Author's Note: This chapter contains swearing, graphic scenes and adult content-be aware of what you read.
The Princess and the Sheriff
The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
-Jules (Pulp Fiction (1994))
Chapter 5: Sanctuary
The next night…
Lennie was in the shower; hot water poured over her. She heard Eric enter the room; she slid back the glass door. He smiled at her; she returned it. He pulled of his shirt and undid his jeans. A moment later he stood with her in the shower. She laughed gently as he ran his hands down her wet skin.
"Good evening to you too," She kissed him.
**
The drive to the out skirts of Dallas was quiet; Lennie stared out the window, watching as the city lights faded. They were going to meet Isabelle; Eric had agreed to talk with her. It seemed she was the only one willing to listen to reason.
"I will stay out of sight," Lennie told him as they approached the Fellowship compound.
Eric parked, looking at her as he turned off the engine. "You know he's in there; why not go in and get him?"
"He would not want it; besides, I told you earlier, I was ordered away. I am here because you are. I will not disobey him."
Eric sighed, he looked out the windshield; "He's so close; we could storm in there and get him. It would take only minutes to do it."
She knew that and it went against her nature to not follow through. "What of your blonde human?"
He glanced at her again, "You mean Sookie?"
Lennie nodded, "Her brother is a traitor; he is a Solider of the Sun."
He was quiet for a minute, "I didn't know that."
"Will you still allow them both in your lands? He will kill you if you let him back."
Eric sighed, "Sookie will never be agreeable if her brother dies."
Lennie narrowed her eyes, "And she means a lot to you?"
He was quiet, "She is very useful."
"Fine," Lenny couldn't believe she was saying this, "I will handle Jason Stackhouse."
Eric frowned, looking at her. "I've heard you say that before. Humans die when you talk like that."
She got out of the car, "Trust me." She shut the door and blurred into the darkness as she moved.
Isabelle's car pulled up a moment later. She stepped out and Eric sighed. He joined her and they studied the compound.
Lennie watched from the rooftop of the church a few feet behind them. Isabelle was unaware of her presence. She didn't bother to listen to what they said. She looked to the compound. Her Maker was in there; she could have easily breached the building and gotten him out. It was next to impossible for her to stand here and do nothing. But he had ordered her to stillness. So she was still.
Isabelle turned and headed back to her car. She drove off and Eric looked up at the church; a moment later Lennie stood beside him.
"I can't go in until I know for sure that Godric is there."
Lennie frowned at him, "And you don't believe me?"
"I do," Eric put his hands on her shoulders, "But I cannot explain this to the others without a back up story. You've stayed out of it this long; do you really want to step in now?"
She shook her head, "No, but when you go in, I come with you."
They drove back to Dallas. Eric and Lenny entered the hotel lobby; Lennie stopped suddenly, stepping behind a corner. Eric paused then he saw what made her stop. Stan Davis was standing with his back to them. Isabelle was beside him. Eric glanced at Lennie; she nodded. He moved on without her.
She watched as Eric joined the other two; a moment later they were on the elevator, heading up. She ran over to the stairs and blurred herself to the seventh floor. She pulled open the stairwell door as the elevator bell dinged. Eric stepped off; she caught his eye before closing the door.
From behind the door; she could hear them move along the hall. Stan was talking shit trying to get a rise out of Eric. Her fists clenched at her sides the more she heard. Eric's voice reached her; a moment later, there was a thud and the wall shook.
Lennie counted several minutes before opening the door again. The hallway was clear. She blurred to Eric's room and knocked once. He opened the door; stepping aside. She entered his room and turned to look at him.
"Do you want me to handle Stan?" She asked.
He gave a slight shake of the head. "No, he's, as you say, insignificant."
Lennie crossed her arms, "So now what?"
"We wait," Eric crossed to the chair in front of the television. He used the remote to turn it on. "If we don't hear from Sookie or Hugo," he glanced at her, "We will go in before dawn."
Lennie sat on the end of the bed; her hands rested on the mattress. She stared at the carpet for several minutes. "I can't just sit here."
