Dreamer
Chapter 1
My love is on the line,
My love is on the line,
A little late for all the things
You didn't say
I'm not sad for you
But I am sad for all the time
I had to waste
Cause I learned the truth
You're heart is in a place
I don't want to be
I knew there would
Be a day when I would
Set you free.
I am tired of being
Sick and tired- Anastacia
Fangtasia club was jumping at one in the morning. There was a line up of people waiting to get in. Persephone Rogers was one of them. She looked around at the leather pants, fish-net shirts and other strange attire. Turning her gaze back to the front she saw another couple go in. They were carded at the door by a vampire that Percy knew all too well. She was hoping that it wouldn't be an issue. The vampire saw her; the cool expression in her dark eyes, gave away nothing. Percy had to admit, Pam was still beautiful. She had always been beautiful and that hadn't changed.
Pam looked Percy over from head to toe. Percy glanced down at her blue jeans, black sneakers, and grey t-shirt. She felt underdressed. Absently, Percy ran a hand through her long brown hair.
"What are you doing here?" Pam asked. Her voice was cool, she didn't really care.
"I came to see him." Percy answered
A smooth brown brow arched; it was attractive on her. That one motion. Pam lifted the rope and waved her in.
"He's busy tonight. He might not have time for you."
Percy nodded and stepped around; a cold hand grabbed her wrist. She stopped; looking to her right. Pam stared into her eyes. Percy felt Pam's influence brush her mind; felt that tingle up her spine. Both knew she wouldn't be effected by it; Percy was immune to glamour.
"Something has happened," Pam muttered, "You're sadder then usual."
Percy gently took her hand back and continued inside the club. The loud music deafened her. She wanted to turn and run; but she stood her ground. She hadn't been here before and nothing could have prepared her for what she saw. Humans dressed as vampires; vampires dancing to the music. Souveniers being bought like it was a carnival. It was all so surreal. Percy felt a chill up her spine; she looked over and saw Pam standing next to her.
Pam took hold of her arm and led her through the crowd. Both of them knew she wouldn't willingly move further. A few feet into the club, Percy felt another chill up her spine. She looked to the left and saw Eric sitting in a huge throne-like chair. He was playing a hand-held video game.
Pam led her away from the crowd, through a black door and down a narrow hall. The light here was dim; not enough for a human to see clearly. Pam kept moving her down the hall. They came to another black door and Pam pushed her inside the room.
"Wait here," Pam shut the door.
Percy sighed, rubbing her elbow where Pam had held her. Her skin was cold; like frost had just bitten her. She looked around. There were posters tacked up on the wall; they were all about vampires; and vampire rights. Shelves were lined with various bottles, knickknacks and statues.
A few of the statues were familiar to her; she knew them to be Nordic gods and goddesses. She looked to the low sitting black couch; it looked as though it had just been thrown in the room. The desk in front of her was large and solid; a heavy piece of furniture. She paused at the bottle of tobasco sauce sitting on it. Absently she picked it up and studied the label. It was locally made. She had seen it sold in grocery stores where she lived; but never used it. The stuff was too hot for her taste-buds. She put the bottle back.
There were two arm chairs that matched the desk; one on either side of her. She sat in the right-hand one. No telling how long Eric would make her wait. Knowing him, it would be a long time. He had a petulant streak in him.
***
A chill tingle up her spine woke Percy from her sleep. She was stiff and cold; she had been waiting a very long time. The office door opened, she turned to see who it was. Eric stood in the doorway. His hair hung around his shoulders; he wore black from head to toe. Even his belt was black. He stood in the doorway looking at her. She couldn't read his expression.
Silently he shut the door and just stood there. Percy sighed. "Hi, Eric. Glad to see business is going well for you."
He crossed his arms in response.
"Okay, so you want to you know why I am here." She rubbed her neck; the muscles had cramped up. "In truth I am just visiting, I have always wanted to see New Oreleans. And I heard about this place, so I thought I would stop by. It wasn't until I saw Pam that I realized you were here."
Eric crossed silently and moved her hands off her neck. His large hands took their place. His touch was cold but it helped ease the pain. He moved his thumbs in slow circles, rubbing the pain out of her neck. Gradually the rest of fingers worked on her shoulders. She felt better with each moment.
