Bella's POV

What happened? Where am I? "Bella." I turned around and saw Tyler, Frankie, and another guy sitting there. "Hi. I'm Cole Reyes." Cole introduced himself. "I'm Bella. Are you and Frankie dating?" "Yes we are. He also knows about me." Frankie said. "Cool." I said.

"Mornin'!" Steve greeted cheerfully, "Refreshments? How did y'all sleep?"

Sookie and Hugo quickly scrambled up, I however took her time watching Steve and Gabe like a predator would do to a prey. I was like an injured animal locked in a cage, the first chance I got to attack, I'll take it.

"They're coming for us, you know?"

"Yeah, well," Steve stood after dropping the supplies and rolling them under the fence, "that's what I thought. I figured a pretty girl like you would have a vamp running off to her rescue. Actually, we were kinda hoping for it, weren't we, Gabe?"

"Yes, sir," he answered, staring at Sookie and I. "Bring it on."

Steve sighed. "We're ready for them. We've been ready for a long time."

"You're gonna get killed," I huffed out a laugh. "And that's not even a threat. It's a fact."

Steve looked at me with pity. "Oh, they've got you all twisted up, haven't they, with their glamouring and their empty promises and their evil blood?" He shook his head with disappointment.

"You're the ones that are twisted. You call yourself Christians?" she asked astounded. "Jesus would be ashamed of you."

Steve laughed at her, uncrossing his arms and began to wag his finger at her. "I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one." Steve turned and pulled up a chair, placing it in front of where Sookie stood before he sat down, leaning forward to take the kind and innocent approach. "Now, things got a little out of hand last night."

and I apologize for that. I'm not the monster that the vampire-loving media makes me out to be."

"Yeah right. You're worse. Your daughter could die!" "My pet slave deserves it. Now all I want from you is a couple of answers, then I'll be more than happy to feed you a nice hot breakfast and send you on your way."

Hugo stood from his spot and asked, "What do you want to know?"

Sookie stomped her foot, "Shut up!"

"Sookie, we need to get out of here. Just tell them what they wanna know."

Hugo ignored her and confessed. "Her name is Sookie Stackhouse and I'm Hugo Ares."

"Hugo, no!" Sookie shouted at him.

"We were sent here by the vampires of area nine to find their sheriff."

"Sookie Stackhouse," The false cheerfulness on Steve's face faded, "From Bon Temps?"

Sookie whirls around in surprise, "How do you know where we're from?"

"You're Jason Stackhouse's... sister. Am I right?" Steve questioned.

"You know Jason?" Sookie asks.

"He's got nothin' to do with this!" She yells.

Steve doesn't reply, he just lets out a deep sigh as he stands up from the chair he was sitting on. "Come on, Gabe."

"How do you know my brother?" Sookie asked. The pair ignored her as they left.

"Nice work," Sookie snapped sarcastically.

"We sat down here all night waiting for your boyfriend to show up. You can go on and play damsel in distress all you want, but one way or another, I'm getting' us out of here." Hugo scoffed.

After hearing the name Stackhouse I found a letter that I read already in my pocket that says....

'Dear Daughter,
I'm sorry we could not keep you, but it was for the best. If you ever wish to find your real family, look for the Stackhouses in Bon Temps or the Gaines in Rancho de la Playa.

Love, Your real parents'

"I really need to talk to you." I said

I felt her peek into my mind, "Hey! No mind-reading!" She looked stunned, "What, you think you're the only special one?" I shook my head, "We're getting off track, Just listen to me for a moment." I waited for her nod before continuing, "Well, my legal name is Bella Newlin. I'm adopted though, and my birth parents left me a note when I was born."

I handed her the note. She and Frankie read it twice and looked up at me, tears in Sookie's eyes, "This is my mother's handwriting..." Frankie said.

I looked away, fighting back tears of my own. Suddenly she pulled me into a hug. I was picking through Sookie's memories that had washed through me.

I felt her thinking of her gift as a curse, which it often was. I felt the loss of her Grandmother, and our parents. I felt her connections to her friends, and everything she had to deal with when she couldn't pull her shields together... I'd only been around vampires for so long that I'd forgotten about that aspect of my power.

"Hey! Hey, I need to use the bathroom!" Hugo yells, "Hey! Come on, let me out of here!"

I sigh in annoyance as I grab the empty water bottle beside me and chuck it at the man, "Here, use this."

