A/N: I'm sorry that this is not my sequel to Steel Horse, if you came looking for that. I will be getting that out soon though.
This is a new, multi-chapter AU story, taking place about a month or so before the vampires coming out. It's my attempt to explore the intentions of Niall and his involvement with the synthetic blood creation that prompted the vamps outing. His character has been bugging me since he was introduced.
Disclaimer: I draw my inspiration from just about every media type (books, tv, music lyrics etc.), so if you recognize anything, it does not belong to me. All characters belong to Charlaine Harris. All mistakes are my own. And that damned obsession, I can't seem to shake…
"Do not be alarmed, Dear One. You have been summoned here for a reason."
"Summoned?" She stated, feeling like a caged animal. "Try kidnapped!"
"You weren't saying that a minute ago, when I had my head between your…" he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence, because she was smacking him with her oversized handbag.
What is it with women these days? Why do they feel they have to carry luggage around with them? He muses to himself, willingly taking the beating. It was quite a turn on.
"Don't you dare dirty talk me now…you, you…PERVERT!" She reels with outrage.
"I can't believe I fell for your stupid act!"she says more to herself than anyone. She is trying to catch her breath, looking up at the ceiling of the limo as it speeds along the two-lane, state highway.
He loves her feistiness. It's so refreshing. Wait-- LOVE? Is that an emotion he's feeling?
Like an angry kitten. She has no idea that her captor could crush her larynx with some simple pressure of his large hand.
"I'm hardly kidnapping you. You more than agreed to come with me tonight," The man's voice was eerily serene. "Besides, if I wanted to harm you, you would be dead and rotting in your home right now." He let the words hang for a moment. "My intentions are purely noble, I assure you. I would simply like to offer you an invitation."
"An invitation? To what…be your freakin' sex slave or somethin'? What kind of bullshit is this?! You better let me out of this car, right this instant or so help me…" she threatens, throwing him a cold hard stare and crossing her arms over her chest. It pushes her voluptuous breasts into view even more than the already low cut dress she is wearing, does. The sight of them makes him extremely hard.
"Just calm down," he says leaning in very close to her mouth. He wants to kiss her again like he was a minute ago, but he is afraid he won't be able to restrain his natural instincts.
His closeness takes her breath away. Despite what has just learned in the last few minutes, she cannot seem to resist his obvious sex appeal. It's like he is a magnet drawing her closer.
He is trying very hard to maintain control, but she is making things extremely difficult. Between her sweet, sweet scent, her soft, curvy body, and her heightened emotions, her draw is nearly unbearable. He is using all his years of experience to focus on the task at hand.
"Look, I don't know what the hell is going on here, but I want you to bring me back home—"
"I cannot do that," the man interrupts her. "Your house is unsafe and so is your place of employment. We have a very small window of opportunity." He is rubbing his hands up and down either of her arms, as if he is trying to warm her up. The act is unsettlingly soothing to her and she closes her eyes to absorb the feeling fully.
She draws in a sharp breath. "What do you mean?" This can't be happening. What's happening at my house and at Merlotte's?
She opens her eyes to look at him. The way he looks at her in return stops her thoughts and breathing cold. It is a look of lust, longing and something else.
"At this point you are my guest. I have things to offer and discuss with you. And well, I can be a pretty persuasive host."
No thanks nut-job! Why do I always seem to attract the weirdoes? She thinks to herself. I guess looks and charm are just part of the whole weirdo package…easier to catch his prey.
She has no idea.
She moves to take her cell phone from her purse. She would simply call Sam. He would know what in the world is going on. And maybe be able to help her!
But before she can even press a button, a large hand hovers over hers and simply snatches the phone from her, launching it out the window of the speeding car, with inhuman speed.
Now she is really unnerved. "Are you going to kill me if I don't cooperate?"
"Not exactly, no."
"Not exactly?!" she yells, her voice shaking in panic and fear. "Death is usually an all-or-nothing thing!"
"You surprise me, Dear One. You are feistier than I expected. How exciting!" he looks at her with hunger in his eyes and glides the back of his hand across her cheek.
She slaps his hand away. "What do you want from me? Just come out with it already!" in for a penny, in for a pound.
"It's simple. You are in danger. And tonight, I have the opportunity to be of assistance to you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. And how would you know about me being in danger?"
"No idea? You pretend not to understand what I am and why I would be so interested in you. But we both know you are more than human. What secret do you hold?" he asks, searching her eyes for answers.
