Dear fellow readers, I'm so sorry it took me this long to update. I got a new job and it really took my nights, which means exhaustion. But I love your reviews, favorites and followers! I love the support from many people here on who absolutely love this story and even they want this published. Well when this is done, the actual story will be longer and names will be changed.

I'm sorry for my grammar errors, sentence structure is my weakness because I'm highly functioning autistic and language structure is a little off. It's also because sometimes my head is faster than my hands when it comes to writing.

Characters belong to Charlaine Harris and Alan Ball (The story is mine!)

After Sookie's adventure with a having a taste of Fantasia or The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Sookie followed Eric into the herbal room. "How did you do that?" she asked.

"Do what?" Eric responded as he was looking at his dead looking plants.

"Stopping the spell. There was no undo spell."

"Spells can't be undone. You just have to create another spell for the previous spell to stop. You must have the strong desire for something and then let it manifest. I wanted the spell to stop immediately so I shouted stop in Latin as I let out my energy for the objects to stop. Spells can be as simple or as complicated as you want, just as long as your desire is strong as well as your confidence. So, even if you had an undo spell, it would never work because you were so overwhelmed by what was going on around you that you couldn't focus your power on it."

"It was an advanced spell. How can using your imagination be advanced? It sounded simple to me." Eric arched his eyebrow and looked at her with doubt for what he had seen. "Well it worked! I just...lost control."

"Exactly. Controlling your own mind, your thoughts, and focus on nothing but that power is extremely hard. Especially when you have many thoughts going into your head all at once."

He was examining all the plants in the green house as well as the ones kept in jars. Sookie looked at him curiously, as he inspected each one. He was even apologizing to the plants for their poor condition they were in. Sookie thought for a minute that he's gone nuts. 'Maybe he stayed in that painting too long.' she thought. "Why are you apologizing to the plants?" Sookie asked him as if he was crazy. Eric kept inspecting the plants as she spoke. "Besides if plants could listen, they wouldn't hear you because they're dead."

Eric looked up at Sookie with a bit of sadness on his face. The sadness was not only for the plants' condition but for Sookie, she needs to see the real magic in nature, not just for performing spells. He realized he needs to be patient with her for any lack of knowledge when it comes to magic. After all she didn't get the chance of being raised in a magical or spiritual world. She has a lot to learn. "Sookie, what do you think a real witch does?"

Sookie said this without hesitation thinking this was the easiest question to answer. "A witch does magic,... spells, potions, and ohhh! Do we fly on broomsticks?" she asked excitedly. She would love to fly in the sky!

Eric had mixed feelings about this. At first he wanted to laugh for her innocence, but then again he felt saddened that some people this day in age still have no idea what a real witch really is. They still think of the horror stories that has been passed on for centuries. Of course that's the kind of knowledge that Sookie has of what a witch is. "No Sookie, witches don't fly on broomsticks." he said with no emotion. Sookie had a pout on her face, for that means no flying. Eric thought for a moment that her pout was cute. That he wanted to bite her lower lip. Then he snapped out of it and put it back in his mind.

"Sookie, being a witch is more than just doing spells. Sometimes being a witch is to know when you have to let nature do its own magic." Sookie looked at him confused.

"Then what's the point of being a witch if you don't do magic all the time?"

"It's about seeing magic in everyday things as well as the spiritual and supernatural world. Having the knowledge that there's more out there than meets the eye. Knowing that science doesn't have the answer to everything. It's about trusting the universe and the high beings that they know what they're doing." Eric wasn't sure if Sookie got it. This kind of thinking is beyond regular human knowledge. Maybe her Gran can explain it better. 'That's probably what that letter is from her Book of Shadows.' he thought. He left the room telling Sookie to stay there. Eric found the Stackhouse Book of Shadows along with Adele's letter to Sookie.

As he went back into the herbal to give Sookie the Book of Shadows, he handed her letter. "I think you should read this. Maybe Adele will explain this better than I can." Sookie took the letter that Eric gave her. She decided to read this out loud for Eric to hear.

Dear Sookie,

I know I left one letter before, but this letter is for a different reason. As I said before in the other letter, we are witches. Our family has been witches for centuries. We don't know exactly how long ago it was.

Sweetheart, I want you to forget everything you know about witches and witchcraft. Witches are magical people who have sacred knowledge and see magic in everything. We believe that magic is inside you and all around you. That everything and everyone is connected. Soon you'll begin to realize as you'll learn more about magic, the more you learn that the universe, the gods, goddesses, and the ultimate creator above know what they're doing and to have faith in that. Yes we do magic and spells, that part is true. But there were many myths created about us because of fear and hatred. When you start learning from Eric, taking everything seriously as to what he says. Trust me when I say you'll have the best teacher.

