Chapter Twenty-Seven:

"Dirty vermin," Eric muttered under his breath, glaring at any that dared to near his throne. Fangtasia was especially miserable that night as he waited for word of Godric and Mackenzie's safe departure. All he wanted to do was kill everyone in sight; he didn't even want to be on display for the pesticides to lust over. But Pam had insisted brooding in his office wouldn't be good for business and he didn't have the strength to argue with her. He had at least hoped he would find a meal out of the ordeal, but not a breather in sight appealed to him.

Tired of the charades, Eric stood to return to his office. He'd rather deal with Pam's wraith and buy her a dozen pair of shoes than act as an animal at the zoo. He was stopped before he could event take a step off of the stage, however, his entire body stiffening. A wave of pain washed over him, causing the Viking to hiss. His head snapped towards the bar where Pam stood behind, and was relieved to find nothing amiss.

"Godric," his eyes widened only a fraction as he fought to keep his emotions under control. The last thing he needed was his underlings to believe he was anything but a ruthless Sheriff.

At hearing the name of her grand-maker, Pam's head popped up as she searched for Eric's gaze. Catching it, she raised an eyebrow as Eric motioned her to the back door. Nodding, she called over Chow before dashing through the door. She was barely inside the office before the door was slamming behind her, Eric pacing the length of the room rapidly.

"Eric? Eric's what's wrong?" Pam could sense his worry. "Eric, you need to stop."

But he only continued to pace until she placed herself in his path.

"Tell me what's wrong," she urged. "I can feel pain but it's not yours. Is it Godric?"

Eric's façade crumbled. "I think so,"

"But if it's Godric then…" Pam frowned, realization dawning. "Eric, Godric is with Mackenzie."

"I know," Eric growled, his eyes narrowing into slits as his fangs threatened to extend.

"Go," she motioned towards the door. "Go find them; I'll close up and meet you."

"If she's…" he had to stop himself. To even say the words pained him. He couldn't think like that.

"Go get our girl back."

Eric didn't waste another moment as he darted from the office and out of the bar. Pam sighed as she did her best to control her own inner emotions. She needed to rid the bar of the vermin and then she could allow her anger and worry to get the best of her.

Blood would be spilt that night if even one hair was harmed on their Mackenzie's head.

Eric flew through the night faster than he had ever traveled before, landing in the middle of the hanger within only moments. The sight before him nearly took him to his knees.

"Father," he rushed to his maker's sides, hissing at the state Godric was in. "Where is she? What happened?"

"I'm sorry my son," Godric croaked, his throat dry as the silver dug into his burning body. "They knew. They knew we were coming. I don't know how, but they knew."

Dread filled Eric, a sense of loss that he never thought was possible. He had sent her away time and time again, but he had always known he could get her back. He could have gone to New York at any moment and brought her home. There was always the option. She would always be his. But this time was different. She had been taken. She was truly gone.

"We will find her," Godric assured, his bloody tears blurring his vision. He blamed himself. He would always blame himself. He should have protected Mackenzie better. He should have expected the worse. And now she was gone, and it was entirely his fault. "I swear to you that we will."

Eric wanted to find the closest human and rip them apart limb by limb. A small part of him wanted to do the same to his maker, only for the desire to be shoved away by the flow of guilt that tainted the bond they shared. Eric could only nod, controlling his own threatening tears as he ripped off his jacket and used the material to get the silver net off of his maker.

Freed finally from the silver, Godric let out a shaky breath, only to wince in agony as the silver bullets shifted in his chest. He would need blood to heal, but blood was the last thing on his mind. If they hurried, they might still be able to track Mackenzie's scent.

"Go," Godric insisted. He would only slow Eric down. He could feel his child's desire and need to go after the Fellowship, to search for the ones that had taken their Mackenzie. He could still find the van in time if he left now. "Find her. She's in a van, her scent should still be…"

"You need blood," Eric shook his head, inspecting the wounds.

"And you need to go after her," Godric grit his teeth, ignoring the blinding pain as his elbows held his weight. "Go."

Eric was caught between wanting to aid his maker and finding the bastards that took his daughter away from him. He could still faintly smell her scent; he could still search her out. The longer he waited, the harder it would become.

"Do not worry about me; I will be fine. Now go," Godric assured. "Go to her, Eric. Find her and bring her home."

Eric sent a final nod to Godric before standing, taking one last sniff of the air before following the scent. He would find her; he would make damn sure of it.

"Well you look like crap," Pam arrived to the hanger, a glamoured human in tow. She hadn't understood why Eric had called her and demanded she take a human with her to get Godric. But now as she saw Godric's bloodied form, she understood perfect. "I brought a human."

