Chapter Fourteen:

I needed breathing room. I needed space between us. Because I knew if Eric and I stayed his this position, if he kept his body pressed against mine, his lips barely even an inch away, I would forget why I hadn't wanted to have with sex with Godric and just rip Eric's clothes off. I knew he wouldn't object. He might just do the exact same thing to me. And right now, I needed to think. I needed to get away from Eric, at least with a few feet between us. That touch of death left me quicker than it had the last time, and I didn't understand why. Why was it any different with Eric than with Godric? Why was it that I nearly died when I kissed Godric for the first time but I never had that same reaction with Eric, even now? None of it made sense.

Then again, my entire world didn't seem to make a whole lot of sense right now.

"Eric..." I breathed out, resting my hands on his chest.

That was the wrong thing to do however, as the moment my hands connected with his chest, that power flowed between us once again and even stronger than it had before. I squeezed my eyes shut until it passed, but it just never did. I could feel it crawling under my skin, cursing through my veins as it spread through my fingertips and into his being. Eric had tensed at first, his hands bracing himself against the door on either side of me.

"What are you?" his voice was raspy as he spoke.

"I-I don't know." I whispered fearfully. I wasn't afraid of Eric, but instead the power inside of me. I was afraid of what happened on campus moments ago. I was afraid of every single part of this, and there was just nothing that could ease that fear because after a month of searching for what I could be, Godric and I have come up blank. How could I not be scared?

"You just keep getting more interesting, don't you?" he lifted his forehead off of mine as he stared down at me. I sighed as my eyes slowly opened to stare into those orbs. There was confusion set in those blue eyes, but I saw the gleam in them. He seemed almost giddy that he found such an intriguing human that he could call his own. That brought me back down to reality just a bit and caused me to forget my momentary lapse of judgement.

"Why are you here?" I pushed at his chest. The smirk appeared back on his lips, but he surprised me by taking a step back, his arms falling to his sides. "How did you even get in here?"

"Your landlord." He shrugged his broad shoulders.

"You need to leave." I wrapped my arms around myself and slid away from the door. I moved towards the kitchen, trying to put as much space as I possibly could between us. The further away I got from Eric, the less I wanted to rip his clothes off. But at the same time, with every inch of space, I felt empty and alone. I missed his lips against mine, his body pressing against me.

"I told you I would see you again, Savannah." Eric followed my movements with his watchful gaze.

"Well here you are. Now go."

"Why would I leave now?" he snickered softly, shaking his head. "You're just so intriguing, Savannah. You're a puzzle that I want to piece together."

"Well I don't want you to."

"That's a lie, we both know that." his smirk grew as he took a step forward.

"It's true." My voice wasn't steady however, only proving his point. I did want Eric to leave. Or at least, I was supposed to. But after that kiss we just shared seconds ago, how could I simply want him to leave? I hated myself, but it was the truth.

"I can smell your arousal." He tilted his head to the side. "I can taste your desire. You want me, my intriguing little human."

"I'm not your anything." I was able to say that with meaning. Even if I did want Eric, I wasn't okay with being some prize for him to win. I was my own independent person and a stupid vampire wasn't going to come along and change that. I didn't belong to him, and I never would.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong Savannah." I let out a gasp as Eric suddenly sped forward quicker than a speeding bullet and appeared before me. I tried to get away from the vampire, but he only succeeded in backing me up into a counter, trapping me there. "You want me more than you'd like to admit. Isn't that right?"

"No." I shook my head, looking at Eric's chest instead of his gaze. I felt his orbs boring into me and I shuddered. The beast inside of me still felt like it was coiled around us. Every time Eric grew closer, the chains tightened. It was one of the reasons I wanted distance. I felt like I couldn't breathe with Eric so close. I wanted to break these invisible coiled chains and be done with him. I wanted Godric; I wanted to kiss him, to have him hold me in his arms, to tell me some good news of what he found while he was gone. But instead I was left here with Eric, and I hated to admit that his presence had been able to help me when nothing else could.

