Debbie had to wait for Alcide to get off work before they could drive over to Eric's. Even ignoring the fact that she didn't know how to get to Northman's home, she refused to face the giant vampire on her own. But she really wanted to see how Ava was doing with Northman as a guardian.
She wished he would have let them keep her for the day. It made more sense to leave the kid with them since they didn't need to hide from the sun, but the Viking refused. Most annoying was the fact that he wouldn't' even say why. And he still hadn't told them what happened to Mercy.
"I still think this is a bad idea, Debbie."
"C'mon, Alcide. We gotta make sure that little girl's okay."
"I know. It's—I don't like the idea of going to Northman's house again."
"I know. But we gotta check on Ava."
They pulled to a stop in front of a house that she never would have guessed was Eric's. Alcide made sure to keep her behind him as they reached the front door. The sun wasn't down yet, so they shouldn't run into Eric, but Alcide wasn't taking any chances. The door was answered by a human, the day man Eric paid to handle his business affairs.
"Mr. Northman is unavailable, Mr. Herveaux."
"We're just here to check on the kid. We don't mean to disturb Eric."
He'd dealt with the man before; and he was okay for a human that willingly worked for vamps. But right now he looked set to be stubborn, and Alcide wasn't in the mood to deal with stubborn.
"Miss Ava is perfectly fine."
"We'd like to see that for ourselves."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that, Mr. Herveaux."
Alcide just pushed the man—oh, what was his name?—out of the way when he heard Debbie growling behind him. He knew how attached she'd gotten to the child, even going so far as to treat her like her own pup, and now she was acting like a mamma wolf. The last thing any of them needed was for Debbie to shift and take the place apart.
He followed the scent of the child, which was practically buried under the reek of vampire, through the house until they came to an open door. Alcide froze outside at the sound of voices.
"Would you like some more tea, Prince Eric?"
Debbie and Alcide exchanged a look as she mouthed 'Prince Eric?' to him.
"That would be lovely, Princess Ava, thank you so much."
Now this Alcide just had to see, and he stuck his head through the open doorway. Eric Norman, Viking, was sitting in a child-sized chair wearing a ridiculous plastic crown, holding a pink plastic teacup. The female vamp who'd started living there was also sitting at the table, and Ava completed the little group, fully decked out in a yellow princess dress. Oh, how Alcide wished for a camera at this very moment.
"Get out of here wolf," Eric spat at them without even looking up from his tea party.
"We just wanted to make sure that Ava's alright. That's all, Northman."
"As you can see, she's fine. Now get out."
"Hi Mister Alcide! You guys wanna play with us?"
"Oh, I'm afraid they can't stay sweetie. They've got things they have to do."
He finally looked at them, and if his expression was anything to go by, he was warning them to leave quickly.
"We can stay awhile. There's nowhere we have to be," Alcide countered, enjoying the discomfited look on the vampire's face. In a blur, Eric was out of his seat and practically pinning Alcide to the wall; the ridiculous crown still perched on his head.
"You need to leave, now, before this whole house reeks of werewolf. We already had to scrub the child down twice to rid her of the smell."
"Since when have you been concerned about how your house smells?"
If he wanted to talk reek, Alcide would be happy to point out how badly the house still smelled of sex, blood, humans, and what he suspected were cooking attempts gone bad. As strongly as this house smelled the scent of two Weres shouldn't make a difference. It wasn't as if any of it was new to the Viking.
"Since it makes a difference. Now get clear of this place, and don't come back until I call you."
"I can't do that Eric. We've still gotta find Mercy, and that child is my responsibility until we find her aunt."
He didn't really doubt Eric's ability to keep Ava safe from most anything, but Mercy had left the munchkin in HIS care, and he wasn't going to ignore that, no matter what Northman said. He already regretted letting her go with Eric last night; he wasn't going to compound that mistake by repeating it.
"Mercy's no longer missing. She'll be here tonight."
Never mind Debbie shifting, Alcide was nearly ready to explode himself. They'd been worried sick about the human woman for over twenty-four hours now, and Eric knew where she was? What the hell?!
