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.
Note: I think this is my best chapter yet... but please disagree.
Chapter 18
"The Never Ending Night"
Elliane was fuming. It had become increasingly apparent that Godric was a complete and utter control freak. And while he may have held the initial illusion of being at least slightly complacent, Elliane quickly discovered that he was always use to having the upper hand. Eric, Isabel, in fact no-one, ever seemed to disagree with him. He had an annoying way of making you feel like a complete idiot if you didn't 'behave' according to how he anticipated.
He had insisted that she drink the entire glass of water, going so far as to raise the glass to her lips. And when she had disagreed, his hand had settled gently against her. His fingertips, seeming to dance a gentle tingle along the top of her shoulder, until she felt a wave of sleepy, sensual compliance.
She had drunk all the water of course - just to get away from those damn hands. Even now, as they both stood outside the doors of her bedroom suite, he was issuing orders.
"You ought to go straight to bed," he said mildly. Not quite an order perhaps, but it held an edge of something oddly parental. "I imagine you are quite exhausted now."
Elliane was indeed quite exhausted. She wondered if his hand touching her elbow had anything to do with that, becoming aware now, of a subtle pressure on a spot just above the joint. Clearly, she could become putty in those manipulative hands, but not tonight.
She wondered what would happen to Godric's world when the proverbial spanner was tossed in the works.
"Good night Elliane," he said as he opened the door for her. His voice was cool like the whisper of rain upon the top of the roof.
"Actually," said Elli as she stepped into the entrance of her rooms. "I think I might stay up for a while."
Godric, who had turned to leave, slowly turned back and stepped into the room behind her.
"Really? Do think that wise Elliane? You are clearly in need of rest."
And there it was, she thought derisively. The suggestion that she was being 'UN-wise' by doing something other than what he had wanted. The insinuation, that by being unwise, she was also clearly somewhat foolish.
Elliane shrugged. "Probably not, but I have a bit of work to do. I need to go through my computer and sort out some things."
Godric watched her for a moment and Elliane continued in this elusive manner, avoiding his gaze as she looked around the small sitting room.
"I think I shall stay awake till dawn - and then sleep during the day," she said, moving further into the room and entering the study area nearby. She just left Godric where he stood, without even a backward glance. She wondered what he would make of her subtle dismissal of him. Breathless at the thought and she quickly removed her laptop from its case and set it on the desk.
"Elli," came the familiar voice, now from the door of the study. "You may not get the opportunity to sleep at daylight. I have contracted some painters and decorators to continue with the work on the upper floor."
She turned a little towards him, glancing across her shoulder. He looked particularly calm and even vaguely apologetic as he caught her gaze.
"They will arrive mid morning, and the noise of their work may keep you awake for the rest of the day."
Elliane turned back to the computer and smiled. "Oh well… I shall just sleep after they have gone."
Godric appeared at her side and she took a sudden step back when she saw those hands of his reach for hers. A flash of concern crossed his face as she stepped away.
"I had rather hoped you would be awake and refreshed for tomorrow evening," he said with a fleeting smile. "I wanted to surprise you. I would steal you away from Dallas for the night, and take you somewhere for dinner."
She could feel her heart beginning to thump rapidly. Was he asking her out on a date? What a strange notion considering the nature of their circumstances together. She glanced back to her computer which had booted up now. Finally, she could find out what the time actually was.
2:37am – hmm. That was no where near as late as she had thought. Staying awake until dawn - suddenly seemed impossible.
She knew she was being little unreasonable, but the stubborn part of her felt that it was hardly her fault. Was she meant to psychically divine his plans and just fall in with them?
"Of course," Godric continued. "If you have things to do, I understand. I just hoped that we could use the opportunity to catch up. To discuss the ring and the more recent events that have occurred."
His voice and tone, it all seemed particularly sincere and she then acknowledged that perhaps she was allowing an uncommonly strange night to get the better of her.
She turned to him then with that rare brilliant smile she would occasionally reveal. Godric felt something ignite within him. Outwardly he remained calmly composed.
"That sounds like a great idea," she said simply. Somewhat willing to concede, she refused to give him a complete victory. "I shall be fast, and quickly get the important things sorted out ..."
"Elli," he stepped in close suddenly and touched her cheek delicately. "You have a very strong will and I was indeed, very surprised, to find that Eric had glamoured you." He paused. "Indeed, your will is so strong that I imagine you to be almost invulnerable to traditional forms of influence, magic or enchantment."
Intrigued, Elliane could only listen, secretly delighted that he seemed to be sharing something that could be of value to her. He dropped his hand and looked at her intently.
