Disclaimer: I'm counting down the days, or month rather, until season 4 starts and I still don't own any of it.
4. Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?
"Yes, it's here," Isobel's accented voice floated into my study.
While I was completing my paperwork for the evening, it didn't stop me from splitting my attention between doing my work and trying to guess what my lieutenant's conversation was about.
"No, he hasn't opened it," Isobel continued, her agitation with the phone call starting to make itself known in the tenor and pitch of her voice. "He's working and hasn't sent for the mail yet."
The quiet, yet subtly shrill, digital beep that reverberated around the otherwise silent nest signalled the end of the phone call. Not before my interest had been piqued however.
"Isobel, can you bring the mail in?" I requested, raising my voice only a little to ensure that it carried to her preternatural ears.
Moments later, Isobel appeared in the doorway with a large assortment of letters clasped in one hand and a substantial box balanced precariously in the other.
"I know there's more than usual, I assume the extra mail is related to the interview," Isobel started to explain. Her voice flattened and dropped an octave before she continued. "Flanagan phoned just after sunset."
"Which pertains to the phone call you received just now?" I asked, gesturing to the letters.
"I'm sorry, Godric, I didn't mean to disturb your work," Isobel quickly apologised as she made room for the box on my desk. "Sorry, Libitina, but there's just no way that you need that much of the desk."
Isobel's actions constantly affirmed that I made a wise decision in choosing her, over Stan, as my second. Her dependability and her small, almost unconscious, gestures made to ease the burden of being Sheriff were invaluable. The part of me that has ensured my survival for over two thousand years appreciated the fact that she lacked the guile and desire to become Sheriff herself. She had no designs on the office that not even I desired, but which the King of Texas bestowed upon me regardless. Isobel didn't understand why Stan was also afforded such status within the Area, couldn't see that the liability he posed was far outweighed by the benefit of the connection he provided to Southern vampires. Still congratulating myself on my advantageous position, I turned my attention to the box on my desk.
"Has it been screened under the new security protocols that the King ordered?" I asked Isobel, cutting the tape away from the box, knowing full well that she would have ensured that the package was thoroughly checked.
"Of course," she replied.
Pushing the flaps of the box open, I was about to pull it closer to make its contents easier to see when I noted that Libitina had repositioned herself at the edge of desk between myself and the box. Quickly scooping her up and placing her back on her side of the desk, I was rewarded with a disdainful look and the ability to easily see into the box. While wondering when part of my desk came to belong to Libitina, I quickly catalogued the box's contents. It was filled with cat toys and other pet accessories.
"Who sent this?" I asked, in a curious state that vacillated between amused and confused, with just the barest hint of irritation was playing around the edges of my subconscious.
"Your Childe," Isobel informed me simply.
Although she hid it well I could tell that she desperately wanted to know what was in the box. Clearly my reaction had only heightened her curiosity. Smirking to myself, I waylaid her further by changing the topic.
"What did Ms. Flanagan say when she called, I assume she left a message."
"Long minutes that despite the prospect of enduring for eternity I feel as though I have been cheated out of," Isobel complained, her sarcasm strangely reminiscent of Eric's Childe, Pamela. The out of character display of unprofessional sarcasm was highly unusual, which only guaranteed that Flanagan had had some choice words to impart.
"Well, what did she say?" I pressed.
"I'll paraphrase because she droned on for ages and most of it was very repetitive," Isobel bargained. "She used some choice words but the general gist of it was that your interview was incredibly irresponsible and has irreparably damaged the reputation of vampires in America. Flanagan also insinuated that your job was on the line... again."
"Nothing new then," I dismissed Flanagan's phone call. She was a young vampire and I knew from past encounters that she tended to react to situations with a lot of emotion, much more than older vampires. Her blatant threat didn't concern me either; she'd uttered the exact same words almost a year ago when she arrived in Dallas to respond to the Fellowship of the Sun incident.
"And she wants you to call her back, Eric too," Isobel added.
