A/N: Disclaimer: I own nothing
When he first laid eyes one her the first things he felt was a mixture of pity and fury. Pity because such a strong creature looked so broken and fury because someone would treat such a beautiful creature like an object. He knew if she wanted to, she'd be able to tear through all of them without a second thought. But whatever they did to this girl had broken her spirit so much all she could do was look at his feet.
The woman before him was beaten into a mere child, scared of her own shadow and terrified of a man like him. Him and his men had found the place of a slave market in his territory. Sure he was a killer himself but he would not sell another person's life away for his own profit when he could obtain it from other places.
They had gotten in easily enough. The slave traders didn't have a guest list, it was open door. The only thing he had to do was wear a nice suit and with a beautiful creature on his arm, was let in without too many questions.
From the outside it would take a critical eye to know what was going on inside. It was a large mansion, rather beautiful, but that was what they wanted you to think. Once he had passed the doors he had to fight the urge to wrinkle his nose. The place smelled of blood, feces, and mold. They had hollowed out the building so it resembled an arena.
Many people, human and creature alike, sat in the rows of seats, conversing with each other and those around him. What made it easier for him to not be recognized was the one rule of the slave trade; you always wore a mask while in the trading arena.
He kept an arm around his friend's waist, keeping them away from wandering hands and eyes. They may look the part but it didn't stop those lower than them in trying to, as humans say, 'cop a feel.'
They found seats relatively close to the center stage and sat to wait.
The dimming of light told them that it was about to begin. They were looking for a single person that they were finally able to track down to this slave train; Lovino. They've been looking for him for close to four years, frustrated that humans were able to elude them for so long. But humans weren't perfect creatures and when they made a mistake they tracked them down to this place.
Each of them had either been in the slave trade themselves or had a run in with them before, either way they knew how these trades worked. They started with the humans, selling them relatively quickly as people could use humans for smaller purposes. The creatures then got shown in order of how rare they were, vampires were considered a rarer creature because of how hard it was to fully capture one while werewolves on the other hand could be more predictable because most treated them like the animal they were.
Lovino was one of the last werewolves shown because of his temper and beauty. He had to hold his brother back from going after him the moment he saw him. They wore masks that they were sure Lovino would recognize. He wore a pure white, porcelain mask that held no facial features, a spell was cast so his senses weren't dulled. To his right Feliciano wore a mask made of pearls and white gold. The pearls lined his eyes and the edges, the top curling into a crown while the bottom furled out to cover his lower features.
He was there to help Feliciano buy his brother back. They couldn't take the chance of waiting for someone else to get him and then disappear again, they had to play by the rules this time.
The bidding for Lovino went on for an hour. They had to outbid the lower contenders then he had to nearly fight a man for his friend's brother. It took 100,000 coins and a blank mask glare for the man to back down.
Feliciano was gone from his side as Lovino was appointed to them. They had decided Feliciano would get Lovino out as soon as possible while he stayed behind to not raise suspicion of the other traders.
He watched with clenched fists as vampires, shape shifters, and elves were sold. Their gazes becoming dimmer as they realized what was going to become of their lives. He could do nothing but sit and helplessly watch, he didn't bring any of his men with him; this place was too big even for his group to raid, too risky.
He and many others were about to leave when the head trader brought out his last prize. It was a woman who couldn't have been older than late twenties. She had golden blonde hair that fell around her and kept most of her dignity. Her head kept bowed, showing off her most bizarre features.
Two blonde dog ears were pressed flat against her head in obedience. Around her throat he could see the thick leather of a collar and it he looked close enough, a blonde tail the resembled a cat's was wrapped tightly around her waist. Overall these features made her even more alluring, and fueled his rage over her treatment.
The head slave trader placed a heavy hand on the woman's head. She flinched at the unexpected contact and he slapped her in response to her reaction. She fell to her knees, her hair covering her pale body even more but couldn't hide the shivers that wracked her body.
