A\N: Sorry for the wait for this chapter! It was a hard one to write, and I was pretty sick for a couple of days so I didn't get a lot of time to write! I hope you like this chapter, please let me know what you think of it and any constructive criticism you might have!
"A concussion? Can't that be really serious?" Evan demanded, whirling to face the vampires.
It was Eric who answered with a bland shrug, not overly concerned with my health it seemed. It made me feel slightly better to see how blasé he was about it. It had been one injury I had managed to avoid throughout my childhood but had been a constant threat. "You are conscious so that is a good sign. The nausea is worrying however."
"Should I be going to the hospital?" I questioned, watching for Godric's reaction with worried eyes.
He shook his head at me "no, I don't believe there is a need. There is not much that can be done. You should rest and someone will have to wake you every couple hours to make sure you are alright" Godric explained "if it is acceptable I will stay with you until sun rise to do so."
Evan's hand clasped mine firmly "I can keep an eye on you after that."
Pam scoffed at us "if you would just take more of Godric's blood then you'd be good as new."
Godric pursed his lips at Pam, his expression unamused. He seemed displeased at the thought of giving me his blood again although he hadn't hesitated to do so when I had been attacked. But then, I supposed, it had been much life threatening than a concussion. I could understand why he might not like the idea, considering he would be stuck feeling my emotions for an unknown amount of time. I wasn't really sure I wanted to take his blood anyway.
"I'll be fine" I shrugged "I just need rest right? So there's no need really."
Pam rolled her eyes at me "humans are so fragile. I don't see the allure" she paused, looking me over with a considering expression "no offense meant, Alyssa. It just seems an awful lot of fuss to just die anyway."
I wasn't sure if I should laugh or be offended so I decided not to comment. It must have shown on my face because Pam laughed. She left a moment later, flipping her hair over her shoulder and claiming she had more important things to do. Sookie hugged me a moment later as she had to work in the morning. Eric offered to make sure she got home safely and to my surprise Sookie actually seemed happy to have him. Eric led her out of my apartment with a hand on her elbow as if she might suddenly bolt in the other direction.
"You should rest now, little one" Godric suggested.
Evan helped me up and soon I was tucked into a warm cocoon of blankets. Godric perched on the edge of my bed. "Thank you Godric" I mumbled sleepily. Now that I wasn't worried about surviving, I was crashing and it was suddenly hard to keep my eyes open.
"Do not thank me little one, I am the reason that you were taken in the first place. Had it not been for your association with me none of this would have happened" Godric's tone was dark. The depression in his voice was enough to give me the energy to sit up and grab his hand.
Godric's dark eyes were guilty as he looked at me from underneath his lashes. "Don't blame yourself for this, Godric. Those guys were crazy and they would have grabbed anyone who spent time with any of you. I was just unlucky. What's important is that you came for me and we're both safely here" I reminded him "so don't go down that whole 'if I wasn't here everything would be so much better' path because that's not true."
Godric hummed, looking away from me for a moment. "I am keeping you from your rest, Alyssa, please lay back down" he requested, his hand pushing gently on my shoulder.
I sighed at his change of topic but I was too tired to fight with him about it and he would be there tomorrow night so that I could finish it. I was confident that he wasn't going to run off into the sun at any rate. So I laid back into the pillows and let my eyes slide shut.
I was just drifting to sleep when I felt Godric's lips brush against my forehead. It almost surprised me enough to open my eyes again but I resisted. I didn't want him to regret doing it if he thought I was already asleep. So I snuggled down further into my blankets and drifted off.
They woke me up every couple of hours as Godric had promised, without trouble except that I was increasingly grumpy about it. The second time Evan woke me up I grumbled at her before rolling away and pulling the covers over my head. It must have been enough for her as she didn't push me any further, just let me go back to sleep.
Godric must have come back as soon as he was able because it was suddenly him shaking me awake rather than Evan. I was fully prepared to go back to sleep and spend the rest of the week in my bed but Godric wouldn't let me.
"You must wake up now, little one" Godric prodded gently.
"I am awake and now I'm going back to sleep" I responded groggily, squinting at him.
