| SEVENTEEN |
WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

             The next day, Eric was asleep for most of it in another room. He woke just as the sun was setting. She was eating breakfast food for dinner in the kitchen when he entered and she couldn't help but blush. Eric smirked but nevertheless went to sit on the couch as he informed her that they'd be meeting two vampires, Isabel and Stan, later on.

         "So Godric, your maker, has gone missing?" she questioned as she finished eating her pancakes. She remembered Eric telling her that his maker was named Godric.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry," she apologized as she came to stand in front of him before offering a small smile. "But maybe he just decided he hated Texas and wanted to leave."

Eric grinned at her attempt to make him feel better. She was still ever so kind. He thought it was cute as he replied, "Possibly but highly unlikely."

        "But do you really think this Fellowship of the Sun was able to take him?" she asked.

           "I'd be more surprised if it was in fact them. Godric is twice my age and very strong. Humans being able to subdue him is frankly worrying," Eric said and he seemed tense; she wanted to alleviate it so she moved forward slightly to place her hands on his shoulders and massage them as he talked. "They'd have to possess some type of weapon. But...it still may not be them. It's more plausible that it's someone else."

          As Eric finished airing out his worries, it was then that he was aware of her hands on his shoulders as he furrowed his eyebrows, "What are you doing?"

           "Oh. Sorry," she stopped and stepped back from him as she fumbled with her hands nervously. "You just seemed tense and I guess...it's a force of habit."

           "What is?"

           She uttered quietly, "To make sure you're okay."

He stared at her intensely as his chest literally ached for her. She was far too good for him like some kind of miracle and he cherished her like any starving man would. His touch would corrupt her and his presence would tarnish her shine but like any starving man, he only sought to satiate his hunger without a care for the consequences. Not anymore.

"I wasn't silent that night because it was true," Eric revealed. "I was silent because I didn't want to acknowledge what I was blind to."

Her heart raced as it filled with hope while she asked, "Which is what?"

"I do care about you and..." he confessed quietly before he looked away from her as he became guarded. "And that's all I'll say about it. But know that it's true."

She went to say something but she heard knocking on the door. She let out a little huff before going to answer it. It was Sookie.

"Hey," Sookie smiled. "Bill said we're supposed to be leaving soon so I figured I'd come get..."

Sookie paused as she saw Eric in the hallway of the suite and she immediately glared, "What the Hell is he doing here?"

"I'm protecting her," Eric explained coolly.

"You mean manipulating her," Sookie stated as she saw the images in Eira's mind. How she had kissed him last night. "Eira, you didn't? You seriously kissed him?"

Eira felt her lips part in surprise before she crossed her arms, "It was a moment of weakness, okay?"

"A very thrilling moment of weakness," Eric smirked as he stared at her lips.

She blushed under his gaze as she smiled a bit before Sookie stared incredulously, "Don't tell me you agreed to be his again."

            Eira felt so overwhelmed. She hardly had a chance to take in the words Eric said. But she knew that if those words were the only ones he could give her, she was content with that. It wasn't I love you but she never expected that from him. She knew he cared for her in some way and that was enough for her. That would always be enough for forever because he eclipsed her heart. And forever was what she wanted with him.

           "I did," Eira said.

Eric looked at her in surprise. He expected her to deny it and he gave her a questioning stare. She looked at him with those beautiful green eyes as she nodded, speaking with only her eyes. I'm yours. He couldn't help but grin.

"Unbelievable," Sookie shook her head as she read the thoughts Eira had. "How are you so infatuated with him? There's nothing to even remotely like."

"There's plenty," she defended before she mumbled in a dreamy sigh. "Like when he kisses you."

"What?" Sookie couldn't hear her mumble but Eric could and he chuckled.

           Then Eric leaned down to Eira and whispered in her ear, "Somehow that intoxicates you and yet I still can't get you to take your clothes off."

  Her face went beet red and she whacked his shoulder playfully, "Shut up. And you're not as intoxicating as you think."

     "Oh, really?" he raised an eyebrow in challenge.

"You two are impossible," Sookie threw her hands up. "Can we all leave now?"

"Of course," Eric replied but he only stared at Eira as they all filed out of the door.

            ______

          They met Isabel and Stan at the house Godric owned. There was a lot of arguing and she mostly zoned out while Eric paced. Eira was wearing an oversized sweater with a skirt and, although, she didn't notice, Eric did. Stan gave an appreciative gaze at her bare legs while complaining about hiring humans for help.

