Sooo, I'm back with an update.
I'm sorry that this one took so long, but I wanted to finish up Dying Love first. Writing two stories at the same time has been distracting me to the point that neither one was getting done.
Then I had the pleasure of my computer dying on me last week just after I promised to get an update out asap. Lucky for me I backed up my stories recently so it wasn't as much of a tragedy as it could have been. I have a new laptop which is way cooler and prettier btw, although still difficult to type on but I'm getting used to it, slowly and rather painfully.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I love hearing from all of you and I'm also very pleased that you enjoying Lexie. I hope you continue to do so, she's awesome and I love her.
Big hugs to ElenaM for helping me out and bitching at me when I needed it.
Disclaimer: All the SVM characters belong to someone who isn't me, but Underworld is all mine.
The drive cleared my head somewhat, and doubts about inviting Eric over started creeping in like uninvited guests to a party.
Zagan.
The invisible elephant in the room, the one reason I was hesitating fucking Eric's brains out.
Fuck.
For the hundredth time I cursed that Nergal's people lost his trail and haven't managed to come up with anything since then. I am going to kill that son of a bitch as soon as I can flush him out of the hellhole he's hiding in.
My eyes flicked over to the rear-view mirror, I noticed the headlights of the corvette getting closer again. We looked like a choreographed duet, a pair of lights flying down an empty night road. Lucky for us there wasn't a car in sight. Neither of us enjoyed following the speed limit humans seemed to think necessary for safe driving.
Fifteen minutes was the quickest I've ever made it home from Shreveport, and I was pulling up to a stop in front of my gates with twenty three seconds to spare. I punched in the pin and sat there listening to the loud purring of my mustang and Eric's corvette while they opened.
I'm going to go for a run. Zi's voice broke through my thoughts as I felt him move up my back. His nails dug into me with more force than was strictly necessary; he was still annoyed with me.
I stifled a sigh while shivering from the uncomfortable sensation. "You aren't going to stay mad at me forever, Zi, are you? Besides, you knew I didn't need your help back there."
I'm perfectly aware of your obviously growing weakness. Now I'm going to go and chase a rabbit while you indulge your new obsession. Then he added as an afterthought, I want to hunt with Artemis.
That sounded suspiciously like a whine. He wouldn't openly whine, it was an unseemly habit an ava'h would never lower himself to (his words), but it came close. Zi and I were invited to one of her hunts a while back, he loved it. I did too. We went back every now and then. Once the Goddess gives you an invitation, you can come back any full moon for the hunt. I knew Zi would be bored of the lack of fun game here, but we really haven't had a chance to play lately.
"How about the next full moon, we'll go?" I asked full knowing he would like nothing more. I got a loud purr as I felt him rub against my neck with more affection. Zi pissed with me made my life uncomfortable, seeing as he lives under my skin, literally.
I rolled the car slowly through the gates keeping an eye on Eric. I deliberately moved just passed the gate while his car was sitting halfway through, the shield holding back his body firmly and most likely rather uncomfortably from entering.
He was the one who wouldn't believe I had shields around the property that functioned similar to the magic around homes which kept vampires out. From the glare fixed towards my car I'd say yes.
"You may come in, Eric," I said, letting the wind carry my voice to him. A cool trick I learned from Claudine. As I started slowly up my driveway I put my arm out of the window and Zi jumped out into the night, a sleek black shadow gliding effortlessly into the trees, silent and deadly. I wished him a good hunt as I felt him move further away from me.
The corvette practically flew in the rest of the way behind me, gravel going in all directions. I couldn't quite wipe off the satisfied smile that had sprung up on my face as I drove towards my garage.
We parked the cars side by side next to the garage. Killing the engine I took a deep breath that proved unsuccessful at calming my jittery nerves.
When I locked the car, I saw Eric standing in front of my house. The enigmatic look on his face didn't give me many clues as to whether he liked it or not. I loved my house. It was my design and for some reason his opinion mattered. I made my way over to him slowly, scratching my left arm in a nervous gesture. It was turning out to be a rather unsettling night.
When I came to stand next to him he turned his intense eyes on me. "Impressive." That was all he said, and all I seemingly needed to alleviate some of my nervous tension. Of course, pinning all of the complicated emotions of my need of approval was a way to not have to think about how much I would enjoy grabbing Eric and dragging him straight to the bedroom, but I tried to ignore unladylike urges.
"Thank you. I had a hand in creating," I said, pride evident in my tone. The feeling of uncertainty washed out of me and I felt the warmth of happiness warm me in the cool evening.
He looked slightly surprised by my answer.
