Author's Note: As always, I do not own these characters. True Blood is owned by HBO. Southern Vampire Mysteries is owned by Charlaine Harris. I own nothing.
FALSE PRETENSES
"Do you really want to help me?"
The girl looked at him earnestly, her dark eyes glittering. "I do," she said.
Eric looked away from her. He was so still that a human observer might mistake him for one of the silent fixtures on the carousel. But inside, his mind was racing. Could he really go through with this? What he was planning was wrong and he knew it. But this was war. They were fighting for their very existence. This girl was the only weapon that he had to fight with.
He met her eyes again. She was watching him with a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and excitement. Her heartbeat and breathing were slightly accelerated, but she wasn't afraid. That impressed him. He'd given her enough reasons to fear him when he'd entered her bedroom, but she had gathered herself quickly and bargained with him for her life. She was brave and intelligent. And she wanted him. Just like before in Ginger's coffin, he could see it and smell it.
He reached out and caressed her cheek, rubbing his thumb across her lips. She gasped softly and her lips parted. She was aroused. An uncharacteristic pang of guilt shot threw him, but he tamped it down ruthlessly. She was the only bargaining chip he had; and he would use her. There was no other option.
"I want to turn you, Willa. I want to make you my progeny. I believe that you can help me in my cause. Will you consent?"
She stared at him, her eyes huge. "You … you want to make me into a … a vampire?" she whispered.
"Yes," he said gently. "You would be my progeny and I would be your Maker. You will be young forever, beautiful forever; you will be strong, you will never get sick and you will never grow old. A world you can't even imagine will be laid out before you. Will you consent?"
He continued to stroke her cheek and felt it flush hot underneath his fingertips. The contrast of her warm skin with the cool night breeze was almost shocking. Her eyes were locked on his and he almost pulled her into a glamour, but stopped himself at the last moment. It was bad enough that he was seducing her into this; he wouldn't make it worse by taking away her free will.
Slowly, Willa opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She licked her lips, swallowed, and tried again.
"Yes … I consent," she breathed.
Eric felt the trap snap shut around them both. There were going to be consequences for this act. She was going to suffer, and he knew the fault would be his. But that thought wasn't enough to stop him. He had made his decision. He stood, drawing her up with him. Without a word, he reached down and lifted her up into his arms. He stepped down off the carousel and carried Willa into the woods, heading for the cemetery.