all through his quivering body. The pleasure robbed him of strength, holding him in place as much as the hands and piercing eyes. He was so hard and desperately did not want to come.

"Such a beautiful baby," Dagan cooed as he stroked the chest with one hand. "I know you're obedient for your fathers. Be good now for your grand-sire."

On top of his panic, Zack forced a layer of calm on himself. He felt blocked from Angeal and Genesis, and was almost grateful for it. He didn't want to signal his parents, fearing they'd get in trouble if they killed someone at a fancy party. And Gen, I don't want Gen to have to see this man.

"Don't worry about Genesis," Dagan said idly, smiling when Zack shrank further back. "Yes, I can see into your pretty head, child. You're my blood, after all. But ah, your own scent…I've never smelled sweeter. Perhaps I'll have a taste."

"No," the overwhelmed boy wept, angry at his tears.

"I didn't ask your permission, child," the elder vampire said in a terrible, affectionate voice. "Feels good, doesn't it?"

One long-fingered hand firmly held Zack's shaking wrists in front of him, the other stroking a hard nipple. It soon moved to the other nub, finding it just as erect. Zack whimpered as the hand began to descend, shook his head in terror as it cupped him through his leather pants, gently bounced the bulge as if testing its weight.

"Do you want my hand or my mouth, little one? Or are you ready to call for help?"

Don't come, don't come, don't you dare come, Zack Fair. Zack felt Dagan's mind covering him like a blanket. It felt impenetrable, but Zack began to push at it, by instinct alone gathering the force of his thoughts and brandishing his strength as he once did his sword. Dagan looked surprised, even paused his stroking.

"You are strong…quite unusually strong. Genesis looks for beauty, but Angeal would pick a strong one. And it's not just the immortal blood in you. You were exceptional even when your heart beat. You are worthy of my house."

Zack squeezed his eyes shut. It was exhausting him, holding back his orgasm and trying to break through the mental shield. He bit his lip as his head fell back, did not see but felt Dagan looking at him hungrily.

"I'll make you a deal, child. Let me see you come, and I'll let you call your papas."

Zack wanted to refuse, but knew he couldn't hold back any longer. As a cold hand stroked his crotch, Zack shrank back against the wall, trying to stay on his feet, and finally fell to his knees. Whether it was his own orgasm-induced strength or Dagan keeping his word, the pressure disappeared, and the boy felt Genesis and Angeal frantically feeling for him.

We're coming, Puppy.

They were storming into the room in seconds, and suddenly Angeal was standing protectively in front of him, and Genesis had the newborn wrapped in a soothing, perfumed embrace. Zack squeezed back, worried for Genesis who with relief sent a Don't worry about me, baby cub. Are you all right?

Zack barely had time to answer affirmatively before he heard Angeal speak aloud and winced at the black hate hardening the voice.

"How dare you touch my son."

"As the Council would no doubt remind you, Angeal, I have a right to see my grandchild. You need not worry, you must know I wouldn't harm my own blood. The boy was in no danger."

"You will stay away from him," Angeal hissed.

"Now, now, Angeal. Your anger will frighten the baby. With this new addition to our family, can't we all forget the past and be friendly?"

"Like hell," Genesis spat. Zack reached up and around to stroke his elder sire's hair. Genesis gave the boy a grateful smile and kissed his forehead. I'm fine, baby, don't worry.

Angeal continued to speak to Dagan, while trying to stand so that he blocked Zack from the vampire's sight. "I let you live to keep the peace of our world. I won't let you off if you lay another finger on Zack. He's ours and you have no claim to him."

"Now, you know that's not true, Angeal," Dagan purred in a paternal, condescending voice. "I have good standing among most of the community, including the Council. I could appeal for grand-sire rights."

Zack couldn't see Angeal's face, but through their connection caught a fleeting flash of tension in his younger sire, before Angeal blocked the boy from his anger and fear and sent a rush of protective love toward him. Genesis, without meaning to, tightened his arms around Zack. It would've hurt a human, this grip.

Gen? What does he mean?

Don't worry about that right now, baby cub.

"Now, Genesis," Dagan said in a fake-sweet tone, "why hide from the child the truth, that I have rights of visitation to him?"

Angeal spoke coldly while Genesis stood up and lifted Zack, holding him protectively. "If you dare to try, the Council will hear of how you cornered and touched a minor without his parents' permission."

Dagan smiled, no trace of fake gentleness in it now. "Many of them didn't believe you before. Why would they now? You wouldn't force the boy to testify, not about something so embarrassing. You'd only be appearing to keep a newborn of a grand house away from his own blood, his own history."

"Some of the Council believed us about you."

"Enough to emancipate you and your brother, yes. Would it be enough to disregard the grand-sire laws that have been in place for centuries? How sure are you, Angeal?"

Gen? I really want to go home.

Angeal heard the plaintive mental voice. "We're going, baby Puppy. And you, find someone else to torment. If you come after my family again, Council be damned, I will end you."

Dagan bowed and elaborately gestured that he would let them pass. But as the sires hustled the newborn out of the room, the elder vampire called, "I hope to see you again, Zack."

agzagzagz

Many of the party guests were concerned to see Angeal's dark frown and Zack's face buried in Genesis's shirt. "He just got a bit overwhelmed," Genesis assured them, always a good actor. "A bit too much excitement for a first event." They left with many invitations to visit the friendly vampires who had been kind to them, and Zack did not reveal his face until they were home, and a worried Angeal and Genesis gently pried him off the silk shirt to look into his eyes.

