Chapter Eighteen:
It was well into the night when Godric cautiously stepped out of the house and onto the porch. Mackenzie gazed up at him out the corner of her eye as he stood at the railing, staring up at the night sky.
"I reheated your food." Godric surprised her by saying. "I heard your stomach growling and thought you must be hungry."
She flushed at his comment, thought she knew he wasn't lying. She was starving, a feeling she hadn't felt in too long. She actually craved food.
"I'll leave you for tonight." He turned towards her. "But I will be back, Mackenzie. Every single night."
"I'm not just going to forgive you." She made sure he understood.
"I know." He offered the tiniest of smiles before he leaned forward and lightly kissed her forehead before she could flinch away from him. She didn't however, though she had grown stiff at the affection. "I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I will try everything in my power to try and earn it"
His fingertips grazed across her cheek ever so slightly before he stepped around her and off the porch. He shot her one last glance over his shoulder before taking off into the night sky. Mackenzie sighed heavily the minute he was gone, her shoulders slumping as she relaxed for the first time that night. She had hoped tonight would be a relaxing one, a calm one. But it had been anything but that so far. She almost wanted to return to bed and hide from the world in hopes she could have a do over, but her stomach wouldn't allow it.
Hearing it growl for a second time, Mackenzie couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as she slowly rose to her feet. She clung to the railing to get her bearings before stepping up onto the porch and moving towards the door. Before she could take a step towards the front door, however, the sound of squealing tires caught her attention. Frowning, Mackenzie turned towards where the nose was coming from and nearly jumped out of her skin when a sudden crash from further down the driveway filled the otherwise silent night.
"What the…" her heart started racing as she tried to peer down the dark driveway. When headlights nearly blinded her, she started to fear for the worst. The black, windowless van came barreling down the driveway towards the house, and more importantly, straight towards her.
Mackenzie wasn't stupid. She may have been sick and dying, but she was anything but stupid. That van was not supposed to be there. The security surrounding the property was top of the line; Eric wouldn't have it any other way. For a van to just come slamming right through the gates, Mackenzie knew that was anything but good.
Spinning around, Mackenzie threw herself into the house, slamming the door closed behind her. Her heart was pounding painfully in her chest, her lungs burning achingly as she fiddled with the array of locks on the door. Her palms were sweaty as squealing tired sounded once again, only this time much closer to the house. Whoever was driving the van, whoever was inside of the mysterious vehicle, they were on a mission. And Mackenzie really didn't want to know what that mission was. Eric had told her time and time again how dangerous it was that to be his charge. It was why he had sent her away, hadn't it been? He didn't want her around as humans battled against the uprising of vampires, and he certainly didn't want any of his underlings or enemies to discover who she was. But secrets couldn't be kept forever, could they be?
"Fuck!" she cursed loudly as her fingers fought to get a tricky lock in place. Her fingers were useless however, as she began exerting the small burst of energy she had woken up with. Now she felt weak and sluggish, and knowing that there were strange men in an even stranger van just outside the house did not help. "Come on, come on!"
But the lock was stuck in place, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. She was just about to kick the door in frustration, tears forming in her eyes as the panic started to set in as a van door slammed open and footsteps could be heard on the porch. With her bottom lip quivering, Mackenzie began to back away from the door, holding a hand over her mouth to try and keep quiet. They had to have seen her when she ran into the house, but maybe, just maybe, they hadn't. She could only hope the locks she had already put in place would buy her time until…
But until what?
Godric had left and was bound to be miles away by now. Eric was at Fangtasia after she had insulted him and pushed him away out of anger. He wouldn't be due home until late. Pam likely would stay at the bar despite the fact that Eric was there just to keep him in check.
Mackenzie was utterly, and completely, alone.
"Please please please." She begged silently to any god or higher being that would hear her plea.
Her back hit the stair railing, her body stiffening as her eyes squeezed shut. She waited for the door to be broken down, for gunshots to break the locks, for anything she had seen or read about in any books or movies. She had read about countless of home invasions, of kidnappings. She knew how this was supposed to work, and it frightened her. It wasn't like she could even fight back, though she would until her last breath. But it just wouldn't be enough; she was deathly sick. And Mackenzie hated that. She didn't want to be some damsel in distress, but this damn cancer forced her to be.
When a knock suddenly sounded on the door, Mackenzie couldn't help the scream that sounded from her lips.
"Mackenzie?"
She froze in place at the familiar voice.
"G-Godric?" she forced out barely above a whisper.
What was he doing back here? What about the van?
"It's okay, Mackenzie." He assured, as if reading her mind. "They've been…taken care of."
