The last thing Godric wanted was an all out war because of his actions. With his vampire hearing, he could make out the words of his underling, smell the scent of his childe burning, and sense the distress of the humans within the church. He needed to fix this, undo the mess which he had made.
"Stay here little one, I will be back soon." The last thing Godric wanted to do was leave the child, but he wouldn't needlessly put her life in danger. As long as he could sense her, she was safe.
Annabel gave the vampire an unhappy look as he placed her on the ground. The little girl watched her protector vanish and with a frown stood before the large church doors in the forya. She remembered those doors from the fake tour and knew they would lead into the sanctuary. The large doors were cracked slightly and due to her curiosity, Anna peeked through the opening and could make out her Aunt in Bills arms, as well as Eric gripping the reverend by his throat as the man struggled to get free. The little girl could also see Stan along with other vampires about to rip out of throats of the fellowship followers.
"Enough" Suddenly Godric's voice echoed and the raging vampires stilled before blood could be shed. "You came for me I assume. Underling."
"Yeah Sheriff." Stand growled out, his fangs still ready to rip out the throat of the human he held in his arms.
"These people have not harmed me. You see, we can coexist." Godric started. Annabel continued to look on through the opening and glanced around for the old vampire, but could not see him. "Mister Newlin, I do not wish to create bloodshed when none is called for. Help me set an example. If we leave you in peace, will you do the same?"
Annabel pushed the door open some more to get a better view, she could just barely make out Reverend Newlin laying on the steps of the altar where Eric had dropped him. The man seemed to have a green blob of paint decorating his forehead from what the little girl could see.
"I will not negotiate with subhumans." The man spit out, getting onto his knees beside Eric. "Kill me. Do it, Jesus will protect me."
"I am actually older than your Jesus." Godric started with a unamused shrug. "I wish I could have met him, but I missed it."
In a flash of speed only the other vampires could see, Godric now stood behind the mad reverend. The old vampire held the man by the back of the neck before turning his attention to the others in the room.
"Good people, who of you is willing to die for this man's madness?" Godric paused and the room fell silent. "That's what I thought. Man down, everyone. People, go home, it's over."
Annabel watched as the humans were released and took the opportunity to rush into the room and past the confused onlookers. The little girl weaved her way through the humans leaving the church as she made her way to Godric.
"Please don't leave me." The reverend gave a pathetic plea for his followers as they abandoned the mad man they once called leader. Godric released the man and he fell to the floor with a pathetic thump. The vampire looked at the human and sighed internally.
"I dare say my faith in humankind it stronger than yours." Godric commented to the revernded.
"Godric!" Annabel smiled as she raced up to the old vampire. Although aware of what was going on around her, the little girl felt well at ease with her protector near her. Godric kneeled down and easily lifted the child into his arms before looking to Eirc.
"Come." Was his only order as he made his way toward the doors leading out of the church. Godric kept his face void of emotion as Stan stepped before him, blocking the way out.
"Sir, after what these humans have done to you." Stand started, his fangs still out and his eyes still hoping for a fight and some blood shed.
"I said come." Godric repeated his order with more authority before bypassing his underlying. Annabel held on tightly to the vampires neck as he walked out of the church, Eric not far behind the two.
The childe of Godric still had many questions for his maker concerning the fellowship and capture, as well as what the little one in his makers arms was. Something about the child was both inturging and frustrating for Eric. He felt an attachment to the little girl, something he was unused to, and without any understanding of these unknown feelings, it upset him.
As the vampires and little girl made their way outside, Annabel caught the eye of her Uncle Jason and waved at the man. Jason stared with wide eyes as his niece was carried off into the night by the vampire he had just seen defuse what could have been a blood bath.
Godric arrived at his Dallas home with Annabel tucked in his arms. Stan and the rest of the Dallas nest, those who come and go and pay their respects to Godric, strolled into the home as well.
A gathering was held in honor of having Godric returned to his position and for some, having Annabel back in the nest. Most vampires in the Dallas area knew who Annabel was and what she meant to the Sheriff of the area. They also knew the consequences if any harm was to come to the child in Godric's care.
"Welcome back Sheriff." Stan tipped his hat at Godric and in return received a polite nod form the old vampire.
Anna sat quietly on Godric's lap as vampires lined up to greet her protector. She was used to the formalities of vampires showed Godric. So she relaxed and watched the home fill with people, both vampires and humans alike. Annabel felt content in her position, the distress and anxiety from before had completely vanished the second she was back in Godric's arms. While Anna didn't fully understand why she felt the way she did, the little girl easily fell back into her natural routine.
Godric on the other hand felt both content and on edge. He had only just discovered his little one was alive and having her so exposed and surrounded, made the vampire tense. While none of the vampires in his home were old enough to know what exactly Annable was, there was still the chance that one would catch her scent and find out what she was.
"Uncle Jason." The little girl's voice pulled Godric back form his thoughts as a young man with dirty blond hair approached.
"Hey there Anna." Jason smiled at the little girl before looking to the vampire holding her. "Well, I just wanted say that I'm real sorry for what the fellowship put you though."