"You're power...it's grown since you ran from me. That wasn't very nice, by the way. How would you like it if I ran from you?" he faked a pout as he trailed a single finger down my cheek and across my jaw.

"I'd be happy." I tried not to let him see the effect he had on me, but I failed miserably.

"We both know that's not true, Savannah. We both know that you've waited for this moment, for our reunion. Those lips of yours didn't deny me, so why are you?"

"Because I...I..." I didn't know what to say because I honestly didn't know.

"That pretty little head of yours says no but..." Eric's lips dipped back down until they were ghosting over my lips, trailing down my jaw and to the curve in my neck. His nose nudged away the hair, giving him access to my pulsing vein. I couldn't stop the soft moan that slipped from my lips as his tongue flicked out, licking at the pumping blood just beneath the surface. "...your body says yes."

How could I deny that when it was so damn true?

Damn vampire.

Damn me.

"I could do things to you that you can't even imagine." He licked the length of my neck before gently nipping at my earlobe with his now extended fangs. "I could make you feel things that you've never felt before. All you have to do is submit to me, give yourself over to me. You know you want to, my sweet little mystery."

"No...oh god!" I yelped out as his tongue dipped to the spot just below my earlobe.

Only one other had found that spot, and it had been by accident from my last somewhat serious relationship. Foreplay hadn't been his idea of fun though, and the accidental happening had never occurred again. But the moment Eric knew he found my weak spot, he wouldn't let up. It got to the point that I was weak in the knees and if he hadn't pressed himself so hard against me that the edge of the counter was digging painfully into my back, my legs would have given out on me. I could feel my body tightening; I could feel the heat rising throughout me. I could even feel the aching between my legs, my need growing for this vampire. It had never spiralled to this degree with Godric. It had been slow but enjoyable with him. sure I had wanted to jump a few dozen times in the past few months, but I hadn't been so high on pleasure that my nails were digging into his arms, my eyes rolling to the back of my head. It felt like everywhere Eric touched as he tormented my weak spot was bursting out in fireworks. Even with my coat covering most of my upper half, I could feel the warmth spreading through both of us, tugging us together even further. It was almost suffocating to the point that I was beginning to panic. I needed Eric to stop this now. I needed him to go, to leave me alone, before I found myself doing something I knew would be so unlike me.

I was more than thankful when the front door suddenly smashed open with such force that it came crashing off of the hinges and to the ground. I jumped as Eric pulled away just enough to hiss and twist towards the interruptions. I sighed in relief when I found Godric there, his own fangs retracted as he looked ready to attack. And then he froze, his eyes growing wide as he took in the vampire before me. I frowned as I watched his reaction, as I watched the fear, confusion, and sadness all sweep across his sea coloured orbs. I was even more surprised when I looked up to Eric to find almost the exact same emotions crossing Eric's face, only a hint of anger added behind those orbs.

"Eric." Godric was the first to speak, his accent thick and low. He knew Eric? Did all vampires happen to know one another, or was this just a coincidence?

"Master." Eric breathed out so low, I almost didn't catch it at first. Master? This didn't seem so coincidental anymore.

I found my voice as I looked between the two who only seemed to have eyes for each other. "Do you...do you two know each other?"

That seemed to remind them that I was still there. Godric was the first was to look at me, his gaze moving downwards from Eric to my form. A sigh escaped his lips as he shook his head and looked down to the broken door at his feet. He didn't look upset because he had broken the door however. He looked upset for a reason that I could completely understand. I chose to look up at Eric instead, to understand what he was thinking. His emotions had quickly been masked, only the anger sticking out now. His eyes seemed to flash for a brief moment before dying down. His hand curled around my arm however, as if he was trying to send a message across to Godric that I was his, that he owned me. I didn't like that very much and tried to tug my arm out of his grasp. Only I couldn't.

"Eric, let me go." I pleaded him softly.

