Soon a few days had passed. Alcide stopped in to visit like he had promised. Then those days stretched into weeks. The weeks into months. And, by the third month, I was bored enough to gamble with my life and ask something of my vampire host. I wanted to be employed somewhere. Daylight had even given me time to research this. There was a quaint little bar and grill in Bon Temps that was hiring servers. It was socially beneath me to be a waitress, my father had always insisted, but I didn't think I would mind it.

Eric had seen no reason not to allow me to work there. His chief of security would drive me there and back, hanging around the diner for my shift as if he were a patron. Though he honestly couldn't understand why I wanted to dirty my hands by actually working. (Apparently Eric knew the owner of Merlotte's. I couldn't yet tell if that was good or bad for me. From the way that Eric had chuckled, however, I was going to assume the latter until I was proven otherwise. Though he honestly does have a kind heart, he tends to hide it from people rather well. Most of them only see him as an egotistical jerk. Egotistical, yes. Jerk, not so much. That's more of a defense mechanism from what I've observed.)

This, however, brings me to the current times. My father's truck had pulled up into the driveway, a very furious were making his way up the front steps two at a time. I opened the door before he had a chance to knock on it so hard that he put a hole in the custom door. His eyes would have caught me on fire if he had been blessed with that power. I took the time to count my stars that he hadn't been. "Hey Dad," I grinned brightly. "What's up?"

"You want to do what because why?" he asked, ignoring my question. I bit my lip.

"I want to work at Merlotte's," I began slowly, "because I'm bored out of my mind." I had catalogued everything in the house in my own personal database. I'm something of a collector of information, I suppose. Especially when it comes to things of designing or artistic nature.

"I pay Eric enough so that you don't have to work. And he himself has assured me that he's taken enough of a liking to you that he would cover the expenses I wouldn't." It took a lot of self restraint for my father to admit that without popping a gasket. I would have to applaud him for that several years down the road, I noted.

"Honestly, I'm just bored. I could sit at home maxing out both of your credit cards and still not have enough to occupy me," I reminded him. "I'm a werewolf and a faery. I need to be more occupied than this. At least I did you both the courtesy of asking first. I could have very well just gone and done it on my own." He turned this thought over in his mind, realizing that I was right.

"How reliable is Eric's staff?"

"Very. More so than most of our pack."

"The head of his security—Michael?" I nodded. "He's going to accompany you the entire time?" Another nod. "And Eric knows Sam Merlotte?" Nod. "You aren't going to pull a crazy stint and run off while you're supposed to be working?"

"No," I shook my head. "Geez, Dad, put me on lock down any more and I might die of boredom before any of those nut jobs can get to me." I crossed my arms in a huff, looking up at him defiantly. He shook his head, a grin spreading across his face.

"I don't care what anybody says. Sometimes, you're all were."

After that, his visit was pleasant and he left just before it was dark out. When Eric rose and came into the living room, I informed him that my father had said it was alright. He nodded and went to make a phone call to this Sam Merlotte guy. It was a few minutes before he returned, but he said that Sam was desperate enough for staff to skip the interview and give me a test run. I would start next week. "My friend is coming to stay here a few weeks," Eric told me, half-watching the repeat of an Ancient Egyptian segment on the History Channel. I took my eyes away from the screen to give him my full attention.

"The one whose room I stole?"

Eric nodded. "He said he will stay in another room," he held up a hand when I went to protest, "and that you should not worry yourself about it. He simply wanted you to know because you were staying here with me. It would be improper." I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. There was obviously something he wanted to say. He studied me. "You are unlike most women I know. Most of them don't know when to shut the hell up," he chuckled in amusement. "But getting you to talk is tedious work. Unless it is about artifacts or something." Another chuckle.

"What's his name?" I asked, a smile gracing my lips.

"His name is Godric," a pause, "and he is my maker." My eyebrows rose up at this revelation.

"Your maker?" He nodded at my question. "So I get to meet the man that carved out the mighty Eric Northman." Eric laughed.

"He is different from what you are probably imagining."