Godric shook his head, a small smile playing at the edge of his lips "I know you are still tired but I need you to stay awake."
I rubbed my eyes and sighed "I just want to sleep though."
"I know, little one. I am sorry I must wake you but I'm afraid it is important" Godric hummed and reached forward to push hair out of my face.
My cheeks heated up as I realized what I must look like. I hadn't cleaned up at all after getting back and had been tossing and turning since the middle of the night last night. I was in desperate need of a brush and toothpaste.
"What's going on?" I asked as I pulled myself out of bed. I was sore all over and my head was throbbing. I tilted for a dangerous moment before Godric caught my elbow and helped me stay standing.
Godric frowned at the ground before raising his eyes to meet mine "the bodies of the fellowship of the sun church members were found this morning. Eric and I did our best to disguise the fact that their deaths were caused by vampires. But word has reached the Authority that Eric and myself were involved so we must meet with them to sort the matter out.
"I would gladly leave you out of it, my dear one, but it will be best to bring you with us rather than them seeking you out on their own. Will an hour be sufficient to prepare yourself?" Godric asked.
The Authority, I assumed, must be who vampires had to answer to. I had always figured that vampires must have someone keeping them in line, so it wasn't a surprise to hear that I was right. Meeting them was a whole other matter though. What would they think of me and how would they react when they found out that Godric and Eric killed a bunch of humans to save me? What if they found out that I couldn't be glamored? Godric had said it would be bad if other vampires knew that I was different and I didn't want to find out how bad he really meant.
I was starting to panic, my breath coming in quick gasps. Godric's hand on my shoulder made me look at him and notice the concerned expression on his face.
"Please do not panic, little one. I will keep not let anyone harm you. Nor will my progeny. But you must get ready. I doubt your pajamas would be appropriate for meeting with the authority" Godric reminded me.
I looked down at what he was wearing and realized even he was dressed up compared to what he would normally wear. He had traded the loose cotton pants and tunic for a suit with a skinny tie and a jacket that looked like it had been made for him. It probably had been, I realized. Godric and Eric seemed to have enough money that they wouldn't just buy any suit off the rack. I had never seen Godric look so formal. It was most certainly a good look on him.
I mentally took stock of my wardrobe and wondered if I actually had anything that would be appropriate. The dress that Pam had given me came to mind and I told myself I would need to thank her again when I saw her next. It was the only thing that I owned that would make me look even vaguely well-dressed compared to the figure Godric cut in his suit. Plan in mind, I rushed into the shower and cleaned myself as quickly as I could. If I only had an hour to get ready then I was going to need as much time as I could to do my hair and makeup.
When I had cleaned myself as much as I could, I stepped out of the shower and did my best to blow-dry my hair. It was still damp when I gave up and started pulling my hair into a French twist. I let a couple stands curl around my face. The delicate clip Pam had given me fit perfectly into my hair. I carefully applied my makeup and sprayed on a bit of perfume.
I stepped back to take in my appearance and had to admit I looked good. The dress accentuated my curves and I even felt sexy wearing it. The deep red of my lipstick and the thick cat's eye I had applied gave me a dignified and classic look that I didn't usually attribute to myself.
Satisfied with how I looked I opened the door to meet Godric.
His eyes slowly raked over me making my cheeks flush red and I looked down at my toes self-consciously. Maybe I didn't look as good as I thought, perhaps I even looked silly. Maybe Godric didn't think I looked good enough to meet with the Authority? Was he second guessing bringing me along?
But the look in his eyes, when I peeked up at him wasn't a look of disappointment or regret. His eyes were dark and heated. I swallowed hard, goosebumps breaking out across my exposed skin. I was frozen, watching him watch me like a deer in the headlights. I didn't know what to say or do but I doubted I could have done much of anything with his eyes on me like that.
He seemed to shake himself out of it a moment later, blinking hard before turning away from me. He cleared his throat and when he spoke his voice was like gravel "Eric is waiting for us, are you ready little one?"
I took a deep breath and nodded even though he wasn't looking at me "I just need shoes. Where are we going?" I asked. I turned away from Godric to rifle through my closet and find a pair of shoes that would work with my outfit. I settled on a pair of gold flats. I wasn't sure what kind of environment we would be in so I didn't want to risk heels. I pictured an abandoned building or a remote field as the meeting place.
