We took a late plane, like normal humans would, and then took a cab to the Dallas nest. They were expecting us since Sergei had called to let them know we would arrive at three a.m. I was nervous, to say at the least, but I knew that I had to act strong in front of the others. I hadn't seen Stan or Isabel in a long time either. The Dallas nest was much like my home, made of a lot of glass and wood to make it more modern. It was expensive looking. Sergei and I climbed from the cab and I paid the cab driver too much.

"Moy rebenok, do not worry about Stan. He looks tough but he isn't that much, he just acts like it." I told Sergei with a smile. "Isabel is kind but strict as well, she is much like a mother with higher standards."

"What about the sheriff?" Sergei asked me, carrying both of our bags.

"Godric is kind but ruthless. Don't get on his bad side." That was all I said, I didn't want to get too much into detail. The two of us walked up to the door and Sergei knocked, standing in front of me. It was one of his protective motives- he didn't want the threat to get me, which bothered me. I'd rather my child live and not myself but I couldn't get that through his mind.

"Welcome Sheriff." I heard Isabel's soft voice say as she addressed Sergei with a smile. I stifled a laugh as he looked back tensely at me. "This must be your progeny-" She stopped quickly when she saw me and gave Stan a confused look. "Isolde?"

"Isabel, Stan, it's been awhile." I smiled tightly and pushed past Sergei and into the Dallas nest. "About seventy years or more?" I eyed the modern place and gave a grin. Godric must of hired an interior designer. The nest was much more modern than it had been seven decades ago. "Well, just so you know, I am actually the sheriff of area six, Florida." I motioned to Sergei with a small hand motion. "This is Sergei, my progeny."

"You mean you're the sheriff that we called in?" Stan sounded confused, disbelief evident on his face. "They didn't say it was you."

"Precautions. I don't need the wrong people coming after me." I shrugged. "The place has changed."

"Of course, we have done extensive remodeling." Isabel jumped into the conversation. "Godric insisted. We updated security and such... We did keep your room the same."

"I assume I will be staying there? Sergei will take one of your rooms in the cellar."

"Anything you wish, Sheriff."

"Isabel, we are friends. You may call me by my name.. being called Sheriff makes me feel less feminine." She gave a brighter smile. "We have much to catch up on, but first I must catch this fucker that's been bothering my town. Sergei, vy mozhete poyti ustroit'sya . YA dolzhen pogovorit' s moimi starymi druz'yami (Sergei, you may go get settled. I must talk with my old friends)." I saw him nod and move away.

"What the hell was that?" Stan rudely asked.

"Russian. Sergei is originally from Krasnoyarsk, Russia but I had met him in Moscow. He taught me Russian while I taught him Swedish and French in return." I explained.

"So he's a fucking communist." Stan spat out and my fangs shot out, a hiss coming from the back of my throat.

"Stan, you are to not be rude to our guests. Especially Isolde, she is much older than you and she is my child." I heard Godric's smooth voice say from across the room. My head shot up to his and saw that he looked exactly the same. His hair was still short but he had a calmer look to him rather than when I last saw him. "I see you gained yourself a progeny, mon amour. I could feel your love through our bond." I nodded.

"I love him like my own." I stated to the man I loved. "Sergei." I called out and immediately heard a whoosh and he was next to me. "Moy rebenok, this is my maker, Godric. He is also the Sheriff of area nine."

"Pleased to meet you, Sheriff." Sergei gave a courteous nod, his black curls bouncing. "My mat' has spoken well about you."

"Your maker is wonderful." Godric added with a smile. "How about you and my underlings go and mingle? Min kärlek (my love) and I will chat in my office if you need us." I saw Sergei give me a look at his Swedish words.

"Sergei har lärt Erics språk. Han talar det väl (Sergei has been taught Eric's language. He speaks it well)." I told Godric with a smirk. "Go on, Sergei, play nice with the others." I watched the three move off into a different portion of the house and then followed Godric to his office. It had also been updated and sported a long, black leather couch, a black desk with a stylish chair and modern armchairs. I settled on one of the gray armchairs and gave Godric a sigh. "This vampire that has traveled into your area, he is a horrible creature. He had killed ten of my most loyal vampires in Saint Augustine and ran before I could get him. If I had caught him, I would surely have ripped his own fangs out myself."