"I'll come get you before I leave."
Lennie stood up and left his room; the sounds of television followed her. She made a stop at her room; changing to fresh clothes. That's when she noticed a change in her room. It was subtle. Humans wouldn't have noticed it. And that's when she heard the soft thudding sound; it thudded faster as she listened. She crossed to the closet, studying the door. It was open by an inch; she hadn't left it open. Reaching out she gently nudged the door open with her fingertips.
The human lunged out, the doors banged open; she blurred backward. He stood in the centre of her room; stake in one hand, silver chain in the other.
"This is the second attempt you dicks have made in just as many days," Lennie's fangs snapped down, "What is you about me you are so worried about?"
He didn't answer her; just ran at her. She stood there for a second, almost feeling sorry for him. Did they not train their soldiers how to fight properly? Lennie stepped to the left; easily avoiding him.
"Now! Do it now!" He shouted.
The door to her room was kicked in. Two men rushed inward. One grabbed her in a bear hug; the other threw silver around her neck. Lennie went to her knees as the metal seared her skin. She could feel her strength draining. The man on her back made a grab for the metal strand. Lennie thrust her elbows backward. They connected with his ribs; the bones shattered. He screamed, falling away from her.
Her limbs were starting to fall into paralysis. She looked to the door and aimed carefully. Throwing herself to the side, the chain looped over the door handle. She twisted herself around, the chain caught on the door; the metal slid along her flesh as it was pulled off. Smoke curled up slowly; she hissed at the pain. Hitting the floor she rolled away. She lay on her back; breathing quickly. Her skin already began to heal.
The two humans left standing converged on her. The third was still on the floor, screaming in agony.
One of them leapt at her as she lay on the floor. She caught him with both hands and threw him backward. He hit the far wall; but to his credit, he kept to his feet. Lennie came to her feet and faced them. They both held stakes.
The one closest to her jumped forward; she caught his wrist in one hand, twisting it until the bones snapped. The stake clattered to the floor. Her other hand punched forward; more bones snapped as his heart was crushed in his chest. He gagged, coughed, and fell back.
I'm sorry Godric, She thought sadly; I couldn't keep my promise to you. She watched as the man hit the floor dead.
She turned to face the last of them. He ran at her; but not like the first had. He ran low; aiming for the midsection. Lennie caught him by the shoulders; throwing him up and over her head. She spun around and yanked him toward the floor. He slammed into the floor; the surface splintered and cracked. She straddled him; wrenching the stake from his hand. One hand clamped over his mouth; the other fastened both his wrists to the floor above his head.
He screamed but it was muffled; no one would hear him. He struggled under her; his body twisting as his legs kicked uselessly into the air. He tried bucking her off; but she gripped with her thighs; like one would to ride a horse.
"Do that again and I'll crush your ribs." She said quietly.
He lay still under her.
Lennie slowly removed her hand from his mouth. His eyes were wide with fear but he didn't make a single sound. She studied him; he was a young man. Only slightly older then she had been before she became vampire.
"Why do they send children to fight in a man's war?" She asked
"What? I don't get it."
"How old are you?" She asked calmly.
He blinked at her a few times, "I'm…I'm twenty."
"Is that all?" She smiled, "You're older than I was."
He blinked again, "I am?"
She nodded, "But times were different then. I was a woman at my age; considered to be old even."
He looked her over; his eyes moving as he studied her face. "You don't look older then eighteen."
Lennie smiled, "I am much older then that." She asked the next question with a sadness in her voice. "Why did you join the Soldiers of the Sun, boy?"
He had calmed now, his body was relaxing under her. "Vampires are evil; it's the end of the world."
She tipped her head to the side, "Define evil for me in the context of vampires."
He gave her a puzzled expression, "I don't quite…"
"Tell me why vampires are evil!" She snapped, "Tell me why I am evil. Do I look evil? Do act as evil would? I can tell you about evil, boy. I can tell you stories that would frighten you to death."
"How old are you, really, I mean?" He asked
"Nine-hundred-and-ninety-six years old."
His eyes widened, "Whoa."