She just looks at him with her mouth hanging open – He believes the expression is, ah, catching flies?
He is surprised by her lack of awareness. Yet surely the girl is not completely human. Her scent alone is pure intoxication. And he has already been witness to at least one of her abilities, without her even being aware she revealed it.
She feels a sudden sinking sensation, not really getting what this was about. But catching that he said 'what' he was. She knew she was in way over her head and was not dealing with just some weirdo, date-rape, serial killer guy.
Sensing her anxiety, he leans into her a little and flashes a fangy smile. "I am vampire. "
Vampire?
"And tonight, Dear One, you have been given a gift. You should be thankful I found you and not some of the others."
And you have lost your mind. "I'm sorry, but what gift?" she asks. "The gift of annoyance? Of being kidnapped? Why do you seem to speak in riddles?! I don't know anything about real vampires or why I would be in need of protection other than FROM you."
"You have been given a chance to live. That is certainly a gift! And of course you get to spend quality time with me!" he laughs. "Well, at least until the danger has past or I guess whenever someone comes to collect you."
"What?" her voice barely a whisper. This was getting crazier by the second.
"I was approached by someone very powerful in the supernatural community. I was told where to find you and they confessed to me that only I could be trusted. The only being on earth capable of protecting you, is me." He slides a little closer to her in the seat, pressing his massive shoulder against her.
"You are either crazy or lying for some reason. I know nothing of supernatural beings!! That's all fairytales and legends and shows on HBO!"
"I think not. I have known this person for several centuries and they are not one to lie and of course neither am I. You need me," he said, smiling, obviously pleased with himself.
She felt a sudden stab of anger. "Need you, how?! You've kidnapped me! Of all the things I'm in need of, that is not one of them. I'm warning you, if you try and hurt me in any way, there are people out there who will find you and –"
"It's far too late for that," the man said in an amused tone. "I already have you and yet know one seems to have noticed. I suggest you take some time for the rest of this ride and think about what I've told you. Time is of the essence…for both of us. I was not the only one privy to your whereabouts. There are others looking for you. And trust in me, if they find you they will not be as kind as me."
"I'm not even sure what you are asking of me. You tell me that someone in the supernatural community has asked you to watch over me. And, that you were selected because you are somehow specially equipment to protect me. From what or who might I ask? You're a vampire for cryin' out loud!! That doesn't scream safe to me!" This makes no sense!
"I simply ask for your trust for now." He leans his head back against the soft leather seats and sighs, a very human thing for him to do.
How could she have been so dumb to accept such an invitation from a stranger without checking things out first? He was just so handsome and intriguing. Even now she feels drawn to him. She just wants to wrap herself around him and stay there forever. He does scream safe for some odd reason.
"I could help you relax--" he purrs. "We could finish up what we started, before we were so rudely interrupted," he suggests, licking his lips and settling his hand on her upper thigh. She has on a very silky, olive green dress that falls just above her knee when standing. The sweetheart neckline is encrusted with rhinestones of varying shapes and sizes, while also showing off her ample cleavage. However, he would be more than happy to have that very dress wrinkled and laying in a heap on the floor, than on her glorious frame. Patience, he reminds himself.
She grabs his hand and removes it from her leg. "I for one am glad for the interruption or I would have done something I would truly regret. Now you better start treatin' me like the lady I am and stop tryin' to sex me up," she scolds him. "Where are you taking me anyway? It's obvious your little ploy of this being a date has been blown to hell…"
"Why to dinner of course!" the man responds laughing as if he had just told an amusing joke.
"I'm not very hungry."
"Oh, but I am, Dear One!" he leans in towards her with an unmistakable look of want in his eyes, fangs peeking out from under his top lip. He takes a deep breathe, inhaling her intoxicating scent.
She is repulsed and turned on all at the same time. She scoots as far away from him in the seat as possible and stares out the window trying to hold back the building tears. Her hands fly to her aching temples, which are suffering from the stress of all this. Focusing on the smooth ride of the vehicle to keep some semblance of calm, she closes her eyes, thinking back to how she arrived in this predicament.
It was two nights ago, in the bar she worked in, that she first encountered this stranger. He appeared at a free table in her section. So handsome, exceptionally tall (even seated) and too young for being as impeccably dressed as he was, in his dark suit and tie of designer origins. His thick blond hair was immaculately coiffed in an intricate braid and tied with some type of cord. This man seemed to project the sophistication and polish of someone much older. Overdressed and overwhelming in presence, he commanded the attention of everyone in the place, including the other servers.
