Eric smiled at the group of vampires, all avidly watchng as he approached Roman on the podium. "I apologize for my late arrival." He said, bowing his head politely to Roman. The vampire scowled at him. "Do you have a reason for it? Seeing as you were the one that was so insistent on us all being able to choose her manner of death, giving her one more day of life."
"Yes. I needed to feed before I came. You see, I feel we must all have our strength at its peak, for if we are weakened, we are more at risk facing people such as Antonia. I apologize once more, my friends." He said to the crowd. Roman stepped aside, crossing his arms and glaring daggers at the vampire that took his place.

Eric leaned over the table, placing one hand on either side of it. "My friends... Last night, thanks to the advice of our own Andrew, we were able to find, and glamour, the witch Antonia." A small cheer rose from the group. Eric smiled and gave Andrew a nod, who could only sit and smile dumbly. "Now, we did not kill her, because we all came to the consensus that, as a threat to our entire vampire society here, we should all choose how she is to perish." There was a murmur and nods. "So, I ask you all, as my fellow vampire citizens of London, how will we punish this witch for her crimes against us?"
"Kill her!"
"Burn her!"
"Feed from her!"
"Turn her!" The crowd went crazy, shouting out ways to kill the witch, some creative, some traditional. Eric raised his hands, silencing the group. "Vampires... One at a time please... You may all speak... We have all night." He said with a charming smile. He looked to the left side of the room. "Okay, one at a time, please. Rise and speak your idea if you have one... We can take a vote." Roman snorted behind him. "This is not a democracy, Viking. I do not know about you, but I thought a ruler was supposd to decide what is best for his people." Eric turned on Roman. "He is. And when I was a human king, that is what I did. But I am not a ruler to these vampires. Nor are you. Their king is human, and knows nothing of our hardships. I am nothing more than a citizen, along with them. I stand here as their voice, an equal, not a power hungry leader. It is only fair to allow everyone to make the choice. And the only way we will be able to settle is if we allow majority to rule." There was agreement throughout the crowd, earning a glare from Roman, but he said no more.

Eric looked back to the left. "Now, anyone with ideas." Slowly they began to stand, speaking their ideas, listening to the feedback from others. Eric only nodded and smiled at each one, motioning to the next vampire when they'd finished.

One man finally stood, a bulky, arrogant looking vampire. Regardless of his looks, he nodded politely to both Roman and Eric. "My name is Luis. Thank you for assisting us in this dreadful time in our history, Roman, and Eric. You are both welcomed leaders in my eyes. Now, everyone here has had very splended options... And ones I would normally agree with. However, I work for the human Inquisition. I am a witch catcher by trade, though I will admit I feared going alone to face her... But, because of my employment, I am aware that it is not only our race that is hunting for this witch, but the humans. If we were to kill her, it would look bad, if the humans found her body, or if she went missing. I believe we should give her to the Inquisition. She escaped before because they did not see her as a threat, they do now. I could personally put her in shackles, and bring her in, put her in the dungeon myself. They would burn her, make her meet the Sun, as it were, as she has made so many of us." There was a low murmur throughout the vampires. Eric nodded. "A very different idea, but one that will be taken into consideration all the same. Anyone else?" There was silence throughout the group.

Eric smiled. "A vote then." He began naming off the options everyone had presented, nodding when he got a count. When he got to the last option, the one presented by the vampire Luis, there was an overwhelming number of people who agreed, readily, that it was a good choice. "Let humans deal with their human mess." Andrew said clearly, earing a roar of approval. Eric smiled and gave a nod. "I suppose the matter is settled then. Unless anyone else has anything to say?" Eric said, glancing around the room. Roman shook his head. "Are we serious here?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are going to hand over a known enemy to the vampires to humans?" Eric turned to Roman. "No. We are going to hand her over to the vampire that is in our presence right now. And he will handle her, as stated, personally. She will be tortured. She will be hurt, in more ways than we could even imagine, have you seen the torture devices that they have? She will burn, as she has made us burn. This is the most just punishment, even for vampirekind." Roman snarled a little. "Fine. But when she escapes, it is on your head, Viking."
"I will take that blame." He turned to the group. "Now, we need to collect her, and hand her over to Luis, who will take her to the Inquisition. I am sure not all of us should, or even want to go... Who will join Roman and I in taking her in?"
"I will." Andrew said, rising. Eric smiled. "So much enthusiasm for someone so young. I enjoy it." Andrew grinned proudly and sat back down. "Great. Luis? Will you join us, or wait by the church for us to bring her to you?"
"I will wait. It would not look good if I went out and brought her in." Eric nodded and looked around the room. "I will go, of course." Godric said from the back of the room. He was leaning on the doorframe. Eric smirked. "Of course."
"You just could not let hi out of your sight, can you?" Roman sneered. "Of course not. He is my progeny. And anyone here with a child that they are proud of would understand, it is difficult to miss out on their shining moments." Eric beamed, proud. "This is a shining moment for every vampire in London, Godric."
"It is. And who is leading them?" Eric chuckled. "If I had blood flow, I would flush."
"You did not answer me, Childe."
"Eric is." Andrew said, loud. "Eric." Came Luis from the corner. And that started it. Suddenly the room was filled with a hushed chant of Eric's name. The lean Viking tucked his botttom lip into his mouth, then grinned. He held his chin high, meeting Godric's proud gaze.