Eric placed a territorial hand on the small of her back as he stepped behind her and loomed over her while he glared, "I would redirect your gaze, vampire."

Eira furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she turned her head to Eric before looking at Stan who looked a bit scared at the glare Eric threw before he nodded, "Of course, Sheriff. Meant no offense."

            Eric kept his glare for a moment before asking, "Now are you certain Godric was abducted by the Fellowship of the Sun?"

             "Yes."

             "No."

          Both Stan and Isabel gave different responses. They were right back to arguing but she noticed Eric lingered behind her, twirling the ends of her hair instead of pacing. She couldn't help but smile a bit that it seemed to calm him.

             But her smile was quickly lost as she listened to the arguing. Stan wanted to attack the church and Isabel argued that it was idiocy. The two didn't even care there was a traitor in their midst as that was the only way the church knew Sookie was coming. Stan and Isabel just accused each other of being the traitor leading to more arguing before Sookie ended it.

       "Look if y'all argue any more, I'll either fall asleep or start screaming, so this is what we're gonna do: I will infiltrate the Fellowship of the Sun."

       "Absolutely not," Bill argued.

       "Let her speak," Eric commanded.

       "Since Bill glamoured the kidnapper, no one knows who I am. I'll pretend to join the church, and check out their thoughts."

       "No. During the day, none of us can help you," Bill worried.

       "It'll only take a little while. Really, Bill. It's simple."

       "Waste of time, when we could drink them all. I want no part of this," Stan said before he left.

     "There's no easier way to find out if they're involved?" Isabel asked.

        "If it leads us to Godric, we'll do it. The decision is made," Eric stated.

        Bill looked at Eric, "A few words."

    Eric rolled his eyes before leaving her to talk to Bill more privately in the corner of the room. Isabel approached the two humans with small smile, "So tell me, how goes your human-vampire relationship?"

        Eira couldn't help but smile widely as she gushed, "He got me flowers yesterday."

"Eric got you flowers?" Sookie said in disbelief. "Are we talking about the same Eric?"

"He can be sweet, Sookie," she crossed her arms as she defended.

"And who wouldn't be sweet on you?" Isabel smiled as she complimented while moving a strand of hair out of Eira's face and tucking it behind her ear like a mother would do to a child. "You are simply radiant."

Eira blushed as she decided that she quite liked Isabel. That was when Eric and Bill joined them again. Eric grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him as he addressed Isabel, "We'll be leaving now. And Sookie will infiltrate the church tomorrow."

"Alright. Let me know if I can do anything to help," Isabel nodded before smiling at Eira. "It was lovely to meet you."

"You, too," Eira smiled as she gave Isabel a slight hug which made Eric tense; the scent of her blood made it hard for any vampire to keep control and when Eira put herself so close to a vampire, it was like the fruit of all temptation. It made him rightfully worried but nothing happened besides Isabel returning the hug before they all left.

_____

When they were back in their suite alone, Eric commented, "Is every vampire going to be fascinated with you?"

"What do you mean?" Eira said cluelessly. "I didn't do anything."

"You didn't have to," Eric pointed out. "Because you are perfect."

Eira smiled giddily as she looked up at him and blushed, "I'm not perfect."

"Oh, yes, you are," Eric reached out and traced the smile on her lips like he used to do before he looked at her intensely. "You're mine?"

"I'm yours, Eric," she confirmed and he grinned before he leaned down and brought his lips to hers. It was a short, sweet kiss of a relationship beginning again that promised to be more delicate.

When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers while she breathed a bit more deeply. Then she began nervously, "I should probably tell you that I've decided to go with Sookie tomorrow."

"No," he immediately denied as he pulled his head away to stare down at her intensely while his chest tightened with worry. "You can't."

"She's my friend, Eric."

"I don't care," he said angrily as his jaw clenched. "Your life is more valuable than hers."

She pushed away from him, "If something happens, Sookie can't protect herself but I can. I'm a witch, remember?"

"And..." she fumbled with her hands. "I want to help you."

"I don't want it," he said with a hardened look in his eyes.

"Why?" she gained a hurt look in her eyes. "What's so wrong with that?"

"Because it puts you in danger!" he shouted.

She blinked in realization. His care for her really did run deeper than she knew. She stepped closer to attempt to reassure him but before she could, Eric spoke, "Will nothing change your mind?"

"No," she said quietly and Eric stared at her angrily.

His hands clenched and unclenched. She was so aggravating. Why couldn't she just stay on the sidelines and be safe? He didn't have to worry and he didn't have to feel so utterly human.

