Secret Fire

~Chapter 32~

Senn Pov.

About a week later...

I stop a few feet behind my brothers, They've started forgetting I'm here, Delthalus is to busy to even be rude to me when he's with his new girlfriend, even Almrak has started forgetting about me, he only remembers me when he glances back and sees me it seems, which I feel is kind of normal considering they were raised together for years and I was being raised with Osivian and Ria and her brothers but they never really felt like a family to me in a way that made me feel like I was Osivian's child he didn't even treat me like an actual child. I sigh a bit then stop in my tracks to think and feel my heart drop as they keep walking not even looking back. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Ingressus behind me, concern evident on his face, Voltar in his hand as if he was going to talk to someone to remind them that he was the Master, going into a battle which he is clearly not otherwise there would be an army, or he was just walking with it to practice his technique in using it, I've seen him do all of those things because I had fought him in a battle before.

"Why do you not go with them?" He asks and I watch him for a minute.

"I..." I start then lower my head and sigh a bit. "It's nothing, I just told them I didn't want to go where they're going."

"I know a lie when I see one, and I've noticed you falling behind whenever they go somewhere, this isn't an irregular occurrence." He says and frowns as he sheathes Voltar again. "Something's wrong, you're getting left behind even by Almrak."

"Yeah..." I admit and look down.

"You know... I was thinking... I have noticed how much you've been left behind, you don't seem like you're feeling very welcome here."

I look down sadly and nod a bit. He frowns sympathetically then looks away and gently swishes his tail, I've seen him doing that around Addy and I know it means sympathy and concern when they gently swish their tails, vampires have a weird way of communicating in a kind way but I guess it's normal considering they're vampires but they bite each other in different ways to express an emotion or a thing, I've seen Almrak bite Delthalus in a way that says they are a loyal family and will take care of each other and I've seen Ingressus bite Addy in a way of expressing love by kissing her neck up then biting her near the top of her neck drinking a bit of her blood then cutting himself and having her put his blood in her mouth then kissing her which combines their blood in a mate-sealing way, I find it strange because she seems to enjoy it as much as he does even when he's biting her. I watch him as he looks back towards me.

"I've been thinking about that... I've watched you for a while to see if you're making any friends and I've noticed that you haven't tried to approach anyone ever since you approached one who denied your off for friendship or if Delthalus and Almrak are welcoming you into their family as their brother and it doesn't seem like they are, and I just wanted to tell you... I'd be happy to welcome you into my family, to take care of you and treat you as my son... and Addy as your mother... what do you call it...? That thing where they aren't biological but you still take them into your family and treat them as if they are...?" He asks and thinks for a minute trying as I try to process what he was saying a bit as I widen my eyes.

"So you're saying you want to adopt me?" I ask and he looks back towards me with a smile.

"Yes, I want to adopt you, it's fine if you don't want that but I am happy to take care of you and give you a place in my family." He smiles hopefully and I start to feel my racing heart calm down, shock still evident on my face. "I can give you a positive environment more than the Sendaris that took care of you gave you, I will love you as much as I love my biological son, if you want to be my son."

"Of course!" I cry and he walks over and hugs me tightly. I hug him back and feel him rub my back as we hug. He lets go of me and smiles as I start feeling my heart jump up and down.

"What can I call you? Where will I live? Is everyone going to know that you adopted me? What do I call Addy? When is your son going to be born and do I consider him my brother?" I start rambling on with questions and hear him chuckle.

"You can call me 'father' or 'Ingressus' if you don't feel comfortable calling me 'father', but I would love it if you did. And you will live with me and Addy where we stay. Yes, I will announce that I have adopted you and that they are to consider you my son and treat you like you are. You call Addy 'mother' or 'mom' or 'Addy' she really wants you to call her 'mom' though, she's was really excited when I told her about my decision to ask you if you wanted to adopted. We don't really know when our son is going to be born and yes you will consider him your brother and we will not blame you for anything he did, we will treat you both the same and you will always have a place in my family from now on." He smiles and I smile back, close to tears before running into his arms again, he hugs me tightly and as I let go.

"I need to go back to the tower and tell Addy, I'll be back to get you in a bit," He smiles and I smile back then wave to him as he walks away.

"Bye, father!" I call and see him smile warmly as he walks towards the tower his tail gently wagging with happiness, it feels weird to call the Deathsinger 'father' but it also feels right, like that's where I should be.

I glance back at my brothers to see Delthalus looking back with confusion and irration, Almrak stops and widens his eyes a bit then walks back towards us along with Delthalus. I pin my ears a bit nervous about Delthalus's reaction.

"What's happening? Senn why were you with Master Ingressus?" Almrak asks and I glance back to see Ingressus, my new father walking back towards the tower, Addy greets him the moment he opens the door by jumping on him and kissing him letting him prop her up, I see her eyes widen before she grins and wraps her arms around Ingressus's neck hugging him.

"I need a large bag." I say simply feeling offended and sad, it's as if they knew I was there the entire time and now that Ingressus is giving me attention they notice I'm here.

"Why?" Delthalus demands.

"Ingressus adopted me, I'm his son now and I'm moving in with him." I tell them firmly only to get a sharp and cruel laugh from Delthalus.

"No he didn't, he doesn't adopt anyone, you misunderstood, he treats child like his children." He scoffs before I feel arms wrap around me.

"Senn!" A female voice squeals, Addy no doubt.

"Hey Addy." I say and smile.

"No, you do not call me 'Addy' anymore, I only want you to call me 'mom' or 'mother' This is exciting! You're going to love this! I am thrilled to call you my son!" She says and hugs me tightly again until I can't breathe. She lets go of me and grins.

"Senn... you're not leaving... are you?" Almrak asks and I turn towards him as Delthalus shrugs and scoffs. "It's just a joke on us."

"No, Ingressus noticed you guys left me behind, so he decided to adopt me." I tell them then see Ingressus walk up beside Addy looking towards me.

"Are you packed with your things?" He asks.

"No, I didn't have time to pack yet." I say and he nods.

"Understandable, hurry though." He says and glances around then looks towards Addy kissing up her neck until he reaches the area where her head meets her neck kissing her for a few seconds in that spot then biting her, I see her smile warmly as he stops then cuts his neck and she licks the wound, getting his blood on her tongue, he kisses her lovingly then stops after a second and smiles at her. She smiles back. I walk towards my room and start putting important things I managed to bring with me in a bag, putting a few in my pocket then walking out towards them.

"You ready to go?" Ingressus asks and I nod confidently, he leans towards me and tilts my head a bit gently biting my neck, I wince a bit then feel him stop and kiss my forehead, Addy smiles and kisses my forehead right after him, pulling me into their arms, I relax and think about the bite from what I've learned it's a bite parents do with their child, each parent kisses their child's cheek or forehead, kissing their forehead is like welcoming them into their new forever home and that makes me feel warm on the inside, safe, comfortable. They lead me towards the tower and Addy starts twirling and laughing as ingressus laughs along with her, I smile and feel Ingressus pull me close to him and rub my head, messing up my hair I pull out of his grip but laugh a bit. I finally feel like I belong...