Darren whined as the plane touched down, jarring him in his seat. Daniel wrapped his arms around him, holding him still and trying to ease his pain as they rolled to a stop. Dan helped him up from the seat, taking on the whole of his weight so Darren wouldnt collapse and damage himself more.

"Come on Darren, lets get you to a bed and let you rest. We have three days until he comes again, and I will not have you broken."

They appeared almost as lovers, Daniel holding him gently as they moved down the streets. He carried Darren as they neared the gate, Daniel seeing a figure sitting on the top, his feet hanging over the edge. The wind whistled quietly between them.

The Walkers of the Savage Garden have returned in a flailing glory. Be peace that follows you here

A faint grin etched on Dans face as he heard it.

"Darren, we have been welcomed here."

"Yes, I knowThe one on the gate, he knows you."

"Yes, but he will come to us soon."

They continued on, finally reaching their destination, a quaint cabin resting quietly in the shadows of the newer, taller buildings. Even in the old city, much had changed from the day Daniel first met the Wolfbainian, so many years ago.

**

Jason sat on the edge of the stone, letting the wind gently caress the cuffs of his trousers as he waited for the two dark beings approaching from the airport. The feeling delighted him deeply as he finally saw them, knowing at once who one of them was.

"Daniel, youve come back to me"

And as they faded into the shadows once more, he knew it was finally the time he had waited long years for, though he wondered the significance of the other being.

"You care for so few Who is he Father? Why care about him so? Why do I ask so many questions?"

He lay his head in his hands, sighing softly.

"Come morning, we shall meet again. There is so much we have both missed, and I have long put my past anger aside I wonder if you have done the same"

**

Mell awake with a sudden jolt, pain ripping through her shoulder as she slowly pushed herself from the bed, her muscles screaming. Dagmantis was sleeping soundly on the floor, his chest pressed to the ground as he snored softly. She realized she was in a robe of some kind, something that Dag had done earlier. It amazed her still how such a small action could mean so much, even after a night of harsh words and pain.

Her shoulder erupted again as she looked around the room, eyes landing on the dresser where needles and bottles were neatly arranged.

"Oh God, what did you do?"

Walking to a mirror, she uncovered the shoulder, looking at the fresh tattoo. And as she looked back at him, she saw for the first time that he had one too, the same one, but on his forearm. The Wolfbainian crest in blue and silver, the Kacrona family colors. He had finally taken her as his, in family as well.

"It begins now, love and war on an epic scale."

**

The church bells began to sing to the sun as morning slowly crept, seeping into Daniels senses. Opening his eyes, he glanced around the room, stopping on a figure who sat and watched quietly out the window.

"Jason?"

"300 years, father Thats how long you stayed away. Do you only return because of the Wolfbainian who saved you and now hunts you? Or is there something more that I dont see?"

Daniel stretched his arms out above his head, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Do we have to meet with animosity after all this time? I was told to come, they know that you are a growing power Malloy thinks you can help us"

Jason smiled sleepily towards Daniel.

"Forgive me, I didnt mean it so harsh. Its just that we didnt leave on the best of terms, and you come back with a companion. Who is he?"

"Darren Hayes. I changed him only a while ago, but he has been broken. Dagmantis wont spare anyone, and our time continues to tick away Do you ever wish you could have known your father?"

His smile faded quickly, his expression growing deathly serious.

"Deacon was a monster, he killed some of the best men we had ever had. You were always a father in my eyes. I know you loved her, and you wanted her, and Im sorry if I took that from you."

"No, Deacon took it when he changed her, her soul I mean. You were her only view of honesty, and it is I who should be sorry. Frosts death should have been by my hand, not some bounty hunter."

Darren stirred softly, running his tongue out to moisten his lips as he yawned.

"Dan, my legs have gone numb"

When he opened his eyes, there were almost glass, a product from a painfully sleepless night. Dan moved to him, checking the bones again.

"Youre fine, Darren. Theyre just telling you that you slept on it wrong Jason, this is Darren, Darren this is Jason My son"

**

Dag rolled onto his back, mumbling something as he rubbed at his still sore crotch. Mellina had lay back down on the bed, watching him from over the edge.

"Still sore?"

"Just as sure as you are. Intense though, it was very intense"

"And the marking?"

"We all wear one, as do the Pyraids. Ive had mine for centuries."

He pushed off from the floor, popping his back as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Im going to take a shower. Order breakfast if you want."

