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Eric's POV
The next evening I grew tense the moment I rose, I sensed someone nearby. It took a moment to realize it was Godric. He handed me a glass of warmed blood.
Normally I'd never allow anyone in my sleeping chamber. However such rules never applied between me and Godric. Our trust and devotion despite everything was unshakable.
In the previous timeline Godric always provided my first evening meal. An honor most children lose by their 2nd year as vampires. Godric was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve. However it was the little things that showed how devoted his Maker was to our bond.
Godric yanked the pillow out from under me and grinned,
"Stop gathering wool. The night's getting old; I've worked a full two hours while you snoozed."
Grumbling I headed to the shower,
"It's not my fault you require less sleep Godric; I'm pleased to see you're still mobile despite your advanced arthritic age."
The whistle of a chair flying toward my back sent me upward before it crashed into the wall. I chuckled when I dodged it with plenty of time to spare.
"Nice try, do you need me to slow down for your pride?" I said watching him as he circled me looking for an opening to attack.
Godric bared his fangs while sporting a grin, "Yes, and if you keep that up I'll have the Fae shave your head while you sleep Eric."
Yesterday I noticed my hair in this timeline remained long. I didn't want to return to work sporting a buzz cut. "OK I yield; don't touch the hair."
Shaking his head Godric threw me a shirt,
"I'm pleased we're not in a real battle. A warrior's last words shouldn't end with 'don't touch my hair'. Not a real warrior anyway. "
I rolled my eyes at Godric teasing grin,
"What about Sampson? When Delilah cut his hair he became a 90 pound weakling. By the way that was a shit story to tell a new born vampire, however you're point was made, I've never allowed a woman in my rest chambers."
Godric chuckled.
"In the middle ages that story was told by humans as a kind of sexist drumbeat. They totally missed the point as usual. The story was an allegory against putting yourself in a position to be harmed when you're at your weakest.
I returned wearing a pair of dark slacks and dress shirt. "In addition, the people closest to us can do the most damage, Sampson found out the hard way Godric."
Godric seemed pleased I remembered his lessons.
"Eric, you're the only person I've willingly chose to share my rest chambers with. It's the ultimate sign of trust. I'm pleased you've changed your mind about staying here."
I nodded in agreement, "That's something that will never change; you have to endure my company for eternity."
Godric grabbed his brief case as he left the room,
"Yes and enduring a thousand years of your snoring shows how serious I am about letting you hang around. The noise is like a traffic accident even from the new wing."
I roared, "I DO NOT SNORE! Vampires don't even breathe." maybe it's trapped wind – he's joking, right? I thought quietly.
Mock snoring from the front door made me see red, but it still felt good. Once again Godric was pulling my leg. Shaking my head I laughed and chased after him. Godric's a trickster in private. Around others however his sense of humor remained buried.
I got into a dark SUV with Godric behind the wheel. For once I was glad I wasn't with Pam. A Maker might expect to take the wheel and I had no idea where we even worked.
Where was Pam anyway? I could feel her but far away. I didn't detect any problems with her emotions other than her annoyance.
It took a few minutes to drive off the property before hitting the streets.
My eyes widened as I looked around. Every house as far as I could see was light-tight. We passed a sign that said Welcome to Vampire Heights. In fact all the homes in the area were constructed with vampires in mind.
Most of the nearby homes were devoid of human-style windows. Instead they had frosted UV light-blocking window panes.
The grocery stores all advertised "True Blood in all Types." They also offered pet food but instead of dogs the pictures featured smiling humans eating steak or fruit. I didn't know where Sookie was but I hoped like hell vampires in her area had a lot more tack then these ads.
I knew Chicago was more tolerant of my kind than the south but this far beyond what I was used to in my timeline. Why were humans so accommodating toward vampires now?
I also wondered why we drove instead of flying to work as we pulled into what looked like a modern police station.
Godric hopped out and opened the trunk, pulling out a crate. I grabbed the other one and followed him inside the ten story building. I guess it made sense to drive rather than flying around with crates.
The building was filled with vampires and some humans employees as well. Which isn't surprising since crime happens 24/7 in the Supernatural world, and Chicago is a big city.
Passing the elevators I noticed a pair of V addicts chained to a wall. Their vampiric smell and red eyes were a dead giveaway. They were waiting to be processed outside a holding pen. Silvered beside them was a vampire missing a fang that was regenerating slowly.