"We'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

And with that the conversation was dropped. Eventually, Eric got bored of my television watching habits and went to work. When the doorbell rang, I was rather startled and confused. A glance at Michael confirmed that whoever it was was not a threat to me. So I did exactly what my father would have hated and opened the door. A vampire stood there, his gaze startled when he noticed me.

A smile crept upon my face, catching sight of the tattoo peaking out from the collar of his shirt. "You must be Godric," I assumed. "I'm Aline."

"It is nice to meet you," he smiled kindly. I stepped aside to allow him entrance. "Eric is not here?"

"He went to work. The History Channel bores him after a few hours," I chuckled. "I'm sorry I took your room." Well, in my defense, Eric had given it to me with little context as to who it belonged to. I wondered exactly how far indebted my father was to the vampire now.

"It is not a problem," Godric assured me. "Eric said that you are familiar with early European décor?"

"As much as I can be," I admitted. "My father doesn't do a lot of overly artistic projects." I shrugged. "So my knowledge on it is fairly limited to what I can discover in my free time. I must admit that it's expanded quite a bit since I've been here, though. You both have exceptional taste."

"I am glad that you think so. My nest mates in Dallas are not as appreciative as you are." I excused myself to return to the documentary on TV, surprised when Godric followed me. He seemed to be at a loss of what to do until Eric came back.

"You do not mind my company, do you?"

"No, of course not," I grinned. "You probably have some embarrassing dirt on Eric that I could use for leverage some day."

"I assure you that I have no embarrassing dirt," Eric said from behind me. I snickered to myself, shooting him a wink. He smirked, shaking his head. The two men began speaking in a language I didn't recognize (that I subsequently tuned out). It was quite some time before Eric waved his hand in front of my face. I stopped my fixation with Greek pottery and looked up at him with wide, innocent blue eyes. Tuning them out had been more effective than I realized by the looks on their faces.

"Er, sorry," I smiled sheepishly. "I'm good at tuning things out."

"We are bothering you?" Godric asked politely.

"Wha—oh, no! I just thought that you might want some privacy so I stopped listening to you."

"Perhaps you are like most women," Eric smirked at me. I stuck my tongue out at him childishly. "I was asking you if it would be alright if Godric were to accompany you along with Michael."

"Something tells me that you're telling me more than asking me."

"You're smarter than I give you credit for." I glanced at Godric.

"Have you told him the severity of the situation?"

"That is not my information to divulge," Eric replied seriously. "That is up to your discretion." I studied the ancient vampire, reaching out with my mind. He did not have any ill will for me. Simply a curiosity of me and why Eric had decided to take on a human companion. My lips curved upward into an amused smile.

"I'm a werewolf," I informed Godric. "Half, actually. My other heritage is faery." He looked genuinely astonished.

"You smell like neither."

"I can mask my scent." I then went into detail about why exactly I was hanging around Eric's house.

"So you are not his mate?"

"No," I laughed. "Eric would be more of a brother than a mate," I admitted honestly. "And he's too tall."

Eric looked at me as if I had gone insane. "I'm too tall?"

"Hey, I'm kind of vertically challenged. I don't want to have to climb my mate—though that could be fun," I admitted with a devious smirk. I shook out my long brown hair. "But, yes, you're too tall."

"Most women complain that I'm too arrogant."

"For show."

"I'm a prick."

"Playful."

"Seriously, I'm too tall is your complaint?"

"What? You want me to be falling over myself in love with you?"

"He's not used to women not falling for his oddly loveable charm," Godric mused. I stared between the two of them and, without being able to help it, began laughing.

"I'm sorry," I wiped tears from my eyes. "It just amazes me how little people assume about me." I subdued my laughing to a chuckle and then to an amused smile. "I don't even get like that when I am actually dating someone. I liked Marc because he was, for the most part, withdrawn. I like breathing room. So did he." I made it sound like a business deal, I noted.

"You are peculiar," Eric noted again.

"When you have Alcide as a brother and Jackson as a father, it's easy to want space. It's why I got in so much trouble when I was in high school. Just to piss Daddy off." Eric opened his mouth but I cut him off. "My main point: I am not his mate, I have no desire to be his mate. He has become something of a brother to me these past three months."

"You can be as annoying as what my sisters were," he mused. I gave him a cheeky grin before pinching his cheek.

