Warnings: Angst, slash, bloodplay, violence, torture, sex. If you're mature enough to watch True Blood, I think you'll be fine reading this.

Disclaimer: True Blood belongs to Alan Ball and the SVM books belong to Charlaine Harris. Only the original characters are mine.

Spring. 1073 AD. Despotiko, South Aegean.

The two witches began kissing him again and their hands began to roam, squeezing invitingly in strategic places. Eric's fangs slid out and Diamantina giggled, leaning forward to lick them. Tasoula squeezed harder between his legs. He was about to take them to a more secluded spot when their heads both snapped up.

Eric frowned, his fangs retracting, irked by their abrupt shift in attention. They looked at some spot in the distance, heads cocked as if listening to something. They smiled excitedly at each other and then staggered to their feet. The two women were incredibly drunk, and to Eric, it seemed quite a feat for them to get up.

After a second or two at putting together a sentence in poor Greek, Eric was able to demand, "Where are you going?"

"Zenobia wants us," Tasoula said, squinting at him as she tried to focus her vision. Eric looked around, but couldn't see the leader of the coven. The blonde witch smiled and tapped the side of her head. Seeing his confused look, she explained, "She can speak directly to our minds when she needs to."

Diamantina bent down and gave him a sloppy kiss, her breath sour with wine. "We'll be back soon, vampire," she slurred in his ear, using a new name for his kind. Much to Eric's disappointment, the two drunkenly stumbled off. Witches and warlocks were stumbling around; it appeared Zenobia had summoned them all.

It had been an enjoyable night. A coven of witches had invited their nest to their spring equinox celebration. As far as Eric could tell, other than a few chants and blessings, their celebration mostly involved wine, opium, and sex. The vampires couldn't partake in the wine or opium, but they could certainly indulge in the latter. Eric had thoroughly enjoyed himself with Tasoula and Diamantina earlier.

Though it was strange, unsettling even, to be with humans that knew what he was. After years hiding from humans, he felt exposed. He glanced over to Godric, wondering how he was finding it.

Here they didn't have to blend in with the humans, but they were around other vampires.

When he mingled among humans, Godric wore a mask of humanity. He wore it easily, but if a person looked into his young face too long, they sometimes saw there was something not quite right about his eyes. Godric made sure that they didn't live long after that.

Eric smiled, remembering his first winter in the village. Godric's behaviour had stunned him. Literally overnight the wild and merciless killer vanished, replaced with a completely normal young man. Eric had watched as Godric talked and laughed with the men and flirted and charmed the women.

Eric had asked why the change, Godric had replied, "We need to blend in. If we act different, they will see us for what we truly are."

There was a woman with her head resting in Godric's lap and Eric was surprised that Godric hadn't pushed her away yet. She'd curled up against him, her arm draped over his legs. She'd been conscious when he'd come back with her, but wine and blood loss had caught up with her.

Eric wondered how much longer he'd abide it. Humans were constantly touching each other, a friendly slap on the back or a sweet caress, and to blend in, Godric tolerated it to a point. Godric would touch humans, often eagerly, but disliked being touched by them.

"Your Greek is getting better," Godric commented. Eric just grunted in response. According to Godric, if they encountered a new language, it must be learnt. Seeing as Godric was already fluent in Greek, Eric did not find this fair.

A few vampires with blood dripping down their chins emerged, straightening out their clothes and picking leaves out of their hair. They all looked as sated as Eric felt.

Saule, the Lady of this nest, was among them. Her eyes flickered around the clearing, counting to make sure everyone in the nest was still present. The nest was not big – there were only eight of them, plus Eric and Godric who had arrived the night before. With everyone accounted for, she came over to them.

Flashing her fangs, she smiled sweetly. "Are you enjoying yourself, Eric?"

"Yes." He eyed her warily. Once more, he was the youngest vampire in the nest, a position he did not enjoy.

All the nests they had lived in enjoyed a hedonistic lifestyle - something Eric liked – though Godric tended to be even more regimented than usual. He would join in their blood filled revels, enjoy the benefits of their decadent lives, but while others got carried away, he did not.

He never lorded his age over anyone. To other blood-drinkers, he was dangerous and powerful, yet diplomatic.

