The Visions

Chapter 8

Eric was drawn out of his thoughts about turning Kara by a piercing scream cutting through the silence of the condo.

Eric raced with vampire speed into the guest suite to find Kara ashen and physically shaking.

"Call your club and get everyone out now!" Kara screamed at Eric.

When Eric didn't move she frantically started to beg him, "Please, please….call them now and tell them to get out, there is going to be a fire!"

Eric finally realized that Kara must have had a vision and in a nanosecond he had his phone to his ear ordering Pam to get herself and everyone out of the bar immediately and for her to call him the second she was out of the bar and at a safe distance.

Eric ended the call and turned back to Kara who had sunk to the floor near the foot of the bed. She was hugging her knees rocking back and forth muttering to herself a prayer to her god.

Eric approached her slowly not wanting to spook her further and lowered himself next to her. He gently placed his large hand on her back and began rubbing soothing circles as he waited for her to compose herself. He found that the act of rubbing her back was helping him calm himself down as well. He knew that it would feel like a small eternity until Pam called him back.

"What did you see?" Eric asked cautiously.

"Your bar" she began shakily. "I saw your bar and suddenly it was engulfed in flames" she finished as fresh tears rolled down her face. "There were people being burnt alive" she choked out.

Eric's phone buzzed in his pocket and he grabbed at it in relief. He listened to Pam tell him that they got everyone out safely but that bar had gone up in an explosion. He ordered Pam through pre established code words to go to ground in a previously arranged for safe haven and to contact him immediately with a disposable phone when she arose for further instructions. Eric did not want to risk Pam being followed to his condo and his mind switched to tactician mode.

Eric ended the call and saw Kara staring at him awaiting confirmation that everyone was OK. He reassured her that there were no injuries.

"Who could have done something so horrible? Kara asked through her tears.

Eric knew full well who torched his club. This was certainly not the work of the Fellowship but of Russell. Of that Eric was positive. He pondered if how much information to share with Kara but in glancing back at the Seer he realized that she thought she was asking a rhetorical question.

"Does this happen to you often?" Eric inquired.

"Does what happen?" Kara replied puzzled.

"Visions of the future?" Eric said more impatiently than he intended.

Eric watched Kara's eyes widen in surprise before she responded in a stammer. "I, I didn't realize… Wait, you think I can see the future?"

"How else do you explain what happened?" Eric asked.

"I don't know" Kara began. "This has never happened to me before, ever! I mean sometimes I have a really strong sense of déjà vu but nothing like this!"

Eric did not reply but stared out the window. It was possible that this was a latent gift that was just now reaching its potential.

"How old are you?" Eric asked Kara.

"I just turned 35" she replied.

Eric began to search the catalogue of supernatural species in his mind of any being that reached maturity at 35 years of age but could not come up with anything. This would be something he would need to explore more in depth when he was not faced with Russell's vengeance.

"I have some business to attend to immediately" Eric stated as he finally rose from the floor. "Get some rest" he added as he exited the room not waiting for a reply.

Eric walked into his small office and picked up a secure phone. He needed to inform Compton of the situation and he was concerned for Sookie's well being. Russell would surely have a vendetta against her and Compton for that matter for their roles in tricking him to drink her fairy blood and go into the sun. Despite Sookie's instance that she was done with vampires he could not quite stop thinking about the blond although he was willing himself to do so. Eric Northman would not have his emotions toyed with by a woman, fairy or not. Right now he needed to stay strong and focused and if Sookie was in the equation, neither would be fully possible.

Compton answered his own private line personally and Eric quickly filled him in on the fire at Fangtasia. Compton assured him that he would get word to Sookie immediately and be sure she was provided security. Eric hated relying on Compton to protect Sookie but he did not want to risk exposing himself or Kara to Russell by flying to Bon Temps himself. At this point, his primary concern was self preservation and that meant keeping Kara out of harm. He was certain that she was the key to defeating Russell.

Eric ended the call quickly and began to make a mental inventory of all his safe houses. The majority of them were in Louisiana or in Europe. The fact that Nora was able to discover one of his most secure safe houses left him wary to remain in the state. She also was aware of the majority of his European holdings. What he needed was time. Time to strategize defeating Russell for good and time to give Kara a chance to further develop her gift. It was possible that with the right amount of time she would be able to control her visions and direct them to tell her what she needed to know. That could be instrumental in ending Russell.

"Can I come in?" Kara's soft voice asked from the doorway.

Eric nodded surprised at himself that he did not hear her approach.

"I can't sleep" Kara admitted sheepishly. "Do you mind if I just sit with you here for a bit? I just don't want to be alone right now".

Eric could understand her unease as he felt it too. "Why don't I sit in your room and get the remainder of my work done there" he offered as he gathered his laptop.

"Thank you" she replied with obvious relief.

The pair walked slowly back to the guest suite. Kara climbed into the large bed as Eric made his way to the large stuffed chair near the window. Eric watched Kara yawn and curl up on her side facing him still clad in her clothing. Exhaustion quickly over came her and her breathing evened out as she fell into a deep slumber.

Eric had intended to research possible safe locations but he spent the remainder of the night watching the woman who would become his second child. It was only when the sun began to rise and the automatic shutters closed that he realized how much time had passed. He reluctantly took his leave, glancing at Kara one more time before he headed to his chambers for his day death