"And, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go upstairs and read." I shoved the remote in Eric's hands before bounding up the stairs beside Godric, who looked both amused and perplexed at what had just transpired. I barely stifled my snicker of amusement. Ha. Take that big bad Eric's reputation!

I woke up the next day with the unmistakable urge to go shopping. I hadn't asked Eric the night before—but I hadn't wanted to go shopping the night before, either. That meant I had to beg Michael to take me out with the risk of Eric getting angry about it. Something tells me that I can persuade Michael into it. Even if I have to glamour him into it. My summer wardrobe was distinctly lacking this year since I had been in lock down.

It did not take me very long to convince Michael to accompany me. In fact, he held little opposition to the manner. "Mr. Northman tells me to go where you go. He'd probably only be angry with you," he replied with a shrug. I grinned at the unknown shifter.

"Trust me, Eric's always angry about something. I'm sure someone else will come along and piss him off more than me. Besides, vampires are the ones after me. They're all dead to the world right now." With that settled, I dragged the head of security out to the local mall. Both my father and Eric had given me credit cards, so I didn't have to worry about that. Alcide had offered, too, but I had refused to take his. If anything I would spend my father's money first. But Alcide's I refused to touch. His fiancée, Debbie, did enough of that.

To say that I didn't like her would be the understatement of the century. If I was given the chance, I would surrender whatever fae nature I had that kept me from doing the proper were thing and ripping her throat out. But Alcide would probably never forgive me. I don't think Jackson would care either way. After his wife died when Alcide and I were young, he's come to terms with the fact that shit happens. Now that doesn't mean he won't try and stop it, of course. It just means that he knows there are some things he can't control. A lesson learned that helped him sleep at night. Something Alcide and I were grateful for. It's hard to watch someone you love so much self-destruct themselves and not be able to do anything about it.

To say that Michael was less than thrilled about the prospect of spending several hours in overly priced department stores was an understatement to say the least. If he hadn't been paid handsomely to answer to Eric's every beckoned call, he probably would have dropped me off and went back home until I was done. But he had been given direct orders to watch me. That order extended to making sure that I wasn't left alone during recreational activities such as shopping.

I was kind enough in the fact that I tried to look through everything as quickly as possible. But being a werewolf-raised-woman had taught me that I not only needed to look my best but that I also needed to be sure that I wasn't being screwed over in the pricing of garments. We have a very odd culture, I mused as I nimbly went through the rack. Somewhere along the way, Michael had made the mistake of offering to hold stuff for me while I looked. This ended up in him turning into some sort of glorified coat rack for all of the hangers I was throwing at him.

Eventually, I had tried everything on and paid for the items with my father's card. On the way home I made Michael stop at an antique shop that piqued my interest. To my surprise he was less reluctant about this shop. I began combing over the shop, not entirely sure I was looking for something but knowing that something had pulled me to this place. It was only when I stumbled across a room on the third floor that I understood. A grin crossed my face at my discoveries.

The room was rather unkempt due to the fact that the owners probably thought the items in there were simply junk. But, to people such as myself, this was a goldmine. I immediately crouched over a large, ceremonial sword. The markings on it signified that it had been produced sometime in the first century. With a little cleaning, it would be a beautiful piece. I handed it to Michael, telling him not to drop it. Rifling through the collection, I found a sword from Eric's era. It was not as ornate as the first century sword—but this was an authentic sword that had seen battle before.

I turned it over in my hands, utterly fascinated, before handing that to Michael as well. Just as I was about to leave, a small Egyptian-style statue of the goddess Bastet caught my eye. Now, by all means, I should have a natural opposition to cats. But I've always loved them. And they've always liked me. A fact that has always terrified my father. It was a sure sign that I wasn't full-blooded. And it proved that I took after my were nature less than my father was inclined to admit. But it was the only side that I openly claimed.

The completetion of my purchase meant that we could finally go home. Night had just begun to fall when Michael and I walked into the house. He helped me carry the everything up to my room. By the time I had everything put away, the darkness had completely fallen around us. I stashed the swords in the back of my closet to clean tomorrow. Vaguely wondering if they would like them, I went downstairs to the kitchen.

