Chapter Two

Before I knew it, I was being held in a grand entrance hall. There was a long and winding staircase leading to an unseen upper floor. The banisters were all carved wood, very old looking. I could see intricate detailing of big ships, war axes, wind and thousands of other things fashioned into the wood. As I looked around I could see a tall statue standing directly in the centre of the foyer. It was a man with a long beard, standing tall and proud. He was holding a very intimidating broad sword, drawn across his shielded chest.

I stared at the statue and presumed that this was the statue of a Viking warrior, from thousands of years ago. It was so tall that it was nearly hitting the roof of the impossibly high ceiling. I glanced more around the room and saw curtains layering the walls, and a very deep red carpet covering the marble floor. There was no chandelier hanging from the roof, only covered torches placed neatly around the massive foyer. I was only in the entrance of the house, and it was already taking my breath away.

I felt big muscles against my back and my ribs, and chanced a look at the handsome Viking that was holding me so tightly in his arms. I was instantly intimidated by his unwavering blue eyes. I looked away and tried to jump out of his arms, but they held me close to him like iron bars. I inhaled deeply, trying to gain some composure before I looked back at him. As I turned my head to him, his face was stimulatingly close to mine. I found myself staring at his lips, as they looked unreasonably soft and voluptuous. A feeling of arousal stirred inside me, and it took all my strength to keep it from unleashing itself.

I cleared my throat and looked down at my hands awkwardly. He chuckled and set me down on the floor. I laughed a little, more our of embarrassment than anything.

"You need not worry. I promise I shall not hurt you. That is, until you want me to." He winked at me, and I could feel my cheeks burn hot with blood as I began to blush. I quickly looked away and mentally scolded myself for asking so childish. I tried to slow the thumping of my heart within my chest before I turned and faced him again.

As I looked back at him he had his arm held out in a motion, showing me which way to walk. I turned and walked in the direction he has shown me, and found myself walking into a very cosy feeling study. There was no fireplace as I had been expecting, but there were more torches and several glass cased items around the room. I saw a rather ancient looking sofa and decided to sit down while I waited for Eric to say something to me, to the effect of what I should be doing.

He sat across from me, behind a wooden desk. There was a very thin laptop rested upon it, and a large stack of papers. We sat in silence for a while, and I played with the bottom of my shirt while I could feel him staring at me. I couldn't take the silence anymore, so I spoke.

"Do you know who killed Sookie?" I asked bluntly. He smirked and shrugged his shoulders. I frowned, not liking his way of avoiding my question.

"I want to help being whoever did this, to justice." He stood up as I said that and before I could blink, he was on the sofa next to me.

"Do our definition of justice differ, do you think?" He asked me in a tone I did not appreciate.

"My definition of justice, is that we exterminate the cockroach that killed my best friend. Human or otherwise." I felt my voice go dark, as the hatred of the person that killed Sookie began to show its face. I had no idea who or what had killed her, but I hated them just the same. Eric smiled at me, and rest his hand on my shoulder.

"I like you already." He laughed and stood up. He walked over to one of the glass cases and peered into it. His expression was pained, and he appeared deep in though.

"I do not know officially who murdered her, but I have my suspicions. The thing that killed her will not get away with this. I guarantee you."

I smiled, feeling more confidant that coming here was the best idea I had had in years. He ran his hand through his blonde hair and looked back at me.

"Aurora. That was the name of the princess in Sleeping Beauty. She was a blonde princess, and I see that you are a very beautiful brunette princess." He spoke slowly to me, his voice smooth like silk yet fierce like fire. How could anyone so gorgeous exist? He looked like a striking felled warrior that just stepped down from Valhalla. He was breathtaking, and so beautiful.

I was smiling at him when a very attractive woman strutted into the room. Her hair was platinum blonde, and she was wearing pink latex clothing. I tried to hold my mouth closed as I could almost see her confidence radiating off of her. She instantly put her hands on her hips and started directly at Eric.

"Eric! Where have you been all damn night? I have been at Fangstasia all night, while you are off with some human? Haven't you learned your lesson yet, humans are to fragile!" Her voice was casual yet angry, and she appeared to be on the bossy side. Eric smiled at her, and laughed.

"Pam, this is Aurora. She is a friend of Sookie, and she is here to help kill the man that murdered Sookie." Pam glanced at me and tossed her hand in my direction, completely dismissing me.

"Yes, yes. That is all grand and lovely Eric, but why am I the one working? I was hoping to catch myself a nice meal tonight." She laughed, and looked at me. Fear instantly shot through my veins and penetrated my heart. Eric was in front of me in a split second, staring at Pam.

"Now Pam, we do not eat our guests." He looked down at me.

"Unless they ask." His eyes filled with lust and desire, and it made me feel drunk. I felt immensely aroused in ways I had never been before. Pam laughed loudly, and turned away towards the door.

"Eric, tonight I will let it slide. But no more slip-ups, okay?" She was gone. Eric sat next to me, and stared.

"Sorry about her. She is Pam, and I sired her a very long time ago." His face was full of apology and embarrassment. I shrugged it off and leaned against the arm of the chair.

"Would you care to stay the night here?" He asked me politely.

"Yes, I have nowhere else to go right now as I said earlier this evening. Would I be imposing?" He shook his head and scooped me up in his arms and I closed my eyes.

I opened them and I was in a huge bedroom, with a golden framed bed in the centre. It had opaque drapes covering all sides of the bed, that sparkled. I remembered as a little girl I had always wanted a bed like that, it was just like a princess bed. Eric set me down and sat on the sofa at the foot of the bed.

"I see that you do not have a suitcase." He stated. I shrugged and sat down next to him and folded my hands in my lap.

"No, I left in a giant hurry and didn't take the time to grab anything." I now realized how stupid that had been because now I had no clothes, no shampoo, not anything. Eric patted my hands.

"Don't worry, I will have Pam pick some clothes and essentials up for you. And I swear she will not buy you any of that crazy latex or leather clothing she always seems to be wearing."

I laughed and nodded.

"Thank you so very much Eric. I will pay you back for it, I promise." He stood up and waved his hand at me.

"No Aurora, you will not. My treat." he started walking to the door and looked back in at me.

"Do you really want to know who I think killed Sookie?" He asked, looking at the floor. His face instantly covered over with hatred and anger.

"Yes Eric, I really do." I stood as I said that, bracing myself for his reply. He looked up at me then, his blue eyes piercing into my heart.

"Bill Compton."