Eric looked down at me finally, and there was something unreadable on that handsome face of his.

"Eric, let her go." Godric found his voice once again, though his tone was sad as he raised his gaze up to stare at where Eric's hand rested on my arm. "Let Savannah go."

Eric's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze onto the shorter vampire. "What are you doing here, Godric?"

"I felt Savannah's panic and I was worried." Godric answered simply enough, but there was pain crossing his orbs. "I never realized you were in town, my child."

My child?

"How do you two know one another?" I questioned again.

The two didn't seem to hear me this time however and just had their own little conversation.

"I tracked you here to this little shithole of a town."

"Well I'm right here, Eric. You can let Savannah go now." There was an edge to Godric's tone.

Eric sniffed the air, and realization seemed to dawn on him. His gaze darted around the room before landing on me. He tugged me to him, grasping onto my chin and he turned my head from side to side as if he was searching for something. He seemed to find it because his grip on my arm only seemed to tighten.

"Your scent is all over her. I thought I...I thought I smelt you, I just assumed you've crossed paths. But your scent is everywhere." Eric's eyes narrowed into slits. "How do you know my human?"

"We met a few months ago. In February to be exact."

"You came to see me then. You told me..." surprise crossed his face. "You told me you may have found a reason to stay. You were talking about her, weren't you?"

"Eric..." Godric sighed.

"Weren't you!" Eric growled, his hand still tightening around my arm. I was wincing now, but neither vampire seemed to care. "Answer me, Godric. Answer me god damn it! You were talking about her, weren't you? You were talking about my human!"

"I never knew...I had no idea that you had claimed a human, Eric. Had I of known..."

"It wouldn't have mattered, would it?" Eric accused. "You just wanted what was mine."

"When have I ever taken what was yours?" Godric shook his head sadly. His fangs had retracted, seeing no threat. But I saw a threat. Eric's hand was crushing my arm. "Centuries we've been together, centuries we've travelled across the world and I have never taken what you've desired. I've given you all that you've asked for and more. I wouldn't simply take away what you've claimed now. Why would you think such a thing?"

"You were going to take yourself away from me." there was a flash of emotions of pure pain and suffering that crossed Eric's expression before he quickly built that wall back up and masked it.

"Eric, not here, not like this." Godric shook his head.

Eric was seething, that much I knew from his hand crushing my arm. But I could see the pain the vampire was holding inside of him, pain that matched Godric's. I didn't understand how the two knew one another, but I could tell that it was more than just being mere acquaintances. These two knew one another deep enough to share pain, to know more about each other than anyone else.

When Eric's hand squeezed my arm to the point that it felt like it was just going to pop right off, that's when I cried out in hope that he would let me go, or at least they would remember that I was standing right there.

"Let her go, Eric. You're hurting her." Godric stepped forward, his gaze darting between Eric and me.

"She's mine." Eric shook his head.

"I will put up no fight, Eric." Godric was saddened as he said this, that much I could tell. I felt my own heart shatter when he spoke those words. He wouldn't fight for me? Did I matter that little to him? He had a close relationship with Eric, but did the last few months mean nothing to Godric? Was this just some way to amuse his boredom? I didn't want to think that was true, but what else was I supposed to think at this point? Godric must have felt my own pain and heartbreak as he refused to meet my gaze. "Eric, let her go."

Eric didn't listen however and his grip tightened. I felt tears forming in my eyes, a few slipping down my cheeks at the sheer pain.

"As your maker, I command you." Godric's voice grew darker. "Let her go right this instant, Eric. Don't make me ask you again. Do it now."

A low growl sounded from the back of Eric's throat as his hand suddenly snapped off of my arm. I let out a squeak as I stumbled away from him, cradling my arm against my chest as I scrambled as far from both vampires as I possibly could get while staying in the small kitchen.

"Savannah, are you..." Godric started to ask, though he still wouldn't look me in the eye. It reminded me of that night that I had been attacked by vampires and he had given me his blood to save my life.