"You built it yourself?" He asked. I moved my eyes to Eric's face, drinking in his features while trying not to laugh at his obvious misreading of my words.
"Well not the actually building work, no. I designed the house. With help, of course, but most of it was me."
I walked up the steps and after opening the front door I turned back to look at him. He was still waiting for me at the bottom, glaring at me with a rather ferocious stare. The shields were holding him back from stepping onto the first step, let alone walking up to the front door. Like I said earlier, I don't fool around with magic.
My earlier satisfaction filled my face as I let a wicked grin spread there. "How are my shields holding up?" There was no way to make that question sound innocent.
I watched him struggle to contain what probably would have been a less than complimentary answer before he grounded out, "Impeccable".
I nodded in satisfaction. "Come on in."
He walked in cautiously, looking around with undisguised interest, quickly cataloguing his surroundings. I watched him out of my peripheral vision, noticing a serious look on his face, while it was certainly a look of clear appreciation for my work there was cold calculation there as well. I felt like he was trying to read into his surroundings, trying to figure out why I had chosen each piece of furniture. Reading into my choices and learning more about me with each conclusion he came to.
I left him to it as I made my way to the kitchen. "Would you like a drink?"
"Is it one of the daemon bloods? Pam said they were delicious." The curious half-smile on his face said that he was probably going to try and talk me into supplying his business with the stuff. While not a bad idea in itself, it was doomed to fail. I could only sneak out a case here or there, not cases by the truckload.
"Yep. I stocked up." I went to heat one up and get myself something as well. While we both sipped our drinks, mine was of the alcohol variety, I described the other rooms to him, I didn't really trust myself with Eric in close proximity to a bed and from his mocking smile I knew he realised I was stalling.
He didn't push the issue for once. "What was the big structure on the side?" He asked after I was done bragging.
"That's my play room, come on I'll show you my babies." I said with a cheeky smile.
I chuckled at the perplexed look on his handsome face as I made my way past him towards the corridor into the gym.
"You have children?" He asked as he followed me.
I chuckled at his obvious misconception. I didn't need to turn on the light in the gym; we both had good night vision.
"I should have been more specific before, but the look on you face was just too much fun. This is my weapons collection, also known as my babies." I said with an over exaggerated flourish of my hand.
His eyes lit up. He looked like a little boy standing in front of a Christmas store display. I guess for this Viking this room was a bit like a toy museum, only you get to play with the toys in here.
We spent the next hour going over my collection. It was extensive, I loved weapons. I had silver, iron and steel swords, as well as a good variety of short swords and daggers, with a few hunting bows and sai. Some were mine, others I kept for my friends who came over once in a while and we'd spar. Daemons are specific as to what weapons they like to use. Most were daemon or fairy made. More than a few had their own names and magic. Eric appreciated the craftsmanship of them all. He was stroking the blade of one of the broadswords with particular reverence as I leaned against the wall next to him, enjoying his obvious appreciation of the weapon.
"Do you want to have a friendly match?" Of course, the last thing I had wanted tonight was to spar, but the idea wasn't totally repugnant. I may have been sexually frustrated before but seeing Eric holding the broadsword made my own hands itch for a match. I felt Lilliane stir in happy anticipation.
He looked up at me from admiring the sword. His eyes narrowed into slits as he tried to figure out if I really could fight with a weapon, or maybe estimate my ability. I felt my blood heat up from the intensity of his look. I had little doubt that he hadn't seen many women able to compete with him in an armed fight. I highly doubted that many men could I might not look all that threatening to a Viking more than a head taller than me, I knew I could match him in skill if not experience. I let my expression fall back into polite interest so I didn't give away how much I wanted to see him use that particular sword. It was a recent acquisition, a little too large for me to use, but too beautifully crafted to pass up.
After a moment of point blank assessment he seemed to reach some sort of conclusion and swung the sword he was holding experimentally. A smile made his lips turn up as he looked at me again.
"Here?"
I looked around trying to picture us actually fighting in the gym, it was great for solo practise but sparring with a six foot something Viking that had a broadsword would be extremely hazardous to its structural health.
"Let's head out to the clearing," I said as I pushed off the wall and started towards the glass door facing the back of the property.
"You have not taken a weapon." His voice was just behind me and I felt soft cool air hit my neck. I shivered as my body's appreciating his close proximity, if he were warm blooded I was sure I'd be feeling the heat of him all the way down my back.
"I always have one." I told him over my shoulder trying not to betray my rattled composure and ran into the woods with Eric following close behind me.
When we reached the clearing, I called Lilliane. She glittered in the moonlight, greeting me with her deadly song. It would be too easy to get lost in her entrancing melody; this little game would turn deadly. I let my hand run over the blade, caressing the silver glinting steel like greeting an old lover. I let the magic that was Lilliane's soul spread through me, letting my own senses spread out over the clearing.
