Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. I hope you continue to enjoy my story. And now on with the meeting with Victor. He's such a weeney!
CHAPTER 4
Victor Madden entered Eric's office with an heir of arrogance that could have been cut with a knife. He had a swagger that would have given anyone the impression he owned the place. He eyed Pam and with a prize-winning smile and said, "well, Good Evening Pamela, you're looking as lovely as ever." Pam knew that Victor was flirting with her just to piss Eric off, and she could not have been more disinterested. "Good Evening Victor, how nice to see you again", she replied flatly.
Victor shifted his attention to Eric, and with a more casual tone said, "Northman, I can see you are as busy as ever, I trust all is well?" Eric knew that not only was Victor testing him for a reaction by the way he just spoke to Pam, but he also knew that Victor was purposely showing his lack of respect for Eric by not addressing him as 'Sherriff'. Eric was too smart to ever give Victor that kind of trivial satisfaction. "Everything is going quite well Victor. What brings you to Fangtasia this evening." Eric responded.
Victor took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Eric's desk. "Well, it seems there has been a change in the King's plans, and he requested that I come here to discuss those changes with you." Eric, in his most accommodating voice said, "of course." He then turned his attention to Pam, and with a somewhat authoritative voice said, "Pam, you may return to your station. I will speak with you before closing." Just as Pam was about to walk out, Victor motioned for her to stop. "Pam may stay, Northman. There is nothing I need to discuss with you that she cannot hear." Although he would never show it, Eric was seething at Victor's blunt override of his command, and the fact there was nothing Eric could do about it, for now, only made him more incensed. Eric looked back at Victor with a smile on his face, "by all means Victor, if you are comfortable with Pam being here, then that is acceptable to me." 'Oh, how I would love to castrate this cocky little asshole with my bare hands, Eric thought to himself. Once Pam was settled on the sofa, they focused their attention to Victor. Acting convincingly interested, Eric said, "so, Victor, what is it that you wish to discuss?"
Victor began.
"It seems, Northman, the King has been quite taken with your hosting abilities. So much so, that he has decided to extend his visit here in Louisiana." Pam, knowing that this news would be unsettling to her Sherriff glanced at him to see his reaction. Victor was looking at Eric intently, also hoping for a reaction, but for his own reasons. Upon hearing this news, Eric's insides began to turn. He knew he needed to ask the 'million dollar question', he just did not want to know the answer. In the most cordial voice he could muster, Eric said, "I see. Well, it pleases me to hear that the King has been satisfied with his visit here. I will order the King and his entourage's accommodations to be extended immediately. Does he have any idea of how long he plans on remaining here?" Victor dropped the bombshell, "oh, I believe . . .indefinitely."
Pam's mouth opened and wore an expression on her face that could have only been described as, 'Oh Shit'. She quickly recovered and smiled. Victor's attention was focused on Eric, but she wanted to make sure that if Victor did look her way, she gave off the impression this was good news. Eric just smiled and nodded at Victor. 'Oh Fuck! This is just great'. "It is a privilege to serve the King, and I look forward to his continued stay here in Louisiana."
Eric's expression was blank. He would give nothing away, but his mind was shooting into twenty different directions. He was disappointed that his reunion with Sookie and his vacation plans with her would have to be detained. He was suspicious and disturbed behind the reasoning with the King's decision to remain in Louisiana. Despite these initial concerns, Eric's instincts were telling him that his biggest problem might just be who is sitting directly in front of him. Notwithstanding all of this, Eric was nothing if not pragmatic. He understood that even though the thought of continuing his role as the King's 'court jester' may disgust him, if the King wishes to remain here, there is not a whole lot he can do about it. While Eric was silently brooding over the news of the King's change of plans, he was already regrouping, strategizing a way to communicate with Sookie.
Eric was not regretting his decision in staying away from her, but he was now becoming concerned over the idea of their absence from each other beingpotentially much longer. 'I should have seen the possibility of this happening. My beloved has been left alone, confused, not understanding our bond. She has no idea that my reason for this distance from her has been out of a need to protect her. I cannot afford to wait much longer to be with her. I haven't felt her emotions since I blocked the bond but she must be hurting, and I'm beginning to fear as a result of this hurt, she may turn me away, again. I cannot take that chance . . . I will NOT lose her again'.