Eric was there drinking a True Blood with a scowl on his face. He looked at it peculiarly—almost as if it would retaliate and slap him or something. The sight of this caused me to stop and stare at him. Then a grin spread across my face. And after that I simply began laughing. The Viking turned to me, the scowl on his face deepening.

"This tastes like shit," he surmised.

"I wouldn't know," I laughed. "But the look on your face says everything." Eric shot me a glare, which I ignored. Instead, I began making myself a sandwich.

"You're eating late tonight," he observed.

"I was out with Michael earlier and didn't bother to stop to get something to eat."

"You were what?"

"I made Michael go shopping with me. I needed more clothes."

"You women and your clothes," he muttered.

"Hey, don't even try that, mister," I jabbed my peanut butter coated knife in his general direction. "I've seen your closet."

"She has a point, Eric," Godric mused from the doorway.

"Besides, Dad insists that I fully looked the part of a were woman," I shrugged. "He keeps an eye on how much I spend on clothes. If I didn't get some for summer soon, he probably would have showed up with some." I cringed at the last time he had purchased me clothes. They had nearly all been pastel-colored skirt suits and the like. I shook my head. "That was rather unpleasant the last time that happened. I'd much rather just go and get my own things."

"I was unaware that werewolves were so concerned about that," Eric admitted.

I nodded. "You wouldn't think it to look at our men. But the women are rarely found in anything that costs less than seventy-five dollars." I shrugged. "It's just how we do things, I guess. At least the weres that are distinguished. We have our trash, just like everybody else. But packs like mine try to smooth over those rough edges just by polishing ours more." I spared a small smile up at Eric. "The supernatural are all vain in one way or another."

"I'm not sure if I'm complimented or insulted by you most of the time."

"Most of the time, I'm just observing. But I like you. So I wouldn't go out of my way to actually insult you." Both vampires looked at me curiously. "What?"

"It's just so unusual for someone of your kind to admit a friendship with one of our own," Godric addressed lightly before smiling. "But I think it is a sign that our races may one day live peacefully among one another."

"I certainly hope so." I smiled in return. "I'm not sure I'll live to see that but it would still be nice for coexistence in its entirety someday."

"You're too faery for your own good," Eric grinned teasingly.

After Eric left for Fangtasia, the night passed by rather uneventfully. I eventually decided to set up my easel and paints on the back porch overlooking the backyard and the pool. Pulling a memory to the forefront of my mind, I began painting a sunset that Alcide and I had once had the pleasure of witnessing in coastal Hawaii. A were leader from Hawaii had requested that Herveaux Construction complete a project for him as repayment from a favor that my father had asked. Luckily my father was otherwise occupied, which meant that Alcide and I got to be the ones to go down.

What everyone says about Hawaii is true. It's beautiful there. Breathtakingly so. "That is very beautiful," Godric's soft voice drew me from my thoughts and memories, making me jump lightly. "Sorry, I did not mean to startle you."

"It's alright," I smiled at him. "Thank you. Alcide and I spent a summer in Hawaii and we would got out on the beach just before sunset to watch the sun go down."

"Alcide is your brother?"

"On a technicality, yes," I nodded. "Biologically no. But he and I have grown up together under Jackson's rule." I grinned, resuming my painting. "And we got into quite a lot of trouble together, too. Of course he's older than me so he got more of the punishment. But I don't think he would've let Dad punish me too badly. Even if I was usually to blame for harboring the idea through its conception." I smiled fondly at the memories.

"You are very close to them."

"Except for Debbie," I chuckled. "But I suppose the sister never really likes her brother's fiancé, right?"

"I suppose not." We sat in silence for a bit as I finished the painting. I sat back from it, studying it. There were a few spots that would need to be touched up and corrected after it was allowed to dry through the night. But nothing that major.

Idly, I looked over to note that Godric was fairly decent company. Albeit he was slightly quieter company than I was used to—but it was a nice sort of quiet. There was just something about him that was calming. I couldn't help but wonder why he always looked so pained though. As if something were constantly weighing down on his soul. It took me a few seconds to realize that the vampire was now staring at me in confusion. I smiled sheepishly, my face heating up lightly. Oops. I was caught.

