The Devlin Family

"Nah." You hadn't eaten since last night yet you had no appetite right now. "I'm good."

Looking at her more closely you see two tiny antennae twitch and twirl. The more you inspect her the more differences you now make out from the human form you'd known all your life. The Ciara you knew was a buxom brunette in her early 40's with a kind round face. Her true form, besides the massive difference in height and the wings, looked similar yet with a host of changes. She was slimmer, the angles of her face sharper, her skin showed tinges of verdant green, and her brunette hair and brown eyes now had rich autumn colors dappled throughout.

"Are you sure Master?" She flits closer. "Anything you need Sir, anything at all, I am here to serve you."

You raise a brow and give her a suspicious look. She talked differently now and it wasn't just her higher voice. Maybe it was your imagination but this "Master" and "serve you" stuff seemed much more emphasized than before.

"I'm sure." You reply. "Thank you Ciara."

"As you wish Master Jacob." She curtsies again then flies off up the stairs, momentarily giving you an up skirt view of her tiny tush.

You continue through the house, passing through the kitchen and straight down into the wine cellar. Closing the door behind you you turn and look down the stairs and into the pitch darkness beyond. You pass right by the light switches without a thought. Darkness is what you wanted right now.

The cellar was underground but this was no musty dusty basement. It had an old world antique decor with brick walls and tile floors but the climate controlled space was open, clean and state of the art. The wine and other beverages were in long sealed cabinets running along almost every wall of the labyrinthine cellar. In the center is an open area with a table and chairs where tastings or intimate gatherings could be had. This is where you go. Keeping your fingertips tracing one wall you follow the hall until it opens up. Taking a few careful steps forward, hands out in front of you, you find a chair. Pulling it out from the table you sit down on it and let out a tired sigh and let your weary body relax.

Eyes wide open you just enjoy the dark and quietly hope that Vespera would come find you once more. For a moment you swear you sense something...but your sister does not come.

A niggling unease had been growing inside of you ever since she was forced away. Was it concern? Was it curiosity? Was it some strange type of fear? You couldn't place it but you didn't like it. Back in the woods, back in the tower, you had felt a connection with your sister. A connection you had been unaware of until last night yet its absence you now felt keenly. The connection was new but you had felt this absence many times throughout your life. You assumed it was normal loneliness or melancholy.

You let out a long forlorn breath and reach up and wipe the unbidden tears from your cheek.

A voice from the dark nearly stops your heart in your chest, a cold soft silky voice. "Hey. Are you okay kid?"

"Dev?"

There is the click of a blue flame lighter and your eldest sister's long elegant face is revealed not 7 feet away from you. She brings the lighter closer to her face, the shifting shadows highlighting her regal features, and she lights a long slender cigarillo. The tip glows red then the lighter flame goes out. With just the tiny blossom of light from tip of the cigarillo your sister's eyes gleam with an unnatural shine. She pulls the smoke away and lets out a long breath and the rich tobacco aroma of spice and cedar fills the air.

"It's going to be okay you know." She says in a voice like a whisper on a cool breeze. "You're going to be okay Jacob."

"Jesus Devany!" You hurry to wipe the rest of the tears from your face. "You scared the crap out of me."

Holy shit, she'd been there the whole time and you hadn't even known! It was only Dev but still, that was a frightening realization and a reminder of how ill prepared you were to face this new world. You had never felt so vulnerable and powerless in your life.

The fact this unnerving presence was your eldest sibling rattled you. What you were to Trixie, Devany was to you. The sister you looked up to, sought advice from, and just generally looked up to as an example. Your relationship wasn't as warm and jokey as with Trix. Devany was cool, elegant, refined, and controlled. But the love was just as deep. She had always been a rock for you. Her true form bothered you now though, not only her vampiric nature but knowing she was old enough to be your grandmother. She hadn't lied to you on purpose, the enchantment wouldn't let her tell the truth, yet it still felt an erosion of trust.

"Apologies." There is another draw of the smoke and another unhurried exhale. "Why are you sitting in the dark Jacob? Why are you crying? Are you still afraid of us?"

"I mean, a little." You lay your head on the table upon your crossed arms. "There's so much to be afraid of now Dev."

"We won't let anything happen to you. Take heart little brother, you have a powerful family."

"A family of monsters."

