BITB Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I don’t own it. You know it and I know it. I am in no way affiliated with True Blood or the Southern Vampire Mysteries. They aren’t paying me and no copyright infringement is intended. I just can’t help myself from playing with the Viking!

A/N: However, I do own my OC’s and their silliness. Enjoy! (fair warning: although MsBuffy edited the initial version of this chapter, I tweaked. All mistakes are my own)

~~~

Chapter 14

I paced the room, racking  my brain for anyone I knew who might help me in the ten minutes Godric was gone. After he let himself in, he placed my keycard on the kitchen counter.

“Thank you for your generosity. I truly feel more comfortable in your suite than I have the entire time I’ve been staying here.”

“Stop thanking me. I want you here. I want to keep you from…leaving,” I said, unease creeping into my voice.

His next action both surprised and comforted me at once. He flashed in front of me and before I knew what he was doing, he embraced me gently, careful of his strength. There was nothing romantic in it. It was a brotherly hug, more than likely in Godric’s mind, it was a hug a father would give to his daughter.

“Stop,” he said quietly as he squeezed me slightly.

“Stop what?”

“Worrying. All will be as it should be. I promise you. We still need to finish our conversations,” he reminded me as he pulled back to meet my eyes.

“Yes, our conversation,” I said, mildly relieved that he would not be calling his child or leaving that night. We had time.

“Conversations, thygatéra, plural. I know you have more questions, and there is more I want to know from you as well.”

“Thygatéra?”

“Daughter,” he said with a wink, “I let you off the hook a little while ago, but don’t think I will forget. For now, however, I must rest. The sun has already risen and I’m feeling its pull.”

“All right. You’ll be OK?” I asked, and he chuckled.

“Yes. I know you stayed in the suite yesterday and I appreciate your protective nature. That being said, if you wake before I do, feel free to leave. You could do some research on your heritage, that is, if you can find anything truthful. If you don’t, we can share some of the stories you find for our entertainment. You could explore the city, or at the very least enjoy some of the perks here at the hotel,” he smiled, waggling his eyebrows and letting go of me, “I will be fine. I have every confidence in the wards. After all, your friend was taught by Octavia, and I trust her with my life. Once I fall into my day rest, it will not matter either way,” he shrugged, “If the sun has set and I’m not here when you return, I will be at our place. Come find me.”

“How long can you stay awake? I know you can rise early.”

“A couple of hours on both counts, if I so choose. The older the vampire, the longer we can resist. I’ve never really tested it, but my guess would be roughly an hour per thousand years. However, many like to stay peaceful until the sun has completely risen or before it sets.”

“Why?”

“It leaves us to think undisturbed. A vampire doesn’t dream under normal circumstances and it’s a time to daydream, so to speak.”

“You can dream?”

“It is possible, but as I said, not under normal circumstances. We would need to be overwhelmed by something quite strong. Much like the reason humans dream, it gives our minds an opportunity to come to terms with whatever it is to sort it out before rising. It is rare, but possible. Now, it’s time for us both to rest.”

I could see his body becoming lethargic as he fought the pull of the sun. Blood was just beginning to pool in his ears. I pushed him toward his door with a nod, understanding that he had forced himself to stay awake for me. He smiled as he stepped inside and closed the door. I heard the lock turn and exhaled.

I was torn between staying to watch over him and leaving the room for a short time. It did sound like a wonderful idea to get out for a bit. I had even more to think about now that he told me I was a Muse. I had already been so confused by the idea of being a Siren that the new information threw me deeper into my head. Am I both? Godric said the Muses and the Sirens were related.

I appreciated his comment that I should rest, but frankly, there was no chance in hell I would be going to sleep! I walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and retrieved another Energy drink. I checked the supply and found there was another case under the sink. Must be for the humans trying to keep vampire hours. I chuckled at the thought. I loaded the fridge and carried my drink to the bedroom.

The first thing I did was text JP. I wasn’t sure if contacting Russell was the best idea, but he was one of the few vampires I knew, and he was old enough that he might know Godric and his child. After all, Godric had said that he had been known around the globe for his ruthlessness, but still, and Russell certainly was ancient. If he didn’t know him personally, he must have known of him. If it was true that they could stay awake up to one hour per millennia, then it was possible I had another hour before he was completely at his day rest.

• Hey Strumpet! I need a favor.

I waited, staring at my phone, hoping JP was awake, and near his own cell. I cracked open my drink and took a large gulp. Ten minutes later, he still had not replied, and I carried the phone to the bathroom to take care of my human needs. That thought brought a small laugh with it. While I was brushing my teeth, my phone alerted me to an incoming text. ‘I texted you three times. Why didn’t you reply?’ Eric’s voice sang out. I silenced it quickly before the ringtone could repeat itself. At one time that brought a smile to my face when I heard it, now it caused a lump to form in my throat. I really needed to change it, but I wasn’t sure if I could bring myself to do it. I’m a dumbass!

• What can I do for you this fine morning, Tramp?

I smiled, breathing out a sigh of relief, and texted back.

• Is Russell still awake?
• Sorry, sweetie, he left for his room about an hour ago and it’s pretty well protected. 😦

Damn it! I could relate to that though.

• OK. Thanks. Do you think you could ask him to call or text me as soon as he rises?
• What’s up?
• Nothing. I just need to ask him something.
• Vague much? Tell me and maybe I can help.
• You can’t. Sorry, but I really need to talk to an old vampire.
• Old? Are you calling my boytoy an old man? LOL
• Yeah, ancient! LOL
• At least he’s not decrepit!
• None of them are…
• So true! What’s going on?
• Nothing, really. I just have a question for him.
• Do you want or need to talk about it? Is this about the Siren thing?
• Yeah. We shouldn’t text about it.

I hated lying to him, but there was no way I could tell him what I really wanted to know. He wouldn’t be able to help anyway. At least this way he could understand why he couldn’t answer my question.

• OK. Nuff said. I will ask him to get ahold of you later. I’m off to bed.
• Love you.
• Love you, too, gurl!
• Good night.
• XOXO

Well, that was a bust. I hadn’t really expected to talk to him. However, I was hoping that I would hear from him early before Godric woke.

