"Ahhhhh…." I moan as a gulp of fresh air enters my lungs. And right after that I start coughing.

A pair of strong hands gently grab me and pull me out of the icy water. I wrap my arms around Godric and hide my face in the crook of his neck.

"It's all going to be alright, yes?" he asks cautiously.

"Yes." I croak as I hug him even tighter.

After entering the bedroom he lays me on the bed and disappears to somewhere. I close my eyes as my head is still spinning, my body is aching and I feel all my muscles clench painfully. Godric returns soon enough and starts taking off my clothes without uttering a word. Even despite his quietness I know there are at least one hundred questions swirling in his head. I feel somewhat ashamed from what I did, as it so selfish of me. After our heated session I literally left him alone in bed and jumped into the cold water, killing myself for a whole day.

"I know you are mad at me." I whisper as I massage my temples, letting him take off my shirt and throw it away.

"I'm not." He replies and makes me put on one of his T-shirts.

"Then you are upset." I try again while looking at his face.

"I'm too old to be upset about such things." He calmly tells me while putting on me a pair of shorts.

I grab his hands and stand up which results in my head literally exploding with pain. 'Fuck this shit!'. Despite that I stand on my feet, not minding Godric's pleas to sit and rest, and look him directly in the eyes.

"'Such things'? You make it sound like all this is nothing." Due to my tiredness I can't yell at him or even look angry. Maybe I seem depressed, tired, annoyed and a whole bunch of things.

"It was not my wish to upset you. Now sit back and rest." He says and tries to gently push me back.

'Like hell that'll happen!' I fuss as I grab him by the hand and throw him on the bed. Jumping on top of him in the last second I prevent the brunet from slipping away. He doesn't fight me off.

"I like you more when you are raw and impulsive." I purr, pinning him to the soft bed.

"That time is long gone and behind me. Now will you¬"

"I will not! Not until you stop this foolish act of yours! " I hiss while looking him right in the eyes.

"There's no act in my behaviour. If you do not like it you are free to leave." He replies calmly.

And that calmness feels like a hard slap across the face. I feel like he's giving me a hint. A hint to leave him.

"Beg your pardon? This has nothing to do with your behaviour! It's the fact that you have wrapped yourself in a shell and you are keeping me out!" my voice is still horse but yet I find the strength to half-yell at him.

"What I do and do not is none of your concern. If I had decided to 'wrap myself in a shell' then it shall be like that and you won't question it."

"Don't you dare use that tone on me! I'm not a childe!" I hiss yet again, even despite my best efforts to keep it low.

"Then why are you acting like one?" He throws at me.

"I-i.." I look away from him for a moment and sigh. I leave the bed in a blink and go near the full – length mirror.

The woman I see in the reflection is somehow different now. She has my long blonde locks, but hers are somewhat blonder. Her skin is paler. Her honey orbs are darker and radiant. The lips are the same, full and cherry. Yet I can't recognise myself in the reflection. It's like looking at two really similar pictures, knowing there's a difference in them, yet not managing to spot it. Tilting my head to one side then the other I feel the same feeling – numbness. It's like I am not in my own skin anymore.

"You know…." I begin as I trace my cheekbones with my long and delicate finger, "I have always wanted to be a real vampire. Yet I never found the guts to deal with the enormous pain and the numerous killing stages. And so I didn't mind being only half-way done. I like myself this way – it made me stronger and who I am today." My finger stops at my chin and I glance at Godric who is now sitting on the edge of the bed and is watching me carefully.

"It's all quite easier when you are as mixed up as me – I skipped that 'dark stage' all other vamps brag about. I don't know what's like to lose yourself in bloody rivers and arias of screams and howls. I never felt the trill of the hunt as I didn't do it by choice but rather obligation." I look at him again.

"Yet I have had enough blood on my hands and in my hair to know what's like to take a life away. I hated it back then and I still do now. Like I said – I do it out of necessity rather than desire. Don't get me wrong – I'm not telling you all this to bore you or to earn your pity. I have had enough pitying people in my life, so I don't want you to feel bad for me. But I want something from you. And if you are not willing to give it to me then tell me so that I know my place and don't get the wrong idea." I confess, while looking in the mirror at Godric.