She wasn't sure what that meant, but a sigh of relief escaped her lips anyways. He may have abandoned her, ripped out her heart, and stomped all over it, but at least she could still rely on him to swoop in and save the day when she desperately needed it.
Crossing the front hallway, Mackenzie unlocked the door as quick as she could before slowly inching the door open. She eyed the van that sat still running before the house in the driveway but Godric quickly blocked her view before she could get a good lock at what happened.
"Are you alright?" a look of concern crossed his face as his gaze swept over her, inspecting for any injury.
"I-I'm..." Her voice still wavered and she had to clear her throat before continuing. "I'm fine."
He nodded before glancing over his shoulder at the wreckage of bodies he had left hanging out of the van. Two had been in the back while a lone body sat still behind the wheel in the front. Killing humans, murdering them for game, used to be a sick pleasure of his. It used to be fun, enjoyable. It was what he had taught Eric. But now, thousands of years later, and especially with Mackenzie standing before him, he already regretted his actions. Killing was nothing more than a nightmare now, another guilt to add to his long list of mistakes.
"What happened? Who were they? Why where they…" she blurted out a string of questions. For a brief moment, she ignored the fact that she was furious with him, that a part of her hated him, that she just wanted to hit him repeatedly for what he had done to her.
"I'm not quite sure." He admitted, turning his attention back onto the sick teen. He raised a hand, and while Mackenzie flinched ever so slightly, she didn't move away as his the pad of his thumb brushed away the tear she hadn't even realized she had shed. "I've already contacted Eric; he's on his way home."
Mackenzie nodded mutely, standing completely still. His hand lingered, gently caressing her jawline. Their gazes met and Godric quickly dropped his hand back down to his side, realizing what he had been doing. He turned slightly, back to the bodies, and frowned. He was going to have to clean this up, and without Mackenzie witnessing. He had lied to her. He had known who they were. It was difficult not to know when their silver crosses had stung his skin, burning his flesh as he snapped their necks.
"You should go inside, Mackenzie." He suggested with a sigh, shaking his head as he tuned back towards her. "Eric will be here soon."
"Are you leaving?" she surprised both of them by asking suddenly. She immediately closed her mouth, pressing her lips together as her eyebrows furrowed at the question.
"I'll wait for Eric out here." He assured, motioning her inside. "Go eat. And don't fret; you're safe now."
She didn't understand why she felt the tension leave her body at knowing that Godric wasn't leaving, that he would just be outside. She attributed it to her just not wanting to be alone after the near scare. She turned towards the door but stopped, turning back around before Godric could take a step off the porch.
"Thank you." She murmured, chewing her bottom lip. "Thanks for ah…"
"Always." He offered the tiniest of smiles. "I know I haven't been there in the past, but I would never let another soul, living or dead, hurt you."
She didn't know why, but she believed him.
"Where is she?" were the first words out of Eric's mouth as he landed in the driveway now free of the dead bodies.
Godric frowned as he climbed out of the van he had been inspecting and stood before his progeny. "She's safely in the house."
"What happened?" Eric looked like he wanted to go to her, but stopped himself as he raked his orbs over the scene. He could still smell the death in the air, and by the looks of his dirty maker, he suspected he had missed all the fun. "How many were there?"
"Only three." Godric answered. "But I don't think that will be all."
"Who?" He already had a feeling who they had been however.
"Who do you think?" Godric asked dryly, using the sleeve of his shirt to lift the silver cross.
A low, dangerous growl sounded as Eric's fangs snapped to attention. "The fellowship."
"Her family." Godric nodded, tossing the cross into the van with disgust. "They've finally tracked her down."
"But how? I've done everything in my power to keep her hidden." Eric hissed, his hands curling into fists. The mere thought that Mackenzie could have been kidnapped tonight by the fellowship, by her psychotic family, it enraged him. He never should have left. He had been by her side for days and the one time he left, because of some silly little thing she said, she had nearly been taken away from him.
He wouldn't let it happen again.
He couldn't.
"Their forces have been growing." Godric sighed, rubbing his dirty palms on his already dirtied pants. Burying the bodies was always the tedious part. "They've become braver in Dallas."
Eric snorted. "More like idiotic."
"That may be." Godric agreed. "But they've still become dangerous. They're willing to risk their lives just to drive us to extinction. They don't care what the cost might be. Her family…"
"Her family will not have her. No matter what I have to do." Eric insisted, determination lacing his words. "I won't let them have her."
"Agreed." Godric nodded. "We'll have to be more careful. She can't be alone. More will come eventually."
Eric knew he was right. He glanced at the van and knew without a doubt that Mackenzie was no longer safe. "I'll kill each and every one of those idiots for even thinking about laying a hand on her."
