Note: Wow, it's been awhile huh? Between work, high school, and getting ready for graduation and college I've been busy. I do apologize.

Chapter 8/?

Kings and Aces

The War: Part I

"Yes," Camus agreed, "Your help would be most appreciated."

The words chimed in Dominic's head over and over again like a mantra a Buddhist monk might chant. Something was off. The tone of Camus' voice, the sneer his lips made when he took in Nicky's declaration. I want to help you. And for in some ways Dominic did want to help his lover that he wasn't in love in with. His friend that he felt no emotions for.

Lord Camus is a psycho freak.

That's what the paper had said; his note to his self. Dominic wasn't stupid- he didn't trust Camus as far as he could throw him. But he didn't not trust the lord either. It was confusing, and what made it even more obnoxious was the pressure he felt in head every time 'Salem Black' broke into his thoughts. Every time the Voice broke into his thoughts.

"I'm coming for you son. Remember me."

Had those been the words? Yes, he was sure. Those were the words the Voice spoke to him. His father spoke to him. But his father couldn't possibly be alive. He was what? How old? He didn't remember but he knew he had been around for centuries. He was a vampire; like Camus. Camus who had told him that together they were take the 'throne'. Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean.

Sometimes Dominic wanted to give up and give into the Lord, to Camus, to Isaac. He was tired and drained and more confused than ever. No, his father couldn't be alive. His father was dead, and so was his sister and his mother. An orphanage. Russia.

Alluvia. Just a baby. He did everything he could be she was just so sick. So sick and crying all the time.

Italy. What about Italy? London? Oh how he loved London.

That had been her home- Zada. Zada was beautiful. A school teacher. She was his age- thirty-two. Only she didn't see him as thirty-two. She saw him as a student. A student at a school he had vehemently refused to go to…until her. Until he saw her. And she loved him. He remembered the day she said so, out loud, in a shameful voice.

"I do love you Nicky," she whispered in the living room, the green curtains moving slightly in the wind.

It was the best moment- the absolute most wonderful moment of his life. She loved him!

"But I can't…we just can't."

But why? Dominic thought, lying on the cool bed in his room and prison cell. Isaac had left him after a night of 'romance' as Camus called it. Nicky didn't find it romantic. It was off, cold, haunting. Why? Why couldn't they? And then he knew- he remembered.

"Nice curtains," Mr. X gestured playfully, touching the thick, green, curtains amusedly. "Didn't know people still used this kind of decor in the twenty-first century."

But he'd always keep the curtains, her curtains. It was his fault he couldn't be with her. It Xavier's fault that he could never be with anyone. He could never be in love. He was twelve; forever. It didn't matter how long he lived, he would never get married and never have children. This is what he would be forever.

A child. But not an orphan. He had a father. He would always have a father.

Pain swelled behind his eyes in torrents as his bedroom door swung open to reveal a sad looking Camus.

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this My Love. I really was."

--

Mr. X dropped to his knees sobbing like he never had before. Not ever. Not even when his wife has screamed and his daughter…

No, not even then. Nothing hurt as much as this; as hearing his son scream in agony at the horrible torture that beast was doing to him. He had been so happy, feeling the connection between his son again- feeling the love he used to feel when the child was young. And then…and then the monster had felt it too. Felt the bond that wasn't so easily broken.

"Sir?" Rhiland called, knocking on his office door. "Sir we're ready." Mr. X stood up abruptly and wiped at his tears angrily. He swung open the office door and stared amazed at the sea of beings that made up the land outside the building.

"How?" Xavier gaped. How had they gone from 42 to… hundreds? Rhiland winked knowingly and smiled proudly at the men. Rhiland had been Mr. X's very best friend, besides his son, for a long time.

"I remembered a certain Sire that you used to hang around," Rhiland answered. Mr. X frowned for a moment, thinking about this sire his friend was talking about. It was his sire. The one he had not talked to for many years after a harsh argument. However when the elder vampire stepped forward from the crowd and took his hand in his he couldn't stop the smile.

"From one master to another," The vampire, Levi Lex, said seriously, "I know what it's like to lose a son."

--

"Lord!" Rang down the stairs from the vampires of Camus' army, alarm evident in their voices. Isaac took his gaze away from the broken child on the floor and watched as the beings swung open the door.

"What the bloody hell is the meaning of this?" The lord bellowed, not happy with being interrupted. The lead vampire, Juss, stare distractively from the blond mass on the floor, to his angry leader.

"He's here! They've arrived!" Juss announced finally. Camus' eyes narrowed with hate.

"What are you standing here for? Go! Attack!" The lord screamed, sending the men off running. After they had departed the room, Isaac gathered up the writhing boy and placed him gingerly on the cot in the corner. Dominic opened his eyes and tried vainly to speak, but Camus placed a single finger over his lips.

"Sh, don't speak. I'm sorry I have to do this to you Love, but unfortunately you can not be trusted now," Isaac muttered gently as he placed the younger vampire's hands and feet into the metal restraints.

"I love you. Always remember that. I'm doing this for you," Camus whispered, brushing a kiss against the boy's forehead. The child hissed softly under his touch. Camus stood up abruptly, flipped the lights out, and left the room, locking the door behind him.

--

"Father," Dominic whispered into the dead silence. "Is that you?"