Hello my dear Readers! Here is the new chapter. I hope you like it very much. It took me some time to put it all together. The new characters, Mihael and Casper, I hope you like them. Please Review. Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood...

Finding Her

Chapter Twenty

Godric waited, holding his breath, Eric was feeling edgy and Pam was simply bemused and actually filling her nails. They all were awaiting Arya's response or any reaction for that matter after all the info she got on herself.

Her voice was no better but in between Godric's explanation's, Pam did fetch her a cup of hot water which she sipped from every now and then. Apparently, it was a bit soothing to her throat. Finally, when she did react, she stumped them as usual.

She rasped, "So, I am a magical being?"

Godric answered simply, "Yes."

She nodded and rasped again, "A mage who can perform spells and such things?"

Godric nodded, "Yes, spells and many more things."

She nodded, "So my headaches, lapses in memory, the coughing, all of my afflictions have to do with me being of this species known as mages?"

Godric couldn't decide if answering the question would be a good thing or not. So he merely nodded and hoped for the best.

Arya blinked a few times and then leaned into Eric's welcoming frame and then stated hoarsely and matter-of-factly, "Well, that puts me to a whole new level of freak."

Pam snorted and Godric and Eric snapped simultaneously, "Arya!" "Kitten!"

After a few more seconds, Arya spoke, "So, I am this mage thing. That's fine with me. But what I want is to get well and then find some more concrete facts and information on my species and about my very being."

Eric spoke, "Of course, my Arya. First, you shall be healed and then we shall work on your skills and knowledge."

Godric was pleased and very, very much relieved. His Arya, his marvelous little friend was truly a gem. She did not panic or worry or become hurt over these new discoveries. Godric did not know how he would have handled it if his little friend was all confused and fearful of her new-self. What if she was scared out of her mind because her being of this strange species was killing her? Godric would not have been able to handle it. What comfort or wise advice could he offer her when he wasn't a mage? He could have handled newly turned vampires and taught them all about being a vampire, but what could he teach her about being a mage? He didn't know anything about them except the stories his old friend whom he rarely met the last few centuries told. Even his friend Mihael had no right or no true knowledge about magic or about being a mage. After all he was a vampire and only mated to a mage.

His friend was a rational one. So very rational, she was thinking everything through, especially in such an extreme situation. A good match for Eric, most definitely. He had a tendency of losing his rational thinking when it came to the very extreme situations and his match was a little girl who always thought things through calmly, even in the face of death and utter agony, it seemed. Eric was a lucky vampire, undoubtedly. Godric really smiled, feeling light all of a sudden, his blue-gray eyes twinkled as he looked at his tired and weak friend.

Godric, for the last two nights felt as if someone placed the heaviest burden on him when he discovered about Arya's true identity. Godric had decided and told Eric that Godric would be the one to tell Arya about it since he was the one who knew most about mages. What Godric did not mention was, by taking this difficult task, he also took the risk of taking the brunt of Arya's rage, confusion and fear. He would be the one who would put up with the turmoil she would face and keep her relationship with Eric and Pamela relatively cleaner.

Godric watched his friend and thought about all those times in his long life he had hurt humans, some just as fragile as her just for the sake of his cruel pleasure and sick desires. Why would the fates give him such a pure and innocent being for a friend? How could she even breathe the same air as a monster as him? She was a blessing to him. He was truly grateful to whatever deity sent her along his and his progeny's path. Sure, they did not deserve her, especially him. He did not deserve her friendship, but he sure as hell was not going to kick a gift horse in the mouth. She would definitely get better and then Eric, Pamela and he would watch her grow into a fine young lady and be a part of her life. They would enjoy all the joy, excitement and adventure she would bring in their lives. Of course, Pamela and he would especially take extra pleasure in teasing and taunting Eric over his mate in the coming decades. Godric planned, wished and dreamed of a beautiful future.