Also Sookie, take caution to everything you do, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. Sookie rolled her eyes to that warning 'Too late again Gran.' she thought. For magic to work, you must have desire, confidence, and faith. Without those, no spell would work. I love you my dearest, be safe and at the same time have an adventure.

Love,

Gran

Sookie looked at Eric and then she looked back at the letter. "She pretty much said the same thing you said."

"I thought she might go into more detail, but maybe it's something you need to figure out yourself." Eric paused as Sookie reread the letter again. "Do you understand at least some of it?"

"I think so. It's almost contradictory though. We do spells to make our lives better and yet we have to believe in the universe or the powers that be that everything turns all right in the end?"

Eric nodded. "Sookie spells are pretty much like prayers or the law of attraction, they're the same energy that's released into the universe. It's just we use ingredients and objects to make the energy stronger, it's really for our visual benefit. Sometimes spells don't work because they're not meant to work. That's when you began to realize that spells only work when the universe or the high beings allows them to because it's part of the universal plan. Sometimes it's more magical when something beautiful happens on its own, that it was part of the universe's plan. That it came out better than we imagined it to be." Eric looked at her, seeing if she absorbed everything that he was saying.

"So if that's true, do ordinary people use magic all the time and not realizing it?" Sookie asked.

Eric smiled for she was catching on "Yes. The kind of power everyone has is thoughts. Thoughts are powerful whether they're negative or positive. People pass around their energy all the time causing positive or negative effects on others or their environment. That can actually be dangerous, people don't understand the power of words and thoughts. Another thing of what people don't understand is that they're more safe being with a witch that has controlled their thoughts, than someone who doesn't know how to control their thoughts. People sometimes even curse themselves by accident."Sookie felt like her head was about to explode for there was so much to learn.

"Now let's look at the plants again. Now you know the knowledge that we're all connected Sookie. What do you think of the plants now when you see them?" Sookie looked at the plants that have nothing left but twigs and leafless branches.

Then Sookie felt like there's something that she needed to do. She placed her fingers in the soil that was extremely dry. Suddenly she felt the plant's thirst for water and it was starving. Her tongue was feeling dry as if it never had water or anything liquid on it for a long time. She was feeling for the plant feels. "Oh you poor thing!" Sookie went to the kitchen and filled the bucket with water. Eric smiled for she was making progress and learning that all living things feel pain, no matter how quiet they are. Sookie brought the bucket of water and started watering the plants.

"Not too much Sookie, you can over water them." Sookie nodded to Eric's instruction. As Sookie was watering them she can feel their relief of fresh water going to their roots and feeling their soil becoming moist. Sookie smiled for she felt like she was serving nature.

Then Eric was behind her "Sookie drop the bucket." she did what she was told. "Use your hands and touch the soil as if your massaging it." Sookie had no idea what Eric was up to but she couldn't help but feel his body heat being so close to her, feeling his hot breath by her ear. It was sending delicious shivers down her body making her lower region ache with desire. Trying not to forget that he's her new mentor, but she still noticed how sexy he was from the first time she saw him in the painting.

Eric putted his hands on top of Sookie's "Now imagine these plants healthy, strong, and producing fruit." Sookie closed her eyes and focused on the energy of a healthy plant. She felt the energy leaving her hands and going to the plants roots. Once it was done, Sookie opened her eyes and...nothing.

"I failed, the plant is the same." she said in disappointment.

"Are you sure?" Eric arched an eyebrow.

"Yes I'm sure! Look there's no difference!" Sookie was frustrated for she couldn't see the progress.

"Sookie, feel the plant again." Eric said patiently.

Sookie looked at him discouraged but still did what he asked her to do. She touched the plant's base and it was having a relief and happy emotion. "Sookie sometimes it takes time for things to heal; but with your magic and water you provided, it's on its way to recovery. Most times magic has its own timing."

"But I didn't see any magic lights or sparkles." Sookie looked confused.

"Do you want real magic or a light show?" Eric snickered. Sookie almost felt bad for asking. "Most magic you'll see doesn't have any visual effects. You have to trust the energy you've sent out has done its job. This is where faith comes in. Believe that you'll have the end result. By tomorrow, you should see something as an end result."

All of a sudden Sookie felt tired. "Eric, why do I feel drained?"

"Because you used magic for the first time, for that cleaning spell and bringing a plant back to health again. You used a major amount of magic for a new beginner. You should feel tired." Sookie yawned and feeling she wanted to go to sleep. "Go to sleep Sookie."

"Yeah, I will. I feel like I can't even stand."

Eric smiled "Do you want me to carry you?" Sookie smiled for the suggestion and she was even tempted by it.

