Author's note:

I am back after a week of travelling to find no reviews waiting for me. Well, to say i am not disappointed would be inaccurate, but i am still not giving up hope. Please Review. i am putting in quite a lot of effort here i would like to see if i am getting through at all.

10 . If Only – Chapter 9

Godric POV

"Would you tell me?" I said, moving closer to her in a gesture to comfort her. Vowing to be patient. She finally looked at me. Her dark eyes looked weary but determined.

"My destination was always this when I started running a year ago. This is where I meant to come all along. You see, very few people know of my existence. I have been one of Theo's most closely guarded secret for 7 centuries. Most people who know of me know me as his 5th child, who he has always kept close because I got ruined in transition and hence was never allowed out in public or out of his sight. Only a handful people know of the real circumstance of my existence and my gift always made it easier for me to camouflage myself, and it was needed for Obvious reasons…" she paused for a moment as if trying to determine how to continue next and then looked at me pleadingly,

"Godric there is only this way I can answer all your questions. If I tell you the whole story only then will it make sense, but there is a stipulation to that, which is once you know all of it, I will have no choice but to keep you bound to it, you know I have that power over you now, so now is the time to back out if you wish to not involve yourself. I will not hold it against you, just like I don't hold it against Eric." I had known the moment I had licked her tears off her face that I had made a mistake but I did not regret it in the light of the decision I had already made.

"I have made my decision Anna, I did not ask you until I prepared myself to take some responsibilities of the burden you bear. You will not need to bind me to keep your secret, but if that's the only way to satisfy you then I will allow you to do it." I took her hand in mine in a reassuring way.

She nodded and inhaled deeply, visibly relaxing before continuing.

" The obvious reasons for which I had to be kept hidden was the fact that I had been able to keep my specific gift, for which I was chosen to be made vampire for, not only intact through the transition. But where as a human I was only able to project on humans, my turning into vampire had increased my power ten folds enabling me to hypno-project on all Supernatural species. There are of course exceptions as with any gift. For mine it was Theo himself, your blood brother Markus, Markus's consort and child Najwah and his other child Darius. All these people only have one thing in common and that was Blood magic that Markus and both his children inherited from Ziva, your maker, but you did not. As it turns out. You are still an exception to my gift as is Eric and Pamela too. I tried last night, it did not work." I raised an eyebrow at her, wondering when exactly she tried it. from the moment she had told me about her hypno-projection a part of me had been wondering if it was one of the reason of my attraction towards her. I was still skeptical, but it was looking more and more like it was perhaps right. It did not work on me, I would've known.

" But we do not have the blood magic why are we still an exception to your gift?" I asked softly.

"Even if you do not have Blood Magic. I think the logic is that my blood recognizes you as its own so it does not work on you either, but my blood magic works just fine. I was able to shroud my age from Pamela"

"I see…"

"So yes, my hypno-projection was the main reason why Theo had wanted me turned, but he was taking no chances. I know how everyone thinks that the 'vampire making magic' is such a mystery and there is no way of knowing if everything will be well or no as very little is known about it. Let me tell you Godric that is not entirely true. It was a conspiracy created in the wake of the first cataloguing of Vampire Codex. Theo created the conspiracy. There is more known about transition magic and there are ways to control it." I was now thoroughly intrigued. Anahita continued.

"Imagine if the warring primitive vampire factions of the time knew of controlling transition method, The vampire Codex was created and compiled in the first place to preserve Vampire culture and to make it less threatening to other species. Vampires would have destroyed themselves and the world in order to outdo each other in turning humans with more and more supernatural powers. We are talking about the time when the Original witches and such roamed the world and there were 100s of fairy-human hybrids with the essential spark and were so well known for their powers. The situation would have escalated until every species would have been on the precipice of destruction…" I was starting to understand the logic.

"So Theo did what he does best. He kept the truth shrouded and manipulated known knowledge on the subject and created confusion. Through vampire codex itself. No vampire had before tried to catalogue information before and hence it gave Theo an open chance to create all kinds of speculation about it. Primitive vampires were not very smart anyways. Gradually all others who knew of the knowledge though none were accurate, also fell to the confusion and hence the conspiracy became the truth. For greater good of course." She smiled with sarcasm.

