Chapter Nine: Someone to Save You

"Godric?"

It felt like a dream. Nothing seemed real. There Godric was, leaning against the alleyway as if he needed it to keep himself upright, blood covering his mouth and staining his shirt. But it wasn't the fresh human blood that I was immediately concerned with. It was the dirt and blood that was caked all over his body, the wounds that had yet to heal. It had been a month since the bombing, a month since I've been looking for him. Why did he still look like this? Why did he look like the bombing had only occurred yesterday? But then I remembered that he hardly drank blood, even true blood. He had always detested it. Anytime I would lecture him over it, he would assure me that at his age, he didn't require as much blood any more. But I knew that was bullshit. He was still a vampire. He still required blood, even synthetic blood, to live. And because he probably hadn't drunk a great deal of blood before the bombing, any injuries he sustained would only take that much longer to heal.

It would also explain his thirst. He was hurt. He was injured beyond belief, that much I could tell by just looking him up and down. I couldn't even imagine what he may have looked like a month ago. But in order to heal he needed to drink blood, and preferably human blood. True Blood, while it was the created as a substitute substance to real human blood, didn't have quite the same properties as regular old blood would. Which meant no matter how much Godric may ingest, he would never truly heal. He needed human blood, and that's exactly what he found tonight. To see him in this way, to see the lifeless body at his feet that he had drained, it was a lot to take in. I had never known Godric to be so cruel. He had fought so hard to keep that side of him dormant. He didn't want to be a cruel bloodthirsty monster. He was beyond that. But he hadn't been able to help himself. He was injured, in need of blood, and was completely out of control.

"Oh god, Godric." I went to take a step closer, wanting to just hug the vampire, relieved that at the very least, he was alive.

But Eric flashed before me, stopping me in my path. "He's not himself right now, Ellie. You need to go."

"But it's Godric, Eric. He won't hurt me." I shook my head, trying to move around him. Godric's eyes seemed glazed over, as if he weren't really in there. I tried to catch his gaze, but he was merely looking at down at drained human at his feet, almost like he was wondering where he could find another. My stomach churned at that thought and I tried to not think of him like this. This wasn't him, not really. He wasn't himself right now; I could hardly judge him at all. I didn't know what he's been through in the past month.

"He's not in the right mind. He's no better than a newborn. You need to step away." Eric warned.

"But..."

"You're blood is more intoxicating than you realize, Ellie. He won't be able to control himself." Eric shook his head. "Go back the way you came, go to the street. I'll be there shortly."

"It's almost dawn, Eric." I nodded up at the sky.

"I know. I'll get him calmed down and take him somewhere safe for the day." He assured. "I just need to make sure you're not in his path. He won't realize what he's doing."

I kept my gaze on Godric, and knew deep down that Eric was right. Godric wasn't in the right mind right now. Who knows what was even going on in that head of his. This whole experience must have been so traumatic; I couldn't even begin to understand. And my blood was intoxicating. Being here, it was like dangling the most forbidden fruit in front of his face. And like this, he wouldn't be able to control himself. It would be safer for everyone if I just walked away, at least for now.

"Okay, I'll just..."

But I never finished the sentence before I felt myself suddenly being shoved up right against the alley wall so hard, my head bounced against the crumbling bricks. I groaned as a blinding pain surged through me. It took me a moment to be able to focus on Godric who was gripping my shoulders so tightly, I almost thought they were just going to pop right off of my body. My eyes grew wide as the bloody fangs bared down at me, his eyes darting over me rapidly. They were darker than I realized, darker with hunger.

"Godric!" Eric was beside us in a flash, his eyes filled with worry.

I winced as Godric's grip tightened even further, but I continued to stare into those dark eyes that should have scared me. But they didn't. For some reason, I still saw Godric as I always did. He was kind, caring, and I knew he cared about me more than anyone ever has before. He just couldn't help himself. This wasn't his fault. He couldn't control the urge he felt, the hunger inside of him. I understood it. He was hurt. He was in pain. And he just wanted blood.

And my blood, well my blood was the most delicious blood possible.

And it could also heal him.

When that through struck me, I knew what I had to do. My blood could heal him faster than a dozen drained humans could. I wouldn't be able to heal him in the same way I had with Eric, my powers too weak from the earlier use, but my blood wasn't affected by my lack of power at all. I could still heal him, just as long as he drank my blood.

"It's okay Godric." I spoke softly, trying to encourage him. "You can bite me."

"Ellie, what are you doing?" Eric snapped, looking at me as if I was completely insane.

Maybe I was, but this was Godric. If there was a way I could help him, before he lost all control, then I would do it.