"What do you mean, she's no longer missing?! If you knew where she was—"
"It's not Were business, so I'll thank you to stay out of it. Your services are no longer required to watch the girl, so go home."
"Screw you, Northman! Mercy asked me to keep the child safe, not you, so it ain't your call!"
"And your being here when Mercy gets here will only put that child in more danger."
"Why?!"
"You sick son of a bitch!"
They both turned to stare at Debbie, who'd been largely forgotten as the argument escalated.
"You turned her, didn't you?! You turned her into a freakin' fanger!"
"If I had turned her, I'd be in the ground with her right now instead of bleeding through a princess party with the teacup human."
"The vamp she's bonded to did it then! That's why she's not here now!"
Alcide turned disbelieving eyes to Eric. Debbie had to be right; it was the only thing that made sense. The only reason the human woman wouldn't be here with her niece was if she COULDN'T be.
"There wasn't a choice," Eric quietly answered Alcide's unspoken accusation, "the Magister would have killed them both if Godric hadn't turned her. And you need to get out, now, before a baby vampire walks through that door and tries to tear you apart."
Alcide was quick to herd Debbie out of the house after saying goodbye to Ava. A baby vampire was no joke; they lacked the self control required of mature vampires to be around other supes. It would be hard enough for Mercy to be around her niece newly-turned without having the smell of Were saturating everything.
TB-TB-TB-TB-TB
Isabel was worried. She'd gotten no answer when she called Mercy's phone, or Eric's. Two days with no news from Louisiana, and when she woke tonight, what did she see? The continuing coverage of a house burned to the ground; attributed to the Fellowship of the Sun. Mercy's house.
It was fortunate that the arsonists weren't intelligent enough to run before the police and fire department showed up. And it was fortunate that the police weren't anti-vampire. The humans, barely more than children, admitted they were there on Steve Newlin's orders, believing they would be released. They claimed the house was a vampire nest, and it was their mission to protect humanity.
None of that bothered Isabel. There would always be zealots of every creed that would resort to violence in the name of their cause. There was no reasoning with such people. All you could do was such fanatics was stop them before they destroyed countless numbers of people.
No, what bothered Isabel was the fact that the fire had taken place two days ago, and this was the first she'd heard of it. It was too late to deal with the humans herself; they were already in prison awaiting a hearing. They would have to allow the human justice system to run its course.
Of greater significance was the fact that Mercy's human colleagues and friends would have seen this story. The school where she taught had been notified that she was out of state due to an emergency, but her other friends? By this time someone was bound to have notified the brother serving overseas, and there was no way to contain that. All she had the power to do was to warn Mercy, and she couldn't' even do that.
"Sheriff?"
She looked to the doorway where Micah, her newest lieutenant, stood waiting.
"What is it?"
"The Sheriff in El Paso is calling for you."
"Very well. Transfer it here."
Micah nodded and pulled the study door closed. Dealing with Anton was an exercise in patience on a good day. There was no need for anyone else to hear what would potentially become a heated argument. The Sheriff of El Paso had never stepped foot out of Texas in all of his existence, and was almost entirely dependent on Vincent for direction. Not a good combination, Isabel acknowledged, but he was the only realistic candidate after Cesar met the True Death for peddling vampire blood. It was fortunate that Anton's appointment was only temporary.
"Yes, Anton, what is it you need?"
"Isabel, Vincent is missing. He hasn't returned any of my calls."
"Perhaps he is simply busy, Anton."
"It's more than that, Isabel. I know it. This is the third night I've called and he hasn't answered once."
Isabel silently wondered why it was she who must deal with Anton as she gave him all the reassurance she could. Anton didn't seem to know that Vincent had left the state, and she saw no need to enlighten him. There was little point in worrying an already anxious vampire when she had no concrete information. When she finally managed to get him off the phone after convince him the world wasn't going to end simply because he hadn't heard from the King (and hoping the Authority appointed a new Sheriff soon) she couldn't shake the suspicion that Vincent's silence and her inability to reach either Eric or Mercy was coincidental
TB-TB-TB-TB
Godric sat, impatient, by the grave. It was now well past dark, and Mercedes had yet to rise. He knew that it often took much longer for a baby vampire to rise their first night than it would any other night, but he was more than ready to see Mercedes' turning had gone smoothly. He'd already been awake for several hours, rising as soon as the sun set.
