Chapter Thirty:
Mackenzie refused to sleep a wink. With Gabe sitting beside the door, his gaze solely settled on her, she felt it would be too much of a risk to take her eyes off of him for even just a minute. She couldn't see him completely, the shadows of the room covering most of his face. But she could feel his stare. It wasn't a stare of interest, or even just to ensure she didn't try and escape. No, his stare scared her. It sent a chill up her spine, goose bumps rising on her arms. She didn't dare look away in fear that she would wake to find the man no longer sitting in that chair. It made her shudder to even imagine.
The exhaustion had begun to take a toll on her, however. All she wanted was to close her eyes for a few minutes, to rest just for a little while. Her arms ached from the angle they were bound in, her wrists rubbed raw from her struggling. Her head was pounding, her stomach churning, and she knew her illness had decided now of all times to flare. She hadn't eaten in so long, she wasn't even aware of the time that had passed, but even still she felt the need to want to vomit. She refused to give these people a show, though she wasn't so sure how much longer she could hold out for.
The worst, however, was the constant wondering if Godric or Eric would come for her. Did Eric even know? Did he care? Was he happy she was now out of his hair? Was he glad that he no longer had to deal with her? What about Godric? Was he okay? Had the fellowship hurt him? Did he care that she was gone? Would he come sweeping in like the knight in shining armour that she had always proclaimed him to be as a child?
The longer she sat there, bound to that bed and cautiously eying Gabe, the more she began to doubt she mattered at all to her vampire family. Perhaps her aunt had been right.
"No," she murmured under her breath. She would not allow herself to believe something so ridiculous. Eric did care. Godric cared. They would come after her. And they would kill everyone standing in their way. She knew that. She only had to bide her time until they arrived.
"What was that, girl?" Gabe's gruff voice sounded from the other side of the room.
Mackenzie's eyes widened, cursing herself for speaking out loud. That would only draw Gabe's unwanted attention. She had tried for hours to be invisible, to be as silent as possible. He had stared at her the entire time, but at least he never moved, never made any move towards her. They didn't speak; she was able to pretend just a little bit that she was alone. But now the man was pushing himself out of his chair and she was scared. She was dying of cancer, survived a fire that had killed her parents, and yet it was this single man that frightened her beyond belief.
She could just feel how evil he was.
"I'm talking to you, you little fangbanger," he grunted as he began approaching the bed.
Her heart was racing as she tried to make herself seem as small as possible, her body curling into itself as she swayed on the edge of the bed.
"Cat got your tongue?" he snarled, reaching across the bed and grabbing onto her tangled locks. She whimpered as he yanked her with brute force across the bed as far as her binds would allow. She struggled against him, using her legs to try and kick him away. But he only dodged her attacks and pulled on her hair roughly. "Do that again, you little bitch, and I'll have to teach you a lesson."
He licked his lips, his eyes raking over her body. Mackenzie immediately froze, her eyes growing wide in horror. He would physically hurt her in a heartbeat, but it was the cruel intention in his dark orbs that caused her heart to stop. She just knew what he would do to her if he had the chance. It didn't matter she didn't have anything in her stomach; she wanted to throw up at how sick this man was.
Before Gabe could lay another finger on her, however, the door to the room swung open. Light flooded into the room as the clicking of heels sounded. Mackenzie was still frozen to the spot as Gabe slowly, and unwillingly, let her go and took a step away from the bed.
"Has our guest been uncooperative, Gabe?" her aunt shook her head in disappointment. "I was hoping you'd behave, Mackenzie."
She wanted to shout at this woman. She wanted to spit in her face and curse her to hell. But as Gabe continued to eye her, she lost all courage to do so. She did not want to be left in this room alone with him again.
"Well we'll just have to fix that, now won't we?" she smiled sweetly as she motioned to Gabe. "We'll be taking her into the church, Gabe, if you could."
A smirk crossed the man's lips, his orbs darkening as he nodded and rounded the bed towards her. Mackenzie squeaked and tried to scramble away, but Gabe grabbed her arms with ease and squeezed until Mackenzie was wincing in pain.
"It'll be a lot easier for you if you just cooperated, sweetheart," her aunt warned.
Mackenzie knew, as Gabe released her from her binds and yanked her off of the bed, that it didn't matter if she cooperated with these lunatics her not. They were absolutely insane and Mackenzie feared Godric and Eric might just be too late to help her.
"Isabel has been informed of our arrival," Godric stated as he, Eric and Pam landed in front of Hotel Carmilla. He ignored the looks of wonderment from nearby humans and instead ushered his family into the hotel and away from prying eyes. "She has gathered my most trusted underlings. Alcide has been contacted and should be arriving at the nest shortly."
