Chapter Thirty-One:
Eric had had a long night. The Authority was constantly sending him more and more paperwork. They had been breathing down his neck ever since the incident of that night. They may no longer be investigating, but he knew they were keeping a close eye on him and his area. One little slip and everything he had done to protect Mackenzie would have been for nothing.
Sighing, Eric leaned back in his desk chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose. If he had been human, he knew he would have had a headache by now. There were times he wondered why he accepted position as Sheriff. He hated politics. He just wanted to enjoy his immortal existence with his progeny, not deal with this bullshit.
But, he would reason to himself every time he thought about resigning, if he had not been Sheriff than the little girl that now laid in bed fast asleep never would have survived past her fourth birthday. And while she was a pain in his ass half the time, that was not a thought Eric enjoyed having.
As if on cue, a shuffling of feet brought the Viking back to the present. Groaning inwardly, Eric turned his head to spy a pair of feet hiding just around the door frame.
"You know I don't like it when you linger," Eric called to her with a grunt.
Mackenzie was chewing on her bottom lip as she peeked her head into the room, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. The six-year-old glanced around the room before landing on her guardian.
"You're supposed to be in bed, Mackenzie," he reminded her. He really didn't want to have to deal with her tonight. He had been glad when Karen had stayed until she was put to bed. He thought he would be able to go the night without having to see her. "What are you doing up?"
"I-I had a bad dream," she stated softly, her gaze dropping shyly.
Eric raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And I-I was scared," her voice was so tiny as she shifted from one foot to another.
"What exactly am I supposed to do about that?"
The look of disappointment on a face that young actually stung the vampire. "C-can you r-read me a story?"
Of all requests he was expecting, that was not one of them. "You want me to read to you?"
"Please?" she looked up at him hopefully, her eyes as wide as saucers. He had to admit, she was easily able to manipulate anyone that came into contact with that lost puppy look of hers. Pam had taught her well. "Pretty please with cherries on top?"
He wanted to tell her no. He wanted to send her back to her room and not care. But one look at that face and he crumbled. He would make sure Pam never knew about this.
"Fine, come here," he waved her into the room with a heavy sigh. The quicker he did this and put her back to bed, the sooner he could relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. He had deserved it, after all.
Mackenzie's orbs brightened as she quickly shot across the room. She stopped just before the desk, not sure where to go. She eyed the chairs across from Eric before letting her gaze fall onto Eric. She knew her guardian too well, however, and moved towards the chairs. Eric surprised them both by shaking his head and patting his lap. She hesitated, but soon was at the side of his chair, her arms out for him to pull her up.
Eric did so with ease and set her on his lap. She squirmed across his legs before finding a comfortable position. It was the first time she had ever sat in his lap. She had always wondered what it would be like. Had her daddy sat with her before he died? Had he read her bedtime stories and tucked her in every night? Eric rarely did either but it was hard for the girl to remember a time before him, however.
"What story are you going to read me?" she asked in complete wonderment. She couldn't remember the last time Eric had ever read to her or told her a story. She made sure to never forget this moment.
Eric had no idea what to tell her. He didn't have any books stored away in his office. It wasn't like he had a secret drawer filled with books and toys for when she got scared and came running to him. This rarely occurred. It was always Godric or Karen she ran to, or hell, even Pam at times. But never him. This was new to him.
"Can it be about a princess?" she begged. "And a castle? And a dragon?"
He raised an eyebrow. She certainly had an imagination. "A princess?"
She nodded in excitement. "Pretty please?"
He tried to think of a story to tell her. He knew nothing appropriate for a small child. He certainly didn't know of any adventures of a princess and a dragon. But the longer she just sat there, staring up at him with expectation, the more he knew he had to think of something, and quickly.
"What about a prince?" He offered instead.
"A prince?" her nose scrunched up. "Boys are icky."
"Remember that when you're a teenager," Eric mumbled under his breath, unheard by the girl in his lap. "Yes, a prince. And his adventures by the sea."
"Are there dragons?"
"I suppose there could be," he could just tell her of when he was a boy. She would never know the difference. He would just keep out certain details. "Yes, there were many dragons."
