She woke up worn-out. She was thinking were she was. She was looking around. She didn't recognize that place. After a moment everything was coming to her. She remembered how she met Eric and the second vampire, Godric, how she went with them home. She shook her head over her blind faith and she was glad she didn't pay for it. She sat at the armchair where she must have slept for hours. Sunshine was entering the room and when she draw the curtains open she found out it was probably late morning. She looked at her watch. It said twelve thirty. She looked around the room again. She was admiring the number of books ordered by size. In that moment a piece of paper, lying at a table near the armchair she was sleeping in, caught up her eye. She was wondering if it was for her. Lea crossed the room and looked at the paper. She found out the writing interesting. Then she noticed her name. She took the paper and read it.
Lea, you fell asleep before we could say good-bye. As I've already told you, vampires are asleep during the day. Don't look for us. I'm sorry we can't offer you any food you're used to eat. I still hope you at least slept well. Please, don't tell anyone where we live nor that you know what we are. I'm sure we will meet again. Take care in the meantime.
Godric
She smiled. She liked Godric and this note made her happy. She folded that paper and put it into her pocket. Then she closed the curtains and quietly left the apartment. She was wondering where vampires were sleeping but when Godric didn't want her to be looking for them; she decided to listen to him. If it would be Eric asking her she went to look. But Godric was nice to her so she didn't see any point not to listen to him.
She was thinking the whole day about what happened the last night. She sometimes wasn't sure if it was real. But then she put a hand into her pocket where she could feel the note from Godric and she immediately knew she couldn't dream about anything like this. It was incredible. She finally found someone she could tell about her secret without them freaking out or thinking she was crazy. She even interested them. Eric was interested in her more than she liked but she didn't want to make it easy for him whatever he had planned.
Evening came closer and she still didn't decide if she should go to the club and have fun as usually or if she should find her vampires. It was strange for her but she felt good in their company. She knew she would be able to sit with them and only perceiving their feelings so different from humans. Lea wanted to be at peace with their feeling as she was with humans'. Just to feel them at the edge of her mind without affecting her. But she didn't want to show Eric how much she wanted their company.
She was walking at the edge of the town lost in her thoughts, trying to figure out what she should do. In front of her suddenly appeared a young man. She was startled because she didn't even notice his arrival. Then she jerked herself when she looked at him. It was one of the guys who were wandering around having fun destroying anything that came across their way. She knew she was in a trouble. Her ability was useless here. She lowered her barrier and felt strong feeling of hatred, anger and desire to play. She carefully sent feeling of happiness and calmness his way but that didn't work the way she hoped for. The man became angrier instead. She listened to her instincts turned around and started running away. She doubted she would be able to save herself but she wanted to try.
She was only able to run tens of meters when she literally did run into other guy from that group. She didn't notice him because she was looking over her shoulder at the first guy. So she did run to the arms of the second one. He caught her arms firmly and painfully and shook with her as if she was some rag doll. She was trying to change his feelings but she wasn't able to concentrate because she was terrified. She could clearly feel his feelings and she could put together what would happen to her.
She didn't even notice first smack on her face. She was trying to avoid the second one. In that moment she felt the feeling from the first guy she was trying to run away in the fist place. He also joined the second one. More men came after a moment. She was defending herself the best she could but the more she was defending herself the more they were enjoying hurting her. Her look became blurry and she didn't perceive her surroundings. She knew her nose was broken and she was swallowing her own blood. She was choking. Everything hurt her. She was slowly loosing her consciousness. She didn't know if they were holding her in the air or if she was lying on the ground. Everything stopped suddenly and a darkness, that subdued her feelings, surrounded her. She was welcoming the darkness gratefully and let it swallow her. She closed her eyes.
He went outside. Alone. He didn't know why. Maybe because during his life, even during his traveling with Godric, they were staying mostly outside. He didn't like being inside. He felt freely outside. So he left his maker and went out. He wasn't in a need to feed even though he wasn't really full. But after so many years he got used to it. He just wanted to walk, enjoy the peaceful night.
He was wandering around, enjoying the pleasantly tepid wind and was wondering about everything Godric told Lea. It seemed like reckless behavior but he knew Godric has been never behaving recklessly. But he always liked people and he was probably happy he could tell someone what he was. And it seemed Lea really enjoyed Godric's talk. He shook his head.
At that moment he smelled the scent of a blood. He couldn't mistake this unmistakable bittersweet scent with anything else. He suppressed his lust and let her canines hidden even though it was hard for him. He looked around. He spotted her suddenly. It was a figure lying on the ground like a rug doll. He run up to her. As soon as he bended over the figure his eyes widened with recognition. Lea. He looked her up and down and noticed the condition she was in. Her chest was barely moving, the artery on her neck barely pulsated. He knew she was just a small step from death.
He didn't hesitate at all. She was too important for him so he couldn't loose her. He carefully lifted her up. She didn't even move or groan. She seemed to him too light. He looked around; when he didn't notice anyone he used his speed to get home. It was matter of life and death and every second was important. He felt as life was leaving Lea.