Finally, he reached out and his fingers danced across her cheek so delicately as he said quietly, "I wish that weren't but since you are, know that I'll come to you even in broad daylight. Even if nothing happens and you're only merely afraid."

She smiled softly, "And Sookie tries to tell me you aren't sweet."

He shook his head before he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek before he whispered a promise against her skin, "Only for you."

         ______

             When it became daylight, she met Sookie downstairs along with Hugo who was the human of Isabel. They thought it'd look less suspicious if he came.

            "Eira, you really don't have to come," Sookie said in worry. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

         "And if it doesn't, I'll be there," Eira gave her a reassuring smile.

         "And what do you plan to do exactly if it doesn't?" Hugo asked in doubt. "Sorry but you're just one girl. What can you really do?"

           "I guess you'll find out," Eira answered cryptically.

         "Okay, well, if they do ask you two any questions, are you sure you're going to be able to say the kinds of things about vampires that they're going to want to hear?"

        "Hugo, I don't just hear the things hateful people say. I hear the things that are so hateful that hateful people don't even want to say them out loud. Don't you worry about me. I got plenty of materials to work with. I'll be fine."

          "And it's not like I'm saying anything true so...I'm fine," Eira shrugged.

         "Good," Hugo stated.

        "It's funny, I don't even know you really, but you're the only other person I've met besides Eira who's dated a vampire..." Sookie started.

        "What do you want to know?"

        "Everything. Like, do you and Isabel ever fight?" Sookie asked.

       "We fight like crazy. But I've been with women I didn't fight with before, and with every one of them, I found that the reason that we never fought was because I didn't care enough to bother."

         Fight? Eira frowned in thought. She and Eric had a disagreement last night but they didn't really fight besides the whole wondering if he cared about her. But that was in the past now.

       "Oh, Hugo, that is messed up," Sookie said but she heard the thoughts Eira had. "And you two don't fight because you're always in the honeymoon phase."

          "The honeymoon phase?" Eira questioned in confusion.

       "Where everything is bright and shiny," Sookie explained.

         "Enjoy it while it lasts," Hugo smiled.

          Why would it end? Eira frowned, "But it'll last forever."

         "So he's said he'll turn you?" Hugo questioned in surprise.

         "Of course," Eira smiled. "He's just waiting for me to ready."

           "It must be nice," Hugo said bitterly. "Isabel won't even consider it."

           "I'm sorry," Eira rubbed his arm to make him feel better.

           "You really want to be a vampire?" Sookie asked Eira in surprise.

            "You don't?" Eira said before smiling. "Being a vampire means forever with the people we love. Why wouldn't you want that?"

         Sookie thought. How was it that Eira who was younger than her knew exactly what she wanted? Sookie had never thought about it but now that she had, the two girls differed entirely on what they wanted.

         Sookie tried to imagine her and Eira as vampires. She couldn't see herself as one but she could see Eira. Eira would be exactly as she was now glowing with happiness; she didn't have a smile but her eyes practically sparkled with joy. Eira would be that way forever as a vampire: eternally happy. And it was beautiful to think that love could make one that happy forever.
She wished that for Eira but knew that being a vampire wasn't what she wanted herself. 

        Sookie loved Bill but she wanted a human life. She wanted children, she wanted to grow old, she didn't want to give up the sun (of course she didn't know that the blood running through the veins Eira had allowed life in the sun to be possible) while Eira only wanted Eric.

          And Sookie began to understand that Eira felt an entirely different love for Eric than the one she had for Bill. She almost envied it, the all-consuming passion, but she and Eira were two very different individuals with two very different wishes. But it still made her heart sad to think one day she would say goodbye to Bill.

      Sookie frowned, "We should go."

           _____

          When they got to the church, Eira put on her scarf to hide the scar of her bite mark. Once they got out of the car, they saw a blonde woman already waiting for them at the entrance.

       "Why do I recognize her?" Sookie asked.

      "Because she's on TV all the time. That's Sarah Newlin. She's the reverend's wife," Hugo answered.

         "Oh, right. You know, in person, she looks like vanilla pudding," Sookie said and Eira chuckled before they reached Sarah.

       "Hi, there. I just happened to be looking out the window as you were driving up, and I thought I'd come on out and greet you myself. I'm Sarah Newlin. And you all are?"

      "Hi. Holly Simpson," Sookie shook her hand and immediately took the over the talking which Hugo was supposed to do; it made Eira bite her lip to hide the amused smile. "I cannot believe I'm meeting you in person. You are cute as a button."

        "Thank you, Holly. And you're like a cool breeze on a hot summer day."

