Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 7

Nyx settled himself in the chair, unable to fully relax. He was in a room with the King, his Shield and the Marshal…a group that could kill him. all he had was the King's promise of safety, but did that mean much when technically it was illegal for him to even be in the city? A lot of lives depended on him leaving this meeting alive and free and if anything did happen Libertus would never let him live it down. It would take precious minutes for his wolves to reach him should he give the distress signal and none of them had liked that but would not give their identities away unless there was no other choice.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

You didn't need enhanced senses to realise Ulric was on edge and he couldn't blame him. The three of them would be a serious threat to a single wolf after all. He set his walking stick aside and leant his elbows on the table. "This is not a trap," he swore, hoping Ulric's senses were good enough in human form to pick up the lack of a lie in his scent.

"Why have you sought us out?" The younger man asked seriously.

"Insomnia was founded as a human city, a refuge for those who could not stand up to the other inhabitants of Eos, but times have changed while we have not," Regis began. He did not disagree with what the Mystic had done, at the time humans had been badly treated, hunted by the other races for food and slaves. But Lucis was no longer so dangerous, the other species policing themselves, living mostly in harmony. Niflheim was different but it was not right to blame all for the actions of those in power there. His Father had been too focused on the war, letting propaganda and lies flourish among the people to ensure they kept up the fight. "Much as changed since then and yet we have not."

"You think change is needed?"

"Those who do not change eventually die," Regis answered. "I cannot order people to change their beliefs or prejudices, but I can change the laws."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Nyx managed to not let his jaw drop in shock, was he…. "Which laws?"

"The ones making it illegal for you and yours to be here," was the answer.

"You want Insomnia to become a legally mixed city?"

"Yes?"

"Is this because of the Prince?" he asked and wished he hadn't as all three men tensed.

"What do you know?" the Shield demanded.

"I know that a massive search was launched several weeks ago. That he has not been seen since. I know the Galahdians in the Glaive worked out who they were looking for quickly and that we helped in the search but found nothing."

"Then I must thank you for your efforts," Regis sounded exhausted and Nyx felt a pang of sympathy for the man. He may be a King, but he was also a father and his son was missing.

He could tell the King was hesitating over something, something to do with the Prince? What had happened to the boy? Nyx had seen footage of him over the years, he always seemed awkward, nervous even, but he had heard the talk. The Prince worked at soup kitchens in the refugee sectors, without the press following him, he'd attended public schools and had lived in the city, that he knew to be true since he'd seen the building when trying to track him. He was the people's Prince, even if the wealthy of Insomnia did not see it.

"Regis," the Shield stiffened, obviously seeing something in the King's expression.

"If I cannot be honest with a fellow King, then these efforts will fail," Regis chided his Shield and Nyx straightened slightly.

He had not thought Regis would realise who he truly was. The differences in his tattoos were very subtle, then again Regis had been to Galahd.

"What?" Lord Amicitia asked and Nyx would swear he heard the Marshal snicker.

"Galahd is a monarchy as well," Leonis commented. "Though its Kings have never worn a crown."

"Why did you not speak for your people upon arrival?"

"I was there, with the group who came you. It was decided I would remain hidden since King or no, I am still a wolf. I did not want my status affecting the others."

,,,,,,,,,,,

Regis nodded at Ulric's explanation; would he have done any differently to protect his people? Should insomnia fall and he survive it, he would do whatever he had to, to ensure their safety. "An agent of Niflheim infiltrated the city and took my son as well as his retainers," he said, deciding to trust the younger man. As he watched, Ulric paled slightly in reaction.

,,,,,,,,,,,,

"An agent, you mean a vampire. Your Majesty… I…I am so sorry," Nyx stammered, horrified. He did not want to imagine what had happened to the three young men. The best to be hoped for was death, but they would be too useful to the Empire, alive or undead. All they had to do was turn them and they would know everything the boys did. Prince Noctis' Adviser was known for his intelligence, memory and the fact he attended the highest meetings for the Prince. How much could they learn from him alone? His hands clenched into fists beneath the table, old, painful memories stirring, Selena screaming as fangs sank into her throat and then three days later, seeing her again as she went for Crowe. He'd had no choice…it had been her body, but it had not been his sister. He held onto his control, forcing back the anger at the memories fast enough that he knew his eyes hadn't flashed. If the King wanted to talk of change then his losing an iota of control could jeopardise that.