In a blink he is right behind me and his proximity awakens all my senses. My soul and body recognises him as a part of me, yet I can't tell him that. At least not now.

"I have nothing left to give…" he mumbles in my hair as he buries his face in my still damp locks. "My long existence deprived me off the things you seek."

I gulp as I try to keep my face unfazed. I know I shouldn't rush him or force him into doing something he doesn't want but I feel the need to claim him as mine and the fact that he denies me makes me wanna hit something. Hard.

"And what is that I wish and you lack?"

"Openness. Talkativeness. You said it- I have wrapped myself in a shell and I deny getting out of it. I won't betray my principles under any circumstances. " he finishes and steps away. I swallow yet again that lump in my throat and give my best not to cry.

"So you do not want me?" I quaver but shut up before I say something that I should keep to myself.

I stare at my own reflexion as sudden urge to burst into tears makes me clench my jaw and look away. 'Still not good enough….'

"Look at me…" whispers the brunet as he tries to catch my eyes in the mirror.

I look away as that panging feeling in my heart brings me even closer to the tears that are just behind the corner.

"Look at me!" he commands tenderly and his cool fingers touch my jaw and turn my face towards the mirror so that our gazes meet.

"You have no blame for my mistakes, Sookie. " he says as he moves a strand of hair away from my face. "I broke myself a long time ago, distancing away from normal male morals. I do not wish you to get hurt. So understand me. I want you…" he buries his face in my hair again, whispering, "… more than you can even imagine and more than it's acceptable. But I cannot have you."

"But¬" I begin but the slight vibration that comes from his chest stops me.

"That's final. No more arguing." He says his poker face mask on again.

I clench my jaw so hard that my teeth grind. Our gazes meet in the mirror for a second before he vanishes. After the door closes itself with a click I look at my reflexion once again. Before I know it there are pieces of the glass flying everywhere, a shattering sound accompanied by a yell echos through the empty house.

I know I should start taking care of all the problems in my 'To-solve' list so the first place I visit is Sable's house. When we came she said she would stay at a cousin of hers but it turned out that he was out of town so she rented a small house not far away. It's a two-storey Victorian house painted in white and dark blue. The front lawn is evenly mowed and the bushes are trimmed. I enter without knocking and close the door with a soft click. The smell of death lurks in the foyer.

Not wasting any time I rush to the second floor and stop in front of one of the tree doors. The smell of rotting flesh that comes from there makes me wanna vomit. Yet I knock softly and press the handle. The door opens with a low creek and I peek through the opening. Keeping my poker-face on is one of the hardest task for that day as the stench that hits me is unimaginable.

As I enter the room I see Sable lying in the small bed, her form hidden under the many blankets. The windows are walled and neither light nor fresh air enters the room. The only light that illuminates the small premise comes from a few candles strategically located on the on top of the dresser, the bedside cabinet and the coffee table. I near the bed only to find my friend asleep. Not wishing to wake her up from her slumber I turn around to leave only to spot Eric sitting in an armchair across the room, watching me.

"Why are you here?" I ask as I near him.

"You told me to take care of her. That's what I'm doing – taking care." His voice hushes through within his entangled fingers in front of his face.

With his elbows resting on his knees and his posture slightly bend I find him a lot more scary than when he is in his full-length, shoulders squared and his face graced by mock. As I take a sit next to him I notice the blood stains on his face and on the furniture.

"Have you not rested even for a bit?"

"I wouldn't leave her alone…" he looks at me with the corner his eyes, "… and you basically disappeared into thin air. So I stayed here."

"I'm sorry." I whisper as once again I look at Sable's sleeping form.

"You look different." Erik states instead.

"I am." I confess in a low voice.

The silence that settles in makes me anxious and I find myself looking towards the Viking far too often. I don't know why but deep in me I feel the need to tell him what happened between me and Godric. Moreover I can ask him for advice how to get Godric to relax a little bit and let me in his shell. But before I can even open my mouth Erik mumbles:

"What happened between you and my Maker?"

"What makes you believe something happened?"