"He needs my blood, Eric. It'll heal him." I still couldn't look away from Godric, whose eyes finally rested on mine. "It's okay Godric. You can feed from me."

"This is insanity!" Eric looked like he was about to rip Godric off of me. "He'll kill you!"

"No he won't." I shook my head. "My blood will heal him faster than human blood will. So it's okay Godric, go on. Do it. I'm giving you permission. It's okay."

"No." Eric refused.

"This isn't your decision, Eric."

"This is the most idiotic stunt you've ever pulled, Ellie. Do you want to die?"

"Drink, Godric. Bite me. Do it now." I ordered him.

Before Eric could do a thing about it, my head was ripped to the side and Godric's fangs sunk deep within my neck. I forced back the scream that was threatening to emit from my lips, and instead bit down hard on my bottom lip. It was painful. Even more painful than the vampire from last night. Godric wasn't biting me carefully. He wasn't trying to not harm me. No, he was hungry and he was just ripping right through my neck to get to the blood he desperately desired. I couldn't hold back the whimpers of pain eventually, the pain just amounting to be too much. But still, I didn't stop him. Not that I could anyways. I was weak, and could in no way use my powers. I was as helpless as a human, perhaps even more so. I felt my body beginning to grow limp as I leaned on Godric for support. His arm circled around my waist as his fangs dove deeper inside of me. I could feel the blood leaving my body and entering his, and I only hoped that it was healing him as I predicted it would.

"Too much, he's taking too much." Eric grabbed onto Godric's shoulders, but his strength couldn't even match the strength of his weakened maker who was twice his age. "Godric!"

My eyes were beginning to flutter close as my heart began slowing. A numbness swam throughout my body, and soon I wasn't even aware of the pain. Sleep, that was all I wanted. I just wanted to sleep, just for a little while.

"Master, please." Eric's voice sounded so far away. "Please stop this, Godric. You're killing her."

And just like that, Godric removed himself from me so quickly that I didn't even have time to brace myself as I crumpled to the ground in a heap, losing consciousness quickly.

Eric watched in horror as Ellie slipped to the ground unconscious. Godric flashed across the alley, a look of shock and confusion crossing his young face. Eric was unsure of what to do, who to go to. He had been speechless when he discovered Godric in this alley, feeding on a helpless young girl. He had not seen the savage in his maker for nearly a century, not seen the bloodlust that rested in his eyes with such intensity since he had first met him on the battlefield that night a thousand years ago. He had been hoping to find his maker, that the blood he had smelt had been his doing. But the moment he set his eyes on his vicious form, Eric almost felt sick to his stomach. And then Ellie came waltzing into the alley without a hint of fear, not realizing what she was doing. While Eric believed Godric would never truly hurt Ellie, his maker was not in the right state of mind. He had no self control. He was acting like a freshly made newborn. And Ellie's intoxicating blood, the blood that any creature would seek out, would only taunt Godric in this state. He had tried desperately to get Ellie to leave, for her to turn back and hurry away before Godric could smell her blood, but he had failed. Godric attacked her before Eric could even stop him. But it was Ellie who pulled the trigger. She had wanted Godric to bite her, to drink her blood. It would heal him, she said. But at what cost? She was now lying on the ground unconscious, her heartbeat slowing to nearly a stop.

"No." He whispered out before appearing beside her in seconds. He knelt down beside her fragile form, the smell of her blood causing his nostrils to flare. His fangs clicked out involuntarily, but he fought back the sudden urge to taste her. He couldn't. She had lost too much blood. He searched for a pulse, and while he found one, it was weakening by the second. He couldn't lose her. He couldn't watch her die, not again. This was why he had distanced himself from her to begin with. He hadn't wanted this. He didn't want to have her, to love her for an eternity, only to suddenly lose her with the drop of a hat. This was why he had left her. It pained him to be away from her, to hurt her like he had. But it was easier to not have her in his life than it was to lose her like this.

"Fuck." He growled to himself as his fangs ripped through the flesh of his wrist. He forced the blood between Ellie's lips, using his other hand to pry open her relaxed jaw so she could drink his blood. "Come on, my sweet, drink for me."

But she couldn't. She was unconscious, unable to swallow the drops of blood that he was willing into her mouth.

"Please, lover, drink." He found himself pleading, the emotions rising in his chest. Bloody tears found their way to the corners of his eyes as he prayed for her to just swallow. He couldn't watch her die. She couldn't do this to him again. He knew that she couldn't truly die, not like this. But Eric feared that she would find herself in the In-Between once again, only to never return this time. And he couldn't let that happen, not while she was lying in his arms lifelessly. "I love you, Ellie, just drink for me please."

As if by miracle, a soft cough rang in his ear as Ellie slowly came to. Eric let out a sigh of relief as he bit into his healing wrist for a second time, setting it against her lips to replenish the blood she had just coughed up.