Eric nodded, not uttering a word as he led the way to the hotel bar, Bill Compton sitting in a corner with a true blood sitting untouched on the table beside him. He had been enraged to discover Sookie had been attacked upon arrival in Dallas, nearly taken from the airport. The fellowship had been informed of her involvement and Eric was furious. No one, not a single soul besides them knew Sookie's exact arrival. How could the Fellowship have been able to strike again? How had a group of humans bested him for a second time?
"Eric," Bill greeted, standing as he nodded at the others. "Pam, Godric."
"Mr. Compton," Godric motioned for him to sit. "Can you tell us exactly what happened at the airport? Miss Stackhouse is well I hope."
"She's fine. She's flustered, but she's well," Bill answered curtly before sending Eric a dark glare. "You ensured her safety; what do you make of this?"
"I never promised anything of the sort," Eric growled, his orbs narrowing. "She knew what she was getting herself into."
"She would have been kidnapped if I hadn't of been there," Bill argued. "Do you not even care?"
"All I care about is Mackenzie's safety. Nothing else."
"Sookie never should have come. I should have stopped her," Bill shook his head. "I should take her home tonight."
Eric had him by the throat and slammed up against the wall in mere seconds. Godric sighed as Pam cheerfully looked on from a distance. She shared her maker's dislike for Compton and would enjoy seeing him ripped apart, limb-by-limb.
"Eric, this is not the time," Godric tried to calm his child.
"If you even think about getting in between me and Mackenzie's safety, I will not hesitate ripping you apart," Eric ignored his maker, baring his fangs in Bill's face. His hand tightened around his throat, and would have ripping it right from his shoulders if Godric hadn't of stopped him.
"Eric does not wish for Miss Stackhouse to be harmed, Mr. Compton," Godric attempted to ease the tension. "However, I will not be able to control my child should you hinder our ability to secure Mackenzie's safety. Is that understood?"
Bill eyed the ancient vampire, not taking kindly to his threat. However, he knew both vampires before him could tear him apart in mere seconds, and decided against uttering another word and instead nodded in defeat.
"Good," Godric sent him a long glance before prying Eric off of him. "Now let us discuss how Miss Stackhouse was attacked and how we can prevent further attempts. Eric, release him."
"I'd rather kill him," Eric grunted.
"I agree," Pam nodded in agreement. "Just kill him, Eric. We don't need him."
"No unnecessary blood will be spilled tonight," Godric's arm tightened on Eric's shoulder. "My son, think of Mackenzie. We cannot delay retrieving her."
Eric knew his maker was right. Every second he wasted on this idiotic vampire before him was another second she was within the Fellowship's grasps. But the desire to kill Bill Compton was stronger than it ever had been before and he was struggling with listening to Godric's commands.
"Eric," Godric warned. "Do not make me command you. This is not helping Mackenzie."
Hissing, Eric released Bill, shoving him to the ground before turning and glaring down at this maker. "He will not stand in my way."
"No, he will not," Godric agreed. "But we must learn how the fellowship knew of Miss Stackhouse's arrival. I fear we have a spy in our circle."
"But who?" Pam questioned, her eyebrows furrowing as she laid a comforting hand on Eric's arm. She wanted Bill taken care of just as much as her maker did, but Godric was right; they needed to focus on Mackenzie right now. "No one knew where Godric and Mackenzie were going last night and they showed up out of the blue. Now this?"
"The mutt," Eric growled. "He's the only one who possibly could have told them. When I get my hands on that little…"
"No," Godric shook his head. "No, it couldn't have been Alcide."
"Of course it could have been. I will kill him. I will tear him apart."
"Alcide didn't know Sookie would be joining us in Dallas. I only informed him of the three of us. He couldn't have alerted the Fellowship," Godric reasoned.
"Then he's working with someone," Eric looked ready to dart off in search of the werewolf. Godric, however, placed himself in front of him and sent him a look of warning.
"He did not do this, Eric," The authority radiated off of him. "Listen to reason, my son. Do not lose your judgment now when we are so close to getting her back. Alcide is not the one who betrayed us."
"Then who did!" he roared, causing glances to be thrown in their direction.
Godric sighed as he ushered the three vampires out of the hotel bar. This was not a conversation they needed others to hear. Bill muttered in suggestion that they continued this discussion in his room and Godric agreed. It was only once the elevator doors closed that Eric slammed his fist against the wall, shaking the entire contraption.
"Who betrayed us? If not the mutt, then who?" Eric demanded to know, his orbs blazing with fury.
Godric didn't know. Not right away. It wasn't Alcide, that he was certain of. He had seen the look on the wolf's face when he discovered Mackenzie had been taken. He was truly shocked and afraid for her well-being. There wasn't an ounce of deception as he tore off in search of the girl. No, it had not been the werewolf at all who had betrayed them.