"You helped save many lives today Mr. Stackhouse. Annabels included." Godric started. "Please know you have friends in this area whenever you visit."
"Thanks, but uh, I don't know if I'll be wanting to come back anytime soon." Jason gave the vampire a polite smile before rubbing the top of his nieces head and walking away.
Annabel watched her Uncle leave and looked up at Godric. The vampire had a strange look in his eyes before it vanished and he turned his eyes to her. The little girl placed her hand on the old vampire cheek, sending him a memory the child had of meeting her Uncle for the first time. The man had been both excited and supportive about Annabel after his Gran introduced him to the little girl. He was shocked to learn that his sister had a kid and fell into the Uncle roll with ease.
Godric knew the reason she was showing him the memorie was because she wanted him to know that she cared for her Uncle. The vampire gave the little girl a small smile, brushing her dark blond hair out of her face. She was still so young, and yet had faced many hardships in the few months they had been separated.
The room suddenly became quiet and Godric looked up to see Isabel draggin in her human, Hugo. The two approached the Sheriff and Isabel stood before her leader, doing her best to look strong even with her blood tears staining her face.
"Here is the one who betrayed us." Isabel threw the human to the floor so he was on his knees before her Sheriff. Annabel tilted her head at the man before her. She didn't understand why he did what he had, she thought he loved her Isabel.
"Hugo." Godric looked up from the human to his underlying. "He is your human is he not."
"Yes, he is." The vampire answered her superior.
"Do you love him?" Godric asked. Annabel looked from the man on his knees and up at her vampire. She reached for his cheek once more and sent the vampire a thought. She hurts.
Godric gently took the little girls hand in his and looked back to his underlying who was doing her best to stay strong in such a vulnerable situation.
"I thought I did." Isabel's voice cracked and Anna frowned. Seeing the woman who had cared for her in such a state upset the little girl.
"It appears you still do." Godric stated. He held Annabel close, feeling the child's distress at seeing someone she cared for in such pain.
"I do." Isabel could feel her undead heart break in sorrow. "I'm sorry. But you are my Sheriff, do with him as you please,."
Godric knew his underlying was suffering, and could tell she held great respect for him if she was willing to just hand her human over. It was killing her to admit she loved him and yet still give him up for his betrayal.
"You are free to go." Godric looked down at the human. Anna looked to Hugo as well and could clearly see the disbalife on the man's face, as well as the unhappy gasp in the room.
"What?" Stans angry voice broke the silence.
"The human is free to go." Godric repeated. "And do not return. I fear it is not safe for you here."
"This is a travesty." Stan said, his voice even and dismayed.
"This is my verdict." Godric quickly countered before looking to his childe. "Eric, escort them out, make sure he leave unharmed."
"Yes Godric." Eric grabbed the spared human and dragged him out of the room.
"Thank you." Isabel felt relief flood her undead heart. "Thank you Sheriff."
Annabel watched as Isabel followed after Eric and Hugo. Both vampires and humans slowly began to mutter as everyone went back to what they were doing. Anna caught sight of her Aunt as the woman walked through the crowd. The little girl looked up to Godric and asked the vampire if she could go her Aunt.
As reluctant as he was about letting the child out of his sight, Godric knew she was safe among the nest. So he sent the little one off after her Aunt and sat watching as vampires made sure to steer clear of the child. None of them wanted to be on the Sheriffs bad side and gave the little girl a wide berth as she made her way through the room.
Sookie was speaking to another human who was there with a vampire, when she felt a tug at her leg. The young woman looked down and found Annabel smiling up at her, the little girls doll held tightly in her arms.
"Oh, whos this?" The woman peered over at the little girl clutching to Sookie's leg.
"This is my niece Annabel." Sookie placed a comforting hand atop the child's head. It was strange see the little girl so at ease in a room full of strangers. Sookie still had so many questions concerning her niece and her mysterious background.
"Oh, she's the child under the Sheriffs protection. Right?" The woman asked. Before Sookie could comment or ask the woman what she knew about Godric, another woman approached. She was beautiful in a long red gown with a deep v-neck.
"Hello there. I'm Lorena." The woman, Lorena stood before the human of interest.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Sookie." Anna looked up at the vampire who her Aunt had introduced herself to. The little girls stomach turned with unease as the vampire looked at her Aunt like she was her next meal.
"Hm, yes. You're what all the fuss is about." Lorena tilted her head as she looked the human up and down. Anna did her best to hide behind her Aunt's legs as she peeked up at the vampire. But Lorena was uninterested in the small child and set her focus on the human who had entrapped her creation.
"Excuse me?" Sookie asked as politely as she could without giving away just who uncomfortable she was.
"Aren't you just a little morsel." Lorena said looking down and roving her eyes over the young southern belle.
"I'm sorry, uh, who are you?" Sookie kept up the politeness and placed a calming hand back atop Annabel's head as the little girl pushed herself against her legs.
"Well, we have a mutual friend." The vampire stated.
"Bill?" Sookie asked.