"Oh, you are so lucky girl!" Holly said. "If you can't handle him alone, I will be more than happy to help ya!" Arlene, smacked, in between snaps of bubblegum. But Sookie ignored both of them and marched right over to his table, smiling with false confidence. Men in general intimidated her. This one was just too out of her league.
"Hi there, I'm Sookie. What can I get y'all this evening?" Why did she tell him her name…she never does that? Not just for the obvious reason that everyone already knew her name, but because it's a little too personal when you're slinging beers to a perfect stranger.
The man smiled a brilliant wide smile that showed all his perfectly straight, white teeth. Definitely not from around here, she thought. "What do you recommend?" he asked in a breathy whisper. He seemed to be focusing a little too long on what she thought was her neck and that just seemed to make her pulse quicken even more than it already was. At least it's not my chest he's lookin' at, like most guys.
"We have a variety of beers on tap, a full bar and a wine or two. Most of the locals just drink beer." His eyes were a heavenly blue and something about the glow of his pale skin gave him an ethereal appearance. She felt drawn to him, as if she couldn't leave his side now that he was here. His presence was oddly silent and calming.
Clearing his throat and quickly glancing around the bar he said, "Why don't you bring me whatever beer everyone else is enjoying." He licked his lips, as if he had just finished dinner and was looking forward to dessert. She had the sudden urge to lick his lips too! What has gotten into her?
"Sure. Be right back with that." She quickly spun on her heels and high-tailed it to the bar because she was so frazzled by the energy this man exuded. She needed to think!
He didn't drink his beer or order anything to eat, but she could feel his eyes on her the rest of the evening, while she moved throughout the bar, serving the rest of her tables. That excited her.
When he was ready with for his check, he flirted with her a little and asked her if she was involved with anyone. He inquired about her joining him for dinner on her next night off. She was overcome with joy. The thrill of such a man wanting to go out with her made her feel like she was flying. She gave him her phone number and made plans to go out the night after next. She couldn't wait to gush about her date with Arlene during closing!
The day of their planned date she called her friend Tara, who owned a clothing boutique in town. Being from a small town and not having many dating opportunities, Sookie didn't have much in fancy dinner date wear. She figured either Tara's store did or maybe she could just borrow something from her personal closet full of clothes.
Oddly enough when she got there, Tara had a spectacular dress set aside for her. Matching shoes and underthings too! Tara couldn't explain why she thought of Sookie when she saw this ensemble, but to Sookie's delight, everything fit perfectly and was within her budget. Tara almost seemed surprised when she rang everything up and gave Sookie the total. Tara was sure it should have been much more (and perhaps it should have…).
Sookie completed her outfit by going to a nearby store for some nice costume jewelry.
Right on time, her knight in shining armor had showed up in a designer suit, at her door step with some kind of exotic flower that looked curiously enough like lady parts and full of compliments. "You look breathtaking," he had whispered in her ear, his cool lips and breath just barely brushing the fine line of hairs around her ear. It had given her chills…the good kind…straight to her center.
He had kissed her gently under her earlobe, by her jaw-line, lingering a little longer than was appropriate for a first date greeting, but she hadn't minded in the least.
Then when he led her to the stretch limo waiting in her front yard, she was awestruck. She thought sure this was some kind of fairy-tale come true. Like Cinderella going to the ball. They sat so close in the car…his unique masculine scent sending her hormones into overdrive. Her palms were sweaty due to her nerves. She wanted to turn and shove her tongue down his throat, but that would have had her Gran turning in her grave. Manners first, she thought, as a good southern lady ought.
Oh to hell with manners! Before they left Bon Temps Proper, he was on her, seemingly trying to suck her tongue down his throat. It was glorious! And that gloriousness had led to other exciting things…things that were making her wet again just thinking about it.
She was snapped back to the present, by a cool finger, ghosting a scorching line down her arm, leaving goose flesh in its wake.
Where had this all got her? Stuck in a limo with one deranged, but exceptionally handsome man, who claims to be a vampire and for all she knows wants to kill her. All because he alleges some super secret 'person' is concerned with her safety? Maybe she just fell asleep before the real date and this is a Disney Princess dream gone bizarre.
