Dark Innocence Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I run my fingers through Antebella's long fiery red hair and felt a smile curve my lips. Just in front of us is the Bank and I knew what I would be attempting. My soon to be daughter shifts in my arms, head resting against my shoulder, showing to the world the beautiful marking on her cheek. Her eyes peer at the bank with curiosity and I explain the purpose of stopping here so soon after leaving her so called family.

"I need to have you gain the portion of your family's items as the heir before they decide to steal it."

"He wants Alexander to be heir. He tells others I'm their niece." Antebella comments sadly, fingers clutching my shirt as they tremble.

"I won't let it happen. From now on you are mine!" I state fiercely while walking up the steps, eyes smoldering with determination.

Antebella jumps from my arms and I quickly catch her before she stumbles from the impact to the ground. She tilts her head at the many Faes in awe. Even in her wonder she quickly turns to others, making a point not to stare that the beautiful beings who run the only chain of banks in both planets.

When I move forward to one of the main desks, I feel her small hands clutch onto my long cloak. I chuckle softly and slow my pace so she would be able to keep up without stumbling and hurting herself. Nior's eyes glower at the small child and I make a note to enforce just how important this girl would be. No one will harm her again. I won't allow it.

"What may I be of service, Warlord Vega?" A young Fae asks softly while Antebella smiles brightly up at him.

"I need to request a heritage test and adoption." I speak while Antebella glances up at me in surprise at adoption.

"You want to be my dad?" She whispers, tears forming in her eyes.

Not caring for the scant amount of people watching, I kneel down to her level, "Yes. If you wish to be." There is no doubt in my mind what she'd say but even as she shouts yes with as much volume as she could make I felt my heart flutter at the sheer joy in her face.

The Fae motions us forward and I glare pointedly at the three others who glance away and remain in the lobby. Once more swooping Antebella in my arms I follow the man into a large room where I found my manager, Rozen, looking over several papers.

"Good Evening, Rozen. How has your day been?" I smirk as the Fae chuckles at me before waving his hand, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

"I am well, but from what you're holding in your hands I'll have a lot of paperwork to deal with." Rozen sneers back and I smirk as Antebella turns to smile blindingly at the ancient creature who blinks in surprise at the warm gesture.

"I need a heritage test first for this young lady in my arms." I remark while taking a seat in the chair before Rozen's desk. I glance down at the rags my soon to be daughter wore and decided to go shopping when all this was done and over with.

Rozen pulls from his drawer a piece of thick paper and a small pin. Gesturing to Antebella he instructs her gently, "Just prick a finger and allow a few drops of blood to fall on the paper, child."

She glances at the pin in fear before looking to me. I rub her back softly while sending a warm nod. Tentatively taking the pin she takes a deep breath and quickly pricks her finger with only a small whimper as her eyes catch site of the blood as it falls.

The blood vanishes into the paper as the small cut heals. Antebella leans against my chest and slips into a deep sleep so quickly that I frown. Had she been up for too long? Considering the dark bags under her gorgeous eyes in contrast to her pale ivory skin she must be sleep deprived.

Letters form on the paper and Rozen stares in shock. I glance at it and let out a short gasp as the heritages line up one by one. Stealing a glance over at Rozen I murmur darkly, "Please tell me there's a way for her to gain access over all of this, now?!"

Rozen blinks and questions softly, "Do her parents know she's here?"

I glower furiously at him, magic rushing up and smashing a nearby vase as I hiss, "Her so called father is the one who gave her up. Whatever heritages she has she has claim to take now that she is no longer his."

Rozen grins evilly at my words and nods with a grim smile. "May I remove the hidden spells on the child and the blocks?"

I blink in confusion. Blocks? Spells? I voice my confusion and Rozen explains patiently but at the same time almost frightened, "There are many spells to keep the child weak and unable to fight back. There are almost eight blocks on this child's magic and powers along with a block covering what I believe is a soul mate bond."

I set my Antebella on the couch nearby before turning over to the large pile of conjured breakables. Eyes darken with glee as I grasp one of the fake vases and slam it into the wall, being careful to erect a silent ward over the child so not to disturb her slumber.

"How dare that man and who else was involved! When I get my hands on them when the time is right they're dead!!! I'll making them pay. I'll kill them. Those blocks could kill a child!" My rage boils my blood as one by one I smash the never depleting pile of vases, going so far as to use my magic to throw five of them at a time.

All the while Rozen watches with faint shock and horror as he reads over the various lines and money the barely five year old had inherited. With a wave he quickly makes sure to spell the keys to the office as well as keep everyone but the young Warlord and the child from taking anything. With a smirk he glances up to see me walking back towards him with arms folded and eyes burning like flames.

"Is it done? Will she and I be the only to access the funds, even the funds of that so called father?" I grit out, teeth clenching with my barely suppressed rage.

"Indeed. Should I remove the blocks now?" Rozen questions me softly while I glance over at my beautiful child whose face looks so calm in her sleep.

"We'll do it another time. Just place the adoption and I wish to withdraw the some funds in order to shop for the child. Also can you have the keys be placed under only her hands?" I tiredly ask as I sit back down, head bowed in attempt to clamp down on my rage.

"Of course, Kieran. Give me a few minutes."  He smiles while grasping several papers as I wander over to Antebella.

She wakes after I run my hand through her  hair a couple of times before leaving it to rest on top her head. Leaning her small frame against my side she asks with slight excitement, "What do we do now?"

