A meaning of the song.

Hi friends,

I wonder if someone can help me to understand a meaning of a song called "The Vice". It's Sonata Arctica. I like it very much and of course I want to know what the song is about. Sometimes it's very difficult to understand lyrics in English if you are not a native speaker.  I've translated every word but on the whole I can't understand it. I just know it's about something evil.

Here is the lyric:

 "The Vice"

Number nine out of eleven little littermates
Rotten apples, all the way…
Littermates, all with different fates…
Taught them almost all I knew

and now, the best, the primus
Number Nine of eleven little littermates,
feeling almighty,
is after my throne.

In the bright daylight, little Number Nine
Dressed to kill, much like me
Takes a look at the free world behind the gate
Of a castle and escapes.

I leave the baits, the night awaits
Snare well hidden for the littermate.
Evaded all but one, one by one.

Eleven little littermates
Annihilate.
Only Number Nine's not in sight…
Hiding, for the moonlight eats the day
Kisses burn the paperthin wings away

Hate me, hate me, if they want you to break me
Love – is – for – the weak
And the restless, relief in the end.
A broken lock and a twisted dream

for an early tomb, destiny's overruled
Trailed it back to the Pagan Cathedral."

Don´t love me, don´t you dare!
I lie, I cheat and I don´t care
Don't you go telling me tales about fidelity.
truth ain't safe with me 

In (sane), in (pain)
Ran into a needle
Eye (love), Eye (hate)
don´t need anyone
Lights (on), Lights (out)
read it loud and clear…
and hear the lion roar.

without my eyes, they failed me,
knots untied.
I turned my weakness into a
fine profession
more I hear, more I see
I can feel
the path I choose
What I did was a must,
Faced the music, away from the light, alone…
Without a view.

Someone thought to know me well
Drowned me in a wishing well…
Making mistakes, we all do,
Worst of mine was trusting in a stranger.

For now I'm feeling fine
Drank poison, liked the sign
Now touch the greatest fear
Impaired, to look sincere.

One step behind you, turn around and I am gone with what I need.
The essense of timely death, cold and dark, Love Less Hard.

If you want to listen to this song you can find it on the top of my playlist in my profile.

I will be grateful if someone can explane me. At least what is "number nine"?

Thank you very much. But I'm still not sure I really understand it. Who are those little littermates?