"I'm fine," Godric insisted, attempting to push himself to his feet, only to fail as his form fell back to the pavement. "I do not need a human donor."

"I'd disagree," Pam shook her head, shoving the human girl forward. "She smells untouched; She should taste sweet."

"True Blood will suffice," Godric swallowed hard as the human's scent filled his nostrils. He had two thousand years to control his urges, a control that he had prided himself on. But in that moment, all he desired was tearing the girl apart and bathing in her blood. Closing his eyes, he turned his head away; he needed a clear head if he was to help Eric find Mackenzie. True Blood wouldn't heal him completely, but it would be enough. "I will not drink from her."

"Don't be an idiot, Godric," Pam rolled her eyes. "How do expect to look for Mackenzie when…" the reality of her words hit her, fear flashing across her face. "They took her didn't they?"

Godric nodded sadly. "They did."

"How? How did they know? I didn't even know until Eric came to Fangtasia tonight. How could they have found you?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Godric's growing anger did nothing to quench his thirst for the human before him. "I need you to send her away."

"You need to feed," Pam refused. "You need blood."

"I'm fine."

Pam didn't believe him, but before she could utter another word, the sounds of a truck came barreling towards them. Fangs extended as Pam readied herself for combat.

"It's the wolf," Godric managed out, smelling the familiar foul stench.

"I don't trust him," Pam didn't allow herself to relax. "He could have been the one to betray us."

"We need to question him," Godric sent her a pointed look, trying once again to get to his feet. When he was unable to, Pam flashed to his side, allowing the older vampire to lean against her. "Do not kill him, Pamela."

"You take all the fun out of things," she sighed dramatically, her eyes narrowing.

"Pam," he warned.

"Fine fine, whatever you say, gramps."

Godric ignored her as they waited for the truck to approach, pulling to a quick stop. Alcide was out of the truck in seconds, his gaze sweeping over the scene before falling on Godric. He was as pale as a ghost, her eyes widened in sheer horror.

"They found her," he breathed out. "They took her."

"They did," Godric nodded cautiously. "They must have been told that we were…"

"It was you, wasn't it?" Pam let go of Godric and was before Alcide in a flash, her hand wrapping tightly around his throat. "This is your doing, you disgusting mutt."

"I didn't…" Alcide gasped out. "I wouldn't do that to her. Mackenzie is a good kid."

"I don't believe you," she hissed, baring her fangs in his face. "I will tear you apart limb by limb and enjoy every single one of your screams."

"Pam!"

She ignored Godric, however, and squeezed Alcide's throat tightly. She was seeing red. Mackenzie had been taken from them and she would not rest until every single one of those bible-humping twats was dismembered. And she would enjoy every second of it.

"I didn't do it. It wasn't me. I wouldn't betray her," Alcide insisted.

Godric eyed him closely, but knew the moment he caught Alcide's gaze that he was telling the truth. "Let him go, Pam."

"But Godric…"

"He's telling the truth. He had nothing to do with this. It was someone else," Godric's expression hardened, the authority radiating off of him even as he was struggling with silver bullets still inside of his chest. "Let him go."

Pam thought about disobeying, but knew better than to anger the two thousand year old vampire. He may be weakened now, but the moment he was stronger he could tear her apart with only his pinky finger. Releasing Alcide, she shoved him aside as she dusted off her outfit before returning to Godric's side. Her eyes were still narrowed as she watched Alcide's every move. Godric may trust the mutt, but she certainly didn't. Wolves could never be trusted, Eric had taught her that.

"How long ago was she taken?" Alcide rubbed his sore neck, keeping a close eye on Pam.

"Not long. Eric's tracking her scent."

"He won't be find her like I can," Alcide shook his head, ripping at the buttons of his plaid shirt.

Pam rolled her eyes. "Eric is the best tracker I know."

"No one is better than a were," he looked her dead in the eye. "I'll find her quicker."

"I'd like to see you try," she challenged.

Alcide only smirked before yanking down his jeans the same exact moment his shifted into his wolf form. Pam growled and bared her fangs at the stench the wolf exuded, only for Alcide to growl in return.

"Enough," Godric sent them both a glare. "This isn't the time. Mackenzie needs to be found. Alcide, track her scent and return with whatever you might find. Pam, we need to return to the house; I need blood and Eric will return there with whatever news. You can continue your hatred for one another later."

Alcide was the first to look away, focusing on the task at hand. Before Pam could even utter a word, the wolf was taking off in the direction of her scent, a howl sounding in the night.