The wood of the armrest cracked under his hands as he listened to the slave trader speak, "For our last specimen, it is a true beauty. Age of twenty eight, height of five feet and six inches, and having a weight of one hundred and eighteen pounds. This ladies and gentlemen is none other than one of the most rarest and heavenly creatures in the world!"
He looked down at this women. She was probably either the last of her kind. They weren't considered shape shifters, nor were-creatures because they lived in harmony with the animal that resided in their minds. The animal was their guardian, taking over in dire times and could only be held back by the strongest of magics. They were referred to as angels because of their contact with the Gods, but were killed off as the animosity between humans and Gods grew. Now even a creature such as himself was lucky to see one in his lifetime.
Before him, so broken and without life, was the mystical Rymilio.
He watched Gilbert move around the kitchen with ease. The vampire was chopping fruits and cooking the crepes, the smell of them made him unconsciously relax. Even though his body was relaxed his mind was racing faster than ever.
This was a vampire who knew he was part of the Association but he hadn't killed him, he didn't even threaten him. Instead he wanted him to help him find someone, or rather two people.
He looked at the albino again, really looked. The man was moving a bit too quickly, as if he was used to not being around humans much, or in situations that humans wouldn't pay attention to such specific details. He walked almost silently yet his feet moved with confidence. It still amazed him when a someone as large as Gilbert could move as if he weighed nothing. His hands were what his gaze landed on next. He had slim fingers that placed the fruits into the crepes and cleaned the knife with an odd elegance. He had to remind himself that those hands could have kill people, humans, other creatures with nothing but the flesh on those bones. He didn't know whether to feel wary or relieved that those fingers weren't curled at him. He lifted his gaze to Gilbert's face and froze as he met rust colored eyes. He stared for a minute before he heard himself speak, "...Who's Madeline?" He had only barely heard the vampire mumble the name and well, he wanted to know.
Gilbert's shoulders visibly stiffened and his eyes flashed the color of blood. Fresh blood. He blinked in surprise and leaned back slightly. He tried not to show his nervousness, once again remembering he was in a vampire's den. To distract himself he looked on the island, seeing the bottle of maple syrup he hastily grabbed it and poured a puddle beside his crepe. How the vampire knew he loved the stuff was beyond him.
He had eaten almost half of his crepe when Gilbert sighed and placed a crepe on his own plate, "...She is one of the people I am looking for...Although I do not think she goes by that name now."
He took another bite out of the crepe shifting in the now tense air, "Um...who's this other person you want us to find? The creature?"
Gilbert looked up with a sort of relieved look. So this Madeline was a former lover maybe? Or possibly someone who got one over on him. He stiffened as Gilbert reached into his pocket but tried to relax when he only got out a smart phone. He raised an eyebrow as those pale fingers flew over the screen, it was a minute before he slid it over to him.
"His name is Ivan Braginsky. He is a slimy bastard that has been hiding for awhile. I have not seen him for almost a century. My brother was able to find this from the USSR files. He stands about six feet and three inches and he is always wearing a scarf. I think someone close to him a long time ago made it for him and he has not taken it off sense. Anyway, he is a demon that can easily walk among humans." He looked down and stared at the file on the phone. There was a poorly colored photo of a large man. Like Gilbert said he wore a pale scarf loosely around his neck. Pale blonde, almost white hair fell around his possibly purple eyes and the most prominent feature was his larger than normal nose.
He looked back up at Gilbert with a questioning brow. The albino sighed, "I need to find him because he works with a higher level demon. He is someone who takes orders straight from Hades, Satan, the Devil, whatever humans call him now. He...he is someone I need to kill."
He studied Gilbert closely, the stiff shoulders and the eyes that wouldn't meet his. Whoever the demon was he played a very important part in this vampire's plans. He slid the phone back with a frown, "Why haven't I heard about you?" At Gilbert's furrowed brow he waved his hand, "You seem a lot older from the way you talk, you know of the old Gods, and you know how we work. So why wouldn't the Association tell us about you or those that follow you?"