"I have seen things your mind will ever comprehend." Lennie leaned close to his face. "Did ever occur to your small, narrow self; that vampires are not evil at all, we are simply practical?"
He frowned at her, "You kill humans!"
"That is true, but so do you." She tapped his forehead, "Your kind has slaughtered each other since before time was recorded."
"No," He shook his head wildly side to side, "You're trying to glamour me."
She grabbed his jaw with her free hand, forcing him to look at her. "IF I was trying to do that, boy, you would be my bitch by now. I could make you do things that your Christian soul would burn for. So let me ask you; why have I not done these things?"
He stared at her; it took several moments for him to have answer, "Because you chose not to."
"Correct." She released his jaw; there would be a bruise in the morning. "If vampires were evil as you are indoctrinated to think, I would not have held back."
"That isn't reason enough for me to hold back." He said to her, still defying her logic.
Lennie sighed; okay, so reasoning with him was a bust. It was time to do this her way. She stood up, looking down at him. She stepped away from him, giving him room to stand. He picked up his stake off the floor. She held out a hand, waving him forward. He was shaking but still he was courageous. She admired him a way; he was brave. Not many humans were anymore.
The boy ran at her; to her surprise, and pleasure, he didn't just go straight at her. He came toward her and threw a punch before bringing his stake toward her. Lennie caught the left-handed fist in her right hand; locking his arm against her stomach. She brought her left fist across his head; the blow would stun him. She held back from crushing his skull. He staggered, going to his knees. His right hand still gripped the stake tightly. Lennie backed away from him. She hadn't had a challenge like this in years.
"Tell me your name, boy." She asked, giving him room to stand.
He came slowly to his feet, shaking his head as he rose. "Kevin."
"Nice to meet you, Kevin."
"What's yours?" He blinked to clear his vision as he focused on her.
"Lennie,"
He blinked again, "The movie star?"
She nodded, a smile played across her lips. "The very same. Shall we go again?"
He answered her by coming at her again. Lennie caught his right arm; throwing him over her shoulder. He went flying and slammed into the wall near the window.
She felt Eric's presence and turned her head. He stared at her room for a moment; his blues sparkled with contained laughter. His face blank. His gaze went over the two bodies on the floor. He looked at her; his expression was amused.
"Finish up and meet me down stairs." Eric said coolly and continued down the hall.
"Right," Lennie faced Kevin again; he was struggling to get to his feet. She crossed to him. Grabbing the front of his shirt she held him off the floor, over her head.
"Don't take this personally," She said, "It's just practical." She threw him out the window. She followed; keeping his body under her as she gauged the distance to the pool. His body would absorb the impact if she missed the water.
Kevin screamed as they plunged seven stories down to earth. At the last second she leapt off him; pushing with all her strength. She soared through the air, like something out the Matrix films. She landed in a crouch on the deck. Kevin hit the pool, water flew into the sky. Lennie he stood up, with a smile and walked away. Water slammed back to earth, soaking those around the pool. People shrieked and screamed; running around her as she made her way to the lobby.
Eric stepped off the elevator as she reached the front door. He crossed to her; not even paying attention to the chaos around him. Humans were running to the pool area.
"Nice exit strategy," he told her as they left the hotel.
"Thanks,"
They made it to his car and climbed in. Eric drove them to the compound. It didn't take long to get there.
They sat in the parking lot, near the back. There were a lot of cars parked here. Lennied stared at the bright, neon sign with the glowing yellow sun on it. FELLOWSHIP OF THE SUN CHURCH was written in more yellow lights under it.
"So just to be clear," He said as he watched the lot, "You don't have to hold back."
She looked at him, "You're going to let me kill humans?"
"If you think its necessary, yes. I trust your judgement." He paused, considering, "This shouldn't take more then a few minutes anyway."
"Rescues never go as planned," She reminded him, "Remember Paris during the Revolution?"
He smiled at her, "That was a haphazard rescue."
"I hadn't expected the villagers to set enitre building on fire. They ended up burning themsevles to death."
"You shoved me out of a window, ten floors up." Eric reminded her.