VVVVV

When Eric gathered a small group of people to go with him to get Antonia, he stepped down, going around to the door. Godric smirked. "You, maker, are responsible for my ego tonight." He said quietly, towering over Godric, who only smiled up at him. "I know, but it gives me a reason to punish you does it not?"
"Ah, should it not be you that is punished tonight? For causing such an uproar. Roman is positively fuming."
"I am aware." He glanced to where Roman sat at the front table, glowering at the two. "And it is delightful." He leaned up and pecked Eric on the mouth, surprising him. He chuckled and tugged Godric's shaggy hair. "You are going to make them stare."
"Let them stare."
"Godric, do you not worry about undermining the leadership this way?"
"How? Because you enjoy pleasures of the flesh with your own kind?" Godric asked and Eric shrugged. "I guess you have a point."
"I always do. Now, come. Your companions are gathering." He motioned to the small group that had loosely circled them. Eric stepped back and smiled. "Great. A few more than yesterday, but that's fine... We can never be too sure. Come." He motioned before leading the small group out the doors. He nodded to Luis. "We will see you soon, behind the church."
"Make sure she's glamoured. If she is under her own will, there is no telling what she could do." Eric nodded. "You have my word." He turned and led the group toward Antonia's house.

VVVVV

"Splendid work, Eric." Garrick said softly. He watched ahead of them. Andrew was walking backwards, keeping Antonia under his spell. The others were surrounding her in a semicircle, eyes locked on Andrew for any sign of trouble. "Thank you, Garrick." Eric said, nodding his head toward his Sheriff. "You know... With this kind of leadership, a position in the Authority might be yours in the future."
"No. Not a chance." Eric shook his head vehemently. "Plus, as long as Roman walks this Earth, the Authority is the only place I will not be allowed."
"If enough of our kind asks for you, he cannot deny it, for risk of mutiny." Eric shook his head. "No, Garrick. Thank you for your kind words, but I simply would never." Godric smiled from beside him. "You would make a good Authority member though, he is correct. Your leadership skills are excellent." Eric locked gazes with Godric a moment, and felt his throat close. "Oh my, Godric..." "What?"
"I know that look." Godric smirked, showing a fang. "Yes, you do. But for now, focus." He gave Eric's forearm a squeeze and stepped ahead of him to join the group. Garrick smiled distantly. "You love him."
"I do. He is my maker."
"He is. But you love him as a companion as well." Eric smiled shyly. "Yes, that too... He makes me feel human... I know he would be furious that I felt that way with him..."
"Why?"
"Because he hates humans. Surely that is obvious."
"It is..."
"And human emotions are so lost on him."
"I am aware of that... It was I that argued that point with him when you ran away to fight."
"It was you?" Garrick nodded. "I am no stranger to love, as a human describes it. We may have lost our human lives, but we do not need to lose our humanity through emotions." Eric smiled and nodded. "I'd like to agree... But the more time I spend with Godric... The harder it is to see humanity as a good thing." Garrick reached up and squeezed Eric's shoulder. "You will find your own way... Perhaps you should have Godric release you..."
"No." Eric looked to him quickly. "No, never... I couldn't do that to Godric... And myself, I am not ready... Not ready to be alone."
"You have been vampire or over seven hundred years, Eric... Surely you have learned enough in that time to be on your own."
"I have but... I am not ready. I need Godric."
"You two can still be together without being bonded."
"I know... I like the bond though. I like feeling him... Knowing he can feel me, save me." Garrick nodded, understanding.

"We are almost to the church. Take over for Andrew, you are stronger. Her fear may overpower his glamour." Eric nodded, brushing through the group to walk with Andrew. "You are doing splendid, Andrew." The boy looked over at Eric and smiled widely. "Thank you." In that moment, Antonia screamed, the spell broken. She stopped, readying her hands. "You beasts! I will make you all meet the sun! I will punish you all!" She screeched before the vampires were on her, pulling her hands behind her back and covering her mouth. Andrew squeaked, covering his mouth. "I am so sorry, Eric!"
"It's fine, son." Eric said, calmly. He grabbed Antonia's face and caught her gaze. "Antonia. Calm down." He said softly, his voice hypnotic. Though she was witch, she was a human, and a woman, and even she was not immune to his beauty. "Are you calm, Antonia?" "I am..." She whispered, locked with his bright blue gaze. "Things are alright... You are not going to fight us, are you?" "No." He motioned to the vampires holding her to rise, lifting her with them. "Just walk with us, Antonia, a little further. This church is scary, you know what it is, do you not?" Fear rose in Antonia's gaze. "I do..." She whispered, beginning to struggle a little. "Shh... You have nothing to fear. I will keep you sae, and I am here to help you, Antonia. I will take your pain away." She took a shaky breath and nodded. "Do you trust me?"
"I... Do." She breathed, swooning. Eric smiled. "Good girl. Come on." He walked backwards, reaching out and catching Andrew's shoulder. "Walk with me, child."
"I am so sorry, Eric... I made a huge mistake..."
"You overestimated your strength, it is a mistake we all make at some point, Andrew. It is a blessing you made it here and now, with vampires that are older than you, to fix it. Do not feel shame for it. Shame is a human emotion that we have no need for." Andrew nodded, nearly in tears. "I just... I could have ruined this all."
"But you did not, Andrew. Hush now. You have proven yourself worthy of a position of power, and you will make a very strong vampire. when you are older."
"I deserve to be killed."
"Not at all. You deserve a medal. It was you who helped us obtain her in the first place. I will not speak ill of you, you are an amazing vampire." Andrew beamed. "Eric... You are amazing." Eric smiled. "No, I just know what it feels like to be young."

