Chapter 10
The Rune
"We must speak as soon as the girls are up" Godric announced stoically as Eric emerged into the living space.
"What has happened?" Eric said as he froze to stare at his maker.
"Nora provided me information but I only want to review this once and then we must go to the Island".
Eric growled softly but moved to the kitchen to heat bloods knowing that he would get no further information until his maker was ready.
Eric impatiently looked at his watch and downed the synthetic blood. Eric barely tasted the thick liquid and steadied himself for what would undoubtedly feel like a long wait.
He paced anxiously until Godric yelled at him to sit down. Eric sighed and moved reluctantly to sit beside his maker on the couch. He forced himself to go into down time before he gave his sire reason to stake him with his inability to remain calm.
Eric's eyes snapped open when the bedroom door open and the girls emerged with the Britlingen at their heels.
"Sit, there is news" Godric asked and both women sat immediately ignoring the blood that was warming for them in the small kitchen.
"Nora has reported that Jessica's behavior was extremely erratic last night. She left the council table abruptly and without warning threw a guard across the room that attempted to stop her. She returned without any explanation and refused their answer questions. The entire council witnessed her actions and great concern was raised".
"At some point do we alert the chancellors to our fears?" Pam asked.
"Nora asked the same question and I told her that I would discuss it with all of you and we would have answer for this next evening" Godric replied. "I believe it could only help to have the others aware of the threat".
"I agree" Kara said instantly while Pam and Eric nodded vigorously.
"I will let Nora know. She also relayed that she was able to review the security tapes to track Jessica's movements after she left the council chamber. She walked back to her chambers and went into what looked like a trance".
"Fuck, this isn't good" Pam muttered.
"Do you think the demon has already possessed her?" Kara asked softly.
"Nora believes that the possession has not happened entirely but that there were moments where the entity was in control of her body".
"Shit. Shit. Shit" Pam yelled as she nervously picked at her perfectly manicured nails.
"We knew this was coming" Eric pointed out.
"Yeah but not this quickly!" Pam retorted.
"There is more" Godric said softly as all eyes whipped to his face.
"A small tattoo has appeared near the outer corner of Jessica's right eye. Nora said it only became visible after Jessica returned to the council chamber. It was done in red ink and appeared to be a rune that Nora was unable to identify".
"Did anyone ask Jessica about the tattoo?" Kara inquired.
"Yes, one of the chancellors asked her and Jessica denied any knowledge of a tattoo and seemed shocked when shown her reflection in the mirror".
"Did Nora describe the rune?" Eric asked.
"She sketched it for me" Godric said as he pulled a small napkin from his pocket. Eric gazed at the image that looked like half of an arrow head with another larger straight line drawn through it.
"I do not recognize this" Eric said as he shook his head.
"Nor do I but parts of it seem familiar" Godric answered.
"The half arrow reminds me of the Ansuz rune that represents Odin" Eric said. "Usually it symbolizes communication and wisdom".
"The line could be Isa" Godric murmured.
Eric exhaled and shut his eyes as he contemplated the symbolism. He spoke hesitantly with his eyes still closed knowing that the girls were waiting for an explanation.
"Isa represents ice and symbolizes a halt in progress. In this case it could mean the freezing of Ansuz".
"And Ansuz represents us" Kara whispered and the realization of the truth of her words hit them all.
"Lovely" Pam said. "So Jessica suddenly has a tat that represents us becoming helpless. Fucking wonderful".
"We are only guessing at the symbol's meaning" Godric reminded her.
"Yeah but it feels right" Pam countered echoing the feelings of all of them.
"I thought vampires weren't able to be tattooed?" Kara asked.
"That is true. Generally only marks that were present before a turning remain for more than a few hours. We will need to ask Nora if it still remains tomorrow" Eric answered.
"How do you think it got there?" Kara mused aloud knowing that there wouldn't be an answer. "Do you think she marked herself?"
"I don't know what to think but Nora is going to review all the security footage of Jessica when she was outside council chambers to pinpoint when and how it happened" Godric informed them.
"Why can't we take out Jessica now?" Pam asked as she regained her voice.
"We need to wait until the possession is complete" Kara answered.
"Why?" Pam countered.
"I don't know why but I feel it with everything that I am" Kara replied with conviction.
"I fucking hate waiting" Pam mumbled but she did not challenge Kara knowing that even without her visions her intuitive abilities were strong.
"I agree but now we must go to the island" Kara said as she rose and waited for the others to follow her lead. "There is no more that we can gain by rehashing our limited information".
