Authors note - Ask and thee shall receive! Thank you so, so very much for my reviews ladies, very thoughtful of you. So here we go, chapter four hot off the press! x
Tyra's POV.
'Oh finally, look what comes crawling back through my door. Been having fun have we?' I ask my little cat Poontang (or Poon for short) as she jumps up on the counter in the kitchen and meows at me, sitting down and beginning to wash her paws. She's gone for days at a time usually, but I never worry about her, she's tough like her owner. She does need it explaining to her that she's not an alley cat when she lives on the fringes of a forest though, because that's exactly how she acts. She's a scrapper, again just like her owner. I have no qualms about knocking teeth out if I'm pissed off. As you will have witnessed earlier I have a nasty temper on me. Apparently my biological father was much the same.
'Here, I'll split it with you' I tell her, taking the can of tuna I've just opened and tipped over the salad I've just prepared (the closest to cooking I'll ever get since I refuse to do something I hate, and I hate cooking and all the food smells that linger after you're done) for my dinner, and emptying the other half into her bowl on the floor behind me, watching her hop down and begin eating it straight away while I take my plate and head out to the lounge, ready to spend a little quality time with the man in my life right now. Genghis Khan, a true barbarian. I don't know what it is that attracts me to danger and rage, to read about corruption and brutality; but I've always found it very interesting. I like to find methods to madness, pick inside the nature of evil and find out why it exists. And also I've always found beauty in the things most people do not, sympathy for those your ordinary Joe just wouldn't, or couldn't. For example, I'm no Nazi and I think the mass genocide of just a few million Jews was totally uncalled for, but towards the end of the reign of the Third Reich I felt an extreme sympathy for Adolf Hitler. The man had totally lost his mind, his agenda was in complete disarray at the hands of his Generals and he had nothing and no one to turn to other than a cyanide pill. I've read many, many books about The Fuehrer, and he was never as evil as people made him out to be in my opinion; he just became completely power mad and took his ideas way too far. Mr Khan however I cannot form the same opinion over; but he still fascinates me just as much. I accept that people are what they are, and that is that they aren't always good natured. But, I respect them for being themselves, no matter how wrong most people perceive that to be. They are what they are, and it's in my nature to accept them for that. I know, I'm not normal at all, am I?
Still glued to the pages of my book, reading about Khan's defeat of the Khwarezmian Empire in 1220AD I return my plate and fork to the kitchen, putting them straight into the sink and then turning to pull a bottle of water from the fridge I pad back out again, only to die of fright and drop both my book and the Evian on the floor when I see Eric standing on my porch, looking at me through the glass panel in the door.
'You don't give up, do you?' I ask him once I've stepped over my dropped items and opened the door to him, leaning against the frame as I fold my arms and just stare up at him, somewhere between amused and creeped out that my new boss, a man (well, vampire) I only met yesterday has turned up on my doorstep. Especially since he said I wouldn't be seeing much of him just over twenty four hours ago too.
'I'm not here to try and pursue you, well, at least not in the way you're thinking. As much as I know I'd enjoy it you've said no, and I can take no for an answer. Begrudgingly though, since I don't hear it often' he replies, his words casual, almost so lazy it's like he can't be bothered to speak them.
'Then why are you here?' I ask him, frowning a little. Just what is this guy's problem? Does he always contradict his words and actions at every turn? Because right now his eyes aren't even on mine, he's staring right at my damn chest. Stupid hindsight, why the hell did I change to such a low cut, tight fitting t shirt when I arrived home? Ahhhhh yes, because I wasn't expecting the strange dude I work for to turn up and start starting at my tits like their on the vampire lunch menu, that's why. 'And for your information, my eyes are up here' I then add, reaching out and touching my index finger under his chin and lifting his head until his eyes fall on mine again, and his hand slaps mine away from his face like lightening.
'Don't. If you don't want to touch me where I want you to, I'd rather you didn't do it at all' he tells me, sharply yet so quietly. If I was of lesser substance I'd find him intimidating about now...but it just doesn't happen. Strangely, I find it kind of sexy.
'And I'd rather not be standing here having to ask the same question three times in a row. Why are you here?' I ask him, watching him starting to frown deeply, four lines creasing his otherwise perfectly smooth forehead.