Stepping into the tub, he turned on the water, letting it stream from him. He rested his head against the cool tile as the liquid dripped off the tip of his nose and slid across his lips, like a caressing finger.

"Berlin I know thats where he planned to go. Hes fighting for it, he really is, and how it must pain him to go back there. The boy is waiting, and now his heart will sing, even to the companion he does not know. So begins day one"

**

The man Darren saw before him couldnt have been older than himself, mortal years at any rate. He kept his dark hair short, in spikes at the moment. His eyes were a dark shade of green, not as bright as Daniels, but just as deep. His soft features gave him a very open expression, one of wonder, but in kindness. He wore a black turtleneck sweater over a pair of black twill pants, casual but comfortable on his frame.

"Your son?"

Jason chewed his bottom lip as Daniel struggled for an explanation.

"Well, yeah Well, not by normal means, but by blood. Theres a lot that you dont know about my past. I fell in love with a mortal, and out of jealousy she was taken by another. She was sure that she was carrying his child when she fled back to me. Without a thought, I gave her the gift. I lost her again in her madness, and then forever when Jason was born. The Vampiric frame is still a fragile thing, and she couldnt handle the pressure."

Darren met Jasons gaze again, clear tears pooling in those forested pools.

"They werent lying when they said the Garden is beautiful, but it will always be Savage. Daniel fought to keep me from Deacon, that was his name, but I will never call him father. He was power hungry, a true beast when it came to Council leadership."

A crystal drop rolled down his cheek until he wiped it away. He suddenly looked vulnerable.

"You cry mortal tears?"

"Just as you once didI am half Pyraid, I was born this way. Since you were directly changed, you can only remember how it was, but I am thriving in it. However, it comes with a price. Almost every night I am challenged by a truebloodTheyre all sent by the Council of Affirmations."

Daniel sat on the foot of Darrens bed, edging closer to Jason all the time.

"Malloy spoke of the Council, but we dont know anything about them"

His sons expression changed suddenly, growing dark.

"The Council consists of eleven members, eight vampires and three others. Lestat deLioncourt leads them, one pire from each continent sits below him. I am on the council as well because I am considered LaMagre, but Lestat is trying hard to get me out. It worries me that you dont know of them."

"Why Jason? Who are the other two?"

Jason took a deep breath.

"I am worried because the man who chases you is half of the balancing powers who keep the vampires under control"

Darren held his eyes wide, his mouth gapping.

"Lestat knew! He never told us, but he knew! And Ben He was probably in on it"

Jason cleared his throat, regaining attention.

"That still isnt the whole thing though Daniel, father You are the final power holder Damn them to hell for not telling you"

**

"Room service"

"Alright, hang on, Im coming"

Dag opened the door, still dressed only in his towel as he wheeled the cart into the main room. Mellina was already seated at the table reading the front page of the paper.

"There, I hope you are happy"

She threw the paper at him, Darren and Daniel on the cover.

Garden Cancels World Tour After almost completing their second world tour, Hayes and Jones told representatives of Sony Music that they would not be finishing the last leg. The reasons stated were simple but disheartening to fans. "I cant sleep anymore, and I can barely get out of bed, much less put on a two hour show every night," says Hayes, siting chronic fatigue as his major decision-maker. However, Jones was far from being well either. "Ive been fighting a cold for weeks now, and its just time to slow down and get healthy again. Its become debilitating to the back because I cant concentrate on stage" We will get you an update as soon as we hear anything.

Dag put the paper down, looking at Mell.

"You know, those two are some of the best con men I have ever seen. They better watch out though Dedication could be the death of them both."

**

"No Ben, no... "

"Come on Please?"

"No!"

"Where is you sense of fun and excitement?"

"I left it in Melbourne. I dont see why you are so edgy to go start problems. Tell me, what is ticking through your head?"

Ben glared at Aaron, folding his arms indignantly.

"I hate the fact that I am locked up. Since I came here, youve done nothing but to keep me in this house of darkness!"

"Because you were sent to us in nothing more than a crate! Your explanation is a simple one, but not with enough reason to justify your actions and theories. Why make it your battle?"

"Because it is Lestat's battle, and I will follow him as far as he may go. I can never turn my back away."

Aaron quickly stood, his hands hanging loosely.

"Then who did you turn on when you failed to realize that you were killing Daniel as you thrashed out at Dagmantis?"

He didn't wait for an answer as he walked out of the room, and back into his shadows.

"I turned on myself, let my negligence rule me. I am a weak fool A fool who made a dire mistake... "