I've returned from the past

Chapter 25

Orion dragged himself out of another memory, gasping for breath at the intensity of it all. As he'd discovered, looking through a normal pensieve was one thing- looking through Hadrian's pensieve was another altogether. 

"You must take a break Mr Black," Salazar advised. He ignores the portrait, pinning his gaze to another memory- and burying himself in it again. It had become a drug- to be in his brother's head and he wasn't about to stop- he was close to the answers he needed. He was certain of it- 

Rather than darkness this time- there was red-

Hadrian observed from behind a red curtain a scene of blood and vampires- being used by dark wizards as slaves and there was one in particular Hadrian had his gaze on. He needs to save these poor creatures and he will- It most certainly wouldn't be hard. 

Standing in the canopy of a balcony, he observes rough petrifying spells, incarceration spells and much more foul things to behold. 

It most certainly was not something he wished to see- 

But he saw. And he had to see to save them. He could not shy away from the sounds of agonies or fake pleasure- of the sound of pain.

He feels for the gun at his belt but the host of this event had long since disappeared up to a room and it was him Hadrian needed to kill to them be able to wreck this place without having him escape. 

He glides forward across the floor and walks over to some vampires still magically controlled. Any could be returned or forced to do as one pleased, which served him just fine- 

Except his general presence in the vicinity had drawn the attention of the vampires- and their aversion. Especially the long haired blonde with red eyes- of which drew him in inexplicably.

In fact, the vampire watched his approach with careful eyes and Hadrian placed his glass of wine on a servants tray and entangled his fingers in the magic that connected the vampire to the laws that had been instilled upon him- and forced the Vampire up onto his feet. 

In nothing but a white shirt and black pants and basic shoes- he hasn't been overly cared for- 

Hadrian must seem like a boy to him. Because already the blood in his veins was old, his heart was creased with the number of years and his eyes understood the tale of time. 

Something of which Hadrian understood himself- in a different and yet perpetual form. 

"What is your name?" He asks, non-threateningly. The vampires attentions doesn't stray from the mask of silver on his face- something that separated him from many others in this room. There were some- who wore masks. But not like Hadrian's. 

"Griffin." 

"You must be the elder then." The vampire seemed surprised and then cocked his head. 

"That I am. Does that delight you?" Does that incite you with pleasure? Do you want exotic things to toy with- to play with, to own. - Is what the Vampire was really asking. 

Refusing to rise to the bait, he says quietly, "Perhaps it is merely morbid curiosity instead. Come." He turns and the vampire follows. His steps were weak- his complexion looked thin as well. As they climb the stairs, Hadrian's magic aids him up the stairs to walk by his side- and he murmurs, "I happen to be in need of a corpse and you are in need of blood. So I believe we can help each other."

"I cannot break free of the oaths I've sworn under the Gais." Hadrian glances curiously at Griffin, blood red eyes watching him. 

"I have only ever read about the Gais. I would love to hear about them."