"Why are you really here?" He asked; his tone soft and oddly calming.
She stared at his desk, "I had to get out of town for a while. Just change things up."
"You can't lie to me, Percy." He muttered gently, still rubbing her muscles. "Pam said something has happened. Tell me what it is."
She was silent for a long time, "I really wish you could glamour me. It would be easier."
Eric dropped his hands from her neck; moving to sit in front her, behind the desk. He sat down, put his feet up and stared at her. "You're not wearing your wedding ring."
Percy rubbed her left ring finger; the metal band wasn't there. She sighed and sat back in the chair. "Charlie left; a month ago."
"And he took the kids?" Eric asked
She nodded, "He doesn't want me to have custody either."
"Why is that?" Eric watched her very steadily.
Percy didn't mind the stare; she found it calming. That his attention was dedicated to her; it was nice to be noticed and not ignored. "We had a huge fight; two months before, he wants the kids to go to Sunshine Elementary School. I didn't agree with him. I know what they teach there; and I don't agree with it."
Eric frowned then, "Charles aligned himself with the Fellowship of the Sun?"
Percy nodded, "Last year, after all that mess happened in Dallas."
"And you're against it."
She nodded again, "Of course I am. He's angry with me for not joining with him."
The vampire across from her frowned, "So what are you doing here?"
Percy sighed, she unbuttoned her shirt a few notches and opened it. Eric's eyes widened a fraction of an inch. She covered the area. "I can't go home, Eric. They'll try again."
"They staked you." He muttered and appeared at her side; he moved her hands away and opened the shirt again. His cold fingertips pressed the scar tissue. It was white; shiny against her pale skin. "It missed your heart by an inch."
She nodded but didn't speak.
"Why do this to you?" He asked, tracing the edge of the would near her collar bone.
"They think I am…" She paused, thinking back, "They said I was contaminated or something."
He dropped his hand, "But you don't want to be a vampire, Percy."
She shrugged, "I don't think there is much human in me anyway."
He watched her face, "Does Charlie know what they did?"
"He was there; he was the reason they caught me in the first place." Percy buttoned her shirt, noting wanting to look into her eyes. "I don't have anyone else to ask for help."
"I never agreed to help you."
"But Godric did." Percy met his eyes then; and didn't look away. "Eric, you're the only one I have left."
Eric opened his eyes; the sun gone from the earth. He sat up from another day's sleep and looked around. He was alone, like when he had gone to sleep. Persephone Rogers was the only one he knew that could invade his dreams. And she knew better then to do that. The only reason she would do that; if the dream she'd sent him was anything to go by; she was in trouble.
He stood up and dressed in fresh clothes. Leaving his room; he made his way upstairs. He could hear Pam moving about. The din of the television played from the living room. Eric came to the kitchen and found her sitting with paper. She read it over while she filed her nails.
"We have to make a trip to Dallas."
Pam looked up, her expression as surprised, "Why?"
"Persephone." Eric turned and left; he moved to his office and picked up the phone. "Chow, I need you to run things for the next few days. I am going out of town. I'll call you when I am back."
Eric was packing a suitcase when Pam found him. He didn't stop; he kept packing. Pam watched him for a few minutes. "What makes you so eager to help her?"
"If you don't want to come, then don't. But I can't ignore the message."
"What message?" Pam frowned, "She sent you a dream."
"Yes," Eric zipped up the case, "I've made arrangements to leave tonight; I will be there before dawn. You'll find me at the Hotel Camilla."
"It sounds like you don't want me coming." Pam regarded him as he set the case on the floor.
"Pam, this is Percy." Eric moved to his closet; he walked in and looked at the collection of suits and ties.
Pam moved to watch him; "And you promised Godric you would help her."
Eric closed his eyes at the mention of his Maker. "Yes, I did."
"Perhaps it's a trap." Pam sighed, "I'll pack. I don't trust the human."
Eric and Pam landed in Dallas, once the travel coffins were unloaded; they climbed out and looked around. It was still an hour before dawn. There was a black limousine waiting to take them to the Hotel Camilla. Pam made her luggage was loaded before climbing into the car. Eric had his cell phone out as he joined her. He put the phone to his ear. The limousine pulled away.