"We'll make sure they won't."
"We." Eric mused, titling his head to the side as he scrutinized his maker. "You're serious, aren't you? You don't plan on leaving her again."
"I can't." Godric's shoulders slumped forward. "Especially now."
Eric nodded, relief flooding through him. "I'm glad. She needs you, even if she doesn't want to admit it. She's missed you, you know. I haven't exactly been enough for her."
"You've been more than enough." Godric assured. "What she said tonight, she was just angry at me. She didn't mean it. You are her father."
Eric gazed up at the house with a frown. "And yet I can't protect her like I should."
"You've done your best. None of us expected them to find her." Godric insisted.
"She's still dying." Eric sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I've tried everything; I just can't seem to fix her. I should be able to fix this. But I can't."
"We'll find a way."
Eric didn't feel as confident however. He had found absolutely nothing in his research. There was no spell, no ounce of magic that could just simply cure Mackenzie. He was unfortunately beginning to realize that Pam might just be right. Either they would have to give her their blood or have to turn her.
Eric just wasn't sure if he was ready for either option yet.
"Eric?"
He shook his thoughts away as his orbs focused on the opening front door. He was before Mackenzie in a flash, cradling her cheeks in his large hands as he inspected her closely.
"I'm fine." She insisted.
"I'm not letting you leave my sights." He affirmed, surprising Mackenzie as he pulled her into his arms. She was stiff at first, never used to the affection he had started to offer her, but quickly melted into his embrace. "I won't let them have you."
"Let who have me?" she asked in a murmur as curiosity struck. Who had that van belonged to? Who had nearly kidnapped her tonight, or at the very least, attempted to break into the house? And what did that have to do with her? "Were they vampires?"
"It doesn't matter." Eric shook his head, tightening his arms around her as he set his chin on the top of her head. His fingers ran through her hair, toying with the ends as he let out a heavy sigh. "All that matters is that you're safe."
She nodded against his chest. There was no use in prying, in arguing with him. There were secrets; she had known that for years. There had to be more to the reasoning of sending her across the country other than the Great Revelation. Eric had always been hiding something from her; she had always been able to sense it. And normally, she would fight tooth and nail to discover those secrets. But not tonight, not anymore. She was too tired, too exhausted to even care. She was just relieved that whoever had attempted to attack the house tonight hadn't been successful.
"Come, you need to rest." Eric put her at arms length, his orbs raking up and down her body one last time before nodding his head in affirmation that she hadn't been hurt. "It's been a long night."
Mackenzie nodded as she allowed Eric to lead her into the house. She did however, gaze over her shoulder as they passed over the threshold, grabbing Godric's gaze for a split second before he quickly looked away. "Thank you." She murmured before Eric whisked her into the house.
Godric remained outside as the front door was closed, the tiniest smile on his lips before he got to work on disposing of the van.
He had been standing in the library doorway for twenty minutes without Mackenzie noticing that he was there. He was as still as stone, not even a single breath sounding from the vampire as he watched the sick teen. It was the middle of the night and he had been preparing for Pam to come over after closing the bar. But then he had heard Mackenzie creep into the library and he couldn't help but feel curious. He knew she had been having trouble sleeping. He had heard her restlessly twisting and turning for hours before she finally gave up. He had a sinking feeling he knew exactly what was troubling her.
As the book started to slip from Mackenzie's grasp, her head lowering as the exhaustion started to set in, he swept into the room. He caught the book before it had the chance to fall and wake her and laid it gently on the table beside her chair. Eric couldn't help but smile as he watched her body relax, her shoulders slumping forward as she slipped further into unconsciousness. She needed to sleep, to rest as the cancer attacked at her body. As he felt her forehead, he found that she was still warm, fragments of the flu still lingering.
"Lets get you to bed." He whispered softly, stroking her cheek before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and gingerly lifting her. He remembered carrying her just as he was now to her bedroom on that first night she returned home. Even as she was dying, as nightmares haunted her, she was still drawn to her books. Some things would never change.
He worked quickly and as quietly as he could as he raced up the stairs and laid Mackenzie in her bed. Eric drew the silk sheets over her sick form and leaned forward to brush his lips against her forehead. He was set to leave, to escape back to his office after whispering goodnight, but found that he couldn't leave the room. The minute he tried, a sudden feared slashed right through him. The last time he had left her alone she had nearly been taken from him. Sure, he was only going to be downstairs, but what would happen during the day while he was asleep? The Fellowship obviously knew where they lived; they would send others eventually once realizing they had been unsuccessful. Where would that leave Mackenzie?