It was sometime then that Benjamin Fisher had arrived with a lot of food packages which made both Pam and Godric confused and Benjamin Fisher tried his best to explain. As Pam had ordered him, he got all kinds of soup for Arya. Pam growled and kept her nose pinched shut at the stench of all that foul smelling liquid. Godric was puzzled over the many kinds of soup there were, sweet, sour, hot and sour, sweet and sour, chicken, noodle, sweet corn, tomato, mushroom, potato and so many more. Godric understood the need for Arya to drink soup though. It was warm, liquid, and very nutritious. It was liquid sustenance for the girl.

After much confusion, he quickly asked Arya what she which soup she would like. Arya decided on chicken soup. Godric got her a big bowl of it and also a huge glass of her favorite juice. Eric watched skeptically at the bowl. It was a hot liquid, could it sate her hunger, he doubted.

Arya tried and tried very hard to bring the spoonful of soup to her lips, but her hand trembled and her strength failed her. After much coaxing and a firm command from Eric did Arya let Godric feed her. Godric found the experience very different and kind of fun. Feeding a human was strangely exciting. He would take a spoonful of soup from the bowl, blow on it to cool it and then feed it to Arya. It was strangely soothing. Arya on the other hand was utterly frustrated at being handled like a baby. She said so vehemently and complained about it. Again, a snort and sharp reprimand from Pamela stopped her.

Eric especially was watching the whole process like a hawk. He was massaging his Arya's scalp with light fingers while she took sips of her soup. The girl was famished and the soup was finished in no time and Godric brought her some more and fed it to her. Every now and then Eric would shoot his master a small smile. He was glad that Arya finally had something to eat. After she finished her glass of juice, she yawned and blinked her eyes drowsily every now and then. It was Eric's coaxing that got her to sleep once more.

Pam moved about, Godric sat near the window, but Eric didn't move away from his Arya. She slept and he kept watch over her. He watched in amusement when Arya twitched her nose in her sleep and snuggled deeper into her pillow. This was kind of amusing, Eric mused. She did things in her sleep. He was in slight awe of her, how could she trust them, monsters who could rip her throat out so very easily with no provocation at all, to sleep so deeply without a thought? He brushed her soft cheek with a finger and sighed. She must love them, there was no other explanation. He wanted to keep her just as she was, safe and unaware of the world and its perils outside these walls. She should always be happy and safe, his gut told him so intensely.

Godric told him from his seat, "She even pouts in her sleep and if you watch long enough, you can see her smile in her sleep as well."

Eric at first agreed and wanted to see it as well. But then it hit him and he growled out loud, "You watch her sleep? She is a little girl. How could you?"

Godric asked, confused, "How could I what? Watch her sleep? She goes to bed at a particular time and I wait for her aunt to come home. So I sit and read her books."

Eric frowned and flustered, "No. How could you watch her sleep? That is an invasion of her privacy. It is wrong. Not to mention borderline stalker behavior."

Godric frowned in return for a moment while Eric went still. Eric wondered with a little fear, did he cross a line with his master? Godric suddenly smirked and his eyes twinkled mischievously, he drawled, "Oh of course, it is stalker behavior if I watch Arya while she sleeps and do nothing to her. But when you watch her sleep and touch her every now and then, then it is perfectly natural."

Eric sputtered, very much offended, "I don't touch her and I do not do anything like that, master. I am merely keeping an eye on her for any future attacks she might have. I can't very well let her choke on her own blood, now can I?"

Godric smirked a Cheshire-smirk, "Right and it has nothing to do with the fact that she looks adorable when she sleeps or the fact that you feel utterly content watching her in her most unguarded moments."

Eric growled out a low, "Whatever!"

Godric chuckled happily, "Whatever, indeed!"

Eric returned back to watching his pet. She did this odd thing in her sleep. She shifted closer to him unconsciously. This spurred Eric into an experiment. He moved away a little every time, she shifted closer. He was smiling in glee after the fourth time she shifted closer to him. Godric watched then in amusement. His progeny was playing with her. He knew he shouldn't encourage this behavior, at least not now, when Arya was so tired and needed much rest. So he said firmly, "Enough, Eric! She needs her rest."

