A/N: I know - I am the worst updater in the world when it comes to this story. I had some major writers' block, but a few weeks ago I ended up rewatching the series and I fell in love with Eric and Godric again. Prompted my muse to bring back Evelyn as I work on my other stories. So here is another chapter. I would love to hear from you guys and see if anyone is actually still interested in seeing this story. Please read, review, and enjoy. I appreciate all the support you guys give!

Disclaimer: I own what is mine.


Chapter Eight

2011 Shreveport, Louisiana

She hadn't stayed in her townhouse for long, even as heaviness pulled at her eyes and limbs. Slumber called to her, but she had no time for her fatigue. Her nephew stayed firmly planted in her mind as the photo Suther's had earlier slid to her burned unflaggingly in her bag. A reminder that her boy was in danger and that she wasting time.

Evelyn stripped her dress and heels quickly from her body. She no longer needed the camouflage for the club now that Eric knew she was alive and present. Silently she thanked the twenty-first century as she tugged on a pair of fitted jeans and boots. Clandestine activities were much easier to execute when layers of skirts and heeled shoes weren't involved. She just wished her dealings with vampires would be as easily divested. Her arms slipped into a light blazer and for one drawn moment, she paused. The weight of the world pressed down on her shoulders and her gut-wrenching fear of being too late and not enough tore her heart to shreds. She closed her eyes against her pain and turmoil and then isolated and twisted her feelings into a finely woven anger. She couldn't afford to let her anxieties rule her, she couldn't slip up again. She drew a fortifying breath and swept from her home.

All too soon, her weary feet stopped before the last building she wanted to be. Her amber eyes took in the dusty white building with its red awning entrance. Fangtasia seemed much less imposing in the daylight, even more so without the mixed crowd of vampires and humans swarming in and out. Yet, the club's stillness almost seemed like a warning to Evelyn, a silent reproof for what she was about to do. She had started the prior night with the intention to avoid Fangtasia's owner... now she was about to ensure his wrath.

Evelyn smirked bitterly and rolled her neck as she began to call forth the strands of life that only she could see. Colors bright and lively, muted and shy clouded her sight, shifting and twisting like a waving cloth, before dancing into individual strings of numbers and symbols that only she could read, that only she could manipulate. This was her power, this was her loom. She pushed her senses out and let the loom swirl about her body. In a blink she was inside the club, her body merely a gust against the rough-looking blonde behind the bar, and in another she was down in the basement next to a sliver tethered coffin and a slumbering vampire prisoner. Eric's presence was a whisper and she knew he and his progeny resided elsewhere for the day. A small relief. Her hand traced over the top of the coffin - there was only one way she was going to be able to find Ocella and that was from the vampire inside. The coffin's chains shimmered and danced and with a few well-placed words the metal strands slipped to the ground and the lid flew open with a quiet snick.

Randall laid inside looking about as pathetic as he had when she had initially left. He didn't stir and Evelyn only felt a small tendril of pity as she placed a hand on his chest, "This is going to hurt you far more than it'll hurt me."

With no one to bear witness to the full extent of her power, Evelyn pulled loose on the thread of anger she had woven and threaded her loom directly into Randall's prone form. The vampire's eyes immediately snapped open with a snarl and his fingers dug tightly into her arm in an attempt to throw her off. His screams turned to dust in the air, however, as Evelyn worked to pull every ounce of information from his mind. This wasn't the forceful harvesting she had done earlier to skim the surface memories from his mind. Now her attack was more surgical, her scythe replaced by a scalpel as she ripped apart the threads of Randall Suther's mind and pulled together the damaged edges of what had been broken. There were no flashes of information this time, his once split reel was now fixed and rolling. She had everything, but the problem now lay in letting her connection to the vampire go. Something was wrong. Her loom swarmed like a seaborne squall around Suther's body as it kept her connection drowned. She could have been standing there for minutes or hours, she was no longer sure as blood began to drip down her nose and out of her ears.