She was enamored as he thought back to his childhood, retelling one of his adventures. He added a few embellishments, throwing a few ferocious dragons into the tale to make the girl happy. Eric surprisingly found himself entertained by his own story. He never allowed himself to think of his human life; it was dangerous territory after the murder of his family. It gave him great joy to be able to remember much happier, simpler times. It seemed to have made her just as happy.
Halfway through his telling of his tale, Mackenzie began to shift on his lap, the girl placing her head against his chest. He spied a glance down at her and found her thumb stuck between her lips as she drifted off to sleep. He stared at her for the longest time, unable to look away. She looked oddly peaceful as she slept, almost like an angel. It was in that moment that he was reminded of his baby sister, of the tiny child he used to proudly display in his arms. She too had been taken along with his family. She had never had the chance to grow up like Mackenzie did.
Eric lost track of time as he watched Mackenzie sleep. He would never admit it to another soul, but he found himself entranced by her. She was slowly growing on him, all while wrapping him around her tiny little fingers. Godric took great enjoyment in pointing it out to him whenever they talked, while Pam teased him endlessly about it. He hadn't believed either of them. He didn't care about her, not at all. But as she slept so peacefully on his lap, he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps they were right. He was a vampire; he wasn't supposed to be telling bedtime stories and caring about making her happy. And yet that was exactly what he had done tonight. Instead of just brushing her off, he had taken time out of his night to ease her fears.
What had become of him?
"Eric?" a small whisper came from the child on his lap.
"Hm?" his fingers drew a lock of hair back behind her ear. "Go to sleep, Mackenzie."
"Can you tuck me in? Please?"
She went back to sucking her thumb, a habit Godric had tried to break her of. But she always would resort back the moment he left for Dallas.
"Only if you stop sucking your thumb," he grasped onto her hand and tugged gently. "Big girls don't suck their thumbs."
She pouted as she cracked her eyes open.
"Big girls also don't pout," he rolled his eyes. He lifted her into his arms, nonetheless, and carried the tired girl out of the room and up the stairs to her bedroom.
Mackenzie snuck her thumb back into her mouth as he entered her room and set her back down on her bed. He snorted and pulled on her hand once again, giving her a pointed look as he lifted the sheets over her form.
"You have to check for monsters," Mackenzie stopped him before he could hurry off. She looked up at him with such wide, scared eyes that he obliged, silently cursing at himself for breaking so easily. He knelt on the ground, barely even glancing underneath the bed before deeming her safe from monsters.
The irony was not lost on Eric that she was asking a monster to protect her from monsters.
"And the closet!" she reminded him.
He stopped himself before he said something inappropriate and instead just gazed into the closet. "All clear. Happy?"
She nodded and clutched onto her pillow as she shifted into a comfortable position. "Thank you."
He struggled not to roll his eyes and instead crossed the room to her bed. He leaned forward and brushed his lips across her forehead. He was surprised by his own action, but found it oddly felt right to do so.
"Goodnight, Mackenzie," he murmured, smoothing down her locks as her eyes drifted closed.
"Goodnight Eric,"
"My son?"
Eric sighed, closing his eyes as Godric entered the bathroom. He had excused himself the moment Isabel had arrived. He wanted to plan, to discuss their course of action. But the moment the women entered the room, he found that he couldn't. He needed a moment alone, a moment to think straight.
But he wasn't able to think of anything other than Mackenzie. He had remembered every single time she had run to him after having a nightmare. It had increased after that first night. He would tell her every story he could remember of when he was a boy, adding a dragon or two when she begged. There would be times he would detest having her run around and disobeying his orders, but those few moments alone with her would always change his mind.
He had found he enjoyed protecting her and battling away her fears.
"It has been decided that Isabel's human will accompany Sookie to the fellowship tomorrow morning. He'll aid in providing a cover story while she is searching for Mackenzie," Godric informed, eying his child closely. He could see the emotions splayed across his face. He had taught Eric himself how to mask his emotions, but in that moment he knew it was impossible for the Viking.
Eric just missed Mackenzie too much.
"Eric?"
"That sounds reasonable," Eric murmured, his eyes still closed, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the sink counter. "It will convince the fellowship."
