Ashlin pov
I had not moved from my position for about an hour, the slow ticking of my watch was my only indication of time.
The basement door opened once again, Gabe carrying another one of his victims down the stairs, much more roughly than he did I. I only recognized the man as Hugo when he was shoved into the cage by Gabe, the rough push knocking his head against the floor, and rendering him unconscious. I stayed my position as Newlin came down and Gabe locked the cage. He ranted about Hugo selling us out, about his plans to eradicate the vampires, about the vampire that they caught, whom I already knew the name of. What took me by surprise was when he started talking about my brother, that my brother was a traitor to the "light," what Newlin called his army.
I finally responded to Newlin, speaking in the same voice that I spoke to Stan with, keeping my stance the same. "How do you know my brother?"
"He came to us, you evil whore of Satan!" He shouted. "Be ready to die with the Vampire tomorrow morning, burning like the witch you are."
"Gladly." Was my only response to his self righteous goading.
Newlin huffed as he stormed back up the stairs, slamming the door behind him. Gabe stayed, an increasingly putrid smell permeating the air, sourcing from him. I stood quickly, recognizing the smell as I saw the bulge in his pants. As he entered the cage, my knife in his hand, I readied myself for a fight.
Godric pov:
The cot I laid on was broken on the floor, Newlin thinking so lowly of vampires, thought that I needed nothing more. The cell, or cage they placed me in was coated in silver, but they would not hold me if I truly did not want it. I listened to the exchange in the other side of the basement, to Newlin speaking about Hugo, to the same things that he spewed to me. He quickly left loudly up the stairs when the angelic voice didn't answer the way he wanted to. A new mix of smells assaulted my nose, most of them sour. The scuffing of fabric met with the sound of shaking fence.
As Gabe began to spout off profanities disgust rolled off the angel in waves. It was not long after when the sweet blood once again permeated the air as her cry of pain sounded. I sat still no longer.
I ran to the origin of the sound, finding Gabe at the base of the stairs, ready to climb up. I didn't hesitate to snap the neck of the disgrace of a human. A few stairs up was the angel. My eyes widened as I saw the knife in her stomach. Before I could reach her however, she pulled the weapon from her abdomen. I watched in amazement as her flesh knitted itself back together.
She laughed at my expression, and it was beautiful. It was like a chime of bells, musical and peaceful. I looked her over, checking over for any more injuries. She was beautiful. Her body was perfectly curved, and I longed to place my hands on her hips. Her arms were covered in faded markings, and I wished to ask her what they were. Her hair was a beautiful shade of chocolate, a light brown that flowed past her shoulders and onto her back. Her face was soft and beautiful, freckles dotting her cheeks like the stars dotted the night sky. Her eyes, beautiful and green, stunning, sparkling, like a spring forest. Her scent was intoxicating, and strangely enough, there were hints of Eric's scent interlaced with hers.
The sound of screams from the upper floor, making the angel pause in her movements, her skirt over her knee and her knife in the process of being sheathed. A smile that seemed to light her face graced her features. I closed my eyes, immersing myself of the feeling of having my childe, Eric near. It felt like so long since I had seen him. I searched his end of the bond, his emotions coming through as he searched for my whereabouts.
"My childe, I am down here."
I said as I opened my eyes. Eric rushed to us, kneeling awkwardly before me on the stairs. I ran my hand through his shorter hair. My great joy at seeing my childe after so long shifted into frustration at the situation at hand.
"You should not have sent a human after me. She could have been injured."
Eric hung his head. "I had no other choice, they seek to destroy you."
"I am well aware of what they had planned." It was what I wanted as well. However, meeting my angel had me changing my thoughts about ending my life.
The shrill of an alarm sounded throughout the building, signalling an emergency. I looked to my angel, wanting her out of danger, but spoke to my childe. "You must go, take her with you. I will be there soon. Spill no blood on your way out."
My angel let out a small squeak as my childe lifted her as if she was a bride and left, leaving me in the basement.