Gilbert picked up his phone and smirked, "They don't tell you for a reason." He got up and grabbed both of the plates before dumping them in the sink. The albino's shoulders had relaxed again, "I guess you could say I embarrassed them and it took them half a century to gain the respect that they lost."
He gave Gilbert a curious look but didn't push it as the vampire didn't pursue it. He stood, "I'll get in contact with our informant, Francis. I'll have to set up an appointment for you so he can meet with you in person and get more information." At Gilbert's nod he continued, "It might be sometime next week if that's alright with you?"
Gilbert turned and nodded with a slight smile, "Yes, I do not have much to do these days besides Feliciano's dance class." He thought for a minute before he began to lead him out of the kitchen, "Do you think I could talk with him after Feliciano's class next week?"
He once again stared at the paintings on the walls as he followed the albino, "Yes...but you might have a problem with Al...He's the werewolf you were messing with the other day,"
He looked up to see Gilbert's satisfied smirk, "That is the wolf's name? Interesting. I think I should be able to handle...Al." The albino stopped in the main room and he turned to him, "Will I have to watch out for anything while talking to this Francis?"
He chuckled, "No, well, I'll just say he's in his position for a reason." He glanced to the elevator, "Is there some specific way to get out?"
Gilbert shook his head, "No, it will just take a minute as most elevators do." He pressed the button on the wall, "So I shall see you next week then?"
He stared at the vampire, no matter how much time he spent with the man he could never accept that he was talking to someone centuries old. He would forget that important fact, but when Gilbert talked like that it was like a slap in the face. He spoke before he even thought about it, he'd been doing that a lot lately, "How old are you?"
Gilbert blinked at him, seemingly surprised by the question. He then, surprisingly, smiled, it looked rather nice on him, "A lot of people have asked me that same question, but I never seem to give the same answer." His eyes looked behind him as the elevator dinged, "Until next time Mattheu."
He stepped into the elevator and turned as the doors were closing, "Until then Gilbert."
He opened the door to his shared flat with a sigh, it had been a long but interesting day to say the least. He hadn't taken ten steps into the sitting room when he heard the growling voice of Alfred, "Where the hell have you been?!"
He stopped short and stared at the livid blonde in front of him with a raised eyebrow. Al's eyes were blazing, a hint of amber in the blue depths and his nostrils were flared as he undoubtedly caught the scent of vampire wafting off his clothes. He continued into the kitchen, brushing past Al and causing him to growl again, "None of your business. It's nothing you'd care about Al...And the last time I checked I was an adult who could do whatever I wanted."
Alfred stormed after him, roughly grabbing his arm, "I think it's my business when one of friends is hanging out with a blood sucker! He could have killed you Mattie!"
He opened the fridge and after a moment grabbed a Caribou, he didn't have one often but with Alfred here he felt he was going to need it. He popped open the top and walked back to the sitting room with a sigh, "Nothing happened Al...you're overreacting."
Alfred scoffed, "Overreacting?! A vampire suddenly shows up in town and suddenly you're all buddy-buddy with him?! You know they can use mind tricks right? That's how they make sure their prey won't fight back while they're attached to their neck like a leech!"
He couldn't stop the glare he sent at the werewolf, "You have never met a vampire so how would you know? If Gilbert was rouge then we would know, bodies would be piling up on the streets."
Alfred stomped forward, leaning over him and a clawed hand smashed the couch on the side of his head, "Yes I've met a vampire. There was one the day-" No. Alfred's eyes faded back to their blue and he slowly backed up, "Um...it was when…"
He stood, "When did you see one Al?" The blonde winced and he frowned, so it was true then, "Why didn't you tell me? Why hasn't anyone told me?"