But who else could it have been?
Not even Compton knew who Mackenzie was and why her kidnapping was so significant. No one other than those present in that elevator knew of where Mackenzie would be that night, of Sookie's arrival in Dallas.
"No," Godric whispered to himself, his eyes growing wide as realization dawned.
There was another that knew. There was another who had been kept informed from the very beginning.
"What?" Eric questioned his maker. "Who is it? Who the hell is it?"
"There's only one other that knew of any of this," Godric sighed sadly. "And that is Isabel."
A low, feral growl sounded from the back of Eric's throat. "I will destroy her."
"No, my son. It was not her," Godric shook his head sadly. Isabel wouldn't have betrayed him or Mackenzie. The girl had been like a daughter to his lieutenant. She had loved the girl from the beginning. Isabel had been so thrilled to know that he had returned to Mackenzie, even if her illness was the reason. "But I fear it was a member of my nest."
Pam shot him a look of surprise. Who dared to defy not only their Sheriff, but also a two thousand year old vampire that had a reputation that struck terror in most. "You really believe someone in your nest could be the one?"
"How do you know it wasn't Isabel?" Eric demanded. "How do you know she was not the one to betray us?"
"Be reasonable, Eric. Isabel has always cared fondly for Mackenzie. She would not have betrayed us. But it is possible that she could have been overheard. I informed her that I would be in New York with Mackenzie. She knew that Sookie would be arriving in Dallas tonight. But it was not her that has done this. Someone within my nest is not who they claim to be." Godric was furious that any of his underlings could have betrayed him, but he hid his fury. He needed to be calm, for Mackenzie's sake. If not, he would surely join Eric in tearing every single soul apart that even looked at them the wrong way.
"So what do we do now then?" Pam asked. "If someone in your nest is working with the Fellowship, we cannot trust anyone."
"I'll call Isabel to join us here, if you permit such a meeting to take place in your room, Mr. Compton. We cannot trust this conversation at my nest." Godric decided.
Bill nodded, though he knew he had no choice but to agree. He could see that should he put even one foot out of line, it would not only be Eric ending his existence. "That will be fine. You are more than welcome to use my room, Godric."
"Good," Godric frowned, glancing up at his enraged child. "We will find her no matter the challenges we face, Eric. I promise you that."
Eric could only nod, too angry to speak. If he had to tear apart Godric's entire nest, he would in order to find Mackenzie. She was his entire life; he would not lose her because of some insubordinate underling.
"And how is our guest this evening?"
Mackenzie wanted to vomit at the sound of Steve Newlin's voice as she was shoved into the overwhelming church. The moment her aunt swung the doors opened, she had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. It was an overkill, though she had never stepped foot in a church before. But she was not surprised that it was extravagant and in-your-face. They wanted to shove their beliefs down their follower's throats the moment they entered. It was appalling to Mackenzie. Would God really approve of all this? Would he really care?
"Still not talking, I see," Steve shook his head, the grin still plastered across his face. "Don't worry, we can fix that."
Mackenzie struggled but her attempts at escape were only met with rough shakes from Gabe as he gripped her arms tightly. She could barely stand on her feet but she would damn well cut off her own legs as long as it meant he would no longer be touching her.
"She's being uncooperative at the moment," Her aunt shot her a look of disappointment. "I expected more from you, Mackenzie."
She only glared in response, earning an amused chuckle from Steve.
"She's going to be a fun one, I can tell."
"Steve," another voice chirped. "I don't think this is a good idea. She's only a little girl."
"I know what I'm doing, Sarah, honey," Steve replied sweetly, though he sent a glance over his shoulder quickly. "Why don't you check on our brave soldiers while Anne and I do the job God gave us to do."
Sarah. Mackenzie knew immediately who was standing behind Steve. His wife, Sarah Newlin, to no surprise, had no idea of how much of a lunatic her husband really was. There was apprehension in her face as she gazed over her husband's shoulder, glancing at the teen girl in Gabe's grasps. She looked like she wanted to say something, either to Mackenzie or to Steve, but resigned to what was happening before her and simply turned around to leave.
Mackenzie wanted to call out to the woman, hoping she could be her only salvation at that point. But Gabe once again stopped her, shaking her entire form until she stilled and grew silent. It would have been hopeless anyways. Not even Sarah Newlin could change her fate.
"Now, where were we?" Steve clapped his hands, turning his focus back onto Mackenzie. "Sorry about her, she's a bit over-dramatic."
"Or maybe she's just realizing how much of a lunatic you are," Mackenzie muttered under her breath.
His grin faltered. "Now that isn't very nice, Mackenzie. That was very rude of our guest, wasn't it, Gabe?"