I looked to the two bodies on the ground. I left Gabe on the floor, he deserved no more, and his death could not be logically blamed on a Vampire, he had all his blood, which would be unusual for a vampire. I closed Hugo in the cage, I would have a vampire from the nest pick him up later, or someone else would find him. Hugo betrayed the nest, and I worried for Isobel, worried for her reaction to the one she loved's betrayal.
I left the basement to join my childe and angel. I had believed there was nothing left for me, and I grew weary of my empty existence. I had believed that being a martyr to the Fellowship of the Sun would end my existence and would help to bring an end to the church. My angel, she had me questioning everything I once knew. She is the first person, human or Vampire to look at me without fear. From what I knew of my angel, she was strong, caring, and in my eyes, her beauty matched no other. Even if my sole reason for living was to stay with my angel, I would not give up my life just yet. I felt drawn to my angel, like a moth to a flame.
Ashlin pov:
Godric stayed behind as Eric carried me out of the basement. I was reluctant to leave Godric as we were meant to save him, though I chose to trust Eric's judgement. He set me down at the end of the hall, keeping us hidden from the guards at the front of the door. He made the attempt to go towards the few men, but I held his arm, stopping him.
"Let me, Eric." He nodded. I rolled up my skirt to hide the bloodied hole in my shirt, but still keeping it at my knees to hide my knife. I ran toward the group, my eyes wide and my mouth shouting about a vampire at the cabins, which I learned were the furthest buildings from the church. Their eyes were wide as they ran off fearfully to take care of their duties.
As the group left out the front doors, it was revealed that another group of Newlin's foot soldiers were coming up the pathway. I grabbed Eric's hand and lead him toward the grand sanctuary, knowing that there were exits through it.
"Where are the exits?" Eric's answer was on the tip of my tongue when Steve Newlin appeared behind the alter, spewing his self righteous nonsense.
"There are several exits actually, but the one for you leads straight to hell!" The side doors slammed open as Newlin's followers flooded into the sanctuary to surround us.
I looked to Eric, knowing that the boys surrounding us were filled with fear, something that could only add to an already volatile situation.
We stayed silent - not wanting to add any fuel to the fire that was Newlin's madness - as he continued to rant.
"We may have lost one Vampire , but we have another one right here! Brothers and sisters! We will have a holy bonfire at dawn!"
Eric pov:
Steve Newlin, the crazed idiot, and his lackeys stopped Ashlin and I in the sanctuary, only moments away from leaving the tense situation. All of the so called soldiers were holding weapons, and I don't doubt that if the situation were handled wrong, one of them would end up killing the other or themselves. I was ready to comply with the crazed idiot to try to keep the situation calm, but Ashlin caught my eye, shaking her head. I looked back into her fearless eyes, unsure of her actions, but trusting that she had an idea of what she was doing.
Ashlin walked up to Newlin, stopping at the foot of the podium. Newlin flinched away from her, shock and fear evident on his face, and the reflection of Ashlin's glowing yellow eyes in the white's of his. She said nothing, and yet anyone in the room could have felt the authority radiating from her form. She stood, unflinching as Newlin pulled a hidden gun out and trained it on her head.
"Mr. Newlin," her voice was tranquil and slow, as to make sure that Newlin would hear her every word. "Why do you advise such hate and violence against us? It is it not taught in the Bible that we are to show love over over hate. Love which is nonviolent in nature?"
Newlin's aim faltered with his emotions, confusion masking his features, and whispers coming from the throng of his followers. My pride at my Ashlin soon shifted to annoyance when Bill burst into the sanctuary, butchering Ashlin's name in a loud bellow, turning Newlin's attention away from his confusion.
"Move another inch and I shoot the girl!" Newlin shouted at Bill, trying to gain a hold over the situation. From their the situation only grew worse as Stan and his lackeys burst in in the next moment as Ashlin's brother shot Newlin in the forehead with a paintball gun. During the distraction I was able to grab Newlin by the scruff of the neck, keeping him still as I tried to figure out how to deal with the clusterfuck we found ourselves in.
Godric pov:
I went about the church, gathering more information about the organization, but stilled when I caught Stan's scent. I knew my underling and if he was here, I knew there was going to be unneeded violence if there was no one to stop it. Gunshots rang out from the direction of the sanctuary, and I changed my course. I knew I had to defuse the situation quickly, as no matter the reason, gunshots were never a good sign. I could only pray that my angel was alright.
