It hadn't been the safest thing to take Alec outside at night time and not hover, he'd known that from the get-go, but he'd also wanted to give the boy some freedom. Nothing was worse than being babied, Damien had been hard on him for that. He was distracted by a phone call for just a moment and when he turned around, Alec was gone. He spent a good five minutes rushing all over the place looking for the boy before he called the friends he did have in London.

Marcus didn't have to wait long for Talbot to arrive with a tracker. Naturally he wished he'd brought Amelita as she was a pretty good tracker herself, but Talbot's friend would have to do. They started where he'd last seen his fledgeling and worked their way through the town until Marcus was banding down the door to what looked like it served as a lair for a coven of sorts. It was that freak he'd stabbed with a pen.

Not one for small talk at the moment as he was simply furious with the man, Marcus beat him to a pulp, really using his strength to make sure the vampire would take time healing, if he decided to let him live. "Who's your maker?" he practically growled at the vampire, half tempted to just kill him without learning the answer. What he had to say baffled Marcus though as he could've sworn the vampire said Arya.

Looking up at Talbot for a moment, he shrugged and plunged his hand into the man's chest, gripping tightly around his heart. When he said the same nonsense, Marcus smirked as he let up his grip on the boy and went over to Alec. "Are you hurt?" he asked gently before he broke the collar from around his neck. It didn't even phase him that his hand was covered in blood at the moment, he just wanted to make sure the newborn wasn't hurt. He'd deal with the other in a moment.

Alec tried to move away from the man, only falling over on his side with his hands tied in-front of him and the collar that was attached to a long chain leash didn't help his movements when the vampire tugged on the leash, making him fly forward and he was on his hands and knees in-front of the vampire who gripped his dark hair, forcing him to look up. He felt tears swell in his eyes and he didn't know what was going to happen to him when the man was suddenly thrown away from him.

He looked up to see it was Marcus and felt so relief. He winched and looked away as Marcus beat the guy to a bloody pulp and only looked up once the collar was broke from his neck.Yes...... He said softly and saw the blood on his makers hands and gently took Marcus hands in his bound ones. Are you hurt.... He asked, clearly concerned.

Marcus knew the vampire would heal up again, which was why he wasn't afraid to go all out on the bastard. If he truly was one of Arya's, he'd send the blonde to London to get rid of him herself. She could do with the time off and the man could do with a good lecture. Right now he needed someone to serve as an example of what would happen to anyone who tried to take his boy away from him.

He smiled slightly though when Alec was so obviously concerned about him. It was almost sweet in a way. "I'll be fine," he said softly and found something to carefully cut the ropes that bound Alec's hands. Looking around, it took a few moments, but he found the boy's clothing and brought it back to Alec. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. I turn my back for a second and they try to take you away from me. Clearly some people never learn," he sighed softly. All the rage he'd unleashed on the aggressor was gone the moment he had to take care of Alec as he didn't want the other to be worried.

"Talbot, make sure this man is used as an example. My fledgelings are not for sale, and they are not to be kidnapped or taken anywhere against their will. Ever. And when he comes to his senses again, let him know I'm sending in Arya. If he was telling the truth, she's got to be the one to make sure he really gets the message." That was all the attention he was going to give his friend at the moment, and it seemed the other vampire understood perfectly well what needed to be done as he was alone with his 'son' of sorts only moments later. "When we get home, both you and Damien need to learn how to defend yourselves before we can go anywhere again," he chuckled and picked the boy up effortlessly, ready to get him in a car and take him home for a good, warm bath.

He didn't know if the blood had come from Marcus hand or it had come from his kidnapper. He did relax some though once Marcus said he was okay and took the cloths that were brought back to him and quickly dressed, rubbing his neck where the collar had left light marks against his pale skin. He was quiet though, looking back over to the man that had kidnapped him and didn't know what would happen to him.

Your not going to kill him...are you? He asked softly. He didn't want someone to die because of him.

He just nodded at what Marcus had said and was lifted up effortlessly by Marcus. He laid his head on the mans chest and closed his eyes, wanting to just go back to the house they were staying at so he could get some rest.