"Theo knows of the magic and how to control it. How else do you think they were able to turn the Oracle of Delphi with her gift not only intact but increased? Theo was one of the four Vampires who gave their blood to turn her and of the four Theo and Nephthys his maker knew why. The other two vampire involved conceitedly thought it was for the sheer privilege of it, but it was because the transition asked for 4 vampires with specific traits. You must know better than me that how many humans have been turned into vampires for their gifts over the centuries and how most of them were never able to carry it through the transition and if they did, which is rare and never with significant powers. It turned out weaker or at most the same. Even the council itself has 4 vampire who are ex-telepaths who were turned over time for their gift, on the chance that they might carry their telepathy through, the most anyone carried through was Sahara, who is now regarded more as an empath than telepath. It never turned out right because no one other than Theo and Nephthys knew of how to do it and now only Theo does and even he claims he knows most of the transition magic but not all of it. Now the Question I know you are going to ask is how did Theo and Nephthys knew of it at all. And the answer to that question is where you are directly involved as well." I was thoroughly confused, and nodded for her to continue.

"You see, Theo claims that only you in all of his kin have the gift for identifying magic like Nephthys did and create and manipulate it, As that is how they know so much about Transition of a vampire as it is the most natural kind of magic…" She paused. I was feeling a dread I had not felt in a long time. It was true, I did have a knack for identifying magic but I always disregarded it as just part of my long experience as a Vampire. I found my voice.

" I have heard of this gift surely, but I do not think I have it. My age and experience has allowed me to identify magic and I am sure that any vampire who had been around as long as I would know of it." I knew it was no truth, but I wished it was. I had way too many demons to fight without adding this one to the list.

"I do not know how much of the Legend of our blood line you know, but I think I need to mention it here to make you understand better. I do not know if Princess Ziva ever told you any of these things but Theo wanted you to know because you were unique in some ways. Unfortunately Ziva was extremely possessive and protective of you and she released you way too early and Theo never got the chance. It is one of a lot of reasons I am here. Everyone of Theo's kin know only a part of the legend I am about to tell you whole and I am sure everyone who knows of it think it's mere folklore, but it is reality Godric and it's a little colorful I admit, but then again real life is often more dramatic and terrific than stories." I knew parts of this story, but not all of it. Come to think of it, Ziva did tell me the legends but always the fantastic side of it and was more than wary of discussing Theo with me. I nodded at Anahita, encouraging her to continue.

" It is your choice to believe it or not, but some parts of it will strike recognition you will see."

"Neith is said to be the founder of our bloodline, she was Nephthys' maker and also her great great grandmother. Neith was the wife and sister of an ancient Egyptian Pharoah, she was also protégé' of Saamri, The greatest sorcerer ever known to the world. Though most people now know nothing of his vampirism. He bestowed some say 4, and some say 5 gifts to Neith when she sacrificed her human life and decided to serve Saamri for eternity by becoming a vampire, Magical gifts which Nephthys and her blood line inherited. There is speculation and almost no one knows how many gifts there were. Originally there were 5 gifts out of which 3 are general knowledge but 2 were a secret. A secret well guarded, but since no one inherited them apparently, general knowledge is there were only 3. Even out of those 3, only 2 frequently showed up in Nephthys' kin over millenniums. The gifts according to common known legend are…"

"Levitation, Blood magic and languages" we both said at the same time. I felt like a child sitting in a class room learning History 101 from my favorite teacher who I had a crush on. I knew I must've looked awe-struck every time she spoke so I fashioned myself as the demure 2k vampire that I am. Look there, did I just think of me as '2k' years old? I was going insane. Whilst I was having this juvenile argument with myself she noticed nothing and continued. I snapped my attention back towards her.

"… out of which the gift of Languages has never shown up for all who know and so it is common knowledge that Levitation and Blood magic are the only gifts. Yes? You Inherited Levitation, and Markus inherited Blood Magic. Ziva's blood line was most prone to manifest gifts, which leads to reason that Theo had confided in her his knowledge of Transition Magic or at least some of it. Though he has never admitted it, It is a hunch I have, but I am getting off track.." she looked at me apologetically, before standing up from her spot next to me and moving a little away to turn towards me, making me notice the dips and curves of her shape lighted against the fire. I was about to get distracted again before she continued, How ridiculous was this getting?

"In reality, there were 5 gifts." my eyebrows were now raised. I was doing the math in my head. She was smiling and nodding her head. So proud of her little eager to please pupil who was thinking so hard for the answer so that he can get his hands on that prize lollipop, or two of them. Could he also be the teacher's pet? What in the heavens was wrong with me. Did I just imagine what I think I just imagined? Was I somehow channeling Eric? I inspected my bond with him, he was irritated to the notch but no, this was all me.

"Yes Godric, 5 gifts, The five petals of Plumeria the symbol of our blood line… Levitation, Blood magic, Languages, Sensing Magic and transfiguration." Ok, that was a good surprise call. One which made the feeling of dread come back again.

" No, you are mistaken, there is also 'choice of child' in there somewhere." I wanted to divert the topic.