VVVVV

Luis reached out and grabbed Eric's shoulder. "I'm here." "She is strong and scared. Come caatch her gaze, I don't dare look away, se nearly overpowered us just before we reached you." "Oh my." He stepped next to Eric. "Antonia." He said softly, making her look to him. "You are safe. I have you. Come follow me." She nodded, taking a step up to him. "Do you need assistance?" Eric offered, and Luis shook his head. "No, no, thank you. I have it now." He led her to the church and opened the door. "Go inside and shut your eyes." He instructed. She stepped in, stopping at the doorway and shutting her eyes. "Go ahead away now.. Thank you so much." Eric nodded. "Good luck." He said. He stepped back to watch Luis grab Antonia's arms, twisting them back and shoving her deeper into the church, shutting the door.

Eric turned to the other vampires. "Thank you all..." He said softly. "Roman..." He motioned to him. "Yes, thank you. This is a great step for vampires. I will make sure to keep an open line of contact with Luis, to make sure that things go well."
"The threat..." Eric said softly. "You... Think she will go through with it? She will not always be glamoured..." Roman shook his head. "No, that is ridiculous. There is nothing to worry about."

Eric nodded, unsure, and walked through the crowd, smiling politely to the murmurs of approval from the vampires. He caught Godric's arm and nodded to him. "Shall we retire?"
"Oh yes. Garrick? Would you like companionship home?" Garrick nodded. "Of course." The three began to walk. Andrew rushed up to Eric and grabbed his wrist, turning him and hugging him tightly around the waist. Eric jumped, a little startled. "Thank you." Andrew said softly into Eric's stomach. Eric smiled, setting one hand on Andrew's shoulder and the other on the boy's hair. "For what?"
"Not killing me... Being so kind though I messed up." Eric stopped and crouched, going face to face with the young boy. "Andrew... You are a young vampire. With no maker. As a young vampire, even having a maker like Godric, I messed up, so detrimentally at times, that I could have caused not only my own death, but the death of my maker, and any other vampire around me. I know what it feels like, Andrew." He brushed his hair back gently and smiled. "You, Andrew, made a mistake. We all do. You have no maker, you are all alone. For learning on your own, you are doing splendidly. I know I could not glamour as well as you do when I was your age."
"Really? You do it so well."
"Yes, because I was taught... You have improved so well on your own... I would be proud to call you my progeny, and I am sure your maker was incredibly proud of you." Andrew smiled, eager and proud. Eric rose and tousled the boy's hair. "Go home, Andrew, I will see you soon, okay? Perhaps hunt with you one evening." Andrew grinned and nodded. "Yes, that would be amazing. Thank you!" He smiled and rushed off. Eric watched him go, chuckling.

"You will be a very good maker, Eric." Godric said quietly from behind him. "No, I could never be. He reminds me of myself as a child." Godric chuckled. "Ah, always from childhood." Eric smiled, self conscious. "But, in reality... You were very kind to that child." Eric shrugged. "He looks up to you." Garrick commented. "He shouldn't."
"And why not?"
"I am not a good person to look up to. There is much of me that I would hate to see replicated in an innocent being such as him." Garrick should his head. "I find that hard to believe. But I will speak with you two tomorrow."
"Listen... Garrick... I do not trust Roman's assuredness that the witch will not try something... She is strong... I could feel it when I had her glamoured." Garrick nodded. "I agree."
"Godric and I, we are going away for a few days... Come with us. Just until she is burned and buried."
"I thank you for your concern, Eric, but this is my city. I must stay, keep my vampires safe." Eric sighed, but nodded. "Keep Andrew safe, please."
"Of course... I will protect him with my life." Eric nodded. He patted his shoulder and disappeared into his house.

Godric looked to Eric. "We are leaving town?"
"Yes... That witch scares me, Godric. Please. I know that I am not in control of you, but... Please." Godric smiled and ran his thumb over Eric's cheekbone. "We will leave, Eric. Shall we go tonight, or tomorrow night?"
"It is only a few hours until dawn, but we could find a cave to rest until tomorrow." Eric smiled softly. "Thank you, Godric."
"Do not thank me, you will pay for it, Eric." Godric said, his expression serious. "Come." He took his hand and led him through the back alleys of the town.