Godric nodded, stood next and motioned for them all to cluster together. Arkady could teleport himself but it was safer to ensure they moved as one unit. Godric quickly had them all standing in Kara and Eric's private bed chambers. "Scan the building and make sure there is nothing amiss" Godric instructed.
They were all silent and Eric reached out with all of his senses and could not hear nor smell anything out of the ordinary.
A knock at the door broke the silence and they all crouched instantly in defensive positions.
"It is the other guard. He would have instantly sensed my arrival" Arkady announced as he moved to the door while the others relaxed.
A tall, blond haired Britlingen bowed deeply and straightened silently awaiting instructions. Arkday lapsed into a series of bizarre sounds and clicks as he communicated in his native tongue with the new guard whose expression grew serious as he listened.
"I apologize for not speaking in English but it was much quicker for me to transmit the information in our language".
"You've already told him everything?" Kara asked in surprise as Arkady and the blond guard nodded vigorously.
"OK then, lets call for all the handmaidens to assemble and I will bring them up to speed" Kara added.
"Godric" Eric began, "please take Pam and the guards and we will join you in a few minutes when everyone is ready".
Godric did not hesitate in fulfilling his progeny's request but Arkady hesitated by the door.
"I am capable of protecting my own child" Eric managed to say through clenched teeth.
"He's just doing his job Eric" Kara reminded him. "Why don't you wait for us in the hall" she suggested.
Arkady gave her a nod and followed her request.
"What did you need to say to me that you had to dismiss everyone?" Kara asked as she looked at Eric in puzzlement.
Eric gave her a lopsided grin and then launched himself so that he would capture her in his arms as they would land on their large bed.
Kara gave a surprised giggle but became serious instantly. "Eric, we don't have time for this" she admonished.
"We have at least five minutes and Odin only knows when we will have even a moment alone once we get back to Alabama" he whispered as he began to pepper her face with kisses.
"Eric, come on! We have a major problem to deal with" Kara countered but Eric could sense her resolve faltering as he ground his pelvis into hers.
He made quick work of removing her pants and with one hand slipped his fingers deep within her as his other hand freed himself from his jeans. It took a moment for him to gauge her readiness before he thrust himself into her.
Eric watched with satisfaction as Kara closed her eyes and threw her head back as she met his frantic rhythm. Eric could feel his orgasm already building. It had been much too long since they had coupled and he felt like a teenage human. He slipped his hand between them so he could use his thumb to stimulate her clit. Kara's body bucked as she sought more friction from the pad of his thumb and soon he felt her walls tightened around him in the telltale sign of her impending orgasm. He finally allowed himself to relax once more and the moment she came, he followed with a loud satisfied moaned.
Eric collapsed onto her body and kissed her hair. "I really needed that" he whispered.
"You are worse than a teenager" Kara chuckled as she kissed the bottom of his chin.
He leaned his head down to kiss her fully on the mouth. She allowed her lips to open and he slipped his tongue into her mouth. He savored her taste and then forced himself to pull away.
Kara sighed but instantly pulled herself out from beneath him. "You know we're going to get shit from Pam" she said as she quickly pulled on her clothing that Eric had thrown hastily on the floor.
"It will be worth it" Eric replied with another grin as he carefully put himself back into his pants and zipped himself up.
"Wish we had time to shower" Kara mumbled but Eric could feel her joy at their reconnection.
"Come, let us go instruct the handmaidens on the new threat and then we need to get back" Kara added as she came down from her post-orgasmic bliss.
"You know, if you can't evoke visions there really is no benefit from us staying at the safe house" Eric said as they walked slowly down the hall with Arkady following behind them.
Kara stopped short at Eric's words. "Oh my god you're right! I was thinking we would be able to intervene if I saw something but now I'm blind!"
"We will need to figure out a way for Nora to get a message to us if there is an emergency so Godric can get her out" Eric answered.
"How the hell is she going to do that?"
"We will need to take the risk of untraceable cell phones. We'll have one simple code word that will allow Godric to get to her and then a back up safe house" Eric said slowly as he worked on the idea as he spoke.
Kara relaxed slightly. "Ok. We'll tell Godric and Pam when we get back and have Godric tell Nora and get her a phone".
Eric paused when they reached the doors leading to the large meeting room. "Take a second and then lets go" he said as he watched Kara collect herself before facing her handmaidens.
A/N Hope that you enjoyed the quick lemon. Many thanks for those who are taking the time to review, PM, and alert!