Give Me Time to Heal You

Chapter 2

Thirty minutes before dawn

Bright blood red tears streamed down Eric's grief stricken face as he silently begged his master to stay with him, to stay in this world.

"As your maker, I command you." Godric's voice was quiet but commanding. He knew if he didn't make the order a command Eric wouldn't comply.

Bowing his blond head in silent obedience, Eric slowly got to his feet. Blood red tears ran down Eric's face. No more words were spoken between the two as he slowly backed away from his maker. Grasping the metal railing, he gave Godric one last heartbroken glance and then he was gone.

Godric sighed heavily as a light breeze began to blow from the west, kissing and caressing his nearly translucent pale skin; his punishment for not feeding as often as he should. He knew his decision to meet the sun would devastate his Childe, but he felt there was no other choice. He was a time bomb with a lit fuse.

Vampires by nature were destructive creatures. Having immortality and unlimited physical power tends to breed beings with narcissistic tendencies. The newly turned quickly found they could not control the blood crazed beast that dwelled within. Most left trails of destruction and death in their wake as their makers tried in vain to control their progeny or simply didn't care. As they age and gain control over the blood thirsty monster, most become outwardly cold, distant as their humanity becomes blurred.

As of late the darkness inside him seemed to be growing in strength. It's seductively whispered words of blood, death and destruction are what lead him to become a prisoner of the Fellowship of the Sun. It was also what stopped him from feeding. Once he sunk his fangs into an artery, the monster awoke, stronger and more determined than ever to destroy all humanity. He feared what would happen if the beast every got free.

Everyone would die.

Godric knew Eric didn't understand his reasoning behind his desire to meet the sun. For the last three hundred years, he kept the beast at bay. He knew Eric could sense the change in him, but his progeny never asked and he never volunteered. He deeply regretted that decision now. If he had taken the time to explain his inner battle, it might have helped Eric with the grief he faced.

Master. That was a funny word. He never saw himself as Eric's master. He tried to act more like a father or bigger brother to Eric. He despised the idea of commanding obedience so took a different approach than the one he was subjected to. This teaching method allowed the two to become close. Closer than most master and Childe. Eric stayed with Godric for four hundred years, far longer than most.

It mattered not that Godric had released Eric from his service some eight hundred years ago. Once made, a Childe would remain a part of the master until the master was no more. Cryptic but true.

He could still remember his own master. Maven had been a sadistic monster, only creating Godric as a means of entertainment and profit for his nest. Godric was the son of a rich Mayan king. His father refused Maven's nest sanctuary from the sun's rays and as punishment raped and turned Godric.

Upon his turning, he was used exclusively as a sex slave. Forced by his maker's command to bring pleasure to anyone Maven deemed worthy or had enough coin. His master made a fortune renting Godric's services to the highest bidder. The Roman society proved to be a profitable endeavor as hedonistic fantasies and desires were spoken about openly. It was common place for a master to sell his slave for the sexual pleasure. Large parties and orgies revolved around Godric and his sired brothers and sisters. His stamina and showmanship were known throughout the Roman empire. He was especially popular with the Kings and Queens of the vampire world as well as human royalty. With his exotic tattoos and youthful beauty he seduced peasant and royalty alike. No one knew that not one day went by when he wasn't under his master's compulsions. Never did he act on his own accord.

After a century of service Godric caught a lucky break. Maven had become enamored of a beautiful Prince while on tour in Romania. One night, he forced Godric to kidnapped the Prince from the palace. Unbeknownst to Maven, the Prince was the human bonded of a much older and more powerful Vampire, Onaya.

As Maven raped and drank Prince Alexi dry, his nest was overrun by Onaya's warriors. Maven's self-superiority came to a head as he unwisely chose to fight the intruders. Godric's sired brothers and sisters were slaughtered as he watched. Maven was taken prisoner and gravely wounded. His compulsion on Godric weakened and Godric acted. Maven became a gooey, sticky mess in less than a minute at Godric's hands. The moment the bond between master and Childe was severed; Godric felt nothing but freedom, peace.

Godric vowed as soon as Eric crawled his way to the surface that he would never use a Childe as he himself had been used. He gave Eric choices along the way, he allowed Eric to shape his own destiny, his own reality. There had only been a handful of times that Godric had to intervene and force or stay Eric's hand. Tonight, was one of those times. He had no doubt that if he had not made it a command, Eric would have bodily carried him downstairs and out of the sunlight. It was still a possibility but he doubted Eric would refuse his final word.

He watched with a heavy heart as the suns morning rays slowly turned the inky darkness of the night sky a soft pink. He hadn't seen the sun in so ever long. When he had been turned, sunlight was the only thing he missed about his mortal life. But of course, when you are kept in a darkened dungeon for a hundred years, light became a craving. He longed once again to feel the suns heat upon his skin; to bath within its golden rays. In a few short minutes his existence on this earth would be at an end because of his beloved sun. He would meet his ultimate maker and be judged. He had dwelled too long in the darkness and it had eaten away at his soul. Did vampires even possess souls?