When I looked up I saw Eric watching me with interest. "That's a very nice weapon, Alessandra." He realised it was her, but then anyone looking at Lilliane would never name her anything but female.
I smiled at him and he smiled back. "In her own way, yes, she lives on me as well. Her name is Lilliane." I said as I finished my binding on her. "First blood? Or do you just want to spar and see." I doubt he missed the fact that I said she lives.
"We will spar and see how long you can dance." He told me with an amused smirk. You would think that after one thousand years he'd stop judging a book by its cover, but I could tell he was still thinking of me as a woman rather than an opponent.
I moved Lilliane in front of me, flexing my arm muscles to make sure they were loose. I didn't need to warm up like humans do before a fight, but I still checked to make sure my movements were loose and uninhibited before any fight, a habit I'd fallen into thanks to my masters. I felt the clearing through my other senses, every blade of grass was a part of me now as my focus narrowed to Eric. I watched as he stalked around towards me, his movements graceful and predatory. He held the broadsword easily and I could see the rippling of muscles in his arms as he moved towards me. There wasn't even a hint of strain in any of his movements as he held the sword. I knew for a fact that it was heavy, but if you didn't know better you'd think it was made of air.
Eric obviously thought that his faster vampire speed and height would give him an advantage. But, even knowing that, he didn't rush into the fight, instead circling me with suppleness I'd have said impossible for someone that large. He was a vampire. Even a daemon would have trouble matching his liquid movements. My own feet moved quietly over the soft grass of the clearing, mirroring his movements. He waited. So did I. Not moving in to strike, but watching me, assessing. Reading in my movements everything I was in his and more. There was no tension in his body, a wasted effort for someone confident in his own skill.
I circled him, letting the waiting game play itself out. I heard a roar from beyond the tree line, Zi. Then Eric moved and all my attention snapped back to him in an instant.
Our swords clashed the sound echoing in eerie silence of darkness and moonlight. I had a moment to register the wicked gleam in his eyes before we moved away again and I was blocking a side swing.
For all of his natural grace and liquidity his style was heavier, more forceful than mine. It didn't mean either of us had an advantage over each other. Neither did it mean that we were out of sync. The differences didn't matter, we moved together flawlessly. Almost an echo of each other, two halves of a prefect whole, different, yet inexplicably the same. I let him attack as we parried, watching for any weakness in his position. There were none that I could see.
Then I noticed something. Just before he brought the sword down there was a brief pause, so brief that I'd have missed it if I wasn't paying such close attention. My blood boiled.
"You're holding back." I hissed at him.
"What if I am?" He had a smile on his face and I could see his fangs, he was definitely enjoying himself. I wondered how long it had been since he had a good fight, or even a challenging partner to spar. I did not think Pam was very interested in swords.
"Don't." I snarled back with a beautiful overhead swing. His laughter echoed through the trees around us.
He didn't.
It was well past two when I called a halt. I wasn't tired, but I was plenty sweaty and had dirt all over my clothes. My jacket had rips and blood from the nick that Eric had given me. His expression was priceless the first time he drew blood and watched it heal almost vampire fast. Not that Eric's clothes or skin was looking any better. We headed back to the house, feeling more relaxed than before, having channelled some of our tension into the fight. Not that any of the sexual tension was gone. No, but I knew he was feeling less bloodlust.
My mood shifted back into conscious denial for my growing attraction to the vampire walking next to me. The more I learned about him the more I realised I was in serious trouble. He was intelligent, devious (which was fun in my books), a good fighter and a whole bunch of other things, some of which I was sure would be very pleasurable. I knew he treated the staff at the bar well enough, and the vampires in the area all respected him. It would be so easy for me to fall, I wasn't sure if I hadn't already.
"You are very skilled with the sword. Not many would have been able to keep up with me the way you have." Eric said. I didn't get offended by his comment. I knew he had a serious amount of practise under his belt compared to me, it would be foolish for me to take offense at his obvious complement.
"I had good teachers Eric. I had to get good, quickly." I told him, the fact that he appreciated my skills sent warmth through me. "I may have been well protected but my position in Underworld was…less than stable or safe. Daemons are not known for their peaceful negotiation skills. I needed to prove I was a fighter if I wanted anyone to actually respect and listen to me. And my step-mummy isn't extremely maternal when it comes to me." She did try to kill me, still tries whenever a chance presents itself.