His first order of business had been to glut himself on blood so that he could feed Mercedes. Not only would feeding her strengthen their now changed bond, but he wasn't taking any chances that she would attack an innocent human, or worse, Ava, before she gained her control. Once she realized she'd done such a thing she would never forgive herself. He refused to put her in a position where she would have to live with an accident like that on her conscience.
Now he had nothing to do but wait, and he hated waiting. He'd already notified Eric and Compton that she'd soon rise, and ordered appropriate clothing ready for her (he did not doubt that one of the first things she would want once she woke was a shower) and he was left to wait for her to dig herself out of the ground. Had it taken this long for Eric to rise? He wasn't certain.
After what felt like an eternity his waiting was rewarded when he saw the earth begin to move. The ground shifted, and Godric bolted from his perch to grasp the hand that shot through the tumbling dirt. He gave it a brief squeeze before disinterring Mercedes faster than she would have been able to, and pulled her from the ground. She looked around, wild-eyed and unseeing. He knew well the disorientation of being somewhere with no real memory of getting there.
"Mercedes."
He called her name softly, wanting her attention but not wanting to frighten her. If he could give her something to focus on the confusion would pass more quickly. Her eyes shifted to his face, and she stared at him.
"That's it, love. Keep your eyes on me, and this will pass. Look at me."
Mercy stared at the creature in front of her, trying to adjust to seeing things she shouldn't, like the miniscule insects crawling under the dirt, and to tune out the sounds that were nearly overwhelming. The voice cut through everything, soothing and practiced. What happened to her? Why was she buried in the dirt? What sick bastard had dumped her into a grave and buried her alive? Why was she hearing things; seeing things that should be impossible to see?
"Keep your eyes on me, Mercedes. It will be better in just a moment. Focus on me, and you can tune everything else out."
"Godric?"
It was Godric with her, talking her through the chaos. Godric had found her.
"What happened to me?"
He looked—sad. Even sadder than usual. What could put that look on his face?
"Think a moment, child. You will remember."
Mercy closed her eyes, waiting for the incessant buzzing to stop as she tried to sort through the last thing she remembered. She remembered Isabel showing up with a threat from Vincent, and the middle of the night escape from Dallas. She remembered the black-haired man Eric hired-Alcide-and his house. Leaving his house with the men in suits so they wouldn't find Ava, and then—
Godric knew the moment Mercedes remembered. He could see it on her face. He thought he'd prepared himself for every possible reaction, but he was wrong. He wasn't prepared for the ear-shattering scream, or for her to take off running.
"Mercedes!"
When she did not stop, he ran after her. Being older, he was much faster and it took no time to catch up with her. He was surprised to see blood tears running down her face as she ran, seeming to be unaware of where she was headed. He saw the lights in the rapidly shrinking distance that indicated humans and stepped in front of her. In her current state she would likely attack a human, and he knew she would never forgive herself if that happened. The collision was instant, and powerful enough to knock her to the ground, but she was right back on her feet and running.
"Mercedes, stop!"
She ignored him.
"As your Maker, I command you to stop!"
She stopped running at once, and Godric joined her. She'd stopped just in time; they were almost at Merlotte's, a bar Godric had been made aware of during his stay with Eric. It was teeming with humans. He pushed those potential casualties out of his mind, and focused on his newest child, who needed him more than the humans did.
"Mercedes—"
He was stunned when she slapped him full across the face, and he immediately bared his fangs. He would not stand for such insubordination. He stopped growling when he saw that she was still crying.
"Mercedes."
He carefully wiped the blood from her face, unmindful that it now stained his clothes.
"You wanted this. You forced it on me."
He could not deny the truth of that.
"I have always wanted you immortal," he admitted, owing her the honesty, "but I never wanted it against your will."
"Why?!"