Thankfully, Eric had come home then with his progeny, Pam. She was apparently insistent on meeting the human woman Eric had taken for a companion. Though Eric loved his daughter endearingly, he did not quite trust her with my secret. So I did my best to play up the human housewife as much as possible, shutting off any inhumane scent.

"Oh, Eric dear, you're finally home!" I purred at him, clutching his arm happily. If I hadn't shot him a brief look while facing away from Pam, he probably would have given me away. But he's a smart man. He knew my plan the moment that look flitted across my features.

"Of course, darling," he smirked, bending down and kissing me. "I can't let Godric have you all to himself all night."

"That would be quite a crime indeed," Godric smiled lightly. He had caught on. Pam, however, was blissfully unaware.

"Well isn't that just darling," Pam rolled her crystal blue eyes in annoyance. "At least you picked a pet that knows how to dress." I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from retaliating. Eric's grip tightened lightly on my hands when I tensed.

"That's a high compliment coming from you, Pam."

"You know I at least try to take an interest in your play things." She examined her nails. "Looks like I need a mani/pedi. I'll just let myself out now. She's not all that interesting as I thought she would be." She cocked an eyebrow at me. "God knows she has to be, though, to share your bed." With a deceptively cutesy wave, she was out the door at vampire speed.

Once I was sure she was out of sight, I pulled away from Eric shooting him a dark look. "The kiss was overkill."

"Au contraire," the Viking grinned at me.

I shook my head, walking away from the two vampires. Though, if I hadn't known better, I could have sworn that Godric's face was a little more strained than usual. I pushed the thought from my mind, going outside to move my painting materials back into the house. Just as I was about to go upstairs to retire for the night, Eric appeared in front of me. I scowled at him.

"Are you angry with me?"

My eyebrows shot up as my jaw slacked. He actually looked sincerely worried about being an asshole. "No," I relented slowly. "I'm not angry with you. I was annoyed, but I'm not any more."

"Good, that would be unpleasant."

"You suck at apologies."

"I don't do it very often," he replied seriously. "But Godric thought that I should."

"And you hold his opinion in high esteem," I noted again. Eric then smirked and cocked an eyebrow.

"And he was angry that I kissed you." My brows pulled together as my mouth pulled into a frown.

"What? That's ridiculous."

"I had more faith in you, Aline," Eric shook his head in mock disappointment. "You should be more adept at reading vampires than most." What the hell did that mean? He shook his head again, walking away with a gallant chuckle. I stared after him well after he had retreated from my line of vision. Cocky condescending little Viking bastard.

Finally it was time for my first shift at Merlotte's. I dressed in the uniform Eric had brought home for me last night. It was pretty standard. Black shorts and a white shirt with the bar's name scrawled across the back and a small emblem on the front. It was pretty standard. So I paired the looked with my black-on-black Converse lo-tops. Godric and Michael were both waiting for me downstairs when I went down. We left shortly after.

The ride over was relatively quiet. I was kind of nervous for my first day. Waitressing was going to be a new experience for me. As if sensing my agitation (which he probably did), Godric reached out and placed his hand over mine. "I'm sure that everything will be fine," he reassured me. I smiled gratefully at him, placing my other hand over his. When that one once again fell idly in my lap, I noted that he did not remove his hand. And I did not force the matter.

"You must be Aline Herveaux," a man maybe five or so years older than me greeted when I walked in. Michael had walked in a few minutes prior, acting as a patron of the diner. Godric had opted to wait outside until I could allow him to enter through the back entrance. (It wasn't that he needed an invitation because it was a public venue, but the door didn't open from the outside.) He would probably spend most of his time here in Sam's office. Unless he and Michael decided to switch positions. But that wasn't really any concern of mine to worry about. As far as Sam and the rest of the staff knew, I was simply one of Eric's possessions that he wanted to guard from, well, anyone that wasn't him or someone he had given permission to be around me.

"Sam Merlotte?" I reasoned.

"Glad to see you found the place with little trouble," he grinned. "Here, I'll introduce you to the staff tonight." He led me around to the other staff members, briefly introducing me to each one. He then supplied me with a pad, paper, and small apron-type thing. (The exact name of which escapes me.) "Have you ever waited tables before?"