Godric was surprised Eric agreed so easily. He had expected a fight, but instead was met with a somber version of his progeny. It caused his heart to ache to see the pain he was in. But there was nothing Godric to do to ease his worries, nothing except bring Mackenzie home to them.
Godric was determined to do just that.
"Come, my son, let us get ourselves a room here for the day. I fear it would not be wise for us to return to my nest," Godric suggested.
Eric simply nodded, his eyes cracking opening.
"We will find her, Eric. We will," he assured his child. "We will bring her home."
"But what then?" Eric wondered. "She is still sick. She is still going to be taken from us."
"Have you considered giving her your blood?" Godric had always been against giving humans their blood. It was sacred. It was not meant for humans. He had always chastised Eric for freely giving it away without caring. But for Mackenzie, he would always make an exception. He would move the sun and stars for her if he could. "Perhaps it could heal her."
"And what if it doesn't?" Eric's expression hardened. "She's dying, Godric, but not from any injury. She's dying from some human disease that I don't even understand. Can our blood heal that?"
"It wouldn't hurt to try,"
"You are lecturing me about not giving her my blood? You have never approved of how I offer my blood to breathers," Eric reminded him with a frown.
"Mackenzie is different. She is worthy of our blood," Godric shook his head. "She is not just any human. She is your daughter,"
The word struck Eric, his eyes once again closing as the pain swept through him. "What if it didn't work? What if I give her my blood and she does not heal? How will I be able to live with myself, knowing that I gave her hope only to rip it back away? I cannot do that to her."
Godric sighed, knowing this was not an argument he would win tonight. But he made a note to return to this discussion after Mackenzie was safely at home. For now, they needed to focus on rescuing her from the grasps of her family.
"Let us rest for now, Eric. There is nothing more we can do tonight," Godric offered his child a small, reassuring smile. "Tomorrow Sookie and Hugo shall search for Mackenzie, and by the end of tomorrow night, she shall be ours once again."
Eric merely nodded as he followed his maker from the small room. He didn't glance at the occupants of the room as he passed, only pausing for a moment to nod at Pam to follow. She laid a hand on his arm the moment she was within reached as they followed Godric out of the hotel room.
Soon Mackenzie would be surrounded by those who loved her.
Soon, many would die for the suffering they had caused their family.
Mackenzie groaned as her eyes fluttered open, the fluorescent light burning her eyes. She was surprised she had gotten any rest at all, but as she slowly began to move, her body aching, she knew her body would need much more than just a few hours of sleep. She hadn't even fallen asleep. The pain Gabe had caused, treating her more like a punching bag than a human being, had rendered her unconscious.
At the thought of falling unconscious while within Gabe's presence frightened her and she quickly sat up. A cry of pain sounded from her lips as every inch of her body screamed out in agony. Bruises were beginning to form on her arms, and as she gently lifted the hem of her shirt, she felt sick at the colour her abdomen had turned. Her stomach churned as she slowly raised a hand up to her cheek, her fingertips grazing across the bruises that littered her face. Her eyes stung, as did her nose, and she prayed Gabe hadn't broken anything. It was when she reached for her forehead that she realized she was bleeding. A cut ran from the middle of her forehead to her temple and was still steadily bleeding despite the hours of rest. She felt woozy just knowing.
Her clothes, however, were still in tact and she found no evidence to believe she had been abused in any other way. It was the only relief she could have as she sat there in the basement of that psychotic church.
"Where the hell are you?" she whispered to the empty room, her eyes closing once again. She prayed to anyone that would hear her that Godric and Eric came for her, and soon. She didn't know what time it was, whether it was day or night, but either way she wished for her vampires to rescue her. All she wanted was to be back home, tucked away in bed, and to have Eric at her side.
She just wanted her family. Her true family.
It didn't matter what her aunt preached. It didn't even matter if the lies were all true. Eric was her family. Pam was her family. Godric was her family. None of that would change, not ever.
"Well good morning, sunshine!"
Mackenzie groaned at the sound of her aunts sickening voice. If she never heard it again in her life she would be ecstatic.
"What, not even a hello?" Anne chuckled. "That's no way to treat family, Mackenzie."
"Neither is kidnapping and locking someone up, but you seem to be completely fine with doing that," Mackenzie shot back, her voice sounding weaker than she would have liked.