"How do you know each other?" I questioned for the third time. "Someone answer me."

"Eric is my...progeny." Godric explained with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, you're what?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I turned Eric into a vampire over a thousand years ago." Godric sighed. "As his maker, I created him, gave him a new life. He's my child, my son."

I was starting to feel dizzy. What were the odds that I was going to end up running away from one vampire, only to run into the arms of his maker?

And yet somehow, it did make a lot of sense. My power, the beast inside of me responded both to Eric and Godric. When I had been attacked by those two vampires, the power hadn't reacted in the same way. Maybe it was just because I didn't know how to control it. After all, if I could hear the dead, then I should have some sort of kinship to all things that were dead, and that would include vampires of all types. But Eric and Godric I felt just a touch more connected to. When Eric and I had kissed the first time, the beast inside of me had been unlocked. And when Godric entered my life, it warmed up to him like it already knew Godric. From what I've learned about vampires since meeting Godric and what I knew before him, Godric's blood ran through Eric's veins. His had created Eric, given him life. They were almost one and the same. They were bonded in the same way Godric and I were, only in a much deeper and stronger way. That was why I felt this connection, this desire and need with both of them. Something had happened with that kiss with Eric and it transferred over to Godric as well.

At least one mystery was solved.

Only about a dozen or so more left to go.

"Eric is the vampire you spoke of, isn't he?" Godric wondered, and if possible, he sounded even sadder.

"You really didn't know?" Eric questioned suspiciously before I could even answer. "Didn't you smell me on her?"

Godric shook his head. "She never told me where she was from specifically, only Louisiana. She spoke of a vampire she had run from, but that had been a month and a half before I ever came across Savannah."

"Can you both stop talking like I'm not even here please?" I sighed, trying to grab their attention.

"I thought I smelt her on you when you came that week. I just assumed I desired her more than I should have been. But I know the truth now." Eric shot a dirty look over at Godric. "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you trying to take what's mine?"

"I'm doing no such thing, Eric."

"You're here. You've been invited it." Eric motioned to the broken door. "Your scent is everywhere. And you're blood..." Eric paused as he turned his gaze back over to me. "I can feel it. It runs through her veins. You've bonded with her, with my human."

"You've never claimed a human, Eric. Never have you shown desire for anything but sex and blood. How was I to know your intentions?"

"You're my maker, you should have known." Eric argued.

"You told me there was a human girl that intrigued you when we saw one another last. But that was it. I can't read minds, Eric. I can't just assume you've claimed another." Godric's voice was growing cold, using a tone I've never heard him use before. "Despite what you might think, Eric, I'm still your maker, and I will not stand for this blatant disrespect for me and Savannah."

If I hadn't thrown myself in between the two, I would have guessed that Eric would have attacked his own maker. I didn't entirely understand the relationship between a maker their progeny, but from the look on Godric's face when he first discovered Eric was here, I knew that he loved him like a mother would love their child. He created Eric, how could he not love him? But even loved ones fought, and apparently this specific argument was about me.

How the hell did I get myself caught up in this situation?

"Savannah, it would be best if you moved." Godric softly warned me. "Eric has a temper when he allows his anger to consume him. It would be best if you weren't in his way."

"What, he's just going to hurt you?" I shot a look at Godric. "But you're his maker."

"I am."

"Why would he want to hurt you?" I questioned

"You've fought with your mother, haven't you?"

"Not like a lot of kids do, but sometimes yeah." I shrugged.

"Eric believes I've wronged him by attaching myself to the same human he has claimed." Godric informed, his gaze moving to the vampire behind me. "But I haven't. I never smelt your scent, Eric. I never saw a mark. There was no indication that she was yours. She told me that you claimed her, but she refused to give me your name. How can you fault me for this? You know me Eric. I wouldn't do this to you. I've caused you enough pain; I wouldn't hurt you in this way too."

"She's mine." Eric growled as if he hadn't just heard a word his maker had just said.