"A family who loves you." She shoots right back. "Jacob. We Devlin's need each other. Our unity brings us safety." You hear the flick of ash being tapped into an ashtray. "I am a vampire without a bloodline or heritage. Bron is a werewolf without a pack. Beatrix a slime without a colony. And poor little Lucian a half incubus outside a harem, not truly home in either earth nor hell. Yes, you are a human among monsters but that doesn't mean you are not one of us."

"A family of oddballs." You mutter.

"You've been talking to Beatrix. Yes, indeed, a family of oddballs." She moves closer though the only sound you hear is the shifting chair. "Our family is what keeps us alive. The only place we truly belong." She settles in within arm's reach at your side. "It makes us vulnerable, isolated, but it does have its advantages. I am my own Mistress. The beginning of my own bloodline if I wish. I have no Sire, no elders, no antiquated traditions to bend the knee to. I am my own. It's not easy I admit but I think I prefer it."

"At least you have powers and stuff. I am just a pathetic little human. I feel as defenseless as a fly being around all of you."

"Hmmm." She places a hand on your knee. "Father told me that seeing your twin disturbed you."

Not wanting to give anything away you go with the bluff for now. "Yeah. I mean, all of you were terrifying but Vespera...she's another level. I can't believe a being like that is my twin."

Devany's voice lowers, quiet as a cat's footstep and yet crystal clear in your ears. "Don't be afraid of her."

"What?"

"Mother believes she knows when Ves is near." Another drag of the cigarillo, it's cherry clouded by the growing tip of ash. She then sets it in the ashtray. "She may be hellborn but Mother is not a creature of darkness." Your sister leans in close, her cool soft hand caressing the back of your neck as she whispers in your ear. "She watches sometimes, your twin, I see her peeking in. She watches you in particular Jacob. You fascinate her. Father and grandmother believe she could be a threat to this whole world but I don't think so. I say what father wants to hear but I can see that he is blinded by his fear and his lack of control. Our sister...she could have killed us all back in the library and yet she didn't."

"Do you really think she could?"

"Oh Jacob, can't you feel her power?" She lets out a hissing sigh. "She could change...everything. And you Jacob, you are the key."

"Me?"

"She is attracted to you. She seeks you out. There is a tether between you none of us understand. Explore that connection Jacob." She pets your hair softly bringing back many fond memories of when she would sing for you as the pair of you sat by the fire. "You don't have to be human you know. You don't have to be powerless. You have a choice my brother."

"A choice?" You look up, though you could not see her or sense her beyond the warm smell of tobacco that clung to her. "What choice do I have?"

"The others have their abilities but only Bron and I can pass those powers on to a pure blood human. And only I possess the ability to gift immortality."

"Immortality?"

"The gifts of undeath are varied and many. Sacrifices are made but the returns more than worth it."

"You aren't serious?"

"I am."

"You want to turn me into a vampire!?"

"If that is what you wish Jacob, then yes. I would very much like that. I would be your Sire, you my first progeny." Her eager voice rises though still a whisper. "You would be powerful Jacob! Not some back alley blood sucker but a Prince. My right hand. Imagine it brother, a new bloodline. The Devlin bloodline, sui generis. The first new lineage in centuries. Young, adaptable, ambitious, unencumbered by dusty traditions and old alliances. You could create more Jacob, our bloodline could grow. That friend of yours, Grace, she could be yours if you wish." Her long fingers tighten ever so slightly around the back of your neck and for the first time you feel but a hint of her great strength. "With Vespera at our side nothing could stop us brother. Those old fools on the council would have to listen to me then." Her voice lowers to a threatening purr. "If I let them live at all!"

"Devany, you're scaring me."

There is a long silent pause. The grip on your neck loosens. Devany leans in and hugs you. "I am sorry. This is too much too fast." She lets out a little laugh. "Your warmth, your blood, I never sensed it so keenly before. I became excited. Forgive me brother."

You hug her back, easily encompassing her long slender body in a big tight embrace. "I need you Dev, don't turn all crazy on me."

She holds you close. "I'm here Jacob. I'm right here." Taking your head in her hands she rests her forehead upon yours. "I didn't mean to scare you more. I love you kid."

"Love you too."

***

As you part you take her hands in yours. "Thanks for the offer but...not yet."

She chuckles. "I figured. You can't blame me offering."