"Yes, most supernatural creatures respect power." He said in agreement. He was a vampire sheriff; I doubted his position was any less precarious. "Tell me about Underworld. I have heard about it before of course and have always wanted to visit. I have never had the opportunity. Only very few vampires are welcome there from what I understand."
I was surprised he wanted to talk. I mean even after knowing Eric for a couple of weeks, our chemistry together, I was surprised that he would let a chance like tonight go past. I was also a little grateful. Maybe he noticed my indecision before? I got both of us drinks before we sat down on the back porch. Eric rested his sword against the extra-large wicker chair he sat in. He stretched out his legs in front of him, and I dropped into the chair next to him suddenly feeling weak in the knees as I took him in. The fight helped to distract me, but my lust was back and raging inside my blood.
"Well, what would you like to know?" I asked, not sure where to begin or what he would like to hear about it. Underworld was a different plane of existence to this one, another world. It would take me months to even make a dent.
He was silent for a while thinking, trying to figure out the best question to start with.
"Is it true vampires do not need rest there? That the sun does not burn my kind?" Yes, that would be something he'd like to know. I wondered if he missed the sun, or even remembered what the warmth of it felt like on the skin.
"Yes. Our sun is slightly different to the one here. Underworld is a reflection of this world in a way. It is richer in colour and tastes, everything tastes different, stronger. The sun however is really different; it is like the one here, but isn't. It gives off heat and it gives energy to plants so they grow, but as we have discovered vampires don't get harmed by it. Maybe it's the magic of the place. I never really found out." I was always curious about that as well, but never really had the time to research.
"What about your life there?"
"My life?" I repeated a little confused.
"Yes. What do you do? What is your life like?" I took a peek at his face, he was completely serious. I wasn't sure where this was heading but I understood him wanting more information about me. Eric was a pragmatic vampire. He liked to have all the facts about the people he had dealings with. It made sense he would want to know more about me.
"I help where I can. Dad's got a lot on his plate. The politics are ruthless and inter-species relations are always strained. I don't think I'll ever understand why every race feels they are superior to another no matter which world they are in. I organise the social events, help out with the souls when I can and sometimes preside over trials as well. I'm the unofficial fae-daemon negotiator and ambassador, since I spend three months in Fae every year. There is always something to do."
I finally looked at him. He was watching me with an odd expression on his face. It made me almost wish I could read vampires.
"What made you come here?"
The million dollar question so to speak. One I wasn't ready to talk about even after all these years.
"I finished my training and wanted a break."
I rose from my seat and grabbed my empty glass. We were getting close to a topic few knew much about and feelings I've yet to verbalise to anyone. Not a single person knew what really happened that night. Most knew bits, but only I knew the truth. I wasn't ready. After all these years, I was still too sore, too broken. I sprang out of the seat, suddenly needing to move.
"Would you like another blood Eric?" My voice betraying the agitation I felt. I didn't want to talk about this, not now, not with Eric.
The blue of his eyes was as cold as an iceberg, and just as unfathomable as to its true depth. No emotion escaped him unless he let it. A thousand years of practise made him very good at hiding behind a façade. Mine was still flawed.
"Thank you Alessandra, but I believe I should get going. I still have a few things that need to be taken care of." A smile turned his lips up in the corners and the cool liquid of his eyes heating up with its appearance. "I would like to spar again sometime. It was…enlivening."
I felt disappointment hit me in the stomach like a minotaur's fist but kept the expression on my face neutral. One slip for the night was quite enough. It was one too many.
"Of course. I would enjoy that as well." I said politely as politely as I would address anyone in court. It was the face I showed the world of politicians, the face I presented at all the lovely functions that my dad loved for me to play hostess. "Give me a heads up and I'm sure we can arrange something, I do spend half my week in Underworld these days."
He nodded. I picked up his empty bottle and my glass and went to rinse both in the sink.
Eric stood waiting for me.
"I have to admit I didn't expect to have an evening of fighting and talking." I bet. When we left Fangtasia this was at the bottom of my list too. I looked at him when I finished in the kitchen. Even with bloody and ripped up clothing he looked amazing. I flushed hot as an image of him naked flew through my mind. Eric's nostrils flared slightly, he could smell my reaction to that thought. Damn vampire senses.
"Yes. I suppose you did." I smiled crookedly. "Just shows you that you have a definite inflated ego problem. Well, that or one track mind." I grinned at the last part.
His eyes roved over my curves. "My mind is obviously able to think of more than one thing. And my ego is not the only thing that is inflated while in your presence." He gave me a leer.
"You're the one who said you need to get going because you have business." I was playing with fire and well I knew it.
He was in front of me in a flash. His face so close that all I could see were the blue of his eyes. The same glacial blue stared down at me but now it was as hot as an inferno. I was melting very fast myself.
