The heart may freeze, or it can burn...

"Yes," Ryland said absently, quickly scooping Vlad up.

Dane rubbed the bite on his arm, quickly moving over to his shaking sister.

Aliceabella bit her lip, starring at her son worridly.
Vlad shrieked and began slapping his hands against Ryland's chest, eyes going a shade lighter again.

Ryland ignored Vlad's hitting, noticing the necklace and snatching it away before the baby could react.

Dane hugged his sister gently, trying to comfort her.

Aliceabella shrugged Dane off and walked closer to Vlad and Ryland.
Vlad blinked a few times, eyes calming back to their usual colour. He stared up at Ryland, "Pa?"

"I'm not your father," Ryland chuckled, holding the necklace away from Vlad.

Dane took the necklace and shoved it in his pocket.

Vlad nodded, "Pa." His eye's followed the necklace.
Aliceabella relaxed as Vlad seemed to go back to normal.

Ryland raised an eyebrow, holding the baby out to his mother but not asking what happened.

Dane shuffled, unsure what to do.

Aliceabella took Vlad and kissed him on the forehead, "Thanks." She smiled at Ryland then turned to Dane, "Put that necklace in my bag next to the lead." She turned away from him, angry at her brother for giving her child something Damian related.

Ryland looked at the other man, "Your brother?"

Dane nodded, "Dane Cook." He walked over to Aliceabella's bag and shoved the necklace inside.

Aliceabella ignored Dane, hugging Vlad closer. The baby yawned sleepily, snuggling into his mother.

Ryland nodded, heading for the door again.

Dane kissed his sister on the forehead as he passed, heading back towards Wren's room.

Vlad started wailing, reaching towards Ryland. "Papapapa!" He shrieked.
Aliceabella frowned, not understanding why Vlad was so upset.

Ryland raised an eyebrow, "I'm going to get ice."

Vlad reached towards Ryland stubbornly, bottom lip trembling.
Aliceabella kissed Vlad on the head, "It's okay, you go get ice, Vlad's probably just tired." It was only reason she could come up with for the child being so upset.

Ryland looked at the baby, "Do you want to come Vlad?"

"Papapa!" Vlad waved his arms at Ryland.
"You don't have to take him if you don't want to." Aliceabella held Vlad out all the same.

Ryland took Vlad, exiting the room. He glanced back at Aliceabella to see if she would follow but didn't stop as he headed towards the kitchens.

Aliceabella decided not to follow, instead taking the necklace from the bag and heading into the bathroom.
Vlad stared at the other vampires as they passed them, eyes wide.

Ryland sneered at vampires of of a lower class than himself opening the door to the main kitchen and going inside. "They're baking," he took the baby over to see the elegant pastries.