All the Lords or Ladies of the nests had been younger than him and Godric was always deferential to them, in every matter, much to Eric's annoyance.

As Godric had warned, being a newly turned blood-drinker did essentially make him a whipping boy. The first time, Eric had complained constantly about it and Godric had no sympathy for him, "Why make an enemy? If I told them to stop, it would insult the Lord of this nest. When you are older, it will not happen. Until then, you will just have to suffer it."

When Eric complained about that, his Maker had finally commanded him to shut up. For three nights, Eric sulked in silence, unable to speak to anyone, feeling incredibly wronged by the world until Godric permitted him to talk. Wisely, he did not complain again.

Some nests were incredibly strict about the seemingly age based social order; Eric thought most of the rules incredibly stupid - younger vampires not permitted to speak to anyone older unless spoke to first being a prime example.

Others were more lax. Seeing as they'd only been with these vampires for two nights, Eric hadn't figured out what Saule's stance was. Seeing as we're consorting with humans who know what we are, she can't be that puritanical.

"I'm pleased to hear that," she said, settling down between them. She ran her fingers along Eric's neck, and while she was beautiful with her long blonde hair and green eyes, Eric had decided to follow Godric's custom of not having sex with other vampires.

Godric would eagerly bed humans for it was an easy and pleasurable way to feed, but if one of their own kind touched him, they received a polite, but clear response.

Eric simply didn't want immortal women getting possessive of him.

He smiled politely and shook his head. She smiled and turned to Godric. As she reached for him, he tilted his head away.

Saule laughed and got to her feet. "The witches said they will be back soon. You can indulge them again – if they haven't already tired you out."

Never, Eric thought indignantly as Saule walked off, still chuckling. Eric glanced around again for the two women, but they were gone. He wondered how long they would take and if they would be back before dawn.

Godric slid out from under the sleeping woman and got to his feet.

"Come with me."

He followed Godric down to the beach. Eric liked best the times when it was just the pair of them wandering the countryside and Godric behaved as he was in those first days, vicious and playful. In the years they'd been together, he'd taught Eric how fly, how to hypnotise people, how to read and write, and how to speak different languages, and most importantly, how to feed without killing. His Maker was always patient, explaining a mistake and showing him how to correct it.

Eric thought Godric seemed happier when it was just the two of them.

At this time of night, the soft sand was cold under his bare feet, and Eric smiled, enjoying the warm, salty breeze. It was a change from the frosty winds that had blown over the sea he'd grown up with.

They climbed over a rocky outcrop, water splashing them as they stepped around the rock pools. Eric stopped every so often to pick up a shell or a pebble. He was working on another bracelet for Godric.

Since the first grass bracelet, Eric had always made some sort of decoration for him, replacing them when they broke or adding to them. At the moment, Godric wore a braided leather bracelet on one wrist and an anklet made of gold loops.

They sat and Eric was about to dangle his feet in the warm water, but Godric stopped him.

"No. Demons can bewitch us just as we bewitch humans." He sat on a rock a little higher up. "You must always be on your guard around them."

"Demons?" Eric looked out over the dark water, wide-eyed. "That's we why came here?"

"Yes." Godric smiled at Eric's shocked expression.

"Why haven't you told me about them before?" Eric asked.

Godric looked over the water. "I've never known if we encountered any as we cannot sense demons. I was here once and spoke with them. I'm hoping they will visit again so I can introduce you."

Eric laughed. "What did you speak about?"

Godric just shook his head. Unsurprised by the lack of answer, Eric thought about all the stories he'd heard about demons. Every culture and religion he'd encountered had some variation on the creatures, but he didn't really believe them.

Ten minutes went by in silence. Finally, Eric asked, "Do we have to summon them?"

"They'll find us, if they want to," Godric replied, stretching out to make himself more comfortable on the sharp rocks. "Be patient, my Child."

Not one of Eric's strong points. After another ten minutes, Eric was bored. He drummed his fingers on the rock. "What was the name of your girl?"

Godric's mouth twitched. "Which one?"

Eric laughed. How many sexual conquests they could manage a night had been a contest between them since the first village. By the time Eric had been able to control his desire for blood to begin his quest of bedding as many women as possible, he'd been more than a little indignant to hear many of them dreamily sigh over a night they'd spent with Godric!