"Now now, lets not get rude," Anne waved at the man behind her. "Gabe, help our guest up, won't you?"
There was a glint in Gabe's orbs as he unlocked the cage that stood between them and Mackenzie's broken form. She tried to scurry away from the man, but Gabe caught her slow moving form with ease, yanking her to her feet. She nearly crashed back down to the ground, however, unable to carry her weight any longer. Her head spun as Gabe forced her to her feet, grabbing her arm roughly to keep her upright. Everything was blurry as she was shoved forward and up a flight of stairs. She barely even knew where she was being taken, the entire world spinning around her.
"Right through here," Anne motioned Gabe into a room. "Then we can begin."
Mackenzie was shoved down onto a wooden chair, her arms immediately tied behind the back of it. It was unnecessary, though, as she wouldn't have been able to escape even if she wanted to. She was in too much pain to breathe; she wouldn't get very far even if she did break free of Gabe's careful eye.
"Now, shall we begin?" Anne clapped her hands, settling herself into a plush chair across from Mackenzie, reaching for the camera that had set up beside her and pressing record. "Why don't you tell me what happened fourteen years ago, Mackenzie? Tell me what those terrible monsters did to you."
"They saved my life," Mackenzie glared at the woman across from her.
"We both know that isn't true, Mackenzie. Why don't you just tell me the truth so I don't have to encourage Gabe here."
Mackenzie eyed the large man stationed directly behind her and she shuddered. "Fine, you want to know what happened? You want to know what those monsters did to me?"
"That's exactly what I want to know," Anne nodded excitedly, leaning forward in interest. "Tell me everything, sweetie. You're in a safe place now."
"Those monsters walked into that burning house and saved my life. Those monsters raised me for fourteen years, giving me more than I ever needed. Those monsters loved me." Mackenzie grit her teeth, though she felt a hint of satisfaction at the frustration that crossed her aunt's face. She would not make this easy for her. She would not go along with her little game. All Mackenzie had to do was bide some time until tonight. And maybe then Eric or Godric would come bursting into the church to rescue her.
She could hope, anyways.
Anne pursed her lips as she leaned back. She waved at Gabe without uttering a word, the large man grabbing onto a handful of hair and yanking. Mackenzie began to yelp, but bit down hard on her bottom lip. She refused to give these people a show. She refused to let them break her. She was a Northman, damn it!
"Do not lie to me again, Mackenzie," Anne warned. "Now tell me the truth. What did those monsters…"
She was interrupted mid sentence, however, by the room door opening. A wide smile spread across Anne's lips as another stepped into the room, hidden just behind Mackenzie.
"Is this the little bitch?" a deep voice questioned.
"Why yes Jonathan, come meet our niece."
Mackenzie strained her neck, small whimpers threatening to escape her lips as Gabe yanked on her hair and pulled her attention back onto her aunt. The man soon stepped into view, however, leaning forward and capturing Anne's lips in what Mackenzie could only describe as the most gag worthy kiss she had ever witnessed. She rolled her eyes, but Gabe had been watching and reached around to grasp onto her throat, squeezing tightly. Her eyes widened wide as she began to struggle, the air suddenly disappearing entirely from her lungs. Her legs kicked at the chair while her arms shook looking for release. Gabe's hand only tightened, however, as her vision began to blurry.
"That's enough, Gabe," Anne stopped him with a grin. "She's learned her lesson. For now, that is."
Gabe squeezed one last time before releasing both her throat and her hair. He took a step away from the chair with a grunt as Mackenzie gasped for air. She sagged in the chair, her chin dropping to rest on her chest as she regained her breath.
"Just do as we ask, Mackenzie, and Gabe won't have to take matters into his own hands," Anne warned as her husband settled on the arm of her chair. "Mackenzie, I'd like you to meet my husband, Jonathan. Sweetie, this is your niece."
"I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Mackenzie," a smirk crossed his face, an evil glint that could rival Gabe's in his dark orbs. Mackenzie shuddered as she risked a glance up at him. He was not a traditional handsome. His features were sharp and his hair was cut too short. The khaki slacks and blue button up shirt made him the perfect church going husband, though, and it sickened Mackenzie. These people tried to appear to normal, like they were the innocent ones. But she knew better. They were the monsters, not her vampires.