~~~

I took a quick shower and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a white peasant blouse with eyelets across the scoop-neck and an elastic waist that showed a little of my midriff. I chugged the remainder of my drink and pulled on my sneakers, then stuffed my phone and keycard into my back pockets. I picked up my purse, tossing the elevator key inside, and opened the door. Looking both ways before stepping out of the room, I saw nothing and proceeded to the elevator. I debated about going up to the roof, but decided against it. It would be nice to go downstairs and eat something. I absolutely did not want to call room service. I realized that going downstairs was definitely the way to go when my stomach grumbled.

When I reached the restaurant, I once again noticed the hotel insignia etched in to the glass doors. They were large, double doors framed in dark wood with golden handles, and as lovely as everything else I had seen so far. I entered and was greeted by a girl about my age wearing a white silk blouse, a short black skirt, and high black heels. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun. I followed her to a small table.

The room was large and held a couple dozen tables each covered in dark red tablecloths with black napkins. The lighting was low, and the other side of the room had of a full bar that spanned almost the entire length. Glasses of all varieties hung behind the bar above a large mirror trimmed in gold filigree. It was breathtaking. There were stools in front of the bar with black leather seats and gold legs. One side of the room held a small platform with what looked like a dance floor in front of the ‘stage.’ Oh, good God! Open mic night or karaoke for the clientele? I knew where Maggie would drag me when and if she returned before I checked out. I rolled my eyes.

I ordered a light breakfast of toast, fresh fruit, and yogurt, knowing full well it was likely I wouldn’t even finish that. I also ordered a mimosa because, why not? While waiting for my food, my mind tried to list anyone at all that I could contact. There were few choices. The other vampires I knew, Pam and Fuckface, were undoubtedly asleep, but I held no hope that even after they rose they would be able to help. They were considerably younger than Godric. Besides, Pam wasn’t allowed to speak with me. A thought crossed my mind that she would be allowed to speak to Sookie and decided to text her later. Sookie could even ask Douchebag as a last resort.

Surely, Pam would at least be able to contact some older vampires? I wouldn’t even consider asking her to find out from Eric. I knew he was my best bet at gathering knowledge. He might have even known Godric. Eric had been alive, or, well, around, possibly the same times as those Godric had talked about; Orpheus and Linus, maybe even the Sirens, but there wasn’t a chance in hell that I would ask him for a favor. I tried to dismiss any thoughts of him. Of course, I couldn’t completely get him out of my head ever, but I had more important things to worry about.

