It didn't bother me that when I woke up the following night Eric was already gone. I hadn't put much stock into dumping my broken heart on him, and that I was certain of.

It did bother me that when I walked out into the hall Morrigan was standing against the wall with her arms crossed in a scolding manner. I grimaced at her, knowing good and well that she knew exactly what had happened last night. She herself had tried to comfort me (in a non-sexual manner, of course) and I had sent her away almost instantly.

"What?" I shrugged. "Comfort comes in many forms."

"How was it?" She asked as she followed me down the hall.

I chuckled. "I won't lie, it was nothing short of magnificent."

Morrigan laughed just as I pushed the doors open into the conference room. Inside sat the Authority around the table, all talking work and politics, as usual. I took a nice comfy seat next to Bill, smirking at him when he gave me a disdainful look.

"Are we seriously sitting her discussing education reform?" Russell asked sarcastically, catching my interest in the conversation. "Are we vampires or school moms?"

"The word is sacred." Salome said softly, making me giggle in my seat.

"How do you suppose we seize our 'rightful' place in the hierarchy of beings when we're helpless as hamsters for twelve hours out of the day?" Russell asked her.

"That is the way we were created." Kibwe told him.

"But it's not how we have to remain." Russell informed him, making me raise an eyebrow.

I watched as Russell stood and Bill's shoulders tensed, and I instantly knew where this conversation was going.

"The legends are true." Russell assured us, his eyes moving over to me as I tilted my head at him. "The blood of the fae allows us to daywalk. Compton? Northman? You've both drunk from the same faerie I have."

"And you know it lasts a few minutes at most before you fry." Eric told him harshly, making me smile with pride.

"The Wright brothers first flight lasted twelve seconds; did they turn to each other and say 'Twelve seconds is pretty good, let's give up and try something else!'" Russell ranted. "We harness the blood, we study it. We capture another faerie, even, and breed them. If the Japanese can synthesize human blood, why can't we do the same with faerie blood?"

"Because we are of the night!" Salome insisted as she stood her ground. "The sun is forbidden. Faerie's are an abomination."

"Their blood is like sucking on heaven!" Russell argued as he stepped towards Salome. "You know what I wish? I wish I had just one drop of faerie blood to stuff down your pie hole!"

"I saved you Russel." Salome's tone was warning. "I can put you back in the ground."

At her words Russell grabbed her by the throat and snapped her towards a nearby pillar, causing her to call out as she collided with it before slamming down to the ground. The others stood, hissing in their Guardian's defense but Morrigan and I kept our seats. I even threw my feet up on the table and leaned back for maximum effect. I was simply watching the show.

"Oh please!" Russell snapped at Bill and Eric. "Give me an excuse to kill the both of you! Well, hell. Why not all of you?"

Russell flashed to stand on the table, causing me to clap and smile in amusement.

"I am three thousand years old!" Russell yelled, outdoing his own theatrics. "I am stronger than all of you combined!" –at this comment I simply shook my head- "How long did you think I would be your lapdog?! I offered you the opportunity to share in the greatest advancement in the history of our race and the small-mindedness of your religion had literally kept you in the dark! You can have your Lilith! I will not be constrained by your God or anyone else's. I will have the sun!"

Russell disappeared faster than the blink of a human eye and I clapped heartily. "Well, I can't say I didn't see that coming."

"And you did nothing!" Kibwe spat. "You are obviously more powerful than him."

"This is true, but you see, I didn't want to stop him." I shrugged. "Plus he's slow. I'll give him a day or so's head start. Then I'll hunt him down and rip his arrogant little brain out of his head."

I stood up briskly. "Well, I assume this meeting is over? I have breakfast waiting in my quarters."

I didn't wait for an answer before disappearing out the door, Morrigan at my side.

An hour later a knock came to my door. I dropped the arm of the poor middle-aged man who had served as a meal for my progeny and I, but taking pride in the fact that I had left him alive. I motioned for him to leave and he did so, answering the door on his way out.

Nora stepped past the human, double-taking the fact that there was now a lone human walking the halls, but I didn't care. And neither did Morrigan as she fell back on my bed, propped up on her elbows. She watched curiously as Nora advanced forward.

"Nora." I said quietly. "I'm not sure whether to be delighted or pissed that you've come for a visit."

"I came to speak with you…" Nora gave a quick glance to Morrigan who smirked back at her. "Alone, perhaps?"

"Morrigan does not judge, love." I assured her. "And she's not a snitch either. Anything you say to me, you can safely say in front of her."

"No, it's fine." Morrigan stood, appearing next to the door to throw me a quick kiss before disappearing outside.

I smiled at her before looking back over at Nora. "Please, have a seat."

I motioned to the same seat Eric had occupied just a night before, but I tried not to think about that.

"What can I help you with, darling?" I asked her as I leaned back, studying her nervous form.

Nora avoided eye contact with me, but she spoke clear. "I came to apologize. For what I've done, for everything. You were right. I have disgraced Godric…"

I tilted my head at the bloody tears forming in her eyes and sighed before leaning forward and placing my hand on her knee.

"You have not disgraced Godric." I told her. "This simple revelation has proved so. He was once lost, too. As was I. But, as he said, he has evolved. And now, so have you. I'm proud of you, Nora."

Nora shook her head, tears finally falling. "You have no reason to be. You were always there for me. You and Eric. And Godric. Even though I knew he favored Eric more, he loved me."

I pursed my lips, knowing she was right. Godric did favor Eric over Nora and there had been nothing I could ever do about it besides give her as much attention as I could. But even I had failed her. I had almost lost faith in the possibility of saving her, when all it took was a few words from Godric and the desecration of her maker before her eyes to bring her back to us.

"I don't know what to do." Nora muttered, and I stood, pulling her to her feet as well.

I grasped her hands in mine before kissing her forehead. "Go to Eric. I will find a way to get the two of you out of here. I must stay- no, do not argue." I brushed her hair back at her objection. "I must stay for the good of the both of you, and the good of vampirekind."

"But will we see you again? Soon?" Nora asked. "You're the closest thing to a maker I have left…"

"Shhh." I hushed her and wrapped her in my arms. "You will see me again. I promise. Now go."

I turned her towards the door and pushed her towards it, watching before she left. Turmoil writhed inside of me but I didn't let her see it. However when the door closed and I was sure she was gone I turned to the fire, my eyes watching it as I searched my brain for answered.

It was then that I realized I wouldn't have any answers. The answers I needed would have to come from the source, and by the source, I meant my mother.

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