"Is that an invitation, lover?" The words slid down my skin like a caress. Oh boy! When am I going to learn not to play with fire? Then again it would be an absolutely boring life if I ever did. I closed my eyes and breathed him in. He smelled of the woods, the night and that dry scent of vampire. It brought up a mixture of feelings in me. I wanted to take him up on his offer but knew that it was a very bad idea. I felt his fingers slide slowly up my arms and my mind was quickly throwing out all of my reasons for procrastinating.
"I can't Eric. Not now." I breathed out. My eyes still closed because I didn't want to see his expression. I didn't want to see his face. I knew that I'd give in if I did.
I felt his face only inches away from mine. I stopped breathing.
Felt the brush of a feather light kiss on my lips. Sighed in answer.
"You will. Soon." Eric whispered against my lips. The air around me moved.
When I opened my eyes, he was gone. I heard the start of an engine outside and the screech of tires down the gravel of my driveway.I touched my lips as they tingled from the brief contact, already cursing my own stupidity for hesitating.
That night I had the longest, coldest shower of my life. It did nothing to alleviate my suffering and no matter how much I tried I couldn't get rid of the feeling of his lips against mine or the yearnings of wanting those lips on other parts of me as well.
A fortnight. Since the first night time Eric and I sparred. Extremely long andacutely frustrating two weeks. Eric had offered to relieve me of the tension, but I declined. Pam has offered too, naturally. To be fair we've hardly had an opportunity. I've barely had any rest in the last fortnight, splitting my time between my obligations here and Underworld.
Zagan was still free and a threat to me. He sent more daemons to try and capture me. None were powerful enough to even give me a challenge. He was all about playing with his prey. I learnt that first hand. I've always been his pray, never anything else.
I felt the burn of the ever present anger simmering like hot coals in my stomach whenever my thoughts turned in that direction.
We've managed to get close to catching him several times, but he always got away. He was always one step ahead. Last time he even left me a present. A tortured female half-daemon crucified and her guts stretched out around the room. She was still warm when the hunting squad found her.
The anger simmering burst through me like molten fire scorching my body. The air in the car crackled with tension as some of my anger charged the particles in it. My hands clenched around the wheel, the metal in it groaning under the tight sound making me snap out of my raging haze as I realised I was about to seriously damage my car. I took my foot of the gas pedal, letting the car slow down, and breathed. I let my concentration zero in on the air flowing through my lungs as I tried to push the disturbing image out of my mind, again. That was when I saw a shadow slip out from the forest and step into the path of my headlights. It was a woman. She was naked. Not that you'd be able to tell that from a quick glance since she was completely covered in a layer, or three, of caked dirt. She also had a hog with her. My night was getting interesting very quickly.
I snapped the mental shields in place and the fury receded. Hell! I was being played with and I didn't even know it. Bitch, I already didn't like her and we haven't even talked. Somehow I doubted my feelings would improve on closer acquaintance. I scanned out and realised she most definitely wasn't human. I put the car into park before opening the door with more force than was necessary. I wasn't exactly sure what I was dealing with but the way she controlled my emotions I knew that whatever she was it was definitely supernatural. She was also on my shit list before we even had a chance to say hi.
"Hello Alessandra." The naked woman's voice was almost musical, beautiful, whereas the rest of her was decidedly not. At least it didn't look it, but she was covered in dirt.
"What are you?" I asked warily, unsure which corner of the supernatural community spat her out. I felt Zionos start padding up my back; he was ready to protect me at a moment's notice.
She laughed a very rich husky laugh. It would have been rather sexy, if it wasn't so cracked.
"I'm surprised the daughter of Hades doesn't recognise one of my kind." She tilted her head to one side. "I suppose you haven't been in contact with many of your family's progenies."
That wasn't much of a clue, but it was enough to make me realise I may be facing something with a bit more juice than I expected.
"I've no quarrel with you, Hades' daughter. My name is Callisto. I've a message for Eric Northman. Tell him that I require my tribute from him."
I raised my eyebrow."And you think I would play delivery girl why?" I said, my voice taking on a bored tone.
She laughed; again, I noticed that the look in her eyes was far shrewder than her overall appearance would suggest it should be. "Because, it would be in your best interest not to draw attention to this area."
"I don't see how this could possibly affect me." I told her. "I do, however, find myself rather irritated by your attitude. I don't play messenger girl very well." I all but snarled at her. I hated threats.
