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Disclaimer: I do NOT own True Blood (it's really a shame I don't), its characters, or any other copyrighted/trademarked material that may be mentioned within the story. I DO own my original character, Annabelle Carnevare, and those of OC's of her family members.
~Annabelle's POV~
Shouting and screaming.
That was the predominant sound that resonated within my hearing, mixed with furniture being overturned and crashed into walls as the police stormed the inside of the bar, taking people down in their wake, along with vampires. If they could get their hands on them that is. I stood up from my seat without thinking, gazing at the mess that was ensuing before my eyes.
It was absolute chaos.
My hand remained in Eric's tight grasp and he pulled on me, tugging me sharply to him as he called for the others to follow him over his shoulder. I was basically running in my heels to keep up with his huge stride, praying silently for the miracle it would be if I didn't fall during our escape..
God the guy was tall.
Like, 'Holy-God-Are-You-A-Giant!' kind of tall.
He pulled me with him out a back exit and I quickly found myself in what looked like an ally leading in both directions, front and back, toward parking lots. I threw up my blocks hastily, definitely in need of quiet in my own mind so I could think- just THINK- as I rummaged just as hurriedly through my clutch for Donatello's keys.
Seconds later (if that) Pam and Bill, holding up a lounging Sookie in his arms, joined us in the ally.
My cousin looked over at me frantically because we had come in two separate cars, which meant we had to split up, something her newfound motherly instinct was screaming at her not to do. My car was farther away than Bill's and she was yelling something but I couldn't hear it over the commotion from the bar.
"You're coming with me." I heard Eric's deep and commanding voice whisper into my ear and as much as I felt the need to go with him, I shook my head.
"Uh, no sir. My car, it's in your lot and there's no way in hell I'm leaving it." I said stubbornly, smirking despite the raging panic just a few yards away.
"Annabelle! Annabelle come on!" Sookie yelled to me from behind where I stood with Eric towering over me.
Smiling up at the tall blonde, I wiggled my fingers some in farewell. "It's been fun stud, but I've got to run."
I turned to take off toward Donatello but a pale, cool hand shot out, snaring my wrist. I looked up with a spark of irritation into the frustrated blue eyes of Eric. He seemed entirely annoyed that I was defying him but there definitely was a hint of the tiniest smirk lingering on his lips as well.
"Oh no, I'm not through with you just yet."
My eyebrows rose, arching high on my forehead as I stared blankly up at him. Excuse me? Just where exactly did he think he got off-
"I'll take you to your car and then I'm coming with you." He spoke forcefully, and I knew in that instant no matter what I said, that's exactly what was going to happen.
Not that I actually minded.
Even though he was slightly arrogant with the whole 'I'm-Not-Through-With-You' act.
Eric pulled me by our linked hands into his side roughly, hugging me to his body tightly. It was a body that felt deliciously good flush against mine, and before I could really appreciate the feeling he took off, moving at a vision-blurring pace.
"God he's just so…" I thought to myself, admiring the vampire even in those few seconds.
Seriously, I was paying way too much attention to him when there were more important things at hand. Such as my cousin's screaming thoughts currently penetrating my mind with an irate tone of voice. Sookie managed to hear my pleasure-filled musings about Eric and was now thoroughly freaking out …curse this mind reading thing.
"Annabelle Lee Carnevare, what the fuck are you doing?!" A shrill, screaming thought broke through my guard and I winced.
"Sook it's fine, just go with Bill and call me when you get in the car." I thought calmly.
"Are you absolutely insane?! He could KILL you!" She continued on that same shrill note.
It shot my control straight to hell.
"Oh my god will you stop SCREAMING at me! You're going to make my brain explode!" I screamed back to her, giving her a taste of her own medicine.
"Belle it's not safe," She said, quieting.
"He won't hurt me Sookie. Call me in five."