"No," I admitted. "But I catch on quickly."

"I have a good feeling about you," he said warmly. "Otherwise I wouldn't have hired you." I nodded nervously.

Waitressing wasn't as bad as it sounded, actually. I think my father was just a brilliant over-reactor. And the tips weren't so bad, either. Plus it kept my hands pretty busy. I liked that. One of the other waitresses, a pretty blonde with deep chocolate eyes, came over to me during some down time. I think Sam said her name was Sookie Stackhouse. The name didn't really ring any bells. "How are you liking your first day?"

At least she was polite enough. "I like it," I replied honestly. "The people seem pretty nice so far."

"They are for the most part," she nodded. "Some of them can be pretty unpleasant."

"Yeah, I can imagine they could be." I made a mental note not to mention the company I kept. Then, with a surprise, I realized that the woman who was being so damn friendly was a telepath. My mind automatically went into a tighter lockdown than Fort Knox.

"Sorry," she said, embarrassed at having been caught. Then a funny look crossed her face. "Wait, how did you know?"

"I've always been able to," I answered vaguely.

"So there are more of us?"

Not quite an us category, but sure. "I've only met a few other people who could. My father could. It tends to be hereditary." She pondered this newfound information. "You don't tend to broadcast this, do you?"

"No," I said firmly. "I try not to let too many people catch on to it. So I'd appreciate it if—"

"It never happened," she smiled. We were cast into an awkward silence then. "So you're the human everyone is talking about that's with Eric?"

"You know him?"

"Unfortunately." There was a disgruntled dislike in her voice.

"He's not all bad." There was honesty in mine. "He mainly does that for show."

"He also hits on everyone for show?" I stared at her. "Sorry, that was rude of me."

"We're all rude, really. We just disguise it most of the time. But vampires aren't exactly known for being monogamous all the time. Hell, even some people aren't. What he does with other women is no concern of mine," I shook my head. "And he has already told me that I'm free to roam if I want to. Currently, I don't want to." I grinned. "Dealing with one vampire is quite enough."

"I know what you mean about that," she laughed before going to seat the newest bar patrons. I stared after her, in thought, before going to refill some of my area's drinks. She was quite the interesting human. When I returned to the bar area, Sam waved me over.

"How're you liking your first day so far?"

"I love it," I replied honestly. "The people are mostly friendly and the atmosphere is good."

"I'm happy to hear that," he grinned. "Because I'd like to offer you this position full-time."

"Good deal, Mr. Merlotte," I returned his grin and shook his outstretched hand.

"Please, call me Sam, Aline."

"Sam," I nodded with a small smile. Finally the night came to a slow close. When all of the patrons had exited, Godric came out of Sam's office. "If you weren't already dead, I would say you look bored to death," I teased lightly. He smiled.

"I do not mind waiting for you," he replied honestly. Michael came over.

"I'm gonna go stretch my legs. Make sure she don't do nothin' stupid," he drawled, elbowing me in my side. I stuck my tongue out in retaliation before going about my business.

"I still feel kind of bad that Eric roped you into doing this," I admitted. "I'm sure you have better things to do with your time."

"You would be surprised," he mused. "Though I suppose I'm unofficially on vacation."

"Vacation?"

"I am the sheriff of Area Nine."

"Eric neglects to mention a lot."

"He never has been the sharing kind. I fear I may be to blame for that reinforcement." Suddenly, something in my brain clicked as I looked at him in realization.

"You're Eric's maker."

"He really has left you uninformed."

"People seem to be doing that lately," I grumbled, wiping down the countertop a bit harder than necessary. Sam must have noticed the exchange because he moved closer.

"You alright, Aline?"

"I'm okay," I replied. "He's a friend." He nodded, moving only slightly out of earshot. I noted that Sam was oddly protective of people—perhaps he was some kind of canine shifter? I could smell shifter all over him, but I wouldn't be able to know the exact type of animal he preferred unless I actually asked him about it. Or cheated and used my telepathic powers. But that would draw too much attention to me.