He threw the door open and moved to living room. He carefully laid her on the floor so he wouldn't cause more injuries to her than she already had. He noticed Godric quickly standing from his armchair and getting closer to the girl.
"We are loosing her." Godric announced when he lifted bloody hair from her neck and looked at her almost not working artery.
"She isn't able to drink. Will you help me?"
A smile flickered across Godric's face. It has been a long time ago when Eric asked him for a help last time. He couldn't deny his help. He carefully took girl's head into his hands. He gently opened girl's mouth. Eric bit himself into his wrist in the meantime and let his blood drop into Lea's mouth. It took a long time but at the end his blood started to work. Eric took her in his arms and put her on the couch. He covered her in blanket and turned away from her.
"You care about her." Godric stated.
"It would be a shame to lose her. She could be useful. Her ability is unusual. We saved her life so she can repay it."
…
She woke up into darkness. She was vainly trying to remember where she was. When she was straining her head everything gradually came to her. She was confused. By the things she remembered she should be seriously injured or even dead. Instead she fell just a bit worn-out and her mouth was dry. She looked around. She looked around frightened when she recognized a silhouette sitting at the other end of a couch.
"You don't have to be afraid, you're safe here."
"Godric?" She asked, surprised.
"Yes, it's me." He nodded. "You're in my and Eric's apartment."
"What happened?" She asked, confused. "I should be injured and…"
He sat closer to her. He told her how Eric found her and what condition she was in. He noticed she was nodding in agreement. He explained her how Eric brought her home and gave her his blood that cured her. Her injuries were severe so she slept a day and half. Her body was recovering through that time and was getting stronger.
"So your blood can treat injuries?" She blurred out surprised. Godric just nodded. "That's amazing! Well, not really, if people would find out you would be in danger. People are so greedy they would be able to sell even their own death. So selling your blood would be normal for them."
"You're talking as if you weren't one of them." Godric pointed out.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not that much. Could I get a glass of water, please?"
He brought her a glass of water and was observing her as she was drinking. She seemed interesting. He never had had a chance to talk to a human who would know what he truly was. He liked her being so hungry for information and she knew right away she needed to keep it to herself. He knew why Eric liked her. He was determined not to allow Eric to hurt her.
"Are you alone here today?" She asked suddenly.
"Eric went out to feed." Godric answered.
Something about his voice forced her to lower her barrier and let his feelings to come to her. She was trying to figure out what they meant. She felt concern and a bit of fear. She didn't understand what Godric could be afraid of. He was a vampire over two millennia old after all. She suddenly got it. Eric.
"Did he go looking for them?" She blurred out. "But he doesn't know who it was. What will he do to them? Does he want to kill them?"
"You were talking in your sleep."
She jumped off of the couch. "Stop him! They are humans he can't simply kill them."
He looked at her with calm, little bit sad look. He explained her he can't stop Eric. He decided for revenge and he was unstoppable. Besides they would escape justice. She couldn't prove she was attacked because she didn't have any injury. It was a permanent solution as well. They won't be able to hurt anyone else.
She never thought Eric could be so cruel and Godric won't stop him. It frightened her and made her angry at the same time. She was afraid more because just now she understood she didn't know what the two of them were capable of. She didn't pay any attention as to what she looked like and run to the door.
The door suddenly opened and there was Eric standing in the doorway. Lea stepped back and Eric came in. His eyes were shinning darkly and she felt his satisfaction and delight. A small cry escaped Lea's mouth. She turned around and noticed Godric standing in a doorway leading to the living room. She felt trapped. She was terrifyingly looking from one vampire to the other one. As soon as Eric made a step forward Lea squeezed around him and run through the door.
"She found out you went after those men who hurt her. I think she thinks you're heartless killer and I'm… your accomplice because I didn't stop you." Godric answered Eric's unspoken question.
"She should thank us for saving her life." He pointed out.
"Don't forget two days ago she had no idea vampires existed. You can't blame her that this method of justice frightened her."
…
She was like a body without a soul. She was thinking how she could be so stupid and trust vampires. She thought she could be a friend with them she thought she could be herself in their company. She has been mistaken. Lea didn't know they could be so cruel and inconsiderate. She was scolding herself that she told them her secret. But at the same time, she knew she owed them her thanks. Primarily to Eric who saved her life. It drove her crazy it was Eric.
She didn't know what to do. She was mad at herself for being torn apart but she couldn't help herself. Then something came up on her mind. She had no idea what Eric's blood did to her besides healing her wounds. She was thinking about any consequences there could be for her and when she thought about it she realized Godric didn't tell her anything about it. She had to find out. The only solution was she would go to him. But she didn't want to see Eric ever again. She was thinking what she should do.
She waited till darkness came, then she walked to the house where vampires lived. She hoped Eric would go hunt again and would give her a chance to get to Godric. She knew it wasn't a good idea but she was too disconcerted to think about something else.