"Your body however is only mortal, and it is at risk of becoming fatigued. In this state you are still vulnerable."
Elliane just nodded, watching those fathomless eyes gaze at her mysteriously.
"And, despite your highly suspicious nature," he smiled wryly. "You are perversely inclined to be very gullible."
Elliane dropped her eyes, suddenly feeling aggravated. "Godric, really… You hardly know me. I think you might be surprised to find I am not as gullible as you suppose."
He smiled a little and his eyes became darker. "Perhaps you are right. I guess, the point I'm wanting to make, without sounding or becoming too managing…"
Elliane caught her breath. Quite unbelievably, it seemed that he had sensed something of her earlier psychology, and she listened as he continued.
"I want you to be careful. In particular, will you please not venture too far from the house and grounds tomorrow?"
She nodded seriously, "I guess I could do that."
"At least until we know little more of what the Fae want with you," he finished.
Her eyes sharpened instantly. Lord, how could she have forgotten that crazy pixie thing? Clearly he saw her as somehow reckless.
"Absolutely," she said solemnly. "I don't imagine I need to go anywhere tomorrow. But I shall certainly remain in sight of the house."
"Excellent," he nodded. "Sleep well then - when you do," he eyed her a little coolly. "Should you need anything I shall be downstairs."
And with that he had rapidly vanished.
It felt strange to suddenly be alone. It seemed that she had not been left to herself at all for the entire night.
Elliane glanced sadly at the guitar by the desk and sighed. She quickly checked a couple of things on her computer, leaving it on to remind her of the time.
Suddenly, it occurred to her that she had just undergone a rather extraordinary event. What exactly had Godric done to her! She quickly entered the bathroom to examine her neck in the mirror. No bite marks, just as he had promised. Those dangerous, puppet-master hands of his had clearly worked some sort of spell. However, rather than the event being blurry, it seemed to her all too clear.
Science, my ass! she thought to herself, amazed that she could actually feel so tranquil. Even now, the memory of that languid, peaceful state washed over her as she reflected.
Deciding that she was tired afterall, she quickly prepared for bed.
It was 3:00am by the time she could dive under the covers of the fabulous bed and just sleep. Her only concern was the expensive pendant necklace, which she had intended on returning to Godric.
She placed it inside the top drawer of the of the bedside table and decided that it could wait until dusk tomorrow, before falling to sleep.
An hour later, an extremely annoyed Elliane finally just 'got up'. Slipping on a pair of well-worn, ballet flats from her closet, she grabbed the pendant necklace and headed downstairs. Despite not wearing the pendant, she was not sure if she was somehow reading the necklace in her sleep. It certainly seemed like she might be. Perhaps the resonance of the jewellery worn through-out the night was still with her. Elli just didn't know. In any case, there was no way in the world she was going to suffer another day or so of feeling feverish. The necklace had to go.
The tortuous sleep, if one could call it that, was going to driving her mad. Some sort of insomnia had decided to hit her and the events of the night and day had continuously replayed in her mind. At the times when she might have dozed off, she was flooded with images of powdered hair, fabulous ballrooms and this awful foreboding sense of running through cloistered halls in terror.
She slipped quickly through the darkness, down the upper hall to the head of the marble staircase and just hoped that Godric was still around. It was so quiet. Elliane could almost hear her heartbeat as she placed foot after foot slowly down on each step.
Maybe Godric would be in the library. Remembering the slippery floors she made her way through to that room and found it pitch dark.
"Godric?" she whispered. The whisper seemed horribly loud in the silence and she heard no reply. She went on, silently creeping through each room. Not a soul to be found.
At the back of the house she reached the small room with the stairwell that led downstairs. She switched on the light in the room and mentally groaned. All those stairs! She was so tired and really didn't feel in the mood to climb down what she remembered was a really, really long spiral staircase. It seemed so dark too. Surely it was much darker now than last time.
She debated for a moment and felt a flicker of apprehension. A flash of 'running desperately through ancient cloistered halls' had re-filled her mind and she wished she could just toss the necklace down the stairs and be done with it. Biting the bullet, she made her way down, hoping that she wouldn't trip in the darkness and break her neck. Mostly she hoped that someone would actually be down there. Since it was a very long staircase, she mused to herself on the way down - just how she would hand back the necklace.
Perhaps she would knock at his door, hand him the pendant and then run off. Better still, she would knock on his door and say, 'Take the Damn necklace', and then run off. A variety of scenarios filled her mind. In the final one, she would knock on the door, throw the necklace in his face, and say 'I am not your Damn pet' and then triumphantly stalk off.
