Does he really have a collection?

The others seem to also question this claim. Reid laughs nervously. Kiernan grimaces, and Axel's eyes widen. Gabriel shifts slightly and fixes the nonexistent wrinkles on his jacket with a palm.

After the tense moment passes, Gabriel clears his throat and says to Reid, "If you're strong, next would be to test how well you can dominate. You should be a novice for at least a century."

Hannah has to shake her head to make certain she's not in a dream. She doesn't think dominate means what her thudding heart has concluded. Although, there's a slim chance, she's learned vampires are a wild bunch, and that could very well mean what's flushing her cheeks pink.

The vampires look at Reid expectantly. The eagerness they're exuding could be excitement to test Reid's capabilities, but that would mean they feel. Hannah's more than happy to keep them in the soulless category of her mind and decides, in her exhaustion, to ignore all of their human intricacies.

"Fine, but then we have our war meeting," Reid concedes with a lengthy sigh. "Any human volunteer that wishes to be dominated by yours truly?" He obviously says it loudly so Lucas can hear from where he's presumably sulking in the parlor. "Any at all!"

Hannah coughs into her fist and says, "Uh, not me."

She slips her hand into the pocket of her sweatshirt and holds the knife hilt for comfort when Reid looks her way and gives her a beaming smile that she returns genuinely. The need to be on guard in his presence will pass with time. She hopes anyway.

"It can't be Kane," Axel says with finality, and Kiernan agrees with a nod.

Kane takes offence even though he had his face scrunched up since 'domination' left Gabriel's mouth. "I'm the only option, assholes."

Gabriel gestures with a hand. "No, it's fine." He smiles. "Go ahead. Try it on Kane."

They end up with Reid sitting, turned toward Kane's chair. They're close, knees bumping. Hannah lingers near one end of the table, and the trio of vampires stand on the other, watching intently.

Lucas has emerged from wherever he's been calming down, with towels. One of which Reid has decided to wear draped on his head counter-intuitively. Kane didn't even glance at his, leaving it folded on the table. And Kiernan uses the third to staunch the bleeding in his wrist that hasn't calmed.

Reid hesitates. "I promised that I wouldn't."

"It's fine," Kane reassures with that no-nonsense tone of his. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, and holds Reid's gaze with an intense seriousness Kane's worn rushing into battle. "Tell me to say something that I'd never say."

When Reid does nothing except stare into Kane's eyes, Gabriel says, "You're not forcing him. You're simply persuading him to believe what you want is what he wants. Your contact and words are all that's needed."

Reid laughs, pulling the towel from his head. "But he already wants what I want."

When he's met with serious stares and Kane's deepening glare, Reid returns to the task at hand with a lengthy inhale. He leans forward and grasps Kane's wrists.

Hannah shivers. There's a darkness to the act that even reaches her. She's not a fan of the symbolism: Kane's hands, pressed together and bound by Reid's grasp.

Without warning, the air thickens, and she has to keep her feet firmly rooted to the tile, listening beyond logic and hinging on Reid's voice as he purrs, "You want to do what I say, don't you? Promise me that you'll become a pacifist. Can you do that?"

Kane doesn't hesitate. "Yes"

In the doorway to the hallway, Lucas's eyebrows are pinched, and he's frowning, obviously displeased as well. Hannah parts her lips to voice her aversion to witnessing the dopiness in Kane's eyes.

She clamps her mouth shut at the sharp look Gabriel gives her, and she knows he's warning her into quietness.

Her fingers hold the knife in her sweatshirt so tightly that her hand shakes. Lucas won't stand idle. He'll stop it if need be. That's what calms her enough to draw breath.

Reid frowns and says sternly, "Say it. I promise I'll become a pacifist. I want to hear it."

Lucas and Hannah are the only ones who react adversely to what they're seeing. There's a frightening sensation she can't shake from witnessing a man such as Kane, hard-headed and unshakable, effortlessly manipulated.

The vampires don't share the sentiment. Gabriel smirks, while Kiernan and Axel share an amused glance.

"I promise I'll become a pacifist," Kane breathes. His lips part, and he blinks slowly, disturbed, despite the haze over his eyes.

Hannah whispers worriedly, "Reid."

Seemingly enamoured with the dark power that's sparking between him and Kane, Reid ignores her and croons, "Only the truth. Okay?"

Hannah holds her breath, fingers raised, and poses to grab Reid's shoulder, not daring a touch just yet.

Reid waits for his words to settle and Kane to affirm dopily before purring, "You're mine. Aren't you? Say it now."

Finished with this sadistic game, Lucas's deep voice snaps, "Reid. Stop."

Flinching, Reid sits back abruptly, dropping Kane's hands, and the dark shiver in the air dissipates.

Hannah doesn't blame his reaction; Lucas rarely says Reid's name outright, with rumbling anger and his massive form as well, he's really frightening.

The vampires are on guard instantly.

Reid takes in deep breaths to match Kane's, and they stare at each other, not from domination but from blood-chilling shock. It's clear they both were lost to whatever just transpired.

