Godric's house was filled with vampires and humans celebrating his return. He sat in a chair while people lined up in front of him to pay their respects. Eric and you stood to the side observing the people move through. Your eyes trailed Stan Baker. "When are we going to take care of that?"

"Once this thins out and I have a moment to speak with Godric without being overheard," Eric answered.

You nodded and leaned further into his side only to straighten when Isabel strode into the room dragging Hugo along with her. She threw him down in front of Godric. "Here he is. This is the one that betrayed us."

Godric looked the man over. "Hugo. He's yours, is he not?"

"He is."

"Do you love him?" The question seemed to take most of the room by surprise.

"I thought I did," Isabel said as bloody tears ran down her cheeks.

Godric gave a little smile. "You still love him."

She nodded once. "I do. But you are my sheriff. I will accept your judgement."

"You are free to go," he announced and a murmur went up from the room. Eric tensed beside you, but he wouldn't go against Godric.

"This is a travesty," Stan stated stepping forward.

"This is my verdict," Godric replied. "Eric escort the human out. Make sure he leaves unharmed."

"Of course," your mate answered at once before leaving your side to do as asked.

As soon as the crowd dispersed somewhat you found a chair and dragged it over to sit beside Godric. "Hello, little god," you said before leaning your head against his shoulder. You grasped his hand in yours and linked your fingers together. Then you spoke at a volume only he could hear. "There are better ways to kill yourself than the Fellowship, my friend. Not that I intend to allow you to die."

"I'm afraid it's not your choice and I am tired."

Your heart hurt at his words. "Then you need a vacation. Come home with us when we go." You squeezed his hand. "It would break him to lose you."

There was a stretch of silence and you thought he wouldn't answer. "I will consider it," he finally muttered just as Eric came back into the house.

He graced you with a small smile as he knelt beside his maker. "The human was dispatched. I told him to keep driving until he hit Mexico."

"Good."

"I managed to procure an AB- human for you. Extremely rare."

"I am not hungry," Godric answered.

"You are going to need to eat eventually, little god."

He didn't respond and Eric's gaze moved between the two of you. "Why wouldn't you leave with us when I first came?"

"They didn't treat me badly. You'd be surprised how ordinary most of them are," Godric said as if that were any sort of answer.

"All they do is fan the flames of hatred against our kind."

"And shouldn't we be hated? Feared? Thousands of years have passed and our kind has not evolved. They have only grown more brutal."

You had a feeling this conversation wasn't going to go well. You released Godric's hand and stood. "I'm going to check on Sookie and Sam. You two talk." You gave Eric a kiss on the cheek before you left.

You moved to a quiet corner on the other side of the house and sent a text to your friend. Her and Sam had opted to remain at the hotel for the evening and you were feeling rather envious of her at the moment. Unlike the majority of the party guests, you weren't asleep all day and you were exhausted. Jason had stayed with them and Sookie was texting you his story. You shook your head as you read. Only Jason Stackhouse could have all this shit happen to him and come out the other side as healthy and as dumb as ever.

You glanced up to take in the room and froze at the nervous human that had just entered the house. "I have a message from Steve Newlin," he announced and ripped open his jacket. You only had long enough to process the bomb and silver chains before he pressed the button he held in his hand. Then your world quite literally exploded.

***

The coppery-sweet taste of blood broke through the darkness and the blinding, searing agony. As the wrist pulled away, fingers pushed hair and who knows what from your face. "Are you with me, mitt allt?" Worry was heavy in his tone, though you could tell he was trying to hide it.

"More outside. Should go," was your response. You didn't open your eyes yet, waiting for some of the piercing pain to subside. Your head felt too full, like everything was trying to squeeze into your skull. And god did it hurt.

"I will not leave you. Others can see to them." He scooped you up into his arms and you couldn't bite back a pained whimper. He made comforting sounds as he carried you to a quieter area of the house.

"How is she?" Godric asked and you flinched at the sound so close to your ear. His hand rested lightly on your head.

"She is healing. Slowly. Is there somewhere I can stay with her?"

"We cannot remain here. It is unsafe. We will go to the Hotel Camilla. I've already made the arrangements."

Eric's hold tightened. "Understood, but I can not move her that far until she heals further. Hopefully, we will not be delayed more than an hour."

There was a pause before he answered. "Very well. My room is at the end of the hall. Take care of her."

"Stay," you said, stopping them both. The roughness of your voice had you clearing your throat. You tried to open your eyes only to find them sticky with blood. You groaned in annoyance. You wanted to tell them what was wrong, but could find neither the words nor the energy to do so.

A moment later, a wet rag cleaned your face. Once you could open your eyes, you turned your head to find Godric smiling at you though there was worry in his gaze. "Better?"

You hummed in agreement. "Stay." Your voice sounded odd.

His gaze moved from you to Eric as the latter said, "That is not necessary. I know you must see to the others. We will be fine."

Godric shifted his gaze back to you. "If it will make you happy, I will stay with you, little one. Isabel can see to the others."

"Are you certain?" Eric asked. You could hear the relief in his tone.

He tilted his head and you felt the weight of his gaze as he looked over your injuries. "Yes. My priorities have shifted as of late. How are you feeling?"

"Not s'good." Nausea rolled through you with the words. You felt like someone had shaken you up and your body was trying to sort out where everything was supposed to go. It wasn't pleasant.

Godric's gaze moved between the two of you again. He gripped your chin lightly and turned your head to look at something. He exchanged a look with your mate. "Would you drink from me if I offered, Y/N?"

If it's okay with Eric is what you meant to say. What you actually said was, "If s'oke wi, um, Eric."

Godric bit into his wrist and held it to your lips. "Drink. Now."

You did as ordered and it wasn't long until the fuzziness at the edges of your brain started to fade. Godric didn't pull away until you'd taken several long swallows. He ran a hand over your head and you settled into Eric's chest. "Let's go," he said. "I'll drive so you don't have to run with her."

You were asleep before you entered the car.