Marcus was glad that Alec was relatively OK, despite the dramatics. The last thing he'd ever wanted was for the boy to see just how low morals a lot of the vampires had when it came to other vampires. Though at the question, Marcus couldn't help but smile slightly. "If what he said was true, that would be up to Arya. I don't kill other vampires for the fun of it. If she brings Antonette, they'll find a way to make him forget who he is and relocate him so he'll never come looking for trouble again."

Of course, Marcus wouldn't mind killing the vampire for trying to take away what was rightfully his, but he knew Alec was very empathic towards others and opposed killing. So, he'd make an exception because the boy didn't want the vampire dead. After all, he couldn't expect the boy to stick around if he thought his whole family was full of monsters.

When they got outside of the building, a car was waiting for them to take them to his house. He couldn't help but stroke Alec's hair affectionately before he gently placed him in the back. "I'll draw up a bath for you and if you want anything at all, you just have to let me know, ok?"

He was relieved that Marcus wasn't going to kill the vampire. He really didn't want anyone to die, guess when he was turn a more empathic side of him came out because he wanted to distance himself from being thought of as a monster.

He smiled once Marcus sat him down in the back of the car and was relief that they were just going to head back to the house they were staying at.

He talked to Marcus some, clearly worried that this might happened again. Once they got back to the house, he waited patiently for his bath since he really needed one.

Marcus tried his best to assure Alec that no one would dare hurt him again. He couldn't guarantee that they'd never try anything with him again, but they knew better now than to try when Marcus was anywhere where he could quickly find the boy and seriously wound the aggressor. In the meantime, he'd teach the boy to defend himself. It was all about body language really, Alec often came off as very scared and fragile, and that made him an easy target.

Once at the house, Marcus didn't hesitate to draw up the warm bath and add some relaxing bath salts to the water. After all, he wanted Alec to feel safe, clean and relaxed when he was done bathing. Otherwise there wouldn't have been much of a point in getting in the bath to begin with and he hated to make messes for no good reason. "When we get back, I'm going to have to introduce you to the man that made it perfectly clear that keeping people as pets wouldn't sit well with him. He made it possible for our arrangement to work out so well." It was only fair that Alec met Damien, especially since the latter was the whole reason he didn't want Alec as a pet.

When the bath was ready, Marcus left a cell phone close to the bath and left Alec alone, staying not too far away in case he needed anything. He'd left the phone in case he wanted to call Casey, if the dragon even had a cell phone.

He was thankful to be back at the house and felt like no one could hurt him if he was inside a building and with Marcus so closed by.

He looked curious now at what Marcus had said about meeting someone that apparently made this non pet arrangement possible. He was very curious now and was about to ask who it was when Marcus left him he with a cellphone.

He took his cloths off and got in the warm bath with a soft sign. He grabbed the phone and texted Casey's number and smiled as he spent most of his bath talking to the dragon. Once he was done, he dried off and it dressed in black pj pants and a white wife beater that hung loosely off his thin frame.

He jumped on Marcus bed and sat down beside of the man."Who is this person?" He askdd

Marcus didn't really think anyone would be stupid enough to try to take Alec again. At least not for a very long time. After all, it had taken centuries from the first time someone had tried to steal Damien until anyone had dared try again. He could be quite merciless and the only reason he didn't kill the vampire earlier was because Alec didn't want him to.

While Alec was in the bath, he took the time to write an email to Damien on his laptop. He was propped up on his bed, leaning against the headboard and had just pressed send when Alec jumped on his bed. Closing his laptop, Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at the question.

"His name is Damien, you haven't met him yet since we had a falling out around the time I turned you, but he's Arya's younger brother." Smiling slightly, Marcus didn't want to bore Alec with too many details, besides their relationship was very physical, but there was one thing he could say: "He was my pet for a long time, but after spending a few centuries apart, I finally realized that he's always been more than just another pet."

He watched Marcus with curiosity and smiled some, listening intently on who this Damien was. So......Damien was like his older brother? It would be nice to have a older brother, he was honestly stuck in a house with three females all the time and practically stuck to Marcus like Velcro when the man came around.

"Do you think he'll like me......" He said softly, laying down beside of Marcus and laid his head on the mans shoulder. Alec couldn't help but to be a cuddle bunny when it came to others, especially around people he felt safe around.

He really hoped that once Damien got past the fact that he'd been jealous of Alec that he'd come to like the boy. They would be like brothers in a way, but hopefully they'd get along a little better than Arya and Damien did. He could never be too sure though as it seemed his fledgelings had an inherent need to have strong personalities and just do whatever they wanted in the end anyway.