His blazing blue orbs glare at me as his voice drops to a threating whisper:

"Do not lie to me! I know my Maker better than you'll ever do!" taking a deep breath and looking away from me the blonde tries to calm himself down.

"He basically told me not to waste my breath 'cus it will never happen." I whisper as my gaze stops at Sable's sleeping form. "I want to be with him, Erik. He is the one. But he doesn't want to even give us a chance." My voice cracks and I stop for a second. "He chickened out but I don't blame him. If I were him I'd leave me as well." My voice quivers so I stand up and go near the brunette's bed.

Sitting near her I move a strand of hair away from her face. Suddenly her lids flutter and she opens her eyes, looking at me tiredly. She tries to open her mouth and tell me something. I only shake my head and touch her forehead lightly.

"There will be a punishment for those who hurt you without a reason, Sable. I promise you that!"

She only blinks my way for a minute or two before she turns her head to the other side and Erik materialises in front of her. I spot a faint smile gracing her swollen lips and a spark in her eyes I have never seen before. 'Wow… when did this happen?' I muse and smirk.

"What did the doctor say?" I ask the Viking.

"It will take years for her to grow a new pair of fangs…" he replies without even looking at me.

And yet again I see another side of him. Now hovering over Sable's powerless form he looks tense and restless. I don't need telepathic abilities to know that he thinks of ways how to avenge her. And in spite of his instincts to go and kill he stays here and takes care of her. As Erik sits on the edge of the bed, not even touching Sable, I see sparks flying around. Literally. As a full vampire know my abilities to see souls, emotions and feeling others have increased significantly.

"Your souls are full of hope and warmth…" a faint whisper leaves my lips before I know it and the sudden path of colours that appeared before me vanishes.

"What?" snaps at me Erik. 'Yeah… not so much warmness towards me though….'

"Never mind. " I smile.

Bringing my wrist to my mouth I bite into the flesh and my own blood fills my mouth in a minute. I make sure the wound won't close too fast before I put my hand over my friend's mouth. She's too weak to fight me off so Erik tries to interfere but I wave him off. As the minutes pass her form calms down and soon after she falls asleep. Her face is covered in blood but I know the Viking will take good care of her.

"What did you do?"

"I gave her back what has been taken away from her."

"The hell!? What does that mean! You are starting to speak with riddles just like Godric!"

"Yeah…. I guess it's contagious." I smirk and leave the room.

My next stop is a local vampire club. It's from the fancy ones with lots of people waiting outside in an endless queue to enter. The building is painted in black and the only colourful thing is the huge sparkling sign 'Mortemi' /* lat. mortem - death/ that's illuminated by two long neon tubes that circle around it. Separately from that two huge projectors rend the moonless sky. 'It reeks of death… how ironic…'

As I near the entrance a man taller than me steps in my way and roars:

"The end of the queue is back there, skank!"

"I'm looking for someone so it won't take much time."

He rises his hands with the clear intension to either shove me aside or hit me but before he can even pick which one his body falls to the ground in front of me. The male starts panting and howling from the pain that wrecks his body and soon blood starts flowing from his eyes, nose and mouth. Panicking, he starts screaming and his two pals rush to his rescue only to join him on the ground.

"I'm in a hurry gentlemen and your current state will worsen if you do not let me pass."

"Fuck off witch!" hisses the first before his own blood starts choking him.

"Wrong answer." I reply as I pass between them and head to the door.

Having seen what had just happened the other guard steps aside and bows his head. Without even sparing him a glance I open the heavy metal door and disappear in the sea of people. The three guards pass out not a moment too soon.

I find my brother sitting in a lounge covered in red velvet with three beautiful ladies sitting around him. Unspotted by no one I near their table, almost bumping in one of the waitresses along the way. She blushes and steps back, almost spilling the drinks on her tray.

"If you don't mind." I purr as I take one of the glasses full of whiskey and turn my back to her only to see that my brother has vanished somewhere and has left the three whores by themselves.

"Tch."

I sit at one of the free spots, cross my legs, push my hair away from my face and take a sip of my whiskey. The liquid pleasantly burns my throat.

