Disclaimer: The True Blood Characters in this belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Another Disclaimer: I've created fictional backgrounds to characters where the appropriate background is either lacking or currently unknown. Original setting of this fanfic was during/after Season 2 of the TV Series.

Reviews: Are always desired and appreciated. Thanks again to all reviewers, old and new for such wonderful encouragement.


Chapter 17

"Godric's Vampire Magic"

The situation seemed impossible. Frantically Elliane struggled to pull herself free of Eric's grasp. Her eyes rapidly scanned around for a landmark, as she assessed her current location within the murky darkness.

Across the road and maybe half a block down, was the plaza hotel, Home of the 'De Sang-bleu' club, where she had been mere minutes ago. She was currently positioned on the flat roof of a mid-rise office block with Eric at her side.

Elliane pleaded with him in futile "Let me go Eric!" she half sobbed out the words. Tears of frustration pricked at her eyes as she tried to pry loose the grip he held on her wrist.

Eric, not making full sense of the situation was still wary of the young female human before him. He had never seen her lose control of her emotions like this. Their recent blood exchange, only the night before, allowed him to link into the powerful sensations that she was currently experiencing. Rage and despair… and these emotions were presently tipped to become hysterical.

"Calm down," he growled at her sharply. "Just tell me what he did?"

~Calm down~

Oddly enough, Eric's command seemed to penetrate through the fog of rage. Elliane found the rational, reasonable part of herself repeating the same thing.

Calm down, control yourself. Do not loose the plot.

She dropped her gaze to the ground as she took huge shuddering breaths of air. And then, the sensual Spanish accent of Isabel cut through the atmosphere.

"Elliane, mi dulce," she murmured softly. Isabel stroked her hand against the bare skin of Elli's arm.

She stepped out from where she had alighted behind Elliane, to stand at her side. "Tell me what has happened?"

Elliane tried to respond, and would have… but she needed more time. More time to get control of her emotions, which seemed to now capture her voiceless.

Isabel looked to Eric. "Release your hold Eric. She is surely unable to come to any harm."

"She is enraged," he hissed. Clearly annoyed that Isabel was attempting to interfere.

"She has nowhere to go..." countered Isabel indignantly.

A garbled choking sound was heard nearby.

"GoDrrric .. Pleeease.. I … Never … touched her.."

Elliane felt her stomach lurch at the sound of the desperate voice. There was a *thump* in the inky darkness and the silhouette of Gorran could be seen. It had fallen in a crumpled heap, some twelve feet in front of her.

A flash of moonlight seem to glimmer from his widened eyes and he directed his hoarse voice at her.

"Please, tell him Miss! Tell the Sheriff I haven't touched you!"

A few feet away, to the side of the rogue vampire, stood Godric. The moonlight captured his elusive stance… calm, yet alert as he watched the form of his victim before him.

There was a silence, while Elliane steadied her thoughts, the sudden turn of events seeming incredulous. She formulated her words carefully before she spoke. This was her opportunity, her chance to speak out against the creature that had destroyed the life of her sister. Her voice, although clear, echoed into the night like an anguished whisper. "You stole from me," she spat out to the vampire. She went to step in closer, but Eric's grip kept her in place.

"One summer night, six years ago, you stole her from me. She was only eighteen years old, and you killed her. You gained her trust. You manipulated her…," she paused then to take a shuddering breath.

"You slit her throat and drained her dry. And for six months her corpse remained, buried beneath the sand"

Elliane took another deep breath. "Her name was Sariah, and she was my sister." There, she had said it. And she expected all manner of denials in response. She could hardly prove her case and the vampire was sure to know it. To her surprise, there followed a long silence before Godric spoke.

"Gorran…?" his voice queried.

"Sheriff!" the accused quickly defended. His voice was still hoarse. "This all happened before the great revelation! The rules were different then."

"The rules have not changed," he snapped back at him.

Godric moved then, with his usual vampire flash of speed to stand immediately before Elliane and his voice reverted to its regular accented tone.

"Elliane, it is important that this matter be dealt with in a manner according to our Vampire laws. Gorran shall be taken into the custody of the Vampire Authority and his case will be held before a council, or before the Magister."