'You know, I'm not entirely sure why. But there's something about you, and I intend to find out what it is, and soon' he replies, looking very thoughtful as he stares right at me, his gaze only intensifying in the silence we share. He has one hell of a powerful stare, one that for a moment makes me wonder if my decision to ban all vampires from my bed is such a wise one after all. 'Because there's something about you that isn't human; I could never, ever be as fascinated over what you are if you were just a mere mortal' he then finishes with, leaning closer to me, his stare now so powerful it makes my knees begin to knock a little.
'Eric, take my word for it, I'm just a person with no unique powers or anything else that makes me remotely special. My only gift is the fact I can add up sums quickly in my head, oh and I'm fast runner and a real mean shot with a long bow, but that's about it' I reply, hoping to somehow get him to leave, yet somewhere inside...not really wanting him to. What the HELL is wrong with me?
'You're a fan of archery?' he then asks me, his interest somewhat prickled it would seem.
'Very much so, are you?' I reply and ask.
'A long bow was the first weapon I was taught to use' he replies, prickling my interest and THEN some. If a long bow was the first weapon to use, just how old is he? Hang on, he's Swedish...so that means he could be...oh my...I swear to god, I'll orgasm on the spot if he's a...
'Were you a Viking?' I ask him sharply, sounding quite desperate for an answer.
'Technically I still am I suppose' he replies. Boom. There it is. An instant feeling of something like an orgasm rippling through my guts, as there stands an actual Viking in the flesh, one of the most savage and barbaric breeds of men to walk and fight across my homeland back in the ancient times. Oh my fucking Jesus fucking Christ fucking fuck! I should probably tell you now, in case you haven't already guessed, Vikings are a major turn on for me; or at least the idea of them since I never thought I'd meet one, for obvious reasons. And well, there he is, smirking at me right now; looking at me so intently I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
'I take it you like that piece of information? Much more than the fact I'm a vampire it would seem' he tells me, leaning down closer to my 5ft 9 level, raising one eyebrow I recognise to be one of the same enquiring things I do too.
'I might, still doesn't change anything though, and it still doesn't mean I'm going to invite you in if that's what you were hoping for. See you next week, Mr Northman' I reply, smiling thinly and then turning to shut and lock the door behind me, locking the heavier wooden door behind the glass swing door and Eric out of sight, turning to pick up the water and book I dropped and heading back into the lounge, where I sit with my heart beating like a jackhammer in my chest. I had to shut the door when I did, or I'd have done something very, very stupid on total impulse I think...
Eric's POV.
'Aha, methinks I've found a weak spot. Excellent' I think to myself as I fly back to the club, coming to a stop in front of the door and walking in through the back entrance, and then out into the main hub of activity inside the club, taking my usual seat but zoning out from everything around me, as I try to think back over the many supernatural creatures to exist, and try and match ones that transmit this...beautiful energy she has. But there's the thing, that alone isn't enough to go on, and this frustrates me greatly. Not the first thing that'll do that tonight either it would seem. I know for definite now too that she isn't human, since I stood there trying to glamour her and it just wouldn't work, similar to how Sookie cannot be glamoured either. But as I stated to Pam earlier, the pull I feel toward whatever Miss Stackhouse may or may not be (we have our suspicions) is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing to that feeling of energy that radiates from Tyra, that I felt flowing into me when she touches me, when I touch her. Even something as simple as running my finger across her jaw made me feel the greatest energy I think I've ever felt, causing a million thoughts as to why to continue to tumble into my head. Whatever she is, she's powerful, to have this much of an effect on a vampire as old and strong as I, and in such a short space of time seals the fact that whatever she is, it's something big. Why else would Godric have sent her to me? And, speaking of Godric...
'There's a man outside who wants to see you, shall I send him to your office?' Deborah, my club manager/dancer/sometimes play toy asks me as she approaches me.
'Name?' I ask as I look up at her slowly.
'Greg Dixon, one of Godric's associates from area 6' she replies, while I nod and jerk my head in the direction of the office.
'Send him in; tell him I'll be along shortly. And by the way, are you doing anything after you finish?' I drawl, noticing she looks particularly delectable tonight. My appetite for sex wasn't quite quenched after four hours with Kerstin earlier. Deborah can help me out there.
