Aeron had grabbed Raphaels's wrists just a tad too late. He kept the enraged blood suckers claws out of harms way and threw him around into the wall, somehow making to stay away from the snarling and snapping of fangs. He didn't care about the claw marks across his cheek. He was more concerned about the vampire still attacking him. They usually sobered a little after releasing their anger, but not this one.

"Brother, please!" Aleksandr raced from his place towards the two. "Enough of this before you get hurt!"

Raphael heard the pleading in his brothers voice, and he withdrew slightly but didn't stop glaring at Aeron. A few humans remained to stare at what they thought would be a massacre.

"Master, please -" Aleksandr pleaded. He fell to his knees, begging his master to leave his brother be. "Please let go of him. He will not attack you. He simply lost control like I did..."

Aeron released Raphael, shoving him away from them and looking over the hall. "I said GET OUT!" He roared at the few stragglers. Screams tore from a few as they raced from the hall.

Aleksandr fell further to the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Thank you, Master."

Each vampire hesitated. What had Aeron done to make Aleksandr like this? Just from such a small interaction, they didn't believe he was going to kill them yet. Aleksandr had shown he was scarred in the very little time they had seen him.They had expected that much. This was not what they had expected, though.

"Of course, Pet." Aeron muttered. "Are you inured at all?"

Aleksandr rose slightly, letting the man inspect him. "I was punished, Sir, but It is nothing I have not suffered before."

"Good." Aeron uttered the word, but it was clear to Aleksandr that was a bluff. He was angry he had been hurt. Aerons head turned to the old office as the door creaked open. Killian stood in the doorway, blood running down his face and a bust eye.

"Will he be their first meal, Master?" Aleksandr enquired. Killian looked both horrified and pissed off he had spoken. No one questioned a master, especially not a slave.

"No." Little vampire. This time, Aleksandr did hear Little Vampire follow the word. "They will be fed once we have returned." He went over to Killian and grabbed his jaw, yanking him back into the office and slamming the door shut. "This place will be burned down once we leave."

Aeron approached the line of bewildered vampires and knelt in front of the injured Samael. He was trembling a little still. Whoever had stabbed him had laced the weapon with poison. He had never been attacked like that, and he never wanted to be again. He was downright terrified. His breathing was still a little too fast and picked up once he saw Aeron infront of him.

Aeron didn't touch Samael. He simply looked at him. "They likely coated the blade in Elderflower and garlic. Insolent Twats used garlic again." He sighed as he saw Samaels anger remain. "I will not harm you, Samael Knyazev. I have something to keep your body stable until we have the right equipment to patch your wounds. You will be unable to walk and as every last one of you bare been sat here for hours, likely drained, disorientated, and drugged, you would be unable to make it to the door." Aeron explained. "May I carry you? I am asking so I know you will not harm me while I move you to the car."

Samael hissed as he tried to force himself to move. Nope. Not a chance.

"Please Samael." Aleksandr pleaded.

Samael swallowed his resentment of the species. He trusted his brother, not Aeron. But, he trusted Aleksandr not to give him over on an iron platter to the very being that had the ability to kill him and reluctantly agreed. He trusted his brother enough for that.

"Thank you." He didn't expect the thanks and flinched a little at it. Why was the mighty Aeron thanking him? "You and your brothers may go in the four by four with me. The others will be fetched to your territory in larger cars. There are very nearly a hundred men and women here and it may take some time."

The drive back was quiet bar Aleksandrs head. He was very nearly sobbing, as was Raphael and Samael, though the twins were hiding their fears and worries from Aeron. They didn't trust him still.

How are you doing, My Little Vampire Prince?

Thank you!! Thank you so much, Master! You-you saved them all! How! Why did you do it?! A thousand on so many Vampires! No sane human has ever bought that many before!

Aeron couldn't help but chuckle out loud. You asked for my help and I provided. In the mean time, how is Samael holding on? I have nectar water and liquid ambrosia for when we stop.

He is in pain, Sir. I..I hate seeing him like this. Raf too. They refuse to show emotion because they don't want to seem weak to you.

Aeron didn't reply for a few seconds, Do you want me to play it up a little, My Prince? The same with you. I feel your instincts, when you are possessive of me, when you worry for me, the questions on your mind. Ask them.

May I touch you, Master?

Aeron nearly did a double take, eyeing the now quickly blushing Vampire.

I-i-i did not mean it like that, Sir!

Sure.

Aleksandr reached over and placed a hand on Aerons thigh.

T-Thank you, Master.

The action not only soothed Aleksandr, but also Aeron. Aleksandr noted his brothers had seen him move and stared in shock. Aleksandr sighed as he calmed, finally comfortable enough to sleep with his Master beside him.

Aleksandr was fighting to stay awake, wanting to be there while his Master was beside him. Sleep, Little Vampire. If you do not wake by the time we reach the castle I will move you to your room. You will be fine, Darlin.

Aleksandr hummed, Oh-kay, Master. Thank you...

That was all it took for Aleksandr to fall asleep against Aerons shoulder. Hours passed as Aeron drove up the main road, slowing as he reached an intersection. "Can you two direct me the easiest way to the Palace? Preferably somewhere discreet as I believe your brother wont wake up just yet. He is exhausted." Aeron asked them respectfully.

The Knyazev twins shared a look. They were hesitant, but not only had Aeron helped Samael, but also treated Aleksandr far differently than expected. For god sakes the man was asleep on the humans knee!

"Turn left here." Raphael told Aeron, his hold tightened on his injured brother. "There is a backstreet behind an old takeaway on your right, go down there. It will lead us to a main road and then the side entrance for the castle."

Aeron flashed Raphael a smile through his mirror. "Thank you, Raphael."

Raphael couldn't help but over analyse the man. And to make matters worse, Raphael could tell not only was the man bring truly honest, he was actually thankful for him helping out. He showed no evidence of ill intentions, though Raphael couldn't decipher whether that was a good thing, or a bad thing.

[Word count: 1234]