From a King to a Slave (Thalion) -- Extremely Mature Content - Darius and Crew

"They fear you? Other vampires?"

He smiled.

"Yes."

"Wow... why? Because you kill vamp...kindred? Or something? Or you're really old and powerful?"

He smiled.

"Because my ways aren't conventional."

"What? With the educating? Victoria tortured people too. Hell, Areron's not very old yet and she's already starting. She claims, 'it's for their own good.' Whatever I know she enjoys it." He rolled his eyes.

"So that can't be the reason... what is it?"

He shook his head.

"It's not about the torture, darling. All of my ways are unconventional and that worries and scares most people."

"Ah, alright. So do they not know you're here then?"

He smiled.

"Oh, they know. They just think that I am something that I am not."

"Ah, alright. I know the drill then."

He smiled.

"Do you?"

"Protecting you by keeping my damn mouth shut."

He smiled and brushed a hand over the boy's cheek.

"That is appreciated, yes."

"Which I can by the way. People think I can't, but I do keep secrets."

He laughed softly.

"I imagine that other Kindred would have killed you long before now if you couldn't."

"Ya, I guess, my own sister wouldn't kill me though, even if I was the worst."

He turned to smirk at the boy.

"Really? You don't think your sister would kill you to keep herself alive?"

"No she wouldn't. Well, unless Joseph somehow prevented her from it. Areron had a 'religious expierience' and wouldn't harm me... well, kill me. She has different ideas about what 'harm' is."

He smiled.

"Don't we all define 'harm' differently?"