"The girls were Petra and Aglaia, I think. The man was so full of opium he could barely speak."

Eric snorted. He knew Godric had no preference when it came to who he bedded. If a man paid attention to him, he was just as likely to go off with him as he was a woman.

Then he realised that meant Godric was one up on him and frowned. He wondered if any of the women would be sober enough to seduce when they returned to the other vampires so he could win their game for tonight.

Suddenly two heads appeared in the water. Eric sat upright, stunned. Though they were several yards away, he was able to see feminine faces studying them, and then they ducked back under the water. He caught a glimpse of a fish tail.

"Mermaids?" he laughed. A mermaid was not Eric's idea of a demon, but when they surfaced by the rocks, he discovered they weren't the beautiful women he'd imagined at all.

They had pale mottled green-blue skin and black-green hair interwoven with seaweed and shells floated around their shoulders. They stayed several feet away for a few minutes, watching the two vampires curiously, and then one came closer.

She looked up at Godric. "We remember your storm grey eyes." She stared intently at him.

Godric nodded, but didn't meet her gaze. "I'm honoured you remember me," he said.

Eric was able to make out the lower half of her body just below the surface of the water. It was just below her shapely breasts that her grey-blue scales began and ended with a fishtail of long black fins.

She caught him looking at her and turned her head, smiling. Her webbed hand began creeping up the rocks to touch his. Eric inspected the long, curved claws gently stroking his skin. He looked up, about to speak, but she ducked her head and caught his eyes with her black ones.

He felt himself go still, transfixed by the sight of her. Her hand tightened around his wrist, pulling gently. He leaned forward, awed. Her eyes...

Godric nudged him pointedly with his foot.

Eric carefully pulled his hand away from the mysterious sea creature and leaned back against Godric's legs, unnerved. She can manipulate me as easily as Godric can. Godric gripped his shoulder, his fingers digging in tightly.

"Practice your Greek," he whispered into Eric's ear, his voice stern. Eric nodded. If forced to focus on his words, Eric wasn't able to be distracted by the mermaid's trying to drag him under.

She laughed and Eric saw that her purple lips hid rows of needle-like teeth that were arranged like a shark's.

"Oh, you're so beautiful." She reached into her hair and pulled out a jagged pearl. She offered it to Eric. "Now you will be even more beautiful."

Eric eyed it dubiously, but accepted the token. "Thank you."

The second mermaid smiled. She came closer and Eric saw that she didn't have a fishtail at all, but reddish tentacles. He gaped as she used the suckers on her unfurling limbs to pull herself closer.

"He has hair like the sun and eyes like ice," she said, watching him. Their voices were eerily melodious and Eric was sure that many men had died following those voices into the sea. He found himself leaning forward, entranced once more. "We know you," she crooned. "You are Eric the North Man."

Godric pinched the back of his neck and Eric winced. A wet hand was brushing against his fingers and he tried to get out of her reach. They are nothing if not determined, he thought. "How do you know my name?" he demanded.

He jumped in surprise as a slimy tentacle trailed down his face. "We are the sea," she said softly. "If the sea knows it, we know it."

The fishtailed one slid a hand over Godric's bare foot and he watched her warily, but avoided looking directly into her eyes. "His stormy eyes have changed since we spoke to him last," she said over her shoulder to the other. Her nails ran up his leg and she tried to catch his eye. "Haven't you?"

Godric glanced at Eric. "Perhaps," he said softly.

Tentacles wrapped around Eric's wrists, jerking him forward and he nearly fell into the water. Godric instantly grabbed him, furiously pulling him back by the waist, but she didn't let go.

The fishtailed demon lunged for Godric, grabbing him by the leg and rolled, throwing Godric off balance. Godric snarled at her, trying to kick her away as he held on to Eric. He was gripping so hard his fingers were piercing Eric's skin.

Eric felt like he was going to rip in two as his Maker and the demon played tug-o-war with him. He could feel blood streaming down his sides where Godric's fingers pushed into his flesh, hooking onto his hip bones for a better hold on him.

His face was close to the mermaid's; her breath stank of fish and dried seaweed. She turned her head slightly, her ugly purple lips revealing her rows of teeth. Eric pushed himself forwards and sank his fangs into her neck.

