Chapter 24

"I still can't find anything on him," Alec informed the couple as he went through all the fills.

"But you suspect something?" Forina questioned her friend as she noticed the look on his face.

"There are some descriptions on a couple of children being trafficked, his description matches pretty spot on," Alec confirmed their suspicions.

"So he has a family out there?" Andrei asked.

"Unfortunately, I think it was his parents that sold him," Alec said with a sigh, both Andrei and Forina looked at each other in pain.

"How could any parent do that to their child," Forina asked as her heart clenched painfully at the mere thought. She would rather die than give her child away.

"I have no idea, For some people... money comes first. That's the sad truth." Alec sighed and it was the truth.

That was the cruel reality of the world they lived in...

...

"When do you think he's going to wake up?" Forina asked as she brushed the child's newly turned white hair back and gazed at him adoringly. With the transfusion, many things had changed from his hair to his eyes to his complexion. He still wasn't a vampire, he was something in between.

With his angelic features, he now resembled both Forina and Andrei perfectly, equally. So many things had changed and yet he still looked like him, but to both Forina and Andrei, he painfully embodied Eric.

Andrei sighed and massaged her shoulders, "I don't know my love. He'll wake up when he's ready." He reassured her, he placed a gentle kiss on her head and then lips.

"I just want to know he's okay," Forina said softly. "The waiting is killing me." She continued as she leaned back into her husband. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her shoulder. He inhaled her sweet scent as he kissed her forehead.

"I know love but we can't rush him." Andrei cooed but they were both interrupted.

The child whimpered as his eyes fluttered open. "Andrei look!" Forina gasped as she noticed his bright blue eyes.

"Hey there..."Andrei cooed and went in closer to touch his hair but quickly stopped as the boy breath hitched and flinched and leaned back.

The boy squeezed his eyes shut as he awaits the pain that usually came with contact.

"Hey, sweethearts... relax. No one will hurt you." Forina cooed and stroked his hand lightly. The child leaned into Forina's touch immediately finding comfort in the woman.

"Who are you?" He asked his voice both terrified and sweet.

"My name is Forina, what's yours?" she asked, her voice sweet and soft as she caressed his head.

"Darius..." his sweet voice said.

"Such a handsome name," Andrei commented with a warm smile but instantly stopped as Darius visibly flinched away from the man.

"I'll go get the doctor." He said quickly and disappeared out the door but not before kissing his wife's head and giving the child a smile.

"No one will hurt you anymore," Forina reassured him.

"That's what he said." Darius whimpered and shrunk back into the covers.

"Who said that, sweetheart?" Forina asked as she held his little hand in her own.

"The monster," Darius answered then turned away from his new vampire mother.

"Hey there... there are no monsters here. I promise, you see, I had a little boy way before you were born. His name was Eric." Forina told him with a smile.

"What happened to him, miss?" Darius asked.

"Call me Rin, and he got sick, so God took him to make him better and now he's living with the angels," Forina told him even though the thought of god sent chills down her dead body.

"He was very much like you." she smiled at the child as he sat listening contently.

"What was he like?" Darius asked.

"Very naughty and hyper," Forina answered with a laugh and tickled Darius lightly causing him to giggle. It was a light sound almost like wind chimes.

Andrei stood at the door and watched the two, silently vowing to protect them both. He would do anything to make sure they were safe and that meant sacrificing himself to protect his family if it came down to that.

"Andrei?" Dr Felton called out to the vampire.

"Hmm?" he snapped out of his deep thoughts.

"Looks like someone's awake." Dr Felton remarked as she walked into the room followed by Andrei. Darius still flinched back, only this time he went to Forina.

"Darius, this is my husband Andrei. He won't hurt you." Forina reassured him. To her surprise he actually listened and allowed Andrei to come forward, this time he sat perfectly still, not flinching as Andrei lightly touched his hand.

"Looks like all your vitals are perfect." Dr Felton said as she overlooked his charts then continued, "However, you are a bit underweight for your age so we're going to have to put you on a diet you get your weight up." She smiled.

"But where will I go?" Asked the child as he looked to Forina for comfort. He was very mature and intelligent for his age.

"Well sweetheart, we were hoping you would be okay with coming home with us," Forina asked him as she placed a hand his shoulder.

"Really, I could?" Darius lit up at the prospect of going home with the couple.

"Yeah, we even have a room that has your name on it," Andrei said with a wide grin.

"So what do you say? Would you like to come home with us?" Forina asked the child who tried to contain his excitement.

"Yes please," Darius answered immediately finding comfort as the transfusion had bonded them in a way that they would always love each other and find comfort.

The couple smiled at each other, exchanging a silent vow. They would not stop until they found who did this to Darius and they would have justice.

No matter what they would have to do. They would keep their family safe.