Eric shot a quick look at Godric that reminded him of a mischievous child, a giant of a child, but a child nonetheless. Then he settled near Arya, leaning against the headboard. After a few moments, Arya turned to face him in her sleep, let out a sleepy sigh and moved closer to him. Her face snuggled to her thigh. Eric chuckled out loud and buried his hand in her wild curls. It was like having your pet's head rest in your lap while you petted it, he mused. Even in sleep she knew him and that thought alone made Eric feel light and bubbly. An emotion he wasn't accustomed to at all.

Godric informed him, "She feels your bond too, you know. She knows what you are to her without knowing it."

Eric nodded, a bit hesitantly, but he nodded. A part of him heavily disagreed about his soul's mate business. No one could put a leash on him. Why should he find only one person to dedicate his life to? He did not want that, to be tied down to one person for this long eternity that he would live. This feeling was eerily similar to the one he had oh-so long ago, a thousand years ago in fact, when his human father was asking him to marry someone. He had refused then and a large part of him, which remained silent, refused now. Another part of him was screaming at him for taking the complete reigns over a child's life. An innocent child, she could not possibly be his mate. She could never handle someone like him.

But if these two parts of him were true then why were they constantly battling with and losing with the whole other side of him which undoubtedly claimed Arya as his. That other part was significantly larger and knew nothing but the simple fact that it loved Arya as much as a vampire could love. That part did not see Arya as a mate, but simply as a child who had made a place for herself in his affections and in his protections.

He was completely lost in his thoughts when the doorbell rang. They were here. Eric was suddenly up in a panic, which was perfectly natural for vampires. To be a bit defensive when others walked in your territory. Especially when said others were vampires older than your own maker and a person who was a mage which was supposedly a very, very strong magical being.

He was up in a whoosh and stood protectively over his charge who was at that moment sleeping peacefully and unaware of the potential danger. Godric on the other hand was eager and had a smile on his face, he jumped up and proclaimed loudly, "Mihael. It's him."

Godric sped out of the room and Eric took only but a moment to follow him. A moment because he needed to summon Pam to keep an eye on Arya. Pam who was more on the edge, because of the stronger vampire and the mage, was more than happy to stay with Arya. Mostly because she felt territorial about Arya. She did not want to share her blossom with another vampire in any way. Eric wouldn't disagree, he agreed with Pam.

By the time he was near Godric, he was filled with apprehension. When he saw the two new guests he was filled with the greatest unease. There stood two men, seemingly each others polar opposites in looks, but to Eric they could have been the same. After all they both were potential threats to him.

Both the men were taller than Godric. Both of them looked in their mid to late thirties. The man, who clearly was a vampire and apparently over twenty-five hundred years old had a permanent half smile on his lips, and his grey eyes twinkled when he talked with Godric. He clearly one of those charming friendly types who loved to make friends with everyone. This was a huge surprise to Eric since a vampire as old as him would never behave in such a manner, he would demand respect and utter obedience from everyone. He was well built and near about six feet tall, he had a rugged handsomeness to him that even Eric took note of. His hair was particularly thick dark and sort of windswept. His looked so very much at ease in his black leather jacket, black t-shirt and black slacks.

His companion, now he was very odd to look at. Odd and eye catching. He was tall, perhaps a few inches shorter than Eric himself and also blonde. He was very thin and lean, his face almost gaunt. His hair was thin and whitish blonde and looking at him one word swiftly entered Eric's head, albino. But his eyes, they were the palest of blues and so very cold and hard. His lips were thin and pressed into a line and he looked almost disgusted to be there and was looking outside the window, ignoring the two vampires as much as possible. His skin was utterly pale and it looked like he had no eyebrows or eyelashes at all, that was how very blonde his brows and lashes were. He was dressed in an attire that wasn't as impressive as his companion's. He was in a dark and well worn leather jacket, a grey t-shirt and loose black jeans with leather boots.