With that message delivered, I threw my guard back up even more forcefully. If Eric picked up on the silent exchange, he didn't indicate that he did and I barely heard Bill reassuring her behind us before they split off toward his car, her screaming all the way.
Way to go Sook, like that's not going to catch the attention of the swarming cops.
"Which is yours?" Eric murmured as he ran, blurred, vamp-sped, whatever- with me.
"The black Camaro." I quickly answered, making the car beep.
I think I saw a ghost of a smile before he stopped suddenly, putting me down surprisingly gently by the driver's side. He was then around to the other side and getting in before I could even hardly open my door, much less blink. I ignored his presence purposefully while I slammed my door shut and cranked Donatello's engine over, gassing him some and revving the engine.
"Alright Donatello," I murmured without thinking about my audience.
Eric's chuckle made me smile but I stayed concentrated on getting us out and away from the bar before a cop decided to pull me over, though I was sure Eric could handle the situation if need be. I definitely didn't feel like spending time in a police station though so I worked quickly, forgetting about my company. I made a few turns, losing myself in the city until I felt calm enough to slow to normal speeds, pointing my baby in the direction of the highway. As I took the on ramp, I reached out, turning on the radio to a soothing piano channel to calm my nerves. If there was one thing that could keep me calm and bring me down from a hectic situation anymore, it was listening to the soft music from a piano. After a few moments I remembered I wasn't alone and looked over at my passenger, who was staring at me curiously, almost perplexed.
"What?" I murmured, turning back to the road.
"Aren't you afraid?" Eric asked, a hint of laughter in his voice.
I laughed quietly in return and shook my head.
"Why?" He questioned me.
"To be totally honest? I don't know." I answered him truthfully, "I'm just, not."
I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road as I avoided his piercing stare that would distract me from driving. I could tell he was frustrated, wanted to figure me out, wanted a way in. But he wouldn't be getting it anytime soon. Whatever I was, whatever abilities I possessed, the glamoring process was a complete waste on me.
"Miss. Carnevare-" He began, but the shrill ringing of my iPhone cut him off, causing him to snarl slightly and me to giggle.
I quickly swiped it open connecting the call; I had no doubt that Sookie was going to be completely spazzed out and yelling.
"Annabelle Lee, I'm going to kill you!" She screeched immediately.
I winced, pulling back from the phone some, "Nice to hear that you got away too Sook, what with your screaming and all."
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Going off with Eric like that?! Of all people, or vampires…whatever! God, Bill says he's extremely dangerous, he'd drain you in seconds and-"
She continued on her rampage and I cut my eyes to the blonde vampire sitting next to me, watching me with a smirk on his face, no doubt sure that I'd be frightened now if I hadn't been before. I was pretty certain he could actually hear every single word filtering through my phone, and he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Immensely.
"Bill doesn't know what he's talking about, Eric's nice. He even took me to my car." I defended him valiantly when Sookie continued to berate him.
Silence.
Pure, judging silence.
Sookie was not an Eric fan thanks to her nosey boyfriend, and I could definitely tell. I rolled my eyes in slight annoyance. I came to Bon Temps to start a new life of independence not to have a judgy older cousin tell me who I could and couldn't talk to.
"Is he with you right now?" She questioned suspiciously.
My eyes snapped up and met Eric's quickly, taking in how he gave a quick shake of his head. I tilted my own in confusion, wondering why he wouldn't want it known that he was with me, and narrowed my eyes in response. He'd be explaining that later.
"No, no he's not. He just heroically got me away from the cops and left with Pam, don't get your panties in a wad," I said sarcastically, smiling when she huffed in response. "Listen, we can talk about this when we get home. I need to watch the road and try not to get pulled over by the lovely Louisiana police." I said, my sarcasm still plenty enforced.
She sounded like she wanted to say more but agreed. We finished and I hung up the phone, tossing it gently onto the seat next to me before I remembered it was occupied.
Shit.
"Oh god sorry, I'm so used to having it over there!" I exclaimed as a blush colored my cheeks while I reached in his lap to get it, making sure to only touch the phone.