"We'll turn our back," Sookie adds softly.

"I don't need that!" Hugo snaps, glaring, "I need to get the hell out of here!" He roughly shook the fence as he began panicking.

"Hugo, this is not helping." Sookie said, trying to soothe him, "Just sit down. Try to relax." Sookie grabbed his forearm but the second she did, she was thrust into his thoughts.

My own powers allowed me to see what Sookie saw. Images flashed through their minds and the rage she felt at Hugo before, returned.

"You," Sookie gasped, "You're the traitor."

"I used to be just like you, Sookie," he laughed without feeling. "When Isabel took me to bed, I thought I was worth everything to her. I mean, the sex...It was amazing. The best I– Well," he gestured theatrically to Sookie beside me. "You know it's addictive," Hugo admitted. "To be desired by something that powerful."

"I'm no addict," Sookie replied, her nose crinkling in sudden dislike for Hugo.

Hugo shrugged.

"No, I guess you wouldn't know how your life changes to suit them. You start missing work, can't get up in the morning, can't stand to leave them after dark...Before you know it, you're somebody you don't even recognise anymore."

I raised an eyebrow. "So you went to the Fellowship of the Sun because you couldn't control yourself?" I criticised.

"I begged her to turn me." His voice broke just a fraction. "It was the only way we could be together as equals." He huffed out a laugh. "But they don't want us to be equals." he shook his head, "She's just been using me. Same way Bill's been using you," he gestured pointedly with his head.

"You don't know Bill," Sookie insisted angrily. "I know he's having you do their dirty work!" He raised his voice at her. "I mean a telepath's gotta be a real trophy for a vampire."

"Shut up!" Sookie spat.

Hugo pointed to thin air. "All they care about is their own kind! That's why I joined the Fellowship!"

"So if the Newlins care for you so much, why are you stuck down here with us?" I sneered, crossing my legs and arms.

Hugo grew silent, regarding the truth for a second.

Sookie laughed without humour. "Face it, Hugo! You're nothing but a fangbanging traitor to them."

Hugo growled and stood from his seat. "Gabe?" He yelled, walking up to the fence. "Gabe, they know everything. You can let me out now." No footsteps were heard. "Hey, anybody?" He shook the metal fence. "Come on, let me out!"

Sookie and I glared at him triumphantly.

"Yeah," Sookie nodded, "because you're so important to them, aren't ya?"

My heart jumped as the door opened, only to reveal Gabe walking towards the fence, his mouth shut closed. His eye was bruised and black and he had a face like a slapped arse.

"Gabe!" Hugo stood quickly and started begging for his own protection. "What happened to your face? Listen, she knows everything."

Gabe unlocked the fence door and walked inside with us. Sookie and I gave each other a look, staying well away from the huge meaty guy. Hugo continued to blabber on.

"She never would have found out if you didn't leave me here with a God damn mind reader." He allowed Gabe to walk up to him, continuing his demands. "I hope the reverend knows that I'm gonna need protection now."

Gabe slammed his fist into Hugo's face, sending him falling to the ground. Sookie gasped as Gabe leaned over him.

"You want protection, you fangbanging sack of shit?" Gabe pulled back his fist and rammed it into Hugo's chest. His body bent backwards and crumpled to the floor. "How's that for protection, huh?"

Gabe pulled Hugo up by his shirt and raised his fist, sending it crashing down again and again.

"Here's a little more protection for ya!"

"Leave him alone!" I screamed. Sookie ran up to Gabe and jumped on his back, her little arms tight around his neck. Gabe withdrew from Hugo, only to run against the shelf, letting Sookie's body take the impact. I watched Sookie and Frankie fall from the shelf, her eyes unable to focus. I ran over to the man and jumped in front of Sookie, drawing whatever strength I had to hit Gabe's chest with my much smaller fists. Gabe shoved me once against the shelf and I lost my footing as Sookie's unconscious body took up the space I needed to stand. As I fell, Gabe grabbed me by the neck and pulled me back up, cutting off my air.

"You and your mindreading whore's brother think you can all make an asshole out of me!" He spat in my face and I could only gasp for oxygen. "That's what you think, huh?"

