Blood Ties

From the journal of Robert Frohmeyer:

 

How little Eric brings back memories of Joshua. Such a happy baby, he spends most of his time smiling. How I wish that smile would remain on his face but eventually Pendragon will make his move. It's why I contacted Whistler. The young hybrid boy has become like a son to Whistler, it seems we have both found family to replace that which we lost.

As Whistler and I spoke, it became apparent that I am not the only one who has suffered because of of Pendragon. I am convinced that the vampire who killed Whistler's family was Mars, twin brother of the bitch called Mercury.

Pendragon sired the two decades ago. The two were inseparable, when Mars was destroyed Mercury defected from her vampiric sire. She left Pendragon to take up with a converted by the name of Deacon Frost. From what I have been able to discover, Mars did not kill Whistler's family alone. Mercury helped him, on the orders of Deacon Frost.

*****

“He's awake now.” The doctor said. “Basically he was drugged and bled. Not enough to kill, but enough to put his body into deep shock. The blood transfusion was all that was needed besides a bit of rest. He's still slightly anemic but he'll be fine.

You can see him for a bit but don't wear him out, he needs his rest.”

Eric wasted no time in heading to the door. He stopped and turned back to look at Scud. “Josh, he's your dad too.”

Drake gave Scud a gentle shove. “Go on love, waiting won't make it easier. Just remember I'm here for you.”

It was the hardest thing in the world for Scud to make his feet work. Yesterday he would have marched into the room and told his father exactly what he thought of him; but after reading his father's letter, he was unsure. Scud kept his eyes on his feet and he shuffled forward. His head snapped up when a hesitant voice spoke.

“Joshua?” Robert Frohmeyer felt his eyes fill with tears when the young man's eyes met his own. He had Elizabeth's eyes. “My God, I had given up all hope. Son,” he said holding a trembling hand out to the young man standing by the door.

Scud took a step forward looking at the outstretched hand. “I-I can't.” Scud said his voice breaking before he turned and fled from the room.

Robert's hand dropped to the bed and he stared forlornly at the closing door.

“Dad, He'll come around.” Eric said. “I promise.”

“You get along with him?” Robert asked his younger son.

“Well yeah, I mean we have awkward moments but I'm glad he's my brother. He has done everything he can to make me feel welcome. He'll warm up to you too.” Eric said.

*****

Drake held a trembling Scud in his arms. “Relax love. You don't have to have the perfect father son relationship right away. You have to get to know each other. I'm sure he understands that.”

“Drake, I can't.” Scud said his breath catching on a sob. “After reading that letter and finding out how far he was willing to go to protect me, how do I face him? How do I sit there knowing that I became a whore after his sacrifice? I just can't.” Scud said losing the battle with his tears.

“You did what you had to do to survive.” Drake pulled back so he could look into Scud's eyes. “Josh, do you know what it was the demon saw in you? Your eyes. No one as young as you should have that much suffering in their eyes. And for all of your suffering you survived, and I don't mean you still exist. You came through it with your soul intact. You have such a capacity for love and generosity. You can still see the good even in a demon that would destroy the world given half a chance. You don't have anything to be ashamed of.”

Scud looked at Drake and nodded.

“Now I'm going to send Eric out. I need to talk to your father about Pendragon.” Drake brushed his lips across Scud's forehead. “Now you just sit here and calm down okay?”

Scud nodded at Drake as he opened the door to the room. Drake slipped inside to see Eric holding his father's hand. Drake took a moment to study the man who fathered his lover. Robert Frohmeyer's salt and pepper hair was mostly salt. There was a weariness to his features that spoke of a life filled with sadness, but Drake could see the love he had for his younger son. Drake cleared his throat.

Eric looked up and spied Drake standing there. “Dad, this is Dominic Drake.”

“You're Joshua's boss.” Robert said holding his hand out for Drake to shake.

Drake made it a point to play human for now. Shaking the man's hand he said.“Actually a bit more than a boss. I'd like to talk to you about the situation Eric told us about with this Pendragon? Talos Industries has quite a few resources that may be able to help.”

“Thank you, but it's a private family matter. I couldn't drag you into this.” Robert said.

“Eric, you know Josh is still rattled by everything that's happened. Would you mind waiting with him while I talk to your father?” Drake asked pulling a chair up to the bedside.

“I'll see if I can cheer him up or whatever.” Eric wasn't sure which bombshell Drake was going to drop, but Eric knew it was going to be something. He quickly made his way out of the room.

“As I said Mr Frohmeyer your son and I don't have an employer/employee relationship. Josh is my lover. We've been together for a few years now and that is not going to change, we are in a committed relationship so I guess that makes me family.” Drake leaned forward. “Whatever affects

Josh, affects me. He is my family.

It's hard enough for me to see him as upset as he is right now. I won't tolerate anything else threatening his peace of mind.”

Robert pressed the button to raise the head of his bed. “Eric told me that my son is gay. I don't have a problem with that. I only want my son to be happy, if he is happy with you so be it.

But I hope you can appreciate the fact that my son means the world to me. I lost so much time with him, time I can never get back but I would like to get to know him now.”

“It may take some time. Josh is 'fragile' right now. To find out that he has been wrong about you after all these years has him unsettled. He's also worried that you will be disappointed in him as you get to know him.” Drake said.

“Mr Drake. I could never be disappointed in him. I know that life has not been kind to him, and yet here he is alive and well, that is what's important.” Robert said. “I know my son lived on the streets and prostituted himself and I'm not happy about it, but my anger is directed toward myself because it was my failure.

I can't make up for how I have failed him, but I can be proud of him. All I want is the chance to let him know that, and to let him know that there has never been a day that I didn't love him, even if I wasn't with him.”

*****

“Master.” Joseph bowed as he entered Pendragon's study. “I have found information on this Blade. His real name is Eric Brooks. He is also called the Daywalker in the vampire community.”

“The Daywalker?” Pendragon turned from the window and stroked his chin. “He is a vampire?”

“Not exactly, he is a Dhampir sired by Deacon Frost.” Joseph clarified. “He went on to destroy his sire. He has been credited with the destruction of over two hundred vampires both pureblood and converted.”

“Go on.” Pendragon said when his slave hesitated.

“He has entered a pact with Dagon.” Joseph said. “Dagon has been raised and now calls himself Dominic Drake.”

“So he has come to an agreement with the father of us all then?” Pendragon said. “And there is something that you wish to avoid telling me. Spit it out!”

“Dagon has taken another mate.” Joseph said.

“Joseph, you try what little is left of my patience! LaMagra is not devastating the world as we know it! Of course he has taken a mate. What does Dagon replacing Sehkmet have to do with Blade?” Pendragon wrapped his fingers around the slave's throat when the man hesitated.

“Joshua!” Joseph sputtered with the last of his breath.

Pendragon opened his fingers allowing Joseph to drop to his knees and gasp for breath. Joshua...is Dagon's....new mate.”