Marcus smiled slightly at the question and wrapped an arm around Alec when he cuddled up to him like that. "I think, if he gives you a chance, he'll find that your innocence is a breath of fresh air after living for so long," he replied genuinely. After all, if Damien got past his initial jealousy, he'd see that Alec was a very different kind of special to him that he was.

"Last time I brought him here though, Talbot kidnapped him, so you two have something in common already. I actually ought to thank you. Having you and the girls around made me realize just how much he means to me," Marcus couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Did you get in touch with Casey?" He asked curiously. Marcus honestly just wanted Alec to be happy, and if the dragon made him happy, then he wanted to make sure the boy never felt like he was being kept away from him.

"Maybe we should get you both something with a camera on, so you can talk anytime, anywhere, a lot easier? One of those tablet things..."

He looked up at Marcus with a small smile at what he said concerning Damien. He didn't even think about that the other vampire could have possibly been jealous over him since nothing happened between Marcus and him. I hope so.......it would be nice to have a brother....I am always stuck with three girls.... He muttered softly and nuzzled his head into Marcus neck.

It surprised him to hear that Talbot had kidnapped Damien. That was the same man that had helped Marcus keep a eye on him...wasn't it? Why would Talbot kidnapped his best friends lover.....it didn't make any sense to him. Why ddi he kidnapped him......and why would you still talk to someone who you clearly love and care for. He asked and looked confused.

He nodded. Yes....we texted and even talked on the phone....it was nice to hear his voice. He said softly and smiled. I hate that he is under contract like this....he can't leave the graveyard...... He added softly.

That would be nice. He said with a smile.

It would indeed be nice if Alec and Damien got along, for all their sakes. He had nothing to be jealous of, and Marcus didn't want Alec to feel like he was stuck with nothing but girls around him all the time, even if he knew Gale was just trying to be nice. He didn't really know Juliette very well, and he didn't exactly feel the need to. Besides, the blonde kept mostly to herself anyway.

"Things with Talbot are.. complicated at best. We have known each other for so long now, it's hard to hold a grudge for long." Besides, he'd gone back to London on his own while Damien was still not talking to him and sorted things out with Talbot as he didn't like not talking to his friend at all just because they were in a fight. Sometimes they argued like a married old couple, most of the time they were more like brothers after all this time.

It pleased him to learn that Alec had successfully gotten a hold of his boyfriend, he couldn't possibly care less about the expenses, so it was important that he never felt like he was being restricted as far as talking to Casey. "Maybe there is a way he could come outside the graveyard for shorter periods of time, if you just ask his contractor?" It would be so much easier for Alec to get out more as well if he could go places with Casey; he trusted that the dragon would never let Alec hurt anyone, which was why he was allowed to spend as much time with the dragon as he wanted. Given that he learned how to live as a vampire from time to time.

"Then we'll go to a store when we get back and get them. If he isn't allowed outside, at least that way he could sort of be there with you anyway."

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He nodded."Well I'm glad that he didn't kidnapped me." He said with a smile.

"I don't even know who his contractor is.....he really doesn't like to talk about it....." He said.

"You don't have to buy anything for me...." He said and wasn't use to people just buying things for him.

Marcus was glad as well that Talbot hadn't been the one to kidnap Alec. He'd been able to forgive his old friend for taking Damien as that was more or less payback for Alice, but there was no reason for his old friend to try again, not after they'd squared up. What he'd told Alec was true though, they never could stay mad at one another for too long. They owed each other too much to forget about the other that was for sure.

"Well, lucky for you then that Arya is part of the town council. She might have a clue if you ask nicely." It was highly unlikely that she wouldn't know where to begin asking around at least. And there was absolutely no reason to push Casey for an answer if the dragon didn't like to talk about it.

"You know, I wouldn't have to buy things for you if we just got you your own bank account, then you could get everything you need when you need it. You're part of our family now, and money isn't an issue." He ruffled the boy's hair and chuckled. Yes, money truly wasn't an issue and it wouldn't be so either, at least not for a very long time if they kept working like they were. Well, truth was, they didn't have to work anymore, but Marcus for one rather enjoyed keeping busy.