Author's Note: Let's see, the mild slash scene at the bottom is dedicated to my dear Beta who agrees with me that all the angst between Silas and Severus was just unresolved sexual tension. Also, Severus' words before the end of the chapter are a nod to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein which is a wonderfully brutal book everyone should read.

Chapter Thirty: Hell's Fire

"My Prince."

Severus turned, and stared into the darkness. It took him a moment to recognize the voice. He turned back, to where Jean Andre had disappeared into the shadows a moment before and upon seeing his shadow had disappeared safety, he answered. "What can I do for you, Lucius?"

Lucius walked towards him, and fell to his knees. "My Prince, forgive me…"

"For what, Luci?" He asked, lightly. Although his mind was at Akel Dama, Lucius' behavior was disturbing. He extended his hand to Lucius, to help him up. "What's the matter?"

"My lord…you've been betrayed." The Malfoy licked his lips. "By my brother Silas."

Time paused, reality hazed and Severus felt his heart stop beating in his chest. The Auror reacted first. "You're lying." He hissed, turning away and moving to the doors.

"My Prince, why would I speak against my brother?"

"To get his wife perhaps?" Snape countered, although his heart was beginning to harden from the years and hatred that had made him Prince. "To claim the Elysian Fields as your own. With Gideon gone, and Silas dead; you would be the only great dragon…"

"It's true, I betray my brother by coming to you in hopes of saving Narcissa's life." Lucius said, raising his voice to be heard. "Silas is at Akel Dama right now! He gave the information to St. Michael, about where the Death Eaters would be, and made sure the Aurors would attack. That's what your…spy" He made a motion to where Andre had disappeared to, "was trying to warn you about. He's going to meet with a contact from the Order of the Phoenix at dawn to confirm the success. He'll meet her outside of Knock Turn Alley."

Snape could feel dread and anger rising inside of him. "How do you know this?"

"Silas told me…"

"And you are telling me because…"

"Because he's mad, my Prince. He's going to kill Melanie, and try to kill you…and I know he'll fail. I just want Narcissa to be alright." Lucius bowed his head. "Do what you will to my brother, and nephew…but leave her."

"If what you say is true…" Snape began, his head was beginning to swim and his stomach was beginning to twist uncomfortably. "Take Narcissa, and go. I don't care where, but go…"

"Where are you going, milord?"

"Home."

Day of the Dead was the hottest club in the posh, urbane neighborhood. Brightly painted, and emblazed with gaudy trinkets- it both lured and repulsed its visitors. The skeletons that littered the walls were like the Death Masks, and made visitors peer into their endless depths in an attempt to see pass the abyss only to find the abyss staring into them. The artifacts were famous and unique in every right. An Iron Maiden stood guard over entrance, with a mock guillotine beside it. The hall that led towards the main dance floor and bar was covered with photos and objects that had been designed to ward away or kill witches and other bad spirits.

And right now, the chimes were jingling softly as the Dark Prince drew his hands them, giving his beloved time to run and hide.

But Silas would not hide, he knew that, and part of him relished in that idea. The Prince stepped into the main dance hall, staring at himself in the mirror and smiling under his mask.

"You know what I've come for…" The Prince whispered.

Silas' voice echoed from somewhere in the room. "You come for what I've craved for years…"

"Was it worth it?" Snape demanded. "Was it worth raping my wife to get your revenge! Was it worth dying for?"

"Surely you, an Auror, would know of dying for a cause…"

Snape pulled his wand, looking around, waiting for a movement that would betray Silas' position and give him a place to shoot at. Severus turned, watching the darkness and knowing the darkness was staring at him. "I trusted you, Silas…I trusted you and you betrayed me!"

"Haven't you learned by now, Severus! After all this time, haven't you learned! We are all traitors! Wars that are fought by heroes and villains died with your father, bleeding slowly to death while Hecate watched! Villains and monsters are nothing but men, like Voldemort- normal men with dirty blood and a thirst for death! They are no more great causes, no more crusades! There's nothing left to die for! Information and ideology are all that matter now! Power is perceived by what people will see and believe! Look at your Kingdom, Prince, you're nothing but a nightmare and all your fears are as fake and fleeting as your are! Trust, loyalty…they're nothing but dreams, Severus. Dreams that men like you hold on to long after they've turned to dust…you come here and talk of betrayal, look around you…I betrayed nothing. I am what I always was…"

Severus swung around, and watched Silas come into the light, towards him. On the Malfoy's lips was a small, contained smile that made the world- and Severus- fall in love with him. He walked towards him and leaned forward, kissing the mask gingerly. For a moment, the Prince faltered, and wrapped his arms around Silas, clinging on to dear life.

"And you beloved, are my creation…" Silas whispered, nuzzling Severus' neck. "You're just like me."

Severus pulled away just long enough to remove his mask, to look into Silas' eyes once more. Leaning forward, he kissed Silas softly and tenderly. "Did I ask to be created?" He whispered, as he stepped slowly away. "Did I ask to become Prince? You are right, beloved…you did create me but did you ever think for a moment the consequences of your creation?"

With that, the Dark Prince stepped aside, revealing the prone figure of an 11-year-old boy: Pyxis Malfoy, Silas' son.

If Silas fell to his knees in shock or grief, Severus would never know. If Silas cried out in terror or sorrow, it would not matter. Severus simply turned and walked out of the club, sealing the windows and doors with a hex, although he knew somewhere inside that Silas wouldn't have tried to escape knowing his son no longer walked the earth.

One curse set the club ablaze and it sparkled like hell fire.

Severus was certain he had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.