Not wanting to be overheard, even by the wait staff and hostess, I finished my meal and signed the binder charging the meal to my room. Might as well, right?! All told, I had eaten my toast and drank three mimosas before departing from the restaurant. Now that I knew my ancestors were lushes, I had no issue drinking my breakfast! I wondered if that was part of the reason I was finding it more difficult to even get buzzed from my recent and more excessive drinking.

I wandered around the downstairs hallways noting where the pool, sauna, and spa were. Maybe I would spend some time there to clear my head. I found a secluded marble bench away from any doors and took a seat. Maggie told me not to call or text and I wasn’t sure if she had her own phone yet, so I called Octavia. The first three tries were answered by her machine, but I continued to call without leaving a message. Finally, I heard the receiver pick up.

“Good God, whoever this is must have a death wish or has been struck by lightning, rendering them without any good sense! I told you I don’t know anything! What do you want?!”

“Octavia?” I whispered into the phone.

“Oh Cricket! I’m so sorry! Obviously, I didn’t know it was you. I wouldn’t speak to you that way. Well, unless you pissed me off!” she chuckled, “No wonder you kept calling. I know I’ve been out of touch, but there’s so much going on. I didn’t know if I should call or not. I’m so sorry. What’s happened? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but stop yelling. I don’t want to be overheard,” I said in a low voice.

“No one can overhear you in your room, child,” she snickered, her demeanor instantly changing.

“Oh, um…I’m not in my room.”

“For God’s sake, why on Earth not?”

“I needed to get out. I’ve been cooped up in there for days. I’m downstairs away from the lobby. I was tired of room service…I came down to the restaurant to have breakfast.”

“Are you still at the restaurant? Is anyone near you?”

“No, I’m by myself.”

“You should go back to your room so we can speak freely.”

I debated about going back to the room. Godric had essentially said he wouldn’t hear anything that happened outside the room, but I was still uncomfortable going behind his back. I knew he was troubled, despite the fact that he really had seemed to have found some peace of mind. However, he also said they could dream if overwhelmed. The last thing I needed was for him to in some way subconsciously hear me. I knew I was being paranoid, but still, the thought of the roof seemed like a better idea. After all, no one was ever there.

“I…uh…I don’t want to go back there right now. It’s nice to be out during the day, but I know someplace where I can go.”

“Don’t leave the hotel!”

Her vehement command startled and unnerved me. I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Why not?”

“It’s just not the right time, child. I don’t want to say anything else until you are somewhere that we can speak.”

“OK. I’ll call you back.”

“All right, child. I’ll wait by the phone and try not to scream at you again when you do.”