His bleeds were her bleeds.

His pain was her pain.

The squall crescendo with a mighty wave.

She opened her mouth to scream.

The sharp sudden crash of glass on the floor above shattered more than the liquor bottle Ginger dropped. It was enough for Evelyn to latch onto as she fell out of her loom and into life's dancing cloth. This time she didn't gust passed Ginger as her body left the bar but collapsed into a blood-streaked and sweat-soaked mess on the floor of her bathroom eleven miles away.

xXx

"Ginger!" Pam's voice echoed wrathfully off the empty club walls as Eric strode inside.

He watched curiously as Pam all but flew out of the basement. The bar's arguably longest employee smiled dazedly from behind the bar at him before turning her curious look to his perturbed progeny as she bore down on the clueless blonde, "Yes, Pam?"

"Did you at anytime go downstairs today?" Pam questioned dryly, a sharp intent lurking behind her expression, "Think carefully, now."

Ginger frowned confused, "O'course not. You know I'm not supposed to go down there."

Eric fought not to roll his eyes as he arched a brow at his childe, "Pam?"

She ignored him as she kept the barmaid pinned under her stare, "Did you happen to let anyone in? Or see anything out of place?"

"Noo. No." Ginger drawled faintly as she pondered over Pam's questions. A hopeful smile lit her face as she shrugged, "It was a bit windy in here a few hours ago, but it only lasted a second."

Pam blinked, "Windy?"

"Yeah - you know..."

While Ginger's description left his progeny duly unimpressed, it had him moving for the basement to confirm his suspicions over Pam's actions. In less than a second, he was by Randall's side. The younger vampire appeared shrunken as if starved for months on end. Blood slid from his eyes in a slow steady trickle. The inside of the coffin was already saturated with his blood and Eric had to wonder just how long he had been slowly draining. Randall didn't move, didn't acknowledge Eric's presence. It was disconcerting to the say the least. With a faint growl, Eric inhaled deeply and found an all too familiar scent to confirm his suspicions.

Evelyn.

He wasn't sure if he was more annoyed or impressed by her audacity. There was no doubt that she had done this, her scent was faint...but it had lingered long enough for him to find. Eric raised a curious brow as he bent to examine the lip of the coffin. His finger swept across a speck of blood... her blood. His gaze darkened as he remembered her irritated declaration in his office.

"...I can circumvent you if I choose to..."

Circumvent him, she had it appeared. This he could not tolerate as his annoyance won out, "Pam!"

She appeared at his side in seconds, bored indifference coated her features, but Eric could see the curious spark in her eye, "Ginger didn't see anyone and our security cameras don't show anything either. You think your little witch came back."

"She's not a witch." Eric replied as he gave his progeny a pointed look, "Don't make the mistake of thinking she is something so simple. But yes, Evelyn came back. To what point and purpose, I would like to know."

His gaze dropped to Randall, "Try and get some bagged blood down Suther. The bar's closed tonight."

"Do you think it'll help him?" Pam asked as she gave the other vampire a speculative glance. In her opinion, it would be more merciful to just stake the poor bastard.

"Certainly won't hurt him." Eric murmured dryly, "I'll be out for the rest of the night."

Pam nodded, not bothering to watch as he left.

Eric's finger's absently reached for his phone as he stepped outside Fangtasia's door, but he knew it was far too soon for Joe to have any decent information on Evelyn. Without the ease of having her information at hand, Eric lifted his still bloodied finger to his nose before licking away the remnant of Evelyn's blood. A slow cruelly satisfied smile spread over his lips, it had been so long since he had gone hunting.


London, England 1810

Godric smirked, "Why don't you tell me, young one?"

He was amused, Eric realized dimly as he observed his maker. It came as a dull surprise as he had become used to the vestige feelings of weariness and frustration in their bond. States that were typically evoked by his sister, Eric knew. It had been a long time since he had seen Godric this entertained. It was also the first time he had seen Evelyn quite so tense as she moved just inside her entryway. Any normal person would be wary when faced with two ancient and imposing vampires, but Evelyn was not normal by any stretch of the imagination. He had long come to find she viewed danger with an ironic twist of her lips. Her sensible reaction now was off-putting.