As she saw the grey dim below her, all such thoughts vanished. She was suddenly freezing cold and as she reached the last step, it seemed that something was wrong. The long hall was dimly lit with three lights. Weren't there more lights before? She felt the nearby wall for a light switch, fumbling blindly in the shadows.
It was definitely darker in here. The place had some sort of industrial dungeon vibe going on. The lighting seemed to spotlight down to limited dim pools of grey upon the concrete ground. The walls were invisible in the darkness. She approached the first key-coded door and then paused.
Was this one Godric's room? It seemed that there were noises too, scuttlings and creaks. Elliane looked further down the hall to the where she should of seen the end door. That door, which would lead to the prison room, which contained the heavy chain manacles.
Elliane felt sick and a sudden horrendous thought entered her mind.
Dear God, had they brought Gorran here? She could remember all-at- once Godric's words, when she had seen the room earlier in the night..
This is where we will house those who break the law until we pass them onto the magistrate.~
Suddenly trembling, Elliane felt frantic, she could hardly breath. Was this why he had been so eager to pack her off to sleep? She remembered suddenly how he and Eric had spoken in their own foreign tongue.
She stood forlornly in the grey dim light.
"Godric? … Eric?" she whispered desperately.
"Elliane…" she heard in response and she jolted at the sound. It was Godric, his voice floating through the darkness and she sighed in relief.
His voice had come from somewhere near the stairwell and she tried to squint through the darkness in order to see him.
"Can I help you with something, Elliane," she heard him say.
She felt oddly vulnerable standing alone in the murky dim light and she stepped back into the darkness to lean against the wall opposite the key-coded doors.
"Ah, yes," she replied breathily. "I've come to give you back your necklace." She held it up and out, dangling it from the end of her hand.
"You don't want to keep it?" he said.
"No," she answered flatly. "It's giving me nightmares."
"I see," he said, his voice a little softer now. "Should I keep a hold of it for you?"
"Yes please," she answered with relief.
He walked across to her then, and as he passed under the dim grey lighting, she was riveted by the sight of him.
Was this Godric?
He was naked from the waist up, dressed only in a pair of loose linen pants.
Her eyes were captivated by the ornate torque-like tattoo around his neck, before they flickered rapidly over him - noting the other primal designs around his arms.
She shivered at the sight of him; those tattoos, he really was over two thousand years old! Although she had known this in the intellectual sense, it could only now be felt in the organic. It was a profound, creepy, almost surreal feeling to even be here before him. He was of another earth, the lost world of the mysterious ancients.
When he stopped a few feet away from her, she almost did fling the necklace at him. Godric captured the pendant, stepping closer as it half flew off her hand.
"Is everything alright Elli?" he queried, and that exotic accent so strange to her before seemed to make better sense.
He had moved out of the dim light now and was standing almost immediately before her within the darkness. And, although she couldn't see his face in the shadows, his form was now silhouetted by the light behind him.
Godric however, could see her perfectly well. She looked less discomposed now and he remembered how she looked earlier, in the dim light... utterly terrified.
"You have tattoos," she said, somewhat inanely. Stepping forward, she reached up with her hand to touch his neck, where the edge of the torque design could still be seen.
Godric gripped her wrist quickly, stopping the hand.
"You mustn't touch," he whispered quietly. Her eyes widened and he saw a flicker of pain enter them.
"Elli?" he questioned.
"You are hurting me," she uttered.
It was the wrist that was already bruised, from her struggles with Eric. Godric instantly released his rather light to moderate grip, to something a bit gentler.
"I am sorry Elliane, I didn't realise that it hadn't yet healed." He said. He turned the wrist gently over so that her hand was palm side up and examined it closely.
In the darkness Elliane couldn't see his actions. Although her initial fear had gone, the place was still creepy. She was could swear she heard a distant scuttling in the hallway.
She huffed then, anxious to get away, annoyed that he actually thought her wrist would heal in like, an hour or two, but curious still about what she had thought earlier.
"Godric, did you have Eric bring Gorran here?" she asked quietly, and he was silent for a moment before he responded.
"Of course not, why on earth would I do that?" he said, and his voice actually sounded a little stunned. Her eyes flickered nervously up the hall to the hidden doorway.
He sighed softly. "Elliane, even if there had been no number of other options, I would have at least told you," his voice was solemn.
Would he? Elliane wasn't so sure.
He rubbed her wrist distractedly with his thumb. "You know, I have often felt saddened that modern medicine, has almost completely replaced the ancient ways," he said simply. "How long will your wrist take to heal?"