"You make friends rather quickly," Godric noted, his gaze straying over my shoulder. I followed his glance just in time to see Sookie look away and pretend to be intently listening to the other waitress, Arlene.

"I must just be likeable," I chuckled.

It was a few hours before the restaurant was completely set up for the next day and the three of us returned to Eric's home. It was still relatively early, however, because Eric wasn't even back from Fangtasia when we got back. My brother, however, was waiting for us on the front porch. He nearly knocked me over in a hug when he got to me.

"Oh thank god you're okay," he breathed, planting a kiss on my forehead. He then proceeded to draw me into another bone crushing hug. I wriggled out of his grasp, confusion on my features.

"Alcide, what's going on?"

He paused. "We found out exactly which vampire it is that wants you in his collection," he said vaguely.

"And?"

His eyes met Godric's. "Does the name Russell Edgington mean anything to you?"

Godric's eyebrows raised lightly. "Unfortunately so. Are you positive that it's him?"

"Dad and I got paid a visit by his lackeys last night."

"Were you followed?" Michael asked, his eyes already scanning the horizon. He inhaled deeply, smelling the area.

"No, I made sure of it," Alcide said firmly. Then he turned to Godric. "What do you know about this vampire?"

"He's very unsympathetic toward humans. I suppose that he never really did leave the barabarous age he came from."

"Great. So what you're saying is that this man probably won't have any problem gutting anyone that tries to help me?" I asked. Godric nodded.

"I am afraid so."

"Then I should be removed from Eric's custody." Alcide gaped at me, grabbing my shoulders firmly.

"What the hell are you talking about? Eric is old enough to protect you better than me or Dad."

"I didn't mean to return home," I admitted. "I can't put you all in danger if all he really wants is me."

"You're insane."

"It's why you love me," I replied dismissively.

"What seems to be the problem?" Eric asked, appearing on his front porch with a look of mild interest.

"Russell Edgington wants me to be his personal Barbie doll."

"Edgington? Are you sure?"

"Dad and I were paid a visit from some of his men," Alcide nodded.

"This isn't good," Eric frowned. He glanced at Godric, as if asking a silent question. Well, he probably was since most maker and progeny vampires are bonded. Unless the maker releases the progeny. But I highly doubt that Godric would do that to Eric.

Godric nodded, his brows furrowed. Alcide studied the two suspiciously.

"Godric has agreed to stay here as long as he possibly can," Eric surmised. "He is twice my age but not nearly as old as Edgington. Having him here will be an advantage in front of the Authority providing that he has not wrapped them around his finger."

"They'll take both of your ages into combination?"

"Yes," Eric nodded. "Provided Edgington hasn't charmed the Authority into believing that his way is the right way. He has a habit of doing so."

"Can't you get to them first then?" Alcide questioned.

"Doing that would risk exposing your sister," Godric replied. "That would be a most grievous error because there are vampires on the authority that are far older than Russell and myself combined. It is better if she remains as anonymous as possible."

"So, in other words, I'm being babysat by vampires for the rest of my life," I frowned. That would take awhile. The fairy blood in me made me physically stop aging at eighteen. We weren't sure exactly what would happen to me eventually because, well, there aren't a plethora of fairies willing to pop up and spill the beans to me.

"Only until we can find a way to get rid of Edgington," Eric replied. Alcide looked up at him curiously.

"You would break vampire laws for Ali?"

"As hard as it is for you people to believe, he is capable of feelings," I snapped before Eric could reply.

"Your sister has proven herself to be a loyal friend," he smiled cockily at me. "So, yes, I would do everything in my power to protect her."

"As would I," Godric nodded.

"Aw, hell kid, you know I love you," Michael grinned at me.

"Good," Alcide nodded at them. "Because if not, I will find out where you fuckers rest. And it won't be pretty."

"Alcide," I smacked his chest.

"Blood or not, you're still my baby sister," he grinned at me. "I have to make sure you're in good hands."

"Between you and Jackson, it's a wonder I've ever managed to get out of the house at all," I muttered.

"That's only because we believe you too much."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That's the biggest lie to ever believe."

"Hey! I can think of worse!"

Alcide raised his eyebrows at me.

"Okay, only a little bit. But still."

"But still nothing," Alcide chuckled.