As if sensing his thoughts, Evelyn's expression cleared and a taunting smile began to curl at the edges of her lips, "I do believe that we've left your progeny a tad bewildered, Mr. Godric."

Godric barely flicked a glance to his childe as he answered her smile conspiratorially, "Yes, I believe we have."

Eric bit back the urge to growl, regret for allowing the two before him to meet already settling in, "Apologies for my confusion, but I do not recall there being any specificity to your hunting centuries ago."

This time Godric did level him with a speculative stare, "We were apart at the time. "

His reply only deepened any confusion the Viking had been feeling. Yet, oddly his words seem to settle something for Evelyn as her posture suddenly relaxed and she moved to the side of her door, "Godric, won't you please come in?"

His maker gave a mockingly polite nod as he stepped inside, "Did you find your answer then, young one?"

Evelyn simpered elegantly, "Only as you found yours."

Her answer made both vampires pause, but for vastly different reasons. The amused twinkle in Godric's steely gaze turned a touch cold and for one frightful moment, Eric was sure that he was about to witness Evelyn's death. He had warned her that he did not control his maker, "Tell me, Madam Townsend, aside from the wager between you and my son. Is there a particular reason why you are entertaining vampires?"

"Curiosity mostly." Evelyn replied lightly as she eyed the boy vampire, "You must agree that few classes live as long as we do and yet we interact so little. Strange how we're all more inclined to flirt with humans and their frailty than we are with each other."

"There are good reasons for that." Godric responded quietly and to Eric's continued bafflement his maker leveled him with a look he couldn't quite decipher, "Curiosity can be a rather dangerous desire to follow. Especially if those desires turn more greedily to alternative avenues."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." Evelyn demurely conceded bringing Godric's attention firmly back on her. There was a long moment as the two studied each other before she continued, "However, in the very least I can assure you that those avenues have never held an interest for me."

"Good." Godric intoned lowly. Evelyn raised a hand to direct them toward her salon. The older vampire hesitated a moment before stepping next to her, "Keep it that way."

In a breath he glided through to the sitting quarters, leaving the sordid couple behind. Eric, for his part, recognized the power play that had just occurred, but not the impetus that had brought it on. His hackles had raised slightly at his maker's unsubtle threat and subsequent gravity. As rare as it was to see Godric entertained it was even more so to see him...Eric wasn't sure how to describe what he had just observed. He turned questioning icy eyes on Evelyn, a curious brow ticked up as he met her faintly amused stare. This was an Evelyn he had grown familiar with in the passing weeks - not the cautious, submissive woman that had graced the hall seconds ago.

"You were just threatened and yet you smile." Eric muttered with the faintest hint of exasperation, unwilling to be impressed by such foolishness, "Explain what I just witnessed, Evelyn."

"You said it yourself, sir. I was just threatened." Came her lofty reply as she gestured for him to follow his master.

Eric stood firm as he let her see the danger now awakening in his features, he warned quietly, "Evelyn."

"Not all secrets are mine to share, Eric." It was the second time she had used his given name, but the first she had ever addressed him with it directly. He had to quell the image of her uttering it over and over again in far more delicious circumstances. A feat made harder as she leaned into him, her levity suddenly gone, "What I can say is that his threat had much to do with you. I'm not the first of my kind to... 'entertain' a vampire as it were. The results did not end well for either party."

Eric's brow furrowed as he glanced into the salon where Godric patiently waited and listened.

Evelyn followed his gaze, "He's simply making sure no harm comes to you. It's quite sweet actually."

An aggrieved scoff left Eric's lips before he could stop it, "Either one of us is hardly sweet, lady."

"Hmm, perhaps." Evelyn murmured impishly as she gestured again to towards Godric, "But now we're being rude. Your maker came out here to see you and yet you insist on haranguing me."