"Drink, Ellie, you need to drink." He whispered into her ear as he smoothed back her hair, praying that just for once she would listen to him.

And she did. He felt the slow sucking on his blood, the tongue that flicked out to taste the substance that ran through his veins.

"That's it, my sweet one." He coaxed her. "Drink it all up."

Eric raised his head after a moment, his gaze searching for Godric's. Except that Godric was no longer there across from them. His blue orbs grew wide as they darted around the alley, searching for the maker he had only just found. But he was nowhere to be found. Godric had just vanished while he had been distracted with Ellie. Once again, he was caught between searching for his maker and staying here with Ellie. He so desperately wanted to find Godric, to demand what had happened, to feel the bond he had desired to feel for the past month. But then there was Ellie, the sweet fragile girl that was in his arms, her heart slowly starting to grow stronger. He knew the answer immediately. He couldn't leave his beloved. He couldn't just leave her behind, not like this. So he stayed there, by her side until the colour returned to her cheeks and she fell into a peaceful slumber. Eric could only pray that his maker had not gone far, that the moment the sun had set the next night, he would be able to find him.

Godric felt shame as he dug a hole in the cemetery, seeking sanctuary from the soon to be rising sun. He had fed on the one human he had vowed never to hurt. And that was exactly what he had done. He had sunk his fangs into Ellie's neck and drank her blood to the near brink of her death. And he was ashamed to say that he enjoyed it. The blood that had been so intoxicating to taste three years ago, the blood that not even he could turn away from, it was calling to him even now. If the sun was not rising, he would have sought her out and continue to drink from her. And that made him sick. How could he think such a thing? Ellie had always been there for him. She had seen a side of him that he had fought to preserve over the last century. He hated himself for the monster he had allowed himself to become over the last month. She had taught him about humanity, about love. She had brought back a hope in his existence that he had long ago lost after the death of his sweet Kyra. But he had allowed the bloodthirsty monster to out tonight, he had destroyed the relationship he held to dearly to his heart.

And for what? A drop of the most sweet, intoxicating blood he had ever come across?

Godric closed his eyes as he finished digging the hole. He could feel the pull at his consciousness as the sun continued to rise, the sky now a light blue. He almost desired to feel the rays of the sun on his pale skin, to be no more. He had hurt Ellie, he had nearly killed her. How could he possibly continue on knowing what he had done? He hated himself, despised what he was, for the urge to taste her blood again. Human blood, it was nothing in comparison. Her blood had made him feel alive. As he looked down at his arms, he found them to be completely healed. The wounds had disappeared, as if they had never been there to begin with. Her blood was magical, that was the only way to describe it. He had fed on human after human since he had escaped from the tunnel in the palace, but no amount of drained humans could heal him to this point. But one taste of that Phoenix blood, and he felt like himself.

Except for the hunger.

The hunger for more.

The hunger for blood.

A low growl emitted from Godric's throat as he sunk into the hole inside the earth, hurrying as he covered himself with the dirt that was to protect him during the day. Even now, after the blood he had already consumed, he wanted more. He had spent the nearly last 6 years drinking only true blood, finding comfort in the synthetic blood, not having to harm another human. He had nearly forgotten the thrill of human blood, hearing their racing heart as he sank his fangs into their pulsing veins. The taste could not be comparable. True blood may be synthetic blood, but it was nothing like the real thing. He wanted more of it, lots more of it. It was a desire he had fought to forget, to become dormant. But now that human blood was flowing through him, the taste of Ellie's sweet life force still on his tongue, he couldn't even remember the horrid taste of true blood. How could he ever want to drink anything but that sweet nectar?

If was for that reason that he had left the moment he forced himself off of Ellie. He couldn't be within a mile of the sweet girl he had cared so deeply about. He cared too much about her to possibly put her in danger, even if that danger was himself. So he left. He left Ellie, and he left the vampire he had created long ago, though it pained him to leave Eric's side. He would leave again at dusk, find another city, perhaps even another country to call his home. He couldn't put anyone else he cared about at risk.

There was a dull ache in my neck as my eyes slowly began to open. I let out a groan, my hand immediately rising to my neck, checking to ensure I was alright. I was surprised to find the skin smooth, and even more surprised to find myself in a bed, wearing nothing but Eric's shirt, and with said vampire lying protectively beside me. Realizing that Eric must have healed me after Godric had fed from me, I turned my head to the side to stare at the blonde. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my lips as I just stared at the vampire. He always looked so peaceful when he slept, so unlike himself. His hair fell into his eyes, a relaxed smile gracing his lips. He looked happy, like there were no problems facing us. But I knew the moment he woke, that this would all change. We had just found his maker feeding from a human. Godric for so long had forced back that monster from within, to become the vampire that I had grown so close to. And just like that, it all went to hell. I tried so hard not to judge him; after all, it wasn't his fault, not entirely. But as the memories from last night flashed before me, the way he dove his fangs right into my neck, ferociously feeding from me, it was difficult not to shudder in fear.