Elliane nodded numbly, a sense of bewilderment adding to the mix of already volatile emotions.

Vampires had laws against killing humans? Any insight from her prior work in The Intelligence Bureau had never revealed anything like that. Her suspicions were aroused, yet a part of her acknowledged that if Gorran had been human, he would receive a fair trial. Humans however, didn't typically kill other humans as a source of food.

"Isabel, you will escort Gorran into the care of the Authority." Godric's mild voice directed.

"Certainly Sheriff," came the eloquent Spanish voice.

"And Eric, perhaps you would be kind enough to lend her your assistance."

Eric finally released the iron grip he held on Elli's wrist and bowed his head before Godric. "Of course…" he replied. Then he spoke again to Godric, rapidly switching his language. The flowing European words were barely audible. And Godric, understanding him, responded briefly in kind.

Elliane, who was only seeing these events by the moonlight, felt Godric's presence become closer to her as Eric moved away. Isabel seemed to vanish into the night, while Eric, roughly picking up the victim by the back of his jacket, shot into the sky.

Upon seeing him vanish, Elliane fought down the overwhelming sensation of loss. Her chance of justice had just gone.

"You must be exhausted," Godric whispered into her ear. As he stepped around behind her, she felt two cool hands slide down her arms. "I shall take you home."

"What will happen to him?" she managed to ask huskily. She pushed down the rising sobs, desperately hoping she was not about to turn into a stupid blubbering mess.

Godric didn't answer immediately. Instead, she felt his hands stroke slowly back up her arms, his fingertips rub soothingly across her shoulders. His hands seemed to linger over the back of her neck and she felt a shiver run through her, as her tense shoulder muscles relaxed. She really was very tired.

"You have no need to worry, Elliane. Do not concern yourself with things you can no longer change."

"Will I not have to testify in his trail?" she queried softly.

"It is very unlikely," he responded. "Usually in such cases, a Vampire will speak on your behalf."

Within the darkness, she nodded with an unhappy feeling of defeat. Godric then scooped her up against his chest and set off into the night.

Surprisingly he didn't travel at his usual breakneck, supersonic speed. Instead he took the journey at a moderate pace. Elliane had remained quiet. She was painfully aware now, that her extreme, emotional response to the flashback of her sister's death had negatively influenced her behaviour.

She acknowledged that she had most likely ruined any chance of true justice for her sister. She could not imagine this so called 'Vampire Authority' delivering anything more than a slap on the wrist to the 'rogue' vampire.

Vampires killed humans all the time and more importantly, very little justice was ever seen. It was the essential crux to the whole Vampire issue. Un-ashamed, and no longer caring, she allowed the tears to flow freely and quietly as the cool wind whipped at her skin.


Godric arrived back at the mansion in a somewhat timely manner. He set himself down just outside the portico driveway and placed Elliane on her feet beside him. She was about to step back when he took her hand.

"Wait," he ordered.

Elliane then saw Godric do something that she had not observed before, from anyone vampire or human.

He tilted his head up and closed his eyes for a short moment and he seemed to meditate or scan something within the environment. Then he opened his eyes and with that rapid movement, he often used, looked to Elliane, his exquisite blue-green-gold eyes locking with hers.

"The grounds and the house are clear," he stated calmly, before looking ahead.

They entered the home, Godric leading Elliane through the empty shelved library into the sitting room, where there were soft leather lounges.

"Take a seat," he said softly and Elliane did as he requested, sweeping up the length of the exquisite turquoise gown she wore and seating herself primly on the edge of the lounge. She had not spoken a word on the journey home and Godric watched her thoughtfully as he stood nearby.

She looked up at him, her beautiful silvery eyes revealing a deep sense of sorrow. And although her thoughts were pensive, it might have surprised Godric to know that they were currently occupied on what manner of being was before her.

