True Blood / Vampire Diaries

Damon drops in on Fangtasia and blackmails Eric into looking after a certain someone... his true love, Bonnie.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters belong to their own creators.

What the Cat dragged in

The night was over, finally. Eric ran his hand through his sweaty hair wishing he had found an excuse to demand Sookie's presence. He had spent the night on his throne glaring at Japanese tourists, who seemed to think it was an act and kept coming back for more – one even attempting to hug him from behind while doing that funny V sign. The guy was lucky to keep his head after Eric threw him into the opposite wall. Bloody cheek!

Lazily, Eric threw his True Blood into the bin behind the bar – disgusting crap, but he was obliged to set a good example to his little followers.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a newcomer dragging a black girl through the back exit. New, young and vampire... so annoying. But he obviously knew the old rules, and had brought a gift. Good, the evening was looking up!

***

Bonnie struggled against Damon's vice-like grip as he pulled her into the vampire bar. "I don't want to come in here – why can't I just wait outside? Better still, take me home!"

Her imperious tones always pulled on his heart-strings, if he had a heart. Damon pulled her close and hissed in her ear: "Because it isn't safe, and I have business."

Looking up, Damon stopped abruptly and bowed deeply in Eric's direction.

"Good evening, Sheriff".

Blinking fast, Bonnie suddenly found a huge blond man standing far too close in front of her. Suddenly more afraid than ever, Bonnie shrank back into Damon. Damon looked up, shoved Bonnie forward and made his play with a grin.

"My lord, I require a favour from you... and offer just recompense in return."

Eric smiled at hearing the ritual words of sanctuary. Now, as Sheriff, duty dictated that he accept. But first, what had the naughty boy done? And much as he liked fresh blood – how exactly did this little waif offer recompense? Surely Eric's protection was worth a little more?

Fashioning a frown on his face, Eric gave Damon a searching look and saw black eyes struggling to control rage. Right, so the young vampire had done something wrong, but it was fixable – otherwise he wouldn't be here. All knew that Eric enforced vampire law strictly, and could expect no mercy. Maybe it was a problem with his maker...

While he was musing his answer, Eric reached round to grip the prey's face, intending to compel her into relaxing. But, to his shock, his hand burned and his arm was alight.

Damon laughed, "My lord, my gift is a rare witch. A fire-starter". Grasping Bonnie tighter, he hissed: "Stop that Bonnie, we already talked about your powers. Stop it!"

It hurt so much that Bonnie had tears in her eyes, as she zisched: "One, you know that I can't control it. Two, he's a vampire!"

Damon rolled his eyes "Yes, you can and that's the problem, and hello, it's a vampire bar!".

Bonnie narrowed her eyes, and almost growled out "Fine!".

Eric's pain disappeared, and despite his anger at the witch – Bonnie? – he smiled showing his fangs at his new prize. One that would have to be respected as she could not be compelled, but so useful and all his... He was almost salivating at the thought of some of the things he could get her to do.

Grinning happily in blood lust, Eric turned to Damon and rapidly gave the correct formula:

"If it is in my power to give liege-son, consider me satisfied."

Bonnie suddenly caught up mentally –

"Wait, what... Damon what is going on, I'm not a gift. I am not going to be a gift!"

***