"no, Godric! Good choice in vampire children is just good judgment on the maker's part. It is rather Theo's additional gift which almost all of his Kin inherited. No, it's not part of the original list." Teacher was disappointed, was there a chance of getting spanked? STOP! I told myself and an image of her in a black pencil skirt and white blouse hair tied up and glasses sitting on her nose rose in my head. Brows frowning, lips pursed. BAD GODRIC, BAD! I tried to erase it quick but it was carved behind my eyes. I have never even thought of such a thing before. There was something extremely wrong.

"Some even add Beauty to the list, as all children of Plumeria bloodline are a sight to behold no matter what race they belong to originally." She was saying and I was answering in my internal monologue, Yes you are a sight to behold, behold, kiss, lick, mark, drink, eat dare I say…before I could stop myself I heard her next words.

"Some say unsurpassable talents in Bed are one of the gifts of our blood line…" IT IS! I SWEAR IT, LOOKS LIKE YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT! WILL YOU LET ME PROOVE IT? My monologue voice was screaming it was official I was losing it in my old age.

"… and of course, unsurpassable skills in Warfare and combat and increased vampire strength for age. They are gifts no doubt and yes they are exclusive to our blood line. Which is one of the reason our Bloodline is revered in such a way. In old world we are considered Gods of vampires Godric due to all these talents that we yield, But they are not the gifts Saamri bestowed on Neith." She paused at this point, looking directly at me now whilst I was still stumbling inside for some semblance of control.

"You are one of the two who inherited most gifts from the original 5. Only yours were secret and not the quite obvious ones. Levitation, Sensing magic and… Of course transfiguration." That brought me out, I was truly dumbfounded now. Transfiguration had been one of my deepest secrets. How could they know? How could Theo know?

" how?" that was all I was able to say. Staggering from trying to not expose myself indecently to having my deepest secret exposed. Yet, all of sudden I felt like a weight was off me. I heard her speaking again.

" I do not know how Theo came to discover exactly I think it must've been through Ziva, she was your maker, and you can never keep any secrets from your maker can you? From my understanding you yielded this gift during serving as an enforcer for Dark Blood Defences in the 3rd century. There have been legends regarding you, you know in supernatural records of the time all over the continent. 'Death taking shape of black smoke and sometimes a body of a young man with spells carved on the skin, serpent for a backbone and fangs for weapons, passing judgments and taking life with a flick of the wrist and gleam of a fang' destroying rogue and barbarian vampires here and there and bathing and dancing in their blood around the fire fueled by their flesh and becoming smoke." She swayed her hands dramatically while uttering the last words. Her eyes sparkling with mirth. Something clenched inside me again my desire stirring again, was I having a reaction of some kind, I had had her blood. I suppressed myself and pretended to scoff at her theatrics but I did not fail to notice the awe and fascination in her eyes as she looked at me. My silence being confirmation, that what she was saying was true. I had been such a different vampire then. If I was still that vampire, the one she was talking about I would have shown her that unsurpassable sexual prowess that is so legendary for my blood-line more than 20 times by now, regarding the amount of time she had been alone with me. I wondered if she had heard about my insatiable sexual appetite

as she had about my transfiguration and if all the fascination and mirth and awe was stemming from the sexual aspect of my legendary past, is that why I was feeling this way all of a sudden? I definitely wanted to explore this more.

"Now before I was distracted with the legends of smoke and death and insatiable lust for bathing in enemy's blood, I was talking about Saamri's gifts." my eyes shot to hers wondering if I had said that out loud. No I hadn't, she continued

"2 gifts out of 5 have shown up quite frequently in Nephthys' blood line. You and I are the only other one who inherited most gifts out of the five. In my case with much stronger potency due to Theo's use of his knowledge of Transition magic. My gifts are Levitation, Blood Magic, Languages and I of course carried one of my own to the mix, 'Hypno-projection'. So I think it's safe to say that I am one of the 2 tailored Vampires in the world. Other being the Ancient Pythoness and she only has precognition. Do you understand that I might be the most dangerous creature on planet Earth to some? Do you know how some would move heavens and earth to annihilate me if my powers are ever discovered?" She was now standing next to the fire place with her profile towards me.

It was true. With the powers she had she would be the biggest threat ever. If I was Theo's enemy I would definitely put all my resources together to finish the source of his Power. Theodolus was my maker's maker and became the High ruler of the Vampire council 200 years ago, which in simpler words means that he is the High King, biggest and most Supreme power in the vampire world. His edict is final. His power and sentence irrevocable. He is more than 4500 years old and as far as I remember him, there has never been a more ruthless, cunning, shrewd and indomitable vampire even if you don't account his age in the list of his defining characteristics. Theo was an infallible warrior when he was human and indestructible and insuperable authority as a vampire. Always 10 steps ahead of everyone. If my past experience with him had not been so much of a negative nature I would have no qualms in saying that Theodolus was the greatest Vampire of all time. I could not fathom why, here in front me stood the source of his current power? His strength, his greatest weapon if I may be bold enough to say.

