Chapter 8 ~ An important decision
"Eric. What do the stars look like in Shreveport tonight?"
He could sense that his son was nervous. His immediate response confirmed Godric's hunch about that as well.
"Fader, stjärnorna är mörka!"
"Where are you two?" He sat down in his work chair, frowning. It had been a while since Eric had last hinted that he was in trouble. Godric automatically thought of the werewolves and wondered if his son had recovered the trail he had lost in Germany.
"Pam is in Fangtasia, but I'm in the longhouse."
The uneasy feeling that had spread through Godric after Eric had called for the second time within seconds intensified and he had to take a deep breath not to order his son to come to him immediately. That Eric did not call him from Fangtasia could only mean one thing.
"What has she done this time?"
"She is broke, Godric. Last night, she came to me and ordered me to sell blood for her!"
"The blood is sacred!" A deep growl came out of his throat and he felt Eric's trembling inside when he heard it through the phone.
"I know, fader! What I don't know is who the blood is from and what I'm supposed to do now. After all, I'm bound by my oath to her to obey her orders!"
"That cannot be changed now. But it is good that you consulted me. I will contact Jorge and give him a subtle hint to keep an eye on her. Through her unreasonable actions, she has unbalanced her state and the neighboring ones for the longest time. However, do not do anything against her yourself for the time being. Follow her instructions and just try to find out who the blood came from. When she leaves her palace, I want to make sure that everyone involved leaves as well."
A muffled bell-like laugh made him look up from his desk and turn his focus to the young girl who seemed to be in high spirits with Isabel. He almost missed Eric's retort and with pursed lips he mentally turned back to his son.
"I'll be careful. Because even if Jorge will be forewarned by you, he and I haven't exactly been on friendly terms so far, and I'm afraid he'll be happy to set me up as well."
With grim satisfaction, Godric automatically thought of Eric's foolish episode in France. For of course he knew about it. Even though they had parted ways after their last hunt together in Germany, Godric had always known where his son had been and what he had been up to. It had surprised him that Eric had gotten off so lightly at that time. On the other hand, it was not surprising, because Eric had always gotten along with the authorities – at least when he had his hot-tempered and disruptive mind under control. And from what Godric had heard that little French girl had happened to be a beauty. And that had always given Eric's brain a lapse...
"Well, you know how you can call me within our bond. If it comes to the extreme, then we just need a new magister as well. His methods have not been as effective and creative in recent years either, as they were with you back then. I-"
"You would kill him for me?"
With a sigh, Godric closed his eyes. "Why would I do that, Eric? It is not like you are a youngling who cannot do it for himself. If Jorge meets his true death, it is because he no longer does his job unfailingly enough for the vampires to rely on law and order in America. Even the magisterial office is under the supervision of higher power."
"Of course, fader."
"Is there another matter on your mind, my son?"
A brief silence answered him, and with each passing second Godric was more certain that this was definitely not the only matter Eric had called about.
"There is one thing that is troubling Pam. But I don't think it's anything bad. That it's even worth mentioning, in any way."
Curious, Godric raised his eyebrows and refrained himself from pointing out to his son that Pamela had always shown very good intuition so far.
"What is it?"
"It's really nothing-"
"Lyssna på mig," he interrupted him with a sharp tone. "Whatever it is, you will sort it out. But do not dismiss Pamela's concerns lightly, do you understand? Another thing, are there faeries in your area?"
Again he heard only silence for a few seconds, but he was not surprised this time, after all the change of subject was quite abrupt. When Eric finally answered, Godric could literally hear his son's frown.
"Do you have any indications that there are supposed to be any around? None have introduced themselves to me as the sheriff of this area yet, but from what you've told me about them, I don't think they'd do it voluntarily?"
"I have a reasonable suspicion that there is a portal in a town not far from the Texas border. I'm going to read up on it over the next few nights regarding the different types of fae, and I would advise that you do that as well. These are some of the few creatures we have not encountered in our lives so far."
"If you think it is worthwhile, I'll do that."
"Good. Then go talk to Pamela now and remember that she has gotten you out of trouble before. Trust her judgment. And be ready for what may come, min fader, broder och son."