Eric had never in his life met a mage before, hell he found out about their existence mere days ago. That was his very first time meeting a full grown mage. His Arya did not count at all. This man might look nonchalant, but his body thrummed with something that made Eric's hair stand. His scent was the oddest thing though. He smelt like mangoes, Eric remembered walking one night through a mango garden in India years ago, this man smelt like that night.

As soon as Eric entered the room to make himself aware to his guests, Mihael looked up with the brightest smile. The bastard could charm the pants off of anyone; anyone interested in men that is. He gave a small appraising look at him and said to Godric in a congratulatory manner, "You did good, Godric. You have a fine progeny."

The vampire's voice was a little husky, but it added more to his charm. A derisive snort and a cold look came from the albino-ish mage and a snarky retort, "Fine to look at, Mihael. You don't know him enough to call him a fine progeny."

The mage had a crisp voice that cut through the air and Godric smirked, the man had the most prominent English accent. Mihael shot him a quick glare and retorted right back, "He is a thousand years old and Godric's progeny. Those two facts by default makes him a fine progeny."

Then he turned to Eric to introduced himself, while his companion rolled his eyes and turned back towards the window. Mihael enigmatically reached him offered a hand to shake, "Hello, Eric! I am Godric's old friend, Mihael."

Eric nodded grimly. For some reason, he couldn't make himself comfortable around these two men. He blamed it on this mage business. How could he accept anything even remotely related to the word mage when the same mage business was causing his Arya so much pain? Mihael still smiled at him, even with the cold reception and pointed his thumb towards his companion and introduced him as well, "That rude brute over there is Casper Jinx, a dear friend and my family, also a great mage."

Eric stared at the rude brute who didn't even turn around during his introduction. Mihael cleared his throat, but the guy still didn't react. Finally Mihael sighed and said apologetically, although his gray eyes twinkled a bit too much, "Forgive him, staying away for extended periods from his mate and my maker makes him a bit pissy."

To Eric and Godric's utter amusement, the seemingly nonchalant and rude mage immediately sprung away from the window and gritted out, his accent thick, "Lucas has nothing to do with this and I will remember to mention to your wife how charming you do get when you are away from her for extended periods of time."

Mihael smirked wide and shrugged and retorted, "I am always charming. She knows that, how else did you think I wore her out enough to get her to marry me?"

Casper smiled maliciously, that sight kind of raised Eric's hackles, "Oh yes, but I shall also mention how you go around checking out vampires less than half your age and calling them fine. Knowing your history, let's see how she likes that?"

For a second Mihael looked as pale as a sheet and his face went blank, which of course made Godric chuckle. Then Mihael retorted, a little hesitantly and a little unsure, "She will call me a cad!"

Mihael snorted, "Yes and then make you pay and you know very well how strict the great mage knight Savannah Kerr is."

All of a sudden, Mihael got a far away look in his eyes and a wide smile on his lips, his fangs popped out and he sighed, "Oh yeah! I love her!"

Godric snorted, "You look like a love-sick pup."

Mihael turned on his heels and clicked his fangs back in and replied proudly, "When your mate is as, I believe the recent term is, scorching hot as mine, then you too would be proudly wearing the expression of a love-sick pup."

Godric smiled back and nodded and replied, "Yes, I am familiar with the term. A friend of mine recently taught me that term. She said her peers would refer to me as a hottie."

Another snort came from the mage, "You look like a pubescent kid. It must have been the tattoos she was referring to. Either that or she has the whole cougar thing going on."

Mihael smirked at that and Eric couldn't help it, his lips twitched into a smirk as well. Godric looked a bit confused and asked, "I do not understand the reference to cougars."

Mihael answered with a straight face, "I agree with the tattoos comment. I do find it that tattoos are appreciated by certain women. But I also think Godric is very handsome as well, so the cougar thing might not be the only other explanation."

Godric asked again, "I still do not get the cougar reference. Or is it an inside joke?"

Mihael slapped his friend on the back lightly and chuckled, "Don't ever change, Godric. I will explain you the cougar comment later on. For now, can we see the child you spoke of?"

Godric nodded and sobered up immediately. He said softly, "She is upstairs. Sleeping. Tonight's ordeal has left her very much exhausted. Her throat is damaged also."