'By the look on your face right now might I be right in guessing I'll be doing you?' she replies, smiling as she touches her tongue to her top lip briefly, brown eyes narrowing as her smile widens.
'No, that's incorrect. I'll be doing you. I'll see you down in the basement at 3am. Don't be late' I tell her, reaching out to give her wrist a small tickle with my finger. Not that I have much tolerance, patience or general acceptance or like of humans, but Deborah is more tolerable than most. Mainly because she can get all nine inches of my cock into her mouth at the same time more than any other reason. Also because she and her family have been secret keepers for vampires for generations, so she can be trusted too. And she doesn't do what a hell of a lot of human women try to do, and that is make me their boyfriend. If I was ever to have a relationship with a female (which I wouldn't, I have no want or need for companionship on that level) she certainly would not be a human. They bore me too much, and they grow old and haggard too. Not very appealing at all, so I'm glad that Deborah openly tells me 'I'm only interested in you for what you have south of your waist Eric'. She's an unashamed slut, very similar to myself in that respect. And now, to see what Mr Dixon wants with my time.
'So, how can I help you?' I ask him once I've wandered down into my office and sat behind the desk.
'This is just a quick visit; I was entrusted to deliver this to you by my Sherriff in the event of his true death' Dixon replies, clasping a very old, heavy looking wooden box, deep in capacity but only about two by one foot in size, placing it down on the desk in front of me, before nodding curtly and exiting.
'Wait. There's no key for this box, which deems it a pretty useless delivery and a waste of both my time and yours if it cannot be opened' I reply, watching him come to a stop and turn again at the door.
'He said you'd have the key already, and if you didn't you'd find it soon enough. Will that be all Sherriff?' he replies, hand reaching for the door knob.
'Yes, go' I reply, my attention falling back onto the box, not noticing him leave at all as I sit and stare at it, feeling fury beginning to build up inside me. I have no keys that aren't for the bar, my car or my home. Why the hell is Godric playing games with me from beyond the grave? WHY? Denying me of the rest of my existence with him there was enough, why is he doing this to me now? Taunting me effectively with his fucking games, sending strange women to me that he states are of more value than I know, and bequeathing me items I have no clue how to open, Pandora's Box here in front of me being said item. This is not the behaviour I've come to expect from him, and does absolutely nothing to quieten the chaos in my head as to why he's doing this, it only adds to it. And so after picking up the box and taking it down to store away safely in my home I decide that 3am is going to come early tonight, and fire off a quick text message to Deborah, before stripping off my clothes and going back up to the basement, where I only have to wait a few mere moments for her to arrive too.
'You know where I want you' I tell her, moving her hair from her neck and kissing it just once before she sinks to her knees and starts giving me head. Sometimes, when everything supernatural starts to fuck with your head, you need a human to take your mind off things for a while. It's one of the few purposes they can serve pretty well, but even the delectable Deborah cannot keep my mind swayed away from all the mess Godric has implanted in there for longer than about three hours, when I grow bored of her and send her on her way, retreating back down a level and just sitting down on the couch, the light of one lamp I switched on in the corner illuminating the brass fixtures and hinges on the box I placed at the other end of the couch, staring at it, willing it to open in front of me, needing to know what the hell is inside it, and why Godric didn't bother leaving me a key. Just all these clues, clues I am frustrated to say I cannot work out. I get the measure of people and situations very, very quickly. Give me two seconds to stare at you and after one I will have worked you out. That's the kind of vampire I am, one who receives the answers to his questions.
'Patience my child, patience' I suddenly hear behind me, from a voice that fills me with the kind of emotions no other ever could.
'Godric?' I say out loud, flying up out of my seat and turning to be met with nothing, of course...
'Varför er du gör den här till jag?' I then mutter to myself, Swedish for 'why are you doing this to me? Why is he doing this to me?
Tyra's POV.
'One Goodyear blimp delivered right to your door, now let me the hell in so I can rest my swollen ankles' My best friend (or one of two, her boyfriend Dmitri being the other) Anna tells me as I greet her on my porch with a hug, one that wont stretch all the way around her middle right now, as there's too much pregnancy in the way.
'Follow me big mamma' I reply, giving her arm and affectionate stroke and bending to give her bump a kiss as I show her in, and to the nearest chair she looks very glad to sit in once we've arrived in the lounge.