Lennie shook her head, "Whatever, you could have flown out of there anyway."
"Then what would you have done, had I left?"
She shrugged, "I don't know; you took me with you when you fell out the window."
They both stared at the church for a moment. The sky sparkled with stars above them; somewhere in the moon watched over the city. It was a wonderful night. The kind for strolling with your loved one. A night for poetry, for songs of love, for happy times.
Lennie sighed gently; she had no one to stroll with anymore. She had no one to quote poetry with; or a reason to sing of love. Happy times had come and gone for her. She looked to Eric; well, perhaps not gone yet. The last couple of nights, spent in his bed, in his arms. Had been the happiest in a very long time. He was incredibly skilled in the bedroom. But more then that; he had held her while she cried; even if he was dead at the time. He accepted her without exceptions. He hugged her and kissed her. She mattered, at least on some level, to him. And in that moment, she was grateful beyond words for him.
She moved to speak, to tell him she loved him; but Eric spoke first, "If you happen to find yourself in a position to kill the leader, then do so."
She nodded silently. Her dreamy feelings faded away as the cool darkness inside, spead throug her. She slipped into battle mode without thinking.
He looked at her, his expression was very serious. "Do not come in unless you have to."
She stared at him for a moment, "Why not? I could help you."
"I have spent the most time away from Godric. I know how you feel about his decision. I can distance myself more easily. I've seen you loose your temper before. You are not in full control of yourself in this matter."
She sighed, he was right. "Very well, I will wait out here."
Eric got out of the car and headed toward the church. He vanished around a corner, heading toward the back entrance. Lennie rolled her head back against the rest. The silence was too deep. She stared at the family minivans, the assorted compact cars. Most of them were plastered with stickers proclaiming everything from: VAMPIRES-BEST SERVED CRISPY to GOD HATES FANGS to IMMORTALITY IS FOR SUCKERS:CHOOSE LIFE.
"Fuck this," She climbed out of the car; slamming the door behind her. She jogged across the lot, headed toward the main church building.
She paused near the front doors. Dozens of humans were milling about inside; shaking hands, talking, smiling. Children played as they chased each other around. It looked like a regular gathering of psychos on a normal night.
Lennie didn't miss the armed men with stakes standing guard. She kept clear of the sightlines from the door; nearing the exterior wall. Looking up, at the sound of footsteps above her. She saw the guard on the roof. She put her fingers against the wall. The material was man-made, easy to break through. She dug in slightly with her fingertips and the wall cracked; five holes for her fingers to grip. She reached up and the repeated motion. She climbed up the wall of the church. Near the roof she peeked over and waited until the guard turned his back. Vaulting over the roof, she landed softly and ran across it silently. Keeping low to the ground; she neared the skylights. Crouching down she peered through the window. The sanctuary was full of people: men, women and children, all huddled together. There were sleeping bags, pillows, children's toys. It looked like a sleep-over was about to start.
An alarm cut through the night air; lights flashed throughout the bulding like strobes of blinding light. They reminded Lennie of camera flashes.
"Fellow worshipers, we are under attack, the Day of Reckoning is upon us." A man's voice said.
Lennie frowned; she knew that voice, Steve Newlin. She searched the area for him; but he wasn't anywhere in sight.
"Do not fear, my brothers and sisters, our Soldiers of the Sun are on the way. They will protect us." He was speaking through a PA system; it was probably a pre-recorded speech. He seemed the type of crazy to have a speech written for this kind of thing.
Lennie watched the crowd flee the sanctuary. Men stood at the main doors guiding them outside. Most of the members ran into the parking lot. She heard children crying as their parents hustled into their cars. A few moments later she saw the sanctuary doors open below her; Eric was guiding the blonde woman down the main aisle. He was looking around as they moved.
"Where's the exit?" he asked.
"Over that," She ran toward the altar.
Lennie saw Steve Newlin step out of the door they had been going to ward. He was dressed in a rediculously white suit. He smiled and it reminded of her every crazy-assed moron she'd ever seen on television. He looked like someone who should carry a big, huge sign that proclaimed: I HAVE RELIGION IN MY LIFE! YES, I AM COMPLETELY INSANE! PRAISE HIS NAME!