"We will be meeting with them at Fangtasia" Godric disclosed, sounding more composed than he had a moment before.
He ushered me out the apartment door a moment later and into a sleek black car. I had never seen Godric drive a car before, but he slid comfortably into the driver's seat after holding the door open for me, so I assumed it was his. We slid down the road, the car impossibly smooth a quiet. Godric seemed deep in thought and I didn't want to disturb his thinking so I tried to keep myself as calm as possible as we pulled into the parking lot of Fangtasia.
Godric turned in his seat to look at me after he parked the car at the back of the building. "Alyssa, it is extremely important that they do not know you are resistant to compulsion. I do not think it will be a problem but if one of them catches your eye do your best to do as they ask of you, or at least pretend to. Do you understand?" Godric instructed.
I bit my lip anxiously. How well was I going to be able to pull off that act? What if they could sense that I was acting? Or if I screwed up? There was a lot riding on my acting abilities, more than I was really sure about, and I wasn't very comfortable with the idea. "What if I screw up Godric?" I whispered, tears welling in my eyes.
Godric's hand came up to cup my cheek and he forced a smile for me "I have faith in you, little one. You will not 'screw up'. And if something does happen, I will protect you as will my progeny. You have nothing to fear."
I believed that Godric would protect me and that Eric would do as Godric wanted, but what kind of price would they pay for making sure that I survived the night? Not to mention that they were essentially being put on trial because of me. I had no idea what the consequences would be if the Authority didn't find their methods necessary but I got the feeling it would not be a simple rap on the wrists.
I took a deep breath to gather myself and nodded to Godric to signify that I was ready to go in. Godric nodded in response and sped out of the car. I didn't even have time to reach for the door handle before Godric was pulling the door open and offering me his hand. I took it gratefully and let him lead me into the bar.
Three strange vampires sat on one of the long couches that furnished Fangtasia, looking tense and generally displeased. One of them, a blond middle aged woman, I recognized from the television. Nan Flanagan frequently appeared on the news and talk shows. She was a vampire rights spokesperson. It occurred to me that her presence in the media as a benign businesswoman so much like the women seen on the news was most likely very intentional on the Authorities part. It was hard to picture her in her interviews as a ruthless killer but the menacing look on her face made me rethink how average she was.
The other two were both men dressed in expensive looking suits. One looked middle aged, with dark hair gelled back in the style of a typical CEO. The other was quite a bit younger with a strong jaw and shaved head. The three of them were silently staring down Eric and Pam sitting across from them. Pam looked bored with the proceedings as she usually did though I could detect a slight hint of relief in her eyes when Godric and I walked in.
Eric looked like an angry cat with his eyes narrowed into slits and his shoulders tense. He was lounging back in his chair but every muscle in his body was ready to spring into action to defend his territory.
"Ah, Godric. Thank you for finally joining us" Nan drawled, her tone razor sharp.
Godric seemed unfazed by her tone of voice and did not respond until we were seated on the couch next to Eric. I noticed that Godric maneuvered me to sit between him and Eric and that Eric leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, positioning himself closer to me.
"I believe we agreed on midnight as a meeting time. Never the less, we have arrived and can proceed, yes?" Godric prompted.
Nan narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before her gaze slid over to me. It made me nervous to have her eyes on me like that and I swallowed hard. Godric still had a hold of my hand and gave it a slight squeeze in reassurance.
"You must be the human that was taken in this ordeal?" She demanded suddenly.
I blinked at her for a moment "Ah yes.. I was kidnapped by the fellowship of the sun members."
"Explain what happened" the younger man ordered, his tone impatient.
I swallowed again and stumbled over my words "I… well…they…I mean, I was kidnapped from my apartment and taken to the fellowship of the sun church just outside of town. They tied me up and kept me in the closet for the day. When it started to get dark out, a man came for me and brought me to a room to question me. They wanted to know where Eric and Godric spent the day so that they could sneak in and attack. When I wouldn't tell him he tried to rape me. Godric and Eric got there just in time to save me" I explained, leaving out the part where I had telekinetically shot him.