" I understand now. But what do I have to do with all of it?" I also stood up from the couch and slowly made my way towards the fire place closer to her. she did not look up at me.

"You and I are connected in some ways. Theo knew of your uniqueness, especially with you having the gift of sensing magic, he unfortunately had to choose between you and I when he had Eric turn me. He had summoned you to his side then because he wished to train you with your gifts, but my discovery changed that track too quickly and he chose me. He knew that forcing Eric would alienate you, but he wanted me and he wanted me intact. I do not know the details of what and why he chose Eric, but he did and he lost some to gain some. He took the risk in order to not take the risk and though it has yielded the results he had wanted, still he regretted your alienation. and I think it's safe to say that I became precisely what I was supposed to be, The perfect weapon. For 7 centuries I have acted as that. It served to his purpose up to the point that he is now the Supreme power in the Vampire world. But, me, being here proves that something went extremely wrong in the process. Which brings me to your initial questions, Why am I here now? Did Theo release me? Am I here doing his work? Am I running away from him? After 7 centuries by his side how and why did I all of a sudden come to you like this?" She took a deep breath and looked up at me red tears gathered in the corner of her eyes. And I could not stop myself from taking hold of her. My arms curved around her as she melded herself to me, searching for comfort, this was the painful part, I wanted to take it away.

" Theo cannot release me even if he wishes to he says because he has bound me too close to himself through the centuries that I have been with him, he thinks it will kill one or both of us if he attempted to release me, he says he made a mistake because he fell in love with me. Which is why he has sent me to you now, because it is dangerous in Old World right now and he feels that I will be made first target by his enemies. He has a few of them right now. Some hungry for power and wary of his hold over them. Some defiant because of the great-revelation. Some very old Vampires, some very new, and some who just want to take over the world, stupidly enough…" she looked up at me.

"…And as Theo always says, it's the stupid ones that you have to be careful of, because they are not bothered enough with rules, honor or method. And clever ones disregard them too easily. He has kept me a secret for so long, perhaps he feels he has become handicapped by his fear for me. In past 2 centuries or so since he was established High-Ruler of Old World Supernatural Council it has grown even worse, this paranoia for my safety and now that the Old World is at the brink of war due to the great-revelation. He thought his best option was to send me to you, until the danger of war is neutralized or these enemies annihilated who he suspects have somehow become privy to my secret. He has sent me away even if I am his greatest weapon, an absolute guarantee for victory, he is more concerned about my safety and preventing me from becoming a casualty of war. He says no matter how he alienated you in the past, he trusts no one like he trusts you and Eric and Markus to remain loyal to your blood though he has not set his eyes on you for past 7 centuries since I was made. He had always kept track of your progress…"

"Do you belong to him in every sense?" I inquired casually, but bracing myself deep inside, for what? I do not know.

Yes, I am bonded to him and also have pledged fealty to him, and he also bonded with me through blood-magic pledging. He made me blood pledge when I was just a year old vampire that I would close off my bond with Eric so that you both would be free of me and leave me to him totally when he discovered that I could temper with my own blood bonds like he could. Before sending me here He broke the pledge knife that held the blood magic pledging to undo the bond or more like cut off from one side. A year ago. I was followed of course, and I lead my trackers on a wild goose chase around the world for a year, now that I have finally lost them I came to you and finally opened my bond with Eric." She let go of me and leaned back to look at my face.

AN:

Old World : The concept of old world and new world is very similar to the one hinted in the books and TB. for those who are not so acquainted with it here is what Old world means in my story. The New world consists of North America, Canada exclusively, but also parts of South America are considered to be part of new world. Rest of the Habitable continents are considered Old world. which are directly under the rule of the Old world Super-natural council and in case of Vampires, Old world Vampire High council. The New world comes under the AVC. American Vampire Council, though still come under the Authority of the Vampire High Council, it deals with matters of law enforcement and Politics within vampire by themselves.

High Ruler Of Vampire Council: Casually known as High King, is the head of the council and supreme authority over all vampires.

Vampire Codex : Vampire Codex is the written law which all vampires follow, It is also a compilation of historical references and General information regarding vampire life style. In different territories certain rules are seen with variations keeping in regard the synchronization of all vampire rules with Human rules. The compilation and enforcement of the Vampire codex is responsible for bringing about harmonious co-existence with humans over the millenniums.