Alfred didn't meet his eyes, "Because I didn't want you to end up like all the other Hunters...I didn't want you to hate me." He looked back at him with pity in his eyes. He didn't want his damn pity, "I wanted to be your friend."
He scowled at the werewolf, "It doesn't matter. I think I'd want to know what killed my parents you bastard!"
"What's going on mon amie?" Francis. He turned as the Frenchman walked into the room. A frown on his face, "I heard yelling when I walked in…"
He turned from his friend and glared at Alfred, "Ask him as you walk him out." He brushed past the werewolf, "Gilbert wants to talk with you next week after Feliciano's class. I said you'd help him."
"Mattie!" He stopped at the bottom of the stairs but didn't turn, he couldn't. Alfred was pleading, "Let me explain."
He made sure his voice wasn't to thick but didn't try to hide his emotions, "There's nothing to explain. You betrayed my trust the moment you decided to hide something like that!" He scowled and walked up the stairs, "Get out."
He ignored Alfred's voice, mentally thanking Francis as he heard his voice reprimanding the werewolf. He slammed the door to his room, locking it tight. That was when he let the tears fall as he slid down the door.
He had actually been living with Francis ever since he was thirteen, the man being a good ten years older than him so he was able to take him in. His parents were killed in the middle of the night, he had to steal documents from the doctor's office to know what had happened to them. They were literally torn apart and drained, he thought it was just some psycho but when he was with Francis he learned it was a vampire in the midst of a blood lust. That's when he started to train as a Hunter, or was told the information that others were taught by 'professors.'
Francis didn't tell him the actual details of that night until he turned eighteen. He didn't remember much, only waking to the sound of screaming, blood...so much blood, then blackness. Francis told him he was saved by someone that night but they didn't know who, a creature from what they found of the vampire's body, they never found out who saved him, until now. He never would have thought that the first friend he made would have been the person who saved him from dying that night. Now that he knew though...he wished he had never done it. It had been twelve years since his parents had died, he never knew the motive or why they were targeted, and like the child he was he blamed himself.
When he thought about it, he couldn't help but blame Alfred. Why hadn't he come earlier? Why did he only save him and leave his parents to die? A fury welled up in him and he didn't fight it, he welcomed it. It was better than not feeling anything and forgiving the blonde.
He wiped his tears and took a deep breath. No, he wasn't going to forgive Alfred, because of his stupid, selfish decisions his parents were dead. He punched the wall next to him in frustration, he knew who saved him that day but he couldn't anything about it! The day had happened, he was left alone. He was trained to be a killer and he had killed people, he couldn't take that back.
He leaned against the wall, his life could have been entirely different if Alfred hadn't been such an idiot. There were so many ifs that he didn't stop the tears when they started up again.
He ignored Francis as he knocked on the door, he just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his self pity, if only for a few more hours. He fell asleep against the wall so he didn't feel the door opening behind him, the hands the picked him up and tucked him in. He didn't feel his weapons being taken off of him, his hair being moved from his face, nor the kiss on his forehead.
Francis looked down at the man he had practically raised and saw as a son. Mattheu was such a kind, caring and loving person even if he was in this line of work. He sighed softly and stopped at the door before he left, looking at Mattheu one last time, "I'm so sorry my friend...I wish things had turned out differently…" He closed the door and walked away. He couldn't count the amount of times he regretted introducing the man to the dark side of the world, but he was so lost...He needed a purpose. Now that he knew the truth, he felt that purpose was gone. As he walked into his room he just hoped his Canadian wouldn't kill Alfred in anger, he knew he'd never forgive himself.
A/N: Merry Christmas! I decided to update early because of the holidays! You're welcome! I'm kidding I hope you liked it! But le gasp! Has the protagonist been introduced? Who knows!
Thank you for the follows and reviews! It's what keeps me going because I know you like it! Thank you very much!
Until next time my lovelies!
NatureLuvMaple