         "Quit."

        "And you two are?"

         "I'm..." Hugo attempted to speak but Sookie interrupted.

        "Silly me. This is my sister, Daisy. She has a condition that turns her hair white and it's why she doesn't talk much," Sookie explained.

         "Oh, poor thing," Sarah said.

        "And this is Rufus Dobson, my fiancé, I love saying that word. In fact, sometimes I love it so much, I don't even want to get married, just so I can keep on calling him it. But we're going to. Get married, that is. Which is why we're looking for a church."

         "Well, excellent. And I'm pleased to meet you, Rufus."

        "It's an honor."

       "The honor's mine. Now, how about you all follow me in and we'll see if Steve is available. I'm sure he'd love to meet you three."

       "For real? Reverend Newlin himself? Oh, that would be just super," Sookie said in an overexcited tone and Eira was about to start laughing as she basically hid behind Sookie.

       "Well, come on."

      "I thought I would do the talking," Hugo said in a low tone as they followed Sarah.

       "When I get nervous, sometimes I talk too much."

         "You definitely do," Eira said in amusement.

              "You shush," Sookie blushed in embarrassment. "You have a condition and you can't talk, remember?"

            Eira only chuckled.

______

They met Steve and he couldn't shut up about he hated vampires. She wanted to roll her eyes but she stayed silent. Sookie told him that she didn't talk much but brought her along for a second opinion. They were now being shown around the church and the Sanctuary room was unveiled.

Her jaw dropped.

The light shined in through the windows. It shined on the aisle and the altar so beautifully. Any bride walking down the aisle would look like an angel surrounded by radiant light. She wondered how a place so hateful could be so beautiful.

"It seems like this one likes the room," Steve smirked.

"It's...very pretty," she said as she followed them down the aisle. She got a bit misty-eyed as she imagined Eric waiting for her at the altar. His blond hair would shine so beautifully and his eyes would become a blue Heaven.

She was in her daydream as Steve introduced a tall, bulky man named Gabe. He was going to be with them for the rest of the tour and she didn't notice the way he eyed her hungrily. Sookie read his thoughts, though. Look at that little beauty. I'd enjoy breaking her in. Her mouth would fit my cock as good as that ass fits her jeans.

Sookie stepped in front of Eira to block his view as she tried to make Hugo understand that they needed to leave. Steve and Sarah knew that she was the human telepath trying to find Godric. But Hugo missed all of her cues.

           So they continued the tour and it was now nightfall. Steve was trying to show them the basement and being very pushy about it which put Eira on edge. It seemed like they were going to try something so she acted first.

        Eira thrusted her hand out and the wind threw Gabe into Steve, making them fall to the ground in a mess of limbs. Then Eira lifted her hand and the two of them were lifted into the air against the wall. She flattened her hand and their limbs were splayed flat against the wall. They were unable to move.

         Hugo and Sookie looked on with wide eyes. Sarah was both surprised and afraid. Eira had left her alone because she had seemed nervous and afraid before; she didn't consider her a threat.

          "You're going to regret this, you bitch," Gabe said.

          "What the Hell are you?" Sarah shouted in fright.

           "Isn't it obvious, honey?" Steve said. "She's a witch."

           "Yes, I am," she revealed. "And I can keep you there all night unless you tell me where Godric is."

          "I don't talk to Devil worshippers," Steve denied.

         "Witches..." Sarah started before her voice became hostile. "Are whores of Satan."

          Eira furrowed her eyebrows as Sookie yelled to warn her. But it was too late as Sarah ran at her and shoved her harshly, "Go to Hell."

        Eira was shoved through the open doorway and she fell down the stairs of the basement. She rolled down the stairs before she reached the bottom and her head banged harshly against the concrete which made her pass out immediately.

          Steve and Gabe fell to the ground as her use of magic stopped. Steve smiled proudly at Sarah, "Good job, honey."

          "Shut up, Steve."

          Sookie and Hugo went to run but Gabe and Steve were allowed to grab them this time. Without Eira, they were helpless.

           ______

          Eric and Isabel were watching the church from a distance now that it was night. Eric watched these soldiers with distaste.

       "You have got to be joking me. This is the Fellowship of the Sun? That's their army? Scared little boys with bibles and crossbows," Eric frowned.

        "Don't underestimate them," Isabel cautioned. "Support for their movement is growing. Their leadership camps are overflowing with self-righteous extremists, all willing and ready to die for their cause."

        "That can be arranged quite easily," Eric smirked.