“Talk to you soon.”

~~~

After hanging up with Octavia, I was more paranoid than ever by the tone of her voice when she told me not to leave the hotel. What did she know that I didn’t? Aside from just about everything in the Supernatural world?! I made my way to the elevator, but stopped short when I saw the large man who had loomed outside my room for the last couple of nights waiting for the car. Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! I turned quickly, hoping he hadn’t seen me, but somehow I knew he had. I could feel his eyes on me. What should I do? Ignore them and they will ignore you. I told myself. Just as I was rounding the corner away from him, I heard his friendly-sounding voice call out.

“Hey! The car’s here!”

I turned and poked my head around the corner trying to be nonchalant.

“Oh, go ahead. I forgot something in the restaurant,” I said quickly.

“No problem. I’ll wait.”

Fuck!

“Oh, thanks, but it’s OK. I’ll catch it next time.”

“Don’t be silly. I can wait.”

“Um…OK. I’ll be right back.”

I really had no need to return to the restaurant, but at least it was a little way away from him, and I could pretend to go back in there. I hoped that he would go ahead and leave, but something told me he wouldn’t. I walked back into the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess.

“Back so soon? You must have really liked the food…or the mimosas,” she winked.

“No, I think I left something at my table. Did you find a…keycard?” I asked blurting out the first thing that came to my mind.

“Hmm. I don’t think so, but let me check with the busboy.”

I waited nervously, shifting from one foot to the other while she stepped into the backroom that I assumed was the kitchen to look for the keycard that was tucked away in my pocket. She came back a few moments later with a frown on her face.

“I’m sorry, miss, but we didn’t find anything.”

“Oh. OK. Thanks for checking.”

“No problem at all. You can go to the front desk and they’ll give you another one. They’ll even erase and reprogram it from the desk. You’ll just need to set a new code when you return to your room,” she said with an easy smile.

“Great. Thanks for your help.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“See you later.”

“OK. Hey, you should come back in the evening. We have…”

“Karaoke. Yeah, I saw the stage,” I smiled.

“It’s really a lot of fun,” she chuckled.

“Thanks, but I’m not much of a singer,” I lied.

“Honey, that’s what makes it fun,” she said in her Texas accent.

“Maybe I’ll see you later then.”

“All right. Have a good day.”

“Thanks, you too.”

I turned and left the room, waiting a few moments longer to make sure I had been gone long enough that the man would be gone. I really couldn’t have wasted much more time without causing suspicion from him if he had been waiting, which he was, of course. When I rounded the corner back toward the elevators, I saw him still waiting and holding the door open with a smile. Ignore them and they’ll ignore you, my ass! I groaned internally. I approached the doors with a smile on my face, fighting the nervous butterflies in my stomach.

“Oh, thanks. Seriously, you didn’t have to wait. Someone might be upstairs waiting for the car.”

“I didn’t mind. There aren’t too many people here this time of day. Did you find what you were looking for?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s good.”

I smiled, but didn’t reply. I wanted to keep our conversation to a minimum. Of course, he had different ideas and while I kept my eyes cast downward, I could hear him inhale deeply.

“Besides, it takes a few minutes for the elevator to reach the top floor and you would have had to wait.”

My eyes widened slightly and I felt my body tense when he inferred that he knew where I was staying. Of course he does. He’s practically camping outside your door every night! I hoped he hadn’t seen my reaction, but being a bodyguard, if that’s what he was, or at least a Were, I doubted he missed much.

“Oh. Well, I’m not staying on the top floor,” I lied reaching over to press the button for the nineteenth floor.

“Really? Hmm. So, what brings you here? I can hear from your accent that you aren’t from Dallas.”

“Oh, you know, vacation. I’m here with a friend.”

“The woman I saw you with the other day,” it wasn’t a question.

“Mhmm.”

“So, where are you from?”

Sweet Jesus! Please stop talking to me!

“Indiana.”

Technically, it was true. I had grown up there, though I wasn’t sure if I should have told him my hometown. However, if he was good with accents, it was probably better that I stuck somewhat with the truth.

“I would have guessed Louisiana.”

“Nope. My friend is though. Maybe her accent is rubbing off on me,” I tried to laugh, but it came out strained.

Just then the car stopped at the nineteenth floor and the doors opened. I heard him inhale deeply again. I glanced up at him to see him staring at me with an amused smile on his face. He knew I was lying about what floor I was staying on. I could picture him going up to my room and smelling all around it to prove to himself that he was right.

“Thanks again for waiting,” I said as I exited the car heading directly for Maggie’s room. Fuck! I didn’t have a fucking key! I walked quickly down the hall, noticing that I didn’t hear the door close. I looked back to see him standing in the door, watching me. He was probably waiting to see what room I would enter. Without turning around again, I turned right around the corner and kept walking. Finally, I heard the door slide closed and stopped. I inhaled a shaky breath and exhaled trying to calm myself.

I pulled out my cell phone and texted Octavia. I hoped she had it with her and wasn’t just waiting by the house phone.

• Change of plans. Can’t go back to the room. I’ll explain later, but I need to get out of the hotel.

Her reply was instant.

• All right. Don’t take your car! Find a taxi.
• OK.

I found the stairway and made my way down the nineteen flights of stairs, sweating and breathing heavily by the time I reached the bottom. I went out the front door and saw a few cabs outside under the awning. Without saying a word to the valet, I nodded to a driver and gestured toward his car. He opened the door for me and I climbed in.

“Where to, Miss?”

I had no idea where to go, but I didn’t want to be out walking around.

“Can you take me to the closest movie theatre, please?”

“Sure thing,” he said, smiling and blushing slightly as he looked at me.

“Thanks.”

He dropped me off at a cinema about ten minutes from the hotel. I paid him, thanked him, and exited the car. I had no idea what was playing, nor did I care. I walked up to the ticket counter.

“One adult for whatever is showing next, please.”

“Here you go. Theatre six down the left hallway,” the young boy said, looking at me a little oddly.

I didn’t care. I found the theatre and made my way to the back row just as the previews ended and the movie began. Less than a minute later, I could barely contain my laughter when I realized I was just about to watch the sequel to Godric’s favorite movie.

“Oh my God! I so have to bring him here!” I said to myself, giggling.

~~~

I had smiled throughout the beginning, thinking of watching the first one with Godric, teared up as the young-looking vampire left the girl. It reminded me of Eric’s sudden and unexplained departure. I empathized with her regarding the emptiness he had left, but overall enjoyed watching the vampires that in no way reminded me of the real thing. My worries were forgotten for two and a half hours while I lost myself in the movie.