"Well, Ms. Flanagan will have to wait because I don't think Eric will. Go through these so I can respond appropriately," I told Isobel, pushing the large box towards her.
Ignoring the shortness of my instructions, Isobel obediently started to rummage through the box and sort its contents. Despite working at a speed only possible for a vampire it took her several minutes to go through every item in the box. Abandoning my responsibilities for the minute, I watched her work, sorting the items into groups: cat food and treats were placed in one pile, toys in another, and accessories in another, every now and then she stopped to coo softly and show one of the items to Libitina. The small feline's affect on the nest was becoming more and more noticeable as each day passed; I was yet to decide whether her influence was good or bad.
"Oh, look at these," Isobel gushed as she pulled the last two items from the box. I leaned forward slightly to see what had captured her attention so, my eyes falling upon two small platinum dishes which were encrusted with diamonds and were clearly from Tiffany's, only to be chagrined when I realised Isobel was still speaking to Libitina. "Aren't these lovely? They match your collar beautifully."
Pushing my irritation aside, I picked up my phone and calmly dialled Eric's number, only to listen bemusedly as the ring was cut off immediately by his eagerness. "Eric," I greeted him coolly.
My conversation with Eric was the only pleasant part of my evening, because even though his amused reaction to my new pet strained my nerves it was much easier to bear than my brief conversation with Flanagan. While Eric laughed and joked about the absurdity of a vampire owning a cat, Flanagan only spoke five words: "I'm coming to see you."
"Is everything well?" Isobel asked me tentatively, not even attempting to mask her concern.
"Flanagan will be coming to the nest to threaten my job in person," I informed Isobel dispassionately, there was no point in trying to conceal it.
"Are you worried?" Isobel clearly was.
"No, I haven't done anything to warrant being dismissed this time," I assured her. "Truthfully, I was surprised that I had remained Sheriff after the Fellowship of the Sun incident."
xxx
The following evening found me seated in my office and reflecting on the interview I had given. Human reactions to the article had been varied, but overall I had thought them to be positive and truthfulness had long been a principle that I adhered to. Despite this, I was certain that when Flanagan arrived this evening, she would have some choice words to say about not straying from the AVL's approved message.
Libitina had made herself scare this evening; it was as though she could sense the impending confrontation. But before I could contemplate her absence further, Nan Flanagan arrived accompanied by the King of Texas. A large group of vampires also swept into my nest, the King and Flanagan seating themselves on one of my sofas, their various guards fanning out across the room.
The arrival of the King of Texas, my King, complete with his sizeable entourage was enough to make my stomach sink. Although I had been Sheriff in his employ for over a century, I almost never interacted with him directly; it was a poorly kept secret that I mainly held the position so that he could keep an eye on me. His presence in my home in all of his pomp and ceremony was alarming. The sheer number of vampires present would unnerve a lesser vampire, but what really concerned me was what their presence meant for the tone of the impromptu meeting.
Isobel and Stan stood off to the side looking decidedly uncomfortable. I couldn't fault them for it. Generally, when a Sheriff is replaced their lieutenants are removed also. It is never a good idea to keep around vampires who are more loyal to the old regime than the new. Isobel visibly flinches when Flanagan finally speaks.
"Your interview has been causing us problems Sheriff."
"That was never my intention," I inform her calmly. "I was only following your directions after all."
"Following my directions?" she scoffed, incredulous. "The AVL has a very specific message and your entire interview has set us back years in terms of vampire-human relations. One would think you were trying to steer us back into the Dark Ages!"
"Undoubtedly, you are wondering why I am here," interrupted the King. "It is widely known that I have no interest in this public relations nonsense exempting, of course, the fact that it can provide us with a measure of security."
"Your Majesty," I begin to object, only to be cut off again.
"First the incident at the Fellowship of the Sun last year and then I discover you have given this interview. I know that you are well aware of how precarious our relations with humans and their government are; maintaining the peace is in everyone's best interests. Imagine my displeasure when I discovered the content of your interview."