        "Not until we know for sure the Fellowship has Godric."

           "Even if they don't and they touch her...it won't be very pretty for them," Eric said as he thought about Eira. "They've been in there too long."

           "I've felt no sign of alarm from Hugo. There was something earlier but it passed."

            "I've felt nothing either," Eric said as he clenched his jaw. He didn't understand how Eira wasn't at least afraid but he didn't know that she was unconscious and therefore had no feelings.

             "I'm sure it's fine," Isabel reassured before she talked to pass the time.

             "Your human is very beautiful," Isabel stated. "Stan hates humans and even he was impressed."

            "If he looks at her again, impressed will be the last thing he'll be," Eric vowed.

               Isabel smiled in amusement before she asked, "Did you intend to turn her?"

            "Yes," Eric replied before he frowned in disgust. "Why would I want her to grow old and sickly?"

          Eric thought about Eira growing old. But it wasn't the weathered skin or loss of her looks he was thinking of, it was her heartbeat. He imagined her heart stopped beating and she left this world with him in it. If she decided to grow old, he would resent her forever for making him care and then robbing him of her.

           "I find it curious. Like a science project."

          "It's not curious," Eric shook his head. "It's sad."

Isabel smiled knowingly, "You are afraid to lose her."

      Eric didn't respond as he quickly changed the subject back to Godric.

_____

The night had passed and it was the next day but it was nearly night again. Sookie was frankly worried as Eira still hadn't awoken and there was so much blood. It was all over the back of her head and it soaked the back of her shirt. She feared the younger girl wouldn't wake up.

But her green eyes started to blink open and Sookie exclaimed in relief, "Oh thank God."

Everything was spinning for Eira. It took a moment for everything to calm down to something bearable as she was finally able to lift her head up. She realized that they were in some kind of fenced closet and she was sitting up against the fence. She swallowed harshly and she thought she tasted something metallic in her mouth as she fought through her haze, "I thought she'd be nice because she seemed scared. But she hated me."

"Oh, Eira. It's okay," Sookie rubbed her arm. "And don't you care about what those religious freaks think. Now can you stand up?"

     Eira nodded slowly, "I think so."

Eira started to push herself up from the floor and she found it hard. Her muscles felt so weak even with the help of Sookie and when she was finally standing she was practically leaning completely against Sookie. She breathed heavily before she moved to lean back against the fence so Sookie didn't have to support all her weight.

"What happened?" Eira asked.

Sookie crossed her arms as she pointed an accusing stare at Hugo who seemed panicked at being locked in here, "He's the traitor and the reason they knew we were coming."

"How could you betray Isabel?" Eira asked.

"Because she doesn't really care. None of them do," Hugo argued. "They just want to use us."

"Shut up," Eira glared. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really? Isabel told me your blood is the sweetest she's ever smelt. I bet that's all your vampire cares about."

"He cares about me," Eira defended.

"And did he tell you why?"

Eira was silent while she continued to glare before she started to move towards the door, "Let's go, Sookie. We're leaving."

"Wait?" Hugo said hopefully. "You can get us out of here?"

She didn't respond to him as she moved her hand along the fence to support her weight as she moved towards the door. She sluggishly moved forward almost like she was limping. Sookie stayed next to her each step of the way.

When she was at the door, she raised her hand and willed for the door to unlock by calling on the magic she was born with. Suddenly the locks clicked open and she pushed the door open with her hands. She filed out slowly with Sookie behind her. But then with a thought she made the door snap closed before Hugo could leave and the locks clicked back into place.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Hugo panicked. "Let me out."

"You're a traitor, Hugo," Eira said coldly as her eyes blazed with anger. "So you can stay and rot."

Eira moved away from the cage as Hugo shouted and begged to be let out. Sookie stared in shock before following after Eira.

"Where are you going?" Sookie asked. "We're supposed to be getting the Hell out of here."

"No," Eira denied as she leaned against the wall in the hallway of the basement. "We're supposed to find Godric."

Sookie was flabbergasted. They'd been stuck in this dreadful church for a whole day and Sookie didn't think anyone would rescue them since Bill nor Eric came. It's why she sent a telepathic message to Barry to alert Bill but that wouldn't help them until it was night again.

"Eira, we need to get out of here," Sookie advised. "It's not safe and it frankly worries me that neither Bill or Eric came last night."

"Eric isn't going to come because he'd have to feel my fear."

"If you haven't noticed, we're in a fearful situation," Sookie argued and wondered how hard Eira hit her head.