I checked my phone when it was over and saw six texts from Octavia and several missed calls, but no voicemail messages. Fortunately, I had silenced my phone earlier in the morning. Each text said a variation of the same thing; “Where are you?” “Are you OK?” “What’s going on?” “What happened?” “Call me!” “I’m worried!”

I took a seat on a bench in the lobby and called her back, careful to be quiet.

“Cricket?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“Oh, thank the… What happened to you?”

“Someone was at the hotel. It was the same man that had been outside my room the other night.”

“No…”

“Yeah, and he was there again at my door with who I can only assume is his employer the other night.”

“Did you see them?”

“No, but I heard muffled voices, so I know it’s a man. At least one…I don’t know if he’s protecting more than one person or not.”

“Why didn’t you look out the peephole?”

“I…I don’t know. It just didn’t seem like a good idea. It was as if something stopped me,” I said. Or someone, I thought to myself. I couldn’t very well tell her it was Godric that kept me from looking.

“So, what happened that made you leave the hotel?”

“He was going up the elevator and he waited for me even though I told him to go ahead. He smelled me a couple of times. I mean, I think that’s what he was doing, and he knew I was staying on the twentieth floor. I lied to him though and got off on the nineteenth. Then I took the stairs down and left. He asked me a few questions.”

“What did he ask?”

“Where was I from? Why was I there? Nothing big, but enough that I really just wanted him to shut the fuck up and leave me alone. He watched me leave and walk down the hallway, and I have no doubt that he probably smelled all around outside my room when he passed it. I don’t know what to do. I’ve already told him I’m not staying on that floor, so if I see him again he’ll know I lied.”

“Oh, he definitely knew you were lying.”

“Well, that’s just fucking great!” I said, standing from the bench and walking outside.

“It will be fine, child. You have been gone for a few hours. I think it is safe to go back to your room.”

“You’re probably right, but what if I see him?”

“Tell him you are with a friend and it’s her room.”

“He already knows I’m with Maggie. He saw us the night we checked in.”

“Well, there you go. If you say your friend is staying there, that would explain your scent outside the door. If he can’t hear you inside, and I’m sure he can’t, then he’ll just assume no one is there.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. Stop fretting about it. Everything will be fine. Now, why did you call me earlier?”

“Well, for one thing I’ve been worried about you and Maggie. I talked to you the other night and then nothing…”

“I know and I can’t apologize enough for that.”

“It’s OK. What did you mean when you answered the phone and said you didn’t know anything?’ Who did you think was calling?”

“Well, my friend, who you will not name since you are not in your room yet, and another from his nest are missing. Maggie is trying a locator spell. Well, she’s been trying for days, but she’s just not powerful enough, and they haven’t found another witch strong enough to help her. They keep calling me, but I continue to tell them I can’t help.”

Thank God! The last thing Godric needed was someone from his nest seeing it and tracking him to the hotel.

“Can you?”

“Of course I can, but I won’t.”

“Why not? Aren’t you worried about Maggie or him?”

“Maggie is safe and I’m not worried about her. They really want her help, and I have a reputation, so they know not to mess with me. As for my friend, I don’t know where he is, but believe me when I tell you that no one could have taken him. He’s an ancient, for fuck’s sake!”

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Godric has said the same thing. I couldn’t stop my smile when I heard her shout fuck. It sounded so wrong coming from her. However, she had left me the perfect opportunity for my question.

“Octavia, does he have any children?”

There was a pause before she answered.

“Why do you ask?” She sounded suspicious.

“Well, I was just thinking…if he does, wouldn’t they be able to tell where he was?”

“That’s right. They would…unless he closed off their bond.”

“Why would he do that?” I asked, trying to sound as if I didn’t already know that.

“I suppose it would depend on why he’s not there.”

“So, he does have children?”

“I believe so…yes.”

I could tell she wasn’t being entirely truthful. She knew he did.

“And you don’t think he was kidnapped or something?”

“Definitely not,” she snorted.

“Do you think he’s with his child?”

“Maybe. I really don’t know. I have no idea what could be going through his mind. Although, I can’t imagine that he is if no one can find him.”

I did, but there was no way I could tell her that or anything else about him. Not only was I keeping his secret, but he was very upset when he thought that she knew where he was or they were having her look for him. He would be relieved to find out that was not the case. Then I remembered that I couldn’t tell him that I had asked her.