"You're safe." A whispered voice assured me.

My smile grew as Eric's eyes slowly opened, his blue orbs meeting my gaze. "Hello."

"Hi." I greeted shyly. "You healed me?"

"I did." He nodded, his eyes searching my face. "How do you feel?"

"My neck kind of hurts, but other than that I'm fine. I feel a lot more energized than last night anyways." I shrugged.

"Good." The smile that had been plastered across his face as he slept had slipped away just as I had predicted. "We have a problem."

"With Godric, I know." I sighed. "Where is he anyways? Is he here? I hope he doesn't blame himself."

I began sitting up, my eyes darting around the room, hoping that they would land on Godric's form. But he wasn't in sight, and as I strained my ears, I couldn't hear him either. I looked down at Eric in confusion, my face falling the moment I saw the expression on his face.

"Where is he, Eric?" I demanded to know.

"He left." Eric closed his eyes, sounding like a lost little boy. "I don't know where he is."

It broke my heart to see Eric this way. Godric meant everything to him. He was the one who had given him a second chance at life, that had loved him and taught him everything that he knew. Godric truly was like a father to him, and the possibility of losing that, it was destroying him.

"Where do you think he went?" I wondered as I slid back down on the bed, resting my head on his chest.

"I honestly don't know." He sighed, his arm sliding around my waist, binding me to him. "He just...left."

"We'll find him. I doubt he's gotten too far." I voiced optimistically.

"How could you do it?" Eric opened his eyes to stare down at me, the sadness and pain mixing in those beautiful blue orbs. "How could you allow him to feed from you?"

"He needed to heal, Eric. It was the only way. He was feeding on humans because he needed it. He needed blood. So I gave him mine. Maybe he'll be alright now."

"You could have died." He pointed out, his hold on me tightening as if he was afraid I would just disappear. It warmed my heart to know that even after he had gone and left me, it still appeared that he cared about me. That was something right?

"No I couldn't have." My hand had a mind of its own as it began sliding up Eric's bare chest, my fingers dancing across his cool flawless skin. "And anyways, I had you there to save me."

"I'm always saving you."

"I've never asked you too." I gazed up at him.

"But I always do." He shook his head with the tiniest smile on his face. "You always need saving."

"Trouble has a way of finding me." I chuckled.

"I'm starting to believe it's the other way around."

"Maybe just a little." I snorted. "It helps to know you're there to swoop in and save the day."

"I won't always be, Ellie." His voice was strained.

My hand stopped on his chest, my heart nearly becoming still as he said those words. I knew the context of them. I knew what he meant. He wouldn't always be around to save me because he wouldn't be around at all. He was going to leave again, I knew it. He had only come back because of Godric. And if I hadn't found myself in trouble in Jackson, I was certain I never would have seen Eric. After this was all over and done with, after his maker was settled and healthy, he would return to the life he had escaped to in the first place. He would leave me, walk away, and I would find myself back in the dark hole I had tried desperately to escape from.

I squeezed my eyes shut, the tears forming in my orbs, threatening to escape. I couldn't cry now. We had much more pressing matters to deal with. Like Godric. But I just couldn't help the emotions rising in my chest, the sudden need to just curl up and cry overcoming me.

"Don't do that, Ellie. Don't cry, not again." he pleaded softly. "You know I can't take it when you cry."

"Then don't leave me." I found myself begging. "Why do you have to leave me?"

"It's easier."

"Easier for who?" I pushed myself up into a sitting position, glaring down at the vampire with tears in my eyes. "Easier for you?"

"Yes?" he answered simply, though he couldn't look me in the eye as he said this.

"But not for me. It hurts, Eric. Do you know how much pain I was in when you left?" my bottom lip began to tremble. "Why do you have to hurt me, Eric? Why can't we just be together?"

"Because we can't." He shook his head, throwing his legs over the side of the bed as he sat up. He kept his back to me as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "We can't be together, Ellie."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm no good for you." He stood suddenly, his hands clenching at his sides. "I can't be the man you want me to be."

"I don't want you to be anyone but yourself." I scrambled off the bed, reaching out to the vampire.

But he stepped away from me, turning towards the bathroom.

"I'm sorry Ellie, but this is the way it has to be."

I watched as he walked into the bathroom, feeling as if he was walking right out of my life for a second time.