Mihael looked really bothered by hearing that. As if he held so much compassion to feel bad for a hurt little human girl, it was strange for a vampire let alone one as old as him to show so much emotion. Eric decided immediately that he must be faking it. He must be a great actor and manipulator, but then Godric was taking it all in and not telling him to drop the bullshit. Godric never liked pretenses and if his friend was pretending anything at such a crucial moment, Godric would have snapped at him to drop the act. If Godric didn't then he must be at least a little honest. The mage on the other hand listened to the facts emotionlessly. But Eric did notice his eyes, take on a sudden sharp look. Eric watched them with wary eyes, as they all followed Godric to the room where Arya rested.

When they reached the room, there was a loud gasp from Mihael. He had seen her. Casper on the other hand, sauntered into the room and crouched near the bed, staring intently at the sleeping girl on the bed.

Pam came by Eric's side and looked at the new guests. She was curious about them, curious and edgy. Eric motioned her to leave them be. Pam breathed out in relief, she couldn't bear to be in the same room as an ancient vampire and a mage whose power felt a little suffocating. Eric could feel vibrations and waves of power radiating from the man and it unnerved him. Pam knew very well, a lesson Eric taught her, if she ever felt like edgy and would be unsure if she would attack someone of power at the slightest provocation, she was allowed to leave the room with his permission. It would keep her safe and avoid unnecessary confrontations. Pam left in a hurry but remained close to the room. There was no way in hell she would miss out of what would happen in that room.

Eric watched with a stoic face as Mihael walked closer to the sleeping girl. His voice was partly sad and partly of awe as he remarked, "She is very young. A child."

Casper from his crouched position and roving eyes over said child grumbled, "She is tiny and weak. Also younger than the stray mage children we sometimes find amongst human parents."

Godric murmured, "She is fourteen."

Casper looked her over and asked, "What is her name?"

Eric answered this time, a little pride slipping into his usual emotionless voice, "Mary-Jean Hollis."

Godric shot Eric a sharp look at his wish to not let them call the child by her chosen name. He added, "She goes by Arya. Her middle name."

A murmur came from the mage, "Arya, huh?"

Mihael commented, "A beautiful name."

Mihael grumbled, standing up, "Well, I need to examine her. May I?"

Godric nodded and motioned for him, "Of course, you may."

Eric watched as the man sat on the bed, he felt threatened. His body tensed up and he felt like dragging him away by the collar and then throttling him. He watched him touch his fingers on her forehead to check her temperature, he felt like breaking his pale thin fingers. He murmured and Casper came near him to listen, "She has a high temperature and the aura around her is heavy and very saturated in magic. If a witch was nearby she would have drained her dry by now."

Mihael asked curiously and Eric and Godric closed in on them, very much interested in the conversation, "Has she got a lot of magic, then, the tiny doll?"

Eric resisted the urge to growl at the term of endearment. He had no right to call her that, only the fact that he had a mate stopped Eric from claiming Arya in front of them. Mihael replied, "By the amount of magic she is leaking I would say that she has more magic than most stray mages we find here on human grounds. But if she has not much magic in her, then the amounts she is leaking would be very fatal to her."

He looked at Godric and ordered sharply, "Describe me her attacks."

Godric raised an eyebrow at his insolence and Eric hissed, but in the end Godric explained evenly, "We haven't witnessed her attacks before. She doesn't remember any of them. Last night she had a violent headache and this evening too, then she started coughing out large amounts of blood and something which I assume is magic."

Casper considered a moment and asked, "Gooey stuff, looks red and something else entirely and very sticky?"

Godric answered with a nod, "Exactly that."

Mihael looked a bit surprised and then asked in a tone that showed he was displeased with the entire idea, "Smelt good but the entire idea was unimaginably repulsive, wasn't it?"

Eric was stunned for a second and then it slipped out of his mouth before he could think about it, "Exactly that."

Mihael explained, "It was her magic in saliva or mucus form. Basically her magic took in the form of bodily fluid to slip out of her body. Magic is very malleable, you know."