Just as she had that last thought, the limo came to a stop and the door beside the man opened. He gracefully slid out but bend back down, peering in with that lovely wide smile, holding his hand out for her to take. Should she take it and pretend like nothing is going on or should she try to open the other side of the car and make a run for it?
Before she could make that decision, the man grabs her by the arm, "Tsk. Tsk. Do not try to run. Running just heightens my predatory instincts. I wouldn't want to accidentally hurt you before we even have a chance to discuss your situation." To accentuate his threat, she saw his fangs again, this time appearing to descend lower than they were before.
Note to self: don't piss off the vampire. She feels the warmth of her body drain away and her mouth become suddenly parched. She involuntary shivers as she tentatively reaches her left hand out to him.
And with that she was out of the car and gazing up at a large high-rise building that was obviously not residential. They were in the middle of downtown Shreveport, facing the river. Not a restaurant in sight.
A guard of some kind, with the same glowing skin tone as her date and no discernable neck, was standing at the front door of the building. Even though he was dressed in all black attire, complete with suit, shirt, tie, shoes and even sunglasses (at night?), he looked like he belonged in the American football league and not here. As they approached, he popped open the entrance for them as if they were some visiting head of state.
The door itself wasn't unusual, just the customary mirrored, tinted glass kind. The handles on the door however, were not standard issue. They were made of wood or possibly ivory, with an ornate design carved into them. She couldn't tell exactly what the carving stood for because she was being ushered through the entryway by a very large, cold hand pressed to her lower back.
"You are so pushy!" she snaps, stealing a glance over her left shoulder, at her captor. He just smirks at her as they make their way over to a bank of elevators, where there is another carbon copy set of liner-backers, standing at attention. It was hard to tell if they looked at her at all, but she noticed her companion nod to them almost imperceptibly. Must be some secret vampire nod.
Into the empty elevator car they went. The man stood closely behind her, with his hands wrapped around either of her arms—as if she had somewhere to run!
The interior was typical…Terrible music being piped in from somewhere, plush brindled carpet with splashes of red and lacquered walls with a similar splash of red. Reminds me of blood spatters, she thinks with a shudder.
The doors were a brushed bronze so you didn't have to stare at your reflection, or the reflection of the other occupants. That was a plus. The panel where the buttons usually are only contained what looked like a couple of LCD screens. She figured out that one was a thumb print scanner when the man reached around her and placed his digit on it. The other was a card reader. Pulling a coordinating card from his right suit jacket pocket, the man placed it against the screen and had it back in said pocket before she could even blink. Wow.
The elevator lifted off in a flash and seemed to be flying straight to the moon, it was accelerating so fast. She felt a growing apprehension as they made their way up to whatever awaited her. Torture chambers are usually in basements, right?
When it stopped the doors opened into a beautifully appointed foyer. Classical music played softly in the background and it smelled as if incense was burning. "This is lovely," she said, a little stunned by her surroundings. "Although I expected more of an office space, being that this is an office building and all. Not to mention anything of the fact that you've abducted me!" her tempering flaring.
The man just smiled and led her forward, "Thank you. You are the first human I've had on this floor. It's good to know you approve." He let go of her long enough to walk to her side. This time he hooked one arm through hers and waved his other hand in front of him to imply they should move along into the adjoining space.
She shivered at the thought of being the only 'human' here. Her woman's intuition was telling her that this place was not safe. "Where are we?"
"This is one of the many properties I own. I hold most of my business meetings, on several of the floors below, while I use this space to come and relax. No one is allowed up here, including my guards, now that you are here."
They entered a huge loft space. Banks of tinted windows lined the far side of the space. They seemed to go on forever. You could see the river, most of Shreveport and parts of Bossier City from up here. I wonder if this is the top floor.
Where cubicles should be, there were areas broken up into separate functional spaces. There was a kitchen area off to the left, complete with hanging pots and eat-in bar area. Flowing from that space was a formal dining area furnished with a huge round mahogany table that easily sat 12 or more people. Huh, wonder what he does with all of that?
He guided her into a family room of sorts with a couple of walls that didn't quite reach up to the ceiling but gave the perception of defined living space. Those two walls were adorned with several antique looking pieces including a large oil painting, several types of swords and other hand to hand combat weapons. The sight made her skin crawl. How many of them have been used to kill?
Set slightly inside of one the false walls rested an electric fireplace. It gave the illusion of cozy comfort and cast a soft warm glow across the area. Strategically arranged around the fireplace were two overstuffed, chocolate colored leather sofas and matching Winchester reclining chairs. The hardwood floor covering the entire suite was covered here, by two extra-large Persian rugs.