In spite of the fact that the nest was on edge, after the King's words, the presence of several Weres just outside was only just noticed by us. Usually, Weres are not a threat to a vampire, but a large, organised group, especially one supported by vampires, can be quite deadly. This meeting was quickly spiralling out of control.
"So the question you really came to ask me is: am I the vampire who would be King?" I ask my King, barely controlling my anger. It was a well known fact that I hadn't wanted the position of Sheriff, why would I was to be King? "Majesty," I tried again. "It has never been my intention to cause unrest between vampires and humans. I was one of the great champions of the Great Revelation if you recall and I truly believe that vampires and humans can coexist peaceably. I haven't noticed many particularly strong negative reactions to the interview, most responses have been quite positive, and I'm sure that the human masses can be easily appeased."
"So are we," the King smiled as he spoke, still visibly bristling from my audacious comment. "However, your presence is not necessary to clear this matter up. This, along with your incredible naive behaviour at the Fellowship of the Sun church has rendered you a much greater liability than asset."
"You desire my resignation?" I asked, already prepared to accept to the inevitable and making contingencies for my move to Louisiana in my head.
"No, your threat to my territory has gone beyond that," the King dismissed my offer.
"Sheriff, you appear to have missed the point," Flanagan taunted, standing for the first time. "We're here to eliminate the irritation that you pose, permanently."
Within a fraction of a second every vampire in the room was standing and it is immediately apparent why the King and Flanagan arrived with such large entourages; they needed enough vampires to subdue me. Fangs are extended and it is clear that the situation is no longer spiralling out of control, it is out of control. My survival is my first priority and if at all possible I will protect the members of my nest, but before the room can descend into chaos, four large Weres stalk into the room.
"You summoned us," the second largest, obviously the leader, growled.
"Indeed I did," the King agreed. "I find myself having difficulty controlling one of my Sheriffs."
The four Weres followed the King's lazy hand gesture, their gazes landing on me. Watching them, I could clearly see their pupils dilate as their eyes raked hungrily over my form. Blood addicts. Their dependency appeared to be carefully managed, but it was suddenly very clear why Texas had such a good working relationship with the State's Werepacks. I'd seen Weres addicted to vampire blood before, but these ones were different, far more controlled. These were not of the same pack or master as the ones I had tracked through East Germany with Eric.
"You're going to let us have some?" asked one of the Weres, licking his lips.
"Indeed, if you can catch him," the King's smirk could be heard in his words as clearly as it could be seen on his face.
"Best be careful, he's purportedly over two thousand years old," Flanagan added flippantly.
Everyone in the room tensed at those comments. The bloodshed was expected and the uncertainty of who would fight alongside whom only added to the anticipation. I knew Isobel and even Stan would fight with me, even though I would begrudge them nothing if they fled and attempted to save themselves, there were even some of the King and Flanagan's entourages who I thought might side with me. Then there were those who wore their unease poorly concealed and on their faces, they would either flee the conflict or become the first victims of the violence as their indecision cost them their second-lives.
"What is the meaning of this?" snapped the King, his eyes on the staircase.
As thought it had been commanded, every pair of eyes were turned to the top of the stairs to see, me. Time seemed to stop as we all tried to ascertain exactly what we were seeing. Those who had been brought here to attempt to send me to my final death were trying to decide which of us was the real Godric, while I was busily trying to decide how best to turn this new development to my advantage.
"Smells like a vampire," muttered one of the Weres to his white faced companions.
"Your Majesty, we can no longer be party to this," spoke the leader of the Weres. "In this matter we must invoke one of the clauses in our agreement; we will not harm our own interests."
"What do you mean?" demanded the King. "How can this affect your Pack?"
"When the rogue Weres that passed through our territory a little while ago mentioned that there was one living in Dallas we didn't believe them," the Were started to explain, the four of them backing out of the nest carefully, their eyes on my doppelganger and their posture submissive. "They are so rare; we didn't recognise the scent right away."
"What are rare?" snapped Flanagan. "You mean this is some kind of Supe and not some magic to dissuade us from eliminating Godric?"
