When I came too I was locked in a cage. To my surprise, Hugo sat right on with me. He was gazing up at the ceiling. I dipped into his thoughts, apparently, he hadn't planned on being double-crossed. The Newlin's had plans for us both. We consorted with Vampires. They think us lower than them because we were 'race traders'. We would burn right along with the vampire they plan on roasting.

I felt like a complete idiot. I feel like my life is a soap opera. The longer I looked at him the angrier I felt. Long before I realized what I was doing I launched at him. I wanted him to have a taste of his own medicine. I clenched his bird neck and squeezed. I withdrew my hands after tossing his head into the metal bars. The urge to kill him was still hard to fight. I moved further away from him.

" I can't wait to tell Isabel. I can only imagine what she will do to you." I searched for my purse.

" They took it." Hugo croaked.

The room was too dark to see. However, I could tell there were other cages. I began to crawl. I was searching the area for anything that could be used as a pic. Or at least a weapon. The idea popped into my mind about using my powers. He was right there. All it would take was a bite. If I'm to believe that Maryann's spell worked. It certainly seemed to be based on the reaction I had. To access that level of strength, I'd need to consume Long pig. I could barely make out the shape of another. Someone else was caged here.Godric!

" Godric... is that you?"

I heard movement. I lost sight of him, what little I had in the first place.

"How do you know my name?"

He was now crouched down with his hands gripping the bars. His breath ghosted my face. It smelled like warm spices.

"I was sent here by Eric, your progeny, I'm here to help you."

" Eric is a fool for sending a human. How has he been? It's been such a long time since I last spoke to my child."

" Um alright I guess, he has a child of his own. Her name is Pam, she's good to him."

"You seem to know a few of our customs and speech?" His voice was accented but he spoke English very well.

"I pay attention.., I came to get you out of here." He chuckled.

"I see, you managed to put yourself in unnecessary danger. I came of my own volition. I desire to see the sun. I apologize for my son involving you in my affairs."

"I don't understand?"

" I've lived too long. My experiences are filled with hatred and bloodshed. I'm tired. I've hurt so many! I shall go before God and accept whatever verdict he gives me."

The sound of Eric's voice trickled into the back of my mind. Him telling me a vampire must find purpose, otherwise madness sets in or the desire to burn.

"What happened that night? The one where you met Stan Davis. You just disappeared, if you chose this then explain because it's not adding up."

" I'm choosing to take one last soul. I've decided that he no longer deserves to walk this earth either. He must face his sins! I discovered that he hunts children. He beats them before raping their corpses. I refuse to leave such a beast behind. "

I found it hard to argue with that logic. However, I must try to change his mind. If not, then I better start preparing for the aftermath. Eric would lose it!

" Godric? If I may ask when were you changed?"

"I could go for one last tale before death. I may not look it, but I am well over 2000 years of age, if you can believe that.

I was captured as a boy. My village was raided and pillaged by Roman soldiers. I was sold as a slave. My master forced the change on me the day I reached the age of majority. The vile creature got his comeuppance the moment I awoke.

For many years I roamed alone, that was until I discovered a fallen warrior. Eric was near his last breath, I admired his honorable strength and courage despite the failure to beat his foe. So I gave him a second chance.

We spent many years in each other's company. That was until he chose to leave my side. For the first thousand years of my life I ... I'm not proud of who I was. I was angry and used that to fuel my hatred for humans. I regret that I passed that hatred down to my children..."

I listened to more stories. He never moved from his spot in front of me. My eyes could make out the shapes of his face. I couldn't see the details. A comfortable silence drifted between us. My curiosity got the better of me, I reached through the bar to feel his face. He leaned into my touch. I don't know why I did that? I just know I needed to see this strange creature.

"I am beginning to understand my child's trust in your qualifications for his mission. You show no fear... "

"She was plenty afraid today." Hugo croaked out.

" There is a difference between not feeling fear and not showing it. You, I'm familiar with what's your name?" Hugo refused to respond.

"That's Hugo, Isabel's companion."

Suddenly I heard footsteps. The light came on. They were revealed to be the stomps of Rodger. It was showtime. He came for Hugo. He lifted him off the ground with ease and chuckled at the dried blood on his face. His headhit the bar hard enough to create a gash across his eyebrow.