No matter how much I wanted to touch him.
The tingles were beginning again and I felt that sharp pull in his direction. It was the weirdest thing, like I needed to touch him, to be near him…and it was starting to freak me out. I began to suspiciously wonder if it was something he was doing on purpose but I didn't see how that was possible, nothing like that had ever worked on me before.
His smirk only grew bigger as he silently watched me, the entire ride home
Sun, bright and blinding sun streaking through my window woke me.
Way too early.
I whimpered pathetically and rolled over within my comforter, hoping to find some kind of relief on the other side of the bed, but the sunlight streaming in through that side of the room's window shined across my eyes yet again.
This house was plotting against me, I just knew it.
I sighed, rolling over onto my back and staring at the ceiling, letting the previous night's events wash over my memory, replaying in my mind.
The confrontation with my cousin's vampire (Erm, friend? Boyfriend? Oh whatever!) had been a supreme annoyance. Like this guy could tell me who was okay to talk to and who wasn't when I'd barely known him a day. The blonde vamp was like a big teddy bear.
Well…if a teddy bear could snarl, snap your neck, and drink you dry.
Eric's piercing and powerful stare had called to me last night and it was an experience that was spine tingling good, literally. The electric thrill of being so close to him, sensing his body and presence next to me the entire drive home but not touching him even though he was less than a foot away from me and I was itching to…
God, when I had gotten into my room my heart was racing and I was breathing heavily.
He had watched me from his spot by my car as I walked up the steps and to the door. Even as I had opened it, walked inside and shut it. He watched everything. I was super glad Gran hadn't been awake to see my hyperventilating reaction; it had been embarrassing even when I was by myself. I couldn't even begin to explain it, but I knew without a doubt that the attraction and magnetic pull wasn't something that had been forced upon me. Even a vampire as old as I thought he possibly could be wouldn't be able to work his magic on me, I was just…special.
Or so my mother said.
I winced as thoughts about her filtered into my brain, ruining my tall, blonde and gorgeous vampire inclined thoughts and fantasies.
"Belle seriously, that guy gives me the creeps."
I shrieked, jumping up into a standing position in a fight or flight instinct and getting slightly lightheaded from such a quick movement. Sookie stood in the opened doorway, her arms folded over her chest and a stern look on her face while her posture remained too tense and stiff to lean against the doorframe.
Jesus did this chick knock?!
"Well good morning to you too my dear cousin," I spouted off sarcastically.
I stretched slowly, not caring that I was in a sports bra and boyshorts (sue me, she's my cousin) and walked to my dresser for some shorts to wear through the morning. When I looked back at her though I caught her worried facial expression and I instantly became concerned, dropping the residual annoyance and irritation over her and Bill's disapproval of Eric. Instead, I opened my mind up silently, letting her thoughts sift through.
"Don't want her to get hurt…they may not be as great as I thought…Bill was so scary last night…that Eric guy has to be even worse when he gets angry…"
She sounded close to tears and I immediately walked over, grabbing her in a tight hug.
What had that jerk done to her?!
"Sook what happened last night? I'm sorry I didn't wait up for you, I was just so exhausted…Oh my god did he hurt you?!" I squeaked.
I wanted her to tell me what had gone wrong without having to trespass through her thoughts to find out for myself but she stepped back out of my hug, pulling from my grip, her face composed and determined to be strong.
"Belle I just…I don't want to talk about it. Just…be safe." She murmured, leaving me standing in the open door to my room as she hurried downstairs.
I stomped my way down to the kitchen after her a few minutes later.
I was more than aware that I was being a total brat, but it hurt my feelings that she didn't want to tell me about her night and whatever had her so worried. How could she tell me that it wasn't safe to talk to Eric, but then not tell me what happened with Bill? What was this, a "we can talk about your relationship with a vampire but not mine" act?