He knew the tone of their conversation was not how they normally talked, even when it was such a serious topic. But now, as he said goodbye to Eric with his very first promise, he sensed in their bond that his son understood the message.
"Alltid, min fader, broder, son," Godric also got the verbal confirmation before Eric hung up with a smile in his voice.
Before he had even put the phone down, he heard the girl's distant laughter again and sat back. As he folded his hands in his lap and stared at the painting across from his desk that he had chosen to decorate his office this month, he let his mind wander.
Faeries...
With an almost inaudible sigh, he closed his eyes and remembered one of the few moments in his young vampire existence when his maker warned him about these creatures. Their light could kill a vampire... Whether water faeries also possessed this light remained to be seen.
Thinking about the rest of the night, he picked up his cell phone and sent a message to his grand-progeny. Satisfied that this matter was in good hands, he got up. Going back to the private part of his mansion, he took with him the wet clothes he had taken off so as not to expose his office furniture to the moisture. Normally, he would not have walked stark naked through the public premises of his nest, but they were quiet - had been almost deserted for three weeks. He enjoyed the silence, it was like a little mini vacation for him, and if Stan continued to prove as competent at handling the affairs of the resident vampires in the alternate office as he had done for the past few weeks, he might even one day become the second-in-command under Isabel, when Godric decided to revisit old friends in the old world and indulge in nostalgia as he had been thinking about it more and more over the past year.
Although that was unlikely. The only good memories for Godric were all with wide, ancient forests where no living soul had been encountered for days, animals aside. And these days, he could count on one hand how many such areas were left and he knew that most of his acquaintances now preferred the technological conveniences of modernity to nature. Maybe he should invest directly in reforestation instead of just boycotting the permanent cutting down of the last original green lungs? Human politics rarely let bureaucratic hurdles stop them in the long run, as he had to realize time and time again. In the end, he had no choice but to rethink his tactics.
After quickly changing into a new set of his garments he arrived at the young Fae's new room. Making a mental note to save his thoughts for later, Godric focused back at the matter at hand and knocked. For a moment there was silence until he heard Isabel speak.
"That was meant for you, Ava. This is your room now and you get to decide who you let into it."
"Okay..." whispered Ava, and then asked in a slightly louder voice, "Who is it?"
The uncertain waver in her voice made him pause for a brief moment as a feeling of compassion for the girl spread through him. Oh yes, he knew what it meant to find himself in an environment where he did not fit in with the manners he had internalized up to that point.
"Godric," he replied. "I would like to continue our conversation, if it is convenient for you."
Again, there was a moment of silence before the door was abruptly opened and Ava looked at him with a smile.
"Yes, of course, um, Sheriff Godric. Of course. Please, do come in. Or to the office?" With a questioning expression, she turned quickly, apparently looking at Isabel for help, who sat in an armchair with an amused expression.
"Since this is not quite a business conversation, we may have it here, Ava," Godric continued, stepping inside. This room was still empty except for a bed and a small seating area, and with a welcoming gesture Godric directed the young fae to one of the two still vacant armchairs before settling down himself.
"First of all, I would like to thank you again in an official way for your well-intentioned intervention, Ava, in which you were injured. You have my sincere thanks. Not many have the courage to help in the face of violent intentions. For this reason, you are welcome to stay in my house." With a sweeping gesture of his arms, he enclosed both the room and the entire building. "As Isabel has already correctly said, this is your room and if you decide to stay here, Isabel will help you decorate it with new furniture according to your wishes and tastes."
He could literally see the thoughts swirling around in Ava after his words, and waited patiently until she was ready to speak up.
But then, as she was ready, she kneaded her hands in her lap. "So far, no one has ever asked me what I want. I must confess that I'm a little overwhelmed right now..."
"That is understandable, Ava. You will find that not many vampires are so concerned with politeness and good manners, should you wish to stay. But as the head of the house and the authority in this vampire nest, I insist on it. And I will explain why. Just as you had me like hypnotized with an ability of yours, vampires can also glamour other species. I have already used it on you as well to see if you are immune to it or not. Some supernatural species are said to be immune to the vampire glamour. But it does not apply to you. So when you talk to vampires, no matter whom it is, it is of immense importance that you always say exactly what you mean. Unlike humans, you have a very pleasant scent that can also be seductive to vampires. At the moment there are only Isabel, me and my second deputy, Stan, present. But that will change again soon. And then when you meet more vampires, and Stan is clearly one of them, they will ensnare you to drink from you. So for your own safety you would be wise to head my words."