I scratched at his arms, unable to pull them away. I pulled my knee up and slammed it against his crotch. Gabe snarled and moaned, letting my neck go and I fell in a heap to the floor. I scrambled away, crawling as far as I could get, but a grip fell on my ankles, dragging me back to him. I screamed and turned on my back, kicking at the man above me. My heart was pounding and my limbs were flying, trying to stop this from happening.

"You stupid bitch, think you can mess with me?" Gabe hovered over me and I heard the distinct sound of his belt buckle snapping away. "How about I teach you a lesson?"

"No!" I screamed throatily, still clawing away at any surface I could reach. "No, please, help me!"

"No one's gonna help you now, baby," he growled, moving his rough hands up my legs and along my thighs. His touch was revolting. I kicked and kicked at him, but he was straddling my waist, my legs weren't able to reach and he had somehow managed to trap my hands. My feet only managed to meet the air.

Gabe's hands reached for the hem of my dress and raked it up past my hips, revealing my panties to him. My throat began to sting with my screams but no one could hear me.

"Get the fuck off of me!" I screeched at him, only to receive a red-hot slap to the face, stealing my air for a moment. I gasped and choked, crying out, "Please, somebody! Sookie, help me!"

It was useless. Hugo and Sookie were either dazed or out cold. I scratched and hit Gabe's arms in a frenzy as he pinned me down with one arm while tugging at my panties with the other. He tried ripping them off, but by the grace of God, they didn't want to budge. With an impatient snarl, Gabe's fingers edged their way under the fabric. I screamed and cried out, hoping somebody, anybody would hear me. I prayed for some miracle to come, but nothing would save me.

My mind went straight to one man and I howled for him with all my heart.

"Tyler! Please Tyler. Please," I choked on my cries. "No!"

"That's it baby, scream for me," Gabe bellowed. I jerked wildly as I felt his skin touch mine and his fingers itched their way closer to my entrance. Gabe rolled me over onto my stomach with his hand still in place and I clawed at the ground to try and pull away from him. He kept me fixed to the floor with his clammy hands, touching me where I'd never been touched before. He was so close, ready to enter me freely. "God, please!" I cried hoarsely.

Gabe forced his nasty thing into me and it hurt, a lot. He was putting his weight behind what he was doing as he rocked against me, trying to get into my unresponsive, unprepared body.

I prayed that Tyler would finally come. I prayed Hugo or Sookie got up. I prayed Gabe got a coronary and keeled over. I prayed that the cardboard Jesus on the board game box she was staring at would miraculously come to life and use that stake on Gabe. Anything ... anything to make this stop. "Cum for me" Gabe said as I orgasmed. It finally did stop when suddenly he was knocked off me by Tyler holding him by the scruff. They were slightly taller than Gabe, but had a good hold of him as they passed him over to Godric. Gabe pleaded, "Godric, it's me." The vampire ignored Gabe and twisted his head, snapping his neck, then let his lifeless body fall heavily to the floor. To Sookie, Godric said, "You should not have come." I tried to fasten the buttons that remained on the front of my dress. my slip was not torn so I would be somewhat covered. Tyler lifted his wrist up, and sunk his sharp part vampire teeth into the flesh. I watched in fascination, as blood started to pool up around the cut. He held it out to me. "Here, drink. Before it closes up."

I swallowed nervously, and took his wrist cautiously. My eyes widened a fraction, when I felt his cool hand wrap around the back of my head. "Go on Bella," He urged, forcing my head gently towards his bloody wrist. "It will make you feel better."

My mouth latched onto his wrist, and I sucked the blood in. It flowed freely down my throat; it wasn't thick and horrible like I'd imagined it to be. It tasted like pecan pie – my taste buds tingled with the flavourings of sweet maple syrup, a hint of vanilla – and my favourite, chocolate. All in all, Tyler's blood was delicious, as morbid as that sounded, and it made me feel ten times better.

I was so engrossed in drinking, that I hadn't heard the small, quiet growls he was making. I looked up, and reddened when I realised he was enjoying this. I stopped drinking. 5 minutes later I approached the big room, with the massive, brown doors. It didn't take a genius to know that all the commotion was happening in there. On my way here, I'd found some of the L.O.D.I men knocked out cold, near the door.

I pushed open the heavy doors, and was instantly greeted by the backs of different people. I noticed that some had silver chains wound around their necks. I was curious to know what they were all watching, so I pushed through the crowd. Fortunately, these idiots didn't pay much attention to a teenage girl – they were too engrossed on what was in front of them.

