Blood.
That is what the afterlife tastes like, sweet ad delicious blood. None of that True Blood crap, fresh from the artery blood. Clamping down around the taste, I felt the life from my source drain as it filled out my body. I was too weak to pop my fangs out, so I was old fashionably swallowing the life straight from the source. I could feel my body was beginning to get stronger, the hair that was singes from my body began to prickle as it began to grow and flow down around my head.
The ache of my charred skin was fading, the blood circuiting through my body healing my wounds and clearing my mind. My hearing and eyesight was still shot, I couldn't hear anything but the thud of the blood as I swallowed it down my swollen throat. As the noise that surrounded me slowly began to come into my reality. Maybe I was being reborn into purgatory; the moment the thought crossed my mind. Another haunting image appeared, would Michael be here, would my death mean an eternity with my brother who hates me and now could not kill me. He would take millenniums for him to finally forgive me. God knows what kinds of tools or what exactly is in purgatory.
"That's the third one, maybe we should swap her to some True Blood. These are some of our best men" the unexpected voice of Bill Compton stated.
There was a slight grunt "Jessica is giving them her blood, the men will heal. Be grateful to the vampire that risked her life" Eric stated.
Eric, Jessica, Bill? Purgatory; the place where vampires go after the true death... Maybe, Michael survived and sent the three to purgatory with me? No, the stake and the sun sealed his death. It sealed mine.
"She's almost fully healed, her skin is just a little red and her hair looked healthier now just a little stained. We'll take her to ground now and when the sun sets again she should be fine" Bill said, his tone sounded soothing with an edge of authority.
As the source of blood was stolen from me, I groaned slightly before falling victim to the suns pull and fell under once more.
The next time my eyes opened, I was in a coffin. It wasn't mine, but it was comfy enough. A small screen that was installed to the roof was a digital clock telling me the time. 5:57pm. I was sure to be one of the first vampires awake. Opening my coffin, I groaned as the artificial light hit me. I was the first awake, four coffins surrounded me.
A large man, muscles that were almost popping from his skin rustled some papers. Dragging my attention to him, he looked up to me. His lips stretching out over his face, a kind smile on his face.
"Hello, Mr. Compton asked me to tell you when he woke that upstairs is a donor waiting for upstairs" he stated, I nodded and slipped out of the coffin.
"Thank-you..." I said, waiting for a name.
"My name is Anthony" he stated, I nodded.
"Athena"
He nodded "I know ma'am" he stated, before turning back to his paper work.
My donor wasn't much of a woman; she was a overly glamoured junkie whose blood tasted quite sour and unappealing. But she was more than willing to tap a vein for a vampire, so she was what would be equivalent to a humans 'junk food' option. Healing her puncture marks, I locked eyes with her.
"You don't remember any of this; last thing you remember was going for a run whilst clearing your head and contemplating life decisions. One thing you decided was that you were going to get off the drugs, they sicken you. You want to be a healthy and happy person, who isn't controlled by the syringe. Correct?" I stated, she nodded slowly and smiled lightly.
"I have a little girl who needs me" she muttered, I sighed and nodded.
Of course, she had daughter somewhere resenting her mother and evidently leading the same path as her.
"You will also be the best mother you can possibly be to her. She is your everything, that's why you're going to clean yourself up and move up in the world. Thank-you for your donation today" I stated, breaking the gaze.
As she got up and exited the room, I smiled and sighed "You really have a knack for making people think there better than they are" Eric's cool voice washed through the room.
I looked to him and shrugged "I believe in something other than myself and that's what gives me the drive to make people think there more than a meal"
Standing up, I wiped away the small trickle of blood from the corner of my mouth "So, who pulled me in?"
"Jessica and I, the suns' power was strong if it wasn't for your power I'm sure you would have perished as quickly as Jessica and I almost did. Bill, well he ripped the witch's heart out. It's on ice if you want to devour it" he stated, I shrugged.
"I'm old, not weird Eric" I replied.
"Was that a thank-you?" he asked amused, I shook my head.
"No, let's just say no were even. I saved your life, you saved mine" sitting down on a leather chair in Bill's office, Eric joined me.
"So, you came here and wrecked havoc, lied about Russel Edgington, culling vampires and all that just to save my life?" he asked, I sighed and nodded.
"Yeah, kinda; I mean I'm still considering culling vampires in the area. There is several vampires I'd like to see turn to mush" I stated.
"Are you sure, I hear where a dying breed" he said amusingly.
I barked out a laugh "So I've heard, but don't fret about you or your progeny. They will be well protected under my family's protection now. If not myself but Cassandra, will make visits regularly from now on"
"Why would I need a few vamps to stay and look after me and Pam, we've done it for years beforehand" he stated, I laughed dryly.
"Let me rephrase that, from now on we will make a more visible appearance to check in on you. Just because you think I ran from you all those years ago, does not mean I stopped doing my job that I was requested to do by Godric and my father" I replied.
"How well did you know Godric?" he asked, I looked to him and smiled.
"He was one of the best vampires I ever met, even at the end he was brave even though that was when he was the most afraid" I stated, nodding and smiling grimly.
"It's good to see you both are up and well" Bill's voice rang out; he moved quickly to stand between Eric and I.
I looked up at him and smiled "Yes, thank-you for saving me. I do gratefully appreciate it"
"Well, I'd like to believe you would have done the same for me or Jessica" he stated, I shrugged.
"I guess so, I was just telling Eric that my families open protection to him and his progeny will know be extended to you. I guess in a way, you haven't seen the last of me" I laughed at my own stupid joke.
"Well, before you head off do you mind if you fix Jason for me?" Jessica asked, rubbing her eyes as she emerged into the room.
I nodded and smiled "Yes, and again thank-you"
She shrugged "Well, if you died I'd never get him back"
I smirked "Exactly, I shall fix what I've broken in this town and head off. Before I leave though, is there any Glamouring that needs to be done before I leave?" I asked, the two men frowned before clicking.
I had the power to glamour anything or anyone.
"Could you fix Sookie?" Eric asked, his eyes going slightly wide.
I bit my lip and sighed "No, she's been dealt with enough. I may give her the memories of you both, but I won't relinquish untold or undealt with feelings for the both of you" I stated, Eric frowned.
"After everything you're not going to give me the girl?" he asked, his town seeping into nastiness.
I arched an eyebrow at him "I will glamour you into forgetting how to use your dick correctly if you don't watch your tone, I'm going now. Try and get her to love you both again, but her love for Chad's pretty deep" I stated, getting up and looking to both men.
"Tell Anthony I said good-bye and I guess I'll see you three in another fifty years or so" I stated, heading for the door.
"Athena!" Both men called out, I stopped and turned to them with a slight smile.
"Don't push it" I stated, smiling too sweetly.
Blowing a soft kiss, I pushed off out the door and into the darkness. My next stop was Jason's house, then Sookie's. Then, I was going to go home and face my family. Which shouldn't be too bad, maybe I'll come back to Bon Temps or maybe I'll send Cassandra. Either way, Eric Northman better watch his back. Because if he doesn't play his cards right and I have to come back to this Southern town. I won't be so friendly.
That's it guys! The end of my short story, I hope you enjoyed it! Review what you thought of the story? I'm definitely going to use Athena again in other stories, not sure how but I enjoy the awkward banter between the vampires. Hope you liked the character and the story overall because I'm a bit shaky on whether it was super bad or an alright story. I might re-write it and flesh it out over several chapters or just leave it the way it is and write other stories surrounding the TB world. Anywhoo, hope you enjoyed! Bye for know!