"That's right. Funny, Bill never mentioned me." Lorena started. "I practically made him what he is today."
"Lorena!" Bill made his way toward the vampire and human, placing himself beside Sookie.
"Oh hello darling. I was just getting to know your play thing." Lorena faked incconet as she spoke to the younger vampire. "You always did like to prey on the innocent."
"Bill, is this your maker?" Sookie asked. Annabel peeked up at Bill and then looked back at Lorena. The child could feel the connection between the two vampires, the same one she felt between Godric and Eric. Now she was starting to understand why she felt somewhat safe around the viking, that connection was to Godric, just as Bills was to this Lorena.
"She released me years ago." Bill started. " She no longer has any hold over me."
"Oh, well I wouldn't say that." Lorena paused and looked to Sookie. "We had two marvelous nights in your hotel room. Did you know your boyfriend hit me over the head with a fifty two inch plasma television earlier tonight."
Annabel suddenly felt an onslaught of emotions coming from Bill. Being around the vampire and feeling his emotions before, left the child susceptible to the vampire. Nerves, anger, worry, they all came at the little girl as she looked up at Bill. Then a thought, something or other about a queen. It was strong and made the child title her head in wonder. Bill knew a queen? Anna wasn't very good at reading the thoughts of vampires, something that Godric had told her she would grow into.
"Everyone says there so thin and light, but welded properly, it's quiet the weapon." Lorena touched the back of her head as she spoke of the assault.
"You did?" Sookie looked to Bill who was glaring at his marker.
"Lorena you need to leave." Bill told the older vampire sternly.
"I do admit, things got a bit heated." Lorena looked to Bill. "But you know how old lovers are."
The vampire reached over and caresed Bills face, but Sookie put a stop to the touch by grabbing the woman's arm.
"Don't touch him." Sookie glared at the vampire who had the audacity to touch Bill.
Annabel watched with wide eyes as her Aunt stepped up the vampire. Just like when she smacked Eric, Anna felt fear twist her gut as fetl rage come off Lorena. The little girl felt that this vampire wasn't going to be as amused as Eric was by her Aunts fiery attitude. The child even took a step back from her Aunt. This vampire was a stranger in this nest, and clearly didn't understand who the sheriff was.
"My, and were feisty too." Lorena yanked her arms back and started to laugh. You're no more than a blood bag."
With vampire speed Lorena had Sooke by the neck and slammed the human woman down onto a skinny table. Annabel cried out at the sudden movement, her fear could be tasted in the air by every vampire, including one very protective Sheriff.
"Retract your fangs." Godric kept his face blank as he held the unwelcome vampire by the throat. Not even a second passed before the older vampire was there to lay down his law. Anna pressed herself against his leg as Sookie stood from the table and was ushered in to Bills arms. Those who knew the Sheriff could see the anger in his eyes. The child under his protection had been put in danger within his own home.
"I neither know, nor care who you are. But in this area and certainly in this nest, I am the authority." Godric flexed his arm as he stared the vampire down. "Do you understand."
It wasn't a question. Godric was well known in his area and did not take kindly to those who endangered his little human. He was old and powerful, and there was one thing he didn't stand for with in his nest, and that was chaos and placing Annabel in danger.
"Yes Sheriff." Lorena struggled to answer while the much older vampire held her by the throat.
"The human you threatened is the Aunt of the child in my care." Godric started. "This human has proven herself to be courageous and loyal to our kind, and yet you treat her like a child does a dragonfly. Pulling off it's wings for sport."
Godric was well aware of what he was. Vampires were the monsters that hid in the dark. Even out of the coffin, they still had not evolved into something more. The thought was depressing, and if it wasn't for the small prick in the back of mind, the small reminder that he had a reason to be on this earth, he would have let these dark thoughts envelop him completely.
"She provoked me." The vampire tried to argue.
"And you provoke me, by placing the child in my care in danger, and disrupting the peace in my own home." Godric countered. "I could snap you like a twig, and I havent, and why is that."
"It's your choice." Lorena answered.
"Indeed it is. Your still savage, and I fear for all of us, humans and vampires, if this behavior goes on." Godric looked away from Lorean and to Bill Compton. "You, you seem to know her, escort her from the nest. I wish you out of my area before dawn."
Bill nodded at the order and lead Lorena out of the nest. Annabel watched them walk away from behind Godric.
"Come little one, I do not want you far from my side." Godric reached down and took the small child into his arms, walking back to the chair he had been sitting in before.
Annabel laid her head constantly on her vampires shoulder as he made his way through the crowd. The little girl knew she was safe within the arms of Godric and allowed her small body to relax, allowing herself to feel Godric presence and emotions filtering through whatever bond the two shared. This was home, for the little girl, this was everything.
A/N: Its so satisfying being able to see Annabel and Godric together again. I cant wait to continue to work on their relationship, as well as answer questions everyone has, like what she is and why her mother did what she did. All shall be answered in the chapters to come.
Thank you so much for the support, really, reading everyone's reviews make me so happy and really helps motivate me to write. Chapters are posted every Monday.