Nan Flanagan frowned at me, unimpressed with my story. "How did they know you were there? Were you able to contact them?"
Eric spoke before I had a chance to "they left a message during the day saying that they had taken Alyssa and wanted Godric to come alone to sacrifice himself for her."
"It's still on the machine if you'd like to hear it" Pam offered snidely.
The three vampires glared at her but didn't otherwise comment. They questioned Eric and Godric over and over again, going in circles about how they got in, how many people they killed and who might have seen them do it. The security tapes had already been wiped and Eric had glamored one member into telling the police that it had been a suicide pact. The cops seemed to believe them and it had apparently already made the news that the members of the church had tried to frame local vampires. It seemed to me that the anger coming off of the Authority members was a little unwarranted. Sure, they had killed a bunch of people but vampires made the news all the time because of that. Godric and Eric had at least thought enough to create a cover story and it hadn't been a pointless expedition. They had been saving me after all.
They didn't ask much of me, but went over my side of the events several times. At one point, Nan leaned in and deliberately caught my eye.
"Did these humans take you against your will?" She questioned, her voice calm and soothing.
I did my best to match her tone of voice as I had seen people in videos do when I replied "yes."
"Were they using you as bait with the intention of capturing another vampire?"
"Yes."
"Was it necessary to kill the humans involved to ensure your safety and get out alive?" Nan questioned.
"Yes" I answered once again but added "they wouldn't have let Godric and Eric leave if they hadn't."
She let eye contact break and thought for a moment before turning her gaze on Eric. "If you got the message before sundown, why did you not call the police to report a kidnapping?"
By the look on the two vampire's faces, it had never occurred to them to call the cops. I knew Evan had filed a missing person, but why hadn't they called the cops? It would have meant less of a risk to get me out and the church members wouldn't have just walked after I was found in their basement. Not that I wasn't glad they were all dead. It had shocked me at first to realize that, but I was glad they had all been killed. They were terrible people and wouldn't have been stopped by going to jail.
"There was not time. By the time the police obtained a warrant to search the church, they would have either moved Alyssa or killed her" Godric explained.
The Authority members seemed to think it over thoroughly before moving on to other questions.
As it was, it was nearly three hours before they seemed satisfied. Since they had covered up the issue and the source of the information that had tipped the Authority off had been 'taken care of', Nan warned them that the Authority would be keeping a close eye on them. They rose to leave but as Nan Flanagan stepped by me, she froze and turned on her heel to face me.
She inhaled deeply, eyes flashing to Godric in question "why does she smell so strangely?" she demanded.
My cheeks flushed a deep red and I fidgeted with the sleeves of my dress.
Godric's hand landed on my shoulder possessively "I do not know, I have not smelled her equal before."
"May I taste her?" the older man questioned, fangs slipping down.
My eyes widened and I pressed back into Godric's side, my insides flipping anxiously. Who asked that kind of question?! Apparently it was deeply offensive to Godric as his fangs dropped down immediately and a low growl rumbled in his chest. Eric's own growl met his and they both leaned forward angrily.
The other man's fangs dropped down and he stepped forward in defense.
"No you cannot taste my Alyssa" Godric snarled.
"You have not even claimed her! How dare you show Matthias your fangs?" The younger man reproached.
Godric was on his feet the next second, standing protectively in front of me "I am much older and more powerful than Matthias, and he should know better than to ask to taste another vampire's companion" Godric responded, inches from the younger man's face.
"All of you will calm down at once!" Nan ordered, voice cutting through the growling like a knife.
The growling quieted but Godric did not step down until Matthias and the other vampire both retracted their fangs.
Nan glanced over her shoulder at Matthias "I don't care what she smells like, you were out of line. You will conduct yourself more respectfully in the future" she reprimanded "and you, Godric, if you do not wish another vampire to claim her, then do it already or do not complain because you haven't. I would like to know what it is that causes such a unique aroma however. Please notify the Authority when you find out." Nan instructed him before turning sharply and marching out the door.
The two men cast a final threatening glare towards Godric and Eric before following her out.