Her blood was utterly disgusting, but it worked. She shrieked and let him go.

Eric grimaced, struggling against Godric's hands. "Godric, stop!"

Godric withdrew his fingers and the mermaid realised his hands were free. She let go before he could grab her by the neck. They both disappeared under the water.

Eric stood up slowly, rubbing his hips, but the wounds Godric had made were already healing. "I see why they're demons."

"They are capricious by nature." Godric picked up the pearl and held it out to Eric. "But if offered the right tribute, they make excellent allies."

"Next time you plan on introducing me to something, please ask it to not kill me first," Eric said dryly as they climbed back to the sand. Godric just laughed.

"Eric!"

They looked up and saw Tasoula standing at the top of the beach. She waved excitedly and then came running down to meet them. Eric blinked and suddenly she was right beside him.

Tasoula smiled at him coyly and slid her arms around his waist. "Did you miss me?" she cooed.

Eric wondered if the mermaid had hurt him somehow. Since when can a human move as fast as a vampire?

He bent to give her a cursory kiss, but paused, frowning. She smells... different. His fangs lengthened. Irresistible.

She giggled, pressing against him, evidently not minding that he was rather wet. She grinned at Godric. "Panos was looking for you."

Godric stepped closer, his fangs extending to brush against her skin as his mouth moved from her bare shoulder up to her mouth. Tasoula shivered, twisting toward him and his eyes caught hers. She went still, her face slack.

"Why?" he demanded harshly. Though puzzled by Godric's behaviour, Eric thought the reason was obvious.

But he stepped back from Tasoula when she said monotonically, "He wants your blood. You're older. It will be stronger."

Eric' wasn't entirely sure he knew what she meant, but obviously Godric did. Godric growled softly and broke her neck. Tasoula crumpled to the ground.

"Hurry," Godric said grimly.

They flew back to the clearing where they'd left the other vampires. As they grew closer, Eric could hear shrieks of pain and sizzling vampire flesh.

Godric growled again, his fangs still extended, and Eric gaped in shock. The witches had trapped all the vampires with silver chains, nets, and knives.

He saw Zenobia straddling Saule, who was held down by heavy silver chains. The head witch had cut open the vampire's wrist and was greedily sucking her blood. Bound by the chains, Saule was helpless to stop her.

The other vampires were held down in similar fashions, those that could were thrashing madly, while others were limp with pain.

Witches were pressing their lips to wrists and necks, drinking and recutting the wounds if they healed over. Their eyes were fever bright and they all smelled delicious to Eric. This is what humans smell like when they've had our blood, he realised, stunned.

Eric heard a noise behind him and spun around only to have a silver net cover his head.

He roared in pain, falling to the ground as he struggled frantically to untangle the net. There was a cracking noise and the man who had netted him fell.

Godric was at his side, grunting in pain as he pulled at the net to help. The net was burning Eric's face away and he could feel it sticking to his skin, burning through, blisters forming and popping quickly.

"Hold still," Godric hissed, still trying to pull the net off and Eric could see his burned hands, his flesh sticking to the silver.

Then he saw a man sneaking up behind Godric with a silver knife raised, ready to plunge it into Godric's back.

No.

Eric gathered his strength and threw himself forwards. Godric was holding the net and it slipped off as Eric slammed into the man. He heard bones break under the force and the man struggled to use the dagger against him.

Eric grabbed his neck and snapped so hard the force nearly ripped the human's head off. He slumped over in pain, aware of the danger around him, but there wasn't much more he could do until he healed.

Godric touched his face, checking it over, anxious.

"You'll live," he said. He quickly pressed his lips to Eric's forehead and then dashed off towards Saule.

He grabbed Zenobia by the hair, very nearly scalping her as he pulled her off the vampire. Zenobia shrieked, whirling to face him. She lashed out, kicking him in the midsection hard enough to make Godric stumbled backwards and lose his grip on her.

Eric got to his feet, stunned. He'd never seen anyone hurt Godric, didn't even think it was possible. He stepped forward to help his Maker, but paused.

We're outnumbered by the witches, Eric realised, and Godric and I are the only ones at full strength.