"Thank you Your Majesty," Regis nodded, and it felt weird to be called that, not even his own people did, they hadn't since Niflheim invaded in an effort to keep him and his family safe.

"Do you know if they have taken them to Niflheim? If they are still within Lucis my people can track them," he offered.

"I thank you for the offer but for now we are not tracking them. Noctis called me and I have spoken with the agent as well. Cor has met with them in person," Regis told him, and Nyx looked to the Marshal before standing slowly.

"You met with them?" He kept the alarm from his voice as Cor nodded. Was he crazy? People may call him the Immortal but nothing about his scent said anything but human. "May I come closer?" he asked, keeping his body relaxed.

"Why?" the Marshal asked, watching him but not alarmed.

"To check your scent," Nyx answered. "Vampiric tricks and powers leave a trace in the victims scent. Even if you believe nothing happened it is very possible your memories were altered. I won't touch you."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cor studied the man standing at the table. He remembered seeing him when the refugees had come to the King. He had been dressed in tattered, ragged clothing then, braids a mess and skinny. Now he was fit and dressed in traditional clothing, elaborate braids in his hair. If he was a man easily intimidated he would find Ulric daunting. He recognised a fellow warrior. Even knowing what he was, he felt no threat from him, blue eyes were calm, and he showed no sign of the wolf being close. "Very well," he agreed, remaining still as Ulric approached.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He took several deep breaths, filtering out the other scents in the room easily, focus fully on the man before him and he was shocked by what he found. Did anyone know? Did Leonis himself know? No…if anyone knew he would not be Marshal of the Crownsguard should anyone suspect his heritage. He would say nothing here; he would need to speak with the man in private somehow. He ignored that for now, looking for the subtle markers. "Nothing," he finally announced, stepping back to his seat. It didn't make sense to him at all. They had the Prince and his retainers, why not get the Marshal under control as well?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cor leant back against the wall, not showing how relieved he was to hear that. It hadn't even crossed his mind and he was kicking himself over it. Things had turned out well, but he could have come back an unknowing spy or worse. "The agent was an unwilling participant in events," he told the younger of the two Kings in the room.

Blue eyes focused on him again, sharpening, considering. "Have they been turned?"

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Regis hesitated but it seemed Ulric knew more of vampires than they did, and they needed that knowledge. "Noctis…my son is a vampire now," he admitted softly, and Ulric focused back on him, he could see the sympathy in his eyes. "He called to say he was sorry that he messed up and they are currently in hiding somewhere in Lucis."

Cor passed the camera over and Nyx looked at the photos, taking in how the Prince had changed with his turning.

"His eyes are still blue."

"What do you mean?" Regis asked, confused.

"In a lot of new vampires, their eyes change colour."

"His eye briefly went black. I tested him and his…Sire?" he glanced at Nyx who nodded at the terminology. "I cut my hand and Noctis' eyes changed colour; his fangs appeared too."

"You…." The way Nyx stared at Cor almost made Regis chuckle. "Are you mad?"

"Everything I was seeing said that he was still the Noctis I knew. I had to see what would happen. He held himself back, though it was obvious he was struggling, his Sire got between us and let him feed from him while I used a potion."

"You said his Sire was unwilling?"

"He was sent here to turn Noctis but to leave him where he would be found, to cause chaos and leave me with the choice to break the law or abandon my son. Minutes after he turned Noctis…his own Sire died, freeing him of the compulsion. He had Ignis gather some of Noct's belongings as well as his own before taking a car and then leaving the city together. On the phone, Noctis admitted he didn't remember anything when he first woke, that it took time to remember and then be able to think and focus," Regis recounted and Ulric leant back in his chair, obviously considering things.

Nyx looked at Cor. "What did you think?"