After calming his breathing, Reid says in a small voice, "I only wanted them to hear you say it."

Kane doesn't answer—not even a glare to break the utterly miserable expression he's wearing.

Reid sits forward, and the motion has Lucas stiffening; clearly, not even he's immune to the threatening danger Reid's giving off without meaning to.

Reid sputters, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

He gasps at Kane's harsh kick to his shin, but there's a slumped relief to his shoulders as he rubs at the injury. Kane's back to his familiar scowling.

"I'm going to kick your ass," Kane threatens. "Stop with this mine shit. It's weird!"

Reid sobs when his thigh is pinched. The sight is hilarious enough to have Hannah cracking a smile despite it all, because Reid's cowering in the chair, legs up to make himself into a ball. He's obviously forgotten that he's able to contend with Kane's strength.

"As expected," Gabriel says tiredly.

Reid slowly drops his legs back to the floor and scrutinizes his father. "Expected? What was the test for then?"

Gabriel shrugs. "Once more, it will be confirmed. Hannah then."

Kane glares at Gabriel. "Not happening, and fuck you for being a slimy prick and not answering shit once again." He tips his head back and looks at the doorway, meeting Lucas's gaze. "What about you?"

Before Lucas can answer, Kiernan says, "No."

Gabriel gives Kiernan a slow tilt of his head. There's a question there. And Kiernan nods.

"Very interesting," Gabriel says, and he doesn't sound happy in the slightest. He looks at Lucas, and there's a spark of threat in his dark gaze. "Alas, we need an unsullied attempt. Hannah is the only option."

Kane snorts. "Unsullied? Got some serious shit against mages, don't you bastard? She's one, you know."

Lucas stares Gabriel down unwaveringly, but he remains silent. It's unclear if he would have agreed to be dominated either way. Maybe not. Hannah has a feeling he would have declined; he doesn't seem to be a man who would be comfortable losing such control.

"I can't say we've met," Gabriel remarks to Lucas.

"Oh, him?" Reid cuts in. "That's just some guy. Sometimes we leave the door unlocked, and he slinks in from the woods. He keeps getting inside our pantry and eating all our cereal. Only the marshmallows. You know, the tiny ones that look like stars and stuff."

"Reid," Gabriel warns, giving Reid a withering glare. "Don't be difficult."

"I don't know what you're asking," Reid says slowly, fluttering his lashes sweetly.

Hannah rubs her mouth, trying to keep from laughing, but it's nearly impossible when Lucas has to break his staring contest with Gabriel to look to the ceiling, and he runs his tongue along the inside of his cheeks with a smile.

Gabriel demands, "Who is he?"

Reid points at Lucas. "Him?" He performs a dramatic double-take. "You're asking about him?"

"Yes," Gabriel grits, clearly trying to keep his composure. If Kane wasn't here, Hannah's certain Gabriel wouldn't just be clenching his fists on his side and breathing through flaring nostrils.

Reid smiles brightly.

Gabriel inhales deeply, calming. "There is no one else standing there. I would like to know his name. That's all. I'm simply curious to know who you associate with."

"Him?" Reid asks with dramatic confusion. "His name? Who? I'm not understanding."

Kane's head hangs, and he's smiling, staring at his bouncing knees.

"Tallies Reid," Gabriel warns cryptically.

"What? I don't think he has a name," Reid says with a nervous chuckle that sounds genuine. He feigns a frown. "Aren't you hearing me? He lives in the forest."

Reid shares Hannah's flinch when Gabriel starts forward, and Kane straightens in his chair just as fast, stopping Gabriel mid-step with a deadly glare.

Collecting himself, Reid rises from his chair despite Kane's attempt to keep him down by grabbing the hem of his shirt. He advances on his father with rage in his blue eyes. "This isn't your house. You don't get to demand anything from me."

Gabriel's glare falls away with practiced ease, and he's once again smiling warmly. "Forgive me." His gaze darkens and flickers Lucas's way before falling back to Reid. "I'd simply like to know who my son cares for."

Reid laughs. "Why? You never gave a shit before?"

There's a twitch in Gabriel's hazel eyes, but he allows the impudence to slide. He lifts his chin. "You've taken Kane's habit of swearing. It's not becoming. If you must know, domination is easier when affection is present. It's why Kane stood no chance. Companions cannot resist."

Kane curses under his breath. He looks downright ill. Hannah feels nauseated at the sight.

"Then it won't work on Hannah either," Reid says matter-of-factly. He glances over his shoulder and gives her a pretty smile. "I'm in love with her too."

Hannah's heart warms, and she returns the smile gently. She doesn't think he's joking. But Reid's love is unique; she's coming to understand that quickly. She doesn't think he can discern the polar differences between intimate affection and friendship. She likes it. He's so open but vulnerable, and she wants to protect him from the world. Even though he's strong, he still seems so breakable.

When Reid looks back, Gabriel's smile strains. "How many people are you involved with?"

Kane groans.

"Too many to count," Reid says deadpan.