He returned to the chair he had taken temporary residence of during the last few days. A few more days of staying up, at her side, wouldn't hurt him. He would make sure to help himself to a few of his dancers tomorrow at the bar. Everything, and every one, would be fine.
"Eric?"
"You're supposed to be asleep." Eric leaned forward, offering a small smile.
Mackenzie groaned as she rubbed at her tired eyes. She shivered and pulled the sheets higher over her shoulders, tucking them around herself. "I'm not tired."
"Somehow I don't believe that." He shook his head. "You need to rest, Mackenzie. Go back to sleep."
"I don't want to." She mumbled, sounding so much like a little girl rather than an eighteen year old.
"And why is that?"
She shrugged, a frown spreading across her lips as she kept silent. Eric had, however, noticed the fear that had swept over her face at the thought of falling asleep.
"It's nightmares, isn't it?" he pondered, shifting closer to the girl.
She stared at him hesitantly before sighing and nodding. "I don't want to have another one."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"Not really." She shook her head
Eric nodded as he leaned back. He already knew what she had been dreaming about and he felt guilty that he hadn't been able to protect her so she wouldn't have to be dreaming about the fellowship attacking her at all. This was why he had sent her across the country for the past three and a half years. This was why he had been so cautious with her. Her family finally, after all these years, discovered her whereabouts and they'll go to any lengths to get their grubby human hands on her.
But he wouldn't let them.
Mackenzie was his. She was his daughter and he wasn't about to let her biological family sweep in and take her away from him. He knew they would only cause her pain, forcing her to remember that night fourteen years ago. He had spent countless of years ensuring that this moment would never occur. But unfortunately, all of the secrets, all of the hiding, it was starting to catch up to him.
"I'm never going to let anyone hurt you, Mackenzie." He promised.
She offered a sad, haunting smile. "But your promises don't help me in my dreams."
"I can damn well try." Eric moved so he was settled on the edge of the bed. Mackenzie turned onto her back and started to fidget under the sheets. "I shouldn't have been there tonight and I'm sorry. I won't make the same mistake again. That I can guarantee." He hooked a finger under her chin, his blue eyes meeting nearly identical blue eyes. It still jarred him how much she looked and acted like him. Pam was right; Mackenzie was a Northman. "I'm sorry for not being the one to protect you tonight. I never want to have to get that phone call again."
"Are you going to become an overbearing father now?" Amusement laced her words and she struggled not to smile. Any other eighteen year old would have hated how overprotective Eric was being. She had a feeling he wasn't going to let her out of his sight anytime soon. But she was actually glad about it. She had feared returning home, telling him this secret of hers, because she thought she was just some burden to her family. She thought she didn't even have a family. But she did. Eric and Pam had proven that to her over and over again since she had stepped back into their lives.
"Yes. It's about time I became one."
"You've always been an overbearing father." She commented, guilt shining through. "Look Eric, about what I said earlier…"
"Don't." Eric shook his head. "I know you didn't mean it. And even if you did, I deserved it."
"No you didn't." Mackenzie frowned. She felt terrible about what she had said to Eric. She hadn't meant it. Eric had been there for her 110% since she had returned home. And he had been a father to her long before that. Maybe she didn't always agree with his decisions, and maybe he infuriated her at times, but he had always been there for her no matter what.
"I did." He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I haven't exactly been the greatest guardian, and an even worst father."
"I think you'd done a pretty good job." She admitted with a small smile.
He struggled to maintain his mask, but the smile began creeping across his lips anyways. "You should really be sleeping."
Her nose scrunched up. "No thank you."
"I wasn't there for you tonight, but I'm here now, Mackenzie." He leaned forward, pecking her forehead before returning to the chair beside the bed. "And I'm not about to leave. You're safe."
And she knew that she was. All night, she had been terrified. She knew she was safe, she knew that Eric was there, that he would protect her. But the nightmares had still haunted her one after the other. But now, as he sat beside her bed, determined to battle away all her demons, she felt safer than she ever had. Because she knew without a doubt that if he could, he would enter her dreams and protect her at all costs.
He really had become a father. Her father.
"Go to sleep, Mackenzie. I'll be right here. I promise." He held his hand out, which her own small hand quickly took advantage of. She held onto his hand like she used to hold onto her ratty old blanket whenever she had been frightened in the past. Now, however, it wasn't the monsters in the closet or under the beds that scared her, but instead the real monsters that were the Fellowship of the Sun.
He watched as her tense body began to relax, her eyelids drooping as sleep consumed her. Her hand remained latched onto his however, and he didn't even dare to reclaim his hand. His hand would always be hers.
Forever.