Part VII: Chapter 14-Gackt

I backed away slowly from the demon. Nicolette tilted her head curiously, but then nodded, her eyes sad, as if she understood everything.

"I'm sorry," she said through soft lips. "I didn't know…"

"That I'm a monster?" I gathered myself and stood up straight. "What did you expect, me being a member of Alabaster's court and all?"

She smiled softly, almost apologetically. "I guess I didn't know what to make of you, Gaito."

My name again. I shook it off. Turns out everyone knew who I really was. I might as well just give up the farce.

I swallowed hard, preparing myself for what I was about to ask. "How do you know my father?" I inquired.

Nicolette's golden eyes widened. "You don't know?" She frowned, thinking. "Oh…that's right," she paused, listening to the wind "…isn't it?"

I felt like she was drifting away. I grabbed her arm. "What are you-"

"Nicki dearest, it's time to go," Dash intervened, purposefully pushing between both of us. He glared at me. "Better stick to your own, Gaito. There are a lot of things you really don't want to get into." Pride stepped forward, nearly bumping noses with me. "Just do as you're told, and leave the investigating to us."

Before I could respond, he had already whisked Lust away. Dumbfounded, I ambled into the kitchen, trying to make sense of all that just went on. As I washed the dirt from my palms, soft footsteps padded behind me.

"Glad to see you're back," Sonia hummed, hugging me from behind.

It was then I felt the fullness that had formed on her body. I spun around and she pinned me against the counter, advancing even closer, placing her foot between the two of mine.

"Who was that angel with you?" I demanded, trying my best not to mind our closeness. Although thickening, Sonia was still lovely.

Her full lips pressed together, creasing. "I can't say I know what you are talking about, Gackt." She turned away from me as if she wanted me to follow her. "There are many men in my life."

Remus was chattering something nervously in Latin. The ramblings were going to drive me insane.

"I see…" I muttered, hoping to shut the Roman up, "that would explain the child. You mustn't know who the father is."

"Oh no," she clucked her tongue and turned to me, "that would be you."

I gripped the countertop until my hands were sore. "H-how…"

"Do I know? A succubus can only get pregnant if she allows herself to. At least with the blood of one of Alabaster's knights I know she will turn out healthy and well."

I swallowed hard. "And you chose me?"

"You gave me the opportunity, and I seized it," Sonia said with a smile. "It's a girl, by the way. I'm thinking of naming her Charisma."

I liked the name, but was insulted she hadn't spoken to me about it before. "What gave you that idea?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

She smirked. "You don't remember?"

I felt warmth on my face. Of course I remembered. I had never talked so much before intercourse in my life.

Sonia tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear and smiled softly. "I won't ask you to watch her, or even be there. I simply needed your assistance to create her."

I looked at her for a moment, wondering how she kept such good care of herself even now. I spoke slowly and seriously, "you wanted me to be a sperm donor? You don't want me to actually help you with anything else? The girl will need a father."

"No, she won't. I have many children with only one parent. Upon their growth, their father whisked them away from me. They did not need me, and Charisma will not need you."

My mouth dropped open. I couldn't think of how to respond. Sonia smiled at me confidently.

"Don't worry," she cooed, taking my face in her cool hands, "I have this under control."

I wanted to kiss her, and I knew I shouldn't. I promised myself I wouldn't surrender to her anymore. Still, she seemed to be expecting it. Sonia's face was so close to mine.

I waited for that distraction to come. For a vision, or someone to intrude and force her away from me. Even Remus didn't say anything, but I knew something stupid was going through his evil little mind.

I pushed her away from me. "No, Sonia. You will not enchant me anymore. You won't even let me be a father to my first and only child."

She almost looked sympathetic. Lycan wandered into the kitchen, scratching his head nervously.

"Hey Gackt," he mumbled.

I pushed past him out the door. "You're late," I grumbled.

"Hey wait up!" The wolf stumbled after me. "Alabaster needs to see you."

"Hm?" I stopped at the living room entrance. "What for?"

"It has to do with your vision, the one of the girl?"

Poet stood up from the couch where we first met. Lycan growled at him.