I realized that I had been aimlessly wandering down the street and was several blocks from the cinema. I decided to stop walking and started looking for a taxi.

“Do you know who it is? Do you know them?”

“What are you planning?”

The fact that she didn’t answer my questions did not escape me.

“Well, it’s just that, I mean, I really want to talk to him. It’s the whole reason I’m here. So, I was thinking that if I could contact his child, maybe they would know where he was.”

“First, you need to understand that information is kept as guarded as their entire existence.”

“Really? Why?”

“To keep anyone from being used against another.”

“Oh, you mean one could threaten the other with the person they were closest to?”

“Exactly.”

“But you know, don’t you?”

There was silence on the line for a moment.

“No one tells who their maker is…or their children,” she finally replied in a serious voice.

Damn! Maybe she doesn’t know after all?! Russell was my only hope now. If no one told, then it was a slim to none chance that he would know. I could only count on his age to go on and hope that he had the knowledge I wanted.

“Well, that shoots that theory,” I sighed.

“You know, there are other ancients, and you know two of them.”

“Yeah, maybe I should call Russell?” She didn’t need to know that I was already ahead of her on that.

“You should…but I think you should contact the Viking as well.”

I finally saw a cab coming down the street and flagged them down, getting in the back seat as she spoke of Eric.

“What? Why the hell would I do that? He’s much younger. I think the first choice is more logical.”

“Perhaps, but as I’ve told you, you need to speak with him anyway. You could kill two birds with one stone. It couldn’t hurt to ask. Speaking of which, how are the dreams?”

I rolled my eyes. Not this shit again!

“First off, I’m not contacting him or even attempting it for my own reasons, which you already know! I can’t believe you’re still hung up on that. Not gonna happen. So, get over it and stop talking about it, please. Anyway, he probably doesn’t even know him or his child! I think someone older is the way to go. As for the dreams, they’re the same. Well, not exactly. They are more intense, but I truly don’t want to talk about that. I want them to end.”

“Do you?”

“I need them to end. I’m going to try and call Russell tonight.”

“You have to stop putting it off, child. I saw how you were when you were here. You’re suffering senselessly.”

“I’m not putting it off! I’m simply not doing it!”

“I told you, the dreams won’t stop until you speak with him…maybe not even then.”

“They will eventually and you know it. I just have to wait until it’s out of my system. Please just drop it.”

“Well, keep in mind what I told you… Someone older can negate that physical connection, but not the other. I also don’t believe waiting until the tie is broken physically will help or end the dreams.”

We had arrived at the hotel and I paid the driver as the valet held my door open. I looked cautiously toward the lobby before exiting the vehicle and walking in the building.

“Yeah, I know you don’t, but I do. I’m sorry, but I think the whole emotional and spiritual thing is Bullshit. I just need to wait it out. Maybe I should get a transfusion? Can they change out ten pints at once?” I snickered when I heard her snort with laughter.

“No, child, they can’t. I don’t think it would help anyway.”

“Right. Well, I’m back home and I need to make sure I don’t have to sneak up to my room, so I’m going to go.”

“It really is an interesting thought. I will see if I can find out who it is. If I do, I’ll contact you. I’m not worried about him, but I do believe that you need answers and I still believe my friend can give them to you.”

“I agree… I mean, I hope so. I gotta go. Thanks for talking.”

“Of course, child. Call me anytime.”

“Just answer your phone like a civilized person.”

She snorted again and hung up.

~~~

I made it to the room with no issues. It was still afternoon, so I had time to kill. I gathered together what I would need to brew some coffee, knowing that I was in for another long night and would need it later. I did not want to go to sleep and face my Dream-Eric after my conversation with Octavia.

Unfortunately, as I drank another Energy drink mixed with a touch of vodka, I realized I was completely out of options. The only thing I could do was wait for either Russell to contact me or Godric to rise.

I paced the room for a good amount of time before I finally sat down out on the balcony feeling defeated and had a good, long cry.

~~~

Aurelia Gliwiski as Chelsea ‘Cricket’ Kerrigan

Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman

Allan Hyde as Godric

Maya Angelou as Octavia

Michael Clarke Duncan as The Bodyguard

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A/N: Thank you MsBuffy, for editing this chapter so quickly! I hope my tweaks didn’t make you cringe! Thank you American Android for the perfect banner!

Thanks for reading!

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