And what was in front of them was not nice. It sent boiling bursts of hot anger to erupt like a volcano in the pit of my stomach. Eric the blondie was strapped to a table, silver chains keeping him down. It reminded me of the kind of sacrificial tables that people in ancient times used to sacrifice people or animals with. It sickened me, beyond belief.

"...A few ounces of silver can betray a child of Satan to the world!" Someone shouted from behind the table, and I scowled when I saw who it was. Steve Newlin.

"That doesn't even make any sense!" A familiar honey-like voice cried, and I looked over to see Sookie held by her arms by one of Newlin's men, struggling to break free. "How can you people listen to him?!" She exclaimed in exasperation.

"I – I offer myself. In exchange for Godric's freedom," Eric's weak voice croaked out. I felt my heart droop in sorrow. How can Steve do this? If anything, he was more of a monster than the vampires. "...And the girl's...as well..." He finished, and I knew that he meant Sookie.

"That's noble," Steve sneered, nodding his head. "But she's just as culpable as you are. She's a traitor to her race – the human race! She hardly deserves mercy," He strided around the table, and leant over to grin sadistically in Eric's face. "Maybe we should tie her to you, so you can meet the sun together. This marshmallow would roast up nicely." I felt my uncontrollable rage shake, ready to burst and flow free. How dare he speak to my sister like that!

Sookie struggled, and tried to get free, but to no avail. Suddenly, though, there was the sound of whooshing, and screams. The big doors flew open, and someone flashed in, shouting, "Sookie!"

A relieved smile made its way to my weary face. Sookie's vampire boyfriend Bill! Thank goodness he was here, I was afraid

"One more step, vampire, and the girl dies," Steve yelled, whipping out a silver pistol, and pointing it at Sookie's head. My relief flooded away, and my anger was back.

"If you shoot her, everyone here will die!" Bill threatened, his fangs poking out menacingly. Steve faltered a bit. "...Let her go. Now," Bill commanded.

Steve sighed, shaking his head at Sookie. "Honestly! What do they see in you?" He asked rhetorically. "Soldiers, some silver chains for our friend here," He ordered, inclining his head at a furious Bill.

"Don't! He's done nothing to you!" Sookie yelled angrily, struggling.

"Sookie, I will be fine," Bill assured her, holding his hand out.

Suddenly, somebody shouted from up in the rafters, and a paintball gun was fired at Newlin's hand, causing him to drop the pistol. "Ah!" He shouted in pain, holding his assaulted hand.

"Let her go, fuckwad!" Jason Stackhouse yelled loudly, and I looked up to see him holding a...paintball gun. A grin threatened to stretch across my face. He was alright! I had the urge to laugh, and to knock him silly. He fired the gun again, and the paint hit him on the forehead this time. I looked up to see Jason being restrained by some of Newlin's men.

"Ahh – oww!" Steve screamed, as Bill flashed forward, knocking everyone away and clinging to Sookie protectively. It was then that Sookie and Bill finally noticed me.

"Bella!" Sookie gasped. She beckoned her hand. "Come here! It's not safe near there. That man is dangerous!"

I rolled my eyes. "Sook, I am capable of handling myself," I laughed lightly.

"Sookie is right," Bill said to me seriously, his southern twang sounding out. "It's not safe. I will protect you – come here."

I shook my head, and ran over to Eric instead, passing a screaming Steve, who said rather rudely, "Son of a bitch!" I rolled my eyes again. And I thought he was a Christian...

"Bella!" Ty, Bill and Sook shouted at me, but I ignored them. I ran over to Eric's table, and quickly unwrapped the silver chains, which were burning his pale skin. Eric shot me a grateful look.

"Thank you, little one," He said, and ruffled my hair gratefully. Then, he scowled, glaring over at Newlin. In a burst of vampire speed, he had Steve in a chokehold on the floor, his fangs bared.

"Eric! Do not kill him!" Sookie warned.

"Kill him! Kill the motherfucker!" Jason yelled from above.

"...Go on," Steve breathed. "Martyr us. Martyr us before God! We are willing to die!"

As he said this, there were more fast whooshes of air from outside. Everyone stared in curiosity or fear at the big doors, and Bill clung to Sookie more tightly. I grinned a little – it reminded me of Godric, and how he would hug me so protectively.