A whimper sounded as Gabe backhanded Mackenzie, causing the teen to sway before falling to the ground. Her cheek throbbed in pain as tears sprang to her eyes.
"Now now, Gabe, don't break her," Mackenzie's aunt knelt beside her niece, tracing the red mark with a finger. Mackenzie flinched as her nail dug into her cheek, the skin stinging in pain. "You better behave, sweetheart, or else I won't be able to stop him."
"You're sick," Mackenzie spat, glaring up at the woman as she tried to draw herself away.
Anne only sighed as she stood, shaking her head as she motioned to Gabe. The large man grunted and smirked as he slammed his foot into Mackenzie's stomach, a cry of pain escaping her lips. She cowered on the floor, crawling towards the pews to escape the man, but he caught her ankle and yanked her towards him. Grasping her by the arms, Gabe pulled her back up onto her feet, an arm wrapped tightly around her waist this time as he held her still. His other hand, however, began petting her hair before his fingers tangled within her locks and yanked her hair painfully.
"Lets get down to business, shall we?" Anne shot Steve a matching grin. "Do you want to tell her, or shall I?"
"Oh no, please, go right away," he offered, bouncing in excitement.
"Of course," she nodded, turning her attention back onto her niece. "Would you like to know the activity for tonight, Mackenzie?"
She wanted to spit in her face, but the throbbing of her stomach and stinging of her cheek stopped her. Anne smirked at this, looking as if she had won the lottery.
"You, my sweet niece, are going to join me in a little video we've been preparing," she explained. "And would you like to know what exactly is going to happen in this video of ours?"
Mackenzie only continued to glare. Whatever these people had planned for her, she refused to agree to it.
Anne clasped a finger under Mackenzie's chin, lifting her gaze to meet hers. "You're going to tell the world of how those monsters kidnapped you and locked you away for fourteen years."
Mackenzie had to bite the inside of her mouth not to yell at this woman and make things worse. But the sheer thought of that lie made her want to kick and scream.
"You're going to tell everyone what those terrible vampires did to you and how we, the Fellowship of the Sun, were able to rescue you once and for all. We're going to be heroes, Mackenzie, all because of you."
She couldn't hold it back any longer, not when this woman was so delusional. "You're crazy! They didn't kidnap me. They didn't keep me locked away my entire life. They're my family, not you!"
Anne laughed. "Oh sweetheart, they're monsters; they are not your family. How could you even think that after what they did to your parents?"
Mackenzie hesitated, her eyebrows furrowing. "What?"
Anne's smirk widened. "They didn't tell you, did they sweetie? Oh this is so great!"
"Tell me what? What the hell are you talking about?" Mackenzie began struggling again, ignoring the pain in her arms as Gabe's grasps tightened. "What's wrong with you people? Why are you doing this to me?"
"We're doing this, Mackenzie," Anne gripped her chin, lowering her face to hers. "Because this so called family of yours took my sister away from me." At the look of confusion on Mackenzie's face, she laughed again. "Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but these vampires are not as sweet and cuddly as you thought."
"You're lying to me. Whatever you think you know, it's a lie."
"I'm telling you the truth Mackenzie. That family of yours that you love so much killed your parents."
Mackenzie froze, the colour draining from her face. "What?"
"They waltzed right into their house that night and watched them burn. Your so-called family murdered your parents, Mackenzie, and then they lied to you your entire life. What a great family!"
"I don't believe you."
"Are you sure about that?" Anne stepped back, her hand dropping to her side. "You don't have to believe it though; it doesn't matter. Because you will do as we say."
"I won't," her voice began to waver. She wouldn't believe this. She wouldn't believe her. Eric and Pam had saved her life that day. It had just been a house fire, nothing more. This woman was delusional and crazy, just like the company that she kept.
"Oh yes you will, Mackenzie, even if I have to force you. Gabe," Anne shot him a glance. "Take our guest down to the basement until we're ready for her. If she's uncooperative again, don't hesitate to punish her. A few bruises will be a great sell."
"No," Mackenzie shook her head as Gabe began dragging her out of the church roughly. "No, you can't do this! You won't make me do this!"
"Oh, but I can, and I will. I'll see you soon, Mackenzie. And make sure to smile for the cameras."
A/N: Oops, so this chapter was not exactly a happy one. More Daddy Eric flashbacks soon I promise, and to the reviewer who asked, I was just thinking about writing a Pam/Mackenzie one, so look out for it!
ALSO! I refuse to accept last night's finale, so I wrote a much better end to season 6 called For An Eternity, so go check out the happy fluff where Godric, Eric, Nora and everyone else lives and is happy off in Sweden away from all the meanies.