Ashlin pov:
I felt defeated. I had the chance to get myself and Eric out of the crazed church and possibly install doubt in Newlin and his followers as to their self proclaimed mission against Vampires. Now, because of Compton, Eric and I were in a extremely volatile situation. There was not a chance that either of us could calm the herd of angry Vampires.
"Enough." As the sound of Godric's voice silenced the crowd, I let out a breath I didn't know was caught, knowing that even from the top of a balcony, he would be able to control the situation better that Eric or I, being the Sheriff of this area. "Underling, you came for me I assume?"
Stan grunted, pulling away from the neck that he was trying to bite. "Yes, Sheriff."
"These people have not harmed me, you have no need to harm these people. You see? We can coexist. Mr. Newlin, I do not wish to create bloodshed when none is called for. Help me set an example. If we leave in peace, will you do the same?"
Steve was kneeling at Eric's feet, boldly looking up at Godric. "I will not negotiate with subhumans! Kill me!"
Newlin loosened his tie and collar, a crazy gleam in his eyes as he directed his gaze to Eric. "Do it. Jesus will protect me."
Eric was clearly annoyed with the man, but Godric spoke before he could take any action.
"I am actually older than your Jesus. I wish I could have known him, but I missed it." Godric seemed reminiscent before disappearing from the balcony to appear on the podium. He took Newlin from Eric's grasp and held him before the crowd. "Good people, who of you is willing to die for this man's madness."
The room was silent, many of Newlin's followers were not thinking too deeply about Godric's words, but were certain that they did not want to die for Newlin. Most of them were scarred and in doubt of their beliefs already.
"That's what I thought. Stand down everyone. People go home, it's over now." Godric released Newlin as the crowd dispersed, crouching down to put himself at level with Newlin. "I daresay that my faith in humankind is stronger than yours."
Jason ran up to me as the sanctuary was more empty, grasping me in a bear hug. "I'm so sorry, Ash, for everything! I..."
I could hear in his thoughts how distraught he was about joining the church, and how I was put in danger by it. I knew better than anyone that it was sometimes easier to say things in your head than aloud. I pulled back from our hug to bring my hands to cup Jason's face. "Jase, stop. I know. Please don't think of things like that. I am fine."
He pulled my hands off his face as he chucked awkwardly. "You know that thing can be pretty helpful sometimes. I wish I would listen to you more though."
I smiled at my brother before turning to our other company.
"Are you alright?" Eric nodded to my question. He looked to me for any signs of distress, despite knowing about my healing ability, and I had no doubt that he would ask me about the blood on my shirt later.
"Yes, I am fine, min lilla sol(my little sun)." Godric answered my question when I turned my focus to him.
We left the dreaded church together without paying any mind to Compton. He and Jason climbed into the rental car that I took here, but I waited before getting in the car, wanting to see what Eric and Godric would do. Eric was waiting for me, but Godric spoke up first.
"Would you like to come back to the nest with us, min lilla sol(my little sun)?" I beamed at his offer, gladly accepting. I grabbed my bag from the trunk before walking away from the car, towards the two Vampires.
Eric looked at my bag quizzically. "What is in there?"
"This," I held up my bag. "Is my change of clothes. You know skirts and dresses bother me."
Eric frowned at my answer, even though he probably already knew what I was going to answer. I laughed, knowing that I most likely ruined a sexual fantasy of sorts. Godric laughed along with me, knowing Eric and his thought process better than I did.
We stopped in the middle of a clearing, Eric taking my bag out of my hands as Godric and I stilled our laughter.
"Are you ready?" Godric held his hand out to me. I raised my eyebrow, he made no indication of having me on his back. "Do you trust me?"
"Trust is earned." Godric chuckled at my quick remark as I placed my hand in his.
A/N: Hey my readers, long time no read. It is now a bit of a break for me in the way of real life, but it will be getting really busy for me soon. But I promise I will not abandon you without notice. (And I hope I never abandon you.) After mid-May I might be able to give you guys a bit more and quickly.
Thank you for your dedication!
Reviews make me happy!