The brown doors burst open, and a group of vampires swaggered in. One vampire with a cowboy hat and boots spoke. "Steve Newlin. You have pushed us too far," He said, and the group surrounded the top of the room. "You expect us to sit on our thumbs, while you round up your men to come to lynch us? We'll kill you first," He warned, and everyone grew silent. He grinned, then said, "Same way we did to your father."

"Oh god, no," Sookie breathed in horror.

"Murderer!" Newlin screamed, struggling in Eric's chokehold.

The cowboy vampire snarled. "Destroy them," He commanded menacingly. "All of 'em." His fangs popped down, and chaos broke out.

The group flushed away. I heard screams of terror, and I closed my eyes. I opened them a second later, to find that everyone had their heads held back, fangs pointing dangerously at their necks. Well, everyone except Sookie, Bill, Eric, Jason and Steve.

"Sookie, let's go, now," Bill yelled, grabbing her arm. I continued to watch, though, as the vampires were about to sink their fangs into the humans. I was suddenly held against my will. Something pointy was placed at my neck. "No, please" I pleaded. I didn't want to die.

The man who held me began to speak."Perhaps we will show Mr Newlin how it feels to lose family and friends. What do you say boys? Kill the girl?"

I sweated, tears fell from my eyes.

"Kill The Girl! Kill The Girl" They chanted.

"What do you say Newlin?" The man who held me asked.

My father did not object. I was torn up inside when I heard the words come from his mouth "Do it. It will only prove the monsters that you are"

I began to cry now, how could he...he truly was the monster, not them. His teeth rested on my neck, I could feel the coolness of the tips. "Say goodbye" He whispered to me, kissing my neck.

I stared at my father, who didn't even look at me.

Just as Stan was about to pierce my neck, a soft, yet commanding voice stopped them, though. It leaked importance and authority, and it boomed through the hall like a loudspeaker. "Enough," Someone said, and I looked up at the window ledge in curiosity.

My face broke out into a happy and relieved grin, though, when I saw it was Godric. Godric noticed me instantly, and I saw him smile at me slightly. "You came for me, I assume?" He asked the vampires in the room, who were dangerously close to biting and sucking the life out of the helpless humans.

Godric's bluish-grey eyes flickered over to the cowboy vampire, who looked like he really wanted to sink his fangs into me. "Underling?" Godric called to the cowboy vampire, waiting for his answer.

Said cowboy vampire groaned in disappointment. "Yes, sheriff," He answered. Realisation struck me like a chord. These vampires must have been the Dallas vampires – Godric's "nest", as Sookie put it. They had to listen to Godric, because he was their superior – their sheriff.

"These people have not harmed me," Godric said truthfully. "You see, we can coexist. Mr Newlin?" Godric called to the paint-balled reverend. "I do not wish to create bloodshed when none was called for." The cowboy vampire growled lowly in annoyance.

"Help me set an example," Godric asked, his mixed accent sounding through, "If we leave you in peace, will you do the same?" He looked hard at Steve, who was sitting on his ass, looking like an idiot.

"I will not negotiate with sub-humans," Steve spat out. He moved to kneel before Eric, who was towering above him, a scowl on his perfect face. He adjusted his tie a little, and hissed out, "Kill me. Do it – Jesus will protect me." Eric looked down at him like he was a complete douche.

"I am actually older than your Jesus," Godric pointed out suddenly, and I snorted in laughter. Godric subtly winked at me. "I wish I could have known him – but I missed it." He flushed away, and appeared behind Steve a millisecond later to grab him behind the neck.

"Good people," Godric's deep voice rang out through the large hall, "Who of you is willing to die for this man's madness?"

Everyone was silent, some with panic-stricken faces, others with just plain terrified ones. They exchanged glances, nobody uttering a word.

"That is what I thought," Godric said, "Stand down everyone." The cowboy vampire huffed, and reluctantly let go of me.

"People," Godric called, "Go home. It's over now." The humans started to shuffle away, not wanting to stay in the room for any longer than necessary.

"Oh, thank god, Bill," Sookie breathed into Bill's chest.

"It's alright," Bill assured her. "You're safe now," He hugged her body close to him, and my heart warmed just looking at them. Such a cute couple. Sure, a little melodramatic, but cute, just the same.

Everyone kept filling out the large doors, and that was when I noticed Luke standing there, looking rather lost. His emerald green eyes locked onto mine, as Steve cried out helplessly, "Please, don't leave me." But all his so-called "faithful" followers left.