"Ah… excuse me? This is a private lounge and you have no right to be here!" yells at me the blonde one.

I only raise my eyebrow at her. Thanks to the long night I'm having my patience is running critically low, yet I manage to refrain from commenting their scarce manners and even more scarce clothing. Humming I take another sip of my drink and look at the crowd. As usual it's full of half-naked women and horny men. Alcohol circulates on trays nonstop all night long and the skinny waitresses give their best not to spill the sacred fluid over the dance floor.

And like on cue I hear a crashing sound followed by a shattering of glasses. I peek from the lounge and see the same red-haired waitress from before. As it seems she was bumped by one of the dancers that was just getting off of the stage /yes, there's a stage in the club – deal with it/. Now the poor thing is covered in what seems like one of those non-alcoholic cocktails. A tall male from a nearby table that also got splashed, rises and starts yelling at her, pointing his finger threating at her.

I dash to her and grab her elbow, pulling her up and stabilising her frail form of her high heels. She is startled for a moment, words of gratitude and apologies ringing in my ears as I stare at the male in from of me. His tall frame hoovers over me, his eyes blazing from anger and amusement and his jaw clenched – a human copy of Eric! 'If his attitude is just as bad…'

"What 'cha want, miss? Get outta my way! The little slut and I have business to discuss. "

'Nah… Erik's not that bad.' I conclude and shake my head.

"It was an accident so let it go. I'll pay for the drinks if that's your problem." I state as I peek at the lounge only to see that my brother has returned… with two more ladies accompanying him.

"Nah-ah!" he starts arguing but one of his friends stops him and pulls him aside, whispering something in his ears. I don't mind being amazed by their stupidity so I restrain myself form eavesdropping. I nod towards the redhead and motion her to continue her work.

The male, Josh if I heard right, steps away from his friend and looks at me once more with mischief glittering in his eyes , that makes me glare at him threating.

"So?" I ask, crossing my hands under my chest.

Josh only smirks and starts walking towards me with what's supposed to be, predator-sexy steps. Well, he stumbles a few times and almost falls to his knees once but still reaches me and looks me head to toe. Bending slightly he whispers what he and his friend came up with. Only thanks to my sensitive hearing and the fact that I could read lips I manage to understand what he wants.

"Like hell!" I hiss and step away, feeling gross and tarnished already.

"C'mmon blondy! I woul yike wit…" he slurs as he tries to grab a hold of my arm.

Instead of letting him touch me I hit him in the stomach and he bends down so that we can be on eye level. Starring in his eyes I compel him.

"You will leave this place right now."

"I'll leave this place right now." He repeats after me like a robot.

"Nothing bad happened. You got drunk, had fun, played around with girls." He repeats it after me once more. "Moreover you were so drunk that you left the beautiful red-haired waitress a really generous tip. But you don't mind. She was worth it."

After he repeats that slowly and nods I look for a moment at his friends who are staring at us.

"Now you and your friends will leave, ok? And you didn't see me."

"Yes…" and like that I step away, breaking the connection.

Josh shakes his head, looking dizzy, dazzled and disorientated. He stares at me for a second and turns around to his friends without saying a word.

As I return to the table I can't help but notice that my brother is yet again absent. Sitting on the chair I glance at the blonde in front of me.

"Do you have any idea where Jason may be?"

My politeness seems to only provoke the others as the brunette next to her hisses at me:

"Nowhere near you, bitch. So why don't you fuck off and let the matured ladies take good care of him?"

For a moment I contemplate whether to snap her neck or ignore her.

"Now, now, Sonja. I wouldn't use such tongue on her. My sister is really short-tempered. " a masculine voice comes from behind me.

I turn around and spot my brother, leaning on the back of my chair. His skin is paler, almost greyish, his eyes are no longer baby blue but rather grey, the dark circles making them pop out. His hair is as messy as always but its shines and healthiness are missing. Sitting across of me, Jason grabs the blonde's wrist and bites into it. The girl only moans and throws her head back dramatically. Usually such an act would have made me roll my eyes but this time I watch closely. Couple of minutes pass until he releases the girl's hand, her pulse almost non-existent, and her frail body slumps to one side, almost bringing to whole table along with it. Yet her current state doesn't bother me one bit. My eyes are locked on my brother. Usually when we feed right from the vein we become more… alive if you wish – our hair gets fairer, our skin – more 'human-looking' and our eyes-colour becomes denser. However my sibling doesn't change. Just the opposite – he looks even worse.