"Not long," she replied quietly. "A day or two hopefully, though it is not so bad really. Just a bit tender to touch."
"Hmm…" came his response.
"Partially my own fault too," she continued to babble. "I should not have struggled so much I guess."
Godric continued to hold her wrist and he raised it slightly as though examining it further within the darkness.
"In my time, there was a number of potions and poultices, that would have taken away the pain of such an injury."
Poultices? What were they, some sort of moss compress or something?
"Of course, there was more Magic back then too…" his voice had taken on an unconsciously silky tone, and something within it, was sending warning signals to Elliane's brain.
"When I was a child, I was chosen among the tribe where I lived to be trained as a priest and shaman."
Ellaine breathed excitedly, and refocussed her thoughts.
"Do you remember much of that time?" she asked hesitantly. It sounded even to herself, like an awkward, invasive question.
"Of course," he whispered. "Even after all this time."
"Amazing," she murmured quietly.
"I even remember some of the Magic I had learned, though... not as much as I wish," and he paused. "I have of course, discovered more of Magic since," his voice becoming pensive at the thought.
She started to feel a little overwhelmed at this point. The creepy darkness enveloped her and strange distant noises seem to echo softly within the hall. She shifted a little restlessly, anxious to be away.
Godric's voice, in the greatest of ironies, felt like the only earthly thing within the place.
"I could heal this for you if you wish?" he stated simply.
"Really?" she queried breathlessly.
His silhouette nodded in response.
"With these ancients Magic's you spoke of?" she asked softly.
"Perhaps… although these days it would be considered more science than magic," he said plainly. "Perhaps a mixture of both."
He again rubbed at the tender wrist with his thumb and she felt a twinge of pain.
"Umm.. will it hurt?" she asked suddenly.
"I shouldn't think so," he replied quietly.
"What would it require?" she asked curiously, with a flutter of nerves in her stomach.
He had raised the damaged wrist, now up towards his mouth. And as he spoke she could feel the cool breeze of his breath blowing against it.
His voice became silky again, "A simple kiss should fix it."
A simple kiss? She almost laughed. He was playing with her, the very idea preposterous!
But then she remembered another simple kiss. It too had been placed oh so recently against her wrist, while she was snugly seated in the Bentley - earlier that evening. A kiss that seemed to explode through all her defensives and rock her world in ways she never thought imaginable.
A simple kiss indeed!
"Hell no," she stuttered rapidly, and she stepped back; realising she had in fact no where to go. She was backed against a wall. The action caused her another twinge of pain, as she tugged her wrist away from him.
"Are you sure?" he sounded amused. "Surely a little bit of torture would be worth the relief."
Inwardly she suddenly seethed. He was so full of himself! He was possibly even worse than Eric.. She had a will of iron! He had said so himself. She could resist him, if she had to.
She calmed herself before speaking. "Perhaps you are right. A simple kiss, then…" and she lifted her arm back towards him.
Godric slid his hand from her elbow to her wrist and then slowly started to raise it.
"Actually Elliane, it might be a bit more of a complex kiss."
"Oh god," she muttered with a weary sigh. "Godric, will this even work?"
"Yes, of course," he responded.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely…" he whispered and he raised her wrist slowly until it reached his shoulder area. Her heart was pounding rapidly, and despite her steely resolve it felt like her blood ignited.
"Are you sure, Elliane?" he asked again, his tone more serious.
"Yes," she sighed, wishing now he would just hurry up and get on with it.
He raised her wrist and it lingered for a few moments below his mouth before he continued to raise it higher and higher, well past those lips of his and stepping in close to her, he raised it over her own head and placed it above her, against the wall.
"So very gullible," he whispered solemnly.
And with his other hand, he tilted her chin and kissed her full against the lips, his tongue sliding into her mouth. Elliane melted at the sweet taste of milk and honey, while somewhere in the back of her brain - it seemed that an explosion of lights took place.
She had instantly responded and her legs gave way. Godric was well prepared for her sudden lust. The few drops of blood on his tongue, was all it took for him to complete a reconnection with her. He quickly raised the limp and drowning form up before pressing her against the wall with his entire length. Those long slim legs of hers wrapped automatically around his waist, her thighs trembling as she bucked against him.
Elliane had not even the idea to think. She was completely lost to every hot, sordid, stream of lust searing through her system. And she needed more and more of it. Her body writhed sensually against him.
Godric had only intended this to be a fairly brief, but delightful lesson. However, the knowledge that she was now going to be furious afterwards made him cling to the moment a little longer.