"I am so sorry, little one" Godric apologized, turning to kneel in front of me.
I was shaken but otherwise unharmed. I shuddered to think of what might have happened if I didn't have the vampires around me to keep me safe. "What did Nan mean, that you should 'claim me'?" I asked him.
Godric's eyes shifted away as if he was uncomfortable "When a vampire has a human companion and want other vampires to know that they are under the protection of a certain vampire, they claim that human" he explained.
Eric scoffed beside me "that's a very basic view of a claiming, Alyssa. It would mean that no other vampire could so much as touch you without facing repercussions from Godric. Not even the Authority. Godric would mark you with his scent or his blood so that whenever you meet a vampire they know you are Godric's. She's right Godric, if you don't intend to bond with her, then one of us needs to claim her." Eric added.
"Eric" Godric warned, a stern look on his face. I wondered if it was the mention of 'bonding' that he had disagreed with because it was the only part that I didn't understand. From what they had both said, it did seem like a good idea for one of them to claim me, it didn't sound like it would change much other than vampires learning in advance that I was being protected, rather than risking being attacked again.
"What does bonding mean?" I questioned before they could change the subject as I thought Godric would want to do.
Godric sighed "it is not something you need to worry about, Alyssa. There is no need for you to do such a thing."
"She should know Godric" Eric pushed "it might be important someday, if not today."
Godric shot Eric an angry look but after a moment took a deep breath and turned back to me "when a vampire and human exchange blood on several occasions, it creates a bond between them. Not only can the vampire feel the emotions of the human but the human can also sense the vampire. It is very rare and ties the vampire and human together for the rest of the human's life, whether the human is turned or not. It can be likened to a marriage between humans but is even still more intimate" Godric explained.
I could admit that it hurt to realize that that was what had upset Godric, he hadn't wanted me to know what bonding was so that I could never ask it of him. He didn't even want to claim me, didn't want me to be 'his' as Eric had put it. I knew rationally that we had not known each other for very long and it wasn't fair of me to expect such a thing from him but it hurt none the less. I hadn't realized before how much I actually cared for Godric. And a part of me had begun to hope that he had felt the same way but I thought now that I must have been misreading his friendliness for flirting and what I had thought were possessiveness and jealousy had more likely been a friendly concern for a human that he spent time with.
"Oh, I see" I mumbled, staring down at my hands.
Godric rose from in front of me a moment later. "If you wish to rest more then I will see you back to your apartment, I am sure this has been a very trying couple of days for you, little one."
"If you want to stay, Alyssa, you can until sunrise and we will see you home then too" Eric added, shooting Godric a strange look.
It seemed pretty clear that Godric wanted to take me home. Maybe it was tiring for him, to constantly be around me. He probably had other things he wanted to do and after how angry he seemed to be with Eric just for mentioning bonding to me, it seemed like he would be happy for some time away from me. Maybe he knew how I felt about him and was trying to put some space between us before I got too attached to him.
"No" I sighed "I think Godric is right. I'd like to go home."
Godric offered his hand to me and I took it until I was standing and then carefully withdrew my hand from his so that he didn't feel like he had to hold mine or risk hurting my feelings. He looked at me over his shoulder questioningly for a second before leading the way out of the bar. The car ride back to the apartment was silent and awkward. He seemed unsure of walking me to my door but after a moment decided he would. Godric waited while I fumbled with the key in the lock and mumbled a quiet goodnight before turning and disappearing down the hall.
Safely inside my apartment I leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, shaking.
What a fool I had been making of myself the past couple of weeks. How could I have thought that Godric could have ever been interested in me? He was two thousand years old and I was just a regular girl. Well, mostly regular. Maybe that was the only reason he spent any time with me, trying to figure out what it was that made me so different. I was something new to him it seemed, and that must be rare to such an old vampire. I was probably like that shiny new toy or puzzle that was special because of its newness but once you had it figured out it was no better than any of the other toys you already had.
The thought left me feeling hollow. Was that all I was to Godric? And Eric too? I needed to stop getting attached to them and prepare for when they were going to get tired of me. Most of all I needed to stop lying to myself in thinking that I could ever be with Godric.