"Noctis still has access to the Crystal's magic, all documentation says that shouldn't be possible, but I saw him common his sword. He was able to withstand the evening sunlight to an extent as well. He admitted to feeding from his Retainers as well as animals. They've been hiding since the Hunters were out in force and they can't risk Noctis being recognised. His sire is Prompto Argentum…he's physically younger than Noctis, still a teenager I'd bet. He thinks he's about twenty one, likely seen as completely expendable in the operation. Prompto was very protective of Noctis, yelled at me for testing him. Noctis just wanted to be sure his Dad was safe and that he didn't hate him."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Nyx considered it before nodding. "We have some people out in Lucis, we can organise supply drops for them or hand overs if they're willing to meet in person." He looked at Regis. "I'm willing to work with you. You saved my life once, gave my people a home. If it wouldn't have outed me, I would have volunteered for the Glaive. There are other packs in the city, but they steer clear of us. Most are peaceful but there's some young ones in the worst refugee areas and they aren't against increasing their numbers or letting loose."

"If a pack wants to live peacefully then I have no issues with them. The others, I would prefer to bring them in alive and try to work out the issues."

"It might work with some of them," Nyx admitted. "They're lacking strong leaders, show them you're strong, that you're willing to help and stand up for them, some of them will be willing to follow you."

"You don't want them?"

"Packs big enough as it is, and it would be hard to integrate those not from Galahd."

He was surprised when Regis nodded and held his hand out, surprising Nyx, but he took it. By the time Nyx left, they had the beginning of a 'treaty' sorted and written.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis grinned as he hung up with his Dad. He'd made contact with the Wolves of Galahad and they had offered to do supply runs for them! It was more than he could have hoped for. He knew it would take a long time for his Dad to change the laws, but it was a very good start. He hugged Prompto hard who chuckled and ruffled his hair. His Dad had picked the best group to start with, even Noctis knew the stories and reputation of the wolves. And he knew plenty of refuges from Galahd since they were in the Glaive and he'd trained with them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Pelna shifted nervously, eyes scanning his surroundings continuously. He wasn't even technically Galahdan, despite being one of Nyx's wolves. They had found him, dying, on their trek to Insomnia and he had been given the option to live, he'd taken it. His loyalty lay with his King, with Nyx, though he wore no braids. It was better, made being unnoticed easier. He was used to information missions…not meeting with supposedly friendly vampires! He bit back a yelp as two hooded figures appeared in front of him. "Argentum?" he asked and the shorter nodded. He pulled the bags from the back of his truck. "Blood's in the cooler, there's normal food two, clothes in various sized too."

"Thank you," he offered.

Pelna picked up a familiar accent, stiffening slightly. Nyx had to know he was a Niff, right?

"You're really one of the Wolves of Galahad?" Argentum's companion spoke and his accent was pure Insomnian. He cocked his head slightly and his hood shifted, flashing deep blue eyes and messy black hair, Pelna freezing as he recognised the young vampire.

"Your Highness," he gasped, and Argentum growled, pushing the Prince protectively behind him. Great, a Sire protecting their baby vampire. Pelna quickly looked down and away like he would with an older wolf. "My King obviously knows who you both are and wants it kept quiet, none of us would ever speak out against his wishes," he swore.

"Prom, it's okay," the Prince soothed, leaning against his Sire, nuzzling at him. "Thank you for the supplies."

"King Regis gave our people a home, even if he didn't know we were among them." he reached into his pocket slowly and drew out a bit of paper and a pen, scribbling his number down before putting it into the top a bag. "My number, you can call me direct when you need more supplies." He bowed to the young Prince and then nodding to Argentum before heading back to his truck and getting in. No wonder Nyx was taking the risk of helping a vampire. The Prince…how had this been kept from the public? This had to be why King Regis had approached them, he was looking for a way to bring his son home. Maybe he was crazy to give them his number, but he trusted his King, if he wanted contact with them then it had to be safe. Not like either could do anything to him, being a wolf made him immune to vampire powers and if he was harmed or killed they'd be hunted down by the others.

TBC…