'Oh god that's better! And is that strawberry and nettle tea I smell? Wow, you've really outdone yourself' she replies with a little sarcasm as she sits down, rubbing her stomach affectionately as she slips her shoes off her feet.
'Yup, see how much of a good friend I am, I buy you in things I hate the smell of just because I know you love them. I wouldn't do that for just anyone' I chuckle, heading out into the kitchen to pour her tea, and a black coffee for myself. Black coffee, water, the occasional fruit juice and red wine are about all I drink, I'm very organic like that. Except Guinness, but I'll only drink it if it's been bottled over in Ireland and imported in, where it tastes better than it does anywhere else in the world. Anna and I actually discovered that when we went away on vacation to Dublin about five years ago, before she met Dmitri her part Russian, part Louisianan boyfriend and settled down and became boring. I'm joking, she's not boring, just because I don't want to feather a nest and make babies doesn't mean she's boring because it's what she now wants. But we had some crazy times and a lot of fun together back in the day, and we still do now I guess. Except she's on the soda when we go out, and can't last beyond midnight, which I can well understand since she's the size of a zeppelin right now, poor thing!
'Oh I'm fully aware of that honey, and thank you I've needed this since about 2 o clock this afternoon!' she says, thanking me warmly as I pass her the tea I'm carrying, and then go and sit opposite her on my lovely big couch, having a (and strangely present for more than five minutes) Poon curling up on my lap for a little nap as soon as I'm sat down.
'So how did it go looking for the perfect stroller?' I ask her. You might think leaving it until you've got three weeks before you give birth a little late to be buying everything you're going to need for your first born, but Anna just happens to be one of the most indecisive people I've ever met. Dmitri is just as bad too.
'We found it and ordered it, along with all the other little bits we need too, so come February 23rd we're going to be fully prepared for the little one's arrival. But right now I'm actually hoping she comes early, I'm so fucking uncomfortable and still only sleeping for four hours a night' she replies, blowing the steam that rises from her (very smelly) tea and taking a careful sip.
'Awww now you're making me feel guilty, I should have come to you' I reply.
'No, no! I was out anyway so don't you dare feel bad. I hate being stuck at home too so you've done me a favour inviting me over. Besides, I needed to see you before the Deicide gig anyway to make sure you watch Dmitri behaves himself. Please, since you're not a big drinker, please don't let him get slaughtered and then come home in a state I'll have to drag up the stairs' she says, laughing a little as she obviously remembers one of her boyfriend's drunken moments. She's referring to the fact that Deicide, a death metal band the three of us like are playing a show here in two weeks time, and since she's obviously too heavily pregnant to attend it me and Dmitri are going together, with me acting as chaperone more than anything I think...the big Russian fella does love his beer.
'Don't worry, when I'm not throwing people around in the pit I'll be keeping my beady eyes right on him, make sure he doesn't attempt to drink his own bodyweight in imported beers' I reply, making her laugh.
'Thanks for that. So anyway how's work going?' she asks me, setting her tea down on the table by her side.
'Fine, busy as ever. I'll be back into my lair as soon as you leave to keep on number crunching' I reply. And although I'm enjoying some time with one of my favourite people on earth, I'm itching to get back to my work and get it all done already, and I only stopped for a break ten minutes ago. I have to say I was awake for most of the night, wondering if there was a big vampire still lurking outside my house. And, speak of the devil...
'Didn't you mention something about having a new client over in Shreveport? How's that going?' she asks me politely.
'Erm, yeah, it's going okay. Just as long as my new boss keeps his hands to himself and doesn't turn up on my doorstep like he did last night' I reply as I sip my coffee, disturbing Poon when a drip misses my lips and lands right on her head. I wipe it away and fuss her while she stares up at me with certain displeasure in her lovely green eyes.
'Oh, got a touchy feely one have we? And as for turning up at your house, dude what the fuck? Does he not know the stalker effect gets no one very far?' she asks, after snorting out a little laugh.
'It's a bit more complicated than that, which is weird since I only started working for him two days ago. He's a vampire for one thing, and one that doesn't like the word 'no' for an answer, and also one who seems to think I'm not a human too' I reply, watching my friends face change to a 'whaaaaaat?' kind of look.