"But he'll do something stupid and put himself in danger," Eira clarified in worry. Like come in the daylight, she thought. "So I'm not going to be afraid."

"Oh my god," Sookie shook her head in disbelief before sighing. "Then let's hurry up and find Godric."

Eira smiled slightly before moving through hallways of the basement. They went a bit slow because she was quite dizzy but they checked multiple rooms. They found no sleeping vampire yet as they came around a corner.

She was immediately shoved to the floor as she heard an angry voice, "You think you can escape you vampire-loving bitches."

It was Gabe.

Sookie screamed before Gabe grabbed her by the throat and threw her into some desks that were in the corner. Eira glared as she held her head off the ground by shakily holding her upper body off the ground with her hands. She threw a hand out which caused her to collapse completely, "Leave her alone."

Gabe fell to the ground as the wind knocked his legs out. But he got back up angrily, "I'm going to fuck you bloody, you fucking fangbanger."

"Don't you touch her," Sookie lunged at him but he shoved her off and kicked her in the ribs harshly which kept her from getting up again.

He stomped towards her and she was too tired to use magic again as the room spun. She tried to crawl away but he grabbed the back of her hair and pulled her back which caused her to scream as blood dripped from the strands of her hair as the wound on her head started to bleed again.

"You think you're too good for your own kind," he said as he flipped her over which made her head hit the floor and she felt almost paralyzed from the pain as unbuttoned her jeans before pulling them down forcefully in one quick motion down to her knees and her underwear were moved along with them. "I'll show you."

She cried as she tried to fight him off even as the room was spinning. But her limbs were like lead and it did nothing as he spread her legs open.

      Then suddenly his neck was snapped from behind. Eira immediately pulled her jeans and her underwear back up which was a struggle but she managed to do it. Gabe was pushed to the side and his dead body fell away from her.

             Now standing before her was what seemed to be a teenage boy with short brown hair and stormy blue eyes. He had tattoos and wore simple white outfit. Both she and Sookie stared in shock.

           "You're Godric?" Eira said tiredly with tear stains still fresh on her cheeks as she laid on the ground with her elbows propping her up. Then her eyes grew worried as she sniffled. "Are you okay?"

           Godric cocked his head to the side as he stared at her. The fact that she was worried about him was very curious and he studied her before responding, "I am."

        Whether he was answering her first or second question, she didn't know. But then Sookie spoke as she stood up, "It's still daylight. Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

        "I don't sleep very well anymore," Godric replied as he glanced at Sookie before looking back at Eira.

        "It was very brave to look for me for Eric," Godric said before he crouched down next to her. "I take fault for it. And I apologize for the unnecessary pain."

          "I...forgive you," she said slowly in confusion.

          His lips quirked before he bit into his wrist and held it towards her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she said, "But...you just met me."

           "So I should let you stay injured instead?" he stared at her like she was an alien before he pushed his wrist closer. "Go on."

              She hesitated before she brought his wrist to her mouth and she drank his blood. It was much sweeter than the blood of Eric and it was much stronger because after only a moment did her dizziness fade and the pain in her head fade.

           She let go of his wrist once she felt it and she smiled at him, "Thank you."

           Godric nodded and stood before offering her his hand. She took it and he lifted her to her feet. And that was when alarms started going off and screams were heard upstairs.

         "Bill?" Sookie said.

         "No," Godric stated as he closed his eyes. "I am here, my child. Down here."

         And then Eric appeared.

          He came to the church because he overheard Barry say that they were in danger. But then he had felt Eira and her fear which caused him to hurry but clearly not quick enough as his maker had saved her before he could as there was a dead body on the ground.

          "Eric," she said in relief before she quickly ran and hugged him.

                He wrapped an arm around her loosely as he muttered, "Are you alright?"

           Godric watched in fascination. He grew even more curious about the human that cared for his progeny and the way his progeny seemed to care as well by the way he held her so gently.

            "For now," she answered as she pulled away.

            Then Eric seemed to go stiff like a soldier awaiting orders as he looked at his maker, "Godric."

              "The sun is only now setting, Eric," Godric said. "How did you get here?"

               Eric was silent as he glanced at Eira and Godric pieced it together (her blood had to smell sweet for a reason) with an only a glance, "I see."

           "Wait? Because of Eira you can walk in the sun? How?" Sookie questioned and she assumed it was magic, not blood. "Does that mean she can make Bill.."

         Eric growled as he bared his fangs at her and Sookie jumped at the sudden hostility before he threatened, "If you tell him anything..."

         "Eric," Godric commanded calmly. "Leave her be."