Three nights passed by while she was waiting for Eric to leave the apartment. She was angry for not being lucky. At the end, she resorted to a desperate idea even though she didn't know if it would work. She was standing in a shadow of a house, hidden from people walking by. She lowered her barrier and was searching among the feelings that surrounded her. She was looking for one in particular. She felt two of them at first. They were so different from humans' she recognized them immediately. She let them flow around her until she found out which one was stronger. She knew she was on the right path. But she has never done it before. She hoped it would work out.
He was talking to Eric. They made a time for themselves time to time and talked about anything and everything, about their past and future. They were talking about changing times, about things that concern them. They were talking about other vampires as well. They weren't the only ones staying near by. They sometimes were in touch with other vampires. They even visited some of them.
Godric suddenly stood up. He interrupted Eric's talk. Eric just looked at him and was wondering what made his maker stood up so abruptly. He was looking at him and Godric seemed to him a bit impatient.
"Is something wrong?" Eric asked.
But Godric already calmed down. He had an idea of what just happened. He needed to placate Eric so he wouldn't notice what was going on.
"No, it's nothing." Godric answered and sat back down. He pretended as if nothing happened and continued talking.
A little bit later their talk came to an end. This time Godric stood up calmly. He said he was going out to feed and silently left the apartment. He wasn't so sure the look Eric gave him wasn't suspicious. He banished the thought.
She was hidden in a shadow so she could watch the main door. She thought her tick worked out. But when nobody was coming out she stopped believing in it. She wanted to leave when the door suddenly opened. She would recognize him anywhere. She lowered her barrier again and contacted him through feelings. She noticed him looking her way. Before she knew he was standing next to her.
"Can all vampires move so quickly?" She asked surprised.
He smiled. "Thanks to that Eric saved your life."
She nodded. She thought news from vampires' life can't frighten her anymore. But now she needed to ask him something important. Lea looked over Godric's shoulder to make sure nobody was following them, especially Eric.
"Need to talk to you. Can we take a walk?" She suggested.
He nodded and started to walk by her side. He was wondering what she was thinking about that she used this way of contacting him. He understood she didn't want to see Eric but she surprised him that she wanted to talk to him.
"I maybe didn't react the right way last time." She started slowly. "But they taught me killing a person is the biggest crime. Eric made it looked like it was a natural thing. I cannot accept it and I don't want to. I still think it could be solved differently. But that's not the point now. I want to know what it means for me when Eric gave me his blood."
Godric smiled. He liked her practical thinking. He decided to share with her other vampire's secret. Even though what happened he knew she would keep it to herself. He explained to Lea her senses would be sharper, she will be more perceptive, her sexual desire will be stronger. It could happen her ability would be stronger. Primarily she will be connected with Eric and when she would get into trouble he would feel it and would be able to come to help her.
"That's great." She said when he finished. "That's what he wanted, right? When he found out what I am he wanted to ensure my loyalty, am I right?"
She surprised him but he didn't show it. She probably saw right through Eric and quickly. He was thinking what he should answer her. At the end he decided to be honest.
"You're different than other people and he is always interested in everything new and unique. I think he was planning to have you for himself and your injury just accelerated it. When he decides for something nothing will stop him. I think I have a share in it. It was me who raised him after all."
She was silent. She was trying to comprehend it, get used to the fact she would be connected with Eric. She hated him even though he was handsome at first sight. But she couldn't tolerate his behavior. She had no other choice but hope he will never want to use her help. She could take care of herself and she wasn't getting into trouble very often.
"What will you do now?" Godric asked.
She shrugged. "I have no idea. You know, you're so different from Eric even though you have been together over thousand years or you said something like that. I'm interested in so many things about you. I'd like to get better in using my ability on you. Moreover I want to get used to your feelings which are stronger than humans. I'd like to know more about you. But I don't want to see Eric. Not after what he had done. I may deal with it in time when I take in consideration that he saved my life but he didn't act rightly."
"Are you defending those who left you to die?"
She smiled. "It strange, isn't it? I just grew up in that system where criminal should go to the jury. It's true, Eric's way was more effective but you can't expect me to get used to it and take is as natural thing. It's enough that your way of feeding wouldn't be accepted by most people. I accept it because you're not killing these people you just make them week for a while. But killing is way too much for me."
He nodded. He understood this and was grateful she understood what happened. He knew she can't get used to it. They were telling her killing was wrong. But she was acting reasonably and he was glad. He was pleasantly surprised when she said she accepted their way of feeding. It didn't matter though because it wouldn't change anything but he was glad first human who knows what they were was tolerant.
"I understand why you don't want to see Eric. But what will you do with me?" Godric asked with small smile.
"I will grant you a pardon." She laughed. "Can you be my teacher as you used to be Eric's? Will you allow me to practice my ability on you?"
That pleased him and he cherished her request. He didn't hesitate for a moment and nodded. He knew they would teach each other and he was looking forward to it. He noticed Lea was looking happily so he suggested they could start right away. When he saw Lea's shining eyes he had to laugh. That was the beginning of their friendship.