"No I'm not." I snapped, glaring at the taller vampire. I was starting to get tired of this. After what I went through at school, I didn't want to deal with this too. Sure, death's touch had faded away, but I wasn't sure if this was any better. If I had known Godric was related to Eric is any way, I never would have fallen for him. That just would have been asking for trouble. But now I do know and I just don't know what to do. I could let them have some big bloody battle to fight for me; god knows that's what Eric looked like he wanted to do. But I would be lying if I said I wouldn't care who won and who died. Because in some way, I cared about both of them. I could understand why I cared about Godric, but why did I care so much about Eric? Was it just the passion that flowed between us whenever we kissed, whenever our hands ran over one another? Or was it more?

What scared me was that I wanted to know if there was more to it.

"You are." Eric shot me a dark look. "I've claimed you. You are mine."

"I'm not some toy you can just toss around, Eric. I'm not some prize for you. I'm a person. I'm a pretty fucked up human being, but I'm still my own person and you can't piss on me to claim your property."

Eric stepped forward, his hands clenching at his sides. "You're mine

"You can say that all you want, but I'm not anyone's."

"By vampire law..."

"Yeah well great, but in my little human world, that just doesn't fly." I shot back. "I'm not yours, Eric. And I never will be."

"You want to be his." Eric hissed, his glare moving to his maker.

"No I don't. I want to be my own person, not someone that can just be passed around." I was growing frustrated now. I was just glad I had the whole, I can rescind your invitation card. I was going to have to play it soon.

"She's a human being, Eric. She's not a toy." Godric defended me.

"She's still mine."

"Perhaps she doesn't want to be. Do you honestly want to claim a girl who doesn't wish to be claimed?"

"You've done this." Eric accused childishly. "You...you made her detest me. You did this."

"How could I do anything of the such when I never even knew you had claimed her?" Godric sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry if you believe that I've hurt you, Eric, that was never my intention. I didn't want to bring you anymore pain. But I haven't taken what was yours. Even if she wasn't yours, Savannah is just...she's just a human girl, nothing more."

That hurt. That felt like a knife was slicing right through my heart. My beast reacted, whimpering as it curled up into a ball inside of me. I wrapped my arms back around myself as if I was trying to keep myself warm. And in a way, I was. The apartment just got very cold all of a sudden, and it was because of these two vampires, the living dead.

"She's mine." Eric didn't seem to know how to say anything but this.

"She doesn't want to be."

"Well too bad!"

"You're acting like a child, Eric. You're over a thousand years old, not some newborn vampire." Godric rolled his eyes in an act that was very unlike him.

"You took what was mine!" Eric roared, stepping forward.

I realized I was still standing between them and quickly stepped to the side. If they wanted to tear each other up then fine. Apparently I didn't seem to matter at all.

Godric must have felt the change in my mood because he turned to me, a guilty look on his face. "Savannah..."

"No no, don't mind me. I'm just some human girl." I spat.

"I didn't..."

"Yes you did mean that." my gaze hardened.

"Savannah, please allow me to..."

"She's mine, Godric. You are my maker, my master, my father. I've shared everything with you. Why can't you just let me have this one thing?" Eric interrupted Godric, pulling his maker's attention back onto him. Well wasn't he an attention hog?

"You know what, I'm just going to leave." I just shook my head, though neither of the vampires heard me at all. I scoffed as I twisted and stormed towards the doorway. I stepped over the door and out of the apartment and only when I was in the hallway did the two vampires notice I was no longer there. Eric was the first to flash to the door, his eyes narrowed down at me.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going for a walk since I have two immature and unwelcome vampires currently arguing in my apartment." I shot back at him. "When you two have figured this all out and stop acting like the five year old children that you are, then maybe you can both just get the fuck out."

I glared darkly at the blonde before turning and beginning to storm down the hallway. I stopped halfway down however before glancing back over my shoulder were Eric still stood.

"Oh, and fix the god damn door while you're at it."