[C8]The Nero Family

Continuation of Lyle's POV:

Esther looked over as we entered the room then smiled huge. "Brother! You made it just in time! Everest just went to go fetch Silas, isn't that right Sylar?" She asked, looking over at Sylar sweetly. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Is that the same human from two nights ago?" I heard Primrose asking her siblings as they all sat on the same couch, waiting for me. She looked Milo over and frowned, looking towards Jason. "That's his first fledgling?" She asked. Milo blushed slightly and hid a little more against my side.

"I hope he was turned willingly," Jason said coldly as his eyes judged me with harsh daggers. His arms wrapped around his two sisters, Primrose and Emily.

"You're correct, this is the same human except he is my fledgling now Primrose. I wouldn't dare take his life from him if it was by force, Jason. Let me introduce you.... This is my fledgling Milo Tomas Young. Less formally, Milo. Milo, these are council members, the Nero family. In order from how they are on the couch, Primrose, Jason, Emily, Zachary, and Xzander." Milo looked towards them and gave them a small smile.

"It's nice to meet you," he said, trying to be polite then bowed his head a little like I told him too before he snuggled up in my arms, getting close to me. Primrose watched and sighed.

"He's polite," she whispered. "At least the clothes and appearance have improved from last time.... He learned quickly...." She leaned her head against Jason and watched us. "He's rather cute like that though. Are you sure he's not too innocent Lyle?" She asked, blinking as she looked back at me with an emotionless face.

"Newborns are always too innocent," Sylar told her before I could answer. "That's a good thing though. We don't want to tame killers, we want to raise vampires."

"Well I liked the coffee stained human I saw before," Zachary said calmly. "I'm actually a fan of your work, Milo. Too bad King Lyle got to you first." Milo blushed big time.

"Y-you read my books?" He asked him, pulling away from me as his attention focused in on Zachary rather quickly.

"You're New York's best selling author about vampires. Of course I've read your work. You'd be surprised by how many vampires find your work extraordinary and amusing. You can include me with them." Zachary leaned forward and eyed my fledgling with a hungry look. Bastard... "What's going to be your next-"

"Zachary," Emily hissed. "You're being rude. You're not his maker so it's none of your business."

"Em," Zachary gasped and glared her down.

"Everest," I began. "Has planned a special evening for us. We're going to have dinner and then afterwards a small ball."

"Indeed I have~" I heard Everest from behind me. "Hello everyone! I brought Silas," he purred.

"I was coming anyways," I heard Silas purring. "I would've been down soon with or without your help." Milo glanced at me then at Zachary before he looked like he was going to ask something, but Esther was quick to grab his hand, stopping him.

"Milo! Remember the dance you promised me? I'm getting the first, the second, the third, the fourth, and all of them~" She giggled and pulled him closer. "We'll have lots of fun dancing together~ Oh! You should sit by me at the table too," she told him, smiling at him sweetly.

"Lyle, we should sit next to each other." Jason got to his feet as he suggested it and walked towards me with an amused smile. "Before dawn I want to talk with you privately." He walked up and gently brushed some hair away from my face then tightened my tie. "After all, that's why we came." Milo glanced over and I caught a small jealous look in his eyes before he looked back at Esther and nodded to her, letting her pull him out of the room as she started to go on and on about how she wishes there were more guests and it was an actual ball and whatnot, the usual from her. Everest sighed and shook his head, following them as he grabbed Sylar and Silas, taking them with him. Primrose got to her feet and smirked slightly before she looked at Zachary.

"Steal a dance with that fledgling, kay Zachary?" She purred, giving him a challenging look. "I want to see if you can do it. Then you can tell me if he can actually dance and I'll consider dancing with him."

"Why don't you do your own experiment?" Zachary asked her before he stood up and extended his hand towards her. "How about I escort you to dinner." He changed his hand direction to Emily. "My beautiful sour sister," he smirked towards her.

"Sorry," Emily said quickly and linked arms with Primrose. "We don't need boys to escort us." Primrose laughed and smirked towards Zachary.

"That's what you get," she purred at him then winked before she started to lead Emily towards the door, ditching him. "So~ I think I will get a dance in with Everest tonight to pass the time. What about you? Will you dance tonight?" She asked, walking out of the room with her sister, leaving me with Jason, Zachary, and Xzander, but Xzander was quick to follow them, not even sparing me a glance as he looked bored. Zachary's eyes landed on us before he started after the others, leaving me alone with Jason.

"You wanted privacy," I told him. Although this place is bugged and Silas will hear everything in the end. If I told Jason the room was bugged, it wouldn't look good for my family.

"I did," Jason purred, but it broke up into a sharp growl. "What's the matter with you bringing a human to a council meeting?" He asked me firmly. "The who council was buzzing with small comments, your reputation isn't looking so well, Lyle. Humans are not supposed to be at council meetings. Even if you're about to turn them."

"I knew," I muttered. "He was persistent with wanting to keep me in his sight though."