The cry was anguished, and Godric pulled her into his arms. She tried to pull away as fresh tears fell, but Godric held her to him.
"Lucian would have killed us both if I had not done it, älskling. I could accept my own death, but I could not let him kill you."
"So you did it instead?"
"Is it really so terrible, Mercedes?"
"You should have let him kill me."
"You don't mean that."
She pulled away, and this time he let her go. She was walking now, no longer running blindly, and he followed, both curious as to where she would go and anxious that she stayed away from humans. She still hadn't fed. When she drew too close to the human bar he pulled her away, steering her towards the lake. He could pick up the scent of one of the Werepanthers Eric said lived in a nearby town, but they were of no concern unless they drew too close.
"I can't do this."
"You must feed child."
He offered her his wrist, but she turned it away.
"I can't—I won't do this."
"Mercedes—"
"You should have let him kill me, Godric, because I have nothing left! I can never teach again! I can never—I'll have to watch Ava grow old and die and that's if Ethan doesn't try to stake me first!"
When Godric tried to hold her, she pulled away and started pacing. He watched with no small amount of concern. He could not remember ever having to deal with this before. Eric had risen eager to embrace the new life that allowed him to pursue his vengeance. Norah had not believed him until he showed her what he was, but once she rose she embraced the power that came with being a vampire; power that meant she would never again be weak in a world run by men. Mercedes was the first he'd ever turned who flatly rejected what was offered.
Behind them the door to the bar opened and closed, easily picked up with their hearing. Also easily picked up was the scent of humans, and Godric heard the tell-tale click of Mercedes' fangs dropping. He was quick to intercept her when she started for the appetizing scent.
"Stop Mercedes. As your Maker I command you to feed."
This time when he offered his wrist she took it. He hated that he had to start her existence off giving orders. There were so many other things he would prefer doing with her. He didn't want their relationship to be that of master and minion. She was so much more than that. He waited until she had taken what he felt was a sufficient amount of blood to pull his arm away.
"We will return to the king's home. I thought you might wish to shower and change before we return to Shreveport."
"Shreveport?"
"Ava has been in Eric's care while we were in the ground."
He hoped the mention of the child might calm Mercedes, who looked to be on the verge of tears again. He was relieved when she made no objection and allowed him to lead her through the woods back to the Compton mansion. The human guards stepped forward to block their entrance, but they were quickly called off by the young woman who was Compton's progeny. Godric knew he was of special interest to that child because she'd never met another who was turned at such a young age, and he was a fascination. He rather liked the girl, Jessica, and hoped she managed to survive past her first decade.
"Y'all get back, now! They're expected! I'm so glad to see you," she gushed as she skipped down the porch steps, "Bill said y'all were comin' over, so I just had to come say hey!"
Mercedes shrank a little at the redhead's exuberance, and Godric gave her arm a reassuring squeeze.
"It's alright, Mercedes. This is Jessica, progeny of Mr. Bill Compton, whom you met last night. Mr. Compton is King of Louisiana, and he was good enough to offer his hospitality."
"Are you alright?"
Jessica was looking closely at Mercedes, and she looked concerned at what she saw.
"Mercedes just rose this evening, Jessica."
"Oh my-! So you're really new! Wow!"
"Jessica, that's enough," a dark haired man admonished the girl from the doorway, "I think she's had enough to deal with for one night, don't you? Why don't you show her up to the guest room and let her get showered and changed?"
"Oh, of course! C'mon, it's right through here," and without further encouragement Jessica grabbed Mercy's hand and tugged her away from Godric, up the steps and into the house.
"We've already got everything ready for you, although I didn't know it was you I was getting it ready for."
The young woman pushed a door open once they made it up the staircase, and Mercy looked around the room when Jessica turned the light on.
"Bill just told me your size and told me to get you somethin' nice. I hope you like it," the redhead gestured nervously to the rose colored silk dress laid out on the bed.
"It's lovely, Jessica. Thank you."
Thank the Lord it wasn't left to Pam to pick out something. She'd seen that woman's tastes, and—just no. No way was that happening. The dress the teen had chosen, however, really was lovely. Mercy just wished she could summon some enthusiasm for it.