Eric actually was listening to it all intently, not with a sense of curiosity but with a sense of urgency, every little bit was important, it was important for his Arya. Godric on the other hand was very curious. Casper snorted, "No, they don't know. All they know is magic makes spells work and that is harmful to them. What they need to know now is that magic coming out of her in that manner means her magic pathways are all botched. I need to find out why that is happening."

Eric commented challengingly, just to speed up the process and that was how you got to assholes like this Casper Jinx, "Then find out why, instead of wasting time."

Godric admonished, "Eric!"

Mihael simply sat on the bed beside the sleeping girl. Casper drawled out loud, "You know, I could seal your mouth shut forever, you overgrown pest. But I won't simply because you are Godric's childe and Godric is Mihael's best friend."

Mihael smirked from where he sat and cooed mockingly, "Aww, I didn't know you cared about little ole' me so much."

Casper leant into the little girl on the bed and started checking her limbs. He retorted back as he examined her pale skin carefully, "I do care. Whenever I am resisting my urge to cast hexes on you, that is."

Mihael laughed, "Yes, I love you too, step-daddy."

Casper replied without missing a beat, "Call me daddy again and I shall spell your own hand to spank you ass for twenty-four hours straight."

Mihael scoffed, "There is no such spell."

Casper smriked at him dangerously, "Try me!"

Mihael sniffed loudly and mustered with as much dignity as he could manage, "Some other day then."

Casper commented slightly, "It's a good thing that she is wearing shorts otherwise it would be very inappropriate for me to take off her pants while she is asleep to check her legs for sores and marks."

Mihael snorted, "I believe the appropriate term to use here is, 'duh!'."

Casper nodded, "Hmm…so far so good. None of her pathways have burned out of her body or tore through her skin. Mihael check her neck and back for markings."

Mihael nodded and touched her hair lightly as he peered at her neck and murmured, "What kind of markings?"

Casper gave him a seething look and stated, "If you see them, you'd tell. How in the world did Luke put up with you?"

Mihael continued to look as he answered honestly, "I suppose what you find lacking in me, more than made up by my good looks and charm to my maker."

Casper snorted and kept on checking. That made Eric agitated. Both of these strange men were touching his Arya and he couldn't stand it. He kept on picturing ripping off various parts of their bodies to sate himself for the moment. Godric actually came to stand by him to keep him calm. All of a sudden, Arya moved in her sleep again and this time, she violently kicked out a leg. Godric was honestly surprised at the strength the sleeping girl's thin leg had. Eric on the other hand outright chuckled, as did Mihael.

The kick landed directly on Casper Jinx's nose and the surprise of it landed him on his ass on the floor. The whole moment was so quick and so hilarious, every one broke down laughing. Casper merely sat on his ass on the floor staring at her stumped and still not figuring out what exactly happened. And the culprit merely sighed sleepily and turned around, snuggled further into her pillow and slept on.

Eric laughed and laughed, and beside him Godric sniggered. Godric felt very proud of his friend right then, so much that if she was awake he would have planted a kiss right on her forehead. The girl did wonders even when asleep. She broke the tension brewing between Eric and he two strangers. Hell, Godric himself was feeling on the edge and tolerating Casper's nonchalance was getting a bit too much for him. But she did it, she kicked him right in the face and went about her business, sleeping that is. The precious gem of his.

Eric asked in between his laughter, "Why did you not tell me she kicks in her sleep?"

Godric answered, chuckling, "Because she never kicked me in her sleep."

Mihael was on the floor, leaning over the bed, his face buried in the pillow beside Arya's head as he asked, "God, where is a camera when you need one? I had to get that on tape. The knights would give their right arms to see that. The great and mighty Casper Jinx landed on his ass by a mere slip of a child's kick. Oh hell, that is priceless."

Casper growled, "Oh shut up, it isn't that funny."

Mihael was laughing all over again as he answered, "It is funny when it happens to someone else."