"Every living thing possesses a soul. It's up to you how you choose to use it," a soft, sweet voice whispered.

The voice startled Godric out of his quandary and with vampire speed he spun on his heels to face the intruder. His fangs descended at the unexpected danger, changing him from unassuming young man into something dangerous, lethal. Centuries of battle had taught him to hide any emotion behind a façade of calm but in this instance, shock showed plainly on his handsome face.

Leaning gently against an opposite wall, a young woman looked back at him. She didn't appear frightened or scared. She just looked amused. With a smirk, she pushed away from the wall and walked slowly towards Godric. Her pale blond hair shown like silver in the dim light casting an almost halo like quality above her head.

"Are you an angel?" Godric whispered as his teeth retracted and she stopped to stand not a foot away from him.

A tiny childlike laugh escaped her rosy lips as she enjoyed the look of shock and awe that shown plainly on his face. She had shocked a vampire. That was new.

"No I am not an angel; I can assure you of that. Honestly I don't know what I am."

Godric couldn't help but be stunned by the goddess before him. She was just a tiny thing, standing not over five feet tall. Her classically beautiful face was turned up towards him as her unflinching green eyes seemed to look through him and directly into his soul. He would have guessed her age to be around fifteen or sixteen human years but the Grecian style dress she wore showed off womanly full breasts and luscious curves told a very different story. Visions of running his tongue along all those soft curves left his mouth watering. He'd never been affected by a woman like this.

"Then how did you read my mind?" he asked skeptically starting to recover from his initial shock at her presence.

She shrugged her shoulders and looked chagrinned at being caught. "Your guess is as good as mine. I have found I can only read vampires and humans."

She spoke so calmly and nonchalantly that Godric just took what she said at face value. "What are you doing here? Did someone send you?" He was starting to get suspicious. Only Eric knew he was here. How did she?

She again laughed and pushed a lock of wind-blown hair out of her face. "Yes, someone sent me here. They knew you would need guidance. I just didn't think you would be standing on a roof top ready to meet the sun."

Anger and confusion filled him. In an instant, his hand was around her throat and she was pulled up to his eye level some six inches off the floor. Considering the FOTS attack earlier today, he was still on edge and cautious of anything out of the normal. Even if he was ready to meet death, Eric and the others must be protected at all costs.

"Who sent you here?" he said through clenched teeth menacingly as she sputtered desperately for breath.

I can't breathe Godric. Please loosen your grip. I mean you no harm.

For the second time that night, shock registered on his handsome youthful face. "Did you just speak to me without opening your mouth woman?"

A deadly glint filled Godric's eyes as the hand around her throat tightened. She clawed at his iron grip as her eyes went wild with panic.

Yes. Please loosen your grip. I can't catch my breath.

"You run, I kill you."

Godric loosened his grip and lowered her to the ground. Her legs gave out and she slipped to her knees in a heap at his feet. She immediately sucked in large gulp of air only to choke and sputter as the cool air hit her oxygen starved lungs.

Anger and a bit of guilt flowed through him as he watched the woman's chest heave as she drew air into her lungs. Sometimes he forgot his own strength. He hadn't meant to hurt her, just frighten her enough to get her to talk.

"I am sorry I hurt you. Who are you? Who sent you?"

His barrage of questions didn't surprise her and she smiled weakly. Her voice came out as a harsh croak. "The answers to your questions are not easy ones and they will take some time to explain. You only have a few moments till dawn. I do not have time to explain to you properly."

Dawn. He had completely forgotten his plan. Incredulously he turned towards the soft light beginning to illuminate the earth. A slight tingle crossed his skin as every fiber of his being began screaming to escape the weak rays.

The blond shook her head to clear it and shakily got to her feet. She straightened her dress and rubbed her neck trying to sooth the pain where his hand had gripped her too hard. She knew in a few hours there would be purple bruises around her throat. Great, she hated turtle necks.

She once again entered Godric's mind only to find his continued longing for the dawn. The darkness that dwells within all vampires was whispering seductively, enticingly wanting him to meet the sun, to end his existence. With as much mental force she could muster, she projected feelings of warmth and comfort directly at the darkness slowly taking over his mind.

She smirked in triumph as the evil thing squealed and hissed at the warmth of her touch and went into retreat. She knew it would be back. Maybe he could be saved after all. Nervously she again smoothed her dress back over her small frame and stepped forward. With much hesitation, she reached out her trembling hand to touch his muscled arm.

"I ask that you give me time to explain my reasons for coming to you. The dawn will always exist, however you will not if we hesitate."

He turned his dark gaze back to her and was surprised to see only sincerity and truth shining back at him. Something inside him wanted to listen, wanted to know who and what this woman was. Slowly he shook his head in ascent and placed his hand atop hers. The electricity that sparked and ebbed between them at skin on skin contact shocked both of them.