"Now, how about we try this again…"
"I'll take her from here, Gabe," Jonathan offered, grasping onto Mackenzie's arm as she slid towards the ground. He forced her onto her feet as he waved the man off. "Go see what Steve is up to."
Gabe raised an eyebrow and grunted, but nodded and turned in the opposite direction. Mackenzie wasn't sure if she was happy to be rid of Gabe or frightened that she was going to be alone with her uncle. Gabe gave her goose bump, but her uncle made her cower in fear. There was something just not right about him.
"Come on, you little whore," Jonathan's voice was low as he hissed in her ear, shoving her out in front of him. She stumbled, but he kept her upright by his tightened grip on her arm. She had to stifle a wince as her newly broken ribs screamed in defiance. She had acquired a new batch of bruises, a long with a cut lip and a few broken bones when she refused to cooperate with Anne's plans. Mackenzie would not lie to or for these people. She would not believe their stories about Eric murdering her parents, and she would not let them ruin the family she had come to love.
Jonathan yanked her down the hallway, stopping just before the basement door as he fumbled with the key to the lock. He was stopped, however, when voices drifted down the hall.
"Careful now," Steve's cheerful voice made Mackenzie want to roll her eyes.
"Careful? About what?" another voice questioned.
"Sometimes when we open these doors so much love comes flowing out that it'll knock you down if you're not ready for it."
Mackenzie snorted, only for Jonathan to narrow his eyes and shove her against the wall as he struggled with the lock.
"We'll be sure to brace ourselves."
That voice.
Mackenzie's head snapped up, and despite the world spinning around her, she tried to push herself away from the wall. She knew that voice. She knew that voice too well.
"Sookie," she murmured under her breath, her eyes wide in surprise.
"What?" Jonathan snapped at her. He grabbed her arm and slammed her back against the wall. "Say another word and you'll regret it."
Her heart was racing as she obediently nodded, though her gaze was trained on the end of the hallway where the voices were coming from. Sookie was here. Sookie was in the church; she was inside of the fellowship. Mackenzie knew immediately Eric must have sent the telepath. Who better than to track her down than the woman who could read minds?
Her hope of being rescued began to grow.
Eric hadn't forgotten about her.
'Sookie?' Mackenzie thought silently. She wasn't sure how far away Sookie had to be to be able to hear someone's thoughts, but Mackenzie prayed that the telepath would be able to hear her loud and clear. 'Oh god Sookie is that you?'
"Oh my gosh," Sookie's voice rose just ever so slightly. Mackenzie perked up, hoping this was her way of sending a message.
"I know!" Sarah gushed. "I just love it in here with the way it glows like it does, particularly in the late afternoon."
"It's inspiring, isn't it?" Mackenzie could just imagine that cheesy grin plastered on Steve's face.
'More like disgusting' Mackenzie thought, stifling a snort.
She heard a cough and knew it had been from Sookie in an attempt to keep herself from laughing. It took all that she could muster not for Mackenzie to smile. Sookie could hear her.
'I think you can hear me; or at least I hope you can. Sookie I'm here. I'm…' Mackenzie was interrupted in her thoughts, however, by Jonathan grabbing her and pushing her through the now open door. Mackenzie began to panic. Sookie's voice was already drifting farther away, and she wasn't sure if being locked away in the basement would hinder her ability to hear her. 'Sookie I'm in the basement! Please get me out of here! Tell Eric, please!'
As she was yanked down the stairs she only hoped that Sookie had been able to hear her.
'Be safe. These people are psychotic, Sookie. Be. Careful.'
A/N: oops this chapter turned out longer than I was expecting. I PROMISE ERIC AND GODRIC ARE GOING TO KICK ASS AND SWEEP IN THE TRY AND SAVE THE DAY IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I SWEAR.
Also, can we please just take a moment to just be happy that Eric IS going to be in season 7 and Alex WILL be a series regular. Pam is gonna go find her Daddy, give hell, and then hopefully he'll go back, grab his new baby girl, and they can all go off and have amazing adventures and forget Bon Temps.