There was a sniff and a low moan coming from the bed and a hoarse voice clearing itself. Immediately, all the laughing stopped and Casper jumped onto his feet. Eric and Godric came closer, but it was Mihael who brushed back the curls on Arya's head as she blinked her eyes open. Her beautiful yellow eyes were still sleepy and she frowned as she looked at the unfamiliar man staring at her.

There was a gasp from Casper as he took in her face and eyes. Mihael on the other hand was completely comfortable. In fact he was giving the sleepy girl an adoring smile and he asked softly, "Your voice hurting, sweetheart? Would you like some water?"

She shook her head as she looked at him, her body tensed briefly and then she looked around the room quickly, as soon as she saw Eric and Godric, her body relaxed. She looked back again at the man leaning nearby and brushing her hair a little. She looked at him carefully and then blinked twice, slowly and owlishly and then said in a voice that was very husky, but not as bad as before, the soup clearly worked, "You look like that doctor from that drama show my aunt drools over."

Mihael was very pleased. He gave her his most charming smile at what he assumed was a compliment and then asked her, "Yeah, which one, sweetheart?"

She didn't even bat an eyelash, not at the oozing charm or the smile or the question as she answered monotonously, "The one where the doctor that looks like you is all confused and keeps on having sex with all the female doctors, interns and patients in the hospital and the hospital authorities surprisingly have no problem with him being a sexual predator."

Mihael gaped at her. Eric started chuckling again and even Godric smirked wide. He exchanged a look with Eric that clearly said, that's our girl.

Casper on the other hand snorted and then proclaimed as he took a seat on her bed, "Oh little girl, I will give you ten dollars if you tell that to his wife."

She lay still on the bed, not the least bit bothered by the two strange men hovering over her or waking up to their presence. She looked at him critically and then commented nonchalantly, "Oh and you look like a plucked chicken. Also, can you not afford more than that?"

That stunned both Mihael and Casper. Godric sighed and whispered, "She never stops, does she?"

Eric answered just as lowly, "That's what makes her Arya."

Casper growled out, his light blue eyes almost flashing silver, "A plucked chicken? If you knew who you were talking to then you'd mind your manners."

Arya blinked once and then replied calmly, "If your reputation preceded you or if your weak intimidation tactics weren't weak, I'd be scared. As for my manners, they have nothing to do with you, your reputation or your intimidation factor. I have my manners, I am just choosing not to use them."

Casper regarded her with cool, calculating eyes, he head tilted at the side. He leaned closer and said to her firmly, "I am a powerful mage, you know. I could harm you in ways you couldn't even think of in your scariest dreams, little girl."

This time Arya snorted and then told him just as strongly, "Congratulations on being a mage, but from where I am, being a mage isn't all that fun or special for that matter. Also, behind you stands a vampire who is my friend and could rip into you before you could blink, so spare my scariest dreams."

Eric, right at that moment felt stunned and a bit overwhelmed at her trust in him and belief in his ability to protect her. Mihael and Godric watched in amazement. There was something going on between the two and their exchange of words, they were merely waiting for the outcome. It was like watching a tennis match. Casper smirked and retorted, "Yes, but I could take on your vampire friend, I am stronger than him, what is he? A thousand years old?"

Eric bristled at that comment, but it was Godric's hand on his arm that stopped him from reacting. She volleyed right back, "You wouldn't only be taking him on. My other friend is over two thousand years old. Two against one sounds pretty painful to me, for you that is."

Casper snorted and replied a little arrogantly, "Well my friend, on your other side is over two thousand and seven hundred years old. Not a good idea to tick me off, little girl."

She matched his arrogance and had a smirk on her chapped lips that made Eric proud, as she taunted, "What does your friend think of it when you threaten little girls to feel good about yourself? Pathetic or pathetic?"