          "Yes, Godric," Eric immediately retracted his fangs and the girls stared in surprise.

           "Get them out of here," Godric said. "And spill no blood on your way out."

          "But what about you?" Eira worried. "We can't leave you."

          "When the sun sets fully, I will be free to leave," Godric looked at her fondly. "Now go."

She hesitated but Eric grabbed her hand and pulled her along as Sookie followed. They went through many hallways and up the stairs and then more hallways. They stopped behind a wall close to entrance as there were three soldiers with stakes standing by it.

Eric went to go deal with them but she wouldn't let go of his hand. Eric looked at her noticing she had worried eyes so he leaned down and whispered, "Trust me."

"I do trust you," she whispered back. "But I don't want you to get hurt. At all."

He smiled softly, "Don't worry about me."

He went to move away again and she let go of his hand this time. And she really regretted it with what he did next.

He slouched down to appear more human and then spoke in a different voice, "Oh, hey y'all! How's it going? Steve sent me over there to man the exit here. Think I can take it from here."

"By yourself? You're big and all but there's a vampire on the loose."

"Oooh..." Eric acted dumb.

"Where's your stake?"

"Oh," he chuckled. "Dang! I forgot!"

"Does he think this is actually going to work?" Sookie whispered.

"Apparently," Eira shook her head.

"Maybe I could borrow yours if...if that's okay," Eric said.

"I can't do that. Get your own."

"I'd very much like to borrow your stake," Eric glamoured one of them.

"Yeah, yeah that'd be okay I guess," the young man started to hand him his stake but one of the other guys went to stake Eric as he stood behind him.

"Eric! Behind you!" she shouted as she ran out from behind the wall.

Eric turned and took out the man along with another by knocking them unconscious. Then he stopped the third boy by grabbing by the throat and holding his own stake against his throat.

"Eric! You don't have to kill him," Sookie said.

He dropped the boy before opening the door slightly to see the sun had set completely and seeing people rushing over. They carried bows with arrows.

"Those arrows are wood. You'll never make it through," the boy that Eric dropped said.

"Through the Sanctuary," Sookie said and they all entered.

They walked down the aisle as Eric said, "Where's the exit?"

"Back that way," Sookie answered.

"There are several exits, actually," Steve revealed himself on the altar. "For you, the easiest one takes you straight to hell."

Many members of the Fellowship of the Sun enter the room. They started to surround them as Sookie pleaded, "Let us leave. Save yourselves. No one has to die."

"The war has begun, you evil whοre of Satan," Steve glared. "You vampires cast the first stone by killing my family. The lines have been drawn. You're either with us, or against us. We are prepared for Armageddon."

"The vampire you're holding prisoner got away. He's a sheriff. He's bound to send for help," Sookie stated.

"I'm not concerned with Godric. Any vampire would do for our grand celebration, and we got one right here," Steve said as he looked at Eric.

"You won't touch him," Eira threw her hand out as her eyes blazed with fury and Steve started to gasp for air as his throat felt like it was being squeezed.

"She's a witch," Steve choked. "A Devil worshipper. Shoot her."

           They all pointed their weapons at her but were too afraid to shoot especially as she spoke, "Why listen to him when he hires rapists to do his dirty work?"

           Eric looked at her in alarm as Steve choked out, "Lies."

No member made a move but she did. She looked at one of them to the side of her holding a bow. She simply thought and the bow lit up in flames before turning to ashes that filtered to the ground in seconds which made the young man gasp, "Holy shit."

Eric stared at her in wonder and awe for a moment. But he knew Eira wouldn't be able to handle everyone in the room; there were too many and someone could shoot her. He grabbed her hand that was still in the air controlling Steve and brought it down (and Steve was able to breathe again) as he said softly, "Eira."

She looked at him and he gave her a soft stare, "I'll be fine."

And Eric stepped forward.

        _____

        Eira was being held by soldiers of the sun along with Sookie. But Eira had weapons pointed at her. Eric was laying on the altar with silver chains on him which made him hiss in pain. Everyone thought there'd be a holy bonfire at dawn with Eric burning and she knew he wouldn't burn but it still hurt to watch him in pain.

    "You see?" Steve gestured to Eric. "Justice as our Lord our Savior was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, a few ounces of silver can betray a child of Satan to the world!"

     "That doesn't make any sense. How can you people listen to him?" Sookie said.

       "I...I offer myself in exchange for Godric's freedom," Eric spoke. "And the girls' as well."