My brain was busy processing what exactly was in front of my car and trying to threaten me. I had perfect memory; it was a perk of my heritage. Something that came in as handy as it was annoying. Like a computer data base I felt the information click in place. She was a maenad. Irritating creatures thinking they were superior to everyone and everything. They also happened to be completely was not exactly the sanest being I knew either, but unlike the women he created to worship him, he at least had an excuse for being such a pain in the behind for the rest of the family. Maenads were more powerful, thanks to the energy that went into their metaphorical birth, to just about anything really, except a god. Or divine fairy with an ava'h and a sword that enjoyed the taste of wild blood in its blade.
I pulled on my power. The goddess glow surrounded me and I let tendrils of it lash out towards her. It was almost too easy. She may have heard of me, but like most didn't comprehend I was just as powerful as my full blooded relatives, if not more so than some of the minor deities I knew. Maenads have always overestimated their own worth I'd heard before, that fact seemed to be true in this case. It left her completely immobilised. Cut off from her own brand of power. The insanity that she'd used against me only minutes earlier.
The stupid hog charged me. I almost lost the hold I had on the maenad as the animal launched itself towards me. Lucky for me Zi was paying more attention. He jumped off me in a graceful leap landing squarely on the pig as his jaw locked onto the animal's neck. I heard the sound of ripping flesh, the smell of blood hit my senses moments later as Zi's teeth ripped through the tender skin on its neck; the hog's minutes in this life were numbered.
I felt a chuckle escape me. Normal people would probably freak out, I laughed. I never pretended to be normal.
"You think a pig would kill me?" I couldn't help it; I was laughing like a mad woman now. Zi's amusement resounded through my head in echoes to my own.
When I calmed down somewhat, wiping the tears in my eyes, I looked back at Calisto. She was fuming.
"Darling, I understand the whole superiority issues you have. Trust me, I get it. I even get the fact that my uncle left you with only half a brain attached. It isn't your fault, really." I moved in closer to her. Right in her face, so she could see my emerald eyes glow with the power now running through me. My face held no traces of my earlier amusement. "But if you think you can threaten me or anyone who is in the area I live, you had better think again. I highly doubt my uncle would care if I destroyed one of his little followers." I hissed in her face. "What I do know is that he will not be impressed by your actions. Not. At. All." I let my words sink in before continuing, a smile spread on my face. It was an evil smile. "Zionos, darling, I did promise you a proper hunt. I think we've found fair game."
Calisto's eyes widened as comprehension dawned on her, even through her insanity she realised what I'd meant.
Can I kill the hog now? I don't think he's going to be much of a challenge. My eyes flickered over to where Zi was holding down the wounded pet. He was right, the hog had already stopped fighting, I could feel his life seeping out of him as the blood left his body.
"Sure, you have another prey tonight." I turned back towards my car as I released Calisto and only turned around when I reached the door again. "Oh, Calisto." Her face was white under the dirt. Good. "I suggest you start running." I left Zionos a very happy kitty as I sped away to Fangtasia. He'd join me when he was done.
I pulled up at the back of Fangtasia about fifteen minutes after eight. Fifteen minutes late wasn't that bad, but I prided myself on being on time, so when I came up to the door, I saw Pam's smirk. She was wearing a lovely pastel Dior vintage dress. I'd have been more jealous if pastel's actually looked good on me, as it was I admired from afar and silently.
"Please don't Pam. I know I'm late and I do have a damn good excuse for it." I said holding up my hand to stall her commentary. She raised one of her perfectly arched eyebrows, but refrained from voicing what no doubt would have been a sardonic comment. I was in no mood for it. Instead she let me through with only a quick perusal of my attire. I doubted that she missed even the smallest of detail; the maxi dress that flowed around me in intricate patterns of red and blue flowers on beige, the plunging neckline that revealed more than it hid and the beautiful ruby that occupied the naked flesh there.
I made my way straight to Eric's office.
"Hello, Eric. What can I do for you tonight?" My mind shifted to a somewhat better place once I saw the Viking. He was sitting behind his desk reading some papers. He looked sinful as always while wearing a red singlet and with his hair braided in one slick French braid. We were supposed to spar tonight and he probably braided his hair up so it didn't get in the the first night at my house, Eric had come over as often as his and mine schedule synced. Which so far had been a whooping two times, tonight would have been the third. We practised with the swords and talked. Sure he never let an opportunity pass to try and get into my pants, which I'll admit I almost succumbed to on both occasions. Yet, we've never crossed the line, not was a matter of time. I got the distinct feeling that Eric was waiting for me to make the first move. We, both of us, were stubborn as hell.
He looked up an all too knowing smirk on his face.
"The night is too short for all the things I've pictured you doing for me, lover." I basked in his sensual words and the heat in his eyes. The heat that meant I was wanted, needed, and definitely appreciated. Yeah. I was going to cave soon and damn the consequences. Then he looked closely at me. "What has made you agitated, Lexie?"
