Chapter 22

Eric's attention was drawn from the redheaded baby vamp to his Maker, elation at his nearness flooding his body.

"Godric," he said, dropping to his knees as his ancient friend crossed the hallway, a soft smile gracing his features.

Godric's hands cupped his face as the ancient brushed a kiss to his forehead. "My Son. This is a welcome surprise."

"It can't be that big a surprise - I'm sure you knew Nora would give me a call," Eric said, voice sardonic. "What with zompires threatening our population and, oh, the addition to our bloodline you didn't see it fit to mention yourself..."

Godric sighed softly and stepped back, so many words passing unsaid between them in one long look. "Eric, this is Irin. Irin, meet Eric Northman. Your older brother."

Eric got to his feet as the little thing pressed up against Godric's side, her face a study in mistrust and rampant jealousy. He arched an eyebrow - Nora hadn't exaggerated.

"Sister," Eric greeted her.

The redhead only shot him a sullen look in response.

"Irin," Godric sighed.

"Hello," she mumbled, her tone not quite managing to avoid insolence.

Eric quirked a slow smile as he took in the sulky baby vamp clutching at Godric's arm. When he'd been a newborn, his Maker would never have put up with any form of lip, but he'd clearly mellowed out in his later years.

He'd felt Godric's growing depression over the ages, until his Maker'd finally cut their connection off, refusing his Son's attempts to help. They hadn't seen each other in two decades, and the sudden opening of their bond, the flooding of happiness that'd filled him unexpectedly while he'd kept court in Fangtasia, was the first contact they'd had outside what news Eric gathered from vampires passing through Texas' area nine.

When Nora told him of their new sister, it was obvious to Eric what the reason for this change was. Looking at the small baby vampire as she practically tried to melt into Godric's body, he was… surprised… at his Elder's choice. Surprised, but grateful. Whatever he'd seen in the girl, it seemed it'd been enough to finally crack his shell.

"Let's see what we have here then, shall we?" Eric hummed. He took a step closer, not missing how Irin pressed impossibly tighter to Godric, following him with her slightly panicked violet eyes.

"Eric," Godric murmured. "She needs a softer touch."

Hmm. Interesting. Eric silenced his aura, softening the power radiating from him and noticed the girl relax the smallest bit. He circled her slowly, ignoring how she twisted to keep her eyes on him, letting his gaze roam over her slight form.

She wasn't an unattractive girl, but thinner than what Godric'd liked back when he was still willing to indulge his urges in the company of his Son. Scrawny, really, except from the delicate shape of her hips and small breasts. Her features were pretty enough, but her unusually colored eyes were slightly too big for her face. She was more striking than beautiful, but definitely... interesting.

One look and it was obvious she was wild. Untamed. Nothing like what his Maker was now, but everything like he'd been. Despite Nora's complete lack of understanding for what'd attracted Godric to his new progeny, Eric had an inkling. She hadn't known Godric as he was in the long nights in Europe's forests. But Eric had.

He breathed in softly, and noted how her scent was nearly completely entwined with Godric's. Nearly, but with one notable difference. Gently, he prodded the connection to his Maker, and found it unchanged.

The Viking stopped his circling and, after giving his baby sister another long look, returned his gaze to Godric. "Are we going to talk about why she's not of our bloodline, Maker?"

Godric drew in a deep breath, inclining his head slightly. "I adopted her."

"Uh-huh," Eric hummed, arching an eyebrow at his Maker. If he thought that was all the explanation needed, he had another think coming.

"Perhaps further discussion is best left for later" Godric said. "It has been a long while since we talked."

"Weren't you working?" Irin asked, the bite in her voice making it plenty obvious she'd been none too pleased with her adopted Maker's work schedule.

Godric merely sighed, arching an admonishing eyebrow at her. "And weren't you supposed to stay within Stan's field of vision at all time?"

Her lips pinched, her gaze quickly dropping to the floor.

"Allow me to finish my conference call with the King of Italy, and I will join you both," Godric said, after ensuring his Daughter was done lipping off. "Kitten, show Eric to the reception room and stay with him."

Despite the lack of argument from the girl, Godric still had to pry her fingers off his arm before he could retreat, leaving them alone in each others' company.

"You heard the old man… Kitten," Eric said, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his tight jeans with a smirk. "Let's go."

xXx
-

Why Godric thought it was okay to leave her with a complete stranger, Irin wasn't sure. Especially not a stranger who kept staring at her with a mixture of amusement and obvious intrigue. She felt his startling blue eyes evaluating her as she led him to the reception room not currently occupied by a TV-watching vampire cowboy, and waited until he sprawled out on one of the pristine couches, kicking his boots up on the white cushions, before she chose the seat furthest from him.

So this was her brother. He was… very different from Nora, not least because he didn't seem to harbor any instinctive dislike toward her, only an unnerving curiosity. And where she'd been all prim and proper, this Eric clearly wasn't as stuffy as other old vampires she'd met while in Godric's charge.

And Eric Northman was old.

His strength slammed into her the moment he crossed the threshold, the aura of ancient blood unmistakable and deeply unsettling. But he'd quelled it on Godric's request, and she found it easier to control her nerves in his presence now. Just how long ago had Godric made him?

A touch of curiosity made it through her instinctive distrust of anyone who had a claim on her Protector. The blond man probably knew a lot about Godric… things that might help her be a good progeny. It was very clear from the initial greeting that Godric loved his Son. She'd do anything for him to look at her like he had Eric.

"Out with it, then," Eric said, interrupting her anxious debating.

She blinked. "With—with what?"