      "That's noble. But they're just as culpable as you are, especially, this one," Steve came to stand in front of her. "She's a traitor to her race and a witch of Satan. We should tie her to you so you can meet the sun together. Hope this marshmallow will roast up nicely."

          "I don't serve Satan, you idiot," Eira clenched her jaw. "But if it'll get rid of you, I might."

         "See," Steve pointed at her. "That's Devil talk."

          She rolled her eyes as the doors were opened. Bill came rushing in as he called, "Sookie!"

          Sookie smiled as he arrived but Steve pointed a gun at Sookie, "One more step, vampire, and the girl dies."

      "If you shoot her, everybody here will die! Let her go now."

        Steve said in annoyance, "Honestly, what does he see in you?"

       "What does anyone see in you?" Eira retorted.

        "Someone shut her up. Gag her or something," Steve said before he looked at Bill. "And some silver chains for our friend here."

          As Bill was about to silvered, she had tape put over her mouth. She glared at the young man who did it and he gulped, "Sorry."

           But then there was a loud yell, "Newlin!"

         Jason, appearing out of nowhere, shot Steve in the hand with...a paintball gun. It made Steve drop his actual gun as Jason demanded, "Let them go, fuckwad."

         Then Jason shot Steve in the head and green pain splattered on his forehead as Steve explained, "Oww. Son of a bitch."

          With the distraction, Bill rushed through and pushed away the people holding Sookie. Since Bill took advantage of the distraction, so did she. She used her magic and burnt the hands of the people holding her which made them let go before she rushed forward, ripping the tape off her mouth, and then reaching Eric. She took the chains off of him.

          Eric immediately vamp sped to Steve. He grabbed Steve by the throat before slamming him to ground with his fangs bared.

        "Eric, don't kill him!" Sookie pleaded.

        Jason shouted, "Kill him! Kill the mοthеrfսckеr!"

         But Eric only stared at her like he was waiting to hear what she wanted. She stared at him before she shook her head and Eric loosened his grip but kept it there to keep the human in place.

         "Go ahead," Steve said. "Murder us. Murder us before God. We are willing to die."

         Then a bunch of vampires started to enter with Stan as their leader as he spoke, "Steve Newlin! You have pushed us too far. You expect us to sit on our thumbs while you round up your men to come lynch us? We'll kill you first. Same way we did your father..."

         Steve shouted out of anger, "Murderer!"

       "Destroy them. All of them," Stan commanded before he bared his fangs and all the vampires zoomed through the room to kill everyone.

         Eric grabbed her hand and pulled her to his side. She was safe next to him while the chaos happened in a blink of an eye. But before any bloodshed occurred, a voice came from the balcony.

        "Enough!" Godric called out from where he was standing above and everyone stopped. "You came for me I assume, underling."

             "Yes, Sheriff," Stan answered in disappointment as his fangs were only inches from biting into someone's throat.

         "These people have not harmed me. You see? We can coexist. Mr. Newlin, I do not wish to create bloodshed when none is called for. Help me set an example. If we leave you in peace, will you do the same?"

        "I will not negotiate with subhumans! Kill me," Steve got on his knees in front of Eric and pulled his collar down so Eric could bite into his neck. Eric stared at the human like he was pathetic. "Do it. Jesus will protect me."

       "I am actually older than your Jesus. I wish I could have known him, but I missed it," Godric stated before he zoomed down in an instant and was holding Steve by the neck. "Good people, who of you is willing to die for this man's madness?"

           The room remained silent and Godric continued, "That's what I thought. Stand down, everyone. People, go home. It's over now."

         Godric let go of Steve and she didn't think it was fair. She didn't think he should die but he should be punished.

        "He just gets to go free?" she questioned before she clenched her jaw at the very fresh memory. "He hurt Eric."

         "Peace, little one," Godric counseled but his lips quirked in amusement in her protectiveness over a vampire.

          She glared at Steve. It still didn't seem fair. He should walk away with at least a scratch. So, she gave him one as she punched his face.

        "Eric," Godric commanded with merely a tone of do something  as he walked away and Eric put himself in between her and Steve but he couldn't help but grin.

        "Oww!" Steve howled in pain. "You broke my nose!"

         "You're lucky that's all she did," Eric warned.

           Then Eric quickly grabbed her and picked her up, holding her bridal style as he carried her out and he commented in amusement, "Let's get you out of here before you start World War III for me."

           "If I had to, I would do it for you," Eira promised with a smile.

         Eric chuckled before he kissed the top of her head, "I know."

AN: this is 7k+ words. I've been working on it for three days so I hope you guys enjoy and Happy New Years 2024!