Godric slammed Newlin onto the tiled ground, and he grunted in pain. "I daresay my faith in humankind is stronger than yours," Godric hissed lowly.

I smirked as I saw Newlin crawl on his hands and knees. I hoped that the bastard had learnt a valuable lesson. "Come with me." Godric whispered, putting his hand out. His thoughts shouted out to me. 'Come with me.' 'Be mine.' I could feel his thoughts urging me to accept him.

I reached for his hand recklessly, captivated by him and forgetting about my power. When his cold hand enveloped mine, I felt nothing. No string of memories threatening to overwhelm me... Interesting...

"Come," Godric commanded the vampires who were left. He walked straight towards me, first, though. However, before he could reach me, the cowboy vampire stepped out in front of me. Godric growled under his breath, slightly annoyed for being held back to see me.

"Sir," The cowboy vampire sighed in disbelief. "After what these humans have done to you –"

"I said come," Godric warned calmly, ending the subject sharply. The cowboy man's eyes hardened in irritation, but reluctantly stepped aside, to let his sheriff through. Godric strided over to me, and surprised me greatly when he wrapped me in a hug. Obviously, the people around us were a little shocked – minus Eric, who was grinning ear-to-ear as he watched his maker hug me.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Godric whispered in my ear, his lips gently brushing across it. I giggled quietly.

"I'm fine, Godric," I assured him, but he didn't look so sure. Suddenly, Steve stood up, and swaggered over to me. "BELLA! What are you doing? Get away from there! Leave my daughter out of this, you monsters!" I could hear Steve yelling from behind me as I still had my shields down and I felt his thoughts drift toward me.

'Those abominations! I won't let them keep my daughter! They must have glamoured her!' I knew this wasn't over, I'd have to figure out some way of letting him know I was here of my own free will, but I wasn't going to stop. Godric and I had just reached outside to where Eric, Sookie, and another vampire were huddled when Steve caught up with them. He was about to reach out to me....

"Bella, I was talking to you!" but Godric stopped him.

"You will not touch what is mine!" Godric held Steve by the throat up and then swiftly pushed him to the ground. I was torn. This was my dad and my.... well my.... I didn't know what to call him yet. So much had changed in the last two days, I was at a loss. I didn't know what to do. Thankfully, Godric made the choice for me.

"She is no longer your concern Mr. Newlin. I suggest you leave; it is not safe for you. "

"She will always be my concern, she is my....."

"I know very well who she is, Mr. Newlin." Godric cut him off and looked at me.

"Fear not, my love. The actions of others do not make us who we are. I care not of your name, but of the person that you are and will become."

"I don't believe this! Bella, you can't possibly go with this monster! What would your Grandfather say?" I flinched. Steve knew that would strike a nerve. I looked at Godric, then to Steve lying on the ground, his white suit smudged with dirt.

"I am sorry, Dad. I can't stay with you. By forcing your intentions of war upon me, you have become the monster you sought to destroy. Besides, I was never your daughter. Never. You just saw me as another one of your resources or slaves. Someone who you can shape, change and then dispose of because you have plenty of people at your hands. I didn't want to believe it, but that just then proved it. When you wouldn't even try to save me. You sacrificed me to death by your enemy."

Steve looked surprised. "Bella you have to choose. Me or him!"

"Dad, don't make me..."

"DO IT BELLA!"

I looked down at the ground....she felt a hand tighten on hers.

Let me love you as you deserve to be loved.

"Him," I whispered, looking Steve directly in the eye.

"What did you just say?" Steve asked hesitantly.

"Him." I repeated.

Steve stood up laughing, approaching her. "He will grow tired of you, Brianna. Vampires don't feel; they don't love. They can't. It's part of what makes them demons. I offered you a place by my side, yet you choose to be his whore. "

"If it means staying alive, and stopping Sledge and WARPA then so be it!"

Then Steve did the unthinkable. He slapped me.

He pointed at me, and sneered viciously. "See! You are a whore of Satan!" He barked out, and moved closer to me. Godric's arms tightened like steel around me, and his whole body tensed up. "You can't keep your tainted hands off them, can you, Bella?" Steve snorted, and I flinched, slightly hurt by his words. Godric, seeing the pain flash across my face, snarled deeply. "I would advise you not to speak to our mate that way, Mr Newlin," He said, his face calm, but I could feel the anger boiling inside of him. "Or it will not just be me who decides to end your life."