"Charming," Gabriel drawls.

"Oh?" Reid feigns a dramatic gasp. "You want to know the details?" He ignores the warning Kane gives in the form of Reid's name growled between clenched teeth. "Why yes, I let the forest man bend me over—"

With viper-quickness, Gabriel grabs hold of Reid's wrist and drags him close, whispering harshly under his breath, too hushed for the words to reach Hannah's ears.

Kane rises from his chair, and Lucas looks ready to rush away from the doorway, but Reid tosses his free hand behind him, declining the offer of protection.

Turning his face to better hear his father, Reid smirks widely. Whatever Gabriel is angrily hissing is delightful enough to flush Reid's cheeks and spark his blue eyes with mirth.

Both Kiernan and Axel are frowning deeply. It's clear that what's being said is serious; their vampire hearing is picking up what her human hearing can't, but Reid's not taking it as such. He's on the edge of falling into a fit of laughter.

Then, surprisingly enough, Reid's wayward hand grabs his father's chin. Gabriel is so taken aback by the audacity that his whispering is cut off abruptly, and he blinks into Reid's gaze curiously.

There's a drop in the air that Hannah's begun to attribute to Reid's strange mind-persuasion. The most affected is Kane, who grasps the back of his chair, close to buckling. He looks pale and shaken. She goes to him and lays a hand on his tense bicep.

Kiernan stands straighter. "You can't—"

"No. Let him try," Gabriel says, smiling without warmth. He's doing nothing to escape Reid's hold on his jaw. "It doesn't work on vampires. The push and pull—yes, you know this, but not domination. Or entrancing, as you call it. We're immune. I'll allow you to falter once. But know, I'll put you in your rightful place for this transgression."

"The fuck you will," Kane snaps.

"I'll have to make it count," Reid strains. His back is to them, but even so, Hannah can vividly imagine the dark look on his face. He implores the same voice he used on Kane, purring, "You want to listen. To stop thinking."

Gradually, Gabriel's smile begins to fall, and he blinks faster. Kiernan looks beyond shaken and, without looking away, grasps Axel's arm, stopping the bruiser from starting forward. He doesn't acknowledge the curious look Axel sends his way.

"Do me a favour," Reid says sweet-soft. "If you have any love for me..." He steps away from his father. "Take a knife and slit your throat."

There's a stretching silence. Gabriel's breathing heavily, not looking away from Reid's gaze. He doesn't rush across the kitchen to the knife block and follow through. But, ever so slowly, there's a shift of his eyes to the counter where the knives are kept, and that's enough.

He's contemplating.

With a shaky exhale, Kiernan slumps heavily against the edge of the counter. He looks like he's reevaluating every life decision he's made for the last century, his gaze distant.

Axel looks just as shaken, staring at Kiernan's profile with wide eyes as if it'll give him the answers he's looking for.

Gabriel lays a palm flat on Reid's chest, forcibly shoving Reid back a step, and with a low, growling voice, he threatens, "I'll take your eyes if you ever attempt that again. Do you understand?"

Kane holds the back of the chair tight enough to shake his fingers. He's seconds from violence. Hannah can see it in the hunch to his shoulders.

Reid stares silently at his father for a few tense beats.

Gabriel whispers harshly, "Tallies, I have many that you'll pay in full. Don't make me take your punishment from others."

The tension in the kitchen hinges on Reid's reply.

"I'm sorry," Reid assures, unemotionally. "I won't do it again."

Gabriel hums and his fingers rise, stopping short of grasping Reid's hair when Kane growls in warning. "If you do, I'll make it known that Kane's blood is special. Many formidable vampires would take the risk of hunting him to satisfy their curiosity."

"Fuck you," Kane growls. His muscles are tense under Hannah's palm resting on his bicep. "Reid, come here."

With a shaky exhale, Reid turns away from his father, breaking their stalemate. He walks back to the safety of the table, giving in to the arm Kane outstretches to drape protectively across his shoulders, pulling him close.

"Idiot," Kane murmurs.

Reid wipes at his nose, and Kane doesn't comment on the worrying trickles of blood that escape from Reid's nostrils because he's busy glaring at Gabriel over Reid's head to take notice.

"Are you okay?" Hannah asks softly, laying her hand on Reid's chest. She isn't surprised to find his heart is beating rapidly.

"Wear my clothes more often," Reid whispers back in lieu of a reply on his state. He lays his cheek on Kane's chest. "You look cute."

Hannah relaxes with a flush. She's beyond relieved to have Reid back. With a few new quirks, she'll need to get used to them, but he's himself, and that's everything.

"He's pushed himself too far," Kiernan says carefully. "We shouldn't have him continue."

There's an irony to the statement because Kiernan's the one who's been pushed too far. The towel that he holds against his wrist is soaked with blood; the weeping seems to have slowed, but not fast enough to stop being concerning.

Gabriel looks like he could care less but concedes with a curt, "Fine." He fixes the cuffs of his dress shirt. "Shall we begin this meeting?"