"By the pitiful look on your pretty face I'm guessing you don't like what you see." The mock in his voice makes my heart ache.

"We need to talk."

"We talked. And you left." He states while bringing the brunette's neck to his mouth.

His sharp fangs pierce the delicate skin and the blood starts flowing in his mouth. 'He's killing the pain…' I realise as I observe as Jason drains the girl to the point where she'd die.

"You'll kill her." A faint touch of anger and warning is heard in my voice.

"Oh.. so you care about a mere human's life but not your brothers!" he hisses at me.

"Jase, don't!" but I'm too late. He snaps her neck like a stick and throws here limp body aside, her bushy hair hiding her neck.

"Opss…." He murmurs and waves at the third girl, a blonde, to come closer.

This time I rise, using my vamp speed and stand before the girl, compelling her to leave. Without a second glance or a spoken word she leaves our table and disappears in the crowd of dancing people.

"Oh, so now you have decided to spoil my last remaining hours with your tedious presence!"

"We really need to talk, Jase. I know what I did was wrong¬"

"Wrong! You left me behind! Ran away like a little childe! Like you always do!" he is yelling at me now and I realise that we will go nowhere if he doesn't calm down.

So without bathing an eyelash I grab him by the elbow and dash out of the club and as far away from people as possible. The quietest place that I manage to spot is a park not far away, deserted and human-free. 'Perfect!'

I push Jason on one of the benches and he slumps down, his body barely managing to rise up. I immediately regret my harshness and help him up. He yanks his hand away from me and tries to sit up himself. Yet again my heart clenches painfully as I realise that my selfishness pushed my brother the wrong path.

I sit on the bench, leaving enough space between us if he wishes to move away. He doesn't and I assume that he'll at least hear what I have to say.

"I won't babble or try to excuse my reactions and choices but will cut straight to the point – I want to look at you and see what the cause of your…illness is."

"I'm no longer a toddler, Sook. Call the things with their real names and don't try to give me some hope. I know I will die. I have known it for some time now."

I stay silent for a moment, the feeling of treason suffocating me.

"Sook…" a sudden pain makes him stop and I feel helpless.

After a few long seconds his blue eyes look at me once again and I see the fear that lurks in them.

"Let me at least try, I owe you at least that." I beg him.

"Do as you wish. Either way I'll die soon."

I sigh and turn him towards me. His eyes are dull and his gaze is unfocused. I touch his temples and try to concentrate. At first nothing happens due to the fact that I'm too concerned to let the connection form but as I start calming down a spark breaks the darkness. It comes nearer and nearer until I can see it clearly. Jason's soul is a mix of colour – from pink to red but now I see more blues, blacks and faint sparks of orange than usually. In simple words – only bad stuff. As I look deeper I do not find any signs of illnesses, mental or physical; there are no poison marks or evil eyes. As whole, despite the bad colour scheme, his soul is perfectly fine. 'Then why is he dying?' I wonder as I break the connection and open my eyes.

The moment I look at my brother is the moment I realise that his death is lurking right behind the corner. His eyes are so pale that resemble a blind man's irises, his skin is unhealthy yellow and there are bleeds coming from the corners of his eyes and mouth. For a second I don't know what to do with his numb body and the panic start overtaking me.

Yet I grab him by the arms and throw him over my shoulder. Making sure he won't fall while I run, I dash into the night.

The only place where I can go is the nest. Even though I wish to stay away from Godric for now, this time Jason's needs are more important than mine. Running into the house and in the living room I find Godric, Stan and Isabel chatting on the coach. After they shake off the surprise they all stand up and near me.

"He needs help." I plea Godric.

His face shows concern and worry but they are not directed towards me, but rather my brother.

"What's wrong with him?" Isabel asks as Stan and I lay Jason on the couch.

