I want to send a special thank you to all those who have reviewed my first chapter. I've had a pretty tough couple of days with my daughter – she broke the tip of her ring finger, and she's only two! So, needless to say, your reviews have been a ray of light in an otherwise dark space. :D
Now, I know most of you are wondering about a back story – all I can say is to be patient! I promise that it's all going to come out soon. For those who thought Eric was going to be a dark character, you're right! I find myself drawn to the darker side of him in the series, even though cuddly, sweet Eric was a joy. Anyway, I've wasted enough of your time – ENJOY!
Chapter Two
Said meal was a young, ethnic male by the name of Hiro. Not that Eric minded… much. He wasn't usually picky, but recently he'd become so morose about his situation that it had started to affect his appetite. Even when he was alive Eric had never been the type to linger over a meal, but as Hiro exposed the long, slender line of neck Eric could think of only one thing – the gnawing emptiness in his gut. It was a hunger, yes, but not for food. And most certainly not for Hiro. Suddenly, he wasn't starved, he was sick.
"You may go," Eric ordered gruffly, standing. Hiro looked confused, almost hurt, but unlike most of his human counterparts, he rose from the love seat fluidly and left the room silently. Alone with his thoughts, Eric sat down and rested his head in his hands. When he was alone, which seemed to be more and more often these days, his thoughts drifted back to days that he'd rather not remember. They were seductive thoughts, for just as much as he wanted to forget them, they were the events that had led to his rise in power. They were also the reason he was feeling so empty lately, though if you were to ask him, he'd deny it with every fiber of his dead being.
Vampires were growing restless – most that had tried to mainstream had 'fallen off the wagon' and gone back to their ways; some slaughtering and others merely forgetting to glamour their meals. Whichever it was, it did not matter to the AVL or Authority. They were outraged, especially after the fiasco with Russell. Soon after he'd torn the heart out of a man on live television, humans had decided to fight rather than flee and the AVL and the Authority had decided that their 'noble causes' weren't noble enough to die for. Eric almost chuckled at that – it had been a very bad decision for the humans indeed. Those who hadn't died or simply hadn't gotten in the way were now going about their every-day lives in constant fear and near poverty.
Minus the fact that the mortal president of the United States had been murdered by none other than Sophie Anne in a desperate attempt to reclaim a throne that no longer existed, and the wealth that had dwindled with it. In Eric's eyes, Sophie Anne was a pitiful excuse for a ruler and had no place leading a state, never mind a country. Eric sighed then, his decision – the one that haunted him to this day – was to help her. Help Sophie Anne assassinate every U.S. official in existence and every vampire official as well.
"Eric. You have a visitor." It was Pam. She was clad in a tight leather pants suit and thigh high leather boots with stiletto heels that seemed painted on. Eric had always admired her style, though he most certainly did not know how she managed to squeeze into some of her outlandish outfits.
"Thank you, Pam. Send her up."
One Day Earlier
"NO! YOU LET ME GO!" Sookie screamed, kicking and flailing as hard as she could. Her assailant, clearly vampire, didn't so much as budge. She whispered into Sookie's ear, quiet as death –
"If you don't stop your childish whining, " she threatened. Sookie's pride rose in her throat like bile and she couldn't help herself, as usual.
"If you want to kill me, then get it the fuck over with, already. If you're not scared, that is!" Sookie breathed, her heart hammering in her chest wildly. The vampire stroked her hair softly.
"Oh, you pathetic little girl. If I wanted you dead, you'd have been dead long ago. Unfortunately," the female vampire spat, "you must serve another purpose. However disgusting I may find it." Before Sookie could question anything else, she felt herself being pulled backwards. They were in the back of Merlotte's and it was way past closing time.
"SAM!" Sookie screamed, but it was too late, she was being hurled into the back of the van with such force that she hit her head against the window opposite the door. "Oh, shit," she murmured. She felt the warm blood on her fingertips and before she could even register it, everything went black.
I know, I know. Cliff-hangers are such devious things, aren't they? But really, I just wanted to give you mostly background and a small taste of what's to come. Not only that, but I'm still figuring out if this idea is going to work. So, please review and let me know what you think about the back story. I'm going to post the next chapter by either tomorrow or the next day. Good night all! 3