I looked over to see Eric, who had his fangs bared at Newlin. He flashed over to Steve, and loomed in his face. The reverend took a couple frightened steps backwards. "Have you no respect?" Eric the blondie hissed. "That is my maker and his mate you are insulting." There were a couple of gasps around the room as Eric said this. Tyler shouted in outrage, and tried to stomp over to take me away from them but Steve got there first. I felt the cool metal of a gun pushed to the right side of my head, and I looked to the side in disbelief.

"Ha! Filthy slut of a demon!" Newlin spat, his eyes crazed. "You are a disgrace to our race, more so than your fangbangin' sister over there!" He yelled, and his finger moved towards the gun's trigger.

"Bella!" Sookie screamed.

Godric's entire demeanour changed. His fangs dropped down, and his eyes turned a deep black. "Do not," He hissed scarily, "Threaten our Bella, Mr Newlin."

"Move, and the girl dies, right here!" Steve laughed crazily. Godric's head snapped to his side, and his dark eyes bore into Steve's. Newlin grinned sadistically. "Actually, I think I'll kill her anyway. One less fangbanger on this earth is one more step to a God-worthy planet." "STEVE, HOW COULD YOU?!" Sarah asked. "I'm sorry Sarah but our daughter must die because she is nothing but a fangbanging whore of Satan" Steve said.

There were deep growls and hisses from around the room, and suddenly, all the Dallas vampires had flashed in front of me, standing protectively. The cowboy vampire had snatched the weapon from Steve's hand, and it was thrown high in the air – where one of the vampires caught it with ease.

"Mr Newlin," The cowboy vampire hissed. "You threaten the life of our sheriff's mate, therefore you threaten our sheriff. We won't tolerate that kind of behaviour," He said, licking his lips as he stared hungrily at Steve's neck.

I gulped, and looked over to Godric. His eyes had turned back to their normal bluish-grey, but he was frowning at Steve. I took his pale hand and squeezed reassuringly. "Hey, don't worry," I assured him. Godric smiled a little, and squeezed my hand back. "I will never stop worrying, little one," He whispered, and I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. I don't know why, but I thought seeing him fail would bring a little more satisfaction, but it didn't. I guess he deserved it. He brought this upon himself. I slowly moved, deciding to leave. But Steve couldn't resist speaking out about the final day of reckoning, on how they'll learn who's going to heaven and who goes to hell. Jason moved, getting in Steve's face, with a slight grin, before saying, "I reckon I already been to Heaven. It was inside your wife." Then he sent his fist, punching Steve right on the nose. I stood there laughing. I let my mind drift through the thoughts of the people around me. That cowboy vampire's thoughts were the most vibrant, 'I can't believe he won't let me kill them. After what they did to him, we should just burn the whole fucking church to the ground...' Well, he was violent... I'd have to be careful around him.

The next thoughts that drifted toward me were from the tall blond Viking, 'Who is that girl with Godric? I haven't seen my Maker with a human for over six centuries...' Hm, that was Godric's child? Interesting.

My snooping was interrupted when I felt a foreign presence in my mind, I locked my shields up and I could feel the recoil of whoever had been trying to get into my mind. I was going to have to be careful. I knew it wasn't Godric, the Viking, or the cowboy. But that left nearly twenty vampires and even a couple of humans who could have been snooping.

Once actually out of the church, Godric scooped me up bridal style and ran at vampire speed to an extremely large, Victorian style house. There were lights on and music playing, it seemed like there was a party going on.

He set me down just outside the house and led me through the party with a hand on the small of my back. He led me out to the backyard and simply stood next to me for a moment. I resisted the urge to search his mind. One, I didn't want to violate Godric like that, and two, whoever that telepath was might still be around.

"Thank you," He said quietly, glancing at me, "For the healing." The look he gave me said, 'Care to elaborate?'

I shrugged,"I'm a Healer, we don't like seeing others in pain."

He looked at me for a minute," Even when that other is a vampire, which you have been raised to hate?"

I smiled slightly," I think your healed wrists answer that question. But just because my adoptive parents are unreasonably hating vampires doesn't mean that I am."

He looked thoughtful,"No, no it does not." He looked at,"You are a rather intriguing Brianna." He said quietly.