Eric moved to sheild the woman. Other Fellowship members came through the main doors at his back. They carried silver chains and stakes; there had to be a dozen of them.
Lennie sighed, "So much for a planned rescue, Eric."
"Hey! You!"
Lennie looked over her shoulder, three men were approaching her, they were armed with stakes. She sighed, casting one last glance at Eric down below. He could take care of himself. She stood up and faced the approaching men.
These humans knew how to fight; someone had trained them well. Lennie ducked under a punch; blocking a strike from the side. She threw a kick to the back and heard a man grunt; he went to his knees. She grabbed the one in front and hurled him to the side. The two men collided and fell; scrambling over each other to regain their feet. She spun around, grabbing the man on his knees. With a quick motion she snapped his neck. Dropping his body, she used her arm to block a high kick to her head.
Down below, in the parking lot she heard several cars arrive. Stan's voice reached her as she wrestled with the two men on the roof.
"Let's go boys!" He sounded way too happy, "Let's kill us some humans!"
There was a cheer among his followers. They moved toward the church.
"Shit," Lennie cursed, she quickly finished off the other two. Tossing them aside, she turned. Running back to the skylight she looked down. What she saw sent into her to a rage. "Shit! Shit! And double fuck!"
Eric was on the altar; his jacket had been removed. Silver chains held him prone as it burned his pale skin; smoke curled up from his flesh. His gaze focused on her; he couldn't move. Lennie gave a nod.
"I offer myself in exchange for...." His voice was strained as he spoke.
She smashed her fist through the glass; no one heard it. She was at least three hundred feet up. Climbing onto the window frame, she aimed carefully. She could make it to the rafters. She adjusted her position slighltly. She balanced on the balls of her feet. In position to dive through the opening. After a moment of quick planning; she dropped herself, head first through the hole. Her hands reached for and grabbed the nearest beam; she swung herself around it; balancing on the balls of her feet as she crouched on the beam. She was still in the lattice work of the ceiling; hundreds of feet above the main area. Voices reached her but she ignored them. She launched herself to the next beam. They were spaces about ten feet apart; some were angled down, others intersected at odd points. The cross-shaped pattern wasn't lost to her.
"They need a new architect." She muttered, she leapt forward again, she landed on a lower beam.
She slid down another beam; her feet touched down. Lennie balacned like a gymnist; running along it. She jumped, her body angled downward. She grabbed the beam she needed. Settling herself on balls of her feet; she rubbed her hands. She looked at them; startled that they were burning and bright red. Taking a moment she studied the wood; she could see it now, thin, almost invisible sparkles of silver.
"Fucking bastards," She rubbede her hands on her jeans again. Her skin was stinging like fire-ants were chewing at her flesh.
They had coated the beams using a varnish mixed with silver-dust. Now she knew they were crazy bastards, every last one of them. She had to change her approach; lingering on these beams was not a good idea. She shook her head; focusing on reaching Eric. She aimed for the next beem; and launched herself. This time she grabbed the beam only long enough to swing around once, picking up speed for her release. Letting go; she willed herself to land on the four inch wide surface. She landed, but momentum pushed her over; even vampires were suspectible some of the laws of physchics. Lennie was pitched over and had to grab wildly for the closest beam. Her fingers dug intot he wood; fire exploded her hands. She grit her teeth to keep from making a sound. She managed to land and shook her hands. It hurt like a mother-fudge. Thankfully it was only a mininmal wound and her flesh was healed in moments. Still the pain lingered in her mind. It made her more cautious. It took several minutes for her to reach the lower levels.
Steve's voice reached her, "Perhaps we should tie her to you and watch as you both burn." He approached Sookie, "I bet she would roast up real nice, like a marshellow."
"Stop it!" Sookie shouted, "He hasn't hurt anyone! This is stupid!"
Lennie made herself focus on her descent through the rafters. There was a twenty foot gap between the last beam and a safe place to land. She reached the last beam and stood for a moment. Eric's gaze found her. They stared at one another for a moment.
