Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to "True Blood."
Chapter Eight: Wearing Thin
Eric stared the man in the eyes.
"Maddox."
"Sherriff Eric Northman."
"It's been awhile, about five years. I was wondering when you'd show up."
"Is that so?'
"You should have come sooner." Eric chided. "This is your mess after all."
"You speak of what you don't know."
"I know what she told me."
"Which is exactly why I'm here. Layla. It seems the two of you have formed some sort of relationship?"
"We are…associates. She's useful to me."
"She's my claim…and that's not what I meant. You like her more than just a tool or some pet."
"The fact you call her your claim can be debated. I respect the fact you've claimed her but there are other's who…"
"Meaning my son?"
"Yes. Your son, which has become quite the nuisance for me. First he sent a vampire in my business, fired a weapon in the parking lot. Then attempted to kidnap your claim as well as myself. I don't know if you're aware but the penalty for attempting to merely threaten a Sherriff is…"
"I understand. I know Dameon's obsession with Layla has gone too far."
"Perhaps if his maker and father had spent more time training his vampire son than his human adopted daughter, his lack of restraint and respect for vampire law would never have been an issue."
"I did the right thing with Layla. I owed to her, her mother and her family. I had to keep her safe."
"And yet here we are and you still can't protect her from your own son. She was the one who saved you if she spoke truthfully…"
"That's true, She did. I'm curious, how do you think you can protect her?"
"Let me have her."
Maddox laughed. "Layla would never let that happen."
Eric grinned. "I'm sure she'd be convinced once her precious Maddox had a talk with her."
"If you plan on winning Layla over, you must know she doesn't like a jealous companion."
Eric paused. "Do we have a deal? Hand her over to me and she'll be safe."
"You and I both know that she can't be your claim, any more than she's ever been mine."
Eric paused and looked toward the street. He knew what Maddox said was true.
But he couldn't blame him for trying….
"If you're not here to negotiate, then why are you here?"
"Eric, I came to ask for your help. I need you to look after Layla."
"And why would I help you with that? You've already made it clear that there is no potential benefit for me."
Maddox smiled. "I think you're going to help me because you like her. Because I'm simply asking you to do what you're already doing. And why do I think you will help? Because I found you parked in her driveway."
Eric looked back towards Layla's house. "As I said, we're business associates."
Maddox shook his head. "I suspect otherwise." He relaxed against Eric's car.
"I suspect that right about now you're racking your brain trying to figure out where it is she could have gone. Not to shield any kind of investment you have, but because you like her…because you're worried."
"I don't worry."
"Sure you don't. I'm aware you haven't been a human in quite some time, but I doubt you've lost all your human emotions…"
"You said you needed my help?" Eric's patience was running thin.
"You were right to begin with, this is my mess. I should have never let Dameon bring Layla to live with us. I should have know his intent from the beginning. I am responsible for the ruination of her family. Which begrudgingly made me the one who has to bring my son down from power."
"And you have a plan?"
"Yes. I need you to look after Layla while I'm gone."
"Where is it you're going?"
"I'm going to Austin. To inform the King of Texas about Dameon and this whole mess."
"As you should have a long time ago."
"Yes, but then despite it all I still couldn't turn in my own son's death warrant."
"You're prepared to do that now?"
"I must. I have to atone for the mistakes I have made. Whatever the cost."
Eric nodded.
"So will you? Look after Layla?"
"I will. Only because this has now spilled into my territory and business. It's not just your war anymore. I'm required to keep order in my Area and your son has disrupted several territorial treaties."
Maddox nodded.
"I knew you would help."
"If you knew I would help then why are you here?"
"I came here to warn you…."
Eric smirked. "Warn me? Of what?"
"Do not underestimate Dameon. Yes he'll do everything in his power not to get his hands dirty, but don't doubt for a second he won't come to get Layla himself. Hopefully I can get to King of Texas before that happens. Dameon has struggled with his rule for the past few years but if he gets a hold of Layla, there will be no stopping him. I'm more than sufficient evidence of his misuse of power. But if for some reason I don't make it…protect Layla. Take her somewhere where Dameon can't find her. She's got her mother's spirit, she's stubborn as hell, I'm just afraid she's going to do what she always does."
"What's that?"
"When Layla comes upon a problem, she deals with it head on. Meaning by herself. Just make sure she doesn't go marching up to Dameon on her own. She may be tough, but she still needs to be watched over and protected. Even though she'll protest on that matter. She's human still after all."
Maddox sighed. "Thank you for doing this." He shook his head as he walked to his car.
"I'm not doing it for you." Eric concluded.
"Of course not. You're doing it for her." Maddox slid into his Jaguar and turned the key.
"As you know, Layla attracts vampires. Not only is she beautiful, It's her blood, her scent that I have cursed her with. I've watched her tirelessly fight them off since she was very young. I feel I should tell you, she obviously sees something special in you, Eric. You're the first vampire she's had any kind of relationship with since we left all those years ago. You're far more powerful and controlled than almost every vampire in the states. If you can overcome your lust for her blood, I'm sure you can get what you want."
"And what might that be?"
"Layla's love." Maddox smiled as he drove off.