"He's dying and I don't know what the cause is." Despite that fact that I'm scared out of my mind my voice doesn't change much.

"Did you…?" asks Godric and I only nod.

"There's nothing wrong. I found nothing that may have caused this, only the side effects."

"Sheriff?" Stan and Isabel look at Godric. For a second I wonder why then I remember that without his permission my brother will die. And having the fact that our last meeting ended pretty bad I only hope that he will act as a vampire Sheriff and not a male, whose ego got stabbed by a woman.

"Please." I plea once again, looking at Godric.

His blue orbs, despite everything, are still emotionless. The very thought itself that he may turn his back on my brother and let him die so to teach me a lesson breaks me piece by piece.

A sudden cough and a new set of blood return my attention to my brother. His skin has gotten even paler, his eyes still open, are staring at the nothingness. In that very moment I know that he won't live to see another night. Not if I don't do something.

"Isabel call Doctor Ludwig. Tell her it's urgent and her presence is required immediately. " commands Godric as he stands next to me.

"Stan, go find Ian and tell him his son needs him." With that both vampires are gone.

The brunet kneels next to me and helps me wipe the blood out of my brother's face. For a few seconds we stay in silence and I wrack my brain for any clues on how to cure Jason. The sudden disappearance of Godric almost stays unnoticed by me but before I can even question it he is back with a blood-bag in his hand a narrow rubber tube. Opening the bag just enough so that the tube can fit he pushes one end in the substance and the other he gives to me. Without even asking I bend down and bite my brother lightly. His protest is so low I almost miss it. Not wasting time I push the other end of the tube in the open vein and the blood from the bag starts flowing into my brother.

"You know neither this, nor Doctor Ludwig will help, right?" I ask in a quiet tone without even looking at him.

"At least it will slow the process of decomposing down until the Doctor arrives." His calm voice once again manages to calm me down a little.

"And yet…" I begin but can't find the words or the strength to continue.

"He'll live, Sookie. You have my word that your brother won't die tonight!" his promise finally gives me the courage to look him in the eyes.

They are calm and concerned. His hand suddenly ends up over mine and he squeezes me encouragingly. I manage to fake a small smile but soon after it vanish as a new series of coughs and bleeds takes over my brother's stiff form.

"I don't know what I'll do if he dies… I'll never forgive myself… " I whisper as I feel my throat tightening painfully, my eyes watering.

"I told you he will be fine. Doctor Ludwig-" he begins but I rudely interrupt him.

"She won't help!" I cry out as I keep on cleaning by brother from the blood. "She can't help…" I say again, desperation falling over me.

Godric keeps silent, probably having reached the same conclusion already. With trembling hands I push a strand of hair behind my ear and freeze. My finger gently grazes over the earring I have on my cartilage; the little golden ring is quite simple… if you don't take into consideration the little petal that hangs on it. 'Petal… Flowers…. !' at the sudden realisation I jump on my feet, almost pushing Godric in the proses.

"What's wrong?" by his worried tone I'm guessing my reaction was a little bit… hysteric.

"I think I know someone who can help." I say, almost shaking with anticipation, a rush of adrenalin coursing through my veins.

"You do? Who?" I

"I met her while I was gone! She's a descendant of the Soul Lighters. She may be able to help."

"A Soul Lighter? Impossible! They were killed…." He stops suddenly.

I look at him, waiting to hear the rest of the sentence. He only smirks my way and sigh.

"What?" I ask.

"Never mind. If you think this woman, whoever she is, can help then call her."

"Well… I know a faster way.. " I say and smirk. Godric only raises an eyebrow.

"Should I be worried?"

"No. I'll be back soon. Make sure my brother stays alive till then. "I order. "Sorry, I didn't mean to order you around just-"

"I know. Go already." He rushes me.

I step away a few steps and close my eyes. As I concentrate I picture the flower shop in Kahului, Akala and the various flowers she showed me. A sudden stiffening of the air and a slight disorientation tell me that I have arrived.

And true to my senses I'm right in front of the little corner shop. The sun is just setting and a colourful palette of orange, pink and red washes over the plain buildings. Yet I don't stop to stare but rather rush into the shop, making the doorbell fly away, hitting the floor loudly.