These vampires, they were virtual Gods surely. Super speed, super strength, heightened sense and Godric had lived to see pretty much most of what the world had offered for over two thousand years. Plus there were his vampire abilities, and now as she had just seen, some other unknown skill which seemed to allow him to scan the immediate vicinity

"Elliane," he began gently. "I know you must be very tired and wishing to rest at the moment, but I would like to speak with you before you do."

Elli nodded, her gaze dropping for a moment to coffee table in the room.

"First, can I get you anything…?" he asked solicitously.

"No," she responded huskily. "I am quite fine, thank you."

Elliane suspected that she was about to receive some sort of lecture from Godric, and with the way this strange day had started, and then continued; she now wanted to get anything else bad, out of the way… as quickly as possible.

Godric sat beside her and took one of her hands into both of his own. It was the hand that wore the ring. Elliane's heart began to thump rapidly, and her natural instinct to panic took control of her thoughts.

'He wants me to leave, I have already caused too much trouble' her mind taunted her anxiously. Silent tears spilled over eyes and started to roll down her cheeks.

"Godric, I am so sorry," she said rather suddenly. "I know that I lost control of my emotions and have caused some sort of catastrophe. But, this instance was particularly unique and it will not likely arise again."

There was a look of mild surprise in Godric's eyes and he nudged himself a little closer.

"My poor Elliane," he said softly. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"Well… there is not that much to tell," she breathed, thinking through her words before she spoke them. It seemed so hard to articulate.

"Just take your time," he said.

"Tonight, from the moment I met…. uh… Gorran," she growled out the name. "I felt ill. I had some years ago, read the bracelet that was my sisters, after it was finally released from evidence. Although no killer had been found, there was an enquiry into her death, since the circumstances were unusual."

She took a deep breath and continued. "I knew then, the events that had lead to her death, but back then… I guess… I never really blamed the vampire."

"I blamed everything else. I blamed myself, I blamed her… I blamed my parents." Elliane paused, looking down at the hand that Godric had still contained.

"Mostly I blamed myself. I thought that had I been better somehow, that she would have stayed. This evening, after I met… him..." she took another deep breath. "As I said, I immediately felt ill. All the scenes leading up to her death replayed in my mind, and I suddenly knew, that the only thing responsible for her death and my loss… was him. And him alone."

She paused anxiously and Godric patiently waited, "And I was very, very angry…" Her silvery eyes flashed out at the end of her speech.

"Yes, well… I felt that, through the remnants of our blood bond." Godric stated. He looked at her intently, his eyes becoming thoughtful before continuing.

"It is a wonder that you do not despise all of our kind," he said simply.

There was a long silent moment before she spoke.

"So, you are not too angry with me then?" she said, the uncertainty clear in her voice.

Godric gazed at her for moment with those unfathomable eyes. "You thought I was angry… with you?"

Her gaze wavered helplessly as she nodded.

A small smile twitched at the corner of Godric's lips.

"Elliane, 'De Sang-bleu' and it's inhabitants have no power, or influence… of any kind over me." There was a touch of amusement in his eyes. "They only exist here - because I allow it."

"Oh," she stated, suddenly deflated. She reached to touch the pendant around her neck with a furrowed brow. "I thought that, with this... it belonging to Madame de Pompadour, that there was… um… "

"Ahh…" he nodded, understanding something of her confusion. His brows quirked briefly, "I must remember to let you in on my little intrigues in future."

Elliane frowned at him then, thinking much the same thing.

"Elli, I actually wanted to talk to you about a different matter," he said, his eyes becoming serious.

"Okay," she nodded; her thoughts of course, immediately became defensive.

Godric watched her for a moment; his expression remained serious as looked down to her hand that he held between his own. His eyes flickering with an unknown emotion, as he noticed the slight discolouration of a bruise appearing on her wrist. The wrist that Eric had held. "It is about what happened in the car, on our drive to 'De Sang-Bleu'" he said softly.

Elliane's was stunned for a moment before her pulse leaped, her cheeks flaming with colour.

"Uh… what?" she asked dazedly, not sure she had heard him properly.

There was only one thing she could remember about that car-trip, and she was sure it was not a subject of polite conversation.

Godric ran this thumb gently over her bruising wrist and Elli winced in pain. "To be more specific, your experiences in the car," he stated, looking up at her solemnly.