They were reddened, but Zack had stopped crying, and gave them a brave smile. "I'm okay, really."

"Baby cub…what exactly did he do to you?" How far did he get, was the question behind the words.

Too embarrassed to say, Zack chose the lesser evil of calling up the memory and gently tossing it to his elder sire, a skill which would have surprised the sires in a newborn of his age had they not been focused on other things right now. Genesis examined the memory, his mouth a hard, straight line, and passed it on to Angeal, who was trying to keep his expression neutral for Zack's sake. He still scowled at the sight of what Zack showed them, but with great effort forced a smile for the boy, and with much greater ease enveloped him in a tight hug.

"Are you all right?"

"Uh-huh."

"What do you need right now?"

"I feel dirty," Zack whispered.

"You aren't," Angeal said softly, stroking his hair, "but I think a nice bath would help you sleep."

It wasn't quite dawn yet, and Zack normally would've protested being made to go to bed early, even though newborns needed far more sleep than older vampires, but this time he just nodded. Genesis drew the bath, filled with bubbles, of course, and the sires sipped blood from bottles and tried to make light conversation with Zack as he scrubbed himself. Not too hard, though he wanted to, but mindfully washing all traces of the evening from his skin. By the time he was dried and put in pajamas, the boy felt that Dagan's touch was gone from him.

Knowing he was being monitored, Zack tried not to think of the frightening man as he was led to bed, and Genesis didn't bother to hide his need to feed Zack, all but tearing his shirt off to bare his chest. Zack stretched out, latched onto a nipple and felt a great relief and love pour through him as the blood went down his throat.

Guys? Where does the blood…like…go, if I don't go to the bathroom anymore?

Angeal laughed, relieved to have the mood lightened by Zack just being Zack. It replenishes your own blood and bodily tissues. At least that's what we think.

No one's ever done a scientific study or anything? Aren't there any vampire scientists?

There's one I know of, Malfidus, Genesis thought, calm and placated now that he had Zack feeding from him. I've never met him, though, few have. According to rumor, he was transformed by a vampire who was in awe of his intelligence and thought it would benefit the world that he never die. Supposedly, he hides himself away in a laboratory somewhere, tirelessly working for the benefit of our kind and humans as well.

That's awesome. I'm gonna try to find him.

Genesis and Angeal shared a relieved smile. There was their adventurous, unstoppable Zack.

Well, Puppy, you have a long time to try.

Can you teach me to fly early? So I can go looking?

Angeal shook his head. Sorry, Puppy, but I don't really want you going off anywhere without at least one of us.

They expected some playful argument, but Zack only mentally yawned and said, Mmkay. Then you guys will just have to help me look.

We can do that, cub, Genesis said as he passed the boy to Angeal.

Zack settled against the familiar hard softness of Angeal's chest and tiredly sank his teeth into the offered vein. Being fed by each of his sires had its own kind of comfort. With Genesis, it was almost like being a baby again, getting to be dependent, everything he wanted (namely, blood) being freely given to him. With Angeal, he felt no less adored, but a little more his own age, having to draw the blood out himself, but getting to feel his old mentor soothingly stroking his hair and back. If asked which he preferred, Zack would not have an answer. He knew he would never need one.

Zack came suddenly, and as he'd only done so once during his bath, it was expected by Angeal, who hummed with approval and massaged Zack as he came down, and by Genesis, who quickly got a new pair of pajama bottoms for the boy. Filled with warm blood and clean (once Genesis had quickly changed him), Zack didn't protest as he was settled down onto his bed and covered with a blanket, which he liked although he didn't get cold anymore. Genesis and Angeal stretched out on either side of him, letting their comforting presence and stroking hands soothe their baby off into sleep.

Once Zack was fully out, his dreams full of flying and chasing down mad scientists, Genesis flickered his eyes up to Angeal. 'Gealy?

I know. We need to talk.

agzagzagz

Dagan's appearance necessitated a long conversation between Angeal and Genesis that day, leaving them only a few hours after it was over for sleep. Genesis first had to assure Angeal that he was okay to talk about the man; Angeal had always been protective of his lover where Dagan was concerned. They recalled the Council Dagan had spoken so confidently of, remembered that only half of the wise old vampires had believed them about Dagan's abuse. It had been enough to get them permission to leave Dagan's custody once they were strong enough to live on their own, but would it be enough to stop Dagan if he did pursue Zack legally? Angeal and Genesis were not strong enough on their own to go against the Council, not without risking Zack being taken from them by force, and they knew it.

They saw as us agitators against an old house and a respected vampire, 'Gealy. They might see us that way again.

So, we need to be prepared. And we have to prepare Zack as well.

'Gealy, he's a newborn.

But strong, Gen, he was stronger as a mortal than most people, and you've seen how powerful he's turning out to be. When he's full-grown, he'll probably be the strongest vampire alive.

Somewhat sullenly, Genesis countered with, He's not full-grown NOW.

But in danger and he knows it, Gen. He'll feel better if we equip him as best we can for the possibility that Dagan might get him alone.

Genesis sighed and rested his chin in his hand. I'm not going to like this, am I?

Believe me, babe, I'm not either.

To be continued.