"We need to pick a new name for you so people won't be able to say that you used to belong to them." I muse calmly while she glances up at the tall ceiling.

"A new name? Why not Adero?" She comments and I smile in agreement.

"Alright your name will become Adero Alexis Vega." Rozen glances up when I say that and motions us forward.

"You'll need to sign here. Child you'll have to sign your old name and the new one here and here." Rozen explains as he flips to the last page.

Signing them, Adero finally asks me, "Is there anyway to remove these blocks?" Silver eyes stare into mine as I raise an eyebrow. How did she know of them?

"How?" I ask her now hoping she didn't suffer for it.

"I was awake when they put them on." She mumbles, fingers clenching into fists as she stares up at me in rage, "I want them gone, now!"

"We'll break the ones containing your magic and a few powers seeing as removing them all in  one time would kill you." I place a hand on her shoulder while nodding to Rozen, who stands to begin casting.

Adero quickly lays down and grips my hand tightly as a faint red glow surrounds her. It begins to glow brighter as Rozen's voice carries through the silent room. I smile as my daughter's magic suddenly slams into me, stronger than before. Grasping hold of her flailing arms I soothe the distress as the last blocks fell to reveal a pair of beautiful feathered wings and scales almost the same color as her skin.

Hearing a gasp I turn to see Rozen gazing at Adero in shock. Upon asking what's wrong he quickly composes himself before explaining, "Something has caused her heritage to come in almost a decade early. This heritage should happen at fifteen not five." The hate coming from his words echoes my own but before either of us could comment more Adero opens her eyes, warily.

"Are we done now?" She sleepily demands as I pick her up.

"For now, yes." I smile before taking the string of keys to place around her neck and bid farewell to Rozen.

Stepping from the room I motion to my subordinates to follow as I trek a path towards the nearby clothing store. Adero eyes the store in both hesitance and excitement when we come inside.

Setting her down I laugh as she runs through the various clothes and designs while I hang back to watch. I notice almost amused as she stuck to darker colors and avoided dresses and skirts like a plague. Chortling softly I eye the various clothes she eyes longer than others and swiftly places them all in a pile, smirking slightly.

She glances over to me and eyes the pile in shock. "Why?" She motions to the stack in confusion.

"You need clothes. Besides, I don't care how much it costs." I admit as she smiles before continuing to browse the various clothing.

A few hours later we wound up with many shirts and designs along with an assortment of cargo pants and loose fitting thin pants often used in fighting. She added a long silver trench coat to the stack much to my surprise. However, on the way out she throws a warm smile my way as we head over to the pet store.

I glance around to notice with a deep frown that the animals here were obviously not cared for. The dimly lit room reveals small, constricting cages and dust. The owner scowls at me and Adero, who doesn't notice. Without a word of persuasion she moves to inspect each animal closely while I move to talk to the owner.

"Why are they held in such bad conditions?" I hiss out as the frightened owner cowers before me.

"Ashzen refuses to pay the money needed for these animals." The man squeaks out as I growl at the mention of the self centered fool I had run into before.

Pulling out my sack I ask sharply, "How much will it take to help the animals?"

The man pauses in his stammering to gaze around the room and calculate. Shakily drawing a nervous breath he states, "Around 300,000 gold pieces. Some of the animals are exotic and there for need various needs."

Taking in the area myself I found myself admitting it was reasonable pricing for such marvelous creatures. Finally I pull out the required change with a calm smile to the worried man, "If you need more just send a letter to Warlord Vega. I'll be happy to keep the animals well situated in their new home."

He nods shakily and I smile reassuringly once more just as I feel Adero tucking at my sleeve with wide eyes. In her hands was a small dragon creature and on her shoulder was a newborn kitten. I raise an eyebrow and just as I start to comment her eyes fill with tears. My protests die on my tongue as I sigh heavily.

"Alright, Adero. Are these the ones you want?"

She nods fast, face breaking out into another warm smile and I sigh again. Turning to the owner I ask him softly, "What type of creatures are these?"

He peeks over the counter down at Adero and stares for a long minute before managing to find the ability to speak again. "The kitten is a lightening bind and the dragon is the only offspring of a Lykran almost a thousand years ago. It hasn't aged since due to the fact it won't bond with anyone."

I chuckle and gather various supplies for the two while asking the man for the price. He quickly shakes his head and ushers us out saying, "You've done enough just go on. I need to work on fixing this place."

Nior finally speaks up as I lead the group towards our way home, "Milord, are you sure it's wise to take in this...this child?"

"Shut up, Nior." Ashta growls, her eyes piercing his coldly, "What right do you have to question our master's motives. Besides the girl is adorable!"

Adero glances over at Ashta with a timid smile as I explain what to expect when we arrive home. "I'll give you the tour of the castle and its grounds. I'll have Ashta and Kiyoka guarding you at all times." I silence the two incredulous stares before opening the plane's door, motioning for everyone to get in.

"Is that where you come from, daddy?" Adero motions to Honoto with glistening eyes.

"Yes, child. There is something you should know first. I am a Warlord and currently trying to gain control over the last two countries. It is why I need to have guards around you, to keep you safe from my enemies." I explain patiently as the plane touches down.

She nods and falls silent as we depart. Finally, I will be able to show my daughter the life she should have had from the start. My eyes brighten with glee at the prospect of having a child to care for as I had wished someone had cared for me as I grew up. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts I take her hand and began the tour with a laugh as she rambles off questions much to the shock of my people locking upon us.