It had been over a hundred years since he'd been in a battle, but Eric found it surprisingly easy to slip into a mindset that had once been familiar. Several witches lunged for him, forsaking their two vampire prizes. He moved faster than a human eye could see, mercilessly killing them all with his hands and teeth.

He bent to free Raja and Mary.

Raja groaned as he sat up. "Take the rest alive," he growled after his throat healed, watching Zenobia and Godric fight. "We'll make them suffer for this indignity."

Mary growled in agreement. They got to their feet, wincing, but were both older than Eric and able to heal within seconds.

They darted off, snarling angrily as they began rendering the humans unconscious. Three freed vampires turned to four, then five and then six. The humans kept piling up as well. Eric walked among them, stomping on their feet, breaking all the bones to prevent the humans from running.

Eric heard a shriek and spun around. He'd only seen a few vampires die, but the wet, exploding noise was distinct. Mary screamed in horror and ran over to the mess, dropping to her knees, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Raja tackled the warlock responsible, ripping him limb from limb.

Mary hunched over, sobbing. Eric shuddered, full of pity for the orphaned Mary. She was barely older than him, and had spent the past few nights with her Maker for the first time in forty years.

"Her Maker is truly dead," Godric said softly, coming up beside him. If he felt anything about it, it didn't show. Eric relaxed slightly, relieved Godric was safe.

Saule was holding Zenobia by the neck.

"Did you genuinely think that you could steal our sacred blood," Saule snarled, her eyes blazing, "and live?"

Zenobia thrashed, her lips moving, gasping words in a language Eric didn't understand. A red glow formed beside her, radiating heat. Saule stared at it in shock.

Godric bolted forward and ripped out Zenobia's spine. She twitched for a few minutes before dying. The red light faded with her.

"I was questioning her!" Saule scowled at the corpse, but she sounded petulant instead of angry.

Godric gave her a scornful glare. "Did you not think she would defend herself with magic?"

"Rip out their tongues," Eric ordered quickly, glancing over the remaining witches. Save Mary, all the vampires complied. The pain woke the witches and Eric discovered that it was possible, though apparently difficult, for humans to scream without their tongues. The vampires prowled around them, dragging the odd witch upright if they fell back, choking on their own blood.

Another vampire came forward. "My Lady," he said, though he glanced at Godric too, "these aren't all the witches."

With a quick sideways glance at Godric, Saule said, "Search the island. Find them all." Then she glanced at Eric. "Burn their houses and kill their families as they flee."

The humans shrieked in protest and fear, but the vampires obeyed. Saule narrowed her eyes. "That includes you, Mary."

Mary got to her feet sadly and followed, reluctantly leaving the remains of her Maker. Indicating for Eric to join the search, Godric stayed with Saule to kill the captive witches. Eric watched as Godric smiled coldly down at the doomed humans and turned away. Godric's lust for killing had never changed.

As Eric went back down to the beach to search, he could hear screams and smell fire already. Come dawn, there will be no-one left alive on this island. After seeing the vampires helpless against the humans drinking their blood, he didn't think that a bad thing. His own skin still stung.

He was surprisingly undisturbed by how easy it had been torturing and killing all those people. It felt justified somehow.

Back on the cold sand, he looked out to the dark sea, trying to imagine what it must look like during the day. He was tempted to wade in the water, but the possible threat of the mermaids stopped him. I have a job to do, he scolded himself.

He looked around and saw Diamantina just up the beach.

Shells and stones were swirling in the air in front of her, clustering together to form the shape of three children. Watching in amazement, he remembered earlier in the night when she'd mentioned she had three sons.

She looked up and saw Eric. She smiled vaguely. "Your friends have killed my children," she said, almost absently. She smelled intoxicatingly beautiful. He was tempted to bite her, just to find out what a human full of vampire blood tasted like.

The rocks and shells collapsed. He knelt in front of her. "Why would you do this?" he said, running his fingers through her dark hair. "You condemned yourself and your children."

She looked at him with dazed eyes. "Have you never drunk the blood of your own kind before?"

"Yes," he said, remembering how powerful Godric's blood had tasted. "Once."

"Then you already know what it's like." She smiled dreamily. "It makes the world more beautiful than it already is. It makes you giddy and excited, and stronger than any human could be. Everything is strange and beautiful and swollen with possibilities."

He couldn't think of anything to say to that.