"I'll be back for you precious."

The raspy voice purred at me. I got a sketchy vibe from him. I took my chance, I blinded him with my light and tried to take off. As the man rolled on the floor clutching his face. He had a third-degree burn bubbling. His left cheek popped and oozed. Once he got ahold of me I was backhanded.

" You filthy traitorous whore!"

He was another one of those types of men. Like Renè, flashes of what he's done to women he deemed worthy of his 'treatment' . Not only did it include torture but conversion therapy of some sort. Trying to reform women that lost their way. That needed to be led back to the arms of Christ.

"You think you're a man of god? He would curse you to the depths of hell if he met you. You hear me!"

I spat in his face as we fought. Hugo took off. His plan was abandoned. Now all he wanted was to be anywhere but here. I managed to bite his ear, Rodger was trying to finish what his wife started earlier. When suddenly his body was ripped from my grasp. His ear still remains in my clutches, the meat slid down my throat with ease.

"I seemed to have misread you. If you could have escaped why didn't you?"

"It would have required me to do something I knew I'd regret. "

"Like what?"

I accidentally burped. My goal was to refrain from feasting. It seems my instincts have betrayed me once again. I'd be lying if I said hadn't had cravings. I've been keeping it from Bill. He's worried enough as is!

"Eating. I failed at that too. Please explain to me why your son puts so much faith in me. I just don't get it."

"You shouldn't taunt beings that are stronger than you. I admire your spunk for trying. If you don't mind me prying, what are you exactly?"

He helped me from the ground. Being so close I was able to see him in greater detail. Not just inside the mind of another. He was ripped! Every inch of skin I could see was covered in scars and tattoos. They were vibrant. Different shades of blues and greens and purples. He had the darkest head of hair that I've ever seen. The cut was slightly tapered and transitioned into a fade. He was tan and olive toned.

" Thank you."

I whispered. His hands still holding on to me. I heard more movement coming down the stairs. We both prepared, to our surprise it was Eric.

" My child."

Godric was the first to relax. Eric bowed before him. I was in awe, the respect that Eric held for this creature showed in every movement.

"There was no need for this rescue attempt."

" What do you mean, they seek to destroy you."

" I'm aware of what was planned. The human you sent her with betrayed my nest. He ran off a bit ago."

I felt strange. I had just been ogling a man that was essentially Eric's father.

" Hugo is with the fellowship. He came to take him away. I don't know where."

I pointed to the recently deceased father of Sarah Newlin. An alarm sounded, Godric nodded in my direction.

" Get her out of here."

" I am not leaving you..."Godric cut him off.

" I can protect myself. Save the girl. Eric, spill no blood on your way out."

Eric looked over at me. He noticed the marks on me and the blood on my face.

"Must you always tempt others to hurt you?"

He grabbed me and we rushed out of the room. Thankfully he didn't mention the blood staining my teeth. Giving evidence to my slip up. Once we reached the top level there was a group of followers locking up the doors.

"Eric, don't."

I pulled on his arm. He turned to look me in my eyes. He lifted my head and kissed the corner of my lips. After, he walked out into the open.

" Hi, Y'all. Steve sent me to man the exit..."

A convincing southern accent came out of Eric's mouth. I didn't know whether I was impressed or pissed.

" All by yourself? You're big an all but there's a vampire on the loose."

It was a group of four men. I noticed as one slowly moved behind Eric. I couldn't hear the rest of the conversation. However, I never did take my eyes off that man. I saw it at just the last moment. He held a stake! I shouted out for Eric, he was able to defend himself in time.

Once finished the only one standing had been the undead. He kicked the door open. The men had nailed it shut. On the other side was a mob of angry cultists. We had no choice but to find a new exit. Eric followed as I retraced my earlier steps. I remembered there was an exit near the back. We were too late. Steve Newlin and his mob closed in on us.

"Just let us leave. We only came for Godric. No one else need be hurt."

I called out to Sarah. I thought it better to plead my case to her.

"The war has begun you, jezebel. The vampires cast the first stone by killing my daddy. The lines have been drawn. You're either with us or against us. We are prepared for Armageddon! Besides we don't need Godric. We have us a vampire right here!"