Dawn's deadly rays were only a few moments away as the two continued to stare at one another. She had felt the attraction to this vampire the moment she had taken her first steps onto the roof. His outer façade was that of a handsome young man barely out of his teens, however she sensed the darkened beast that lived inside his body was centuries old. This being before her, holding her hand, had seen the birth of Christianity and had witnessed the destruction of countless civilizations. The amount of knowledge and wisdom that lay within his being would be invaluable to her cause. She now knew why "the powers that be" had sent her here to prevent his destruction.

A small smile crossed his lips. "What is your name," he asked softly tightening his grip on her hand, not wanting to let her get away.

"My name is Harper," she replied. "I will answer all your questions as best I can. I only ask that you come with me now. I suspect that twenty-four hours is nothing compared to the centuries you have lived. I mean you no harm and expect no harm in return. But we must go now, we only have moments," she pleaded as she took his hand and swiftly pulled him towards the stairway and out of the coming dawn.

With little effort, he pulled her to a standstill and looked her in the eye. "I have demands that you will agree to before we leave this roof top or I will stay and meet the dawn," his voice was quiet but commanding.

She knew her struggles were useless. The raw power that emanated from him spoke of his age and strength. A mere slip of a woman would not move him from his chosen course unless it was his wish.

"Please. Can we not do this downstairs? Dawn is here." She knew pleading was going to get her nowhere. He would not be swayed.

"No. You will agree or I go nowhere."

She did not speak and with a heavy sigh. "What concession do you require?"

Once he firmly had her cooperation he continued. "Once we reach my suite you will yield and allow me to take your blood. I will know if you speak the truth or offer me nothing but lies. You will also consent to my protection and anyone that asks you will tell them you belong to me. The choice is yours. I have to reservations about staying and meeting the dawn."

He knew she wanted to argue and he knew his demands were rather harsh. He had no intention of making her his meal or enslave her but she did not know that. Something told him he needed her by his side. She would be the key to his redemption, the key to finally defeating the dark demon that had plagued him for an eternity.

Her sweet scent filled his nostrils as his arms wound around her waist and he pulled into the shelter of his body. The apprehension and terror in her eyes affected him greatly. It stirred long buried feelings he wasn't even sure he still possessed. Protectiveness and longing filled him. He wanted to wipe away the deep-seated fear that filled her. He wanted to see her laugh with joy; he wanted to watch her eyes darken with passion as he touched and caressed her lush body.

He was incredulous as his body slowly began to respond to the explicit images of her pouring through his mind. He hadn't sought comfort in another's body in over four hundred years. The beast constantly screamed for sex and violence but his will power was stronger. He wisely refrained from physical contact and only drank blood second hand, never directly from a donor. He suspected that if he gave into the darkness's demands his soul would be completely lost and he would become the abomination his master had been.

But this woman before him practically glowed with a golden light that seemed to dispel the darkness, driving it into retreat. The very touch of her hand felt like pure lightening. He could only imagine what it would feel like to be joined with her; to feel her passion ripple through her tight body as she reached orgasm in his arms.

She became his woman the moment she stepped out onto the roof. He knew it as well as she did but he knew she would need some assurances.

"I will protect you from anyone or anything wanting to do you harm. I will keep you safe," he reassured, knowing she was worried for her own safety as well as his. One did not just give themselves over willingly to a master vampire without some major doubts.

She sighed heavily, reigning herself to her fate; her destiny. "You promise you will protect me? If anyone finds out about my gifts, they will try to take me from you. "

In that moment, he knew what was holding her back, knew the source of her fear. Someone wanted her. She was being hunted for the same abilities as Eric's Sookie possessed. Something dark and dangerous growled inside him at the thought of anyone taking her from him. She was his and she would remain his forever. This was a new emotion for Godric. Possessiveness was never a factor for him and had never entered his life, until now. Until her.

Interesting.

"From this moment on, you are mine Harper. What is mine stays mine. Do you concede to these demands or do I stay and meet the sun?"

Her answer would change everything. There would be no going back once she placed herself into his keeping. Her brain screamed at her to run and hide while her heart whispered just the opposite, stay and fight for him. She knew the final answer. She would belong to him body and soul.

She closed her eyes briefly and took in a lung full of air. "I consent Godric."

With three little words, she changed the flow of her existence. Her life would forever be linked to his. Surprisingly the thought of belonging to a master vampire did not scare her.

"Mine," he stated in a whisper as he looked her directly in the eye, driving his meaning home. This was his final word and in the world of vampires his word was law. No other would harm her and live.

She answered with only a slight nod. Godric placed a light kiss on her pink lips as he swept her from her feet and into his strong arms. With vampire speed, he moved down the stairs and into the hallway in seconds. Not once did he loosen his hold on her body; he kept her cradled close to his chest in a gentle grip. Neither said a word as they exited the elevator and stood at the door to his rooms. Godric set her on her feet and opened the door swiftly ushering her inside. Just as the door clicked shut, dawn broke the skyline.

She stopped him just in time today but could she keep the dark beast that currently occupied his soul from claiming him tomorrow?

She prayed silently she could otherwise mankind was doomed.