Diamantina picked up his hand and studied it, tracing over the lines. The dying screams of the other witches didn't seem to bother her at all. Above the trees, dark smoke billowed, obscuring the moon.

He was cautious. "Reading my future?"

"No-one can see the future," she said, surprisingly firm. She tapped his palm. "But your past is right here in your hands for you to see."

He looked at his hand, but only saw lines. Rip out her throat or break her neck?

"You had four wives and three children," Diamantina said, distracting him. "You wished for brothers when you were a boy. You suspected that your third wife killed her first husband."

Eric forgot all about killing her. "How can you tell all that?"

"I have magic powers." She gave him the playful smile that had caught his eye earlier. "They're always stronger when we drink the blood of your kind."

Eric rolled his eyes, but let her continue. Break her neck, he decided.

"You never got along with your father. Your parents and sister were murdered."

Eric quickly withdrew his hand. "It was a long time ago," he said stiffly.

Diamantina smiled and closed her eyes. "Not so long to you."

Eric was reaching for her neck when she opened her eyes and lunged for him, her mouth wide open as she tried to bite his neck. Eric growled angrily at her and twisted, kneeing her in the chest. She fell backwards, the walls of her heart crushed. A fatal blow, but she was would die slowly.

He stood over her, scowling, annoyed. I've been caught off guard too many times tonight.

In the past two hours, his life had been endangered more times than it had since Godric had turned him.

Eric watched dispassionately as she drowned in her own blood. Despite more blood dribbling out of her mouth, she managed to smile up at him. He raised an eyebrow, impressed. Not many could smile in the face of death.

"The shifters that killed your parents and sister," Diamantina choked out, "have wandered the earth for a long time. Their children and their children's children always follow their master through the night. He has your father's crown."

Eric froze. "What?"

He opened his mouth to question her more, but Diamantina was already dead. He stared down at her, still bewildered. Was she telling the truth?

Godric dropped down to the ground several feet away. "They're all dead. Saule is making sure their families join them in the afterlife."

"That's good, I guess," Eric said, thinking of the rage on the faces of the other vampires. "I've never thought of our blood is sacred before."

Godric nodded grimly. "It is forbidden," he said, glancing down at Diamantina's corpse. "It is too dangerous for mortals to drink from us."

"They certainly became stronger." Eric smiled wryly. "I've never seen anyone almost get the better of you."

To his utmost surprise, Godric smiled brightly. "I know. It's not often I have a chance to fight against anyone that rivals my strength."

Eric snorted, his mind already returning to Diamantina's final words. He gazed over the sea, wondering which direction to take once they returned to the mainland. They're out there. Not the ones that killed Father, but their children live, just as I do. Then a darker thought, one he'd thought quelled. I will take back my father's crown.

"I don't think Saule appreciated you usurping her like that," Eric said, hoping to rouse himself from things best left alone.

"Saule knew little about magic before tonight." There was no judgement in Godric's voice or his face. "She could not have known to immediately kill the head witch. But she is grateful for our quick thinking. Should she ever encounter witches again, she'll know better."

"Seems stupid to have come here without knowing anything about them."

"She didn't realise these witches were so dangerous." Godric shrugged. "She is not to blame. None of us saw the danger."

Eric glanced up at the sky. "Let's go find someplace to rest." Sleep will keep the dark thoughts away. "It's close enough to dawn.

They found a suitable spot away from the burned houses and bodies. Eric sat on the edge of his hole, swinging his legs absently. If he got in now, he wouldn't be able to sleep until the sun rose. He'd just be buried with his thoughts, a horrible prospect.

Godric sat down beside him and picked up his hand. Eric looked at him, surprised.

"I heard what she said to you," Godric said, stroking the back of Eric's hand. "About your father's crown." He sighed. "You still want your revenge."

Eric didn't answer. He heard the screams of his family while he dallied with some girl, making him too slow to save his mother and sister. In less than five minutes, his family had died, yet those few minutes were seared into his mind, crystal clear despite all this time.

Finally he growled, "Those creatures killed my family. I want them to know, want them to see me before my fangs rip their throats out." The reason was savage and illogical, and that made it all the stronger.

"The ones responsible for the deaths of your parents and sister are long dead," Godric reminded him gently. "Why punish those that know nothing of your family?"