"I was waiting for you, son of Sin. Before I took my leave, I was wondering if you would like to meet me in my home some time? There are quite a few things I would like to go over with you." He chuckled, "bring your little pal, Monty. I'm sure my brother would love to have another playmate."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I don't think I'll be bringing Monty anywhere," I replied sternly.

Lycan grabbed my arm. "Alabaster hates waiting," he warned.

"Right. I'll see you around, Poet."

I followed Lycan up the stairs and into the grand throne room. Alabaster sat where he usually did, with Nameth on his right. However, at the foot of the throne was a chained girl in a torn white dress. Her white-blond hair spilled over her shoulders and onto the ground. Her head was down, but I recognized her the moment I saw her. She was the girl from my visions.

"She said her name is Marionette," Nameth explained, miserable as usual. "We caught her breaking in."

Alabaster eyed the girl disapprovingly. "Is she the one who escaped from the laboratory?"

I nodded. Why wasn't she moving? I wondered. Had they done something to her? Lycan stepped forward warily.

"Nam," he whispered, "I'm sure she didn't mean anything."

"Rules are rules," the snowy-haired man said with a smirk. His clear eyes were ruthless. "Shall I do the honors, my lord?"

Alabaster nodded. I could feel Sonia at the door. I stepped forward.

"So what, you're going to just kill her?" I demanded. "She didn't even do anything wrong!"

"She's already seen too much," Nameth said coldly.

"Then keep her here, don't kill her!"

"Gackt, shut up," Lycan whispered to me.

A chill ran up my spine, freezing my entire body.

"Nameth," Alabaster said sternly, "don't. We do not need a divided house. Now finish her."

The chill vanished and I glanced at Nameth. He smirked ruthlessly.

Marionette moved slightly, dragging her palms along the floor. A small noise escaped her throat; a sob maybe? Nam moved his hand to his temple and his eyes began to fill with black fluid. I backed up, appalled, but Lycan gave me a warning glare.

The girl screamed, shaking all of us. Even Nameth took a step back, but didn't halt what he was doing. Marionette gripped the ground so hard the skin under her nails began to bleed. She pulled against her shackles, cutting long slashes into her wrists. She clung to Alabaster's legs, begging for release. The king did not move, only looked down at her with cold eyes.

Just then, Sonia pushed past Lycan and me, falling only inches before Alabaster and his struggling slave.

"My lord," she addressed him in an unfamiliar, regal way. "Allow me to take her under my wing as one of our maids. She will never leave this place, so what goes on here and what she sees will stay within these walls. The girl is young and ignorant, she doesn't deserve to be murdered."

Alabaster looked down at the succubus favorably. "On your feet, Sonia. I despise seeing someone of your stature on your knees. You are the first of your kind."

Sonia's regal appearance vanished. "So I'll be taking her with me, Alabaster?"

Nameth frowned at her, but didn't say a word. Marionette sobbed, her eyes never leaving the ground.

The king nodded slowly, nudging the prisoner with his foot. "Get her dressed and clean." His cold eyes turned to me, his irises shifting from green to gray. "What are you still doing here? You and Monty should have been gone hours ago."

Lycan nudged me.

"Oh, r-right!" I stuttered, realizing how much time had passed. "I guess I'll go then…"

Lucien, one of Lycan's knights, burst into the room. Although the sudden movement seemed frantic, Lucien was calm and serious.

"My lord," he said, bowing before the king, "you have a visitor."

Alabaster was immediately on his feet. "Well why the fuss? Who is it?"

Lucien's yellow eyes flashed with fear. "It's one of the seven Elder Demons...he introduced himself as-"

The lights in the room flashed once before failing. Nameth stood at Alabaster's side protectively, while Sonia grabbed Marionette who whimpered in fear. Lycan growled beside me as a dark figure entered the room.

I frowned. "Who are you?" I demanded into the darkness.

The figure moved, but I couldn't see what for. It let out a low, dark chuckle.

"How upsetting, Gaito. One should recognize his own father," it chuckled.

I took a step back, instantly on guard. Someone was clearly fucking with me. A single light flicked on, casting somewhat of a spotlight on the intruder.

"I wish to address the royal court of King Alabaster. My name is Sin."