Elliane took a harsh breath, snatching her hand back from his as she shifted back along the seat. She felt acutely embarrassed. How could he bring up such a subject?

"Godric….." she heaved, clearly uncomfortable. "I don't ever want to discuss what happened in the car…" she stated, her voice at an odd pitch.

He eyed her sympathetically. "Elli, there is no reason to feel so embarrassed," he said. "It was not your fault that such sensations arose. I want our friendship to be based on trust and I think I should explain a few things."

"No." she said coldly.

Was he really going to explain the whole vampire-sex-blood-bond thing?

He looked at her, mildly disconcerted; he seemed genuinely unable to understand her objection. She gave him a slightly apologetic look, which also revealed to him, a great sense of anguish.

Elliane silently prayed he would drop the whole notion. But, she grew increasingly uncomfortable when instead, he moved closer to her, shifting down along the seat of the lounge.

"Elli," he said. His tantalising accent seemed to soothingly float within the room. "Perhaps I can help. Will you allow me to take it away from you?"

She blinked back at him confused. "Take what away?'

"This suffering you feel. All the pain you have felt today and these disturbing emotions that will prevent you from sleeping tonight."

"You can do that?" she said incredulously. Elliane wondered what else there was to learn of these Vampires, it seemed like something new was developing by the hour.

"Oh yes," he said, his cool and calm eyes dropping to her neck where they lingered deliberately for a moment.

Elliane squirmed inwardly. The last time he bit her was another embarrassing episode, if she remembered correctly.

Godric slowly stroked the side of her neck. "It won't hurt Elliane, and I will leave no marks to blemish the skin."

She stood on the proverbial cliff edge, prevaricating whether or not to jump.

As much as she was greatly disinclined to engage in the action, especially at this present moment, a part of her reasoned that she had in fact agreed to allow him to feed from her. Well occasionally. She was honour-bound to uphold her end of the bargain. She took another deep breath, "Last time…"

"It won't be like the last time," he interjected with a small smile and then with his vampire speed he leaned over, grabbed her by the waist and pulled her across his lap. Elliane was too disconcerted to protest.

He cradled her to one side, his eyes seeming to ignite in that strange gold glow as his fangs extended and he leaned down to the side of her neck.

"Relax Elli," he urged softly. His voice sent a shiver through her soul.

She seemed to nod in some sort of compliance and she felt him squeeze her hip gently as his fangs descended into her skin.

Elliane gritted her teeth. She felt a hot tingle at her neck, which seemed to grow rapidly and spread over her skin.

It became clear however, that it was a soothing tingle, which made her close her eyes dreamily and sigh contentedly. Every bad thought seem to drift away and she relaxed completely in Godric's arms.

She heard him growl softly as he drank, causing her blood to surge in a minor stirring of lust, before the languid warmth returned.

And then it was over. Godric continued to lap at her wound and she felt the slight rawness upon her neck completely fade. She noticed his hand, previously at her hip, had at some point slid under the long skirts of her dress, his fingertips now stroking against the back of her knee. But she didn't care. She felt completely sedated.

"Wow…" she murmured dreamily.

Godric eyed her curiously, reflecting upon the softness of her silver eyes and she gazed back with a contented smile.

"How do you do this?" she asked in wonder.

Godric didn't answer; he just smiled at her mildly.

"Some sort of Vampire magic I suspect," she said wistfully. Lying there, still half cradled in his arms, Elliane felt like she was floating through clouds.

Godric looked quite amused, "Actually Elliane, it is more science than magic."

"And why doesn't it hurt when you bite?" she asked, her face looking gently puzzled as she raised her hand to touch her neck.

He gave her an indulgent smile. "More science, I'm afraid."

Elliane smiled back contentedly

Godric then rapidly shifted and allowed her to lay fully along the length of the lounge as he perched by hollow at her waist-side. The hand at her knee, shifted further up her leg to the top of her thigh, the skirt of her dress being lifted in the process and he leaned his body across hers, closing his eyes and inhaling her scent along her upper arm.

