I'm sooooo sorry for the late update. It's been almost a month and I feel bad :-( Been busy with school and work. Managed to get this out, hope you enjoy :-D Feel free to review! :-D

Chapter 11 – The Trial

'That's ridiculous!' I yelled at Janus. 'Eric didn't do anything 'intentionally', he's a vampire! What did you expect?'

'Annabelle, calm down,' Faunus said soothingly. We were in Spirit and I had been arguing with Janus for what felt like the last five hours, although there wasn't such a thing as time in Spirit. Everything just stood still. It hadn't gone well when they had arrived at my home. Eric had gone on a blood bender and tried to attack them. Of course he hadn't been able to. He had been silvered and taken to a holding cell on a floor beneath us. That left me to plead his case which wasn't exactly easy. See Spirit wasn't peaceful or beautiful, it was... normal. The places I had been able to see were just normal offices or exercise rooms. There weren't any exits so you could only project, that way the only ones that could get into Spirit had to be angels or escorted by them: like Eric and I had. It minimalized attacks on the Elders. Every now and again pain-filled screams seeped into the room where we were debating. Luckily they weren't Eric's. The room was completely white, white columns on either side of the narrow pathway, leading up to where the judges were positioned. I had never been here before but then again I had never stood trial before. The room was practically emitting a white light, the only color being my black shorts from my uniform. The judges sat at an elevated table, watching us argue. I was to defend Eric while Janus and Faunus, the children of Dyaus, were arguing against me. I could tell the judges had already made up their minds. I mean, the children of their leader wasn't going to lose such a simple case. Even I couldn't deny that Eric had killed Sophia.

'He killed and sucked the blood of one of our own, surely there is nothing to discuss!' Janus said raising her voice for conviction.

'She shouldn't have been there to begin with! It wasn't his fault-' I felt like crying which only served to make me more angry '-he doesn't even know who he is!'

The judges consisted of Alcaous, the youngest Elder of all time, he looked like he was in his early twenties only he had lived for thousands of years. I do see the vampire-irony, yes. There was Theron, a cold son of a bitch, he looked like he was in his fifties. Some say that he was the first Elder and a personal friend of Dyaus'. And lastly there was Euphemia, she was stunning; almost looking like Godiva, the nicest Elder I had ever met, she seemed refreshingly human. She was the only reason I kept arguing for Eric. I hadn't lost yet.

'The vampire is even more of a liability because of that. He could kill a human next. Maybe even Annabelle-'

'No, he wont!'

'- She is much to important for that to happen.'

' No, I'm not. I'm done with you. Can't you just leave me alone?'

'Annabelle dear, calm yourself. We are only having this trial because of you otherwise your vampire would have been truly dead by now.' Euphemia said. She managed to sound caring even though all I wanted to do was rip somebody apart.

'Then want do you want?' I said, crossing my arms. If they were only having the trial because of me then they were expecting something back. They always did.

'We have a charge for you.' The moment those words left Euphemias lips a huge brickwall surrounded me. No. I was refusing to listen to anything they said. I just had to find another way to free Eric.

'No.'

'Annabelle please, all you have to do is train him.'

'No.'

'We need his help to defeat a coven of witches, the same coven who erased your vampires memory.'

'No.'

'The charge is lost. All you have to do is to help him realize his gift and your vampire is free.' Seriously, enough with the 'your vampire'-comments. I was not nor would I ever again going to be their little puppet. Once I start I would never be able to get out of their grasp. But they would free Eric which was my main objective at this point.

'And you'll leave me alone afterward.'

'That doesn't sound like a request.' Faunus said, raising an eyebrow.

'It's not.'

'You know that is not possible. You are forever connected to Spirit. We will always be able to feel you.'

'I don't care what you feel as long as I never see any of you again.'

'Very well.' He looked thoughtful for a moment. 'You will need a new guardian.'

'No, thanks.'

'This cannot be discussed... Hanna!' He called out and I felt my body freeze.

'What? NO!' I screamed, before seeing the looks on their faces and regaining my composure. 'Anyone but her.' Hanna was the most self-righteous, stuck-up, smug, snob ever to be in existence and as one can imagine... I don't like her!

'Don't get your panties in a bunch, little girl.' I heard from behind me, turning I see a red mane, pale skin and lots of black leather. 'It's only for a little while...' She had the smuggest grin I had ever seen planted on her face, it would definitely give Eric a run for his money.,,, But Eric would win. And I'm only saying that because I hate Hanna... I think. 'Besides, I'm more into that vampire of yours.'

'Go to hell.'

'Already been. Not as fun as you'd think.'

'Alcaous...' I pleaded. I didn't want her. I didn't need her. And I most definitely wasn't having her.

'I'm sorry Annabelle, it is done.' He said, sounding final on the subject. 'We will meet to talk about the details some other time. Now you must go home and rest.'

'What about Er-' Too late. I was in my living room. The cool night air whipping into the living room through an open window. I didn't have time to worry about freezing. I needed Eric back! 'HANNA! GET YOU BUTT DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!'

'Relax, I'm here already.' I heard from behind me, holding back a squeal before turning to see her in all her leathery un-glory. Anger rushing over me the moment I saw that smirk.

'Take me back!'

She looked thoughtful for moment before her lips quirked upwards into that god-awful smirk. 'Fine, this will be fun.' She grabbed me by my waist and I seriously thought about punching her in the face. She projected us back to Spirit and I sprinted towards the first person I saw which happened to be Alcaous. Standing next to him was Faunus, they seemed to have been discussing something.

'I want to see Eric.' I said breathlessly, coming to a halt in front of them.

'Pardon me.' Faunus said, turning toward me.

'I. Want. To. See. Eric.' I was seething.