"You've reached 214-898-7754, leave a message."
Eric hung up and sighed; he stared out the window. "She didn't answer."
"Perhaps she's a sleep," Pam muttered.
The dream kept playing through his mind; why would she send him such a strange dream? What did it mean? Was she really hurt, as she had been in the dream? Or was it a warning?
His cell phone buzzed in his hand; he recognized the number. "Percy, what the hell-"
"It's Admar," The voice was a low whisper; "I'll meet you at the Hotel Camilla."
Eric frowned as the phone call ended. "Admar,"
Pam's brow furrowed, "Her son, Admar?"
"Why would he call me?" Eric sighed; he had no answers and more questions.
The limousine arrived at the hotel; Eric stepped out and headed into the lobby. As he moved to the desk, he spotted Admar. The young teen was impossible to miss. His build was tall and powerful; he looked like a linebacker. All muscle and power; but he was tall so it was portioned out on his frame. Not many young teens were close to Eric's height. He changed direction and headed over to the teen. Admar had his mothers black hair; it was tied away from his face; showing the strong features. His hazel eyes were ringed by shadows; he was tired. He stood with hunched shoulders and rubbed his face.
"Admar," Eric stepped up to him.
The teen looked up and stared. His mouth opened slightly. "She described you as a Viking, this isn't what I expected."
"I was a Viking," Eric muttered, "Where's your mother?"
The young boy looked around; his gaze lingered on Pam as she joined them. "Not here," He shook himself, "We can't, it's not safe."
"Where is safe enough?" Eric demanded, "I just flew here because of a dream; now tell me what is going on!"
Admar wasn't intimidated and it made Eric think better of him. "She's been staked; the doctor's don't have hope for her waking up. People aren't supposed to survive something like that."
Eric thought back to the dream; back the scar on her chest. So she had been telling him the truth. "And you're father, has he really joined the Fellowship?"
Admar blinked, surprised, "Yes. But he's my step-dad, not my father. He has my little brother with him."
Eric sighed, another truth. "Did the Fellowship really stake her?"
Admar slowly nodded his head. "Dad told them about her powers; they said she was evil. They said that they had to prove she was corrupt. So they trapped her, and staked her."
"And her surviving it, hasn't really helped." Pam muttered.
The boy shook his head, "No, now they're saying that she lived because she had no heart. She sold it to the devil in exchange for her powers."
Eric grit his teeth, "That is not true."
Admar looked at him, "I know that. My mom is no more evil then you or I are. She's gifted, not damned."
"Let's talk upstairs." Eric headed to the desk and checked-in.
Once in his room he sat down on the couch. Admar looked around before sitting across from him.
"So she's in a coma, then?" Eric inquired.
Admar nodded, "The doctors were able to repair most the damage; but not all. They really don't think she'll make it."
"Don't listen to them, you're mother is a fighter. She doesn't know how to quit." Eric muttered, looking out the window beside him. The sky was starting to grow lighter. "We don't have long."
Admar moved to stand, "I'll meet you here tomorrow."
Pam spoke, "Are you safe during the day?"
The teen nodded, "I am at school until three and I work until nine at the mall. I am always surrounded by people. The Fellowship won't try to take me down. Too many witnesses."
"We can meet you at the mall," Eric stood up, "From there we'll go to the hospital. We have to get your mom out. She's at risk as long as she stays there."
"But she can't be moved."
Eric waved him off, "I'll deal with it. Now go."
Admar didn't argue; just stood up and left. Pam shut the door behind him and looked at Eric. "You aren't going to make her one of us are you?"
Eric shook his head, "Godric wouldn't want that."
"I've never asked what her relationship to Godric was. But I think it's important I know."
Eric stood up and headed to his room; he shut the door and locked it. He could feel the sun rising over the world. It was only as he sat down that he realized he hadn't fed today. He'd been so focused on getting to Dallas that he'd left before feeding. He would have to feed well tomorrow.
Laying down; he closed his eyes as the sun rose. Sleep pulled him under and he had no dreams.