"Calm now, Isolde." Godric soothed me. "We will capture him for you and make sure he receives the correct punishment for his actions."

"Very well." I agreed. "I assume you haven't had any major causalities thus far?"

"Only two but I knew he wasn't from here. He had the smell of an ocean and you... Had you been around him recently?"

"Twice, he had tricked me. I agree that I shouldn't have been outsmarted by a vampire that is almost six hundred years my junior.. but he was charming." I shrugged. "Acted like he was only there for tourism. I had made it known that all new vampires staying for more than a month must contact me."

"Smart." Godric mused. "You have become much like me."

"What do you mean by that?" I shot at him.

"Relaxed, more accepting and trusting of our kind. I dare say I have loosened my ways somewhat, yet I still handle certain things the same."

"How about Eric? Still have that stick up his ass?" I joked with a chuckle.

"You know your brother. He is still strict and cold, only loosening for his child or myself."

"Has he asked about me?"

"Many times over the years. He wishes I hadn't sent you away but he knows it was for the best." I glared at my maker and tightened my fists. "I only did what I did out of my love for you, Isolde."

"I'm sure."

"Do not be that way, min kärlek. Has the years only increased your hatred at my decision?" His voice was sharp.

"No. I have grown out of that phase. I have gained much success in my life and I figured that old wounds are nothing to cry about."

"Tell me, how did you become Sheriff of area six?"

"About ten years after I left, the vampire sheriff at the time took a liking to me. He said I reminded him of his French progeny and that I was much like her. When he retired from his position, he gave it to me, telling me to take care of his area. I have done that much." I gave him a smile. "I turned Sergei not long afterward and then gained two underlings. Nikkya and Adrian. I trust both with my life like I do with Sergei."

"I could feel everything you felt while you were away."

"I felt you too. I wanted to contact you but I thought against it."

"Why?"

"I was afraid you would send me off again."

"Isolde, mon amour, I would never do that again. Sure, it was a smart decision but I regretted it."

"Well, I've made a well life for myself and my underlings."

"I'd assume so. How is Florida treating you?"

"I enjoy it there, considering it's the first place I went when I left." I smiled and pulled out my cellphone to show him some pictures of my home and it's ocean view. "I have updated since I got there. My nest use to be this small thing with only two bedrooms and a worthless basement. It lasted for a long while before I decided I needed a change. I had enough money to make changes and built my newer nest on the beach. Four bedrooms, a personal library and office, a nice sized kitchen and living area and a perfect, vampire safe basement." I was proud of my work.

"It is beautiful." Godric commented. "You decorated it all by yourself, correct?" I nodded at hom words. "I had Isabel help me since I didn't have much experience in interior design."

"She did a wonderful job." I walked over to a large window and glanced out at the lit up Dallas city. "You don't mind if I stay for awhile? I think I need some time away from the normalcy of my life. I fear it has gotten quite dull in the past few years."

"You are always welcome to stay." Godric smiled. "You are my child after all."

"You never dismissed me." I blurted out.

"Do you wish me to do so?" His brows furrowed.
"No, I was just wondering why. I have been gone so long but yet I am still bound to answer your call and assist you without question."

"I can't dismiss you, Isolde, not anytime soon."

"You let Eric go."

"Because you are my lover, Eric is not. I love your brother with all my heart and soul but you're different... you're special, mon amour."

"It's been years since we've had any intimacy, so I'd assume it has faded away."

"Are you certain?" I didn't answer and faced him with a sad look. Godric flashed next to me and grabbed my hands tightly, his Caribbean blue eyes were entrancing, especially this close. I had always loved his eyes. "I think it's just dormant. Still there but hidden." I didn't disagree but failed to say anything, my eyes solely focused on him. "Jag älskar dig, Isolde (I love you, Isolde)."

"I can't say it." He nodded. "Not yet." That caught his attention and he smirked.

"You don't have to say it for me to believe you. I know." He pulled me towards him and soon his lips were covering mine with a feverish intent.