"No that's okay, I'm going. Goodnight Eric. By the way there's a spell in the Book of Shadows about changing the paintings. I saw a couple of your people being in horrible places, there might be a spell to change their background."

"Thank you Sookie. I'll take a look at it. Goodnight Sookie."

As Sookie walked upstairs the grandfather clock struck midnight. Eric watched Sookie go up the stairs and into his old bedroom. When she closed the door, Eric went to the hallway where Godric's portrait was being held. He looked at the painting and focused his energy on to it " Vinctus est, ut maledicat: Benedictio sit liber a nocte!"

Eric then soon watched as Godric's painting became just a stone brick wall and Godric had appeared just like how Eric did. Eric smiled warmly "Hello old friend." he said with tears in his eyes for he hasn't seen or heard from Godric in over eight years.

"It feels so good to get out of there. Hello Eric." Godric gave Eric a well deserved hug.

"I hate to tell you this, but being out of the painting is only temporary." Eric said with sorrow.

"Temporary is better than nothing. At least we get to out every night now." Godric smiled. "I hear you have a student to train."

"Yes. Adele's granddaughter, Sookie." Eric tried to hide his smile.

"Oh, someone has a little crush."

"Please Godric, I don't have crushes. I romantically lead women to sex and enjoy their company for the night and..."

" And that's it...and you send them on their way. Eric I can tell you have a soft spot for this girl. She's different in your eyes."

"Of course she's different, she's a student and she's so...so..."

"Innocent? Beautiful?"

"Okay Godric, let's drop the subject right now. She's my student...my protégé let's leave it at that."Godric smirked for that conversation was not over. They'll get to it later on down the road. "I'm afraid to ask but I got to know, what's your world in the painting? All I see is a stone brick wall." Eric looked concerned that his beloved mentor might be in a nightmarish world, but for all he knew it could be nothing.

"You shouldn't worry about it." Godric lowered his eyes. This confirmed Eric's fear.

"Godric...tell me...what is your world?" Eric was going to get an answer one way or another.

"The stone wall is a wall of a castle, which has been a safe haven for me. It's been protecting me from..." Godric felt like he couldn't finish the sentence. It's...it's a world full of demons, Eric." Eric stared at him wide eyed. "Don't worry it's not as bad as it sounds."

"Not as bad as it sounds?" Eric looked at him in shock. "You've been trying to keep yourself alive from these ugly beings for more than eight years?!"

"Well the good news is that the Demons don't really physically attack you. They mess with your mind more than anything if they can't reach to you."

"Godric that's the worst thing they can do is mess around with your head."

"I know, trust me my son... I know." Godric looked saddened by this. "There were times where I was almost convinced that the painting I was in was my real actual world and there was no way out. They play many tricks and bring many nightmares into reality. Then I saw you through the looking glass canvas and I saw you were out. That was hope for me and showing me my true state."

"By morning, you have to go back." Eric felt hopeless to prevent Godric into going back into a nightmarish world.

"I know. At least I have more strength now, knowing its temporary."

"Sookie found a spell to change paintings. I'm going to see if I can at least change your world that your living in. If it works."

"I have total faith in you Eric, you're a genius when it comes to magic."Eric paused for he was starting to have doubts. He just taught Sookie how sometimes the universe takes care of everything. That everything happens for a reason. What was the reason for this? Why did they had to deal with eight years of imprisonment. "What's wrong?" Godric saw sadness in Eric's face.

"What's the universe's purpose for this? For everything we're going through?"

"It'll be revealed in due time. It always does. Only when we look back in the past, we see the reason. So right now we grin and go through it." Godric looked at the beautiful garden outside. Even though its dark out, but he wanted to be close to nature. "I'm going outside, I need to feel mother nature's life force." Eric nodded as Godric went outside. Eric wanted to tell Godric about Russell and how one his men tried to escape his own painting, but he can wait another night. His mentor needs to breathe real fresh air from his own home.

Eric went upstairs to check on Sookie. As he opened the door, he saw her in a deep sleep. He went closer and sat on the bed gently so the pressure of him on the bed doesn't wake her. She was so beautiful being asleep or awake for that matter. Before he left to do research on changing paintings, he gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and moved one of her hair strands away from her face. He left leaving Sookie in a peaceful sleep. For he had a mission to save Godric from his own painting world. He needed to be in another painting, just like some of his comrades. He had research to do and hopefully this morning will be the last time for Godric to deal with his hellish prison. As he walked down the stairs he grabbed the Stackhouse Book of Shadows and went into the Herbal Room. There was the plants that Sookie watered and put magic healing into the soil. He saw a couple of healthy new leaves sprouting from the plants.