Everything Godric said was perfectly logical and he saw the sense in them. Somehow it didn't matter that they weren't directly responsible... he just wanted others to suffer as he had.

It makes no sense, Eric thought angrily. The pain of losing my children faded. I can think of them fondly and not cry for them. But my heart turns hard when I think of my parents and sister, and all I want is to avenge them. Thinking of them now made his fangs lengthen. It makes me want to kill innocent people...

"How did you make your humanity go away?" Eric asked abruptly, his voice bitter. Godric's hand paused.

"My humanity died quickly on its own. I had no need for it." Godric studied Eric's face. "But you wanted to keep yours?"

"It's done nothing but bring me pain," he said angrily. "Maybe I was stupid to want to keep it."

"Your desire for revenge will keep you connected to your humanity," Godric said. "Can you let that go?"

Eric closed his eyes.

It's not wrong to enjoy my life.

You have no sense of responsibility.

Can we talk about this later?

Eric, grow up. You can't spend your life between a woman's legs.

I can try.

Get back here. Your place is with me!

All you want me to do is follow you around!

I want you to learn to be king!

I will! Tomorrow!

He forced himself to see the truth. His father had not given his title to a man worthy of it, but a selfish, spoiled brat.

You are king.

No. I won't allow it. Help!

You know what to do.

Yes.

Vengeance...

Vengeance.

His final promise to his father had become the last of the many disappointments. If Godric is right, then my father is past caring that I failed him yet again. But I'm not. I want to keep my word.

"No," he said, wearily opening his eyes. "Not until the wolves with the mark are wiped off the face of the earth."

"But it isn't the wolves, is it?" Godric said. "It's the master."

"Yes," Eric said, surprised by Godric's perceptiveness. "The master. He stole my father's crown while he still had breath."

His mind drifted to his mother and sister. Astrid looked so beautiful whenever she held her daughter. Too many times he'd sat beside her after she'd miscarried or had to hold her hand while she buried another infant only days old. Again she'd been cheated of another child.

His father robbed of his crown. His mother robbed of her daughter. His sister robbed of her life.

You know what to do.

Yes.

Vengeance...

Vengeance.

It will never happen, Eric told himself sternly, forcing back tears. Just accept it.

His Maker stroked his face and Eric leaned into the caress. This tumultuous night proving to be the exception, Godric rarely touched him and Eric never touched him first. Perhaps it was because Godric was his Maker, for Eric always felt calmer whenever Godric touched him.

Then Godric's next words left him dizzy with horror.

"I have nothing more to teach you, my Child. You might not use everything I have taught you, but that is your choice. You can survive on your own," Godric said softly. "I can release you."

It was that same feeling of ripped apart horror he'd had when his parents died. Eric swallowed, hoping he'd misheard. He looked at Godric's face, wanting to see his mischievous smile, but he was only solemn.

"No" he whispered, drawing away from Godric's hand.

"I'm offering you your freedom," Godric said slowly, "and you don't want it?"

Eric shook his head.

"But... why?" Godric said. He was bewildered. "I was not with my Maker for as long as we have been."

"Mastery and freedom are what you value, Godric. I value my family." Eric hoped Godric could understand what he meant. "I don't want to lose you."

Godric stared at him. "I've upset you."

Can't you see that you're all I have? Eric's voice trembled. "Godric, don't do it."

Godric looked away. Eric watched Godric's expressionless face for a few seconds, wanting to see some clue, but there was nothing. He bowed his head.

The silence between them was awful to Eric. Too many dark thoughts swirled through his head, so he pulled out the macramé bracelet he'd been working on, focusing solely on it. But then the final knot was done.

Godric narrowed his eyes when Eric picked up his wrist, an expected response, but he relaxed when Eric tied the knotted bracelet around it. Godric smiled at the gift, running his fingers over it as he studied the shells and rocks.

"It's beautiful," Godric said softly. If it's to be the final gift, Eric thought, I should have made it better.

Godric looked up. "We will find your father's crown."

Eric's eyes widened. "We?" he repeated.

His Maker nodded. "I promise I will help you."

"Thank you." Eric flung his arms around his Maker. For the first time in a hundred and thirty five years, Godric didn't flinch away.