Eric stood in the driveway for a moment. He shook his head at the smug attitude of Maddox. His requests were ridiculous. He had no right to ask Eric for anything. Lucky for Maddox he was partially right. Eric had developed an attachment to Layla. Whether the fondness was for her or her blood was beside the point. And he was too much a part of this ordeal to ignore it.
Eric got in his car and picked up his cell phone as he began to back out of Layla's driveway.
" Yes, it's me. I need you to pay Layla's faithful assistant Rob a visit…She's not at her house. I suspect he knows where she is."
…..
Rob opened his door.
"Hello." Pam smiled with her arms crossed.
"Hello, uh Pam was it?"
"It was and still is." She grinned as she looked at Rob's attire. He was shirtless and in a pair of boxers.
"Oh sorry." Rob apologized as he ran to throw on a t-shirt.
He walked back to the door. Can I help you with something?"
"May I come in?"
"You want to… Come in? Uh, sure." Rob gulped.
"Alright." Pam finished as she walked into his apartment.
"So…" Rob nervously walked over to his couch and discarded the various papers and blankets.
"Would you like to sit down?"
Pam looked around. "So this is a 'bachelor' pad?"
"I am a bachelor, and this is ….my pad."
"So it is."
"Um…Ms. Pam….?"
"Just Pam."
"Okay, Pam. Can I help you with anything?"
"Eric is looking for your boss."
"Layla?"
"That's the one…And we were hoping you might tell us where she is."
"Excuse me?"
"Where is Layla?"
"She's taken the night and tomorrow off. And no offense, but it's really none of your boss' business to know where she is."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, yes it is. What makes you think I would reveal that information to anyone?"
Pam rolled her eyes. "Fine…" She looked him in the eyes. "Tell me where Layla is." Pam demanded as she glamoured him.
"She took the night off."
"Yes, we've established that. Try to keep up. What is her location?"
"She should be at her house."
Pam pursed her lips. Layla hadn't told him where she was. Maybe he could give her a clue.
"What did you do for your boss today?"
"Managed band reps, rented a car, reserved the Yarbrough's room."
Pam's eyes perked. "Reserved a room? Who are the Yarbrough's?"
"I haven't met them. Mrs. Yarbrough will be staying by herself this evening. Mr. Yarbrough's yet to check in."
"Where are they staying?"
"The Diamondback, Suite 1001."
Pam grinned.
"Aren't you the helpful assistant?"
"I love her." He spoke slowly, still under glamour.
"What? You love who?"
"Layla."
Pam shook her head. "Good luck with that. Now, be a good boy and don't share this information you've told me with anyone else." Pam insisted as she stood up and walked towards the door.
Rob snapped out of the glamour. "That's it? You aren't going to ask me anything?"
"You've been more than enough help but right now I should be going." She turned back before she exited the door.
"Hopefully we'll see each other again real soon."
…
Pam got back to her car and dialed Eric.
"He doesn't know where she is. But I'd try the Diamondback Hotel, Suite 1001. Try your luck with checking yourself in as Mr. Yarbrough."
"Thank you…." Eric hung up his phone and drove towards the hotel.
When he arrived, Eric quickly parked and made his way to the lobby.
The clerk didn't bother to look up from the front desk.
"Can I help you?"
"Checking in. Yarbrough, 1001. My, wife is expecting me."
The clerk smacked her gum and typed the information into her computer.
"Alright. Mr. Yarbrough." She sighed as she scanned the card key and handed it to Eric. "Will you be requiring a bellboy?"
"I'll manage."
"Fantastic. Breakfast starts at six a.m., Casino is twenty four hours and if you require any amenities or access codes don't hesitate to call me or any help line from your in room phone." She spoke with feigned enthusiasm.
"Right, thank you." Eric quickly strode off to the elevator. He waited as it reached the tenth floor. Layla's room was the first room to the right. Eric thought about knocking, but this was his room as well. He slid the key into the slot and watched the light turn green. He was careful not to throw the door open. But there was no need to be gentle. He could smell Layla's scent all over the room. He smiled as he looked towards the bed. He had to hand it to her, if it weren't for her bumbling assistant, this would have been a great hiding spot. A rival hotel, under an assumed name. No one would ever find her.
Eric walked toward the bed and turned on the lamp.
The bed was empty.
Eric looked around the room. Layla definitely had been there. The bed was still made but her scent was on the bed itself. He looked around the room. Her cell phone was sitting on the nightstand, a glass of water was upon the desk.
Eric mildly panicked. It seemed she was in a hurry. Or she had an unexpected visitor.
He threw the door open and strode out in the hallway towards the elevator as he called Pam.
"She was in the room, but she's not anymore. Did Rob tell you anything else?"
"Not about where she might be."
Eric sighed. The elevator was taking too long. He quickly walked to the opposite end of the hall and went to the stairwell. He flew himself down the middle and quickly landed on the first floor.
"We might have to prepare for another one of Dameon's henchman…." He spoke quickly already in the parking lot.
" Or the possibility of Dameon himself…" Eric paused as he looked toward his Corvette.
Layla was leaning against the driver's door putting some sort of food in her mouth.