Off to the far right of the suite was a bedroom area, complete with gigantic bed and clothing storage. There was a door on the wall that must have led to a bathroom. Seeing the bed made her suspicions of this man's intentions, heightened.
"Please, make yourself comfortable. I had some wine set out for you. I'll bring it over and we can talk." He let go of her arm and strode towards the kitchen with an air of confidence and excitement.
She did not want to sit. Not until she knew what she was doing here and what exactly this lunatic wanted to talk to her about.
She stood by the fireplace, studying the oil painting depicting a corpse set on fire in the center of a large, elaborately carved boat. The boat was being pushed out to sea by several men wearing metal helmets with horns. They bore a striking resemblance to her vampire captor. The scene was spectacularly rendered in vivid colors. Were they Vikings?
"That's the original Sir Thomas Francis Dicksee oil. It's called 'Funeral of a Viking'." The man appeared without warning beside her, holding a glass of red wine for her and a glass of some kind of darker red liquid for himself. "I thought we'd sit by the fire?" He led her over to the couch and offered her a seat. "There is no reason to be nervous," he said looking deep into her eyes. She felt as if he were willing that to be true by his intense gaze.
"It's hard not be when I've been brought here under false pretenses. When I've been told of extraordinarily impossible things…that I have some person I don't even know, hiring out protection for me by a…a vampire!" she rants, releasing some of the stress that has been building inside her, since she began this journey earlier this evening.
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Actually, you did agree to come with me this evening. If it wasn't for my honesty in the car, and an overheard phone call, you would still be under the assumption that this was just a date."
Damn him and his logic. She did agree to meet him after all and even willingly got in the car with him, looking forward to what was in store for them. She found herself still utterly attracted to him, just watching him move about. How could she be so foolish? How could she be so conflicted?
He sat down in one of the chairs, leaning back in a leisurely way, crossing his right ankle onto his left leg and began swirling the thick red liquid in his glass. His smile was disarming. "Shall we start over? Perhaps take a drink?"
His eyes narrow in focus on the amber glow of the fireplace. Then he glances back to Sookie, arching an eyebrow and taking a sip of the thick red substance.
He closes his eyes and begins, "My name is Eric. I'm known by the last name Northman these days, but of course that changes with time. As I've explained to you, I am vampire. And now you are my honored guest."
"OK. So what exactly does that mean Eric Northman? What are your expectations for guests? I assume vampires don't frequently have guests of the human kind, especially if I am the first 'up here', as you claimed before."
Eric levels a cold stare at her, "You and I are alone…for as long as this takes. You cannot leave and go back to your home or work until it is deemed safe. Therefore you will be staying here as my guest. No further expectations," but he quirked a quick smile before pulling his cool demeanor back in place.
A little more than peeved at his high-handedness, she gulps down her drink. Some liquid courage.
"I don't believe you. I demand you take me home right this instance or I'll start screaming," she declares.
"Go ahead. No one will hear you anyway and the ones who can could care less. They are kind of used to that around here anyway," Eric chuckles. "Besides, I'll explain if you let me."
She takes a deep breath, another gulp of wine and nods for him to continue.
"From what I've been told, you are of great value to someone very powerful. And because of his power, he has many enemies…enemies who would stop at nothing to hurt him or gain leverage over him. You are apparently at great risk from these enemies. Some who were looking for you this very night. He asked me to retrieve you and keep you safe for as long as is necessary. And so here you are, my guest for the time being and what a delightful creature you are," he teases.
"You can't possibly be serious!" She panics. She can't stay here with him! She won't! Sookie hops up from her seat and makes a run for the elevators.
He catches her in a flash and pins her up against the wall by the door. He places his massive hands on either side of her head, effectively trapping her and forcing her to look at him.
"I told you running heightens my predatory reflexes," he says, grinding his hard-on into her stomach.
"Besides, I'm deadly serious. I made it very clear to you that the stakes tonight were high and now you've chosen not to cooperate. What a very naughty girl." He covers her mouth in a searing kiss, with fangs fully extended. They scrape her lip, causing just a slight tinge of blood to flow, driving him insane with thirst.
A/N: Oh no! Naughty Sookie! So, do you think Eric has the will power to stop? Do you want him to? Press the little green button and give me some feedback! Thanks for reading.