Bill ran in, "Sookie!"
"One step closer, vampire!" Steven had drawn a gun and it was pointed at Sookie. "I'll shoot her."
"You kill her and everyone here will die, starting with you." Bill's voice was edged with anger
Lennie used his entrance to launch herself through the air. Reaching with her hands, her knees pulled up to her chest. She landed, rolled across the surface and came up in a handstand. She gripped the edge of the flat surface she had aimed for. She glanced over the edge she held; at the floor below; another inch farther and she would hit the floor. Her balance wavered slightly as she exhaled. After a moment, she kicked her legs a little, giving herself momentum and did backward cartwheel and landed, silently, on her feet. That had been too close! Crossing to the other side of the platform she neared the edge and crouched down. Her long hair fell around her; shrouding her in darkness. Leaving her hair hanging around her, she studied her progess.
She was still a good hundred feet from Eric. But she was closer. One of the humans below her looked around the room; glancing up. She slid behind a wide metal tube; it was part of the pipe system for the ogran instrument below her. Better yet, no one had seen her. Eric had watched her move and their eyes met again. There was a whooshing in the distnace and the sanctuary doors slammed open. The humans scattered like frightened sheep. Stan Davis stood in the main aisle. The others fanned out around him.
"Steven Newlin! You have gone to far this time!" He smiled, flashing fangs. "We will kill you, like we did your father. Destroy them!"
Sookie spoke up, "This is crazy, just let us go!"
Steve's aim never wavered. "I am doing my duty to my lord and savior."
By this time, Stan had a human in a headlock, "Lets start with this one!" He was seconds away from striking. Lennie decided to move when Stan did.
Lennie heard a sound; like waves crashing on rocks or thunder rumbling in the skies before a storm. She turned sharply to her right; looking up. Godric!
"Enough!" His voice raised and carried easily; the authority behind it could move mountains.
Everyone looked over to him.
Bill ran for Sookie, shoving Newlin to the ground. The gun skittered across the floor, slidng under the front pew. Sookie threw her arms around him. After a moment, she ran to Eric. She worked quickly but gently, lifting the chain from his body. He blurred to his feet; his focus on the woman.
"Are you arlight?" he asked, reaching for her.
Bill appeared in front of Sookie, slapping Eric's hand away from her, "She will be fine!"
Lennie narrowed her eyes at the disiplay of disrespect toward her brother. She would really have to have words with Bill when this was over.
"Kill them!" Steve shouted. Lennied focused back on the church.
Lennie remained where she as; she was suddenly conflicted. Her Maker stood mere feet from her. She was suddenly at a loss to know what to do.
Eric grabbed Steve by the throat.
"This is Armageddon!" Steve shouted, "Kill them! We are righteous! Jesus is our protector." His made choking sounds as Eric squeezed tighter.
"I am actually older then your Jesus," Godric said calmly, "I wish I could have known him. But I missed it."
"I fear not the death before me!" Steve preached despite Eric's hold on his throat.
Godric appeared beside him; yanking the human to his feet. Steve was taller then the vampire that held him. But in that moment, Godric was the powerful one. "See where your beliefs have gotten you? Who among you will die for this man's madness?"
The humans began to move away slowly.
Steve hit the ground as Godric released him, "I dare say, my faith in mankind is stronger then yours."
Eric glanced at her; shaking his head slightly. She didn't move. He turned back to Godric.
"We will shed no blood here," Godric told the human at his feet. "Good people, look now, with your own eyes." He paused, the humans still backed away.
Steve got to his knees, he was close to Eric. "Go on!" Steve shouted, he tugged at hsi shirt collar, baring his throat to the Viking. "Kill me, make me a martyr."
Eric didn't move; Godric stepped up, the Viking moved back. His Maker looked at Steve, when his spoke his tone was calm. "We are going to leave; no one need die."
Steve shook his head, "His words are poison. Don't listen!"
Eric moved in a blur; stepping around Godric. He grabbed Steve again, yanked him down to the floor near the stairs and clenched his grip on the man's throat; silencing him.