Just as he was about to draw away, her other hand stroked the side of his ribs and he felt a raw primal urge grip him. He rapidly grabbed that hand and placed it also against the wall - deepening the sensual kiss.
She responded with a sweet yearning moan and he had a sudden fleeting thought that he might just lose control. And Godric, never loses control.
He pulled his mouth away suddenly and caught a look at her eyes. Like stars they seemed to shine at him.
She hurriedly began to whisper… "No, No.. d d ddon't.."
"Shhhh.. " he instantly hushed her. "Don't even say it."
He moved quickly, holding her arms to keep her steady as he stepped away.
She took a sudden step to her side - away from his arms and then leaned over, to place her hand on her knees, her breath raspy while she recovered.
Elliane was mortified. Somewhere amongst the haze of lust was the knowledge that had just rejected her. After all his stupid seductive games it seemed clear now that he was just playing around with her.
No.. not even a pet.. more a toy..
In a voice that was like a mix of acid and ice she suddenly spoke. "Goodnight Godric," and she walked off towards the murky stairs.
She wanted to say a lot of other things, but decided it just wasn't worth it.
Godric felt some anxiety as he silently watched her leave. For some reason, he was struck at how quiet she was as she climbed the stairs. She had the ability of a highly trained thief. And with an inward sigh, he suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling that he had just made things quite complicated.
.
"Unbelievable," came a soft, sardonic voice from somewhere in the darkness. It was Eric and he now stepped out of the shadows where he had been hidden.
"Eric." Godric acknowledged the presence with his voice only.
Eric moved rapidly to stand beside Godric, peering up the circular stairs as Elliane left the room that was above them.
"You could have had her then, she was completely yours" Eric continued, sounding exasperated. "She was begging for it…"
"Eric…" Godric cut him off. "There is only twenty minutes till dawn."
"So," Eric shrugged and continued with a sly smile. "It would have been twenty minute of pure heaven."
Godric returned a smile. A very dark sort of smile and Eric knew he had started to push the calm limits of his maker. "When I get to heaven, Eric. I will be certain to enjoy a full evening of it."
A soft feminine voice then spoke from the darkness. "You mean 'if' not 'when'," she said tartly. "And, thank God. I thought you were going rut her up the wall like she was some common street whore."
Isabel was clearly displeased. She moved from her hidden spot to stand with the other two Vampires. Her arms folded across her chest in a gesture that suggested she would not be argued with. She focussed her attention on Godric.
"Have you no sense of understanding at all. She must be the most vulnerable human I have ever seen. She is still so young. And, she is now all alone with no family or friends. You have probably just made her feel completely unwanted."
Godric was quite aware of how Elliane was feeling. He had not expected her initial fury to rapidly descend into feelings of such low self worth.
"Yep," said Eric. "She feels pretty crap."
And, annoyed by the reminder that Eric too, could also sense Elliane's emotions, he could only give the beautiful Spanish vampire a cold look as he responded.
"This is none of your concern, Isabel."
Isabel gasped and a dark expression crossed her face. She seemed speechless for a moment.
Eric, seemingly oblivious to the sudden tension interjected. "Maybe I should give her the news…" he said and started towards the staircase. "It will give her something else to think about."
"No Eric, you will wait," ordered Godric, just as Isabel found her voice.
"She is a virgin!" she spat out him. "You will have no chance of gaining any substantial sort relationship if you keep playing with her this way."
"Is she?" Godric answered mysteriously.
Isabel looked confounded. "Of course she is. Her blood is so pure, that, that… it almost escapes you….," her voice trailed off, as though she was confused by something.
"It is pure," said Godric quietly, as he also seemed to be thinking. "It is that way, because it refuses to be tainted. Even now, the traces of my own blood are being slowly eradicated from her system."
"Is she human?" asked Isabel.
"Mostly, I think - but she shares a blood-line of the great ancients."
Isabel paused at this news, but was still distracted about the topic at hand. "It is elusive, you catch her scent only to lose it the moment you have it. It's like it is disguised."
Godric looked at Isabel sharply. Isabel had nailed it exactly.
Eric decided to speak up. "She is a virgin, by the way. I just thought you might like to know."
Even in the darkness, Eric caught the murderous flash in Godric's narrowed eyes and he smirked to himself. Isabel as well, scowled at him darkly.
"An extremely delicious virgin with the soul of a courtesan." Eric continued, and he had to wonder now, just how much taunting Godric would take!
"Eric," said Godric, in a voice so calm that it would have split the heavens. Eric taking one quick look at the unholy expression on Godric's face knew that it was time to run. He was about to be hammered.