"They have many names, but their name isn't relevant," continued the Were. "They are immensely powerful and have the ability to bestow a great boon upon a Werepack, we will not invade its home."
"Its home? This is Godric's nest," Flanagan snapped at the Weres' retreating forms.
"What boon? Explain," instructed the King.
The Weres were almost out the door by this stage, steadily retreating as the doppelganger descended the stairs.
"As I'm sure you know, only a female Were's firstborn child is born with the ability to shift," the Were began to explain after flicking his eyes towards my doppelganger and noting its position in the room. "They have the ability to carry more than one Werechild or, if they are angered, they can decimate an entire Pack. I'm sure you've heard of the giant Packs of Europe, that is how they came about."
"Wait," called the King. "It is a Shifter of sorts, yes? It has taken the form of a vampire, Godric, is it as strong?"
"Yes, she has taken the Sheriff's form and will be every bit as strong as he is, stronger if she has ever encountered a vampire who is older. I also doubt that she would have given herself a vampire's weakness to silver or sunlight. The only way to tell her from the Sheriff would be to test their reaction to silver," he answered, before disappearing out the door. The Weres could be heard shifting before they began a steady run away from the nest; they really were having nothing to do with this fight.
"Stand aside," directed one of the King's guards. "This fight does not concern you."
"Does not concern me?" I watched myself ask incredulously. "You attack my home and you presume to tell me that it is not of my concern."
"The cat," Flanagan commented suddenly, seemingly surprised that she had spoken aloud at all. "You've been living here as a cat?"
All at once many things began to made sense. The young woman cornered by the Weres, the cat that followed me home, my doppelganger, they were all just the same creature in different forms. My musing was interrupted by two large vampires lunging towards my doppelganger. One minute the doppelganger was standing at the foot of the stairs and the next they were standing beside me, the two vampires having barely covered half the distance originally between them and my doppelganger. Every vampire in the room was struck by the awesome display of speed and floored by what it meant for the creature's strength; especially if the relationship between its speed and strength was correlated in the same way as that of a vampire, which would make sense since the creature had currently assumed the form of a vampire.
Muttering across the room drew me back to the present. The doppelganger stood tall and relaxed by my side, exactly as I myself was standing, but the vampires across the room were agitated and frantically discussing something, while Isobel and Stan had begun to quietly move towards us.
"They seem to be worried about the doppelganger... Libitina's... strength," commented Isobel once she had made it to our side. "They don't know whether she is so strong because she has encountered another, older, vampire or whether that was a display of your power."
"I honestly don't know," I replied, answered Isobel's unspoken question. "It has been a long time since I have had to actively defend myself from something that matched me for strength and power, I honestly don't know how strong I am anymore."
This answer didn't seem to mollify Isobel in the slightest, but it did serve to further agitate the other vampires in the room. The hurriedly whispered conversation had turned to how they could gracefully extricate themselves from the situation. Eventually Flanagan straightened and took a tentative step in our direction, my doppelganger not reacting to her approach at all, which seemed to boost her confidence.
"Well, Sheriff, given this new development the AVL feels that it would be best if you retained your position, pending review at a later date," she decreed before turning and sweeping from the room, not waiting for a response and seemingly fearful of my, or my doppelganger's, reaction to her words.
"It appears my hands are tied," commented the King; his nervousness readily apparent. "Since Flanagan and the AVL have given you their support I cannot remove you at this time, but know that I am keeping a very close eye on you."
Not waiting for a response or reaction of any kind either, the King and his sizeable entourage also exited the nest, leaving in its wake an awkward silence. After several minutes, when it was safe to assume that they had all left and were not returning any time soon, my doppelganger turned from and began to ascend the stairs. Isobel, Stand and I just stood dumbly, and watched her leave. Watching myself walk away up the stairs was incredibly surreal and the lack of explanation for what just occurred incredibly unsatisfying.
A/N: This is a completed story, but I still love reading reviews so drop me a line.
This story hasn't been beta'd, that means there are mistakes. If/when you find one send me a message and I'll fix it up.