"Sheriff, these people-" Stan never got to finish.
"They did me no harm," Godric, interupted, looking at him, "Come." Godric moved toward the doors; the vampires that had arrived with Stan, followed him.
"We are not leaving until they pay for their crimes!" Stan argued, not moving.
Godric appeared in front him, "Underling, I said come."
Stan wasn't vampire enough to stare down Godric; he turned and stormed out.
Eric released Steve, taking a step back from him.
"I will bring the truth to the people!" Steve shouted, "You cannot stop the truth!"
Lennie watched as Godric walked out of the sanctuary. Eric caught her gaze; he nodded to her. She returned it.
The church cleared out. Steve lifted himself to sit on the steps. He put his head in his hands; heaving a sigh. The possible silence was disrupted by the sound of his quick breathing. It seemed to fill the farthest corners of the room. Lennie dropped silently to the floor.
"Hello, Mr. Newlin," She blurred her movements; appearing beside him. He jumped, looking over. He scrambled to his feet; searching wildly for anyone to protect him. There was no one; he was alone. He ,oved back from her; she took a step forward every time he moved back.
"Demon!" He shouted, "May God protect me!"
She smiled, it was sweet. "I doubt it would help."
He backed away again, his arms out in front; crossed like the holy symbol he worshipped. She paused, smiling at his fooliness. "I am protected by His grace! I will be welcomed by the angels at the gates of Heaven!" He told her, as if the words were power and would melt her away.
Lennie lunged; a blur of speed. He hit the floor with her on top of him; his head smacked the floor. She held him donw by the throat; her fangs inches from his face.
"Enjoy the ride, Mr. Newlin, tell your father I say hello." She whispered.
His eyes widened, "You murderer!"
Rearing her head back she smiled at the stars. Her fangs plunged through his flesh; tearing into his throat. He screamed as she drank away his life, the noise soon stopped. There was no burning light; no Divine protection. He died, just like humans were supposed to.
Lennie stood up, wiping her mouth with her hand. He only had seconds left; it was enough. She picked him up; keeping him close as she whispered the final words he would ever hear.
"Where is your God now?"
She released her hold. His body fell with a heavy sound, the last of his breath left his lungs.
Lennie crossed to where Eric's jacket lay on the floor. She picked it up, shrugging it on. The coat was huge on her frame. She walked down the aisle with a grin on her face. Before leaving she blurred herself through the entire church. She found what she needed in the basement. She stood at the the top of the stairs leading down. Barrels, dozens of barrels of karosine. Using her super-speed she raced once more through the church; dousing it with fuel. She walked into the Sacturary, the final barrel over her shoulder. The powerful stench of refined fossils burned her nose. She stared up at the cross that stood tall and proud. Some part of her whispered for her to stop; but she ignored it. They had gone too far, Stan was right about that.
She hurled the barrel into the cross; karosine splashed everywhere, raining down on the floor, barly missing her. Making her way back up the aisle, she seached the backpacks and purses left behind. She eventually found a can of lighter fluid and a flare. Making her way to the front doors she left a trail of lighter fluid behind her. Stepping out into the night she faced the church and saluted the cross that glowed in the darkness.
"Here's to you," She snapped the cap off the flare.
The explosion of light blinded her for a moment. She hurled the flare into the pool of lighter fluid. Flames combusted in a blast of blue and orange fury. She turned and ran; within the church explosions rocked the foundations. Flames ate the walls as they crept toward the sky.
Lennie found Eric's car had been left for her. It was far enough away that she was safe. She stood for a moment; watching the huge blaze. Huge plumes of black, acrid smoke obscured the stars. There were more explosions within the chruch; giving birth to great waves of fresh flames. The building burned like a monster that would consume the sky itself.
Satisified with her work; Lennie climbed behind the wheel. She tossed Eric's coat on the passenger seat and started the engine. In the distance she heard firetrucks heading toward her. She drove out of the lot; heading away from the approaching circus. She didn't look back as she headed for Godric's house.
**