The pair of you spend an hour just hanging out in the dark. Having already pressed you too hard she keeps the conversation light and topical. Just like with Trixie and Mom you discover that behind the fangs Devany was still the big sister you'd always known.

"I'm going to go rest." She pats your knee. "Even down here I can feel the day bearing down."

"Rest? In your coffin?"

"No, in my bed." She pauses. "Would you like to join me?" The insinuation was as clear as could be.

"Devany, I am going to pretend you didn't say that."

She lets out a light chuckle. "Later then."

"Never then." What was with this family!?

"Heh. Okay Jacob." She leans in and kisses your cheek. "Enjoy your day."

With barely a sound she is gone, or at least you think she is gone. You really couldn't tell. Heading back upstairs you have Ciara fix you some lunch and watch her use her magic to move things about and make the preparations. It was incredible, and the food, as always, delicious.

You end up in the drawing room next to the entry hall and rest upon the antique chaise lounge. Finally able to doze off you manage to snatch a couple hours sleep.

You are woken by a vehicle approaching the house at great speed, sitting up you listen hard. There is the locking of brakes and a grinding skid to a stop. As you hurry for the front door to find out what is going on you hear the slamming of one car door and then another. Then the voice of your little sister.

"Luci, wait. Please! I'm sorry. Talk to me."

One of the big front doors swings wide and your 18 year old little brother, the youngest and brattiest of the Devlin clan, storms into the house. He drops his backpack just inside the door, books and pens scatter over the floor, without a glance he keeps walking. He is beat to hell. His hair messed, his nose bloodied, a fat lip, his school uniform torn, and he was bruised up badly. Even as he drops his human disguise to return to his half incubus form most of the damage remains. Tears flow freely down his fine cheeks though he tries hard to hide them from you.

"Lucian, what happened?" You ask.

"Don't look at me human!" He snarls without even slowing down. "Leave me alone!"

"Human?"

Ciara flies in and lets out a gasp. "Oh! Master Lucian!"

He stops beside her, his small fists balled up at his sides, and in quavering voice that told you he was barely holding himself together he asks. "Where's my Mum? I need my Mum."

"I'm sorry Master, Mistress Lilith is out at the..."

"Mmmmmm!" He lets out a pitiable cry then darts up the stairs toward his room.

"What is happening?" You say.

"This is all my fault." Trixie laments. "After what happened with you I told Luci that he just needed to more bold and be upfront with them. To let them know how he really felt and they would show him some love like you showed me."

"Them? Them who?"

But Trixie was already on her way up the stairs after her younger brother, you follow in right behind. The pair of you turn the corner into the hall just as his door slams shut, he slams it so hard though it bounces back open again. You rush in to see him fling himself onto the bed. He waves back at you angrily, trying to keep you away.

"GO AWAY HUMAN! I HATE YOU! I HATE ALL OF YOU!!!" He screams before breaking down completely into heap of wretched sobs. "I hate you...I hate you." He coos in a tiny defeated voice.

Trixie looks at you at a loss as to what to do. Her fun loving spirit ill suited to this sort of thing. You could go get Grandma, or even Devany if she could handle coming up here in the day, but you were here and your brother needed someone right now.

Softly and quietly you walk up to sit beside him. His pained green eyes look up and he tries to push you away, though he doesn't try too hard.

"Hey." You say gently as pull him into your arms. "Hey, shhhhh. It's okay. You're home now."

His struggling ceases and he lets himself slump into your body. His hot tears wetting your cotton shirt. You gently pet his impossibly soft pink hair. Trixie, now in her natural form, comes around the other side and kneels behind him. She strokes his back lovingly.

"I'm sorry Luci." She whispers.

Holding your brother close you cradle his head against your chest, his trembling arms cling to you.

"What happened?" You ask your sister as he weeps.

"They beat him up. They humiliated him. In front of everyone." Trixie looks to you confused. "I didn't know Jake. I couldn't stop it. I didn't know what to do. Why didn't you answer your phone?"

You curse yourself for turning your phone off earlier. "It's okay Trix." You assure her. "Who are they? Who did this?"

"The jocks. The football team."

You are about to ask more questions when Lucian looks up at you with a deep pain that wasn't just physical on his bruised face. Even scuffed up as he was his new feminine demonic form was absolutely beautiful. How could anyone hit something so precious?

"What do you want?" He asks in that soft new lilting not quite male not quite female voice of his. "I don't understand Jake. What do humans want?"