"Alright, well, the bathroom's just through that door on your left, and you just take all the time you need. You and Godric can have this room for the day if you decide to stay, so there's no rush."
Mercy waited until she was alone in the room to head into the bathroom and the promised shower.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"How is she handling the change?" Bill asked Godric as they took seats in the parlor, waiting for the woman to come back down. He'd seen traces of red that indicated she'd been crying. He worried at how the Magister might react if she didn't make it, and if he would take it out on Louisiana, since Louisiana is where he ordered her changed. Bill wanted no more trouble with the Magister if he could possibly help it.
"It is—difficult."
Godric's eyes drifted to the ceiling above him, where he could hear Mercedes showering. He sincerely hoped that the action might prove soothing enough that she could calm down. He was worried for her.
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"I do not believe so, Mr. Compton. But thank you for the offer."
After several long minutes wait, during which time Godric was left on his own as the king had his own business to attend to, he heard the water stop, and Mercedes step out. He placed a swift call to Eric, informing him that they would soon be there, and waited impatiently for Mercedes to appear. It took what seemed an inordinate amount of time, but he was not disappointed when she finally made her appearance. Compton's progeny had done well in choosing a dress for Mercedes, in the silk he preferred for her.
If she'd let him, he would have filled her closets with such long before now, but she'd always balked at his gifts to her. It pleased him to think that she would have any excuse to refuse his gifts now. He intended to waste little time in announcing her as his consort, and she would need to look the part. The dress she wore made her look every inch a queen.
"Mercedes, you look lovely."
She nodded her acknowledgment, but said nothing. She at least appeared to have stopped crying. Godric was uncertain he could handle more tears from her; he could not bear to see her cry even when she was human.
"If you are ready, I told Eric that we would return to his home. I am certain that the child will wish to see you."
Godric was right; Ava was waiting for her. She had to pull it together and stop wallowing because, for the moment, Ava was still her responsibility. She couldn't get in front of her five year old niece with blood tears running down her face. The poor thing would have nightmares for a month.
"I'm ready."
She wasn't sure she was ready for it, but she certainly didn't want to stay at this mansion any longer. Not with those guards hovering just outside the doors, almost waiting for her to make some sort of move.
"Inform your Maker that we have left, and thank him for his hospitality," he directed Jessica as soon as he had Mercedes' consent, and steered her out of the mansion.
The swiftest way to Eric's was flight, so he pulled Mercedes to him and shot into the air. He was gratified to see that this time, she didn't close her eyes. She actually looked around as they flew instead of burying her head in his shoulder. He hoped that she took to flying as easily as Eric did. He briefly considered releasing her to see if she would be able to fly on her own, but decided against scaring her. He wanted to give her no cause for further tears.
The trip took only a fraction of the time it would take to drive and Mercy found herself at Eric's house much sooner than she thought possible. She hesitated at the steps; she could still smell bleach layering over blood. IT wasn't human blood though; that much she could tell. Something must have happened that they tried to cover up.
"Ava is waiting for you, Mercedes."
He couldn't' have said anything better guaranteed to terrify her. She could hear the heartbeat that meant something living was inside. She couldn't tell how many heartbeats there were, though, and she wondered about her dogs. They should still be with Eric, but she didn't hear their normal barking.
"Where are my dogs? And why does this place reek?"
"The animals are currently shut up in the garage," Eric answered from the doorway as he stepped out onto the porch, "and as for the smell, the wolf and his bitch stopped by to check on your niece. It'll take more bleach than I have on hand to get rid of that stench."
The Viking stopped at the edge of the porch as Godric and Mercy mounted the steps.
"Immortality suits you, Mercy."
"That's your opinion, Eric."
"The child is still awake, waiting for you."
She advanced towards the door until Eric's hand on her arm stopped her, and she looked to him.
"If you go in expecting the smell of blood to be strong, it won't be such a shock for you."
He immediately released her arm when Godric joined them, and followed them inside. This could either go very well or very, very wrong.