Godric frowned when we saw the processor, she was a baby vampire.
"I told the watch commander no officers assigned to this area under the reborn age of 50. Some of the vampires in custody are especially dangerous."
Godric's eyes never left the baby vampire,
"I'll move her to a safer area as soon as I log on. I intend to have an unpleasant conversation with the watch commander. "
The chained vampire continued to scream at the female processor,
"Hey, baby vamp! I know my rights. I'm required to be held with only Supernaturals. I don't want to smell the thousand vampires these human junkies drained. Hey, I'm talking to you! Stop acting like you don't hear me sugar tits." I paused when I sensed the anger from Godric.
He stopped walking and set his crate down next to me.
That's when the chained vampire noticed whose attention his ranting gained. If he could get paler he would have as Godric turned to look at him.
Godric's face was unreadable. However I knew that expression well, it meant all hell could break lose any minute.
Standing beside the silvered vampire I felt everyone in the room pause to watch the interaction.
"You're correct, but you're only being processed at the moment. The line is short; I anticipate only a few minutes until you're placed in a vampire cell. So please stop disturbing the peace. Also your disrespect to the processor is unacceptable. Make amends."
The vampire looked terrified, as he watched Death and his shadow wait for his response. "I'm sorry. Please forgive the uncalled for display. I'll wait my turn, thank you Sheriff."
Turning to walk away Godric saw the evil look the vampire tossed the processing clerk. His glare promised more verbal abuse as soon as Godric was out of range. Sighing he turned back.
Godric placed a finger against the tender regenerating fang. I watched the vampire try to hide the pain in his raw gums.
"It looks like the magistrate sentencing you to lose a fang two months ago didn't change your behavior. He'll be unhappy to see you again Jerry. He doesn't give second chances. I suspect he'll want your legs this time."
The vampire's eyes widened.
"I didn't do shit worth seeing the magistrate, and I won't wait a year for my legs to grow back. I have the payment form your office sent me. I'm ready with the 10,000 dollar fine for the blood bag right here. Considering how bland her blood was she should've pay me instead."
With a scream of pain the vampire fell to the floor clutching the hole where his one good fang used to reside. Godric looked at him with disinterest,
"I never understood how a vampire your age and still be this unevolved. Jerry you fed on an unwilling human that disgusts me."
Ignoring the vampire whimpering on the floor in pain Godric walked to the processor's desk. He grabbed an envelope to toss in the fang.
"Place this in with the rest of his possessions until his sentence is served. I'm sorry for his behavior toward you. I think he will settle down now."
The female vampire beamed at Godric, clearly smitten. "Thank you! It was stressful dealing with him. You're so honorable to intercede on my behalf Sheriff."
Nodding politely Godric picked up his case and headed for the elevators.
The prisoners pulled themselves tighter to the wall as we walked past. They kept their eyes on the floor doing their best to become unnoticed.
Once we were alone in the elevator I shook my head at him.
"I'll rename you Godric, the vampire in shining armor. I bet if you asked the processor, she'd be at your service any way you wished."
Godric gave me a blank look,
"It was my duty as Sheriff to help her. I know you enjoy your fun but in this regard I have different tastes. I don't need to remind you that my sex drive is as active as your own. However, my appetites are not easy to satisfy, so I chose celibacy over mediocrity."
I blinked and quickly changed the subject.
"Godric I've been thinking, we spend too much time here seeing nothing but the worst of our kind; Want to go for a walk around Vampire Heights? We can walk to the park; I'll pack us supplies, it'll be fun. "
Godric's face lit up when he realized I wasn't kidding.
"Yes, I've wanted to visit the new construction in the community, but I didn't want to go alone. I have to admit you're full of surprises today."
I gave Godric a hug which he happily accepted,
"Godric, I'll visit any place that you wish, in fact, I'll pick us up a bottle of Royal blend for our trip."
I dropped my smile before the elevator opened. At work we have to keep our game face on; I knew as well as Godric that a weak vampire is a dead one in our world.
When the elevator doors opened we exited with twin expressions of calm. I followed Godric quietly to the offices. We felt happy inside our bond, secure in our affection for each other. We only have to appear cold to the world, but never around family.