"Pamela," he murmured thoughtfully, and he leaned down to brush his lips across a spot on her upper arm.

Pamela? Who is Pamela? Elliane thought bemusedly. She stifled the urge to giggle. But then, she realised that he meant 'Pam' Eric's Pam. And this… was the very spot where Pam had bitten her.

"Ah yes," she said quietly. Still lost in a dreamy state, Elliane was completely unperturbed by Godric's actions. "Pam bit me there."

Godric nodded, as though he already knew the information.

"And, did her bite hurt you?" he asked quietly.

Elliane shook her head. "No, I was unconscious at the time, but I could feel it afterwards."

"And what about Eric's bite?" he queried, his thumb sliding across the very spot on her upper thigh where Eric had fed.

"Still unconscious," she said, and the calm sense of euphoria was starting clear a little, especially as she started to remember how furious she was at the time.

"It seems they had quite a meal of you," he stated with a wry smile.

"Yes, though it was under Doctor's orders. Pam saved my life..."

"So I have heard." He nodded and then he slid a cool fingertip down her neck to her shoulder, hooking the finger under the strap of her dress and slowly pulling it down over to her arm. The fabric slid back, revealing the creamy flesh of her breast.

He watched her with those fathomless eyes, awaiting a reaction and then with rapid speed he leant back over to the peak inhaling deeply.

"Eric again," he said softly, tilting his head to watch her face. His eyes seemed to glitter with a dangerous light.

She frowned, feeling as though she remembered the event through a fog.

"Yes," she nodded and she was remembering however; that it was not a bite. "An intimate gesture... An attempt to seduce me."

"I see, and did he succeed?" he moved his gaze pointedly down the slim form before him, and it rested at the spot between her thighs.

"No," she said. And a fleeting smile of triumph crossed her lips.

He watched her thoughtfully for a moment.

She then shrugged a shoulder casually. "I did say that this would happen. I wanted to go with you."

"So you did," he smiled, with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I should have taken your concerns more seriously, it seems."

She frowned quite distinctly then, as she refocussed on the events. "Did you know that Eric had me drink some of his blood?"

"Of course. I could smell his blood upon you tonight before I had seen you, and I can taste it within your veins."

The peaceful visage upon her face continued to falter. Her stomach became squeamish with the thought of blood and a haunted look stated to return to her eyes. Godric's eyes became distant as he traced a finger over her lips.

"You should have taken the blood that the Doctor offered?" he said mildly.

She nodded distractedly and lifted her silver eyes to meet his. "I know."

"Perhaps Eric tricked you into drinking his blood," he asked, almost musingly, he allowed his eyes to drift over the creamy swell of her explosed breast, and further down admiring the sleek lines of her slim thighs.

"Oh he did," she said, with a mildly acid humour. "He glamoured me," and as soon as she had said this, it seemed that the atmosphere lit up with something dangerous and electric.

Godric snapped his head to look at her, his eyes darkening so intensely that they seemed to burn right through her. And, with a rapid flash of speed; Elliane found herself suddenly seated upright upon the opposite lounge chair. Her clothing was modestly restored to its previous elegance.

"Glamoured?" He repeated with a whisper, and with another whoosh of vampire speedhe left and returned, and handed to her a glass of water. "Eric glamoured you?" he asked softly, there was a note of disbelief in his voice.

"Yes," she said simply, the glass trembled in her hand, while she raised the other shaking hand to her head. "Am I glamoured now?" she asked. The silvery eyes, which only moments ago were soft and tranquil, now eyed him suspiciously.

"No," he said quietly. His eyes had returned to their usual blue-green-gold gaze. "Come Elli, you must drink some water," he urged her with a gentle command before he continued. "I had no idea that the ring had made you that ill."

Elliane took a few sips of water, the cool liquid pleasantly refreshing, before setting the glass on the table.

"Yes, it was very fatiguing. The fever fried out my brain," she said with an odd smile, strangely amused by the idea.

"Drink some more water," he said, handing her the glass. "You will feel be dizzy for a short while."

She looked up at him curiously.

"I took a little more of your blood than I intended."