"Do you really think he'll find her?" Pam raised an eyebrow as she discarded the human and helped Godric to the car. "Either of them?"

"I hope so Pam, I truly do."

Eric could smell her. He was so close. He could practically reach out to grab her.

He was going to enjoy tearing these humans apart.

Pausing, Eric stopped to ensure he could still smell Mackenzie's scent before hurrying across the empty street to the convenience store he had led the scent to. He searched the few cars in the parking lot, ripping off doors, tearing through trunks, but he found nothing. Growling, Eric darted into the store, his gaze sweeping over every aisle before landing on a single form at the very back. The store owner glanced up worriedly before nervously scurrying back behind the counter, keeping far away from the furious vampire. Eric barely gave the man a thought as he stalked the male he had set his sites on.

He had always enjoyed stalking his prey.

Waiting until the man turned around, Eric grasped him around the throat with ease. A scream was caught in the man's throat as Eric dragged him out of the store and threw him to the ground. The man tried to crawl away, but Eric only leapt at him, binding him to the ground.

"Where is she?" Eric growled. "Where the hell is she?"

"I-I don't know who y-you're talking a-about," his voice wavered, his eyes widening in fear.

"Oh you know exactly who I'm talking about," Eric took a long whiff of the man, smelling Mackenzie all over him. Exposing his fangs, he tore the man's head to the side to display his pulsing vein. "Tell me where she is and I may just make this as painless as possible."

"P-please I don't know…"

Eric tore into his neck without hesitation, carelessly ripping at his flesh. With a hand over the man's mouth, Eric muffled the screams as he hungrily lapped at the blood. It tasted vile, but his fury led him to continue. Only when his heartbeat began to slow did Eric stop, grasping him by the throat and lifting him off the ground. He was unconscious, but Eric didn't care. He would find the answers he sought one way or another.

"Have you found her?"

"I lost the trail," Eric answered with a grunt. He wasn't happy about the fact that the man currently lying at his feet had led him to a dead end. He had tried for another hour to search out Mackenzie's scent, but the time he had spent trailing this useless blood bad, he had lost her. "But I have someone who might know where she is."

"Shall we torture it out of him?" Pam asked gleefully.

Eric smirked as he switched the phone to his other hand before knocking on the weathered door before him. "Not just yet, Pam. Soon."

"Just give me the word," Pam almost sounded excited, though Eric could hear the underlying worry. "The mutt hasn't contacted us yet. Godric is hoping it means he's still tracking her."

"Let me know when he finds anything," Eric's smirk faltered when the door opened to reveal a face he had no patience to deal with tonight. "Is Godric…"

"He's still refusing human blood, but he's had en entire pack of True Blood and looks fine. A day's rest and he should be as good as new."

"Good. Call me if anything changes," Eric mockingly waved at the vampire glaring darkly at him.

"We will find her, Eric."

"I know," he cancelled the call, slipping the phone into his pocket as he glanced into the house. "Sookie not home?"

"What are you doing here, Eric?" Bill glared before his gaze dropped to the human at their feet. "And what is the meaning of this?"

"Where's Sookie?" Eric didn't have time for Bill's games.

"Is that Eric?" Sookie's voice came from further inside the house. "What is he…"

She froze as she came into sight, her eyes widening at the bloodied man lying on her front porch.

"What the hell, Eric!" she ran to the door only to be stopped by Bill. "I need to make sure he's alive. Move!"

"He is," Bill assured, offering an encouraging smile before narrowing his eyes at Eric. "What is this? What do you want?"

Eric ignored him as he caught Sookie's gaze. "I need your help."

"So you bring a nearly dead guy to my house? Flowers can't cut it anymore?" Sookie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly. "What do you want from me now, Eric? Isn't it enough that you had me read poor Mackenzie's thoughts?"

Eric struggled with maintaining his composure. "She's gone."

"Who's gone?" her eyebrows furrowed as his words sunk in. The colour drained from her face as she clutched onto Bill's arm for support. "Mackenzie? She's gone?"

"She was taken," his voice softened, though his mask held in place. He kicked at the form at his feet, feeling glee at the painful grunt. "He was one of the ones who took her. He'll know where they've taken her."

Sookie let out a shaky breath. "You want me to read this thoughts. To figure out where she is."

"Yes."

She didn't even hesitate as she nodded. "I'll do it."

"Sookie no!" Bill immediately disagreed, shaking his head as he tried to reason with her. "This isn't your problem. It's too dangerous."

"She's just a kid, Bill," Sookie laid a reassuring hand on her boyfriend's arm. "I can't just not help."