Her mocking tone was not lost on Eric as he smirked almost vindictively. He turned and mimicked her earlier coquettish behavior as he took a seat adjacent to his maker, "Master, apologies if you have felt neglected. It is very unlike Madam Townsend to be a poor host."

Godric bit back a smile as Evelyn rolled her eyes behind his progeny, well aware that his son had reverted to a game of pulling pigtails. In fact, the older vampire hadn't felt neglected in the least. He knew his behavior would be in question by his childe, and was even less surprised when Eric had deduced he would find more forthcoming answers from the Sorceress than from him. The interlude had merely gained him the opportunity to observe the duo and their dynamic. He almost wished Nora had joined him. His daughter's insights usually proved useful in these situations.

"I'm sure. Just as it's not like my son to beleaguer poor widows." Godric uttered dryly as Eric smirked in return.

A smile twitched at Evelyn's lips as she watched the two, but an inquisitive gleam was darted toward Godric as she asked, "How did you know I was a widower?"

Godric glanced pointedly at her hand, "You wear a ring, but the only scent of a man in your home is that of the caretaker and cook lingering in your kitchen. Though... I am unsure if you were truly married or if your ring is simply a ruse."

Evelyn glanced at her emerald ring and smiled, "A ruse, pretending to be a widow allows me more freedom than most women. I find the idea of marriage quite contemptible."

"Truly?" Eric asked, "I find that surprising."

"Why? Because I'm a woman?" Evelyn drawled unimpressed.

"Because of the blonde child -"

"Gwyneth."

Eric nodded, "And the imbecile - "

"Mr. Timmons."

"Yes. You've been rather invested in their courtship." He gave her a pointed look as they both recalled the chaperon duties she had foisted upon them, "As pathetic as it is."

Evelyn shook her head at him as she realized he was still holding a grudge over that night, "That has little to do with my opinion on matrimony and everything to do with getting the poor girl away from her father,"

"Wha -"

Evelyn dismissed his question before he even a had chance to finish, "It's neither here nor there. It's not often I have two beings older than I am in the same room. I feel we can move on to far more interesting topics. First, if I may be so bold, I know that Eric hasn't fed yet tonight have you, Mr. Godric?"

"...No." Godric answered almost hesitantly as he gazed perplexed at the Sorceress. He wondered if she was about to offer her own blood. It would be shocking if she did, the Source class tended to protect their secrets and blood almost more vigilantly than vampires.

Eric's thoughts traveled a similar path as his eyes narrowed at the pleased glimmer that glanced across her features. For a jealous moment, he was sure Evelyn was about to offer his maker what he had been after for weeks now.

Instead, their host rang the servants' bell near the salon door, "Then let me offer you two a meal. You'll have to share I'm afraid."

Not a moment after she spoke, a young woman entered the room. Her hair had been tucked up into a bonnet and despite the simple quality of her gown, it flattered her figure quite nicely. Eric caught a glimpse of vivid emerald eyes as the maid hastily surveyed the room to find her mistress. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Godric tilt his head in consideration.

"Madam?" Her voice came softly, the epitome of submissive.

Eric didn't move from his seat as he cast Evelyn a long stare, "You're usually very protective of your staff."

Evelyn smiled grimly at the subtle warning to his maker and the unasked question, while Godric may not be aware that offering her servants as food was not common practice for her, Eric knew enough to be suspicious. She turned to her servant, "Annie, if you'd please come here."

None spoke as the servant stood before her mistress. Evelyn reached up and gently removed the girl's bonnet to reveal lush red hair that had been coiled in a loose braid. She smiled softly and murmured a few words under her breath as she ran a finger along Annie's cheek, "You will serve these men as they see fit."

"Yes." Annie replied dazedly before turning to the two vampires with a serene expression.

If Eric didn't know better, he would say that she had been glamoured. He kept his stare on Evelyn with a raised brow. She shrugged a shoulder, "No trick, Mr. Northman. She's simply no longer under my protection."