"Whose there!?" a scared and panicked Akala yells from behind the counter.

I rush to her and gently grab her wrists.

"It's me – Sookie. I came to your shop a while ago. Do you remember me?" I ask in a rush while pulling her light body up.

"Ah, yes. Sorry. You just burst in and I thought-"

"I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry and I need your help." I interrupt her while taking a step back so that she won't get scared.

"Sure. What can I do for you?" her sweet smile makes me smile as well.

"My brother's dying. I can't figure out what's wrong and I guessed, since you are a Soul Lighter that you may be able to help."

As the words leave my mouth so does her smile. Suddenly she becomes paler and her expression – worried and scared.

"I won't hurt you, Akala. But I need your help. Please." I beg her.

"You know that even if I'm a descendant of the Soul Lighters, and that's one major if, the possibility of me curing him is almost non-existent, right?" she says, her voice insecure and scared.

"I know. But I'm desperate and don't know what else to do. Please Akala. Please. At least try." I keep on begging her as I feel that my brother's time is ticking away.

After a few pregnant seconds of silence she finally nods and asks me to tell her some of the symptoms while she gathers, completely random if you ask me, stuff. I tell her everything I know, from the colour of his skin to the shades of his soul. She doesn't seem surprised that I can also see souls and I take note to ask her later about it. After no more than 10 minutes she is ready and we lock the store.

"So, how are we supposed to get there on time?" she wonders as she throws her keys in her backpack.

"That's a little bit tricky, but don't worry. Just…. Just have some faith, ok?" I say as I near her.

Sensing my proximity she steps away into a defensive position, her head tilted to one side, as if waiting for a sudden attack.

"Just trust me on this one, ok?" I whisper as I take her hands in mine and pull her closer to me.

Due to the height difference I'm a head taller than her, so I embrace her protectively as she lays her head on my chest.

"It's all going to be alright. Just breathe and stay calm." I reassure her.

"Is it going to hurt?" she mumbled in my jacket.

"No. you'll feel a little bit dizzied and disorientated but that's all." I inform her and concentrate.

We are hiding behind the building next to the shop so that nobody would see us magically disappearing. The noise of the people going home from work somehow manages to distract me and I curse under my breath.

"What's wrong?"

"I cannot concentrate." I hiss.

"Listen to my heartbeat." Akala suggests.

"What?"

"I have heard somewhere that when listing to someone's heartbeat people fall into slumber, it's like a lullaby. It should help you concentrate better."

I nod and listen. Shutting off sound after sound until the only thing that I hear is Akala's heart. It pumps blood rhythmically through her whole body and, true to her words, I feel dizzying away.

The next thing I know the world has spun ones again and I'm back in Godric's leaving room. With a very dizzy Akala in my arms.

It takes no more than a few minutes for her to regain her balance and sense for direction. In that time I find out that my brother's state has become even worse.

"Is that him?" I sudden voice from behind me reminds me that we are not alone.

Both Godric and I turn around to see that Akala is standing only a step away from us, staring at the space above the couch.

"Yes." I reply as I stand up and lead her to my spot where she knees next to Godric.

It seems that she senses his presence as her head tilt so his side, as if someone is whispering in her ear. He only looks at her calmly and stands up. His sudden movement scares her as she leans to the other side, as if to escape.

"Do not fear me, young one. I shall not harm you. Are you are safe here." With that he steps away which seems to make her relax a little bit.

As we both step away I notice that Akala's hands hover over my brother's chest, with a faint glow around them.

"Do you…?" I whisper.

"Yes. She really is a descendant of the Soul Lighters… Just like you."

I snap my head towards him, fear and fright in my eyes, as he has again found out something about me.

"How did you..?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters now is your brother's recovery. Everything else is only mere details for now."

"I can't keep a secret from you, can't I?"

"No, you can't." his reply is serious and I turn my head away, observing what Akala's doing. "Yet you are allowed to have things you do not wish to share with others. It's your birth given right and I won't be the one to take it away from you." He adds.

"Yet you keep on digging." I state.