Eric looked at me with determination in his eyes.

" I'll be fine."

He was going to sacrifice himself! Steve said to the fellowship brainwashed followers

" Brothers and Sisters there will be a holy bonfire at dawn."

Two men seized Eric. They walked him to a sacrificial table. Eric willingly laid down. The goons wrapped Eric in silver chains. I closed my eyes, I couldn't bear witness to this. I couldn't watch him martyr himself. I could hear the sizzle of Eric's skin. The scent made my stomach rumble.

"You see just as our Lord and Savior was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. A few ounces can betray a child of Satan to the world." Steve preaches to the mob. This stupid prick doesn't make a lick of sense.

" I offer myself in exchange for the woman's safe return home. " Eric called out. Steve smiled down at Eric's face as he said.

"That's noble of you, but the girl is just as guilty. She has betrayed her race. The human race. She hardly deserves mercy."

I was seized then. My hands were held behind my back. My restraint was beginning to falter. I lost it as someone in the crowd mentioned I should be tied to Eric so we both burned.

Large rays of light burst from my hands. I watched with earnest glee as I watched them fry. Just that tiny amount boosted my powers beyond measure. Just then Bill came running into the church, screaming my name. His eyes widened in fear as he watched my rejoicement. Once I caught sight of him I froze. This falter was enough to tip the scales. Steve held me at gunpoint.

"If you move one more inch, I will blow her head clean off... "

"If you hurt her, none of you will survive." Bill shouted, his fearful trance broken. Steve laughed and shook his head.

"What do they see in you. Boys get some silver for our friend here."

The commotion Bill created allowed me to react. An arch of electricity shot out of my hand and flowed through the gun. Effectively electrocuting Steve Newlin.

"You make one move closer to him and I swear I'll burn this mother fucker down with all of us in it."

All eyes laid on me. Many of the thoughts in the room screamed the words 'burn the witch', is that what I am? A witch?

I slowly backed away to remove the chains From Eric. No one dared to move a muscle. Steve was starting to come too again. His meaty hand reached for my foot. Eric grabbed that poor man by the scruff of his neck and slammed his body onto the podium steps. I heard his back break, Eric was about to go in for the kill. I chose mercy. I grabbed Eric's hand. The action forced him to look at me.

"That's enough!" I commanded just as Farrell and his gang burst into the doors.

"Steve Newlin, did you expect us to just sit on our thumbs while you round up your men to come to lynch us. Nah, we'll kill you first, the same way we killed your daddy!"

Steve screamed bloody murder, his injuries prevented him from rising to the occasion. In a menacing tone, I heard Farrell tell his group of vampires to destroy all of the followers.

Eric, Bill, and I ran for the nearest exit trying to hightail our asses out before the bloodbath begins. Just as it was beginning. Godric appeared out of thin air he was standing up on a balcony overlooking us.

"Enough, you've come for me I presume. Underling..."

"Yes, sheriff." It was Farrell who spoke. His tone conveys his true feelings about those words.

"These humans have not harmed me. We can learn to coexist. Mr. Newlin, I apologize for your injuries. I'm more than willing to compensate. I do not wish to create more bloodshed. Please help me set an example if we leave you in peace. Will you do the same?"

Steve Newlin lifted his head from the ground boasting about how he will not negotiate with sub-humans. He barred his neck begging to be killed. He desired to be martyred. He believed he would be like Jesus in the eyes of these fucked up people.

"I'm older than your Jesus, I wished I had met him but sadly I did not. A Show of hands, please. Who here is willing to die for this man's madness?"

Not one person raised their hands. Steve shouted expletives at his cult. I guess they weren't soldiers of the sun like Newlin thought they were.

"That's what I thought. Now go home, it is done now." Godric said, all the remaining cultists made their hasty retreat.

"I dare say my faith in humankind is stronger than yours Mr. Newlin," Godric demanded that the vampires of his nest leave.

Bill wrapped his arms around me so tight. I wasn't sure if it was for my protection or theirs. Eric turned to me.

" Sissi, are you alright." Bill put his hand out waving him off.

"She's fine."

"I'm alright, go catch up with your maker." Eric's eyes made a once over, he tipped his head and he left after Godric.