"Relationship?" My inner voice rolled her eyes, shaking her head at me in disgust. "Oh please, get a grip. The man helped you to your car and simply road with you to make sure you got home in good shape. Relationship, ha!" She spat.
I seriously wished sometimes that I could have a fight with her, like actually get my hands on her. Tragically though, that simply wasn't humanly possible.
Stopping for a second at the bottom of the stairs and taking a deep breath, I visualized my mental guards.
Nice big concrete walls, higher than skyscrapers in New York, were soon pictured in my mind's eye, effectively blocking Sookie from my thoughts. If she didn't feel like sharing her relationship issues with Bill then I certainly wasn't going to share my personal appreciation for a certain blonde headed vampire's delicious looking body and all the things I wouldn't mind doing with it.
With him.
I rounded the corner and smiled brightly, seeing Gran pushing eggs around in a skillet as the mouth-watering smells of breakfast filled my nose had that kind of effect on me. I had completely forgotten to eat dinner the night before in all the madness that had been Merlotte's and then Fangtasia, so I was positively starving. I turned to the kitchen table after greeting her and started pouring glasses of juice for everyone, smiling to myself as I took in how quickly the three of us had settled into a routine together in such a short time.
We were family and it was my own little heaven.
"I know, I'm so glad you're here Belle."
Sookie's wayward direct thought made its way into my brain and I handed her the glass of crisp liquid in a gesture of peace with a small smile. I didn't want to fight, especially with her, and what was the point really?
The chances I'd see Eric again were minimal anyway.
"His speech starts at eight, alright same to you now!" I smiled as Gran hung up the cordless phone and turned, filling our plates.
"Call about Bill's talk later?" I asked curiously.
"Everyone's excited about meeting the town vampire tonight!" She cried happily, fixing me with a grin.
Sookie's inward grumbling flashed across my senses but I ignored it, making sure my walls were fully in place.
"I didn't hear you come in last night…either of you actually."
Gran was talking in a simplistic 'No-Big-Deal' kind of voice, but her curiosity was palpable and I still nearly dropped my forkful of fruit in response. She wanted to know what had happened between Bill and Sookie, she still thought everything was totally fine from the night before. I opened my mouth to respond, silently praying she hadn't seen Eric through her window or something and I didn't realize it.
"You went to bed early! You didn't want to hear us come in," Sookie said accusingly.
Whew.
I zoned out a little while I took the first bites of my breakfast, moaning quietly in appreciation as different flavors burst across my tongue and made it that much more appetizing. My grandmother could cook a meal like no other I'd ever met. Seriously, it was delicious.
"Oh goodness did you two have a fight?" I heard Gran ask quietly.
My head snapped up quickly in the process of looking at Sookie, this was what I'd been waiting for! My cousin's eyes darted from mine to our grandmother's, trying to find the words to explain how she felt. A few flashes of images were hitting my brain while she scrambled, like a memory recall of sorts. Some awful music playing and a gun or something. It was all too fuzzy because only a little was slipping out from Sookie at a time.
She was already getting better at guarding her own thoughts in response to me being around.
"No…kind of. I just…I don't think Bill and I have very much in common."
She spoke quietly but agitatedly, looking down at her lap with a slightly pained expression. It was emphasized when she started stabbing at her breakfast aggressively, and my eyebrows rose.
Bill had seriously pissed her off.
Gran gave a passionate speech about not hating or being afraid of someone who had lived to see the world in all its amazing ways, but my mind was concentrated on the tidbit of thoughts Sookie was still projecting without realizing. Bill had apparently glamored a cop, and taken his gun. He'd scared her shitless.
No wonder she'd been so pissed about Eric.
"I don't hate him, I just don't want to be his girlfriend."
I grinned behind my juice glass and busied myself eating, staring at my food while my grandmother dealt with more phone call issues and finished up her cooking.
"Yeah, right," I snickered mentally, smirking.
"Belle?"
"Yes oh wise one?"
" Shut up."