"Yes, I do. And I'm sorry if that offends you in any way." His words are sincere, I can tell.

"I guess after being the demanding, cold-hearted bitch I deserve to be scrutinized just for the fun of it, if not something else." I say without looking at him.

Before he can say something Akala asks for me to come and help her. I knee next to her and start doing whatever she demands – from handing her herbs to changing towels, soaked with blood. After what seems like hours she finally stretches her back, which cracks unpleasantly. I stand up and dust myself off then help her up and we turn around. I see that Godric and Ian are sitting on the couch, not letting us out of their sight, Stan and Isabel are sitting on the other couch, also staring at us, and there's Doctor Ludwig who doesn't give a fuck as she reads a book in one of the armchairs.

"So?" asks Ian as he rises to his feet and comes closer.

His movement makes Akala anxious and she takes a step back, hiding behind me. I smirk at her choice. If she only knew what I was like when younger she wouldn't be so friendly with me. Then again she probably knows.

"He's cured of whatever had poisoned him." I state and crack my neck.

"Actually he wasn't poisoned but rather bitten." Adds Akala.

"Bitten? By what?" asks Isabel as she looks worriedly at Stan. "If something so dangerous lives here we should take immediate measures. Or it can infect all of us."

"Oh, don't worry. The Apis dorsata doesn't live here and the one that stung the boy is surely dead already. " informed us Akala.

"Apis dorsata? What's that? And how do you know it is dead?" asks Stan who doesn't look even a bit convinced.

"That's a giant honey bee that inhabits southeaster Asia." I say.

"And after it stings someone is dies." Adds Godric. "I once read about them, but if I recall correctly their poison is not enough to knock down a vampire such as Jason. "

"The poison itself, no. But if mixed with something that weakens the organism of the victim, let's say melted silver, it can easy turn into a ticking bomb. The silver enters the bloodstream and destroys everything on its way, letting the poison do its magic." Akala explains.

"So you mean that this was done on purpose? Somebody wanted him dead?" Stan cocks his head to one side, clearly missing the point.

"She wanted him dead but without leaving a trace leading to her doorsteps. The bee seems the most logical choice. The wound is small and it would heal in more than a few seconds, locking the toxic substance in the body." I clarify.

"By the way you said that, childe, I believe you have someone in mind." Ian's hard tone tells me that we are on the same page here.

"Yes. I'm sure that the Queen did this on purpose." I admit openly.

"You know you can't just go there and blame her without any proof, right?" Stan hums, while playing with the belt of his jeans.

I only nod and look at my brother's sleeping form.

"I have proof that even the Magister will accept." I confess and turn my attention back to the others.

They are all shocked and surprised. I pat Akala on the back and she gulps.

"And you, my friend, will be so kind to help me destroy that evil carrot-haired bitch, right?" I lure her.

"I guess I don't have much of a choice, don't I? " she sighs and cracks her neck again.

"I don't mean to be rude but yes, you don't have that much of a choice. But since the sun will rise soon let's post-pone this for tomorrow evening. " I coo as I shake her hand encouragingly.

"Once we are done you will be free to go back home." Says Ian. "And I'll be forever in your depth for saving my son, Miss Akala."

"Oh, don't mention it." She blushes and hides behind me once again.

"I'm sure we all need some rest. Let me escort you to your room, Miss Akala. " Offers Isabel as she stands up gracefully and near us. "And maybe a massage will help you relax more?" she adds and I believe that wins Akala over. The petit woman nods and they both leave the room.

Soon after Stan follows them, and after him Ian leaves me and Godric alone. I feel exhausted, emotionally and physically, and really lack to strength to tell him something more than a 'goodnight'.

"Sookie, wait!" he suddenly stops me.

I turn around only to find him a millimetre away from me. Our lips are almost touching and I feel the urge to tilt my head just a little bit but instead of that I rest my forehead on his. We close our eyes and just stand there in silence.

"I'm sorry." I murmur.

"For what?"

"For wanting to change you. It's not right and I'm the last person in this world who should have the right to do so. So I ask you for your forgiveness."

"You have done nothing wrong, Sookie."