I shrugged and glanced up at the moon. I felt his cool fingers brush my cheek and I turned to look at him. What I saw in his eyes nearly made my legs give out. His eyes were dark with desire. I felt his eyes roaming my body before his lips enveloped mine. I froze for only an instant before kissing him back, my hands sliding up to cup his face.

I felt his hands tangle into my hair, pulling me closer and deepening our kiss. I should have felt awkward, I had just met him after all, but he washed away all of those feelings and simply left me wanting him. I slid my hands down his chest, slipping under his shirt and roaming his chest. I felt more than heard him moan into me.

I heard a slight cough and Godric turned, "What do you want, Isabel?" He sounded slightly annoyed.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but there are people who wish to speak to you." She looked Hispanic, and she had long dark brown hair.

He sighed, "I will be inside in a moment." She nodded and was gone. He turned back to me, pressing his lips quickly against mine, whispering, "Sometimes, I hate being Sheriff." Then he was gone.

I took a deep breath before slipping inside. I ordered a gin and tonic and sat quietly, observing the people around me. Normally I would be using my power, but I didn't want people in my head. Which is kind of hypocritical of me, seeing as people probably don't want me in their heads, but I didn't really care.

I noticed a beautiful brunette vampire approaching and kept my eye on her while acting like I was focused on other things.

She walked to Sookie," Hello. My name's Lorena." She said to her, she sounded pleasant, but something seemed off to me.

Sookie turned," Nice to meet you, I'm Sookie Stackhouse." She said with a southern twang to her words.

"Yes," Lorena drawled," You're what all the fuss is about." This was going to be ugly. I didn't know how I knew, but I did.

"Excuse me?" Sookie asked, still smiling.

"Let's just say we have a mutual... friend." She said, glancing around the room.

"Bill?" The blond guessed.

"Funny he's never mentioned me, I practically made him what he is today." Lorena was a jealous vampire, and that was not a good thing to be up against...

A tall vampire with dark hair, who I could only assume was Bill, approached. Sookie turned to him, "Bill, is this your Maker?"

He looked at Lorena and said strongly,"She released me years ago, she no longer has any hold over me!"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Lorena said, enjoying herself," We just spent two marvelous nights in your hotel room." She paused, glancing at Bill before continuing talking to Sookie, "Did you know, your boyfriend hit me over the head with a 52" plasma screen TV?" She touched her head, obviously where he'd hit her. "Everyone says they're so light and thin, but believe me, when wielded properly they are quite the weapon."

"He did?" Sookie said incredulously,"You did?" She said, turning to him.

"You don't understand, she was holding me against my will..."

Lorena cut him off, "I hope he doesn't try anything with you, there is no excuse for domestic violence." She was trying to start a fight, and it was not going to end well.

I stopped listening and scanned the crowd for Godric. This was his home and I doubted he would be okay with them fighting.

I heard Sookie yell,"You've lost this one, you fucking bitch!" Bill was trying to pull Sookie away, but Lorena pushed him away and pinned Sookie on the table in front of me, well shit... Godric in front of her the next second, holding her by the throat. "Retract. Your. Fangs." I heard the snick as she did as she was told. "I do not know, nor care who you are. In this area, and certainly in this nest, I am the authority." "Yes, Sheriff." She replied as he released her.

"This human," he said, looking at Sookie, "has proven herself to be a kind and loyal friend to our kind." He turned back to Lorena, "Yet you treat her like a child does a dragonfly, pulling off wings for sport?"

"She provoked me," she tried to plead with him.

"And you provoked me." Godric said leaning close to her," You've disrupted the peace in my own home. I could snap you like a twig. Yet I haven't." He said leaning back again," Now why is that?"

"It's... your choice." She whispered.

"You're right. It is my choice. You're an old vampire, I can tell. You've had plenty of time to better yourself, yet you haven't. I fear for all of us if this type of behavior persists." Godric stepped back seeing her suitably chastised. "I want you out of my area before dawn." He looked at Bill, Bill." You seem to know her, escort her from the nest." He glanced at his human before nodding his assent.

"Excuse me. I'd like your attention please. I have a message for you all, especially Bella from Reverend Steve Newlin!" "Your dad forgives you for your sin and hopes that God will show you mercy in the Kingdom of Heaven." He ripped his jacket off to expose a silver bomb. "Die in peace, Bella." He pressed the activation trigger in his hand.