Victor was growing impatient with Eric's self-control. He was frustrated, because he saw that his attempts at getting some spark of anger or frustration out of Eric was futile. He was stronger than Victor had given him credit for. However, Victor was determined. He needed to test him. Victor believed that Eric had a weakness, no matter how well he tried to conceal it. Victor was about to test that theory as he carefully chose his words. "I am glad to hear you say that Northman. I must admit, I was a bit surprised by Felipe's intent to remain here. I trust you know I am not attempting to insult your Area, but I have always thought of this part of Louisiana as just a hopeless backwater, but, I guess even the most degraded places has its . . . appeal." Eric's expression was still like stone, but his eyes were telling a slightly different story. Victor continued. "I would imagine there has to be something here that is holding Felipe's attention, I just cannot imagine what that could be." Victor was taking the shot. "Speaking of holding someone's attention, (Victor wiggled his eyebrows), I noticed that I have not seen our beautiful, little telepath, Sookie Stackhouse since we've been here. Where has she been hiding herself?" Eric and Pam knew that Victor was not making an innocent inquiry about Sookie, yet the way Victor said her name and wiggled his eyebrows caused Eric's hand to twitch slightly. Eric immediately saw his falter and moved his hands to his lap, out of Victor's sight.
Keeping his voice as cool as possible, Eric replied. "Sookie is in Bon Temps. I have not spoken to her in quite a while. Although she is grateful for our formal protection and will happily render her services to us, she has made it perfectly clear she would like to be kept out of vampire politics as much as possible. I have learned from previous dealings with Sookie that she is an extremely independent woman and likes to make her own decisions. It is important to me that she continues to believe that, in order to make her more . . . accommodating to our needs." Eric was so believable in his lie, that for a split second Victor almost doubted his theory. Almost. "I see. Well Northman, I have to hand it to you, you have earned quite the reputation for being extremely fair to work for and I can see that reputation has not been exaggerated. It is a shame though that we did not get to see Ms. Stackhouse. It is my understanding that she ended her 'relationship' with the weretiger, Quinn. Is that correct?" Eric knew that Victor was trying to bait him and now he was more suspicious of Victor's intent, but the sudden thought of Sookie dumping the overgrown pussycat brought a smile to his face. "I am not aware of the details, but, yes, I believe she did." Victor smiled back and showed a little fang. "Well, I should say so. Quinn was never good enough for our Sookie. It is a shame though that a beautiful, voluptuous woman such as she does not have a mate. I think I'll let the King in on this bit of information. He seems very fond of her and I'm sure he wouldn't mind escorting her out some evening while he's here."
It was a true testament to Eric's character that he was able to keep his composure after Victor's statement about the King courting Sookie. The thought of anyone with his bonded caused him to almost lose total control. "Well, that would have to be up to Sookie, now wouldn't it?" It was the only reply Eric was capable of at that moment. Eric's hands were clenched into tight fists underneath the desk and his eyes were starting to glow. 'If this stupid son-of-a-bitch has any sense, he will leave my establishment now before I rip his fucking throat out'.
Pam glanced at Eric and saw that it was taking every bit of strength he had not to lunge at Victor. She had to act quickly before there was bloodshed. "Excuse me gentlemen, I don't mean to interrupt, but I just looked at my watch and did not realize how the time is flying. I really must be getting back to my station. Master, do you require anything of me before I leave?" Pam briefly snapped Eric out of his fantasy of ripping Victor apart long enough for him to give her a wave, indicating that she was dismissed. "Ok, well Victor, would you like me to escort you out, or do you have further business to be discussed with the Sheriff?" Seeing the slight reaction from Eric due to the remark about the King courting Sookie gave Victor the confirmation he needed, Victor looked at his watch and stood up. "Yes, time really does fly when you are having fun. Northman, it was good to see you again. I will be returning to New Orleans tomorrow, so I will see the King this evening and let him know of your gracious acceptance in accommodating him. Pam, as always, such a pleasure." Eric was able to control himself long enough to stand up. He and Victor nodded to each other and with that, Victor turned on his heel and allowed Pam to see him to the door. They both walked out to the bar leaving Eric to ponder what just took place.