I slid into a chair across from him in a huff.
"I had a rough day filling in for dad at court. The dwarf clans are fighting again. Did you know there is a maenad in the area?" I asked offhand. "She seemed to think she could get tribute from you."
His smile vanished.
"No. I was not aware we had that kind of visitor. I take it you have met her and left her presence unharmed."
I waved a hand in my general direction, pointing out that no harm has been caused.
"I did say she wanted something from you, not me." I pointed out.
His eyebrows went up. "What did she want?"
"A tribute." I was enjoying annoying him. Maybe I was getting PMS, but for some reason being contrary tonight felt good, really good. We stared at one another.
He cracked first, he didn't look like he was enjoying my mood as much as I was. "Elaborate."
I thought about holding off a little more but the expression on his face made me change my mind.
"She popped out from the forest and said hello. That would be after she tried to feed on my anger. She also seemed to think that you are required to give her a tribute." I felt a smile tugging at my mouth.
Eric raised an eyebrow, clearly getting frustrated with my lack of cooperation with his questioning.
"I pointed out that it would be in her best interest not to mess with me or those I consider in my protection."
Shock crossed his face and then he laughed. Well, this was going better than I hoped. When Eric was done laughing, his eyes still filled with merriment he said.
"You consider me under your protection?"
I smiled at him. I knew how ridiculous that statement sounded. A thousand year old vampire under the protection of a century old divine fae child, not something he considered possible. While normally I'd have agreed, I did have leverage when it came to certain creatures that he'd think twice before ignoring.
"I do work for you. Although my contract does not state any type of security, I was sure you would let me handle this. It is part of my area of expertise so to speak." I tried to make that sound charming. I really didn't need to prove that I could make him dust under my feet. "Eric, she wanted tribute, I doubt she would have been satisfied with a cow and some wine. She's insane…she needed more."
I could see that Eric knew very well what I was talking about and whom. It would be hard to find the right kind of tribute for a maenad if you are trying to mainstream.I saw conflict in his eyes. Doubt was creeping in that it wasn't some sort of altruistic ploy to get the upper hand with him. After all he didn't really know me that well. I tensed. The power that I raised before still running through my system was making me as tight as a wire on steroids. I needed a run, or battle…or sex. I realised my eyes betrayed me when I saw Eric's expression turn predatory. He knew what I needed better than I did. Vampire instincts were much more primal than mine.
He rose fluidly from his chair and in a few long strides was behind me. I felt his hand on my naked skin, slowly massaging my shoulders.
"Relax lover." His voice weaved magic around me. "You need to relax."
He massaged my shoulders, working magic with his long fingers and like most things my body obeyed his command. I felt like putty in his hands. It felt nice just to be cared for, nice to let go for a little while. The walls of my resistance crumbled a little bit more. Eric was like a slow tide, consistently working away at those walls. Trying to find a weak point to breach my defences, and today I felt myself weaken. I felt my will slip. I could blame it on the maenad, or on the constant stress that has become my life. If I was honest with myself, I knew I was starting to feel something more for Eric than just lust. Something beyond the electric pull that I experienced when I first met him. Something more than just the sexual chemistry that has put us in lots of compromising situations, that Pam always managed to take advantage of. I was starting to care. That was a dangerous place for me. I ran like hell from caring. Tonight though, my instincts just shut off and I enjoyed Eric's strong hands on my back, and the feeling that all my problems could be lifted off my shoulders, even for just a little while.
"Lexie." He said in half a growl. His voice so full of need I shook. I didn't have the will to resist him.
I found myself on top of his desk and in his arms and kissing Eric with a hunger that was mirrored back at me. His mouth tried to dominate mine, our tongues battling in another kind of war that had nothing to do with winning, just savouring. He kissed his way down my jaw and licked my neck, sucking the skin on top of the pulse point on my throat. A moan escaped me as my hands wrapped around his waist as I tried to press myself closer to his cool body. I needed more than just games tonight.
"Please…" I couldn't get more than that out of me, my thoughts hazy with need and hunger. My body trembled under his assault and the residual energy coursing through it, needing release.
He didn't need more invitations. My soft plea was enough. He understood what I needed in that moment, better than I ever would have been able to explain.
I felt the straps of my dress slide down my arms as his hands caressed their way down my body. His lips made their way back to mine and I nipped his lower lip, making his chest rumble in pleasure. Cool air hit my body as the dress slipped down to my waist; I didn't bother with a bra tonight.