"Excuses," he brought his hand up and smacked my cheek lightly. "You've forgotten that it's one of our laws. No humans are allowed at-"

"Well then why didn't they say something?" I challenged. "They didn't seem to mind to me."

"Councils are about order, if we can't remain calm together then it sets a bad example. That's why I'm here. We've voted, and you're getting a small punishment." He smacked me hard then, leaving a stinging sensation on my cheek. "Don't let your little mistake happen again, right? You might loose a tooth." He left the room then, leaving me standing still. "I hope the blood will taste as sweet as your fledgling smells." I heard him call over his shoulder. I clenched my jaw and brought my hand up to my cheek, rubbing it. I guess I should have figured they'd want justice in my little mistake of bringing Milo there. Even if I made sure to tell him to stay quiet. I started after Jason, to make sure I made it appear I wasn't moved by his punishment.

"As long as you know he's my fledgling."

"Really? You're letting your siblings steal him out of your sights and you still call him yours? This is your first fledgling? I hope you keep this one. Remember what happens if they make one small mistake... the maker is the one punished."

"You don't have to remind me," I mused.

Jason and I remained quiet the rest of the way to the dinning table out in the garden. When we arrived I made sure Jason was seated before I took mine, crossing my legs instantly under the table and bounced my foot. Oh I felt fuming inside towards the Nero family's presence. Most of it was directly towards Jason. That little roach slapped a king and just left. He's never even going to be punished for slapping me. It's all because of his bloodline. He's a higher vampire. A Nero. He's part vampire hunter. He makes the choices with his siblings on who dies, specifically vampires. They pass their choice along to their elder fledglings and have them carry out the sentence. No one is allowed to question the Nero family's decisions. That's why I'm positive they killed my adopted parents.

Silas looked over at me and frowned slightly as he saw I was agitated, nudging Everest's foot. Everest looked at him then at me before he looked at my cheek and widened his eyes. I could see anger simmering below the surface as he saw the red mark on my face that was fading and he looked towards Jason in pure bloodlust, hatred brewing in him. Esther grabbed his hand and purred, kissing his cheek to keep him down then looked at Milo. "Milo~ What would you like? Any blood preference yet?" She asked him sweetly. Milo widened his eyes and then shook his head no, blushing. "You must be too young to know the differences yet... That's alright. It'll come in time and you'll have a favorite." She smiled and kissed his temple before she looked at the maids, gesturing for them to serve us and watched as the maids quickly came with plates of food and glasses of blood for each of us, serving me first before they served my siblings then my fledgling then the guests, taking us for higher priority than the guests. I grabbed my glass of blood and stood up, holding it towards Jason and his siblings.

"Here, let's make a toast to our gathering. May we have many more." I motioned my glass to them before swallowing the first taste of blood and sat the glass down by my plate and sat down. Milo looked towards me and gave a small smile before he frowned, looking towards my cheek. His eyes lingered there in confusion before he looked into my eyes then down at his plate, picking at his food as a guilty look crossed his face. I held back my anger instantly. It's okay that Jason hit me, but when my face starts to bother those around me..... That's where I want to draw the line. I want my fledgling to stay innocent right now.

"Many more," Jason purred my way and gave a smirk.

"So~ do you find the garden to your satisfaction?" Esther asked, trying to keep the mood happy and light. I could tell she was easily picking up on Everest's anger and Milo's guilt, but she was covering it up for them like a good sister of mine to keep this from turning into a fight. "The roses are really blooming this time of year, don't you think?" She purred, smiling at our guests.

"I can smell roses," Emily purred. "They're really scent catching. Almost like Milo."

"I think I can still smell his human side lingering," Zachary purred and gave a small smile towards my fledgling. "You could easily be stolen, watch out Milo. There are thieves out there who steal other's fledglings."

"We wouldn't want that to happen," Emily tagged on.

"He's quiet safe, I assure you." Sylar said calmly and looked around the table, catching the tension that was lingering under everyone's words. Milo frowned and sat his fork down, not even taking a bite.

"Fledglings can be stolen?" He asked with a disbelieving look, confused.

"All it takes is for another vampire to drain you and feed you the way your maker turned you." Zachary told him and gave a playful smirk. "Are you hungry?"

"Zachary," Primrose purred towards him. "That's a naughty move. Don't play with the king's fledgling like that." She smirked at him and Milo shrunk down in his seat, pulling his glass of blood closer to him innocently.

"That's right Milo, drink up." Zachary purred. "Stay strong."

"I've made arrangements for your rooms," I told Jason calmly. "They're almost as safe as my chambers."

"Really?" Jason asked. "I want my sleeping quarters to be safer than yours."

"It doesn't get any safer than no light at all," Everest told him and then took a sip of his blood. "Unless, of course, we didn't have a door on the room, but that would defeat the purpose for you. You wouldn't be able to get in or out, just stuck in a box for all eternity until a teleporter rescued you." He watched Jason then smirked.

"Now, now," Esther whispered to him, nudging him. "Don't be like that." Milo looked towards me and bit his bottom lip.