"Lucian, don't worry about what we want. You need to..."

"No. You don't understand!" He slumps back into you.

"Tell me sweetie." You stroke him and soothe him, as your Mom would have had she been her. "Make me understand."

"I just want them to like me, to love me. I'm part Incubus, I need a human soul to need me and lust for me. It was okay until this year. But...since I hit maturity...it hurts so bad Jacob."

"Shhhh, it's okay. I'm human and I love you little brother."

He shakes his head in frustration, his closer horn scraping your shirt. "Not like that!" His voice lowers to a whisper. "I did everything they wanted. I let them touch me. I sucked their dicks, anytime, anywhere. I let them put their fingers in me and play with my body and tease me. I even let them slap me around a little." He weeps. "They were so nice when I was alone with them, one on one. Soft, sweet, kind. They said the nicest things. And we had so much fun in the locker room. Rough men being rough, passing me around like I was their good little slut. They invited me to private parties and they'd drink and take turns with me. Mmmmmm." He mewls in emotional agony. "I thought they liked me. Then...out by the bleachers today....I told them I liked them. I told them I wanted to be their boy. Then...then they said they didn't even know me. They called me a faggot and a sissy. They hit me, hard. They pulled my hair and tore my clothes and said...they said nobody wants someone like me. They pulled my pants down and showed everyone my little dick. They laughed Jacob, they all laughed at me."

You feel your anger rising in equal measure with your compassion. You try hard to keep your voice even and measured. "Lucian, you're a demon. Couldn't you fight back?"

"Incubi aren't that kind of demon, and I'm only half. We tempt, we cajole, we lure, and we pleasure. We make people feel good and people make us feel good. We don't fight." He lets out a long shuddering sob. "I don't understand humans. I did everything they wanted. What did I do wrong? I'm trying not to be a bad boy, I really am! I want to be good. Why am I never good enough Jacob? Why don't humans want me?" His weeping softens and in a fragile voice you could barely make out he says. "Who would ever want a half-breed boy like me?"

You'd heard all you could take. You hug him so tight and kiss his soft perfumed smelling head. "You are a good boy Lucian. You are such a good boy. You didn't do anything wrong."

Sitting up straight you look to Trixie. With a gentle but firm guiding touch you transition your broken little brother from you to her. She hugs him close with 6 encircling arms and comforts him as best she could. "It's okay Luci, you're with us now."

"Stay with him." You say. Looking to the open doorway you tell Ciara. "When Mom gets home bring her here immediately."

"Yes Master Jacob."

You stand up, hands trembling with rage. Here you'd been worrying about monsters from fairy tales being real, but now you remembered that monsters came in all kinds.

"Where are you going Jake?" Trixie asks, concern in her voice. "Jake, there are a bunch of them. They're big!"

"Stay with him." You say.

"No, Jake. Stay here!" She calls out. "Jake, please don't go."

Her pleas fall on deaf ears as you were already on your way out the door.

***

You swing by your room to get some proper clothes on and grab your keys, wallet, shoes and phone. You had no idea what you were about to do but this simply could not stand. You knew the football team would still be practicing this time of day and you intended to have a few words with them.

Your brother's weeps still echoing down the hall you hurry back downstairs. With long quick strides you make your way towards the garage. As you round the corner near the door you just catch sight of your bulky big brother coming the other way.

Asshole that he was Bron doesn't even try to get out of your way, in fact he leans in. Your shoulders collide sending you spinning back into the wall.

"Ha!" He scoffs. "Where are you going in such a hurry normie?"

"Fuck off!" You try to push past him but he pushes you back roughly.

"What the fuck did you just say to me little man?" His gray eyes narrow threateningly and a very canine sounding growl rumbles in his chest. "Take a pop Jake and see what happens."

"Get out of my way asshole!"

"Or what?"

You stare straight back unflinching. "Some guys beat up Lucian. Hurt him pretty bad."

Bron blinks as he processes the words you'd just spoken. Then he spins on his heel and storms back toward the garage. "I'm driving."

There were no questions or answers needed. Someone hurt your baby brother and the two elder Devlin brothers united were gonna even the score. Bron has his huge 4x4 roaring and the garage door opening before you even have chance to run around to your door. Your door not even closed yet your big brother floors it. Gravel sprays up behind you as the truck hurtles for the main road.