"Beautiful." He breathed when he moved back to admire the view, I may have blushed under his intense scrutiny. My chest constricted in an all too familiar emotion when I saw his face so full of need and admiration, for me. I felt a vortex of need mixed in with power built up in me. When his cool tongue tasted my breast I whimpered.
His hand was busy working my dress up my thigh, slowly sending pulses down the electric current to the area that craved him most. I felt my rational mind slip further into a fog, my only awareness centred on this man, this vampire. My lover.
I heard a distant cry when his fingers reached their sought after destination, and realised it was my own. There was no doubt left in me that he knew exactly what he was about to do. His long and very knowledgeable fingers bringing me to the brink of pleasure, and letting me sit there until I whimpered helplessly for more while his mouth ravished the rest of me.
Power, pleasure and pain swirled in me creating an intoxicating current that was quickly pulling me into a vortex. "Look at me, lover." He barely whispered those words into my ear.
I fought to open my eyes, heavy from the charged currents running through me. His blue eyes pierced my own, the lust burning in them mixed together with satisfaction at my final held gratification of seeing me in this state of rapture from his actions. His free hand went around my back as he coaxed me to lean back against it, our eyes never breaking contact when he lowered himself closer to my breast. His fangs fully extended and hovering for a fraction of a moment above my flesh letting the anticipation build up in me as I watched his tongue lap up the salty bead of moisture on it.
He bit at the same time as I felt his fingers enter me and then everything exploded. There was nothing left but the feel of him in me, on me and around me. The million sparks of pleasure, pain and power thrusting me into a place of complete rapture when he pulled my blood into his mouth. He pulled in some of the residual power I had left from the fight as well, making me feel his satisfaction in watching me come apart on his fingers. It made me jealous and I pushed the next wave through the small bond between us. Eric's eyes widened as he felt it spread through is body, his hips thrust forward none to gently pushing his fingers further into me. I arched my back as the pleasure rippled through us, and took my pleasure from his as well, as Eric had his first dry orgasm in a very…very long time.
I felt tranquil and very satisfied for the first time in a month as we finally came back down to earth. My body still wrapped around his and his tongue gently licking at the remaining blood on my breast as I lay back on the desk in languid abandon.
Naturally, that was the moment Pam chose to walk in. Pam, with her all too perfect timing that's been a blessing before tonight, I would have happily killed her just now. If I had any energy left to kill with that is.
"I see you still have your clothes on, I'm glad I haven't missed the whole show." She said as she sat down in one of the chairs in front of Eric's desk with a complete view of my mostly naked body. Her eyes took me in with obvious interest. "I enjoy participating too…"
I managed a scowl in her direction before shifting Eric to block her view of me so I could put my clothes back to covering all the parts he recently I was no prude, tonight I was feeling shier than usual. Eric let me move him, obviously still savouring his victory. There was also a proprietary light in Eric's eyes that told me he didn't want Pam to see me like this either.
"Pam, have you ever heard of knocking?" I asked while pulling the straps of my dress back onto my shoulders. Eric helped by adjusting the skirt and I gave him a small smile. My panties were a lost cause, there was no way I was going in search of them while Pam was in the room, and I didn't think there was much to salvage since I vaguely remember something being ripped off me.
I was back to looking somewhat more presentable, as much as I could with certain key elements of my outfit missing. I slid off the table and into the other chair next to Pam. My eyes landed on the conspicuous lacy material hanging from the corner of the shelving unit, I closed my eyes and counted to ten.
When I opened them again I saw that Eric just leaned against his desk in front of us, giving me a complete view of his wet crotch. I looked away and Pam sniggered.
"So is there a particular reason I'm here tonight?' I asked my voice a little short. I was annoyed at how much the vampires seem to be enjoying my discomfort.
"Your services have been requested by a Sheriff out of state." Eric told me. Straight to the point, a quality I've come to admire in him.
I looked up. It was a long way up, he was close to the chair I was sitting in, my neck started to hurt just from trying to keep eye contact.
"Eric, do you mind sitting down? Or moving…or something…" The words came out a little forced. I was starting to berate myself for what happened earlier. Guilt after all is a powerful thing. I knew that my mind was more focused now than it's been in weeks. My body more calm and battle ready, but the newfound focus still didn't excuse my lack of control. Having to stare at the result of my slip up didn't help matters.
Eric looked down at his pants, the satisfied smirk never leaving his face as his eyes came back to mine. "It would seem I'm in a need of a shower. Pam do fill Lexie in while I change." Then his eyebrow went up. "Unless you'd like to join me?"
"Go wash Viking." I hissed as he chuckled his way out the door. I groaned as I realised that the mental image of him wet and naked was already crystal clear in my mind.
Hell and damnation, what have I gotten myself into?