'Okay, this dude sounds seriously weird, really. Not human? So if you're not a person, what does he think you are?' she replies, sounding like she's stuck between feeling amused and worried for me.
'He doesn't know, and I think that's what's bothering him. Or rather he's trying to find excuses as to why he's more attracted to a human than he has been before, which is what I expect it is because, erm, I KNOW I'm human. He doesn't like us much though, other than for things such a sex and feeding on of course. But no, I dunno what his problem is, or why he's so damn interested in me. And last night I just brushed it all off, wasn't remotely interested in him at all. Until I discovered he's a fucking Viking of all things' I reply, watching Anna's mouth drop open, and then a huge booming laugh come flying out.
'OH MY GOD! You're in trouble now!' she squeals with mirth, hand slapping her thigh a few times as she explodes into hysterics. I'm glad she finds it so damn funny. 'So hang on a minute that must make him what? A thousand years old? Ewwww, that's kinds gross' she then adds.
'Yeah, it is a little. But you haven't seen him, he's gorgeous. And I don't mean just a little bit either, I mean, WOAH, WOW. LOOK AT HIM gorgeous. And the Viking thing, well, its temptation staring me right in the face. But, he's still a vampire, and cold and dead still just doesn't do it for me' I reply, watching her give me an enquiring look.
'But he's a Viking Tyra, the one breed of man you've lusted after and had no hope of ever getting to have a little fun with, until now that is. And you're right; he is temptation staring you right in the face. But I do know you keep business and pleasure separate, and all I can say to you is good luck keeping it that way with the information you now know. You do know that vampires can do that glamour thing and have total control over your mind, don't you? What if he does that to you and has his wicked way with you and you never remember? Or what if he's just too sexy to want to turn down if he tries it on with you again? They're supposed to be very, very forceful in the pursuit of what they want' she replies, picking up her tea again for another sip, and wincing as she holds a hand to her stomach, pained at her daughters' busy feet it would seem.
'I will remain in control as I always am. Yes, the Viking thing is tempting, too damn tempting if I'm honest. But I'm just not interested in anything Eric Northman has to offer me other than a job, and he's just going to have to get used to that' I reply, as Anna cuts me up almost straight away.
'ERIC NORTHMAN, OH MY GOD!' she shouts at me, reaching out to slap my foot a few times while her jaw swings off its hinge again, and I look at her like she's gone mad. How does she know who Eric is? He doesn't exactly integrate himself with humans, and I know for a fact Anna has never been to Fangtasia before.
'How do you know...' is as far as I get before my loud friend interrupts me again.
'Remember my friend Kathy Sloane from school? The girl you didn't get on well with? Well, I remember I was having coffee with her about a year ago and saw she had these two puncture marks on her neck, so I asked about it, and she confided that 'a beautiful vampire' as she called him named Eric Northman had paid her $500 to bite her, and that him just biting her neck and feeding on her was the single most erotic experience of her life, and he didn't even touch her, just bit, sucked, paid her and told her to fuck off' she replies, while I snicker.
'Sounds like Eric' I reply, suddenly and very strangely zoning out for a moment as my brain digests her comment about Kathy finding being bitten by him to be just a touch more than highly erotic. And then my mind takes me back to standing just a foot away from him on my porch last night, daydreaming the pretend scenario of him leaning down to my neck, kissing it a few times, and then the feeling of his fangs piercing...
'TYRA! Come back sweetie!' Anna shouts, snapping her fingers in front of me, Poon leaping from my lap and deciding between the coffee dripping and all the shouting she'd rather sleep elsewhere. Can't say I blame her.
'You want him, don't you?' she asks knowingly.
'NO!' I reply, aghast.
'Fucking liar' she chuckles, finishing her tea and heaving herself up out of her chair. 'No, my ass has gone to sleep, and I can rectify that by going and putting the kettle on again, and leaving you to your Eric related daydreams' she then adds, holding out here hand for the coffee cup I pass her, and gently pushing me back down into my seat when I make a start to get up and do it for her.
'I wasn't daydreaming' I reply, frowning at her before she walks away.
'For the second time, fucking liar' she throws over her shoulder as she walks off to the kitchen.
'Whatever biatch' I scoff, laughing softly through my nose. I do not fancy Eric Northman, no. No, no, no, no...ye...NO!