He raised a hand and suddenly it was glowing bright green. Arya blinked at that sight thrice and sucked in a sharp breath. Eric and Godric were in too much awe to react in anyway. Slowly and gently, giving Arya as much time as she needed to back up if she wanted, Casper reached for her throat. Arya stubbornly didn't move and gathered her face into a cool and composed mask. As soon as he lightly gripped her thin throat, the green light around his hand thrummed in energy and vibrated just a little against her skin. It felt like something was singing against her skin and this odd energy felt so natural. So perfectly cool and soothing. She could feel it seeping into her skin and doing something on the inside of her hurting throat. The hurting was easing away. She realized he was healing her throat. He chuckled as he looked at her, his eyes lost some of it's cool look, and he exclaimed, "You know, for some bizarre reason, I like you, kid."

She blinked once and then looked at him sharply and snipped, "Cross that. Pathetic or pedophile."

Eric raised an eyebrow. That comment would have made Pam proud, but Godric groaned. Godric mused, Eric and Pamela were clearly leaving their lasting impressions on the poor girl. Casper snorted and said wryly, "I have a husband, kid."

She asked him with a raised eyebrow, "So, then I should ask your husband that?"

Casper shook his head, continued healing her throat and little by little her voice was coming out normally again. He chuckled, "He would like you too."

The magic was so soothing and something ached to reach out to it. She asked softly, "What are you doing?"

Casper answered simply, but had a wicked gleam in his eyes that said otherwise, "Magic. Would you like to learn?"

She asked in return, and with a complete straight face, "Would it turn me look like a plucked chicken in a few years?"

Mihael choked at that. He finally got over his awe of watching his rude and obnoxious, almost borderline anti-social and the always-grouchy Casper interact so smoothly with a child. It was a night of surprises. He commented to the little girl, "You really shouldn't talk to him like that, sweetheart. He is a very powerful mage, he could be very dangerous if you get on his bad side."

This time Arya gave Mihael a disregarding look that clearly said she thought he was talking stupid and explained a little snootily, "He wouldn't harm me if he were to heal me. Also, if he doesn't heal me, he couldn't kill me considering the fact that I am already dying. So, it must be my impending death that is turning me into a huge smart ass."

Eric did not want to ever hear his Arya talk like that. He retorted sharply right there, "You are always a smart-ass and you aren't dying. Get your facts straight."

Mihael cooed out with a lot of compassion in his voice, "Oh sweetheart, who told you you are dying?"

This time Arya sent him a really sharp look, this one screamed he was an imbecile as she replied sarcastically, "Well, the coughing out huge amounts of blood, excruciating pain and my body deteriorating itself on the inside, kind of gave it away?"

Casper asked monotonously,"How did you put up with all of that then?"

Arya shrugged and answered nonchalantly, "Pretty simple actually. You feel it and when the tears start coming out of your eyes, you wait it out wishing it would end the next second. Concentrate on the wishing part and not the screaming part."

After a few more moments of healing her throat, Casper said lightly, "I could teach you magic, you know."

Mihael gasps out incredulously, "You would?"

Casper shrugs, as if he said the sky in dark at night and said casually, "Yeah, why not? I like her."

Arya closed her eyes and then opened them and replied just as casually, "I will think about it."

Mihael no turned to Arya incredulously and repeated and then explained, "You will think about it? You do realize that this is a very big and rare opportunity."

Arya sighed and replied, "You do realize that there still is a possibility that he is a pedophile. My momma always told me to never go anywhere with any stranger or potential pedophile."

Mihael stared at her for a moment and then exclaimed, "Oh Luke will definitely like her."

Casper still had his hand on her throat healing her with his strange green magic as he stated sharply, "Don't flatter yourself, kid. Your not my type. I have a husband."

Arya nodded and replied in a matter-of-fact voice, "So, you say and it still changes nothing. You still attempted to intimidate a little girl into doing your bidding and your husband may as well be a pedophile too, worse yet, a little boy."

Mihael was once again laughing his ass off as he breathed out in between his laughter, "Oh cross that, Lucas will love her."

Casper asked out loud, "Is she always like this?"

Eric snorted, "Only when she is not asleep."

If you ask me who resembles the new characters in the story, then here is my answer.

Mihael looks exactly like Patrick Dempsey.

Casper Jinx looks like Paul Bettany.