"You shouldn't be dragged into this," Bill's fangs dropped as he hissed at Eric. "She is not doing this."

"Oh I think she can speak for herself," Eric's orbs narrowed as he stepped over the blood bag and towered over Bill. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Bill. He would forcefully remove him from the situation if he had to, and he would enjoy doing so. Bill Compton had been a thorn in his side for too long.

"Stop it you two." Sookie sighed, pushing herself between the two. She sent Bill a sharp look before her expression softened as she gazed up at Eric. "I'll do it. I'll do anything to help her."

"But Sookie!"

"I'm doing this," She sent him a dark look over her shoulder. "She's eighteen, Bill. She's only a kid. She doesn't deserve this."

"But you were nearly hurt the last time you involved yourself. I won't have you be put in danger again," Bill growled, his hand pressing possessively around her arm.

She swung around, glaring up at him. "I can make decisions for myself, Bill Compton. I am doing this. So you can either get on board or get out of my house."

If it were for any other reason, Eric would have thoroughly enjoyed Sookie's berating of Bill. But now was not the time. Nothing was more important than finding Mackenzie. Nothing.

"Where do you want to do this?" Sookie sent one last warning glare at Bill before gazing down at the bloodied man. "I'd rather not have to clean up blood again."

"Fangtasia," Eric was already throwing the body back over his shoulder. "You're not expected, Bill."

"I'm not leaving her side."

Sookie only rolled her eyes as she moved passed Bill and into the house. "I'll grab my purse."

The moment she was out of sight, Bill's body grew stiff, looking ready for battle. Eric only snorted at the failed attempt at intimidation.

"I'm nearly ten times your age," Eric snickered. "Don't fool yourself"

"She is mine," Bill growled.

"And Mackenzie is mine," Eric turned his back on the young vampire. There was no threat there. He could tear Bill apart in mere seconds if he wanted to. "And I will do whatever necessary to find her. Do not get in my way, William."

"Who is she?" Bill demanded to know. "Who is this girl? Why is she so important to you?"

Eric paused, the question halting him. Over the past fourteen years he had insisted she meant nothing to him, that she was just a burden to ensure the Authority didn't discover what happened that night. But he had been wrong. He had been so wrong.

"She's everything," he murmured before adjusting the body over his shoulder and taking off into the night sky.

She would always be everything.

A groan escaped her lips as she grew conscious. Her head throbbed along with the aching of her body. She wanted to curl up in her bed and wait for the mercy of death. Why did this disease have to cause her so much pain? Why couldn't she just fall into a peaceful slumber instead of feeling this agony?

"Oh goodie, she's waking up!"

At the sound of a voice, Mackenzie's eyes fluttered open briefly before squeezing shut at the bright light blinding her. She groaned again as she tried to roll over, only to find herself restricted. Tugging her left arm, she found herself bound to the bed. Fear washing over her, her eyes snapped back open.

She wasn't in her bed.

She wasn't at home.

"Well hello there," a giddy voice caused her head to turn in the direction the sound was coming from. "I've been waiting to meet you for years, Miss Summers."

Her eyes widened as a figure stepped forward, the light in the room practically bouncing off of his ridiculous looking smile.

"Steve Newlin," she whispered in shock.

"That's right!" his smile only widened as she tried to inch away from him as he approached the bed. "Now don't you worry, Miss Summers you're safe now."

"Safe? You kidnapped me!" her heart was racing as she tugged on her binds again. Only one hand was tied to the bedpost but it was enough to hold her in place. She was too weak to be able to break the rope digging into her wrist.

"Oh no, Mackenzie – can I call you Mackenzie? – we didn't kidnap you at all. We saved you."

"Where am I? Why are you doing this?" she tried so desperately to get away, but the night's activity was taking a toll on her sick body. Her stomach churned and she had to keep her lips firmly pressed together to keep the vomit down.

"You're safe, Mackenzie. Those vampires won't hurt you again."

"You're crazy! Let me go!" she pleaded, tears forming in her eyes. "Please let me go."

"It's okay, Mackenzie, we're all family here," Steve gazed over his shoulder with an excited grin. "Isn't that right?"

Another figure stepped into view, causing Mackenzie to halt her feeble attempts at escape. The woman looked so familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on why or how.

"W-who are you?" Mackenzie questioned, her eyes darting between Steve and the mysterious woman.

A bright smile spread across the woman's lips. "Don't you remember me?"

Mackenzie never responded, causing the woman to laugh. A chill ran up Mackenzie's spine at the sound she never wanted to hear again in her life.

"I'm your Aunt."