"Why?"

"She's not a maid." Godric answered for her. He had sped before Annie, his fingers lightly danced over the edges of hers in quiet contemplation. She didn't react to his presence with more than a simpering smile, "Extraordinary... a spy?"

"Of a sort, I believe she was sent by a procurer." Evelyn blinked as she was met with two alarmed stares, "Vampires are not the only ones that collect unique little pets, gentlemen. Her presence here merely tells me that my time in London is drawing to an end."

"In that case." Eric murmured as he came to stand beside his maker, "She does smell delightful."


2011 Shreveport

Evelyn tried not to moan piteously as she uncurled herself from her cramped position on the bathroom floor. Unsure of how long she had been lying there, her strength was all but gone, due in some part to the blood that continued to trickle from her nose and ears.

Stupid.

She had been so stupid. And impatient.

Her body screamed in pain as she hefted herself into a sitting position. Her loom flickered to life briefly, colors and symbols painting her vision before flickering out again. A quiet sob left her lips as she realized the futility of her situation.

Ocella had painted a lovely trap for her. He must have known she wouldn't take the bait that Randall had offered. He had to have known she would rip the vampire's mind to shreds searching for the location of her nephew...for him. She had told Eric that the sorcerer in Ocella was weakening, but really he was still far stronger than her it seemed.

Her vision flickered again.

That bloody bastard was going to win.

She smothered another cry of pain as the crashing of her front door echoed through her house and a familiar presence hammered her damaged senses. Go away...go away, she quietly pleaded.

"Evelyn!"

She winced at the roar of Eric's voice. He would be stuck at the entryway, but she wouldn't put it past him to pull the building apart to get to her.

"Invite me in!"

"Now, why would I do something like that?" She breathed quietly to herself as she eyed her empty hallway as if he would appear there any second.

"I can smell your blood from here! Invite me in!"

"Ha." She gasped and slumped against the wall. He really wasn't giving her much incentive to do as he wanted. Her vision blurred for a moment.

"Now!"

If only she had the strength to roll her eyes. With a forced gasped she mumbled, "Eric... come in."

It must have been enough as a second later a blur in the form of a Viking vampire loomed over her. His hands roughly grabbed her shoulders as he yanked her into his lap, "What have you done, you stupid woman."

Her head lulled back as she blinked heavily at him. She was slipping quickly back into unconsciousness as he manhandled her. A low growl reverberated through her body and she heard more than saw him tear open the flesh of his wrist. Eric's hand firmly pressed against the juncture of her jaw forcing her mouth open. Somehow she managed the faintest noise of protest as he dribbled his blood into her.

"You will drink, Evelyn." His lips ghosted her ear, "You broke our little deal tonight. You will give me what's owed."

She choked softly, unable to stop the trickle of blood flowing down her throat. Already she could feel the effects as the pain rebounding through her body began to fade. Her tongue unwittingly lathed against his wrist as she tried to pull from his hold. They both moan at the contact and she found herself taking heavy drags of the smooth fluid he offered. Eric bent his head and began to lick clean her neck until she finally managed the strength to yank away from his loose hold.

Eric merely crossed his legs as he leaned against the bathroom wall and watched her roll onto her back. She met his gaze hesitantly, "You might want to call your progeny and have her dispose of Suther."

"Now, why would I do something like that?" Eric responded glibly throwing her words back at her.

She sighed, "Ocella laid a trap in Randall's mind. I should still be in the club stuck to his body. He'll be coming to collect me and Randall."

The room was still and Evelyn could practically feel Eric hold in his rage as he nimbly reached for his phone, "You and I are going to have a nice long discussion about a few things once I'm off the phone." He pinned her with an icy stare, "And Evelyn, if you try your little disappearing trick or to block our bond again, it won't end well for you."

Evelyn raised a brow but refrained from comment as he stepped over her while dialing Pam. Things weren't ending well for her now.