"That glamouring, was that when you made eye contact with me?" With wide eyes she looked at Godric, but instead of fear, anxiety or indignation, he saw only sincere interest for this new information in her.
"Yes," he nodded, watching her mirror his gesture a moment later.
"I think I sensed it. In my head. So that would mean that if I don't want a vampire to drink from me, I should say so clearly, and to prevent him from persuading me with his glamour after all, I should avoid eye contact?"
"That is right. And that does not just apply to getting together with my kind to have them drink from you. I also insist on obtaining clear consent for other activities. This is sufficiently well known to the vampires in this area and it is respected, at least in my house. But every now and then new vampires come from other areas where other customs prevail and have not yet internalized my rules in this regard."
Again, Ava nodded and then looked at Godric with a determined expression.
"I accept your grateful offer, Sheriff, to stay here. And I also want to thank you for being so generous to me. But... Isn't it very expensive?" With a furrowed brow, she looked around the spartanly furnished room. "You said Isabel would help me buy furniture. But I have no money, and I'm not comfortable living at your expense."
"Of course I expect something in return from you. Isabel will be your confidant. She will see to it that you receive proper training, to which you will devote yourself. You will receive lessons from tutors who will teach you the knowledge of the world to prepare you for society. Isabel will see to it that you receive the necessary documents to be able to live in human society when you are ready. But you will also impart knowledge and enlighten us as best you can about your abilities. The Fae have always been very secretive and therefore our knowledge about them is rudimentary. It is important to know what it means for the supernatural society when a Fae-human descendant lives among us. Especially if it is a water fae of which even less is known than of those who walked the earth thousands of years ago. And, and I cannot stress this enough, you will not glamour anyone here in my house. You are lucky that you discovered this side of yourself when I was present. Another vampire would have killed you for that, Ava."
"I understand," the girl whispered with a grimace.
With a slight nod, Godric continued. "Furthermore, I would like to address another matter. It is not mandatory, but it would be advantageous if you would adjust your sleep-wake rhythm to us. As Isabel has already explained to you, we are tied to the night and in order to be able to show and teach you as much as possible alongside your tutors, it is inevitable to do so at night. We-"
"With pleasure!" gushed Ava. Then she blushed and looked down with an embarrassed expression. "Please forgive me, Sheriff, for cutting you off."
Amused, Godric had to stifle a smile. With her youthful zeal, things were definitely going to get interesting in the nest in the near future.
"You are making a good effort to behave appropriately toward me, Ava. When you are alone with me or Isabel, it is okay to be less formal with us. But as soon as someone third comes along, I want you to always address me as Sheriff because that signals that you recognize me as your authority and thus belong to my nest. Hopefully, this will protect you from overzealous monarchs should we ever receive such a visit. And it has the further advantage that no monarch or other sheriff may summon you to his presence until I have personally introduced you there as head of my nest."
"Vampire politics seem pretty complicated?"
Hearing her wavering tone and seeing her biting her lips Godric felt the urge to reassure her to not be intimidated. But before he could say anything, Isabel had already leaned forward and grabbed her hands.
"Don't worry, dear. You're safe here and it sounds worse than it is. We vampires just have a habit of thinking ten steps ahead and always expecting the worst case scenario."
With a contented exhale, Godric relaxed. Oh yes, his second-in-command had become very emotionally attached to the girl, that was clear for him to see. Perhaps he might have to assign a few of her tasks to someone else... But that was in the future. Whether it was one night, or the next, or the one after that, it was not now. And right now Godric was just content with the fact that should he really decide to resign as sheriff, he knew the girl would have a strong protector in the new sheriff.
Fader, stjärnorna är mörka. – Father, the stars are dark.
Lyssna på mig. – Listen to me.
Alltid, min fader, broder, son. – Always, my father, brother, son.