"Can I be excused from the table King Lyle?" He asked me, sounding nervous to be asking.

"No," I told Milo. "Stay in my sight."

"You know, I wouldn't mind sleeping with you tonight," Jason told me. "Since your room is the safest."

"Actually..." I gave him a nervous smile. "My bed is going to be occupied and won't have enough room for three."

"Three?" Jason asked. "It'll just be the two of us." Milo shrunk down in his seat and looked at Esther, whispering something to her. She giggled and looked at him.

"Aww, okay cutie. Let's go. He'll let you if I go with you," she purred to him then stood up. "Excuse us, but Milo needs to use the restroom," she told us then took Milo's hand, pulling him to his feet. "Come on~" Milo blushed and started to follow her, not letting himself get dragged as she kept a tight grip on his hand. When Milo was completely out of my sight I gave Jason a huge empty smile.

"Milo is currently sleeping with me and I don't want you ruining it." I said simply to him.

"Ruin?" I heard Zachary ask and stiffen a laugh. Jason's jaw clenched and he looked me over with a pissed expression.

"You can sleep where I had the maids clean a room specifically for you. If you don't like the sleeping quarters then you're welcome to sleep in a coffin in the dungeon deep down in the basement. That'll be equal to the safety of my bedroom." I downed the rest of my blood and leaned back in my seat. "If you've got a problem then go home." Primrose raised an eyebrow at me and then looked towards Jason.

"Just suck it up Jason. Unless you'd rather leave this on a bad note," she told him then took a sip of her blood. "I'd calm down. If I were you, I wouldn't want to sleep in the same spot that little fledgling has been sleeping. You don't know where all it's been." Everest narrowed his eyes at her.

"That fledgling is a he," he told her firmly. "He is also the king's fledgling, and in five years, he'll be considered a full vampire, the same as the rest of us except we're purebloods. I wouldn't be downgrading the king's own first fledgling in front of the king himself. Especially when you don't know much about Milo." She glared Everest down and gripped her cup a little tighter, angry.

"Let us remind you, you're in our castle. Mind your manors and we'll mind ours. That includes keeping your hands to yourself." Sylar snapped sharply. Jason's eyes lingered over my brothers and I felt scared for them as Jason's eyes twitched with anger.

"Not in front of the ladies, right?" I asked them quickly.

"What ladies?" Sylar asked. "They can't keep their damn mouths shut and their manors are-"

"Sylar," I hissed. "Maybe you should go freshen up and come back with a better temper."

"How about you go check on Milo, hmm?" Everest suggested, giving Sylar a smile as he ruffled Sylar's hair. "After all, it seems hardly right that he asked only Esther to go with him. What if something happened? Go along," he purred then kissed Sylar's cheek. "Come back with them both." Sylar nodded and stood up quickly.

"My apologies," he bowed towards our guests. He started to walk around the table then, brushing past Silas and stopped behind him, rubbing his shoulder before he left us. Silas watched him go, giving a small smile before he took a bite of his food, the only one eating. Everest looked the table over and frowned slightly.

"It looks so much more empty without cute little Milo, sweet Esther, and my side kick Sylar," he murmured and then sighed, taking a sip of his drink. "Already getting used to Milo.... Whateeeeever shall I do in five years?" He asked then looked over at me teasingly.

"I told you, find your own little innocent fledgling." I gave my brother a playful smirk.

"Silas, you've been quiet." Zachary noted and leaned across the table towards him. "Cat got your tongue?" Silas looked towards Zachary and then smirked.

"Do you really want me to talk Zachary?" He asked him.

"It's not very polite to stay quiet the whole time your brother hosts a small dinner and ball." Zachery told him. "You should at least dance with one of my sisters. If you ask me, neither of them. You'd be better off dancing with my brothers. You don't want to be a wallflower, right?" Silas laughed.

"I could care less what you think," he told him and smirked. "You're one to talk about manners Zachary. You were talking about taking Milo away from Lyle earlier, and you know how taboo it is to steal from another maker. Besides, you're only taking an interest because I haven't made a single claim about Lyle all night, aren't you? That's what you're after. Well you're not getting it for tonight. Stay tomorrow night and you might hear something if you're that desperate."

"Ha, he must've told you to stay quiet tonight and behave." Emily laughed towards Silas. I bit my bottom lip and stood up.

"That's it, Jason, I'll expect to see you in the ball room in less than an hour. I'm not staying at this table if we're all going to spit out double meanings." I started for the door. "The only good conversation we've had at the table was when Esther was still seated." I fumed. "One hour," I hissed. "I suspect both our families can calm down in the mean time and mingle by then."

"Well now you've made Lyle pissed, happy?" Emily asked.

"Shut up," Silas hissed towards her, being blunt. "You and your siblings have no room to talk about making Lyle pissed." He actually sounded like he was defending me a little right there... like he was angry with them too.... I gave a small smile as I left them and started to seek out my fledgling.