"Never mind." He finished. "I found her." He hung up with Pam as he stood to face Layla.
"Are you always eating?" .
"Keeps my energy up." She smiled as she crunched.
"What is that?"
"Melba toast. Want one?"
"No thanks, but since you're offering..."
Layla swallowed. "So, what brings you and your ridiculously massive ego here?"
Eric sighed. "I missed your company and constant disdain towards me. Guess I'm just a glutton for punishment."
"I guess so." She shrugged as she yawned.
"You're tired."
"I am. Constantly having to argue with you has taken a toll on my complexion."
"You still have lots of blood flowing to your face. Your complexion is entirely healthy."
"How fortunate I am then. Did you need something Eric?"
"Do you need some company?"
Layla rolled her eyes. "I'm fine thanks." She concluded as she walked back towards the hotel.
"All I need is a good night's rest."
"Let me take you back to the room."
"I can show myself ."
"You can never be too careful." Eric followed her into the lobby.
Layla shook her head as she made her way to the elevator. She didn't want to cause any kind of attention to herself. She tried to close the elevator before Eric arrived but he quickly slid into it before it closed.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm keeping an eye on you. If you've already forgotten, not a day ago you were the victim of an attempted kidnapping."
"No one knows I'm here."
"I do however, and I don't intend on letting you out of my sight. Plus, I think you could use my help."
"And why are you so anxious to help me Eric?" She asked while getting off the elevator.
"We've been through this, you're no use to me if you're dead. Besides, I felt we weren't' finished negotiating the terms of our agreement."
"I think we were." She opened the door then quickly turned around.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm coming in."
"I didn't invite you."
"You don't have to." He grinned. "I have a key." He held it up for her to see.
Layla sighed as she watched Eric enter the room and the door shut behind him.
"Nice room Mrs. Yarbrough. What are we? On our honeymoon?"
"I thought I could finally get a good night's sleep."
"Go right ahead. I'll be right here." He stated as he sat back in the desk chair.
Layla looked over at him. "Something's different about you tonight." She didn't know what it was.
"How do you mean?"
Layla shrugged as he looked towards him. There he was, that worried and concerned Eric. That demeanor that made him far too attractive for Layla's comfort. She tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. It was almost too much for her to bare.
"I …don't know what I mean." She looked away and smoothed her long dark hair.
"How long do you intend on staying?"
"Are you about to tell me it's almost dawn again?"
"You can tell time."
"I'm impressed. You've realized that fighting is futile."
"Nonsense Eric. I've simply moved on from using that technique."
He smiled as he looked towards her.
"Do you really intend on staying?"
"Yes." He stood up and sat himself down beside her on the bed. He carefully grabbed her arm and examined her wrist.
"That looks horrible. Not to mention painful, you really should take my blood and let me heal you."
Layla shook her head. "That's out of the question. Besides, you'd only want my blood in return."
Eric laughed. "I'm only vampire."
Layla sighed. "Exactly."
The pair shared a pause. A pause to sincere and intimate for both their comfort. Layla almost jumped when Eric's hand reached up pushed her hair behind her left ear. His fingers traced along Layla's bruise gently as she slightly flinched.
"Am I hurting you?"
"No." She quickly remarked. Wanting to pull away but somehow couldn't muster the strength.
"It's astonishing really. The human body. I've forgotten what it feels like to have to heal, to bruise. You know a bruise is just damaged capillaries when blood escapes to the next level of skin. Trying to get out."
Layla took a deep breath, and removed Eric's hand from her cheek.
"How did your business associates react to you being all banged up?"
"I told them I was in a car accident."
"You weren't lying. Except about the accident part. Does it still hurt?" He smiled.
Layla smiled. "Are you concerned."
Eric grinned. "At some point or another, you're going to have to acknowledge our mutual magnetism towards each other."
Layla shook her head. " I don't have to acknowledge anything."
"Admit it. I can practically feel your heartbeat. It's pleasing to me that I get you that worked up."
"Okay." She started. "I do find you attractive, you are attractive Eric. You're handsome, smart, sexy. But I don't want to go down that road. How much of you actually desires me and not my blood? I'm not an idiot. Sex and blood are synonymous with each other for vampires. And I'm sure you'd be damn good at it."
"But…"
"But I don't want you to bite me."
Eric sighed as he smoothed her hair back once more.
"I am what I am Layla. I'm not human. I do desire your blood. I don't see the issue however. I'd never take all of your blood. And I can control myself. I'm not an animal as you like to think. I'm very evolved." He said while moving in closer proximity to her face.
"Besides, I believe in vampire rule and technically you're another's claim…in terms of feeding from you. I'll have to hold off on that part anyways."
"Guess you've solved everything. Got it all figured out."
He nodded. "I'm very thorough."
Layla rolled her eyes.
Eric grinned. "I adore that you hate me the same time as wanting me."
Layla tilted her head as she pursed her lips. He was so handsome. His chiseled face, his sinister smile. True, his devilish grin was part of his charm.
"I think now's the time to kiss me again. It's been a few days now. I've forgot what you taste like." He suggested turning his face to hers.