His soft lips hiked up in a small smile. "Whatever you're squirming to ask me. You do not possess a poker face, little sister."

"When did he make you?" she blurted.

"Ah." He crossed his ankles, giving her a long look. "It's been a thousand years and a handful."

"Oh." Yeah, he was an ancient, too. Not as old as Godric, but… old enough to squash her without blinking.

"That frightens you?" he asked, the smile slanting a bit. "Why?"

He was much too good at reading her. She shot the door a look, wishing Godric would come through soon. She knew he'd not have left her alone with an Ancient he didn't trust completely, but the ancient stared at her without blinking, following her every movement with those startling blue eyes, and she didn't like the sensation. Not one bit.

He shifted on the sofa, leaning forward before he got to his feet. Irin pushed herself back against the seat when he approached her, but Stan's remarks still echoed in her head. If she cried for Godric, disturbing him from his work because she didn't like his Son getting too near… then she really was nothing but a useless princess.

Eric advanced until he was right in front of her seat. Then, he sank into a crouch, gaze still locked on her. "I may not be your blood, little one, but if Godric chose you, you're my Family. I'm not your rival - I'm your brother. I'm not a threat - I'm your protector. Do you understand?"

Irin blinked twice as she took in his words, trying to understand the implication that seemed to flash just underneath the spoken meaning. "The other one… Nora…"

Eric chuffed. "Nora asked Godric to release her from their bond many years ago. Seeing a new Child on his arm was hard on her. I have no such hangups."

She studied his face more carefully, understanding slowly starting to simmer. This Ancient was all swagger and sardonic smirks, but it was blatantly obvious that he loved her Godric - and so long as he didn't take him from her, maybe… just maybe, he was someone she could learn to like?

Soft steps pulled her attention to the doorway, her attention wavering from the blond Viking of a man when she felt Godric nearing at human pace.

"Sounds like Daddy's back, kitten," Eric said, giving her a wink as he straightened. "We'll continue later. Nora mentioned he hasn't taken you hunting yet… we'll need to change that, hmm?"

xXx

Godric and Eric spent most of the night speaking about subjects and people Irin didn't know, but she found she didn't mind. She sat curled up on Godric's lap, quietly watching the two men as she absentmindedly played with his shirt. It was… peaceful, and the sense of affection and familiarity between the Ancients spread to encompass her in a bubble of warmth. It was different than when it was just her and Godric, but it wasn't… bad different.

It was the first time she didn't mind Godric's attention not being solely on her - in fact, neither man had even mentioned her since Godric returned to them - but his arm around her back and the sensation of being a part of a trio rather than an outsider looking in soothed her jealousy like a balm.

She watched them talk until the first pull of the sun nearing the horizon made Irin fidget in Godric's lap.

Her Maker stroked her cheek with his knuckles, and smiled softly when she nuzzled against his hand. "Are you ready for bed, kitten?"

"Uh-huh." She nodded, shifting again when her body grew more lethargic.

"Go, then. I'll be with you in a minute."

Irin got up and bent to plant a kiss on his lips. She caught Eric's raised eyebrows as she turned to leave.

"No kiss for your brother?" he teased.

She shot him a glare, not dignifying it with a response, and zipped out of the room to change into one of Godric's linen shirts.

She spent a little time rummaging around in the bathroom and cleaning her teeth (plasma and skin had a tendency to get stuck in the gaps) before she reentered the bedroom, looking forward to another dawn safe in Godric's arms.

Only when she exited the bathroom, her Ancient Maker wasn't the only vampire present.

Eric stretched his long body, a pair of too-short linen pants hanging low on his hips. His upper body was bare save a smattering of blond hair, and he looked decidedly like someone who thought he was going to be sharing Godric's cubby.

Appalled, she turned to stare at her Maker. "That's our bed!"

"Yes," Godric agreed mildly. "Come. It is nearly dawn."

He crossed the floor and disappeared into the closet, followed by Eric. Both of them acting as if there was nothing wrong with the idea of her sacred time with her Maker getting shared with someone else!

Sure, Her Brother seemed…. Like maybe not the worst vampire she'd ever met, but dawn was her time with Godric. Irin gaped at the open closet door, the audacity of Eric's presence leaving her uncharacteristically stunned.

"Kitten," Godric called, bringing her out of her stupor. "Bed."

"You sound exactly like an old man calling in his pet for the night," Eric rumbled, the amused sound of his murmur drifting through from the cubby.

Irin narrowed her eyes. Clearly, her new Brother was in need of a reminder of whose bed this was. She strode into the closet, closed and locked the door and peeked into the cubby.

The softly lined space wasn't really meant for more than one person, and when she and Godric shared it it was nice and snug. Now, every space not taken up by her Maker was crammed full of Viking, leaving no free space for her.

With just a hint of malicious intent she dropped into the cubby, ensuring her knees dug into Eric's stomach.

He grunted but didn't protest, and she used her elbows and heels to twist around, burying herself into the non-existent space between his body and Godric's. She deliberately turned her back to him, grabbing Godric's face in her hands to capture his attention.

Her Maker humored her, letting her adjust his head until she took up his full vision, his eyes glittering with quiet amusement. But also affection.

"I'm proud of you, little one," he murmured, skimming her cheek with the tips of his fingers.

She wanted to ask him what for - she'd disobeyed him and left Stan, not something that would usually make him praise her - but before she could, the pull from the first rays of sun breaking the horizon made her eyelids flutter, her conscience slowly descending into the nothingness of sleep.

The last thing she sensed was first Godric's and then Eric's arm wrapping loosely around her body.

xXx
-

A/N: Still alive ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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