'That is out of the question. You haven't -'

'Let her see the vampire.' Alcaous said, he looked a little sad which was weird because he was always happy or at least peaceful.

'Your majesty she has not yet-'

'Are you questioning my authority?'

'No, my lord.'

'Thank you.' I said, smiling at him and catching a glimpse of Faunus' obvious displeased look. Hanna grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me toward the holding cells.

'Eric, I'm so sorry.' I said as I sat gently down on the bed he was laying on. I had stood in the doorway afraid to go in before one of the guards had told me to 'get inside or get lost.' Ancient mythical creature? I think not.

'Annabelle... I...' His eyes fluttered open and he tried to lift his hand but it was of no use, I could almost see the bones from where the chains were embedded.

'I-I can't take the chains off. I'm sorry.'

'Please...' His eyes were closed, teeth clenched as he spoke those words. Words I knew the Great Eric Northman had never spoken before in his entire life- eh, existence. It broke my heart to see him lay there, in pain, pain that he shouldn't even be in. It was my stupid guardian angel, it was my life he was stepping into. And now he had to wait, wrapped up in silver until I got this stupid charge-business over with.

'Okay... lay still.' I said, making up my mind that if he was staying here then he shouldn't be in pain. I cupped his cheek, brushing it slightly with my thumb. He sighed, closing his eyes and relaxing into my touch. 'I'm going to the chains off now.' I said softly.

'Mmmhh.' Was all I heard before, getting to work on the chains. The ones embedded in his wrist and ankles weren't that bad. It was the ones on his neck that worried me. I think Eric sensed my worry because he tensed, staring at my with those blue orbs.

'Just do it.' He said slowly and I grabbed each end, urging him to be quiet. I ripped them off in one fast tug, Eric screaming senselessly at the top of his lungs. I threw the chains down, smoothing back his hair and trying to get him to calm down and he did eventually.

5 minutes later

'You're not healing! Why aren't you healing?'

It had been five minutes and the huge gashes were still etched into Eric's skin, not having healed in the slightest. I was starting to panic. Hell, I was well into panic. His head was in my lap, his eyes still closed as they had been the last five minutes. I was smoothing back his hair soothingly and he looked like he was sleeping.

'The- The silver is stronger. Enchanted.' he croaked out, pain evident in his voice.

'But you had all that angel-blood.' I whispered, confused. 'Eric, please just heal-' I nudged at his shoulders '- I can ask for some TruBlood.'

'That will not help-'

'How do you know? Eric please, please, just let me help you.'

'Okay...'

I got him the TruBlood but not without Hanna making a huge deal about projecting down to the human realm to 'get blood for some vampire.' I told her that unless she wanted to follow in Sophia's footsteps she'd better get a move on it. And to my huge pleasure she was out of there before you could even say 'vampire.' Ten minutes after he had gulped it down he still had those huge burns where the silver used to be.

'It's not working,' I groaned. Eric wasn't moving. He had closed his eyes a little while ago. It was creepy to say the least: He looked dead, like really dead. 'Eric?' I nudged him a little. His eyes fluttered open but closed shortly after. 'Are you okay?'

'I'll be fine.'

'Eric.' His eyes were still closed. 'Look at me.' He didn't. I brushed my hair away from my neck and onto one shoulder. His eyes shot open. 'I trust you.'

'Please, don't say that if you don't mean it.'

'I should be afraid of you but I'm not. I... I trust you.' I did trust him, more than I wanted to acknowledge. The way he was reminded me so much of my past but I didn't want to leave him here, not after I had promised Pam to keep him safe.

'I will not betray you.'

'I'll hold you to that.' I laughed. Eric sat up and ran his nose against my jaw, down my throat and across my collarbone. He inhaled for a long moment and slowly stroked my arm to calm me. His fangs were in my neck before I knew it had happened. I gasped, grasping onto his shoulder. He grabbed my hair, pulling me closer to him. It didn't hurt the least bit. It felt... nice. Heat started to form between my legs and I shuffled around a bit to try and keep from moaning. Eric growled into my neck as I grabbed onto him more tightly. He moved his hands to the side of my neck that didn't have his fangs in and pushed himself away from me. He was snarling, my blood coating his lips. He kept his eyes on mine before his eyes turned soft again.

'Thank you.'

'No biggie.' I breathed after I moment, I felt my face begin to redden. Good one Andy. 'No biggie' really? What is this high school? He must think I'm a dork. Eric moved closer and slowly started to lick at the bite mark.

'Eric...' I half moaned.

'Forgive me, Annabelle.' He kept licking.

'For what.' I breathed, not able to speak any louder for fear of jumping him right then and there.

'I have... complicated your life.' He said into my neck, I nearly passed out from pleasure.

'Stop.'

'If it were not for me you would -'

'Eric.'

'I will not blame you if you decide to-' I pushed him back so I could look into his eyes, anger suddenly flaring.

'Eric, stop!' 'I will get us out of this and you will be punished.'

'Will you be administrating the punishment?'

'I might' I said playfully and Eric soon had that signature smirk on his face, if not slightly obscured,. It quickly faded.

'I am truly sorry, Annabelle.'

'Don't be. And call me Andy.'

'If you kiss me I promise to meet the true death happy.'

'Don't be silly, Eric.'

'I'm not.' His breath danced across my lips. They were inches away from touching and I could almost taste him. He cupped my cheek with his large hands

'I have to go...' I whispered.

'Why?' He hadn't moved away from me. His eyes were closed as were mine.

'I'll see you in a little while.' I mumbled , stumbling over my words. I got up quickly and walked over to the glass cell door. I could feel Eric's eyes on me and I cursed the guards for taking forever to open the door. I was almost shaking and nearly sprinted out of the cell to a grinning Hanna. I wanted to smack her so bad!